he lofty Lord of earth,
For sweeter things than deadly combat made.
Ruddily gleams the sunlight through the clouds
And with the lark the spirit flutters up
Exultant to the joyous airs of heaven!

GOLZ. Did you succeed in finding Marshal Dorfling?

KOTTWITZ (_coming forward_).
The Devil, no! What does my lord expect?
Am I a bird, an arrow, an idea,
That he should bolt me round the entire field?
I was at Hackel hillock with the van
And with the rearguard down in Hackel vale.
The one man whom I saw not was the Marshal!
Wherefore I made my way back to my men.

GOLZ. He will be ill-content. He had, it seemed,
A matter of some import to confide.

OFFICER. His Highness comes, our commandant, the Prince!

SCENE II

_The_ PRINCE OF HOMBURG _with a black bandage on his left hand. The
others as before._

KOTTWITZ. My young and very noble prince, God greet you!
Look, how I formed the squadrons down that road
While you were tarrying in the nest below.
I do believe you'll say I've done it well.

THE PRINCE. Good morning, Kottwitz! And good morning, friends!
You know that I praise everything you do.

HOHENZOLL. What were you up to in the village, Arthur?
You seem so grave.

THE PRINCE. I--I was in the chapel
That beckoned through the placid village trees;
The bells were ringing, calling men to prayers,
As we passed by, and something urged me on
To kneel before the altar, too, and pray.

KOTTWITZ. A pious gentleman for one so young!
A deed, believe me, that begins with prayer
Must end in glory, victory, and fame.

THE PRINCE. Oh, by the way, I wanted to inquire--

[_He draws the_ COUNT _forward a step._]

Harry, what was it Dorfling said last night
In his directions, that applied to me?

HOHENZOLL. You were distraught. I saw that well enough.

THE PRINCE. Distraught--divided! I scarce know what ailed me.
Dictation always sets my wits awry.

HOHENZOLL. Not much for you this time, as luck would have it.
Hennings and Truchsz, who lead the infantry,
Are designated to attack the foe,
And you are ordered here to halt and stay,
Ready for instant action with the horse,
Until an order summon you to charge.

THE PRINCE (_after a pause, dreamily_).
A curious thing!

HOHENZOLLERN. To what do you refer?

[_He looks at him. A cannon-shot is heard._]

KOTTWITZ. Ho, gentlemen! Ho, sirs! To horse, to horse!
That shot