ds, into the church.

SCENE X

_The_ PRINCE of HOMBURG _enters bearing three Swedish flags, followed
by_ COLONEL KOTTWITZ, _bearing two,_ COUNT HOHENZOLLERN, CAPTAIN GOLZ,
COUNT REUSS, _each with a flag; and several other officers, corporals,
and troopers carrying flags, kettle-drums and standards._

DOeRFLING (_spying the_ PRINCE OF HOMBURG).
The Prince of Homburg!--Truchsz! What did you mean?

ELECTOR (_amazed_).
Whence came you, Prince?

THE PRINCE (_stepping forward a few paces_).
From Fehrbellin, my liege,
And bring you thence these trophies of success!

[_He lays the three flags before him; the officers, corporals and
troopers do likewise, each with his own._]

ELECTOR (_frigidly_).
I hear that you are wounded, dangerously?
Count Truchsz!

THE PRINCE (_gaily_). Forgive!

COUNT TRUCHSZ. By heaven, I'm amazed!

THE PRINCE. My sorrel fell before the fight began.
This hand a field-leech bandaged up for me
Scarce merits that you call it wounded.

ELECTOR. So?
In spite of it you led the cavalry?

THE PRINCE (_regarding him_).
I? Indeed, I! Must you learn that from me?
Here at your feet I laid the proof of that.

ELECTOR. Relieve him of his sword. He is a prisoner.

DOeRFLING (_taken aback_).
Whom?
ELECTOR (_stepping among the flags_).
Ah, God greet you, Kottwitz!

TRUCHSZ (_aside_). Curses on it!

KOTTWITZ. By God, I'm utterly--

ELECTOR (_looking at him_). What did you say?
Look, what a crop mown for our glory here!--
That flag is of the Swedish Guards, is't not?

[_He takes up a flag, unwinds it and studies it._]

KOTTWITZ. My liege?

DOeRFLING. My lord and master?

ELECTOR. Ah, indeed!
And from the time of Gustaf Adolf too.
How runs the inscription?

KOTTWITZ. I believe--

DOeRFLING. "_Per aspera ad astra_!"

ELECTOR. That was not verified at Fehrbellin.

[_Pause._]

KOTTWITZ (_hesitantly_).
My liege, grant me a word.

ELECTOR. What is 't you wish?
Take all the things-flags, kettle-drums and standards,
And hang them in the church. I plan tomorrow
To use them when we celebrate our triumph!

[_The ELECTOR turns to the couriers, takes their dispatches, opens and
reads them._]

KOTTWITZ (_aside_).
That, by the living God, that is too much!

[_After some hesitation, the Colonel takes up his two flags; the other
officers and troopers follow suit. Finally, as the three f