foot on that.
He said that he desired to do no act
That men might christen with an ugly name.

NATALIE. Queer gentleman! Now bold, now timorous!
But it occurs to me that happily
The Elector, pressed by other business,
Charged me to issue word that Kottwitz, cribbed
Too close in his position, march back hither.
I will sit down at once and do it!

[_She sits down and writes._]

REUSS. By Heaven,
Most excellent, my lady! An event
That could not timelier prove for our petition!

NATALIE (_as she writes_).
Use it, Count Reuss, as well as you know how.

[_She finishes her note, seals it and rises to her feet again._]

Meanwhile this note, you understand, remains
In your portfolio; you will not go
To Arnstein with it, nor convey 't to Kottwitz
Until I give more definite command.

[_She gives him the letter._]

A LACKEY (_entering_).
According to the sovereign's order, madam,
The coach is ready in the yard, and waiting.

NATALIE. Go, call it to the door. I'll come at once.

[_Pause, during which she steps thoughtfully to the table and draws on
her gloves._]

Count, I desire to interview Prince Homburg.
Will you escort me thither? In my coach
There is a place I put at your disposal.

REUSS. Madam, a great distinction, I assure you--

[_He offers her his arm._]

NATALIE (_to the ladies-in-waiting_).
Follow, my friends!--It well may be that there
I shall decide about the note erelong.

[_Exeunt omnes._]

SCENE III

_The_ PRINCE'S _cell. The_ PRINCE Of HOMBURG _hangs his hat on the wall
and sinks, carelessly reclining, on a mattress spread out on the floor._

THE PRINCE. The dervish calls all life a pilgrimage,
And that, a brief one. True!--Of two short spans
This side of earth to two short spans below.
I will recline upon the middle path.
The man who bears his head erect today
No later than tomorrow on his breast
Bows it, all tremulous. Another dawn,
And, lo, it lies a skull beside his heel!
Indeed, there is a sun, they say, that shines
On fields beyond e'en brighter than these fields.
I do believe it; only pity 'tis
The eye, that shall perceive the splendor, rots.

SCENE IV

_Enter_ PRINCESS NATALIE _on the arm of_ COUNT REUSS, _and followed by
ladies-in-waiting. A f