HAROLD（sarcastically.）
AndI’veanotherthingwhichyoulack——COMRADE.
KARL.
Whatmaythatbe？
HAROLD.
Aclearconscience，myoldboy！
[ExitHAROLDintotentKARL.
Doeshesuspect？No——sleepingandwakingIhaveconcealedthis（hisarm）damningevidenceofmyguilt.ThemarkofCainIbearaboutmeisknowntonone，andthesecretdieswithme.——ForthatyoungPole，Sophiascornsme;butlethimbeware！——Myrevenge，thoughslow，issure！
（KARLturnstogo;butperceivingCountLaniskaadvancing，heretirestoatent.
EnterLANISKA，whonoticesKARLinthedistance.）
SONG——LANISKA.
WhenIbeholdthatloweringbrow，Whichindicatesthemindwithin，Imarvelmuchthatwoman’svowAmanlikethatcouldeverwin！
Yetitissaid，inrusticbower，（ThefableIhaveoftenheard）
AserpenthasmysteriouspowerTocaptivateatimidbird.
ThispreceptthenIsadlytrace——
Thatlove’saflutteringthingofair;
Andyonderlurkstheviperbase，Whowouldmygentlebirdensnare！
’TwasintheshadesofEden’sbowerThisfascinationhaditsbirth，AndeventherepossessedthepowerToluretheparagonofearth！
（Attheconclusionofthesong，KARL，isabouttoretire.LANISKAaddresseshim.）
COUNT.
Comehither，Karl.
KARL.
Iawaituponyourleisure，count.
COUNT.
Iwouldhavesomewordswithyou.
KARL.
Youmaynotrelishthefranknessofmymanner.
COUNT.
Indeed！
KARL.
Lookyou，CountLaniska;Iamaplain，blunt，straight—forward，rough—spokenfellow，andasoldierlikeyourself.Iknowmyrights;and，knowing，willmaintainthem.Itwasbytheking’spermissionandauthoritythatIchoseSophiaMansfieldformybride——
COUNT.
Shehasrejectedyou.
KARL.
Whathasthattodowiththematter？Womenareoftenperverse，andnotalwaysthebestjudgesoftheirownwelfare;andyouknowsheMUSTbemine——
COUNT.
Must？——
KARL.
Yes，MUST.Ihavetheking’spromise，andFrederickwasneverknowntobreakhisword.
COUNT.
Yousurelywillnotmarryheragainstherwill？
KARL.
Whynot？SophiaistheonlywomanIeverloved：andnowthatIhavehersure，thinkyouIwillresignher？
COUNT.
Andthinkyouthekingwillforceanangelintothearmsofamonster？Hecannotbesogreatatyrant——
KARL.
Tyrant！
COUNT.
Yes.Manwascreatedtocherishwoman，nottooppressher;andheistheworstoftyrantswhowouldinjurethatsexwhomheaveordainsithisdutytoprotect.
KARL.
Applyyouthistotheking？
COUNT.
Totheking，ortoanyHEinChristendom，whowouldusehispowertooppresstheunfortunate！Butcome，sir，wewillnotdisputeaboutahastyword——wehavehigherdutiestoperform.
KARL.
True，count;weopposeourweaponstotheenemiesofourcountry，notthebosomsofourfriends.IsayOURcountry;for，althoughyouwereborninPoland，andIinHungary，FrederickhasmadePrussiaalmostasdeartousasournativeland，TYRANT
thoughhemaybe.——Butwewillnotquarrelaboutasinglecaptive，whenthekinghasplacedsomanyatthedisposalofthosewhofighthisbattles.[Trumpetsoundswithout.
（EnterHAROLDwithdispatches.）
HAROLD（toCOUNT.）
Dispatchesfromtheking.（Aside.）AndaletterfromSophiaMansfield.[Exit.
（TheCOUNTreceivesandexaminesthedispatches;kissesSOPHIA’sletter，andputsitintohisbosom.KARLdoesnotnoticeit.）
DUET——COUNTANDKARL.
’Tisasoldier’srigiddutyOrdersstrictlytoobey;
Letnot，thenthesmileofbeautyLureusfromthecampaway.
Inourcountry’scauseunited，Gallantlywe’lltakethefield;
But，thevictorywon，delightedSinglytothefairweyield！
Soldierswhohavene’erretreated，Beauty’stearwillsurebeguile;
Heartsthatarmiesne’erdefeated，Lovecanconquerwithasmile.
Whowouldstrivetoliveinstory，Didnotwoman’shandprepareAmaranthinewreathsofgloryWhichthevaliantproudlywear？
[ExittheCOUNT.KARLfollows，menacinghim.
SceneIII.
AnapartmentintheChateauoftheCOUNTESS.EntertheCOUNTESSandFREDERICA.
COUNTESS.
Yourmorningride，Frederica，wasfullofromance——thehoseofyourgroom，yousay，tookfright——
FREDERICA.
Yes，dearmother，anddartedoffataracingpace;myownalsobecameunmanageable，andIlostmypresenceofmind.Ishouldhavebeenthrown，ifnotkilled，hadnotagentlemanrushedtomyassistance.
COUNTESS.
Whowashe？
FREDERICA.
Idonotknow.
COUNTESS.
Washealone？
FREDERICA.
Therewasanelderlypersonwithhim，whoseemedtobeaforeigner.
COUNTESS.
ButHEwasyoung，ofcourse？
FREDERICA.
Yes，mother，andhandsomeasanAdonis.
COUNTESS.
Youhavenotfalleninlovewiththisstranger，surely？Youarenotoldenough，andthisisonlyyourfirstseason，Frederica.
FREDERICA.
Lovehasallseasonsforhisown，dearmother.Listen！
SONG——FREDERICA.[Thissongwasnotwrittenfortheopera;butwasintroducedbythecomposer]
Thespring—timeofloveisbothhappyandgay，ForJoysprinklesblossomsandbalminourway;
thesky，earth，andocean，inbeautyrepose，Andallthebrightfutureiscouleurderose！
Thesummerofloveisthebloomoftheheart，Whenhill，grove，andvalleytheirmusicimpart;
Andthepureglowofheavenisseeninfondeyes，Aslakesshowtherainbowthat’shungintheskies！
Theautumnofloveistheseasonofcheer——
Life’smildIndiansummer，thesmileoftheyear——
Whichcomeswhenthegolden—ripeharvestisstored，Andyieldsitsownblessing，repose，andreward.
Thewinterofloveisthebeamthatwewin，Whilethestormhowlswithout，fromthesunshinewithin.
Love’sreigniseternal——theheartishisthrone，Andhehasallseasonoflifeforhisown.
COUNTESS.
Silly，thoughtlessgirl！——Whatstrangersarethesecominguptheavenue？
FREDERICA（lookingout.）
AsIlive，theelderlypersonItoldyouof，andtheyounggentlemanwhoriskedhislifetosavemine！
（EnterWEDGEWOODandALBERT.）
WEDGEWOOD.
HaveIthehonorofaddressingtheCountessLaniska？（Aside.）Flounces，frills，filagrees，andfurbelows，butshe’ssuperlativelyodd！
COUNTESS.
Iamthecountess，sir.
WEDGEWOOD（presentingletters.）
Willyourladyshipbepleasedtoreceivetheselettersofintroduction——ifquiteconvenient？
COUNTESS（receivinglettersandlookingatthem.）
Mr.Wedgewood，fromEsturiaandLondon;and——
WEDGEWOOD（introducingALBERT.）
Mr.AlbertWorrendorf.
COUNTESS（introducingFREDERICA.）
MydaughterFrederica.
ALBERT（aside.）
Theangelwemetbyaccidentthismorning！
WEDGEWOOD（aside.）
Seraphicallyodd！
FREDERICA（toALBERT.）
Wehaveseeneachotherbefore，Mr.Worrendorf.
ALBERT.
Tomygreathappiness，madam.
（ALBERTandFREDERICAconverseapart.）
COUNTESS（toWEDGEWOOD.）
Itwasverykindinmycorrespondent，Mr.Wedgewood，tointroduceagentlemanofyourcelebritytomychateau.
WEDGEWOOD.
Youdomehonor，madam.WeEnglishmenareplain—spokenpeople.Wearenotunlikeourearthenware——delfandcommonclaymixedtogether.Ifouroutsidesaresometimesrough，allwithinissmoothandpolishedasthebestofwork.Itisthepurestspirit，which，likethefinestchina，letsthelightshinethroughit.（Aside.）
Notabadcomplimenttomyself，andmetaphoricallyodd！
COUNTESS.
Yourreplyremindsmeoftheobjectofyourvisit.ThePrussiansareveryproudofthemanufactorywhichhasclaimedtheattentionoftheking.
WEDGEWOOD.
Oh，howIlongtoseethegreatFrederick！
COUNTESS.
Youwilllikehim，Iamconfident.
WEDGEWOOD.
Idon’tknowthat.Idon’tatallfancyhisedict.——What！marryaparcelofhandsome，innocent，industriousgirlstohisgreatwhiskeredhorse—guards，whethertheywillorno？It’sapieceofmoralturpitude——aninsulttocommonsense——andinfamouslyodd——
FREDERICA（advancing.）
Haveacare，Mr.Wedgewood——haveacarehowyoutalkabouttheking.Hepossessesasortofmagicalubiquity——andishere，there，andeverywhereatthesamemoment.
WEDGEWOOD.
Howdoeshemanagethat？
FREDERICA.
Hewandersaboutinsecrecyanddisguise——entersallkindsofmansions——andoftenover—hearsconversationsthatwereneverintendedforthecourt.Bythismeans，itissaid，hegathersinformationfromeverynookandcornerofhiskingdom.
WEDGEWOOD.
Strangekindofhocus—pocusworkforamonarch！——Peripateticallyodd！
ALBERT.
Ihavebeentoldthatheknowsmoreofthecharacterandconditionofhissubjectsandsoldiersthantheydothemselves.
COUNTESS.
Andheneverknowsofawrongdoneamonghispeoplethathedoesnotinstantlyredress——thoughitoftenpuzzlesthemtolearnhowhearrivesathisknowledgeofthefacts.Manythinkhimawizard.
WEDGEWOOD.
Andnotwithoutreason，madam.NeverbeforehaveIheardofsuchacompoundofsagacity，courage，andeccentricity.Oh，Iamallinaglowtoseeandconversewiththejollyoldboy！
（EnterCountLANISKA.）
COUNTESS（introducinghim.）
Myson，theCountLaniska，willpresentyoutohismajesty.
WEDGEWOOD（bowingtoCOUNT.）
Ifitisconvenient.（Aside.）Mostmartiallyanduniformlyodd！（ToLANISKA.）
But，first，Ishouldliketohaveaglimpseatthefactory.
COUNT.
Ishallbehappytoshowittoyou.Thereisoneextraordinarysubjectconnectedwithit，thatwillsurpriseyouboth——ayounggirlofsingulartalentandbeauty——
FREDERICA.
Ah，brother！uponyourfavoritethemeagain.Thatyounggirloccupiesmoreofyourthoughtsthanallheporcelaininthesedominions.
ALBERT（aside.）
PoorSophia！
FREDERICA（observingtheCOUNTlooksthoughtful.）
Why，what’sthematterwithyou，brother？
WEDGEWOOD.
Heisnodoubtstudyingthemixtureofdifferentkindsofclay，andcontrivingafurnacethatwillnotdestroyitbytoomuchheat.Ingeniouslyodd！
COUNT.
Youaremistaken，sir.IwasthinkingatwhattimeIshouldhavethepleasureofwaitinguponyou.
WEDGEWOOD.
IwillbeatyourserviceassoonasIhavehadtimetoadjustmyoutwardandrefreshmyinwardman.——Necessarilyodd！（SeeingtheCOUNTESSabouttoretire.）Madam，allowme（takesherhand）——Ifitisconvenient.
[ExitWEDGEWOODandCOUNTESS.
FREDERICA（toCOUNT.）
Now，brother，thatthecountesshasretired，prayfavoruswithyourconfidence.YouneednotmindMr.Worrendorf——IhavetoldhimallaboutSophiaMansfield——Ilovethatpoorgirlmyself，notlessforhermisfortunesthanhergenius.
ALBERT.
Ilovehertoo——
FREDERICA（aside.）
Oh，dear！what’sthematterwithme？Myheadturnsround——Iamreadytodrop！
COUNT（withemotion.）
Youloveher！Wherefore？
ALBERT.
Sheismycountrywoman，andforthatIloveher.
FREDERICA（recovering.）
Well，gentlemen，Imustsaythisisverygallantofyouboth，tobepraisingoneladysohighlywhenthereisanotherintheroom.（Aside.）Oh，dearme，hownearIcametobetrayingmyself！
ALBERT.
Yourpardon，mydearmadam.WhenIlookatyou，Ialmostforgetthereisanotherwomanintheworld.（KissesFREDERICA’shand，whoturnsawaywithevidentconfusion.）——ButforthepresentImustleaveyou，tojoinMr.Wedgewood.[Exit.
COUNT（noticingthem.）
（Aside.）So，so，Frederica——fairlycaught，Iperceive！（ToFrederica.）Ah，sister，sister！asinallthingselse，thereisadestinyinlove.
DUET——LANSIKAandFREDERICA.
Frommyfatethere’snoretreating——
Lovecommands，andIobey;
HowwithjoymyheartisbeatingAtthefortunesofto—day！
Lifeisfilledwithstrangeromances——
Loveisblind，thepoetssay;
Whenhecomesunsought，thechanceisOfhisownaccordhe’llstay.
Lovecanne’erbeforcedtotarry;
Chainhim——he’llthebondsremove：
Paired，notmatched，toomanymarry——
Allshouldwedaloneforlove.
Lethimonthebridal—evenTrimhislampwithconstantray;
Andtheflamewilllighttoheaven，Whentheworldshallfadeaway！
[ExeuntSceneIV.
Thewholedepthofthestageismadeuseofinthisscene，whichrepresentsanopencountry.ACampandSoldiersatadistance.Music.EnterHANS，GERTRUDE，andPeasantry：LadsandLassesdancing.
CHORUSofPEASANTS.
Ladsandlasses，tripawaytothecheerfulroundelay！
Atthesoundoftambourine，Careisbanishedfromthescene，Andahappytrainwebound，Tothepipeandtabour’ssound.
Merrily，merrilytripaway，’Tisanation’sholiday！
Merrily，merrily，merrilie，Boundwithspritslightandfree！
Let’sbejocundwhilewemay;
Anddance——dance——dance——
Anddancethehappyhoursaway！
Whenthegleaminglineshallcome，Tothesoundoftrumpanddrum;
Headedbyadvancingsteeds，Whomthekinginpersonleads——
Letushailhiminhisstate，Fortheking’sbothgoodandgreat！
Merrily，merrilytripaway，’Tisanation’sholiday！
Merrily，merrily，merrilie，Boundwithspritslightandfree！
Let’sbejocundwhilewemay;
Anddance——dance——dance——
Anddancethehappyhoursaway！
（Immediatelyafterchorus，agrandmarchiscommencedinhedistance，whichbecomesmoreandmoredistinctasthetroopsadvance.ThePEASANTSformingroups.HANS
speaksduringthefirstpartofthemarch.）
HANS.
Hereweare，Gertrude，manymilesfromourownvillage——andallforvat？Topleaseyou——（aside）andtoshellafewcolortoderartishes，vichIpringalongmitmeforderpurpose;butIneednottellherdat.——Here，standaside，anddon’tbelookingafterdesholders！
（GERTRUDEandHANSstandaside.Grandmarch.EnteracorpsofGrenadiersandothertroops，whoformontherightofthestage.Rollofdrums.Thetroopspresentarms.
EnterFREDERICK，inafuriouspassion，followedbygeneralandstaffOfficers，andCountLANISKA.TheKINGacknowledgesthesalute，liftshishat，andputsitonagainfuriously.HAROLDandCorporalareintheranksoftheGrenadiers.ThroughoutthescenetheKINGspeakshurriedly.）
KING.
General！
FIRSTGENERAL.
YourMajesty.
KING.
Howcomesitthereissuchalackofdisciplineinyourdivision？DisbandTHAT
regimentatonce，anddraftafewofthemenfromtherightwingintootherregimentsorderedforimmediateservice！ThesoonerTHEYareshotthebetter！
FIRSTGENERAL.
Yes，sire.[Exit.
KING.
Generals——mostofyouhaveservedthegreaterpartofyourliveswithme.Wehavegrowngray—headedintheserviceofourcountry，andwethereforeknowbestourselvesthedangers，difficulties，andgloryinwhichwehaveshared.Whilewemaintainthedisciplineofthearmy，wemaydefyanypowerthatEuropecanmarchagainstus——relaxthat，andwebecomeaneasypreytothespoiler.
SECONDGENERAL.
Yourmajestyshallhavenocauseofcomplaininthefuture.
KING.
Makesureofthat！——Soldiers，Irelyinmyoperationsentirelyuponyourwell—knownzealinmyservice，andIshallacknowledgeitwithgratitudeaslongasIlive;
butatthesametimeIrequireofyouthatyoulookuponitasyourmostsacreddutytoshowkindnessandmercytoallprisonersthatthefortunesofwarmaythrowinyourpower.
SECONDGENERAL.
Thatduty，sire，youhavetaughtusallourlives.
KING（takingsnuff.）
Good！——Haveanyofmygrenadiersanythingtosaytomebeforetheparadeisdismissed？
HAROLD（recoveringarms.）
YourMajesty！
KING.
Speakout，Harold！
HAROLD.
Thegrenadiershavenoticedwithdeepregretthatyoufatigueyourselfoflatetoomuchwiththecaresofthearmy.Weprotestagainstit——
KING.
Zoundsandfury！——Here’srebellion！YOUprotestagainstit？
HAROLD（bluntly.）
Wedo.Youaregettingtobeanoldman——averyoldman——andaretoomuchafoot.
KING.
IcandoasIlikeaboutit，Isuppose？
HAROLD.
Certainlynot;andyouwill，therefore，infuture，begoodenoughtouseyourcarriagemoreandyourlegsless.
KING.
WhatdothegrenadiersFEAR？
HAROLD.
Wefearnothingbutthelossofyourhealth，thelossofyourlife，orthelossofyourfavor，sire.
KING.
Don’tyoufearthelossofmytemperatyourbluntness——eh，oldcomrade？
HAROLD.
No，sire;weknowyoulikeit.
KING.
Idoindeed.Youareintheright，mybravecompatriots——formyadvancedageandincreasinginfirmitiesadmonishmethatIshallbeunderthenecessityoffollowingyouradvice.Butonthedayofbattle，youshallseemeonhorseback——ONHORSEBACK——andinthethickestofthefight！（Crossesthestage，asaBURGOMASTERenters，kneels，andpresentsapetition.）Whathavewehere？
BURGOMASTER.
Sire——thecommoncouncilhasimprisonedacitizen，uponanaccusationthathehassinnedagainstheaven，theking，andtherightworshipfulthecommoncouncil.WehumblybegtoknowwhatYourMajesty’spleasureiswithregardtothepunishmentofsounparalleledandatrociousanoffender？
KING.
Iftheprisonerhassinnedagainstheaven，andisnotafooloramadman，hewillmakehispeacewithitwithoutdelay.ThisisaPower（takingoffhishat——allthecharactersmaketheirobeisance）thatkingsthemselvesmustbowtoinreverentialawe.（Resumeshishat.）
BURGOMASTER.
Buthehasalsosinnedagainstyourhighandmightymajesty——
KING.
Tush，tush，man！
BURGOMASTER（profoundly.）
Onmyofficialveracity，sire.
KING.
Well，well，forthatIpardonhim——
BURGOMASTER.
Andhehaslikewisesinnedagainsttherightworshipfulthecommoncouncil.
KING.
Thereprobate！——
BURGOMASTER.
Itismostveritable，YourMajesty！
KING.
Well，forthatterribleandenormousoffence，itbecomesmysolemndutytomakeanexampleofsoabominableaculpritandtopunishhiminamustexemplarymanner.
Therefore——
BURGOMASTER.
Yes，YourMajesty——
KING.
SendhimtotheCastleofSpandau，tobeimprisoned——
BURGOMASTER.
YourMajesty——
KING.
Foratleast——
BURGOMASTER.
Sire——
KING.
Halfanhour（PEASANTRYlaugh;）——andafterwardheisatlibertytogotothedevilhisownway;andtherightworshipfulthecommoncouncilmaygowithhim，iftheylike！
（ExitBURGOMASTER.Ashegoesout，shrugginghisshoulders，allthePEASANTRYlaugh，untilcheckedbyalookfromtheKING，whocrossesthestagetotheGrenadiers，andaddressestheCORPORAL，whohashiswatch—ribandsuspended.）
KING.
Corporal！（Headvancesandrecoversarms.）
CORPORAL.
YourMajesty！
KING.
Ihaveoftennoticedyouinthefield.Youareabravesoldier——andaprudentone，too，tohavesavedenoughfromyourpaytobuyyourselfawatch.
HAROLD（asidetoCORPORAL.）
YourememberwhatItoldyouaboutahawk’seye.
CORPORAL.
BraveIflattermyselfIam;butastomywatch，itisoflittlesignification.
KING（SeizingandpullingoutabulletfastenedtotheCORPORAL’swatch—riband.）
Why，thisisnotawatch！——It’sabullet！
CORPORAL.
It’stheonlywatchIhave，YourMajesty;butIhavenotwornitentirelyoutofvanity——
KING.
Whathaveyouwornitfor，then？Itdoesnotshowyouthetimeofday！
CORPORAL.
No;bititclearlyshowsmethedeathIamtodieinyourMajesty’sservice.
KING.
Wellsaid，mybravefellow！And，thatyoumaylikewiseseethehouramongthetwelveinwhichyouAREtodie，Iwillgiveyoumywatch.Takeit，andwearitformysakecorporal.（TheKINGgivestheCORPORALhiswatch.）
CORPORAL（withemotion.）
ItwillalsoteachmethatatanymomentYourMajestymaycommandmylife.
HAROLD（enthusiastically.）
Andthelivesofusall.LonglivetheKing！
（Flourishofdrums.TheKINGacknowledgesthesalute.）
KING（toGrenadiers.）
You，mybravefellows，aremyownguards.IcanrelyuponYOU.Thereisnowantofdisciplinehere——eh，General？Notwithstandingallmyannoyances，IamthehappiestkinginChristendom！
CHORUS
（Grenadiersandallthecharacters）
Allhailtheking！——Longlivetheking！
Ourhopeinpeaceandwar！
WithhisrenownletPrussiaring——
Hurrah！hurrah！hurrah！
Heisthepillarofthestate！
Ourswordandbucklerhe！
HeavengivetoFredericktheGreatEternalvictory！
（TheGRENADIERScheer.TheOFFICERScloseabouttheKING.Flourishandtableau.
Theact—dropdescendsonthepicture.）
EndoftheFirstAct.
ActII.
SceneI.
Discovered.Thestagerepresentsalargeapartmentwithouttheusualside—entrances.
Onthelefthandisarowoflong，old—fashionedwindows，withpainting—screenssoarrangedastoletthelightfallobliquelyonthetablesbeneath;atwhichtheFACTORYGIRLSareseated，employedinpaintingvariousarticlesofporcelain.
SOPHIAMANSFIELDisseatedatthetablenearesttheaudience.Ontherightareseparatetables，atwhichGIRLSareemployedmixingandgrindingcolors.Inthecenterofthestageisasmallplatform，onwhichanumberofpaintedvases，readyfortheoven，areplaced.KARLisengagedinexaminingthem.Attherearofthestageistheentrancetotheroom——alargeopendoor——oneachsideofwhicharerowsofshelves，filledwithvases，bowls，plates，jars，mantelornaments，andthelike，puttheretodry.Thewholerepresentingthepainting—roomoftheRoyalPorcelainFactory.Throughthedoorsthefurnacesareseen，onwhichtheporcelainisplacedtosetthecolors，andwhichseveralWORKMENareattending.Thecurtainrisesslowlytothemusic.
CHORUS.
（Germanair.）
Home，home，home——
Dear，losthome！
Thoughherewepineinslavery，OurheartsareallinSaxony，Ourgirlhood’shappyhome！
Landofthefreeandbold，Tohopelessbondagesold！
WhileabjecttoilandfearEnchainthydaughtershere，Weyearnforthee，OSaxony！——
Forfreedom，love，andhome！
（TheGIRLSattempttowaltztothemusic;but，overcomebytheirfeelings，theyresumetheirtasks.）
SOLO——SOPHIA.
Home，home，home——
Dear，losthome！
Thoughcaresoppressusfearfully，WeexilescarolcheerfullyOfgirlhood’shappyhome！
Beneathournativesky，Thehourswentswiftlyby;
Whileonaforeignsoil，Ouryouthconsumesintoil！
Weyearnforthee，OSaxony！——
Forfreedom，love，andhome！
（TheGIRLSattempttowaltz，asbefore，etc.）
CHORUS.
Home，home，home，etc.
（TheWORKMENandtheGIRLSresumetheirtasks.）
（EnterCountLANISKA，ALBERT，andWEDGEWOOD.）
WEDGEWOOD（lookingaround，andspeakingenthusiasticallyasheenters.）
Admirable，uponmyword！Everydepartmentbetterthanthelast，andthisthebestofall！Neversawanythinglikeit.Thecolorsbrilliant——thedesignsexquisitelyclassical——\"aplaceforeverything，andeverythinginitsplace！\"
COUNT.
WhateverHisMajestyconstructs，whetherafortressorafactory，isperfectinallitsdetails.
WEDGEWOOD.
Yetlookaround，andreadyourmonarch’shistoryintheeyesoftheseprisonersofwar.Observethatpictureofmelancholy（pointingtoSOPHIA，who，duringthescene，hasbeenleaningdejectedlyonherhand.——KARLstandingbyherside.）Howreluctantlyshepursueshertask！OurEnglishmanufacturersworkinquiteanothermanner，fortheyarefree！
KARL.
Andarefreemenorfreewomenneverindisposed？——ordoyouEnglishmenblameyourkingwheneveranyofhissubjectsturnpale？Thewomanatwhomyouarelookingisevidentlyill.
WEDGEWODD.
Thefieuponyourinhumanityformakingapoor，sickgirlworkwhensheseemsscarcelyabletoholdupherhead！（Aside.）Idon’thalflikethatfellow.Villainouslyodd.
ALBERT（toSOPHIA.）
Mypoorgirl，whatisthematterwithyou.Theoverseersaysthat，sinceyoucamehere，youhavedonenothingworthyofyourpencil.Yetthischarmingpiece（pointingtoanornamentonherpainting）——whichwasbroughtfromSaxonyisofyourdesign——isitnot？
SOPHIA.
Yes，sir，itwasmymisfortunetopaintit.Ifthekinghadneverseenorlikedit，Ishouldnowbe——
ALBERT.
InSaxony;butforgetthatcountry，andyoumaybehappyinthis.
SOPHIA.
Icannotforgetit！——IcannotforgeteverybodythatIeverloved.AsknotaSaxonwomantoforgethercountry！
ALBERT.
WhomdoyouloveinSaxonynow？
SOPHIA.
WhomdoINOTloveinSaxony？Ihaveabrotherthere，whomIhavenotseensincechildhood.HewasatcollegewhenIwascarriedofffromthecottageinwhichwebothwereborn.Heisignorantofmyfate.（SheregardsALBERTwithgreatattention，andexamineshisfeaturesminutely.）
ALBERT.
Whydoyougazeuponmesointently？
SOPHIA.
Iknownotwhy，sir;butyouseemedevennowadearheart—cherishedone，whomIhavewishedforlongandanxiously.
ALBERT.
Thinkmethatone，andtrustme.
SOPHIA.
Iwill——forthere’sacherubnestlinginmyheartwhichwhispers，\"Youareheretosaveme！\"（ALBERTleadshertohertask，whichsheresumesingreatdejectionofspirits.）
WEDGEWOOD（toKARL.）
Isthatpoorgirloftenthus？
KARL.
Shesitsasyouseeher，likeonestupefied，halftheday.
WEDGEWOOD.
Thecauseofthis——ifitisconvenient？
KARL.
Shehasfallentothelotofasoldier（glancingatSOPHIA）——whoswears，ifshedelaysanotherdaytoMARRYHIM，thathewillcomplaintotheking.
COUNT（turningfuriouslyuponKARL.）
Wretch！（seizeshim.）
KARL（throwinghimoff.）
Thisinsultwillcostyoudear！Yourscornfortheking’scommands——
COUNT（scornfully.）
Ihadforgotten.（Releaseshim.）Youareamereinstrumentinthehandsofatyrant！
KARL（aside.）
Thatwordagain！——
SOPHIA（runningbetweenthem，andthrowingherselfatthefeetofLANISKA.）
Saveme！saveme！YouCANsaveme！Youareapowerfullord，andcanspeaktotheking！Savemefromthisdetestedmarriage.
KARL（asidetoSOPHIA.）
Areyoumad？
COUNT（raisingSOPHIA，whoclingstohim，andshrinksfromKARL.）
Iwilldoso，orperishintheattempt！
KARL（aside.）
Ah！sayyouso？ThenthekingshallknowHISenemyandMINE！[Exit.
WEDGEWOOD（noticingKARLgooff.）
Whew！There’smischiefbrewing！Ifthatblack—muzzledrascalisnothatchingtroubleforusall，I’llnevertrustmysevensensesagain！Iwondertheypermitsuchabeartogoatlargeinagardenlikethis——he’llrootuptheflowersaswellasweeds.——Dangerouslyodd！
（Trumpetsoundswithout，andabuzzandhumasifofadistantcrowd;thenoisecomesneartheFactory.）
WEDGEWOOD.
What’safootnow，Iwonder？
ALBERT.
Somenewfreak，nodoubt，ofthiseccentricmonarch.（Noises.）
WEDGEWOOD（lookingout.）
Thetownisallastir（noiselouder）——hummingandbuzzinglikeahiveofbees！（Noise，anddistantshouts.）Andyondercomesafussylittleburgomasterwithaproclamation，andacrowdofnoisycitizensathisheels——odd！[Noiseandshoutsincrease.
（SophiaandtheotherGIRLSandtheWORKMENleavetheiroccupations，asifanxioustolearnthecauseoftheuproar.Whenthebuzzing，huzzaing，andnoisereachtheFactory，loudsoundofthetrumpet.）
BURGOMASTER（without.）
Makewaythere，goodpeople——makewaytherefortheroyalherald！（TheBURGOMASTER
bustlesinwiththeHERALD——thecrowdfollowingandsurroundinghim——noises.）Standback（usinghiswand）——standback，youidle，raggedtatterdemalions，andpayallduereverencetotheconstitutedauthorities！（laughter）——forknowallmenbythesepresents（verypompously，）thatIrepresenttheking！（laughter.）
WEDGEWOOD.
Whatafigureforthepart！（laughter.）
BURGOMASTER（smartlystrikingwithhiswandonewholaughslouderthantherest.）
Takethat，andletitteachyoubettermannersinfuture，youscarecrow！——Nowdrawnear，goodpeople，andbedumb！Lendmeallyourears！——
WEDGEWOOD.
Youhaveearsenoughalreadyforanytwo—leggedanimal——
BURGOMASTER.
WhileI，byvirtueofmyofficeasamagistrate，publishthisimportantdocument！
（SOPHIAcomesforward.）
CITIZEN（eagerly.）
Nowforit！
BURGOMASTER（hittinghimsmartlyoverthehead.）
Youwill，willyou？——Hish！Thispaperisbigwithinformationtothewholerealm;
butmoreespeciallytothedaughtersofSaxony.（SOPHIAandtheGIRLSoftheFactory，bylooksandactions，evincegreatinterestinthereadingofthepaper.）
BURGOMASTER.
Hish！（ToHERALD.）Nowproceedinregularorder，andaccordingtoancientformandusage，toreadtheroyalproclamation！——Hish！（HandspapertoHERALD.）
HERALD（reads.）
\"BythegraceofGod，we，FredericktheSecond，KingofPrussia，herebymakeknownthathewillgivefreedom——\"
SOPHIA（eagerlyaside.）
Freedom？（Listenswithanxiety.）
HERALD.
\"AndarewardoffivehundredcrownstotheARTISTwhoshallproducethemostbeautifullydesignedandhighly—finishedenameledporcelainvaseofBerlinchina;
andpermithertomarrywhomsoeversheshallthinkproper.\"
SOPHIA（asideandjoyfully.）
HerIaright？（TheGIRLSoftheFactoryshowgreatjoyatthis.）
HERALD.
\"TheARTIST’snameshallbeinscribeduponthevase，whichshallbecalled’ThePrussianVase.’\"
SOPHIA（aside.）
Oh，happy，happynews！
HERALD.
\"SignedattheSansSouci——
\"BytheKing.\"
OMNES.
HA—z—z—a—a—h—a—a—a—a！（AmidtheshoutsandgeneraljoyoftheGIRLS，theBURGOMASTER
bustlesout，usinghiswandfrequently，andspeakingallthewhile;theHERALD
following，andtheCITIZENSbuzzingandhuzzaingasbefore.）Silenceyounondescriptvillains！——Silence，Isay！Youstunmewithyouruproar！（Loudshout.——Passionately.）
Oh，shutyouruglymugs！（Strikesthem.）
WEDGEWOOD.
Mugs！Ilikethat.He’sinthecrockery—trade，likemyself.
SOPHIA（withjoy.）
Thisproclamationhasanimatedmewithnewlifeandenergy.Ifeellikeoneinspired！
COUNT.
Whatmeanyou？
SOPHIA.
Tobecomeacompetitorfortheprize.
ALBERT.
Youwillhavemanyopponents.
SOPHIA.
Iheedthemnot.
WEDGEWOOD.
Allwillbezealthroughoutthemanufactory.
SOPHIA.
Somuchthegreaterneedformyperseverance.
ALBERT.
Somewillbeexcitedwiththehopeofgainingtheirliberty.
SOPHIA.
Oh，blessedhope！
WEDGEWOOD.
Somestimulatedbythecrowns.——Notatallodd.——Itwouldbeoddiftheywerenot！
SOPHIA.
ButnonehavesostrongamotiveforexertionasIhave.
COUNT（withenthusiasm.）
Noblyresolved！IwillassistyouwitheveryfacultyIpossess.
ALBERT（withthesamefeeling.）
AndI！
WEDGEWOOD（withthesame.）
Andall！——Ifitisconvenient.
SOPHIA（joyfully.）
Thendoubtnotmysuccess.（ExitLANISKA，ALBERT，and，WEDGEWOOD.）Oh，howmyheartboundswiththethoughtsofoncemoreseeingSaxony！Itsmountains，torrents，vineyards，areallbeforemenow！Andthenournativesongs！——Theystealintomyheartandmeltit.
SONGANDCHORUS.
（Germanair.）
SOPHIAandFACTORYGIRLS.
Sky，stream，moorland，andmountain，Tree，cot，spire，anddome，Breeze，bird，vineyard，andfountain，Kindred，friends，country，andhome！——
Home，home，home，home！——
Thesearetheblessingsofhome！
（TheFACTORY—GIRLSnowwaltzcheerfullytothemusic.）
HopehowfondlyIcherish，Dearland，toseetheeoncemore！
OFate！letmenotperishFarfrommyownnativeshore！
Home，home，home，home！——
Saxony，Liberty’shome！
（TheGIRLSwaltzasbefore，etc.）
Thosewhofreedominherit，BownottoTyranny’sthrone;
Then，friends，inakindspirit，Judgeofmylovebyyourown.
Home，home，home，home！——
Thelandoftheheartisourhome！
（Theyallwaltzwithgreatspirituntilthescenecloses.）
SceneII.
AStreetinBerlin.EnterFREDERICKinacloak——KARLfollowing.
KING.
Thosewhohavethecommandofmotives，andknowtheirpower，havealsothecommandofallthatthearts，orwhatiscalledageniusforthearts，canproduce.ThehumanmindandhumaningenuityaremuchthesameinItaly，England，andPrussia.
ThenwhyshouldnotwehaveaPrussianaswellasaWedgewoodoraBarbarinivase？
Weshallsee.Idonotunderstandmonmetierderoi，ifIcannotcallforthtalentswhereIknowthemtoexist.（ToKARL.）Andsothecountdenouncedmeforatyrant，didhe，Karl？
KARL.
Hedid，YourMajesty.
KING.
He’samerestripling;andIpermitboysandfoolstospeakofmeastheylist.ButIamnotyrant，Karl！Hemighthavesparedmethat.（Musingly.）Tyrant！——
KARL（aside.）
Itranklesdeeply.
KING（recoveringfromhismeditation.）
Youthandinexperience——tosaynothingoflove——pshaw！——whichistherootofallfolly——shallbehisapologythistime：butlethimbewarehowheoffendsagain——
KARL（aside.）
ItmoveshimasIintended.
KING.
No，Iamnotyrant.Ishouldnotbebrandedwithsuchatitle！
KARL（startled.）
Branded，YourMajesty？
KING.
Whathashappened，Karl？Youareaspaleasashes！Whatmysteryishere？Iamtobetrusted.
KARL.
YourMajestywaseverkind;andifImight——
KING.
Might！Youmay.Speakfreelytoyoursovereign——yourfriend——andtellmewhatitisthatweighsuponyourmind.
SONG——KARL
Daredtheselipsmysadstoryimpart，Whatreliefitwouldgivetomyheart！
Thoughthescenesofpastyearsastheyrise，Bringthedewsofremorsetomyeyes，Yet，ohhearme，andeverconcealWhatinagonynowIreveal！——
KING.
Speakfreely，Karl——
KARL.
Andbehold，whileIthrowoffthemask！
Ah，no，no，no，no，no——
Ishrinkindespairfromthetask！
InthepageofmylifethereappearsAsadpassagethat’swrittenintears！
Couldbutthatbeerased，IwouldgiveAlltheremnantofdaysImaylive：
yetthecauseofthecloudonmybrowIhaveneverdiscloseduntilnow——
KING.
Sayon，Karl——
KARL.
Herebehold！——Itisbrandedinflame！
Ah，no，no，no，no，no——
Ishrinkindespairfrommyshame！[KARLrushesout.
KING.
There’samysteryaboutthatfellowthatIcannotunderstand.——Whomhavewehere？
Oh，theEnglishtravellerwhoisinsuchagoodhumorwithmymanufactory，andwhohassuchstrangenotionsrespectingme.Good——good！
[Drawshiscloakabouthimandretires.
（EnterWEDGEWOOD.）
WEDGEWOOD.
IbegintoperceivethatIshallgetintosomeconfoundedscrapeifIstayheremuchlonger，andsowillmyyoungfriendMr.Worrendorf，whohasmademehisconfidant：
butmum’stheword！（SeeingtheKING，whoisintheactoftakingsnuff.）Ah，usesnuff，myoldboy？——Odd！——Thankyouforapinch.（Takesapinchsansceremonie，andwithouttheKing’sconsent.FREDERICKshutstheboxangrily.WEDGEWOODstartsbackinastonishment.——Aside.）Wonderwhotheold—fashionedbrownjugcanbe！I’lltakehimbythehandleandpourhimout，andseewhat’sinhim.
KING.
Likethesnuff？
WEDGEWOOD.
Yes（snuffs）——it’sdecentblackguard（snuffs）——quitedecent.
KING.
Tasteitagain.
WEDGEWOOD.
Don’tcareifIdo.（Helpshimself.）
KING.
Perhapsyouwillalsodomethefavortoacceptthebox？
WEDGEWOOD（takingthebox.）
Ifitisconvenient.WhatamItoinferfromthis？
KING.
ThatyouandIcannottakesnuffoutofthesamebox.MYboxisnotlargeenoughfortwo.
WEDGEWOOD（astonished.）
Youdon’tsayso！\"Notlargeenoughfortwo？\"（Looksatthebox.）DamnmeifIdon’tthinkitlargeenoughforadozen，unlesstheytooksnuffwithashovel！
（Aside.）Whointhenameofallthat’smagnanimouscanthisoldthree—corneredcocked—hattedcockolorumbe？
KING.
Youwereoverheardtosaybutnowthatyouwouldliketoseetheking？
WEDGEWOOD.
Overheard？（Aside.）Ah，that’sthewaytheydoeverythinghere.Amancan’tsneezewithoutsomeoneofthefourwindsofheavenreportingittoHisMajesty！Thereisnosuchthingasasecretinthewholekingdom！Howdothewomengetalong，Iwonder？
（ToFREDERICK.）\"Liketoseetheking？\"CertainlyIshould.
KING.
Thatboxwillprocureyouanaudience.Presentitatthepalace.
WEDGEWOOD.
Lookyouhere，myjollyoldcock，noneofyourjokes——noneofyourtricksupontravellers，ifyouplease.Whatdoyoumean？
KING.
ThatIamappreciatedatcourt.
WEDGEWOOD（aside.）
Oh，there’snostandingonthis！（ToFREDERICK.）DoyouintendtosaythatyouarepersonallyacquaintedwithFredericktheGreat？
KING.
Iknowhim，Ibelieve，betterthananysubjectinhisrealm.Heismymostintimatefriend.
WEDGEWOOD.
Well，then，ifthatbethecase，allthatIhavetosayis，thatheisnotoverandaboveniceinhischoiceofcompanions.——Whatanoddoldfile！
KING（angrily.）
Lookyouhere，Mr.Wedgewood——
WEDGEWOOD.
W—e—d—g—e—w—o—o—d！——
KING.
Yes——Iknowyouwellenough.YouareanEnglishmanbybirth——acrockery—merchantbytrade——agentlemanfrominclination——andanoddsortofcharacterfromhabit.
Withoutknowinganythingmoreaboutitthanthemaninthemoon，youhavecondemnedthepolicyoftheking，whoisawareofallyouhavesaidanddonesinceyourarrivalinPrussia.
WEDGEWOOD（alarmed.）
Oh，I’llgetoutofthisinfernalcountryasfastasmylegscancarryme！Thekingisallears，likeafieldofcorn;andalleyes，likeapotato—patch！
KING.
Whatalarmsyou？
WEDGEWOOD.
Everything.It’salloverwithme！I’manearthenteapotwiththespoutknockedoff！——Suspiciouslyodd！
KING.
You，sir，liketoomanyothers，areentirelymistakeninthecharacterofFrederick.
Youwillunderstandhimbetterwhenwemeetagain（going.）
WEDGEWOOD.
But，beforeyougo，prayreceiveyourboxagain！——（theKINGlooksathimsternly——
WEDGEWOODisgreatlyalarmed）——if——it——is——convenient！
KING.
Notnow.Whennextweconfer，rememberme.——Farewell！[Exit.
WEDGEWOOD.
Rememberyou？IthinkIshall.Onceseen，neverforgotten.Whatadeepoldscrew！
（EnterHAROLD.）
HAROLD.
Thekingcommandsyourpresenceatthechateauofthecountess.
WEDGEWOOD.
Thedevilhedoes！（Looksatthebox.）What’shere？AsIlive，theroyalarms！
（ConcealstheboxfromHAROLD.）Oh，thething’splainenough.Thatfellowhasstolenthisbox;andforfearofbeingfoundout，hehasputitoffonme！It’sallup！——I’vebeenbamboozledbythenefariousoldmonsterofiniquity！ButI’llafterhimstraight，andhavehimJUGGED.IfIdon’t，they’llmakenotbonesofJUGGINGme！——Ifitisconvenient.[Exitinaflurry.
HAROLD.
Howhetrembles！He’sfrightenedoutofhissenses——Fear？Whatisit？Awordnottobefoundinthearticlesofwar——asoldier’sonlyvocabulary！
SONG——HAROLD.
FieryMars，thyvotaryhear！
Weaveformeawreathofglory！
WhenIrestuponmybier，Letmymemoryliveinstory！
Aidmyswordintimeofwar！
Inmycountry’scauseIwieldit——
OnlywiththebreathIdraw，WillItothefoemanyieldit！
[Exit.
SceneIII.
SOPHIAMANSFIELD’sapartmentsinthePorcelainFactory.EnterSOPHIA.
SOPHIA.
’Tisdone.Myvaseisfinished，andinthepossessionoftheoverseer.Howisitwithme？Althoughmyfortunesaresuspendedbyasinglethread，anunaccustomedbuoyancypervadesmybosom.Aretheseemotionsprecursorsofvictory，orhastheloveofLaniskagivenmeanewexistence，andtingedtheworldoncemorewithhuesofparadise？Hownewandfreshandstrangeareallhethingshereaboutmyheart！
Thisishisgift——asimpleflower！Hesaiditisanemblemoflove.Itisnotso.
Lovedoesnotperishthus！——Lovecannotbeaflower.
SONG—SOPHIA.
Ah！Loveisnotagarden—flower，Thatshootsfromouttheculturedearth;
Thatneedsthesunbeamandtheshower，Beforeitwakensintobirth：
Itownsarichersoilandseed，Andwoman’sheartsuppliesthemboth，Whereitwillspring，withoutaweed，Consummateinitsgrowth.
TheseleaveswillperishwhenawayFromeithergenialsunorshower;
NotsowillwitheranddecayCelestialLove’sperennialflower.
’Tisourcompanioncountlessmiles，Throughwealorwoeinafteryears;
Andthoughitflourishesinsmiles，Itbloomsasfreshintears！
（EnterFREDERICA.）
FREDERICA.
MydearSophia，Iamoverjoyedtolearnthatyouhavecompletedyourvase.
SOPHIA.
Thanks，dearmadam.Isittruethattheworksofthedifferentcompetitorsaretobeexhibitedatthefeteofthecountess，andthatthedecisionistobetheremade？
FREDERICA.
Itis——andthecountessinsistsuponyourbeingpresent.
SOPHIA.
Iamanunknowngirl，madam;andifIdeclinetheinvitation，Ibeseechyoutakeitnotamiss.
FREDERICA.
——ButIwilltakeitamiss，andsowillthecountandcountess，whosemessengerI
am，andwhoinsisteduponmybringingyoutothechateauatonce.
SOPHIA.
Well，madam，sinceyouwillhaveitso——
FREDERICA.
Oh，you’llbedelighted.Onlythinkoftheconcentratedattractionsof\"thecourt，thecamp，thegrove！\"Oh，they’retoomuchforanymortalwomantowithstand！
DUET——SOPHIAandFREDERICA
Theking，theprincesofthecourt，Withlordsandladiesbright，WillintheirdazzlingstateresortTothisgrandfeteto—night：
Themerry—heartedandtheproudWillmingleintheglitteringcrowd，WhoglidewithFashion’ssparklingstreamWhereoneIlovewillshinesupreme！——
Larala，larala，lalala，etc.
ThecavaliersofItaly，ThegaygallantsofFrance，WithSpainandEngland’schivalry，Willjointhemerrydance.
ThecourtofLove——thecampofMars，FairPrussiandames，\"earth—treadingstars，\"
Tomusic’sstrainwillfloatinlight，WhereoneIlovewillbeamto—night！——
Larala，larala，lalala，etc.
[Exitcheerfully.
SceneIV.
Discovered.GrandSaloonintheChateauoftheCOUNTESSLANISKA，arrangedforaFete.ThesceneopenswithdancingandwaltzingbytheCHARACTERS，anddiscoverstheKINGandretinue，LORDSandLADIESoftheCourt，foreignAMBASSADORSandATTACHES，theCOUNTESSLANISKA，ALBERT，WEDGEWOOD，KARL，GIRLSoftheFactory，etc.，etc.
TheCHARACTERSarevariouslygroupedduringthedance;andwhileallareobservingtheKING，who，withKARLathisside，isattentivelyexaminingtheVases，whichareplacedonstandsononesideofthestage，theCOUNTLANISKAenters，conducting，inSOPHIAandFREDERICA.Afterthedance，theKINGspeaks.
KING.
Thehourhasarrivedwhichistodecidethefateofthecompetitors.（AlltheCHARACTERSexpressbytheirlooksandactionstheutmostanxietyastotheresult，anddrawneartotheKING.）
KARL（toKING.）
TheinscriptionuponthisvaseisinthehandwritingoftheCountLaniska.
KING.
’Tiswell.
KARL（aside.）
Anditisadeath—warrant！
KING.
Subjectsandchildren：wehavereasontobeproudofanartthatredoundstothehonorandgloryofPrussia.Whereallhavedeservedwell，allshallbewellremembered.
（TheGIRLSoftheFactorymanifestgreatjoyatthesewords，andturntocongratulateeachother.SOPHIAandLANISKAstandapart，andwatcheveryactionoftheKING，whiletheotherCHARACTERSappeargreatlyinterestedinSOPHIA.）Thisvase，however，Iselectfromtherest，asthemostbeautifulofthemall.（SOPHIAclaspsherhandsingreatagitation.）Letthisbeknowntoafteragesas\"THEPRUSSIANVASE;\"andletthenamehereinscribed（looksatandpointstothenameonthevase）bechronicledthroughouttheserealms.（TakesSOPHIAbythehand.）SophiaMansfieldistheartistandsheisfree！（SOPHIA，overcomebyherfeelings，fallsonthebosomofFREDERICA.）
CHORUS.
Victoria！victoria！
TheSaxonmaidisfree——
Victoria！victoria！etc.
SOPHIA.
Myheartwillbreakwithgratitude！
COUNT.
Andminewithjoy！
KARL（aside.）
Itwillbeofbriefduration.
KING（whohasregardedSOPHIAwithgreatinterest.）
Letthedanceproceed.
（AmerrydanceandwaltzbytheCHARACTERS，attheterminationofwhichatableauisformed.Theutmostmerrimentandhilaritymarktheactionofthescene.Attheconclusionofthedance，theKING，whohasbeenoccupiedincarefullyexaminingtheVase，wipesitwithhishandkerchief，whichbecomesstainedwiththepaint.KARL
drawshisattentiontotheinscription.）
KARL.
Behold，myliege！——
KING.
Ha！Whatwordsarethese？（Reads.）\"ToFredericktheGreatTyrant\"——Treachery！——
（KARLimmediatelyseizestheVase，andcarriesitoff，withouttheinscriptionbeingseenbyanybuttheKING.）Breakoffthesports！
COUNTESS（greatlyastonished.）
WhatmeansYourGraciousMajesty？
KING.
（Whohastakenouthistablets，andwrittenonthemingreathaste——doesnotregardher，andspeaksfuriously.）——Letallthedoorsbeclosed！Suchbaseingratitudeshallnotgounpunished！——Giveoveryourmirth！Ho！Myguards！（Drumsimmediatelysound.）Myguards！
（Presto！EnterHAROLD，CORPORAL，andGRENADIERS，ingreathaste.TheKINGhandsHAROLDhisorders，andrushesoutinatoweringpassion.EnterWEDGEWOOD.Alltheguestsarethrownintogreatconfusion.Re—enterKARL.）
HAROLD（promptly.）
CountLaniska，standforth！
COUNT.
Whatisyourbusinesswithme，Harold？
HAROLD.
Youareourprisoner.
OMNES.
Prisoner？
KARL（aside.）
NowItriumph！
COUNT.
Underwhoseordersdoyouact？
HAROLD.
Thoseoftheking.
OMNES.
Theking！
HAROLD.
SophiaMansfield！
ALBERT.
Whatofher？
HAROLD.
ShemustawaywithustothecastleofSpandau.
SOPHIA.
OHeaven，supportme！
COUNT（drawinghissword.）
Touchheratyourperil，Harold！
ALBERT.
Thisismadness！Givemeyoursword！（Wrestsitfromhim，andgiveittoHAROLD.）
Ofwhataretheyaccused？
HAROLD.
Ofingratitudeandtreason！
OMNES.
Treason！
FINALE.
COUNT.
Treason！
OMNES.
Treason！
COUNT.
Itcannotbe！
Oftreasonwhoaccusesme？
HAROLD.
Thekinghimself！——Theseordersread！（HandspapertoCOUNT.）
OMNES.
Thekinghimself！
COUNT（lookingatthepapers.）
’Tistrueindeed！
SOPHIA.
Oh，whatafearfulchangeishere！
KARL（aside.）
Itriumphnow！——myvengeancefear！
（SOPHIAandLANISKAaremadeprisoners.）
OMNES.
Theking’scommandsletallobey！
COUNTandSOPHIA.
Wemustobey！
SOPHIA.
Oh，howmytrustingheartisgrieved！——
COUNT.
Ourroyalmasterisdeceived！
NotraitorI！——MyloyalheartSpurnswithdisdainsobaseapart！
SOPHIA.
HowvainlyFortunesmiledonme！
SOPHIAandCOUNT.
Oh，givemedeathorliberty！
KARL.
Tearthemapart！
HAROLDandGRENADIERS.
Nomoredelay！
KARL.
Toprison，hence！——
OMNES.
Toprison？
HAROLDandGRENADIERS.
Hence！
OMNES.