Scene IV.
Discovered. Grand Saloon in the Chateau of the COUNTESS LANISKA, arranged for a Fete. The scene opens with dancing and waltzing by the CHARACTERS, and discovers the KING and retinue, LORDS and LADIES of the Court, foreign AMBASSADORS and ATTACHES, the COUNTESS LANISKA, ALBERT, WEDGEWOOD, KARL, GIRLS of the Factory, etc., etc. The CHARACTERS are variously grouped during the dance; and while all are observing the KING, who, with KARL at his side, is attentively examining the Vases, which are placed on stands on one side of the stage, the COUNT LANISKA enters, conducting, in SOPHIA and FREDERICA. After the dance, the KING speaks.
KING.
The hour has arrived which is to decide the fate of the competitors. (All the
CHARACTERS express by their looks and actions the utmost anxiety as to the result,
and draw near to the KING.)
KARL (to KING.)
The inscription upon this vase is in the handwriting of the Count Laniska.
KING.
'Tis well.
KARL (aside.)
And it is a death-warrant!
KING. Subjects and children: we have reason to be proud of an art that redounds to the honor and glory of Prussia. Where all have deserved well, all shall be well remembered. (The GIRLS of the Factory manifest great joy at these words, and turn to congratulate each other. SOPHIA and LANISKA stand apart, and watch every action of the KING, while the other CHARACTERS appear greatly interested in SOPHIA.) This vase, however, I select from the rest, as the most beautiful of them all. (SOPHIA clasps her hands in great agitation.) Let this be known to after ages as "THE PRUSSIAN VASE;" and let the name here inscribed (looks at and points to the name on the vase) be chronicled throughout these realms. (Takes SOPHIA by the hand.) Sophia Mansfield is the artist and she is free! (SOPHIA, overcome by her feelings, falls on the bosom of FREDERICA.)
CHORUS.
Victoria! victoria!
The Saxon maid is free—
Victoria! victoria! etc.
SOPHIA.
My heart will break with gratitude!
COUNT.
And mine with joy!
KARL (aside.)
It will be of brief duration.
KING (who has regarded SOPHIA with great interest.)
Let the dance proceed.
(A merry dance and waltz by the CHARACTERS, at the termination of which a tableau is formed. The utmost merriment and hilarity mark the action of the scene. At the conclusion of the dance, the KING, who has been occupied in carefully examining the Vase, wipes it with his handkerchief, which becomes stained with the paint. KARL draws his attention to the inscription.)
KARL.
Behold, my liege!—
KING.
Ha! What words are these? (Reads.) "To Frederick the Great Tyrant"—Treachery!—
(KARL immediately seizes the Vase, and carries it off, without the inscription being
seen by any but the KING.) Break off the sports!
COUNTESS (greatly astonished.)
What means Your Gracious Majesty?
KING. (Who has taken out his tablets, and written on them in great haste—does not regard her, and speaks furiously.)—Let all the doors be closed! Such base ingratitude shall not go unpunished!—Give over your mirth! Ho! My guards! (Drums immediately sound.) My guards!
(Presto! Enter HAROLD, CORPORAL, and GRENADIERS, in great haste. The KING hands HAROLD his orders, and rushes out in a towering passion. Enter WEDGEWOOD. All the guests are thrown into great confusion. Re-enter KARL.)
HAROLD (promptly.)
Count Laniska, stand forth!
COUNT.
What is your business with me, Harold?
HAROLD.
You are our prisoner.
OMNES.
Prisoner?
KARL (aside.)
Now I triumph!
COUNT.
Under whose orders do you act?
HAROLD.
Those of the king.
OMNES.
The king!
HAROLD.
Sophia Mansfield!
ALBERT.
What of her?
HAROLD.
She must away with us to the castle of Spandau.
SOPHIA.
O Heaven, support me!
COUNT (drawing his sword.)
Touch her at your peril, Harold!
ALBERT.
This is madness! Give me your sword! (Wrests it from him, and give it to HAROLD.)
Of what are they accused?
HAROLD.
Of ingratitude and treason!
OMNES.
Treason!
FINALE.
COUNT.
Treason!
OMNES.
Treason!
COUNT.
It can not be!
Of treason who accuses me?
HAROLD.
The king himself!—These orders read! (Hands paper to COUNT.)
OMNES.
The king himself!
COUNT (looking at the papers.)
'Tis true indeed!
SOPHIA.
Oh, what a fearful change is here!
KARL (aside.)
I triumph now!—my vengeance fear!
(SOPHIA and LANISKA are made prisoners.)
OMNES.
The king's commands let all obey!
COUNT and SOPHIA.
We must obey!
SOPHIA.
Oh, how my trusting heart is grieved!—
COUNT.
Our royal master is deceived!
No traitor I!—My loyal heart
Spurns with disdain so base a part!
SOPHIA.
How vainly Fortune smiled on me!
SOPHIA and COUNT.
Oh, give me death or liberty!
KARL.
Tear them apart!
HAROLD and GRENADIERS.
No more delay!
KARL.
To prison, hence!—
OMNES.
To prison?
HAROLD and GRENADIERS.
Hence!
OMNES.
Away! away!
(As the GUARDS attempt to separate COUNT LANISKA and SOPHIA, great confusion ensues, and the act-drop descends.)
End of the second act.