JACOB. A great deal more!

ERIC. [Rushing at JACOB] Die, then!

The guard enters by the rear door.

CAPTAIN OF THE GUARD [An old, white-bearded man]. Your sword, if you please, Prince Eric!

ERIC. What is this?

CAPTAIN. [Handing ERIC a document] The King's order. You are under arrest....

ERIC. Go to the devil, old Stenbock!

CAPTAIN. That's not a princely answer to a royal command!

ERIC. Yes, talk away!

CAPTAIN. [Goes up to ERIC and forests the sword out of his hand; then he turns him over to the guard] Away with him! And put him in the tower! That's order number one! [ERIC is led toward the door] Then comes number two—Mr. Secretary! [To the guard] Put on the handcuffs! And then—to the Green Vault with him! To-morrow at cockcrow—ten strokes of the rod!