SCENE IX
The persons, as in the preceding scene, with the exception of the PRINCE OF HOMBURG.
MARSHAL. God of earth! Did it have to come to that?
[The ELECTOR speaks in a low voice to an officer.]
KOTTWITZ (frigidly).
My sovereign, after all that has occurred
Are we dismissed?
ELECTOR. Not for the present, no!
I'll give you notice when you are dismissed!
[He regards him a moment straightly and steadily; then takes the papers which the page has brought him from the table and turns to the FIELD-MARSHAL.]
This passport, take it, for Count Horn the Swede.
Tell him it is my cousin's wish, the Prince's,
Which I have pledged myself to carry out.
The war begins again in three days' time!
[Pause. He casts a glance at the death warrant.]
Judge for yourselves, my lords. The Prince of Homburg
Through disobedience and recklessness
Of two of my best victories this year
Deprived me, and indeed impaired the third.
Now that he's had his schooling these last days
Come, will you risk it with him for a fourth?