Queen. Nay, my friend.... If thou hast laden thy life with guilt so heavily, then must thou give me of thy burden a share to bear. I think that all we leave unspoken to-day will burn our souls forever; and therefore I make free confession: I have failed thee sorely. I saw thy misery, I saw the torture growing on thy pale brow, and yet I had but one thought; one alone; how to beguile him from that path on which his soul delays and hesitates, but whither his stumbling feet turn of themselves,--that he might leave me never again, whether in love or hate ... this was my thought ... and as a bridal pair stand at the altar and exchange their rings, while the deep church-bells lull them into a smiling dream, so we in parting near each other, and offer, smiling, guilt for guilt. [She reaches out her hand to him with a faint smile, and sinks back into the arms of her women.]
King [kissing her hand, overcome with feeling]. I thank thee.
The Young Prince [timidly]. Papa!
King [recovering himself]. Thou too, my son! Come here! I made thee poor return--and had he not [motioning toward Hans] known me better than I myself ... give him thy hand; for thanks to him, I lay down undefiled this borrowed sword. [Gives the sword over to the Chancellor.] Hans!
Hans Lorbass. Here, master! [He hands the King his old sword, which he seizes eagerly.]
King. Farewell.
ACT V.
The scene of the first act. Early spring. March. The trees and bushes are still bare, but tipped with the delicate red of young leaf-buds. In the background, upon the slopes, is still snow, in the foreground fresh young grass. The church-yard has grown larger. The crosses and headboards reach back to the sand-hills. Sun-set. A blue haze hangs over the sea.
Scene 1.
Out of a freshly dug grave on the right an invisible hand throws clods of earth, but stops as Cölestin enters on the right, led by two young men. Behind them, Miklas and an old Fisherman.