Hans Lorbass [stopping him]. Listen to me. Thou knowest I have known her longer than thou. Leave her alone. She was wont to lie thus for hours and days, and heed no words nor prayers; but seemed as dead. She is proof then against all summons and all blows; but when her time comes, then her limbs will stir, and she will come up out of the grave.
[Cölestin and the train with the young Prince enter.]
Cölestin. There they stand!
King [turning fiercely and raising his sword]. What do you want? A quarrel? We two are snarling dogs. We blindly seize on everybody near. Now come on! Speak!
The Young Prince. My father!
King. Wha--?
The Young Prince. My King!
King You would mock the man that fled from you?
The Young Prince. Down on your knees and honor him as I do!
King [dazed]. Hans!... But stand up!... Am I King? A hapless wretch,--naught but my man, my sword, and that pot of soup there, to call my own. I have no more. My very crown, the gloomy throne of Gotland must be fought for anew; stand up my son. [He raises him, and will embrace him, but suddenly pales, staring past the men in great agitation.] Hans! Dost thou see who stands there in the twilight of the wood--how spirit-like, how severed from this world--[He shrieks.]