KING (to Grenadiers.) You, my brave fellows, are my own guards. I can rely upon YOU. There is no want of discipline here--eh, General? Notwithstanding all my annoyances, I am the happiest king in Christendom! CHORUS (Grenadiers and all the characters) All hail the king!--Long live the king! Our hope in peace and war! With his renown let Prussia ring-- Hurrah! hurrah! hurrah! He is the pillar of the state! Our sword and buckler he! Heaven give to Frederick the Great Eternal victory! (The GRENADIERS cheer. The OFFICERS close about the KING. Flourish and tableau. The act-drop descends on the picture.) End of the First Act. Act II. Scene I. Discovered. The stage represents a large apartment without the usual side-entrances. On the left hand is a row of long, old-fashioned windows, with painting-screens so arranged as to let the light fall obliquely on the tables beneath; at which the FACTORY GIRLS are seated, employed in painting various articles of porcelain. SOPHIA MANSFIELD is seated at the table nearest the audience. On the right are separate tables, at which GIRLS are employed mixing and grinding colors. In the center of the stage is a small platform, on which a number of painted vases, ready for the oven, are placed. KARL is engaged in examining them. At the rear of the stage is the entrance to the room--a large open door--on each side of which are rows of shelves, filled with vases, bowls, plates, jars, mantel ornaments, and the like, put there to dry. The whole representing the painting-room of the Royal Porcelain Factory. Through the doors the furnaces are seen, on which the porcelain is placed to set the colors, and which several WORKMEN are attending. The curtain rises slowly to the music. CHORUS. (German air.) Home, home, home-- Dear, lost home! Though here we pine in slavery, Our hearts are all in Saxony, Our girlhood's happy home! Land of the free and bold, To hopeless bondage sold! While abject toil and fear Enchain thy daughters here, We yearn for thee, O Saxony!-- For freedom, love, and home! (The GIRLS attempt to waltz to the music; but, overcome by their feelings, they resume their tasks.) SOLO--SOPHIA. Home, home, home-- Dear, lost home! Though cares oppress us fearfully, We exiles carol cheerfully Of girlhood's happy home! Beneath our native sky, The hours went swiftly by; While on a foreign soil, Our youth consumes in toil! We yearn for thee, O Saxony!-- For freedom, love, and home! (The GIRLS attempt to waltz, as before, etc.) CHORUS. Home, home, home, etc. (The WORKMEN and the GIRLS resume their tasks.) (Enter Count LANISKA, ALBERT, and WEDGEWOOD.)