SONG--KARL. (German air.) Once, mild and gentle was my heart! My youth from guile was free! But when love's bonds were torn apart, What joy had life for me? No words, no threats could daunt my soul, My reckless spirit spurned control Till swayed by smiles from thee! A wanderer o'er the desert sand, And outcast on the sea, An exile from my native land-- What's all the world to me? Each friend misfortune proved a foe: I scorned the high--despised the low-- Till swayed by smiles from thee! (At he conclusion of the song, enter, by the secret door, HAROLD, with a carbine, conducting in ALBERT and WEDGEWOOD stealthily.) HAROLD (aside.) I knew that I was right. ALBERT (aside.) Silence--on your lives! WEDGEWOOD (aside.) If it is convenient! [They conceal themselves. SOPHIA. It is in vain! KARL. Then you must away with me this very night, this very hour, or perish here! (KARL advances and takes her by the wrist. ALBERT keeps WEDGEWOOD and HAROLD off.) SOPHIA. Villain, forbear! Oh, help me, Heaven! KARL (drawing his dagger.) You call in vain! Your doom is sealed!--Die! (As he is about to stab SOPHIA, WEDGEWOOD seizes his arm.) WEDGEWOOD. You lie, you infernal scoundrel! KARL. Ha! betrayed!--Have at you, then! (A struggle ensues between KARL and WEDGEWOOD, in which the former is overcome, and thrown upon the ground. SOPHIA rushes into ALBERT's arms in great agitation. HAROLD advances to the center of the stage, and aims his carbine at KARL. At the same moment, WEDGEWOOD, who has had a desperate struggle with KARL, exclaims--) WEDGEWOOD Your dagger! your dagger! (Wrests it from him.) Now yield, or die!--(Rises, places his foot upon KARL, and holds the dagger up)--If it is convenient! (Tableau.--Scene closes.) [Exit. Scene II. Another cell in the Castle of Spandau.--Enter COUNT LANISKA and JAILOR. JAILOR. Count Laniska, you bear the king's commission, although a prisoner; therefore, while I leave you to examine these papers (hands papers,) received from Mr. Worrendorf, I rely upon your honor not to attempt to escape. COUNT. Your confidence is not misplaced, believe me. [Exit JAILOR.]--(Looks at papers.) My friend is unwearied in my cause. But I am a soldier, and have ever held my life at the disposal of the king. If Sophia were free and happy, I could look upon death with an undaunted spirit. (Puts up papers.) How like an angel she appeared when last I gazed upon her heavenly face--now glistening with the tear, now radiant with the smile of beauty! SONG--LANISKA. The gentle bird on yonder spray, That sings its little life away; The rose-bud bursting into flower, And glittering in the sun and shower; The cherry-blossom on the tree-- Are emblematic all of thee. Yon moon that sways the vassal streams, Like thee in modest beauty beams; So shines the diamond of the mine, And the rock-crystal of the brine; The gems of heaven, the earth and sea, Are blended, all, dear maid, in thee! [Exit Scene III.