WORKMAN. Karl. ALBERT. Who pointed out the word "Tyrant" to the king at the fete of the countess? KING (rising with great emotion, and entirely forgetting himself.) Karl! ALBERT. Who has misled, blinded, and deceived the king? KING (with great emotion.) Traitorous, fiendlike Karl! KARL (aloud.) I am stunned with horror! KING (leaving his seat and coming down in great haste--WEDGEWOOD raises his hammer.) By your leave, Mr. Wedgewood. CHORUS (as the KING descends.) Long live the king! etc. (the KING takes his station in the center of the stage, and lifts his hat.) KING. If the court please-- WEDGEWOOD (aside.) Bravo! His Majesty is becoming a principal witness! (In a subdued tone of voice.) Silence in the court!--The king speaks! KING (rapidly.) I see it all! The case is clear. Karl had my permission to espouse Sophia. She refused him. Laniska loved her. Karl hated him, and planned her destruction; visited her in prison; tried to force her to fly the country with him; she refused, and he would have slain her, had not Mr. Wedgewood, the Advocate, and Harold--who has just told me all--struck him to the ground. Karl plotted this mischief--Karl bought the paint--Karl wrote the word--and Karl shall DIE! KARL (draws his dagger.) But not unavenged! (He darts toward SOPHIA, and makes an attempt to stab her. SOPHIA shrieks, and runs to LANISKA. All the CHARACTERS rise, greatly excited, and watch the scene with deep interest. The GUARDS present their pikes to the breast of KARL, who is seized by HAROLD and CORPORAL--in the brief struggle with whom, KARL's shirt-sleeve is torn open, and the felon's brand is discovered on his arm. To this ALBERT points in triumph--Tableau.--The whole action is instantaneous.) HAROLD (with great eagerness.) Behold, my liege, the felon's brand! (Presto!--all start with astonishment.) CHORUS. Now, who's the traitor? [The JURYMEN rise. QUITETTE and CHORUS. KARL. The javelin from an unseen hand Was sent that laid me low!-- Behold exposed the felon's brand Unto my mortal foe! CHORUS. Who's now the traitor? etc. JUDGE (promptly.) What say the jury? FOREMAN (promptly.) The prisoners are innocent! (Presto!--all start with joy.) CHORUS. The prisoners are innocent! etc. (Some of the CHARACTERS clasp their hands--others embrace. SOPHIA and LANISKA turn to ALBERT, and the COUNTESS and FREDERICA to the KING, in gratitude.) KARL. Oh, rage and fury! (KARL is secured by HAROLD and CORPORAL.) CHORUS. Rejoice! our loyal hearts we bring As free-will offerings to the king! SOLO--SOPHIA and KING. Oh, let me to thy ermine cling. In gratitude, (kneels,) God bless the king! CHORUS. God save the king! Long live the king! etc.