[_The_ Queen _and her attendants approach. She stops near_ Prince Witte, _who is not conscious of her presence, and gazes at him long._] _The Young Prince_ [_bustling up to him_]. Here, thou strange man, dost thou not know the Queen? It is the rule that when she comes we all should rise. I am the Prince, and yet I must do it too. _Prince Witte_ [_rising and bowing_]. Then beg, friend, that the Queen grant me her forgiveness. _The Young Prince_. That I will gladly. [_He runs back to the_ Queen.] [_The_ Queen _passes on and turns again at the corner to look at_ Prince Witte, _who has already turned his back. Then she disappears with her women into the cathedral, from which the gleam of lights and the roll of the organ come forth. The door is closed._] _Hans_. Well, did she please thee? Hast thou found her worthy to awake thy idle sword to deeds of battle? _Prince_. It would be no less than idleness for me to unsheathe my sword in her behalf; for my field of battle lies not here. _Hans_. Then come. Thy path is hot. Thy path is broad!--Then hasten! Already far too long hast thou delayed before this tottering throne, from which an eye in speechless pleading calls for help. _Prince_. At first, when my desires pointed from hence, didst thou not beg me to delay?--and now!-- _Skoell_ [_aside to_ Hans]. Heaven save us! Brother, who is this? I would know him a thousand miles away! _Hans_ [_with a gesture towards_ Skoell, _to leave him alone_]. Perhaps I wished to test thee, or perhaps-- _Skoell_. All good spirits praise-- _Prince_. Whatever it was, I will go gladly. _Skoell_ [_crossing himself_]. All good spirits praise the Lord! [_Bursts out through the door to the left._] _Prince_. Why, who was that, that went out in such a hurry? _Hans_. Who would it have been? Some body-servant about the castle, perhaps, some-- _Prince_. Where are my--? _Hans_. Here is thy shield. Quick, take it. _Prince_. Where is that ape that just now-- _Hans_. Let the filthy rascal go, whoever he is, and come! [_Enter_ Duke Widwolf. Skoell, _behind him, pointing to the_ Prince.] _Duke_. Hans Lorbass, thou shalt pay for this! _Hans_. For what, my lord? Here are the very bones whereon thine eyes desired to feast themselves. It is true they are covered with flesh for the present, but they are there inside, I swear to thee. _Prince_. Silence, Hans! This man stands above thy mockery; for though he stole my inheritance in despicable treachery, yet he wears the crown of my fathers, and I bow before it. And until heaven's cherubim call on me loudly to avenge the wrong, in practice for a better thing I bend before him, and grind my teeth. [Duke _bursts into a loud laugh._]