_Coelestin_. Didst thou not swear before us all and in the sight of heaven that he who hurled his rival to the earth, not he who lay there shameful in defeat, might dare approach thee as thy lord and king? _Queen_. But tell me, my dear friend, did he not conquer? _Coelestin_. What madness has so blurred events for thee? _Queen_. I know he conquered, for he is here! _Coelestin_. Here indeed he is, but with what right? _Queen_. The right that raised for him in that dark hour when the cruel wound gaped in his throat, a faithful servant to avenge him; a servant whose brave shout and lifted blade have taught me this one thing: high above the right there stands the sword, and high above the sword stands love! _Coelestin_. May this wisdom please the Omnipotent, and may he pity thee, and all of us! _Queen_. It was not given to everyone to know it; but it has brought the King to me! Hark, do I hear a horn? How near it sounds! My King is coming! My King is here! Scene 2. _The Same_. King Witte, _the_ Chancellor _and other councillors and nobles_. Hans Lorbass _stands guard at the door, spear in hand, at ease._ _King_ [_embraces the_ Queen _and kisses her on the forehead. Comes forward with her, but turns back irritably_]. What do you want? _Chancellor_. My lord, while thou didst tread the forest paths, following the hunt, a fierce onslaught of new trouble came swooping down upon our land. _King_. Trouble, always trouble! Mouldy, gray and blear, it lives far longer than one's whole life! Must you, even in the daytime, din your night-song in my ears? _Chancellor_. This time-- _King_ [_mocking_]. "This time "--I wager the state will crack in pieces! [_Turning to the_ Queen.] If they had naught at which to fear, I should have naught at which to laugh! _Queen_. Dear one--! _King_. Hush! It makes me glow with anger, only to look upon these gray countenances, gloomy as the grave, full of foreboding, heavy with woes, and yet with that little glint of malice in their half-lowered lids. Must I suck in these complaints that fall drop by drop upon me? I might lay about me recklessly--but what am I to dare it? _Queen_. All art thou, all darest thou, all hearts bow before thee! Canst thou not guess their dumb entreaties, not understand their timid longings? Look, they give thee so much, they give with open hands; their love enfolds thee, blooms everywhere for thee to pluck! Go down among them, then, step into their hearts, and speak, I beg thee, graciously and kindly. _King_ [_softened_]. I will try, thanks to thee! Speak, as thou knowest me: why does this anger and this curse fall daily and hourly over me? My friends, mislike me not for my impatience, for one thing I know right well, that I stand deeply in your debt. And now, speak!