_King_. Silence, silence! Thou knowest I have quenched the last embers of my desires. Thinkest thou to kindle a new blaze thereon by victory and sin? A fire must run from heaven, must mount from hell, to light a new life in my fading course. A thing of horror must first come to pass; whence it came would be as naught to me, if it could but rise wonder-like upon my sight. Alas, from out these ashes no miracle can rise for me! I can no longer hope and struggle.... The door stands open to the upper room.... Once more I mount up to the height, once more behold the gray dawn turn to gold in rosy glory-- _Hans Lorbass_. Wilt thou come back? _King_. Nay, didst thou not think so? I--[_As Coelestin with the young Prince puts himself in the way._] Away with the child!--I must die! [_Goes out._] _Hans Lorbass_ [_to himself_]. "A thing of horror must first come to pass." And then, "If I might strike a blow for my own throne." "If thou wert not." And looked at him with such eyes!--Coelestin, if I had something to ask--thou knowest, perhaps, the King will yield to me--more than--in short, I am beloved by him-- _Coelestin_. Good reason for it. _Hans Lorbass_. Yes. Then what if I knew how to goad him into harness, so that even before the hour had struck, he had the Bastard by the throat with your all-avenging sword? _Coelestin_. It would be possible? Thou couldst? _Hans Lorbass_. Yes. But I need the Prince. _Coelestin_. The Princeling,--why? _Hans Lorbass_. With him by the hand I would sit there on the landing and hold watch till he came down. _Coelestin_. And then? _Hans Lorbass_. Then, Major-domo,--that is my affair. _Coelestin_. The Queen left him in my care. But I know, Hans Lorbass that thou lovest him. Wilt thou, my little Prince? _The Young Prince_. Dost thou ask me? I love to stay with him,--he teaches me to fight. [_He runs to him._] _Coelestin_. And may God bless thee in thy task. _Hans Lorbass_. Much thanks. [_Turning to_ Anna Goldhair.] I do not want her. Take her with thee. _Coelestin_. Come, poor wench. _The Young Prince_. May Anna stay here, too? [Hans Lorbass _hushes him._] _Anna Goldhair_. Oh, Coelestin, if I could hide somewhere, and see my dear Queen pass by just once! _Coelestin_. Spare me thy plaints.... Well, wait, I will hide thee here behind the curtains of the door; stay there, and do not move, and when she goes to the cathedral--come, come! [Coelestin _and_ Anna Goldhair _go out._] _Hans Lorbass_ [_grimly_]. My Prince! _The Young Prince_ [_tenderly_]. My Hans! _Hans Lorbass_. And still it grips me cruelly hard. _The Young Prince_. What is it thou grumblest in thy beard? Come, let us fight. _Hans Lorbass_. Let us fight, child! If thou knewest how to fight indeed! _The Young Prince_. How strange thou art to-day? Say, Hans, is it true that a cruel enemy stands before the gate? _Hans Lorbass_. Quite true. _The Young Prince_. Will he come inside? _Hans Lorbass_. Not yet. Before long.