_King_ [_in frenzied joy throwing himself upon the_ Prince]. My miracle! _Hans Lorbass_. If you would save yourself, barricade this door, strengthen it ten-fold with beams, break off stones from the roof, roll them down and heap them up-- _King_. Thou art wrong, my friend. The door--fling open! [Hans Lorbass _tears open the door with a joyous shout. They hear the approaching battle-cry of the enemy._] _King_ [_who has seized the sword and shield_]. To me, man of the righteous cause! [_The_ Duke _rushes on the_ King _with a shout of laughter, behind him his men, among them_ Skoell, Ottar, Gylf, _held in check by_ Hans _with upraised sword, stand crowded together at the door. Short conflict. The_ Duke _falls._] _King_ [_to the crowd, his foot upon the prostrate body_]. On your knees. [_The foremost sink upon their knees, the rest shrink back._] _King_ [_during a long silence looks furtively at the_ Queen, _and the councillors. Then to the crowd_]. Carry this man's body outside the door.... Let everyone submit himself unto the peace of God, which henceforth only he who courts his death will violate. Before we part, I will come down to you, and under the free air of heaven I, your Duke, will receive your oath and your allegiance. Away! [_The_ Duke's _men seize the body and hurry out._] _Hans Lorbass_ [_tickling_ Skoell _under the nose with his sword-blade_]. Who has it now, thou clown? _Chancellor_ [_approaching hesitatingly_]. My gracious Lord and King, I would say: Forgive us, but the strength of all our words must break against thy glorious victory. I only say: We are returned to thee. No reproaches or regrets shall cheapen our return; we only ask [_with a glance at the_ Queen] that honor be spared, and once again, after the cruel conflict of to-day, we offer thee our country's throne in faith and loyalty. _King_. I thank you noble lords, and put it from me. _Chancellor_. A second time thou turnest thy happiness and ours to lamentation.