THL 
 
 YOUTHFUL BAYS 
 
 OF 
 
 FREDERICK the GREAT. 
 
 A NEW MELODRAMA. 
 
 IN TWO ACTS. 
 
 NOW PERFORMING AT TH£ THEATRE ROYAL COVENT 
 
 GARDEN. 
 
 
 BY WILLIAM ABBOTT. 
 ILon&oit: 
 
 TPtBLISHED BY W. SAMS, 62, PALL-MALL; 
 
 JN, CHADOCK AND JOY, PATERNOSTER-ROW * AND MAY BT HA r> 
 OF ALL EOOK3ELLERS. 
 
 1817. 
 
 [Price Ttco ShiWngs.-] 
 
PR,+*ao 
 
 / BEG leave to inform the Reader that 1 am 
 indebted to " La Jeunesse du Grand Frederic' 9 for 
 the principal incidents of this pice. It has been 
 most favorably received by the public, and liberally 
 criticised by the Newspapers. My warmest thanks 
 are due to my brother Performers, not only for their 
 excellent acting, which ensured its success, but also 
 to their friendly zeal during its progress. To Mr. 
 Farley I am peculiarly indebted, for the whole of 
 the Stage arrangements, and the kind interest he 
 displayed throughout. 
 
 W. ABBOTT. 
 
 3 / 1<U 4~<f 
 
TO 
 
 GILBERT BETHUNE ESQ. 
 
 OF BALFOUR, 
 
 THIS FIRST DRAMATIC EFFORT 
 
 DEDICATED 
 
 BY HIS OBLIGED 
 
 AND FAITHFUL SERVANT, 
 
 THE AUTHOR. 
 
>*< 
 
 Frederick William, (King of Prussia) Mr. Terry. 
 
 The Prince Royal, (his Son) Mr. Abbott. 
 
 Baron Kniphausen, (tlie Chancellor of the State) Mr. 
 Egerton. 
 
 Count Seckendoff, (the Austrian Ambassador) 
 Mr. Chapman. 
 
 Anhalt, (Lieutenant of Guards) Mr. Connor. 
 
 Bibrack Frederstoff, (Keeper of the Fortress) Mr. 
 Farley. 
 
 Casta, (Serjeant of Grenadiers) Mr. Comer. 
 
 Prussian Officers, Mess. Greenall, Long, Smith, Store. 
 Wall, Wright, &c. 
 
 Austrians, Mess. Norris, Banks, Batt, Boodle, Grant, 
 
 Griffiths, Ryals, Sutton, White, &c. 
 
 Christine, (Archduchess of Austria) Mrs. Faucit. 
 
 Justine, (Daughter of Bibrack) Miss Shaw. 
 
 Ladies of Austria, Messdames Chipp, Corri, Mori, 
 Newton, Smith, Twamley. 
 
 London; — Printed by T. Agg, 21, Water-lane, Fleet-street. 
 
&?? 
 
 THE 
 
 YOUTHFUL DAYS 
 
 OF 
 
 FREDERICK the GREAT. 
 
 *>&« 
 
 ACT I. 
 
 SCENE I. 
 
 A Grand Gothic Hall in the Chateau of 
 Potsdam. 
 
 Enter Frederick and Anhalt. 
 
 Fred, The preparations are indeed magnifL 
 cent ! never has the court of Prussia witnessed 
 so much splendor. Thi^ expence will put my 
 father into a most frightful temper with the 
 chancellor. 
 
 Anh. Could he do less, on the day when the 
 
 B 
 
niece of the emperor, your bride, is to be pre- 
 sented ? 
 
 Fred. It is then too true that the Princess 
 Christine is to be my wife ? 
 
 Anh. Yes, my prince. The chancellor has, 
 in your name, received her at the frontier. 
 
 Fred. But, my friend, we have only a mo- 
 ment to converse together. Have you arranged 
 my plans ? 
 
 Anh. Entirely ; every thing is prepared ; this 
 very night we effect our departure. I have 
 provided a post-carriage, which will be upon 
 the road, near the old walls, and, in less than 
 thirty hours, we shall be in Saxony. 
 
 Fred. What if we are discovered ? 
 
 Anh. The precautions we have taken in cor- 
 responding with Captain Keit, who expects us 
 in Holland, do away with all alarm on that 
 head. 
 
 Fred. But the merchant of this city, under 
 whose cover we write, may not he conceive 
 some suspicions? 
 
 Anh. Impossible ! He thinks it merely con- 
 cerns the reversion of an estate, which belongs 
 to me in Franconia. The rank and credit which 
 the family of Keit holds in Prussia, will do 
 away every suspicious idea that this secret cor- 
 
respondence might generate in the mind of M. 
 le Blomb, the magistrate of Nuremburg. 
 
 Fred. The continued arrangements for my 
 union convince me that nothing has transpired. 
 The violent temper of my father would not 
 suffer him to dissemble ; but if our design fails, 
 Anhalt, we have no hope of mercy. 
 
 Anh. I know it, prince, and cheerfully await 
 the consequence. 
 
 Fred. Before the ungovernable passions of 
 my father, and the unrelenting discipline of his 
 military law, all distinctions sink : even I, his 
 son, would share the fate of a common deserter. 
 
 Anh. My prince, we must not delay an in- 
 stant ! Let me present to your highness the sol- 
 dier Bibrack : — -his devotion has been already 
 tried ; and when he discovered he had the op- 
 portunity of serving you, his joy knew no 
 bounds. 
 
 Fred. Poor fellow! Since I was fortunate 
 erough to render him a trifling service, the pride 
 of his affection has been, indeed, enthusiasm! 
 But, admit him; I wish to thank, and arrange 
 with him the hour of our departure. 
 
 [Exit Anhalt. 
 
 Fred. Shall I then withdraw myself from 
 the authority of my father, and voluntarily quit 
 my country— the country that gave me birth; 
 
and which I must one day be called to govern? 
 Ah ! my dear countrymen, when I am removed 
 from you, calumniate not my motive. If I ap- 
 pear to forget you for a moment, it is but to 
 render myself more worthy of being your 
 chief. 
 
 Enter Anhalt and Bibrack. 
 
 Good day, my brave comrade ! Anhalt tells 
 me that you have promised to serve us. 
 
 Bib. My life, sir, is devoted to you ; dis- 
 pose of it as you please. 
 
 Fred. Be assured, that you shall be libe- 
 rally rewarded. 
 
 Bib. My prince, I thank you ; but it is not 
 money that I covet, — I love you with all my 
 heart, — an honest soldier's heart — pardon the 
 expression — but, sincerely, the happiness I feel 
 in being employed in your service, is my best 
 recompence. 
 
 Fred. Your hand, my old comrade (gives 
 him his hand.) Frederick is your friend. 
 
 Bib. (delighted and holding the hand of the 
 prince, turns to Anhalt.) Tell me, my lieu- 
 tenant, if this honor is not worth all the ducats 
 in the world. 
 
 Fred. I will not conceal from you, that we 
 
are exposed to considerable danger, but m\ 
 resolution is taken ; I am determined to make 
 the most vigorous resistance. 
 
 Bib. I understand ! attack ! fire ! 
 
 Fred. Remember, you now expose your life ! 
 
 Bib. My life ! — am not I indebted to you 
 for my existence ? When I was dismissed from 
 my regiment, on account of my age and 
 wounds, and in a state of desperation at not 
 being able to support my family, you procured 
 me the appointment of keeper to the Chateau 
 de Koppernick. 
 
 Fred. That was an act of justice : you have 
 shed your blood to support the throne, and that 
 throne ought not to exist, which is stained with 
 ingratitude. 
 
 Bib. Your hour, my prince ! 
 
 Fred. Midnight. 
 
 Anh. At the entrance of the road, near the 
 old wall. 
 
 Bib. It is agreed. I have this morning 
 asked for a month's leave of absence, from the 
 governor of the fortress — he understands that I 
 depart this evening, therefore no suspicions. 
 
 Anh. Away then ! Remember — this evening, 
 Bibrack. 
 
 Bib. You have my word, lieutenant. (To 
 Fred.) Prince, you have honored me with the 
 
6 
 
 name of friend; you shall see that I will prove 
 myself worthy of the title. [Exit. 
 
 Fred. Notwithstanding the temper of my 
 father, which renders his court and his authority 
 insupportable, the nearer the moment of my 
 release approaches, I feel a new sentiment per- 
 vade my heart. 
 
 Anh. Can the princess have inspired you 
 with any tenderness ? 
 
 Fred. Ah, Anhalt, she comes here upon the 
 faith of a treaty — she is already considered as 
 my wife ; this marriage broken, the conse- 
 quence will be a fearful war between the empire 
 of Germany, and the kingdom of Prussia. 
 
 Anh. It is not yet too late ! Shall I coun- 
 termand the orders ? 
 
 Fred. No — no — we must depart — and the 
 persons I have compromised to facilitate my 
 flight — yes, yes, I am resolved. Believe not, 
 my friend, that the dread only of this mar- 
 riage; has determined me to quit the court of 
 my father. ? Ti& true I have not seen the prin- 
 cess, but I can only hope to find in her that 
 coldness — that aversion which is the cause 
 of so much misery to princes — more noble mo- 
 tives have made me resolve upon this measure. 
 It is impossible to become a great king, with- 
 out knowing the manners, the power, and the 
 
interests of the people whom I may one day 
 encounter as enemies or allies. A prince, be- 
 fore he mounts the throne, should, by his con- 
 duct, render himself worthy, and study the art, 
 the great art, to govern his people ; not by ill- 
 timed severity, but by an equal dispensation of 
 the laws to all around. 
 
 AnJi. If that is the sole motive of your jour- 
 ney, I see one advancing who will spare yon 
 its dangers and fatigues. 
 
 Fred. What! the ambassador, w r hom the em- 
 peror has charged to conduct hither the prin- 
 cess ? 
 
 Anh. He is esteem'd the most wary minister 
 in Europe. 
 
 Fred. I suspect him of the design of enchain- 
 ing me to the power of Austria ; and the alliance 
 which he has arranged, between his masters 
 niece and me, is, I am certain, the first step 
 towards its accomplishment. But, he comes. 
 
 Enter Se'ckendorf. 
 
 Your servant, my lord ambassador; — how 
 is your excellency to-day ? 
 
 Seek. Can your royal highness ask ? This is 
 the day which unites the niece of my sovereign 
 to the prince royal of Prussia. 
 
8 
 
 Fred. That is a compliment, my lord ; but 
 you have a talent at saying agreeable things ; 
 and that with a sincerity — a disinterestedness — 
 Seek. A disinterestedness ! — Your royal high- 
 ness must permit me to observe, that that word 
 is not altogether correct. 
 
 Fred, (aside) The devil ! he contradicts me ! 
 
 Seek. Can I be, in fact, disinterested, my 
 
 prince, when I endeavour to render myself 
 
 worthy of the invaluable honor of presiding at 
 
 the ceremony of your marriage ? 
 
 Fred, (aside) Oh! your humble servant! — 
 (Flourish.) — Here is the king. — My lord am- 
 bassador, you know well his whimsical charac- 
 ter. We had better not be seen together. (To 
 himself) Alas ! his violence often descends al- 
 most to brutality. 
 
 [Soldiers of Anhalfs regiment march in. — An- 
 halt places himself at their head. — They sa- 
 lute the King.] 
 
 Enter King and Chancellor. 
 
 King. No, no ; I am very well as I am, my 
 lord chancellor. It is not by a splendid dress 
 that I shall testify to the envoy of the emperor, 
 the pleasure I feel in becoming doubly his ally. 
 Is it not true my lord ambassador, that my 
 costume has nothing in it to offend you ? 
 
9 
 
 Seek. Sire, it is that of a hero ! 
 
 King. Your servant, 'your servant, -my lord ; 
 nevertheless, my dress has never stood fire ; I 
 have not had it more than two years. For the 
 buttons, indeed, that's another thing ; I had 
 them to the uniform in which I reviewed my 
 soldiers on the day of my accession to the crown, 
 and since that time I have regularly worn them. 
 
 Seek. How, sire ! 
 
 King. O, they are good enough yet. 
 
 Fred. At least, my father, it cannot be said 
 that your wardrobe ruins your subjects. 
 
 King. Who said that ? 
 
 Fred. Sire, it is your son, whose respectful 
 attachment — 
 
 King. I have no son, here, sir; the captain 
 Frederick of Prussia, my son, ought to be now 
 upon the parade, where his regiment is under 
 arms. 
 
 Fred. Sire, I thought that in the ceremony, 
 about to be celebrated here, my presence was 
 necessary ! 
 
 King. You ought to be ignorant of it, until 
 the moment / think proper to send for you. 
 
 Fred. I beg leave to mention to your ma- 
 jesty, that I was discoursing with the count 
 Seckendorf, whose character — 
 
 King. If the count was not a stranger, and 
 
 c 
 
10 
 
 above all, ambassador, he should be imprisoned 
 for having discoursed with you at such a mo- 
 ment. Now, sir, to your post: but comeback 
 - — what do I see? — this coat— this embroidered 
 waistcoat ! Is it a captain of my regiment of 
 guards I see before me? 
 
 Fred. No, sir ; it is the prince royal of 
 Prussia. 
 
 King. I know not the distinction : my son 
 is my first soldier, and ought to be an exampie 
 to others. To your regiment — put yourself in 
 your situation : if your major does not report 
 your finery, he shall be broken. 
 
 Fred. Permit me, at least, to inform him 
 of the cause ! 
 
 Ki?fo\ I ibrbid it. He ou°ht to know that 
 no ch nee should exempt a soldier from 
 
 pei forming his duty. — [Exit Frederick. 
 
 —(Looks after him with discontent.) — Don't be 
 uneasy, my lord ambassador ; the chastisement 
 of this young man will not at all interfere with 
 his marriage. I shall content myself with or- 
 dering him, immediately after the marriage ce- 
 remony, under arrest for four-and-twenty hours, 
 
 Seek. What severity ! The princess will claim 
 him, sire! 
 
 King. Poh — poh ! I tell you, that in a mili- 
 tary state, you cannot pardon, without danger, 
 the slightest infraction of discipline. 
 
11 
 
 Seek. Will this event, sire, change the hour 
 of presentation ? 
 
 King. Not at all, not at all. 
 
 Seek. I will hasten then, and prepare. 
 
 King. Yon are right, my lord, you are right. 
 1 like to see others as exact as I am myself. 
 
 Seek. Sire, accept my homage. 
 
 King. No ceremony, my lord, no ceremony. 
 [Exit Seeke?idorf] Umph ! 1 would not have 
 Frederick too often in that man's company. It 
 is essential for the security of my house,, that 
 my heir should be a warrior ; and the interests 
 of the court of Berlin are not those of Vienna. 
 
 Chan. You are right, sire, to guard your son 
 from the seductions that surround the enemies 
 of the state; but the fault committed to-day 
 was entirely mine. Twas I who advised him 
 to adopt the costume w r hichhas displeased your 
 majesty. 
 
 King. Oh ! what you would ruin him too, 
 would you? You— you love luxury and mag- 
 nificence, my lord chancellor, and the expences 
 of this fete — 
 
 Chan. It is more brilliant than expensive. 
 
 King. There will he too much cost, my 
 lord, too much I say. I could raise an army 
 of twenty thousand men with the money that 
 has been expended. 
 
12 
 
 Chan. Sire, prodigality is the destruction of 
 kings ; but on so momentous an occasion, a 
 degree of splendor is indispensable. An ap- 
 pearance of poverty might excite the neigh- 
 bouring sovereigns to attack you. 
 
 King. If they attack, I can fight.— and I can 
 conquer them. I will not destroy the resources 
 of my kingdom to keep up a prosperous ap- 
 pearance, nor drain the substance of my people 
 for a contemptible display of gaudy frippery. 
 
 Chan. But, on so particular an occasion, 
 sire— 
 
 King. Well, well, do the best for to-day. 
 But you, who prove yourself so intractable 
 upon the article of ceremony, should you not 
 immediately go in my name and receive the 
 princess ? 
 
 Chan. Sire, I will instantly put myself at the 
 head of the retinue, on their way to the hotel 
 of the ambassador. 
 
 King. Instantly. — [Exit Chancellor. 
 
 — (Looking after the Chancellor) That man is 
 the best servant I have : he has the courage to 
 contradict me. Officer ! (Anhalt approaches) 
 Ah ! is it you, Anhalt ? You are leagued with 
 my son — it is said you are dissipated — take 
 care, — your head shall answer for the least fault 
 he commits in consequence of your example. 
 
13 
 
 Anh. Sire, I will never lend myself to am 
 action that will render the son unworthy of his 
 father. 
 
 King. Tis well — relieve the guards, and 
 leave only some sentinels without the adjoining 
 apartment — then go, seek the dispatches, and 
 bring them to me (he points to the door.) Re- 
 turn quickly. 
 
 Anh. Yes, sire. 
 
 [Exit at the door to which he pointed. 
 
 King. The enormous expence of this fete dis- 
 pleases me. I know that in Europe I am ac- 
 cused of cruelty and avarice ; but a rigid eco- 
 nomy is necessary for the good of my kingdom. 
 This alliance with Austria, w r hich the other 
 courts look upon as prejudicial to my interests, 
 will, on the contrary, be serviceable. Not- 
 withstanding his dissipation, Frederick has 
 some force in his character ; and the emperor 
 is deceived, if he hopes to acquire any in- 
 fluence upon the crown of Prussia, by this 
 union of his niece with my son. I know my 
 boy — Austria will never give him the law. 
 
 Anh alt enters ivith a sealed packet. 
 
 Anh. Sire, the dispatches ! 
 
 King. Wait to receive my orders. (Anhalt 
 
u 
 
 retires to the back "'of .the stage, and deports 
 himself as ait officer wider arms.) From Ntireni* 
 burg (reading in a low tone)" It is with the great- 
 est grief I inform you, sire, that JVL le Blomb, 
 magistrate of the city of Nuremberg, has depo- 
 sited in my hands a criminal correspondence, 
 of which he was, without his knowledge, one 
 of the principal agents ; it was under his cover 
 the letters were written. He formed some sus- 
 picions, broke the seal of the one which is en- 
 closed ; judge of his alarm and grief, when he 
 discovered that your son, the Prince Royal, 
 and Lieutenant Anhalt, had formed the design 
 of withdrawing from your authority, and flying 
 their country." Great heavens ! let me see the 
 enclosed — yes, it is his hand. (Reads.) " This 
 very night I shall escape from Potsdam, and at 
 length avoid the reiterated violences of my fa- 
 ther ; they have long since preyed upon my 
 spirits. Anhalt partakes my design, and ac- 
 companies me in my flight. Take care to have 
 relays upon all the Saxon roads. I shall first 
 go to Holland, and then pass into England. 
 Your'SjFrederickWilliam." — Oh,miserable man! 
 What ! my son ! the heir of my crown, to de- 
 sert his colours ! to fly his empire ! and An- 
 halt ! this unworthy Anhalt, partakes his de- 
 signs ! Ah ! I will teach them — (after a mo- 
 
H 
 
 menfs thought) — Frederick is at the head of 
 his company — it is by Ws own accomplice that 
 he shall he seized, and plunged into a dungeon. 
 {JMakes a sign to Anhalt to approach him.) — 
 Auhalt, I have an important affair, in which I 
 must employ an officer who is entirely devoted 
 to me. As I know your attachment, I shall 
 charge you with the execution of it. 
 
 Anh. Sire, I thank you for this mark of your 
 condescension. 
 
 King. You deserve it — you are the most in- 
 timate friend of Frederick, and before long I 
 hope to prove how I am satisfied. I want six 
 grenadiers for the expedition, of which I give 
 you the command. Go, conduct them to the 
 Stone-Hall — there wait my orders. 
 
 Anh. I shall, sire. z [Exit. 
 
 King. The destiny of a sovereign is often 
 frightful ! T now find myself obliged to pro- 
 nounce the law of the kingdom against my own 
 son. But this son is a rebel; he is an officer in 
 my army — he abandons his colours ; and deser- 
 tion is a crime, that was never pardoned under 
 my government. But, to condemn my son to 
 death ! perhaps my too great severity has caused 
 this act of disobedience. No, no ; my ven- 
 geance shall be transcendant; and the publicity 
 of his judgment, prove to the emperor of Ger- 
 
16 
 
 many that I was myself abused, betrayed— and 
 not the violator of the treaty I contracted with 
 him. My justice shall be deferred a short time 
 to make it more decisive. Yes, yes, the offence 
 would have been public, the reparation shall be 
 public also. [Exit. 
 
 SCENE II. 
 
 The Stone-Hall 
 
 Enter Anhalt and Six Grenadiers. — Enter 
 the King. 
 
 Anh. Sire, your orders are obeyed. 
 
 King. I have changed my plan. 
 
 Anh. Sire ! 
 
 King. I have received dispatches that prove 
 to me two officers were on the point of desert- 
 ing. — I wished, at first, to arrest and conduct 
 them before a council of war; but as they be- 
 long to the first families of the kingdom, I have 
 thought that this event might disturb the fete, 
 and I have delayed its execution. 
 
 Anh. Sire, may I dare to ask if the two offi- 
 cers, who are thus guilty, are known to me ? 
 
 King. Is it to plead for them ? 
 
 Anh. No, sire. 
 
 King. Would you endeavour to excuse them I 
 
17 
 
 jinii.. 1 l$Q, sire. Deserters merit — 
 
 King. Death! 
 
 Anh. True. 
 
 King. You say well : — your curiosity will be 
 gratified before long. 
 
 Anh. I breathe again — If he meant us, the 
 preparations for the ceremony would be coun- 
 termanded, (aside.) 
 
 King, {aside) He does not suspect — so much 
 the better — my justice will be more striking. 
 Instantly give notice to the officers whose names 
 I set down here to prepare for a court-martial. 
 {gives Anhalt the paper.) 
 
 Anh. Sire, who will be the accuser ? 
 
 King. I ! 
 
 Anh. You, sire ! 
 
 King. Yes ; and my chancellor will perform 
 the functions of secretary. Ytfu will find the 
 officers I have named upon parade. Desire 
 them to receive my orders here, immediately 
 after the ceremony, {aside) My presence at 
 the court-martial appears to have raised in him 
 some doubts ; but he shall feel the impossibility 
 of escape. — Anhalt, you retire. {Exit Anhalt. 
 Serjeant ! remain — I have orders for you. Your 
 name ? 
 
 Cast. Caster. 
 
 King. Ah ! you were at the affair of Loppen ; 
 
 D 
 
18 
 
 and, after receiving three wounds, carried off 
 a colour from the enemy. 
 
 Cast. Yes, sire ; and you made me serjeant 
 on the field of battle. 
 
 King. Yen, yes, I remember — I remember 
 it well— you are a brave man ; I can rely upon 
 you, I command you to observe lieutenant 
 Anhalt closely, and to prevent his leaving the 
 chateau during the fete: also prevent his ap- 
 proaching Prince Frederick, to exchange with 
 him a single word. 
 
 Cast. Then, sire, he will put me under arrest. 
 
 King. Then tell him you act by my orders— 
 If he makes the least resistance, arrest him* 
 
 Cast. I will, sire. 
 
 King. If you do your duty— ten ducatg. 
 
 Qq$t. Thanks, sire. 
 
 JjEing. If he escapes you, you shall be shot. 
 
 Cmt- Thanks, §ire. 
 
 King. Gq ! — [JBvit Caster. 
 
 (Drums and trumpets heard.) 
 — So, the ambassador and the princess ad- 
 vance. The daring outrage which my son in- 
 tended them, might draw down the greatest 
 misfortunes upon the state. Now, Frederick 
 William, repress the dearest sentiments of your 
 heart : you must no longer feel as a father — 
 under these fatal circumstances, act onjy as a 
 just and strict judge. \JExit. 
 
19 
 
 SCENE III. 
 
 [A magnificent state-apartment, superbly deco- 
 rated for the /He. Music heard on every 
 side. The retinue appears — it is commen- 
 ced by a body of the king's grenadiers, m 
 the peculiar costume of the day. Anhalt 
 enters with the officers appointed for the 
 court-martial — the Prince Royal follotvs 
 and takes his station under a canopy opposite 
 the throne — grandfourish — the Ki?igfolhw- 
 ed by the great officers of the crown — music 
 changes to an Austrian air. The Princess 
 enters, preceded by officers bearing, banners, 
 ladies of the court, Sfc. and conducted by 
 the chancellor and ambassador — officers cmd 
 ladies close the procession.] 
 
 Chan. Sire, the most pleasing duties of my 
 office are fulfilled ; the Princess Christine of 
 Austria is presented at the throne of your ma- 
 jesty. An eternal alliance will unite the two 
 houses, and which can never be broken, with- 
 out compromising the safety of Germany. 
 
 King. Frederick William will soon prove the 
 respect he has for your virtues, and for the so- 
 vereign with whom he contracts this alliance. 
 
20 
 
 Chris. Sire, it is the height of all my wishes 
 to be allied to so great a hero, and to unite my 
 destiny with a prince, who has already merited 
 the esteem and admiration of all Germany. 
 
 Fred. Madam, I will endeavour to deserve 
 this esteem and admiration, which belong not 
 fairly to me, but to the glorious name my father 
 has made over to me. 
 
 King, (aside) The traitor! Place yourself 
 near me, madam. 
 
 [The king places the princess upon the throne, 
 at his side. The chancellor is beneath the 
 King; and the ambassador, the princess. 
 Frederick, tvho betrays a strong emotion 
 at sight of the princess, is placed with the 
 officers of the crown on seats opposite the 
 throned] 
 
 Grand Ballet. 
 
 {At the end of the ballet the King rises.) 
 
 King. Now, Anhalt, are the officers here 
 that I desired for the court-martial ? 
 Anh. Yes, sire. 
 King. Approach ! 
 
21 
 
 [Anhalt advances toivards Frederick for the 
 purpose of speaking to him, — Caster comes 
 between them.] 
 
 Anh. {To Caster) Retire ! 
 
 King. No, remain! It is my command - 
 (A general feeling of astonishment. — The King 
 descends the throne.) — Madam, you are sur- 
 prised, I see ; but, in my kingdom, the law 
 against desertion never suffers delay in its exe- 
 cution.— I entreat of you one moment, to pro- 
 nounce upon the fate of two officers, who are 
 guilty of this crime. 
 
 Chris. Sire, ac this moment such an act of 
 rigour! ah! vouchsafe, vouchsafe, my liege, 
 to spare me so cruel a sight ! 
 
 King. Madam, the maintenance of justice 
 makes the safety of my crown, and even in- 
 terests the honor of the sovereign, whose family 
 you represent in this place. 
 
 Chris. How, sire ! 
 
 King. (Turning toivards the members of the 
 court-martial.) Gentlemen, here are the proofs 
 of the crime of two soldiers you are about to 
 judge. (Gives the letters.) Captain Frederick 
 of Prussia, and Anhalt, lieutenant of the 
 guards ! — ( A general expression of horror) 
 
m 
 
 Chris. Heavens! what do I hear! your 
 son? 
 
 King. He is under arrest. He would have 
 fled, madam, if a faithful subject had not dis- 
 covered the plot. My lord ambassador, you 
 will render an account to your sovereign of the 
 manner m which I feel the outrage intended him, 
 
 Fred. Sire ! 
 
 King. Silence ! Seize the culprits, and con- 
 duct them to prison. 
 
 \_Music. The Prince and Ankalt surrender 
 their sivords. All the characters make a 
 movement of intercession. The King, in 
 action, sheivs that he is inflexible. A ge- 
 neral tableau! 
 
 END OF A€T I. 
 

 ACT II. 
 
 SCENE I. 
 
 Chateau de Koppernick. -Gallery of Gothic 
 Architecture, Sfc. fyc. 
 
 Bib. (without.) Justine L why Justine! 
 Just. Well, father, I am here. 
 
 Bibrack enters. 
 
 Sib. Is every thing ready, ray girl ? 
 
 Just. Yes, father ; the prisoner will have the 
 best chamber in the fortress, they say he is of 
 great rank. 
 
 Bib. Who he is, is a secret, at present, even 
 with the governor. I could have well wished 
 the madman had not been taken till I had left 
 (aside). But I'll not break my word to the 
 prince, however. (The noise of a detachment is 
 heard entering.) He comes ! 
 
 Just, (looking out.) Why, father, it is the 
 prince royal ! 
 
 Bib. The prince! (They march in. Fre- 
 derick makes a sign of intelligence to Bibrack. 
 
24 
 
 Caster, the Serjeant, with six guards.) Heavens ! 
 he is then discovered ! That passage, my lord 
 leads to your chamber (in a tone of dejection?) 
 
 Caster. Comrade, you are immediately to at- 
 tend the governor for instructions respecting 
 the prisoner. 
 
 Sib. (aside) I like not these precautions. 
 Courage, my lord, and I'll tell you— (aside.) 
 
 Caster. Bibrack! (calling.) 
 
 Sib. Well, I'm coming — don't you see I'm 
 coming ?— that door once closed upon him ! — 
 Come, come, Justine ! Fear not, my lord, I'll — 
 
 Cast. Bibrack, I say ! 
 
 Sib. I'm coming ! (aside in going out) If I 
 could but speak two words to him ! 
 
 [Exeunt all but the prince. 
 
 Fred. What a situation! and Anhalt, my 
 friend ! my dearest friend ! whose affection for 
 me was boundless, is exposed to the vengeance 
 of a man, who never knew what it was to par- 
 don. Ah ! had I but sooner seen the princess, 
 my fatal project had been abandoned ! Now 
 she will despise and hate me ! and my greatest 
 pain will be to feel that I deserve its infliction, 
 without the consolation of a single tear at my un- 
 happy lot ! 
 
 Enter Bibrack. 
 Well, my friend, all is discovered, and Anhalt— 
 
25 
 
 Bib. Courage, my prince! never despair — 
 while there's life, there's hope. A lady, veiled, 
 and accompanied by an officer, asks to see you. 
 I have taken the opportunity of admitting them 
 in the absence of the governor, to whom, an 
 aid-de-camp brought an order for his attendance 
 upon the King, at the very moment I was on 
 my way to his house to receive my instructions. 
 
 Fred. This neglect of your duty will only 
 expose you to persecution, my brave fellow ! 
 and yet I may perhaps see the only friends jny 
 misfortunes have left me. 
 
 Bib. Your only friend ! there is another, my 
 prince, who will never abandon you ! think of 
 your kindness towards Bibrack. They have 
 no suspicion of me, and I'll stand by you till 
 the last, as friend to friend should do, ay, till 
 death! {Exit. 
 
 Fred. Who is it that visits me after my dis- 
 grace ? those w hose friendship was dear to me 
 have already fled, or are immured in dungeons. 
 
 [Bibrack introduces Seckendorff and the 
 princess — their persons are concealed. The 
 princess enters first. Bibrack goes into the 
 apartment prepared for Frederick^] 
 
 Fred, {advancing towards the princess) What 
 generous lady — — (the princess puts aside her 
 veil) You, madam !— 
 
26 
 
 Chris. Yes, prince. 
 
 Fred. You ! — what motive — so unworthily 
 treated by me, do you come to triumph in the 
 shame and misery that precede my punishment? 
 
 Chris. Do not believe it, prince ! Such 
 barbarity would shock the meanest of my sex: 
 then think not that Christine, of Austria, is 
 alone exempted from compassion! 
 
 Fred. I know, madam, that you are gifted 
 by heaven with every choicest virtue ; but, prin- 
 cess, who is the person, that with yourself has 
 braved the vengeance of my father? — (Secken- 
 dorff throws off his cloak.) — Count Secken- 
 dorff! 
 
 Seek. Your highness seems astonished to see 
 an ambassador compromise his character — but 
 he does it to save a prince of the empire, who 
 is the hope of Germany ! and every other feel- 
 ing gives way to this powerful motive ! 
 
 Fred. Whatever may be the end of this pro- 
 ceeding, count, it affords me no small satisfac- 
 tion in assuring the princess, that I am less 
 culpable towards her than I appear. 
 
 Chris. Ah, prince, but for me would your 
 blood be on the point of flowing under the 
 hands of the executioner ! — you only wished to 
 fly, to escape the odious chain that would have 
 united your destiny to mine. I alone have dis- 
 
27 
 
 turbed the repose of your life ; torn from your 
 brow the crown of your ancestors! 
 
 Fred. No, madam, no ; you are deceived 
 with respect to my sentiments. I did not know 
 you when I conceived the design of flying — in 
 seeing you, I experienced the most bitter re- 
 grets ; but the friends I had involved, I could 
 not leave exposed without a double crime. I 
 have deserved my death; I submit to it without 
 a murmur; and my only despair, in descending 
 into the grave, will be to have sacrificed so many 
 charms, to have lost a wife gifted with so many 
 virtues. 
 
 Chris. You love me then ! Oh, Frederick ! 
 why is it that in this dreadful moment, my heart 
 is sensitive to the purest joy? but, oh! Frederick! 
 think of your safety— that is the cause of my 
 being here — you must quit this place. 
 
 Fred. No, Christine, no ; I will not retrieve 
 my crime by baseness ! What would my coun- 
 trymen think of a prince who fears to die ? 
 
 Chris. They will applaud your deliverance! 
 every one will see, with transport, your father 
 rescued from a situation, when, what might 
 be an act of justice in another, in him would 
 be a crime. 
 
 Fred. Alas ! even had I the wish— how — 
 how is it possible ? 
 Seek. Bibrack !— 
 
2a 
 
 Bi brack enters. 
 
 —My friend, can yon refuse to save your prince? 
 A thousand florins if you'll favour his escape. 
 
 Bib. Gold again ! 
 
 Fred. You are but ill acquainted with this 
 veteran, count ; gold has no power o'er him. 
 
 Bib. True. 
 
 Fred. I know his devotion — it would other- 
 wise be useless to endeavour to gain him. 
 
 Bib. True, my prince. 
 
 Fred. But, I forbid him. 
 
 Chris. How! 
 
 Bib. My prince ! 
 
 Fred. I have committed a fault as a soldier, 
 I will repair it as a soldier — I have given an ex- 
 ample that might shake the throne of my father, 
 I give another that will establish it for ages. 
 
 Seek. Nay, do not hesitate. In my palace 
 vou will be safe. The residence of an ambas- 
 sadoris sacred. 
 
 Chris. Oh, Frederick ! 
 
 Bib. My prince ! I have a way to render 
 your flight secure. General Bielfeld was only 
 recently named governor of this fortress : he is 
 ignorant that there is a subterranean passage, 
 which by this door extends beneath the fortifi- 
 cations ; I have the key — this night you can, 
 
29 
 
 without difficulty, make your escape, and reach 
 the palace of the ambassador. 
 
 Chris. Frederick, consent to save your days, 
 if Christine is dear to you ! (To Bibrack) Go, 
 my friend, prepare every thing for the flight of 
 the prince. 
 
 Fred. Unfortunate man! — if you are disco- 
 vered, death will be the price of your humanity ! 
 
 Bib. Well ; my life is no longer useful to my 
 country ; you sre but twenty years of age : you 
 — you are the glory of the army, and the hope 
 of the people. Think not of the danger to which 
 I expose myself; for if a sacrifice must be made, 
 where can the penalty fall more lightly? 
 
 Fred. Bibrack! 
 
 Bib. I hear nothing. [Exit. 
 
 Fred. The palace of the ambassador will be 
 no obstacle to the violence of my father. The 
 King, under such circumstances, would not 
 respect the residence of a sovereign. 
 
 Seek. Fear not : we shall have sufficient timr 
 to withdraw you from his tyranny. 
 
 Enter Justine, hastily. 
 
 Just. Oh, madam ! it is suspected that you 
 and the ambassador are here ! — the King him- 
 self is making a strict search throughout the for- 
 tress ! 
 
;]0 
 
 Fred. The King ! ah, where is your father f 
 
 Just. With him, my prince : but he made me 
 a sign to hasten and acquaint you with it. 
 
 Seek. Madam, you must retire. 
 
 Chris. No — 111 remain! and if the King k 
 inflexible, he shall have two victims to his ven- 
 geance. 
 
 Just. Madam, come to my chamber, which 
 is adjoining to this gallery, and where I hope 
 you will not be discovered. 
 
 Seek. But, madam— 
 
 Chris. I will hear nothing. Adieu, Frede- 
 rick ! rely upon your wife. [Exit with Justine. 
 
 Enter the Chancellor. 
 
 Chan* Count Seckendorff, this conduct 
 Seek. My lord, the prince royal is husband 
 to the emperor's niece, consequently it is my 
 duty to be near him, to console him under his 
 misfortunes, and to offer, in the name of my 
 master, my mediation between his father and 
 himself. 
 
 Chan. My lord ambassador, I am charged 
 by the king to signify to you his orders for your 
 departure, in twenty-four hours, from the king- 
 dom of Prussia. His majesty will transmit an 
 account of your conduct to the emperor ! 
 
Seek. The interest I bear towards the prince 
 is alone the cause of my disgrace. But the 
 son of the king of Prussia is born prince of the 
 empire ; his trial must therefore be instituted 
 before an assembly of the princes, with the 
 emperor at their head. I declare null and 
 void, in the name of my sovereign, any sen- 
 tence pronounced by the king of Prussia, with- 
 out the approbation of the electors, and the 
 sanction of the emperor ! [Exit. 
 
 Chan. Prince, by order of the King, I am to 
 inform you, that the unfortunate Anhalt has 
 been condemned, 
 
 Fred. To death? 
 
 Enter the King, Bibrack, Officers and Soldiers. 
 
 King. Yes, to death ! 
 
 Fr^d. Oh, sire! take my blood in reparation 
 of this criminal project, but spare, oh ■! spare, 
 my friend ! on my knees I implore his pardon ! 
 
 King. His pardon ! when bending yourself 
 under the weight of a capital crime ! 
 
 Fred. Sire, do you believe your son capable 
 of treason ? 
 
 King. A soldier who endeavours to desert, is 
 capable of every thing. 
 
 Fred. Ah, sire, in your indignation, yon re- 
 
32 
 
 peat that word, because it is the harbinger of 
 shame and despair to my heart. But you are 
 not ignorant that in flying, it was not for the 
 purpose of infringing the military laws. 
 
 King. The virtuous princess I would have 
 given you for a wife, you have sacrificed to 
 
 some it is not in romance that a prince is to 
 
 learn his duty. 
 
 Fred. Sire, let me hope you will pardon a 
 man, who by a fatal friendship, is about to pay 
 with his life his devotion to my person. 
 
 King. What ! lament a traitor ? (he looks sus- 
 piciously around) Bibrack, where is the key of 
 this door ? 
 
 Bib. That door, sire — it is 
 
 King. With the governor ? 
 
 Bib. No, sire. 
 
 King. Where is it, then ? 
 
 Bib. With me, sire. 
 
 King. Give it to me ! 
 
 Bib. (gives the key) Heavens! escape i^ 
 now impossible ! 
 
 King, (aside) I suspect that some one is in- 
 troduced to effect his deliverance — this will en- 
 sure me the means of discovery. Officers, it 
 is night-fall ; place a sentinel upon the rock 
 which commands the bastion, and let him ob- 
 serve every movement upon the ramparts 
 Caster ! (tvhispers Caster.) 
 
33 
 
 Caster. Lieutenant Anhait, sire! 
 
 King. Do as I have ordered My lord 
 Chancellor, go on before me. 
 
 [Exeunt King and Chancellor. 
 
 Fred. Then the fatal word is past ! my friend 
 will be led to death ! (The muffled drum heard) 
 Ah! so soon! it is, it is the signal; he ap- 
 proaches ! (Averts his head in horror. Anhait 
 passes on his way to the place of his execution. 
 Frederick precipitates himself against the iron 
 grating.) — Anhait ! Anhait ! 
 
 Anh. Farewell, my prince! since your life 
 is spared, I die, I die content! 
 
 Fred. — And it is I who — (Overcome by emo- 
 tion, he stretches his arms through the grating, 
 towards his friend. Anhait endeavours to em- 
 brace the prince, the soldiers drag him away.) — 
 Soldiers ! Soldiers ! 
 
 Anh. — (In the distance) Farewell, my prince, 
 farewell ! 
 
 Fred. Anhait! Anhait, forgive me! (kneels) 
 
 Enter Princess. 
 
 Chris. Frederick ! Frederick ! the frightful 
 spectacle which you have just beheld, had no 
 other object, but to alarm you. — Anhait him- 
 self believes he is led to death, but his father, 
 
 F 
 
34 
 
 and the Chancellor, have obtained from the 
 King, a commutation of the fatal sentence, into 
 perpetual imprisonment. 
 
 Fred. You deceive me, madam. 
 
 Chris. No — I speak the truth ; Bibrack this 
 moment acquainted me with the circumstances! 
 — lose no time, and fly ! 
 
 Fred. Impossible ! — the King himself has 
 taken the key. 
 
 Chris. I know it, but Bibrack has devised 
 other means for your release — a rope-ladder is 
 suspended from the window of his apartment. — 
 Come, the night will favor you. 
 
 Fred. But, Bibrack ! 
 
 Chris. He is now engaging the attention of 
 the sentinel — (At this moment the door of 
 the subterranean passage is unlocked.) — What 
 noise ! 
 
 Fred. It is at the door of — -it must be my 
 father ! 
 
 The King enters with a dark lantern, which 
 he conceals. 
 
 King. Yes — 'tis as I suspected — I shall sur- 
 prise them. 
 
 Fred, (in a low voice to Chris.) Yes, 'tis 
 he' 
 
35 
 
 King. I hear him speaking to his accom- 
 plice, (on the opposite side) Tis on this side I 
 heard the voice ! 
 
 [The King advances sloivly. — Frederick escapes, 
 and the King seizes the princess by the 
 ha?id.] 
 Whoever you are, death is your punishment, 
 for being here. 
 
 Chris. Kill, then, Christine of Austria, who 
 came to save her husband — your son ! 
 
 King. Christine of Austria ! 
 [The sentinel fires. Frederick is at the foot 
 of the ramparts. ~\ 
 
 Chris. Heavens ! he is no more ! 
 
 King. I am betrayed ! — Holloa ! Guards ! 
 
 Enter Soldiers, bearing flambeaus. — Fre- 
 derick appears upon the rock. 
 
 Chris. Oh, spare him, sire ! he is your son — 
 your son ! 
 
 King. Guards ! pursue ! 
 
 [Frederick passes the soldier on the rock. — 
 King rejects the prayers of the princess 
 and Chancellor, and directs the guards to 
 follow — Picture /] 
 
36 
 
 SCENE II. 
 
 A wood in the grounds oj the ambassadors 
 chateau. 
 
 Enter Seckendorff and Bibrack. 
 
 Bib. Be assured, my lord, this retired spot 
 will best afford him safety. His flight will drive 
 the King to desperation ; he will suspect, from 
 your having visited the fortress, that the prince 
 intends to seek protection here, and he will not 
 for an instant regard the sanctity of your palace. 
 
 Seek. Are you certain that he effected his es- 
 cape in safety? I heard the report of fire- 
 arms. 
 
 Bib. They were merely signals of alarm — I 
 waited till I saw the 'prince had passed the out- 
 posts, and he must soon be with us. 
 
 Seek. And the princess ? 
 
 Bib. Of her I know nothing ; but doubtless, 
 if the King has discovered her to be in the for- 
 tress, he will confide her to your care, through 
 the hands of the chancellor. 
 
 Seek. Her person will be held sacred, and I 
 may probably be allowed to leave the kingdom 
 unmolested : but I tremble for you unless you 
 accompany us. 
 
2*7 
 
 Bib. No ! I shall stand, or fall by my friend! 
 
 Seek. Your friend ! 
 
 Bib. Aye, count, the prince has honored me 
 with that title, and it shall never be forfeited to 
 time or circumstance. 
 
 Seek. See, he is here. 
 
 Enter Frederick. 
 
 Bib. Thank heaven ! 
 
 Fred. We have not a moment to lose ! I am 
 still pursued, and there is no safety but in fur- 
 ther flight. — 
 
 Seek. Yes, sir, in the pavilion — it is close to 
 the park wall. 
 
 Bib. And, in half an hour, a carriage will be 
 in waiting at the wicket-gate, that leads to the 
 open country. 
 
 Fred. So suddenly provided ! 
 
 Bib. I had but to change the place of ren- 
 dezvous — hasten to your concealment — I will 
 be upon the watch, and should any alarm- — i 
 
 Enter Servant. 
 
 Serv. My lord, the Chancellor has arrived at 
 the chateau — he has brought the princess, by 
 order of the King. [ Exit servant. 
 
38 
 
 Fred. He has then released her from his fury ! 
 that, at least, is one pang spared me. 
 
 Seek. Farewell, my prince! I confide you to 
 the care of Bibrack ! All will yet go well ! 
 
 [Exit. 
 
 Bib. Come, come — I see soldiers in the 
 chateau ! there is not a moment to be lost ! 
 
 Fred. Oh ! why am I obliged to fly as ene- 
 mies, the faithful subjects of my father ! 
 
 [Exeunt. 
 
 SCENE III. 
 
 The ambassador s park — A pavilion — The walls 
 of the park — Moonlight. 
 
 Enter Bibrack, who surveys the spot carefully. 
 Frederick then appears from behind the 
 pavilion. 
 
 Bib. All is quiet — never fear, my prince ; that 
 pavilion is your retreat ; if the slightest danger 
 threatens, I will hasten, and inform you. If I 
 find it impossible to return the direct way, I can 
 easily effect it by this door. Courage, courage, 
 my prince, and success will crown our efforts ! 
 
 [Exit. 
 
 Fred. Oh ! Fredrick ! you have lost a prin- 
 cess whose virtues would have secured your 
 
39 
 
 happiness; and soon, perhaps, you will be torn 
 from this retreat, by those very soldiers, whom 
 you might have led to victory ! — (A noise at the 
 gate) who knocks at this hour? (the blows 
 redouble.) Great powers ! can it be the Prussian 
 guard ? no, no, Bibrack — it must be Bibrack 
 who has forgotten — (Attheinstant he approaches, 
 the King's voice is heard.) 
 
 King. Break down the door ! — force it, I say! 
 
 Fred. The King! — then heaven alone can 
 save me. 
 
 [Frederick goes into the pavilion as the door 
 is burst open, and the King enters tvith 
 Caster. — Soldiers seen through the gate.'] 
 
 King. Now leave me, and rejoin the division 
 of grenadiers behind the wall ; let no one en- 
 ter, or go out by this door, without my order. 
 
 [Exit Caster. 
 The palace of the ambassador is by this time 
 in my possession. Count SeckendorfF did not 
 expect this visit, but the treaty of union is for 
 ever broken, and I have ordered him to leave 
 the kingdom in three hours. (Carefidly examines 
 the place.) This part of the park appears most 
 private — (He opens the door of the pavilion.— 
 Frederick conceals himself behind the sofa.) 
 A fire ! books ! papers ! this is doubtless the 
 diplomatic pavilion of my lord; it is here he 
 
40 
 
 calculates in what manner to deceive me, and 
 serve most skilfully the interests of his court. 
 
 Enter Chancellor. 
 
 Oh ! here is the Chancellor. 
 
 Chan. Sire, I attend your orders ; but let me 
 entreat your majesty to cease this strict search 
 in the palace of the ambassador ; his residence 
 ought to be sacred, and your most bitter ene- 
 mies could alone advise you to an action, which 
 w r ill wound your dignity in the eyes of every 
 civilized country. 
 
 King. My lord, you know I never take ad- 
 vice from any person. 
 
 Chan. This violence will arm all Europe 
 against you. 
 
 King. Let them arm ! — If the ambassador of 
 Austria had known how to respect himself, I 
 should have respected his palace.— If he does 
 not quit my territories this night, to-morrow he 
 shall be treated as a spy. 
 
 Chan. Suspend, at least, the unjust visit, that 
 your soldiers are now making in his palace. 
 
 King. No, — I am certain that Frederick has 
 there found an asylum. 
 
 Chan. As a father, as a king, feign to be ig- 
 norant of it. 
 
41 
 
 King. No, I will prove to the ambassador, 
 that in my states he cannot preserve a criminal 
 with impunity; and since my son has joined 
 my enemies, it is here I will pronounce his sen- 
 tence. 
 
 Chan. Sire ! 
 
 King. Well ! — has he not fled to escape his 
 punishment ? 
 
 Chan. Let me entreat you 
 
 King. Peace ! 
 
 Chan. Inflexible man ! what would he do ?— 
 {King enters the 'pavilion — seizes pen, ink, and 
 paper on the table, and writes — gives the paper 
 to the Chancellor, ivho reads it.) — " We, Frede- 
 rick William, king of Prussia, condemn Frede- 
 rick of Prussia, our eldest son " (pauses.)— 
 
 How ! to death ! 
 
 King. Ay. My lord affix your seal to that 
 sentence. 
 
 Chan. Sire, what would you do? 
 
 King. Obey! why do you hesitate— affix 
 your seal, I say. 
 
 Chan. Never. 
 
 King. Ah! do you dare — — 
 
 Chan. Let me recall you to your duty, sire ; 
 your son is born a citizen of this kingdom — he 
 must be judged according to the laws. You 
 may seize and commit him to prison, but you 
 
 G 
 
42 
 
 cannot condemn him. A council of war has| 
 alone the right to decide upon his fate. 
 
 King. You refuse then ? 
 
 Chan. If you persist sire ! to Ibten to your I 
 passions only, and make your own authority the] 
 law, your majesty's own hand must fix the seal| 
 upon that dreadful paper— mine never shall. 
 
 King. How ! 
 
 Chan. Never! — I cannot be the murderer ofl 
 your son — be it your own deed, King — nor will 
 I, after such an act, again receive the seals, nor 
 remain one moment longer your officer. 
 
 King. What ! dare you — you desert me too 
 — resign your office ! 
 
 Chan. I am jealous of your glory, sire, and 
 will not see it tarnished! 
 
 King. Umph ! this lesson, well, (walks to the 
 pavilion, and throivs the sentence into the fire, 
 now, are you content ? 
 
 Chan. Yes, sire, the fire has purified all. — 
 
 King. You are right, you are right, we must 
 respect the laws ! Frederick shall be judged by 
 a court-martial. 
 
 Chan. My liege, in pardoning the prince — 
 
 King. Hold! it is as the chief of justice you 
 wish me to act, and it is from that consideration 
 alone, that I have suffered your opposition to my 
 will. 
 
43 
 
 Chan. Will your majesty permit me to ob- 
 serve 
 
 King. Retire, my lord; I feel I shall no 
 longer bear with temper the prolongation of 
 these entreaties — and I attach the greatest value 
 to your services and friendship. 
 
 Chan. I obey, sire, — and may this dreadful 
 moment never become a subject of despair to 
 you. (aside) I'll return to the princess — there 
 is nothing to hope from the monarch, we must 
 attack the heart of the father. [Exit. 
 
 The King enters the pavilion. 
 
 Enter Bibrack, greatly agitated — he stops and 
 looks around him. 
 
 Bib. They are searching the place on every 
 side — they will, without doubt, direct their 
 enquiry here —I must prevail upon the prince 
 to regain the house. 
 
 King, {rising from his seat.) Ah ! this must 
 be he ! 
 
 Bib. (runs to the door of pavilion, and ex- 
 claims) Ah, prince, save yourself! 
 
 King, {coming forward) What say you? 
 
 Bib. {aside.) The King ! {to him) Yes, prince, 
 save your son ! — It is an old soldier, who has 
 endured the fire of the enemy in twenty battles, 
 
14 
 
 who supplicates for mercy — in the name of ali| 
 the army — in the name of the country — in — in— 
 in the name of the people? (agitated.) 
 
 King. 'Twas you, Bibrack—you who favour- 
 ed his retreat ! 
 
 Bib. Sire, you had the key of the gate, — I 
 was then with the Chancellor! (in a loud tone) 
 and what caused my despair was, that I am at 
 this moment ignorant of what has become of 
 him. (At these words Frederick raises himself 
 from behind the sofa, and is perceived by Hi- 
 brack.) Ah ! he is there ! how to effect his 
 escape ! (aside.) 
 
 King. Hear me ! I am persuaded you are 
 not ignorant of the place where he is concealed 
 —If you'll discover him to me, I name you 
 captain of cavalry— if you refuse, you shall 
 be shot. 
 
 [Daring this scene, the prince observes every 
 movement of JBibrack. 
 
 Bib. Sire! (makes a sign to Frederick.) Sire! 
 you have been for some time in this pavilion ? 
 
 King. Yes. 
 
 Bib. Then, if the prince had been in the 
 pavilion, there is only this gate, which leads into 
 the country, by which he could escape. 
 
 [He makes a sign to Frederick to escape that 
 wa y — He signifies by action that the door 
 is guarded^] 
 
King. Escape by this door ! Impossible ! 
 Fifty grenadiers guard it. 
 
 Bib. [aside.'] Then, the palace is the only 
 place ! — Nevertheless, the palace of the ambas- 
 sador has been visited throughout, and the 
 prince has not been found there. 
 
 King. Then he must be in this part of the 
 park ; come, tell me where he is ? 
 
 Bib. Sire ! you are persuaded that he is not 
 at the chateau! — (makes a sign to Frederick to 
 escape.) Then at the chateau there is no dan- 
 
 ger. 
 
 Kino*. Danger ! 
 
 Bib. No, no danger that the prince is con- 
 cealed from your researches, 
 
 King. A captaincy or a bullet, which will 
 
 you? 
 
 Bib. A captain, sire ! 
 
 King. Think that you serve the state in obey- 
 
 ing me ? 
 
 Bib. Yes, sire! I am persuaded that at this 
 moment I do serve the state. (During the time 
 that Bib. occupies the attention of the King, 
 Frederick escapes from the pavilion, and exits 
 towards the palace?) The prince royal was in 
 the pavilion. 
 
 King. 5 Tis false ! This shall expose you to 
 my just revenge, (A report of a pistol is heard 
 
4(j 
 
 from the same side where Frederick exits.— An 
 expression of alarm from King and Bibrack.) 
 Can it be my son ? 
 
 Enter Chancellor. 
 
 Well, my lord! the report that 1 have just 
 heard — the consternation imprinted on your 
 features — What do you come to inform me ? 
 
 Chan, (with great emotion.) Sire, the prince — 
 
 King. Well — speak — my son ? 
 
 Chan. He was in the pavilion, sire, when 
 you pronounced his condemnation, and he has 
 only escaped pursuit, to cut off, by his own 
 hand, a life you had for ever proscribed. 
 
 [The King expresses great grief and horror — 
 He enters pavilion, and covers his face with 
 his hands — At the back of the stage, the 
 prince, the princess, and ambassador appear. ~\ 
 
 King. What — his own hand — his own exe- 
 cutioner ! — I did not think of this. The pride 
 of passion, the severity of discipline are gone ; 
 and my days are for ever cursed: — had I but 
 suspected his fatal resolution, I would have 
 pardoned him ! 
 
 Fred, (rushing forward.) Oh ! my father ! 
 
 King. It is his voice ! he is saved ! 
 
 [The prince and princess kneel on each side 
 
47 
 
 the Kino- — at the sight of his son he rushes 
 into his arms.] 
 
 Fred. Father! 
 
 King. Well — Frederick of Prussia, I grant 
 your pardon. 
 
 Fred. And Anhalt, sire 
 
 King. Anhalt! 
 
 Chan. His fault was the same as the prince 
 royal's — you cannot save your son without 
 extending your clemency to him. 
 
 King. I thank you, my lord, — I was about 
 to commit an act of injustice— The lieutenant 
 Anhalt is free !— Prussia accuses Frederick 
 William of too much rigor — it shall learn on 
 this day he knows how to pardon! 
 
 FINIS. 
 
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