Volume 4 / Act 5 — SCENE II
Reading edition
The ELECTOR. Later, two footmen.
ELECTOR. Most curious! Were I the Dey of Tunis I'd sound alarm at such a dubious move, Lay on my desk despair's thin silken cord, And at my palisaded castle-gate Set up my heavy guns and howitzers. But since it's just Hans Kottwitz from the Priegnitz Who marches on me of his own sweet will I'll treat the matter in the Mark's own way; Of the three curls that gleam so silvery On his old skull, I'll take firm hold of one And lead him calmly with his squadrons twelve To Arnstein, his headquarters, back again. Why wake the city from its slumber thus?
[He goes to the window a moment, then returns to the table and rings a bell. Two lackeys enter.]
Do run below and ask, as for yourself, What's doing in the City Hall.
1st LACKEY. At once!
[He goes out.]
ELECTOR (to the other). But you go now and fetch me my apparel.
[The lackey goes and brings it. The ELECTOR attires himself and dons his princely insignia.]