Volume 4 / Act 5 — SCENE VIII
Reading edition
NATALIE and the ELECTRESS appear in the doorway, followed by ladies-in-waiting. The others as before.
NATALIE. Mother! Decorum! Can you speak that word? In such an hour there's none but just to love him— My dear, unhappy love!
THE PRINCE (turning). Now I shall go!
TRUCHSZ (holding him). No, nevermore, my Prince!
[Several officers step in his way.]
THE PRINCE. Take me away!
HOHENZOLL. Liege, can your heart—
THE PRINCE (tearing himself free). You tyrants, would you drag me In fetters to my execution-place? Go! I have closed my reckoning with this world.
[He goes out under guard.]
NATALIE (on the ELECTRESS' breast). Open, O earth, receive me in your deeps. Why should I look upon the sunlight more?