Poems [65]
wise. The lawyers who bring on the action On one single point will agree, Though proved to their own satisfaction That tweedle-dum's NOT tweedle-dee!
To settle disputes, in a fury The sword from the scabbard we draw; But reason appeals to a jury, And settles--according to law. Then hey for the woolsack!--for never Without it can nations be free; But trial by jury for ever! And for tyranny--fiddle-de-dee!
[Exit.
Scene the last.
Discovered. The whole stage is thrown open, and represents the Hall of the Palace at Potsdam, arranged as a court-room. On a carpeted platform is the royal seat of state, occupied by three JUDGES. On the right and left of them are cushioned seats for the KING and his retinue, and OFFICERS of state. In front of the judgement-seat is a large center-table, on which are various law-books and the Prussian Vase. Around the table are suitable places for the ADVOCATES in the cause. On each side are elevated benches, occupied by the GIRLS of the Factory, behind whom are stationed platoons of the ROYAL GUARDS. At the end of the benches on the right is the jury-box, with twelve JURORS, and the desk of the CRIER, on which is a small mallet. Around the whole stage is a large gallery, crowded with the CITIZENS of Potsdam.--The entire scene is intended to represent an English Criminal Court of Law of the olden time, in full costume, with scarlet robes, ermine gowns, etc.--The following CHARACTERS are discovered in their respective places: BARON ALTENBERG, the ATTORNEY-GENERAL and ADVOCATE for the crown; the WORKMEN of the Factory, as WITNESSES; the JAILOR, HANS, GERTRUDE, HAROLD, and CORPORAL; COUNT LANISKA, guarded, attended by the COUNTESS and FREDERICA; SOPHIA MANSFIELD, guarded, and attended by Factory-GIRLS; ALBERT, as ADVOCATE for the PRISONERS, and WEDGEWOOD, as CRIER of the Court; OFFICERS of state, LADIES of the Court, PORTERS of the Hall, and the KING.--This scene is accompanied by the ORCHESTRA.--Music as the scene opens--
CHORUS. With mercy let justice To mortals be given, For Justice and Mercy Are twin-born in heaven!
(As BARON ALTENBERG rises, WEDGEWOOD says, in a subdued tone of voice, and very respectfully.)
WEDGEWOOD. Silence in the court!
ALTENBERG. May it please your lordships, these facts are not denied: the inscription in the handwriting of the count; his free access to the factory; his frequent use of the word TYRANT when speaking of the king; his earnest interest in the Saxon maid; her love for the count, and her opposition to the will of our most gracious sovereign for allotting her to the overseer as his bride: and they all unite in establishing their crime, the punishment of which is DEATH. Had not His Majesty chanced to wipe off, with his own handkerchief, the blue paint which concealed the word TYRANT, the vase would have been sent to Paris, the king and people disgraced, and the criminals safe in Saxony. Yes, gentlemen (to the JURY,) this splendid ornament, which is to be known to all future ages as "The Prussian Vase," is defaced with the treasonable inscription--"To Frederick the Great Tyrant."
KING (rising in excitement, and forgetting himself.) Yes, soldiers and subjects, friends and children, this word is applied to ME--to your FATHER--by these base ingrates here!--
CHORUS Shame, shame, shame! Long live the king! etc.
WEDGEWOOD (in a commanding tone, and striking the desk with his mallet.) Silence in the court, or I'll put you in the stocks, juvenile delinquents and all! What an odd people!
KING. I beg the indulgence of your lordships for my infirmities of temper. Let the cause proceed. (Takes his seat.)
JUDGE. The case for the crown, gentlemen, is fully before you, and is submitted in the confidence that you will discharge your duty faithfully.
KING (again forgetting himself.) Ay, discharge your duty faithfully!
WEDGEWOOD (with great authority rapping on the desk.) Silence in the court, Your Majesty!
JUDGE. Let the counsel for the prisoners now proceed.
To settle disputes, in a fury The sword from the scabbard we draw; But reason appeals to a jury, And settles--according to law. Then hey for the woolsack!--for never Without it can nations be free; But trial by jury for ever! And for tyranny--fiddle-de-dee!
[Exit.
Scene the last.
Discovered. The whole stage is thrown open, and represents the Hall of the Palace at Potsdam, arranged as a court-room. On a carpeted platform is the royal seat of state, occupied by three JUDGES. On the right and left of them are cushioned seats for the KING and his retinue, and OFFICERS of state. In front of the judgement-seat is a large center-table, on which are various law-books and the Prussian Vase. Around the table are suitable places for the ADVOCATES in the cause. On each side are elevated benches, occupied by the GIRLS of the Factory, behind whom are stationed platoons of the ROYAL GUARDS. At the end of the benches on the right is the jury-box, with twelve JURORS, and the desk of the CRIER, on which is a small mallet. Around the whole stage is a large gallery, crowded with the CITIZENS of Potsdam.--The entire scene is intended to represent an English Criminal Court of Law of the olden time, in full costume, with scarlet robes, ermine gowns, etc.--The following CHARACTERS are discovered in their respective places: BARON ALTENBERG, the ATTORNEY-GENERAL and ADVOCATE for the crown; the WORKMEN of the Factory, as WITNESSES; the JAILOR, HANS, GERTRUDE, HAROLD, and CORPORAL; COUNT LANISKA, guarded, attended by the COUNTESS and FREDERICA; SOPHIA MANSFIELD, guarded, and attended by Factory-GIRLS; ALBERT, as ADVOCATE for the PRISONERS, and WEDGEWOOD, as CRIER of the Court; OFFICERS of state, LADIES of the Court, PORTERS of the Hall, and the KING.--This scene is accompanied by the ORCHESTRA.--Music as the scene opens--
CHORUS. With mercy let justice To mortals be given, For Justice and Mercy Are twin-born in heaven!
(As BARON ALTENBERG rises, WEDGEWOOD says, in a subdued tone of voice, and very respectfully.)
WEDGEWOOD. Silence in the court!
ALTENBERG. May it please your lordships, these facts are not denied: the inscription in the handwriting of the count; his free access to the factory; his frequent use of the word TYRANT when speaking of the king; his earnest interest in the Saxon maid; her love for the count, and her opposition to the will of our most gracious sovereign for allotting her to the overseer as his bride: and they all unite in establishing their crime, the punishment of which is DEATH. Had not His Majesty chanced to wipe off, with his own handkerchief, the blue paint which concealed the word TYRANT, the vase would have been sent to Paris, the king and people disgraced, and the criminals safe in Saxony. Yes, gentlemen (to the JURY,) this splendid ornament, which is to be known to all future ages as "The Prussian Vase," is defaced with the treasonable inscription--"To Frederick the Great Tyrant."
KING (rising in excitement, and forgetting himself.) Yes, soldiers and subjects, friends and children, this word is applied to ME--to your FATHER--by these base ingrates here!--
CHORUS Shame, shame, shame! Long live the king! etc.
WEDGEWOOD (in a commanding tone, and striking the desk with his mallet.) Silence in the court, or I'll put you in the stocks, juvenile delinquents and all! What an odd people!
KING. I beg the indulgence of your lordships for my infirmities of temper. Let the cause proceed. (Takes his seat.)
JUDGE. The case for the crown, gentlemen, is fully before you, and is submitted in the confidence that you will discharge your duty faithfully.
KING (again forgetting himself.) Ay, discharge your duty faithfully!
WEDGEWOOD (with great authority rapping on the desk.) Silence in the court, Your Majesty!
JUDGE. Let the counsel for the prisoners now proceed.