Balthilda.
Teja, beloved, what happeneth to thee?
Teja.
(_Remains standing before her and takes her head in his hands_.) To me,
it is as if in this hour we had strayed hand in hand through a whole
world of joy and sorrow. That disappeareth--all disappeareth. I am
again the--I was--nay, I am not he.--But be thou high above all the
women, the Queen ... Wilt thou?
Balthilda.
Sire, what dost thou require of me?
Teja.
Thou wilt not entreat and wilt not cry out?
Balthilda.
Nay, Sire.
Teja.
The day draweth nigh. Before us standeth death.
Balthilda.
Sire, I understand thee not. None can attack us, and until the ships
come----
Teja.
The ships come never more.
(Balthilda _strokes herself on the cheeks, and then stands
motionless_.)
Teja.
But we men are going forth upon the field, to fight.
Balthilda.
That can ye not do--that is surely--impossible.
Teja.
We must. Art thou the Queen, and perceivest not that we must?
Balthilda.
Yea--I--per--ceive--it.
Teja.
The King fights in the foremost rank, and we shall see each other no
more alive.... Knowest thou that?
Balthilda.