SCENE IV.—A battle-field. Enter troops marching. Fighting begins in the distance. Enter two officers.
1st O. This is the final chance for Germany.
Be Henry now defeated on this field,
He loses empire, Rodulph holds the west.
2nd O. Woe with poor Germany, her lands lie waste,
Her cities either sacked or arméd forts,
Withstand the common foe; her King outcast,
Battles for his rule with his own vassals.
(Enter Henry with a few knights.)
Hen. This way, this way, the enemy press back,
One struggle now for Germany and my crown.
(All pass out. Enter Wolf of Hamburg, with the head of Rodulph.)
Wolf. Ha, ha, thou thing that wert a pope’s retainer,
Roll there the nonce an’ mix thee with the dust,
Thou that dared a king’s prerogatives.
(Re-enter Henry.)
Wolf. Victory! Sire; victory!
Hen. How now?
Wolf. I bring thee not thy crown, but rather the head
That would have worn it. Knowest the face?
Hen. Rodulph!
Wolf. Even so, his army be repulsed,
And Germany is thine to rule once more.
(Enter Soldiers.)
Hen. Good Lords and Generals, Fellow-countrymen,
The enemy to all our peace is dead,
His army routed and the battle ours,
The God of battles now hath smiled our way,
We will henceforth resume our royal sway.
See that our pardon be proclaiméd wide
To all who lay down arms or join our ranks.
Meantime we bury this defeated rebel
And with him memory of this evil time,
Then hence to Rome to make our empery strong.
Know henceforth Lords and Generals, Henry stands
The champion of Europe’s civil rights,
The friend of liberty and trampled man.
Nor shall this sword be sheathed till Germany
And Italy, yea, all of Europe’s soil
Be freed from sway of proud, pretentious priests,
And peace, humanity and freedom reign.
[Curtain.