J. M. Barrie

“ France, Russia?
Culture. They are here around your walls.
Emperor. My people?
Culture. I see none marching but men whose feet make no sound. Shades of your soldiers who pass on and on, in never-ending lines.
Emperor. Do they curse me?
Culture. None curses; they all salute you as they pass. They have done your bidding.
Emperor. The women curse me?
Culture. Not even the women. They, too, salute you. You were their Father and could do no wrong.
Emperor. And you?
Culture. I have come with this gaping wound in my breast to bid you farewell.
Emperor. God cannot let my Germany be utterly destroyed. ”

“ All Germany is with me. I hold in leash the mightiest machine for war the world has forged.
[15] Culture. I have seen your legions, and all are with you. Never was a Lord more trusted. O Emperor, does that not make you pause?
Emperor. France invades little Belgium.
Culture. Chivalrous France! Never! Emperor, I leave one last word to you at the parting of the ways. France, Russia, Britain, these are great opponents, but it is not they will bring the pillars of Germany down. Beware of Belgium! ”

“ The Spirit of Culture returns, now with a wound in her breast; she surveys him sadly.)
Culture. Sleep on, unhappy King. (He grows restless.) Better to wake if even your dreams appal you.
(He wakes, and for a moment he scarcely understands that he has been dreaming; the realization is tragic to him.)
Emperor. You! You have come here to mock me!
Culture. Oh, no.
Emperor. I dreamed there was no war. In my dream they came to me and I forbade the war. I saw the Fatherland smiling and prosperous, as it was before the war.
Culture. It was you who made the war, O Emperor! ”