The Prisoner of Zenda Page #3

Find out what went wrong!

If only he'd drunk

what I wanted to put in the bottle.

Look now upon our most puissant liege,

Lord, Rudolph V...

...undoubted king of this realm.

If any man would deny our sovereign lord's

title to our lands and fealty...

...let him speak now,

or be a tainted traitor.

Receive the crown of the kingdom...

...and understand

what a glory of sanctity...

...of honor and bravery it signifies.

God save the king.

God save the king!

God save the king!

God save the king!

Guard thy side with thy sword,

O mighty one.

And be mindful

that kingdoms are conquered...

...not with a sword, but through faith.

I, Rudolph, with justice and mercy

to deal sovereignty...

...to guard with vigilance and honor

the welfare of my peoples...

...from all enemies...

...to defend them...

...and from the throne of my ancestors,

to bear faithful rule...

...all this do I swear.

I, Flavia, do become thy vassal...

...swearing to serve thee in truth...

...with life and limb,

until death findeth me...

...so help me God.

Do I kiss her?

All hail the king!

All hail the king!

Well, I think it all went off very well,

don't you, for a coronation?

Of course, I mean, that is,

a coronation should go well...

...if the king puts in an appearance

properly dressed and looks his part.

And sober.

Well, that was a nasty one.

By the way...

...among my failings,

I rather neglected you, didn't I?

Two picture post cards

in three years, I think.

And all the time you've been changing

into the loveliest princess in Europe.

No, the loveliest girl in Europe.

Your dynastic obligations

to the princess royal don't compel you...

...to make pretty speeches

to her in private.

You call this private?

You really behaved

and looked like a king today.

Thank you.

Something, I must confess,

few of us expected of you.

- Haven't you forgotten something?

- What?

That's better.

Look, I have an idea.

Supposing you bow on my side

of this goldfish bowl...

...and I salute on yours.

Like that.

Now, isn't that more cozy?

They like that.

Bless them.

They're with you heart and soul.

Oh, it's you they're cheering.

I felt like doing it myself when I saw you.

I think we'd better go now.

They're waiting.

Don't go yet. It's such a relief

to have you to myself for a moment.

All day long I've been on parade.

Cheered at, waved at, stared at.

Not a chance to say...

Say what?

It's enough to make any man

lose his head a bit.

I'm crowned king, I meet the loveliest,

most beautiful woman...

That isn't what you used to say. You used

to call me "tow-headed scarecrow. "

- No! I hope you slapped me.

- I did.

And once I kicked you, quite hard.

- Where?

- In the garden.

I deserved it. But I've reformed.

Almost beyond recognition.

You seem an entirely different person.

- I can't understand...

- Don't try.

Just stand there and let me look at you.

I really think we should go.

They're waiting.

Oh, are they?

Shouldn't have done that. Bad mistake.

Very encouraging.

The royal wedding is not far off.

Tell me, Rudolph,

what's the world outside really like?

Is it as wicked and exciting

as it seems in the novels?

What did you do on those long trips?

I mean, when you weren't drinking.

Oh, I used to go fishing.

Fishing? But you used to tell me

you despise fishing.

Oh, yes, well, I grew out of that.

Now I'm very fond of fishing.

I never got beyond

the hook-and-worm stage.

Talking of worms, do you remember when

you dropped a caterpillar down my back?

- I didn't.

- Yes, you did.

And glue in my riding boots.

But once you really hurt me.

You've forgotten, haven't you?

What did I do?

It was at my 14th birthday party

and I thought I was grown up.

Your father told you to dance with me.

You said you wouldn't,

that I was a beastly infant.

And when he insisted, you pinched me

all the time we were dancing...

...and told me how gawky I was.

I hated you.

I should have been horsewhipped.

Well?

Your Majesty, His Highness Duke Michael

is waiting to pay his respects.

Let him wait.

And furthermore,

Captain von Tarlenheim...

...your intrusion is decidedly uncalled-for.

Rudolph, is it wise to make Michael angry?

I'm the one that was interrupted.

Why should he be angry?

- Besides, I'm the king.

- He's probably furious.

A bad-tempered fellow.

Why worry about him?

It's you I'm worrying about.

In that case, I can afford to be generous.

My dear Michael!

I had no idea you were kept waiting.

Why was I not informed?

I am most scandalously served.

This is, indeed,

worth being kept waiting for, cousin.

You're more than kind to say so.

This was a day I've always dreaded.

Had a queer feeling

something might go wrong.

With you in charge,

it was foolish to worry.

Can't thank you enough

for the way everything went.

It's gratifying to find Your Majesty in

excellent spirits after the strain of the day.

Thank you, Michael. Never felt so fit.

Must be the excitement.

First time I've ever been crowned,

you know. It's rather good, isn't it?

- Very good, indeed.

- Thank you.

There's another reason I feel so well.

Had a remarkable wine for dinner last night.

Soothed my nerves, went right off to sleep,

slept like a top.

Came from right near your castle,

by the way.

You must try it,

in case you're ever troubled about sleeping.

I sleep very well.

Is that so?

You must have a very clear conscience.

I have.

And I've never yet had a dream

that didn't come true...

...if I waited long enough.

Really? How romantic.

Still, some things come true

that you've never dreamed of.

I see that I bore Your Majesty.

With Your Majesty's permission,

I bid you good night.

- Rudolph, be careful. He hates you.

- Believe me, I return the compliment.

But you don't understand.

He wants the throne. He'll stop at nothing.

Flavia, aren't you taking him

too seriously?

Rudolph, if you won't think of yourself,

think of me.

All my life I've known what my future

had to be and I was resigned to it.

But now I don't have to tell you

how different it is.

Flavia.

I've been unfair.

I only want you to realize

how much your life means...

...to your country.

To my country?

- And to your friends.

- Friends?

And to your cousin,

and most loving servant.

- Good night, Rudolph.

- Don't go.

But I'll see you tomorrow.

Tomorrow.

What a day for you to remember.

I wouldn't mind being king

for 12 hours myself.

I'll never forget old Mueller

in the cathedral.

You know,

he used to be the king's tutor.

Fixed his eye on you

and never took it off.

I thought the game was up,

until I remembered it was his glass eye.

By the way, Rassendyll...

...what were you doing

with the princess in there all that time?

I mean, can't you even leave the king

to do his own lovemaking?

I only hope that His Majesty

will not disappoint her after you.

Never mind that.

We must get away at once...

...if I am to have the king

back here by daybreak.

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