An Inn at Schwarzenbergh in Franconia. MEZLER and SIEVERS, two Swabian Peasants, arc seated at a table-At the fire, at some distance from them, two Cavaliers from Bamberg-The Innkeeper. Siev. Hansel! Another cup of brandy-and Christian measure. Innk. Thou art a Never-enough. Mez. (apart to Sievers.) Repeat again that about Berlichingen―These Bambergers seem to take offence; they look sulky. Siev. Bambergers!-What are they about here? Mez. Weislingen has been two days up yonder at the castle with the Earl-they came with him from I know not where; they are his attendants-He is about to return back to Bamberg. Siev. Who is that Weislingen? Mez. The Bishop of Bamberg's right hand! a powerful lord, who lies lurking for the means of playing Goetz some trick. Siev. He had better take care of himself. Mez. Prithee tell that story once more. (Aloud.) How long is it since Goetz had a new dispute with the Bishop? I thought all had been reconciled and smoothed up between them. Siev. Ay! Reconciliation with Priests !—When the Bishop saw he could do no good, and always got the worse at hard blows, he complained to the Circle, and took care to make a good accommodation; while honest Berlichingen was condemned unheard, as he always is, even when he has the right. Mez. God bless him! a worthy nobleman. Siev. Only think! Was it not shameful? They have now imprisoned a page of his, even without the least crime-but they will be soon mauled for that. Mez. How stupidly the last enterprise misgave. The Priest would have been in a furious chafe. Siev. I do not believe it was owing to negligenceLook you, all had been discovered by Goetz' spies; we had the very best intelligence when the Bishop would come from the baths, with how many atten dants, and which way; and, had it not been betrayed by some false brother, Goetz would have blessed his bath for him. 1st Bam. What are you prating there about our Bishop? I think you seek a scuffle. Siev. Mind your own matters; you have nothing to do with our table. 2nd Bam. Who taught you to speak disrespectfully of our Bishop? Siev. Am I to answer your questions ?-Only mind the gluttons [The 1st Bamberger strikes him a box on the ear. Mez. Fell the hound dead. 2nd Bam. Here! if you dare [They fall upon each other; a scuffle. Innk. (separating them.) Will you remain quiet! Zounds! Get out of the house if you have any thing to do together in this place I will have order and decency. (He gets the Bamberg Cavaliers out at the door.)-And what did you want, ye asses? Mez. No bad names, Hansel! your glasses may suffer. Come, comrade, we'll go and have the game Enter two Cavaliers. out. the Golden Bull, which remedied so many evils in the Germanic body, left this dangerous privilege in full vigour. In time the residence of every free baron became a fortress, from which, as his passions or avarice dictated, sallied a band of marauders, to back his quarrel, or to collect an extorted revenue from the merchants who presumed to pass through his domain. At length whole bands of these freebooting nobles used to league together for the purpose of mutual defence against their more powerful neighbours, as likewise for that of predatory incursions against the princes, free towns, and ecclesiastic states of the empire, whose wealth tempted the needy barons to exercise against them their privilege of waging private war. These confederacies were distinguished by various titles expressive of their object: we find among them the Brotherhood of the Mace, the Knights of the Bloody Sleeve, etc., etc. If one of the brotherhood was attacked, the rest marched without delay to his assistance; and thus, though individually weak, the petty feudatories maintained their ground against the more powerful members of the empire. Their independence and privileges were recognised and secured to them by many edicts; and though hated and occasionally oppressed by the princes and ecclesiastic authorities, to whom in return they were a scourge and a pest, they continued to maintain tenaciously the good old privilege (as they termed it) of Faustrecht, which they had inherited from their fathers. Amid the obvious mischiefs attending such a state of society, it must be allowed that it was frequently the means of calling into exercise the highest heroic virtues. Men daily exposed to danger, and living by the constant exertion of their courage, acquired the virtues as well as the vices of a savage state; and among many instances of cruelty and rapine, occur not a few of the most exalted valour and generosity. If the fortress of a German knight was the dread of the wealthy merchant and abbot, it was often the ready and hospitable refuge of the weary pilgrim and oppressed peasant. Although the owner subsisted by the plunder of the rich, yet he was frequently beneficent to the poor, and beloved by his own family dependents and allies. The spirit of chivalry doubtless contributed much to soften the character of these marauding nobles. A respect for themselves taught them generosity towards their prisoners, and certain acknowledged rules prevented many of the atrocities which it might have been expected would have marked these feuds. No German noble, for example, if made captive, was confined in fetters or in a dungeon, but remained a prisoner at large upon his parole, (which was called knightly ward,) either in the castle of his conqueror, or in some other place assigned to him. The same species of honourable captivity was often indulged by the Emperor to offenders of a noble rank, of which some instances will be found in the following pages. Such was the state of the German nobles, when, on the 7th of August, 1495, was published the memorable edict of Maximilian for the establishment of the public peace of the empire. By this ordinance the right of private war was totally abrogated, under the penalty of the ban of the empire, to be enforced by the Imperial Chamber then instituted. This was at once a sentence of anathema secular and spiritual, containing the dooms of outlawry and excommunication.--This ordinance was highly acceptable to the princes, bishops, and free towns, who had little to gain and much to lose in these perpetual feuds: and they combined to enforce it with no small severity against the petty feudatories :-these, on the other hand, sensible that the very root of their importance consisted in their privilege of declaring private war, without which they foresaw they would not long be able to maintain their independence, struggled hard against the execution of this edict; by which their confederacies were declared unlawful, and all means taken from them of resisting their richer neighbours. Upon the jarring interests of the princes and clergy on the one hand, and of the free knights and petty Imperial feudatories on the other, arise the incidents of the following drama. The hero, Goetz of Berlichingen, was in reality a zealous champion for the privileges of the free knights, and was repeatedly laid under the ban of the empire for the feuds in which he was engaged, from which he was only released in consequence of high reputation for gallantry and generosity. His life was published at Nuremberg, 1731; and some account of his exploits, with a declaration of feud (Fehdbrief) issued by him against that city, will be found in Meusel's Enquiry into History, vol. iv. While the princes and free knights were thus banded against each other, the peasants and bondsmen remained in the most abject state of ignorance and oppression. This occasioned at different times the most desperate insurrections, resembling in their nature, and in the atrocities committed by the furious insurgents, the rebellions of Tyler and Cade in England, or that of the Jacquerie in France. Such an event occurs in the following Tragedy. There is also a scene founded upon the noted institution called the Secret or Invisible Tribunal. With this extraordinary judicatory, the members and executioners of which were unknown, and met in secret to doom to death those criminals whom others courts of justice could not reach, the English reader has been made acquainted by several translations from the German, particularly the excellent romances called Herman of Unna, and Alf von Duilman, The following drama was written by the elegant Author of the Sorrows of Werter, in imitation, it is said, of the manner of Shakspeare. This resemblance is not to be looked for in the style or expression, but in the outline of the characters, and mode of conducting the incidents of the piece. In Germany it is the object of enthusiastic admiration; partly owing, doubtless, to the force of national partiality towards a performance in which the ancient manners of the country are faithfully and forcibly painted. Losing, however, this advantage, and under all the defects of a translation, the Translator ventures to hope that in the following pages there will still be found something to excite interest. Some liberties have been taken with the original, in omitting two occasional disquisitions upon the Civil Law as practised in Germany. Literal accuracy has been less studied in the translation, than an attempt to convey the spirit and general effect of the piece. Upon the whole, it is hoped the version will be found faithful; of which the Translator is less distrustful, owing to the friendship of a Gentleman of high literary eminence, who has obligingly taken the trouble of superintending the publication. EDINBURGH, 3d February, 1799. eaten and drunken, are the reverse of what we should be. Our sleepy digestion depresses our mental powers; in a weak body such sloth excites desires, which increase with the cause which produces them. Goetz. One glass, brother Martin, will not set you asleep. You have come far to-day-Helps him to wine. Here's to all warriors! Mar. In God's name !-I cannot defend idle people -yet all monks are not idle; they do what they can: I am just come from St. Bede, where I slept last night. The Prior carried me into their garden, where they had raised beans, excellent sallad, cabbages to a wish, and such cauliflowers and artichokes as you will hardly find in Europe. Goetz. That is no part of your business? Mar. Well for him who can say so; his life is doubled. The blessing was denied for me, yet was [Goes out and looks anxiously after it the finishing crown of creation. the boy. Returns. Mar. Would God had made me a gardener, or some other labourer, I might then have been happy! My Abbot loves me; the convent is involved in business; he knows I cannot rest idle, and so he sends me to manage what is to be done : I go to the Bishop of Constance. Goetz. Another glass-A happy expedition! Mar. The like—— [He wipes his eyes. Goetz (aside). I grieve for him. The sense of his situation chills his heart. Enter GEORGE, breathless. Geo. My Lord, my Lord, horses at the gallop!— two of them--They for certain— Goetz. Bring out my steed; let Hans mount. Farewell, dear brother !-Be cheerful and duteous; God Goetz. Why do you look at me so fixedly, brother? will give space for exertion. Goetz. Would you have liked a suit? It is heavy, and toilsome to bear. Mar. What is not toilsome in this world ?-But what so much so as to renounce our very nature? Poverty, chastity, obedience-three vows, each of which singly is dreadful to humanity-united, insupportable; and to spend a lifetime under this burden, or to pant comfortless under the depressing load of an offended conscience-Ah! Sir Knight, what are the toils of your life compared to the sorrows of a state, which, from a misinterpreted notion of the Deity, condemns as crimes even those actions and desires through which we exist. Goetz. Were your vow less sacred, I would give you a suit of armour and a steed, and we should go together. Mar. Would to heaven my shoulders had strength to bear harness, and my arm to unhorse an enemy! -Poor weak hand, accustomed to swing censers, to bear crosses and banners of peace, how couldst thou manage the lance and falchion? My voice, tuned only to Aves and Halleluiahs, would be a herald of my weakness to a superior enemy; otherwise should no vows keep me from entering an order founded by the Creator himself. Goetz. To our happy return! [Drinks. Mar. I pledge you upon your account only! Return to my prison must be to me ever unhappy. When you, Sir Knight, return to your walls with the consciousness of your strength and gallantry, which no fatigue can diminish; when you, for the first time, after a long absence, stretch yourself unarmed upon your bed, secure from the attack of enemies, and Mar. Let me request your name. [Gives his left hand. Mar. Why the left?-Am I unworthy of the knightly right hand? Goetz. Were you the Emperor, you must be satisfied with this. My right hand, though not useless in combat, is unresponsive to the grasp of affection. It is one with its mail'd gauntlet—You see, it is iron! Mar. Then art thou Goetz of Berlichingen. I thank thee, Heaven, who hast shown me the man whom princes hate, but to whom the oppressed throng! Let me kiss this hand, let me kiss it. Goetz. You must not! Mar. Let me, let me-Thou hand, more worth than the relic through which the most sacred blood has flowed! dead though thou seemest, thou livest a witness of the noblest confidence in God. [GOETZ adjusts his helmet, takes his lance. Mar. There was a monk among us about a year, who visited you when your hand was shot off before Landshut. How he used to tell us what you suffered, and your grief at being disabled for your profession of arms; till you heard of one who had also lost a hand, and yet served long a gallant knight. I shall never forget it. Enter PETER and the other Cavalier. They speak apart with GOETZ. Mar. (going on.) I shall never forget his words in the most noble, the most unreserved confidence in God: "If I had twelve hands, what would they avail me without his grace? then may I with only one and heaven to friend” Goetz. In the wood of Haslach too? (Returns to Martin.) Farewell, worthy brother! Mar. Forget me not, as I shall never forget thee! [Exeunt GOETZ and his Troopers. Mar. The sight of him touched my heart-He spoke not, and my spirit sunk under his-Yet it is a pleasure to have seen a great man. Geo. Worthy sir, you will sleep here? Mar. Can I have a bed? thee for thy benevolence through me: whatever sick person thou touchest❞— Char. "with the hand". -It was the right hand, I think. Maria. Yes. Char. "he will immediately become well." Maria. "Then the child went home, and could not speak for joy" Char." and fell upon his mother's neck and Geo. No, sir! I know a bed only by hearsay; in wept." our lodgings there is but straw. Mar. It will serve. What is thy name? Geo. George, sir. SCENE III. [Exit. An Apartment in Jaxthausen, the Castle of Goetz of Berlichingen. ELIZABETH, MARIA, and CHARLES discovered. Maria. "Then the mother cried, What's the matter with me? and became " Char. "became—became " Maria. You do not mind-"and became well. And the child cured kings and emperors, and became so rich that he built a great abbey." Eliz. I cannot understand why my husband stays. He has been away five days and nights, and he expected to have done his business much sooner. Maria. I am very uneasy about it. Were I married to a man who ever incurred such danger, I should die the first day. Eliz. Therefore I thank God, who has made me of harder stuff! Char. But must my father always ride out, when it is so dangerous? Maria. Such is his good pleasure. Eliz. Indeed he must, dear Charles! Char. Why? Eliz. Do you not remember the last time he rode out, when he brought you these fine things? Char. Will he bring me any thing now? Eliz. I believe so. Listen: There was a poor man at Stutgard who shot excellently with the bow, and Char. Pray now, dear aunt, tell me again that gained a prize from the magistratesstory of the good child; it is so pretty Maria. Do you tell it to me, little rogue! that I may see if you pay attention. Char. Wait then till I think "There was once upon "-Yes-"There was once upon a time a child, Char. "I am sick " Maria. "And cannot go out; " Char. How much? Eliz. A hundred dollars;-and afterwards they would not pay him. Maria. That was base, Charles. Char. Shabby people! Eliz. The poor man came to your father, and besought him to help him to his money; then your father rode out and intercepted two convoys of merchandise, and plagued them till they paid the money. Char. "And gave him money, and said, Go and Would not you have ridden out too? buy yourself a breakfast." Char. No-For one must go through thick woods, Maria. "The child went.-There met him an old where there are gipsies and witchesman that was "-Now, Charles! Char. "that was-old"— Eliz. You little rogue!-Afraid of witches! Maria. Indeed!"that was not able to walk, and your castle, like a quiet Christian knight-One may said, Dear child do a great deal of good out of one's own fortune. These redressers of wrongs do more harm than good by their interference. Eliz. Sister, you know not what you are sayingMaria." that should have bought his breakfast." God grant our boy may turn brave as he grows up, Char. "Then said the old man" and pull down that Weislingen, who has dealt so Maria. "Then the old man took the child by the faithlessly with my husband! hand" Char. "by the hand, and said-and became a fine beautiful saint-and said "— Maria. "Dear child! the sacred Virgin rewards Maria. We cannot agree in this, Eliza-My brother is highly incensed, and thou art so also; but I am cooler in the business, and can be less inveterate. Eliz. Weislingen cannot be defended. Enter GOETZ, WEISLINGEN, HANS, and other Cavaliers, as from horseback. Goetz. (laying his helmet and sword on a table.) Unclasp my armour, and give me my doublet-Ease will refresh me.-Brother Martin said well-You have put us out of wind, Weislingen! [WEISLINGEN answers nothing, but paces up and down. Goetz. Be of good heart!-Come, unarm yourself! -Where are your clothes?-Not lost, I hope, in the scuffle? (To the Attendants.) Go, ask his servants; open the trunks, and see that nothing is missing.-Or I can lend you some of mine. Weis. Let me remain as I am-It is all one. Goetz. I can give you a handsome clean doublet, but it is only of linen-It has grown too little for me-I had it on the marriage of the Lord Palsgrave, Peter. We have hunted-we have caught the game! when your Bishop was so incensed at me.-About a -God save you, noble ladies! Eliz. Have you Weislingen? Peter. Himself, and three followers. Eliz. How came you to stay so long? Peter. We watched for him between Nuremberg and Bamberg, but he did not come, though we knew he had set out. At length we found him; he had struck off sideways, and was living quietly with the Earl at Schwarzenberg. Eliz. Then will my husband have him next for an enemy. Peter. I told this immediately to my master-Up and away we rode for the forest of Haslach. And it was curious, while we were riding thither that night, that a shepherd was watching, and five wolves fell upon the flock, and were taken. Then my master laughed and said, Good luck to us all, dear companion, both to you and us!-And the good omen overjoyed us. Just then Weislingen came riding along with four attendants Maria. My heart shudders in my bosom. Peter. My comrade and I threw ourselves suddenly on him, and clung to him as if we were one body, while my master and the others fell upon the servants. They were all, taken, except one who escaped. Eliz. I am curious to see him-Will they come soon? fortnight before I had sunk two of his vessels upon the Maine-I was going up stairs to the venison in the inn at Heidelberg, with Francis of Seckingen. iron-rails-there stood the Bishop, and gave Frank Before you get quite up, there is a landing-place with his hand as he passed, and the like to me that was close behind him. I laughed in my sleeve, and went to the Landgrave of Hanau, who was always my noble friend, and told him, "The Bishop has given me his hand, but I wot well he did not know me." The Bishop heard me, for I was speaking loud-He came to us angrily, and said, "True, I gave thee my hand, because I knew thee not indeed."-To which I answered, "I marked that, my Lord; and so take your shake of the hand back again!”—The manikin's neck grew red as a crab for spite, and he went up the room and complained to the Palsgrave Lewis and the Princess of Nassau.-But we have had much to do together since that. Weis. I wish you would leave me to myself! are in my power, and I will not misuse it. Goetz. Why so?—I entreat you be at rest. You Weis. That I am little auxious about-Your duty as a knight prescribes your conduct. Goetz. And you know how sacred it is to me. Weis. I am taken-What follows is indifferent. Goetz. You should not say so.-Had you been taken by a prince, and shut up fettered in a dungeon, your gaoler directed to drive sleep from your eyes— Enter Servants with clothes. Weislingen unarms and shifts himself. Enter CHARLES. Char. Good morrow, papa! Goetz (kisses him). Good morrow, boy!-How have you been behaving? Char. Very well.-Aunt says I am a good boy. Char. Have you brought me any thing? Goetz. Nothing this time. Char. I have learned a great deal— Goetz. Ay! Char. Shall I tell you about the good boy? Goetz. After dinner |