by only one squire; I stood at the steps, and whispered to him as he passed, "Two words from your friend Berlichingen." He started-I marked the consciousness of guilt in his face. He had scarcely the heart to look upon me-me, a poor horseboy!

of Nuremberg :-Goetz von Berlichingen and Hans von Selbiss fell upon thirteen of us as we journeyed from the fair at Frankfort, under an escort from Bamberg-they overpowered and plundered us. We request your imperial assistance and redress, else.

Goetz. And you went?

Geo. Yes, truly, I went, and waited in his antechamber long-long; and his silken-jacketed pages flouted me on all hands. Flout on, thought I, if I had you-At length I was introduced. He seemed displeased-But what cared I?—I discharged my errand. When he had heard me out, he put on just such an angry blustering look as a coward that wants to look brave. He wondered most dreadfully that you should send a message to him by a horseboy. That piqued me. "There are but two sorts of people," said I, "The gallant and the base-and I serve Goetz of Berlichingen." Then he began, took every thing wrong; said, that you had hurried his motions, that he owed you no allegiance, and would have nothing to do with you.

Goetz. Hadst thou that from his own mouth? Geo. That, and yet more-He threatened me— Goetz. It is enough. He is lost for ever. Confidence and credulity have again blinded me. Poor Mary! how shall I tell this to thee?

Emp. Sacred heaven! what is this?-The one has but one hand, the other but one leg-with two hands and two legs what would they have done!

1st Mer. We most humbly beseech your Majesty to look with compassion upon our unfortunate situation. Emp. Thus it goes :-If a merchant loses a bag of pepper, all Germany must be in arms; but when business occurs in which the Imperial Majesty is interested, should it concern dukedoms, principalities, or kingdoms, not a man must be disturbed.

Weis. You come at an unsuitable time. Go, and stay here for a few days. Mer. We recommend ourselves to your protection. [Exeunt Merchants. Emp. Still new disturbances-They spring like the hydra's heads!

Weis. Which can only be checked by fire and sword. Emp. Do you think so?

Weis. Nothing can be more certain, since your Majesty and the Princes of the Empire have accommodated your other disputes. It is not the body of the state that complains of this malady-Franconia and Swabia only glow with the embers of civil discord; and even there are many of the nobles and free barons that wish for quiet. Had we but once crushed Seckingen, Selbiss-and-and--and Berlichingen, the others would fall asunder; for it is their spirit which

have been such a turncoat.

ACT III.

SCENE I.

The Imperial Garden at Augsburg.

Enter two Merchants of Nuremberg.

1st Mer. We'll stand here till the Emperor shall pass-He is just coming up the long avenue.

2nd Mer. Who is with him?

1st Mer. Adelbert von Weislingen.

2nd Mer. The friend of the Bishop-That's lucky. 1st Mer. We'll prostrate ourselves, and I'll speak. 2nd Mer. See! they come.

Enter the Emperor and WEISLINGEN.

1st Mer. He looks displeased. Emp. I want courage, Weislingen. When I review my past life, well may I be dismayed at the recollection of so many half-ay, and wholly ruined undertakings—and all because the pettiest feudatory of the empire prefers his own whims to its welfare. [The Merchants throw themselves at his feet. 1st Mer. Most mighty! most gracious! Emp. Who are ye? what seek ye?

Emp. Fain would I excuse these knights-they are noble and hardy. Should I be engaged in war, they would follow me to the field.

Weis. It is to be wished they might know their duty-though even in that case it would be dangerous to encourage their mutinous bravery by posts of trust for it is the Imperial mercy and mildness that they so dreadfully abuse, upon which the hope and confidence of their league rests; and it cannot be quelled till we withdraw the encouragement of their presumption, and destroy their power before the eyes of the whole world.

Emp. You advise force, then?

insurrection which has spread itself abroad. And Weis. I see no other means of quelling the spirit of do we not hear the bitterest complaints from the nobles, that their vassals and bondsmen attach themselves to the side of these restless beings?—a practice which destroys all feudal subordination, and must produce the most fearful consequences.

Emp. I shall despatch a strong force against Berlichingen and Selbiss; but I will not have them personally injured. Could they be seized prisoners, they should swear to renounce their feuds, and to remain in their own castles and territories upon their knightly parole. At the next session of the Diet we

Enter GOETZ and FRANCIS VON SECKINGEN. Seck. Yes, my friend, I come to request the heart and hand of your fair sister.

Goetz. I would you had come sooner- Weislingen during his imprisonment obtained her affections, and I gave my consent. I let the bird loose-and he now despises the benevolent hand that fed him in his cage -He has flown to seek his mate God knows where! Seck. Is this so?

Goetz. As I tell you.

Seck. He has broken a double band. 'Tis well for you that you were not still more nearly connected with the traitor.

life in lamentation and prayer.

Seck. I will comfort her.

Goetz. No, Seckingen, you must leave me. Your great undertakings will be ruined should you become

SCENE III.

[Exeunt.

Scene changes to the Camp of the Parly sent to execute the Imperial Mandate.

Imperial Captain and Officers discovered. Capt. We must be cautious, and spare our people as much as possible. Besides, it is our strict orders to overpower and seize bim alive. It will be difficult to obey-for who will match him hand to hand?

1st Off. 'Tis true. And he will bear himself like a wild boar. Besides, in his whole life he has never injured any of us, so each will willingly leave to the others the honour of risking their legs and arms in behalf of the Emperor.

2nd Off. "Twere shame to us should we not fight him. Had I him once by the ears, he should not easily shake himself clear.

1st Off. If his jaws had hold of you, they might chance to spoil your straight back. My gentle, young Sir Knight, such people don't fight like a coy wench! 2nd Off. We shall see.

Capt. By this time he must have had our summons -We must not dally. I mean to dispatch a troop to seek him out.

2nd Off. Let me lead it.

Capt. You are unacquainted with the country. 2nd Off. I have a servant who was born and bred here. Capt. I am glad to hear it-Forward! [Exeunt.

Besides, you can be of more use to me by remaining neuter. The worst that can happen is my being made prisoner; and then your timely good word with the Emperor, who esteems you, may rescue me out of the distress into which your untimely assistance will unremediably plunge us both. To what purpose should you do otherwise? The cry is against me; and could they say we were united, it would be only so much the louder. The Emperor pours forth this tide against me; and I should be utterly ruined, were it as easy to inspire courage into soldiers as to collect them into a body.

Seck. But I can privately send you a score of troopers. Goetz. Good! I have already sent George to Selbiss, and to my people in the neighbourhood. My dear brother, when my forces are collected, they will be such a little troop as few princes can bring together. Seck. It will be small against the multitude. Goetz. One wolf is too many for whole flock of sheep. Seck. But if they have a good shepherd ? Goetz. Never fear!-They are mere hirelings; and even the best knight can do little if he has not his motions at his own command. It happened once to me, that, to oblige the Palsgrave, I went to serve against Conrad Schotten; then they presented me with a paper of instructions from the Chancery, and said, Thus must you conduct yourself. I threw down the paper before the magistrates, and told them I would have nothing to do with it; that something might happen unprovided for in my instructions, and that I must order my motions from the information of my own eyes.

Seck. Good luck, brother! I will hence, and send thee what men I can collect in haste.

Goetz. Come first to the women-I'll have you together: I would thou hadst her promise before thou goest!―Then send me the troopers, and come here

Lerse. I am sorry for that. Do you recollect when, to please the Palsgrave, you rode against Conrad Schotten, and went through Hassfurt on an All-hallow's-eve? Goetz. I remember it well.

Lerse. And twenty-five troopers encountered you in a village by the way y?

Goetz. Exactly. I took them only for twelveand divided my party, which amounted but to sixteen, leaving part in the town, and riding forwards with the others, in hopes they would pass me, and be thus placed betwixt two fires.

Lerse. But we saw you, and guessed your intention. We drew up on the height above the village, in hopes you would attack us: when we observed you keep the road and go past, then we rode down on you. Goetz. And then I first saw that I had put my hand into the wolf's mouth. Five-and-twenty against

Adela. There!-Thy lips glow.

Fran. (aside, pressing his breast.) Here glows some what yet more fiery.-Gracious lady, your servants are the most fortunate of beings!

Adela. Who goes against Berlichingen? Fran. The Baron von Sirau. Farewell!-Best, most gracious lady, I must away-Forget me not! Adela. Thou must first take some rest and refreshment.

Fran. I need none-I have seen you!-I am neither weary nor hungry.

Adela. I know thy fidelity.

Fran. Ah, gracious lady!

Adela. You can never hold out; you must repose and refresh yourself.

Fran. Such care for a poor youth!

[Exit. Adela. The tears stood in his eyes. He interests me from the heart. Never did man love so warmly and so true. [Exit.

killed one of my followers. Had they all behaved like him and one other trooper, it had been over with me and my little band.

Lerse. And that trooper

Goetz. Was as gallant a fellow as I ever saw. He attacked me fiercely; and when I thought I had given him enough, and was engaged elsewhere, he was upon me again, and laid on like a fury; he cut quite through my cuirass, and gave me a flesh wound.

Lerse. Have you forgiven him?

Goetz. I had but too much reason to be pleased with him.

Lerse. I hope then you have cause to be contented with me, since my pattern exhibition was on your own person.

Goetz. Art thou he?-O welcome! welcome!Canst thou say, Maximilian, thou hast such a heart amongst all thy servants!

Lerse. I wonder you did not sooner enquire after me. Goetz. How could I think that the man would engage in my service who attacked me so desperately? Lerse. Even so, my Lord-From my youth upwards I have served as a cavalier, and have had to do with many a knight. I was overjoyed to learn we were to attack you; for I had heard of your fame, and I wished to know you. You saw I gave way, and you saw it was not from cowardice, for I returned to the charge-In short, I did learn to know you, and from that hour I resolved to serve you.

Goetz. How long wilt thou engage with me?
Lerse. For a year-without pay.

Goetz. No-thou shalt have as the others, and as the foremost among them.

Enter GEORge.

Geo. Hans of Selbiss greets you!-To-morrow he is here with fifty men.

Goetz. 'Tis well.

Geo. It is coming to sharps-There is a troop of Imperialists come forwards, without doubt, to reconnoitre.

Goetz. How many?

Geo. About fifty or so.

1st Imp. Is the party far advanced?
2nd Imp. A good way from the wood.
1st Imp. Then why do you linger here?

2nd Imp. I prithee betray me not, I will to the next village and get something comfortable; it may help my complaint.-But whence comest thou?

1st Imp. I am bringing our officer some wine and meat from the nearest village.

2nd Imp. So, so! he makes much of himself before our very faces, and we must starve-A fine example! 1st Imp. Come back with me, rascal.

2nd Imp. Call me fool then!-There are plenty of our troop that would gladly fast three days to be as far from it as I am.

[Trampling of horses heard.

1st Imp. Hear'st thou?-Horses! 2nd Imp. Alas!—Alas!

1st Imp. I'll get up into this tree. 2nd Imp. And I into the marsh.

[They hide themselves.

Enter on horseback, GOETZ, LERSE, GEORGE, and Cavaliers, all completely armed.

Goetz. Away into the wood, by the ditch on the left-then we have them in the rear.

[They gallop out.

1st Imp. (descending). This is a business-Michael! -He answers not-Michael, they are gone! (Goes towards the marsh. Alas, he is sunk!-Michael!He hears me not: he is suffocated-Poor coward, art thou done for? (Loud alarm and trampling of horses.) We are slain-Enemies! Enemies on all hands!

Re-enter GOETZ and GEORGE on horseback.
Goetz. Halt, fellow, or thou diest!
Imp. Spare my life!

Goetz. Thy sword!-George, carry him to the other prisoners, whom Lerse is guarding behind the wood —I must pursue their fugitive leader. [Exit.

Imp. Pray, sir, what is become of the knight, our officer ?

Geo. My master threw him head over heels from his horse, his feather-bush was the first thing reached the mire. His troopers got him up and ran as if the devil drove-March, fellow! [Exeunt.

SCENE VIII.

Camp of Imperialists.

Captain and First Officer.

1st Off. They fly from afar towards the camp. Cap. He will be hard at their haunches-Draw out fifty as far as the mill; if he follows the pursuit too far, you may perhaps entrap him. [Exit Officer. [The Second Officer is borne in. Cap. How now, my young sir, how like you the wolf's jaws ?

2nd Offi. O curse your jokes! The stoutest lance went to shivers like glass-He is the devil!-He ran upon me as if he had been that moment unchained : by Heaven, you would have thought him a thunderbolt.

Cap. Thank God that you have come off at all! 2nd Offi. There is little to be thankful for; two of my ribs are broken-Where's the surgeon?

Cap. This, sirs, is doing nothing. He beats one squadron after another; and whoever escapes death or captivity, would rather fly to Turkey than return to the camp. We must attack him once for all in a body, and seriously.-I will go myself, and he shall find with whom he has to do.

Offi. I am glad of it-But he is so well acquainted with the country, and knows every pass and ravine so thoroughly, that he will be as difficult to find as a mouse in a corn magazine.

Cap. I warrant you we'll manage to find him.-On for Jaxthausen; at all events he must appear to defend his castle.

snowball dissolves; for this is warm work, and we stand here like butter in the sun.

[Exeunt-A march sounded.

SCENE XI.

A Hill and Wood.

Goetz, SelbiSS, and Troopers.

Goetz. They come in full force-Seckingen's troopers joined us in good time.

Sel. We had better divide our force-I will take the left hand by the hill.

Goetz. And do thou, Lerse, carry fifty men straight through the wood on the right-Let them keep the high-road-I will draw up opposite to them.George, thou stayest by me-When you see them attack me, then do you fall upon their flanks : we'll beat the knaves into mummy-they little think we can hold them at the sword's point.

SCENE XII.

[Exeunt.

Scene changes to a neighbouring part of the wood-A highroad-On one side an eminence with a ruined watchtower; on the other the forest.

Enter on march, the Captain of the Imperialists, with Officers, and his Squadron--Drums and Standards.

Cap. He halts upon the high-road! That's too impudent. He shall repent it-What! not to fear the torrent that bursts loose upon him!

Offi. You will not run upon iron pikes! He looks as if he means to plant the first that comes upon him in the mire with his head downmost-Here let us wait him. Cap. Not so.

Offi. I entreat you

Cap. Sound, trumpeter-and let us blow him to hell! [A charge sounded-Exeunt in full career. SELBISS, with his Troopers, comes from behind the hill galloping.

Sel. Follow me!-Shout-shout!

[They gallop across the stage, et exeunt.

Loud alarm-LERSE and his party sally from the wood. Lerse. Fly to the help of Goetz! He is surrounded.-Gallant Selbiss, thou hast cut thy way-we will sow the high-road with these thistle heads.

[Gallop off. A loud alarm, with shouts and firing for some minutes.

SELBISS is borne in wounded by two Troopers. Sel. Leave me here, and hasten to Goetz. 1st Troop. Let us stay—you need our aid. Sel. Get one of you on the watchtower, and tell me how it goes.

1st Troop. How shall I get up?

2nd Troop. Get upon my shoulder; you can then reach the ruined part.

[First Trooper gets up into the tower.

1st Troop. Alas! alas! Sel. What seest thou?

1st Troop. Your cavaliers fly to the hill. Sel. Hellish cowards!-I would that they stood, and I had a ball through my head!-Ride one of you full speed-Curse and thunder them back to the field -Seest thou Goetz ? [Exit Second Trooper. Troop. I see the three black feathers in the midst of the tumult.

Sel. Swim, brave swimmer-I lie here.

Troop. A white plume-Whose is that?

Sel. The captain.

Troop. Goetz gallops upon him-Crash! Down he goes!

Sel. The captain?

Troop. Yes.

Sel. Brave! brave!

Troop. Alas! alas!-I see Goetz no more.

Sel. Then die, Selbiss!

Troop. A dreadful tumult where he stood-George's blue plume vanishes too.

Sel. Climb higher-Seest thou Lerse?

Troop. No.-Every thing is in confusion!

Sel. No further-come down-How do Seckingen's men bear themselves?

Troop. So so-One of them flies to the wood-another-another-a whole troop.-Goetz is lost! Sel. Come down-tell me no more.

Troop. I cannot-Bravo! bravo! I see Goetz-I see George I see Lerse!

Sel. On horseback?

Troop. Ay, ay, high on horseback-Victory! Victory! They fly!

Sel. The Imperialists?

Troop. Standard and all, Goetz behind them-He seizes the standard-he has it!-he has it!-A handful of men with him-My comrade reaches him-they come this way.

Enter GOETZ, GEORGE, LERSE, and Cavaliers, on
horseback.

Sel. Joy to thee, Goetz!-Victory! Victory!
Goetz (dismounting). Dearly, dearly bought?-
Thou art sorely wounded, Selbiss !

Sel. But thou dost live, and hast conquered!-I have done little; and the dogs my troopers-How hast thou come off?

Goetz. For the present, well. And here I thank George, and thee, Lerse, for my life. I unhorsed the captain-They stabb'd my steed, and broke in upon me. George hewed his way to me, and sprang off. I threw myself like lightning on his horse, and he appeared suddenly like a thunderbolt upon another.-How camest thou by thy steed?

Geo. A fellow struck at you from behind :—as he raised his cuirass in the exertion, I stabbed him with my dagger. Down he came!-and so I rid you of a back biter, and helped myself to a horse.

Goetz. Then we stuck together till Francis here came to our help; and then we cut our way out.

Lerse. The hounds whom I led made a good show at first; but when we came to close, they fled like Imperialists.