Mez. If you mean to make a quarrel, we'll soon show you we'll end it. Kohl. Look to your own safety and ours!-Up! Goetz (to Mezler). Darest thou threaten me, thou worthless-Thinkest thou to awe me, because thy garments are clottered with the blood of murdered nobles? Mez. Berlichingen! Goetz. Darest thou pronounce my name?-My children will be ashamed to bear it after such contamination. Mez. From thee this, villain?-Slave of the nobles! -(GOETZ strikes him down-he dies. Exit GOETZ: the rest disperse in confusion.-Alarm). Kohl. You are mad!-The enemy breaks in on all hands, and you dally. Link. Away! Away!-(Cries and tumult―The Insurgents fly across the Stage). Enter WEISLINGEN and Troopers. Weis. Pursue! pursue!-Stop neither for darkness nor rain. I hear Goetz is among them; see he escape you not-He is sore wounded, say our friends ―(Exeunt Troopers). And when I have thee-it will be doing him a favour to execute his sentence of death in prison-and then my foolish heart may beat more freely. [Exit. SCENE VI. Scene changes to the front of a Gipsy-hut in a wild Forest. Night.-A fire before the hut, at which sits the Mother of the Gipsies and a Girl.—It rains and thunders. Mother. Throw some fresh straw up the thatch, daughter it rains fearfully. Enter a Gipsy-boy. Boy. A dormouse, mother!-and here, two field mice! Mother. Skin them and roast them, and thou shalt have a cap of their skins.-Thou bleedest ! Boy. Dormouse bit me. Mother. Gather some thorns that the fire may burn bright when thy father comes: he will be wet through and through. Other Gipsy-women enter with children at their backs. 1st Woman. Hast thou fared well? 2nd Woman. Ill enough-The whole country is in uproar-one's life is not safe a moment. Two villages are in a light flame. 1st Woman. So it was the fire that glared in the sky--I looked at it long; for flaming meteors have become so common. The Captain of the Gipsies enters with three of his gang. Cap. Heard ye the wild huntsman ? 1st Woman. He passed by us but this minute. Cap. How the hounds gave tongue!-Wow! wow! 2nd Man. How the whips clang! 3rd Man. And the huntsman cheered them-Hollo -ho! Mother. 'Tis the devil's chase. Cap. We have been fishing in troubled waters. The peasants rob each other; we may be well pardoned helping them. 2nd Woman. What hast thou got, Wolf? Wolf. A hare and a cock—there's for the spit-A bundle of linen-some kitchen-ware-and a horse's bridle What hast thou, Sticks? Sticks. A woollen jacket have I, and a pair of stockings, and one boot, and a flint and tinder-box. Mother. It is all wet as mire, and the clothes are bloody. I'll dry them-give me here! (Trampling without). Cap. Hark! A horse!-Go, see who it is. Enter GOETZ on horseback. Goetz. I thank thee, God! I see fire-they are gipsies. My wounds bleed sorely-my foes close behind! Great God, thou endest dreadfully with me! Cap. Is it in peace thou comest? Goetz. I crave help from you-My wounds are stiff with cold-Assist me from horse! Cap. Help him!-A gallant warrior in appearance and language. Wolf (aside). 'Tis Goetz of Berlichingen! Goetz (girths his horse and mounts without his armour). For the last time shall you feel my arm— Never was it so weak. [Exit-Tumult. Women. He gallops to join our party. Enter WOLF. [Firing. SCENE IX. The Street before the Prison at Heilbron. ELIZABETH and LERSE. Lerse. God relieve your distress, my gracious lady! -Maria is come. Eliz. God be praised!-Lerse, we have sunk into Wolf. Away! Away! All is lost.-The Captain shot the abyss of misery-Now my forebodings are fuldead!-Goetz a prisoner. [The Women scream and fly into the wood. SCENE VIII. Scene changes to ADELA's Bedchamber. Enter ADELA with a letter. Adela. He or I!—The presumptuous-to threaten me! What glides through the antechamber? (A low knock at the door.) Who is without? Fran. (without.) Open, gracious lady! Adela. Frank!-He well deserves that I should open to him. [Admits him. Fran. (throws himself on her neck.) My dear, my gracious lady! Adela. Shameless being!-What if any one heard you? Fran. O-all-all are asleep. Fran. I cannot rest. The threats of my masteryour lot-mine. Adela. He was incensed against me when you parted from him? Fran. He was as I have never seen him. To my castle, said he, she must-she shall go. Adela. And must we obey? Adela. Thou foolish, betrayed boy!—thou dost not see where this will end. Here he knows I am in safety-Long has he envied my freedom-He desires to have me at his castle-then has he the power to use me as his hate shall dictate. Fran. Hell and death! Adela. Wilt thou rescue me? Adela (throws herself weeping upon his neck). Francis! O rescue us! Fran. I will tear the heart from his body! Adela. No violence!—You shall carry a letter to him full of submission and obedience-Then give him this vial in his wine. Fran. Give it!-Thou shalt be free. Adela. Free! And then no more shalt thou need to slip to me trembling and in fear-No more shall I need anxiously to say, "Away, Frank! the morning dawns." [Exeunt. filled!-A prisoner-secured as an assassin and malefactor in the deepest dungeon. Weis. I am so sick, so weak-My very bones are empty and hollow-this wretched fever has consumed their very marrow. No rest, no sleep, day nor night!-and in the night such ghastly dreams!— Last night again I met Goetz in the wood-He waved his sword, and again defied me to battle-I grasped mine, my hand failed me.-In sleep as in reality he darted on me a contemptuous look, sheathed his weapon and went behind me-Dreadful is the vision as the scene it represented. He is a prisoner; yet I tremble to think of him.-Miserable man! Thy own voice has condemned him; yet thou tremblest like a malefactor before the vision of the night-And shall he die? Goetz! Goetz! we guide not ourselves— Fiends have empire over us, and lead our actions after their own hellish will, and to our eternal perdition. (Sits down.) Weak! Weak! How come my nails so discoloured ?—A cold, cold wasting sweat drenches every limb-All swims before my eyes.Could I but sleep!-Ha! (Enter MARIA.) Mother of God!-Leave me in peace-leave me in peace!-It disappears not.-She is dead, and she appears to the traitor.-Leave me, blessed spirit! Already am I wretched enough. Maria. Weislingen, I am no spirit. Weis. It is her voice! ry! Horrible! Even thy company, Maria, even the Maria. I come to implore my brother's life from attendance of my only comforter is agony. thee-He is guiltless. Weis. Hush!-Maria, angel of heaven as thou art, thou bringest with thee the pains of hell!-Speak no more ! Maria. And must my brother die ?-Weislingen, it is horrible that from me thou must hear that he is guiltless; that it is my lot in bitter sorrow to restrain thee from the most abominable murder.—Thy soul is sunk low, low indeed!-Can this be Adelbert? Weis. Thou seest-the consuming breath of death hath blasted me-my strength sinks to the grave—I die in misery, and thou comest to drive me to despair-Could I but speak, thy bitterest hate would melt into sorrow and compassion.-Oh! Maria, Maria! Maria. Weislingen, my brother also is ill, and in prison-His severe wounds—his age-O couldst thou see his grey hairs!-Weislingen, we too despair. Weis. Enough!——Francis ! Enter FRANCIS in great agitation. Fran. Gracious sir! Weis. The papers here, Francis-(He gives them— Weislingen tears a packet, and shows Maria a paper.) -Here is thy brother's sentence of death subscribed! Maria. God in heaven! Weis. And thus I tear it.-He lives!-But can I restore what I have destroyed ?-Weep not so, Francis! My good youth, my distress lies deep at thy heart. [Francis throws himself at his feet, and clasps his knees. Maria (apart). He is ill-very ill. His appearance rends my heart.—I loved him!—As I again approach him, I feel how dearly Weis. Francis, arise and cease to weep-I may recover!-Hope leaves only the dead. Fran. You will not!-You must die! Fran. (beside himself.) Poison! Poison !-from Weis. Follow him, Maria-he is desperate. [Exit MARIA. Weis. Poison from my wife!-Alas! alas! I feel it. Torture and death! Maria (within). Help! help! Weis. (attempts to rise, but cannot.) God!-Not even that. Maria (re-entering). He is gone!—He threw himself desperately from a window of the hall into the river. Weis. It is well with him!-Thy brother is out of danger! The other commissioners, Seckendorf excepted, are his friends-They will readily allow him to ward himself upon his knightly word.-Farewell. Mary!-Now go. Maria. I will stay by thee-Thou poor forsaken! Weis. Poor and forsaken indeed!—O God, thou art a dreadful avenger!--My wife! Maria. Remove from thee that thought-Turn to the throne of mercy. Weis. Go, thou gentle soul! witness not my mise Maria (aside). Strengthen me, Heaven!-My soul suffers as his. Weis. Alas! alas! Poison from my wife!--My Francis seduced by the detestable !-She waitshearkens after every horse's hoof for the messenger that brings her news of my death-And thou too, Maria, wherefore art thou come to awake every slumbering recollection of my sins?-Leave me, leave me, that I may die! Maria. Let me stay! Thou art alone :-think me thy nurse-Forget all-May God forgive thee as freely as I forgive! Weis. Thou spirit of love! pray for me! pray for me !-My lips are locked. Maria. He will forgive thee-Thou art weak. Weis. I die! I die!—and yet I cannot die-In the fearful contest betwixt life and death are the pains of hell. Maria. Merciful Father, have compassion upon him!-Grant him one glance of thy love, that his heart may be opened to comfort, and his soul to the hope of eternal life, even in the agony of death! SCENE XI. A narrow vault dimly illuminated. The Judges of the Secret Tribunal discovered seated, all muffled in black cloaks, and silent. Eldest Judge. Judges of the Secret Tribunal, sworn by the cord and the steel to be unpitying in justice, to judge in secret, and to avenge in secret, like the Deity! are your hands clean and hearts pure?-Raise them to heaven, and cry, Woe upon misdoers! All. Woe! woe! Eldest Judge. Cryer, begin the diet of judgment. Cryer. I cry for accusation against misdoers! Whose heart is pure, whose hand is clean, let him accuse, and call upon the steel and the cord for Vengeance ! vengeance! vengeance! Accuser (comes forward). My heart is pure from misdeed, and my hand clean from innocent blood :— God pardon my sins of ignorance, and frame my steps to his way!-I raise my hand aloft, and cry, Vengeance! vengeance! vengeance! Eldest Judge. Vengeance upon whom? Accuser. I call upon the cord and upon the steel for vengeance against Adela von Weislingen.-She has committed adultery and murder-she has poisoned her husband by the hands of his servant-the servant hath slain himself-the husband is dead. Eldest Judge. Swearest thou by the God of truth, that thy accusation is true? Accuser. I swear. Eldest Judge. Dost thou take upon thy own head the punishment of murder and adultery, should it be found false? Accuser. I take it. [They converse a minute in low whispers. Accuser. Judges of the Secret Tribunal, what is SCENE XIII. The Prison at Heilbron. GOETZ and ELIZABETH. [Exeunt. Eliz. I entreat thee, my dear husband, be comforted!-Thy silence distresses me-thou retirest within thyself. Come, let me see thy wounds; they mend daily. In this moody melancholy I know thee no longer. Goetz. If thou seekest Goetz, he is long since gone! One by one have they robbed me of all I held dear-my hand, my property, my freedom, my renown!-My life! what is that to what I have lost ?-What hear you of George? Is Lerse gone to enquire for George? Eliz. He is, my love! Raise yourself-you will sit more easily. Goetz. Whom God hath struck down raises himself no more! I best know the load I have to bear Misfortune I am inured to support-But now it is not Weislingen alone, not the peasants alone, not the death of the Emperor, or my wounds-It is the whole united- -My hour is come! I had hoped it would have come only with my death-But His will be done! Eliz. Wilt thou eat any thing? SCENE XIV. The Garden belonging to the Prison. Maria. Go, see how it stands with them. Enter ELIZABETH and Keeper. Eliz. (to the Keeper.) God reward your kindness and mercy to my husband! (Exit Keeper.)—Maria, what bringest thou? Maria. Safety to my brother!-But my heart is torn asunder-Weislingen is dead! poisoned by his wife.-My husband is in danger-the princes will be too powerful for him; they say he is surrounded and besieged. Eliz. Hearken not to rumour; and let not Goetz remark aught. Maria. How is it with him? Eliz. I fear he will hardly long survive thy return; the hand of the Lord is heavy on him.--And George is dead! Maria. George!-The gallant boy! Eliz. When the miscreants were burning Miltenthat moment a body of cavalry charged upon them : berg, his master sent him to check their villany-At had they all behaved as George, they would have given a good account of them-Many were killed and poor George-he died the death of a cavalier! Maria. Does Goetz know it? : Eliz. We conceal it from him. He asks me ten times a-day about him, and sends me as often to see what is become of George. I fear his heart will not bear this last wound. Maria. O God! what are the hopes of this world! Enter GOETZ, LERSE, and Keepers. Goetz. Almighty God! how well it is to be under thy heaven! How free! The trees put forth their buds, and all the world hopes.--Farewell, my children! my buds are crushed, my hope is in the grave! Eliz. Shall I not send Lerse to the cloister for thy son, that thou mayst see and bless him? Goetz. Leave him where he is—he needs not my blessing-he is holier than I. Upon our wedding, Elizabeth, could I have thought I should die thus !— My old father blessed us, and a succession of noble and gallant sons arose at his prayer-Thou hast not heard him-1 am the last.--Lerse, thy countenance cheers me in the hour of death, as in our most noble fights: then, my spirit encouraged yours; now, yours supports mine.--Oh that I could but see George once more, to warm myself at his look!-You look down and weep-He is dead? George is dead?— Goetz. No, my love!-Does the sun shine without? Die, Goetz! Thou hast outlived thyself-outlived the Eliz. A fine spring day. Goetz. My love, wilt thou ask the keeper's permission for me to walk in his little garden for half an hour, to enjoy the clear face of heaven, the open air, and the blessed sun? Eliz. I will-and he will readily grant it. [Exit. noblest-How died he?-Alas, they took him at Miltenberg, and he is executed? Eliz. No-he was slain there!-he defended his freedom like a lion. Goetz. God be praised!-He was the kindest youth under the sun, and a gallant.--Now dismiss my |