ACT I. SCENE I An Inn at Schwarzenberg in Franconia. MEZLER and SIEVERS, two Swabian Peasants, are 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 Chris tian 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. Sier. 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. Sier. 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 ight. LINK, KOHL, WILD, Leaders of the Insurgent Peasantry. Two Merchants of Nuremberg. MAXIMILIAN STUMF, a Vassal of the Palsgrave Bride, Bridegroom, Gipsy Captain. } Peasants. Gipsy Mother and Women. Imperial Officers. Sentinel. Serjeant-at-arms. Imperial Soldiers-Troopers belonging to Goetz, to Selbiss, to Seckingen, and to WeislingenPeasants-Gipsies Judges of the Secret Tr bunal-Jailers-Courtiers, &c. &c. &c. 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. Sier. 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 attendants, and which way; and, had it not been betrayed by some false brother, Goetz would have blessed his bath for him. 1 Bam. What are you prating there about our Bishop I think you seek a scuttle. Siev. Mind your own matters; you have nothing to do with our table. 2 Bam. Who taught you to speak disrespectfully of our Bishop? Sier. Am I to answer your questions?-Only mind the gluttons-[ The Bamherger strikes him a box on the ear. Mez. Fell the hound dead. 2 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 out. Enter two Cavaliers. 1 Cav. What's the matter? Siev. Ah! Good day, Peter!-Good day, Beta!--O this time, this time! I will only skulk behind; From whence? just peep at a side-I will gather up all the shot arrows for you. 2 Cav. (making signs.) You understand, not to mention whom we serve. Siev. Is your master Goetz far from this at pre sent? 1 Cav. Hold your peace!-Have you had a quarrel? Siev. You must have met the fellows withoutthey are Bambergers. 1 Cav. What brings them here? Goetz. The next time, George!-You must first have a proper dress; a hauberk, and a lance. Geo. Take me with you!-Had I been with you last time, you would not have lost your crossbow. Goetz. Do you know that? Geo. You threw it at your antagonist's head; one of his squires picked it up, and ran off with it. Siev. They attend Weislingen, who is above with Don't I know it? the Earl at the Castle. 1 Cav. Weislingen? 2 Car. (aside to his companion.) Peter, we have found the game.-How long has he been here? Mez. Two days-but he goes off to-day, as I heard one of the rascals say. 1 Cav. (aside.) Did I not tell thee he was here ?We have now no time to spare-Come Siev. Help us first to drub the Bambergers. 2 Car. There are already two of you-We must away--Adicu! [Exeunt both Cavaliers. Siev. Flinching dogs, these troopers! They won't fight a stroke without pay. Mez. I could swear they have something on hand. Whom do they serve? Siev. I should hardly tell-They serve Goetz. Mez. So!-Well, now will we out upon these dogs-While I have a quarterstaff, I care not for their spits. Siev. If we durst but once drub their masters so, who drag the skin over our ears! [Exeunt. GOETZ DE BERLICHINGEN discovered walking among the trees before the door. Goetz. Where linger my servants?-I must walk up and down, or sleep will overcome me-Five days and nights already upon the watch-But freedom gives relish to this mode of life; and when I have thee, Weislingen, I may have some rest.-(Fills a glass of wine and drinks; looks at the flask.) Again empty.- -George!-While this and my courage last, I can laugh at their principalities and powers! They send round their favourite Weislingen to their uncles and cousins to calumniate my character-Very well-I am awake.-Thou didst escape me, Bishop; but thy dear Weislingen may pay the score.-George!-Does the boy not hear?George! George! Enter GEORGE, endeavouring to put off the corslet of a full-grown man. Goetz. Did my people tell you so? Geo. O yes: and for doing so, I play them all sorts of tunes on the fife while they dress the horses, and teach them such charming songs Goetz. Thou art a brave boy. Geo. Take me with you to prove myself so. Goetz. The next time, on my word!-Thou must not go to battle unarmed as thou art-Besides, the approaching hour requires men. I tell thee, my boy, it will be a dear time-Princes shall beg their treasure from a man they hate. Go, George, give Hans his armour again, and bring me wine.-(Erit GEORGE.)-Where can my people stay?-It is incomprehensible!A monk!-What brings him here? (Enter Brother MARTIN) Worthy father, good evening! Whither so late? Though a man of sacred peace, thou shamest many knights. Mar. Thanks, noble sir!-I stand before you an unworthy brother of the order of St. Augustin; my christened name Martin, from the holy saint. Goetz. You are tired, brother Martin, and without doubt thirsty. (Enter GEORGE with wine.) Here, in good time, comes wine! Mar. For me a draught of water. I dare drink Goetz. True- I feel it so. Mar. Therefore shouldst thou drink it-but we[GEORGE brings water. GOETZ speaks to him apart. with thy ear to the earth, and listen for the tread of Goetz. Go to the road from Darbach; lie down horses. Return immediately. [GEORGE goes out. Mar. But we, on the other hand, when we have eaten and drunken, are the reverse of what we should be. Our sleepy digestion depresses our menGoetz. What kept thee? Wert thou asleep ?-tal powers; in a weak body such sloth excites deWhat masquerade is this, in the devil's name?Come hither; thou dost not look amiss. Don't be ashamed, boy; thou art gallant. Ah! if thou couldst but fill it!-Is it Hans's cuirass? Geo. He wished to sleep a little, and unclasped it. Goetz. He is more delicate than his master. Geo. Do not be angry! I took it gently away and put it on, and took my father's old sword from the wall, and sallied out to the meadow Goetz. And laid about you ?-Fine work among the brambles and thorns!-Is Hans asleep? Geo. He started up and cried to me when you called-I was trying to unclasp it when I heard you twice or thrice. Goetz. Go take back his cuirass to him, and tell him to be ready with the horses. Geo. I have fed them and rubbed them well down they may come out when you will. Goetz. Bring me a stoup of wine. Give Hans a glass, and tell him to be merry-there is good cause; expect the return of my scouts every moment. Geo. Ah! mighty sir! Goetz. What's the matter with thee? Goetz. Another time, George! When we are inercepting merchants and plundering wagonsGeo. Another time!- You have said that so often. sires, which increase with the cause which produced 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? [Goes out and looks anxiously after 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 bu siness; 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! Goetz. Why do you look at me so fixedly, brother ? Mar. I was admiring your armour. Goetz. Would you have liked a suit? It is heavy and toilsome to bear. apart with GOETZ. 805 in the most noble, the most unreserved confidence Mar. (going on.) I shall never forget his words 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" Mar. What is not toilsome in this world?-But | Enter PETER and the other Cavalier. They speak 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 give yourself up to a sleep, sweeter than the draught after thirst-then can I speak of hap piness. Goetz. And accordingly it comes but seldom ! Mar. But when it does come, it is a foretaste of paradise. When you return back laden with hostile spoils, and tell," Such a one I struck from his horse ere he could discharge his piece-such another I overthrew, horse and man;' then you ride your Castle around, and Goetz. What mean you? Mar. And your wife-(Fills a glass.)-To the health of your lady! You have one? Goetz. A virtuous, noble wife! Mar. Well for him who can say so; his life is doubled. The blessing was denied for me, yet was it the finishing crown of creation. [He wipes his eyes. Goetz. (aside.) I grieve for him. The sense of his situation chills his heart. Erter 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. 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! Mur. 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 they seemest, thou livest a witness of the noblest confidence in God. [GOETZ adjusts his helmet, and 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. Martin.) Farewell, worthy brother? Mar. Forget me not, as I shall never forget thee! [Exeunt GOETZ and his Troopers. spoke not, and my spirit sunk under his-Yet it is a Mar. The sight of him touched my heart-He pleasure to have seen a great man, Geo. Worthy sir, you will sleep here? our lodgings there is but straw. Mar. It will serve. What is thy name? Mar. George!-Thou hast a gallant patron-saint. Geo. They say he was a knight; that would I like to be! and gives it to the Page.) There thou hast him- but one like that-and the gilded armour-There is SCENE III. [Exit. An Apartment in Jarthausen, the Castle of Goetz of Berlichingen. ELIZABETH, MARIA, and CHARLES, discovered. Char. Pray now, dear aunt, tell me again that story 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 thinkupon"-Yes-"There was once upon a time a child, "There was once and his mother was sick; so the child went". Maria. No, no!" Then said his mother". Char. "I am sick" Maria. "And cannot go out ;" Char. And gave him money, and said, Go and buy yourself a breakfast." Maria. "The child went.-There met him an old man that was"-Now Charles! Char." that was-old". Maria. Indeed!-"that was not able to walk, and said, Dear child" Char. give me something; I have eat not a morsel yesterday or to-day. Then the child gave him the money Maria. that should have bought his break fast." Char. Then said the old man"Maria. "Then the old man took the child by the hand" Char. "by the hand, and said-and became a fine beautiful saint-and said" Maria. "Dear child! the sacred Virgin rewards 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. "and fell upon his mother's neck and wept." Then the mother cried, What's the matter with me? and became"Char." became became"And the child cured kings and emperors, and beMaria. You do not mind-"and became well. came so rich that he built a great abbey.' Char. How much? 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 others fell upon the servants. They were all taken, except one who escaped. Eliz. I am curious to see him-Will they come Maria. The sight of his distress will grieve me! Eliz. O! I must get food ready-You must be all hungry. Peter. Right hungry, truly. Eliz. Take the cellar keys, and draw the best [Exeunt CHARLES and MARIA. Peter. He'll never be his father-At his years he Eliz. A hundred dollars; and afterwards they was in the stablewould 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. Would not you have ridden out too? Char. No-For one must go through thick woods, where there are gipsies and witches Eliz. You little rogue !-Afraid of witches! Maria. You are right, Charles!-Live at home in your castle, like a quiet Christian knight-One may 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 sayingGod grant our boy may turn brave as he grows up, and pull down that Weislingen, who has dealt so faithlessly with my husband! 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. Maria. What I have heard of him has pleased me-Even thy husband speaks him good and affectionate-How happy was their youth when they were both pages of honour to the Margrave! Eliz. That may be :-But only tell me, how can the man be good who lays ambushes for his best and truest friend? who has sold his service to the enemies of my husband? and, by invidious misrepresentations, alienates from us our noble Emperor, naturally so gracious? [Ahorn winded. Henry opens the Char. Papa! Papa! Enter PETER. 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 at the marriage of the Lord Palsgrave, when your Bishop was so incensed at me.— About a 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. Before you get quite up, there is a landing place with iron-rails-there stood the Bishop, and gave Frank 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 Hana, 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 Prin cess of Nassau.-But we have had much to do together since that. Weis. I wish you would leave me to myself! Peter. We have hunted-we have caught the are in my power, and I will not misuse it. game!-God save you, noble ladies! Eliz. Have you Weislingen? 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 Weis. That I am little anxious about-Your duty as a knight prescribes your conduct. Goetz. And you know how sacred it is to me. Char. Very well.-Aunt says I am a good boy. Char. Have you brought me any thing? Char. I have learned a great deal- Char. Shall I tell you about the good boy? |