SCENE V.

The BISHOP and WEISLINGEN.

Bishop. Then thou wilt stay no longer?

Weis. You would not wish me to break my oath? Bishop. I could wish indeed thou hadst not sworn to them. But what evil spirit possesses thee? Can I not procure thee a release from that oath? Is my credit so trifling at the Imperial and Roman Courts? Weis. The thing is done!-excuse it as you can. Bishop. I cannot comprehend where there was the least necessity for taking such a step--Were there not a thousand other ways of procuring thy freedom?-Had we not his page? And would I not have given gold enough to boot? Our operations against him and his confederates had gone so far -But, alas! I do not reflect that I talk to his friend, who has joined him against me, and can easily counter work the mines he himself has dug. Weis. Gracious my Lord.

Bishop And yet, when I again look on thy face, again hear thy voice-it is impossible-impossible! Weis. Farewell, good my Lord!

Bishop, I give thee my blessing-Formerly when we parted, I was wont to say, "Till we meet again!" -Now-would to God we part for ever!

Weis. It cannot be otherwise.

Bishop. Perhaps I may next see thee as an enemy before my walls, carrying havoc through the fertile plains of which till now thou hast been the protector!

Weis. Never, my gracious Lord!

Bishop. You cannot say so. My temporal neighbours have long had a grudge at me-but while thou wert mine -Go then, Wei-lingen!-I have no more to say-Thou hast undone much-Go

Weis. I know not what to answer. [Exit Bishop.

Weis. Appearances are deceitful.

troublesome

Adela. I only wished to assist your resolution.Then you will away?

Weis. O say rather, I must. Am I not compelled by my knightly word-my solemn engagement? Adela. Go! go! Talk of that to some forsaken damisel whose Corydon has proved forsworn.Knightly word!-Nonsense!

Weis. You do not think so?

Adela. On my honour, you deceive yourself. What have you promised? and to whom? You have pledged your alliance to a traitor to the Emperor, at the very moment when he incurred the ban of the Empire for kidnapping you upon the Imperial high-road. Such an agreement is no more binding than an extorted unjust oath. Every child knows what faith is to be kept with robbers-And there is more behind--By this oath you are to become an enemy to the peace of the Empire-a disturber of domestic happiness and tranquillity-a rebel to the Emperor-the associate of robbers and marauders--of Goetz of Berlichingen, Frank of Seckingen, and Hans of Selbiss; men with hearts hard as the steel of their bladesWith these freebooters canst thou have aught in common?-thou, Weislingen, with thy gentle temper!

Weis. Did you but know them-

Adela. I would Justice knew that Goetz. He has a high domineering soul-and wo to thee, therefore, Weislingen-Go, and try to be his companionGo, and receive his commands:-Thou art mild, gentle

Weis. And he too

Adela. But you are yielding, and he stubborn. Soon will he drive thee from thy own opinion. Thou wilt become the slave of a marauding baron; thou that mayst command princes!-'Twere a pity to dissuade you from so glorious a situation.

Weis. Did you but know how kindly he received

me

Adela. Gentle soul!-Think you so much of that? It was his duty as a knight-And what would he have gained by acting otherwise or what wouldst thou have lost?-You would have been but the more welcome here. An overbearing man like

Weis. You speak of your enemy.

Adela. I speak for your freedom; yet I know not why I should take interest in it-Farewell! Weis. Permit me but a moment-(Takes her hand. A pause.)

Adela. Have you aught to say?

Weis. I must hence.

Adela. Then go

Weis. Gracious lady, I cannot.

Adela. You must.

Weis. Must this be the last

Adela. I am ill-very unable to

Weis. Look not on me thus!

Adela. Thou art our enemy-Should we smile at thee!

Weis. Adela !

Enter FRANCIS.

Fran. Noble sir, the Bishop inquires for you.
Adela. Go! go!

Fran. He begs you to come instantly.
Adela. Be gone! be gone!

Weis. I do not say adieu: I shall see you again. [Exeunt WEISLINGEN and FRANCIS. Adela. Me again? We must provide for that. Margaret, when he comes, refuse him admittance. Say I am ill-have a headach-sleep-any thing. This detains him, or nothing. [Exeunt.

A pause. Re-enter WEISLINGEN and FRANCIS.
Weis. She will not see me!
Fran. Night draws on; shall we saddle?
Weis. She will not see me !

Fran. Are you pleased to want the horses?
Weis. It is too late; we stay here.
Fran. God be praised!

[Erit

Weis. (alone.) Thou dost stay!-be on thy guard

SCENE VII.

after me.

Bridegr. And I to get the bone of contention and a pretty wife into the bargain! Ay, the prettiest in the whole village. Would to God we had consulted your Honour sooner!

Goetz. How long have you been at law? Bride's Fa. About eight years-For these periwig'd gentry never give a decision, unless you can tear it out of their very heart. The Devil fly away with the Assessor Sapupi for a damn'd swarthy Italian!

him twice.

Bridegr. Yes, he's a pretty fellow; I was before Bride's Fa. I thrice-and it cost me many a fair guelder.

Goetz, Come, good luck to the Bride! [Drinks. Bride's Fa. Amen!-Ay, the Assessor alone pick'd from me eighteen gold guelders. God curse him! Bridegr. Who?

Bride's Fa. Why, who else but Sapupi? Goetz. The judge!-That is infamous. Bride's Fa. He asked twenty: and there had I to pay them in his fine country-house. I thought my heart would have broken with anxiety. For, look you, my Lord, I am well enough off with my house and little farm, but how could I raise the ready cash? He did not even leave me a single gold cross to carry me on my journey-At last I took courage, and told him my case: when he saw I was desperate, he thrust me from him, and pushed me out of doors.

Bridegr. Impossible!-Sapupi?

Bride's Fa. Ay, just he; what do you start at? Bridegr. The devil! He took fifteen guelders

from me too!

Bride's Fa. Curse him!

Sel. They call us robbers, Goetz! Bride's Fa. Bribed on both sides!-That delayed the judgment-Oh! the scoundrel!

Goetz. This must not be unavenged.
Bride's Fa. What can we do?

Goetz. Why go to Spurs, where there is an Imperial visitation: make your complaint; they must listen to it, and help you to your own again.

Bridegr. Does your Honour think we shall succeed?

Goetz. I could promise you more surely if I had him by the ears.

Sel. The sum is worth the journey. Goetz. Ay; many is the day I have ridden out for the fourth part of it.

Bride's Fa. (to Bridegroom.) What think'st thou?
Bridegr. We'll try, go as it may.
Enter a Cavalier.

Cav. The Nurembergers are set out.
Goetz. Whereabout are they by this time?
Cav. If we ride sharply we shall just catch them
in the wood betwixt Burheim and Muhlbach.

Scene returns to a Hall in the Bishop's Palace at Bamberg.

ADELA and WEISLINGEN discovered, Adela. Time begins to hang inexpressibly heavy here. I dare not speak seriously, and I am ashamed to trifle with you-Ennui is worse a hundred times than a slow fever.

Weis. Tired of me already!

Adela. Not so much of you as of your irresolution. I would you were where you wished to go, and that we had not detained you!

Weis. Such is your sex :-First they cherish with maternal care our infant hopes-then, like the stupid tears and curses the harmless cards which have ostrich, leave them to destruction. Adela. You rail at women as the losing gambler been the instruments of his loss: but let me tell you something about men-What are you that talk of would wish to be, never what you should be. Holyfickleness? You that are seldom even what you day princes! the envy of those who see but your necklace of the pearls on the skirt of you frock! outside. O what would a tailor's wife give for a Weis. You are severe.

Fre I knew you, Weislingen, I felt something like Adela. It is but the antistrophe to your satire. speak without a figure, had exerted so many mouths the poor tailor's wife-Hundred-tongued rumour, to in your praise, that I was tempted to think-O that I could but see this quintessence of manhood, this Phoenix Weislingen! I had my wish

Weis. And found the phoenix a common bird.
Adela. No, Weislingen, I took an interest in you-
Weis. So it appears.

Adela. So it was-for you really surpassed your reputation. The multitude prize only the show of worth; but I do not examine so superficially as the multitude those whom I esteem-After some time's acquaintance, something, I knew not what, was missing about you; at length my eyes were openedof fame-that being who was wont to pile princely I saw the energetic being never dead to the thoughts project on project, till, like the mountains of the become as querulous as a sick poet, as melancholy giants, they reached the clouds, I saw him at once as a forsaken damsel, and as moody as an old bachelor. At length I supposed something of importance lay at your heart, and excused you as well as I could: but now, that from day to day it becomes worse, we must really break off our treaty; I hope you will find a companion for life better able to bear with you.

Weis. Dismiss me, then.

Adela. Not till all chance of your recovery is lost -Solitude is fatal in your distemper-Alas! poor soul! you need as much petting as one that has lost his first true love-and yet I won't give you up. has dictated. Give me your hand, and pardon what my affection

Weis. Couldst thou but love me, couldst thou but return the fervour of my passion with the least glow of sympathy-Adela, thy reproaches are very unjust. Couldst thou but guess the hundredth part of my sufferings, you would not treat me with mockery, indifference, and contempt-thou wouldst not torture me in every way so cruelly-You smile-To be satisfied with myself after the step I have taken must be the work of more than one day-To plot against him who is yet warm in my affection

Adela. Strange being!-To love him against whom you plot, is to send provisions to an enemy.

Weis. I well know there needs no dallying, He now knows that I am again Weislingen; and he is not a man to brook what I have done. Besides,

Weis. If I could carry a glimpse of hope with me! [Kisses her hand. Adela. Ah! infidel!-Always signs and wonders required. Go, Weislingen, and accomplish the great work! The interest of the Bishop, yours, mine, are all so wrapped together, that were it but policyWeis. You jest.

Adela. I do not jest. The haughty Duke has seized my property; yours will not long escape Goetz; and if we do not unite together, and sway the Emperor to our side, we are lost.

Weis. fear nothing. The greater part of the Princes are on our side-The Emperor needs assistance against the Turks, and is therefore willing to favour us. What rapture for me to rescue your fortune from rapacious invaders-to crush the mutinous chivalry of Swabia-to restore peace to the bishopric, and then!

Adela. One day brings on another, and Fate is mistress of the future.

Weis. But we must lend our good-will.

Adela. We do so.

Weis. But seriously.

Adela. Well then seriously-Do but go

Weis. Enchantress!

SCENE IX.

Scene changes to Spessart.

[Exeunt.

Enter GOETZ, SELBISS, and GEORGE.
Sel. You see it is as I prophesied.
Goetz. No, no, no.

Geo. I tell you truth, believe me. I did as you directed, and with the dress and password escorted some peasants of the Lower Rhine to Bamberg, who paid my expenses for my convoy as a trooper of the Bishop.

Sel. In that disguise? It might have cost thee dear.

Geo. So I thought afterwards. But a trooper who thinks too much before-hand will never make a bold stroke. I came to Bamberg, and in the very inn I heard them tell how the Bishop and Weislingen were friends again, and how Weislingen was to marry the widow of Walldorf.

Goetz. Hearsay!

Geo. I saw her as she rose from the table. She is lovely, by my faith, lovely! He was with her. We all bowed-she thanked us all-He nodded, and seemed so pleased-They passed forwards, and every body cried. What a handsome pair!

Goetz. That may be.

Geo. Listen further:-The next day he went to mass-I threw myself in his way; he was attended 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! Sel. His conscience is more degrading than thy situation.

Geo. Art thou of Bamberg ?" said he.-"I bring a message from the knight of Berlichingen," said I, 46 and am to inquire"- Come to my apartment to-morrow early," quoth he, and we will speak further."

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 meGoetz. It is enough. He is lost for ever. Confidence and credulity have again blinded me. Poor Mary! how shall I tell this to thee?

Sel. I would rather have lost my other leg than have been such a turncoat.

ACT III.

SCENE I.

The Imperial Garden at Augsburg.

Enter two Merchants of Nuremberg.

1 Mer. We'll stand here till the Emperor shall pass-He is just coming up the long avenue. 2 Mer. Who is with him?

1 Mer. Adelbert von Weislingen.

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

Enter the Emperor and WEISLINGEN. 1 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. 1 Mer. Most mighty! most gracious! Emp. Who are ye? what seek ye?

1 Mer. Poor merchants, from your imperial city 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 must we beg our bread.

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! 1 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, principali ties, or kingdoms, not a man must be disturbed.

Weis. You come at an unsuitable time. Go, and stay here for a few days.

tection.

Merchants. We recommend ourselves to your pro[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 accom modated 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 dis cord; 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 Berli chingen, the others would fall asunder; for it is their spirit which enlivens the rest.

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 dan gerous 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?

Weis. I see no other means of quelling the spirit of insurrection which has spread itself abroad. And 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 will propose this plan.

Weis. A general exclamation of assent and joy will spare your Majesty the trouble of particular [Exeunt.

detail.

Scene changes to the Camp of the Party 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 him alive. It will be difficult to obey-for who will match him hand to hand? 1.Of. '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.

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

1 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!

from head to foot, comparing me no doubt to her
gallant.-Thank God, I can stand the scrutiny!-
She answered little and confusedly, then with more
composure--O, it will do some day! A proposal of
marriage does not come amiss after such a cruel
disappointment.
Enter GOETZ.

Seck. How goes it, brother?
Goetz. Il-Laid under the ban.
Seck. How?

Goetz. There is the summons!-The Emperor beasts of the earth and the fowls of heaven. has despatched a party to give my body to the

Seck. They shall first furnish them with a dinner themselves-I am here in the very nick.

Goetz. No, Seckingen, you must leave me. Your great undertakings will be ruined should you become the enemy of the Emperor at so unseasonable a time. 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 a 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 present ed 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 in private to carry away my Maria; for my castle, I fear me, will be shortly no abode for

Scene changes to Bamberg.-Adela's Chamber. ADELA and FRANCIS.

Adela. So, the ban is to be enforced against both? Fran. Yes-and my master has the happiness to march against your enemy the Duke. Gladly would I have gone too, had I not had the still greater pleasure of being despatched to you. But I will away instantly, and soon return with pleasant news -my master so commanded me.

Adela. How is it with him?

Fran. He is cheerful-and commanded me to kiss your hand.

Adela. There!-Thy lips glow.

Fran. (aside, pressing his breast.) Here glows somewhat 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,