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? 2 Off. 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! 2 Off. There is little to be thankful for; two of my ribs are broken-Where's the surgeon? [He is carried off. [Exeunt. SCENE X. The Imperial Camp. Captain, Officers, and Followers. [Exeunt. Capt. 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. Off. 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. Capt. I warrant you we'll manage to find himOn for Jaxthausen; at all events, he must appear to defend his castle. Of. Shall we all march? Capt. Yes, truly-Don't you know that a hundred are melted away already? Off. Then let us away with speed, before the whole snowball dissolves; for this is warm work, and we stand here like butter in the sun. [Excunt-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. [Exeunt. SCENE XII. Scene changes to a neighbouring part of the wood -A high-road-On one side an eminence with a ruined watch-tower; on the other the forest. Enter on march, the Captain of the Imperialists, with Officers, and his Squadron-Drums and Standards. Capt. 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! VOL. I.-4 Y Off. 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. Capt. Not so. Of. I entreat you Capt. Sound, trumpeter-and let us blow him to hell! [A charge sounded-Ereunt 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 sully 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. 1 Troop. Let us stay-you need our aid. Sel. Get one of you on the watch tower, and tell me how it goes. 1 Troop. How shall I get up? 2 Troop. Get upon my shoulder; you can then reach the ruined part. [First Trooper gets up into the Tower 1 Troop. Alas! alas! Sel. What seest thou? 1 Troop. Your cavaliers fly to the hill. Sel. Hellish cowards!-I would that they stood, and I had a bali 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. Goetz gallops upon him-Crash! Down he goes. Sel. The captain? Troop. Yes. Sel. Brave! brave! Troop. Alas! alas!-I see Goetz no more. Troop. A dreadful tumult where he stoodGeorge'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 woodanother-another-a whole troop.-Goetz is lost! Sel. Come down-tell me no more. Troop. I cannot-Bravo! bravo! I see GoetzI see George-I see Lerse! Sel. On horseback? Troop. Ay, ay, high on horseback-Victory! Vic tory! They fly! Sel. The Imperialists? Troop. Standard and all, Goetz behind themHe seizes the standard-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 818 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. Goetz. Friend and foe fled, except this little party of my own domestics who protected our rear. I had enough to do with the fellows in front; but the fall of their captain dismayed them-they wavered, and they fled. I have their banner, and a few prisoners. Sel. The captain has escaped you? Goetz. They rescued him during the scuffle. Come, boys-come, Selbiss-make a bier of lances and boughs-Thou canst not to horse-come to my castle. They are scattered, but we are very few; and I know not what troops they may have in reserve. I will be your host and physician.-Wine tastes so well after action! [Exeunt, carrying Selbiss. SCENE XIII. The Camp. The Captain and Imperialists. Capt. I could crush you all with one hand. What! to give way! He had not a handful of people remaining. To give way before one man! No one would believe it but for a joke's sake. Ride round the country, you, and you, and you :-bring up the reserved troops, and collect our scattered soldiers, We or cut them down wherever you find them. must grind these notches out of our blades, or make [Exeunt. pruning-hooks of them. SCENE XIV. Sec. I thank you!-And you, my Maria! as I led you to the altar, you shall lead me to happiness. Maria. Our pilgrimage will be in company to wards that distant and high-praised land. Goetz. Good luck to your journey! Maria. That was not what I meant-We do not leave you. Goetz. You must, sister. Maria. You were not wont to be so harsh. Geo. I can gather no troopers: One was persua- Enter a Cavalier. Cav. The Imperial squadron is on full and rapid march hither. Goetz. I have diminished them by skirmishes. How many are they? Cav. About two hundred-They cannot be far from hence. Goetz. Have they passed the river yet? Cav. No, my Lord! Goetz. Had I but fifty men, they should come no further.-Hast thou not seen Lerse? Cuv. No, my Lord! Goetz. Tell all to hold themselves ready.-Weep on, my gentle Mary-Many a moment of pleasure shall be thy reward-It is better thou shouldst weep on thy wedding day, than that too great joy should be the forerunner of future misery.-Farewell, Mary! -Farewell, brother! Maria. I cannot away from you, sister-Dear brother, let us stay. Dost thou hold my husband so cheap as to refuse his help in thy extremity? Goetz. Yes it is gone far with me. Perhaps my fall is near-You are but beginning life, and should I have ordered your separate your lot from mine. horses to be saddled-you must away instantly! Maria. O brother! brother! Eliz. (to Seckingen.) Assist him to persuade her GOETZ, LERSE, and GEORGE. Goetz. Poor Selbiss is gone! We must not lose a moment. My good fellows, I dare allow you no rest. Gallop round and collect our cavaliers. Most of them dwell near Weilern, and there they will most likely be found. Should we dally a moment, they will be before the castle. (Exeunt LERSE and GEORGE.) I must send out scouts. It begins to be warm-Yet had I but a few stout fellows-but not-Speak to her. of such fellows are the many composed. [Exit. Enter SECKINGEN and MARIA. Maria. I beseech thee, Seckingen, leave not my brother! His own horsemen, Selbiss's, yours, all are scattered; he is alone.-Selbiss is brought here dead, or mortally wounded. I fear the worst. Sec. Be composed-I will not leave him. Enter GOETZ. Sec. What can I say?-Dear Maria, we must go! Maria. (weeping bitterly.) Alas! alas! Goetz. And at last we must die or surrenderGoetz. Come to the chapel-the chaplain waits-Thy tears will then have involved thy noble husband In five minutes you shall be made one. Sec. Let me remain here. Goetz. To the chapel! Sec. Goetz! Goetz. Will you not to the chapel ? Sec. Willingly, and then Goetz. Then you go your way. Sec. Goetz! Goetz. To the chapel !-Come, come. SCENE XV. Camp. Captain and Officers. Capt. How many in all ? Of. A hundred and fifty odd in the same miserable lot with me. Maria. Thou torturest me! Goetz. Remain, remain !-Seckingen, thou wilt fall into the grave with me, out of which I had hoped thou shouldst help me. Maria. We will away-Sister-sister! [Exeunt. art out of danger. Capt. Out of five hundred.-Set on the march towards Jaxthausen, before he again collects his forces and attacks us on the way. SCENE XVI. Jarthausen. [Exeunt. GOETZ, ELIZABeth, Maria, and SECKINGEN. Goetz. God bless you, give you happy days, and support the children with which he shall bless you! Eliz. And may they be virtuous as yourselvesthen let that come which will. Goetz. Sister! dear sister! [Kisses her. Goetz. Yet one moment!-I shall see you again— Be comforted, I shall see you again.-(Exeunt SECKINGEN and MARIA.) I drive her away-yet when she goes, what would I give to detain her!-Eliza, thou stayst by me- [Erit. Eliz. Till death! Enter GEORGE. Geo. They are near!-I saw them from the tower. The sun is rising, and I perceived their lances glitter. I minded them no more than a cat would do a whole army of mice. 'Tis true we play the rats at present. Goetz. Go to the battlements-Look to the gates. See they are provided with stones and beams. We'll find exercise for their patience, and their fury may discharge itself at the expense of their own nailsA trumpet from without-GOETZ goes to the window.) Aha! there comes a red gowned rascal to ask me whether I will be a scoundrel! What says he? -The voice of the Herald is heard indistinctly, as from a distance. GOETZ speaks at intervals.) A rope for thy throat!-(Voice again.) "Offended Majesty!"-Some parson has drawn up the proclamation (Voice concludes, and GOETZ answers from the window.) Surrender myself-surrender myself at all discretion!-With whom speak ye? Am I a robber? Tell your captain, that for his Imperial Majesty I entertain, as ever, all due respect; but for himself, he may [Shuts the window with violence.-A sharp discharge of musketry, answered by firing from the castle. SCENE XVII. ELIZABETH preparing food-to her GOETZ. Goetz. We have not had time to provide ourselves Eliz. And so many people to feed!-The wine is well-nigh finished. Goetz. If we hold out a certain time, they must give us articles. We keep them at a fine distanceThey may shoot the whole day, and wound our walls, and break our windows.-That Lerse is a gallant fellow-He slips about with his gun: if a rogue comes too nigh-Ba!-there he lies [Firing. Cav. Our bullets are spent; we must cast new. Cav. There is yet no want; we spare our fire. ZABETH. Enter LERSE with a bullet-mould. Lerse. Go, seek for lead about the house-meanwhile I will make a shift with this-(Goes to the window, and takes out the lead frames.) Every thing is fair. So it is in this world-no one knows what a thing may come to the glazier that made these frames little knew that the work of his hands was to give some fellow his last headach; and the father that got me little thought that the fowls of heaven and the beasts of the field were to pick my bones. Enter GEORGE with a leaden spout. Geo. Here's lead for thee!-When we have used the half of it, there will none return to tell his Majesty "we have not sped." Lerse (cutting it down.) A famous prize. Geo. The rain must seek some other way-But never mind that-a gallant trooper and a smart shower will always find their road. [They cast balls. Lerse. Hold the crucible-(Goes to the window.) Yonder comes a fellow creeping forward with his popgun; he thinks our fire is spent-He shall have the bullet warm from the pan. (He loads his carabine. Geo. (sets down the mould.) Let me seeLerse fires from the window.) Yonder lies the game. Goetz. They demand a parley. Lerse. I will out and hear what they have to say. Goetz. They will require me to enter myself into ward in some town on my knightly parole. Lerse. That's a trifle-What if they would allow us free liberty of departure? for we can expect no relief from Seckingen. We will bury all valuables, where they shall never find them-leave them the bare walls, and come out with flying colours. Goetz. They will not permit us. Lerse. It is but asking-We will demand a safe conduct, and I will sally out. [Exeunt. SCENE XVIII. GOETZ, ELIZABETH, GEORGE, and Troopers at Goetz. Danger draws us together, my friends! Be cheery-don't forget the bottle! The flask is empty-Come, another, my dear wife!-(ELIZABETH shakes her head.)-Is there no more? Eliz. (low.) Only one, which I set apart for you. Goetz. Not so, my love!-Bring it out; they need strengthening more than I. Eliz. Hand it from the cabinet. Goetz. It is the last, and I feel as if we need not spare it. It is long since I have been so much disposed for joy.-(They fill.) To the health of the Emperor. All. Long live the Emperor ! Goetz. Be it our last word when we die! I love him, for our fate is similar; and I am happier than he. He must direct his Imperial squadrons against mice, while the rats gnaw his parchment edicts. I know he often wishes himself rather dead than to be the soul of such a crippled body as the empire.(They fill.) It will go but once more round-And when our blood runs low, like this flask-when we pour out its last ebbing drop (empties the wine dropways into his goblet,) what then shall be our word? Geo. Freedom! Goetz. Freedom! Goetz. And if that survives us, we shall die happy: our spirits shall see our sons, and the emperor of our sons, happy!-Did the servants of princes show the same filial attachment to their masters as you to me-Did their masters serve the Emperor as I would serve him— Geo. It is widely different. Goetz. Not so much so as would appear. Have I not known worthy men among the princes? and can the breed be extinct?-Men happy in their own minds and in their undertakings, that could bear a petty brother in their neighbourhood without feeling either dread or envy; whose hearts were opened when they saw their table surrounded by their free equals, and who did not think free knights unfit company till they had degraded themselves by court homage. Geo. Have you known such princes? Goetz. Well!-I recollect, when the landgrave of Hanau made a grand hunting-party, the princes and free feudatories enjoyed themselves under the open heaven, and the vassals were as happy as they; it was no selfish masquerade, instituted for his own private pleasure or vanity-To see the great roundheaded peasant lads and the pretty brown girls, the sturdy hinds and the respectable ancients, all as happy as if they rejoiced in the pleasures of their master, which he shared with them under God's free sky! Geo. One of them fired at me as I got out on the roof to get the spout-He killed a pigeon that sat Geo. He must have been such a master as you. near me; it fell into the spout-I thanked him for my rule together some future day-to whom reverence Goetz. And shall we not hope that many such will dinner, and stepped in with the double booty. [They cast balls. to the Emperor, peace and friendship with neighLerse. Now let us load, and go through the cas-bours, and the love of vassals, shall be the best and tle to earn our dinner. dearest family treasure handed down from father to Geo. And shall we then have no skirmishing? in all Germany, and still we should have enough to | do! We might then chase the wolves from the cliffs, and bring our peaceable laborious neighbour a dish of game from the wood, and eat it together. Were that too little, we would join our brethren, and, like cherubims with flaming swords, defend the frontiers against those wolves the Turks, against those foxes the French, and guard for our beloved Emperor both extremities of his empire. There would be a life, George!-to risk one's head for the safety of all Germany (GEORGE Springs up.)-Whither away? Geo. Alas! I forgot we were besieged-besieged by that very Emperor; and before we can expose our lives in his defence, we must risk them for our liberty. Goetz. Be of good cheer. Enter LERSe. cle-I fret and labour, but all in vain―The false en vious slaves!-(Enter ELIZABETH.)-What news, Eliza, of my dear, my trusty followers? Eliz. Nothing certain: some are slain, some are prisoners; no one could or would tell me more particulars. Goetz. Is that the reward of faith, of filial obedience ?-For thy sake-Goetz!-0 thou hast lived too long! Eliz. Murmur not against our heavenly Father, my dear husband! They have their reward-It was born with them, a noble and generous heartEven in the dungeon they are free.-Think now of appearing before the Imperial Commissioners-Their awful presence, the splendour of their dress, and the golden chains which mark their dignity Goetz. -Become them like a necklace on a sow!-Would I could see George and Lerse in their Ler. Freedom! freedom! You are cowardly pol-dungeon! troons hesitating, irresolute asses-You are to depart with men, weapons, horses, and armour-Provisions you are to leave behind. Goetz. They will hardly find enough to tire their jaws. Ler. (aside to GOETZ.) Have you hid the plate and money? Goetz. No!-Wife, go with Lerse, and hear what he has to say to thee. Eliz. It were a sight to make an angel weep. Goetz. I would not weep-I would grind my teeth, and gnaw my lip in fury.- -What! the apples of my eye in fetters!-And have not the dear boys loved me? Never will I rest till I see them. -What! to break their word pledged in the name of the Emperor! Eliz. Forget that-You must appear before the Commissioners-You are in an evil mood to meet them, and I fear the worst. Goetz. When will they admit me? Eliz. They will send a sergeant-at-arms. Goetz. What-The ass of justice that carries the sacks to the mill, and the dung to the field ?-What now? Goetz. I am like the evil spirit conjured into a cir- thing? Com. Could I give you good manners, I would do ↑ you a good office. Com. Ye will not hearken- -Apprehend him! Goetz. Is that the purpose?--Let not the man salutation from my trusty iron fist shall cure him of headache, toothache, and every ache under the wide heaven! Goetz. A good office!-Can you render any? whose ear does not itch come too near me; one Good offices are more difficult than the deeds of destruction. Sec. Shall I enter all this on record? Com. You know how you fell into the power of the Emperor, whose paternal goodness overpowered his justice, and, instead of a dungeon, ordered you to wait your future doom, upon your knightly parole, in his beloved city of Heilbron. Goetz. Well-I am here, and wait it. Com. And we are here to intimate to you his Imperial Majesty's grace and clemency. He is pleased to forgive your rebellion, to release you from the ban, and all well deserved punishment; provided you do, with suppliant humility, receive his bounty, and subscribe the articles which shall be read unto you. Goetz. I am his Majesty's true servant, as ever. One word ere you go farther-My people-where are they what is to become of them? Com. That concerns you not. Goetz. So may the Emperor turn his face from you in your need!--They were my companions, and they are so--What have you done with them? Com. We owe you no account of that. Goetz. Ah! had forgot--Never was promise kept by you to the oppressed. But, hush! Com. Our business is to lay the articles before you. Throw yourself at the Emperor's feet, and by humble supplication you may find the true way to save the life and freedom of your associates. Goetz. Your paper! Com. Secretary, read it. Sec. (reads.) I Goetz of Berlichingen make public acknowledgment, by these presents, that I having lately risen in rebellion against the Emperor and Empire" Goetz. 'Tis false !-I never offended either. Com. Compose yourself, and hear further. Goetz. I will not compose myself, and I will hear no further. Let any one arise and bear witnessHave I ever taken a step against the Emperor, or against the House of Austria ?--Have I not in all my feuds conducted myself as one who felt what all Germany owes to its head-and what the free knights and feudatories owe to their liege lord the Emperor ?--I should be a liar and a slave could I be persuaded to subscribe that paper. Com. Yet we have strict orders to persuade you by fair means, or else to throw you into jail. Goetz. Into jail ?--Me? Com. Where you may expect your fate from the hands of Justice, since you will not take it from those of Mercy. Goetz. To jail! You abuse the Imperial power.To jail! That was never his command.-What, ye traitors, to dig a pit for me, and hang out your oath, your knightly honour, as the lure! To promise me permission to ward myself on parole, and then to break your treaty! Com. We owe no faith to robbers. upon it. Goetz. Wert thou not the representative of my prince, whom I respect even in the vilest counterfeit, thou shouldst swallow that word, or choke I was taken in honourable though private war. Thou mightest thank God that gave thee glory, hadst thou ever done as gallant deeds as the least with which I am charged.-(The Commissioner makes a sign to the Magistrates of Heilbron, who goes out.) Because I would not join the iniquitous confederacy of the great, because I would not grasp at the souls and livings of the helpless-'Tis in this lies my crime!-I defended my own life and the freedom of my children-See ye any rebellion in that? The Emperor and Empire were blinded to our hard case by your flatteries. I have, God be praised! one hand, and I have done my best to use it well. Enter a party of Artisans, armed with halberds and swords. Goetz. What means this? They make at him-IIe strikes one down, and snatches a sword from another-They stand aloof. Com. Surrender! Goetz (with the sword drawn.) What! Wot ye not that depends but upon myself to make way through all these hares and gain the open field? But I will teach you how a man should keep his word-Promise to allow me free ward, and I give up my sword, and am again your prisoner. Com. How! Would you treat with your Emperor sword in hand? Goetz, God forbid !-only with you and your worthy companions!-You may go home, good people; here deliberation is of no avail, and from me there is nothing to gain save bruises. Com. Seize him, I say!-What! does your allegiance to the Emperor supply you with no courage? Goetz. No more than the Emperor supplies them with plaster for the wounds which their courage would earn for them. A Police Officer enters hastily. Off. The warder has just discovered from the castle-tower a troop of more than two hundred horsemen hastening towards the town. They have already gained the hill, and seem to threaten an attack. Com. Alas! alas! What can this mean? A Soldier enters. Sol. Francis of Seckingen waits at the drawbridge, and informs you that he has heard how perfidiously you have dealt with his brother-in-law, and how fruitless has been every appeal to the justice of the Council of Heilbron. He is now come to insist upon that justice; and if refused it, he will fire the four corners of your town within an hour, and abandon it to be plundered by his vassals. Goetz. My gallant brother! Com. Withdraw, Goetz!-(He steps aside.)— What is to be done? Mag. Have compassion upon us and our town!Seckingen is inexorable in his wrath-he will keep his vow. Com. Shall we forget what is due to ourselves and the Emperor? Cap. Well said, if we had but men to support our dignity; but as we are, a show of resistance would only make matters worse.-We must gain time. Mag. We had better apply to Goetz to speak a good word for us-I feel as the flames were rising already. Com. Let Goetz approach. Com. Thou wilt do well to dissuade thy brotherin-law from his rebellious interference. Instead of rescuing thee, he will only plunge thee deeper in destruction, and become the companion of thy fall! Goetz (spies ELIZABETH at the door, and speaks to her aside.) Go-tell him instantly to break in and force his way hither, only to spare the town. As for the rascals here, if they oppose him, let him use force; there would be no great matter had he a fair pretext for knocking them all upon the head. [Trampling and galloping heard. All the Magistrates show signs of consternation. SCENE III. Scene changes to the front of the Council-house, beset by Seckingen's Cavaliers.-A Pause. Enter SECKINGEN and GOETZ from the Councilhouse. Goetz. This was help from heaven!-How camest thou so much to our wish, and beyond our hope, brother? Sec. Without witchcraft. I had despatched two or three messengers to learn how it fared with thee, and heard from them of this villany-I set out in |