And we shall understand how gentlemen like you
The corn-fields for themselves will reap, yes, ev’ry one,
And for the husbands leave the gleanings, when they’ve done.
ALCESTES.
I wonder much that you should be so bold, sir, knowing —
SOLLER.
Full oftentimes my eyes with tears are overflowing:
Each day I feel as though I’m sniffing onions.
ALCESTES (angrily and resolutely).
How?
You go too far! Speak out! Explain your meaning now!
Your tongue to loosen I shall be compelled, I ween.
SOLLER (boldly).
I have a right, methinks, to know what I have seen.
ALCESTES.
Seen? What does seeing mean?
SOLLER.
It means, what we discover
When we both see and hear.
ALCESTES.
Ha!
SOLLER.
Why with wrath boil over?
ALCESTES (with the most determined anger).
What have you heard? What seen? Reply without delay!
SOLLER ((frightened, trying to go away).
Allow me, my good sir!
ALCESTES (holding him back).
Where go you?
SOLLER.
Right away!
ALCESTES.
You shall not leave this spot!
SOLLER (aside).
I would the man were dead!
ALCESTES.
What have you heard?
SOLLER.
I? Nought! ’Twas only what they said!
ALCESTES (with angry impetuosity).
Who was the man?
SOLLER.
The mail? A man —
ALCESTES (more violently and attaching him).
Be quick! Begin!
SOLLER (in anguish).
Who saw it with his eyes.
(.More boldly.) I’ll call the servants in.
ALCESTES (seizing him by the neck).
Who was it?
SOLLER (trying to tear himself loose).
What? The deuce!
ALCESTES (holding him more firmly).
No more my temper try!
(Drawing his sword.)
Who is the wicked wretch? the rogue? the liar?
SOLLER (falling on his knees in his terror).
ALCESTES (threateningly).
What did you see?
SOLLER (timidly).
I saw what proves that we’re but human:
You, sir, are but a man; Sophia is a woman.
ALCESTES (as above).
And then?
SOLLER.
Precisely what we see in each direction,
When men and women have reciprocal affection.
ALCESTES.
And that’s? —
SOLLER.
I should have thought you’d know by intuition.
ALCESTES.
Well?
SOLLER.
Surely you’ll not dare to scout the supposition.
ALCESTES.
Indeed! More plainly speak!
SOLLER.
Release me! Oh, pray do!
ALCESTES (still as above).
It’s called? The Devil!
SOLLER.
Well, it’s called a rendezvous.
ALCESTES (startled).
You lie!
SOLLER (aside).
He’s frightened now.
ALCESTES (aside).
How could he know it e’er?
(He sheathes his sword.)
SOLLER (aside).
Take courage!
ALCESTES (aside).
Who betrayed that we together were?
(Recovering himself.)
What mean you by your words?
SOLLER (insolently).
We’ll now make all things pleasant.
The comedy last night! I happened to be present.
ALCESTES (astonished).
Where?
SOLLER.
In the closet.
ALCESTES.
Oh! you thus were at your ball!
SOLLER.
And you were at your feast! Without one drop of gall,
Two words: though secret plans you gentry may pursue,
Be sure that by and by they’ll be exposed to view.
ALCESTES.
It’s clear that you’re the thief. I’d sooner have a raven
Or jackdaw in my house, than such a wicked craven
As you! For shame, bad man!
SOLLER.
I’m bad, I must confess;
But then you gentlemen are always right, I guess!
Our property you think to handle at your pleasure:
No laws you keep, but deal to us another measure.
The principle’s the same: some woman love, some gold.
If you would hang us, let your passions be controlled!
ALCESTES.
You’re very impudent —
SOLLER.
I’m impudent, no doubt:
In truth, it is no joke with horns to go about.
In short, we mustn’t make the thing a cause of strife:
’Twas I who took your cash, and you who took my wife.
ALCESTES (threateningly).
What took I?
SOLLER.
Nothing, sir! It long had been your own,
Before ’twas mine.
ALCESTES.
If —
SOLLER.
I must leave the thing alone.
ALCESTES.
The gallows for the thief!
SOLLER.
Is it unknown to you
That stringent laws provide for other people too?
ALCESTES.
Soller!
SOLLER (makes a sign of beheading).
Yes: there’s the axe, if you indulge your passions —
ALCESTES.
Are you an expert, then, and understand the fashions?
You’ll certainly be hanged, or flogged in any case.
SOLLER (pointing to his forehead).
I’m branded as it is.
SCENE X.
The Above. The HOST, SOPHIA.
SOPHIA (at the bottom of the stage).
His accusations base
My father still maintains.
HOST (at the bottom of the stage).
My daughter still won’t yield.
SOPHIA.
There is Alcestes!
HOST (seeing ALCESTES).
HA!
SOPHIA.
The truth will be revealed.
HOST (to ALCESTES).
She is the thief, good sir!
SOPHIA (on the other side).
The thief, sir, there you see!
ALCESTES (looks at them both laughingly, and then says in the same tone as they, pointing to SOLLER).
He is the thief!
SOLLER (aside).
Alas for my poor skin!
SOPHIA.
He?
HOST.
He?
ALCESTES.
You are both innocent: ’tis he!
HOST.
I’d run a nail
With pleasure through his head!
SOPHIA.
You?
SOLLER (aside).
Thunderbolts and hail!
HOST.
I’d like —
ALCESTES.
Be patient, sir: your wrath is ill-directed.
Although she guiltless was, Sophia was suspected.
She came to visit me. The step was bold, ’tis true;
Yet for her virtue I —
(To SOLLER.) But you were present too!
(SOPHIA is astonished.)
To us was this unknown: propitious was the night,
Her virtue —
SOLLER.
There it was I had a pretty fright.
ALCESTES (to the HOST).
But you?
HOST.
Sir, I was there from curiosity;
That cursèd letter I so anxious was to see.
I wonder, sir, that you such conduct manifested!
That fine godfather’s trick I have not yet digested.
ALCESTES.
Excuse the jest! And you, Sophia, faithful wife —
Will surely pardon me?
SOPHIA.
Alcestes!
ALCESTES.
Ne’er in life
Your virtue will I doubt. Forgive that rendezvous!
As virtuous as good —
SOLLER.
I half believe it too!
ALCESTES (to SOPHIA).
And also you’ll forgive our Soller?
SOPHIA.
Willingly!
(She gives him her hand.)
There!
ALCESTES (to the HOST).
Allons!
HOST (gives SOLLER his hand).
Steal no more!
SOLLER.
What’s distant, time brings nigh!
ALCESTES.
But where’s my money now?
SOLLER.
I took it in my trouble:
That gamester plagued me till he nearly bent me double.
I knew not what to do; I stole, and paid the debt:
And now I’ll give you back the dollars left me yet.
ALCESTES.
I’ll give you what is spent.
SOLLER.
Now all has come out right.
ALCESTES.
I only hope you’ll grow quite honest, staid, polite!
And if you ever dare again with me to palter! —
SOLLER.
So be it! — For this once, we’ve all escaped the halter.
GOETZ VON BERLICHINGEN
Translated by Sir Walter Scott
Goethe’s third drama was his first work in that medium to be successful. Written in 1773, Goetz von Berlichingen is based on the memoirs of the historical adventurer-poet Götz von Berlichingen (1480–1562). There is much poetic license with regards to Götz’s real life, as Goethe’s protagonist dies young, while the historical Götz died in old age.
The main character is portrayed by the playwright as a free spirit and a supposed pillar of national integrity against a deceitful and over-refined society. Nevertheless, when he tragically succumbs to the concepts of law and justice, it reveals the inevitable submission of the individual to society.
Although a great success, the large cast size, frequent scene changes and long running time caused the original version to eventually fall out of favour. The play was then re-arranged and cut several times, occasionally by Goethe himself, in order to suit various venues and theatre companies. The first version of the drama included a quotation that quickly gained fame. In the third act, Goetz is under siege by the Imperial Army in his castle at Jagsthausen. When the captain of the army asks him to surrender, he gives his answer:
Me, surrender! At mercy! Whom do you speak with? Am I a robber! Tell your captain that for His Imperial Majesty, I have, as always, due respect. But he, tell him that, he can lick me in the arse!
Götz of the Iron Hand, was a German Imperial Knight, infamous for his war-mongering
An illustration of a scene from the play
CONTENTS
DRAMATIS PERSONÆ
ACT I.
ACT II.
ACT III.
ACT IV.
ACT V.
A plaque depicting Goetz’s famous quotation
DRAMATIS PERSONÆ
MAXIMILIAN, Emperor of Germany.
GOETZ VON BERLICHINGEN, a free knight of the empire.
ELIZABETH, his wife.
MARIA, his sister.
CHARLES, his son — a boy.
GEORGE, his page.
BISHOP OF BAMBERG.
ADELBERT VON WEISLINGEN, a free German knight of the empire.
ADELAIDE VON WALLDORF, widow of the COUNT VON WALLDORF.
LIEBTRAUT, a courtier of the Bishop’s.
ABBOT OF FULDA, residing at the Bishop’s court.
OLEARIUS, a doctor of laws.
BROTHER MARTIN, a monk.
HANS VON SELBITZ, } Free knights, in alliance with GOETZ.
FRANZ VON SICKINGEN, }
LERSE, a trooper.
FRANCIS, esquire to WEISLINGEN.
Female Attendant on ADELAIDE.
President, Accuser and Avenger of the Secret Tribunal.
METZLER, } Leaders of the insurgent peasantry.
SIEVERS, }
LINK, }
KOHL, }
WILD, }
Imperial Commissioners.
Two Merchants of Nuremberg.
Magistrates of Heilbronn.
MAXIMILIAN STUMF, a vassal of the Palsgrave.
An unknown.
Bride’s father, } Peasants.
Bride, }
Bridegroom, }
Gypsy captain.
Gypsy mother and women.
STICKSand WOLF, gypsies.
Imperial captain.
Imperial officers.
Innkeeper.
Sentinel.
Sergeant-at-arms.
ACT I.
SCENE I.
An Inn at Schwarzenberg in Franconia.
[Metzler and Sievers, two Swabian Peasants, are seated at a table — At the fire, at some distance from them, two Troopers from Bamberg — The Innkeeper.
Sievers.
Hänsel! Another cup of brandy — and Christian measure.
Innkeeper.
Thou art a Never-enough.
Metzler.
(Apart to Sievers.) Repeat that again about Berlichingen. — The Bambergers there are so angry they are almost black in the face.
Sievers.
Bambergers! — What are they about here?
Metzler.
Weislingen has been two days up yonder at the castle with the Earl — they are his attendants — they came with him, I know not whence; they are waiting for him — he is going back to Bamberg.
Sievers.
Who is that Weislingen?
Metzler.
The Bishop of Bamberg’s right hand! a powerful lord, who is lying in wait to play Goetz some trick.
Sievers.
He had better take care of himself.
Metzler.
(Aside.) Prithee go on! (Aloud.) How long is it since Goetz had a new dispute with the bishop? I thought all had been agreed and squared between them.
Sievers.
Ay! Agreement with priests! — When the bishop saw he could do no good, and always got the worst of it, he pulled in his horns, and made haste to patch up a truce — and honest Berlichingen yielded to an absurd extent, as he always does when he has the advantage.
Metzler.
God bless him! a worthy nobleman.
Sievers.
Only think! Was it not shameful? They fell upon a page of his, to his no small surprise; but they will soon be mauled for that.
Metzler.
How provoking that his last stroke should have missed. He must have been plaguily annoyed.
Sievers.
I don’t think anything has vexed him so much for a long time. Look you, all had been calculated to a nicety; the time the bishop would come from the bath, with how many attendants, and which road; and had it not been betrayed by some traitor, Goetz would have blessed his bath for him, and rubbed him dry.
First Trooper.
What are you prating there about our bishop; do you want to pick a quarrel?
Sievers.
Mind your own affairs; you have nothing to do with our table.
Second Trooper.
Who taught you to speak disrespectfully of our bishop?
Sievers.
Am I bound to answer your questions? — Look at the fool!
[The first Trooper boxes his ears.
Metzler.
Smash the rascal!
[They att
ack each other.
Second Trooper.
(To Metzler.) Come on if you dare —
Innkeeper.
(Separating them.) Will you be quiet? Zounds! Take yourself off if you have any scores to settle; in my house I will have order and decency. (He pushes the Troopers out of doors.) — And what are you about, you jackasses?
Metzler.
No bad names, Hänsel! or your sconce shall pay for it. Come, comrade, we’ll go and thrash those blackguards.
Enter two of Berlichingen’s Troopers.
First Trooper.
What’s the matter?
Sievers.
Ah! Good-day, Peter! — Good-day, Veit! — Whence come you?
Second Trooper.
Mind you don’t let out whom we serve.
Sievers.
(Whispering.) Then your master Goetz isn’t far off?
First Trooper.
Hold your tongue! — Have you had a quarrel?
Sievers.
You must have met the fellows without — they are Bambergers.
First Trooper.
What brings them here?
Sievers.
They escort Weislingen, who is up yonder at the castle with the Earl.
First Trooper.
Weislingen!
Second Trooper.
(Aside to his companion.) Peter, that is grist to our mill. How long has he been here?
Metzler.
Two days — but he is off to-day, as I heard one of his fellows say.
First Trooper.
(Aside.) Did I not tell you he was here? — We might have waited yonder long enough. Come, Veit —
Sievers.
Help us first to drub the Bambergers.
Second Trooper.
There are already two of you — We must away — Farewell!
[Exeunt both Troopers.
Sievers.
Scurvy dogs, these troopers!
They won’t strike a blow without pay.
Metzler.
I could swear they have something in hand. — Whom do they serve?
Sievers.
I am not to tell — they serve Goetz.
Metzler.
So! — Well, now we’ll cudgel those fellows outside. While I have a quarter-staff I care not for their spits.
Sievers.
If we durst but once serve the princes in the same manner, who drag our skins over our ears!
[Exeunt.
SCENE II.
A Cottage in a thick Forest.
[Goetz von 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 on the watch. It is hardly earned, this bit of life and freedom. But when I have caught thee, Weislingen, I shall take my ease. (Fills a glass of wine and drinks; looks at the flask.) — Again empty. — George! — While this and my courage last, I can laugh at the ambition and chicanery of princes! — George! — You may send round your obsequious Weislingen to your uncles and cousins to calumniate my character — be it so — I am on the alert. — Thou hast escaped me, bishop; then thy dear Weislingen shall pay the score. — George! — Doesn’t the boy hear? — George! George!
Works of Johann Wolfgang von Goethe Page 164