Weislingen.
Is her husband at court?
Francis.
She has been a widow these four months, and is residing at the court of Bamberg to divert her melancholy. You will see her; and to meet her glance is to bask in the sunshine of spring.
Weislingen.
She would not make so strong an impression on me.
Francis.
I hear you are as good as married.
Weislingen.
Would I were really so! My gentle Maria will be the happiness of my life. The sweetness of her soul beams through her mild blue eyes, and, like an angel of innocence and love, she guides my heart to the paths of peace and felicity! Pack up, and then to my castle. I will not to Bamberg, though St. Bede came in person to fetch me.
[ExitWeislingen.
Francis.
(Alone.) Not to Bamberg! Heavens forbid! But let me hope the best. Maria is beautiful and amiable, and a prisoner or an invalid might easily fall in love with her. Her eyes beam with compassion and melancholy sympathy; but in thine, Adelaide, is life, fire, spirit. I would . . . I am a fool; one glance from her has made me so. My master must to Bamberg, and I also, and either recover my senses or gaze them quite away.
Fr. Pecht del
published by george barrie
[Editor: illegible text]
Adelaide
ACT II.
SCENE I.
Bamberg. A Hall.
[TheBishop andAdelaide (playing at chess),Liebtraut (with a guitar),Ladies andCourtiers (standing in groups).
Liebtraut.
(Plays and sings.)
o Armed with quiver and bow,
o With his torch all aglow,
o Young Cupid comes winging his flight.
o Courage glows in his eyes,
o As adown from the skies,
o He rushes, impatient for fight.
o Up! up!
o On! on!
o Hark! the bright quiver rings!
o Hark! the rustle of wings!
o All hail to the delicate sprite!
o They welcome the urchin; —
o Ah, maidens, beware!
o He finds every bosom
o Unguarded and bare.
o In the light of his flambeau
o He kindles his darts; —
o They fondle and hug him
o And press to their hearts.
Adelaide.
Your thoughts are not in your game. Check to the king!
Bishop.
There is still a way of escape.
Adelaide.
You will not be able to hold out long. Check to the king!
Liebtraut.
Were I a great prince, I would not play at this game, and would forbid it at court and throughout the whole land.
Adelaide.
’Tis indeed a touchstone of the brain.
Liebtraut.
Not on that account. I would rather hear a funeral bell, the cry of the ominous bird, the howling of that snarling watch-dog, conscience; rather would I hear these through the deepest sleep, than from bishops, knights and such beasts, the eternal — Check to the king!
Bishop.
Into whose head could such an idea enter?
Liebtraut.
A man’s, for example, endowed with a weak body and a strong conscience, which, for the most part, indeed, accompany each other. Chess is called a royal game, and is said to have been invented for a king, who rewarded the inventor with a mine of wealth. If this be so, I can picture him to myself. He was a minor, either in understanding or in years, under the guardianship of his mother or his wife; had down upon his chin, and flaxen hair around his temples; was pliant as a willow-shoot, and liked to play at draughts with women, not from passion, God forbid! only for pastime. His tutor, too active for a scholar, too intractable for a man of the world, invented the game, in usum Delphini, that was so homogeneous with his majesty — and so on.
Adelaide.
Checkmate! You should fill up the chasms in our histories, Liebtraut.
[They rise.
Liebtraut.
To supply those in our family registers would be more profitable. The merits of our ancestors being available for a common object with their portraits, namely, to cover the naked sides of our chambers and of our characters, one might turn such an occupation to good account.
Bishop.
He will not come, you say!
Adelaide.
I beseech you, banish him from your thoughts.
Bishop.
What can it mean?
Liebtraut.
What! The reasons may be told over like the beads of a rosary. He has been seized with a fit of compunction, of which I could soon cure him.
Bishop.
Do so; ride to him instantly.
Liebtraut.
My commission —
Bishop.
Shall be unlimited. Spare nothing to bring him back.
Liebtraut.
May I venture to use your name, gracious lady?
Adelaide.
With discretion.
Liebtraut.
That’s a vague commission.
Adelaide.
Do you know so little of me, or are you so young as not to understand in what tone you should speak of me to Weislingen?
Liebtraut.
In the tone of a fowler’s whistle, I think.
Adelaide.
You will never be reasonable.
Liebtraut.
Does one ever become so, gracious lady?
Bishop.
Go! go! Take the best horse in my stable; choose your servants, and bring him hither.
Liebtraut.
If I do not conjure him hither, say that an old woman who charms warts and freckles knows more of sympathy than I.
Bishop.
Yet, what will it avail? Berlichingen has wholly gained him over. He will no sooner be here than he will wish to return.
Liebtraut.
He will wish it, doubtless; but can he go? A prince’s squeeze of the hand and the smiles of a beauty, from these no Weislingen can tear himself away. I have the honor to take my leave.
Bishop.
A prosperous journey!
Adelaide.
Adieu!
[ExitLiebtraut.
Bishop.
When he is once here, I must trust to you.
Adelaide.
Would you make me your lime-twig?
Bishop.
By no means.
Adelaide.
Your call-bird then?
Bishop.
No; that is Liebtraut’s part. I beseech you do not refuse to do for me what no other can.
Adelaide.
We shall see.
[Exeunt.
SCENE II.
Jaxthausen. A Hall inGoetz’sCastle.
EnterGoetz andHans von Selbitz.
Selbitz.
Every one will applaud you for declaring feud against the Nurembergers.
Goetz.
It would have eaten my very heart away had I remained longer their debtor. It is clear that they betrayed my page to the Bambergers. They shall have cause to remember me.
Selbitz.
They have an old grudge against you.
Goetz.
And I against them. I am glad they have begun the fray.
Selbitz.
These free towns have always taken part with the priests.
Goetz.
They have good reason.
Selbitz.
But we will cook their porridge for them!
Goetz.
I reckon upon you. Would that the Burgomaster of Nuremberg, with his gold chain round his neck, fell in our way, we’d astonish him with all his cleverness.
Selbitz.
I hear Weislingen is again on your side. Does he really join in our league?
Goetz.
Not immediately. There are reasons which prevent his openly giving us assistance
; but for the present it is quite enough that he is not against us. The priest without him is what the stole would be without the priest!
Selbitz.
When do we set forward?
Goetz.
To-morrow or next day. There are merchants of Bamberg and Nuremberg returning from the fair of Frankfort — we may strike a good blow.
Selbitz.
Let us hope so!
SCENE III.
TheBishop’sPalace at Bamberg.
Adelaide and herWaiting-Maid.
Adelaide.
He is here, sayest thou? I can scarcely believe it.
Maid.
Had I not seen him myself, I should have doubted it.
Adelaide.
The bishop should frame Liebtraut in gold for such a masterpiece of skill.
Maid.
I saw him as he was about to enter the palace. He was mounted on a gray charger. The horse started when he came on the bridge, and would not move forward. The populace thronged up the street to see him. They rejoiced at the delay of the unruly horse. He was greeted on all sides, and he thanked them gracefully all round. He sat the curvetting steed with an easy indifference, and by threats and soothing brought him to the gate, followed by Liebtraut and a few servants.
Adelaide.
What do you think of him?
Maid.
I never saw a man who pleased me so well. He is as like that portrait of the emperor as if he were his son (pointing to a picture). His nose is somewhat smaller, but just such gentle light-brown eyes, just such fine light hair, and such a figure! A half melancholy expression on his face; I know not how, but he pleased me so well.
Adelaide.
I am curious to see him.
Maid.
He would be the husband for you!
Adelaide.
Foolish girl!
Maid.
Children and fools —
EnterLiebtraut.
Liebtraut.
Now, gracious lady, what do I deserve?
Adelaide.
Horns from your wife! — for judging from the present sample of your persuasive powers you have certainly endangered the honor of many a worthy family.
Liebtraut.
Not so, be assured, gracious lady.
Adelaide.
How did you contrive to bring him?
Liebtraut.
You know how they catch snipes, and why should I detail my little stratagems to you? — First, I pretended to have heard nothing, did not understand the reason of his behavior, and put him upon the disadvantage of telling me the whole story at length — then I saw the matter in quite a different light to what he did — could not find — could not see, and so forth — then I gossipped things great and small about Bamberg, and recalled to his memory certain old recollections; and when I had succeeded in occupying his imagination I knitted together many a broken association of ideas. He knew not what to say — felt a new attraction towards Bamberg — he would, and he would not. When I found him begin to waver, and saw him too much occupied with his own feelings to suspect my sincerity, I threw over his head a halter, woven of the three powerful cords, beauty, court-favor and flattery, and dragged him hither in triumph.
Adelaide.
What said you of me?
Liebtraut.
The simple truth — that you were in perplexity about your estates, and had hoped as he had so much influence with the emperor all would be satisfactorily settled.
Adelaide.
’Tis well.
Liebtraut.
The bishop will introduce him to you.
Adelaide.
I expect them. (ExitLiebtraut.) And with such feelings have I seldom expected a visitor.
SCENE IV.
The Spessart.
EnterSelbitz, Goetz andGeorge in the armor and dress of a trooper.
Goetz.
So thou didst not find him, George?
George.
He had ridden to Bamberg the day before with Liebtraut and two servants.
Goetz.
I cannot understand what this means.
Selbitz.
I see it well — your reconciliation was almost too speedy to be lasting — Liebtraut is a cunning fellow, and has no doubt inveigled him over.
Goetz.
Think’st thou he will become a traitor?
Selbitz.
The first step is taken.
Goetz.
I will never believe it. Who knows what he may have to do at court — his affairs are still unarranged. Let us hope for the best.
Selbitz.
Would to Heaven he may deserve of your good opinion, and may act for the best!
Goetz.
A thought strikes me! — We will disguise George in the spoils of the Bamberg trooper, and furnish him with the password — he may then ride to Bamberg, and see how matters stand.
George.
I have long wished to do so.
Goetz.
It is thy first expedition. Be careful, boy; I should be sorry if ill befell thee.
George.
Never fear. I care not how many of them crawl about me; I think no more of them than of rats and mice.
[Exeunt.
SCENE V.
TheBishop’sPalace. His Cabinet.
TheBishop andWeislingen.
Bishop.
Then thou wilt stay no longer?
Weislingen.
You would not have me break my oath.
Bishop.
I could have wished thou hadst not sworn it. What evil spirit possessed thee? Could I not have procured thy release without that? Is my influence so small in the imperial court?
Weislingen.
The thing is done — excuse it as you can.
Bishop.
I cannot see that there was the least necessity for taking such a step. To renounce me? 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, and thus satisfied Berlichingen? Our operations against him and his confederates could have gone on — But, alas! I do not reflect that I am talking to his friend, who has joined him against me, and can easily counterwork the mines he himself has dug.
Weislingen.
My gracious lord —
Bishop.
And yet — when I again look on thy face, again hear thy voice — it is impossible — impossible!
Weislingen.
Farewell, good my lord!
Bishop.
I give thee my blessing — formerly when we parted I was wont to say “Till we meet again!” Now Heaven grant we meet no more!
Weislingen.
Things may alter.
Bishop.
Perhaps I may live to see thee appear as an enemy before my walls, carrying havoc through the fertile plains which now owe their flourishing condition to thee.
Weislingen.
Never, my gracious lord!
Bishop.
You cannot say so. My temporal neighbors all have a grudge against me — but while thou wert mine — Go, Weislingen! I have no more to say. Thou hast undone much. Go —
Weislingen.
I know not what to answer.
[ExitBishop.
EnterFrancis.
Francis.
The Lady Adelaide expects you. She is not well, but she will not let you depart without bidding her adieu.
Weislingen.
Come.
Francis.
Do we go then for certain?
Weislingen.
This very night.
Francis.
I feel as if I were about to leave the world —
Weislingen.
I too, and as if besides I knew not whither to go.
SCENE VI.
Adelaide’sApartment.
Adelaide andWaiting-Maid.
Maid.
You are pale, gracious lady!
Adelaide.
I love him not, yet I wish h
im to stay — for I am fond of his company, though I should dislike him for my husband.
Maid.
Does your ladyship think he will go?
Adelaide.
He is even now bidding the bishop farewell.
Maid.
He has yet a severe struggle to undergo.
Adelaide.
What meanest thou?
Maid.
Why do you ask, gracious lady? The barbed hook is in his heart — ere he tear it away he must bleed to death.
EnterWeislingen.
Weislingen.
You are not well, gracious lady?
Adelaide.
That must be indifferent to you — you leave us, leave us forever: what matters it to you whether we live or die?
Weislingen.
You do me injustice.
Adelaide.
I judge you as you appear.
Weislingen.
Appearances are deceitful.
Adelaide.
Then you are a chameleon.
Weislingen.
Could you but see my heart —
Adelaide.
I should see fine things there.
Weislingen.
Undoubtedly! — You would find your own image —
Adelaide.
Thrust into some dark corner with the pictures of defunct ancestors! I beseech you, Weislingen, consider with whom you speak — false words are of value only when they serve to veil our actions — a discovered masquerader plays a pitiful part. You do not disown your deeds, yet your words belie them; what are we to think of you?
Weislingen.
What you will — I am so agonized at reflecting on what I am, that I little reck for what I am taken.
Adelaide.
You came to say farewell.
Weislingen.
Permit me to kiss your hand, and I will say adieu! — You remind me — I did not think — but I am troublesome —
Adelaide.
You misinterpret me. Since you will depart, I only wished to assist your resolution.
Weislingen.
Oh, say rather, I must! — were I not compelled by my knightly word — my solemn engagement —
Adelaide.
Go to! Talk of that to maidens who read the tale of Theuerdanck, and wish that they had such a husband. — Knightly word! — Nonsense!
Weislingen.
You do not think so?
Adelaide.
On my honor, you are dissembling. 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 by taking you prisoner. Such an agreement is no more binding than an extorted, unjust oath. And do not our laws release you from such oaths? Go, tell that to children, who believe in Rübezahl. There is something behind all this. — To become an enemy of the empire — a disturber of public happiness and tranquillity, an enemy of the emperor, the associate of a robber! — Thou, Weislingen, with thy gentle soul!
Works of Johann Wolfgang von Goethe Page 168