Emperor.
Good heavens! What is this? The one has but one hand, the other but one leg; if they both had two hands and two legs what would you do then?
First Merchant.
We most humbly beseech your majesty to cast a look of compassion upon our unfortunate condition.
Emperor.
How is this? — If a merchant loses a bag of pepper, all Germany is to rise in arms; but when business is to be done, in which the imperial majesty and the empire are interested, should it concern dukedoms, principalities, or kingdoms, there is no bringing you together.
Weislingen.
You come at an unseasonable time. Go, and stay at Augsburg for a few days.
Merchants.
We make our most humble obeisance.
[ExeuntMerchants.
Emperor.
Again new disturbances; they multiply like the hydra’s heads!
Weislingen.
And can only be extirpated with fire and sword.
Emperor.
Do you think so?
Weislingen.
Nothing seems to me more advisable, could your majesty and the princes but accommodate your other unimportant disputes. It is not the body of the state that complains of this malady — Franconia and Swabia alone glow with the embers of civil discord; and even there many of the nobles and free barons long for quiet. Could we but crush Sickingen, Selbitz — and — and — and Berlichingen, the others would fall asunder; for it is the spirit of these knights which quickens the turbulent multitude.
Emperor.
Fain would I spare them; they are noble and hardy. Should I be engaged in war, they would follow me to the field.
Weislingen.
It is to be wished they had at all times known their duty; moreover it would be dangerous to reward their mutinous bravery by offices of trust. For it is exactly this imperial mercy and forgiveness which they have hitherto so grievously abused, and upon which the hope and confidence of their league rest, and this spirit cannot be quelled till we have wholly destroyed their power in the eyes of the world, and taken from them all hope of ever recovering their lost influence.
Emperor.
You advise severe measures, then?
Weislingen.
I see no other means of quelling the spirit of insurrection which has seized upon whole provinces. Do we not already hear the bitterest complaints from the nobles, that their vassals and serfs rebel against them, question their authority, and threaten to curtail their hereditary prerogatives? A proceeding which would involve the most fearful consequences.
Emperor.
This were a fair occasion for proceeding against Berlichingen and Selbitz; but I will not have them personally injured. Could they be taken 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.
Weislingen.
A general exclamation of joyful assent will spare your majesty the trouble of particular detail.
[Exeunt.
SCENE II.
Jaxthausen.
EnterGoetz andFranz von Sickingen.
Sickingen.
Yes, my friend, I come to beg the heart and hand of your noble sister.
Goetz.
I would you had come sooner. Weislingen, during his imprisonment, obtained her affections, proposed for her, and I gave my consent. I let the bird loose, and he now despises the benevolent hand that fed him in his distress. He flutters about to seek his food, God knows upon what hedge.
Sickingen.
Is this so?
Goetz.
Even as I tell you.
Sickingen.
He has broken a double bond. ’Tis well for you that you were not more closely allied with the traitor.
Goetz.
The poor maiden passes her life in lamentation and prayer.
Sickingen.
I will comfort her.
Goetz.
What! Could you make up your mind to marry a forsaken —
Sickingen.
It is to the honor of you both to have been deceived by him. Should the poor girl be caged in a cloister because the first man who gained her love proved a villain? Not so; I insist on it. She shall be mistress of my castles!
Goetz.
I tell you he was not indifferent to her.
Sickingen.
Do you think I cannot efface the recollection of such a wretch? Let us go to her.
[Exeunt.
Fr. Pecht del
published by george barrie
[Editor: illegible text]
Franz von Sickingen
SCENE III.
The Camp of the Party sent to execute the Imperial Mandate.
ImperialCaptain andOfficers discovered.
Captain.
We must be cautious, and spare our people as much as possible. Besides, we have strict orders to overpower and take him alive. It will be difficult to obey; for who will engage with him hand to hand?
First Officer.
’Tis true. And he will fight like a wild boar. Besides, he has never in his whole life injured any of us, so each will be glad to leave to the other the honor of risking life and limb to please the emperor.
Second Officer.
‘Twere shame to us should we not take him. Had I him once by the ears, he should not easily escape.
First Officer.
Don’t seize him with your teeth, however, he might chance to run away with your jaw-bone. My good young sir, such men are not taken like a runaway thief.
Second Officer.
We shall see.
Captain.
By this time he must have had our summons. We must not delay. I mean to despatch a troop to watch his motions.
Second Officer.
Let me lead it.
Captain.
You are unacquainted with the country.
Second Officer.
I have a servant who was born and bred here.
Captain.
That will do.
[Exeunt.
SCENE IV.
Jaxthausen.
Sickingen.
(Alone.) All goes as I wish! She was somewhat startled at my proposal, and looked at me from head to foot; I’ll wager she was comparing me with her gallant. Thank Heaven I can stand the scrutiny! She answered little and confusedly. So much the better! Let it work for a time. A proposal of marriage does not come amiss after such a cruel disappointment.
EnterGoetz.
Sickingen.
What news, brother?
Goetz.
They have laid me under the ban.
Sickingen.
How?
Goetz.
There, read the edifying epistle. The emperor has issued an edict against me, which gives my body for food to the beasts of the earth and the fowls of the air.
Sickingen.
They shall first furnish them with a dinner themselves. I am here in the very nick of time.
Goetz.
No, Sickingen, you must leave me. Your great undertakings might 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 neutral. The worst that can happen is my being made prisoner; and then your good word with the emperor, who esteems you, may rescue me from the misfortune into which your untimely assistance would irremediably plunge us both. To what purpose should you do otherwise? These troops are marching against me; and if they knew we were united, their numbers would only be increased, and our position would consequently be no better. The emperor is at the fountain-head; and I should be utterly ruined were it as easy to inspire soldiers with courage as to collect them into a body.
Sickingen.
But I can privately reinforce you with a score of troopers.
Goetz.
Good. I have already sent George to Selbitz, and to my people in the neighborhood. My dear brother, when my
forces are collected, they will be such a troop as few princes can bring together.
Sickingen.
It will be small against the multitude.
Goetz.
One wolf is too many for a whole flock of sheep.
Sickingen.
But if they have a good shepherd?
Goetz.
Never fear! They are all hirelings; and then even the best knight can do but little if he cannot act as he pleases. It happened once that, to oblige the palsgrave, I went to serve against Conrad Schotten: they then presented me with a paper of instructions from the chancery, which set forth — Thus and thus must you proceed. I threw down the paper before the magistrates, and told them I could not act according to it; that something might happen unprovided for in my instructions, and that I must use my own eyes and judge what was best to be done.
Sickingen.
Good luck, brother! I will hence, and send thee what men I can collect in haste.
Goetz.
Come first to the women. I left them together. I would you had her consent before you depart! Then send me the troopers, and come back in private to carry away my Maria; for my castle, I fear, will shortly be no abode for women.
Sickingen.
We will hope for the best.
[Exeunt.
SCENE V.
Bamberg.Adelaide’sChamber.
Adelaide andFrancis.
Adelaide.
They have already set out to enforce the ban against both?
Francis.
Yes; and my master has the happiness of marching against your enemies. I would gladly have gone also, however rejoiced I always am at being despatched to you. But I will away instantly, and soon return with good news; my master has allowed me to do so.
Adelaide.
How is he?
Francis.
He is well, and commanded me to kiss your hand.
Adelaide.
There! — Thy lips glow.
Francis.
(Aside, pressing his breast.) Here glows something yet more fiery. (Aloud.) Gracious lady, your servants are the most fortunate of beings!
Adelaide.
Who goes against Berlichingen?
Francis.
The Baron von Sirau. Farewell! Dearest, most gracious lady, I must away. Forget me not!
Adelaide.
Thou must first take some rest and refreshment.
Francis.
I need none, for I have seen you! I am neither weary nor hungry.
Adelaide.
I know thy fidelity.
Francis.
Ah, gracious lady!
Adelaide.
You can never hold out; you must repose and refresh yourself.
Francis.
You are too kind to a poor youth.
[Exit.
Adelaide.
The tears stood in his eyes. I love him from my heart. Never did man attach himself to me with such warmth of affection.
[Exit.
SCENE VI.
Jaxthausen.
Goetz andGeorge.
George.
He wants to speak with you in person. I do not know him — he is a tall, well-made man, with keen dark eyes.
Goetz.
Admit him.
[ExitGeorge.
EnterLerse.
Goetz.
God save you! What bring you?
Lerse.
Myself: not much, but such as it is, it is at your service.
Goetz.
You are welcome, doubly welcome! A brave man, and at a time when, far from expecting new friends. I was in hourly fear of losing the old. Your name?
Lerse.
Franz Lerse.
Goetz.
I thank you, Franz, for making me acquainted with a brave man!
Lerse.
I made you acquainted with me once before, but then you did not thank me for my pains.
Goetz.
I have no recollection of you.
Lerse.
I should be sorry if you had. Do you recollect when, to please the palsgrave, you rode against Conrad Schotten, and went through Hassfurt on an All-hallow eve?
Goetz.
I remember it well.
Lerse.
And twenty-five troopers encountered you in a village by the way?
Goetz.
Exactly. I at first took them for only twelve. I divided my party, which amounted to but sixteen, and halted in the village behind the barn, intending to let them ride by. Then I thought of falling upon them in the rear, as I had concerted with the other troop.
Lerse.
We saw you, however, and stationed ourselves on a height above the village. You drew up beneath the hill and halted. When we perceived that you did not intend to come up to us we rode down to you.
Goetz.
And then I saw for the first time that I had thrust my hand into the fire. Five-and-twenty against eight is no jesting business. Everard Truchsess killed one of my followers, for which I knocked him off his horse. Had they all behaved like him and one other trooper, it would have been all over with me and my little band.
Lerse.
And that trooper —
Goetz.
Was as gallant a fellow as I ever saw. He attacked me fiercely; and when I thought I had given him enough and was engaged elsewhere, he was upon me again, and laid on like a fury: he cut quite through my armor, and wounded me in the arm.
Lerse.
Have you forgiven him?
Goetz.
He pleased me only too well.
Lerse.
I hope then you have cause to be contented with me, since the proof of my valor was on your own person.
Goetz.
Art thou he? O welcome! welcome! Canst thou boast, Maximilian, that amongst thy followers thou hast gained one after this fashion?
Lerse.
I wonder you did not sooner hit upon me.
Goetz.
How could I think that the man would engage in my service who did his best to overpower me?
Lerse.
Even so, my lord. From my youth upwards I have served as a trooper, and have had a tussle with many a knight. I was overjoyed when we met you; for I had heard of your prowess, and wished to know you. You saw I gave way, and that it was not from cowardice, for I returned to the charge. In short, I learned to know you, and from that hour I resolved to enter your service.
Goetz.
How long wilt thou engage with me?
Lerse.
For a year, without pay.
Goetz.
No; thou shalt have as the others; nay more, as befits him who gave me so much work at Remlin.
EnterGeorge.
George.
Hans of Selbitz greets you. To-morrow he will be here with fifty men.
Goetz.
’Tis well.
George.
There is a troop of Imperialists riding down the hill, doubtless to reconnoitre.
Goetz.
How many?
George.
About fifty.
Goetz.
Only fifty! Come, Lerse, we’ll have a slash at them, so that when Selbitz comes he may find some work done to his hand.
Lerse.
‘Twill be capital practice.
Goetz.
To horse!
[Exeunt.
SCENE VII.
A Wood on the borders of a Morass.
TwoImperialist Troopers meeting
First Imperialist.
What dost thou here?
Second Imperialist.
I have leave of absence for ten minutes. Ever since our quarters were beat up last night I have had such violent attacks that I can’t sit on horseback for two minutes together.
First Imperialist.
Is the party far advanced?
Second Imperialist.
About three miles into the wood
First Imperialist.
Then why are you playi
ng truant here?
Second Imperialist.
Prithee, betray me not. I am going to the next village to see if I cannot get some warm bandages to relieve my complaint. But whence comest thou?
First Imperialist.
I am bringing our officer some wine and meat from the nearest village.
Second Imperialist.
So, so! he stuffs himself under our very noses, and we must starve; a fine example!
First Imperialist.
Come back with me, rascal!
Second Imperialist.
Call me a fool, if I do! There are plenty in our troop who would gladly fast, to be as far away as I am.
[Tramping of horses heard.
First Imperialist.
Hear’st thou? — Horses!
Second Imperialist.
Oh dear! oh dear!
First Imperialist.
I’ll get up into this tree.
Second Imperialist.
And I’ll hide among the rushes.
[They hide themselves.
Enter on horseback,Goetz. Lerse. George andTroopers, all completely armed
Goetz.
Away into the wood, by the ditch on the left, — then we have them in the rear.
[They gallop off.
First Imperialist.
(Descending) This is a bad business — Michael! — He answers not — Michael, they are gone! (Goes towards the marsh.) Alas, he is sunk! — Michael! — He hears me not: he is suffocated. — Poor coward, art thou done for? — We are slain. — Enemies! Enemies on all sides!
Re-enterGoetz andGeorge on horseback.
Goetz.
Yield thee, fellow, or thou diest!
Imperialist.
Spare my life!
Goetz.
Thy sword! — George, lead him to the other prisoners whom Lerse is guarding yonder in the wood. — I must pursue their fugitive leader.
[Exit.
Imperialist.
What has become of the knight, our officer?
George.
My master struck him head over heels from his horse, so that his plume stuck in the mire. His troopers got him up, and off they were as if the devil were behind them.
[Exeunt.
SCENE VIII.
Camp of theImperialists.
Captain andFirst Officer.
First Officer.
They fly from afar towards the camp.
Captain.
He is most likely hard at their heels. Draw out fifty as far as the mill; if he follows up the pursuit too far you may perhaps entrap him.
[ExitOfficer.
TheSecond Officer is borne in.
Works of Johann Wolfgang von Goethe Page 170