Works of Johann Wolfgang von Goethe
Page 171
Captain.
How now, my young sir — have you got a cracked headpiece?
Officer.
A plague upon you! The stoutest helmet went to shivers like glass. The demon! — he ran upon me as if he would strike me into the earth!
Captain.
Thank God that you have escaped with your life.
Officer.
There is little left to be thankful for; two of my ribs are broken — where’s the surgeon?
[He is carried off.
SCENE IX.
Jaxthausen.
EnterGoetz andSelbitz.
Goetz.
And what say you to the ban, Selbitz?
Selbitz.
’Tis a trick of Weislingen’s.
Goetz.
Do you think so?
Selbitz.
I do not think — I know it.
Goetz.
How so?
Selbitz.
He was at the Diet, I tell thee, and near the emperor’s person.
Goetz.
Well then, we shall frustrate another of his schemes.
Selbitz.
I hope so.
Goetz.
We will away, and course these hares.
SCENE X.
The Imperial Camp.
Captain. Officers andFollowers.
Captain.
We shall gain nothing at this work, sirs! He beats one troop after another; and whoever escapes death or captivity would rather fly to Turkey than return to the camp. Thus our force diminishes daily. We must attack him once for all, and in earnest. I will go myself, and he shall find with whom he has to deal.
Officer.
We are all content; but he is so well acquainted with the country, and knows every path and ravine so thoroughly, that he will be as difficult to find as a rat in a barn.
Captain.
I warrant you we’ll ferret him out. On towards Jaxthausen! Whether he like it or not, he must come to defend his castle.
Officer.
Shall our whole force march?
Captain.
Yes, certainly — do you know that a hundred of us are melted away already?
Officer.
Then let us away with speed, before the whole snowball dissolves; for this is warm work, and we stand here like butter in the sunshine.
[Exeunt — a march sounded.
SCENE XI.
Mountains and a Wood.
Goetz, Selbitz andTroopers.
Goetz.
They are coming in full force. It was high time that Sickingen’s troopers joined us.
Selbitz.
We will divide our party — I will take the left hand by the hill.
Goetz.
Good — and do thou, Lerse, lead fifty men straight through the wood on the right. They are coming across the heath — I will draw up opposite to them. George, stay by me — when you see them attack me, then fall upon their flank: we’ll beat the knaves into a mummy — they little think we can face them.
[Exeunt.
SCENE XII.
A Heath — on one side an Eminence, with a ruined Tower, on the other the Forest.
Enter marching, theCaptain of the Imperialists withOfficers and hisSquadron. Drums and standards.
Captain.
He halts upon the heath! that’s too impudent. He shall smart for it — what! not fear the torrent that threatens to overwhelm him!
Officer.
I had rather you did not head the troops; he looks as if he meant to plant the first that comes upon him in the mire with his head downmost. Prithee, ride in the rear.
Captain.
Not so.
Officer.
I entreat you. You are the knot which unites this bundle of hazel-twigs; loose it, and he will break them separately like so many reeds.
Captain.
Sound, trumpeter — and let us blow him to hell!
[A charge sounded. Exeunt in full career.
Selbitz, with hisTroopers, comes from behind the hill, galloping.
Selbitz.
Follow me! They shall wish that they could multiply their hands.
[They gallop across the stage, et exeunt.
Loud alarm — Lerse and his party sally from the wood.
Lerse.
Ho! to the rescue! Goetz is almost surrounded. — Gallant Selbitz, thou hast cut thy way — we will sow the heath with these thistle heads.
[Gallop off.
A loud alarm, with shouting and firing for some minutes.Selbitz is borne in wounded by twoTroopers.
Selbitz.
Leave me here, and hasten to Goetz.
First Trooper.
Let us stay, sir — you need our aid.
Selbitz.
Get one of you on the watchtower, and tell me how it goes.
First Trooper.
How shall I get up?
Second Trooper.
Mount upon my shoulders — you can then reach the ruined part, and thence scramble up to the opening.
[First Trooper gets up into the tower.
First Trooper.
Alas, sir!
Selbitz.
What seest thou?
First Trooper.
Your troopers fly towards the hill.
Selbitz.
Rascally cowards! I would that they stood their ground, and I had a ball through my head! Ride, one of you, full speed! Curse and thunder them back to the field! Seest thou Goetz!
[ExitSecond Trooper.
Trooper.
I see his three black feathers floating in the midst of the wavy tumult.
Selbitz.
Swim, brave swimmer! I lie here.
Trooper.
A white plume — whose is that?
Selbitz.
The captain’s.
Trooper.
Goetz gallops upon him — crash! Down he goes!
Selbitz.
The captain?
Trooper.
Yes, sir.
Selbitz.
Hurrah! hurrah!
Trooper.
Alas! alas! I see Goetz no more.
Selbitz.
Then die, Selbitz!
Trooper.
A dreadful tumult where he stood — George’s blue plume vanishes too.
Selbitz.
Come down! Dost thou not see Lerse?
Trooper.
No. Everything is in confusion.
Selbitz.
No more. Come down. — How do Sickingen’s men bear themselves?
Trooper.
Well — one of them flies to the wood — another — another — a whole troop. Goetz is lost!
Selbitz.
Come down.
Trooper.
I cannot. — Hurrah! hurrah! I see Goetz, I see George.
Selbitz.
On horseback?
Trooper.
Ay, ay, high on horseback! Victory! victory! — they fly.
Selbitz.
The Imperialists?
Trooper.
Yes, standard and all, Goetz behind them. They disperse, — Goetz reaches the ensign — he seizes the standard; he halts. A handful of men rally round him. My comrade reaches him — they come this way.
EnterGoetz, George, Lerse andTroopers, on horseback.
Selbitz.
Joy to thee, Goetz! Victory! victory!
Goetz.
(Dismounting.) Dearly, dearly bought. Thou art wounded, Selbitz!
Selbitz.
But thou dost live and hast conquered! I have done little; and my dogs of 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 stabbed my horse, and pressed me hard. George cut his way to me, and sprang off his horse. I threw myself like lightning upon it, and he appeared suddenly like a thunderbolt upon another, How camest thou by thy steed?
George.
A fellow struck at you fr
om behind: as he raised his cuirass in the act, I stabbed him with my dagger. Down he came; and so I rid you of an enemy, and helped myself to a horse.
Goetz.
There we held together till Francis here came to our help; and thereupon we mowed our way out.
Lerse.
The hounds whom I led were to have mowed their way in, till our scythes met, but they fled like Imperialists.
Goetz.
Friend and foe all fled, except this little band who protected my rear. I had enough to do with the fellows in front, but the fall of their captain dismayed them; they wavered, and fled. I have their banner, and a few prisoners.
Selbitz.
The captain has escaped you?
Goetz.
They rescued him in the scuffle. Come, lads, come, Selbitz — Make a litter of lances and boughs: thou canst not mount a 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, my friends. Wine will taste well after such an action.
[Exeunt, carryingSelbitz.
SCENE XIII.
The Camp.
TheCaptain andImperialists.
Captain.
I could kill you all with my own hand. — What! to turn tail! He had not a handful of men left. To give way before one man! No one will believe it but those who wish to make a jest of us. Ride round the country, you, and you, and you: collect our scattered soldiers, or cut them down wherever you find them. We must grind these notches out of our blades, even should we spoil our swords in the operation.
[Exeunt.
SCENE XIV.
Jaxthausen.
Goetz, Lerse andGeorge.
Goetz.
We must not lose a moment. My poor fellows, I dare allow you no rest. Gallop round and strive to enlist troopers, appoint them to assemble at Weilern, where they will be most secure. Should we delay a moment, they will be before the castle. — (ExeuntLerse andGeorge) — I must send out a scout. This begins to grow warm. — If we had but brave foemen to deal with! But these fellows are only formidable through their number.
[Exit.
EnterSickingen andMaria.
Maria.
I beseech thee, dear Sickingen, do not leave my brother! His horsemen, your own, and those of Selbitz, all are scattered; he is alone. Selbitz has been carried home to his castle wounded. I fear the worst.
Sickingen.
Be comforted, I will not leave him.
EnterGoetz.
Goetz.
Come to the chapel; the priest waits; in a few minutes you shall be united.
Sickingen.
Let me remain with you.
Goetz.
You must come now to the chapel.
Sickingen.
Willingly! — and then —
Goetz.
Then you go your way.
Sickingen.
Goetz!
Goetz.
Will you not to the chapel?
Sickingen.
Come, come!
[Exeunt.
SCENE XV.
Camp.
Captain andOfficers.
Captain.
How many are we in all?
Officer.
A hundred and fifty —
Captain.
Out of four hundred. — That is bad. Set out for Jaxthausen at once, before he collects his forces and attacks us on the way.
SCENE XVI.
Jaxthausen.
Goetz, Elizabeth, Maria andSickingen.
Goetz.
God bless you, give you happy days, and keep those for your children which he denies to you!
Elizabeth.
And may they be virtuous as you — then let come what will.
Sickingen.
I thank you. — And you, my Maria! As I led you to the altar, so shall you lead me to happiness.
Maria.
Our pilgrimage will be together towards that distant and promised land.
Goetz.
A prosperous journey.
Maria.
That was not what I meant. — We do not leave you.
Goetz.
You must, sister.
Maria.
You are very harsh, brother.
Goetz.
And you more affectionate than prudent.
EnterGeorge.
George.
(Aside toGoetz.) I can collect no troopers. One was inclined to come, but he changed his mind and refused.
Goetz.
(ToGeorge.) ’Tis well, George. Fortune begins to look coldly on me. I foreboded it, however. (Aloud.) Sickingen, I entreat you, depart this very evening. Persuade Maria. — You are her husband — let her feel it. — When women come across our undertakings, our enemies are more secure in the open field, than they would else be in their castles.
Enter aTrooper.
Trooper.
(Aside toGoetz.) The Imperial squadron is in full and rapid march hither.
Goetz.
I have roused them with stripes of the rod! How many are they?
Trooper.
About two hundred. — They can scarcely be six miles from us.
Goetz.
Have they passed the river yet?
Trooper.
No, my lord.
Goetz.
Had I but fifty men, they should not cross it. Hast thou seen Lerse?
Trooper.
No, my lord.
Goetz.
Tell all to hold themselves ready. — We must part, dear friends. Weep on, my gentle Maria; many a moment of happiness is yet in store for thee. It is better thou should’st weep on thy wedding-day than that present joy should be the forerunner of future misery. — Farewell, Maria! — Farewell, brother!
Maria.
I cannot leave you, sister. Dear brother, let us stay. Dost thou value my husband so little 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 separate your lot from mine. I have ordered your horses to be saddled: you must away instantly.
Maria.
Brother! brother!
Elizabeth.
(ToSickingen.) Yield to his wishes. Speak to her.
Sickingen.
Dear Maria! we must go.
Maria.
Thou too? My heart will break!
Goetz.
Then stay. In a few hours my castle will be surrounded.
Maria.
(Weeping bitterly.) Alas! alas!
Goetz.
We will defend ourselves as long as we can.
Maria.
Mother of God, have mercy upon us!
Goetz.
And at last we must die or surrender. Thy tears will then have involved thy noble husband in the same misfortune with me.
Maria.
Thou torturest me!
Goetz.
Remain! remain! We shall be taken together! Sickingen, thou wilt fall into the pit with me, out of which I had hoped thou should’st have helped me.
Maria.
We will away. — Sister — sister!
Goetz.
Place her in safety, and then think of me.
Sickingen.
Never will I repose a night by her side till I know thou art out of danger.
Goetz.
Sister! dear sister!
[Kisses her.
Sickingen.
Away! away!
Goetz.
Yet one moment! I shall see you again. Be comforted, we shall meet again. (ExeuntSickingen andMaria.) I urged her to depart — yet when she leaves me what would I not give to detain her! Elizabeth, thou stayest with me.
Elizabeth.
Till death!
[Exit.
Goetz.
Whom God loves, to him may He give such a wife.
EnterGeorge.
George.
They are near! I saw them from the t
ower. The sun is rising, and I perceived their lances glitter. I cared no more for them than a cat would for a whole army of mice. ’Tis true we play the mice at present.
Goetz.
Look to the fastenings of the gates; barricade them with beams and stones. (ExitGeorge.) We’ll exercise their patience, and they may chew away their valor in biting their nails. (A trumpet from without.Goetz goes to the window.) Aha! Here comes a red-coated rascal to ask me whether I will be a scoundrel! What says he? (The voice of theHerald is heard indistinctly, as from a distance.Goetz mutters to himself.) A rope for thy throat! (Voice again.) “Offended majesty!” — Some priest has drawn up that proclamation. (Voice concludes, andGoetz answers from the window.) Surrender — surrender at discretion. With whom speak you? Am I a robber? Tell your captain, that for the emperor I entertain, as I have ever done, all due respect; but as for him, he may —
[Shuts the window with violence.
SCENE XVII.
The kitchen.
Elizabeth preparing food. EnterGoetz.
Goetz.
You have hard work, my poor wife!
Elizabeth.
Would it might last! But you can hardly hold out long.
Goetz.
We have not had time to provide ourselves.
Elizabeth.
And so many people as you have been wont to entertain. The wine is well-nigh finished.
Goetz.
If we can but hold out a certain time, they must propose a capitulation. We are doing them some damage, I promise you. They shoot the whole day, and only wound our walls and break our windows. Lerse is a gallant fellow. He slips about with his gun: if a rogue comes too nigh — Pop! there he lies!
[Firing.
EnterTrooper.
Trooper.
We want live coals, gracious lady!
Goetz.
For what?
Trooper.
Our bullets are spent; we must cast some new ones.
Goetz.
How goes it with the powder?
Trooper.
There is as yet no want: we save our fire.
[Firing at intervals. ExeuntGoetz andElizabeth.
EnterLerse with a bullet-mould. Servants with coals.
Lerse.
Set them down, and then go and see for lead about the house; meanwhile I will make shift with this. (Goes to the window, and takes out the leaden frames.) Everything must be turned to account. So it is in this world — no one knows what a thing may come to: the glazier who made these frames little thought that the lead here was to give one of his grandsons his last headache; and the father that begot me little knew whether the fowls of heaven or the worms of the earth would pick my bones.
EnterGeorge with a leaden spout.
George.
Here’s lead for thee! If you hit with only half of it, not one will return to tell his majesty. “Thy servants have sped ill!”
Lerse.
(Cutting it down.) A famous piece!