Works of Johann Wolfgang von Goethe

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by Johann Wolfgang von Goethe


  George.

  The rain must seek some other way. I’m not afraid of it — a brave trooper and a smart shower will always find their road.

  [They cast balls.

  Lerse.

  Hold the ladle. (Goes to the window.) Yonder is a fellow creeping about with his rifle; he thinks our fire is spent. He shall have a bullet warm from the pan.

  [He loads his rifle.

  George.

  (Puts down the mould.) Let me see.

  Lerse.

  (Fires.) There lies the game!

  George.

  He fired at me as I stepped out on the roof to get the lead. He killed a pigeon that sat near me; it fell into the spout. I thanked him for my dinner, and went back with the double booty.

  [They cast balls.

  Lerse.

  Now let us load, and go through the castle to earn our dinner.

  EnterGoetz.

  Goetz.

  Stay, Lerse, I must speak with thee. I will not keep thee, George, from the sport.

  [ExitGeorge.

  Goetz.

  They offer terms.

  Lerse.

  I will go 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 won’t do. Suppose they allow us free liberty of departure? for we can expect no relief from Sickingen. We will bury all the valuables where no divining-rod shall find them; leave them the bare walls, and come out with flying colors.

  Goetz.

  They will not permit us.

  Lerse.

  It is worth the asking. We will demand a safe-conduct, and I will sally out.

  SCENE XVIII.

  A Hall.

  Goetz, Elizabeth, George andTroopers at table.

  Goetz.

  Danger unites us, my friends! Be of good cheer; don’t forget the bottle! The flask is empty. Come, another, dear wife! (Elizabeth shakes her head.) Is there no more?

  Elizabeth.

  (Aside.) Only one, which I have set apart for you.

  Goetz.

  Not so, my love! Bring it out; they need strengthening more than I, for it is my quarrel.

  Elizabeth.

  Fetch it from the cupboard.

  Goetz.

  It is the last, and I feel as if we need not spare it. It is long since I have been so merry. (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; but I am happier than he. To please the princes, he must direct his imperial squadrons against mice, while the rats gnaw his possessions. — I know he often wishes himself dead, rather than to be any longer the soul of such a crippled body. (They fill.) It will just go once more round. And when our blood runs low, like this flask — when we pour out its last ebbing drop (empties the wine drop by drop into his goblet) — what then shall be our cry?

  George.

  Freedom forever!

  Goetz.

  Freedom forever!

  All.

  Freedom forever!

  Goetz.

  And if that survive us we can die happy; for our spirits shall see our children’s children and their emperor 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 —

  George.

  Things would be widely different.

  Goetz.

  Not so much so as it would appear. Have I not known worthy men among the princes? And can the race be extinct? Men, happy in their own minds and in their subjects, who could bear a free, noble brother in their neighborhood without harboring either fear or envy; whose hearts expanded when they saw their table surrounded by their free equals, and who did not think the knights unfit companions till they had degraded themselves by courtly homage.

  George.

  Have you known such princes?

  Goetz.

  Ay, truly. As long as I live I shall recollect how the Landgrave of Hanau made a grand hunting-party, and the princes and free feudatories dined under the open heaven, and the country-people all thronged to see them; it was no selfish masquerade instituted for his own private pleasure or vanity. To see the great round-headed peasant lads and the pretty brown girls, the sturdy hinds, and the venerable old men, a crowd of happy faces, all as merry as if they rejoiced in the splendor of their master, which he shared with them under God’s free sky!

  George.

  He must have been as good a master as you.

  Goetz.

  And may we not hope that many such will rule together some future day, to whom reverence to the emperor, peace and friendship with their neighbors, and the love of their vassals, shall be the best and dearest family treasure handed down to their children’s children? Every one will then keep and improve his own, instead of reckoning nothing as gain that is not stolen from his neighbors.

  George.

  And should we have no more forays?

  Goetz.

  Would to God there were no restless spirits in all Germany! — we should still have enough to do! We would clear the mountains of wolves, and bring our peaceable laborious neighbor a dish of game from the wood, and eat it together. Were that not full employment, we would join our brethren, and, like cherubims with flaming swords, defend the frontiers of the empire against those wolves the Turks, and those foxes the French, and guard for our beloved emperor both extremities of his extensive empire. That would be a life, George! To risk one’s head for the safety of all Germany. (George springs up.) Whither away?

  George.

  Alas! I forgot we were besieged — besieged by the very emperor; and before we can expose our lives in his defence, we must risk them for our liberty.

  Goetz.

  Be of good cheer.

  EnterLerse.

  Lerse.

  Freedom! freedom! The cowardly poltroons — the hesitating, irresolute asses! You are to depart with men, weapons, horses and armor; provisions you are to leave behind.

  Goetz.

  They will hardly find enough to exercise their jaws.

  Lerse.

  (Aside toGoetz.) Have you hidden the plate and money?

  Goetz.

  No! Wife, go with Lerse; he has something to tell thee.

  [Exeunt.

  SCENE XIX.

  The Court of the Castle.

  George. (In the stable. Sings.)

  o An urchin once, as I have heard,

  o Ha! ha!

  o Had caught and caged a little bird,

  o Sa! sa!

  o Ha! ha!

  o Sa! sa!

  o He viewed the prize with heart elate,

  o Ha! ha!

  o Thrust in his hand — ah, treacherous fate!

  o Sa! sa!

  o Ha! ha!

  o Sa! sa!

  o Away the titmouse wing’d its flight,

  o Ha! ha!

  o And laugh’d to scorn the silly wight,

  o Sa! sa!

  o Ha! ha!

  o Sa! sa!

  EnterGoetz.

  Goetz.

  How goes it?

  George.

  (Brings out his horse.) All saddled!

  Goetz.

  Thou art quick.

  George.

  As the bird escaped from the cage.

  Enter all the besieged.

  Goetz.

  Have you all your rifles? Not yet! Go, take the best from the armory, ’tis all one; we’ll ride on in advance.

  George.

  (Sings.)

  • Ha! ha!

  • Sa! sa!

  • Ha! ha!

  SCENE XX.

  The Armory.

  TwoTroopers choosing guns.

  First Trooper.

  I’ll have this one.

  Second Trooper.

  And I this —
but yonder’s a better.

  First Trooper.

  Never mind — make haste.

  [Tumult and firing without.

  Second Trooper.

  Hark!

  First Trooper.

  (Springs to the window.) Good heavens, they are murdering our master! He is unhorsed! George is down!

  Second Trooper.

  How shall we get off? Over the wall by the walnut tree, and into the field.

  [Exit.

  First Trooper.

  Lerse keeps his ground; I will to him. If they die, I will not survive them.

  [Exit.

  ACT IV.

  SCENE I.

  An Inn in the city of Heilbronn

  Goetz. (Solus.)

  Goetz.

  I am like the evil spirit whom the capuchin conjured into a sack. I fret and labor but all in vain. The perjured villains! (EnterElizabeth.) What news, Elizabeth, of my dear, my trusty followers?

  Elizabeth.

  Nothing certain: some are slain, some are prisoners; no one could or would tell me further particulars.

  Goetz.

  Is this the reward of fidelity, of filial obedience? — ”That it may be well with thee, and that thy days may be long in the land!”

  Elizabeth.

  Dear husband, murmur not against our Heavenly Father. They have their reward. It was born with them — a noble and generous heart. Even in the dungeon they are free. Pay attention to the imperial commissioners; their heavy gold chains become them —

  Goetz.

  As a necklace becomes a sow! I should like to see George and Lerse in fetters!

  Elizabeth.

  It were a sight to make angels weep.

  Goetz.

  I would not weep — I would clench my teeth, and gnaw my lip in fury. What! in fetters! Had ye but loved me less, dear lads! I could never look at them enough — What! to break their word pledged in the name of the emperor!

  Elizabeth.

  Put away these thoughts. Reflect; you must appear before the council — you are in no mood to meet them, and I fear the worst.

  Goetz.

  What harm can they do me?

  Elizabeth.

  Here comes the sergeant.

  Goetz.

  What! the ass of justice that carries the sacks to the mill and the dung to the field? What now?

  EnterSergeant.

  Sergeant.

  The lords commissioners are at the council-house, and require your presence.

  Goetz.

  I come.

  Sergeant.

  I am to escort you.

  Goetz.

  Too much honor.

  Elizabeth.

  Be but cool.

  Goetz.

  Fear nothing.

  [Exeunt.

  SCENE II.

  The Council-House at Heilbronn.

  TheImperial Commissioners seated at a table. TheCaptain and theMagistrates of the city attending.

  Magistrate.

  In pursuance of your order we have collected the stoutest and most determined of our citizens. They are at hand, in order, at a nod from you, to seize Berlichingen.

  Commissioner.

  We shall have much pleasure in communicating to his imperial majesty the zeal with which you have obeyed his illustrious commands. — Are they artisans?

  Magistrate.

  Smiths, coopers and carpenters, men with hands hardened by labor; and resolute here.

  [Points to his breast.

  Commissioner.

  ’Tis well.

  EnterSergeant.

  Sergeant.

  Goetz von Berlichingen waits without.

  Commissioner.

  Admit him.

  EnterGoetz.

  Goetz.

  God save you, sirs! What would you with me?

  Commissioner.

  First, that you consider where you are; and in whose presence.

  Goetz.

  By my faith, I know you right well, sirs.

  Commissioner.

  You acknowledge allegiance.

  Goetz.

  With all my heart.

  Commissioner.

  Be seated.

  [Points to a stool.

  Goetz.

  What, down there? I’d rather stand. That stool smells so of poor sinners, as indeed does the whole apartment.

  Commissioner.

  Stand, then.

  Goetz.

  To business, if you please.

  Commissioner.

  We shall proceed in due order.

  Goetz.

  I am glad to hear it. Would you had always done so.

  Commissioner.

  You know how you fell into our hands, and are a prisoner at discretion.

  Goetz.

  What will you give me to forget it?

  Commissioner.

  Could I give you modesty, I should better your affairs.

  Goetz.

  Better my affairs! could you but do that? To repair is more difficult than to destroy.

  Secretary.

  Shall I put all this on record?

  Commissioner.

  Only what is to the purpose.

  Goetz.

  As far as I’m concerned you may print every word of it.

  Commissioner.

  You fell into the power of the emperor whose paternal goodness got the better of his justice, and, instead of throwing you into a dungeon, ordered you to repair to his beloved city of Heilbronn. You gave your knightly parole to appear, and await the termination in all humility.

  Goetz.

  Well; I am here, and await it.

  Commissioner.

  And we are here to intimate to you his imperial majesty’s mercy and clemency. He is pleased to forgive your rebellion, to release you from the ban and all well-merited punishment; provided you do, with becoming humility, receive his bounty, and subscribe to the articles which shall be read unto you.

  Goetz.

  I am his majesty’s faithful servant, as ever. One word ere you proceed. My people — where are they? What will be done with them?

  Commissioner.

  That concerns you not.

  Goetz.

  So may the emperor turn his face from you in the hour of your need. They were my comrades, and are so now. What have you done with them?

  Commissioner.

  We are not bound to account to you.

  Goetz.

  Ah! I forgot that you are not even pledged to perform what you have promised, much less —

  Commissioner.

  Our business is to lay the articles before you. Submit yourself to the emperor, and you may find a way to petition for the life and freedom of your comrades.

  Goetz.

  Your paper.

  Commissioner.

  Secretary, read it.

  Secretary.

  (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 am no rebel, I have committed no offence against the emperor, and with the empire I have no concern.

  Commissioner.

  Be silent, and hear further.

  Goetz.

  I will hear no further. Let any one arise and bear witness. Have I ever taken one step against the emperor, or against the House of Austria? Has not the whole tenor of my conduct proved that I feel better than any one else what all Germany owes to its head; and especially what the free knights and feudatories owe to their liege lord the emperor? I should be a villain could I be induced to subscribe that paper.

  Commissioner.

  Yet we have strict orders to try and persuade you by fair means, or, in case of your refusal, to throw you into prison.

  Goetz.

  Into prison! — Me?

  Commissioner.

  Where you may expect your fate from the hands of justice, since you will not take it from those of mercy.


  Goetz.

  To prison! You abuse the imperial power! To prison! That was not the emperor’s command. What, ye traitors, to dig a pit for me, and hang out your oath, your knightly honor as the bait? To promise me permission to ward myself on parole, and then again to break your treaty!

  Commissioner.

  We owe no faith to robbers.

  Goetz.

  Wert thou not the representative of my sovereign, whom I respect even in the vilest counterfeit, thou should’st swallow that word, or choke upon it. I was engaged in an honorable feud. Thou mightest thank God, and magnify thyself before the world, hadst thou ever done as gallant a deed as that with which I now stand charged. (TheCommissioner makes a sign to theMagistrate of Heilbronn, who rings a bell.) Not for the sake of paltry gain, not to wrest followers or lands from the weak and the defenceless, have I sallied forth. To rescue my page and defend my own person — see ye any rebellion in that? The emperor and his magnates, reposing on their pillows, would never have felt our need. I have, God be praised, one hand left, and I have done well to use it.

  Enter a party ofArtisans armed with halberds and swords.

  Goetz.

  What means this?

  Commissioner.

  You will not listen. — Seize him!

  Goetz.

  Let none come near me who is not a very Hungarian ox. One salutation from my iron fist shall cure him of headache, toothache and every other ache under the wide heaven! (They rush upon him. He strikes one down; and snatches a sword from another. They stand aloof.) Come on! come on! I should like to become acquainted with the bravest among you.

  Commissioner.

  Surrender!

  Goetz.

  With a sword in my hand! Know ye not that it 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 me but free ward, and I will give up my sword, and am again your prisoner.

  Commissioner.

  How! Would you treat with the emperor, sword in hand?

  Goetz.

  God forbid! — only with you and your worthy fraternity! You may go home, good people; you are only losing your time, and here there is nothing to be got but bruises.

  Commissioner.

  Seize him! What! does not your love for the emperor supply you with courage?

  Goetz.

  No more than the emperor supplies them with plaster for the wounds their courage would earn them.

  EnterSergeant hastily.

  Officer.

  The warder has just discovered from the castle-tower a troop of more than two hundred horsemen hastening towards the town. Unperceived by us, they have pressed forward from behind the hill, and threaten our walls

  Commissioner.

  Alas! alas! What can this mean?

 

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