ASoldier enters.
Soldier.
Francis of Sickingen waits at the drawbridge, and informs you that he has heard how perfidiously you have broken your word to his brother-in-law, and how the Council of Heilbronn have aided and abetted in the treason. He is now come to insist upon justice, and if refused it, threatens, within an hour, to fire the four quarters of your town, and abandon it to be plundered by his vassals.
Goetz.
My gallant brother!
Commissioner.
Withdraw, Goetz. (ExitGoetz.) What is to be done?
Magistrate.
Have compassion upon us and our town! Sickingen is inexorable in his wrath; he will keep his word.
Commissioner.
Shall we forget what is due to ourselves and the emperor?
Captain.
If we had but men to enforce it; but situated as we are, a show of resistance would only make matters worse. It is better for us to yield.
Magistrate.
Let us apply to Goetz to put in a good word for us. I feel as though I saw the town already in flames.
Commissioner.
Let Goetz approach.
EnterGoetz.
Goetz.
What now?
Commissioner.
Thou wilt do well to dissuade thy brother-in-law from his rebellious interference. Instead of rescuing thee, he will only plunge thee deeper in destruction, and become the companion of thy fall!
Goetz.
(Sees Elizabeth at the door, and speaks to her aside.) Go; tell him instantly to break in and force his way hither, but to spare the town. As for these rascals, if they offer any resistance, let him use force. I care not if I lose my life, provided they are all knocked on the head at the same time.
SCENE III.
A large Hall in the Council-House, beset bySickingen’sTroops.
EnterSickingen andGoetz.
Goetz.
That was help from heaven. How camest thou so opportunely and unexpectedly, brother?
Sickingen.
Without witchcraft. I had despatched two or three messengers to learn how it fared with thee; when I beard of the perjury of these fellows I set out instantly, and now we have them safe.
Goetz.
I ask nothing but knightly ward upon my parole.
Sickingen.
You are too noble. Not even to avail yourself of the advantage which the honest man has over the perjurer! They are in the wrong, and we will not give them cushions to sit upon. They have shamefully abused the imperial authority, and, if I know anything of the emperor, you might safely insist upon more favorable terms. You ask too little.
Goetz.
I have ever been content with little.
Sickingen.
And therefore that little has always been denied thee. My proposal is, that they shall release your servants, and permit you all to return to your castle on parole — you can promise not to leave it till the emperor’s pleasure be known. You will be safer there than here.
Goetz.
They will say my property is escheated to the emperor.
Sickingen.
Then we will answer thou canst dwell there, and keep it for his service till he restores it to thee again. Let them wriggle like eels in the net, they shall not escape us! They may talk of the imperial dignity — of their commission. We will not mind that. I know the emperor, and have some influence with him. He has ever wished to have thee in his service. You will not be long in your castle without being summoned to serve him.
Goetz.
God grant it, ere I forget the use of arms!
Sickingen.
Valor can never be forgotten, as it can never be learned. Fear nothing! When thy affairs are settled, I will repair to court, where my enterprises begin to ripen. Good fortune seems to smile on them. I want only to sound the emperor’s mind. The towns of Triers and Pfalz as soon expect that the sky should fall, as that I shall come down upon their heads. But I will come like a hailstorm! and if I am successful, thou shalt soon be brother to an elector. I had hoped for thy assistance in this undertaking.
Goetz.
(Looks at his hand.) Oh! that explains the dream I had the night before I promised Maria to Weislingen. I thought he vowed eternal fidelity, and held my iron hand so fast that it loosened from the arm. Alas! I am at this moment more defenceless than when it was shot away. Weislingen! Weislingen!
Sickingen.
Forget the traitor! We will thwart his plans, and undermine his authority, till shame and remorse shall gnaw him to death. I see, I see the downfall of our enemies. — Goetz — only half a year more!
Goetz.
Thy soul soars high! I know not why, but for some time past no fair prospects have dawned upon me. I have been ere now it sore distress — I have been a prisoner before — but never did I experience such a depression.
Sickingen.
Fortune gives courage. Come, let us to the bigwigs. They have had time enough to deliberate, let us take the trouble upon ourselves.
[Exeunt.
SCENE IV.
The Castle ofAdelaide.Augsburg.
Adelaide andWeislingen discovered.
Adelaide.
This is detestable.
Weislingen.
I have gnashed my teeth. So good a plan — so well followed out — and after all to leave him in possession of his castle! That cursed Sickingen!
Adelaide.
The council should not have consented.
Weislingen.
They were in the net. What else could they do? Sickingen threatened them with fire and sword, — the haughty, vindictive man! I hate him! His power waxes like a mountain torrent — let it but gain a few brooks, and others come pouring to its aid.
Adelaide.
Have they no emperor?
Weislingen.
My dear wife, he waxes old and feeble; he is only the shadow of what he was. When he heard what had been done, and I and the other counsellors murmured indignantly: “Let them alone!” said he; “I can spare my old Goetz his little fortress, and if he remains quiet there, what have you to say against him?” We spoke of the welfare of the state. “Oh,” said he, “that I had always had counsellors who would have urged my restless spirit to consult more the happiness of individuals?”
Adelaide.
He has lost the spirit of a prince!
Weislingen.
We inveighed against Sickingen! — ”He is my faithful servant,” said he; “and if he has not acted by my express order, he has performed what I wished better than my plenipotentiaries, and I can ratify what he has done as well after as before.”
Adelaide.
’Tis enough to drive one mad.
Weislingen.
Yet I have not given up all hope. Goetz is on parole to remain quiet in his castle. ’Tis impossible for him to keep his promise, and we shall soon have some new cause of complaint.
Adelaide.
That is the more likely, as we may hope that the old emperor will soon leave the world, and Charles, his gallant successor, will display a more princely mind.
Weislingen.
Charles! He is neither chosen nor crowned.
Adelaide.
Who does not expect and hope for that event?
Weislingen.
You have a great idea of his abilities; one might almost think you looked on him with partial eyes.
Adelaide.
You insult me, Weislingen. For what do you take me?
Weislingen.
I do not mean to offend; but I cannot be silent upon the subject. Charles’ marked attentions to you disquiet me.
Adelaide.
And do I receive them as —
Weislingen.
You are a woman; and no woman hates those who pay their court to her.
Adelaide.
This from you?
Weislingen.
It cuts me to the heart — the dreadful thought — Adelaide.
; Adelaide.
Can I not cure thee of this folly?
Weislingen.
If thou would’st; thou canst leave the court.
Adelaide.
But upon what pretence? Art thou not here? Must I leave you and all my friends, to shut myself up with the owls in your solitary castle? No, Weislingen, that will never do; be at rest, thou knowest I love thee.
Weislingen.
That is my anchor so long as the cable holds.
[Exit.
Adelaide.
Ah! It is come to this? This was yet wanting. The projects of my bosom are too great to brook the interruption. Charles — the great, the gallant Charles — the future emperor — shall he be the only man unrewarded by my favor? Think not, Weislingen, to hinder me — else shalt thou to earth; my way lies over thee!
EnterFrancis with a letter.
Francis.
Here, gracious lady.
Adelaide.
Hadst thou it from Charles’ own hand?
Francis.
Yes.
Adelaide.
What ails thee? Thou look’st so mournful!
Francis.
It is your pleasure that I should pine away, and waste my fairest years in agonizing despair.
Adelaide.
(Aside.) I pity him; and how little would it cost me to make him happy. (Aloud.) Be of good courage, youth! I know thy love and fidelity, and will not be ungrateful.
Francis.
(With stifled breath.) If thou wert capable of ingratitude, I could not survive it. There boils not a drop of blood in my veins but what is thine own — I have not a single feeling but to love and to serve thee!
Adelaide.
Dear Francis!
Francis.
You flatter me. (Bursts into tears.) Does my attachment deserve only to be a stepping stool to another — to see all your thoughts fixed upon Charles?
Adelaide.
You know not what you wish, and still less what you say.
Francis.
(Stamping with vexation and rage.) No more will I be your slave, your go-between!
Adelaide.
Francis, you forget yourself.
Francis.
To sacrifice my beloved master and myself —
Adelaide.
Out of my sight!
Francis.
Gracious lady!
Adelaide.
Go, betray to thy beloved master the secret of my soul! Fool that I was to take thee for what thou art not.
Francis.
Dear lady! you know how I love you.
Adelaide.
And thou, who wast my friend — so near my heart — go, betray me.
Francis.
Rather would I tear my heart from my breast! Forgive me, gentle lady! my heart is too full, my senses desert me.
Adelaide.
Thou dear, affectionate boy! (She takes him by both hands, draws him towards her and kisses him. He throws himself weeping upon her neck.) Leave me!
Francis.
(His voice choked by tears.) Heavens!
Adelaide.
Leave me! The walls are traitors. Leave me! (Breaks from him.) Be but steady in fidelity and love, and the fairest reward is thine.
[Exit.
Francis.
The fairest reward! let me but live till that moment — I could murder my father, were he an obstacle to my happiness!
[Exit.
SCENE V.
Jaxthausen.
Goetz seated at a table with writing materials.Elizabeth beside him with her work.
Goetz.
This idle life does not suit me. My confinement becomes more irksome every day; I would I could sleep, or persuade myself that quiet is agreeable.
Elizabeth.
Continue writing the account of thy deeds which thou hast commenced. Give into the hands of thy friends evidence to put thine enemies to shame; make a noble posterity acquainted with thy real character.
Goetz.
Alas! writing is but busy idleness; it wearies me. While I am writing what I have done, I lament the misspent time in which I might do more.
Elizabeth.
(Takes the writing.) Be not impatient. Thou hast come to thy first imprisonment at Heilbronn.
Goetz.
That was always an unlucky place to me.
Elizabeth.
(Reads.) “There were even some of the confederates who told me that I had acted foolishly in appearing before my bitterest enemies, who, as I might suspect, would not deal justly with me.” And what didst thou answer? Write on.
Goetz.
I said, “Have I not often risked life and limb for the welfare and property of others, and shall I not do so for the honor of my knightly word?”
Elizabeth.
Thus does fame speak of thee.
Goetz.
They shall not rob me of my honor. They have taken all else from me — property — liberty — everything.
Elizabeth.
I happened once to stand in an inn near the Lords of Miltenberg and Singlingen, who knew me not. Then I was joyful as at the birth of my first-born; for they extolled thee to each other, and said, — He is the mirror of knighthood, noble and merciful in prosperity, dauntless and true in misfortune.
Goetz.
Let them show me the man to whom I have broken my word. Heaven knows, my ambition has ever been to labor for my neighbor more than for myself, and to acquire the fame of a gallant and irreproachable knight, rather than principalities or power; and, God be praised! I have gained the meed of my labor.
EnterGeorge andLerse with game.
Goetz.
Good luck to my gallant huntsmen!
George.
Such have we become from gallant troopers. Boots can easily be cut down into buskins.
Lerse.
The chase is always something — ’tis a kind of war.
George.
Yes; if we were not always crossed by these imperial gamekeepers. Don’t you recollect, my lord, how you prophesied we should become huntsmen when the world was turned topsy-turvy? We are become so now without waiting for that.
Goetz.
’Tis all the same, we are pushed out of our sphere.
George.
These are wonderful times! For eight days a dreadful comet has been seen — all Germany fears that it portends the death of the emperor, who is very ill.
Goetz.
Very ill! Then our career draws to a close.
Lerse.
And in the neighborhood there are terrible commotions; the peasants have made a formidable insurrection.
Goetz.
Where?
Lerse.
In the heart of Swabia; they are plundering, burning and slaying. I fear they will sack the whole country.
George.
It is a horrible warfare! They have already risen in a hundred places, and daily increase in number. A hurricane too has lately torn up the whole forests; and in the place where the insurrection began, two fiery swords have been seen in the sky crossing each other.
Goetz.
Then some of my poor friends and neighbors no doubt suffer innocently.
George.
Alas! that we are pent up thus!
ACT V.
SCENE I.
A Village plundered by the insurgent Peasantry. Shrieks and tumult.
Women, Old Men andChildren fly across the Stage.
Old Man.
Away! away! let us fly from the murdering dogs.
Woman.
Sacred heaven! How blood-red is the sky! how blood-red the setting sun!
Another.
That must be fire.
A Third.
My husband! my husband!
Old Man.
Away! away! To the wood!
[Exeunt.
EnterLink andInsurgents.
Link.
Whoever opposes you, down with him! The village is ours. Let none of the booty b
e injured, none be left behind. Plunder clean and quickly. We must soon set fire —
EnterMetzler, coming down the hill.
Metzler.
How do things go with you, Link?
Link.
Merrily enough, as you see; you are just in time for the fun. — Whence come you?
Metzler.
From Weinsberg. There was a jubilee.
Link.
How so?
Metzler.
We stabbed them all, in such heaps it was a joy to see it!
Link.
All whom?
Metzler.
Dietrich von Weiler led up the dance. The fool! We were all raging around the church steeple. He looked out and wished to treat with us. — Baf! A ball through his head! Up we rushed like a tempest, and the fellow soon made his exit by the window.
Link.
Huzza!
Metzler.
(To thePeasants.) Ye dogs, must I find you legs? How they gape and loiter, the asses!
Link.
Set fire! Let them roast in the flames! forward! Push on, ye dolts.
Metzler.
Then we brought out Helfenstein, Eltershofen, thirteen of the nobility — eighty in all. They were led out on the plain before Heilbronn. What a shouting and jubilee among our lads as the long row of miserable sinners passed by! they stared at each other, and, heaven and earth! we surrounded them before they were aware, and then despatched them all with our pikes.
Link.
Why was I not there?
Metzler.
Never in all my life did I see such fun.
Link.
On! on! Bring all out!
Peasant.
All’s clear.
Link.
Then fire the village at the four corners.
Metzler.
‘Twill make a fine bonfire! Hadst thou but seen how the fellows tumbled over one another, and croaked like frogs! It warmed my heart like a cup of brandy. One Rexinger was there, a fellow, with a white plume and flaxen locks, who, when he went out hunting, used to drive us before him like dogs, and with dogs. I had not caught sight of him all the while, when suddenly his fool’s visage looked me full in the face. Push! went the spear between his ribs, and there he lay stretched on all-fours above his companions. The fellows lay kicking in a heap like the hares that used to be driven together at their grand hunting parties.
Link.
It smokes finely already!
Metzler.
Yonder it burns! Come, let us with the booty to the main body.
Link.
Where do they halt?
Metzler.
Between this and Heilbronn. They wish to choose a captain whom every one will respect, for we are after all only their equals; they feel this, and turn restive.
Works of Johann Wolfgang von Goethe Page 173