Works of Johann Wolfgang von Goethe
Page 175
Francis.
He shall not!
Adelaide.
Wilt thou prevent him?
Francis.
He shall not!
Adelaide.
I foresee the whole misery of my fate. He will tear me forcibly from his castle to immure me in a cloister.
Francis.
Hell and damnation!
Adelaide.
Wilt thou rescue me?
Francis.
Anything! Everything!
Adelaide.
(Throws herself weeping upon his neck.) Francis! O save me!
Francis.
He shall fall. I will plant my foot upon his neck.
Adelaide.
No violence! You shall carry a submissive letter to him announcing obedience — then give him this vial in his wine.
Francis.
Give it me! Thou shalt be free!
Adelaide.
Free! — And then no more shalt thou need to come to my chamber trembling and in fear. No more shall I need anxiously to say, “Away, Francis! the morning dawns.”
SCENE IX.
Street before the Prison at Heilbronn.
Elizabeth andLerse.
Lerse.
Heaven relieve your distress, gracious lady! Maria is come.
Elizabeth.
God be praised! Lerse, we have sunk into dreadful misery. My worst forebodings are realized! A prisoner — thrown as an assassin and malefactor into the deepest dungeon.
Lerse.
I know all.
Elizabeth.
Thou knowest nothing. Our distress is too — too great! His age, his wounds, a slow fever — and, more than all, the despondency of his mind to think that this should be his end.
Lerse.
Ay, and that Weislingen should be commissioner!
Elizabeth.
Weislingen?
Lerse.
They have acted with unheard-of severity. Metzler has been burned alive — hundreds of his associates broken upon the wheel, beheaded, quartered and impaled. All the country round looks like a slaughter-house, where human flesh is cheap.
Elizabeth.
Weislingen commissioner! O Heaven! a ray of hope! Maria shall go to him: he cannot refuse her. He had ever a compassionate heart, and when he sees her whom he once loved so much, whom he has made so miserable — where is she?
Lerse.
Still at the inn.
Elizabeth.
Take me to her. She must away instantly. I fear the worst.
[Exeunt.
SCENE X.
An Apartment inWeislingen’sCastle.
Weislingen.
(Alone.) I am so ill, so weak — all my bones are hollow — this wretched fever has consumed their very marrow. No rest, no sleep, by day or night! and when I slumber, such fearful dreams! Last night methought I met Goetz in the forest. He drew his sword, and defied me to combat. I grasped mine, but my hand failed me. He darted on me a look of contempt, sheathed his weapon, and passed on. He is a prisoner; yet I tremble to think of him. Miserable man! Thine own voice has condemned him; yet thou tremblest like a malefactor at his very shadow. And shall he die? Goetz! Goetz! we mortals are not our own masters. Fiends have empire over us, and shape our actions after their own hellish will, to goad us to perdition. (Sits down.) Weak! Weak! Why are my nails so blue? A cold, clammy, wasting sweat drenches every limb. Everything swims before my eyes. Could I but sleep! Alas!
EnterMaria.
Weislingen.
Mother of God! Leave me in peace — leave me in peace! This spectre was yet wanting. Maria is dead, and she appears to the traitor. Leave me, blessed spirit! I am wretched enough.
Maria.
Weislingen, I am no spirit. I am Maria.
Weislingen.
It is her voice!
Maria.
I came to beg my brother’s life of thee. He is guiltless, however culpable he may appear.
Weislingen.
Hush! Maria — angel of heaven as thou art, thou bringest with thee the torments of hell! Speak no more!
Maria.
And must my brother die? Weislingen, it is horrible that I should have to tell thee he is guiltless; that I should be compelled to come as a suppliant to restrain thee from a most fearful murder. Thy soul to its inmost depths is possessed by evil powers. Can this be Adelbert?
Weislingen.
Thou seest — the consuming breath of the grave hath swept over me — my strength sinks in death — I die in misery, and thou comest to drive me to despair. Could I but tell thee all, thy bitterest hate would melt to sorrow and compassion. O Maria! Maria!
Maria.
Weislingen, my brother is pining in a dungeon — the anguish of his wounds — his age — Oh, hadst thou the heart to bring his gray hairs — Weislingen, we should despair.
Weislingen.
Enough! —
[Rings a hand-bell.
EnterFrancis, in great agitation.
Francis.
Gracious sir.
Weislingen.
Those papers, Francis. (He gives them.Weislingen tears open a packet and showsMaria a paper.) Here is thy brother’s death-warrant signed!
Maria.
God in heaven!
Weislingen.
And thus I tear it. He shall live! But can I restore what I have destroyed? Weep not so, Francis! Dear youth, my wretchedness lies deeply at thy heart.
[Francis throws himself at his feet, and clasps his knees.
Maria.
(Apart.) He is ill — very ill. The sight of him rends my heart. I loved him! And now that I again approach him, I feel how dearly —
Weislingen.
Francis, arise and cease to weep — I may recover! While there is life there is hope.
Francis.
You cannot! You must die!
Weislingen.
Must?
Francis.
(Beside himself.) Poison! poison! — from your wife! I — I gave it.
[Rushes out.
Weislingen.
Follow him, Maria — he is desperate.
[ExitMaria.
Poison from my wife! Alas! alas! I feel it. Torture and death!
Maria.
(Within.) Help! help!
Weislingen.
(Attempts in vain to rise.) God! I cannot.
Maria.
(Re-entering.) He is gone! He threw himself desperately from a window of the hall into the river.
Weislingen.
It is well with him! — Thy brother is out of danger! The other commissioners, especially Seckendorf, are his friends. They will readily allow him to ward himself upon his knightly word. Farewell, Maria! Now go.
Maria.
I will stay with thee — thou poor forsaken one!
Weislingen.
Poor and forsaken indeed! O God, Thou art a terrible avenger! My wife!
Maria.
Remove from thee that thought. Turn thy soul to the throne of mercy.
Weislingen.
Go, thou gentle spirit! leave me to my misery! Horrible! Even thy presence, Maria, even the attendance of my only comforter, is agony.
Maria.
(Aside.) Strengthen me, Heaven! My soul droops with his.
Weislingen.
Alas! alas! Poison from my wife! My Francis seduced by the wretch! She waits — listens to every horse’s hoof for the messenger who brings her the news of my death. And thou too, Maria, wherefore art thou come to awaken every slumbering recollection of my sins? Leave me, leave me that I may die!
Maria.
Let me stay! Thou art alone: think I am thy nurse. Forget all. May God forgive thee as freely as I do!
Weislingen.
Thou spirit of love! pray for me! pray for me! My heart is seared.
Maria.
There is forgiveness for thee. — Thou art exhausted.
Weislingen.
I die! I die! and yet I cannot die. In the fearful contest b
etween life and death lie the torments of hell.
Maria.
Heavenly Father, have compassion upon him. Grant him but one token of Thy love, that his heart may be opened to comfort, and his soul to the hope of eternal life, even in the agony of death!
SCENE XI.
A narrow Vault dimly illuminated. TheJudges of the Secret Tribunaldiscovered seated, all muffled in black cloaks.
Eldest Judge.
Judges of the Secret Tribunal, sworn by the cord and the steel to be inflexible in justice, to judge in secret, and to avenge in secret, like the Deity! Are your hands clean and your hearts pure? Raise them to heaven and cry, — Woe upon evil-doers!
All.
Woe! woe!
Eldest Judge.
Crier, begin the diet of judgment.
Crier.
I cry, I cry for accusation against evil-doers! He whose heart is pure, whose hands are clean to swear by the cord and the steel, let him lift up his voice and call upon the steel and the cord for vengeance! vengeance! vengeance!
Accuser.
(Comes forward.) My heart is pure from misdeed, and my hands are clean from innocent blood: God pardon my sins of thought, and prevent their execution. I raise my hand on high, and cry for vengeance! vengeance! vengeance!
Eldest Judge.
Vengeance upon whom?
Accuser.
I call upon the cord and the steel for vengeance against Adelaide of Weislingen. She has committed adultery and murder. She has poisoned her husband by the hands of his servant — the servant hath slain himself — the husband is dead.
Eldest Judge.
Dost thou swear by the God of truth, that thy accusation is true?
Accuser.
I swear!
Eldest Judge.
Dost thou invoke upon thine own head the punishment of murder and adultery, should thy accusation be found false?
Accuser.
On my head be it.
Eldest Judge.
Your voices?
[They converse a few minutes in whispers.
Accuser.
Judges of the Secret Tribunal, what is your sentence upon Adelaide of Weislingen, accused of murder and adultery?
Eldest Judge.
She shall die! — she shall die a bitter and twofold death! By the double doom of the steel and the cord shall she expiate the double crime. Raise your hands to heaven and cry, Woe, woe upon her! Be she delivered into the hands of the avenger.
All.
Woe! woe!
Eldest Judge.
Woe! Avenger, come forth.
[A man advances.
Here, take thou the cord and the steel! Within eight days shalt thou blot her out from before the face of heaven: wheresoever thou findest her, down with her into the dust. Judges, ye that judge in secret and avenge in secret like the Deity, keep your hearts from wickedness, and your hands from innocent blood!
[The Scene closes.
SCENE XII.
The Court of an Inn.
Lerse andMaria.
Maria.
The horses have rested long enough: we will away, Lerse.
Lerse.
Stay till to-morrow; this is a dreadful night.
Maria.
Lerse, I cannot rest till I have seen my brother. Let us away: the weather is clearing up — we may expect a fair morning.
Lerse.
Be it as you will.
SCENE XIII.
The Prison at Heilbronn.
Goetz andElizabeth.
Elizabeth.
I entreat thee, dear husband, speak to me. Thy silence alarms me; thy spirit consumes thee, pent up within thy breast. Come, let me see thy wounds; they mend daily. In this desponding melancholy I know thee no longer!
Goetz.
Seekest thou Goetz? He is long since gone! Piece by piece have they robbed me of all I held dear — my hand, my property, my freedom, my good name! My life! of what value is it to me? What news of George? Is Lerse gone to seek him?
Elizabeth.
He is, my love! Be of good cheer; things may yet take a favorable turn.
Goetz.
He whom God hath stricken lifts himself up no more! I best know the load I have to bear. — To misfortune I am inured. — But now it is not Weislingen alone, not the peasants alone, not the death of the emperor, nor my wounds — it is the whole united — . My hour is come! I had hoped it should have been like my life. But His will be done!
Elizabeth.
Wilt thou not eat something?
Goetz.
Nothing, my love! See how the sun shines yonder!
Elizabeth.
It is a fine spring day!
Goetz.
My love, wilt thou ask the keeper’s permission for me to walk in his little garden for half an hour, that I may look upon the clear face of heaven, the pure air, and the blessed sun?
Elizabeth.
I will — and he will readily grant it.
SCENE the Last.
The Prison Garden.
Lerse andMaria.
Maria.
Go in, and see how it stands with them.
[ExitLerse.
EnterElizabeth andKeeper.
Elizabeth.
(To theKeeper.) God reward your kindness and attention to my husband! (ExitKeeper.) Maria, how hast thou sped?
Maria.
My brother is safe! But my heart is torn asunder. Weislingen is dead! poisoned by his wife. My husband is in danger — the princes are becoming too powerful for him: they say he is surrounded and besieged.
Elizabeth.
Believe not the rumor; and let not Goetz hear it.
Maria.
How is it with him?
Elizabeth.
I feared he would not survive till thy return: the hand of the Lord is heavy on him. And George is dead!
Maria.
George! The gallant boy!
Elizabeth.
When the miscreants were burning Miltenberg his master sent him to check their villany. A body of cavalry charged upon them: had they all behaved as George, they must all have had as clear a conscience. Many were killed, and George among them; he died the death of a warrior.
Maria.
Does Goetz know it?
Elizabeth.
We conceal it from him. He questions me ten times a day concerning him, and sends me as often to see what is become of him. I fear to give his heart this last wound.
Maria.
O God! what are the hopes of this world?
Enter Goetz, Lerse andKeeper.
Goetz.
Almighty God! how lovely it is beneath Thy heaven! How free! The trees put forth their buds, and all the world awakes to hope. — Farewell, my children! my roots are cut away, my strength totters to the grave.
Elizabeth.
Shall I not send Lerse to the convent for thy son, that thou may’st once more see and bless him?
Goetz.
Let him be; he needs not my blessing, he is holier than I. — Upon our wedding-day, Elizabeth, could I have thought I should die thus! — My old father blessed us, and prayed for a succession of noble and gallant sons — God, Thou hast not heard him. I am the last. — Lerse, thy countenance cheers me in the hour of death more than in our most daring fights: then, my spirit encouraged all of you; now, thine supports me. — Oh, that I could but once more see George, and sun myself in his look! You turn away and weep. He is dead? George is dead? Then die, Goetz! Thou hast outlived thyself, outlived the noblest of thy servants. — How died he? Alas! they took him among the incendiaries, and he has been executed?
Elizabeth.
No! he was slain at Miltenberg! while fighting like a lion for his freedom.
Goetz.
God be praised! He was the kindest youth under the sun, and one of the bravest. — Now release my soul. My poor wife! I leave thee in a wicked world. Lerse, forsake her not! Look your hearts more carefully than your doors. The age of fraud is at hand, treachery w
ill reign unchecked. The worthless will gain the ascendency by cunning, and the noble will fall into their net. Maria, may God restore thy husband to thee! may he not fall the deeper for having risen so high! Selbitz is dead, and the good emperor, and my George — give me a draught of water! — Heavenly air! Freedom! freedom!
[He dies.
Elizabeth.
Freedom is above! above — with thee! The world is a prison-house.
Maria.
Noble man! Woe to this age that rejected thee!
Lerse.
And woe to the future, that shall misjudge thee.
CLAVIGO
Translated by Anna Swanwick
Written in 1774, this five-act tragedy is based on the life of the French dramatist Pierre Beaumarchais. Goethe wrote the play in only eight days in May 1774. Clavigo was published by July 1774 and it is the first printed work that Goethe put his own name to, although the tragedy received negative reviews. The first performance of the play was by the Ackermannschen Gesellschaft in Hamburg on 23 August 1774. The story is based on the offer of marriage that the Canarian writer José Clavijo y Fajardo made to Beaumarchais’ sister.
The playwright Pierre Beaumarchais (1732-1799)
CONTENTS
DRAMATIS PERSONÆ.
ACT I.
SCENE I.
SCENE II.
ACT II.
SCENE I.
ACT III.
SCENE I.
ACT IV.
SCENE I.
SCENE II.
ACT V.
SCENE I.
SCENE II.
SCENE III.
SCENE IV.
SCENE V.
SCENE VI.
DRAMATIS PERSONÆ.
Clavigo.
Carlos, his friend.
Beaumarchais.
Marie Beaumarchais.
Sophie Guilbert (née Beaumarchais).
Guilbert, her husband.
Buenco.
St. George.
The scene is at Madrid.
ACT I.
SCENE I.
Clavigo’s Dwelling.
Enter Clavigo and Carlos.
Clavigo.
(Rising up from the writingtable.) The journal will do a good work, it must charm all women. Tell me, Carlos, do you not think that my weekly periodical is now one of the first in Europe?
Carlos.
We Spaniards, at least, have no modern author who unites such great strength of thought, so much florid imagination, with so brilliant and easy a style.