The Burgomaster's Wife — Complete

by Georg Ebers

  CHAPTER XXVII.

  The first week in June and half the second had passed, the beautifulsunny days had drawn to a close, and numerous guests sought the"Angulus" in Aquarius's tavern during the evening hours. It was so cosythere when the sea-breeze whistled, the rain poured, and the water fellplashing on the pavements. The Spanish besieging army encompassedthe city like an iron wall. Each individual felt that he was afellow-prisoner of his neighbor, and drew closer to companions of hisown rank and opinions. Business was stagnant, idleness and anxietyweighed like lead on the minds of all, and whoever wished to make timepass rapidly and relieve his oppressed soul, went to the tavern to giveutterance to his own hopes and fears, and hear what others were thinkingand feeling in the common distress.

  All the tables in the Angulus were occupied, and whoever wanted to beunderstood by a distant neighbor was forced to raise his voice veryloud, for special conversations were being carried on at every table.Here, there, and everywhere, people were shouting to the busy bar-maid,glasses clinked together, and pewter lids fell on the tops of hardstone-ware jugs.

  The talk at a round table in the end of the long room was louder thananywhere else. Six officers had seated themselves at it, among themGeorg von Dornburg. Captain Van der Laen, his superior officer, whosepast career had been a truly heroic one, was loudly relating in his deepvoice, strange and amusing tales of his travels by sea and land, ColonelMulder often interrupted him, and at every somewhat incredible story,smilingly told a similar, but perfectly impossible adventure of his own.Captain Van Duivenvoorde soothingly interposed, when Van der Laen, whowas conscious of never deviating far from the truth, angrily repelledthe old man's jesting insinuations. Captain Cromwell, a grave man witha round head and smooth long hair, who had come to Holland to fight forthe faith, rarely mingled in the conversation, and then only with a fewwords of scarcely intelligible Dutch. Georg, leaning far back in hischair, stretched his feet out before him and stared silently intovacancy.

  Herr Aquanus, the host, walked from one table to another, and when heat last reached the one where the officers sat, paused opposite to theThuringian, saying:

  "Where are your thoughts, Junker? One would scarcely know you during thelast few days. What has come over you?"

  Georg hastily sat erect, stretched himself like a person roused fromsleep, and answered pleasantly:

  "Dreams come in idleness."

  "The cage is getting too narrow for him," said Captain Van der Laen. "Ifthis state of things lasts long, we shall all get dizzy like the sheep."

  "And as stiff as the brazen Pagan god on the shelf yonder," addedColonel Mulder.

  "There was the same complaint during the first siege," replied the host,"but Herr von Noyelles drowned his discontent and emptied many a cask ofmy best liquor."

  "Tell the gentlemen how he paid you," cried Colonel Mulder.

  "There hangs the paper framed," laughed Aquarius. "Instead of sendingmoney, he wrote this:

  'Full many a favor, dear friend, hast thou done me, For which good hard coin glad wouldst thou be to see There's none in my pockets; so for the debt In place of dirty coin, This written sheet so fine; Paper money in Leyden is easy to get.'"

  "Excellent!" cried Junker von Warmond, "and besides you made the die forthe pasteboard coins yourself."

  "Of course! Herr von Noyelles' sitting still, cost me dear. You havealready made two expeditions."

  "Hush, hush, for God's sake say nothing about the first sally!"cried the captain. "A well-planned enterprise, which was shamefullyfrustrated, because the leader lay down like a mole to sleep! Where hassuch a thing happened a second time?"

  "But the other ended more fortunately," said the host. "Three hundredhams, one hundred casks of beer, butter, ammunition, and the mostworthless of all spies into the bargain; always an excellent prize."

  "And yet a failure!" cried Captain Van der Laen, "We ought to havecaptured and brought in all the provision ships on the Leyden Lake! Andthe Kaag! To think that this fort on the island should be in the handsof the enemy."

  "But the people have held out bravely," said von Warmond.

  "There are real devils among them," replied Van der Laen, laughing. "Onestruck a Spaniard down and, in the midst of the battle, took off his redbreeches and pulled them on his own legs."

  "I know the man," added the landlord, "his name is Van Keulen; therehe sits yonder over his beer, telling the people all sorts of queerstories. A fellow with a face like a satyr. We have no lack of comfortyet! Remember Chevraux' defeat, and the Beggars' victory at Vlissingenon the Scheldt."

  "To brave Admiral Boisot and the gallant Beggar troops!" cried CaptainVan der Laen, touching glasses with Colonel Mulder. The latter turnedwith upraised beaker towards the Thuringian and, as the Junker whohad relapsed into his reverie, did not notice the movement, irritablyexclaimed:

  "Well, Herr Dornburg, you require a long time to pledge a man."

  Georg started and answered hastily:

  "Pledge? Oh! yes. Pledge. I pledge you, Colonel!" With these words heraised the goblet, drained it at a single draught, made the nail testand replaced it on the table.

  "Well done!" cried the old man; and Herr Aquanus said:

  "He learned that at the University; studying makes people thirsty."

  As he uttered the words, he cast a friendly glance of anxiety at theyoung German, and then looked towards the door, through which Wilhelmhad just entered the Angulus. The landlord went to meet him andwhispered:

  "I don't like the German nobleman's appearance. The singing lark hasbecome a mousing night-bird. What ails him?"

  "Home-sickness, no news from his family, and the snare into which thewar has drawn him in his pursuit of glory and honor. He'll soon be hisold self again."

  "I hope so," replied the host. "Such a succulent little tree willquickly rebound, when it is pressed to the earth; help the fine youngfellow."

  A guest summoned the landlord, but the musician joined the officers andbegan a low conversation with Georg, which was drowned by the confusedmingling of loud voices.

  Wilhelm came from the Van der Werff house, where he had learned that thenext day but one, June fourteenth, would be the burgomaster's birthday.Adrian had told Henrica, and the latter informed him. The master of thehouse was to be surprised with a song on the morning of his birthdayfestival.

  "Excellent," said Georg, interrupting his friend, "she will manage thematter admirably."

  "Not she alone; we can depend upon Frau Van der Werff too. At first shewanted to decline, but when I proposed a pretty madrigal, yielded andtook the soprano."

  "The soprano?" asked the Junker excitedly. "Of course I'm at yourservice. Let us go; have you the notes at home?"

  "No, Herr von Dornburg, I have just taken them to the ladies; but earlyto-morrow morning--"

  "There will be a rehearsal early to-morrow morning! The jug is for me,Jungfer Dortchen! Your health, Colonel Mulder! Captain Huivenvoorde,I drain this goblet to your new standard and hope to have many a jollyride by your side."

  The German's eyes again sparkled with an eager light, and when CaptainVan der Laen, continuing his conversation, cried enthusiastically: "TheBeggars of the Sea will yet sink the Spanish power. The sea, gentlemen.the sea! To base one's cause on nothing, is the best way! To exult, leapand grapple in the storm! To fight and struggle man to man and breast tobreast on the deck of the enemy's ship! To fight and conquer, or perishwith the foe!"

  "To your health, Junker!" exclaimed the colonel. "Zounds, we need suchyouths!"

  "Now you are your old self again," said Wilhelm, turning to his friend."Touch glasses to your dear ones at home."

  "Two glasses for one," cried Georg. "To the dear ones at home--tothe joys and sorrows of the heart, to the fair woman we love! War israpture, love is life! Let the wounds bleed, let the heart break intoa thousand pieces. Laurels grow green on the battle-field, love twinesgarlands of roses-roses with thorns, yet beautiful roses! Go, beaker! Noother lips
shall drink from you."

  Georg's cheeks glowed as he flung the glass goblet into a corner ofthe room, where it shattered into fragments. His comrades at the tablecheered loudly, but Captain Cromwell rose quietly to leave the room, andthe landlord shook his wise head doubtfully.

  It seemed as if fire had poured into Georg's soul and his spirit hadgained wings. The thick waving locks curled in dishevelled masses aroundhis handsome head, as leaning far back in his chair with unfastenedcollar, he mingled clever sallies and brilliant similes with the quietconversation of the others. Wilhelm listened to his words sometimes withadmiration, sometimes with anxiety. It was long past midnight, when themusician left the tavern with his friend. Colonel Mulder looked afterhim and exclaimed to those left behind:

  "The fellow is possessed with a devil."

  The next morning the madrigal was practised at the burgomaster's house,while its master was presiding over a meeting at the town-hall. Georgstood between Henrica and Maria. So long as the musician found itnecessary to correct errors and order repetitions, a cheerful moodpervaded the little choir, and Barbara, in the adjoining room, oftenheard the sound of innocent laughter; but when each had mastered his orher part and the madrigal was faultlessly executed, the ladies grew moreand more grave. Maria gazed fixedly at the sheet of music, and rarelyhad her voice sounded so faultlessly pure, so full of feeling. Georgadapted his singing to hers and his eyes, whenever they were raisedfrom the notes, rested on her face. Henrica sought to meet the Junker'sglance, but always in vain, yet she wished to divert his attention fromthe young wife, and it tortured her to remain unnoticed. Some impulseurged her to surpass Maria, and the whole passionate wealth of hernature rang out in her singing. Her fervor swept the others along.Maria's treble rose exultantly above the German's musical voice, andHenrica's tones blended angrily yet triumphantly in the strain. Thedelighted and inspired musician beat the time and, borne away by theliquid melody of Henrica's voice, revelled in sweet recollections of hersister.

  When the serenade was finished, he eagerly cried:

  "Again!" The rivalry between the singers commenced with fresh vigor,and this time the Junker's beaming gaze met the young wife's eyes. Shehastily lowered the notes, stepped out of the semicircle, and said:

  "We know the madrigal. Early to-morrow morning, Meister Wilhelm; my timeis limited."

  "Oh, oh!" cried the musician regretfully. "It was going on sosplendidly, and there were only a few bars more." But Maria was alreadystanding at the door and made no reply, except:

  "To-morrow."

  The musician enthusiastically thanked Henrica for her singing; Georgcourteously expressed his gratitude. When both had taken leave, Henricapaced rapidly to and fro, passionately striking her clenched fist in thepalm of her other hand.

  The singers were ready early on the birthday morning, but Peter hadrisen before sunrise, for there was a proposition to be arranged withthe city clerk, which must be completed before the meeting of thecouncil. Nothing was farther from his thoughts than his birthday, andwhen the singers in the dining-room commenced their madrigal, he rappedon the door, exclaiming:

  "We are busy; find another place for your singing." The melody wasinterrupted for a moment, and Barbara said:

  "People picking apples don't think of fishing-nets. He has no idea it ishis birthday. Let the children go in first."

  Maria now entered the study with Adrian and Bessie. They carriedbouquets in their hands, and the young wife had dressed the little girlso prettily that, in her white frock, she really looked like a daintyfairy.

  Peter now knew the meaning of the singing, warmly embraced the threewell-wishers, and when the madrigal began again, stood opposite to theperformers to listen. True, the execution was not nearly so good asat the rehearsal, for Maria sang in a low and somewhat muffled voice,while, spite of Wilhelm's vehement beating of time, the warmth and verveof the day before would not return.

  "Admirable, admirable," cried Peter, when the singers ceased. "Wellplanned and executed, a beautiful birthday surprise." Then he shookhands with each, saying a few cordial words and, as he grasped theJunker's right hand, remarked warmly: "You have dropped down on us fromthe skies during these bad days, just at the right time. It is alwayssomething to have a home in a foreign land, and you have found one withus."

  Georg had bent his eyes on the floor, but at the last words raised themand met the burgomaster's. How honestly, how kindly and frankly theylooked at him! Deep emotion overpowered him, and without knowing whathe was doing, he laid his hands on Peter's arms and hid his face on hisshoulder.

  Van der Werff suffered him to do so, stroked the youth's hair, and saidsmiling:

  "Like Leonhard, wife, just like our Leonhard. We will dine togetherto-day. You, too, Van Hout; and don't forget your wife."

  Maria assigned the seats at the table, so that she was not obliged tolook at Georg. His place was beside Frau Van Hout and opposite Henricaand the musician. At first he was silent and embarrassed, but Henricagave him no rest, and when he had once begun to answer her questionshe was soon carried away by her glowing vivacity, and gave free, joyousplay to his wit. Henrica did not remain in his debt, her eyes sparkled,and in the increasing pleasure of trying the power of her intellectagainst his, she sought to surpass every jest and repartee made bythe Junker. She drank no wine, but was intoxicated by her own flow oflanguage and so completely engrossed Georg's attention, that he foundno time to address a word to the other guests. If he attempted to do so,she quickly interrupted him and compelled him to turn to her again. Thisconstraint annoyed the young man; while struggling against it hisspirit of wantonness awoke, and he began to irritate Henrica into makingunprecedented assertions, which he opposed with equally unwarrantableones of his own.

  Maria sometimes listened to the young lady in surprise, and there wassomething in Georg's manner that vexed her. Peter took little noticeof Henrica; he was talking with Van Hout about the letters from theGlippers asking a surrender, three of which had already been broughtinto the city, of the uncertain disposition of some members of thecouncil and the execution of the captured spy.

  Wilhelm, who had scarcely vouchsafed his neighbor an answer, was nowfollowing the conversation of the older men and remarked, that he hadknown the traitor. He was a tavern-keeper, in whose inn he had once metHerr Matanesse Van Wibisma.

  "There we have it," said Van Hout. "A note was found in Quatgelat'spouch, and the writing bore a mysterious resemblance to the baron'shand. Quatgelat was to enquire about the quantity of provisions inLeyden." "All alike!" exclaimed the burgomaster. "Unhappily he couldhave brought tidings only too welcome to Valdez. Little that is cheeringhas resulted from the investigation; though the exact amount has not yetbeen ascertained."

  "We must place it during the next few days in charge of the ladies."

  "Give it to the women?" asked Peter in astonishment.

  "Yes, to us!" cried Van Hout's wife. "Why should we sit idle, when wemight be of use."

  "Give us the work!" exclaimed Maria. "We are as eager as you, to renderthe great cause some service."

  "And believe me," added Frau Van Hout, "we shall find admittance tostore-rooms and cellars much more quickly than constables and guards,whom the housewives fear."

  "Women in the service of the city," said Peter thoughtfully. "To behonest--but your proposal shall be considered.--The young lady is ingood spirits today."

  Maria glanced indignantly at Henrica, who had leaned far across thetable. She was showing Georg a ring, and laughingly exclaimed:

  "Don't you wish to know what the device means? Look, a serpent bitingits own tail."

  "Aha!" replied the Junker, "the symbol of self-torment."

  "Good, good! But it has another meaning, which you would do well tonotice, Sir Knight. Do you know the signification of eternity andeternal faith?"

  "No, Fraulein, I wasn't taught to think so deeply at Jena."

  "Of course. Your teachers were men. Men and faith, eternal faith!"

  "Was Delil
ah, who betrayed Samson to the Philistines, a man or a woman?"asked Van Hout.

  "She was a woman. The exception, that proves the rule. Isn't that so,Maria?"

  The burgomaster's wife made no reply except a silent nod; thenindignantly pushed back her chair, and the meal was over.