Berliner Ensemble Adaptations

by Bertolt Brecht

  Major (about to assault him again) Another charge of powder wasted! Swine, I wish it had gone straight through your body, seeing we can’t get any sense out of you!

  Privy Councillor Berg!

  Lisa Are you Major von Berg? Oh, your grace, there was a lady at the inn, she ordered coffee. As she was paying she said to the landlord, “If my father comes asking for me, don’t tell him I went to the pond by the elm trees. Tell him, good people, that I send him my love.”

  Major To the pond? To the pond! To the pond! (Goes out)

  Privy Councillor The man can’t swim.

  Count If only I could!

  Privy Councillor I mustn’t lose sight of him. (Throws Hasty a purse) Use it to get well and remember you wounded my brother a good deal worse than he wounded you.

  (The Privy Councillor and the Count leave quickly)

  Hasty (with bitterness) What’s the horse got to do with it! My vita sexualis can go hang!

  13

  Near Insterburg.

  Gussie at the edge of a pond surrounded by bushes. Major, Privy Councillor, Count Vermouth, servants.

  Gussie Nobody’s coming. Must I die here? Fritz, oh Fritz! Why didn’t you come home for the holidays? Then I was still … Clouds are passing over the moon. No one will ever find me.

  Major (from a distance) Gussie! Gussie!

  (Gussie puts down her shoes and wades into the pond, her face turned back)

  Major (appears, followed by the Privy Councillor and Count Vermouth) Heigh-ho! Somebody’s gone into the pond—there, look, it’s a woman. After her, Berg! I’ll save her or go to hell. (Wades after her)

  Privy Councillor God Almighty, he’s going to drown too.

  Count Let’s hope it’s shallow.

  Privy Councillor To the other side! (To the servants who are carrying long poles) After them, fellows!—I think he’s grabbed her … There … back there, by the bushes.—Don’t you see? He’s wading along the shore. God preserve our wits! On the other hand, can one help being moved by human …

  (The servants probe the pond with their poles)

  Major (backstage) Help! This way! It’s my daughter!

  Privy Councillor (to Count Vermouth) The tragedy of it all! The tragedy! The poor man; for all we know, he’s saving two lives.

  Count (to Privy Councillor) I feel so helpless. Those crude fellows (pointing at the servants) are better at it.

  Major Odds bobs, zookers and bodkins! Give me a pole! The plague …

  Privy Councillor (kicks a servant in the behind, making him fall in the water) Get out there, you rascal. Don’t just think of yourself!

  (Major Berg carries Gussie on to the stage)

  Major There! (Puts her down and kneels down beside her) Gussie! Why did you do it?—If only you had breathed a word to me. I’d have bought the swine a title, then you could have crawled into bed with him to your heart’s content.—For God’s sake, do something. She’s only fainted.

  Privy Councillor I wish I knew where that goddam surgeon was.

  Gussie (in a feeble voice) Father!

  Major What do you want?

  Gussie Your forgiveness.

  Major Forgiveness be damned, you spoiled brat.—No, don’t collapse. I forgive you—and you forgive me. I’ve put a bullet through that scoundrel’s brains.

  Privy Councillor I think we’d better carry her.

  Major Let her be! What concern is she of yours? Worry about your own flesh and blood at home! (Carrying her in his arms) There, my girl—really, I ought to walk back into the pond with you (swings her toward the pond)—but maybe we shouldn’t try to swim until we’ve learned how.—(Presses her to his heart) Godless hussy! (Carries her out)

  Interlude

  To the accompaniment of a music box which misses a few notes, the stage revolves to show the passing of a year and how our characters are spending it. Winter: Fritz von Berg strolling under lemon trees in Italy; spring: Squint marrying his Caroline in Halle; summer: Gussie sewing diapers in Insterburg; autumn: Hasty still writing out exercises at the village school.

  Act Four

  14

  Village school.

  a)

  Stormy night in November. Hasty is correcting papers. Lisa comes in.

  Lisa I’ve frightened you. I only wanted to ask you if you—needed anything, Mr. Midge.

  Hasty Me? Need anything? Why, I never do. What should a wretch like me need? I have everything. And I’ll be going to bed soon.

  Lisa I shouldn’t have disturbed you. I’ll go, Mr. Midge. You’re always writing.

  Hasty Heavenly apparition!

  Lisa I thought the lamp might be smoking.

  Hasty I see.

  Lisa But it isn’t.

  Hasty You’re cold, my child. Let me put my scarf on you. Now go.

  Lisa A pot of coffee, Mr. Midge, to keep you warm?

  Hasty No. Yes, make some coffee. (Lisa goes out) Have I gone mad? What has happened to me? This innocent creature. This angel of kindness. And I, in these few minutes assailed by contemptible instincts! Whence this hurricane rising from a mere nothing? She shows an innocent solicitude—is my lamp smoking?—I requite her with carnal lust! Under my benefactor’s own roof, in sight of the objects—this chair, this bed—with which he has surrounded me in his loving kindness. That is how I repay the man who taught me what it is to teach. Monster that I am, shall I never mend my ways? Is it to start all over again? Haven’t I already …? My head’s in a whirl. Ravished. Fished out of the pond by a despairing father, pushed in by me. And now, is it to be Lisa? Never! Never! (He bars the door) Midge, get back to work! (He works again) Write straight, live straight. What am I coming to with this hurricane in my heart? How long does it take to make a pot of coffee? Grade papers, correct spelling, a bodice is made for concealment, stop trying to look through it. Scoundrel without a reference, without a future. (A knocking at the door) Don’t move! The latch will hold. Angel, turn back! (He opens the door)

  Lisa (comes in with a pot) Why do you lock yourself in? No evil-doer would come this way at night. Here’s your hot drink.

  Hasty Thank you. (Takes it from her and pushes her out) That’s done. (Sinks onto a chair) Go in peace, Lisa, you’re saved. (Another knock) The latch! (Lisa comes in)

  Lisa I’m back again, Mr. Midge. Do you mind?

  Hasty Yes, I mind.

  Lisa I’ve come because you said there would be no catechism tomorrow—because you—that’s why I’ve come—you said—I’ve come to ask if there’d be catechism tomorrow.

  Hasty Oh!—Those cheeks, angels of heaven! See how they burn with the fire of innocence, then condemn me if you can —Lisa, why are your hands trembling? Why are your lips so pale and your cheeks so red? What do you want?

  Lisa To know if there’ll be catechism tomorrow.

  Hasty Come, Lisa, sit down.—Who puts your hair up when you go to church? (Makes her sit down on a chair beside him)

  Lisa (wants to get up) Excuse me. My cap must be crooked. There was such a wind when I went to the kitchen.

  Hasty (takes both her hands in his) Oh you are—How old are you, Lisa? Have you ever—what was I saying—have you ever been courted?

  Lisa (gaily) Oh yes, and Greta at the Sheepshead Inn was envious. “How can he be so interested in that stupid girl?” that’s what she used to say. And then I knew an officer too, before you came here.

  Hasty An officer?

  Lisa Oh, yes. And most distinguished, with three stripes on his arm. But I was too young, my mother wouldn’t let me have him.

  Hasty And then?

  Lisa Because of the life soldiers lead, always moving about, and in the end they have nothing.

  Hasty And me? What have I got?

  Lisa But you’re in trouble, Mr. Midge.

  Hasty Would you—would you really—(slaps his hand with the ruler)

  Lisa Oh yes, with all my heart. (Hasty throws himself on her and kisses her hand. Lisa takes it away) Oh, you mustn’t. My hand is all black from the
stove.—Shame on you, what are you doing? You know, I always thought I wanted a clergyman. Even as a child I liked educated gentlemen, they’re so gentle and polite, not slam-bang like soldiers, though in a way I like them too, I can’t deny it, because of their gay coats. If clergymen wore such gay coats, really it would be the end of me.

  Hasty (leaps at her and seizes her) Oh, Lisa! You don’t know how unhappy I am.

  Lisa For shame, sir, what are you doing?

  Hasty Once more. And then never never again! (Kisses her)

  Lisa No, no, no …

  Wenceslas (bursting in) What’s going on? Is this the attention you owe to your flock? A rabid wolf in sheep’s clothing? Seducing the innocence it’s your duty to protect!

  Hasty Master Wenceslas!

  Wenceslas Not a word! You’ve shown your true colors. Leave my house, you seducer!

  Lisa (kneels before Wenceslas) Dear godfather, he’s done me no wrong.

  Wenceslas He’s done you more wrong than if he were your worst enemy. He has seduced your innocent mind.

  Hasty I confess my guilt.—But how could anyone resist such charms? Unless you tear the heart out of my body …

  Wenceslas Do you mean to go on seducing innocent girls? Is that your plan?

  Hasty No, no. God is my witness, if I sealed these innocent lips with my kisses, it was only to stop them from inciting me to far greater crimes with the magic of their speech.

  Wenceslas And how would you support her, you pauper?

  Hasty That’s what I told her.

  Wenceslas Do you think that will keep her fed? You, get up, innocent victim. You’re a disgrace to your profession. Where are your references? Where can you show your face? Out of my sight, you reprobate! (Takes the copy books away) You will corrupt my good children no longer. Tomorrow morning you leave my house! (He drags Lisa out)

  b)

  Hasty, at the open window.

  Hasty There I go again!—Roar, ye night winds! And you, unworthy fiend, out into the storm with you! Did you think you could shape little children in your own image? Behold your face in this window glass, and tremble! Does a nurseryman pull up his seedlings? Guardian, where is your guardian? All your life you’ve been an outcast. After what you have done will you go to him and say: Unfortunate man—unfortunate because you trusted me—give me the hand of your ward whom I have abused. You can ruin her, but can you feed her? And yet, is it so reprehensible to be human? Carnal or not, are such impulses unnatural? A curse on nature for not making me a stone in the presence of her creation! What’s wrong with me? A stablehand is allowed to be a man. Not I. Shall I pluck out the eye that offends me? Shall I stand up to you, spirit of creation, and say: I reject your purposes? The face you gave me is disfigured, I myself disfigured it because it did not fit. And say to the wind, when you come back tomorrow, I shall be here no longer. So be it. I must. I will set an example to make you tremble! (Tears off his coat)

  c)

  Hasty, in bed. Wenceslas comes in.

  Wenceslas Holy God! What is it now? Why have you called me away from my work? This room!—It looks like a battlefield. Why are you still in bed? I’ve told you to leave my house. You should have been on your way to Heidebühl long ago.

  Hasty I believe I’m on my way somewhere else.

  Wenceslas Why those fearful glances? They make my blood run cold. Frigidus per ossa—What is it?—As if you had killed a man.—Why are you making such a face?

  Hasty Master Wenceslas, I don’t know if I’ve done right.—I’ve castrated myself.

  Wenceslas What?—Emasculated?—But that’s …

  Hasty I hope you’ll grant me a few more days under your desecrated roof.

  Wenceslas Say no more. You shouldn’t have done it. Why, you’re a second Origen! Let me embrace you, young man, oh precious chosen vessel. A deed like this can make you a beacon of the school system, a shining star of pedagogy. I congratulate you. Wenceslas salutes you with a Jubilate and Evoë—my spiritual son!

  Hasty And yet, dear schoolmaster, I regret it.

  Wenceslas What, regret it? Not for one moment, my dear colleague! Will you darken your noble deed with foolish regrets and sully it with sinful tears? Do I see tears welling up in your eyes? Swallow your tears and intone a joyful song: I have freed myself from vanity, and need but wings to fly. Are you going to behave like Lot’s wife, looking back at Sodom when you’ve already reached the peace and safety of Zoar? No, no. I prefer our blessed Doctor Luther: Whatsoever rises is for our dear Lord, whatsoever descends is for Beelzebub.

  Hasty I’m afraid my motives were of a different kind … Repentance … Concern for my livelihood.

  Wenceslas That’s taken care of now. Who can be better fitted for a teaching career than you? Now you have the highest qualifications of them all. Haven’t you destroyed your rebellious spirit, subordinated everything to duty? No longer will your private life deflect you from shaping human beings in your own image. What more could you have done? As to your future, don’t let it worry you. You’ve done your duty. Your prospects are of the brightest.

  Hasty I’ve written a letter to Major von Berg. It’s there on the table, beside the knife. Would you read it and send it off if you approve?

  Wenceslas (reads) “… And so, by my own decision—a cruel one, I can assure you—I have eliminated any danger that may have arisen from my manhood … Between Scylla and Charybdis, between nature and my profession, I have chosen my profession, and venture to hope that you will most mercifully vouchsafe me a testimonial permitting me the exercise of that profession. All the more so, most gracious lord, as I shall endeavor must dutifully, in all other respects as well—I repeat, in all respects—to do and to teach exactly what is desired of me, for my own good and that of my fellow men … I am, most gracious etc. … Your most humble and obedient servant … Postcript: Furthermore I promise always to teach the martydom of our Hero-King without omissions.”

  Hasty Is it still storming?

  Wenceslas No.

  Hasty No.

  Wenceslas Everything’s covered with snow.

  Hasty Safely tucked away.

  Wenceslas Great-hearted sufferer, any teaching position, I assure you, any teaching position in the district is open to you.

  Act Five

  15

  Halle, winter.

  Squint in slippers, smoking his pipe. Fritz in traveling habit.

  Squint Let me quote what Immanuel Kant has to say: “Matrimony (matrimonium) is a contract between two persons providing for the lifelong use of each other’s sexual organs.” And here: “Hence, though based on the supposition of pleasure through the mutual use of the sexual attributes, that is to say, the sexual organs, the marriage contract is no arbitrary contract, but one made necessary by the laws of mankind, that is, if man and woman desire to derive pleasure from one another in accordance with their sexual attributes, they must of necessity marry, and this necessity follows from the laws prescribed by pure reason.” You see.

  Fritz I thought you’d given up Kant.

  Squint Only in public. How else could I have obtained a teaching position? And without a position, how could I have married my Caroline—you haven’t met her yet, the dear. And as you see right here, I had to.

  Fritz So your favorite philosopher has proved to you that you had to give him up, and you’ve given him up by following his precepts. What a world!

  Squint An antinomy, that’s all. He could have resolved it in a twinkling.

  Fritz What was the subject of your thesis?

  Squint I was clever, Berg. I left philosophy well alone. “War, Father of all Things”—still, I managed to slip in a suitably obscure phrase implying that the paternity is not always demonstr …

  Fritz Speaking of Caroline, what became of Miss Swandown?

  Squint She sank lower and lower.—Caroline is very different. She was made for marriage. Incidentally, she’s the rector’s daughter.

  Fritz So the two of you live here beside the stove, happy.�
��Do you ever see Buttress?

  Squint I find that I’ve rather cooled toward him, Berg. Now that we’re both schoolmasters. There’s some good in him, but … Caroline finds him attractive and I’ve forbidden her to see him. Women have got to be kept in hand, Berg … How was Italy?