FRANZ: It is your will that I should
languish
unto death.
World's Greatest Books - Volume 17 - Poetry and Drama
[_Exit_ EMPEROR, BISHOP, _and_ COURTIERS.
WEISLINGEN: And so you mean to go--to leave the festive scenes for
which you longed with all your heart, to leave a friend to whom you
are indispensable, to delay our union?
ADELHEID: The gayer, the freer shall I return to you.
WEISLINGEN: Will you be content if we proceed against Berlichingen?
ADELHEID: You deserve a kiss! My uncle, Von Wanzenau, must be
captain!
WEISLINGEN: Impossible! An incompetent old dreamer!
ADELHEID: Let the fiery Werdenhagen, his sister's stepson, go with
him.
WEISLINGEN: He is thoughtless and foolhardy, and will not improve
matters.
ADELHEID: We have to think of our relatives. For love of me, you
must do it! And I want some exemptions for the convent of St. Emmerau;
you can work the chancellor. Then the cup-bearer's post is vacant at
the Hessian Court, and the high stewardship of the Palatinate. I want
them for our friends Braimau and Mirsing.
WEISLINGEN: How shall I remember it all?
ADELHEID: I shall train a starling to repeat the names to you, and
to add, "Please, please. " (_Exit_ WEISLINGEN. _To_ FRANZ, _whom she
stops as he crosses to follow his master_): Franz, could you get me
a starling, or would you yourself be my starling? You would learn
more rapidly.
FRANZ: If you would teach me. Try. Take me with you.
ADELHEID: No, you must serve me here. Have you a good memory?
FRANZ: For your words. I remember every syllable you spoke to me
that first day at Bamberg.
ADELHEID: Now, listen, Franz. I shall tell you the names which I
want you to repeat to your master, always adding, "Please, please. "
FRANZ (_seizing her hand passionately_): Please, please!
ADELHEID (_stepping back_): Hands are not wanted. You must lose
such bad manners. But you must not be so upset at a little rebuke.
One punishes the children one loves.
FRANZ: You love me, then?
ADELHEID: I might love you as a child, but you are getting too tall
and violent. [_Exeunt. _
SCENE II. --_Hall at Jaxthausen_. SICKINGEN _and_ GOETZ.
GOETZ: So you want to marry a jilted woman?
SICKINGEN: To be deceived by him is an honour for you both. I want
a mistress for my castles and gardens. In the field, at court, I want
to stand alone.
[_Enter_ SELBITZ.
SELBITZ: Bad news! The emperor has put you under the ban, and has
sent troops to seize you.
GOETZ: Sickingen, you hear. Take back your offer, and leave me!
SICKINGEN: I shall not turn from you in trouble. No better wooing
than in time of war and danger.
GOETZ: On one condition. You must publicly detach yourself from me.
The emperor loves and esteems you, and your intercession may save me
in the hour of need.
SICKINGEN: But I can secretly send you twenty horsemen.
GOETZ: That offer I accept. [_Exeunt. _
SCENE III. --_A hill with a view over a fertile country_. GEORGE _and_
GOETZ'S _men cross the stage, chasing the imperial troops.
Then_ SELBITZ _is carried on, wounded, accompanied by_
FAUD.
SELBITZ: Let me rest here! --and back to your master; back to Goetz!
FAUD: Let me stay with you. I am no good below; they have hammered
my old bones till I can scarcely move. (_Exit soldiers. _) Here from
the wall I can watch the fight.
SELBITZ: What do you see?
FAUD: Your horsemen are turning tail. I can see Goetz's three black
feathers in the midst of the turmoil. Woe, he has fallen! And George's
blue plume has disappeared! Sickingen's horsemen in flight! Ha! I see
Goetz again! And George! Victory! Victory! They are routed! Goetz is
after them--he has seized their flag! The fugitives are coming here!
Oh! what will they do with you?
SELBITZ: Come down and draw! My sword is ready. I'll make it hot for
them, even sitting or lying down!
[_Enter imperial troops_. SELBITZ _and_ FAUD _defend themselves until_
LERSE _comes to their rescue, attacking the soldiers furiously,
killing some and putting the rest to flight. Enter_ GOETZ, GEORGE,
_a troop of armed men. _
SELBITZ: Good luck, Goetz! Victory! Victory! How did you fare?
GOETZ: To George and Lerse I owe my life; I was off my horse when
they came to the rescue. I have their flag and a few prisoners.
SELBITZ: Lerse saved me, too. See what work he has done here!
GOETZ: Good luck, Lerse! And God bless my George's first brave deed!
Now back to the castle, and let us gather our scattered men.
ACT IV
SCENE I. --_Jaxthausen. A small room_. MARIE _and_ SICKINGEN.
SICKINGEN: You may smile, but I felt the desire to possess you when
you first looked upon me with your blue eyes, when you were with your
mother at the Diet of Speier. I have long been separated from you; but
that wish remained, with the memory of that glance.
[_Enter_ GOETZ.
SICKINGEN: Good luck!
MARIE: Welcome, a thousand times!
GOETZ: Now quickly to the chapel! I've thought it all out, and time
presses.
SCENE II. --_Large hall; in the background a door, leading to the
chapel_. LERSE _and men-at-arms. Enter_ GOETZ _from
chapel_.
GOETZ: How now, Lerse? The men had better be distributed over the
walls. Let them take any breastplates, helmets, and arms they may want.
Are the gates well manned?
LERSE: Yes, sir.
GOETZ: Sickingen will leave us at once. You will lead him through
the lower gate, along the water, and across the ford. Then look around
you, and come back.
[_Enter_ SICKINGEN, MARIE, ELIZABETH, _from chapel_.
_Drums in distance announce the enemy's approach_.
GOETZ: May God bless you and send you merry, happy days!
ELIZABETH: And may He let your children be like you!
SICKINGEN: I thank you, and I thank you, Marie, who will lead me to
happiness.
GOETZ: A pleasant journey! Lerse will show you the way.
MARIE: That is not what we meant. We shall not leave you.
GOETZ: You must, sister! (_To_ SICKINGEN) You understand? Talk to
Marie; she is your wife. Take her to safety, and then think of me.
[_Exeunt_ LERSE, SICKINGEN _and_ MARIE. _Enter_ GEORGE.
GEORGE: They approach from all sides. I saw their pikes glitter from
the tower.
GOETZ: Have the gate barricaded with beams and stones.
[_Exit_ GEORGE. _A trumpeter is dimly heard from the distance,
requesting_ GOETZ _to surrender unconditionally_. GOETZ
_refuses angrily, and slams the window. Enter_ LERSE.
LERSE: There is plenty of powder, but bullets are scarce.
GOETZ: Look round for lead! Meanwhile, we must make the crossbows
do. [_Distant shooting is heard at intervals. Exit_ GOETZ _with
crossbow_.
LERSE (_breaking a window and detaching the lead from the glass_):
This lead has rested long enough; now it may fly for a change.
[_Enter_ GOETZ.
GOETZ: They have ceased firing, and offer a truce with all sorts of
signs and white rags. They will probably ask me to surrender on
knightly parole.
LERSE: I'll go and see. 'Tis best to know their mind.
[_Goes out and returns shortly_.
LERSE: Liberty! Liberty! Here are the conditions. You may withdraw
with arms, horses, and armour, leaving all provisions behind. Your
property will be carefully guarded. I am to remain.
GOETZ: Come, take the best arms with you, and leave the others here!
Come, Elizabeth! Through this very gate I led you as a young bride.
Who knows when we shall return?
[_Exeunt_ GOETZ _and_ ELIZABETH, _followed by_ GEORGE.
_While the men are choosing arms and preparing_,
LERSE, _who has heard shouting and firing without,
looks through the window_.
LERSE: God! They are murdering our master! He is off his horse!
Help him!
FAUD: George is still fighting. Let's go! If they die, I don't want
to live! [_Exeunt. _
SCENE III. --_Night; anteroom in_ ADELHEID'S _castle_. WEISLINGEN,
FRANZ, ADELHEID, _with a retinue of masked and costumed
revellers_.
WEISLINGEN: May I, in these moments of lightheartedness, speak to
you of serious matters? Goetz is probably by this time in our hands.
The peasants' revolt is growing in violence; and the League has given
me the command against them. We shall start before long. I shall take
you to my castle in Franconia, where you will be safe, and not too far
from me.
ADELHEID: We shall consider that. I may be useful to you here.
WEISLINGEN: We have not much time, for we break up to-morrow!
ADELHEID (_after a pause_): Very well, then; carnival to-night, and
war to-morrow!
WEISLINGEN: You are fond of change. A pleasant night to you!
[_Exit. _
ADELHEID: I understand. You would remove me from the court, where
Charles, our emperor's great successor, is the object of all hope? You
will not change my plans. Franz!
FRANZ (_entering_): Gracious lady!
ADELHEID: Watch all the masks, and find out for me the archduke's
disguise! You look sad?
FRANZ: It is your will that I should languish unto death.
ADELHEID _(apart)_: I pity him. (_To_ FRANZ) You are true and
loving; I shall not forget you!
SCENE IV. --_Heilbronn Town Hall_. IMPERIAL COUNCILLOR _and_
MAGISTRATES, USHERS, GOETZ.
COUNCILLOR: You know how you fell into our hands, and are a prisoner
at discretion?
GOETZ: What will you give me to forget it?
COUNCILLOR: You gave your knightly parole to appear and humbly to
await his majesty's pleasure?
GOETZ: Well, here I am, and await it!
COUNCILLOR: His majesty's mercy releases you from the ban and all
punishment, provided you subscribe to all the articles which shall be
read unto you.
GOETZ: I am his majesty's faithful servant. But, before you proceed,
where are my men; what is their fate?
COUNCILLOR: That is no business of yours. Secretary, read the
articles! _(Reads)_: I, Goetz von Berlichingen, having lately risen
in rebellion against the emperor------
GOETZ: 'Tis false! I am no rebel! I refuse to listen any further!
COUNCILLOR: And yet we have strict orders to persuade you by fair
means, or to throw you into prison.
GOETZ: To prison? Me? That cannot be the emperor's order! To promise
me permission to ward myself on parole, and then again to break your
treaty.
COUNCILLOR: We owe no faith to robbers.
GOETZ: If you were not the representative of my respected sovereign,
you should swallow that word, or choke upon it!
[COUNCILLOR _makes a sign, and a bell is rung. Enter
citizens with halberds and swords_.
COUNCILLOR: You will not listen--seize him!
[_They rush upon him. He strikes one down, and snatches
a sword from another. They stand aloof_.
GOETZ: Come on! I should like to become acquainted with the bravest
among you.
[_A trumpet is heard without. Enter_ USHER.
USHER: Franz von Sickingen is without and sends word that having
heard how faith has been broken with his brother-in-law, he insists
upon justice, or within an hour he will fire the four quarters of the
town, and abandon it to be sacked by his men.
GOETZ: Brave friend!
COUNCILLOR: You had best dissuade your brother-in-law from his
rebellious intention. He will only become the companion of your fall!
Meanwhile, we will consider how we can best uphold the emperor's
authority.
[_Exeunt all but_ GOETZ. _Enter_ SICKINGEN.
GOETZ: That was help from heaven. I asked nothing but knightly ward
upon my parole.
SICKINGEN: They have shamefully abused the imperial authority. I
know the emperor, and have some influence with him. I shall want your
fist in an enterprise I am preparing. Meanwhile, they will let you and
your men return to your castle upon the promise not to move beyond
its confines. And the emperor will soon call you. Now back to the
wigs! They have had time enough to talk; let's save them the trouble!
ACT V
SCENE I. --_Forest_. GOETZ _and_ GEORGE.
GOETZ: No further! Another step and I should have broken my oath.
What is that dust beyond? And that wild mob moving towards us?
LERSE (_entering_): The rebel peasants. Back to the castle! They
have dealt horribly with the noblest men!
GOETZ: On my own soil I shall not try to evade the rabble.
[_Enter_ STUMPF, KOHL, SIEVERS, _and armed peasants_.
STUMPF: We come to ask you, brave Goetz, to be our captain.
GOETZ: What! Me? To break my oath? Stumpf, I thought you were a
friend! Even if I were free, and you wanted to carry on as you did at
Weinsberg, raving and burning, and murdering, I'd rather be killed
than be your captain!
STUMPF: If we had a leader of authority, such things would not
happen. The princes and all Germany would thank you.
SIEVERS: You must be our captain, or you will have to defend your
own skin. We give you two hours to consider it.
GOETZ: Why consider? I can decide now as well as later. Will you
desist from your misdeeds, and act like decent folk who know what
they want? Then I shall help you with your claims, and be your captain
for four weeks. Now, come! [_Exeunt. _
SCENE II. --_Landscape, with village and castle in distance_. GOETZ
_and_ GEORGE.
GEORGE: I beseech you, leave this infamous mob of robbers and
incendiaries.
GOETZ: We have done some good and saved many a convent, many a life.
GEORGE: Oh, sir, I beg you to leave them at once, before they drag
you away with them as prisoner, instead of following you as captain!
(_Flames are seen rising from the distant village_. ) See there! A new
crime!
GOETZ: That is Miltenberg. Quick, George! Prevent the burning of the
castle. I'll have nothing further to do with the scoundrels.
GEORGE: I shall save Miltenberg, or you will not see me again.
[_Exit. _
GOETZ: Everybody blames me for the mischief, and nobody gives me
credit for having prevented so much evil. Would I were thousands of
miles away!
[_Enter_ SIEVERS, LINK, METZLER, _peasants_.
LINK: Rouse yourself, captain; the enemy is near and in great force!
GOETZ: Who burnt Miltenberg?
METZLER: If you want to make a fuss, we'll soon teach you!
GOETZ: You threaten? Scoundrel! [_He knocks him down with a blow of
his fist_.
KOHL: You are mad! The enemy is coming, and you quarrel.
[_Tumult, battle, and rout of the peasants. Then the
stage gradually fills with gypsies_. GOETZ _returns
wounded, is recognised by the gypsies, who bandage
him, help him on to his horse, and ask him to lead
them. Soldiers enter and level their halberds at_
GOETZ.
SCENE III. --ADELHEID'S _room. Night_. ADELHEID. FRANZ.
FRANZ: Oh, let me stay yet a little while--here, where I live.
Without is death!
ADELHEID: Already you hesitate? Then give me back the phial. You
played the hero, but you are only a boy; A man who wooes a noble woman
stakes his life, honour, virtue, happiness! Boy, leave me!
FRANZ: No, you are mine. And if I get your freedom I get my own.
With a firm hand I shall pour the poison into my master's cup.
Farewell.
[_He embraces her and hurries away_.
SCENE IV. --_Rustic garden_. MARIE _sleeping in an arbour. _ LERSE.
LERSE: Gracious lady, awake! We must away. Goetz captured as a rebel
and thrown into a dungeon! His age! His wounds!
MARIE: We must hurry to Weislingen. Only dire necessity can drive
me to this step. Saving my brother's life I go to death. I shall kneel
to him, weep before him.
[_Exit. _
SCENE V. --WEISLINGEN'S _hall_.
WEISLINGEN: A wretched fever has dried my very marrow. No rest for
me, day or night! Goetz haunts my very dreams. He is a prisoner, and
yet I tremble before him. (_Enter_ MARIE. ) Oh, heaven! Marie's spirit,
to tell me of her death!
MARIE: Weislingen, I am no spirit. I have come to beg of you my
brother's life.
WEISLINGEN: Marie! You, angel of heaven, bring with you the tortures
of hell. The breath of death is upon me, and you come to throw me into
despair!
MARIE: My brother is ill in prison. His wounds--his age----
WEISLINGEN: Enough. Franz! (_Enter_ FRANZ _in great excitement_. )
The papers there! (FRANZ _hands him a sealed packet_. ) Here is your
brother's death-warrant; and thus I tear it. He lives. Do not weep,
Franz; there's hope for the living.
FRANZ: You cannot, you must die! Poison from your wife. [_Rushes
to the window, and throws himself out into the river_.
WEISLINGEN: Woe to me! Poison from my wife! Franz seduced by the
infamous woman! I am dying; and in my agony throb the tortures of hell.
MARIE (_kneeling):_ Merciful God, have pity on him!
SCENE VI. --_A small garden outside the prison_, GOETZ, ELIZABETH,
LERSE, _and prison-keeper_.
GOETZ: Almighty God! How lovely is it beneath Thy heaven! Farewell,
my children! My roots are cut away, my strength totters to the grave.
Let me see George once more, and sun myself in his look. You turn
away and weep? He is dead! Then die, Goetz! How did he die? Alas!
they took him among the incendiaries, and he has been executed?
ELIZABETH: No, he was slain at Miltenberg, fighting like a lion.
GOETZ: God be praised! Now release my soul! My poor wife! I leave
you in a wicked world. Lerse, forsake her not! Blessings upon Marie
and her husband. Selbitz is dead, and the good emperor, and my George.
Give me some water! Heavenly air! Freedom!
[_He dies_.
ELIZABETH: Freedom is only above--with thee; the world is a prison.
LERSE: Noble man! Woe to this age that rejected thee! Woe to the
future that shall misjudge thee!
FOOTNOTES:
[A] The story of "Goetz von Berlichingen" was founded on
the life of a German soldier of fortune who flourished between 1480
and 1562. The possibilities of his biography inspired Goethe (Vol.
