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World's Greatest Books - Volume 17 - Poetry and Drama
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The Project Gutenberg EBook of The World's Greatest Books -- Volume 17 --
Poetry and Drama, by Various
This eBook is for the use of anyone anywhere at no cost and with
almost no restrictions whatsoever. You may copy it, give it away or
re-use it under the terms of the Project Gutenberg License included
with this eBook or online at www. gutenberg. org
Title: The World's Greatest Books -- Volume 17 -- Poetry and Drama
Author: Various
Editor: Arthur Mee
J. A. Hammerton
Release Date: January 10, 2014 [EBook #44640]
Language: English
*** START OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK WORLD'S GREATEST BOOKS, VOL 17 ***
Produced by Kevin Handy, Matthias Grammel and the Online
Distributed Proofreading Team at http://www. pgdp. net
[Illustration: Frontispiece]
THE WORLD'S
GREATEST
BOOKS
[Illustration: Decoration]
JOINT EDITORS
ARTHUR MEE
Editor and Founder of the Book of Knowledge
J. A. HAMMERTON
Editor of Harmsworth's Universal Encyclopaedia
[Illustration: Decoration]
VOL. XVII
POETRY AND DRAMA
WM. H. WISE & CO.
_Table of Contents_
PORTRAIT OF MOLIERE _Frontispiece_
GOETHE (_Continued_) PAGE
Goetz von Berlichingen 1
Iphigenia in Tauris 18
GOGOL, NICOLAI
Inspector-General 30
GOLDSMITH, OLIVER
She Stoops to Conquer 39
HEINE, HEINRICH
Atta Troll 50
HOMER
Iliad 66
Odyssey 78
HORACE
Poems 91
HUGO, VICTOR
Hernani 110
Marion de Lorme 123
Ruy Blas 134
The King Amuses Himself 146
The Legend of the Alps 159
IBSEN, HENRIK
Master Builder 171
Pillars of Society 186
JONSON, BEN
Every Man in His Humour 195
JUVENAL
Satires 207
KLOPSTOCK, FRIEDRICH GOTTLIEB
Messiah 217
LESSING, GOTTHOLD EPHRAIM
Nathan the Wise 226
LONGFELLOW
Evangeline 241
Hiawatha 250
LUCRETIUS
On the Nature of Things 261
MACPHERSON, JAMES
Ossian 272
MARLOWE, CHRISTOPHER
Dr. Faustus 282
MARTIAL
Epigrams, Epitaphs, and Poems 295
MASSINGER, PHILIP
New Way to Pay Old Debts 305
MILTON
Paradise Lost 319
Paradise Regained 342
Samson Agonistes 349
MOLIERE
The Doctor in Spite of Himself 362
(MOLIERE: _Continued in Vol. XVIII_)
* * * * *
A Complete Index of THE WORLD'S GREATEST BOOKS will be found at
the end of Volume XX.
_Poetry and Drama_
GOETHE
_(Continued)_
Goetz von Berlichingen[A]
_Persons in the Drama_
THE EMPEROR MAXIMILIAN THE BISHOP OF BAMBERG
GOETZ VON BERLICHINGEN FRANZ LERSE
ADELBERT VON WEISLINGEN ELIZABETH, _wife to Goetz_
FRANZ VON SICKINGEN MARIE, _his sister_
HANS VON SELBITZ ADELHEID VON WALLDORF
FRANZ, _page to Weislingen_ IMPERIAL COUNCILLOR
GEORGE, _page to Goetz_ USHER
FAUD
MAX STUMPF, SIEVERS, METZLER, LINK, KOHL,
_Leaders of the rebel peasants_
ACT I
SCENE I. --_Forest; a poor hut in the background_. GOETZ _and_
GEORGE.
GOETZ: Where can my men be? Up and down I have to walk, lest sleep
should overcome me. Five days and nights already in ambush. But when
I get thee, Weislingen, I shall make up for it! You priests may send
round your obliging Weislingen to decry me--I am awake. You escaped
me, bishop! So your dear Weislingen may pay the piper. George! George!
(_Enter_ GEORGE. ) Tell Hans to get ready. My scouts may be back any
moment. And give me some more wine!
GEORGE: Hark! I hear some horses galloping--two--it must be your
men!
GOETZ: My horse, quick! Tell Hans to arm!
[_Enter_ FAUD, _who reports to_ GOETZ _that_ WEISLINGEN _is
approaching. Exit_ GOETZ _and his men_.
GEORGE: Oh, St. George! Make me strong and brave! And give me spear,
armour, and horse! [_Exit. _
SCENE II. --_Hall at Jaxthausen_. ELIZABETH _and_ MARIE.
MARIE: If I had a husband who always exposed himself to danger, I
should die the first year.
ELIZABETH: Thank God, I am made of harder stuff! God grant that my
boy may take after his father, and not become a treacherous hypocrite,
like Weislingen.
MARIE: You are very bitter against him. Yet report speaks well of
him. Your own husband loved him, when they were pages together to the
margrave.
[_The gay tune of a wind-instrument is heard_.
ELIZABETH: There he returns with his spoil! I must get the meal
ready. Here, take the cellar keys and let them have of the best wine!
They have deserved it.
[_Exeunt. Enter_ GOETZ, WEISLINGEN, _and men-at-arms. _
* * * * *
GOETZ (_taking off his helmet and sword_): Unstrap my cuirass and
give me my doublet! Weislingen, you've given us hard work! Be of good
cheer. Where are your clothes? I could lend you some of mine--a neat,
clean suit, which I wore at the wedding of my gracious lord the Count
Palatine, when your bishop got so vexed with me, because I made him
shake hands with me, unknown, after having taken two of his ships a
fortnight before on the Main.
WEISLINGEN: I beg you to leave me alone.
GOETZ: Why? Pray, be cheerful. You are in my power, and I shall not
abuse it. You know my knight's duty is sacred to me. And now I must go
to see my wife. [_Exit. _
WEISLINGEN: Oh, that it were all a dream! In Berlichingen's power--and
he, the old true-hearted Goetz! Back again in the hall, where we played
as boys, where I loved him with all my heart! How strangely past and
present seem to intermingle here.
[_Enter_ GOETZ, _and a man with jug and goblet_.
GOETZ: Let us drink, until the meal is ready. Come, you are at home.
It is a long time since we last shared a bottle. (_Raising his goblet_)
A gay heart!
WEISLINGEN: Those times are past.
GOETZ: Heaven forbid! Though merrier days we may not find. If you had
only followed me to Brabant, instead of taking to that miserable life
at court! Are you not as free and nobly born as anyone in Germany?
Independent, subject only to the emperor? And you submit to vassals,
who poison the emperor's ear against me! They want to get rid of me.
And you, Weislingen, are their tool!
WEISLINGEN: Berlichingen!
GOETZ: No more of it! I hate explanations. They only lead to
deceiving one or the other, or both.
[_They stand apart, their backs turned to each other.
Enter_ MARIE.
MARIE (_to_ WEISLINGEN): I come to greet and to invite you in
my sister's name. What is it? Why are you silent both? You are host
and guest. Be guided by a woman's voice.
GOETZ: You remind me of my duty.
WEISLINGEN: Who could resist so heavenly a hint?
MARIE: Draw near each other, be reconciled! (_The men shake hands_. )
The union of brave men is the most ardent wish of all good women.
ACT II
SCENE I. --_A room at Jaxthausen_. Marie _and_ Weislingen.
MARIE: You say you love me. I willingly believe it, and hope to be
happy with you and to make you happy.
WEISLINGEN: Blessed be your brother and the day he rode out to
capture me! [_Enter_ Goetz.
GOETZ: Your page is back. Whatever his news, Adelbert, you are
free! All I ask is your word that you will not aid and abet my
enemies.
WEISLINGEN: I take your hand. And may I at the same time take
the hand of this noblest of all women?
GOETZ: May I say "yes" for you, Marie? You need not blush--your
eyes have answered clearly. Well, then, Weislingen, take her hand,
and I say Amen, friend and brother! I must call my wife. Elizabeth!
(_Enter_ ELIZABETH. ) Join your hand in theirs and say "God bless
you! " They are a pair. Adelbert is going back to Bamberg to detach
himself openly from the bishop, and then to his estates to settle
his affairs. And now we'll leave him undisturbed to hear his boy's
report.
[_Exit with_ Marie _and_ Elizabeth.
WEISLINGEN: Such bliss for one so unworthy!
[_Enter_ Franz.
FRANZ: God save you, noble sir! I bring you greetings from
everybody in Bamberg--from the bishop down to the jester. How they
are distressed at your mishap! I am to tell you to be patient--they
will think the more impatiently of your deliverance; for they cannot
spare you.
WEISLINGEN: They will have to. I'll return, but not to stay long.
FRANZ: Not to stay? My lord, if you but knew what I know! If you
had but seen her--the angel in the shape of woman, who makes Bamberg
a forecourt of heaven--Adelheid von Walldorf!
WEISLINGEN: I have heard much of her beauty. Is her husband at
court?
FRANZ: She has been widowed for four months, and is at Bamberg for
amusement. If she looks upon you, it is as though you were basking in
spring sunshine.
WEISLINGEN: Her charms would be lost on me. I am betrothed. Marie
will be the happiness of my life. And now pack up. First to Bamberg,
and then to my castle. [_Exeunt. _
SCENE II. --_A forest. Some Nuremberg merchants, who, attacked on their
way to the Frankfurt Fair by_ Goetz _and his men, have
escaped, leaving their goods in the hands of the knights.
The page_ George _has, however, recaptured two of the
merchants as_ Goetz _and his men enter_.
GOETZ: Search the forest! Let none escape!
GEORGE (_stepping forward_): I've done some preparatory work. Here
they are.
GOETZ: Welcome, good lad! Keep them well guarded! (_Exit his men
with the merchants_. ) And now, what news of Weislingen?
GEORGE: Bad news! He looked confused when I said to him, "A few
words from your Berlichingen. " He tried to put me off with empty words,
but when I pressed him he said he was under no obligation to you, and
would have nothing to do with you.
GOETZ: Enough! I shall not forget this infamous treachery. Whoever
gets into my power shall feel it. (_Exit_ GEORGE. ) I'll revel in their
agony, deride their fear. And how, Goetz, are you thus changed? Should
other people's faults and vices make you renounce your chivalry, and
abandon yourself to vulgar cruelty? I'll drag him back in chains, if
I can't get him any other way. And there's an end of it, Goetz; think
of your duty!
[_Enter_ GEORGE _with a casket_.
GEORGE: Now let your joke be ended, they are frightened enough. One
of them, a handsome young man, gave me this casket, and said, "Take
this as ransom! The jewels I meant to take to my betrothed. Take them,
and let me escape. "
GOETZ (_examining the jewels_): This time, Marie, I shall not be
tempted to bring it to you as a birthday gift. Even in your misfortune
you would rejoice in the happiness of others. Take it, George. Give
it back to the lad. Let him take it to his bride, with greeting from
Goetz! And let all the prisoners free at sunset.
ACT III
SCENE I. --_Pleasure-garden at Augsburg. The_ EMPEROR, _the_ BISHOP OF
BAMBERG, WEISLINGEN, _the_ LADY ADELHEID, COURTIERS.
EMPEROR: I am tired of these merchants with their eternal
complaints! Every shopkeeper wants help, and no one will stir against
the common enemy of the empire and of Christianity.
WEISLINGEN: Who would be active abroad while he is threatened at
home?
BISHOP: If we could only remove that proud Sickingen and
Berlichingen, the others would soon fall asunder.
EMPEROR: Brave, noble men at heart, who must be spared and used
against the Turks.
WEISLINGEN: The consequences may be dangerous. Better to capture
them and leave them quietly upon their knightly parole in their
castles.
EMPEROR: If they then abide by the law, they might again be
honourably and usefully employed. I shall open the session of the Diet
to-morrow with this proposal.
WEISLINGEN: A clamour of joyful assent will spare your majesty the
end of the speech.
[_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?
Where are your clothes? I could lend you some of mine--a neat,
clean suit, which I wore at the wedding of my gracious lord the Count
Palatine, when your bishop got so vexed with me, because I made him
shake hands with me, unknown, after having taken two of his ships a
fortnight before on the Main.
WEISLINGEN: I beg you to leave me alone.
GOETZ: Why? Pray, be cheerful. You are in my power, and I shall not
abuse it. You know my knight's duty is sacred to me. And now I must go
to see my wife. [_Exit. _
WEISLINGEN: Oh, that it were all a dream! In Berlichingen's power--and
he, the old true-hearted Goetz! Back again in the hall, where we played
as boys, where I loved him with all my heart! How strangely past and
present seem to intermingle here.
[_Enter_ GOETZ, _and a man with jug and goblet_.
GOETZ: Let us drink, until the meal is ready. Come, you are at home.
It is a long time since we last shared a bottle. (_Raising his goblet_)
A gay heart!
WEISLINGEN: Those times are past.
GOETZ: Heaven forbid! Though merrier days we may not find. If you had
only followed me to Brabant, instead of taking to that miserable life
at court! Are you not as free and nobly born as anyone in Germany?
Independent, subject only to the emperor? And you submit to vassals,
who poison the emperor's ear against me! They want to get rid of me.
And you, Weislingen, are their tool!
WEISLINGEN: Berlichingen!
GOETZ: No more of it! I hate explanations. They only lead to
deceiving one or the other, or both.
[_They stand apart, their backs turned to each other.
Enter_ MARIE.
MARIE (_to_ WEISLINGEN): I come to greet and to invite you in
my sister's name. What is it? Why are you silent both? You are host
and guest. Be guided by a woman's voice.
GOETZ: You remind me of my duty.
WEISLINGEN: Who could resist so heavenly a hint?
MARIE: Draw near each other, be reconciled! (_The men shake hands_. )
The union of brave men is the most ardent wish of all good women.
ACT II
SCENE I. --_A room at Jaxthausen_. Marie _and_ Weislingen.
MARIE: You say you love me. I willingly believe it, and hope to be
happy with you and to make you happy.
WEISLINGEN: Blessed be your brother and the day he rode out to
capture me! [_Enter_ Goetz.
GOETZ: Your page is back. Whatever his news, Adelbert, you are
free! All I ask is your word that you will not aid and abet my
enemies.
WEISLINGEN: I take your hand. And may I at the same time take
the hand of this noblest of all women?
GOETZ: May I say "yes" for you, Marie? You need not blush--your
eyes have answered clearly. Well, then, Weislingen, take her hand,
and I say Amen, friend and brother! I must call my wife. Elizabeth!
(_Enter_ ELIZABETH. ) Join your hand in theirs and say "God bless
you! " They are a pair. Adelbert is going back to Bamberg to detach
himself openly from the bishop, and then to his estates to settle
his affairs. And now we'll leave him undisturbed to hear his boy's
report.
[_Exit with_ Marie _and_ Elizabeth.
WEISLINGEN: Such bliss for one so unworthy!
[_Enter_ Franz.
FRANZ: God save you, noble sir! I bring you greetings from
everybody in Bamberg--from the bishop down to the jester. How they
are distressed at your mishap! I am to tell you to be patient--they
will think the more impatiently of your deliverance; for they cannot
spare you.
WEISLINGEN: They will have to. I'll return, but not to stay long.
FRANZ: Not to stay? My lord, if you but knew what I know! If you
had but seen her--the angel in the shape of woman, who makes Bamberg
a forecourt of heaven--Adelheid von Walldorf!
WEISLINGEN: I have heard much of her beauty. Is her husband at
court?
FRANZ: She has been widowed for four months, and is at Bamberg for
amusement. If she looks upon you, it is as though you were basking in
spring sunshine.
WEISLINGEN: Her charms would be lost on me. I am betrothed. Marie
will be the happiness of my life. And now pack up. First to Bamberg,
and then to my castle. [_Exeunt. _
SCENE II. --_A forest. Some Nuremberg merchants, who, attacked on their
way to the Frankfurt Fair by_ Goetz _and his men, have
escaped, leaving their goods in the hands of the knights.
The page_ George _has, however, recaptured two of the
merchants as_ Goetz _and his men enter_.
GOETZ: Search the forest! Let none escape!
GEORGE (_stepping forward_): I've done some preparatory work. Here
they are.
GOETZ: Welcome, good lad! Keep them well guarded! (_Exit his men
with the merchants_. ) And now, what news of Weislingen?
GEORGE: Bad news! He looked confused when I said to him, "A few
words from your Berlichingen. " He tried to put me off with empty words,
but when I pressed him he said he was under no obligation to you, and
would have nothing to do with you.
GOETZ: Enough! I shall not forget this infamous treachery. Whoever
gets into my power shall feel it. (_Exit_ GEORGE. ) I'll revel in their
agony, deride their fear. And how, Goetz, are you thus changed? Should
other people's faults and vices make you renounce your chivalry, and
abandon yourself to vulgar cruelty? I'll drag him back in chains, if
I can't get him any other way. And there's an end of it, Goetz; think
of your duty!
[_Enter_ GEORGE _with a casket_.
GEORGE: Now let your joke be ended, they are frightened enough. One
of them, a handsome young man, gave me this casket, and said, "Take
this as ransom! The jewels I meant to take to my betrothed. Take them,
and let me escape. "
GOETZ (_examining the jewels_): This time, Marie, I shall not be
tempted to bring it to you as a birthday gift. Even in your misfortune
you would rejoice in the happiness of others. Take it, George. Give
it back to the lad. Let him take it to his bride, with greeting from
Goetz! And let all the prisoners free at sunset.
ACT III
SCENE I. --_Pleasure-garden at Augsburg. The_ EMPEROR, _the_ BISHOP OF
BAMBERG, WEISLINGEN, _the_ LADY ADELHEID, COURTIERS.
EMPEROR: I am tired of these merchants with their eternal
complaints! Every shopkeeper wants help, and no one will stir against
the common enemy of the empire and of Christianity.
WEISLINGEN: Who would be active abroad while he is threatened at
home?
BISHOP: If we could only remove that proud Sickingen and
Berlichingen, the others would soon fall asunder.
EMPEROR: Brave, noble men at heart, who must be spared and used
against the Turks.
WEISLINGEN: The consequences may be dangerous. Better to capture
them and leave them quietly upon their knightly parole in their
castles.
EMPEROR: If they then abide by the law, they might again be
honourably and usefully employed. I shall open the session of the Diet
to-morrow with this proposal.
WEISLINGEN: A clamour of joyful assent will spare your majesty the
end of the speech.
[_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.
Poetry and Drama, by Various
This eBook is for the use of anyone anywhere at no cost and with
almost no restrictions whatsoever. You may copy it, give it away or
re-use it under the terms of the Project Gutenberg License included
with this eBook or online at www. gutenberg. org
Title: The World's Greatest Books -- Volume 17 -- Poetry and Drama
Author: Various
Editor: Arthur Mee
J. A. Hammerton
Release Date: January 10, 2014 [EBook #44640]
Language: English
*** START OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK WORLD'S GREATEST BOOKS, VOL 17 ***
Produced by Kevin Handy, Matthias Grammel and the Online
Distributed Proofreading Team at http://www. pgdp. net
[Illustration: Frontispiece]
THE WORLD'S
GREATEST
BOOKS
[Illustration: Decoration]
JOINT EDITORS
ARTHUR MEE
Editor and Founder of the Book of Knowledge
J. A. HAMMERTON
Editor of Harmsworth's Universal Encyclopaedia
[Illustration: Decoration]
VOL. XVII
POETRY AND DRAMA
WM. H. WISE & CO.
_Table of Contents_
PORTRAIT OF MOLIERE _Frontispiece_
GOETHE (_Continued_) PAGE
Goetz von Berlichingen 1
Iphigenia in Tauris 18
GOGOL, NICOLAI
Inspector-General 30
GOLDSMITH, OLIVER
She Stoops to Conquer 39
HEINE, HEINRICH
Atta Troll 50
HOMER
Iliad 66
Odyssey 78
HORACE
Poems 91
HUGO, VICTOR
Hernani 110
Marion de Lorme 123
Ruy Blas 134
The King Amuses Himself 146
The Legend of the Alps 159
IBSEN, HENRIK
Master Builder 171
Pillars of Society 186
JONSON, BEN
Every Man in His Humour 195
JUVENAL
Satires 207
KLOPSTOCK, FRIEDRICH GOTTLIEB
Messiah 217
LESSING, GOTTHOLD EPHRAIM
Nathan the Wise 226
LONGFELLOW
Evangeline 241
Hiawatha 250
LUCRETIUS
On the Nature of Things 261
MACPHERSON, JAMES
Ossian 272
MARLOWE, CHRISTOPHER
Dr. Faustus 282
MARTIAL
Epigrams, Epitaphs, and Poems 295
MASSINGER, PHILIP
New Way to Pay Old Debts 305
MILTON
Paradise Lost 319
Paradise Regained 342
Samson Agonistes 349
MOLIERE
The Doctor in Spite of Himself 362
(MOLIERE: _Continued in Vol. XVIII_)
* * * * *
A Complete Index of THE WORLD'S GREATEST BOOKS will be found at
the end of Volume XX.
_Poetry and Drama_
GOETHE
_(Continued)_
Goetz von Berlichingen[A]
_Persons in the Drama_
THE EMPEROR MAXIMILIAN THE BISHOP OF BAMBERG
GOETZ VON BERLICHINGEN FRANZ LERSE
ADELBERT VON WEISLINGEN ELIZABETH, _wife to Goetz_
FRANZ VON SICKINGEN MARIE, _his sister_
HANS VON SELBITZ ADELHEID VON WALLDORF
FRANZ, _page to Weislingen_ IMPERIAL COUNCILLOR
GEORGE, _page to Goetz_ USHER
FAUD
MAX STUMPF, SIEVERS, METZLER, LINK, KOHL,
_Leaders of the rebel peasants_
ACT I
SCENE I. --_Forest; a poor hut in the background_. GOETZ _and_
GEORGE.
GOETZ: Where can my men be? Up and down I have to walk, lest sleep
should overcome me. Five days and nights already in ambush. But when
I get thee, Weislingen, I shall make up for it! You priests may send
round your obliging Weislingen to decry me--I am awake. You escaped
me, bishop! So your dear Weislingen may pay the piper. George! George!
(_Enter_ GEORGE. ) Tell Hans to get ready. My scouts may be back any
moment. And give me some more wine!
GEORGE: Hark! I hear some horses galloping--two--it must be your
men!
GOETZ: My horse, quick! Tell Hans to arm!
[_Enter_ FAUD, _who reports to_ GOETZ _that_ WEISLINGEN _is
approaching. Exit_ GOETZ _and his men_.
GEORGE: Oh, St. George! Make me strong and brave! And give me spear,
armour, and horse! [_Exit. _
SCENE II. --_Hall at Jaxthausen_. ELIZABETH _and_ MARIE.
MARIE: If I had a husband who always exposed himself to danger, I
should die the first year.
ELIZABETH: Thank God, I am made of harder stuff! God grant that my
boy may take after his father, and not become a treacherous hypocrite,
like Weislingen.
MARIE: You are very bitter against him. Yet report speaks well of
him. Your own husband loved him, when they were pages together to the
margrave.
[_The gay tune of a wind-instrument is heard_.
ELIZABETH: There he returns with his spoil! I must get the meal
ready. Here, take the cellar keys and let them have of the best wine!
They have deserved it.
[_Exeunt. Enter_ GOETZ, WEISLINGEN, _and men-at-arms. _
* * * * *
GOETZ (_taking off his helmet and sword_): Unstrap my cuirass and
give me my doublet! Weislingen, you've given us hard work! Be of good
cheer. Where are your clothes? I could lend you some of mine--a neat,
clean suit, which I wore at the wedding of my gracious lord the Count
Palatine, when your bishop got so vexed with me, because I made him
shake hands with me, unknown, after having taken two of his ships a
fortnight before on the Main.
WEISLINGEN: I beg you to leave me alone.
GOETZ: Why? Pray, be cheerful. You are in my power, and I shall not
abuse it. You know my knight's duty is sacred to me. And now I must go
to see my wife. [_Exit. _
WEISLINGEN: Oh, that it were all a dream! In Berlichingen's power--and
he, the old true-hearted Goetz! Back again in the hall, where we played
as boys, where I loved him with all my heart! How strangely past and
present seem to intermingle here.
[_Enter_ GOETZ, _and a man with jug and goblet_.
GOETZ: Let us drink, until the meal is ready. Come, you are at home.
It is a long time since we last shared a bottle. (_Raising his goblet_)
A gay heart!
WEISLINGEN: Those times are past.
GOETZ: Heaven forbid! Though merrier days we may not find. If you had
only followed me to Brabant, instead of taking to that miserable life
at court! Are you not as free and nobly born as anyone in Germany?
Independent, subject only to the emperor? And you submit to vassals,
who poison the emperor's ear against me! They want to get rid of me.
And you, Weislingen, are their tool!
WEISLINGEN: Berlichingen!
GOETZ: No more of it! I hate explanations. They only lead to
deceiving one or the other, or both.
[_They stand apart, their backs turned to each other.
Enter_ MARIE.
MARIE (_to_ WEISLINGEN): I come to greet and to invite you in
my sister's name. What is it? Why are you silent both? You are host
and guest. Be guided by a woman's voice.
GOETZ: You remind me of my duty.
WEISLINGEN: Who could resist so heavenly a hint?
MARIE: Draw near each other, be reconciled! (_The men shake hands_. )
The union of brave men is the most ardent wish of all good women.
ACT II
SCENE I. --_A room at Jaxthausen_. Marie _and_ Weislingen.
MARIE: You say you love me. I willingly believe it, and hope to be
happy with you and to make you happy.
WEISLINGEN: Blessed be your brother and the day he rode out to
capture me! [_Enter_ Goetz.
GOETZ: Your page is back. Whatever his news, Adelbert, you are
free! All I ask is your word that you will not aid and abet my
enemies.
WEISLINGEN: I take your hand. And may I at the same time take
the hand of this noblest of all women?
GOETZ: May I say "yes" for you, Marie? You need not blush--your
eyes have answered clearly. Well, then, Weislingen, take her hand,
and I say Amen, friend and brother! I must call my wife. Elizabeth!
(_Enter_ ELIZABETH. ) Join your hand in theirs and say "God bless
you! " They are a pair. Adelbert is going back to Bamberg to detach
himself openly from the bishop, and then to his estates to settle
his affairs. And now we'll leave him undisturbed to hear his boy's
report.
[_Exit with_ Marie _and_ Elizabeth.
WEISLINGEN: Such bliss for one so unworthy!
[_Enter_ Franz.
FRANZ: God save you, noble sir! I bring you greetings from
everybody in Bamberg--from the bishop down to the jester. How they
are distressed at your mishap! I am to tell you to be patient--they
will think the more impatiently of your deliverance; for they cannot
spare you.
WEISLINGEN: They will have to. I'll return, but not to stay long.
FRANZ: Not to stay? My lord, if you but knew what I know! If you
had but seen her--the angel in the shape of woman, who makes Bamberg
a forecourt of heaven--Adelheid von Walldorf!
WEISLINGEN: I have heard much of her beauty. Is her husband at
court?
FRANZ: She has been widowed for four months, and is at Bamberg for
amusement. If she looks upon you, it is as though you were basking in
spring sunshine.
WEISLINGEN: Her charms would be lost on me. I am betrothed. Marie
will be the happiness of my life. And now pack up. First to Bamberg,
and then to my castle. [_Exeunt. _
SCENE II. --_A forest. Some Nuremberg merchants, who, attacked on their
way to the Frankfurt Fair by_ Goetz _and his men, have
escaped, leaving their goods in the hands of the knights.
The page_ George _has, however, recaptured two of the
merchants as_ Goetz _and his men enter_.
GOETZ: Search the forest! Let none escape!
GEORGE (_stepping forward_): I've done some preparatory work. Here
they are.
GOETZ: Welcome, good lad! Keep them well guarded! (_Exit his men
with the merchants_. ) And now, what news of Weislingen?
GEORGE: Bad news! He looked confused when I said to him, "A few
words from your Berlichingen. " He tried to put me off with empty words,
but when I pressed him he said he was under no obligation to you, and
would have nothing to do with you.
GOETZ: Enough! I shall not forget this infamous treachery. Whoever
gets into my power shall feel it. (_Exit_ GEORGE. ) I'll revel in their
agony, deride their fear. And how, Goetz, are you thus changed? Should
other people's faults and vices make you renounce your chivalry, and
abandon yourself to vulgar cruelty? I'll drag him back in chains, if
I can't get him any other way. And there's an end of it, Goetz; think
of your duty!
[_Enter_ GEORGE _with a casket_.
GEORGE: Now let your joke be ended, they are frightened enough. One
of them, a handsome young man, gave me this casket, and said, "Take
this as ransom! The jewels I meant to take to my betrothed. Take them,
and let me escape. "
GOETZ (_examining the jewels_): This time, Marie, I shall not be
tempted to bring it to you as a birthday gift. Even in your misfortune
you would rejoice in the happiness of others. Take it, George. Give
it back to the lad. Let him take it to his bride, with greeting from
Goetz! And let all the prisoners free at sunset.
ACT III
SCENE I. --_Pleasure-garden at Augsburg. The_ EMPEROR, _the_ BISHOP OF
BAMBERG, WEISLINGEN, _the_ LADY ADELHEID, COURTIERS.
EMPEROR: I am tired of these merchants with their eternal
complaints! Every shopkeeper wants help, and no one will stir against
the common enemy of the empire and of Christianity.
WEISLINGEN: Who would be active abroad while he is threatened at
home?
BISHOP: If we could only remove that proud Sickingen and
Berlichingen, the others would soon fall asunder.
EMPEROR: Brave, noble men at heart, who must be spared and used
against the Turks.
WEISLINGEN: The consequences may be dangerous. Better to capture
them and leave them quietly upon their knightly parole in their
castles.
EMPEROR: If they then abide by the law, they might again be
honourably and usefully employed. I shall open the session of the Diet
to-morrow with this proposal.
WEISLINGEN: A clamour of joyful assent will spare your majesty the
end of the speech.
[_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?
Where are your clothes? I could lend you some of mine--a neat,
clean suit, which I wore at the wedding of my gracious lord the Count
Palatine, when your bishop got so vexed with me, because I made him
shake hands with me, unknown, after having taken two of his ships a
fortnight before on the Main.
WEISLINGEN: I beg you to leave me alone.
GOETZ: Why? Pray, be cheerful. You are in my power, and I shall not
abuse it. You know my knight's duty is sacred to me. And now I must go
to see my wife. [_Exit. _
WEISLINGEN: Oh, that it were all a dream! In Berlichingen's power--and
he, the old true-hearted Goetz! Back again in the hall, where we played
as boys, where I loved him with all my heart! How strangely past and
present seem to intermingle here.
[_Enter_ GOETZ, _and a man with jug and goblet_.
GOETZ: Let us drink, until the meal is ready. Come, you are at home.
It is a long time since we last shared a bottle. (_Raising his goblet_)
A gay heart!
WEISLINGEN: Those times are past.
GOETZ: Heaven forbid! Though merrier days we may not find. If you had
only followed me to Brabant, instead of taking to that miserable life
at court! Are you not as free and nobly born as anyone in Germany?
Independent, subject only to the emperor? And you submit to vassals,
who poison the emperor's ear against me! They want to get rid of me.
And you, Weislingen, are their tool!
WEISLINGEN: Berlichingen!
GOETZ: No more of it! I hate explanations. They only lead to
deceiving one or the other, or both.
[_They stand apart, their backs turned to each other.
Enter_ MARIE.
MARIE (_to_ WEISLINGEN): I come to greet and to invite you in
my sister's name. What is it? Why are you silent both? You are host
and guest. Be guided by a woman's voice.
GOETZ: You remind me of my duty.
WEISLINGEN: Who could resist so heavenly a hint?
MARIE: Draw near each other, be reconciled! (_The men shake hands_. )
The union of brave men is the most ardent wish of all good women.
ACT II
SCENE I. --_A room at Jaxthausen_. Marie _and_ Weislingen.
MARIE: You say you love me. I willingly believe it, and hope to be
happy with you and to make you happy.
WEISLINGEN: Blessed be your brother and the day he rode out to
capture me! [_Enter_ Goetz.
GOETZ: Your page is back. Whatever his news, Adelbert, you are
free! All I ask is your word that you will not aid and abet my
enemies.
WEISLINGEN: I take your hand. And may I at the same time take
the hand of this noblest of all women?
GOETZ: May I say "yes" for you, Marie? You need not blush--your
eyes have answered clearly. Well, then, Weislingen, take her hand,
and I say Amen, friend and brother! I must call my wife. Elizabeth!
(_Enter_ ELIZABETH. ) Join your hand in theirs and say "God bless
you! " They are a pair. Adelbert is going back to Bamberg to detach
himself openly from the bishop, and then to his estates to settle
his affairs. And now we'll leave him undisturbed to hear his boy's
report.
[_Exit with_ Marie _and_ Elizabeth.
WEISLINGEN: Such bliss for one so unworthy!
[_Enter_ Franz.
FRANZ: God save you, noble sir! I bring you greetings from
everybody in Bamberg--from the bishop down to the jester. How they
are distressed at your mishap! I am to tell you to be patient--they
will think the more impatiently of your deliverance; for they cannot
spare you.
WEISLINGEN: They will have to. I'll return, but not to stay long.
FRANZ: Not to stay? My lord, if you but knew what I know! If you
had but seen her--the angel in the shape of woman, who makes Bamberg
a forecourt of heaven--Adelheid von Walldorf!
WEISLINGEN: I have heard much of her beauty. Is her husband at
court?
FRANZ: She has been widowed for four months, and is at Bamberg for
amusement. If she looks upon you, it is as though you were basking in
spring sunshine.
WEISLINGEN: Her charms would be lost on me. I am betrothed. Marie
will be the happiness of my life. And now pack up. First to Bamberg,
and then to my castle. [_Exeunt. _
SCENE II. --_A forest. Some Nuremberg merchants, who, attacked on their
way to the Frankfurt Fair by_ Goetz _and his men, have
escaped, leaving their goods in the hands of the knights.
The page_ George _has, however, recaptured two of the
merchants as_ Goetz _and his men enter_.
GOETZ: Search the forest! Let none escape!
GEORGE (_stepping forward_): I've done some preparatory work. Here
they are.
GOETZ: Welcome, good lad! Keep them well guarded! (_Exit his men
with the merchants_. ) And now, what news of Weislingen?
GEORGE: Bad news! He looked confused when I said to him, "A few
words from your Berlichingen. " He tried to put me off with empty words,
but when I pressed him he said he was under no obligation to you, and
would have nothing to do with you.
GOETZ: Enough! I shall not forget this infamous treachery. Whoever
gets into my power shall feel it. (_Exit_ GEORGE. ) I'll revel in their
agony, deride their fear. And how, Goetz, are you thus changed? Should
other people's faults and vices make you renounce your chivalry, and
abandon yourself to vulgar cruelty? I'll drag him back in chains, if
I can't get him any other way. And there's an end of it, Goetz; think
of your duty!
[_Enter_ GEORGE _with a casket_.
GEORGE: Now let your joke be ended, they are frightened enough. One
of them, a handsome young man, gave me this casket, and said, "Take
this as ransom! The jewels I meant to take to my betrothed. Take them,
and let me escape. "
GOETZ (_examining the jewels_): This time, Marie, I shall not be
tempted to bring it to you as a birthday gift. Even in your misfortune
you would rejoice in the happiness of others. Take it, George. Give
it back to the lad. Let him take it to his bride, with greeting from
Goetz! And let all the prisoners free at sunset.
ACT III
SCENE I. --_Pleasure-garden at Augsburg. The_ EMPEROR, _the_ BISHOP OF
BAMBERG, WEISLINGEN, _the_ LADY ADELHEID, COURTIERS.
EMPEROR: I am tired of these merchants with their eternal
complaints! Every shopkeeper wants help, and no one will stir against
the common enemy of the empire and of Christianity.
WEISLINGEN: Who would be active abroad while he is threatened at
home?
BISHOP: If we could only remove that proud Sickingen and
Berlichingen, the others would soon fall asunder.
EMPEROR: Brave, noble men at heart, who must be spared and used
against the Turks.
WEISLINGEN: The consequences may be dangerous. Better to capture
them and leave them quietly upon their knightly parole in their
castles.
EMPEROR: If they then abide by the law, they might again be
honourably and usefully employed. I shall open the session of the Diet
to-morrow with this proposal.
WEISLINGEN: A clamour of joyful assent will spare your majesty the
end of the speech.
[_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.
