Project Gutenberg's Minna von Barnhelm, by Gotthold Ephraim Lessing
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Title: Minna von Barnhelm
Author: Gotthold Ephraim Lessing
Translator: Ernest Bell
Posting Date: December 25, 2008 [EBook #2663]
Release Date: June, 2001
Language: English
*** START OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK MINNA VON BARNHELM ***
Produced by Dagny, Emma Dudding, and John Bickers
MINNA VON BARNHELM
or, THE SOLDIER'S FORTUNE
By Gotthold Ephraim Lessing
Translated By Ernest Bell
INTRODUCTORY NOTE
Gotthold Ephraim Lessing was born at Kamenz, Germany, January 22,
1729, the son of a Lutheran minister. He was educated at Meissen
and Leipzic, and began writing for the stage before he was twenty.
In 1748 he went to Berlin, where he met Voltaire and for a time
was powerfully influenced by him. The most important product of
this period was his tragedy of "Miss Sara Samson," a modern
version of the story of Medea, which began the vogue of the
sentimental middle-class play in Germany. After a second sojourn
in Leipzic (1755-1758), during which he wrote criticism, lyrics,
and fables, Lessing returned to Berlin and began to publish his
"Literary Letters," making himself by the vigor and candor of his
criticism a real force in contemporary literature. From Berlin he
went to Breslau, where he made the first sketches of two of his
greatest works, "Laocoon" and "Minna von Barnhelm," both of which
were issued after his return to the Prussian capital. Failing in
his effort to be appointed Director of the Royal Library by
Frederick the Great, Lessing went to Hamburg in 1767 as critic of
a new national theatre, and in connection with this enterprise he
issued twice a week the "Hamburgische Dramaturgie," the two
volumes of which are a rich mine of dramatic criticism and theory.
His next residence was at Wolfenbuttel, where he had charge of the
ducal library from 1770 till his death in 1781. Here he wrote his
tragedy of "Emilia Galotti," founded on the story of Virginia, and
engaged for a time in violent religious controversies, one
important outcome of which was his "Education of the Human Race."
On being ordered by the Brunswick authorities to give up
controversial writing, he found expression for his views in his
play "Nathan the Wise," his last great production.
The importance of Lessing's masterpiece in comedy, "Minna von
Barnhelm," is difficult to exaggerate. It was the beginning of
German national drama; and by the patriotic interest of its
historical background, by its sympathetic treatment of the German
soldier and the German woman, and by its happy blending of the
amusing and the pathetic, it won a place in the national heart
from which no succeeding comedy has been able to dislodge it.
MINNA VON BARNHELM
or, THE SOLDIER'S FORTUNE
DRAMATIS PERSONAE
MAJOR VON TELLHEIM, a discharged officer.
MINNA VON BARNHELM.
COUNT VON BRUCHSAL, her uncle.
FRANZISKA, her lady's maid.
JUST, servant to the Major.
PAUL WERNER, an old Sergeant of the Major's.
The LANDLORD of an Inn.
A LADY.
An ORDERLY.
RICCAUT DE LA MARLINIERE.
The scene alternates between the Parlour of an Inn, and a Room
adjoining it.
ACT I.
SCENE I.
Just
JUST (sitting in a corner, and talking while asleep).
Rogue of a landlord! You treat us so? On, comrade! hit hard!
(He strikes with his fist, and wakes through the exertion).
Ha! there he is again! I cannot shut an eye without fighting with him.
I wish he got but half the blows. Why, it is morning! I must just look
for my poor master at once; if I can help it, he shall not set foot in
the cursed house again. I wonder where he has passed the night?
SCENE II.
Landlord, Just
LAND.
Good-morning, Herr Just; good-morning! What, up so early! Or shall I
say--up so late?
JUST.
Say which you please.
LAND.
I say only--good-morning! and that deserves, I suppose, that Herr Just
should answer, "Many thanks."
JUST.
Many thanks.
LAND.
One is peevish, if one can't have one's proper rest. What will you bet
the Major has not returned home, and you have been keeping watch for
him?
JUST.
How the man can guess everything!
LAND.
I surmise, I surmise.
JUST. (turns round to go).
Your servant!
LAND. (stops him).
Not so, Herr Just!
JUST.
Very well, then, not your servant!
LAND.
What, Herr Just, I do hope you are not still angry about yesterday's
affair! Who would keep his anger over night?
JUST.
I; and over a good many nights.
LAND.
Is that like a Christian?
JUST.
As much so as to turn an honourable man who cannot pay to a day, out
of doors, into the street.
LAND.
Fie! who would be so wicked?
JUST.
A Christian innkeeper.--My master! such a man! such an officer!
LAND.
I thrust him from the house into the streets? I have far too much
respect for an officer to do that, and far too much pity for a
discharged one! I was obliged to have another room prepared for him.
Think no more about it, Herr Just.
(Calls)
--Hullo! I will make it good in another way.
(A lad comes.)
Bring a glass; Herr Just will have a drop; something good.
JUST.
Do not trouble yourself, Mr. Landlord. May the drop turn to poison,
which... But I will not swear; I have not yet breakfasted.
LAND. (to the lad, who brings a bottle of spirits and a glass).
Give it here; go! Now, Herr Just; something quite excellent; strong,
delicious, and wholesome.
(Fills, and holds it out to him.)
That can set an over-taxed stomach to rights again!
JUST.
I hardly ought!--And yet why should I let my health suffer on account
of his incivility?
(Takes it, and drinks.)
LAND.
May it do you good, Herr Just!
JUST. (giving the glass back).
Not bad! But, Landlord, you are nevertheless an ill-mannered brute!
LAND.
Not so, not so!... Come, another glass; one cannot stand upon one
leg.
JUST. (after drinking).
I must say so much--it is good, very good! Made at home, Landlord?
LAND.
At home, indeed! True Dantzig, real double distilled!
JUST.
Look ye, Landlord; if I could play the hypocrite, I would do so for
such stuff as that; but I cannot, so it must out.--You are an ill-
mannered brute all the same.
LAND.
Nobody in my life ever told me that before... But another glass,
Herr Just; three is the lucky number!
JUST.
With all my heart!--
(Drinks).
Good stuff indeed, capital! But truth is good also, and indeed,
Landlord, you are an ill-mannered brute all the same!
LAND.
If I was, do you think I should let you say so?
JUST.
Oh! yes; a brute seldom has spirit.
LAND.
One more, Herr Just: a four-stranded rope is the strongest.
JUST.
No, enough is as good as a feast! And what good will it do you,
Landlord? I shall stick to my text till the last drop in the bottle.
Shame, Landlord, to have such good Dantzig, and such bad manners! To
turn out of his room, in his absence--a man like my master, who has
lodged at your house above a year; from whom you have had already so
many shining thalers; who never owed a heller in his life--because he
let payment run for a couple of months, and because he does not spend
quite so much as he used.
LAND.
But suppose I really wanted the room and saw beforehand that the Major
would willingly have given it up if we could only have waited some
time for his return! Should I let strange gentlefolk like them drive
away again from my door! Should I wilfully send such a prize into the
clutches of another innkeeper? Besides, I don't believe they could
have got a lodging elsewhere. The inns are all now quite full. Could
such a young, beautiful, amiable lady remain in the street? Your
master is much too gallant for that. And what does he lose by the
change? Have not I given him another room?
JUST.
By the pigeon-house at the back, with a view between a neighbour's
chimneys.
LAND.
The view was uncommonly fine, before the confounded neighbour
obstructed it. The room is otherwise very nice, and is papered!!!!!
JUST.
Has been!
LAND.
No, one side is so still. And the little room adjoining, what is the
matter with that? It has a chimney which, perhaps, smokes somewhat in
the winter!!!!!
JUST.
But does very nicely in the summer. I believe, Landlord, you are
mocking us into the bargain!
LAND.
Come, come; Herr Just, Herr Just!!!!!
JUST.
Don't make Herr Just's head hot!!!!!
LAND.
I make his head hot? It is the Dantzig does that.
JUST.
An officer, like my master! Or do you think that a discharged officer,
is not an officer who may break your neck for you? Why were you all,
you Landlords, so civil during the war? Why was every officer an
honourable man then and every soldier a worthy, brave fellow? Does
this bit of a peace make you so bumptious?
LAND.
What makes you fly out so, Herr Just!
JUST.
I will fly out.
SCENE III.
Major von Tellheim, Landlord, Just
MAJ. T. (entering).
Just!
JUST. (supposing the Landlord is still speaking).
Just? Are we so intimate?
MAJ. T.
Just!
JUST.
I thought I was "Herr Just" with you.
LAND. (seeing the Major).
Hist! hist! Herr Just, Herr Just, look round; your master!!!!!
MAJ. T.
Just, I think you are quarreling! What did I tell you?
LAND.
Quarrel, your honour? God forbid! Would your most humble servant dare
to quarrel with one who has the honour of being in your service?
JUST.
If I could but give him a good whack on that cringing cat's back of
his!
LAND.
It is true Herr Just speaks up for his master, and rather warmly; but
in that he is right. I esteem him so much the more: I like him for it.
JUST.
I should like to knock his teeth out for him!
LAND.
It is only a pity that he puts himself in a passion for nothing. For I
feel quite sure that your honour is not displeased with me in this
matter, since--necessity--made it necessary!!!!!
MAJ. T.
More than enough, sir! I am in your debt; you turn out my room in my
absence. You must be paid, I must seek a lodging elsewhere. Very
natural.
LAND.
Elsewhere? You are going to quit, honoured sir? Oh, unfortunate
stricken man that I am. No, never! Sooner shall the lady give up the
apartments again. The Major cannot and will not let her have his room.
It is his; she must go; I cannot help it. I will go, honoured sir!!!!!
MAJ. T.
My friend, do not make two foolish strokes instead of one. The lady
must retain possession of the room!!!!!
LAND.
And your honour could suppose that from distrust, from fear of not
being paid, I... As if I did not know that your honour could pay me
as soon as you pleased. The sealed purse... five hundred thalers in
louis d'ors marked on it--which your honour had in your writing-desk
... is in good keeping.
MAJ. T.
I trust so; as the rest of my property. Just shall take them into his
keeping, when he has paid your bill!!!!!
LAND.
Really, I was quite alarmed when I found the purse. I always
considered your honour a methodical and prudent man, who never got
quite out of money... but still, had I supposed there was ready
money in the desk!!!!!
MAJ. T.
You would have treated me rather more civilly. I understand you. Go,
sir; leave me. I wish to speak with my servant.
LAND.
But, honoured sir!!!!!
MAJ. T.
Come, Just; he does not wish to permit me to give my orders to you in
his house.
LAND.
I am going, honoured sir! My whole house is at your service.
(Exit.)
SCENE IV.
Major Von Tellheim, Just
JUST. (stamping with his foot and spitting after the Landlord).
Ugh!
MAJ. T.
What is the matter?
JUST.
I am choking with rage.
MAJ. T.
That is as bad as from plethora.
JUST.
And for you sir, I hardly know you any longer. May I die before your
eyes, if you do not encourage this malicious, unfeeling wretch. In
spite of gallows, axe, and torture I could... yes, I could have
throttled him with these hands, and torn him to pieces with these
teeth!
MAJ. T.
You wild beast!
JUST.
Better a wild beast than such a man!
MAJ. T.
But what is it that you want?
JUST.
I want you to perceive how much he insults you.
MAJ. T.
And then!!!!!
JUST.
To take your revenge... No, the fellow is beneath your notice!
MAJ. T.
But to commission you to avenge me? That was my intention from the
first. He should not have seen me again, but have received the amount
of his bill from your hands. I know that you can throw down a handful
of money with a tolerably contemptuous mien.
JUST.
Oh! a pretty sort of revenge!
MAJ. T.
Which, however, we must defer. I have not one heller of ready money,
and I know not where to raise any.
JUST.
No money! What is that purse then with five hundred thalers' worth of
louis d'ors, which the Landlord found in your desk?
MAJ. T.
That is money given into my charge.
JUST.
Not the hundred pistoles which your old sergeant brought you four or
five weeks back?
MAJ. T.
The same. Paul Werner's; right.
JUST.
And you have not used them yet? Yet, sir, you may do what you please
with them. I will answer for it that!!!!!
MAJ. T.
Indeed!
JUST.
Werner heard from me, how they had treated your claims upon the War
Office. He heard!!!!!
MAJ. T.
That I should certainly be a beggar soon, if I was not one already. I
am much obliged to you, Just. And the news induced Werner to offer to
share his little all with me. I am very glad that I guessed this.
Listen, Just; let me have your account, directly, too; we must part.
JUST.
How! what!
MAJ. T.
Not a word. There is someone coming.
SCENE V.
Lady _in mourning_, Major von Tellheim, Just
LADY.
I ask your pardon, sir.
MAJ. T.
Whom do you seek, Madam?
LADY.
The worthy gentleman with whom I have the honour of speaking. You do
not know me again. I am the widow of your late captain.
MAJ. T.
Good heavens, Madam, how you are changed!
LADY.
I have just risen from a sick bed, to which grief on the loss of my
husband brought me. I am troubling you at a very early hour, Major von
Tellheim, but I am going into the country, where a kind, but also
unfortunate friend, has for the present offered me an asylum.
MAJ. T. (to Just).
Leave us.
SCENE VI.
Lady, Major von Tellheim
MAJ. T.
Speak freely, Madam! You must not be ashamed of your bad fortune
before me. Can I serve you in any way?
LADY.
Major!!!!!
MAJ. T.
I pity you, Madam! How can I serve you? You know your husband was my
friend; my friend, I say, and I have always been sparing of this
title.
LADY.
Who knows better than I do how worthy you were of his friendship how
worthy he was of yours? You would have been in his last thoughts, your
name would have been the last sound on his dying lips, had not natural
affection, stronger than friendship, demanded this sad prerogative for
his unfortunate son, and his unhappy wife.
MAJ. T.
Cease, Madam! I could willingly weep with you; but I have no tears
to-day. Spare me! You come to me at a time when I might easily be
misled to murmur against Providence. Oh! honest Marloff! Quick, Madam,
what have you to request? If it is in my power to assist you, if it is
in my power!!!!!
LADY.
I cannot depart without fulfilling his last wishes. He recollected,
shortly before his death, that he was dying a debtor to you, and he
conjured me to discharge his debt with the first ready money I should
have. I have sold his carriage, and come to redeem his note.
MAJ. T.
What, Madam! Is that your object in coming?
LADY.
It is. Permit me to count out the money to you.
MAJ. T.
No, Madam. Marloff a debtor to me! that can hardly be. Let us look,
however.
(Takes out a pocketbook, and searches.)
I find nothing of the kind.
LADY.
You have doubtless mislaid his note; besides, it is nothing to the
purpose. Permit me!!!!!
MAJ. T.
No, Madam; I am careful not to mislay such documents. If I have not
got it, it is a proof that I never had it, or that it has been
honoured and already returned by me.
LADY.
Major!
MAJ. T.
Without doubt, Madam; Marloff does not owe me anything--nor can I
remember that he ever did owe me anything. This is so, Madam. He has
much rather left me in his debt. I have never been able to do anything
to repay a man who shared with me good and ill luck, honour and
danger, for six years. I shall not forget that he has left a son. He
shall be my son, as soon as I can be a father to him. The
embarrassment in which I am at present!!!!!
LADY.
Generous man! But do not think so meanly of me. Take the money, Major,
and then at least I shall be at ease.
MAJ. T.
What more do you require to tranquillize you, than my assurance that
the money does not belong to me? Or do you wish that I should rob the
young orphan of my friend? Rob, Madam; for that it would be in the
true meaning of the word. The money belongs to him; invest it for him.
LADY.
I understand you; pardon me if I do not yet rightly know how to accept
a kindness. Where have you learnt that a mother will do more for her
child than for the preservation of her own life? I am going!!!!!
MAJ. T.
Go, Madam, and may you have a prosperous journey! I do not ask you to
let me hear from you. Your news might come to me when it might be of
little use to me. There is yet one thing, Madam; I had nearly
forgotten that which is of most consequence. Marloff also had claims
upon the chest of our old regiment. His claims are as good as mine. If
my demands are paid, his must be paid also. I will be answerable for
them.
LADY.
Oh! Sir... but what can I say? Thus to purpose future good deeds
is, in the eyes of heaven, to have performed them already. May you
receive its reward, as well as my tears.
(Exit.)
SCENE VII.
Major von Tellheim
MAJ. T.
Poor, good woman! I must not forget to destroy the bill.
(Takes some papers from his pocketbook and destroys them.)
Who would guarantee that my own wants might not some day tempt me to
make use of it?
SCENE VIII.
Just, Major von Tellheim
MAJ. T.
Is that you, Just?
JUST. (wiping his eyes).
Yes.
MAJ. T.
You have been crying?
JUST.
I have been writing out my account in the kitchen, and the place is
full of smoke. Here it is, sir.
MAJ. T.
Give it to me.
JUST.
Be merciful with me, sir. I know well that they have not been so with
you; still!!!!!
MAJ. T.
What do you want?
JUST.
I should sooner have expected my death, than my discharge.
MAJ. T.
I cannot keep you any longer: I must learn to manage without servants.
(Opens the paper, and reads.)
"What my master, the Major, owes me:--Three months and a half wages,
six thalers per month, is 21 thalers. During the first part of this
month, laid out in sundries--1 thaler 7 groschen 9 pfennigs. Total, 22
thalers 7gr. 9pf." Right; and it is just that I also pay your wages,
for the whole of the current month.
JUST.
Turn over, sir.
MAJ. T.
Oh! more?
(Reads.)
"What I owe my master, the Major:--Paid for me to the army-surgeon
twenty-five thalers. Attendance and nurse during my cure, paid for me,
thirty-nine thalers. Advanced, at my request, to my father--who was
burnt out of his house and robbed--without reckoning the two horses of
which he made him a present, fifty thalers. Total 114 thalers. Deduct
the above 22 thalers, 7gr. 9pf.; I remain in debt to my master, the
Major, 91 thalers, 16gr. 3pf." You are mad, my good fellow!
JUST.
I willingly grant that I owe you much more; but it would be wasting
ink to write it down. I cannot pay you that: and if you take my livery
from me too, which, by the way, I have not yet earned,--I would rather
you had let me die in the workhouse.
MAJ. T.
For what do you take me? You owe me nothing; and I will recommend you
to one of my friends, with whom you will fare better than with me.
JUST.
I do not owe you anything, and yet you turn me away!
MAJ. T.
Because I do not wish to owe you anything.
JUST.
On that account? Only on that account? As certain as I am in your
debt, as certain as you can never be in mine, so certainly shall you
not turn me away now. Do what you will, Major, I remain in your
service; I must remain.
MAJ. T.
With your obstinacy, your insolence, your savage boisterous temper
towards all who you think have no business to speak to you, your
malicious pranks, your love of revenge,!!!!!
JUST.
Make me as bad as you will, I shall not think worse of myself than of
my dog. Last winter I was walking one evening at dusk along the river,
when I heard something whine. I stooped down, and reached in the
direction whence the sound came, and when I thought I was saving a
child, I pulled a dog out of the water. That is well, thought I. The
dog followed me; but I am not fond of dogs, so I drove him away--in
vain. I whipped him away--in vain. I shut him out of my room at night;
he lay down before the door. If he came too near me, I kicked him; he
yelped, looked up at me, and wagged his tail. I have never yet given
him a bit of bread with my own hand; and yet I am the only person whom
he will obey, or who dare touch him. He jumps about me, and shows off
his tricks to me, without my asking for them. He is an ugly dog, but
he is a good animal. If he carries it on much longer, I shall at last
give over hating him.
MAJ. T. (aside).
As I do him. No, there is no one perfectly inhuman. Just, we will not
part.
JUST.
Certainly not! And you wanted to manage without servants! You forget
your wounds, and that you only have the use of one arm. Why, you are
not able to dress alone. I am indispensable to you; and I am--without
boasting, Major,--I am a servant who, if the worst comes to the worst,
can beg and steal for his master.
MAJ. T.
Just, we will part.
JUST.
All right, Sir!
SCENE IX.
Servant, Major von Tellheim, Just
SER.
I say, comrade!
JUST.
What is the matter?
SER.
Can you direct me to the officer who lodged yesterday in that room?
(Pointing to the one out of which he is coming).
JUST.
That I could easily do. What have you got for him?
SER.
What we always have, when we have nothing--compliments. My mistress
hears that he has been turned out on her account. My mistress knows
good manners, and I am therefore to beg his pardon.
JUST.
Well then, beg his pardon; there he stands.
SER.
What is he? What is his name?
MAJ. T.
I have already heard your message, my friend. It is unnecessary
politeness on the part of your mistress, which I beg to acknowledge
duly. Present my compliments to her. What is the name of your
mistress?
SER.
Her name! We call her my Lady.
MAJ. T.
The name of her family?
SER.
I have not heard that yet, and it is not my business to ask. I manage
so that I generally get a new master every six weeks. Hang all their
names!
JUST.
Bravo, comrade!
SER.
I was engaged by my present mistress a few days ago, in Dresden. I
believe she has come here to look for her lover.
MAJ. T.
Enough, friend. I wished to know the name of your mistress, not her
secrets. Go!
SER.
Comrade, he would not do for my master.
SCENE X.
Major von Tellheim, Just
MAJ. T.
Just! see that we get out of this house directly! The politeness of
this strange lady affects me more than the churlishness of the host.
Here, take this ring--the only thing of value which I have left--of
which I never thought such a use. Pawn it! get eighty louis d'ors for
it: our host's bill can scarcely amount to thirty. Pay him, and remove
my things.... Ah, where? Where you will. The cheaper the inn, the
better. You will find me in the neighbouring coffee-house. I am going;
you will see to it all properly?
JUST.
Have no fear, Major!
MAJ. T. (comes back).
Above all things, do not let my pistols be forgotten, which hang
beside the bed.
JUST.
I will forget nothing.
MAJ. T. (comes back again).
Another thing: bring your dog with you too. Do you hear, Just?
SCENE XI.
Just
JUST.
The dog will not stay behind, he will take care of that. Hem! My
master still had this valuable ring and carried it in his pocket
instead of on his finger! My good landlord, we are not yet so poor as
we look. To him himself, I will pawn you, you beautiful little ring! I
know he will be annoyed that you will not all be consumed in his
house. Ah!
SCENE XII.
Paul Werner, Just
JUST.
Hullo, Werner! good-day to you, Werner. Welcome to the town.
WER.
The accursed village! I can't manage to get at home in it again.
Merry, my boys, merry; I have got some more money! Where is the Major?
JUST.
He must have met you; he just went down stairs.
WER.
I came up the back stairs. How is he? I should have been with you last
week, but!!!!!
JUST.
Well, what prevented you?
WER.
Just, did you ever hear of Prince Heraclius?
JUST.
Heraclius? Not that I know of.
WER.
Don't you know the great hero of the East?
JUST.
I know the wise men of the East well enough, who go about with the
stars on New Year's Eve.
WER.
Brother, I believe you read the newspapers as little as the Bible. You
do not know Prince Heraclius. Not know the brave man who seized
Persia, and will break into the Ottoman Porte in a few days? Thank
God, there is still war somewhere in the world! I have long enough
hoped it would break out here again. But there they sit and take care
of their skins. No, a soldier I was, and a soldier I must be again! In
short, (looking round carefully, to see if anyone is listening)
between ourselves, Just, I am going to Persia, to have a few campaigns
against the Turks, under his Royal Highness Prince Heraclius.
JUST.
You?
WER.
I myself. Our ancestors fought bravely against the Turks; and so ought
we too, if we would be honest men and good Christians. I allow that a
campaign against the Turks cannot be half so pleasant as one against
the French; but then it must be so much the more beneficial in this
world and the next. The swords of the Turks are all set with diamonds.
JUST.
I would not walk a mile to have my head split with one of their
sabres. You will not be so mad as to leave your comfortable little
farm!
WER.
Oh! I take that with me. Do you see? The property is sold.
JUST.
Sold?
WER.
Hist! Here are a hundred ducats, which I received yesterday towards
the payment: I am bringing them for the Major.
JUST.
What is he to do with them?
WER.
What is he to do with them? Spend them; play them, or drink them away,
or whatever he pleases. He must have money, and it is bad enough that
they have made his own so troublesome to him. But I know what I would
do, were I in his place. I would say--"The deuce take you all here; I
will go with Paul Werner to Persia!" Hang it! Prince Heraclius must
have heard of Major von Tellheim, if he has not heard of Paul Werner,
his late sergeant. Our affair at Katzenhauser!!!!!
JUST.
Shall I give you an account of that?
WER.
You give me! I know well that a fine battle array is beyond your
comprehension. I am not going to throw my pearls before swine. Here,
take the hundred ducats; give them to the Major: tell him, he may keep
these for me too. I am going to the market now. I have sent in a
couple of loads of rye; what I get for them he can also have.
JUST.
Werner, you mean it well; but we don't want your money. Keep your
ducats; and your hundred pistoles you can also have back safe, as soon
as you please.
WER.
What, has the Major money still?
JUST.
No.
WER.
Has he borrowed any?
JUST.
No.
WER.
On what does he live, then?
JUST.
We have everything put down in the bill; and when they won't put
anything more down, and turn us out of the house, we pledge anything
we may happen to have, and go somewhere else. I say, Paul, we must
play this landlord here a trick.
WER.
If he has annoyed the Major, I am ready.
JUST.
What if we watch for him in the evening, when he comes from his club,
and give him a good thrashing?
WER.
In the dark! Watch for him! Two to one! No, that won't do.
JUST.
Or if we burn his house over his head?
WER.
Fire and burn! Why, Just, one hears that you have been baggage-boy and
not soldier. Shame!
JUST.
Or if we ruin his daughter? But she is cursedly ugly.
WER.
She has probably been ruined long ago. At any rate you don't want any
help there. But what is the matter with you? What has happened?
JUST.
Just come with me, and you shall hear something to make you stare.
WER.
The devil must be loose here, then?
JUST.
Just so; come along.
WER.
So much the better! To Persia, then; to Persia.
ACT II.
SCENE I.
Minna's Room. Minna, Franziska
MIN. (in morning dress, looking at her watch).
Franziska, we have risen very early. The time will hang heavy on our
hands.
FRAN.
Who can sleep in these abominable large towns? The carriages, the
watchmen, the drums, the cats, the soldiers, never cease to rattle, to
call, to roll, to mew, and to swear; just as if the last thing the
night is intended for was for sleep. Have a cup of tea, my lady!
MIN.
I don't care for tea.
FRAN.
I will have some chocolate made.
MIN.
For yourself, if you like.
FRAN.
For myself! I would as soon talk to myself as drink by myself. Then
the time will indeed hang heavy. For very weariness we shall have to
make our toilets, and try on the dress in which we intend to make the
first attack!
MIN.
Why do you talk of attacks, when I have only come to require that the
capitulation be ratified?
FRAN.
But the officer whom we have dislodged, and to whom we have
apologized, cannot be the best bred man in the world, or he might at
least have begged the honour of being allowed to wait upon you.
MIN.
All officers are not Tellheims. To tell you the truth, I only sent him
the message in order to have an opportunity of inquiring from him
about Tellheim. Franziska, my heart tells me my journey will be a
successful one and that I shall find him.
FRAN.
The heart, my lady! One must not trust to that too much. The heart
echoes to us the words of our tongues. If the tongue was as much
inclined to speak the thoughts of the heart, the fashion of keeping
mouths under lock and key would have come in long ago.
MIN.
Ha! ha! mouths under lock and key. That fashion would just suit me.
FRAN.
Rather not show the most beautiful set of teeth, than let the heart be
seen through them every moment.
MIN.
What, are you so reserved?
FRAN.
No, my lady; but I would willingly be more so. People seldom talk of
the virtue they possess, and all the more often of that which they do
not possess.
MIN.
Franziska, you made a very just remark there.
FRAN.
Made! Does one make it, if it occurs to one?
MIN.
And do you know why I consider it so good? It applies to my Tellheim.
FRAN.
What would not, in your opinion, apply to him?
MIN.
Friend and foe say he is the bravest man in the world. But who ever
heard him talk of bravery? He has the most upright mind; but
uprightness and nobleness of mind are words never on his tongue.
FRAN.
Of what virtues does he talk then?
MIN.
He talks of none, for he is wanting in none.
FRAN.
That is just what I wished to hear.
MIN.
Wait, Franziska; I am wrong. He often talks of economy. Between
ourselves, I believe he is extravagant.
FRAN.
One thing more, my lady. I have often heard him mention truth and
constancy toward you. What, if he be inconstant?
MIN.
Miserable girl! But do you mean that seriously?
FRAN.
How long is it since he wrote to you?
MIN.
Alas! he has only written to me once since the peace.
FRAN.
What!--A sigh on account of the peace? Surprising? Peace ought only to
make good the ill which war causes; but it seems to disturb the good
which the latter, its opposite, may have occasioned. Peace should not
be so capricious!... How long have we had peace? The time seems
wonderfully long, when there is so little news. It is no use the post
going regularly again; nobody writes, for nobody has anything to write
about.
MIN.
"Peace has been made," he wrote to me, "and I am approaching the
fulfillment of my wishes." But since he only wrote that to me once,
only once!!!!!
FRAN.
And since he compels us to run after this fulfillment of his wishes
ourselves... If we can but find him, he shall pay for this! Suppose,
in the meantime, he may have accomplished his wishes, and we should
learn here that!!!!!
MIN. (anxiously).
That he is dead?
FRAN.
To you, my lady; and married to another.
MIN.
You tease, you! Wait, Franziska, I will pay you out for this! But talk
to me, or I shall fall asleep. His regiment was disbanded after the
peace. Who knows into what a confusion of bills and papers he may
thereby have been brought? Who knows into what other regiment, or to
what distant station, he may have been sent? Who knows what
circumstances--There's a knock at the door.
FRAN.
Come in!
SCENE II.
Landlord, Minna, Franziska
LAND. (putting his head in at the door).
Am I permitted, your ladyship?
FRAN.
Our landlord?--Come in!
LAND. (A pen behind his ear, a sheet of paper and an inkstand in his
hand).
I am come, your ladyship, to wish you a most humble good-morning;
(to Franziska)
and the same to you, my pretty maid.
FRAN.
A polite man!
MIN.
We are obliged to you.
FRAN.
And wish you also a good-morning.
LAND.
May I venture to ask how your ladyship has passed the first night
under my poor roof?
FRAN.
The roof is not so bad, sir; but the beds might have been better.
LAND.
What do I hear! Not slept well! Perhaps the over-fatigue of the
journey!!!!!
MIN.
Perhaps.
LAND.
Certainly, certainly, for otherwise.... Yet, should there be
anything not perfectly comfortable, my lady, I hope you will not fail
to command me.
FRAN.
Very well, Mr. Landlord, very well! We are not bashful; and least of
all should one be bashful at an inn. We shall not fail to say what we
may wish.
LAND.
I next come to...
(taking the pen from behind his ear).
FRAN.
Well?
LAND.
Without doubt, my lady, you are already acquainted with the wise
regulations of our police.
MIN.
Not in the least, sir.
LAND.
We landlords are instructed not to take in any stranger, of whatever
rank or sex he may be, for four-and-twenty hours, without delivering,
in writing, his name, place of abode, occupation, object of his
journey, probable stay, and so on, to the proper authorities.
MIN.
Very well.
LAND.
Will your ladyship then be so good...
(going to the table, and making ready to write).
MIN.
Willingly. My name is!!!!!
LAND.
One minute!
(He writes.)
"Date, 22nd August, A. D., &C.; arrived at the King of Spain hotel."
Now your name, my lady.
MIN.
Fraulein von Barnhelm.
LAND. (writes).
"Von Barnhelm." Coming from.... where, your ladyship?
MIN.
From my estate in Saxony.
LAND. (writes).
"Estate in Saxony." Saxony! Indeed, indeed! In Saxony, your ladyship?
Saxony?
FRAN.
Well, why not? I hope it is no sin in this country to come from Saxony!
LAND.
A sin? Heaven forbid! That would be quite a new sin! From Saxony then?
Yes, yes, from Saxony, a delightful country, Saxony! But if I am
right, your ladyship, Saxony is not small, and has several--how shall
I call them? districts, provinces. Our police are very particular,
your ladyship.
MIN.
I understand. From my estate in Thuringia, then.
LAND.
From Thuringia! Yes, that is better, your ladyship; that is more
exact.
(Writes and reads.)
"Fraulein von Barnhelm, coming from her estate in Thuringia, together
with her lady in waiting and two men servants."
FRAN.
Lady in waiting! That means me, I suppose!
LAND.
Yes, my pretty maid.
FRAN.
Well, Mr. Landlord, instead of "lady in waiting," write "maid in
waiting." You say, the police are very exact; it might cause a
misunderstanding, which might give me trouble some day when my banns
are read out. For I really am still unmarried, and my name is
Franziska, with the family name of Willig: Franziska Willig. I also
come from Thuringia. My father was a miller, on one of my lady's
estates. It is called Little Rammsdorf. My brother has the mill now. I
was taken very early to the manor, and educated with my lady. We are
of the same age--one-and-twenty next Candlemas. I learnt everything my
lady learnt. I should like the police to have a full account of me.
LAND.
Quite right, my pretty maid; I will bear that in mind, in case of
future inquiries. But now, your ladyship, your business here?
MIN.
My business here?
LAND.
Have you any business with His Majesty the King?
MIN.
Oh! no.
LAND.
Or at our courts of justice?
MIN.
No.
LAND.
Or!!!!!
MIN.
No, no. I have come here solely on account of my own private affairs.
LAND.
Quite right, your ladyship; but what are those private affairs?
MIN.
They are... Franziska, I think we are undergoing an examination.
FRAN.
Mr. Landlord, the police surely do not ask to know a young lady's
secrets!
LAND.
Certainly, my pretty maid; the police wish to know everything, and
especially secrets.
FRAN.
What is to be done, my lady?... Well, listen, Mr. Landlord--but
take care that it does not go beyond ourselves and the police.
MIN.
What is the simpleton going to tell him?
FRAN.
We come to carry off an officer from the king.
LAND.
How? What? My dear girl!
FRAN.
Or to let ourselves be carried off by the officer. It is all one.
MIN.
Franziska, are you mad? The saucy girl is laughing at you.
LAND.
I hope not! With your humble servant indeed she may jest as much as
she pleases; but with the police!!!!!
MIN.
I tell you what; I do not understand how to act in this matter.
Suppose you postpone the whole affair till my uncle's arrival. I told
you yesterday why he did not come with me. He had an accident with his
carriage ten miles from here, and did not wish that I should remain a
night longer on the road, so I had to come on. I am sure he will not
be more than four-and-twenty hours after us.
LAND.
Very well, madam, we will wait for him.
MIN.
He will be able to answer your questions better. He will know to whom,
and to what extent, he must give an account of himself--what he must
relate respecting his affairs, and what he may withhold.
LAND.
So much the better! Indeed one cannot expect a young girl
(looking at Franziska in a marked manner)
to treat a serious matter with serious people in a serious manner.
MIN.
And his rooms are in readiness, I hope?
LAND.
Quite, your ladyship, quite; except the one!!!!!
FRAN.
Out of which, I suppose, you will have to turn some other honourable
gentleman!
LAND.
The waiting maids of Saxony, your ladyship, seem to be very
compassionate.
MIN.
In truth, sir, that was not well done. You ought rather to have
refused us.
LAND.
Why so, your ladyship, why so?
MIN.
I understand that the officer who was driven out on our account!!!!!
LAND.
Is only a discharged officer, your ladyship.
MIN.
Well, what then?
LAND.
Who is almost done for.
MIN.
So much the worse! He is said to be a very deserving man.
LAND.
But I tell you he is discharged.
MIN.
The king cannot be acquainted with every deserving man.
LAND.
Oh! doubtless he knows them; he knows them all.
MIN.
But he cannot reward them all.
LAND.
They would have been rewarded if they had lived so as to deserve it.
But they lived during the war as if it would last for ever; as if the
words "yours" and "mine" were done away with altogether. Now all the
hotels and inns are full of them, and a landlord has to be on his
guard with them. I have come off pretty well with this one. If he had
no more money, he had at any rate money's worth; and I might indeed
have let him remain quiet two or three months longer. However, it is
better as it is. By-the-by, your ladyship, you understand about
jewels, I suppose?
MIN.
Not particularly.
LAND.
Of course your ladyship must. I must show you a ring, a valuable ring.
I see you have a very beautiful one on your finger; and the more I
look at it, the more I am astonished at the resemblance it bears to
mine. There! just look, just look!
(Taking the ring from its case, and handing it to her.)
What brilliancy! The diamond in the middle alone weighs more than five
carats.
MIN. (looking at it).
Good heavens! What do I see? This ring!!!!!
LAND.
Is honestly worth fifteen hundred thalers.
MIN.
Franziska! look!
LAND.
I did not hesitate for a moment to advance eighty pistoles on it.
MIN.
Do not you recognize it, Franziska?
FRAN.
The same! Where did you get that ring, Mr. Landlord?
LAND.
Come, my girl! you surely have no claim to it?
FRAN.
We have no claim to this ring! My mistress' monogram must be on it, on
the inner side of the setting. Look at it, my lady.
MIN.
It is! it is! How did you get this ring?
LAND.
I! In the most honourable way in the world. You do not wish to bring
me into disgrace and trouble, your ladyship! How do I know where the
ring properly belongs? During the war many a thing often changed
masters, both with and without the knowledge of its owner. War was
war. Other rings will have crossed the borders of Saxony. Give it me
again, your ladyship; give it me again!
FRAN.
When you have said from whom you got it.
LAND.
From a man whom I cannot think capable of such things; in other
respects a good man.
MIN.
From the best man under the sun, if you have it from its owner. Bring
him here directly! It is himself, or at any rate he must know him.
LAND.
Who? who, your ladyship?
FRAN.
Are you deaf? Our Major!
LAND.
Major! Right! he is a Major, who had this room before you, and from
whom I received it.
MIN.
Major von Tellheim!
LAND.
Yes, Tellheim. Do you know him?
MIN.
Do I know him! He is here! Tellheim here! He had this room! He! he
pledged this ring with you! What has brought him into this
embarrassment? Where is he? Does he owe you anything? Franziska, my
desk here! Open it!
(Franziska puts it on the table and opens it.)
What does he owe you? To whom else does he owe anything? Bring me all
his creditors! Here is gold: here are notes. It is all his!
LAND.
What is this?
MIN.
Where is he? Where is he?
LAND.
An hour ago he was here.
MIN.
Detested man! how could you act so rudely, so hardly, so cruelly
towards him?
LAND.
Your ladyship must pardon!!!!!
MIN.
Quick! Bring him to me.
LAND.
His servant is perhaps still here. Does your ladyship wish that he
should look for him?
MIN.
Do I wish it? Begone, run. For this service alone I will forget how
badly you have behaved to him.
FRAN.
Now then, quick, Mr. Landlord! Be off! fly! fly!
(Pushes him out.)
SCENE III.
Minna, Franziska
MIN.
Now I have found him again, Franziska! Do you hear? Now I have found
him again! I scarcely know where I am for joy! Rejoice with me,
Franziska. But why should you? And yet you shall; you must rejoice
with me. Come, I will make you a present, that you may be able to
rejoice with me. Say, Franziska, what shall I give you? Which of my
things would please you? What would you like? Take what you will; only
rejoice with me. I see you will take nothing. Stop!
(Thrusts her hand into the desk.)
There, Franziska,
(gives her money)
buy yourself what you like. Ask for more, if it be not sufficient; but
rejoice with me you must. It is so melancholy to be happy alone.
There, take it, then.
FRAN.
It is stealing it from you, my lady. You are intoxicated, quite
intoxicated with joy.
MIN.
Girl, my intoxication is of a quarrelsome kind. Take it, or
(forcing money into her hand)
... and if you thank me... Stay, it is well that I think of it.
(Takes more money from the desk.)
Put that aside, Franziska, for the first poor wounded soldier who
accosts us.
SCENE IV.
Landlord, Minna, and Franziska
MIN.
Well, is he coming?
LAND.
The cross, unmannered fellow!
MIN.
Who?
LAND.
His servant. He refuses to go for him.
FRAN.
Bring the rascal here, then. I know all the Major's servants. Which
one of them was it?
MIN.
Bring him here directly. When he sees us he will go fast enough.
(Exit Landlord.)
SCENE V.
Minna, Franziska
MIN.
I cannot bear this delay. But, Franziska, how cold you are still! Why
will you not share my joy with me?
FRAN.
I would from my heart, if only!!!!!
MIN.
If only what?
FRAN.
We have found him again. But how have we found him? From all we hear,
it must go badly with him. He must be unfortunate. That distresses me.
MIN.
Distresses you! Let me embrace you for that, my dear playmate! I shall
never forget this of you. I am only in love, you are good.
SCENE VI.
Landlord, Just, Minna, Franziska
LAND.
With great difficulty I have brought him.
FRAN.
A strange face! I do not know him.
MIN.
Friend, do you live with Major von Tellheim?
JUST.
Yes.
MIN.
Where is your master?
JUST.
Not here.
MIN.
But you could find him?
JUST.
Yes.
MIN.
Will you fetch him quickly?
JUST.
No.
MIN.
You will be doing me a favour.
JUST.
Indeed!
MIN.
And your master a service.
JUST.
Perhaps not.
MIN.
Why do you suppose that?
JUST.
You are the strange lady who sent your compliments to him this
morning, I think?
MIN.
Yes.
JUST.
Then I am right.
MIN.
Does your master know my name?
JUST.
No; but he likes over-civil ladies as little as over-uncivil
landlords.
LAND.
That is meant for me, I suppose?
JUST.
Yes.
LAND.
Well, do not let the lady suffer for it then; but bring him here
directly.
MIN. (to Franziska).
Franziska, give him something
FRAN. (trying to put some money into Just's hand).
We do not require your services for nothing.
JUST.
Nor I your money without services.
FRAN.
One in return for the other.
JUST.
I cannot. My master has ordered me to pack up. That I am now about,
and I beg you not to hinder me further. When I have finished, I will
take care to tell him that he may come here. He is close by, at the
coffee-house; and if he finds nothing better to do there, I suppose he
will come.
(Going.)
FRAN.
Wait a moment! My lady is the Major's... sister.
MIN.
Yes, yes, his sister.
JUST.
I know better; the Major has not a sister. He has sent me twice in six
months to his family in Courland. It is true there are different sorts
of sisters!!!!!
FRAN.
Insolent!
JUST.
One must be so to get the people to let one alone.
(Exit.)
FRAN.
That is a rascal.
LAND.
So I said. But let him go! I know now where his master is. I will
fetch him instantly myself. I only beg your ladyship, most humbly,
that you will make an excuse for me to the Major, that I have been so
unfortunate as to offend a man of his merit against my will.
MIN.
Pray go quickly. I will set all that right again.
(Exit the Landlord.)
Franziska, run after him, and tell him not to mention my name!
(Exit Franziska.)
SCENE VII.
Minna, _and afterwards_ Franziska
MIN.
I have found him again!--Am I alone?--I will not be alone to no
purpose.--
(Clasping her hands.)
Yet I am not alone!
(Looking upwards.)
One single grateful thought towards heaven, is the most perfect
prayer! I have found him! I have found him!
(With outstretched arms.)
I am joyful and happy! What can please the Creator more than a joyful
creature!
(Franziska returns.)
Have you returned, Franziska? You pity him! I do not pity him.
Misfortune too is useful. Perhaps heaven deprived him of everything--
to give him all again, through me!
FRAN.
He may be here at any moment.--You are still in your morning dress, my
lady. Ought you not to dress yourself quickly?
MIN.
Not at all. He will now see me more frequently so, than dressed out.
FRAN.
Oh! you know, my lady, how you look best.
MIN. (after a pause).
Truly, girl, you have hit it again.
FRAN.
I think women who are beautiful, are most so when unadorned.
MIN.
Must we then be beautiful? Perhaps it was necessary that we should
think ourselves so. Enough for me, if only I am beautiful in his eyes.
Franziska, if all women feel as I now feel, we are--strange things.
Tender hearted, yet proud; virtuous, yet vain; passionate, yet
innocent. I dare say you do not understand me. I do not rightly
understand myself. Joy turns my head.
FRAN.
Compose yourself, my lady, I hear footsteps.
MIN.
Compose myself! What! receive him composedly?
SCENE VIII.
Major von Tellheim, Landlord, Minna, and Franziska
MAJ. T. (walks in, and the moment he sees Minna rushes towards her).
Ah! my Minna!
MIN. (springing towards him).
Ah! my Tellheim!
MAJ. T. (starts suddenly, and draws back).
I beg your pardon, Fraulein von Barnhelm; but to meet you here!!!!!
MIN.
Cannot surely be so unexpected!
(Approaching him, whilst he draws back still more.)
Am I to pardon you because I am still your Minna? Heaven pardon you,
that I am still Fraulein von Barnhelm!
MAJ. T.
Fraulein...
(Looks fixedly at the Landlord, and shrugs his shoulders.)
MIN. (sees the Landlord, and makes a sign to Franziska).
Sir!!!!!
MAJ. T.
If we are not both mistaken!!!!!
FRAN.
Why, Landlord, whom have you brought us here? Come, quick! let us go
and look for the right man.
LAND.
Is he not the right one? Surely!
FRAN.
Surely not! Come, quick! I have not yet wished your daughter good
morning.
LAND.
Oh! you are very good
(still does not stir).
FRAN. (takes hold of him).
Come, and we will make the bill of fare. Let us see what we shall
have.
LAND.
You shall have first of all!!!!!
FRAN.
Stop, I say, stop! If my mistress knows now what she is to have for
dinner, it will be all over with her appetite. Come, we must talk that
over in private.
(Drags him off.)
SCENE IX.
Minna, Major von Tellheim
MIN.
Well, are we still both mistaken?
MAJ. T.
Would to heaven it were so--But there is only one Minna, and you are
that one.
MIN.
What ceremony! The world might hear what we have to say to one
another.
MAJ. T.
You here? What do you want here, Madam?
MIN.
Nothing now
(going to him with open arms).
I have found all that I wanted.
MAJ. T. (drawing back).
You seek a prosperous man, and one worthy of your love; and you find--
a wretched one.
MIN.
Then do you love me no longer? Do you love another?
MAJ. T.
Ah! he never loved you, who could love another afterwards.
MIN.
You draw but one dagger from my breast; for if I have lost your heart,
what matters whether indifference or more powerful charms than mine
have robbed me of it? You love me no longer; neither do you love
another? Wretched man indeed, if you love nothing!
MAJ. T.
Right; the wretched must love nothing. He merits his misfortunes, if
he cannot achieve this victory over himself--if he can allow the woman
he loves to take part in his misfortune... Oh! how difficult is
this victory!... Since reason and necessity have commanded me to
forget Minna von Barnhelm, what pains have I taken! I was just
beginning to hope that my trouble would not for ever be in vain--and
you appear.
MIN.
Do I understand you right? Stop, sir; let us see what we mean before
we make further mistakes. Will you answer me one question?
MAJ. T.
Any one.
MIN.
But will you answer me without shift or subterfuge? With nothing but a
plain "Yes," or "No?"
MAJ. T.
I will--if I can.
MIN.
You can. Well, notwithstanding the pains which you have taken to
forget me, do you love me still, Tellheim?
MAJ. T.
Madam, that question!!!!!
MIN.
You have promised to answer Yes, or No.
MAJ. T.
And added, If I can.
MIN.
You can. You must know what passes in your heart. Do you love me
still, Tellheim? Yes, or No?
MAJ. T.
If my heart!!!!!
MIN.
Yes, or No?
MAJ. T.
Well, Yes!
MIN.
Yes?
MAJ. T.
Yes, yes! Yet!!!!!
MIN.
Patience! You love me still; that is enough for me. Into what a mood
have we fallen! an unpleasant, melancholy, infectious mood! I assume
my own again. Now, my dear unfortunate, you love me still, and have
your Minna still, and are unhappy? Hear what a conceited, foolish
thing your Minna was--is. She allowed--allows herself, to imagine that
she makes your whole happiness. Declare all your misery at once. She
would like to try how far she can outweigh it.--Well?
MAJ. T.
Madam, I am not accustomed to complain.
MIN.
Very well. I know nothing in a soldier, after boasting, that pleases
me less than complaining. But there is a certain cold, careless way of
speaking of bravery and misfortune!!!!!
MAJ. T.
Which at the bottom is still boasting and complaining.
MIN.
You disputant! You should not have called yourself unhappy at all
then. You should have told the whole, or kept quiet. Reason and
necessity commanded you to forget me? I am a great stickler for
reason; I have a great respect for necessity. But let me hear how
reasonable this reason, and how necessary this necessity may be.
MAJ. T.
Listen then, Madam. You call me Tellheim; the name is correct. But
suppose I am not that Tellheim whom you knew at home; the prosperous
man, full of just pretensions, with a thirst for glory; the master of
all his faculties, both of body and mind; before whom the lists of
honour and prosperity stood open; who, if he was not then worthy of
your heart and your hand, dared to hope that he might daily become
more nearly so. This Tellheim I am now, as little as I am my own
father. They both have been. Now I am Tellheim the discharged, the
suspected, the cripple, the beggar. To the former, Madam, you promised
your hand; do you wish to keep your word?
MIN.
That sounds very tragic... Yet, Major Tellheim, until I find the
former one again--I am quite foolish about the Tellheims--the latter
will have to help me in my dilemma. Your hand, dear beggar!
(Taking his hand).
MAJ. T. (holding his hat before his face with the other hand, and
turning away from her).
This is too much!... What am I?... Let me go, Madam. Your
kindness tortures me! Let me go.
MIN.
What is the matter? Where would you go?
MAJ. T.
From you!
MIN.
From me
(drawing his hand to her heart)?
Dreamer!
MAJ. T.
Despair will lay me dead at your feet.
MIN.
From me?
MAJ. T.
From you. Never, never to see you again. Or at least determined, fully
determined, never to be guilty of a mean action; never to cause you to
commit an imprudent one. Let me go, Minna!
(Tears himself away, and Exit.)
MIN. (calling after him).
Let you go, Minna? Minna, let you go? Tellheim! Tellheim!
ACT III.
SCENE I.
The Parlour. Just (with a letter in his hand)
JUST.
Must I come again into this cursed house! A note from my master to her
ladyship that would be his sister. I hope nothing will come of this,
or else there will be no end to letter carrying. I should like to be
rid of it; but yet I don't wish to go into the room. The women ask so
many questions, and I hate answering--Ah! the door opens. Just what I
wanted, the waiting puss!
Scene II
Franziska and Just
FRAN. (calling through the door by which she has just entered).
Fear not; I will watch. See!
(observing Just)
I have met with something immediately. But nothing is to be done with
that brute.
JUST.
Your servant.
FRAN.
I should not like such a servant.
JUST.
Well, well, pardon the expression! There is a note from my master to
your mistress--her ladyship--his sister, wasn't it?--sister.
FRAN.
Give it me!
(Snatches it from his hand.)
JUST.
You will be so good, my master begs, as to deliver it. Afterwards you
will be so good, my master begs, as not to think I ask for anything!
FRAN.
Well?
JUST.
My master understands how to manage the affair. He knows that the way
to the young lady is through her maid, methinks. The maid will
therefore be so good, my master begs, as to let him know whether he
may not have the pleasure of speaking with the maid for a quarter of
an hour.
FRAN.
With me?
JUST.
Pardon me, if I do not give you your right title. Yes, with you.
Only for one quarter of an hour; but alone, quite alone, in private
tete-a-tete. He has something very particular to say to you.
FRAN.
Very well! I have also much to say to him. He may come; I shall be at
his service.
JUST.
But when can he come? When is it most convenient for you, young woman?
In the evening?
FRAN.
What do you mean? Your master can come when he pleases; and now be off.
JUST.
Most willingly!
(Going.)
FRAN.
I say! one word more! Where are the rest of the Major's servants?
JUST.
The rest? Here, there, and everywhere.
FRAN.
Where is William?
JUST.
The valet? He has let him go for a trip.
FRAN.
Oh! and Philip, where is he?
JUST.
The huntsman? Master has found him a good place.
FRAN.
Because he does not hunt now, of course. But Martin?
JUST.
The coachman? He is off on a ride.
FRAN.
And Fritz?
JUST.
The footman? He is promoted.
FRAN.
Where were you then, when the Major was quartered in Thuringia with us
that winter? You were not with him, I suppose!
JUST.
Oh! yes, I was groom; but I was in the hospital.
FRAN.
Groom! and now you are!!!!!
JUST.
All in all; valet and huntsman, footman and groom.
FRAN.
Well, I never! To turn away so many good, excellent servants, and to
keep the very worst of all! I should like to know what your master
finds in you!
JUST.
Perhaps he finds that I am an honest fellow.
FRAN.
Oh! one is precious little if one is nothing more than honest. William
was another sort of a man! So your master has let him go for a trip!
JUST.
Yes, he... let him--because he could not prevent him.
FRAN.
How so?
JUST.
Oh! William will do well on his travels. He took master's wardrobe
with him.
FRAN.
What! he did not run away with it?
JUST.
I cannot say that exactly; but when we left Nurnberg, he did not
follow us with it.
FRAN.
Oh! the rascal!
JUST.
He was the right sort! he could curl hair and shave--and chatter and
flirt--couldn't he?
FRAN.
At any rate, I would not have turned away the huntsman, had I been in
the Major's place. If he did not want him any longer as huntsman, he
was still a useful fellow. Where has he found him a place?
JUST.
With the Commandant of Spandau.
FRAN.
The fortress! There cannot be much hunting within the walls either.
JUST.
Oh! Philip does not hunt there.
FRAN.
What does he do, then?
JUST.
He rides--on the treadmill.
FRAN.
The treadmill!
JUST.
But only for three years. He made a bit of a plot amongst master's
company, to get six men through the outposts.
FRAN.
I am astonished; the knave!
JUST.
Ah! he was a useful fellow; a huntsman who knew all the foot paths and
by-ways for fifty miles round, through forests and bogs. And he could
shoot!
FRAN.
It is lucky the Major has still got the honest coachman.
JUST.
Has he got him still?
FRAN.
I thought you said Martin was off on a ride: of course he will come
back!
JUST.
Do you think so?
FRAN.
Well, where has he ridden to?
JUST.
It is now going on for ten weeks since he rode master's last and only
horse--to water.
FRAN.
And has not he come back yet? Oh! the rascal!
JUST.
The water may have washed the honest coachman away. Oh! he was a
famous coachman! He had driven ten years in Vienna. My master will
never get such another again. When the horses were in full gallop, he
only had to say "Wo!" and there they stood, like a wall. Moreover, he
was a finished horse-doctor!
FRAN.
I begin now to be anxious about the footman's promotion.
JUST.
No, no; there is no occasion for that. He has become a drummer in a
garrison regiment.
FRAN.
I thought as much!
JUST.
Fritz chummed up with a scamp, never came home at night, made debts
everywhere in master's name, and a thousand rascally tricks. In short,
the Major saw that he was determined to rise in the world
(pantomimically imitating the act of hanging),
so he put him in the right road.
FRAN.
Oh! the stupid!
JUST.
Yet a perfect footman, there is no doubt of that. In running, my
master could not catch him on his best horse if he gave him fifty
paces; but on the other hand, Fritz could give the gallows a thousand
paces, and, I bet my life, he would overhaul it. They were all great
friends of yours, eh, young woman?... William and Philip, Martin
and Fritz! Now, Just wishes you good day.
(Exit.)
SCENE III.
Franziska, _and afterwards the_ Landlord
FRAN. (looking after him seriously).
I deserve the hit! Thank you, Just. I undervalued honesty. I will not
forget the lesson. Ah! our unfortunate Major!
(Turns round to enter her mistress' room, when the Landlord comes.)
LAND.
Wait a bit, my pretty maid.
FRAN.
I have not time now, Mr. Landlord.
LAND.
Only half a moment! No further tidings of the Major? That surely could
not possibly be his leave-taking!
FRAN.
What could not?
LAND.
Has not our ladyship told you? When I left you, my pretty maid, below
in the kitchen, I returned accidentally into this room!!!!!
FRAN.
Accidentally--with a view to listen a little.
LAND.
What, girl! how can you suspect me of that? There is nothing so bad in
a landlord as curiosity. I had not been here long, when suddenly her
ladyship's door burst open: the Major dashed out; the lady after him;
both in such a state of excitement; with looks--in attitudes--that
must be seen to be understood. She seized hold of him; he tore himself
away; she seized him again--"Tellheim." "Let me go, Madam." "Where?"
Thus he drew her as far as the staircase. I was really afraid he would
drag her down; but he got away. The lady remained on the top step;
looked after him; called after him; wrung her hands. Suddenly she
turned round; ran to the window; from the window to the staircase
again; from the staircase into the room, backwards and forwards. There
I stood; she passed me three times without seeing me. At length it
seemed as if she saw me; but heaven defend us! I believe the lady took
me for you. "Franziska," she cried, with her eyes fixed upon me, "am I
happy now?" Then she looked straight up to the ceiling, and said again
--"Am I happy now?" Then she wiped the tears from her eyes, and
smiled, and asked me again--"Franziska, am I happy now?" I really
felt, I know not how. Then she ran to the door of her room, and turned
round again towards me, saying--"Come, Franziska, whom do you pity
now?" and with that she went in.
FRAN.
Oh! Mr. Landlord, you dreamt that.
LAND.
Dreamt! No, my pretty maid; one does not dream so minutely. Yes, what
would not I give--I am not curious: but what would not I give--to have
the key to it!
FRAN.
The key? Of our door? Mr. Landlord, that is inside; we took it in at
night; we are timid.
LAND.
Not that sort of key; I mean, my dear girl, the key--the explanation,
as it were; the precise connexion of all that I have seen.
FRAN.
Indeed! Well, good-bye, Mr. Landlord. Shall we have dinner soon?
LAND.
My dear girl, not to forget what I came to say!!!!!
FRAN.
Well? In as few words as possible.
LAND.
Her ladyship has my ring still. I call it mine!!!!!
FRAN.
You shall not lose it.
LAND.
I have no fear on that account: I merely put you in mind. Do you see,
I do not wish to have it again at all. I can guess pretty well how she
knew the ring, and why it was so like her own. It is best in her
hands. I do not want it any more; and I can put them down--the hundred
pistoles which I advanced for it, to the lady's bill. Will not that
do, my pretty maid?
SCENE IV.
Paul Werner, Landlord, Franziska
WER.
There he is!
FRAN.
A hundred pistoles? I thought it was only eighty.
LAND.
True, only ninety, only ninety. I will do so, my pretty maid, I will
do so.
FRAN.
All that will come right, Mr. Landlord.
WER. (coming from behind, and tapping Franziska on the shoulder).
Little woman--Little woman.
FRAN. (frightened).
Oh! dear!
WER.
Don't be alarmed! I see you are pretty, and a stranger, too. And
strangers who are pretty must be warned. Little woman! little woman! I
advise you to beware of that fellow!
(Pointing to the Landlord).
LAND.
Ah! What an unexpected pleasure! Herr Werner! Welcome, welcome! Yes,
you are just the same jovial, joking, honest Werner! So you are to
beware of me, my pretty maid. Ha! ha! ha!
WER.
Keep out of his way everywhere!
LAND.
My way? Am I such a dangerous man? Ha! ha! ha! Hear him, my pretty
maid! A good joke, isn't it?
WER.
People like him always call it a joke, if one tells them the truth.
LAND.
The truth. Ha! ha! ha! Better and better, my pretty maid, isn't it? He
knows how to joke! I dangerous? I? Twenty years ago there might have
been something in it. Yes, yes, my pretty maid, then I was a dangerous
man: many a one knew it; but now!!!!!
WER.
Oh! the old fool!
LAND.
There it is! When we get old, danger is at an end! It will be so with
you too, Herr Werner!
WER.
You utter old fool!--Little woman, you will give me credit for enough
common sense not to speak of danger from him. That one devil has left
him, but seven others have entered into him.
LAND.
Oh! hear him! How cleverly he can turn things about. Joke upon joke,
and always something new! Ah! he is an excellent man, Paul Werner is.
(To Franziska, as if whispering.)
A well-to-do man, and a bachelor still. He has a nice little freehold
three miles from here. He made prize-money in the war, and was a
sergeant to the Major. Yes, he is a real friend of the Major's; he is
a friend who would give his life for him.
WER.
Yes; and that is a friend of the Major's--that is a friend... whose
life the Major ought to take
(Pointing to the Landlord).
LAND.
How! What! No, Herr Werner, that is not a good joke. I no friend to
the Major! I don't understand that joke.
WER.
Just has told me pretty things.
LAND.
Just! Ah! I thought Just was speaking through you. Just is a nasty,
ill-natured man. But here on the spot stands a pretty maid--she can
speak, she can say if I am no friend of the Major's--if I have not
done him good service. And why should not I be his friend? Is not he a
deserving man? It is true, he has had the misfortune to be discharged;
but what of that? The king cannot be acquainted with all deserving
officers; and if he knew them, he could not reward them all.
WER.
Heaven put those words into your mouth. But Just... certainly there
is nothing remarkable about Just, but still Just is no liar; and if
that what he has told me be true!!!!!
LAND.
I don't want to hear anything about Just. As I said, this pretty maid
here can speak.
(Whispering to her.)
You know, my dear; the ring! Tell Herr Werner about it. Then he will
learn better what I am. And that it may not appear as if she only said
what I wish, I will not even be present. I will go; but you shall tell
me after, Herr Werner, you shall tell me, whether Just is not a foul
slanderer.
(Exit.)
SCENE V.
Werner, Franziska
WER.
Little woman, do you know my Major?
FRAN.
Major von Tellheim? Yes, indeed, I do know that good man.
WER.
Is he not a good man? Do you like him?
FRAN.
From the bottom of my heart.
WER.
Indeed! I tell you what, little woman, you are twice as pretty now as
you were before. But what are the services, which the landlord says he
has rendered our Major?
FRAN.
That is what I don't know; unless he wished to take credit to himself
for the good result which fortunately has arisen from his knavish
conduct.
WER.
Then what Just told me is true?
(Towards the side where the Landlord went off.)
A lucky thing for you that you are gone! He did really turn him out of
his room?--To treat such a man so, because the donkey fancied that he
had no more money! The Major no money!
FRAN.
What! Has the Major any money?
WER.
By the load. He doesn't know how much he has. He doesn't know who is
in his debt. I am his debtor, and have brought him some old arrears.
Look, little woman, in this purse
(drawing it out of one pocket)
are a hundred louis d'ors; and in this packet
(drawing it out of another pocket)
a hundred ducats. All his money!
FRAN.
Really! Why then does the Major pawn his things? He pledged a ring,
you know!!!!!
WER.
Pledged! Don't you believe it. Perhaps he wanted to get rid of the
rubbish.
FRAN.
It is no rubbish; it is a very valuable ring; which, moreover, I
suspect, he received from a loving hand.
WER.
That will be the reason. From a loving hand! Yes, yes; such a thing
often puts one in mind of what one does not wish to remember, and
therefore one gets rid of it.
FRAN.
What!
WER.
Odd things happen to the soldier in winter quarters. He has nothing to
do then, so he amuses himself, and to pass the time he makes
acquaintances, which he only intends for the winter, but which the
good soul with whom he makes them, looks upon for life. Then, presto!
a ring is suddenly conjured on to his finger; he hardly knows himself
how it gets there; and very often he would willingly give the finger
with it, if he could only get free from it again.
FRAN.
Oh! and do you think this has happened to the Major?
WER.
Undoubtedly. Especially in Saxony. If he had had ten fingers on each
hand, he might have had all twenty full of rings.
FRAN. (aside).
That sounds important, and deserves to be inquired into.
Mr. Freeholder, or Mr. Sergeant!!!!!
WER.
Little woman, if it makes no difference to you, I like "Mr. Sergeant"
best.
FRAN.
Well, Mr. Sergeant, I have a note from the Major to my mistress. I
will just carry it in, and be here again in a moment. Will you be so
good as to wait? I should like very much to have a little talk with
you.
WER.
Are you fond of talking, little woman? Well, with all my heart. Go
quickly. I am fond of talking too: I will wait.
FRAN.
Yes, please wait.
(Exit.)
SCENE VI.
Paul Werner
WER.
That is not at all a bad little woman. But I ought not to have
promised her that I would wait, for it would be most to the purpose, I
suppose, to find the Major. He will not have my money, but rather
pawns his property. That is just his way. A little trick occurs to me.
When I was in the town, a fortnight back, I paid a visit to Captain
Marloff's widow. The poor woman was ill, and was lamenting that her
husband had died in debt to the Major for four hundred thalers, which
she did not know how to pay. I went to see her again to-day; I
intended to tell her that I could lend her five hundred thalers, when
I had received the money for my property; for I must put some of it
by, if I do not go to Persia. But she was gone; and no doubt she has
not been able to pay the Major. Yes, I'll do that; and the sooner the
better. The little woman must not take it ill of me; I cannot wait.
(Is going in thought, and almost runs against the Major, who meets
him.)
SCENE VII.
Major Von Tellheim, Paul Werner
MAJ. T.
Why so thoughtful, Werner?
WER.
Oh! that is you. I was just going to pay you a visit in your new
quarters, Major.
MAJ. T.
To fill my ears with curses against the Landlord of my old one. Do not
remind me of it.
WER.
I should have done that by the way: yes. But more particularly, I wish
to thank you for having been so good as to take care of my hundred
louis d'ors. Just has given them to me again. I should have been very
glad if you would have kept them longer for me. But you have got into
new quarters, which neither you nor I know much about. Who knows what
sort of place it is? They might be stolen, and you would have to make
them good to me; there would be no help for it. So I cannot ask you to
take them again.
MAJ. T. (smiling).
When did you begin to be so careful, Werner?
WER.
One learns to be so. One cannot now be careful enough of one's money.
I have also a commission for you, Major, from Frau Marloff; I have
just come from her. Her husband died four hundred thalers in your
debt; she sends you a hundred ducats here, in part payment. She will
forward you the rest next week. I believe I am the cause that she has
not sent you the whole sum. For she also owed me about eighty thalers,
and she thought I was come to dun her for them--which, perhaps, was
the fact--so she gave them me out of the roll which she had put aside
for you. You can spare your hundred thalers for a week longer, better
than I can spare my few groschens. There, take it!
(Hands him the ducats.)
MAJ. T.
Werner!
WER.
Well! Why do you stare at me so? Take it, Major!
MAJ. T.
Werner!
WER.
What is the matter with you? What annoys you?
MAJ. T. (angrily striking his forehead, and stamping with his foot.)
That... the four hundred thalers are not all there.
WER.
Come! Major, did not you understand me?
MAJ. T.
It is just because I did understand you! Alas, that the best men
should to-day distress me most!
WER.
What do you say?
MAJ. T.
This only applies partly to you. Go, Werner!
(Pushing back Werner's hand with the money in it.)
WER.
As soon as I have got rid of this.
MAJ. T.
Werner, suppose I tell you that Frau Marloff was here herself early
this morning!!!!!
WER.
Indeed?
MAJ. T.
That she owes me nothing now!!!!!
WER.
Really?
MAJ. T.
That she has paid me every penny--What will you say then?
WER. (thinks for a minute).
I shall say that I have told a lie, and that lying is a low thing,
because one may be caught at it.
MAJ. T.
And you will be ashamed of yourself?
WER.
And what of him who compels me to lie? Should not he be ashamed too?
Look ye, Major; if I was to say that your conduct has not vexed me, I
should tell another lie, and I won't lie any more.
MAJ. T.
Do not be annoyed, Werner. I know your heart, and your affection for
me. But I do not require your money.
WER.
Not require it! Rather sell, rather pawn, and get talked about!
MAJ. T.
Oh! people may know that I have nothing more. One must not wish to
appear richer than one is.
WER.
But why poorer? A man has something as long as his friend has.
MAJ. T.
It is not proper that I should be your debtor.
WER.
Not proper! On that summer day which the sun and the enemy made hot
for us, when your groom, who had your canteen, was not to be found,
and you came to me and said--"Werner, have you nothing to drink?" and
I gave you my flask, you took it and drank, did you not? Was that
proper? Upon my life, a mouthful of dirty water at that time was often
worth more than such filth
(taking the purse also out of his pocket, and holding out both to
him).
Take them, dear Major! Fancy it is water. God has made this, too, for
all.
MAJ. T.
You torment me: don't you hear, I will not be your debtor.
WER.
At first, it was not proper; now, you will not. Ah! that is a
different thing.
(Rather angrily.)
You will not be my debtor? But suppose you are already, Major? Or, are
you not a debtor to the man who once warded off the blow that was
meant to split your head; and, at another time, knocked off the arm
which was just going to pull and send a ball through your breast? How
can you become a greater debtor to that man? Or, is my neck of less
consequence than my money? If that is a noble way of thinking, by my
soul it is a very silly one too.
MAJ. T.
To whom do you say that, Werner? We are alone, and therefore I may
speak; if a third person heard us, it might sound like boasting. I
acknowledge with pleasure, that I have to thank you for twice saving
my life. Do you not think, friend, that if an opportunity occurred I
would have done as much for you, eh?
WER.
If an opportunity occurred! Who doubts it, Major? Have I not seen you
risk your life a hundred times for the lowest soldier, when he was in
danger?
MAJ. T.
Well!
WER.
But!!!!!
MAJ. T.
Why cannot you understand me? I say, it is not proper that I should be
your debtor; I will not be your debtor. That is, not in the
circumstances in which I now am.
WER.
Oh! so you would wait till better times. You will borrow money from me
another time, when you do not want any: when you have some yourself,
and I perhaps none.
MAJ. T.
A man ought not to borrow, when he has not the means of repaying.
WER.
A man like yourself cannot always be in want.
MAJ. T.
You know the world... Least of all should a man borrow from one who
wants his money himself.
WER.
Oh! yes; I am such a one! Pray, what do I want it for? When they want
a sergeant, they give him enough to live on.
MAJ. T.
You want it, to become something more than a sergeant--to be able to
get forward in that path in which even the most deserving, without
money, may remain behind.
WER.
To become something more than a sergeant! I do not think of that. I am
a good sergeant; I might easily make a bad captain, and certainly a
worse general.
MAJ. T.
Do not force me to think ill of you, Werner! I was very sorry to hear
what Just has told me. You have sold your farm, and wish to rove about
again. Do not let me suppose that you do not love the profession of
arms so much as the wild dissolute way of living which is
unfortunately connected with it. A man should be a soldier for his own
country, or from love of the cause for which he fights. To serve
without any purpose--to-day here, to-morrow there--is only travelling
about like a butcher's apprentice, nothing more.
WER.
Well, then, Major, I will do as you say. You know better what is
right. I will remain with you. But, dear Major, do take my money in
the meantime. Sooner or later your affairs must be settled. You will
get money in plenty then; and then you shall repay me with interest. I
only do it for the sake of the interest.
MAJ. T.
Do not talk of it.
WER.
Upon my life, I only do it for the sake of the interest. Many a time I
have thought to myself--"Werner, what will become of you in your old
age? when you are crippled? when you will have nothing in the world?
when you will be obliged to go and beg!" And then I thought again--
"No, you will not be obliged to beg: you will go to Major Tellheim; he
will share his last penny with you; he will feed you till you die; and
with him you can die like an honest fellow."
MAJ. T. (taking Werner's hand).
And, comrade, you do not think so still?
WER.
No, I do not think so any longer. He who will not take anything from
me, when he is in want, and I have to give, will not give me anything
when he has to give, and I am in want. So be it.
(Is going.)
MAJ. T.
Man, do not drive me mad! Where are you going?
(Detains him.)
If I assure you now, upon my honour, that I still have money--If I
assure you, upon my honour, that I will tell you when I have no more--
that you shall be the first and only person from whom I will borrow
anything--will that content you?
WER.
I suppose it must. Give me your hand on it, Major.
MAJ. T.
There, Paul! And now enough of that, I came here to speak with a
certain young woman.
SCENE VIII.
Franziska (coming out of Minna's room), Major von Tellheim, Paul Werner
FRAN. (entering).
Are you there still, Mr. Sergeant?
(Seeing Tellheim.)
And you there too, Major? I will be at your service instantly.
(Goes back quickly into the room.)
SCENE IX.
Major von Tellheim, Paul Werner
MAJ. T.
That was she! But it seems you know her, Werner.
WER.
Yes, I know her.
MAJ. T.
Yet, if I remember rightly, when I was in Thuringia you were not with
me.
WER.
No; I was seeing after the uniforms in Leipsic.
MAJ. T.
Where did you make her acquaintance, then?
WER.
Our acquaintance is very young. Not a day old. But young friendship is
warm.
MAJ. T.
Have you seen her mistress, too?
WER.
Is her mistress a young lady? She told me you are acquainted with her
mistress.
MAJ. T.
Did not you hear? She comes from Thuringia.
WER.
Is the lady young?
MAJ. T.
Yes.
WER.
Pretty?
MAJ. T.
Very pretty.
WER.
Rich?
MAJ. T.
Very rich.
WER.
Is the mistress as fond of you as the maid is? That would be capital!
MAJ. T.
What do you mean?
SCENE X.
Franziska (with a letter in her hand), Major von Tellheim, Paul Werner
FRAN.
Major!!!!!
MAJ. T.
Franziska, I have not yet been able to give you a "Welcome" here.
FRAN.
In thought, I am sure that you have done it. I know you are friendly
to me; so am I to you. But it is not at all kind to vex those who are
friendly to you so much.
WER. (aside).
Ah! now I see it. It is so!
MAJ. T.
My destiny, Franziska! Did you give her the letter?
FRAN.
Yes; and here I bring you...
(holding out a letter).
MAJ. T.
An answer!
FRAN.
No, your own letter again.
MAJ. T.
What! She will not read it!
FRAN.
She would have liked, but--we can't read writing well.
MAJ. T.
You are joking!
FRAN.
And we think that writing was not invented for those who can converse
with their lips whenever they please.
MAJ. T.
What an excuse! She must read it. It contains my justification--all
the grounds and reasons!!!!!
FRAN.
My mistress wishes to hear them all from you yourself, not to read
them.
MAJ. T.
Hear them from me myself! That every look, every word of hers, may
embarrass me; that I may feel in every glance the greatness of my
loss.
FRAN.
Without any pity! Take it.
(Giving him his letter.)
She expects you at three o'clock. She wishes to drive out and see the
town; you must accompany her.
MAJ. T.
Accompany her!
FRAN.
And what will you give me to let you drive out by yourselves? I shall
remain at home.
MAJ. T.
By ourselves!
FRAN.
In a nice close carriage.
MAJ. T.
Impossible!
FRAN.
Yes, yes, in the carriage, Major. You will have to submit quietly; you
cannot escape there! And that is the reason. In short, you will come,
Major, and punctually at three.... Well, you wanted to speak to me
too alone. What have you to say to me? Oh! we are not alone.
(Looking at Werner.)
MAJ. T.
Yes, Franziska; as good as alone. But as your mistress has not read my
letter, I have nothing now to say to you.
FRAN.
As good as alone! Then you have no secrets from the Sergeant?
MAJ. T.
No, none.
FRAN.
And yet I think you should have some from him.
MAJ. T.
Why so?
WER.
How so, little woman?
FRAN.
Particularly secrets of a certain kind.... All twenty, Mr.
Sergeant!
(Holding up both her hands, with open fingers.)
WER.
Hist! hist! girl.
MAJ. T.
What is the meaning of that?
FRAN.
Presto! conjured on to his finger, Mr. Sergeant
(as if she was putting a ring on her fingers).
MAJ. T.
What are you talking about?
WER.
Little woman, little woman, don't you understand a joke?
MAJ. T.
Werner, you have not forgotten, I hope, what I have often told you;
that one should not jest beyond a certain point with a young woman!
WER.
Upon my life I may have forgotten it! Little woman, I beg!!!!!
FRAN.
Well, if it was a joke, I will forgive you this once.
MAJ. T.
Well, if I must come, Franziska, just see that your mistress reads my
letter beforehand? That will spare me the pain of thinking again--of
talking again, of things which I would willingly forget. There, give
it to her!
(He turns the letter in giving it to her, and sees that it has been
opened.)
But do I see aright? Why it has been opened.
FRAN.
That may be.
(Looks at it.)
True, it is open. Who can have opened it? But really we have not read
it, Major; really not. And we do not wish to read it, because the
writer is coming himself. Come; and I tell you what, Major! don't come
as you are now--in boots, and with such a head. You are excusable, you
do not expect us. Come in shoes, and have your hair fresh dressed. You
look too soldierlike, too Prussian for me as you are.
MAJ. T.
Thank you, Franziska.
FRAN.
You look as if you had been bivouacking last night.
MAJ. T.
You may have guessed right.
FRAN.
We are going to dress, directly too, and then have dinner. We would
willingly ask you to dinner, but your presence might hinder our
eating; and observe, we are not so much in love that we have lost our
appetites.
MAJ. T.
I will go. Prepare her somewhat, Franziska, beforehand, that I may not
become contemptible in her eyes, and in my own. Come, Werner, you
shall dine with me.
WER.
At the table d'hote here in the house? I could not eat a bit there.
MAJ. T.
With me, in my room.
WER.
I will follow you directly. One word first with the little woman.
MAJ. T.
I have no objection to that.
(Exit.)
SCENE XI.
Paul Werner, Franziska
FRAN.
Well, Mr. Sergeant!
WER.
Little woman, if I come again, shall I too come smartened up a bit?
FRAN.
Come as you please: my eyes will find no fault with you. But my ears
will have to be so much the more on their guard. Twenty fingers, all
full of rings. Ah! ah! Mr. Sergeant!
WER.
No, little woman; that is just what I wished to say to you. I only
rattled on a little. There is nothing in it. One ring is quite enough
for a man. Hundreds and hundreds of times I have heard the Major say--
"He must be a rascally soldier, who can mislead a young girl." So
think I too, little woman. You may trust to that! I must be quick and
follow him. A good appetite to you.
(Exit.)
FRAN.
The same to you! I really believe, I like that man!
(Going in, she meets Minna coming out.)
SCENE XII.
Minna, Franziska
MIN.
Has the Major gone already, Franziska? I believe I should have been
sufficiently composed again now to have detained him here.
FRAN.
And I will make you still more composed.
MIN.
So much the better! His letter! oh! his letter! Each line spoke the
honourable noble man. Each refusal to accept my hand declared his love
for me. I suppose he noticed that we had read his letter. I don't mind
that, if he does but come. But are you sure he will come? There only
seems to me to be a little too much pride in his conduct. For not to
be willing to be indebted for his good fortune, even to the woman he
loves, is pride, unpardonable pride! If he shows me too much of this,
Franziska!!!!!
FRAN.
You will discard him!
MIN.
See there! Do you begin to pity him again already! No, silly girl, a
man is never discarded for a single fault. No; but I have thought of a
trick to pay him off a little for this pride, with pride of the same
kind.
FRAN.
Indeed, you must be very composed, my lady, if you are thinking of
tricks again.
MIN.
I am so; come. You will have a part to play in my plot.
(Exeunt.)
ACT IV.
SCENE I.
Minna's Room.
Minna (dressed handsomely and richly, but in good taste), Franziska
(They have just risen from a table, which a servant is clearing.)
FRAN.
You cannot possibly have eaten enough, my lady.
MIN.
Don't you think so, Franziska? Perhaps I had no appetite when I sat
down.
FRAN.
We had agreed not to mention him during dinner. We should have
resolved likewise, not to think of him.
MIN.
Indeed, I have thought of nothing but him.
FRAN.
So I perceived. I began to speak of a hundred different things, and
you made wrong answers to each.
(Another servant brings coffee.)
Here comes a beverage more suited to fancies--sweet, melancholy
coffee.
MIN.
Fancies! I have none. I am only thinking of the lesson I will give
him. Did you understand my plan, Franziska?
FRAN.
Oh! yes; but it would be better if he spared us the putting it in
execution.
MIN.
You will see that I know him thoroughly. He who refuses me now with
all my wealth, will contend for me against the whole world, as soon as
he hears that I am unfortunate and friendless.
FRAN. (seriously).
That must tickle the most refined self-love.
MIN.
You moralist! First you convict me of vanity--now of self-love. Let me
do as I please, Franziska. You, too, shall do as you please with your
Sergeant.
FRAN.
With my Sergeant?
MIN.
Yes. If you deny it altogether, then it is true. I have not seen him
yet; but from all you have said respecting him, I foretell your
husband for you.
SCENE II.
Riccaut De La Marliniere, Minna, Franziska
RIC. (before he enters).
Est-il permis, Monsieur le Major?
FRAN.
Who is that? Any one for us?
(going to the door).
RIC.
Parbleu! I am wrong. Mais non--I am not wrong. C'est la chambre!!!!!
FRAN.
Without doubt, my lady, this gentleman expects to find Major von
Tellheim here still.
RIC.
Oui, dat is it! Le Major de Tellheim; juste, ma belle enfant, c'est
lui que je cherche. Ou est-il?
FRAN.
He does not lodge here any longer.
RIC.
Comment? Dere is four-and-twenty hour ago he did lodge here, and not
lodge here any more? Where lodge he den?
MIN. (going up to him).
Sir!!!!!
RIC.
Ah! Madame, Mademoiselle, pardon, lady.
MIN.
Sir, your mistake is quite excusable, and your astonishment very
natural. Major von Tellheim has had the kindness to give up his
apartments to me, as a stranger, who was not able to get them
elsewhere.
RIC.
Ah! voila de ses politesses! C'est un tres-galant homme que ce Major!
MIN.
Where has he gone now?--truly I am ashamed that I do not know.
RIC.
Madame not know? C'est dommage; j'en suis fache.
MIN.
I certainly ought to have inquired. Of course his friends will seek
him here.
RIC.
I am vary great his friend, Madame.
MIN.
Franziska, do you not know?
FRAN.
No, my lady.
RIC.
It is vary necessaire dat I speak him. I come and bring him a
nouvelle, of which he will be vary much at ease.
MIN.
I regret it so much the more. But I hope to see him perhaps shortly.
If it is a matter of indifference from whom he hears this good news, I
would offer, sir!!!!!
RIC.
I comprehend. Mademoiselle parle francais? Mais sans doute; telle que
je la vois! La demande etait bien impolie; vous me pardonnerez,
Mademoiselle.
MIN.
Sir!!!!!
RIC.
No! You not speak French, Madame?
MIN.
Sir, in France I would endeavour to do so; but why here? I perceive
that you understand me, sir; and I, sir, shall doubtless understand
you; speak as you please.
RIC.
Good, good! I can also explain me in your langue. Sachez donc,
Mademoiselle, you must know, Madame, dat I come from de table of de
ministre, ministre de, ministre de... What is le ministre out dere,
in de long street, on de broad place?
MIN.
I am a perfect stranger here.
RIC.
Si, le ministre of de war departement. Dere I have eat my dinner; I
ordinary dine dere, and de conversation did fall on Major Tellheim; et
le ministre m'a dit en confidence, car Son Excellence est de mes amis,
et il n'y a point de mysteres entre nous; Son Excellence, I say, has
trust to me, dat l'affaire from our Major is on de point to end, and
to end good. He has made a rapport to de king, and de king has
resolved et tout a fait en faveur du Major. "Monsieur," m'a dit Son
Excellence, "vous comprenez bien, que tout depend de la maniere, dont
on fait envisager les choses au roi, et vous me connaissez. Cela fait
un tres-joli garcon que ce Tellheim, et ne sais-je pas que vous
l'aimez? Les amis de mes amis sont aussi les miens. Il coute un peu
cher au Roi ce Tellheim, mais est-ce que l'on sert les rois pour rien?
Il faut s'entr'aider en ce monde; et quand il s'agit de pertes, que ce
soit le Roi qui en fasse, et non pas un honnete homme de nous autres.
Voila le principe, dont je ne me depars jamais." But what say Madame
to it? N'est pas, dat is a fine fellow! Ah! que Son Excellence a le
coeur bien place! He assure me au reste, if de Major has not recu
already une lettre de la main--a royal letter, dat to-day
infailliblement must he receive one.
MIN.
Certainly, sir, this news will be most welcome to Major von Tellheim.
I should like to be able to name the friend to him, who takes such an
interest in his welfare.
RIC.
Madame, you wish my name? Vous voyez en moi--you see, lady, in me, le
Chevalier Riccaut de la Marliniere, Seigneur de Pret-au-val, de la
branche de Prens d'or. You remain astonished to hear me from so great,
great a family, qui est veritablement du sang royal. Il faut le dire;
je suis sans doute le cadet le plus aventureux que la maison n'a
jamais eu. I serve from my eleven year. Une affaire d'honneur make me
flee. Den I serve de holy Papa of Rome, den de Republic St. Marino,
den de Poles, den de States General, till enfin I am brought her. Ah!
Mademoiselle, que je voudrais n'avoir jamais vu ce pays-ci! Had one
left me in de service of de States General, should I be now at least
colonel. But here always to remain capitaine, and now also a
discharged capitaine.
MIN.
That is ill luck.
RIC.
Oui, Mademoiselle, me voila reforme, et par la mis sur le pave!
MIN.
I am very sorry for you.
RIC.
Vous etes bien bonne, Mademoiselle.... No, merit have no reward
here. Reformer a man, like me! A man who also have ruin himself in dis
service! I have lost in it so much as twenty thousand livres. What
have I now? Tranchons le mot; je n'ai pas le sou, et me voila
exactement vis-a-vis de rien.
MIN.
I am exceedingly sorry.
RIC.
Vous etes bien bonne, Mademoiselle, But as one say--misfortune never
come alone! qu'un malheur ne vient jamais seul: so it arrive with me.
What ressource rests for an honnete homme of my extraction, but play?
Now, I always played with luck, so long I not need her. Now I very
much need her, je joue avec un guignon, Mademoiselle, que surpasse
toute croyance. For fifteen days, not one is passed, dat I always am
broke. Yesterday, I was broke dree times. Je sais bien, qu'il y avait
quelque chose de plus que le jeu. Car parmi mes pontes se trouvaient
certaines dames. I will not speak more. One must be very galant to les
dames. Dey have invite me again to-day, to give me revanche; mais--
vous m'entendez, Mademoiselle,--one must first have to live, before
one can have to play.
MIN.
I hope, sir!!!!!
RIC.
Vous etes bien bonne, Mademoiselle.
MIN. (Takes Franziska aside.)
Franziska, I really feel for the man. Would he take it ill, if I offer
him something?
FRAN.
He does not look to me like a man who would.
MIN.
Very well! Sir, I perceive that--you play, that you keep the bank;
doubtless in places where something is to be won. I must also confess
that I... am very fond of play.
RIC.
Tant mieux, Mademoiselle, tant mieux! Tous les gens d'esprit aiment le
jeu a la fureur.
MIN.
That I am very fond of winning; that I like to trust my money to a
man, who--knows how to play. Are you inclined, sir, to let me join
you? To let me have a share in your bank?
RIC.
Comment, Mademoiselle, vous voulez etre de moitie avec moi? De tout
mon coeur.
MIN.
At first, only with a trifle.
(Opens her desk and takes out some money.)
RIC.
Ah! Mademoiselle, que vous etes charmante!
MIN.
Here is what I won a short time back; only ten pistoles. I am ashamed,
so little!!!!!
RIC.
Donnez toujours, Mademoiselle, donnez.
(Takes it.)
MIN.
Without doubt, your bank, sir, is very considerable.
RIC.
Oh! yes, vary considerable. Ten pistoles! You shall have, Madame, an
interest in my bank for one third, pour le tiers. Yes, one third part
it shall be--something more. With a beautiful lady one must not be too
exac. I rejoice myself, to make by that a liaison with Madame, et de
ce moment je recommence a bien augurer de ma fortune.
MIN.
But I cannot be present, sir, when you play.
RIC.
For why it necessaire dat you be present? We other players are
honourable people between us.
MIN.
If we are fortunate, sir, you will of course bring me my share. If we
are unfortunate!!!!!
RIC.
I come to bring recruits, n'est pas, Madame?
MIN.
In time recruits might fail. Manage our money well, sir.
RIC.
What does Madame think me? A simpleton, a stupid devil?
MIN.
I beg your pardon.
RIC.
Je suis des bons, Mademoiselle. Savez vous ce que cela veut dire? I am
of the quite practised!!!!!
MIN.
But still, sir,!!!!!
RIC.
Je sais monter un coup!!!!!
MIN. (amazed).
Could you?
RIC.
Je file la carte avec une adresse.
MIN.
Never!
RIC.
Je fais sauter la coupe avec une dexterite.
MIN.
You surely would not, sir!!!!!!
RIC.
What not, Madame; what not? Donnes moi un pigeonneau a plumer, et!!!!!
MIN.
Play false! Cheat!
RIC.
Comment, Mademoiselle? Vous appelez cela cheat? Corriger la fortune,
l'enchainer sous ses doigts, etre sur de son fait, dat you call cheat?
Cheat! Oh! what a poor tongue is your tongue! what an awkward tongue!
MIN.
No, sir, if you think so!!!!!
RIC.
Laissez-moi faire, Mademoiselle, and be tranquille! What matter to you
how I play! Enough! to-morrow, Madame, you see me again or with
hundred pistol, or you see no more. Votre tres-humble, Mademoiselle,
votre tres humble.
(Exit quickly.)
MIN. (looking after him with astonishment and displeasure).
I hope the latter, sir.
SCENE III.
Minna and Franziska
FRAN. (angrily).
What can I say? Oh! how grand! how grand!
MIN.
Laugh at me; I deserve it.
(After reflecting, more calmly.)
No, do not laugh; I do not deserve it.
FRAN.
Excellent! You have done a charming act--set a knave upon his legs
again.
MIN.
It was intended for an unfortunate man.
FRAN.
And what is the best part of it, the fellow considers you like
himself. Oh! I must follow him, and take the money from him.
(Going.)
MIN.
Franziska, do not let the coffee get quite cold; pour it out.
FRAN.
He must return it to you; you have thought better of it; you will not
play in partnership with him. Ten pistoles! You heard, my lady, that
he was a beggar!
(Minna pours out the coffee herself.)
Who would give such a sum to a beggar? And to endeavour, into the
bargain, to save him the humiliation of having begged for it! The
charitable woman who, out of generosity, mistakes the beggar, is in
return mistaken by the beggar. It serves you right, my lady, if he
considers your gift as--I know not what.
(Minna hands a cup of coffee to Franziska.)
Do you wish to make my blood boil still more? I do not want any.
(Minna puts it down again.)
"Parbleu, Madame, merit have no reward here"
(imitating the Frenchman).
I think not, when such rogues are allowed to walk about unhanged.
MIN. (coldly and slowly, while sipping her coffee).
Girl, you understand good men very well; but when will you learn to
bear with the bad? And yet they are also men; and frequently not so
bad as they seem. One should look for their good side. I fancy this
Frenchman is nothing worse than vain. Through mere vanity he gives
himself out as a false player; he does not wish to appear under an
obligation to one; he wishes to save himself the thanks. Perhaps he
may now go, pay his small debts, live quietly and frugally on the rest
as far as it will go, and think no more of play. If that be so,
Franziska, let him come for recruits whenever he pleases.
(Gives her cup to Franziska.)
There, put it down! But, tell me, should not Tellheim be here by this
time?
FRAN.
No, my lady, I can neither find out the bad side in a good man, nor
the good side in a bad man.
MIN.
Surely he will come!
FRAN.
He ought to remain away! You remark in him--in him, the best of me--a
little pride; and therefore you intend to tease him so cruelly!
MIN.
Are you at it again? Be silent! I will have it so. Woe to you if you
spoil this fun of mine... if you do not say and do all, as we have
agreed. I will leave you with him alone; and then--but here he comes.
SCENE IV.
Paul Werner (comes in, carrying himself very erect as if on duty),
Minna, Franziska
FRAN.
No, it is only his dear Sergeant.
MIN.
Dear Sergeant! Whom does the "dear" refer to?
FRAN.
Pray, my lady, do not make the man embarrassed. Your servant, Mr.
Sergeant; what news do you bring us?
WER. (goes up to Minna, without noticing Franziska).
Major von Tellheim begs to present, through me, Sergeant Werner, his
most respectful compliments to Fraulein von Barnhelm, and to inform
her that he will be here directly.
MIN.
Where is he then?
WER.
Your ladyship will pardon him; we left our quarters before it began to
strike three; but the paymaster met us on the way; and because
conversation with those gentlemen has no end, the Major made me a sign
to report the case to your ladyship.
MIN.
Very well, Mr. Sergeant. I only hope the paymaster may have good news
for him.
WER.
Such gentlemen seldom have good news for officers.--Has your ladyship
any orders?
(Going.)
FRAN.
Why, where are you going again, Mr. Sergeant? Had not we something to
say to each other?
WER. (In a whisper to Franziska, and seriously).
Not here, little woman; it is against respect, against discipline.
... Your ladyship!!!!!
MIN.
Thank you for your trouble. I am glad to have made your acquaintance.
Franziska has spoken in high praise of you to me.
(Werner makes a stiff bow, and goes.)
SCENE V.
Minna, Franziska
MIN.
So that is your Sergeant, Franziska?
FRAN. (aside).
I have not time to reproach her for that jeering _your_.
(Aloud.)
Yes, my lady, that is my Sergeant. You think him, no doubt, somewhat
stiff and wooden. He also appeared so to me just now; but I observed,
he thought he must march past you as if on parade. And when soldiers
are on parade, they certainly look more like wooden dolls than men.
You should see and hear him when he is himself.
MIN.
So I should, indeed!
FRAN.
He must still be in the next room; may I go and talk with him a
little?
MIN.
I refuse you this pleasure unwillingly: but you must remain here,
Franziska. You must be present at our conversation. Another thing
occurs to me.
(Takes her ring from her finger.)
There, take my ring; keep it for me, and give me the Major's in the
place of it.
FRAN.
Why so?
MIN. (whilst Franziska is fetching the ring).
I scarcely know, myself; but I fancy I see, beforehand, how I may make
use of it. Some one is knocking. Give it to me, quickly.
(Puts the ring on.)
It is he.
SCENE VI.
Major von Tellheim (in the same coat, but otherwise as Franziska
advised), Minna, Franziska
MAJ. T.
Madam, you will excuse the delay.
MIN.
Oh! Major, we will not treat each other in quite such a military
fashion. You are here now; and to await a pleasure, is itself a
pleasure. Well
(looking at him and smiling)
dear Tellheim, have we not been like children?
MAJ. T.
Yes, Madam; like children, who resist when they ought to obey quietly.
MIN.
We will drive out, dear Major, to see a little of the town, and
afterwards to meet my uncle.
MAJ. T.
What!
MIN.
You see, we have not yet had an opportunity of mentioning the most
important matters even. He is coming here to-day. It was accident that
brought me here without him, a day sooner.
MAJ. T.
Count von Bruchsal! Has he returned?
MIN.
The troubles of the war drove him into Italy: peace has brought him
back again. Do not be uneasy, Tellheim; if we formerly feared on his
part the greatest obstacle to our union!!!!!
MAJ. T.
To our union!
MIN.
He is now your friend. He has heard too much good of you from too many
people, not to become so. He longs to become personally acquainted
with the man whom his heiress has chosen. He comes as uncle, as
guardian, as father, to give me to you.
MAJ. T.
Ah! dear lady, why did you not read my letter? Why would you not read
it?
MIN.
Your letter! Oh! yes, I remember you sent me one. What did you do with
that letter, Franziska? Did we, or did we not read it? What was it you
wrote to me, dear Tellheim?
MAJ. T.
Nothing but what honour commands me.
MIN.
That is, not to desert an honourable woman who loves you. Certainly
that is what honour commands. Indeed, I ought to have read your
letter. But what I have not read, I shall hear, shall not I?
MAJ. T.
Yes, you shall hear it.
MIN.
No, I need not even hear it. It speaks for itself. As if you could be
guilty of such an unworthy act, as not to take me! Do you know that I
should be pointed at for the rest of my life? My countrywomen would
talk about me, and say. "That is she, that is the Fraulein von
Barnhelm, who fancied that because she was rich could marry the noble
Tellheim; as if such men were to be caught with money." That is what
they would say, for they are all envious of me. That I am rich, they
cannot deny; but they do not wish to acknowledge that I am also a
tolerably good girl, who would prove herself worthy of her husband. Is
that not so, Tellheim?
MAJ. T.
Yes, yes, Madam, that is like your countrywomen. They will envy you
exceedingly a discharged officer, with sullied honour, a cripple, and
a beggar.
MIN.
And are you all that? If I mistake not, you told me something of the
kind this forenoon. Therein is good and evil mixed. Let us examine
each charge more closely. You are discharged? So you say. I thought
your regiment was only drafted into another. How did it happen that a
man of your merit was not retained?
MAJ. T.
It has happened, as it must happen. The great ones are convinced that
a soldier does very little through regard for them, not much more from
a sense of duty, but everything for his own advantage. What then can
they think they owe him? Peace has made a great many, like myself
superfluous to them; and at last we shall all be superfluous.
MIN.
You talk as a man must talk, to whom in return the great are quite
superfluous. And never were they more so than now. I return my best
thanks to the great ones that they have given up their claims to a man
whom I would very unwillingly have shared with them. I am your
sovereign, Tellheim; you want no other master. To find you discharged,
is a piece of good fortune I dared scarcely dream of! But you are not
only discharged; you are more. And what are you more? A cripple, you
say! Well!
(looking at him from head to foot),
the cripple is tolerably whole and upright--appears still to be pretty
well, and strong. Dear Tellheim, if you expect to go begging on the
strength of your limbs, I prophesy that you will be relieved at very
few doors; except at the door of a good-natured girl like myself.
MAJ. T.
I only hear the joking girl now, dear Minna.
MIN.
And I only hear the "dear Minna" in your chiding. I will not joke any
longer; for I recollect that after all you are something of a cripple.
You are wounded by a shot in the right arm; but all things considered,
I do not find much fault with that. I am so much the more secure from
your blows.
MAJ. T.
Madam!
MIN.
You would say, "You are so much the less secure from mine." Well,
well, dear Tellheim, I hope you will not drive me to that.
MAJ. T.
You laugh, Madam. I only lament that I cannot laugh with you.
MIN.
Why not? What have you to say against laughing? Cannot one be very
serious even whilst laughing? Dear Major, laughter keeps us more
rational than vexation. The proof is before us. Your laughing friend
judges of your circumstances more correctly than you do yourself.
Because you are discharged, you say your honour is sullied; because
you are wounded in the arm, you call yourself a cripple. Is that
right? Is that no exaggeration? And is it my doing that all
exaggerations are so open to ridicule? I dare say, if I examine your
beggary that it will also be as little able to stand the test. You may
have lost your equipage once, twice, or thrice; your deposits in the
hands of this or that banker may have disappeared together with those
of other people; you may have no hope of seeing this or that money
again which you may have advanced in the service; but are you a beggar
on that account? If nothing else remained to you but what my uncle is
bringing for you!!!!!
MAJ. T.
Your uncle, Madam, will bring nothing for me.
MIN.
Nothing but the two thousand pistoles which you so generously advanced
to our government.
MAJ. T.
If you had but read my letter, Madam!
MIN.
Well, I did read it. But what I read in it, on this point, is a
perfect riddle. It is impossible that any one should wish to turn a
noble action into a crime. But explain to me, dear Major.
MAJ. T.
You remember, Madam, that I had orders to collect the contribution for
the war most strictly in cash in all the districts in your
neighbourhood. I wished to forego this severity, and advanced the
money that was deficient myself.
MIN.
I remember it well. I loved you for that deed before I had seen you.
MAJ. T.
The government gave me their bill, and I wished, at the signing of the
peace, to have the sum entered amongst the debts to be repaid by them.
The bill was acknowledged as good, but my ownership of the same was
disputed. People looked incredulous, when I declared that I had myself
advanced the amount in cash. It was considered as bribery, as a
douceur from the government, because I at once agreed to take the
smallest sum with which I could have been satisfied in a case of the
greatest exigency. Thus the bill went from my possession, and if it be
paid, will certainly not be paid to me. Hence, Madam, I consider my
honour to be suspected! not on account of my discharge, which, if I
had not received, I should have applied for. You look serious, Madam!
Why do you not laugh? Ha! ha! ha! I am laughing.
MIN.
Oh! stifle that laugh, Tellheim, I implore you! It is the terrible
laugh of misanthropy. No, you are not the man to repent of a good
deed, because it may have had a bad result for yourself. Nor can these
consequences possibly be of long duration. The truth must come to
light. The testimony of my uncle, of our government!!!!!
MAJ. T.
Of your uncle! Of your government! Ha! ha! ha!
MIN.
That laugh will kill me, Tellheim. If you believe in virtue and
Providence, Tellheim, do not laugh so! I never heard a curse more
terrible than that laugh! But, viewing the matter in the worst light,
if they are determined to mistake your character here, with us you
will not be misunderstood. No, we cannot, we will not, misunderstand
you, Tellheim. And if our government has the least sentiment of
honour, I know what it must do. But I am foolish; what would that
matter? Imagine, Tellheim, that you have lost the two thousand
pistoles on some gay evening. The king was an unfortunate card for
you: the queen
(pointing to herself)
will be so much the more favourable. Providence, believe me, always
indemnifies a man of honour--often even beforehand. The action which
was to cost you two thousand pistoles, gained you me. Without that
action, I never should have been desirous of making your acquaintance.
You know I went uninvited to the first party where I thought I should
meet you. I went entirely on your account. I went with a fixed
determination to love you--I loved you already! with the fixed
determination to make you mine, if I should find you as dark and ugly
as the Moor of Venice. So dark and ugly you are not; nor will you be
so jealous. But, Tellheim, Tellheim, you are yet very like him! Oh!
the unmanageable, stubborn man, who always keeps his eye fixed upon
the phantom of honour, and becomes hardened against every other
sentiment! Your eyes this way! Upon me,--me, Tellheim!
(He remains thoughtful and immovable, with his eyes fixed on one
spot.)
Of what are you thinking? Do you not hear me?
MAJ. T. (absent).
Oh, yes; but tell me, how came the Moor into the service of Venice?
Had the Moor no country of his own? Why did he hire his arm and his
blood to a foreign land?
MIN. (alarmed).
Of what are you thinking, Tellheim? It is time to break off. Come!
(taking him by the hand).
Franziska, let the carriage be brought round.
MAJ. T. (disengaging his hand, and following Franziska).
No, Franziska; I cannot have the honour of accompanying your mistress.
Madam, let me still retain my senses unimpaired for to-day, and give
me leave to go. You are on the right way to deprive me of them. I
resist it as much as I can. But hear, whilst I am still myself, what I
have firmly determined, and from which nothing in the world shall turn
me. If I have not better luck in the game of life; if a complete
change in my fortune does not take place; if!!!!!
MIN.
I must interrupt you, Major. We ought to have told him that at first,
Franziska.--You remind me of nothing.--Our conversation would have
taken quite a different turn, Tellheim, if I had commenced with the
good news which the Chevalier de la Marliniere brought just now.
MAJ. T.
The Chevalier de la Marliniere! Who is he?
FRAN.
He may be a very honest man, Major von Tellheim, except that!!!!!
MIN.
Silence, Franziska! Also a discharged officer from the Dutch service,
who!!!!!
MAJ. T.
Ah! Lieutenant Riccaut!
MIN.
He assured us he was a friend of yours.
MAJ. T.
I assure you that I am not his.
MIN.
And that some minister or other had told him, in confidence, that your
business was likely to have the very best termination. A letter from
the king must now be on its way to you.
MAJ. T.
How came Riccaut and a minister in company? Something certainly must
have happened concerning my affair; for just now the paymaster of the
forces told me that the king had set aside all the evidence offered
against me, and that I might take back my promise, which I had given
in writing, not to depart from here until acquitted. But that will be
all. They wish to give me an opportunity of getting away. But they are
wrong, I shall not go. Sooner shall the utmost distress waste me away
before the eyes of my calumniators, than!!!!!
MIN.
Obstinate man!
MAJ. T.
I require no favour; I want justice. My honour!!!!!
MIN.
The honour of such a man!!!!!
MAJ. T. (warmly).
No, Madam, you may be able to judge of any other subject, but not of
this. Honour is not the voice of conscience, not the evidence of a few
honourable men!!!!!
MIN.
No, no, I know it well. Honour is... honour.
MAJ. T.
In short, Madam... You did not let me finish.--I was going to say,
if they keep from me so shamefully what is my own; if my honour be not
perfectly righted--I cannot, Madam, ever be yours, for I am not
worthy, in the eyes of the world, of being yours. Minna von Barnhelm
deserves an irreproachable husband. It is a worthless love which does
not scruple to expose its object to scorn. He is a worthless man, who
is not ashamed to owe a woman all his good fortune; whose blind
tenderness!!!!!
MIN.
And is that really your feeling, Major?
(turning her back suddenly).
Franziska!
MAJ. T.
Do not be angry.
MIN. (aside to Franziska).
Now is the time! What do you advise me, Franziska?
FRAN.
I advise nothing. But certainly he goes rather too far.
MAJ. T. (approaching to interrupt them).
You are angry, Madam.
MIN. (ironically).
I? Not in the least.
MAJ. T.
If I loved you less!!!!!
MIN. (still in the same tone).
Oh! certainly, it would be a misfortune for me. And hear, Major, I
also will not be the cause of your unhappiness. One should love with
perfect disinterestedness. It is as well that I have not been more
open! Perhaps your pity might have granted to me what your love
refuses.
(Drawing the ring slowly from her finger.)
MAJ. T.
What does this mean, Madam?
MIN.
No, neither of us must make the other either more or less happy. True
love demands it. I believe you, Major; and you have too much honour to
mistake love.
MAJ. T.
Are you jesting, Madam?
MIN.
Here! take back the ring with which you plighted your troth to me.
(Gives him the ring.)
Let it be so! We will suppose we have never met.
MAJ. T.
What do I hear?
MIN.
Does it surprise you? Take it, sir. You surely have not been
pretending only!
MAJ. T. (takes the ring from her).
Heavens! can Minna speak thus?
MIN.
In one case you cannot be mine; in no case can I be yours. Your
misfortune is probable; mine is certain. Farewell!
(Is going.)
MAJ. T.
Where are you going, dearest Minna?
MIN.
Sir, you insult me now by that term of endearment.
MAJ. T.
What is the matter, Madam? Where are you going?
MIN.
Leave me. I go to hide my tears from you, deceiver!
(Exit.)
SCENE VII.
Major von Tellheim, Franziska
MAJ. T.
Her tears? And I am to leave her.
(Is about to follow her.)
FRAN. (holding him back).
Surely not, Major. You would not follow her into her own room!
MAJ. T.
Her misfortune? Did she not speak of misfortune?
FRAN.
Yes, truly; the misfortune of losing you, after!!!!!
MAJ. T.
After? After what? There is more in this. What is it, Franziska? Tell
me! Speak!
FRAN.
After, I mean, she has made such sacrifices on your account.
MAJ. T.
Sacrifices for me!
FRAN.
Well, listen. It is a good thing for you, Major, that you are freed
from your engagement with her in this manner.--Why should I not tell
you? It cannot remain a secret long. We have fled from home. Count von
Bruchsal has disinherited my mistress, because she would not accept a
husband of his choice. On that every one deserted and slighted her.
What could we do? We determined to seek him, whom!!!!!
MAJ. T.
Enough! Come, and let me throw myself at her feet.
FRAN.
What are you thinking about! Rather go, and thank your good fortune.
MAJ. T.
Pitiful creature! For what do you take me? Yet no, my dear Franziska,
the advice did not come from your heart. Forgive my anger!
FRAN.
Do not detain me any longer. I must see what she is about. How easily
something might happen to her. Go now, and come again, if you like.
(Follows Minna.)
SCENE VIII.
Major von Tellheim
MAJ. T.
But, Franziska! Oh! I will wait your return here.--No, that is more
torturing!--If she is in earnest, she will not refuse to forgive me.
Now I want your aid, honest Werner!--No, Minna, I am no deceiver!
(Rushes off.)
ACT V.
SCENE I.
Major von Tellheim (from one side), Werner (from the other)
MAJ. T.
Ah! Werner! I have been looking for you everywhere. Where have you
been?
WER.
And I have been looking for you, Major; that is always the way.--I
bring you good news.
MAJ. T.
I do not want your news now; I want your money. Quick, Werner, give me
all you have; and then raise as much more as you can.
WER.
Major! Now, upon my life, that is just what I said--"He will borrow
money from me, when he has got it himself to lend."
MAJ. T.
You surely are not seeking excuses!
WER.
That I may have nothing to upbraid you with, take it with your right
hand, and give it me again with your left.
MAJ. T.
Do not detain me, Werner. It is my intention to repay you; but when
and how, God knows!
WER.
Then you do not know yet that the treasury has received an order to
pay you your money? I just heard it at!!!!!
MAJ. T.
What are you talking about? What nonsense have you let them palm off
on you? Do you not see that if it were true I should be the first
person to know it? In short, Werner, money! money!
WER.
Very well, with pleasure. Here is some! A hundred louis d'ors there,
and a hundred ducats there.
(Gives him both.)
MAJ. T.
Werner, go and give Just the hundred louis d'ors. Let him redeem the
ring again, on which he raised the money this morning. But whence will
you get some more, Werner? I want a good deal more.
WER.
Leave that to me. The man who bought my farm lives in the town. The
date for payment is a fortnight hence, certainly; but the money is
ready, and by a reduction of one half per cent!!!!!
MAJ. T.
Very well, my dear Werner! You see that I have had recourse to you
alone--I must also confide all to you. The young lady you have seen is
in distress!!!!!
WER.
That is bad!
MAJ. T.
But to-morrow she shall be my wife.
WER.
That is good!
MAJ. T.
And the day after, I leave this place with her. I can go; I will go. I
would sooner throw over everything here! Who knows where some good
luck may be in store for me? If you will, Werner, come with us. We
will serve again.
WER.
Really? But where there is war, Major!
MAJ. T.
To be sure. Go, Werner, we will speak of this again.
WER.
Oh! my dear Major! The day after to-morrow! Why not to-morrow? I will
get everything ready. In Persia, Major, there is a famous war; what do
you say?
MAJ. T.
We will think of it. Only go, Werner!
WER.
Hurrah! Long live Prince Heraclius!
(Exit.)
SCENE II.
Major von Tellheim
MAJ. T.
How do I feel!... My whole soul has acquired a new impulse. My own
unhappiness bowed me to the ground; made me fretful, short-sighted,
shy, careless: her unhappiness raises me. I see clearly again, and
feel myself ready and capable of undertaking anything for her sake.
Why do I tarry?
(Is going towards Minna's room, when Franziska comes out of it.)
SCENE III.
Franziska, Major von Tellheim
FRAN.
Is it you? I thought I heard your voice. What do you want, Major?
MAJ. T.
What do I want? What is she doing? Come!
FRAN.
She is just going out for a drive.
MAJ. T.
And alone? Without me? Where to?
FRAN.
Have you forgotten, Major?
MAJ. T.
How silly you are, Franziska! I irritated her, and she was angry. I
will beg her pardon, and she will forgive me.
FRAN.
What! After you have taken the ring back, Major!
MAJ. T.
Ah! I did that in my confusion. I had forgotten about the ring. Where
did I put it?
(Searches for it.)
Here it is.
FRAN.
Is that it?
(Aside, as he puts it again in his pocket.)
If he would only look at it closer!
MAJ. T.
She pressed it upon me so bitterly. But I have forgotten that. A full
heart cannot weigh words. She will not for one moment refuse to take
it again. And have I not hers?
FRAN.
She is now waiting for it in return. Where is it, Major? Show it to
me, do!
MAJ. T. (embarrassed).
I have... forgotten to put it on. Just--Just will bring it
directly.
FRAN.
They are something alike, I suppose; let me look at that one. I am
very fond of such things.
MAJ. T.
Another time, Franziska. Come now.
FRAN. (aside).
He is determined not to be drawn out of his mistake.
MAJ. T.
What do you say? Mistake!
FRAN.
It is a mistake, I say, if you think my mistress is still a good
match. Her own fortune is far from considerable; by a few calculations
in their own favour her guardians may reduce it to nothing. She
expected everything from her uncle; but this cruel uncle!!!!!
MAJ. T.
Let him go! Am I not man enough to make it all good to her again!
FRAN.
Do you hear? She is ringing; I must go in again.
MAJ. T.
I will accompany you.
FRAN.
For heaven's sake, no! She forbade me expressly to speak with you.
Come in at any rate a little time after me.
(Goes in.)
SCENE IV.
Major von Tellheim
MAJ. T. (calling after her).
Announce me! Speak for me, Franziska! I shall follow you directly.
What shall I say to her? Yet where the heart can speak, no preparation
is necessary. There is one thing only which may need a studied turn
... this reserve, this scrupulousness of throwing herself,
unfortunate as she is, into my arms; this anxiety to make a false show
of still possessing that happiness which she has lost through me. How
she is to exculpate herself to herself--for by me it is already
forgiven--for this distrust in my honour, in her own worth... Ah!
here she comes.
SCENE V.
Minna, Franziska, Major von Tellheim
MIN. (speaking as she comes out, as if not aware of the Major's
presence).
The carriage is at the door, Franziska, is it not? My fan!
MAJ. T. (advancing to her).
Where are you going, Madam?
MIN. (with forced coldness).
I am going out, Major. I guess why you have given yourself the trouble
of coming back: to return me my ring.--Very well, Major von Tellheim,
have the goodness to give it to Franziska.--Franziska, take the ring
from Major von Tellheim!--I have no time to lose.
(Is going.)
MAJ. T. (stepping before her).
Madam! Ah! what have I heard? I was unworthy of such love.
MIN.
So, Franziska, you have!!!!!
FRAN.
Told him all.
MAJ. T.
Do not be angry with me, Madam. I am no deceiver. You have, on my
account, lost much in the eyes of the world, but not in mine. In my
eyes you have gained beyond measure by this loss. It was too sudden.
You feared it might make an unfavourable impression on me; at first
you wished to hide it from me. I do not complain of this mistrust. It
arose from the desire to retain my affection. That desire is my pride.
You found me in distress; and you did not wish to add distress to
distress. You could not divine how far your distress would raise me
above any thoughts of my own.
MIN.
That is all very well, Major, but it is now over. I have released you
from your engagement; you have, by taking back the ring!!!!!
MAJ. T.
Consented to nothing! On the contrary, I now consider myself bound
more firmly than ever. You are mine, Minna, mine for ever.
(Takes off the ring.)
Here, take it for the second time--the pledge of my fidelity.
MIN.
I take that ring again! That ring?
MAJ. T.
Yes, dearest Minna, yes.
MIN.
What are you asking me? that ring?
MAJ. T.
You received it for the first time from my hand, when our positions
were similar and the circumstances propitious. They are no longer
propitious, but are again similar. Equality is always the strongest
tie of love. Permit me, dearest Minna!
(Seizes her hand to put on the ring.)
MIN.
What! by force, Major! No, there is no power in the world which shall
compel me to take back that ring! Do you think that I am in want of a
ring? Oh! you may see
(pointing to her ring)
that I have another here which is in no way inferior to yours.
FRAN. (aside).
Well, if he does not see it now!
MAJ. T. (letting fall her hand).
What is this? I see Fraulein von Barnhelm, but I do not hear her.--You
are pretending.--Pardon me, that I use your own words.
MIN. (in her natural tone).
Did those words offend you, Major?
MAJ. T.
They grieved me much.
MIN. (affected).
They were not meant to do that, Tellheim. Forgive me, Tellheim.
MAJ. T.
Ah! that friendly tone tells me you are yourself again, Minna: that
you still love me.
FRAN. (exclaims).
The joke would soon have gone a little too far.
MIN. (in a commanding tone).
Franziska, you will not interfere in our affairs, I beg.
FRAN. (aside, in a surprised tone).
Not enough yet!
MIN.
Yes, sir, it would only be womanish vanity in me to pretend to be cold
and scornful. No! Never! You deserve to find me as sincere as
yourself. I do love you still, Tellheim, I love you still; but
notwithstanding!!!!!
MAJ. T.
No more, dearest Minna, no more!
(Seizes her hand again, to put on the ring.)
MIN. (drawing back her hand).
Notwithstanding, so much the more am I determined that that shall
never be,--never!--Of what are you thinking, Major?--I thought your
own distress was sufficient. You must remain here; you must obtain by
obstinacy--no better phrase occurs to me at the moment--the most
perfect satisfaction, obtain it by obstinacy.... And that even
though the utmost distress should waste you away before the eyes of
your calumniators!!!!!
MAJ. T.
So I thought, so I said, when I knew not what I thought or said.
Chagrin and stifling rage had enveloped my whole soul; love itself, in
the full blaze of happiness, could not illumine it. But it has sent
its daughter, Pity, more familiar with gloomy misfortune, and she has
dispelled the cloud, and opened again all the avenues of my soul to
sensations of tenderness. The impulse of self-preservation awakes,
when I have something more precious than myself to support, and to
support through my own exertions. Do not let the word "pity" offend
you. From the innocent cause of our distress we may hear the term
without humiliation. I am this cause; through me, Minna, have you lost
friends and relations, fortune and country. Through me, in me, must
you find them all again, or I shall have the destruction of the most
lovely of her sex upon my soul. Let me not think of a future in which
I must detest myself.--No, nothing shall detain me here longer. From
this moment I will oppose nothing but contempt to the injustice which
I suffer. Is this country the world? Does the sun rise here alone?
Where can I not go? In what service shall I be refused? And should I
be obliged to seek it in the most distant clime, only follow me with
confidence, dearest Minna--we shall want for nothing. I have a friend
who will assist me with pleasure.
SCENE VI.
An Orderly, Major von Tellheim, Minna, Franziska
FRAN. (seeing the Orderly).
Hist, Major!
MAJ. T. (to the Orderly).
Who do you want?
ORD.
I am looking for Major von Tellheim. Ah! you are the Major, I see. I
have to give this letter from his Majesty the King
(taking one out of his bag).
MAJ. T.
To me?
ORD.
According to the direction.
MIN.
Franziska, do you hear? The Chevalier spoke the truth after all.
ORD. (whilst Tellheim takes the letter).
I beg your pardon, Major; you should properly have had it yesterday,
but I could not find you out. I learnt your address this morning only
from Lieutenant Riccaut, on parade.
FRAN.
Do you hear, my lady?--That is the Chevalier's minister. "What is the
name of de ministre out dere, on de broad place?"
MAJ. T.
I am extremely obliged to you for your trouble.
ORD.
It is my duty, Major.
(Exit.)
SCENE VII.
Major von Tellheim, Minna, Franziska
MAJ. T.
Ah! Minna, what is this? What does this contain?
MIN.
I am not entitled to extend my curiosity so far.
MAJ. T.
What! You would still separate my fate from yours?--But, why do I
hesitate to open it? It cannot make me more unhappy than I am: no,
dearest Minna, it cannot make us more unhappy--but perhaps more happy!
Permit me.
(While he opens and reads the letter, the Landlord comes stealthily on
the stage.)
SCENE VIII.
Landlord, Major von Tellheim, Minna, Franziska
LAND. (to Franziska.)
Hist! my pretty maid! A word!
FRAN. (to the Landlord).
Mr. Landlord, we do not yet know ourselves what is in the letter.
LAND.
Who wants to know about the letter! I come about the ring. The lady
must give it to me again, directly. Just is there, and wants to redeem
it.
MIN. (who in the meantime has approached the Landlord).
Tell Just that it is already redeemed; and tell him by whom--by me.
LAND.
But!!!!!
MIN.
I take it upon myself. Go!
(Exit Landlord.)
SCENE IX.
Major von Tellheim, Minna, Franziska
FRAN.
And now, my lady, make it up with the poor Major.
MIN.
Oh! kind intercessor! As if the difficulties must not soon explain
themselves.
MAJ. T. (after reading the letter, with much emotion.)
Ah! nor has he herein belied himself! Oh! Minna, what justice! what
clemency! This is more than I expected; more than I deserved!--My
fortune, my honour, all is reestablished!--Do I dream?
(Looking at the letter, as if to convince himself.)
No, no delusion born of my own desires! Read it yourself, Minna; read
it yourself!
MIN.
I would not presume, Major.
MAJ. T.
Presume! The letter is to me; to your Tellheim, Minna. It contains--
what your uncle cannot take from you. You must read it! Do read it.
MIN.
If it affords you pleasure, Major.
(Takes the letter and reads.)
"My dear Major von Tellheim,
"I hereby inform you, that the business which caused me some
anxiety on account of your honour, has been cleared up in your
favour. My brother had a more detailed knowledge of it, and his
testimony has more than proved your innocence. The Treasury has
received orders to deliver again to you the bill in question, and
to reimburse the sum advanced. I have also ordered that all claims
which the Paymaster's Office brings forward against your accounts
be nullified. Please to inform me whether your health will allow
of your taking active service again. I can ill spare a man of your
courage and sentiments. I am your gracious King," &c.
MAJ. T.
Now, what do you say to that, Minna?
MIN. (folding up and returning the letter).
I? Nothing.
MAJ. T.
Nothing?
MIN.
Stay--yes. That your king, who is a great man, can also be a good man.
--But what is that to me! He is not my king.
MAJ. T.
And do you say nothing more? Nothing about ourselves?
MIN.
You are going to serve again. From Major, you will become Lieutenant-
Colonel, perhaps Colonel. I congratulate you with all my heart.
MAJ. T.
And you do not know me better? No, since fortune restores me
sufficient to satisfy the wishes of a reasonable man, it shall depend
upon my Minna alone, whether for the future I shall belong to any one
else but her. To her service alone my whole life shall be devoted! The
service of the great is dangerous, and does not repay the trouble, the
restraint, the humiliation which it costs. Minna is not amongst those
vain people who love nothing in their husbands beyond their titles and
positions. She will love me for myself; and for her sake I will forget
the whole world. I became a soldier from party feeling--I do not
myself know on what political principles--and from the whim that it is
good for every honourable man to try the profession of arms for a
time, to make himself familiar with danger, and to learn coolness and
determination. Extreme necessity alone could have compelled me to make
this trial a fixed mode of life, this temporary occupation a
profession. But now that nothing compels me, my whole and sole
ambition is to be a peaceful and a contented man. This with you,
dearest Minna, I shall infallibly become; this in your society I shall
unchangeably remain. Let the holy bond unite us to-morrow; and then we
will look round us, and in the whole wide habitable world seek out the
most peaceful, the brightest, most smiling nook which wants but a
happy couple to be a Paradise. There we will dwell; there shall each
day.... What is the matter, Minna?
(Minna turns away uneasily, and endeavours to hide her emotion.)
MIN. (regaining her composure).
It is cruel of you, Tellheim, to paint such happiness to me, when I am
forced to renounce it. My loss!!!!!
MAJ. T.
Your loss! Why name your loss? All that Minna could lose is not Minna.
You are still the sweetest, dearest, loveliest, best creature under
the sun; all goodness and generosity, innocence and bliss! Now and
then a little petulant; at times somewhat wilful--so much the better!
So much the better! Minna would otherwise be an angel, whom I should
honour with trepidation, but not dare to love.
(Takes her hand to kiss it.)
MIN. (drawing away her hand).
Not so, sir. Why this sudden change? Is this flattering impetuous
lover, the cold Tellheim!--Could his returning good fortune alone
create this ardour in him? He will permit me during his passionate
excitement to retain the power of reflection for us both. When he
could himself reflect, I heard him say--"it is a worthless love which
does not scruple to expose its object to scorn."--True; and I aspire
to as pure and noble a love as he himself. Now, when honour calls him,
when a great monarch solicits his services, shall I consent that he
shall give himself up to love-sick dreams with me? that the
illustrious warrior shall degenerate into a toying swain? No, Major,
follow the call of your higher destiny.
MAJ. T.
Well! if the busy world has greater charms for you, Minna, let us
remain in the busy world! How mean, how poor is this busy world; you
now only know its gilded surface. Yet certainly, Minna, you will.
... But let it be so! until then! Your charms shall not want
admirers, nor will my happiness lack enviers.
MIN.
No, Tellheim, I do not mean that! I send you back into the busy world,
on the road of honour, without wishing to accompany you. Tellheim will
there require an irreproachable wife! A fugitive Saxon girl who has
thrown herself upon him!!!!!
MAJ. T. (starting up, and looking fiercely about him).
Who dare say that! Ah! Minna, I feel afraid of myself, when I imagine
that any one but yourself could have spoken so. My anger against him
would know no bounds.
MIN.
Exactly! That is just what I fear. You would not endure one word of
calumny against me, and yet you would have to put up with the very
bitterest every day. In short, Tellheim, hear what I have firmly
determined, and from which nothing in the world shall turn me!!!!!
MAJ. T.
Before you proceed, I implore you, Minna, reflect for one moment, that
you are about to pronounce a sentence of life or death upon me!
MIN.
Without a moment's reflection!... As certainly as I have given you
back the ring with which you formerly pledged your troth to me, as
certainly as you have taken back that same ring, so certainly shall
the unfortunate Minna never be the wife of the fortunate Tellheim!
MAJ. T.
And herewith you pronounce my sentence.
MIN.
Equality is the only sure bond of love. The happy Minna only wished to
live for the happy Tellheim. Even Minna in misfortune would have
allowed herself to be persuaded either to increase or to assuage the
misfortune of her friend through herself.... He must have seen,
before the arrival of that letter, which has again destroyed all
equality between us, that in appearance only I refused.
MAJ. T.
Is that true? I thank you, Minna, that you have not yet pronounced the
sentence. You will only marry Tellheim when unfortunate? You may have
him.
(Coolly.)
I perceive now that it would be indecorous in me to accept this tardy
justice; that it will be better if I do not seek again that of which I
have been deprived by such shameful suspicion. Yes; I will suppose
that I have not received the letter. Behold my only answer to it!
(About to tear it up.)
MIN. (stopping him).
What are you going to do, Tellheim?
MAJ. T.
Obtain your hand.
MIN.
Stop!
MAJ. T.
Madam, it is torn without fail if you do not quickly recall your
words.--Then we will see what else you may have to object to in me.
MIN.
What! In such a tone? Shall I, must I, thus become contemptible in my
own eyes? Never! She is a worthless creature, who is not ashamed to
owe her whole happiness to the blind tenderness of a man!
MAJ. T.
False! utterly false!
MIN.
Can you venture to find fault with your own words when coming from my
lips?
MAJ. T.
Sophistry! Does the weaker sex dishonour itself by every action which
does not become the stronger? Or can a man do everything which is
proper in a woman? Which is appointed by nature to be the support of
the other?
MIN.
Be not alarmed, Tellheim!... I shall not be quite unprotected, if I
must decline the honour of your protection. I shall still have as much
as is absolutely necessary. I have announced my arrival to our
ambassador. I am to see him to-day. I hope he will assist me. Time is
flying. Permit me, Major!!!!!
MAJ. T.
I will accompany you, Madam.
MIN.
No, Major; leave me.
MAJ. T.
Sooner shall your shadow desert you! Come Madam, where you will, to
whom you will everywhere, to friends and strangers, will I repeat in
your presence--repeat a hundred times each day--what a bond binds you
to me, and with what cruel caprice you wish to break it!!!!!
SCENE X.
Just, Major von Tellheim, Minna, Franziska
JUST. (impetuously).
Major! Major!
MAJ. T.
Well!
JUST.
Here quick! quick!
MAJ. T.
Why! Come to me. Speak, what is the matter?
JUST.
What do you think?
(Whispers to him.)
MIN. (aside to Franziska).
Do you notice anything, Franziska?
FRAN.
Oh! you merciless creature! I have stood here on thorns!
MAJ. T. (to Just).
What do you say?... That is not possible!... You?
(Looking fiercely at Minna.)
Speak it out; tell it to her face. Listen, Madam.
JUST.
The Landlord says, that Fraulein von Barnhelm has taken the ring which
I pledged to him; she recognised it as her own, and would not return
it.
MAJ. T.
Is that true, Madam? No, that cannot be true!
MIN. (smiling).
And why not, Tellheim? Why can it not be true?
MAJ. T. (vehemently).
Then it is true!... What terrible light suddenly breaks in upon me!
... Now I know you--false, faithless one!
MIN. (alarmed).
Who, who is faithless?
MAJ. T.
You, whom I will never more name!
MIN.
Tellheim!
MAJ. T.
Forget my name... You came here with the intention of breaking with
me... It is evident!... Oh, that chance should thus delight to
assist the faithless! It brought your ring into your possession. Your
craftiness contrived to get my own back into mine!
MIN.
Tellheim, what visions are you conjuring up! Be calm, and listen to
me.
FRAN. (aside).
Now she will catch it!
SCENE XI.
Werner (with a purse full of gold), Just, Major von Tellheim, Minna,
Franziska
WER.
Here I am already, Major!
MAJ. T. (without looking at him).
Who wants you?
WER.
I have brought more money! A thousand pistoles!
MAJ. T.
I do not want them!
WER.
And to-morrow, Major, you can have as many more.
MAJ. T.
Keep your money!
WER.
It is your money, Major... I do not think you see whom you are
speaking to!
MAJ. T.
Take it away! I say.
WER.
What is the matter with you?--I am Werner.
MAJ. T.
All goodness is dissimulation; all kindness deceit.
WER.
Is that meant for me?
MAJ. T.
As you please!
WER.
Why I have only obeyed your commands.
MAJ. T.
Obey once more, and be off!
WER.
Major
(vexed).
I am a man!!!!!
MAJ. T.
So much the better!
WER.
Who can also be angry.
MAJ. T.
Anger is the best thing we possess.
WER.
I beg you, Major.
MAJ. T.
How often must I tell you? I do not want your money!
WER. (in a rage).
Then take it, who will!
(Throws the purse on the ground, and goes to the side).
MIN. (to Franziska).
Ah! Franziska, I ought to have followed your advice. I have carried
the jest too far.--Still, when he hears me...
(going to him).
FRAN. (without answering Minna, goes up to Werner).
Mr. Sergeant!!!!!
WER. (pettishly).
Go along!
FRAN.
Ah! what men these are.
MIN.
Tellheim! Tellheim!
(Tellheim, biting his fingers with rage, turns away his face, without
listening.)
No, this is too bad... Only listen!... You are mistaken!... A
mere misunderstanding. Tellheim, will you not hear your Minna? Can you
have such a suspicion?... I break my engagement with you? I came
here for that purpose?... Tellheim!
SCENE XII.
Two Servants (running into the room from different sides), Werner,
Just, Major von Tellheim, Minna, Franziska
FIRST SER.
Your ladyship, his excellency the Count!
SECOND SER.
He is coming, your ladyship!
FRAN. (running to the window).
It is! it is he!
MIN.
Is it? Now, Tellheim, quick!
MAJ. T. (suddenly recovering himself).
Who, who comes? Your uncle, Madam! this cruel uncle!... Let him
come; just let him come!... Fear not!... He shall not hurt you
even by a look. He shall have to deal with me... You do not indeed
deserve it of me.
MIN.
Quick, Tellheim! one embrace and forget all.
MAJ. T.
Ah! did I but know that you could regret!!!!!
MIN.
No, I can never regret having obtained a sight of your whole heart!
... Ah! what a man you are!... Embrace your Minna, your happy
Minna: and in nothing more happy than in the possession of you.
(Embracing.)
And now to meet him!
MAJ. T.
To meet whom?
MIN.
The best of your unknown friends.
MAJ. T.
What!
MIN.
The Count, my uncle, my father, your father... My flight, his
displeasure, my loss of property--do you not see that all is a
fiction, credulous knight?
MAJ. T.
Fiction! But the ring? the ring?
MIN.
Where is the ring that I gave back to you?
MAJ. T.
You will take it again? Ah! now I am happy... Here, Minna
(taking it from his pocket).
MIN.
Look at it first! Oh! how blind are those who will not see!... What
ring is that? the one you gave me? or the one I gave to you? Is it not
the one which I did not like to leave in the landlord's possession?
MAJ. T.
Heaven! what do I see! What do I hear!
MIN.
Shall I take it again now? Shall I? Give it to me! give it!
(Takes it from him, and then puts it on his finger herself.)
There, now all is right!
MAJ. T.
Where am I?
(Kissing her hand.)
Oh! malicious angel, to torture me so!
MIN.
As a proof, my dear husband, that you shall never play me a trick
without my playing you one in return.... Do you suppose that you
did not torture me also?
MAJ. T.
Oh you actresses! But I ought to have known you.
FRAN.
Not I, indeed; I am spoilt for acting. I trembled and shook, and was
obliged to hold my lips together with my hand.
MIN.
Nor was mine an easy part.--But come now!!!!!
MAJ. T.
I have not recovered myself yet. How happy, yet how anxious, I feel.
It is like awaking suddenly from a frightful dream.
MIN.
We are losing time... I hear him coming now.
SCENE XIII.
Count von Bruchsal (accompanied by several servants and the Landlord),
Two Servants, Werner, Just, Major von Tellheim, Minna, Franziska
COUNT. (entering).
She arrived in safety, I hope?
MIN. (running to meet him).
Ah! my father!
COUNT.
Here I am, dear Minna
(embracing her).
But what, girl
(seeing Tellheim),
only four-and-twenty hours here, and friends--company already!
MIN.
Guess who it is?
COUNT.
Not your Tellheim, surely!
MIN.
Who else!--Come, Tellheim
(introducing him).
COUNT.
Sir, we have never met; but at the first glance I fancied I recognised
you. I wished it might be Major von Tellheim.--Your hand, sir; you
have my highest esteem; I ask for your friendship. My niece, my
daughter loves you.
MIN.
You know that, my father!--And was my love blind?
COUNT.
No, Minna, your love was not blind; but your lover--is dumb.
MAJ. T. (throwing himself in the Count's arms).
Let me recover myself, my father!
COUNT.
Right, my son. I see your heart can speak, though your lips cannot. I
do not usually care for those who wear this uniform. But you are an
honourable man, Tellheim; and one must love an honourable man, in
whatever garb he may be.
MIN.
Ah! did you but know all!
COUNT.
Why should I not hear all?--Which are my apartments, landlord?
LAND.
Will your Excellency have the goodness to walk this way?
COUNT.
Come, Minna! Pray come, Major!
(Exit with the Landlord and servants.)
MIN.
Come, Tellheim!
MAJ. T.
I will follow you in an instant, Minna. One word first with this man
(turning to Werner).
MIN.
And a good word, methinks, it should be. Should it not, Franziska?
(Exit.)
SCENE XIV.
Major von Tellheim, Werner, Just, Franziska
MAJ. T. (pointing to the purse which Werner had thrown down).
Here, Just, pick up the purse and carry it home. Go!
(Just takes it up and goes.)
WER. (still standing, out of humour, in a corner, and absent till he
hears the last words).
Well, what now?
MAJ. T. (in a friendly tone while going up to him).
Werner, when can I have the other two thousand pistoles?
WER. (in a good humour again instantly).
To-morrow, Major, to-morrow.
MAJ. T.
I do not need to become your debtor; but I will be your banker. All
you good-natured people ought to have guardians. You are in a manner
spendthrifts.--I irritated you just now, Werner.
WER.
Upon my life you did! But I ought not to have been such a dolt. Now I
see it all clearly. I deserve a hundred lashes. You may give them to
me, if you will, Major. Only no more ill will, dear Major!
MAJ. T.
Ill will!
(shaking him by the hand).
Read in my eyes all that I cannot say to you--Ah! let me see the man
with a better wife and a more trusty friend than I shall have.--Eh!
Franziska?
(Exit.)
SCENE XV.
Werner, Franziska
FRAN. (aside).
Yes, indeed, he is more than good!--Such a man will never fall in my
way again.--It must come out.
(Approaching Werner bashfully.)
Mr. Sergeant!
WER. (wiping his eyes).
Well!
FRAN.
Mr. Sergeant!!!!!
WER.
What do you want, little woman?
FRAN.
Look at me, Mr. Sergeant.
WER.
I can't yet; there is something, I don't know what, in my eyes.
FRAN.
Now do look at me!
WER.
I am afraid I have looked at you too much already, little woman!
There, now I can see you. What then?
FRAN.
Mr. Sergeant--don't you want a Mrs. Sergeant?
WER.
Do you really mean it, little woman?
FRAN.
Really I do.
WER.
And would you go with me to Persia even?
FRAN.
Wherever you please.
WER.
You will! Hullo, Major, no boasting! At any rate I have got as good a
wife, and as trusty a friend, as you.--Give me your hand, my little
woman! It's a match!--In ten years' time you shall be a general's
wife, or a widow!
End of Project Gutenberg's Minna von Barnhelm, by Gotthold Ephraim Lessing
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