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Title: Minna Von Barnhelm

Author: Gotthold Ephraim Lessing

Release Date: June 1, 2001 [EBook #2663]

Language: English

Credits: Produced by Dagny, Emma Dudding, John Bickers, and David Widger

*** START OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK ***

MINNA VON BARNHELM

or, THE SOLDIER'S FORTUNE

By Gotthold Ephraim Lessing

Translated By Ernest Bell

Contents

INTRODUCTORY NOTE

MINNA VON BARNHELM

DRAMATIS PERSONAE

ACT I.

ACT II.

ACT III.

ACT IV.

ACT V.

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!

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Table of Contents

The Project Gutenberg eBook of Minna Von Barnhelm, by Gotthold Ephraim Lessing

MINNA VON BARNHELM

or, THE SOLDIER'S FORTUNE

Translated By Ernest Bell

Contents

INTRODUCTORY NOTE

MINNA VON BARNHELM

or, THE SOLDIER'S FORTUNE

DRAMATIS PERSONAE

ACT I.

ACT II.

ACT III.

ACT IV.

ACT V.

THE FULL PROJECT GUTENBERG LICENSE