SCENE V.—: The Bishop’s Palace. His Cabinet. - Johann Wolfgang von Goethe, Goethe’s Works, vol. 3 (Goetz von Berlichingen, Iphigenia in Tauris, Tarquato Tasso, etc) [1885]
Edition used:
Goethe’s Works, illustrated by the best German artists, 5 vols. (Philadelphia: G. Barrie, 1885). Vol. 3.
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SCENE V.—
TheBishop’sPalace. His Cabinet.
TheBishopandWeislingen.
Bishop.
Then thou wilt stay no longer?
Weislingen.
You would not have me break my oath.
Bishop.
I could have wished thou hadst not sworn it. What evil spirit possessed thee? Could I not have procured thy release without that? Is my influence so small in the imperial court?
Weislingen.
The thing is done—excuse it as you can.
Bishop.
I cannot see that there was the least necessity for taking such a step. To renounce me? Were there not a thousand other ways of procuring thy freedom? Had we not his page? And would I not have given gold enough to boot, and thus satisfied Berlichingen? Our operations against him and his confederates could have gone on— But, alas! I do not reflect that I am talking to his friend, who has joined him against me, and can easily counterwork the mines he himself has dug.
Weislingen.
My gracious lord—
Bishop.
And yet—when I again look on thy face, again hear thy voice—it is impossible—impossible!
Weislingen.
Farewell, good my lord!
Bishop.
I give thee my blessing—formerly when we parted I was wont to say “Till we meet again!” Now Heaven grant we meet no more!
Weislingen.
Things may alter.
Bishop.
Perhaps I may live to see thee appear as an enemy before my walls, carrying havoc through the fertile plains which now owe their flourishing condition to thee.
Weislingen.
Never, my gracious lord!
Bishop.
You cannot say so. My temporal neighbors all have a grudge against me—but while thou wert mine— Go, Weislingen! I have no more to say. Thou hast undone much. Go—
Weislingen.
I know not what to answer.
[ExitBishop.
EnterFrancis.
Francis.
The Lady Adelaide expects you. She is not well, but she will not let you depart without bidding her adieu.
Weislingen.
Come.
Francis.
Do we go then for certain?
Weislingen.
This very night.
Francis.
I feel as if I were about to leave the world—
Weislingen.
I too, and as if besides I knew not whither to go.