EconlibThe LibraryOther Sites |
Front Page Titles (by Subject) SCENE VI.—: Adelaide's Apartment. - Goethe's Works, vol. 3 (Goetz von Berlichingen, Iphigenia in Tauris, Tarquato Tasso, etc)
Return to Title Page for Goethe’s Works, vol. 3 (Goetz von Berlichingen, Iphigenia in Tauris, Tarquato Tasso, etc)The Online Library of LibertyA project of Liberty Fund, Inc.Search this Title:Also in the Library:
SCENE VI.—: Adelaide’s Apartment. - 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.
Part of: Goethe’s Works, 5 vols.About Liberty Fund:Liberty Fund, Inc. is a private, educational foundation established to encourage the study of the ideal of a society of free and responsible individuals. Copyright information:The text is in the public domain. Fair use statement:This material is put online to further the educational goals of Liberty Fund, Inc. Unless otherwise stated in the Copyright Information section above, this material may be used freely for educational and academic purposes. It may not be used in any way for profit.
SCENE VI.—Adelaide’sApartment.AdelaideandWaiting-Maid. Maid.You are pale, gracious lady! Adelaide.I love him not, yet I wish him to stay—for I am fond of his company, though I should dislike him for my husband. Maid.Does your ladyship think he will go? Adelaide.He is even now bidding the bishop farewell. Maid.He has yet a severe struggle to undergo. Adelaide.What meanest thou? Maid.Why do you ask, gracious lady? The barbed hook is in his heart—ere he tear it away he must bleed to death. EnterWeislingen. Weislingen.You are not well, gracious lady? Adelaide.That must be indifferent to you—you leave us, leave us forever: what matters it to you whether we live or die? Weislingen.You do me injustice. Adelaide.I judge you as you appear. Weislingen.Appearances are deceitful. Adelaide.Then you are a chameleon. Weislingen.Could you but see my heart— Adelaide.I should see fine things there. Weislingen.Undoubtedly!—You would find your own image— Adelaide.Thrust into some dark corner with the pictures of defunct ancestors! I beseech you, Weislingen, consider with whom you speak—false words are of value only when they serve to veil our actions—a discovered masquerader plays a pitiful part. You do not disown your deeds, yet your words belie them; what are we to think of you? Weislingen.What you will—I am so agonized at reflecting on what I am, that I little reck for what I am taken. Adelaide.You came to say farewell. Weislingen.Permit me to kiss your hand, and I will say adieu!— You remind me—I did not think—but I am troublesome— Adelaide.You misinterpret me. Since you will depart, I only wished to assist your resolution. Weislingen.Oh, say rather, I must!—were I not compelled by my knightly word—my solemn engagement— Adelaide.Go to! Talk of that to maidens who read the tale of Theuerdanck, and wish that they had such a husband.—Knightly word!—Nonsense! Weislingen.You do not think so? Adelaide.On my honor, you are dissembling. What have you promised? and to whom? You have pledged your alliance to a traitor to the emperor, at the very moment when he incurred the ban of the empire by taking you prisoner. Such an agreement is no more binding than an extorted, unjust oath. And do not our laws release you from such oaths? Go, tell that to children, who believe in Rübezahl. There is something behind all this.—To become an enemy of the empire—a disturber of public happiness and tranquillity, an enemy of the emperor, the associate of a robber!—Thou, Weislingen, with thy gentle soul! Weislingen.Did you but know him! Adelaide.I would deal justly with Goetz. He has a lofty indomitable spirit, and woe to thee, therefore, Weislingen. Go, and persuade thyself thou art his companion. Go, and receive his commands. Thou art courteous, gentle— Weislingen.And he too. Adelaide.But thou art yielding, and he is stubborn. Imperceptibly will he draw thee on. Thou wilt become the slave of a baron; thou that mightest command princes!—Yet it is cruel to make you discontented with your future position. Weislingen.Did you but know what kindness he showed me. Adelaide.Kindness!—Do you make such a merit of that? It was his duty. And what would you have lost had he acted otherwise? I would rather he had done so. An overbearing man like— Weislingen.You speak of your enemy. Adelaide.I speak for your freedom; yet I know not why I should take so much interest in it. Farewell! Weislingen.Permit me, but a moment. [Takes her hand. A pause. Adelaide.Have you aught to say? Weislingen.I must hence. Adelaide.Then go. Weislingen.Gracious lady, I cannot. Adelaide.You must. Weislingen.And is this your parting look? Adelaide.Go, I am unwell, very inopportunely. Weislingen.Look not on me thus! Adelaide.Wilt thou be our enemy, and yet have us smile upon thee? Go! Weislingen.Adelaide! Adelaide.I hate thee! EnterFrancis. Francis.Noble sir, the bishop inquires for you. Adelaide.Go! go! Francis.He begs you to come instantly. Adelaide.Go! go! Weislingen.I do not say adieu: I shall see you again. [ExeuntWeislingenandFrancis. Adelaide.Thou wilt see me again? We must provide for that. Margaret, when he comes, refuse him admittance. Say I am ill, have a headache, am asleep, anything. If this does not detain him, nothing will. [Exeunt. |

Titles (by Subject)