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Front Page Titles (by Subject) SCENE X—: An Inn. - Goethe's Works, vol. 3 (Goetz von Berlichingen, Iphigenia in Tauris, Tarquato Tasso, etc)
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SCENE X—: An Inn. - 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 X—An Inn.The Bridal of aPeasant. [TheBride’s Father, Bride, Bridegroomand other Country-folks,Goetz of BerlichingenandHans of Selbitzall discovered at table.TroopersandPeasantsattend. Goetz.It was the best way thus to settle your lawsuit by a merry bridal. Bride’s Father.Better than ever I could have dreamed of, noble sir—to spend my days in quiet with my neighbor, and have a daughter provided for to boot. Bridegroom.And I to get the bone of contention and a pretty wife into the bargain! Ay, the prettiest in the whole village. Would to Heaven you had consented sooner. Goetz.How long have you been at law? Bride’s Father.About eight years. I would rather have the fever for twice that time than go through with it again from the beginning. For these periwigged gentry never give a decision till you tear it out of their very hearts; and, after all, what do you get for your pains? The devil fly away with the assessor Sapupi for a damned swarthy Italian! Bridegroom.Yes, he’s a pretty fellow; I was before him twice. Bride’s Father.And I thrice; and look ye, gentlemen, we got a judgment at last, which set forth that he was as much in the right as I, and I as much as he; so there we stood like a couple of fools, till a good Providence put it into my head to give him my daughter, and the ground besides. Goetz.(Drinks.) To your better understanding for the future. Bride’s Father.With all my heart! But come what may, I’ll never go to law again as long as I live. What a mint of money it costs! For every bow made to you by a procurator, you must come down with your dollars. Selbitz.But there are annual imperial visitations. Bride’s Father.I have never heard of them. Many an extra dollar have they contrived to squeeze out of me. The expenses are horrible. Goetz.How mean you? Bride’s Father.Why, look you, these gentlemen of the law are always holding out their hands. The assessor alone, God forgive him, eased me of eighteen golden guilders. Bridegroom.Who? Bride’s Father.Why, who else but Sapupi? Goetz.That is infamous. Bride’s Father.Yes, he asked twenty; and there I had to pay them in the great hall of his fine country-house. I thought my heart would burst with anguish. For look you, my lord, I am well enough off with my house and little farm, but how could I raise the ready cash? I stood there, God knows how it was with me. I had not a single farthing to carry me on my journey. At last I took courage and told him my case: when he saw I was desperate, he flung me back a couple of guilders, and sent me about my business. Bridegroom.Impossible! Sapupi? Bride’s Father.Ay, he himself!—What do you stare at? Bridegroom.Devil take the rascal! He took fifteen guilders from me too? Bride’s Father.The deuce he did! Selbitz.They call us robbers, Goetz! Bride’s Father.Bribed on both sides! That’s why the judgment fell out so queer. Oh, the scoundrel! Goetz.You must not let this pass unnoticed. Bride’s Father.What can we do? Goetz.Why—go to Spire where there is an imperial visitation: make your complaint; they must inquire into it, and help you to your own again. Bridegroom.Does your honor think we shall succeed? Goetz.If I might take him in hand, I could promise it you. Selbitz.The sum is worth an attempt. Goetz.Ay; many a day have I ridden out for the fourth part of it. Bride’s Father.(ToBridegroom.) What think’st thou? Bridegroom.We’ll try, come what may. EnterGeorge. George.The Nurembergers have set out. Goetz.Whereabouts are they? George.If we ride off quietly we shall just catch them in the wood betwixt Berheim and Mühlbach. Selbitz.Excellent! Goetz.Well, my children, God bless you, and help every man to his own! Bride’s Father.Thanks, gallant sir! Will you not stay to supper? Goetz.I cannot. Adieu! [ExeuntGoetz, SelbitzandTroopers
ACT III.
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