SCENE VII.—: A Wood on the borders of a Morass. - 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 VII.—
A Wood on the borders of a Morass.
TwoImperialist Troopersmeeting
First Imperialist.
What dost thou here?
Second Imperialist.
I have leave of absence for ten minutes. Ever since our quarters were beat up last night I have had such violent attacks that I can’t sit on horseback for two minutes together.
First Imperialist.
Is the party far advanced?
Second Imperialist.
About three miles into the wood
First Imperialist.
Then why are you playing truant here?
Second Imperialist.
Prithee, betray me not. I am going to the next village to see if I cannot get some warm bandages to relieve my complaint. But whence comest thou?
First Imperialist.
I am bringing our officer some wine and meat from the nearest village.
Second Imperialist.
So, so! he stuffs himself under our very noses, and we must starve; a fine example!
First Imperialist.
Come back with me, rascal!
Second Imperialist.
Call me a fool, if I do! There are plenty in our troop who would gladly fast, to be as far away as I am.
[Tramping of horses heard.
First Imperialist.
Hear’st thou?—Horses!
Second Imperialist.
Oh dear! oh dear!
First Imperialist.
I’ll get up into this tree.
Second Imperialist.
And I’ll hide among the rushes.
[They hide themselves.
Enter on horseback,Goetz. Lerse. GeorgeandTroopers,all completely armed
Goetz.
Away into the wood, by the ditch on the left,—then we have them in the rear.
[They gallop off.
First Imperialist.
(Descending) This is a bad business—Michael!—He answers not—Michael, they are gone! (Goes towards the marsh.) Alas, he is sunk!—Michael!—He hears me not: he is suffocated.—Poor coward, art thou done for?—We are slain.—Enemies! Enemies on all sides!
Re-enterGoetzandGeorgeon horseback.
Goetz.
Yield thee, fellow, or thou diest!
Imperialist.
Spare my life!
Goetz.
Thy sword!—George, lead him to the other prisoners whom Lerse is guarding yonder in the wood.—I must pursue their fugitive leader.
[Exit.
Imperialist.
What has become of the knight, our officer?
George.
My master struck him head over heels from his horse, so that his plume stuck in the mire. His troopers got him up, and off they were as if the devil were behind them.
[Exeunt.