SCENE IV.—: Jaxthausen. - 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 IV.—
Jaxthausen.
ElizabethandLerse.
Lerse.
Gracious lady, be comforted!
Elizabeth.
Alas! Lerse, the tears stood in his eyes when he took leave of me. It is dreadful, dreadful!
Lerse.
He will return.
Elizabeth.
It is not that. When he went forth to gain honorable victories, never did grief sit heavy at my heart. I then rejoiced in the prospect of his return, which I now dread.
Lerse.
So noble a man.
Elizabeth.
Call him not so. There lies the new misery. The miscreants! they threatened to murder his family and burn his castle. Should he return, gloomy, most gloomy shall I see his brow. His enemies will forge scandalous accusations against him, which he will be unable to refute.
Lerse.
He will and can.
Elizabeth.
He has broken his parole—canst thou deny that?
Lerse.
No! he was constrained; what reason is there to condemn him?
Elizabeth.
Malice seeks not reasons, but pretexts. He has become an ally of rebels, malefactors and murderers: he has become their chief. Say No to that.
Lerse.
Cease to torment yourself and me. Have they not solemnly sworn to abjure all such doings as those at Weinsberg? Did I not myself hear them say, in remorse, that, had not that been done already, it never should have been done? Must not the princes and nobles return him their best thanks for having undertaken the dangerous office of leading these unruly people, in order to restrain their rage, and to save so many lives and possessions?
Elizabeth.
Thou art an affectionate advocate. Should they take him prisoner, deal with him as with a rebel, and bring his gray hairs— Lerse, I should go mad!
Lerse.
Send sleep to refresh her body, dear Father of mankind, if Thou deniest comfort to her soul!
Elizabeth.
George has promised to bring news, but he will not be allowed to do so. They are worse than prisoners. Well I know they are watched like enemies.—The gallant boy! he would not leave his master.
Lerse.
The very heart within me bled as I left him.—Had you not needed my help, all the terrors of grisly death should not have separated us.
Elizabeth.
I know not where Sickingen is.—Could I but send a message to Maria!
Lerse.
Write, then. I will take care that she receives it.
[Exit.