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Front Page arrow Titles (by Subject) arrow SCENE VI.—: The front of a Gypsy-hut in a wild forest.—Night.—A fire before the hut, at which are seated the Mother of the Gypsies and a girl. - Goethe's Works, vol. 3 (Goetz von Berlichingen, Iphigenia in Tauris, Tarquato Tasso, etc)

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SCENE VI.—: The front of a Gypsy-hut in a wild forest.—Night.—A fire before the hut, at which are seated the Mother of the Gypsies and a girl. - 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.


SCENE VI.—

The front of a Gypsy-hut in a wild forest.—Night.—A fire before the hut, at which are seated theMother of the Gypsiesand a girl.

Mother.

Throw some fresh straw upon the thatch, daughter: there’ll be heavy rain again to-night.

Enter aGypsy-Boy.

Boy.

A dormouse, mother! and look! two field-mice!

Mother.

I’ll skin them and roast them for thee, and thou shalt have a cap of their skins. Thou bleedest!

Boy.

Dormouse bit me.

Mother.

Fetch some dead wood, that the fire may burn bright when thy father comes: he will be wet through and through.

AnotherGypsy-Womanwith a child at her back.

First Woman.

Hast thou had good luck?

Second Woman.

Ill enough. The whole country is in an uproar; one’s life is not safe a moment. Two villages are in a blaze.

First Woman.

Is it fire that glares so yonder? I have been watching it long. One is so accustomed now to fiery signs in the heavens.

TheCaptain of the Gypsiesenters with three of his gang.

Captain.

Heard ye the wild huntsman?

First Woman.

He is passing over us now.

Captain.

How the hounds give tongue! Wow! wow!

Second Man.

How the whips crack!

Third Man.

And the huntsmen cheer them.—Hallo—ho!

Mother.

’Tis the devil’s chase.

Captain.

We have been fishing in troubled waters. The peasants rob each other; there’s no harm in our helping them.

Second Woman.

What hast thou got, Wolf?

Wolf.

A hare and a capon, a spit, a bundle of linen, three spoons and a bridle.

Sticks.

I have a blanket and a pair of boots, also a flint and tinder-box.

Mother.

All wet as mire; I’ll dry them, give them here!

[Tramping without.

Captain.

Hark!—A horse! Go see who it is.

EnterGoetzon horseback.

Goetz.

I thank thee, God! I see fire—they are gypsies.—My wounds bleed sorely—my foes are close behind me!—Great God, this is a fearful end!

Captain.

Is it in peace thou comest?

Goetz.

I crave help from you—my wounds exhaust me—assist me to dismount!

Captain.

Help him!—A gallant warrior in look and speech.

Wolf.

(Aside.) ’Tis Goetz von Berlichingen!

Captain.

Welcome! welcome!—All that we have is yours.

Goetz.

Thanks, thanks!

Captain.

Come to my hut!

[Exeunt to the hut.