SCENE VIII.—: Adelaide’s Bedchamber. - 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 VIII.—
Adelaide’sBedchamber.
EnterAdelaidewith a letter.
Adelaide.
He or I! The tyrant—to threaten me! We will anticipate him. Who glides through the ante-chamber? (A low knock at the door.) Who is there?
Francis.
(In a low voice.) Open, gracious lady!
Adelaide.
Francis! He well deserves that I should admit him.
[Opens the door.
Francis.
(Throws himself on her neck.) My dear, my gracious lady!
Adelaide.
What audacity! If any one should hear you?
Francis.
Oh—all—all are asleep.
Adelaide.
What would’st thou?
Francis.
I cannot rest. The threats of my master.—your fate,—my heart.
Adelaide.
He was incensed against me when you parted from him?
Francis.
He was as I have never seen him.—To my castle, said he, she must—she shall go.
Adelaide.
And shall we obey?
Francis.
I know not, dear lady!
Adelaide.
Thou foolish, infatuated boy! Thou dost not see where this will end. Here he knows I am in safety. He has long had designs on my freedom, and therefore wishes to get me to his castle—there he will have power to use me as his hate shall dictate.
Francis.
He shall not!
Adelaide.
Wilt thou prevent him?
Francis.
He shall not!
Adelaide.
I foresee the whole misery of my fate. He will tear me forcibly from his castle to immure me in a cloister.
Francis.
Hell and damnation!
Adelaide.
Wilt thou rescue me?
Francis.
Anything! Everything!
Adelaide.
(Throws herself weeping upon his neck.) Francis! O save me!
Francis.
He shall fall. I will plant my foot upon his neck.
Adelaide.
No violence! You shall carry a submissive letter to him announcing obedience—then give him this vial in his wine.
Francis.
Give it me! Thou shalt be free!
Adelaide.
Free!—And then no more shalt thou need to come to my chamber trembling and in fear. No more shall I need anxiously to say, “Away, Francis! the morning dawns.”