Books: Minna von Barnhelm
G >>
Gotthold Ephraim Lessing >> Minna von Barnhelm
Pages:
1 | 2 |
3 |
4 |
5 |
6
JUST.
I would not walk a mile to have my head split with one of their
sabres. You will not be so mad as to leave your comfortable little
farm!
WER.
Oh! I take that with me. Do you see? The property is sold.
JUST.
Sold?
WER.
Hist! Here are a hundred ducats, which I received yesterday towards
the payment: I am bringing them for the Major.
JUST.
What is he to do with them?
WER.
What is he to do with them? Spend them; play them, or drink them away,
or whatever he pleases. He must have money, and it is bad enough that
they have made his own so troublesome to him. But I know what I would
do, were I in his place. I would say--"The deuce take you all here; I
will go with Paul Werner to Persia!" Hang it! Prince Heraclius must
have heard of Major von Tellheim, if he has not heard of Paul Werner,
his late sergeant. Our affair at Katzenhauser--
JUST.
Shall I give you an account of that?
WER.
You give me! I know well that a fine battle array is beyond your
comprehension. I am not going to throw my pearls before swine. Here,
take the hundred ducats; give them to the Major: tell him, he may keep
these for me too. I am going to the market now. I have sent in a
couple of loads of rye; what I get for them he can also have.
JUST.
Werner, you mean it well; but we don't want your money. Keep your
ducats; and your hundred pistoles you can also have back safe, as soon
as you please.
WER.
What, has the Major money still?
JUST.
No.
WER.
Has he borrowed any?
JUST.
No.
WER.
On what does he live, then?
JUST.
We have everything put down in the bill; and when they won't put
anything more down, and turn us out of the house, we pledge anything
we may happen to have, and go somewhere else. I say, Paul, we must
play this landlord here a trick.
WER.
If he has annoyed the Major, I am ready.
JUST.
What if we watch for him in the evening, when he comes from his club,
and give him a good thrashing?
WER.
In the dark! Watch for him! Two to one! No, that won't do.
JUST.
Or if we burn his house over his head?
WER.
Fire and burn! Why, Just, one hears that you have been baggage-boy and
not soldier. Shame!
JUST.
Or if we ruin his daughter? But she is cursedly ugly.
WER.
She has probably been ruined long ago. At any rate you don't want any
help there. But what is the matter with you? What has happened?
JUST.
Just come with me, and you shall hear something to make you stare.
WER.
The devil must be loose here, then?
JUST.
Just so; come along.
WER.
So much the better! To Persia, then; to Persia.
ACT II.
SCENE I.
Minna's Room. Minna, Franziska
MIN. (in morning dress, looking at her watch).
Franziska, we have risen very early. The time will hang heavy on our
hands.
FRAN.
Who can sleep in these abominable large towns? The carriages, the
watchmen, the drums, the cats, the soldiers, never cease to rattle, to
call, to roll, to mew, and to swear; just as if the last thing the
night is intended for was for sleep. Have a cup of tea, my lady!
MIN.
I don't care for tea.
FRAN.
I will have some chocolate made.
MIN.
For yourself, if you like.
FRAN.
For myself! I would as soon talk to myself as drink by myself. Then
the time will indeed hang heavy. For very weariness we shall have to
make our toilets, and try on the dress in which we intend to make the
first attack!
MIN.
Why do you talk of attacks, when I have only come to require that the
capitulation be ratified?
FRAN.
But the officer whom we have dislodged, and to whom we have
apologized, cannot be the best bred man in the world, or he might at
least have begged the honour of being allowed to wait upon you.
MIN.
All officers are not Tellheims. To tell you the truth, I only sent him
the message in order to have an opportunity of inquiring from him
about Tellheim. Franziska, my heart tells me my journey will be a
successful one and that I shall find him.
FRAN.
The heart, my lady! One must not trust to that too much. The heart
echoes to us the words of our tongues. If the tongue was as much
inclined to speak the thoughts of the heart, the fashion of keeping
mouths under lock and key would have come in long ago.
MIN.
Ha! ha! mouths under lock and key. That fashion would just suit me.
FRAN.
Rather not show the most beautiful set of teeth, than let the heart be
seen through them every moment.
MIN.
What, are you so reserved?
FRAN.
No, my lady; but I would willingly be more so. People seldom talk of
the virtue they possess, and all the more often of that which they do
not possess.
MIN.
Franziska, you made a very just remark there.
FRAN.
Made! Does one make it, if it occurs to one?
MIN.
And do you know why I consider it so good? It applies to my Tellheim.
FRAN.
What would not, in your opinion, apply to him?
MIN.
Friend and foe say he is the bravest man in the world. But who ever
heard him talk of bravery? He has the most upright mind; but
uprightness and nobleness of mind are words never on his tongue.
FRAN.
Of what virtues does he talk then?
MIN.
He talks of none, for he is wanting in none.
FRAN.
That is just what I wished to hear.
MIN.
Wait, Franziska; I am wrong. He often talks of economy. Between
ourselves, I believe he is extravagant.
FRAN.
One thing more, my lady. I have often heard him mention truth and
constancy toward you. What, if he be inconstant?
MIN.
Miserable girl! But do you mean that seriously?
FRAN.
How long is it since he wrote to you?
MIN.
Alas! he has only written to me once since the peace.
FRAN.
What!--A sigh on account of the peace? Surprising? Peace ought only to
make good the ill which war causes; but it seems to disturb the good
which the latter, its opposite, may have occasioned. Peace should not
be so capricious! . . . How long have we had peace? The time seems
wonderfully long, when there is so little news. It is no use the post
going regularly again; nobody writes, for nobody has anything to write
about.
MIN.
"Peace has been made," he wrote to me, "and I am approaching the
fulfillment of my wishes." But since he only wrote that to me once,
only once--
FRAN.
And since he compels us to run after this fulfillment of his wishes
ourselves. . . If we can but find him, he shall pay for this! Suppose,
in the meantime, he may have accomplished his wishes, and we should
learn here that--
MIN. (anxiously).
That he is dead?
FRAN.
To you, my lady; and married to another.
MIN.
You tease, you! Wait, Franziska, I will pay you out for this! But talk
to me, or I shall fall asleep. His regiment was disbanded after the
peace. Who knows into what a confusion of bills and papers he may
thereby have been brought? Who knows into what other regiment, or to
what distant station, he may have been sent? Who knows what
circumstances--There's a knock at the door.
FRAN.
Come in!
SCENE II.
Landlord, Minna, Franziska
LAND. (putting his head in at the door).
Am I permitted, your ladyship?
FRAN.
Our landlord?--Come in!
LAND. (A pen behind his ear, a sheet of paper and an inkstand in his
hand).
I am come, your ladyship, to wish you a most humble good-morning;
(to Franziska)
and the same to you, my pretty maid.
FRAN.
A polite man!
MIN.
We are obliged to you.
FRAN.
And wish you also a good-morning.
LAND.
May I venture to ask how your ladyship has passed the first night
under my poor roof?
FRAN.
The roof is not so bad, sir; but the beds might have been better.
LAND.
What do I hear! Not slept well! Perhaps the over-fatigue of the
journey--
MIN.
Perhaps.
LAND.
Certainly, certainly, for otherwise. . . . Yet, should there be
anything not perfectly comfortable, my lady, I hope you will not fail
to command me.
FRAN.
Very well, Mr. Landlord, very well! We are not bashful; and least of
all should one be bashful at an inn. We shall not fail to say what we
may wish.
LAND.
I next come to . . .
(taking the pen from behind his ear).
FRAN.
Well?
LAND.
Without doubt, my lady, you are already acquainted with the wise
regulations of our police.
MIN.
Not in the least, sir.
LAND.
We landlords are instructed not to take in any stranger, of whatever
rank or sex he may be, for four-and-twenty hours, without delivering,
in writing, his name, place of abode, occupation, object of his
journey, probable stay, and so on, to the proper authorities.
MIN.
Very well.
LAND.
Will your ladyship then be so good . . .
(going to the table, and making ready to write).
MIN.
Willingly. My name is--
LAND.
One minute!
(He writes.)
"Date, 22nd August, A. D., &C.; arrived at the King of Spain hotel."
Now your name, my lady.
MIN.
Fraulein von Barnhelm.
LAND. (writes).
"Von Barnhelm." Coming from. . . . where, your ladyship?
MIN.
From my estate in Saxony.
LAND. (writes).
"Estate in Saxony." Saxony! Indeed, indeed! In Saxony, your ladyship?
Saxony?
FRAN.
Well, why not? I hope it is no sin in this country to come from Saxony!
LAND.
A sin? Heaven forbid! That would be quite a new sin! From Saxony then?
Yes, yes, from Saxony, a delightful country, Saxony! But if I am
right, your ladyship, Saxony is not small, and has several--how shall
I call them? districts, provinces. Our police are very particular,
your ladyship.
MIN.
I understand. From my estate in Thuringia, then.
LAND.
From Thuringia! Yes, that is better, your ladyship; that is more
exact.
(Writes and reads.)
"Fraulein von Barnhelm, coming from her estate in Thuringia, together
with her lady in waiting and two men servants."
FRAN.
Lady in waiting! That means me, I suppose!
LAND.
Yes, my pretty maid.
FRAN.
Well, Mr. Landlord, instead of "lady in waiting," write "maid in
waiting." You say, the police are very exact; it might cause a
misunderstanding, which might give me trouble some day when my banns
are read out. For I really am still unmarried, and my name is
Franziska, with the family name of Willig: Franziska Willig. I also
come from Thuringia. My father was a miller, on one of my lady's
estates. It is called Little Rammsdorf. My brother has the mill now. I
was taken very early to the manor, and educated with my lady. We are
of the same age--one-and-twenty next Candlemas. I learnt everything my
lady learnt. I should like the police to have a full account of me.
LAND.
Quite right, my pretty maid; I will bear that in mind, in case of
future inquiries. But now, your ladyship, your business here?
MIN.
My business here?
LAND.
Have you any business with His Majesty the King?
MIN.
Oh! no.
LAND.
Or at our courts of justice?
MIN.
No.
LAND.
Or--
MIN.
No, no. I have come here solely on account of my own private affairs.
LAND.
Quite right, your ladyship; but what are those private affairs?
MIN.
They are . . . Franziska, I think we are undergoing an examination.
FRAN.
Mr. Landlord, the police surely do not ask to know a young lady's
secrets!
LAND.
Certainly, my pretty maid; the police wish to know everything, and
especially secrets.
FRAN.
What is to be done, my lady? . . . Well, listen, Mr. Landlord--but
take care that it does not go beyond ourselves and the police.
MIN.
What is the simpleton going to tell him?
FRAN.
We come to carry off an officer from the king.
LAND.
How? What? My dear girl!
FRAN.
Or to let ourselves be carried off by the officer. It is all one.
MIN.
Franziska, are you mad? The saucy girl is laughing at you.
LAND.
I hope not! With your humble servant indeed she may jest as much as
she pleases; but with the police--
MIN.
I tell you what; I do not understand how to act in this matter.
Suppose you postpone the whole affair till my uncle's arrival. I told
you yesterday why he did not come with me. He had an accident with his
carriage ten miles from here, and did not wish that I should remain a
night longer on the road, so I had to come on. I am sure he will not
be more than four-and-twenty hours after us.
LAND.
Very well, madam, we will wait for him.
MIN.
He will be able to answer your questions better. He will know to whom,
and to what extent, he must give an account of himself--what he must
relate respecting his affairs, and what he may withhold.
LAND.
So much the better! Indeed one cannot expect a young girl
(looking at Franziska in a marked manner)
to treat a serious matter with serious people in a serious manner.
MIN.
And his rooms are in readiness, I hope?
LAND.
Quite, your ladyship, quite; except the one--
FRAN.
Out of which, I suppose, you will have to turn some other honourable
gentleman!
LAND.
The waiting maids of Saxony, your ladyship, seem to be very
compassionate.
MIN.
In truth, sir, that was not well done. You ought rather to have
refused us.
LAND.
Why so, your ladyship, why so?
MIN.
I understand that the officer who was driven out on our account--
LAND.
Is only a discharged officer, your ladyship.
MIN.
Well, what then?
LAND.
Who is almost done for.
MIN.
So much the worse! He is said to be a very deserving man.
LAND.
But I tell you he is discharged.
MIN.
The king cannot be acquainted with every deserving man.
LAND.
Oh! doubtless he knows them; he knows them all.
MIN.
But he cannot reward them all.
LAND.
They would have been rewarded if they had lived so as to deserve it.
But they lived during the war as if it would last for ever; as if the
words "yours" and "mine" were done away with altogether. Now all the
hotels and inns are full of them, and a landlord has to be on his
guard with them. I have come off pretty well with this one. If he had
no more money, he had at any rate money's worth; and I might indeed
have let him remain quiet two or three months longer. However, it is
better as it is. By-the-by, your ladyship, you understand about
jewels, I suppose?
MIN.
Not particularly.
LAND.
Of course your ladyship must. I must show you a ring, a valuable ring.
I see you have a very beautiful one on your finger; and the more I
look at it, the more I am astonished at the resemblance it bears to
mine. There! just look, just look!
(Taking the ring from its case, and handing it to her.)
What brilliancy! The diamond in the middle alone weighs more than five
carats.
MIN. (looking at it).
Good heavens! What do I see? This ring--
LAND.
Is honestly worth fifteen hundred thalers.
MIN.
Franziska! look!
LAND.
I did not hesitate for a moment to advance eighty pistoles on it.
MIN.
Do not you recognize it, Franziska?
FRAN.
The same! Where did you get that ring, Mr. Landlord?
LAND.
Come, my girl! you surely have no claim to it?
FRAN.
We have no claim to this ring! My mistress' monogram must be on it, on
the inner side of the setting. Look at it, my lady.
MIN.
It is! it is! How did you get this ring?
LAND.
I! In the most honourable way in the world. You do not wish to bring
me into disgrace and trouble, your ladyship! How do I know where the
ring properly belongs? During the war many a thing often changed
masters, both with and without the knowledge of its owner. War was
war. Other rings will have crossed the borders of Saxony. Give it me
again, your ladyship; give it me again!
FRAN.
When you have said from whom you got it.
LAND.
From a man whom I cannot think capable of such things; in other
respects a good man.
MIN.
From the best man under the sun, if you have it from its owner. Bring
him here directly! It is himself, or at any rate he must know him.
LAND.
Who? who, your ladyship?
FRAN.
Are you deaf? Our Major!
LAND.
Major! Right! he is a Major, who had this room before you, and from
whom I received it.
MIN.
Major von Tellheim!
LAND.
Yes, Tellheim. Do you know him?
MIN.
Do I know him! He is here! Tellheim here! He had this room! He! he
pledged this ring with you! What has brought him into this
embarrassment? Where is he? Does he owe you anything? Franziska, my
desk here! Open it!
(Franziska puts it on the table and opens it.)
What does he owe you? To whom else does he owe anything? Bring me all
his creditors! Here is gold: here are notes. It is all his!
LAND.
What is this?
MIN.
Where is he? Where is he?
LAND.
An hour ago he was here.
MIN.
Detested man! how could you act so rudely, so hardly, so cruelly
towards him?
LAND.
Your ladyship must pardon--
MIN.
Quick! Bring him to me.
LAND.
His servant is perhaps still here. Does your ladyship wish that he
should look for him?
MIN.
Do I wish it? Begone, run. For this service alone I will forget how
badly you have behaved to him.
FRAN.
Now then, quick, Mr. Landlord! Be off! fly! fly!
(Pushes him out.)
SCENE III.
Minna, Franziska
MIN.
Now I have found him again, Franziska! Do you hear? Now I have found
him again! I scarcely know where I am for joy! Rejoice with me,
Franziska. But why should you? And yet you shall; you must rejoice
with me. Come, I will make you a present, that you may be able to
rejoice with me. Say, Franziska, what shall I give you? Which of my
things would please you? What would you like? Take what you will; only
rejoice with me. I see you will take nothing. Stop!
(Thrusts her hand into the desk.)
There, Franziska,
(gives her money)
buy yourself what you like. Ask for more, if it be not sufficient; but
rejoice with me you must. It is so melancholy to be happy alone.
There, take it, then.
FRAN.
It is stealing it from you, my lady. You are intoxicated, quite
intoxicated with joy.
MIN.
Girl, my intoxication is of a quarrelsome kind. Take it, or
(forcing money into her hand)
. . . and if you thank me . . . Stay, it is well that I think of it.
(Takes more money from the desk.)
Put that aside, Franziska, for the first poor wounded soldier who
accosts us.
SCENE IV.
Landlord, Minna, and Franziska
MIN.
Well, is he coming?
LAND.
The cross, unmannered fellow!
MIN.
Who?
LAND.
His servant. He refuses to go for him.
FRAN.
Bring the rascal here, then. I know all the Major's servants. Which
one of them was it?
MIN.
Bring him here directly. When he sees us he will go fast enough.
(Exit Landlord.)
SCENE V.
Minna, Franziska
MIN.
I cannot bear this delay. But, Franziska, how cold you are still! Why
will you not share my joy with me?
FRAN.
I would from my heart, if only--
MIN.
If only what?
FRAN.
We have found him again. But how have we found him? From all we hear,
it must go badly with him. He must be unfortunate. That distresses me.
MIN.
Distresses you! Let me embrace you for that, my dear playmate! I shall
never forget this of you. I am only in love, you are good.
SCENE VI.
Landlord, Just, Minna, Franziska
LAND.
With great difficulty I have brought him.
FRAN.
A strange face! I do not know him.
MIN.
Friend, do you live with Major von Tellheim?
JUST.
Yes.
MIN.
Where is your master?
JUST.
Not here.
MIN.
But you could find him?
JUST.
Yes.
MIN.
Will you fetch him quickly?
JUST.
No.
MIN.
You will be doing me a favour.
JUST.
Indeed!
MIN.
And your master a service.
JUST.
Perhaps not.
MIN.
Why do you suppose that?
JUST.
You are the strange lady who sent your compliments to him this
morning, I think?
MIN.
Yes.
JUST.
Then I am right.
MIN.
Does your master know my name?
JUST.
No; but he likes over-civil ladies as little as over-uncivil
landlords.
LAND.
That is meant for me, I suppose?
JUST.
Yes.
LAND.
Well, do not let the lady suffer for it then; but bring him here
directly.
MIN. (to Franziska).
Franziska, give him something
FRAN. (trying to put some money into Just's hand).
We do not require your services for nothing.
JUST.
Nor I your money without services.
FRAN.
One in return for the other.
JUST.
I cannot. My master has ordered me to pack up. That I am now about,
and I beg you not to hinder me further. When I have finished, I will
take care to tell him that he may come here. He is close by, at the
coffee-house; and if he finds nothing better to do there, I suppose he
will come.
(Going.)
FRAN.
Wait a moment! My lady is the Major's . . . sister.
MIN.
Yes, yes, his sister.
JUST.
I know better; the Major has not a sister. He has sent me twice in six
months to his family in Courland. It is true there are different sorts
of sisters--
FRAN.
Insolent!
JUST.
One must be so to get the people to let one alone.
(Exit.)
FRAN.
That is a rascal.
LAND.
So I said. But let him go! I know now where his master is. I will
fetch him instantly myself. I only beg your ladyship, most humbly,
that you will make an excuse for me to the Major, that I have been so
unfortunate as to offend a man of his merit against my will.
MIN.
Pray go quickly. I will set all that right again.
(Exit the Landlord.)
Franziska, run after him, and tell him not to mention my name!
(Exit Franziska.)
SCENE VII.
Minna, /and afterwards/ Franziska
MIN.
I have found him again!--Am I alone?--I will not be alone to no
purpose.--
(Clasping her hands.)
Yet I am not alone!
(Looking upwards.)
One single grateful thought towards heaven, is the most perfect
prayer! I have found him! I have found him!
(With outstretched arms.)
I am joyful and happy! What can please the Creator more than a joyful
creature!
(Franziska returns.)
Have you returned, Franziska? You pity him! I do not pity him.
Misfortune too is useful. Perhaps heaven deprived him of everything--
to give him all again, through me!
FRAN.
He may be here at any moment.--You are still in your morning dress, my
lady. Ought you not to dress yourself quickly?
MIN.
Not at all. He will now see me more frequently so, than dressed out.
FRAN.
Oh! you know, my lady, how you look best.
MIN. (after a pause).
Truly, girl, you have hit it again.
FRAN.
I think women who are beautiful, are most so when unadorned.
MIN.
Must we then be beautiful? Perhaps it was necessary that we should
think ourselves so. Enough for me, if only I am beautiful in his eyes.
Franziska, if all women feel as I now feel, we are--strange things.
Tender hearted, yet proud; virtuous, yet vain; passionate, yet
innocent. I dare say you do not understand me. I do not rightly
understand myself. Joy turns my head.
FRAN.
Compose yourself, my lady, I hear footsteps.
MIN.
Compose myself! What! receive him composedly?
SCENE VIII.
Major von Tellheim, Landlord, Minna, and Franziska
MAJ. T. (walks in, and the moment he sees Minna rushes towards her).
Ah! my Minna!
MIN. (springing towards him).
Ah! my Tellheim!
MAJ. T. (starts suddenly, and draws back).
I beg your pardon, Fraulein von Barnhelm; but to meet you here--
MIN.
Cannot surely be so unexpected!
(Approaching him, whilst he draws back still more.)
Am I to pardon you because I am still your Minna? Heaven pardon you,
that I am still Fraulein von Barnhelm!
MAJ. T.
Fraulein . . .
(Looks fixedly at the Landlord, and shrugs his shoulders.)
MIN. (sees the Landlord, and makes a sign to Franziska).
Sir--
MAJ. T.
If we are not both mistaken--
FRAN.
Why, Landlord, whom have you brought us here? Come, quick! let us go
and look for the right man.
LAND.
Is he not the right one? Surely!
FRAN.
Surely not! Come, quick! I have not yet wished your daughter good
morning.
LAND.
Oh! you are very good
(still does not stir).
FRAN. (takes hold of him).
Come, and we will make the bill of fare. Let us see what we shall
have.
LAND.
You shall have first of all--
FRAN.
Stop, I say, stop! If my mistress knows now what she is to have for
dinner, it will be all over with her appetite. Come, we must talk that
over in private.
(Drags him off.)
SCENE IX.
Minna, Major von Tellheim
MIN.
Well, are we still both mistaken?
MAJ. T.
Would to heaven it were so--But there is only one Minna, and you are
that one.
MIN.
What ceremony! The world might hear what we have to say to one
another.
MAJ. T.
You here? What do you want here, Madam?
MIN.
Nothing now
(going to him with open arms).
I have found all that I wanted.
MAJ. T. (drawing back).
You seek a prosperous man, and one worthy of your love; and you find--
a wretched one.
MIN.
Then do you love me no longer? Do you love another?
MAJ. T.
Ah! he never loved you, who could love another afterwards.
MIN.
You draw but one dagger from my breast; for if I have lost your heart,
what matters whether indifference or more powerful charms than mine
have robbed me of it? You love me no longer; neither do you love
another? Wretched man indeed, if you love nothing!
MAJ. T.
Right; the wretched must love nothing. He merits his misfortunes, if
he cannot achieve this victory over himself--if he can allow the woman
he loves to take part in his misfortune . . . Oh! how difficult is
this victory! . . . Since reason and necessity have commanded me to
forget Minna von Barnhelm, what pains have I taken! I was just
beginning to hope that my trouble would not for ever be in vain--and
you appear.
MIN.
Do I understand you right? Stop, sir; let us see what we mean before
we make further mistakes. Will you answer me one question?
MAJ. T.
Any one.
MIN.
But will you answer me without shift or subterfuge? With nothing but a
plain "Yes," or "No?"
MAJ. T.
I will--if I can.
MIN.
You can. Well, notwithstanding the pains which you have taken to
forget me, do you love me still, Tellheim?
MAJ. T.
Madam, that question--
MIN.
You have promised to answer Yes, or No.
MAJ. T.
And added, If I can.
MIN.
You can. You must know what passes in your heart. Do you love me
still, Tellheim? Yes, or No?
Pages:
1 | 2 |
3 |
4 |
5 |
6