INTRODUCTORY NOTE
Gotthold Ephraim Lessing was born at Kamenz, Germany, January 22, 1729, the son of a Lutheran minister. He was educated at Meissen and Leipzic, and began writing for the stage before he was twenty. In 1748 he went to Berlin, where he met Voltaire and for a time was powerfully influenced by him. The most important product of this period was his tragedy of "Miss Sara Samson," a modern version of the story of Medea, which began the vogue of the sentimental middle-class play in Germany. After a second sojourn in Leipzic (1755-1758), during which he wrote criticism, lyrics, and fables, Lessing returned to Berlin and began to publish his "Literary Letters," making himself by the vigor and candor of his criticism a real force in contemporary literature. From Berlin he went to Breslau, where he made the first sketches of two of his greatest works, "Laocoon" and "Minna von Barnhelm," both of which were issued after his return to the Prussian capital. Failing in his effort to be appointed Director of the Royal Library by Frederick the Great, Lessing went to Hamburg in 1767 as critic of a new national theatre, and in connection with this enterprise he issued twice a week the "Hamburgische Dramaturgie," the two volumes of which are a rich mine of dramatic criticism and theory.
His next residence was at Wolfenbuttel, where he had charge of the ducal library from 1770 till his death in 1781. Here he wrote his tragedy of "Emilia Galotti," founded on the story of Virginia, and engaged for a time in violent religious controversies, one important outcome of which was his "Education of the Human Race." On being ordered by the Brunswick authorities to give up controversial writing, he found expression for his views in his play "Nathan the Wise," his last great production.
The importance of Lessing's masterpiece in comedy, "Minna von Barnhelm," is difficult to exaggerate. It was the beginning of German national drama; and by the patriotic interest of its historical background, by its sympathetic treatment of the German soldier and the German woman, and by its happy blending of the amusing and the pathetic, it won a place in the national heart from which no succeeding comedy has been able to dislodge it.
DRAMATIS PERSONAE
MAJOR VON TELLHEIM, a discharged officer.
MINNA VON BARNHELM.
COUNT VON BRUCHSAL, her uncle.
FRANZISKA, her lady's maid.
JUST, servant to the Major.
PAUL WERNER, an old Sergeant of the Major's.
The LANDLORD of an Inn.
A LADY.
An ORDERLY.
RICCAUT DE LA MARLINIERE.
The scene alternates between the Parlour of an Inn, and a Room adjoining it.
ACT I
SCENE I
Just
JUST (sitting in a corner, and talking while asleep).
Rogue of a landlord! You treat us so? On, comrade! hit hard!
(He strikes with his fist, and wakes through the exertion).
Ha! there he is again! I cannot shut an eye without fighting with him.
I wish he got but half the blows. Why, it is morning! I must just look for my poor master at once; if I can help it, he shall not set foot in the cursed house again. I wonder where he has passed the night?
SCENE II
Landlord, Just
LAND.
Good-morning, Herr Just; good-morning! What, up so early! Or shall I say—up so late?
JUST.
Say which you please.
LAND.
I say only—good-morning! and that deserves, I suppose, that Herr Just should answer, "Many thanks."
JUST.
Many thanks.
LAND.
One is peevish, if one can't have one's proper rest. What will you bet the Major has not returned home, and you have been keeping watch for him?
JUST.
How the man can guess everything!
LAND.
I surmise, I surmise.
JUST. (turns round to go).
Your servant!
LAND. (stops him).
Not so, Herr Just!
JUST.
Very well, then, not your servant!
LAND.
What, Herr Just, I do hope you are not still angry about yesterday's affair! Who would keep his anger over night?
JUST.
I; and over a good many nights.
LAND.
Is that like a Christian?
JUST.
As much so as to turn an honourable man who cannot pay to a day, out of doors, into the street.
LAND.
Fie! who would be so wicked?
JUST.
A Christian innkeeper.—My master! such a man! such an officer!
LAND.
I thrust him from the house into the streets? I have far too much respect for an officer to do that, and far too much pity for a discharged one! I was obliged to have another room prepared for him.
Think no more about it, Herr Just.
(Calls)
–Hullo! I will make it good in another way.
(A lad comes.)
Bring a glass; Herr Just will have a drop; something good.
JUST.
Do not trouble yourself, Mr. Landlord. May the drop turn to poison, which… But I will not swear; I have not yet breakfasted.
LAND. (to the lad, who brings a bottle of spirits and a glass).
Give it here; go! Now, Herr Just; something quite excellent; strong, delicious, and wholesome.
(Fills, and holds it out to him.)
That can set an over-taxed stomach to rights again!
JUST.
I hardly ought!—And yet why should I let my health suffer on account of his incivility?
(Takes it, and drinks.)
LAND.
May it do you good, Herr Just!
JUST. (giving the glass back).
Not bad! But, Landlord, you are nevertheless an ill-mannered brute!
LAND.
Not so, not so!… Come, another glass; one cannot stand upon one leg.
JUST. (after drinking).
I must say so much—it is good, very good! Made at home, Landlord?
LAND.
At home, indeed! True Dantzig, real double distilled!
JUST.
Look ye, Landlord; if I could play the hypocrite, I would do so for such stuff as that; but I cannot, so it must out.—You are an illmannered brute all the same.
LAND.
Nobody in my life ever told me that before… But another glass, Herr Just; three is the lucky number!
JUST.
With all my heart!—
(Drinks).
Good stuff indeed, capital! But truth is good also, and indeed, Landlord, you are an ill-mannered brute all the same!
LAND.
If I was, do you think I should let you say so?
JUST.
Oh! yes; a brute seldom has spirit.
LAND.
One more, Herr Just: a four-stranded rope is the strongest.
JUST.
No, enough is as good as a feast! And what good will it do you, Landlord? I shall stick to my text till the last drop in the bottle.
Shame, Landlord, to have such good Dantzig, and such bad manners! To turn out of his room, in his absence—a man like my master, who has lodged at your house above a year; from whom you have had already so many shining thalers; who never owed a heller in his life—because he let payment run for a couple of months, and because he does not spend quite so much as he used.
LAND.
But suppose I really wanted the room and saw beforehand that the Major would willingly have given it up if we could only have waited some time for his return! Should I let strange gentlefolk like them drive away again from my door! Should I wilfully send such a prize into the clutches of another innkeeper? Besides, I don't believe they could have got a lodging elsewhere. The inns are all now quite full. Could such a young, beautiful, amiable lady remain in the street? Your master is much too gallant for that. And what does he lose by the change? Have not I given him another room?
JUST.
By the pigeon-house at the back, with a view between a neighbour's chimneys.
LAND.
The view was uncommonly fine, before the confounded neighbour obstructed it. The room is otherwise very nice, and is papered!!!!!
JUST.
Has been!
LAND.
No, one side is so still. And the little room adjoining, what is the matter with that? It has a chimney which, perhaps, smokes somewhat in the winter!!!!!
JUST.
But does very nicely in the summer. I believe, Landlord, you are mocking us into the bargain!
LAND.
Come, come; Herr Just, Herr Just!!!!!
JUST.
Don't make Herr Just's head hot!!!!!
LAND.
I make his head hot? It is the Dantzig does that.
JUST.
An officer, like my master! Or do you think that a discharged officer, is not an officer who may break your neck for you? Why were you all, you Landlords, so civil during the war? Why was every officer an honourable man then and every soldier a worthy, brave fellow? Does this bit of a peace make you so bumptious?
LAND.
What makes you fly out so, Herr Just!
JUST.
I will fly out.
SCENE III
Major von Tellheim, Landlord, Just
MAJ. T. (entering).
Just!
JUST. (supposing the Landlord is still speaking).
Just? Are we so intimate?
MAJ. T.
Just!
JUST.
I thought I was "Herr Just" with you.
LAND. (seeing the Major).
Hist! hist! Herr Just, Herr Just, look round; your master!!!!!
MAJ. T.
Just, I think you are quarreling! What did I tell you?
LAND.
Quarrel, your honour? God forbid! Would your most humble servant dare to quarrel with one who has the honour of being in your service?
JUST.
If I could but give him a good whack on that cringing cat's back of his!
LAND.
It is true Herr Just speaks up for his master, and rather warmly; but in that he is right. I esteem him so much the more: I like him for it.
JUST.
I should like to knock his teeth out for him!
LAND.
It is only a pity that he puts himself in a passion for nothing. For I feel quite sure that your honour is not displeased with me in this matter, since—necessity—made it necessary!!!!!
MAJ. T.
More than enough, sir! I am in your debt; you turn out my room in my absence. You must be paid, I must seek a lodging elsewhere. Very natural.
LAND.
Elsewhere? You are going to quit, honoured sir? Oh, unfortunate stricken man that I am. No, never! Sooner shall the lady give up the apartments again. The Major cannot and will not let her have his room.
It is his; she must go; I cannot help it. I will go, honoured sir!!!!!
MAJ. T.
My friend, do not make two foolish strokes instead of one. The lady must retain possession of the room!!!!!
LAND.
And your honour could suppose that from distrust, from fear of not being paid, I… As if I did not know that your honour could pay me as soon as you pleased. The sealed purse… five hundred thalers in louis d'ors marked on it—which your honour had in your writing-desk … is in good keeping.
MAJ. T.
I trust so; as the rest of my property. Just shall take them into his keeping, when he has paid your bill!!!!!
LAND.
Really, I was quite alarmed when I found the purse. I always considered your honour a methodical and prudent man, who never got quite out of money… but still, had I supposed there was ready money in the desk!!!!!
MAJ. T.
You would have treated me rather more civilly. I understand you. Go, sir; leave me. I wish to speak with my servant.
LAND.
But, honoured sir!!!!!
MAJ. T.
Come, Just; he does not wish to permit me to give my orders to you in his house.
LAND.
I am going, honoured sir! My whole house is at your service.
(Exit.)
SCENE IV
Major Von Tellheim, Just
JUST. (stamping with his foot and spitting after the Landlord).
Ugh!
MAJ. T.
What is the matter?
JUST.
I am choking with rage.
MAJ. T.
That is as bad as from plethora.
JUST.
And for you sir, I hardly know you any longer. May I die before your eyes, if you do not encourage this malicious, unfeeling wretch. In spite of gallows, axe, and torture I could… yes, I could have throttled him with these hands, and torn him to pieces with these teeth!
MAJ. T.
You wild beast!
JUST.
Better a wild beast than such a man!
MAJ. T.
But what is it that you want?
JUST.
I want you to perceive how much he insults you.
MAJ. T.
And then!!!!!
JUST.
To take your revenge… No, the fellow is beneath your notice!
MAJ. T.
But to commission you to avenge me? That was my intention from the first. He should not have seen me again, but have received the amount of his bill from your hands. I know that you can throw down a handful of money with a tolerably contemptuous mien.
JUST.
Oh! a pretty sort of revenge!
MAJ. T.
Which, however, we must defer. I have not one heller of ready money, and I know not where to raise any.
JUST.
No money! What is that purse then with five hundred thalers' worth of louis d'ors, which the Landlord found in your desk?
MAJ. T.
That is money given into my charge.
JUST.
Not the hundred pistoles which your old sergeant brought you four or five weeks back?
MAJ. T.
The same. Paul Werner's; right.
JUST.
And you have not used them yet? Yet, sir, you may do what you please with them. I will answer for it that!!!!!
MAJ. T.
Indeed!
JUST.
Werner heard from me, how they had treated your claims upon the War Office. He heard!!!!!
MAJ. T.
That I should certainly be a beggar soon, if I was not one already. I am much obliged to you, Just. And the news induced Werner to offer to share his little all with me. I am very glad that I guessed this.
Listen, Just; let me have your account, directly, too; we must part.
JUST.
How! what!
MAJ. T.
Not a word. There is someone coming.
SCENE V
Lady in mourning, Major von Tellheim, Just
LADY.
I ask your pardon, sir.
MAJ. T.
Whom do you seek, Madam?
LADY.
The worthy gentleman with whom I have the honour of speaking. You do not know me again. I am the widow of your late captain.
MAJ. T.
Good heavens, Madam, how you are changed!
LADY.
I have just risen from a sick bed, to which grief on the loss of my husband brought me. I am troubling you at a very early hour, Major von Tellheim, but I am going into the country, where a kind, but also unfortunate friend, has for the present offered me an asylum.
MAJ. T. (to Just).
Leave us.
SCENE VI
Lady, Major von Tellheim
MAJ. T.
Speak freely, Madam! You must not be ashamed of your bad fortune before me. Can I serve you in any way?
LADY.
Major!!!!!
MAJ. T.
I pity you, Madam! How can I serve you? You know your husband was my friend; my friend, I say, and I have always been sparing of this title.
LADY.
Who knows better than I do how worthy you were of his friendship how worthy he was of yours? You would have been in his last thoughts, your name would have been the last sound on his dying lips, had not natural affection, stronger than friendship, demanded this sad prerogative for his unfortunate son, and his unhappy wife.
MAJ. T.
Cease, Madam! I could willingly weep with you; but I have no tears to-day. Spare me! You come to me at a time when I might easily be misled to murmur against Providence. Oh! honest Marloff! Quick, Madam, what have you to request? If it is in my power to assist you, if it is in my power!!!!!
LADY.
I cannot depart without fulfilling his last wishes. He recollected, shortly before his death, that he was dying a debtor to you, and he conjured me to discharge his debt with the first ready money I should have. I have sold his carriage, and come to redeem his note.
MAJ. T.
What, Madam! Is that your object in coming?
LADY.
It is. Permit me to count out the money to you.
MAJ. T.
No, Madam. Marloff a debtor to me! that can hardly be. Let us look, however.
(Takes out a pocketbook, and searches.)
I find nothing of the kind.
LADY.
You have doubtless mislaid his note; besides, it is nothing to the purpose. Permit me!!!!!
MAJ. T.
No, Madam; I am careful not to mislay such documents. If I have not got it, it is a proof that I never had it, or that it has been honoured and already returned by me.
LADY.
Major!
MAJ. T.
Without doubt, Madam; Marloff does not owe me anything—nor can I remember that he ever did owe me anything. This is so, Madam. He has much rather left me in his debt. I have never been able to do anything to repay a man who shared with me good and ill luck, honour and danger, for six years. I shall not forget that he has left a son. He shall be my son, as soon as I can be a father to him. The embarrassment in which I am at present!!!!!
LADY.
Generous man! But do not think so meanly of me. Take the money, Major, and then at least I shall be at ease.
MAJ. T.
What more do you require to tranquillize you, than my assurance that the money does not belong to me? Or do you wish that I should rob the young orphan of my friend? Rob, Madam; for that it would be in the true meaning of the word. The money belongs to him; invest it for him.
LADY.
I understand you; pardon me if I do not yet rightly know how to accept a kindness. Where have you learnt that a mother will do more for her child than for the preservation of her own life? I am going!!!!!
MAJ. T.
Go, Madam, and may you have a prosperous journey! I do not ask you to let me hear from you. Your news might come to me when it might be of little use to me. There is yet one thing, Madam; I had nearly forgotten that which is of most consequence. Marloff also had claims upon the chest of our old regiment. His claims are as good as mine. If my demands are paid, his must be paid also. I will be answerable for them.
LADY.
Oh! Sir… but what can I say? Thus to purpose future good deeds is, in the eyes of heaven, to have performed them already. May you receive its reward, as well as my tears.
(Exit.)
SCENE VII
Major von Tellheim
MAJ. T.
Poor, good woman! I must not forget to destroy the bill.
(Takes some papers from his pocketbook and destroys them.)
Who would guarantee that my own wants might not some day tempt me to make use of it?
SCENE VIII
Just, Major von Tellheim
MAJ. T.
Is that you, Just?
JUST. (wiping his eyes).
Yes.
MAJ. T.
You have been crying?
JUST.
I have been writing out my account in the kitchen, and the place is full of smoke. Here it is, sir.
MAJ. T.
Give it to me.
JUST.
Be merciful with me, sir. I know well that they have not been so with you; still!!!!!
MAJ. T.
What do you want?
JUST.
I should sooner have expected my death, than my discharge.
MAJ. T.
I cannot keep you any longer: I must learn to manage without servants.
(Opens the paper, and reads.)
"What my master, the Major, owes me:—Three months and a half wages, six thalers per month, is 21 thalers. During the first part of this month, laid out in sundries—1 thaler 7 groschen 9 pfennigs. Total, 22 thalers 7gr. 9pf." Right; and it is just that I also pay your wages, for the whole of the current month.
JUST.
Turn over, sir.
MAJ. T.
Oh! more?
(Reads.)
"What I owe my master, the Major:—Paid for me to the army-surgeon twenty-five thalers. Attendance and nurse during my cure, paid for me, thirty-nine thalers. Advanced, at my request, to my father—who was burnt out of his house and robbed—without reckoning the two horses of which he made him a present, fifty thalers. Total 114 thalers. Deduct the above 22 thalers, 7gr. 9pf.; I remain in debt to my master, the Major, 91 thalers, 16gr. 3pf." You are mad, my good fellow!
JUST.
I willingly grant that I owe you much more; but it would be wasting ink to write it down. I cannot pay you that: and if you take my livery from me too, which, by the way, I have not yet earned,—I would rather you had let me die in the workhouse.
MAJ. T.
For what do you take me? You owe me nothing; and I will recommend you to one of my friends, with whom you will fare better than with me.
JUST.
I do not owe you anything, and yet you turn me away!
MAJ. T.
Because I do not wish to owe you anything.
JUST.
On that account? Only on that account? As certain as I am in your debt, as certain as you can never be in mine, so certainly shall you not turn me away now. Do what you will, Major, I remain in your service; I must remain.
MAJ. T.
With your obstinacy, your insolence, your savage boisterous temper towards all who you think have no business to speak to you, your malicious pranks, your love of revenge,!!!!!
JUST.
Make me as bad as you will, I shall not think worse of myself than of my dog. Last winter I was walking one evening at dusk along the river, when I heard something whine. I stooped down, and reached in the direction whence the sound came, and when I thought I was saving a child, I pulled a dog out of the water. That is well, thought I. The dog followed me; but I am not fond of dogs, so I drove him away—in vain. I whipped him away—in vain. I shut him out of my room at night;
he lay down before the door. If he came too near me, I kicked him; he yelped, looked up at me, and wagged his tail. I have never yet given him a bit of bread with my own hand; and yet I am the only person whom he will obey, or who dare touch him. He jumps about me, and shows off his tricks to me, without my asking for them. He is an ugly dog, but he is a good animal. If he carries it on much longer, I shall at last give over hating him.
MAJ. T. (aside).
As I do him. No, there is no one perfectly inhuman. Just, we will not part.
JUST.
Certainly not! And you wanted to manage without servants! You forget your wounds, and that you only have the use of one arm. Why, you are not able to dress alone. I am indispensable to you; and I am—without boasting, Major,—I am a servant who, if the worst comes to the worst, can beg and steal for his master.
MAJ. T.
Just, we will part.
JUST.
All right, Sir!