MAJ. T. (disengaging his hand, and following Franziska).
No, Franziska; I cannot have the honour of accompanying your mistress.
Madam, let me still retain my senses unimpaired for to-day, and give me leave to go. You are on the right way to deprive me of them. I resist it as much as I can. But hear, whilst I am still myself, what I have firmly determined, and from which nothing in the world shall turn me. If I have not better luck in the game of life; if a complete change in my fortune does not take place; if!!!!!
MIN.
I must interrupt you, Major. We ought to have told him that at first, Franziska.—You remind me of nothing.—Our conversation would have taken quite a different turn, Tellheim, if I had commenced with the good news which the Chevalier de la Marliniere brought just now.
MAJ. T.
The Chevalier de la Marliniere! Who is he?
FRAN.
He may be a very honest man, Major von Tellheim, except that!!!!!
MIN.
Silence, Franziska! Also a discharged officer from the Dutch service, who!!!!!
MAJ. T.
Ah! Lieutenant Riccaut!
MIN.
He assured us he was a friend of yours.
MAJ. T.
I assure you that I am not his.
MIN.
And that some minister or other had told him, in confidence, that your business was likely to have the very best termination. A letter from the king must now be on its way to you.
MAJ. T.
How came Riccaut and a minister in company? Something certainly must have happened concerning my affair; for just now the paymaster of the forces told me that the king had set aside all the evidence offered against me, and that I might take back my promise, which I had given in writing, not to depart from here until acquitted. But that will be all. They wish to give me an opportunity of getting away. But they are wrong, I shall not go. Sooner shall the utmost distress waste me away before the eyes of my calumniators, than!!!!!
MIN.
Obstinate man!
MAJ. T.
I require no favour; I want justice. My honour!!!!!
MIN.
The honour of such a man!!!!!
MAJ. T. (warmly).
No, Madam, you may be able to judge of any other subject, but not of this. Honour is not the voice of conscience, not the evidence of a few honourable men!!!!!
MIN.
No, no, I know it well. Honour is… honour.
MAJ. T.
In short, Madam… You did not let me finish.—I was going to say, if they keep from me so shamefully what is my own; if my honour be not perfectly righted—I cannot, Madam, ever be yours, for I am not worthy, in the eyes of the world, of being yours. Minna von Barnhelm deserves an irreproachable husband. It is a worthless love which does not scruple to expose its object to scorn. He is a worthless man, who is not ashamed to owe a woman all his good fortune; whose blind tenderness!!!!!
MIN.
And is that really your feeling, Major?
(turning her back suddenly).
Franziska!
MAJ. T.
Do not be angry.
MIN. (aside to Franziska).
Now is the time! What do you advise me, Franziska?
FRAN.
I advise nothing. But certainly he goes rather too far.
MAJ. T. (approaching to interrupt them).
You are angry, Madam.
MIN. (ironically).
I? Not in the least.
MAJ. T.
If I loved you less!!!!!
MIN. (still in the same tone).
Oh! certainly, it would be a misfortune for me. And hear, Major, I also will not be the cause of your unhappiness. One should love with perfect disinterestedness. It is as well that I have not been more open! Perhaps your pity might have granted to me what your love refuses.
(Drawing the ring slowly from her finger.)
MAJ. T.
What does this mean, Madam?
MIN.
No, neither of us must make the other either more or less happy. True love demands it. I believe you, Major; and you have too much honour to mistake love.
MAJ. T.
Are you jesting, Madam?
MIN.
Here! take back the ring with which you plighted your troth to me.
(Gives him the ring.)
Let it be so! We will suppose we have never met.
MAJ. T.
What do I hear?
MIN.
Does it surprise you? Take it, sir. You surely have not been pretending only!
MAJ. T. (takes the ring from her).
Heavens! can Minna speak thus?
MIN.
In one case you cannot be mine; in no case can I be yours. Your misfortune is probable; mine is certain. Farewell!
(Is going.)
MAJ. T.
Where are you going, dearest Minna?
MIN.
Sir, you insult me now by that term of endearment.
MAJ. T.
What is the matter, Madam? Where are you going?
MIN.
Leave me. I go to hide my tears from you, deceiver!
(Exit.)
SCENE VII
Major von Tellheim, Franziska
MAJ. T.
Her tears? And I am to leave her.
(Is about to follow her.)
FRAN. (holding him back).
Surely not, Major. You would not follow her into her own room!
MAJ. T.
Her misfortune? Did she not speak of misfortune?
FRAN.
Yes, truly; the misfortune of losing you, after!!!!!
MAJ. T.
After? After what? There is more in this. What is it, Franziska? Tell me! Speak!
FRAN.
After, I mean, she has made such sacrifices on your account.
MAJ. T.
Sacrifices for me!
FRAN.
Well, listen. It is a good thing for you, Major, that you are freed from your engagement with her in this manner.—Why should I not tell you? It cannot remain a secret long. We have fled from home. Count von Bruchsal has disinherited my mistress, because she would not accept a husband of his choice. On that every one deserted and slighted her.
What could we do? We determined to seek him, whom!!!!!
MAJ. T.
Enough! Come, and let me throw myself at her feet.
FRAN.
What are you thinking about! Rather go, and thank your good fortune.
MAJ. T.
Pitiful creature! For what do you take me? Yet no, my dear Franziska, the advice did not come from your heart. Forgive my anger!
FRAN.
Do not detain me any longer. I must see what she is about. How easily something might happen to her. Go now, and come again, if you like.
(Follows Minna.)
SCENE VIII
Major von Tellheim
MAJ. T.
But, Franziska! Oh! I will wait your return here.—No, that is more torturing!—If she is in earnest, she will not refuse to forgive me.
Now I want your aid, honest Werner!—No, Minna, I am no deceiver!
(Rushes off.)
ACT V
SCENE I
Major von Tellheim (from one side), Werner (from the other)
MAJ. T.
Ah! Werner! I have been looking for you everywhere. Where have you been?
WER.
And I have been looking for you, Major; that is always the way.—I bring you good news.
MAJ. T.
I do not want your news now; I want your money. Quick, Werner, give me all you have; and then raise as much more as you can.
WER.
Major! Now, upon my life, that is just what I said—"He will borrow money from me, when he has got it himself to lend."
MAJ. T.
You surely are not seeking excuses!
WER.
That I may have nothing to upbraid you with, take it with your right hand, and give it me again with your left.
MAJ. T.
Do not detain me, Werner. It is my intention to repay you; but when and how, God knows!
WER.
Then you do not know yet that the treasury has received an order to pay you your money? I just heard it at!!!!!
MAJ. T.
What are you talking about? What nonsense have you let them palm off on you? Do you not see that if it were true I should be the first person to know it? In short, Werner, money! money!
WER.
Very well, with pleasure. Here is some! A hundred louis d'ors there, and a hundred ducats there.
(Gives him both.)
MAJ. T.
Werner, go and give Just the hundred louis d'ors. Let him redeem the ring again, on which he raised the money this morning. But whence will you get some more, Werner? I want a good deal more.
WER.
Leave that to me. The man who bought my farm lives in the town. The date for payment is a fortnight hence, certainly; but the money is ready, and by a reduction of one half per cent!!!!!
MAJ. T.
Very well, my dear Werner! You see that I have had recourse to you alone—I must also confide all to you. The young lady you have seen is in distress!!!!!
WER.
That is bad!
MAJ. T.
But to-morrow she shall be my wife.
WER.
That is good!
MAJ. T.
And the day after, I leave this place with her. I can go; I will go. I would sooner throw over everything here! Who knows where some good luck may be in store for me? If you will, Werner, come with us. We will serve again.
WER.
Really? But where there is war, Major!
MAJ. T.
To be sure. Go, Werner, we will speak of this again.
WER.
Oh! my dear Major! The day after to-morrow! Why not to-morrow? I will get everything ready. In Persia, Major, there is a famous war; what do you say?
MAJ. T.
We will think of it. Only go, Werner!
WER.
Hurrah! Long live Prince Heraclius!
(Exit.)
SCENE II
Major von Tellheim
MAJ. T.
How do I feel!… My whole soul has acquired a new impulse. My own unhappiness bowed me to the ground; made me fretful, short-sighted, shy, careless: her unhappiness raises me. I see clearly again, and feel myself ready and capable of undertaking anything for her sake.
Why do I tarry?
(Is going towards Minna's room, when Franziska comes out of it.)
SCENE III
Franziska, Major von Tellheim
FRAN.
Is it you? I thought I heard your voice. What do you want, Major?
MAJ. T.
What do I want? What is she doing? Come!
FRAN.
She is just going out for a drive.
MAJ. T.
And alone? Without me? Where to?
FRAN.
Have you forgotten, Major?
MAJ. T.
How silly you are, Franziska! I irritated her, and she was angry. I will beg her pardon, and she will forgive me.
FRAN.
What! After you have taken the ring back, Major!
MAJ. T.
Ah! I did that in my confusion. I had forgotten about the ring. Where did I put it?
(Searches for it.)
Here it is.
FRAN.
Is that it?
(Aside, as he puts it again in his pocket.)
If he would only look at it closer!
MAJ. T.
She pressed it upon me so bitterly. But I have forgotten that. A full heart cannot weigh words. She will not for one moment refuse to take it again. And have I not hers?
FRAN.
She is now waiting for it in return. Where is it, Major? Show it to me, do!
MAJ. T. (embarrassed).
I have… forgotten to put it on. Just—Just will bring it directly.
FRAN.
They are something alike, I suppose; let me look at that one. I am very fond of such things.
MAJ. T.
Another time, Franziska. Come now.
FRAN. (aside).
He is determined not to be drawn out of his mistake.
MAJ. T.
What do you say? Mistake!
FRAN.
It is a mistake, I say, if you think my mistress is still a good match. Her own fortune is far from considerable; by a few calculations in their own favour her guardians may reduce it to nothing. She expected everything from her uncle; but this cruel uncle!!!!!
MAJ. T.
Let him go! Am I not man enough to make it all good to her again!
FRAN.
Do you hear? She is ringing; I must go in again.
MAJ. T.
I will accompany you.
FRAN.
For heaven's sake, no! She forbade me expressly to speak with you.
Come in at any rate a little time after me.
(Goes in.)
SCENE IV
Major von Tellheim
MAJ. T. (calling after her).
Announce me! Speak for me, Franziska! I shall follow you directly.
What shall I say to her? Yet where the heart can speak, no preparation is necessary. There is one thing only which may need a studied turn
… this reserve, this scrupulousness of throwing herself, unfortunate as she is, into my arms; this anxiety to make a false show of still possessing that happiness which she has lost through me. How she is to exculpate herself to herself—for by me it is already forgiven—for this distrust in my honour, in her own worth… Ah!
here she comes.
SCENE V
Minna, Franziska, Major von Tellheim
MIN. (speaking as she comes out, as if not aware of the Major's presence).
The carriage is at the door, Franziska, is it not? My fan!
MAJ. T. (advancing to her).
Where are you going, Madam?
MIN. (with forced coldness).
I am going out, Major. I guess why you have given yourself the trouble of coming back: to return me my ring.—Very well, Major von Tellheim, have the goodness to give it to Franziska.—Franziska, take the ring from Major von Tellheim!—I have no time to lose.
(Is going.)
MAJ. T. (stepping before her).
Madam! Ah! what have I heard? I was unworthy of such love.
MIN.
So, Franziska, you have!!!!!
FRAN.
Told him all.
MAJ. T.
Do not be angry with me, Madam. I am no deceiver. You have, on my account, lost much in the eyes of the world, but not in mine. In my eyes you have gained beyond measure by this loss. It was too sudden.
You feared it might make an unfavourable impression on me; at first you wished to hide it from me. I do not complain of this mistrust. It arose from the desire to retain my affection. That desire is my pride.
You found me in distress; and you did not wish to add distress to distress. You could not divine how far your distress would raise me above any thoughts of my own.
MIN.
That is all very well, Major, but it is now over. I have released you from your engagement; you have, by taking back the ring!!!!!
MAJ. T.
Consented to nothing! On the contrary, I now consider myself bound more firmly than ever. You are mine, Minna, mine for ever.
(Takes off the ring.)
Here, take it for the second time—the pledge of my fidelity.
MIN.
I take that ring again! That ring?
MAJ. T.
Yes, dearest Minna, yes.
MIN.
What are you asking me? that ring?
MAJ. T.
You received it for the first time from my hand, when our positions were similar and the circumstances propitious. They are no longer propitious, but are again similar. Equality is always the strongest tie of love. Permit me, dearest Minna!
(Seizes her hand to put on the ring.)
MIN.
What! by force, Major! No, there is no power in the world which shall compel me to take back that ring! Do you think that I am in want of a ring? Oh! you may see
(pointing to her ring)
that I have another here which is in no way inferior to yours.
FRAN. (aside).
Well, if he does not see it now!
MAJ. T. (letting fall her hand).
What is this? I see Fraulein von Barnhelm, but I do not hear her.—You are pretending.—Pardon me, that I use your own words.
MIN. (in her natural tone).
Did those words offend you, Major?
MAJ. T.
They grieved me much.
MIN. (affected).
They were not meant to do that, Tellheim. Forgive me, Tellheim.
MAJ. T.
Ah! that friendly tone tells me you are yourself again, Minna: that you still love me.
FRAN. (exclaims).
The joke would soon have gone a little too far.
MIN. (in a commanding tone).
Franziska, you will not interfere in our affairs, I beg.
FRAN. (aside, in a surprised tone).
Not enough yet!
MIN.
Yes, sir, it would only be womanish vanity in me to pretend to be cold and scornful. No! Never! You deserve to find me as sincere as yourself. I do love you still, Tellheim, I love you still; but notwithstanding!!!!!
MAJ. T.
No more, dearest Minna, no more!
(Seizes her hand again, to put on the ring.)
MIN. (drawing back her hand).
Notwithstanding, so much the more am I determined that that shall never be,—never!—Of what are you thinking, Major?—I thought your own distress was sufficient. You must remain here; you must obtain by obstinacy—no better phrase occurs to me at the moment—the most perfect satisfaction, obtain it by obstinacy.... And that even though the utmost distress should waste you away before the eyes of your calumniators!!!!!
MAJ. T.
So I thought, so I said, when I knew not what I thought or said.
Chagrin and stifling rage had enveloped my whole soul; love itself, in the full blaze of happiness, could not illumine it. But it has sent its daughter, Pity, more familiar with gloomy misfortune, and she has dispelled the cloud, and opened again all the avenues of my soul to sensations of tenderness. The impulse of self-preservation awakes, when I have something more precious than myself to support, and to support through my own exertions. Do not let the word "pity" offend you. From the innocent cause of our distress we may hear the term without humiliation. I am this cause; through me, Minna, have you lost friends and relations, fortune and country. Through me, in me, must you find them all again, or I shall have the destruction of the most lovely of her sex upon my soul. Let me not think of a future in which I must detest myself.—No, nothing shall detain me here longer. From this moment I will oppose nothing but contempt to the injustice which I suffer. Is this country the world? Does the sun rise here alone?
Where can I not go? In what service shall I be refused? And should I be obliged to seek it in the most distant clime, only follow me with confidence, dearest Minna—we shall want for nothing. I have a friend who will assist me with pleasure.
SCENE VI
An Orderly, Major von Tellheim, Minna, Franziska
FRAN. (seeing the Orderly).
Hist, Major!
MAJ. T. (to the Orderly).
Who do you want?
ORD.
I am looking for Major von Tellheim. Ah! you are the Major, I see. I have to give this letter from his Majesty the King
(taking one out of his bag).
MAJ. T.
To me?
ORD.
According to the direction.
MIN.
Franziska, do you hear? The Chevalier spoke the truth after all.
ORD. (whilst Tellheim takes the letter).
I beg your pardon, Major; you should properly have had it yesterday, but I could not find you out. I learnt your address this morning only from Lieutenant Riccaut, on parade.
FRAN.
Do you hear, my lady?—That is the Chevalier's minister. "What is the name of de ministre out dere, on de broad place?"
MAJ. T.
I am extremely obliged to you for your trouble.
ORD.
It is my duty, Major.
(Exit.)
SCENE VII
Major von Tellheim, Minna, Franziska
MAJ. T.
Ah! Minna, what is this? What does this contain?
MIN.
I am