Minna Von Barnhelm

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 not entitled to extend my curiosity so far.

MAJ. T.

What! You would still separate my fate from yours?—But, why do I hesitate to open it? It cannot make me more unhappy than I am: no, dearest Minna, it cannot make us more unhappy—but perhaps more happy!

Permit me.

(While he opens and reads the letter, the Landlord comes stealthily on the stage.)

SCENE VIII

Landlord, Major von Tellheim, Minna, Franziska

LAND. (to Franziska.)

Hist! my pretty maid! A word!

FRAN. (to the Landlord).

Mr. Landlord, we do not yet know ourselves what is in the letter.

LAND.

Who wants to know about the letter! I come about the ring. The lady must give it to me again, directly. Just is there, and wants to redeem it.

MIN. (who in the meantime has approached the Landlord).

Tell Just that it is already redeemed; and tell him by whom—by me.

LAND.

But!!!!!

MIN.

I take it upon myself. Go!

(Exit Landlord.)

SCENE IX

Major von Tellheim, Minna, Franziska

FRAN.

And now, my lady, make it up with the poor Major.

MIN.

Oh! kind intercessor! As if the difficulties must not soon explain themselves.

MAJ. T. (after reading the letter, with much emotion.)

Ah! nor has he herein belied himself! Oh! Minna, what justice! what clemency! This is more than I expected; more than I deserved!—My fortune, my honour, all is reestablished!—Do I dream?

(Looking at the letter, as if to convince himself.)

No, no delusion born of my own desires! Read it yourself, Minna; read it yourself!

MIN.

I would not presume, Major.

MAJ. T.

Presume! The letter is to me; to your Tellheim, Minna. It contains— what your uncle cannot take from you. You must read it! Do read it.

MIN.

If it affords you pleasure, Major.

(Takes the letter and reads.)

"My dear Major von Tellheim,

"I hereby inform you, that the business which caused me some anxiety on account of your honour, has been cleared up in your favour. My brother had a more detailed knowledge of it, and his testimony has more than proved your innocence. The Treasury has received orders to deliver again to you the bill in question, and to reimburse the sum advanced. I have also ordered that all claims which the Paymaster's Office brings forward against your accounts be nullified. Please to inform me whether your health will allow of your taking active service again. I can ill spare a man of your courage and sentiments. I am your gracious King," &c.

MAJ. T.

Now, what do you say to that, Minna?

MIN. (folding up and returning the letter).

I? Nothing.

MAJ. T.

Nothing?

MIN.

Stay—yes. That your king, who is a great man, can also be a good man.

–But what is that to me! He is not my king.

MAJ. T.

And do you say nothing more? Nothing about ourselves?

MIN.

You are going to serve again. From Major, you will become Lieutenant-Colonel, perhaps Colonel. I congratulate you with all my heart.

MAJ. T.

And you do not know me better? No, since fortune restores me sufficient to satisfy the wishes of a reasonable man, it shall depend upon my Minna alone, whether for the future I shall belong to any one else but her. To her service alone my whole life shall be devoted! The service of the great is dangerous, and does not repay the trouble, the restraint, the humiliation which it costs. Minna is not amongst those vain people who love nothing in their husbands beyond their titles and positions. She will love me for myself; and for her sake I will forget the whole world. I became a soldier from party feeling—I do not myself know on what political principles—and from the whim that it is good for every honourable man to try the profession of arms for a time, to make himself familiar with danger, and to learn coolness and determination. Extreme necessity alone could have compelled me to make this trial a fixed mode of life, this temporary occupation a profession. But now that nothing compels me, my whole and sole ambition is to be a peaceful and a contented man. This with you, dearest Minna, I shall infallibly become; this in your society I shall unchangeably remain. Let the holy bond unite us to-morrow; and then we will look round us, and in the whole wide habitable world seek out the most peaceful, the brightest, most smiling nook which wants but a happy couple to be a Paradise. There we will dwell; there shall each day.... What is the matter, Minna?

(Minna turns away uneasily, and endeavours to hide her emotion.)

MIN. (regaining her composure).

It is cruel of you, Tellheim, to paint such happiness to me, when I am forced to renounce it. My loss!!!!!

MAJ. T.

Your loss! Why name your loss? All that Minna could lose is not Minna.

You are still the sweetest, dearest, loveliest, best creature under the sun; all goodness and generosity, innocence and bliss! Now and then a little petulant; at times somewhat wilful—so much the better!

So much the better! Minna would otherwise be an angel, whom I should honour with trepidation, but not dare to love.

(Takes her hand to kiss it.)

MIN. (drawing away her hand).

Not so, sir. Why this sudden change? Is this flattering impetuous lover, the cold Tellheim!—Could his returning good fortune alone create this ardour in him? He will permit me during his passionate excitement to retain the power of reflection for us both. When he could himself reflect, I heard him say—"it is a worthless love which does not scruple to expose its object to scorn."—True; and I aspire to as pure and noble a love as he himself. Now, when honour calls him, when a great monarch solicits his services, shall I consent that he shall give himself up to love-sick dreams with me? that the illustrious warrior shall degenerate into a toying swain? No, Major, follow the call of your higher destiny.

MAJ. T.

Well! if the busy world has greater charms for you, Minna, let us remain in the busy world! How mean, how poor is this busy world; you now only know its gilded surface. Yet certainly, Minna, you will.

… But let it be so! until then! Your charms shall not want admirers, nor will my happiness lack enviers.

MIN.

No, Tellheim, I do not mean that! I send you back into the busy world, on the road of honour, without wishing to accompany you. Tellheim will there require an irreproachable wife! A fugitive Saxon girl who has thrown herself upon him!!!!!

MAJ. T. (starting up, and looking fiercely about him).

Who dare say that! Ah! Minna, I feel afraid of myself, when I imagine that any one but yourself could have spoken so. My anger against him would know no bounds.

MIN.

Exactly! That is just what I fear. You would not endure one word of calumny against me, and yet you would have to put up with the very bitterest every day. In short, Tellheim, hear what I have firmly determined, and from which nothing in the world shall turn me!!!!!

MAJ. T.

Before you proceed, I implore you, Minna, reflect for one moment, that you are about to pronounce a sentence of life or death upon me!

MIN.

Without a moment's reflection!… As certainly as I have given you back the ring with which you formerly pledged your troth to me, as certainly as you have taken back that same ring, so certainly shall the unfortunate Minna never be the wife of the fortunate Tellheim!

MAJ. T.

And herewith you pronounce my sentence.

MIN.

Equality is the only sure bond of love. The happy Minna only wished to live for the happy Tellheim. Even Minna in misfortune would have allowed herself to be persuaded either to increase or to assuage the misfortune of her friend through herself.... He must have seen, before the arrival of that letter, which has again destroyed all equality between us, that in appearance only I refused.

MAJ. T.

Is that true? I thank you, Minna, that you have not yet pronounced the sentence. You will only marry Tellheim when unfortunate? You may have him.

(Coolly.)

I perceive now that it would be indecorous in me to accept this tardy justice; that it will be better if I do not seek again that of which I have been deprived by such shameful suspicion. Yes; I will suppose that I have not received the letter. Behold my only answer to it!

(About to tear it up.)

MIN. (stopping him).

What are you going to do, Tellheim?

MAJ. T.

Obtain your hand.

MIN.

Stop!

MAJ. T.

Madam, it is torn without fail if you do not quickly recall your words.—Then we will see what else you may have to object to in me.

MIN.

What! In such a tone? Shall I, must I, thus become contemptible in my own eyes? Never! She is a worthless creature, who is not ashamed to owe her whole happiness to the blind tenderness of a man!

MAJ. T.

False! utterly false!

MIN.

Can you venture to find fault with your own words when coming from my lips?

MAJ. T.

Sophistry! Does the weaker sex dishonour itself by every action which does not become the stronger? Or can a man do everything which is proper in a woman? Which is appointed by nature to be the support of the other?

MIN.

Be not alarmed, Tellheim!… I shall not be quite unprotected, if I must decline the honour of your protection. I shall still have as much as is absolutely necessary. I have announced my arrival to our ambassador. I am to see him to-day. I hope he will assist me. Time is flying. Permit me, Major!!!!!

MAJ. T.

I will accompany you, Madam.

MIN.

No, Major; leave me.

MAJ. T.

Sooner shall your shadow desert you! Come Madam, where you will, to whom you will everywhere, to friends and strangers, will I repeat in your presence—repeat a hundred times each day—what a bond binds you to me, and with what cruel caprice you wish to break it!!!!!

SCENE X

Just, Major von Tellheim, Minna, Franziska

JUST. (impetuously).

Major! Major!

MAJ. T.

Well!

JUST.

Here quick! quick!

MAJ. T.

Why! Come to me. Speak, what is the matter?

JUST.

What do you think?

(Whispers to him.)

MIN. (aside to Franziska).

Do you notice anything, Franziska?

FRAN.

Oh! you merciless creature! I have stood here on thorns!

MAJ. T. (to Just).

What do you say?… That is not possible!… You?

(Looking fiercely at Minna.)

Speak it out; tell it to her face. Listen, Madam.

JUST.

The Landlord says, that Fraulein von Barnhelm has taken the ring which I pledged to him; she recognised it as her own, and would not return it.

MAJ. T.

Is that true, Madam? No, that cannot be true!

MIN. (smiling).

And why not, Tellheim? Why can it not be true?

MAJ. T. (vehemently).

Then it is true!… What terrible light suddenly breaks in upon me!