_P. Coun._ Man does not warp all at once, but by degrees. Providence lent me a hand. (Lays Sophia's hand on his breast.) You even look kinder than you used to do. _Fred._ I should never have forgiven you, if you had compelled me to give my hand to Selling. _P. Coun._ Dear Frederica! _Clar._ Well, well! that was done while he was intoxicated with foreign wine. The cup of pride produces that,--a good and useful beverage for those that quaff it in moderation. Whoever cannot do that, had better drink home-made wine. _Soph._ But what do you intend to do with regard to your office, and the charge brought against you concerning the monopoly? _P. Coun._ I mean to set off for the capital, and candidly lay the whole before the Minister; he is a good man; I will tell him I assumed a burthen too heavy for my shoulders, and entreat him to lay it on some person better suited to bear it. _Clar._ That is right, Jack! When I was desired to sketch a design for the Prince's palace in our neighbourhood, I also said, "Please your Highness, I am a carpenter; the undertaking is beyond my sphere; send for an architect, and what he plans I will endeavour to execute. My head may conceive the plan for a common dwelling-house well enough, but not for a palace; and so I do not wish to step out of my line." The old Prince has since repeatedly thanked me for it, and said, with a significant nod, "You were right, master, Clarenbach! I wish some of my counsellors would do the same, and, when called on, say, I am not fit to fill that office. But they take the hatchet in hand, and slash away without any art or judgment."--My dear son, throw it down, and let some good political carpenter take it up. God be with you! SCENE IX. Enter Lawyer WELLENBERG. _Well._ Are you all here?--thank God! _Clar._ You are welcome, Mr. Wellenberg. _Well._ A chair, a chair. (P. Counsellor reaches a chair.) _Clar._ What is the matter with you, pray? _Well._ O Heaven! oh! _Fred._ What ails you, Sir? _Gern._ You make me uneasy. _Soph._ Have you spoken with my father? _Well._ Yes, yes, yes. _P. Coun._ Dear Wellenberg, pray speak plain. _Well._ _Est necesse, ut remotis testibus loquar._ _P. Coun._ _Dicam ergo aliis ut abeant._ _Well._ _Imo, jubeas, quæso! sunt enim res summi momenti._ _P. Coun._ _Nunquid sane de sponsæ meæ parente?_ _Well._ _Quin ita! agitur enim vitæ et animæ salus._ _P. Coun._ Good folks, leave me a minute alone with this good gentleman. _Clar._ Good God! _Soph._ It concerns my father.--O Clarenbach! _P. Coun._ We will manage all for the best. _Soph._ To your compassion, to your filial compassion,--to your duty as a son, to your heart, to every thing I appeal, Clarenbach! You must bring him back to the path of virtue, even against his will. You must, and my gratitude shall be eternal. SCENE X. Enter Aulic Counsellor REISSMAN.