GOETZ: What! Me? To break my oath? Stumpf, I thought you were a friend! Even if I were free, and you wanted to carry on as you did at Weinsberg, raving and burning, and murdering, I'd rather be killed than be your captain! STUMPF: If we had a leader of authority, such things would not happen. The princes and all Germany would thank you. SIEVERS: You must be our captain, or you will have to defend your own skin. We give you two hours to consider it. GOETZ: Why consider? I can decide now as well as later. Will you desist from your misdeeds, and act like decent folk who know what they want? Then I shall help you with your claims, and be your captain for four weeks. Now, come! [_Exeunt._ SCENE II.--_Landscape, with village and castle in distance_. GOETZ _and_ GEORGE. GEORGE: I beseech you, leave this infamous mob of robbers and incendiaries. GOETZ: We have done some good and saved many a convent, many a life. GEORGE: Oh, sir, I beg you to leave them at once, before they drag you away with them as prisoner, instead of following you as captain! (_Flames are seen rising from the distant village_.) See there! A new crime! GOETZ: That is Miltenberg. Quick, George! Prevent the burning of the castle. I'll have nothing further to do with the scoundrels. GEORGE: I shall save Miltenberg, or you will not see me again. [_Exit._ GOETZ: Everybody blames me for the mischief, and nobody gives me credit for having prevented so much evil. Would I were thousands of miles away! [_Enter_ SIEVERS, LINK, METZLER, _peasants_. LINK: Rouse yourself, captain; the enemy is near and in great force! GOETZ: Who burnt Miltenberg? METZLER: If you want to make a fuss, we'll soon teach you! GOETZ: You threaten? Scoundrel! [_He knocks him down with a blow of his fist_. KOHL: You are mad! The enemy is coming, and you quarrel. [_Tumult, battle, and rout of the peasants. Then the stage gradually fills with gypsies_. GOETZ _returns wounded, is recognised by the gypsies, who bandage him, help him on to his horse, and ask him to lead them. Soldiers enter and level their halberds at_ GOETZ. SCENE III.--ADELHEID'S _room. Night_. ADELHEID. FRANZ. FRANZ: Oh, let me stay yet a little while--here, where I live. Without is death! ADELHEID: Already you hesitate? Then give me back the phial. You played the hero, but you are only a boy; A man who wooes a noble woman stakes his life, honour, virtue, happiness! Boy, leave me!