Goetz von Berlichingen[A] _Persons in the Drama_ THE EMPEROR MAXIMILIAN THE BISHOP OF BAMBERG GOETZ VON BERLICHINGEN FRANZ LERSE ADELBERT VON WEISLINGEN ELIZABETH, _wife to Goetz_ FRANZ VON SICKINGEN MARIE, _his sister_ HANS VON SELBITZ ADELHEID VON WALLDORF FRANZ, _page to Weislingen_ IMPERIAL COUNCILLOR GEORGE, _page to Goetz_ USHER FAUD MAX STUMPF, SIEVERS, METZLER, LINK, KOHL, _Leaders of the rebel peasants_ ACT I SCENE I.--_Forest; a poor hut in the background_. GOETZ _and_ GEORGE. GOETZ: Where can my men be? Up and down I have to walk, lest sleep should overcome me. Five days and nights already in ambush. But when I get thee, Weislingen, I shall make up for it! You priests may send round your obliging Weislingen to decry me--I am awake. You escaped me, bishop! So your dear Weislingen may pay the piper. George! George! (_Enter_ GEORGE.) Tell Hans to get ready. My scouts may be back any moment. And give me some more wine! GEORGE: Hark! I hear some horses galloping--two--it must be your men! GOETZ: My horse, quick! Tell Hans to arm! [_Enter_ FAUD, _who reports to_ GOETZ _that_ WEISLINGEN _is approaching. Exit_ GOETZ _and his men_. GEORGE: Oh, St. George! Make me strong and brave! And give me spear, armour, and horse! [_Exit._ SCENE II.--_Hall at Jaxthausen_. ELIZABETH _and_ MARIE. MARIE: If I had a husband who always exposed himself to danger, I should die the first year. ELIZABETH: Thank God, I am made of harder stuff! God grant that my boy may take after his father, and not become a treacherous hypocrite, like Weislingen. MARIE: You are very bitter against him. Yet report speaks well of him. Your own husband loved him, when they were pages together to the margrave. [_The gay tune of a wind-instrument is heard_. ELIZABETH: There he returns with his spoil! I must get the meal ready. Here, take the cellar keys and let them have of the best wine! They have deserved it. [_Exeunt. Enter_ GOETZ, WEISLINGEN, _and men-at-arms._ * * * * * GOETZ (_taking off his helmet and sword_): Unstrap my cuirass and give me my doublet! Weislingen, you've given us hard work! Be of good cheer. Where are your clothes? I could lend you some of mine--a neat, clean suit, which I wore at the wedding of my gracious lord the Count Palatine, when your bishop got so vexed with me, because I made him shake hands with me, unknown, after having taken two of his ships a fortnight before on the Main. WEISLINGEN: I beg you to leave me alone.