[_Goes out and returns shortly_. LERSE: Liberty! Liberty! Here are the conditions. You may withdraw with arms, horses, and armour, leaving all provisions behind. Your property will be carefully guarded. I am to remain. GOETZ: Come, take the best arms with you, and leave the others here! Come, Elizabeth! Through this very gate I led you as a young bride. Who knows when we shall return? [_Exeunt_ GOETZ _and_ ELIZABETH, _followed by_ GEORGE. _While the men are choosing arms and preparing_, LERSE, _who has heard shouting and firing without, looks through the window_. LERSE: God! They are murdering our master! He is off his horse! Help him! FAUD: George is still fighting. Let's go! If they die, I don't want to live! [_Exeunt._ SCENE III.--_Night; anteroom in_ ADELHEID'S _castle_. WEISLINGEN, FRANZ, ADELHEID, _with a retinue of masked and costumed revellers_. WEISLINGEN: May I, in these moments of lightheartedness, speak to you of serious matters? Goetz is probably by this time in our hands. The peasants' revolt is growing in violence; and the League has given me the command against them. We shall start before long. I shall take you to my castle in Franconia, where you will be safe, and not too far from me. ADELHEID: We shall consider that. I may be useful to you here. WEISLINGEN: We have not much time, for we break up to-morrow! ADELHEID (_after a pause_): Very well, then; carnival to-night, and war to-morrow! WEISLINGEN: You are fond of change. A pleasant night to you! [_Exit._ ADELHEID: I understand. You would remove me from the court, where Charles, our emperor's great successor, is the object of all hope? You will not change my plans. Franz! FRANZ (_entering_): Gracious lady! ADELHEID: Watch all the masks, and find out for me the archduke's disguise! You look sad? FRANZ: It is your will that I should languish unto death. ADELHEID _(apart)_: I pity him. (_To_ FRANZ) You are true and loving; I shall not forget you! SCENE IV.--_Heilbronn Town Hall_. IMPERIAL COUNCILLOR _and_ MAGISTRATES, USHERS, GOETZ. COUNCILLOR: You know how you fell into our hands, and are a prisoner at discretion? GOETZ: What will you give me to forget it? COUNCILLOR: You gave your knightly parole to appear and humbly to await his majesty's pleasure? GOETZ: Well, here I am, and await it! COUNCILLOR: His majesty's mercy releases you from the ban and all punishment, provided you subscribe to all the articles which shall be read unto you. GOETZ: I am his majesty's faithful servant. But, before you proceed, where are my men; what is their fate?