Gotthold Lessing - Minna Von Barnhelm

JUST.

Has been!

LAND.

No, one side is so still. And the little room adjoining, what is the matter with that? It has a chimney which, perhaps, smokes somewhat in the winter!!!!!

JUST.

But does very nicely in the summer. I believe, Landlord, you are mocking us into the bargain!

LAND.

Come, come; Herr Just, Herr Just!!!!!

JUST.

Don't make Herr Just's head hot!!!!!

LAND.

I make his head hot? It is the Dantzig does that.

JUST.

An officer, like my master! Or do you think that a discharged officer, is not an officer who may break your neck for you? Why were you all, you Landlords, so civil during the war? Why was every officer an honourable man then and every soldier a worthy, brave fellow? Does this bit of a peace make you so bumptious?

LAND.

What makes you fly out so, Herr Just!

JUST.

I will fly out.

Major von Tellheim, Landlord, Just

MAJ. T. (entering).

Just!

JUST. (supposing the Landlord is still speaking).

Just? Are we so intimate?

MAJ. T.

Just!

JUST.

I thought I was "Herr Just" with you.

LAND. (seeing the Major).

Hist! hist! Herr Just, Herr Just, look round; your master!!!!!

MAJ. T.

Just, I think you are quarreling! What did I tell you?

LAND.

Quarrel, your honour? God forbid! Would your most humble servant dare to quarrel with one who has the honour of being in your service?

JUST.

If I could but give him a good whack on that cringing cat's back of his!

LAND.

It is true Herr Just speaks up for his master, and rather warmly; but in that he is right. I esteem him so much the more: I like him for it.

JUST.

I should like to knock his teeth out for him!

LAND.

It is only a pity that he puts himself in a passion for nothing. For I feel quite sure that your honour is not displeased with me in this matter, since—necessity—made it necessary!!!!!

MAJ. T.

More than enough, sir! I am in your debt; you turn out my room in my absence. You must be paid, I must seek a lodging elsewhere. Very natural.

LAND.

Elsewhere? You are going to quit, honoured sir? Oh, unfortunate stricken man that I am. No, never! Sooner shall the lady give up the apartments again. The Major cannot and will not let her have his room.

It is his; she must go; I cannot help it. I will go, honoured sir!!!!!

MAJ. T.

My friend, do not make two foolish strokes instead of one. The lady must retain possession of the room!!!!!

LAND.

And your honour could suppose that from distrust, from fear of not being paid, I… As if I did not know that your honour could pay me as soon as you pleased. The sealed purse… five hundred thalers in louis d'ors marked on it—which your honour had in your writing-desk … is in good keeping.

MAJ. T.

I trust so; as the rest of my property. Just shall take them into his keeping, when he has paid your bill!!!!!

LAND.

Really, I was quite alarmed when I found the purse. I always considered your honour a methodical and prudent man, who never got quite out of money… but still, had I supposed there was ready money in the desk!!!!!

MAJ. T.

You would have treated me rather more civilly. I understand you. Go, sir; leave me. I wish to speak with my servant.

LAND.

But, honoured sir!!!!!

MAJ. T.

Come, Just; he does not wish to permit me to give my orders to you in his house.

LAND.

I am going, honoured sir! My whole house is at your service.

(Exit.)

Major Von Tellheim, Just

JUST. (stamping with his foot and spitting after the Landlord).

Ugh!

MAJ. T.

What is the matter?

JUST.

I am choking with rage.

MAJ. T.

That is as bad as from plethora.

JUST.

And for you sir, I hardly know you any longer. May I die before your eyes, if you do not encourage this malicious, unfeeling wretch. In spite of gallows, axe, and torture I could… yes, I could have throttled him with these hands, and torn him to pieces with these teeth!

MAJ. T.

You wild beast!

JUST.

Better a wild beast than such a man!

MAJ. T.

But what is it that you want?

JUST.

I want you to perceive how much he insults you.

MAJ. T.

And then!!!!!

JUST.

To take your revenge… No, the fellow is beneath your notice!

MAJ. T.

But to commission you to avenge me? That was my intention from the first. He should not have seen me again, but have received the amount of his bill from your hands. I know that you can throw down a handful of money with a tolerably contemptuous mien.

JUST.

Oh! a pretty sort of revenge!

MAJ. T.

Which, however, we must defer. I have not one heller of ready money, and I know not where to raise any.

JUST.

No money! What is that purse then with five hundred thalers' worth of louis d'ors, which the Landlord found in your desk?

MAJ. T.

That is money given into my charge.

JUST.

Not the hundred pistoles which your old sergeant brought you four or five weeks back?

MAJ. T.

The same. Paul Werner's; right.

JUST.

And you have not used them yet? Yet, sir, you may do what you please with them. I will answer for it that!!!!!

MAJ. T.

Indeed!

JUST.

Werner heard from me, how they had treated your claims upon the War Office. He heard!!!!!

MAJ. T.

That I should certainly be a beggar soon, if I was not one already. I am much obliged to you, Just. And the news induced Werner to offer to share his little all with me. I am very glad that I guessed this.

Listen, Just; let me have your account, directly, too; we must part.

JUST.

How! what!

MAJ. T.

Not a word. There is someone coming.

Lady in mourning , Major von Tellheim, Just

LADY.

I ask your pardon, sir.

MAJ. T.

Whom do you seek, Madam?

LADY.

The worthy gentleman with whom I have the honour of speaking. You do not know me again. I am the widow of your late captain.

MAJ. T.

Good heavens, Madam, how you are changed!

LADY.

I have just risen from a sick bed, to which grief on the loss of my husband brought me. I am troubling you at a very early hour, Major von Tellheim, but I am going into the country, where a kind, but also unfortunate friend, has for the present offered me an asylum.

MAJ. T. (to Just).

Leave us.

Lady, Major von Tellheim

MAJ. T.

Speak freely, Madam! You must not be ashamed of your bad fortune before me. Can I serve you in any way?

LADY.

Major!!!!!

MAJ. T.

I pity you, Madam! How can I serve you? You know your husband was my friend; my friend, I say, and I have always been sparing of this title.

LADY.

Who knows better than I do how worthy you were of his friendship how worthy he was of yours? You would have been in his last thoughts, your name would have been the last sound on his dying lips, had not natural affection, stronger than friendship, demanded this sad prerogative for his unfortunate son, and his unhappy wife.

MAJ. T.

Cease, Madam! I could willingly weep with you; but I have no tears to-day. Spare me! You come to me at a time when I might easily be misled to murmur against Providence. Oh! honest Marloff! Quick, Madam, what have you to request? If it is in my power to assist you, if it is in my power!!!!!

LADY.

I cannot depart without fulfilling his last wishes. He recollected, shortly before his death, that he was dying a debtor to you, and he conjured me to discharge his debt with the first ready money I should have. I have sold his carriage, and come to redeem his note.