No More Learning

WEISLINGEN: Her charms would be lost on me. I am betrothed. Marie
will be the happiness of my life. And now pack up. First to Bamberg,
and then to my castle. [_Exeunt. _


SCENE II. --_A forest. Some Nuremberg merchants, who, attacked on their
way to the Frankfurt Fair by_ Goetz _and his men, have
escaped, leaving their goods in the hands of the knights.
The page_ George _has, however, recaptured two of the
merchants as_ Goetz _and his men enter_.

GOETZ: Search the forest! Let none escape!

GEORGE (_stepping forward_): I've done some preparatory work. Here
they are.

GOETZ: Welcome, good lad!
Keep them well guarded! (_Exit his men
with the merchants_. ) And now, what news of Weislingen?

GEORGE: Bad news! He looked confused when I said to him, "A few
words from your Berlichingen. " He tried to put me off with empty words,
but when I pressed him he said he was under no obligation to you, and
would have nothing to do with you.

GOETZ: Enough! I shall not forget this infamous treachery. Whoever
gets into my power shall feel it. (_Exit_ GEORGE. ) I'll revel in their
agony, deride their fear. And how, Goetz, are you thus changed? Should
other people's faults and vices make you renounce your chivalry, and
abandon yourself to vulgar cruelty? I'll drag him back in chains, if
I can't get him any other way. And there's an end of it, Goetz; think
of your duty!
[_Enter_ GEORGE _with a casket_.