No More Learning

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.

GOETZ: Why? Pray, be cheerful. You are in my power, and I shall not
abuse it. You know my knight's duty is sacred to me. And now I must go
to see my wife. [_Exit. _

WEISLINGEN: Oh, that it were all a dream! In Berlichingen's power--and
he, the old true-hearted Goetz! Back again in the hall, where we played
as boys, where I loved him with all my heart! How strangely past and
present seem to intermingle here.

[_Enter_ GOETZ, _and a man with jug and goblet_.

GOETZ: Let us drink, until the meal is ready. Come, you are at home.
It is a long time since we last shared a bottle.