The German Classics of the Nineteenth and Twentieth Centuries Volume Ix Part 121

Did Weiler pick up the trail of the stag again?

FORESTER.

Yes. Maybe.

SOPHY.

How you look! One might be afraid of you, if one did not know how it is with you when you have taken wine.

 

FORESTER.

For that reason I want to go out into the open air.

SOPHY.

At such times you see everything different from what it is. You may fall into the abyss.

FORESTER.

Then you cut the leaf there from the Bible and put it into my coffin.

SOPHY.

How you talk!

FORESTER.

GO to bed, William.

[_Exit_ WILLIAM.]

Pray--or do not pray--

SOPHY.

What is the matter with you, Christian? Why am I so anxious? Stay, for G.o.d's sake, stay! Your business surely can wait.

FORESTER.

No. It must be done even today. [_Going_.]

SOPHY (_about to follow him_).

Ulrich--

FORESTER (_turning around at the door, softly to himself_).

"Eye for eye, tooth for tooth."

[_Exit_.]

SOPHY (_recoiling from the glare of the sheet-lightning which is seen through the open door_).

G.o.d have mercy on us!

[_At the door_.]

Ulrich!

[_In far-away voice, outside_.]

Ulrich!

ACT V

_The_ FORESTER'S _House. Night. For a short time the stage remains empty_.

SCENE I

SOPHY (_alone, comes in with a lamp, looks into_ MARY'S _room, puts the lamp upon the table, goes to the window, opens the shutter through which the reflection of the sheet-lightning is visible, looks out; then she closes shutter and window, takes the lamp again, and looks once more into_ MARY'S _room. At intervals she listens and betrays great anxiety_.)

Not yet! What if he's encountered her! What if he's met them together!

She ought to be back by this time. Oh, why did I let her go? And Andrew does not come, either! And then this sultry, stormy night!

[_Listens_.]

Surely, that was she? At last! G.o.d be praised!

[_Looks into the room_.]

No. It is not she. The wind blew open the half-closed shutter.

SCENE II

WILLIAM, _in his s.h.i.+rt-sleeves_; SOPHY.

WILLIAM.

Are the soldiers there, mother?

[_At the door of_ MARY'S _room_.]

Mother, where is father?