The Dramatic Works of G. E. Lessing Part 46

PRINCE.

I spoke to her;--Oh, my brain is turned, and must I continue this conversation longer? You behold me at the mercy of the waves, and why inquire how all this has happened? Save me if you can, and then question me.

MARINELLI.

Save you! Is there much to save? What your Highness has not confessed to Emilia Galotti, you will confess to the Countess Appiani. Goods which cannot be obtained in their primitive perfection, must be bought at second hand, and are often, on that account, bought at a cheaper rate.

PRINCE.

Be serious, Marinelli, or----

MARINELLI.

To be sure, such articles are generally so much the worse----

PRINCE.

For shame, Marinelli.

MARINELLI.

And the Count intends to leave this country too. Well, we must devise some scheme----

PRINCE.

And what scheme? My best and dearest Marinelli, contrive something for me. What would you do, were you in my situation?

MARINELLI.

Above all things, I should regard a trifle as a trifle--and say to myself that I would not be what I am for nothing--your Highness!

PRINCE.

Delude me not with a power of which I can, on this occasion, make no use. To-day, said you?--This very day?

MARINELLI.

To-day it is to take place;--but it is only things which have taken place that cannot be recalled. (_After a short pause_.) Prince, will you let me act as I please? Will you approve all I do?

PRINCE.

Anything, Marinelli, which can avert this blow.

MARINELLI.

Then let us lose no time. You must not remain in town, but go to your palace at Dosalo. The road to Sabionetta pa.s.ses it. Should I not succeed in removing the Count, I think--yes, yes, he will be caught in that snare without doubt. You wish to send an amba.s.sador to Ma.s.sa respecting your marriage. Let the Count be amba.s.sador, and order him to depart this very day.

PRINCE.

Excellent!--Bring him to my palace.--Haste, haste!--I will leave town instantly. (_Exit_ Marinelli.)

Scene VII.

PRINCE.

Instantly, instantly. Where is it? (_Turns to the portrait_) On the ground! That was too bad. (_Takes it up_) But look! And yet I will look at thee no more now. Why should I plunge the arrow deeper into the wound? (_Lays it on the table_). I have suffered and sighed long enough--longer than I ought, but done nothing, and my listless inactivity had nearly ruined all.--And may not all yet be lost? May not Marinelli fail? Why should I rely on him alone?--It occurs to me that at this hour (_looks at his watch_) at this very hour, the pious girl daily attends ma.s.s at the church of the Dominicans. How, if I attempted to address her there? But to-day--the day of her marriage--her heart will be occupied with other things than ma.s.s. Yet, who knows?--'tis but a step--(_rings, and whilst he hastily arranges the papers on the table_)--

_Enter_ Servant.

My carriage!--Have none of the council arrived?

SERVANT.

Camillo Rota waits without.

PRINCE.

Admit him. (_Exit_ Servant). But he must not attempt to detain me long. Not now--another time, I will attend to his scrupulous investigations----There was a pet.i.tion of one Emilia Bruneschi--here it is--but, good Bruneschi, if your intercessor----

Scene VIII.

_Enter_ Camillo Rota.

Come, Rota, come. There lie the papers which I have opened this morning--not very consoling--you will see what is to be done. Take them with you.

CAMILLO.

I will attend to them.

PRINCE.

Here is a pet.i.tion from one Emilia Galot--I mean Bruneschi. I have already signed my consent to it--but yet the request is no trifle. You may defer the execution of it--or not--as you please.

CAMILLO.

Not as I please, your Highness.

PRINCE.

What more is there--anything to sign?

CAMILLO.

Sentence of death for your Highness's signature.

PRINCE.