Chapter IV: Act IV: Scene I

Aulic Counsellor Reissman's, the same room as in the preceding act.

Aulic Counsellor REISSMAN enters in a passion;
SOPHIA follows.

_Reiss._ Not a word, not a word more, not a single syllable of that silly fool! What, to leave me and you, as if we were infected with the plague and breathed contagion? I cannot bear the affront, it shall not go unavenged. I had rather die a thousand deaths.

_Soph._ Was it not his father that desired him to go with him? and you know he ought to obey him.

_Reiss._ Who am I, and what is his father? Do not name him any more in my hearing; you must not see him any more, nor even think of him. That petty Privy Counsellor is now dead and buried to me.

_Soph._ By your advice I listened to his addresses.

_Reiss._ Forget him then by my command.

SCENE II.

Enter Servant.

_Serv._ Grobman, the ironmonger.

_Reiss._ Very well, very well; shew him in. [Exit Servant.

_Reiss._ (to Sophia.) You may retire, go!

_Soph._ Your commands [Exit.

_Reiss._ Fie upon him! a creature that I raised from obscurity!--a fellow, who eight years ago was a petty fogger, whom I have raised to the rank of a Privy Counseller!--I was a fool when I did so;--such a fellow soar over my head! (Stamps with his foot.) I would sooner see the whole frame of nature dissolve. I will not lose sight of my object; I will proceed with spirit and caution. I have raised the useless pile, I will pull it down again.

SCENE III.

Enter GROBMAN.

_Reiss._ (calm and friendly.) What is your pleasure, dear Mr.----?

_Grob._ Benniger has obtained the monopoly.

_Reiss._ You do not say so, do you?

Grab. The Privy Counsellor is to procure it for 2300 dollars, which sum is to be paid this afternoon.

_Reiss._ Impossible!

_Grob._ It is but too true. The money is to be paid to Counsellor Selling.

_Reiss._ (confidentially.) I must tell you that Selling has already mentioned something to me about it. The young man's conscience is alarmed. He does not like to lend a hand in those sort of things. But I would not believe it.

_Grob._ It is but too certain.

_Reiss._ O Lord! who could think any thing like it of such a man? that is mean, that is--that must not be permitted. Ay, ay! and the minister prefers such a man, reposes confidence in him, because men, like me, take him by the hand. They think, because such a man is of a low extraction, he must have the interest of the lower class at heart. And then he will betray and sell the state!

_Grob._ As an inhabitant, I ought to have the preference to a stranger.

_Reiss._ Most undoubtedly.

_Grob._ I am very willing to go to some expence too, only--

_Reiss._ Not a single penny; God forbid I should be guilty of such a sin! That contract with Benniger must be annulled.

_Grob._ If that were possible, I would with all my heart--

_Reiss._ Ay, it must be so. I am very intimate with the Privy Counsellor. He was to have my daughter; but I will never give her to a man like him. You must furnish me immediately with a plea, in which you must develope the whole transaction.

_Grob._ Good God! the Privy Counsellor!

_Reiss._ I give you my word and hand, as an honest man, I will run all the consequences. In such a case one is in conscience bound; only let me have the declaration immediately. I will manage in such a manner that the Privy Counsellor shall come off with tolerable good credit.

_Grob._ If you will do that--

_Reiss._ Yes, yes, yes!

_Grob._ But Counsellor Selling--

_Reiss._ Is a young man;--out of fear of displeasing the Privy Counsellor, he has lent his aid. Such a young man may yet be taught in time. That is my principal object.

_Grob._ Well, the declaration shall be drawn up without delay. Heaven bless you, dear Sir, for thus taking the part of a poor fellow-townsman! [Exit.

_Reiss._ My duty, my duty!--Bravo, little Selling, that is prettily managed!

SCENE IV.

Enter Counsellor SELLING.

_Sell._ Old Wellenberg wishes to call on you.

_Reiss._ Has he taken any steps yet with the Doctor, concerning the mad patient?

_Sell._ No, the Doctor is breathing his last.

_Reiss._ If God should call him off, the calumniator will escape a very serious action in this world. Now my claims and the will have been confirmed, I will, of my own accord, make the children a handsome present.

_Sell._ Very laudable!

_Reiss._ When is Benniger to bring you the present for the Privy Counsellor?

_Sell._ Very soon, I expect.

_Reiss._ Take it, that we may have a proof; then tell Benniger your mind, and open the business to me.

_Sell._ But; then I fear the Privy Counsellor will take it in dudgeon.

_Reiss._ The Privy Counsellor! I will silence him with a single look; ask me within a fortnight what the Privy Counsellor says,--ask me then what he is. God! could I ever have dreamt of any such thing, when I was raising and supporting that upstart!

_Sell._ Everyone is astonished at your condescension and kindness.

_Reiss._ All disinterestedness! all good-nature! Was I not going to give him my child? but God forbid!--he does not deserve her.

_Sell._ Every one knows that you are in the highest favour with the Ministry--

_Reiss._ These many years.--

_Sell._ That, properly speaking, you govern both the Privy Councilor and the whole country.

_Reiss._ I know the country and the people.

_Sell._ To please you, I attached myself to the Privy Counsellor; but his vanity is such that I cannot hold out with him any longer. He has this very day told me that I learned nothing.

_Reiss._ There we have it.--

_Sell._ That I did not know my own language; that I made a motion in court so ridiculous the other day, that every one laughed at me; nay, he told me to my face that I attempted to assume an air of importance that I was not entitled to.

_Reiss._ I am shocked at it, do you know? Your dear father, who is now no more, was a man who--

_Sell._ Was Privy Counsellor! But that is nothing in his eyes. Such an upstart will press forward, and people of our consequence must render homage not only to him, but even to the carpenter's family.

_Reiss._ Pray, were not you to marry his sister?

_Sell._ No, no! yet, in the state of subjection he kept me, he might at last have brought me to it. He would, as he calls it, correct my writings, and then he would, by way of making it up, sometimes nod his head by way of approbation.

_Reiss._ As I see that the fellow does not deserve what I have done for him, all shall be altered in future: attach yourself to me.

_Sell._ Good God! I will with both my hands.

_Reiss._ I will make out the draft for the declaration, in which you are to charge him with having taken a bribe, and also for having constantly forced you to vote as he pleased in the court. I will carry my point; the Prime Minister shall be informed of the whole. Go hence, and I will send you every thing.

_Sell._ I shall be very glad to get rid of him; but you will assist me occasionally to propose a law too? will you not?

_Reiss._ By way of practising? oh yes!

_Sell._ No, a real law, according to which the people are to act, be it ever so trifling,--only that the world may know, that I can frame a law as well as another. I only want it for the sake of the world, and the consequence it will give me. [Exit.

_Reiss._ A shallow, shallow, ignorant boy!--but then he may be of use to me.

SCENE V.

Enter Privy Counsellor CLARENBACH.

_P. Coun._ I have to explain to you, Sir.

_Reiss._ Just as you like, Sir.

_P. Coun._ I cannot remain the man, that, God knows how,--I have gradually--

_Reiss._ I think so myself.

_P. Coun._ I can be dependent on you no longer; but I do not choose to be ungrateful. Without enquiring into the motives which induced you to raise me, I owe you my grateful thanks for having done so.

_Reiss._ I am hourly more and more convinced that I ought to have done so.

_P. Coun._ This sarcastic remark shall not prevent me, as your intended son-in-law, to render you my services from the purest motives and filial zeal, and to endeavour to compromise that disagreeable affair respecting the will.

_Reiss._ Ay! would you indeed?

_P. Coun._ If we only consider it as politically pernicious, it--

_Reiss._ There is nothing pernicious in the whole affair, my affectionate Mr. Privy Counsellor, and your services are quite useless.

_P. Coun._ I wish they may prove so. Meanwhile you will not misinterpret my intentions.

_Reiss._ Your intentions go to the future inheritance of my property, my son-in-law that would be.--

_P. Coun._ Your daughter,--without any inheritance whatever--

_Reiss._ With or without inheritance, that is all over; you shall not have her.

_P. Coun._ You may disinherit her, if you please, should I receive her hand against your will; but your daughter is mine according to your promise, and you can shew no cause for breaking it.

_Reiss._ (coldly.) Oh yes!

_P. Coun._ What? which?

_Reiss._ Some other time.

_P. Coun._ When? I desire to know it. I desire it, I tell you.

_Reiss._ You shall soon know it if you are in such a hurry.--I am now busy.

_P. Coun._ Sir, if Sophia were not your daughter--

_Reiss._ Ah, that is the thing. Go, your papa is waiting for you:--if you stay, he will come and take you away.

_P. Coun._ Sir!

_Reiss._ And come to save you too. Has not he saved you once already this very day?--

_P. Coun._ Yes, he has that, honest man! May heaven reward him for it!

_Reiss._ He may perhaps save you once more yet, and perhaps not.--Meanwhile, give yourself no farther trouble to call here. Your servant, Sir.

_P. Coun._ (looks at his watch.) You distress me more than you know. If that can give you pleasure, enjoy it. [Exit.

_Reiss._ (looking after him.) Hem! I ought to have discovered at first sight that the fellow is not fit for my purpose; he is simple enough to be in love in right earnest.--My foolish daughter loves him too; she fans his hopes, so of course he will not injure me, when cashiered. The Doctor is falling asleep, and the Lawyer,---hem!--must likewise be sent to rest,--else I shall have no rest myself! [Exit.

SCENE VI.

Master Clarenbach's house.

Master CLARENBACH, FREDERICA, and GERNAU, busy with bringing in the furniture seen in the first Act.

_Clar._ Courage, my dear children! about it! Thank God, we have got rid of that fashionable trumpery. Set the table again there in its place.-- So!---how glad I am to behold my old friends again!

_Fred._ We shall have a comfortable repast on that table to night.

_Clar._ As Jack is to be one of the party, O yes!

_Gern._ I hope his change is right earnest; but I can scarcely believe it.

_Clar._ No reflections, dear Gernau! What is past ought to be forgotten.

_Gern._ But I must remove hence for all that.

_Clar._ Why, perhaps not. Jack will now employ his power to some good purpose.

_Fred._ I wonder where he stays so long.

_Clar._ He is dissolving the partnership of sin with Reissman.

_Gern._ I wish it may be done in writing.

_Clar._ I have insisted on his having a conversation with him.

SCENE VII.

Enter SOPHIA.

_Clar._ Whom have I the honour to--(Bows, and all the rest rise.)

_Soph._ Without ceremony, my friends,

_Fred._ It is Miss Reissman, father!

_Soph._ Give me leave to wait for your son, Sir, who is to introduce me to your acquaintance, (To Frederica.) We have seen one another already.

_Clar._ Miss Reissman? So--(with a smile.) The daughter of Mr.----; do not take it amiss.

_Soph._ What?

_Fred._ Father, let it rest there.

_Clar._ Yes, yes! We do not like to mention any thing about it. You, you are welcome wherever you go; and so you are to me, God knows! Sit down here near an old man, if you have no objection. (Gern. reaches her a chair.)

_Soph._ I know how to value the honour of this seat.

_Clar._ You have a good opinion of my son.

_Soph._ Yes, good Sir.

_Clar._ He is rather in an odd predicament to day; but I hope things will take a better turn.

_Soph._ I sincerely hope so, good father.

SCENE VIII.

Enter Privy Counsellor CLARENBACH.

_P. Coun._ I am happy to find you, Sophia, by the side of my good father, hand in hand. What an enchanting picture in my eye! love, worth, and affection, hand in hand! my Sophia beneath the same roof under which I was born!

_Soph._ Yes; and I read in your eyes that you were pleased to see me here.

_P. Coun._ (kissing her hand.) God is my witness, this moment is the happiest of my life; happiness has been a stranger to my heart this long time.

_Soph._ (rises.) Let peace and happiness dwell in this house henceforward; the good intelligence which I intended to bring about between father and son, between brother and sister, and friend, has taken place Without any interference;--so much the better!

_Clar._ Ay, I see that your good intentions were in my favour. They were good I see,--I thank you for them. Give me your hand, sweet creature! (shaking her good naturedly by the hand.) Blessed is the man who is doomed to have you for his wife.

_Soph._ Happy is that son who has such a father! (She leads the son up to the father, and they embrace.)

_P. Coun._ Behold the father of us both, Sophia!

_Soph._ O heaven!

_P. Coun._ How!

_Soph._ That is the grand question that must give us pause! (Clarenbach makes a sign to Frederica and Gernau, and they retire with him.)

SCENE IX.

SOPHIA, Privy Counsellor CLARENBACH.

_P. Conn._ I have fulfilled one of your conditions. The other--

_Soph._ You have lost all your influence over my father.

_P. Coun._ Yes!

_Soph._ Then my condition is too hard,--I cancel it.

_P. Coun._ Heaven bless you!

_Soph._ I will substitute an other in its place, which depends entirely on yourself.

_P. Coun._ Then it is already accomplished.

_Soph._ Am I your choice even without any inheritance?

_P. Coun._ Without any inheritance whatever!

_Soph._ Your hand and heart are all I crave. To be candid, I expected nothing less from you. Now for the arduous question; hear me! The disposition in which I find you to day is charming, but not meritorious. You have not been moulded to it by virtue, but frightened into it by vice. You are irritable, you are weak, you are ambitious. A time may come, when neither your father, nor the woman you love will be able to influence you, as they luckily do at present.

_P. Coun._ You wrong me.

_Soph._ No, my friend. Give me time to proceed. You are irritable, weak, and ambitious! Do you think, that, on the summit which you now stand, you can render yourself useful to your fellow subjects with these three--I had almost called them vices.

_P. Coun._ Not if I remain as I am.

_Soph._ You have hitherto been the instrument of strangers, and, in proportion as you rose in extrinsic pomp, you sunk in intrinsic merit.

_P. Coun._ True, it is too true.

_Soph._ You are not possessed of sufficient resolution to stand at the helm of a government; but you have genius, a good heart, and learning enough, sufficient to secure a tranquil passage through life. Let my love supply the whole of my father's considerable fortune; I cannot muster the requisite resolution. Can your esteem for me induce you to renounce the gilded splendor of state and office, and to spend the remainder of your days in the calm retirement of obscurity? (Eagerly.) Have you the resolution, Clarenbach, to resign the Privy Counsellorship?--I do not want an immediate answer.

_P. Coun._ Love shakes my resolution! but to resign, would it not lower me in the public eye?

_Soph._ Would it lower you in your own mind?

_P. Coun._ No. But--

_Soph._ Contentment must dwell here. (Pointing to his heart.) If ever you have felt content, I need say no more.

_P. Coun._ No! Oh no!

_Soph._ Who can refuse his esteem to the man who has tasted the cup of luxury, and, in the flower of youth and in the height of his career, can dash it from his lips, and say, "I will not drink it; I prefer the charms of a tranquil life to all the noise and well-bred hate of a court? I am too irritable to rule my fellow-citizens, notwithstanding I wish to serve them."

_P. Coun._ Sophia!

_Soph._ Numbers are anxious to aspire to places, for which they are neither qualified by nature nor education, and, when they have once tasted the sweets of office, how difficult to resign!--I know it.

_P. Coun._ You shake my resolution.

_Soph._ But if I have not convinced you, then I will not proceed.

_P. Coun._ Yes, you convince me; but--

_Soph._ But you do not see what road to pursue after you shall have resigned your bewitching offer? O my friend! whatever may be the choice of your future pursuits, whatever may be the burthen, my heart, my hands, will bear a part in it; I will joyfully, nay with rapture, assist you in rearing the fabric of your happiness, of your tranquil and real grandeur. Here or elsewhere, merchant, tutor, lawyer, or farmer, whatever you pitch upon, that may afford maintenance and peace of mind, choose that for you and me. I do not wish to have any other share in your determination but the silent satisfaction of having, by inward peace of mind, preserved the life of a good man, whom exterior shew was rapidly conducting to a state of splendid misery.

_P. Coun._ You have gained your point!--I shall resign my gown. Peace, toil, in future, provided I can call thee my guardian angel!

_Soph._ (embraces him.) I hope you will find me such.

_P. Coun._ Father, father!--Sophia, thou hast restored me to myself!--but what is to be thy reward?

SCENE X.

Enter MASTER CLARENBACH.

_Clar._ What is the matter, my son?

_P. Coun._ Can you conceive it, father? I shall not be a Privy Counsellor much longer.

_Clar._ How so?

_P. Coun._ I will lay down my gown, and, with heart and soul, work as I did, before I was raised to that office.

_Clar._ In earnest? can I rely on it?

_P. Coun._ Sophia has resigned her fortune on my account, and I shall resign it on hers;--I do not wish for any high office! I am going to re-enter the tranquil class of the industrious citizens. She consents to be my wife. It is her wish, and I see peace and happiness spring from out of it.

_Soph._ Does it meet with your approbation, father?

_Clar._ Ay! You ought to read it in my countenance; I would fain open the window, and call out, Jack is no more a Privy Counsellor,--_vivat_! And then there is a pretty, amiable, discreet young lady, that is not possessed with the demon of pride,--_vivat_! and she will be Master Clarenbach's daughter in law,--_vivat_! huzza, I say, Gernau! Girl, come, give me a kiss! (They kiss.)

SCENE XI.

Enter GERNAU and FREDERICA.

_Clar._ Jack is my son once more,--_vivat_! huzza! husband and wife! (steps between them,) son and daughter! (Embraces him.)

_Fred._ What?

_Gern._ How?

_Clar._ More of it another time.

_P. Coun._ I will resign.

_Clar._ Look you here, my sweet girl! he was not calculated for it, no more than a true genuine christian Privy Counsellor is calculated for a carpenter. He has had some learning indeed; but then all that solid by-work, such as is requisite for a Privy Counsellor, of that he never was possessed; and so sit down to work. I must work too; we will scrape plenty of money together, without wronging any one. Daughter-in-law, Frederica, and I, will nurse him as the best soul we know. Now pray give the girl a kiss, that I may believe in the relationship.--(Sophia kisses her.)--And Jack too, that I may be quite happy!--(Sophia gives him a kiss.)--And so God bless you in your pursuits!

_Soph._ (to the Privy Counsellor.) My father will be your father; and, if ever he could forget it, spare him, and treat him with filial affection.

_P. Coun._ I promise it. I shall apply once more for his consent, which I once obtained.

_Fred._ Before you resign?

_Clar._ No, that were a cheat.--But, dear Jack, all,--how shall I call it? (half audible,) all the earnings of unjust Privy Counsellors,--return them to whom they may belong, then you can work with heart-felt satisfaction.

SCENE XII.

Enter Aulic Counsellor REISSMAN.

_Reiss._ So, I must look for my young lady here?

_Clar._ Where she has been doing a deal of good. Come, Sir, come this way; partake in the joys of good men, and think you are one of them.

_Soph._ Be moved by what you see; sanctify it by your blessing, and you will make us all happy.

_P. Coun._ Yes, Sir.

_Clar._ Recollect yourself, and act in a good and fair manner; for, upon my soul! you cannot go from hence but altogether good or bad; I tell you that before hand.

_Reiss._ (to the Privy Counsellor.) You have sold a monopoly to Benniger, Mr. Privy Counsellor.

_Clar._ There now. Curse that money!

_Reiss._ One of our citizens has lodged a complaint about it against you.

_Clar._ Jack, return the wages of sin!

_P. Coun._ Immediately, and--

_Reiss._ Of course, and--

_Clar._ And then it is all over; for I must tell you, he will not fill the office of a Privy Counsellor any longer.

_P. Coun._ Yes, Sir, I intend to give in my resignation this very day.

_Reiss._ Well, well; but your responsibility for the performance of your duty hitherto, and the unconscientious--

_Soph._ Dear father!

_P. Coun._ Mr. Reissman!

_Clar._ I hope, you will not make that an object of minute enquiry?

_Reiss._ That depends on the nature of the remaining charges. A resignation cannot undo what is done. Come along, daughter, let us go.

_Soph._ Dear father!

_P. Coun._ In virtue of your promise, you are my father-in-law; if you wish to be my enemy in earnest, you may abide by the consequence. Whatever I could do and urge against you, Sophia has my word for it, I will do nothing. Sophia is my lawful bride.

_Reiss._ By no means, never!

_Soph._ I am his bride, father; you gave your word.

_Reiss._ Before he was impeached.

_Fred._ Sir--

_Gern._ (passionately.) That is too much!

_Clar._ Hush, Sir! or I will run and fetch all the children of Brunnig, that have been robbed by you; their words, their tears, and their curses, shall impeach you before God and man. You accuse others, who are angels of light compared with you.

_Reiss._ (in a passion.) Do you intend to marry him?

_Soph._ Yes!

_Reiss._ Without office, without bread, without honour?

_Soph._ Without office, without bread, but who says without honour?

_Reiss._ I, I, I!

_Clar._ Thunder and lightning!

_P. Coun._ Patience, father!--Withdraw; your daughter stays with my father.

_Reiss._ If she chooses to be disinherited.

_Soph._ Be it, in the name of God!

_Reiss._ I will shew her who is the man for whom she sacrifices her inheritance.

_P. Coun._ Then I will inform the world who has made such a man of me; whose contrivance it is, if ever I acted contrary to those principles of honesty this worthy citizen had taught me.

_Reiss._ What!

_Soph._ Clarenbach, he is my father!--Clarenbach, where do I stand now?

_P. Coun._ Would you forsake me, helpless, on the brink of the precipice from which you were just about to snatch me? Do you value my soul less than my honour?

_Soph._ No, no! I will stay and support you. You have my word; I will not break it.

_Reiss._ His disgrace shall break it, and distress punish it; you shall never see my face again. [Exit.

_Soph._ Father!--

_Clar._ Here is one that has a heart for the distressed children! Come, my daughter.

_P. Coun._ My resignation was to be spontaneous; it is now forced and attended with disgrace.

_Soph._ My heart is Clarenbach's, whether he be fortunate or unfortunate.

_P. Coun._ He will ruin me, and endeavour to dissolve our mutual tie.

_Clar._ But I and old Wellenberg say, he shall not; between us two old boys we will sing him such a song, as will make him wish he were under earth or water. Let me alone; your happiness is at stake.

_Soph._ He is my father,--he is old; for his daughter's sake do not disgrace him.

_Clar._ But disgrace myself, ay? No; honour to him who honour deserves! I will ring the bell of disgrace over him, so as to make the whole country resound. (Disengages himself, and exit.)

_Soph._ On that condition I cannot be your wife. (Going.)

_P. Coun._ (stops her,) Sophia!

_Soph._ In this case, the voice of nature should over-rule that of love! If he is to be ruined, were it to break my heart and cost me my life, it is my duty to perish by his side. (Disengages herself, and exit.)

_Fred._ Sister, dear sister! (Follows.)

_P. Coun._ (to Gernau.) Man! you, that, though poor and low, have remained faithful to your duty; I apply to that heart which my power has tortured, and seek for consolation. (Clings round his neck.)

_Gern._ I sympathize in your sufferings; let me go and get information, and act for you.

_P. Coun._ No! If I should fall, I ought to rise by myself, and if I cannot bring that about, I ought to perish in the dark, unpitied by man. [Exit.