BECKER
[_Roars._] But we must march past Dreissiger's, boys, and let him hear it
ones more.
WIEGAND
You'd better take care--you may march once too often!
[_Laughter and cries of_ Ho, ho!
_WITTIG has entered; a grey-haired old smith, bareheaded, with
leather apron and wooden shoes, sooty from the smithy. He is standing
at the counter waiting for his schnapps._
WITTIG
Let 'em go on with their doin's. The dogs as barks most, bites least.
OLD WEAVERS
Wittig, Wittig!
WITTIG
Here he is. What do you want with him?
OLD WEAVERS
"It's Wittig!"--"Wittig, Wittig!"--"Come here, Wittig."--"Sit beside us,
Wittig."
WITTIG
Do you think I would sit beside a set of rascals like you?
JAEGER
Come and take a glass with us.
WITTIG
Keep your brandy to yourselves. I pay for my own drink. [_Takes his glass
and sits down beside BAUMERT and ANSORGE. Clapping the latter on the
stomach._] What's the weavers' food so nice? Sauerkraut and roasted lice!
OLD BAUMERT
[_Drunk with excitement._] But what would you say now if they'd made up
their minds as how they would put up with it no longer.
WITTIG
[_With pretended astonishment, staring open-mouthed at the old weaver._]
Heinerle! you don't mean to tell me that that's you? [_Laughs
immoderately._] O Lord, O Lord! I could laugh myself to death. Old
Baumert risin' in rebellion! We'll have the tailors at it next, and then
there'll be a rebellion among the baa-lambs, and the rats and the mice.
Damn it all, but we'll see some sport.
[_He nearly splits with laughter._
OLD BAUMERT
You needn't go on like that, Wittig. I'm the same man I've always been. I
still say 'twould be better if things could be put right peaceably.
WITTIG
Rot! How could it be done peaceably? Did they do it peaceably in France?
Did Robespeer tickle the rich men's palms? No! It was: Away with them,
every one! To the gilyoteen with 'em! Allongs onfong! You've got your
work before you. The geese'll not fly ready roasted into your mouths.
OLD BAUMERT
If I could make even half a livin' ...
FIRST OLD WEAVER
The water's up to our chins now, Wittig.
SECOND OLD WEAVER
We're afraid to go home. It's all the same whether we works or whether we
lies abed; it's starvation both ways.
FIRST OLD WEAVER
A man's like to go mad at home.
OLD ANSORGE
I've come to that pass now that I don't care how things goes.
OLD WEAVERS
[_With increasing excitement._] "We've no peace anywhere."--"We've no
spirit left to work."--"Up with us in Steenkunzendorf you can see a
weaver sittin' by the stream washin' hisself the whole day long, naked as
God made him. It's driven him clean out of his mind."
THIRD OLD WEAVER
[_Moved by the spirit, stands up and begins to "speak with tongues,"
stretching out his hand threateningly._] Judgement is at hand! Have no
dealings with the rich and the great! Judgement is at hand! The Lord God
of Sabaoth ...
[_Some of the weavers laugh. He is pulled down on to his seat._
WELZEL
That's a chap that can't stand a single glass--he gets wild at once.
THIRD OLD WEAVER
[_Jumps up again._] But they--they believe not in God, not in hell, not
in heaven. They mock at religion....
FIRST OLD WEAVER
Come, come now, that's enough!
BECKER
You let him do his little bit o' preaching. There's many a one would be
the better for takin' it to heart.
VOICES
[_In excited confusion._] "Let him alone!" "Let him speak!"
THIRD OLD WEAVER
[_Raising his voice._] But hell is opened, saith the Lord; its jaws are
gaping wide, to swallow up all those that oppress the afflicted and
pervert judgement in the cause of the poor. [_Wild excitement._]
THIRD OLD WEAVER
[_Suddenly declaiming schoolboy fashion._]
When one has thought upon it well,
It's still more difficult to tell
Why they the linen-weaver's work despise.
BECKER
But we're fustian-weavers, man.
[_Laughter._
HORNIG
The linen-weavers is ever so much worse off than you. They're wanderin'
about among the hills like ghosts. You people here have still got the
pluck left in you to kick up a row.
WITTIG
Do you suppose the worst's over here? It won't be long till the
manufacturers drain away that little bit of strength they still has left
in their bodies.
BECKER
You know what he said: It will come to the weavers workin' for a bite of
bread.
[_Uproar._
SEVERAL OLD AND YOUNG WEAVERS
Who said that?
BECKER
Dreissiger said it.
A YOUNG WEAVER
The damned rascal should be hung up by the heels.
JAEGER
Look here, Wittig. You've always jawed such a lot about the French
Revolution, and a good deal too about your own doings. A time may be
coming, and that before long, when every one will have a chance to show
whether he's a braggart or a true man.
WITTIG
[_Flaring up angrily._] Say another word if you dare! Has you heard the
whistle o' bullets? Has you done outpost duty in an enemy's country?
JAEGER
You needn't get angry about it. We're comrades. I meant no harm.
WITTIG
None of your comradeship for me, you impudent young fool.
_Enter KUTSCHE, the policeman._
SEVERAL VOICES
Hush--sh! Police!
[_This calling goes on for some time, till at last there is complete
silence, amidst which KUTSCHE takes his place at the central pillar
table._
KUTSCHE
A small brandy, please.
[_Again complete silence._]
WITTIG
I suppose you've come to see if we're all behavin' ourselves, Kutsche?
KUTSCHE
[_Paying no attention to WITTIG._] Good-morning, Mr. Wiegand.
WIEGAND
[_Still in the corner in front of the counter._] Good morning t'you.
KUTSCHE
How's trade?
WIEGAND
Thank you, much as usual.
BECKER
The chief constable's sent him to see if we're spoilin' our stomach on
these big wages we're gettin'.
[_Laughter._
JAEGER
I say, Welzel, you will tell him how we've been feastin' on roast pork
an' sauce an' dumplings and sauerkraut, and now we're sittin' at our
champagne wine.
[_Laughter._
WELZEL.
The world's upside down with them to-day.
KUTSCHE
An' even if you had the champagne wine and the roast meat, you wouldn't
be satisfied. I've to get on without champagne wine as well as you.
BECKER
[_Referring to KUTSCHE'S nose._] He waters his beet-root with brandy and
gin. An' it thrives on it too.
[_Laughter._
WITTIG
A p'liceman like that has a hard life. Now it's a starving beggar boy he
has to lock up, then it's a pretty weaver girl he has to lead astray;
then he has to get roarin' drunk an' beat his wife till she goes
screamin' to the neighbours for help; and there's the ridin' about on
horseback and the lyin' in bed till nine--nay, faith, but it's no easy
job!
KUTSCHE
Jaw away; you'll jaw a rope round your neck in time. It's long been known
what sort of a fellow you are. The magistrates knows all about that
rebellious tongue o' yours, I know who'll drink wife and child into the
poorhouse an' himself into gaol before long, who it is that'll go on
agitatin' and agitatin' till he brings down judgment on himself and all
concerned.
WITTIG
[_Laughs bitterly._] It's true enough--no one knows what'll be the end of
it. You may be right yet. [_Bursts out in fury._] But if it does come to
that, I know who I've got to thank for it, who it is that's blabbed to
the manufacturers an' all the gentlemen round, an' blackened my character
to that extent that they never give me a hand's turn of work to do--an'
set the peasants an' the millers against me, so that I'm often a whole
week without a horse to shoe or a wheel to put a tyre on. I know who's
done it. I once pulled the damned brute off his horse, because he was
givin' a little stupid boy the most awful flogging for stealin' a few
unripe pears. But I tell you this, Kutsche, and you know me--if you get
me put into prison, you may make your own will. If I hears as much as a
whisper of it. I'll take the first thing as comes handy, whether it's a
horseshoe or a hammer, a wheel-spoke or a pail; I'll get hold of you if
I've to drag you out of bed from beside your wife, and I'll beat in your
brains, as sure as my name's Wittig.
[_He has jumped up and is going to rush at KUTSCHE._]
OLD AND YOUNG WEAVERS
[_Holding him back._] Wittig, Wittig! Don't lose your head!
KUTSCHE
[_Has risen involuntarily, his face pale. He backs towards the door while
speaking. The nearer the door the higher his courage rises. He speaks the
last words on the threshold, and then instantly disappears._] What are
you goin' on at me about? I didn't meddle with you. I came to say
somethin' to the weavers. My business is with them an' not with you, and
I've done nothing to you. But I've this to say to you weavers: The
superintendent of police herewith forbids the singing of that
song--Dreissiger's song, or whatever it is you calls it. And if the
yelling of it on the streets isn't stopped at once, he'll provide you
with plenty of time and leisure for goin' on with it in gaol. You may
sing there, on bread an' water, to your hearts' content.
[_Goes out._
WITTIG
[_Roars after him._] He's no right to forbid, it--not if we was to roar
till the windows shook an' they could hear us at Reichenbach--not if we
sang till the manufacturers' houses tumbled about their ears an' all the
superintendents' helmets danced on the top of their heads. It's nobody's
business but our own.
[_BECKER has in the meantime got up, made a signal for singing, and
now leads off, the others joining in._
The justice to us weavers dealt
Is bloody, cruel, and hateful;
Our life's one torture, long drawn out;
For Lynch law we'd be grateful.
[_WELZEL attempts to quiet them, but they pay no attention to him.
WIEGAND puts his hands to his ears and rushes off. During the singing
of the next stanza the weavers rise and form, into procession behind
BECKER and WITTIG, who have given pantomimic signs for a general
break-up._
Stretched on the rack, day after day,
Hearts sick and bodies aching,
Our heavy sighs their witness bear
To spirit slowly breaking.
[_Most of the weavers sing the following stanza, out on the street,
only a few young fellows, who are paying, being still in the bar. At
the conclusion of the stanza no one is left in the room except WELZEL
and his wife and daughter, HORNIG, and OLD BAUMERT._
You villains all, you brood of hell,
You fiends in fashion human,
A curse will fall on all like you
Who prey on man and woman.
WELZEL
[_Phlegmatically collecting the glasses._] Their backs are up to-day, an'
no mistake.
HORNIG
[_To OLD BAUMERT, who is preparing to go._] What in the name of Heaven
are they up to, Baumert?
BAUMERT
They're goin' to Dreissiger's to make him add something on to the pay.
WELZEL
And are you joining in these foolish goings on?
OLD BAUMERT
I've no choice, Welzel. The young men may an' the old men must.
[_Goes out rather shamefacedly._
HORNIG
It'll not surprise me if this ends badly.
WELZEL
To think that even old fellows like him are goin' right off their heads!
HORNIG
We all set our hearts on something!
END OF THE THIRD ACT
THE FOURTH ACT
_Peterswaldau.--Private room of DREISSIGER, _the fustian
manufacturer--luxuriously furnished in the chilly taste of the first
half of this century. Ceiling, doors, and stove are white, and the
wall paper, with its small, straight-lined floral pattern, is dull
and cold in tone. The furniture is mahogany, richly-carved, and
upholstered in red. On the right, between two windows with crimson
damask curtains, stands the writing-table, a high bureau with falling
flap. Directly opposite to this is the sofa, with the strong-box;
beside it; in front of the sofa a table, with chairs and easy-chairs
arranged about it. Against the back wall is a gun-rack. All three
walls are decorated with bad pictures in gilt frames. Above the sofa
is a mirror with a heavily gilt rococo frame. On the left an ordinary
door leads into the hall. An open folding door at the back shows the
drawing-room, over-furnished in the same style of comfortless
ostentation. Two ladies, MRS. DREISSIGER and MRS. KITTELHAUS, the
Pastor's wife, are seen in the drawing-room, looking at pictures.
PASTOR KITTELHAUS is there too, engaged in conversation with
WEINHOLD, the tutor, a theological graduate._
KITTELHAUS
[_A kindly little elderly man, enters the front room, smoking and
chatting familiarly with the tutor, who is also smoking; he looks round
and shakes his head in surprise at finding the room empty._] You are
young, Mr. Weinhold, which explains everything. At your age we old
fellows held--well, I won't say the same opinions--but certainly opinions
of the same tendency. And there's something fine about youth--youth with
its grand ideals. But unfortunately, Mr. Weinhold, they don't last; they
are as fleeting as April sunshine. Wait till you are my age. When a man
has said his say from the pulpit for thirty years--fifty-two times every
year, not including saints' days--he has inevitably calmed down. Think of
me, Mr. Weinhold, when you come to that pass.
WEINHOLD
[_Nineteen, pale, thin, tall, with lanky fair hair; restless and nervous
in his movements._] With all due respect, Mr. Kittelhaus.... I can't
think ... people have such different natures.
KITTELHAUS
My dear Mr. Weinhold, however restless-minded and unsettled, a man may
be--[_in a tone of reproof_]--and you are a case in point--however
violently and wantonly he may attack the existing order of things, he
calms down in the end. I grant you, certainly, that among our
professional brethren individuals are to be found, who, at a fairly
advanced age, still play youthful pranks. One preaches against the drink
evil and founds temperance societies, another publishes appeals which
undoubtedly read most effectively. But what good do they do? The distress
among the weavers, where it does exist, is in no way lessened--but the
peace of society is undermined. No, no; one feels inclined in such cases
to say: Cobbler, stick to your last; don't take to caring for the belly,
you who have the care of souls. Preach the pure Word of God, and leave
all else to Him who provides shelter and food for the birds, and clothes
the lilies of the field.--But I should like to know where our good host,
Mr. Dreissiger, has suddenly disappeared to.
[_MRS. DREISSIGER, followed by MRS. KITTELHAUS, now comes forward.
She is a pretty woman of thirty, of a healthy, florid type. A certain
discrepancy is noticeable between her deportment and way of
expressing herself and her rich, elegant toilette._]
MRS. DREISSIGER
That's what I want to know too, Mr. Kittelhaus. But it's what William
always does. No sooner does a thing come into his head than off he goes
and leaves me in the lurch. I've said enough about it, but it does no
good.
KITTELHAUS
It's always the way with business men, my dear Mrs. Dreissiger.
WEINHOLD
I'm almost certain that something has happened downstairs.
_DREISSIGER enters, hot and excited._
DREISSIGER
Well, Rosa, is coffee served?
MRS. DREISSIGER
[_Sulkily._] Fancy your needing to run away again!
DREISSIGER
[_Carelessly._] Ah! these are things you don't understand.
KITTELHAUS
Excuse me--has anything happened to annoy you, Mr. Dreissiger?
DREISSIGER
Never a day passes without that, my dear sir. I am accustomed to it. What
about that coffee, Rosa?
[_MRS. DREISSIGER goes ill-humouredly and gives one or two violent
tugs at the broad embroidered bell-pull._
DREISSIGER
I wish you had been downstairs just now, Mr. Weinhold. You'd have gained
a little experience. Besides.... But now let us have our game of whist.
KITTELHAUS
By all means, sir. Shake off the dust and burden of the day, Mr.
Dreissiger; forget it in our company.
DREISSIGER
[_Has gone to the window, pushed aside a curtain, and is looking out.
Involuntarily._] Vile rabble!! Come here. Rosa! [_She goes to the
window._] Look ... that tall red-haired fellow there!...
KITTELHAUS
That's the man they call Red Becker.
DREISSIGER
Is he the man that insulted you the day before yesterday? You remember
what you told me--when John was helping you into the carriage?
MRS. DREISSIGER
[_Pouting, drawls._] I'm sure I don't know.
DREISSIGER
Come now, drop that offended air! I must know. I am thoroughly tired of
their impudence. If he's the man, I mean to have him arrested. [_The
strains of the Weavers' Song are heard._] Listen to that! Just listen!
KITTELHAUS
[_Highly incensed._] Is there to be no end to this nuisance? I must
acknowledge now that it is time for the police to interfere. Permit me.
[_He goes forward to the window._] See, see, Mr. Weinhold! These are not
only young people. There are numbers of steady-going old weavers among
them, men whom I have known for years and looked upon as most deserving
and God-fearing. There they are, taking part in this unheard-of mischief,
trampling God's law under foot. Do you mean to tell me that you still
defend these people?
WEINHOLD
Certainly not, Mr. Kittelhaus. That is, sir ... _cum grano salis_. For
after all, they are hungry and they are ignorant. They are giving
expression to their dissatisfaction in the only way they understand. I
don't expect that such people....
MRS. KITTELHAUS
[_Short, thin, faded, more like an old maid than a married woman._] Mr.
Weinhold, Mr. Weinhold, how can you?
DREISSIGER
Mr. Weinhold, I am sorry to be obliged to.... I didn't bring you into my
house to give me lectures on philanthropy, and I must request that you
will confine yourself to the education of my boys, and leave my other
affairs entirely to me--entirely! Do you understand?
WEINHOLD
[_Stands for a moment rigid and deathly pale, then bows, with a strained
smile. In a low voice._] Certainly, of course I understand. I have seen
this coming. It is my wish too.
[_Goes out._
DREISSIGER
[_Rudely._] As soon as possible then, please. We require the room.
MRS. DREISSIGER
William, William!
DREISSIGER
Have you lost your senses, Rosa, that you're taking the part of a man who
defends a low, blackguardly libel like that song?
MRS. DREISSIGER
But, William, he didn't defend it.
DREISSIGER
Mr. Kittelhaus, did he defend it or did he not?
KITTELHAUS
His youth must be his excuse, Mr. Dreissiger.
MRS. KITTELHAUS
I can't understand it. The young man comes of such a good, respectable
family. His father held a public appointment for forty years, without a
breath on his reputation. His mother was overjoyed at his getting this
good situation here. And now ... he himself shows so little appreciation
of it.
PFEIFER
[_Suddenly opens the door leading from the hall and shouts in._] Mr.
Dreissiger, Mr. Dreissiger! they've got him! Will you come, please?
They've caught one of 'em.
DREISSIGER
[_Hastily._] Has some one gone for the police?
PFEIFER
The superintendent's on his way upstairs.
DREISSIGER
[_At the door._] Glad to see you, sir. We want you here.
[_KITTELHAUS makes signs to the ladies that it will be better for
them to retire. He, his wife, and MRS. DREISSIGER disappear into the
drawing-room._
DREISSIGER
[_Exasperated, to the POLICE SUPERINTENDENT, who has now entered._] I
have at last had one of the ringleaders seized by my dyers. I could stand
it no longer--their insolence was beyond all bounds--quite unbearable. I
have visitors in my house, and these blackguards dare to.... They insult
my wife whenever she shows herself; my boys' lives are not safe. My
visitors run the risk of being jostled and cuffed. Is it possible that in
a well-ordered community incessant public insult offered to unoffending
people like myself and my family should pass unpunished? If so ... then
... then I must confess that I have other ideas of law and order.
SUPERINTENDENT
[_A man of fifty, middle height, corpulent, full-blooded. He wears
cavalry uniform with a long sword and spurs._] No, no, Mr. Dreissiger ...
certainly not! I am entirely at your disposal. Make your mind easy on the
subject. Dispose of me as you will. What you have done is quite right. I
am delighted that you have had one of the ringleaders arrested. I am very
glad indeed that a day of reckoning has come. There are a few disturbers
of the peace here whom I have long had my eye on.
DREISSIGER
Yes, one or two raw lads, lazy vagabonds, that shirk every kind of work,
and lead a life of low dissipation, hanging about the public-houses until
they've sent their last half-penny down their throats. But I'm determined
to put a stop to the trade of these professional blackguards once and for
all. It's in the public interest to do so, not only my private interest.
SUPERINTENDENT
Of course it is! Most undoubtedly, Mr. Dreissiger! No one can possibly
blame you. And everything that lies in my power....
DREISSIGER
The cat-o'-nine tails is what should be taken to the beggarly pack.
SUPERINTENDENT
You're right, quite right. We must institute an example.
_KUTSCHE, the policeman, enters and salutes. The door is open, and
the sound of heavy steps stumbling up the stair is heard._
KUTSCHE
I have to inform you, sir, that we have arrested a man.
DREISSIGER
[_To SUPERINTENDENT._] Do you wish to see the fellow?
SUPERINTENDENT
Certainly, most certainly. We must begin by having a look at him at close
quarters. Oblige me, Mr. Dreissiger, by not speaking to him at present.
I'll see to it that you get complete satisfaction, or my name's not
Heide.
DREISSIGER
That's not enough for me, though. He goes before the magistrates. My
mind's made up.
_JAEGER is led in by five dyers, who have come straight from their
work--faces, hands, and clothes stained with dye. The prisoner, his
cap set jauntily on the side of his head, presents an appearance of
impudent gaiety; he is excited by the brandy he has just drunk._
JAEGER
Hounds that you are!--Call yourselves working men!--Pretend to be
comrades! Before I would do such a thing as lay hands on a mate, I'd see
my hand rot off my arm!
[_At a sign from the SUPERINTENDENT KUTSCHE orders the dyers to let
go their victim. JAEGER straightens himself up, quite free and easy.
Both doors are guarded._
SUPERINTENDENT
[_Shouts to JAEGER._] Off with your cap, lout! [_JAEGER takes it off, but
very slowly, still with an impudent grin on his face._] What's your name?
JAEGER
What's yours? I'm not your swineherd.
[_Great excitement is produced among the audience by this reply._
DREISSIGER
This is too much of a good thing.
SUPERINTENDENT
[_Changes colour, is on the point of breaking out furiously, but controls
his rage._] We'll see about this afterwards.--Once more, what's your
name? [_Receiving no answer, furiously._] If you don't answer at once,
fellow, I'll have you flogged on the spot.
JAEGER
[_Perfectly cheerful, not showing by so much as the twitch of an eyelid
that he has heard the SUPERINTENDENT'S angry words, calls over the heads
of those around him to a pretty servant girl, who has brought in the
coffee and is standing open-mouthed with astonishment at the unexpected
sight._] Hillo, Emmy, do you belong to this company now? The sooner you
find your way out of it, then, the better. A wind may begin to blow here,
an' blow everything away overnight.
[_The girl stares at JAEGER, and as soon as she comprehends that it
is to her he is speaking, blushes with shame, covers her eyes with
her hands, and rushes out, leaving the coffee things in confusion on
the table. Renewed excitement among those present._
SUPERINTENDENT
[_Half beside himself, to DREISSIGER._] Never in all my long service ...
a case of such shameless effrontery.... [_JAEGER spits on the floor._
DREISSIGER
You're not in a stable, fellow! Do you understand?
SUPERINTENDENT
My patience is at an end now. For the last time: What's your name?
_KITTELHAUS who has been peering out at the partly opened
drawing-room door, listening to what has been going on, can no longer
refrain from coming forward to interfere. He is trembling with
excitement._
KITTELHAUS
His name is Jaeger, sir. Moritz ... is it not? Moritz Jaeger. [_To
JAEGER._] And, Jaeger, you know me.
JAEGER
[_Seriously._] You are Pastor Kittelhaus.
KITTELHAUS
Yes, I am your pastor, Jaeger! It was I who received you, a babe in
swaddling clothes, into the Church of Christ. From my hands you took for
the first time the body of the Lord. Do you remember that, and how I
toiled and strove to bring God's Word home to your heart? Is this your
gratitude?
JAEGER
[_Like a scolded schoolboy. In a surly voice._] I paid my half-crown like
the rest.
KITTELHAUS