EGMONT
A Tragedy In Five Acts
By Johann Wolfgang Von Goethe
Translated by Anna Swanwick
INTRODUCTORY NOTE
In 1775, when Goethe was twenty-six, and before he went to Weimar, he
began to write "Egmont" After working on it at intervals for twelve
years, he finished it at Rome in 1787.
The scene of the drama is laid in the Low Countries at the beginning of
the revolt against Spain. In the fifteenth century Philip of Burgundy
had usurped dominion over several of the provinces of the Netherlands,
and through him they had passed into the power of his descendant, the
Emperor Charles V. This powerful ruler abolished the constitutional
rights of the provinces, and introduced the Inquisition in order to
stamp out Protestantism. Prominent among his officers was the Fleming,
Lamoral, Count Egmont, upon whom he lavished honors and opportunities of
service--opportunities so well improved that, by his victories over
the French at Saint-Quentin (1557) and Gravelines (1558) Egmont made a
reputation as one of the most brilliant generals in Europe, and became
the idol of his countrymen. When in 1559 a new Regent of the Netherlands
was to be created, the people hoped that Philip II, who had succeeded
Charles, would choose Egmont; but instead he appointed his half-sister
Margaret, Duchess of Parma. Under the new Regent the persecution of
the Protestants was rigorously pressed, and in 1565 Egmont, though a
Catholic, was sent to Madrid to plead for clemency. He was received
by the King with every appearance of cordiality, but shortly after
his return home the Duke of Alva was sent to the Netherlands with
instructions to put down with an iron hand all resistance to his
master's will. How terribly he carried out his orders has been told by
Prescott and Motley. Egmont was an early victim, but his martyrdom, with
that of Count Horn, and later the assassination of William of Orange,
roused the Netherlands to a resistance that ended only with the complete
throwing off of the Spanish yoke.
Such in outline is the background chosen by Goethe for his tragedy. With
many changes in detail, the dramatist has still preserved a picture of
a historical situation of absorbing interest, and has painted a group
of admirable portraits. The drama has long been a favorite on the stage,
where it enjoys the advantage of Beethoven's musical setting.
EGMONT
DRAMATIS PERSONAE
Margaret of Parma, (Daughter of Charles V., and Regent of the
Netherlands)
Count Egmont, (Prince of Gaure)
The Duke of Alva
William of Orange
Ferdinand, (his natural Son)
Machiavel, in the service of the Regent
Richard, (Egmont's Private Secretary)
Silva, Gomez, (in the service of Alva)
Clara, (the Beloved of Egmont)
Her Mother
Brackenburg, (a Citizen's Son), and Vansen, (a Clerk)
Soest, (a Shopkeeper), Jetter, (a Tailor), A Carpenter, A Soapboiler
(Citizens of Brussels)
Buyck, (a Hollander), a Soldier under Egmont
Ruysum, (a Frieslander), an invalid Soldier, and deaf
People, Attendants, Guards, &c.
The Scene is laid in Brussels.
ACT I
SCENE I.--Soldiers and Citizens (with cross-bows)
Jetter (steps forward, and bends his cross-bow). Soest, Buyck, Ruysum
Soest. Come, shoot away, and have done with it! You won't beat me! Three
black rings, you never made such a shot in all your life. And so I'm
master for this year.
Jetter. Master and king to boot; who envies you? You'll have to pay
double reckoning; 'tis only fair you should pay for your dexterity.
Buyck. Jetter, I'll buy your shot, share the prize, and treat the
company. I have already been here so long, and am a debtor for so many
civilities. If I miss, then it shall be as if you had shot.
Soest. I ought to have a voice, for in fact I am the loser. No matter!
Come, Buyck, shoot away.
Buyck (shoots). Now, corporal, look out!--One! Two! Three! Four!
Soest. Four rings! So be it!
All. Hurrah! Long live the King! Hurrah! Hurrah!
Buyck. Thanks, sirs, master even were too much! Thanks for the honour.
Jetter. You have no one to thank but yourself. Ruysum. Let me tell you--
Soest. How now, grey-beard?
Ruysum. Let me tell you!--He shoots like his master, he shoots like
Egmont.
Buyck. Compared with him I am only a bungler. He aims with the rifle
as no one else does. Not only when he's lucky or in the vein; no! he
levels, and the bull's-eye is pierced. I have learned from him. He were
indeed a blockhead, who could serve under him and learn nothing!--But,
sirs, let us not forget! A king maintains his followers; and so, wine
here, at the king's charge!
Jetter. We have agreed among ourselves that each--
Buyck. I am a foreigner, and a king, and care not a jot for your laws
and customs.
Jetter. Why, you are worse than the Spaniard, who has not yet ventured
to meddle with them.
Ruysum. What does he say?
Soest (loud to Ruysum). He wants to treat us; he will not hear of our
clubbing together, the king paying only a double share.
Ruysum. Let him! under protest, however! 'Tis his master's fashion, too,
to be munificent, and to let the money flow in a good cause. (Wine is
brought.)
All. Here's to his Majesty! Hurrah!
Jetter (to Buyck). That means your Majesty, of course, Buyck. My hearty
thanks, if it be so.
Soest. Assuredly! A Netherlander does not find it easy to drink the
health of his Spanish majesty from his heart.
Ruysum. Who?
Soest (aloud). Philip the Second, King of Spain.
Ruysum. Our most gracious king and master! Long life to him.
Soest. Did you not like his father, Charles the Fifth, better?
Ruysum. God bless him! He was a king indeed! His hand reached over the
whole earth, and he was all in all. Yet, when he met you, he'd greet you
just as one neighbour greets another,--and if you were frightened, he
knew so well how to put you at your ease--ay, you understand me--he
walked out, rode out, just as it came into his head, with very few
followers. We all wept when he resigned the government here to his son.
You understand me--he is another sort of man, he's more majestic.
Jetter. When he was here, he never appeared in public, except in pomp
and royal state. He speaks little, they say.
Soest. He is no king for us Netherlanders. Our princes must be joyous
and free like ourselves, must live and let live. We will neither be
despised nor oppressed, good-natured fools though we be.
Jetter. The king, methinks, were a gracious sovereign enough, if he had
only better counsellors.
Soest. No, no! He has no affection for us Netherlanders; he has no
heart for the people; he loves us not; how then can we love him? Why
is everybody so fond of Count Egmont? Why are we all so devoted to
him? Why, because one can read in his face that he loves us; because
joyousness, open-heartedness, and good-nature, speak in his eyes;
because he possesses nothing that he does not share with him who needs
it, ay, and with him who needs it not. Long live Count Egmont! Buyck, it
is for you to give the first toast; give us your master's health.
Buyck. With all my heart; here's to Count Egmont! Hurrah!
Ruysum Conqueror of St. Quintin.
Buyck. The hero of Gravelines.
All. Hurrah!
Ruysum. St. Quintin was my last battle. I was hardly able to crawl
along, and could with difficulty carry my heavy rifle. I managed,
notwithstanding, to singe the skin of the French once more, and, as a
parting gift, received a grazing shot in my right leg.
Buyck. Gravelines! Ha, my friends, we had sharp work of it there!
The victory was all our own. Did not those French dogs carry fire and
desolation into the very heart of Flanders? We gave it them, however!
The old hard-listed veterans held out bravely for a while, but we pushed
on, fired away, and laid about us, till they made wry faces, and their
lines gave way. Then Egmont's horse was shot under him; and for a long
time we fought pell-mell, man to man, horse to horse, troop to troop,
on the broad, flat, sea-sand. Suddenly, as if from heaven, down came
the cannon shot from the mouth of the river, bang, bang, right into
the midst of the French. These were English, who, under Admiral Malin,
happened to be sailing past from Dunkirk. They did not help us much,
'tis true; they could only approach with their smallest vessels, and
that not near enough;--besides, their shot fell sometimes among our
troops. It did some good, however! It broke the French lines, and raised
our courage. Away it went. Helter-skelter! topsy-turvy! all struck
dead, or forced into the water; the fellows were drowned the moment
they tasted the water, while we Hollanders dashed in after them. Being
amphibious, we were as much in our element as frogs, and hacked away
at the enemy, and shot them down as if they had been ducks. The few
who struggled through, were struck dead in their flight by the peasant
women, armed with hoes and pitchforks. His Gallic majesty was compelled
at once to hold out his paw and make peace. And that peace you owe to
us, to the great Egmont.
All. Hurrah, for the great Egmont! Hurrah! Hurrah!
Jetter. Had they but appointed him Regent, instead of Margaret of Parma!
Soest. Not so! Truth is truth! I'll not hear Margaret abused. Now it is
my turn. Long live our gracious lady!
All. Long life to her!
Soest. Truly, there are excellent women in that family. Long live the
Regent!
Jetter. Prudent is she, and moderate in all she does; if she would only
not hold so fast and stiffly with the priests. It is partly her fault,
too, that we have the fourteen new mitres in the land. Of what use are
they, I should like to know? Why, that foreigners may be shoved into the
good benefices, where formerly abbots were chosen out of the chapters!
And we're to believe it's for the sake of religion. We know better.
Three bishops were enough for us; things went on decently and reputably.
Now each must busy himself as if he were needed; and this gives rise
every moment to dissensions and ill-will. And the more you agitate the
matter, so much the worse it grows. (They drink.)
Soest. But it was the will of the king; she cannot alter it, one way or
another.
Jetter. Then we may not even sing the new psalms; but ribald songs,
as many as we please. And why? There is heresy in them, they say, and
heaven knows what. I have sung some of them, however; they are new, to
be sure, but I see no harm in them.
Buyck. Ask their leave, forsooth! In our province, we sing just what
we please. That's because Count Egmont is our stadtholder, who does not
trouble himself about such matters. In Ghent, Ypres, and throughout the
whole of Flanders, anybody sings them that chooses. (Aloud to Ruysum.)
There is nothing more harmless than a spiritual song--Is there, father?
Ruysum. What, indeed! It is a godly work, and truly edifying.
Jetter. They say, however, that they are not of the right sort, not of
their sort, and, since it is dangerous, we had better leave them alone.
The officers of the Inquisition are always lurking and spying about;
many an honest fellow has already fallen into their clutches. They had
not gone so far as to meddle with conscience! If they will not allow
me to do what I like, they might at least let me think and sing as I
please.
Soest. The Inquisition won't do here. We are not made like the
Spaniards, to let our consciences be tyrannized over. The nobles must
look to it, and clip its wings betimes.
Jetter. It is a great bore. Whenever it comes into their worships' heads
to break into my house, and I am sitting there at my work, humming a
French psalm, thinking nothing about it, neither good nor bad--singing
it just because it is in my throat;--forthwith I'm a heretic, and am
clapped into prison. Or if I am passing through the country, and stand
near a crowd listening to a new preacher, one of those who have come
from Germany; instantly I'm called a rebel, and am in danger of losing
my head! Have you ever heard one of these preachers?
Soest. Brave fellows! Not long ago, I heard one of them preach in a
field, before thousands and thousands of people. A different sort
of dish he gave us from that of our humdrum preachers, who, from the
pulpit, choke their hearers with scraps of Latin. He spoke from his
heart; told us how we had till now been led by the nose, how we had
been kept in darkness, and how we might procure more light;--ay, and he
proved it all out of the Bible.
Jetter. There may be something in it. I always said as much, and have
often pondered over the matter. It has long been running in my head.
Buyck. All the people run after them.
Soest. No wonder, since they hear both what is good and what is new.
Jetter. And what is it all about? Surely they might let every one preach
after his own fashion.
Buyck. Come, sirs! While you are talking, you; forget the wine and the
Prince of Orange.
Jetter. We must not forget him. He's a very wall of defence. In thinking
of him, one fancies, that if one could only hide behind him, the devil
himself could not get at one. Here's to William of Orange! Hurrah!
All. Hurrah! Hurrah!
Soest. Now, grey-beard, let's have your toast.
Ruysum. Here's to old soldiers! To all soldiers! War for ever!
Buyck. Bravo, old fellow. Here's to all soldiers. War for ever!
Jetter. War! War! Do ye know what ye are shouting about? That it should
slip glibly from your tongue is natural enough; but what wretched work
it is for us, I have not words to tell you. To be stunned the whole
year round by the beating of the drum; to hear of nothing except how one
troop marched here, and another there; how they came over this height,
and halted near that mill; how many were left dead on this field, and
how many on that; how they press forward, and how one wins, and another
loses, without being able to comprehend what they are fighting about;
how a town is taken, how the citizens are put to the sword, and how it
fares with the poor women and innocent children. This is a grief and a
trouble, and then one thinks every moment, "Here they come! It will be
our turn next."
Soest. Therefore every citizen must be practised in the use of arms.
Jetter. Fine talking, indeed, for him who has a wife and children. And
yet I would rather hear of soldiers than see them.
Buyck. I might take offence at that.
Jetter. It was not intended for you, countryman. When we got rid of the
Spanish garrison, we breathed freely again.
Soest. Faith! They pressed on you heavily enough.
Jetter. Mind your own business.
Soest. They came to sharp quarters with you.
Jetter. Hold your tongue.
Soest. They drove him out of kitchen, cellar, chamber--and bed. (They
laugh.)
Jetter. You are a blockhead.
Buyck. Peace, sirs! Must the soldier cry peace? Since you will not hear
anything about us, let us have a toast of your own--a citizen's toast.
Jetter. We're all ready for that! Safety and peace!
Soest. Order and freedom!
Buyck. Bravo! That will content us all.
(They ring their glasses together, and joyously repeat the words, but in
such a manner that each utters a different sound, and it becomes a kind
of chant. The old man listens, and at length joins in.)
All. Safety and peace! Order and freedom!
SCENE II.---Palace of the Regent
Margaret of Parma (in a hunting dress). Courtiers, Pages, Servants
Regent. Put off the hunt, I shall not ride to-day. Bid Machiavel attend
me.
[Exeunt all but the Regent.
The thought of these terrible events leaves me no repose! Nothing can
amuse, nothing divert my mind. These images, these cares are always
before me. The king will now say that these are the natural fruits of
my kindness, of my clemency; yet my conscience assures me that I have
adopted the wisest, the most prudent course. Ought I sooner to have
kindled, and spread abroad these flames with the breath of wrath? My
hope was to keep them in, to let them smoulder in their own ashes. Yes,
my inward conviction, and my knowledge of the circumstances, justify my
conduct in my own eyes; but in what light will it appear to my brother!
For, can it be denied that the insolence of these foreign teachers waxes
daily more audacious? They have desecrated our sanctuaries, unsettled
the dull minds of the people, and conjured up amongst them a spirit of
delusion. Impure spirits have mingled among the insurgents, horrible
deeds have been perpetrated, which to think of makes one shudder, and of
these a circumstantial account must be transmitted instantly to court.
Prompt and minute must be my communication, lest rumour outrun my
messenger, and the king suspect that some particulars have been
purposely withheld. I can see no means, severe or mild, by which to stem
the evil. Oh, what are we great ones on the waves of humanity? We
think to control them, and are ourselves driven to and fro, hither and
thither.
[Enter Machiavel.
Regent. Are the despatches to the king prepared?
Machiavel. In an hour they will be ready for your signature.
Regent. Have you made the report sufficiently circumstantial?
Machiavel. Full and circumstantial, as the king loves to have it. I
relate how the rage of the iconoclasts first broke out at St. Omer. How
a furious multitude, with staves, hatchets, hammers, ladders, and cords,
accompanied by a few armed men, first assailed the chapels, churches,
and convents, drove out the worshippers, forced the barred gates, threw
everything into confusion, tore down the altars, destroyed the statues
of the saints, defaced the pictures, and dashed to atoms, and trampled
under foot, whatever came in their way that was consecrated and holy.
How the crowd increased as it advanced, and how the inhabitants of Ypres
opened their gates at its approach. How, with incredible rapidity, they
demolished the cathedral, and burned the library of the bishop. How
a vast multitude, possessed by the like frenzy, dispersed themselves
through Menin, Comines, Verviers, Lille, nowhere encountered opposition;
and how, through almost the whole of Flanders, in a single moment, the
monstrous conspiracy declared itself, and was accomplished.
Regent. Alas! Your recital rends my heart anew; and the fear that
the evil will wax greater and greater, adds to my grief. Tell me your
thoughts, Machiavel!
Machiavel. Pardon me, your Highness, my thoughts will appear to you
but as idle fancies; and though you always seem well satisfied with my
services, you have seldom felt inclined to follow my advice. How often
have you said in jest: "You see too far, Machiavel! You should be an
historian; he who acts, must provide for the exigence of the hour." And
yet have I not predicted this terrible history? Have I not foreseen it
all?
Regent. I too foresee many things, without being able to avert them.
Machiavel. In one word, then:---you will not be able to suppress the
new faith. Let it be recognized, separate its votaries from the true
believers, give them churches of their own, include them within the pale
of social order, subject them to the restraints of law,--do this, and
you will at once tranquillize the insurgents. All other measures will
prove abortive, and you will depopulate the country.
Regent. Have you forgotten with what aversion the mere suggestion of
toleration was rejected by my brother? Know you not, how in every letter
he urgently recommends to me the maintenance of the true faith? That he
will not hear of tranquility and order being restored at the expense of
religion? Even in the provinces, does he not maintain spies, unknown to
us, in order to ascertain who inclines to the new doctrines? Has he not,
to our astonishment, named to us this or that individual residing in our
very neighbourhood, who, without its being known, was obnoxious to the
charge of heresy? Does he not enjoin harshness and severity? and am I
to be lenient? Am I to recommend for his adoption measures of indulgence
and toleration? Should I not thus lose all credit with him, and at once
forfeit his confidence?
Machiavel. I know it. The king commands and puts you in full possession
of his intentions. You are to restore tranquillity and peace by measures
which cannot fail still more to embitter men's minds, and which must
inevitably kindle the flames of war from one extremity of the country to
the other. Consider well what you are doing. The principal merchants
are infected--nobles, citizens, soldiers. What avails persisting in
our opinion, when everything is changing around us? Oh, that some good
genius would suggest to Philip that it better becomes a monarch to
govern burghers of two different creeds, than to excite them to mutual
destruction.
Regent. Never let me hear such words again. Full well I know that
the policy of statesmen rarely maintains truth and fidelity; that
it excludes from the heart candour, charity, toleration. In secular
affairs, this is, alas! only too true; but shall we trifle with God as
we do with each other? Shall we be indifferent to our established faith,
for the sake of which so many have sacrificed their lives? Shall we
abandon it to these far-fetched, uncertain, and self-contradicting
heresies?
Machiavel. Think not the worse of me for what I have uttered.
Regent. I know you and your fidelity. I know too that a man may be
both honest and sagacious, and yet miss the best and nearest way to the
salvation of his soul. There are others, Machiavel, men whom I esteem,
yet whom I needs must blame.
Machiavel. To whom do you refer?
Regent. I must confess that Egmont caused me to-day deep and heart-felt
annoyance.
Machiavel. How so?
Regent. By his accustomed demeanour, his usual indifference and levity.
I received the fatal tidings as I was leaving church, attended by him
and several others. I did not restrain my anguish, I broke forth into
lamentations, loud and deep, and turning to him, exclaimed, "See what
is going on in your province! Do you suffer it, Count, you, in whom the
king confided so implicitly?"
Machiavel. And what was his reply?
Regent. As if it were a mere trifle, an affair of no moment,
he answered: "Were the Netherlanders but satisfied as to their
constitution! The rest would soon follow."
Machiavel. There was, perhaps, more truth than discretion or piety in
his words. How can we hope to acquire and to maintain the confidence
of the Netherlander, when he sees that we are more interested in
appropriating his possessions, than in promoting his welfare, temporal
or spiritual? Does the number of souls saved by the new bishops exceed
that of the fat benefices they have swallowed? And are they not for the
most part foreigners? As yet, the office of stadtholder has been held
by Netherlanders; but do not the Spaniards betray their great and
irresistible desire to possess themselves of these places? Will not
people prefer being governed by their own countrymen, and according to
their ancient customs, rather than by foreigners, who, from their first
entrance into the land, endeavour to enrich themselves at the general
expense, who measure everything by a foreign standard, and who exercise
their authority without cordiality or sympathy?
Regent. You take part with our opponents?
Machiavel. Assuredly not in my heart. Would that with my understanding I
could be wholly on our side!
Regent. If such your disposition, it were better I should resign the
regency to them; for both Egmont and Orange entertained great hopes
of occupying this position. Then they were adversaries, now they are
leagued against me, and have become friends--inseparable friends.
Machiavel. A dangerous pair.
Regent. To speak candidly, I fear Orange.--I fear for Egmont.--Orange
meditates some dangerous scheme, his thoughts are far-reaching, he is
reserved, appears to accede to everything, never contradicts, and while
maintaining the show of reverence, with clear foresight accomplishes his
own designs.
Machiavel. Egmont, on the contrary, advances with a bold step, as if the
world were all his own.
Regent. He bears his head as proudly as if the hand of majesty were not
suspended over him.
Machiavel. The eyes of all the people are fixed upon him, and he is the
idol of their hearts.
Regent. He has never assumed the least disguise, and carries himself as
if no one had a right to call him to account. He still bears the name
of Egmont. Count Egmont is the title by which he loves to hear himself
addressed, as though he would fain be reminded that his ancestors were
masters of Guelderland. Why does he not assume his proper title,--Prince
of Gaure? What object has he in view? Would he again revive extinguished
claims?
Machiavel. I hold him for a faithful servant of the king.
Regent. Were he so inclined, what important service could he not render
to the government? Whereas, now, without benefiting himself, he has
caused us unspeakable vexation. His banquets and entertainment have
done more to unite the nobles and to knit them together than the most
dangerous secret associations. With his toasts, his guests have drunk in
a permanent intoxication, a giddy frenzy, that never subsides. How often
have his facetious jests stirred up the minds of the populace? and what
an excitement was produced among the mob by the new liveries, and the
extravagant devices of his followers!
Machiavel. I am convinced he had no design.
Regent. Be that as it may, it is bad enough. As I said before, he
injures us without benefiting himself. He treats as a jest matters of
serious import; and, not to appear negligent and remiss, we are forced
to treat seriously what he intended as a jest. Thus one urges on the
other; and what we are endeavouring to avert is actually brought to
pass. He is more dangerous than the acknowledged head of a conspiracy;
and I am much mistaken if it is not all remembered against him at court.
I cannot deny that scarcely a day passes in which he does not wound
me--deeply wound me.
Machiavel. He appears to me to act on all occasions, according to the
dictates of his conscience.
Regent. His conscience has a convenient mirror. His demeanour is often
offensive. He carries himself as if he felt he were the master here, and
were withheld by courtesy alone from making us feel his supremacy; as if
he would not exactly drive us out of the country; there'll be no need
for that.
Machiavel. I entreat you, put not too harsh a construction upon his
frank and joyous temper, which treats lightly matters of serious moment.
You but injure yourself and him.
Regent. I interpret nothing. I speak only of inevitable consequences,
and I know him. His patent of nobility and the Golden Fleece upon his
breast strengthen his confidence, his audacity. Both can protect him
against any sudden outbreak of royal displeasure. Consider the matter
closely, and he is alone responsible for the whole mischief that has
broken out in Flanders. From the first, he connived at the proceedings
of the foreign teachers, avoided stringent measures, and perhaps
rejoiced in secret that they gave us so much to do. Let me alone; on
this occasion, I will give utterance to that which weighs upon my heart;
I will not shoot my arrow in vain. I know where he is vulnerable. For he
is vulnerable.
Machiavel. Have you summoned the council? Will Orange attend?
Regent. I have sent for him to Antwerp. I will lay upon their shoulders
the burden of responsibility; they shall either strenuously co-operate
with me in quelling the evil, or at once declare themselves rebels. Let
the letters be completed without delay, and bring them for my signature.
Then hasten to despatch the trusty Vasca to Madrid, he is faithful and
indefatigable; let him use all diligence, that he may not be anticipated
by common report, that my brother, may receive the intelligence first
through him. I will myself speak with him ere he departs.
Machiavel. Your orders shall be promptly and punctually obeyed.
SCENE III.--Citizen's House
Clara, her Mother, Brackenburg
Clara. Will you not hold the yarn for me, Brackenburg?
Brackenburg. I entreat you, excuse me, Clara.
Clara. What ails you? Why refuse me this trifling service?
Brackenburg. When I hold the yarn, I stand as it were spell-bound before
you, and cannot escape your eyes.
Clara. Nonsense! Come and hold!
Mother. (knitting in her arm-chair). Give us a song! You used to be merry
once, and I had always something to laugh at.
Brackenburg. Once!
Clara. Well, let us sing.
Brackenburg. As you please.
Clara. Merrily, then, and sing away! 'Tis a soldier's song, my
favourite.
(She winds yarn, and sings with Brackenburg.)
The drum is resounding,
And shrill the fife plays;
My love, for the battle,
His brave troop arrays;
He lifts his lance high,
And the people he sways.
My blood it is boiling!
My heart throbs pit-pat!
Oh, had I a jacket,
With hose and with hat!
How boldly I'd follow,
And march through the gate;
Through all the wide province
I'd follow him straight.
The foe yield, we capture
Or shoot them! Ah, me!
What heart-thrilling rapture
A soldier to be!
(During the song, Brackenburg has frequently looked at Clara; at length
his voice falters, his eyes fill with tears, he lets the skein fall, and
goes to the window. Clara finishes the song alone, her Mother motions to
her, half displeased, she rises, advances a few steps towards him, turns
back, as if irresolute, and again sits down.)
Mother. What is going on in the street, Brackenburg? I hear soldiers
marching.
Brackenburg. It is the Regent's body-guard.
Clara. At this hour? What can it mean? (She rises and joins Brackenburg
at the window.) That is not the daily guard; it is more numerous! almost
all the troops! Oh, Brackenburg, go! Learn what it means. It must be
something unusual. Go, good Brackenburg, do me this favour.
Brackenburg. I am going! I will return immediately. (He offers his hand
to Clara, and she gives him hers.)
[Exit Brackenburg.
Mother. Thou sendest him away so soon!
Clara. I am curious; and, besides--do not be angry, Mother--his presence
pains me. I never know how I ought to behave towards him. I have done
him a wrong, and it goes to my very heart to see how deeply he feels it.
Well, it can't be helped now!
Mother. He is such a true-hearted fellow!
Clara. I cannot help it, I must treat him kindly. Often without a
thought, I return the gentle, loving pressure of his hand. I reproach
myself that I am deceiving him, that I am nourishing in his heart a vain
hope. I am in a sad plight! God knows, I do not willingly deceive him. I
do not wish him to hope, yet I cannot let him despair!
Mother. That is not as it should be.
Clara. I liked him once, and in my soul I like him still I could have
married him; yet I believe I was never really in love with him.
Mother. Thou wouldst always have been happy with him.
Clara. I should have been provided for, and have led a quiet life.
Mother. And through thy fault it has all been trifled away.
Clara, I am in a strange position. When I think how it has come to
pass, I know it, indeed, and I know it not. But I have only to look
upon Egmont, and I understand it all; ay, and stranger things would seem
natural then. Oh, what a man he is! All the provinces worship him. And
in his arms, should I not be the happiest creature in the world?
Mother. And how will it be in the future?
Clara. I only ask, does he love me?--does he love me?--as if there were
any doubt about it.
Mother. One has nothing but anxiety of heart with one's children. Always
care and sorrow, whatever may be the end of it! It cannot come to good!
Thou hast made thyself wretched! Thou hast made thy Mother wretched too.
Clara (quietly). Yet thou didst allow it in the beginning.
Mother. Alas! I was too indulgent; I am always too indulgent.
Clara. When Egmont rode by, and I ran to the window, did you chide
me then? Did you not come to the window yourself? When he looked up,
smiled, nodded, and greeted me, was it displeasing to you? Did you not
feel yourself honoured in your daughter?
Mother. Go on with your reproaches.
Clara (with emotion). Then, when he passed more frequently, and we felt
sure that it was on my account that he came this way, did you not remark
it yourself with secret joy? Did you call me away when I stood behind
the window-pane and awaited him?
Mother. Could I imagine that it would go so far?
Clara (with faltering voice, and repressed tears). And then, one
evening, when, enveloped in his mantle, he surprised us as we sat at
our lamp, who busied herself in receiving him, while I remained, lost in
astonishment, as if fastened to my chair?
Mother. Could I imagine that the prudent Clara would so soon be carried
away by this unhappy love? I must now endure that my daughter--
Clara (bursting into tears). Mother! How can you? You take pleasure in
tormenting me!
Mother (weeping). Ay, weep away! Make me yet more wretched by thy grief.
Is it not misery enough that my only daughter is a castaway?
Clara (rising, and speaking coldly). A castaway! The beloved of Egmont
a castaway!--What princess would not envy the poor Clara a place in his
heart? Oh, Mother,--my own Mother, you were not wont to speak thus! Dear
Mother, be kind!--Let the people think, let the neighbours whisper what
they like--this chamber, this lowly house is a paradise, since Egmont's
love dwelt here.
Mother. One cannot help liking him, that is true. He is always so kind,
frank, and open-hearted.
Clara. There is not a drop of false blood in his veins. And then,
Mother, he is indeed the great Egmont; yet, when he comes to me, how
tender he is, how kind! How he tries to conceal from me his rank, his
bravery! How anxious he is about me! so entirely the man, the friend,
the lover.
Mother. DO you expect him to-day?
Clara. Have you not seen how often I go to the window? Have you not
noticed how I listen to every noise at the door?--Though I know that
he will not come before night, yet, from the time when I rise in the
morning, I keep expecting him every moment. Were I but a boy, to follow
him always, to the court and everywhere! Could I but carry his colours
in the field--!
Mother. You were always such a lively, restless creature; even as a
little child, now wild, now thoughtful. Will you not dress yourself a
little better?
Clara. Perhaps, Mother, if I want something to do.--Yesterday, some of
his people went by, singing songs in honour. At least his name was in
the songs! The rest I could not understand. My heart leaped up into my
throat,--I would fain have called them back if I had not felt ashamed.
Mother. Take care! Thy impetuous nature will ruin all. Thou wilt betray
thyself before the people; as, not long ago, at thy cousin's, when thou
roundest out the woodcut with the description, and didst exclaim, with a
cry: "Count Egmont!"--I grew as red as fire.
Clara. Could I help crying out? It was the battle of Gravelines, and
I found in the picture the letter C. and then looked for it in the
description below. There it stood, "Count Egmont, with his horse shot
under him." I shuddered, and afterwards I could not help laughing at
the woodcut figure of Egmont, as tall as the neighbouring tower of
Gravelines, and the English ships at the side.--When I remember how
I used to conceive of a battle, and what an idea I had, as a girl, of
Count Egmont; when I listened to descriptions of him, and of all the
other earls and princes;--and think how it is with me now!
[Enter Brackenburg.
Clara. Well, what is going on?
Brackenburg. Nothing certain is known. It is rumoured that an
insurrection has lately broken out in Flanders; the Regent is afraid of
its spreading here. The castle is strongly garrisoned, the burghers are
crowding to the gates, and the streets are thronged with people. I will
hasten at once to my old father. (As if about to go.)
Clara. Shall we see you to-morrow? I must change my dress a little. I
am expecting my cousin, and I look too untidy. Come, Mother, help me a
moment. Take the book, Brackenburg, and bring me such another story.
Mother. Farewell.
Brackenburg (extending his hand). Your hand.
Clara (refusing hers). When you come next.
[Exeunt Mother and DAUGHTER.
Brackenburg (alone). I had resolved to go away again at once; and yet,
when she takes me at my word, and lets me leave her, I feel as if I
could go mad,--Wretched man! Does the fate of thy fatherland, does the
growing disturbance fail to move thee?--Are countryman and Spaniard the
same to thee? and carest thou not who rules, and who is in the right? I
wad a different sort of fellow as a schoolboy!--Then, when an exercise
in oratory was given; "Brutus' Speech for Liberty," for instance, Fritz
was ever the first, and the rector would say: "If it were only spoken
more deliberately, the words not all huddled together."--Then my blood
boiled, and longed for action.--Now I drag along, bound by the eyes of
a maiden. I cannot leave her! yet she, alas, cannot love
me!--ah--no---she--she cannot have entirely rejected me--not
entirely--yet half love is no love!--I will endure it no longer!--Can
it be true what a friend lately whispered in my ear, that she secretly
admits a man into the house by night, when she always sends me away
modestly before evening? No, it cannot be true! It is a lie! A base,
slanderous lie! Clara is as innocent as I am wretched.--She has rejected
me, has thrust me from her heart--and shall I live on thus? I cannot,
I will not endure it. Already my native land is convulsed by internal
strife, and do I perish abjectly amid the tumult? I will not endure it!
When the trumpet sounds, when a shot falls, it thrills through my bone
and marrow! But, alas, it does not rouse me! It does not summon me to
join the onslaught, to rescue, to dare.--Wretched, degrading position!
Better end it at once! Not long ago, I threw myself into the water; I
sank--but nature in her agony was too strong for me; I felt that I could
swim, and saved myself against my will. Could I but forget the time when
she loved me, seemed to love me!--Why has this happiness penetrated my
very bone and marrow? Why have these hopes, while disclosing to me a
distant paradise, consumed all the enjoyment of life?--And that first,
that only kiss!--Here (laying his hand upon the table), here we were
alone,--she had always been kind and friendly towards me,--then she
seemed to soften,--she looked at me,--my brain reeled,--I felt her lips
on mine,--and--and now?--Die, wretch! Why dost thou hesitate? (He draws
a phial from his pocket.) Thou healing poison, it shall not have been
in vain that I stole thee from my brother's medicine chest! From this
anxious fear, this dizziness, this death-agony, thou shalt deliver me at
once.
ACT II
SCENE I.--Square in Brussels
Jetter and a Master Carpenter (meeting)
Carpenter. Did I not tell you beforehand? Eight days ago, at the guild,
I said there would be serious disturbances?
Jetter. Is it, then, true that they have plundered the churches in
Flanders?
Carpenter. They have utterly destroyed both churches and chapels. They
have left nothing standing but the four bare walls. The lowest rabble!
And this it is that damages our good cause. We ought rather to have
laid our claims before the Regent, formally and decidedly, and then have
stood by them. If we speak now, if we assemble now, it will be said that
we are joining the insurgents.
Jetter. Ay, so every one thinks at first. Why should you thrust your
nose into the mess? The neck is closely connected with it.
Carpenter. I am always uneasy when tumults arise among the mob--among
people who have nothing to lose. They use as a pretext that to which we
also must appeal, and plunge the country in misery.
[Enter Soest.
Soest. Good day, sirs! What news? Is it true that the image-breakers are
coming straight in this direction?
Carpenter. Here they shall touch nothing, at any rate.
Soest. A soldier came into my shop just now to buy tobacco; I questioned
him about the matter. The Regent, though so brave and prudent a lady,
has for once lost her presence of mind. Things must be bad indeed
when she thus takes refuge behind her guards. The castle is strongly
garrisoned. It is even rumoured that she means to fly from the town.
Carpenter. Forth she shall not go! Her presence protects us, and we
will ensure her safety better than her mustachioed gentry. If she only
maintains our rights and privileges, we will stand faithfully by her.
[Enter a Soapboiler.
Soapboiler. An ugly business this! a bad business! Troubles are
beginning; all things are going wrong! Mind you keep quiet, or they'll
take you also for rioters.
Soest. Here come the seven wise men of Greece.
Soapboiler. I know there are many who in secret hold with the
Calvinists, abuse the bishops, and care not for the king. But a loyal
subject, a sincere Catholic--!
(By degrees others join the speakers, and listen.)
[Enter Vansen.
Vansen. God save you, sirs! What news?
Carpenter. Have nothing to do with him, he's a dangerous fellow.
Jetter. Is he not secretary to Dr. Wiets?
Carpenter. He has already had several masters. First he was a clerk, and
as one patron after another turned him off, on account of his roguish
tricks, he now dabbles in the business of notary and advocate, and is a
brandy-drinker to boot. (More people gather round and stand in groups.)
Vansen. So here you are, putting your heads together. Well, it is worth
talking about.
Soest. I think so too.
Vansen. Now if only one of you had heart and another head enough for the
work, we might break the Spanish fetters at once.
Soest. Sirs! you must not talk thus. We have taken our oath to the king.
Vansen. And the king to us. Mark that!
Jetter. There's sense in that? Tell us your opinion.
Others. Hearken to him; he's a clever fellow. He's sharp enough. I had
an old master once, who possessed a collection of parchments, among
which were charters of ancient constitutions, contracts, and privileges.
He set great store, too, by the rarest books. One of these contained our
whole constitution; how, at first, we Netherlanders had princes of our
own, who governed according to hereditary laws, rights, and usages; how
our ancestors paid due honour to their sovereign so long as he governed
them equitably; and how they were immediately on their guard the moment
he was for overstepping his bounds. The states were down upon him
at once; for every province, however small, had its own chamber and
representatives.
Carpenter. Hold your tongue! We knew that long ago! Every honest citizen
learns as much about the constitution as he needs.
Jetter. Let him speak; one may always learn something.
Soest. He is quite right.
Several Citizens. Go on! Go on! One does not hear this every day.
Vansen. You citizens, forsooth! You live only in the present; and as
you tamely follow the trade inherited from your fathers, so you let the
government do with you just as it pleases. You make no inquiry into the
origin, the history, or the rights of a Regent; and in consequence of
this negligence, the Spaniard has drawn the net over your ears.
Soest. Who cares for that, if one has only daily bread?
Jetter. The devil! Why did not some one come forward and tell us this in
time?
Vansen. I tell it you now. The King of Spain, whose good fortune it is
to bear sway over these provinces, has no right to govern them otherwise
than the petty princes who formerly possessed them separately. Do you
understand that?
Jetter. Explain it to us.
Vansen. Why, it is as clear as the sun. Must you not be governed
according to your provincial laws? How comes that?
A Citizen. Certainly!
Vansen. Has not the burgher of Brussels a different law from the burgher
of Antwerp? The burgher of Antwerp from the burgher of Ghent? How comes
that?
Another Citizen. By heavens!
Vansen. But if you let matters run on thus, they will soon tell you a
different story. Fie on you! Philip, through a woman, now ventures to
do what neither Charles the Bold, Frederick the Warrior, nor Charles the
Fifth could accomplish.
Soest. Yes, yes! The old princes tried it also.
Vansen. Ay! But our ancestors kept a sharp look-out. If they thought
themselves aggrieved by their sovereign, they would perhaps get his son
and heir into their hands, detain him as a hostage, and surrender him
only on the most favourable conditions. Our fathers were men! They knew
their own interests! They knew how to lay hold on what they wanted, and
to get it established! They were men of the right sort! and hence it
is that our privileges are so dearly defined, our liberties so well
secured.
Soest. What are you saying about our liberties?
All. Our liberties! our privileges! Tell us about our privileges.
Vansen. All the provinces have their peculiar advantages, but we of
Brabant are the most splendidly provided for. I have read it all.
Soest. Say on.
Jetter. Let us hear.
A Citizen. Pray do.
Vansen. First, it stands written:--The Duke of Brabant shall be to us a
good and faithful sovereign.
Soest. Good! Stands it so?
Jetter. Faithful? Is that true?
Vansen. As I tell you. He is bound to us as we are to him. Secondly: In
the exercise of his authority he shall neither exert arbitrary
power, nor exhibit caprice, himself, nor shall he, either directly or
indirectly, sanction them in others.
Jetter. Bravo! Bravo! Not exert arbitrary power.
Soest. Nor exhibit caprice.
Another. And not sanction them in others! That is the main point. Not
sanction them, either directly or indirectly.
Vansen. In express words.
Jetter. Get us the book.
A Citizen. Yes, we must see it.
Others. The book! The book!
Another. We will to the Regent with the book.
Another. Sir doctor, you shall be spokesman.
Soapboiler. Oh, the dolts!
Others. Something more out of the book!
Soapboiler. I'll knock his teeth down his throat if he says another
word.
People. We'll see who dares to lay hands upon him. Tell us about our
privileges! Have we any more privileges?
Vansen. Many, very good and very wholesome ones too. Thus it stands: The
sovereign shall neither benefit the clergy, nor increase their number,
without the consent of the nobles and of the states. Mark that! Nor
shall he alter the constitution of the country.
Soest. Stands it so?
Vansen. I'll show it you, as it was written down two or three centuries
ago.
A Citizen. And we tolerate the new bishops? The nobles must protect us,
we will make a row else!
Others. And we suffer ourselves to be intimidated by the Inquisition?
Vansen. It is your own fault.
People. We have Egmont! We have Orange! They will protect our interests.
Vansen. Your brothers in Flanders are beginning the good work.
Soapboiler. Dog! (Strikes him.)
(Others oppose the Soapboiler, and exclaim,) Are you also a Spaniard?
Another. What! This honourable man?
Another. This learned man?
(They attack the Soapboiler.)
Carpenter. For heaven's sake, peace!
(Others mingle in the fray.)
Carpenter. Citizens, what means this?
(Boys whistle, throw stones, set on dogs; citizens stand and gape,
people come running up, others walk quietly to and fro, others play all
sorts of pranks, shout and huzza.)
Others. Freedom and privilege! Privilege and freedom!
[Enter Egmont, with followers.
Egmont. Peace! Peace! good people. What is the matter? Peace, I say!
Separate them.
Carpenter. My good lord, you come like an angel from heaven. Hush! See
you nothing? Count Egmont! Honour to Count Egmont!
Egmont. Here, too! What are you about? Burgher against burgher! Does not
even the neighbourhood of our royal mistress oppose a barrier to this
frenzy? Disperse yourselves, and go about your business. 'Tis a bad
sign when you thus keep holiday on working days. How did the disturbance
begin?
(The tumult gradually subsides, and the people gather around Egmont.)
Carpenter. They are fighting about their privileges.
Egmont. Which they will forfeit through their own folly,--and who are
you? You seem honest people.
Carpenter. 'Tis our wish to be so.
Egmont. Your calling?
Carpenter. A Carpenter, and master of the guild.
Egmont. And you?
Soest. A shopkeeper.
Egmont. And you?
Jetter. A tailor.
Egmont. I remember, you were employed upon the liveries of my people.
Your name is Jetter.
Jetter. To think of your grace remembering it!
Egmont. I do not easily forget any one whom I have seen or conversed
with. Do what you can, good people, to keep the peace; you stand in bad
repute enough already. Provoke not the king still farther. The power,
after all, is in his hands. An honest burgher, who maintains himself
industriously, has everywhere as much freedom as he wants.
Carpenter. That now is just our misfortune! With all due deference,
your grace, 'tis the idle portion of the community, your drunkards and
vagabonds, who quarrel for want of something to do, and clamour about
privilege because they are hungry; they impose upon the curious and the
credulous, and, in order to obtain a pot of beer, excite disturbances
that will bring misery upon thousands. That is just what they want. We
keep our houses and chests too well guarded; they would fain drive us
away from them with fire-brands.
Egmont. You shall have all needful assistance; measures have been taken
to stem the evil by force. Make a firm stand against the new doctrines,
and do not imagine that privileges are secured by sedition, Remain at
home; suffer no crowds to assemble in the streets. Sensible people can
accomplish much.
(In the meantime the crowd has for the most part dispersed.)
Carpenter. Thanks, your excellency--thanks for your good opinion!
We will do what in us lies. (Exit Egmont.) A gracious lord! A true
Netherlander! Nothing of the Spaniard about him.
Jetter. If we had only him for a Regent? 'Tis a pleasure to follow him.
Soest. The king won't hear of that. He takes care to appoint his own
people to the place.
Jetter. Did you notice his dress? It was of the newest fashion--after
the Spanish cut.
Carpenter. A handsome gentleman.
Jetter. His head now were a dainty morsel for a heads-man.
Soest. Are you mad? What are you thinking about?
Jetter. It is stupid enough that such an idea should come into one's
head! But so it is. Whenever I see a fine long neck, I cannot help
thinking how well it would suit the block. These cursed executions! One
cannot get them out of one's head. When the lads are swimming, and I
chance to see a naked back, I think forthwith of the dozens I have seen
beaten with rods. If I meet a portly gentleman, I fancy I already see
him roasting at the stake. At night, in my dreams, I am tortured in
every limb; one cannot have a single hour's enjoyment; all merriment and
fun have long been forgotten. These terrible images seem burnt in upon
my brain.
SCENE II.--Egmont's residence
His Secretary (at a desk with papers. He rises impatiently)
Secretary. Still he comes not! And I have been waiting already full two
hours, pen in hand, the paper before me; and just to-day I was anxious
to be out so early. The floor burns under my feet. I can with difficulty
restrain my impatience. "Be punctual to the hour:" Such was his parting
injunction; now he comes not. There is so much business to get through,
I shall not have finished before midnight. He overlooks one's faults, it
is true; methinks it would be better though, were he more strict, so he
dismissed one at the appointed time. One could then arrange one's plans.
It is now full two hours since he left the Regent; who knows whom he may
have chanced to meet by the way?
[Enter Egmont.
Egmont. Well, how do matters look?
Secretary. I am ready, and three couriers are waiting.
Egmont. I have detained you too long; you look somewhat out of humour.
Secretary. In obedience to your command I have already been in
attendance for some time. Here are the papers!
Egmont. Donna Elvira will be angry with me, when she learns that I have
detained you.
Secretary. You are pleased to jest.
Egmont. No, no. Be not ashamed. I admire your taste. She is pretty, and
I have no objection that you should have a friend at the castle. What
say the letters?
Secretary. Much, my lord, but withal little that is satisfactory.
Egmont. 'Tis well that we have pleasures at home, we have the less
occasion to seek them from abroad. Is there much that requires
attention?
Secretary. Enough, my lord; three couriers are in attendance.
Egmont. Proceed! The most important.
Secretary. All is important.
Egmont. One after the other; only be prompt.
Secretary. Captain Breda sends an account of the occurrences that have
further taken place in Ghent and the surrounding districts. The tumult
is for the most part allayed.
Egmont. He doubtless reports individual acts of folly and temerity?
Secretary. He does, my lord.
Egmont. Spare me the recital.
Secretary. Six of the mob who tore down the image of the Virgin at
Verviers have been arrested. He inquires whether they are to be hanged
like the others.
Egmont. I am weary of hanging; let them be flogged and discharged.
Secretary. There are two women among them; are they to be flogged also?
Egmont. He may admonish them and let them go.
Secretary. Brink, of Breda's company, wants to marry; the captain hopes
you will not allow it. There are so many women among the troops, he
writes, that when on the march, they resemble a gang of gypsies rather
than regular soldiers.
Egmont. We must overlook it in his case. He is a fine young fellow, and
moreover entreated me so earnestly before I came away. This must be
the last time, however; though it grieves me to refuse the poor fellows
their best pastime; they have enough without that to torment them.
Secretary. Two of your people, Seter and Hart, have ill-treated a
damsel, the daughter of an inn-keeper. They got her alone and she could
not escape from them.
Egmont. If she be an honest maiden and they used violence, let them be
flogged three days in succession; and if they have any property, let him
retain as much of it as will portion the girl.
Secretary. One of the foreign preachers has been discovered passing
secretly through Comines. He swore that he was on the point of leaving
for France. According to orders, he ought to be beheaded.
Egmont. Let him be conducted quietly to the frontier, and there
admonished that, the next time, he will not escape so easily.
Secretary. A letter from your steward. He writes that money comes in
slowly, he can with difficulty send you the required sum within the
week; the late disturbances have thrown everything into the greatest
confusion.
Egmont. Money must be had! It is for him to look to the means.
Secretary. He says he will do his utmost, and at length proposes to sue
and imprison Raymond, who has been so long in your debt.
Egmont. But he has promised to pay!
Secretary. The last time he fixed a fortnight himself.
Egmont. Well, grant him another fortnight; after that he may proceed
against him.
Secretary. You do well. His non-payment of the money proceeds not from
inability, but from want of inclination. He will trifle no longer
when he sees that you are in earnest. The steward further proposes to
withhold, for half a month, the pensions which you allow to the old
soldiers, widows, and others. In the meantime some expedient may be
devised; they must make their arrangements accordingly.
Egmont. But what arrangements can be made here? These poor people want
the money more than I do. He must not think of it.
Secretary. How then, my lord, is he to raise the required sum?
Egmont. It is his business to think of that. He was told so in a former
letter.
Secretary. And therefore he makes these proposals.
Egmont. They will never do;--he must think of something else. Let him
suggest expedients that are admissible, and, before all, let him procure
the money.
Secretary. I have again before me the letter from Count Oliva. Pardon
my recalling it to your remembrance. Before all others, the aged count
deserves a detailed reply. You proposed writing to him with your own
hand. Doubtless, he loves you as a father.
Egmont. I cannot command the time;--and of all detestable things,
writing is to me the most detestable. You imitate my hand so admirably,
do you write in my name. I am expecting Orange. I cannot do it;--I wish,
however, that something soothing should be written, to allay his fears.
Secretary. Just give me a notion of what you wish to communicate; I
will at once draw up the answer, and lay it before you. It shall be so
written that it might pass for your hand in a court of justice.
Egmont. Give me the letter. (After glancing over it.) Dear, excellent,
old man! Wert thou then so cautious in thy youth? Didst thou never mount
a breach? Didst thou remain in the rear of battle at the suggestion of
prudence?--What affectionate solicitude! He has indeed my safety and
happiness at heart, but considers not, that he who lives but to save his
life, is already dead.--Charge him not to be anxious on my account; I
act as circumstances require, and shall be upon my guard. Let him
use his influence at court in my favour, and be assured of my warmest
thanks.
Secretary. Is that all? He expects still more.
Egmont. What can I say? If you choose to write more fully, do so. The
matter turns upon a single point; he would have me live as I cannot
live. That I am joyous, live fast, take matters easily, is my good
fortune; nor would I exchange it for the safety of a sepulchre. My
blood rebels against the Spanish mode of life, nor have I the least
inclination to regulate my movements by the new and cautious measures of
the court. Do I live only to think of life? Am I to forego the enjoyment
of the present moment in order to secure the next? And must that in its
turn be consumed in anxieties and idle fears?
Secretary. I entreat you, my lord, be not so harsh towards the venerable
man. You are wont to be friendly towards every one. Say a kindly word to
allay the anxiety of your noble friend. See how considerate he is, with
what delicacy he warns you.
Egmont. Yet he harps continually on the same string. He knows of old
how I detest these admonitions. They serve only to perplex and are of
no avail. What if I were a somnambulist, and trod the giddy summit of a
lofty house,--were it the part of friendship to call me by my name,
to warn me of my danger, to waken, to kill me? Let each choose his own
path, and provide for his own safety.
Secretary. It may become you to be without a fear, but those who know
and love you--
Egmont (looking over the letter). Then he recalls the old story of our
sayings and doings, one evening, in the wantonness of conviviality
and wine; and what conclusions and inferences were thence drawn and
circulated throughout the whole kingdom! Well, we had a cap and bells
embroidered on the sleeves of our servants' liveries, and afterwards
exchanged this senseless device for a bundle of arrows;--a still more
dangerous symbol for those who are bent upon discovering a meaning where
nothing is meant, These and similar follies were conceived and brought
forth in a moment of merriment. It was at our suggestion that a noble
troop, with beggars' wallets, and a self-chosen nickname, with mock
humility recalled the King's duty to his remembrance. It was at our
suggestion too--well, what does it signify? Is a carnival jest to be
construed into high treason? Are we to be grudged the scanty, variegated
rags, wherewith a youthful spirit and heated imagination would adorn the
poor nakedness of life? Take life too seriously, and what is it worth?
If the morning wake us to no new joys, if in the evening we have
no pleasures to hope for, is it worth the trouble of dressing and
undressing? Does the sun shine on me to-day, that I may reflect on what
happened yesterday? That I may endeavour to foresee and control, what
can neither be foreseen nor controlled,--the destiny of the morrow?
Spare me these reflections, we will leave them to scholars and
courtiers. Let them ponder and contrive, creep hither and thither,
and surreptitiously achieve their ends.--If you can make use of these
suggestions, without swelling your letter into a volume, it is well.
Everything appears of exaggerated importance to the good old man. 'Tis
thus the friend, who has long held our hand, grasps it more warmly ere
he quits his hold.
Secretary. Pardon me, the pedestrian grows dizzy when he beholds the
charioteer drive past with whirling speed.
Egmont. Child! Child! Forbear! As if goaded by invisible spirits, the
sun-steeds of time bear onward the light car of our destiny; and nothing
remains for us but, with calm self-possession, firmly to grasp the
reins, and now right, now left, to steer the wheels here from the
precipice and there from the rock. Whither he is hasting, who knows?
Does any one consider whence he came?
Secretary. My lord! my lord!
Egmont. I stand high, but I can and must rise yet higher. Courage,
strength, and hope possess my soul. Not yet have I attained the height
of my ambition; that once achieved, I will stand firmly and without
fear. Should I fall, should a thunder-clap, a storm-blast, ay, a false
step of my own, precipitate me into the abyss, so be it! I shall lie
there with thousands of others. I have never disdained, even for a
trifling stake, to throw the bloody die with my gallant comrades; and
shall I hesitate now, when all that is most precious in life is set upon
the cast?
Secretary. Oh, my lord! you know not what you say! May Heaven protect
you!
Egmont Collect your papers. Orange is coming. Dispatch what is most
urgent, that the couriers may set forth before the gates are closed.
The rest may wait. Leave the Count's letter till to-morrow. Fail not
to visit Elvira, and greet her from me. Inform yourself concerning the
Regent's health. She cannot be well, though she would fain conceal it.
[Exit Secretary.
[Enter Orange.
Egmont. Welcome, Orange; you appear somewhat disturbed.
Orange. What say you to our conference with the Regent?
Egmont. I found nothing extraordinary in her manner of receiving us.
I have often seen her thus before. She appeared to me to be somewhat
indisposed.
Orange. Marked you not that she was more reserved than usual? She
began by cautiously approving our conduct during the late insurrection;
glanced at the false light in which, nevertheless, it might be viewed;
and finally turned the discourse to her favourite topic--that her
gracious demeanour, her friendship for us Netherlanders, had never been
sufficiently recognized, never appreciated as it deserved; that nothing
came to a prosperous issue; that for her part she was beginning to grow
weary of it; that the king must at last resolve upon other measures. Did
you hear that?
Egmont. Not all; I was thinking at the time of something else. She is
a woman, good Orange, and all women expect that every one shall submit
passively to their gentle yoke; that every Hercules shall lay aside his
lion's skin, assume the distaff, and swell their train; and, because
they are themselves peaceably inclined, imagine forsooth, that the
ferment which seizes a nation, the storm which powerful rivals excite
against one another, may be allayed by one soothing word, and the most
discordant elements be brought to unite in tranquil harmony at their
feet. 'Tis thus with her; and since she cannot accomplish her object,
why she has no resource left but to lose her temper, to menace us with
direful prospects for the future, and to threaten to take her departure.
Orange. Think you not that this time she will fulfil her threat?
Egmont. Never! How often have I seen her actually prepared for the
journey? Whither should she go? Being here a stadtholder, a queen, think
you that she could endure to spend her days in insignificance at her
brother's court, or to repair to Italy, and there drag on her existence
among her old family connections?
Orange. She is held incapable of this determination, because you have
already seen her hesitate and draw back; nevertheless, it lies in her
to take this step; new circumstances may impel her to the long-delayed
resolve. What if she were to depart, and the king to send another?
Egmont. Why, he would come, and he also would have business enough upon
his hands. He would arrive with vast projects and schemes to reduce
all things to order, to subjugate and combine; and to-day he would be
occupied with this trifle, to-morrow with that, and the day following
have to deal with some unexpected hindrance. He would spend one month
in forming plans, another in mortification at their failure, and half
a year would be consumed in cares for a single province. With him also
time would pass, his head grow dizzy, and things hold on their ordinary
course, till instead of sailing into the open sea, according to the plan
which he had previously marked out, he might thank if, amid the tempest,
he were able to keep his vessel off the rocks.
Orange. What if the king were advised to try an experiment?
Egmont. Which should be--?
Orange. To try how the body would get on without the head.
Egmont. How?
Orange. Egmont, our interests have for years weighed upon my heart; I
ever stand as over a chess-board, and regard no move of my adversary as
insignificant; and as men of science carefully investigate the secrets
of nature, so I hold it to be the duty, ay, the very vocation of a
prince, to acquaint himself with the dispositions and intentions of
all parties. I have reason to fear an outbreak. The king has long acted
according to certain principles; he finds that they do not lead to a
prosperous issue; what more probable than that he should seek it some
other way?
Egmont. I do not believe it. When a man grows old, has attempted much,
and finds that the world cannot be made to move according to his will,
he must needs grow weary of it at last.
Orange. One thing has yet to be attempted.
Egmont. What?
Orange. To spare the people, and to put an end to the princes.
Egmont. How many have long been haunted by this dread? There is no cause
for such anxiety.
Orange. Once I felt anxious; gradually I became suspicious; suspicion
has at length grown into certainty.
Egmont. Has the king more faithful servants than ourselves?
Orange. We serve him after our own fashion; and, between ourselves,
it must be confessed that we understand pretty well how to make the
interests of the king square with our own.
Egmont. And who does not? He has our duty and submission, in so far as
they are his due.
Orange. But what if he should arrogate still more, and regard as
disloyalty what we esteem the maintenance of our just rights?
Egmont. We shall know in that case how to defend ourselves. Let him
assemble the Knights of the Golden Fleece; we will submit ourselves to
their decision.
Orange. What if the sentence were to precede the trial? punishment, the
sentence?
Egmont. It were an injustice of which Philip is incapable; a folly which
I cannot impute either to him or to his counsellors.
Orange. And how if they were both unjust and foolish?
Egmont. No, Orange, it is impossible. Who would venture to lay hands on
us? The attempt to capture us were a vain and fruitless enterprize. No,
they dare not raise the standard of tyranny so high. The breeze
that should waft these tidings over the land would kindle a mighty
conflagration. And what object would they have in view? The king alone
has no power either to judge or to condemn us and would they attempt our
lives by assassination? They cannot intend it. A terrible league would
unite the entire people. Direful hate and eternal separation from the
crown of Spain would, on the instant, be forcibly declared.
Orange. The flames would then rage over our grave, and the blood of our
enemies flow, a vain oblation. Let us consider, Egmont.
Egmont. But how could they effect this purpose?
Orange. Alva is on the way.
Egmont. I do not believe it.
Orange. I know it.
Egmont. The Regent appeared to know nothing of it.
Orange. And, therefore, the stronger is my conviction. The Regent will
give place to him. I know his blood-thirsty disposition, and he brings
an army with him.
Egmont. To harass the provinces anew? The people will be exasperated to
the last degree.
Orange. Their leaders will be secured.
Egmont. No! No!
Orange. Let us retire, each to his province. There we can strengthen
ourselves; the Duke will not begin with open violence.
Egmont. Must we not greet him when he comes?
Orange. We will delay.
Egmont. What if, on his arrival, he should summon us in the king's name?
Orange. We will answer evasively.
Egmont. And if he is urgent?
Orange. We will excuse ourselves.
Egmont. And if he insist?
Orange. We shall be the less disposed to come.
Egmont. Then war is declared; and we are rebels. Do not suffer prudence
to mislead you, Orange. I know it is not fear that makes you yield.
Consider this step.
Orange. I have considered it.
Egmont. Consider for what you are answerable if you are wrong. For the
most fatal war that ever yet desolated a country. Your refusal is the
signal that at once summons the provinces to arms, that justifies every
cruelty for which Spain has hitherto so anxiously sought a pretext. With
a single nod you will excite to the direst confusion what, with patient
effort, we have so long kept in abeyance. Think of the towns, the
nobles, the people; think of commerce, agriculture, trade! Realize the
murder, the desolation! Calmly the soldier beholds his comrade fall
beside him in the battlefield. But towards you, carried downwards by the
stream, shall float the corpses of citizens, of children, of maidens,
till, aghast with horror, you shall no longer know whose cause you are
defending, since you shall see those, for whose liberty you drew
the sword, perishing around you. And what will be your emotions when
conscience whispers, "It was for my own safety that I drew it "?
Orange. We are not ordinary men, Egmont. If it becomes us to sacrifice
ourselves for thousands, it becomes us no less to spare ourselves for
thousands.
Egmont. He who spares himself becomes an object of suspicion ever to
himself.
Orange. He who is sure of his own motives can, with confidence, advance
or retreat.
Egmont. Your own act will render certain the evil that you dread.
Orange. Wisdom and courage alike prompt us to meet an inevitable evil.
Egmont. When the danger is imminent the faintest hope should be taken
into account.
Orange We have not the smallest footing left; we are on the very brink
of the precipice.
Egmont. Is the king's favour on ground so narrow?
Orange. Not narrow, perhaps, but slippery.
Egmont. By heavens! he is belied. I cannot endure that he should be so
meanly thought of! He is Charles's son, and incapable of meanness.
Orange. Kings of course do nothing mean.
Egmont. He should be better known.
Orange. Our knowledge counsels us not to await the result of a dangerous
experiment.
Egmont. No experiment is dangerous, the result of which we have the
courage to meet.
Orange. You are irritated, Egmont.
Egmont. I must see with my own eyes.
Orange. Oh that for once you saw with mine! My friend, because your eyes
are open, you imagine that you see. I go! Await Alva's arrival, and God
be with you! My refusal to do so may perhaps save you. The dragon may
deem the prey not worth seizing, if he cannot swallow us both. Perhaps
he may delay, in order more surely to execute his purpose; in the
meantime you may see matters in their true light. But then, be prompt!
Lose not a moment! Save,--oh, save yourself! Farewell!--Let nothing
escape your vigilance:--how many troops he brings with him; how he
garrisons the town; what force the Regent retains; how your friends are
prepared. Send me tidings--Egmont--Egmont. What would you?
Orange (grasping his hand). Be persuaded! Go with me!
Egmont. How! Tears, Orange!
Orange. To weep for a lost friend is not unmanly.
Egmont. You deem me lost?
Orange. You are lost! Consider! Only a brief respite is left you.
Farewell.
[Exit.
Egmont (alone). Strange that the thoughts of other men should exert such
an influence over us. These fears would never have entered my mind; and
this man infects me with his solicitude. Away! 'Tis a foreign drop in my
blood! Kind nature, cast it forth! And to erase the furrowed lines from
my brow there yet remains indeed a friendly means.
ACT III
SCENE I.--Palace of the Regent Margaret of Parma
Regent. I might have expected it. Ha! when we live immersed in anxiety
and toil, we imagine that we achieve the utmost that is possible;
while he, who, from a distance, looks on and commands, believes that he
requires only the possible. O ye kings! I had not thought it could have
galled me thus. It is so sweet to reign!--and to abdicate? I know not
how my father could do so; but I will also.
Machiavel appears in the back-ground
Regent. Approach, Machiavel. I am thinking over this letter from my
brother.
Machiavel. May I know what it contains?
Regent. As much tender consideration for me as anxiety for his states.
He extols the firmness, the industry, the fidelity, with which I have
hitherto watched over the interests of his Majesty in these provinces.
He condoles with me that the unbridled people occasion me so much
trouble. He is so thoroughly convinced of the depth of my views, so
extraordinarily satisfied with the prudence of my conduct, that I must
almost say the letter is too politely written for a king--certainly for
a brother.
Machiavel. It is not the first time that he has testified to you his
just satisfaction.
Regent. But the first time that it is a mere rhetorical figure.
Machiavel. I do not understand you.
Regent. You soon will.--For after this preamble he is of opinion that
without soldiers, without a small army indeed,---I shall always cut a
sorry figure here! We did wrong, he says, to withdraw our troops from
the provinces at the remonstrance of the inhabitants; a garrison, he
thinks, which shall press upon the neck of the burgher, will prevent
him, by its weight, from making any lofty spring.
Machiavel. It would irritate the public mind to the last degree.
Regent. The king thinks, however, do you hear?--he thinks that a clever
general, one who never listens to reason, will be able to deal promptly
with all parties;--people and nobles, citizens and peasants; he
therefore sends, with a powerful army, the Duke of Alva.
Machiavel. Alva?
Regent. You are surprised.
Machiavel. You say, he sends, he asks doubtless whether he should send.
Regent. The king asks not, he sends.
Machiavel. You will then have an experienced warrior in your service.
Regent. In my service? Speak out, Machiavel.
Machiavel. I would not anticipate you.
Regent. And I would I could dissimulate. It wounds me--wounds me to
the quick. I had rather my brother would speak his mind than attach his
signature to formal epistles drawn up by a Secretary of state.
Machiavel. Can they not comprehend?--
Regent. I know them both within and without. They would fain make a
clean sweep; and since they cannot set about it themselves, they give
their confidence to any one who comes with a besom in his hand. Oh,
it seems to me as if I saw the king and his council worked upon this
tapestry.
Machiavel. So distinctly!
Regent. No feature is wanting. There are good men among them. The honest
Roderigo, so experienced and so moderate, who does not aim too high, yet
lets nothing sink too low; the upright Alonzo, the diligent Freneda, the
steadfast Las Vargas, and others who join them when the good party are
in power. But there sits the hollow-eyed Toledan, with brazen front and
deep fire-glance, muttering between his teeth about womanish softness,
ill-timed concession, and that women can ride trained steeds, well
enough, but are themselves bad masters of the horse, and the like
pleasantries, which, in former times, I have been compelled to hear from
political gentlemen.
Machiavel. You have chosen good colours for your picture.
Regent. Confess, Machiavel, among the tints from which I might select,
there is no hue so livid, so jaundice-like, as Alva's complexion,
and the colour he is wont to paint with. He regards every one as a
blasphemer or traitor, for under this head they can all be racked,
impaled, quartered, and burnt at pleasure. The good I have accomplished
here appears as nothing seen from a distance, just because it is good.
Then he dwells on every outbreak that is past, recalls every disturbance
that is quieted, and brings before the king such a picture of mutiny,
sedition, and audacity, that we appear to him to be actually devouring
one another, when with us the transient explosion of a rude people has
long been forgotten. Thus he conceives a cordial hatred for the poor
people; he views them with horror, as beasts and monsters; looks around
for fire and sword, and imagines that by such means human beings are
subdued.
Machiavel. You appear to me too vehement; you take the matter too
seriously. Do you not remain Regent?
Regent. I am aware of that. He will bring his instructions. I am old
enough in state affairs to understand how people can be supplanted,
without being actually deprived of office. First, he will produce a
commission, couched in terms somewhat obscure and equivocal; he will
stretch his authority, for the power is in his hands; if I complain,
he will hint at secret instructions; if I desire to see them, he will
answer evasively; if I insist, he will produce a paper of totally
different import; and if this fail to satisfy me, he will go on
precisely as if I had never interfered. Meanwhile he will have
accomplished what I dread, and have frustrated my most cherished
schemes.
Machiavel. I wish I could contradict you.
Regent. His harshness and cruelty will again arouse the turbulent
spirit, which, with unspeakable patience, I have succeeded in quelling;
I shall see my work destroyed before my eyes, and have besides to bear
the blame of his wrongdoing.
Machiavel. Await it, your Highness.
Regent. I have sufficient self-command to remain quiet. Let him come; I
will make way for him with the best grace ere he pushes me aside.
Machiavel. So important a step thus suddenly? Regent. 'Tis harder than
you imagine. He who is accustomed to rule, to hold daily in his hand the
destiny of thousands, descends from the throne as into the grave. Better
thus, however, than linger a spectre among the living, and with hollow
aspect endeavour to maintain a place which another has inherited, and
already possesses and enjoys.
SCENE II.--Clara's dwelling
Clara and her Mother
Mother. Such a love as Brackenburg's I have never seen; I thought it was
to be found only in romance books.
Clara (walking up and down the room, humming a song). With love's
thrilling rapture What joy can compare!
Mother. He suspects thy attachment to Egmont; and yet, if thou wouldst
but treat him a little kindly, I do believe he would marry thee still,
if thou wouldst have him.
Clara (sings).
Blissful
And tearful,
With thought-teeming brain;
Hoping
And fearing
In passionate pain;
Now shouting in triumph,
Now sunk in despair;--
With love's thrilling rapture
What joy can compare!
Mother. Have done with such baby-nonsense!
Clara. Nay, do not abuse it; 'tis a song of marvellous virtue. Many a
time have I lulled a grown child to sleep with it.
Mother. Ay! Thou canst think of nothing but thy love. If it only did not
put everything else out of thy head. Thou shouldst have more regard for
Brackenburg, I tell thee. He may make thee happy yet some day.
Clara. He?
Mother. Oh, yes! A time will come! You children live only in the
present, and give no ear to our experience. Youth and happy love, all
has an end; and there comes a time when one thanks God if one has any
corner to creep into.
Clara (shudders, and after a pause stands up). Mother, let that time
come--like death. To think of it beforehand is horrible! And if it come!
If we must--then--we will bear ourselves as we may. Live without thee,
Egmont! (Weeping.) No! It is impossible.
[Enter Egmont (enveloped in a horseman's cloak, his hat drawn over his
face).
Egmont. Clara!
Clara (utters a cry and starts back). Egmont! (She hastens towards him.)
Egmont! (She embraces and leans upon him.) O thou good, kind, sweet
Egmont! Art thou come? Art thou here indeed!
Egmont. Good evening, Mother?
Mother. God save you, noble sir! My daughter has well-nigh pined to
death, because you have stayed away so long; she talks and sings about
you the live-long day.
Egmont. You will give me some supper?
Mother. You do us too much honour. If we only had anything--
Clara. Certainly! Be quiet, Mother; I have provided everything; there is
something prepared. Do not betray me, Mother.
Mother. There's little enough.
Clara. Never mind! And then I think when he is with me I am never
hungry; so he cannot, I should think, have any great appetite when I am
with him.
Egmont. Do you think so? (Clara stamps with her foot and turns pettishly
away.) What ails you?
Clara. How cold you are to-day! You have not yet offered me a kiss. Why
do you keep your arms enveloped in your mantle, like a new-born babe? It
becomes neither a soldier nor a lover to keep his arms muffled up.
Egmont. Sometimes, dearest, sometimes. When the soldier stands in ambush
and would delude the foe, he collects his thoughts, gathers his mantle
around him, and matures his plan and a lover--
Mother. Will you not take a seat, and make yourself comfortable? I must
to the kitchen, Clara thinks of nothing when you are here. You must put
up with what we have.
Egmont. Your good-will is the best seasoning.
[Exit Mother.
Clara. And what then is my love?
Egmont. Just what thou wilt.
Clara. Liken it to anything, if you have the heart.
Egmont. But first. (He flings aside his mantle, and appears arrayed in a
magnificent dress.)
Clara. Oh heavens!
Egmont. Now my arms are free! (Embraces her.)
Clara. Don't! You will spoil your dress. (She steps back.) How
magnificent! I dare not touch you.
Egmont. Art thou satisfied? I promised to come once arrayed in Spanish
fashion.
Clara. I had ceased to remind you of it; I thought you did not like
it--ah, and the Golden Fleece!
Egmont. Thou seest it now.
Clara. And did the emperor really hang it round thy neck!
Egmont. He did, my child! And this chain and Order invest the wearer
with the noblest privileges. On earth I acknowledge no judge over
my actions, except the grand master of the Order, with the assembled
chapter of knights.
Clara. Oh, thou mightest let the whole world sit in judgment over thee.
The velvet is too splendid! and the braiding! and the embroidery! One
knows not where to begin.
Egmont. There, look thy fill.
Clara. And the Golden Fleece! You told me its history, and said it is
the symbol of everything great and precious, of everything that can be
merited and won by diligence and toil. It is very precious--I may liken
it to thy love;--even so I wear it next my heart;--and then--
Egmont. What wilt thou say?
Clara. And then again it is not like.
Egmont. How so?
Clara. I have not won it by diligence and toil, I have not deserved it.
Egmont. It is otherwise in love. Thou dost deserve it because thou hast
not sought it--and, for the most part, those only obtain love who seek
it not.
Clara. Is it from thine own experience that thou hast learned this?
Didst thou make that proud remark in reference to thyself? Thou, whom
all the people love?
Egmont. Would that I had done something for them! That I could do
anything for them! It is their own good pleasure to love me.
Clara. Thou hast doubtless been with the Regent to-day?
Egmont. I have.
Clara. Art thou upon good terms with her?
Egmont So it would appear. We are kind and serviceable to each other.
Clara. And in thy heart?
Egmont. I like her. True, we have each our own views; but that is
nothing to the purpose. She is an excellent woman, knows with whom
she has to deal, and would be penetrating enough were she not quite
so suspicious. I give her plenty of employment, because she is always
suspecting some secret motive in my conduct when, in fact, I have none.
Clara. Really none?
Egmont. Well, with one little exception, perhaps. All wine deposits lees
in the cask in the course of time. Orange furnishes her still better
entertainment, and is a perpetual riddle. He has got the credit of
harbouring some secret design; and she studies his brow to discover his
thoughts, and his steps, to learn in what direction they are bent.
Clara. Does she dissemble?
Egmont. She is Regent--and do you ask?
Clara. Pardon me; I meant to say, is she false?
Egmont. Neither more nor less than everyone who has his own objects to
attain.
Clara. I should never feel at home in the world. But she has a
masculine spirit, and is another sort of woman from us housewives and
sempstresses. She is great, steadfast, resolute.
Egmont. Yes, when matters are not too much involved. For once, however,
she is a little disconcerted.
Clara. How so?
Egmont. She has a moustache, too, on her upper lip, and occasionally an
attack of the gout. A regular Amazon.
Clara. A majestic woman! I should dread to appear before her.
Egmont. Yet thou art not wont to be timid! It would not be fear, only
maidenly bashfulness.
(Clara casts down her eyes, takes his hand, and leans upon him.)
Egmont. I understand thee, dearest! Thou mayst raise thine eyes. (He
kisses her eyes.)
Clara. Let me be silent! Let me embrace thee! Let me look into thine
eyes, and find there everything--hope and comfort, joy and sorrow!
(She embraces and gazes on him.) Tell me! Oh, tell me! It seems so
strange--art thou indeed Egmont! Count Egmont! The great Egmont, who
makes so much noise in the world, who figures in the newspapers, who is
the support and stay of the provinces?
Egmont. No, Clara, I am not he.
Clara. How?
Egmont. Seest thou, Clara? Let me sit down! (He seats himself, she
kneels on a footstool before him, rests her arms on his knees and
looks up in his face.) That Egmont is a morose, cold, unbending Egmont,
obliged to be upon his guard, to assume now this appearance and now
that; harassed, misapprehended and perplexed, when the crowd esteem him
light-hearted and gay; beloved by a people who do not know their own
minds; honoured and extolled by the intractable multitude; surrounded
by friends in whom he dares not confide; observed by men who are on the
watch to supplant him; toiling and striving, often without an object,
generally without a reward. O let me conceal how it fares with him,
let me not speak of his feelings! But this Egmont, Clara, is calm,
unreserved, happy, beloved and known by the best of hearts, which is
also thoroughly known to him, and which he presses to his own with
unbounded confidence and love. (He embraces her.) This is thy Egmont.
Clara. So let me die! The world has no joy after this!
ACT IV
SCENE I.--A Street
Jetter, Carpenter
Jetter. Hist! neighbour,--a word!
Carpenter. Go your way and be quiet.
Jetter. Only one word. Is there nothing new?
Carpenter. Nothing, except that we are anew forbidden to speak.
Jetter. How?
Carpenter. Step here, close to this house. Take heed! Immediately on
his arrival, the Duke of Alva published a decree, by which two or three,
found conversing together in the streets, are without trial, declared
guilty of high treason.
Jetter. Alas!
Carpenter. To speak of state affairs is prohibited on pain of perpetual
imprisonment.
Jetter. Alas for our liberty!
Carpenter. And no one, on pain of death, shall censure the measures of
government.
Jetter. Alas, for our heads!
Carpenter. And fathers, Mothers, children, kindred, friends, and
servants, are invited, by the promise of large rewards, to disclose
what passes in the privacy of our homes, before an expressly appointed
tribunal.
Jetter. Let us go home.
Carpenter. And the obedient are promised that they shall suffer no
injury, either in person or estate.
Jetter. How gracious!---I felt ill at ease the moment the duke entered
the town. Since then, it has seemed to me, as though the heavens were
covered with black crape, which hangs so low, that one must stoop down
to avoid knocking one's head against it.
Carpenter. And how do you like his soldiers? They are a different sort
of crabs from those we have been used to.
Jetter. Faugh! It gives one the cramp at one's heart to see such a troop
march down the street. As straight as tapers, with fixed look, only one
step, however many there may be; and when they stand sentinel, and
you pass one of them, it seems as though he would look you through and
through; and he looks so stiff and morose, that you fancy you see a
task-master at every corner. They offend my sight. Our militia were
merry fellows; they took liberties, stood their legs astride, their
hats over their ears, they lived and let live; these fellows are like
machines with a devil inside them.
Carpenter. Were such an one to cry, "Halt!" and level his musket, think
you one would stand?
Jetter. I should fall dead upon the spot.
Carpenter. Let us go home!
Jetter No good can come of it. Farewell.
[Enter Soest.
Soest. Friends! Neighbours! Carpenter. Hush! Let us go.
Soest. Have you heard?
Jetter. Only too much!
Soest. The Regent is gone.
Jetter. Then Heaven help us.
Carpenter. She was some stay to us.
Soest. Her departure was sudden and secret. She could not agree with the
duke; she has sent word to the nobles that she intends to return. No one
believes it, however.
Carpenter. God pardon the nobles for letting this new yoke be laid upon
our necks. They might have prevented it. Our privileges are gone.
Jetter. For Heaven's sake not a word about privileges. I already scent
an execution; the sun will not come forth; the fogs are rank.
Soest. Orange, too, is gone.
Carpenter. Then are we quite deserted!
Soest, Count Egmont is still here.
Jetter. God be thanked! Strengthen him, all ye saints, to do his utmost;
he is the only one who can help us.
[Enter Vansen.
Vansen. Have I at length found a few brave citizens who have not crept
out of sight?
Jetter. Do us the favour to pass on.
Vansen. You are not civil.
Jetter. This is no time for compliments. Does your back itch again? are
your wounds already healed?
Vansen. Ask a soldier about his wounds? Had I cared for blows, nothing
good would have come of me.
Jetter. Matters may grow more serious.
Vansen. You feel from the gathering storm a pitiful weakness in your
limbs, it seems.
Carpenter. Your limbs will soon be in motion elsewhere, if you do not
keep quiet.
Vansen. Poor mice! The master of the house procures a new cat, and ye
are straight in despair! The difference is very trifling; we shall get
on as we did before, only be quiet.
Carpenter. You are an insolent knave.
Vansen. Gossip! Let the duke alone. The old cat looks as though he had
swallowed devils, instead of mice, and could not now digest them. Let
him alone, I say; he must eat, drink, and sleep, like other men. I am
not afraid if we only watch our opportunity, At first he makes quick
work Of it; by-and-by, however, he too will find that it is pleasanter
to live in the larder, among flitches of bacon, and to rest by night,
than to entrap a few solitary mice in the granary. Go to! I know the
stadtholders.
Carpenter. What such a fellow can say with impunity! Had I said such a
thing, I should not hold myself safe a moment.
Vansen. Do not make yourselves uneasy! God in heaven does not trouble
himself about you, poor worms, much less the Regent.
Jetter. Slanderer!
Vansen. I know some for whom it would be better if, instead of their own
high spirits, they had a little tailor's blood in their veins.
Carpenter. What mean you by that?
Vansen. Hum! I mean the count.
Jetter. Egmont! What has he to fear?
Vansen. I'm a poor devil, and could live a whole year round on what he
loses in a single night; yet he would do well to give me his revenue for
a twelvemonth, to have my head upon his shoulders for one quarter of an
hour.
Jetter. You think yourself very clever; yet there is more sense in the
hairs of Egmont's head, than in your brains.
Vansen. Perhaps so! Not more shrewdness, however. These gentry are
the most apt to deceive themselves. He should be more chary of his
confidence.
Jetter. How his tongue wags! Such a gentleman!
Vansen. Just because he is not a tailor.
Jetter. You audacious scoundrel!
Vansen. I only wish he had your courage in his limbs for an hour to make
him uneasy, and plague and torment him, till he were compelled to leave
the town.
Jetter. What nonsense you talk; why he's as safe as a star in heaven.
Vansen. Have you ever seen one snuff itself out? Off it went!
Carpenter. Who would dare to meddle with him?
Vansen. Will you interfere to prevent it? Will you stir up an
insurrection if he is arrested?
Jetter. Ah!
Vansen. Will you risk your ribs for his sake?
Soest. Eh!
Vansen (mimicking them). Eh! Oh! Ah! Run through the alphabet in your
wonderment. So it is, and so it will remain. Heaven help him!
Jetter. Confound your impudence. Can such a noble, upright man have
anything to fear?
Vansen. In this world the rogue has everywhere the advantage. At the
bar, he makes a fool of the judge; on the bench, he takes pleasure in
convicting the accused. I have had to copy out a protocol, where the
commissary was handsomely rewarded by the court, both with praise and
money, because through his cross-examination, an honest devil, against
whom they had a grudge, was made out to be a rogue.
Carpenter. Why, that again is a downright lie. What can they want to get
out of a man if he is innocent?
Vansen. Oh, you blockhead! When nothing can be worked out of a man by
cross-examination, they work it into him. Honesty is rash and withal
somewhat presumptuous; at first they question quietly enough, and the
prisoner, proud of his innocence, as they call it, comes out with
much that a sensible man would keep back! then, from these answers the
inquisitor proceeds to put new questions, and is on the watch for the
slightest contradiction; there he fastens his line; and, let the poor
devil lose his self-possession, say too much here, or too little there,
or, Heaven knows from what whim or other, let him withhold some trifling
circumstance, or at any moment give way to fear--then we're on the
right track, and, I assure you, no beggar-woman seeks for rags among the
rubbish with more care than such a fabricator of rogues, from trifling,
crooked, disjointed, misplaced, misprinted, and concealed facts and
information, acknowledged or denied, endeavours at length to patch up a
scarecrow, by means of which he may at least hang his victim in effigy;
and the poor devil may thank Heaven if he is in a condition to see
himself hanged.
Jetter. He has a ready tongue of his own.
Carpenter. This may serve well enough with flies. Wasps laugh at your
cunning web.
Vansen. According to the kind of spider. The tall duke, now, has just
the look of your garden spider; not the large-bellied kind, they are
less dangerous; but your long-footed, meagre-bodied gentleman, that does
not fatten on his diet, and whose threads are slender indeed, but not
the less tenacious.
Jetter. Egmont is knight of the Golden Fleece, who dare lay hands on
him? He can be tried only by his peers, by the assembled knights of his
order. Your own foul tongue and evil conscience betray you into this
nonsense.
Vansen. Think you that I wish him ill? I would you were in the right. He
is an excellent gentleman. He once let off, with a sound drubbing,
some good friends of mine, who would else have been hanged. Now take
yourselves off! begone, I advise you! Yonder I see the patrol again
commencing their round. They do not look as if they would be willing to
fraternize with us over a glass. We must wait, and bide our time. I
have a couple of nieces and a gossip of a tapster; if after enjoying
themselves in their company, they are not tamed, they are regular
wolves.
SCENE II.--The Palace of Eulenberg, Residence of the Duke of Alva
Silva and Gomez (meeting)
Silva. Have you executed the duke's commands?
Gomez. Punctually. All the day-patrols have received orders to assemble
at the appointed time, at the various points that I have indicated.
Meanwhile, they march as usual through the town to maintain order.
Each is ignorant respecting the movements of the rest, and imagines the
command to have reference to himself alone; thus in a moment the cordon
can be formed, and all the avenues to the palace occupied. Know you the
reason of this command?
Silva. I am accustomed blindly to obey; and to whom can one more easily
render obedience than to the duke, since the event always proves the
wisdom of his commands?
Gomez. Well! Well! I am not surprised that you are become as reserved
and monosyllabic as the duke, since you are obliged to be always about
his person; to me, however, who am accustomed to the lighter service of
Italy, it seems strange enough. In loyalty and obedience, I am the same
old soldier as ever; but I am wont to indulge in gossip and discussion;
here, you are all silent, and seem as though you knew not how to enjoy
yourselves. The duke, methinks, is like a brazen tower without gates,
the garrison of which must be furnished with wings. Not long ago I heard
him say at the table of a gay, jovial fellow that he was like a bad
spirit-shop, with a brandy sign displayed; to allure idlers, vagabonds,
and thieves.
Silva. And has he not brought us hither in silence?
Gomez. Nothing can be said against that. Of a truth, we, who witnessed
the address with which he led the troops hither out of Italy, have seen
something. How he advanced warily through friends and foes; through
the French, both royalists and heretics; through the Swiss and their
confederates; maintained the strictest discipline, and accomplished with
ease, and without the slightest hindrance, a march that was esteemed so
perilous!--We have seen and learned something.
Silva. Here too! Is not everything as still and quiet as though there
had been no disturbance?
Gomez. Why, as for that, it was tolerably quiet when we arrived.
Silva. The provinces have become much more tranquil; if there is any
movement now, it is only among those who wish to escape; and to them,
methinks, the duke will speedily close every outlet.
Gomez. This service cannot fail to win for him the favour of the king.
Silva. And nothing is more expedient for us than to retain his. Should
the king come hither, the duke doubtless and all whom he recommends will
not go without their reward.
Gomez. Do you really believe then that the king will come?
Silva. So many preparations are being made, that the report appears
highly probable.
Gomez. I am not convinced, however.
Silva. Keep your thoughts to yourself then. For if it should not be the
king's intention to come, it is at least, certain that he wishes the
rumour to be believed.
[Enter Ferdinand.
Ferdinand. Is my father not yet abroad?
Silva. We are waiting to receive his commands.
Ferdinand. The princes will soon be here.
Gomez. Are they expected to-day?
Ferdinand. Orange and Egmont.
Gomez (aside to Silva). A light breaks in upon me.
Silva. Well, then, say nothing about it.
Enter the Duke of Alva (as he advances the rest draw back)
Alva. Gomez.
Gomez (steps forward). My lord.
Alva. You have distributed the guards and given them their instructions?
Gomez. Most accurately. The day-patrols--
Alva. Enough. Attend in the gallery. Silva will announce to you the
moment when you are to draw them together, and to occupy the avenues
leading to the palace. The rest you know.
Gomez. I do, my lord.
Silva. Here my lord.
Alva. I shall require you to manifest to-day all the qualities which I
have hitherto prized in you: courage, resolve, unswerving execution.
Silva. I thank you for affording me an opportunity of showing that your
old servant is unchanged.
Alva. The moment the princes enter my cabinet, hasten to arrest Egmont's
private Secretary. You have made all needful preparations for securing
the others who are specified?
Silva. Rely upon us. Their doom, like a well-calculated eclipse, will
overtake them with terrible certainty.
Alva. Have you had them all narrowly watched?
Silva. All. Egmont especially. He is the only one whose demeanour, since
your arrival, remains unchanged. The live-long day he is now on one
horse and now on another; he invites guests as usual, is merry and
entertaining at table, plays at dice, shoots, and at night steals to
his mistress. The others, on the contrary, have made a manifest pause in
their mode of life; they remain at home, and, from the outward aspect of
their houses, you would imagine that there was a sick man within.
Alva. To work then, ere they recover in spite of us.
Silva. I shall bring them without fail. In obedience to your commands
we load them with officious honours; they are alarmed; cautiously, yet
anxiously, they tender us their thanks, feel that flight would be the
most prudent course, yet none venture to adopt it; they hesitate, are
unable to work together, while the bond which unites them prevents their
acting boldly as individuals. They are anxious to withdraw themselves
from suspicion, and thus only render themselves more obnoxious to it. I
already contemplate with joy the successful realization of your scheme.
Alva. I rejoice only over what is accomplished, and not lightly over
that; for there ever remains ground for serious and anxious thought.
Fortune is capricious; the common, the worthless, she oft-times
ennobles, while she dishonours with a contemptible issue the most
maturely considered schemes. Await the arrival of the princes, then
order Gomez to occupy the streets, and hasten yourself to arrest
Egmont's secretary, and the others who are specified. This done, return,
and announce to my son that he may bring me the tidings in the council.
Silva. I trust this evening I shall dare to appear in your presence.
(Alva approaches his son who has hitherto been standing in the gallery.)
I dare not whisper it even to myself; but my mind misgives me. The event
will, I fear, be different from what he anticipates. I see before me
spirits, who, still and thoughtful, weigh in ebon scales the doom of
princes and of many thousands. Slowly the beam moves up and down; deeply
the judges appear to ponder; at length one scale sinks, the other rises,
breathed on by the caprice of destiny, and all is decided.
[Exit.
Alva (advancing with his son). How did you find the town?
Ferdinand. All is again quiet. I rode as for pastime, from street to
street. Your well-distributed patrols hold Fear so tightly yoked, that
she does not venture even to whisper. The town resembles a plain when
the lightning's glare announces the impending storm: no bird, no beast
is to be seen, that is not stealing to a place of shelter.
Alva. Has nothing further occurred?
Ferdinand. Egmont, with a few companions, rode into the market-place;
we exchanged greetings; he was mounted on an unbroken charger, which
excited my admiration, "Let us hasten to break in our steeds," he
exclaimed; "we shall need them ere long!" He said that he should see me
again to-day; he is coming here, at your desire, to deliberate with you.
Alva. He will see you again.
Ferdinand. Among all the knights whom I know here, he pleases me the
best. I think we shall be friends.
Alva. You are always rash and inconsiderate. I recognize in you the
levity of your Mother, which threw her unconditionally into my arms.
Appearances have already allured you precipitately into many dangerous
connections.
Ferdinand. You will find me ever submissive.
Alva. I pardon this inconsiderate kindness, this heedless gaiety, in
consideration of your youthful blood. Only forget not on what mission I
am sent, and what part in it I would assign to you.
Ferdinand. Admonish me, and spare me not, when you deem it needful.
Alva (after a pause). My son!
Ferdinand. My father!
Alva. The princes will be here anon; Orange and Egmont. It is not
mistrust that has withheld me till now from disclosing to you what is
about to take place. They will not depart hence.
Ferdinand. What do you purpose?
Alva. It has been resolved to arrest them.--You are astonished!
Learn what you have to do; the reasons you shall know when all is
accomplished. Time fails now to unfold them. With you alone I wish to
deliberate on the weightiest, the most secret matters; a powerful bond
holds us linked together; you are dear and precious to me; on you
I would bestow everything. Not the habit of obedience alone would I
impress upon you; I desire also to implant within your mind the power
to realize, to command, to execute; to you I would bequeath a vast
inheritance, to the king a most useful servant; I would endow you with
the noblest of my possessions, that you may not be ashamed to appear
among your brethren.
Ferdinand. How deeply am I indebted to you for this love, which you
manifest for me alone, while a whole kingdom trembles before you!
Alva. Now hear what is to be done. As soon as the princes have entered,
every avenue to the palace will be guarded. This duty is confided to
Gomez. Silva will hasten to arrest Egmont's secretary, together with
those whom we hold most in suspicion. You, meanwhile, will take the
command of the guards stationed at the gates and in the courts. Before
all, take care to occupy the adjoining apartment with the trustiest
soldiers. Wait in the gallery till Silva returns, then bring me any
unimportant paper, as a signal that his commission is executed. Remain
in the ante-chamber till Orange retires, follow him; I will detain
Egmont here as though I had some further communication to make to him.
At the end of the gallery demand Orange's sword, summon the guards,
secure promptly the most dangerous man; I meanwhile will seize Egmont
here.
Ferdinand. I obey, my father--for the first time with a heavy and an
anxious heart.
Alva. I pardon you; this is the first great day of your life.
[Enter Silva.
Silva. A courier from Antwerp. Here is Orange's letter. He does not
come.
Alva. Says the messenger so?
Silva. No, my own heart tells me.
Alva. In thee speaks my evil genius. (After reading the letter, he makes
a sign to the two, and they retire to the gallery. Alva remains alone
in front of the stage.) He comes not! Till the last moment he delays
declaring himself. He ventures not to come! So then, the cautious man,
contrary to all expectations, is for once cautious enough to lay aside
his wonted caution. The hour moves on! Let the finger travel but a short
space over the dial, and a great work is done or lost--irrevocably lost;
for the opportunity can never be retrieved, nor can our intention remain
concealed. Long had I maturely weighed everything, foreseen even this
contingency, and firmly resolved in my own mind what, in that case, was
to be done; and now, when I am called upon to act, I can with difficulty
guard my mind from being again distracted by conflicting doubts. Is it
expedient to seize the others if he escape me? Shall I delay, and suffer
Egmont to elude my grasp, together with his friends, and so many others
who now, and perhaps for to-day only, are in my hands? How! Does destiny
control even thee--the uncontrollable? How long matured! How well
prepared! How great, how admirable the plan! How nearly had hope
attained the goal! And now, at the decisive moment, thou art placed
between two evils; as in a lottery, thou dost grasp in the dark future;
what thou hast drawn remains still unrolled, to thee unknown whether
it is a prize or a blank! (He becomes attentive, like one who hears a
noise, and steps to the window.) 'Tis he! Egmont! Did thy steed bear
thee hither so lightly, and started not at the scent of blood, at the
spirit with the naked sword who received thee at the gate? Dismount! Lo,
now thou hast one foot in the grave! And now both! Ay, caress him,
and for the last time stroke his neck for the gallant service he has
rendered thee. And for me no choice is left. The delusion, in which
Egmont ventures here to-day, cannot a second time deliver him into my
hands! Hark! (Ferdinand and Silva enter hastily.) Obey my orders! I
swerve not from my purpose. I shall detain Egmont here as best I may,
till you bring me tidings from Silva. Then remain at hand. Thee, too,
fate has robbed of the proud honour of arresting with thine own hand the
king's greatest enemy. (To Silva.) Be prompt! (To Ferdinand.) Advance to
meet him.
(Alva remains some moments alone, pacing the chamber in silence.)
[Enter Egmont.
Egmont. I come to learn the king's commands; to hear what service he
demands from our loyalty, which remains eternally devoted to him.
Alva. He desires, before all, to hear your counsel.
Egmont. Upon what subject? Does Orange come also? I thought to find him
here.
Alva. I regret that he fails us at this important crisis. The
king desires your counsel, your opinion as to the best means of
tranquillizing these states. He trusts indeed that you will zealously
co-operate with him in quelling these disturbances, and in securing to
these provinces the benefit of complete and permanent order.
Egmont. You, my lord, should know better than I, that tranquillity
is already sufficiently restored, and was still more so, till the
appearance of fresh troops again agitated the public mind, and filled it
anew with anxiety and alarm.
Alva. You seem to intimate that it would have been more advisable if the
king had not placed me in a position to interrogate you.
Egmont. Pardon me! It is not for me to determine whether the king acted
advisedly in sending the army hither, whether the might of his royal
presence alone would not have operated more powerfully. The army is
here, the king is not. But we should be most ungrateful were we to
forget what we owe to the Regent. Let it be acknowledged! By her
prudence and valour, by her judicious use of authority and force,
of persuasion and finesse, she pacified the insurgents, and, to the
astonishment of the world, succeeded, in the course of a few months, in
bringing a rebellious people back to their duty.
Alva. I deny it not. The insurrection is quelled; and the people appear
to be already forced back within the bounds of obedience. But does it
not depend upon their caprice alone to overstep these bounds? Who shall
prevent them from again breaking loose? Where is the power capable of
restraining them? Who will be answerable to us for their future loyalty
and submission? Their own goodwill is the sole pledge we have.
Egmont. And is not the good-will of a people the surest, the noblest
pledge? By heaven! when can a monarch hold himself more secure, ay, both
against foreign and domestic foes, than when all can stand for one, and
one for all?
Alva. You would not have us believe, however, that such is the case here
at present?
Egmont. Let the king proclaim a general pardon; he will thus
tranquillize the public mind; and it will be seen how speedily loyalty
and affection will return, when confidence is restored.
Alva. How! And suffer those who have insulted the majesty of the
king, who have violated the sanctuaries of our religion, to go abroad
unchallenged! living witnesses that enormous crimes may be perpetrated
with impunity!
Egmont. And ought not a crime of frenzy, of intoxication, to be excused,
rather than horribly chastised? Especially when there is the sure hope,
nay, more, where there is positive certainty that the evil will never
again recur? Would not sovereigns thus be more secure? Are not those
monarchs most extolled by the world and by posterity, who can pardon,
pity, despise an offence against their dignity? Are they not on that
account likened to God himself, who is far too exalted to be assailed by
every idle blasphemy?
Alva. And therefore, should the king contend for the honour of God and
of religion, we for the authority of the king. What the supreme power
disdains to avert, it is our duty to avenge. Were I to counsel, no
guilty person should live to rejoice in his impunity.
Egmont. Think you that you will be able to reach them all? Do we not
daily hear that fear is driving them to and fro, and forcing them out
of the land? The more wealthy will escape to other countries with their
property, their children, and their friends; while the poor will carry
their industrious hands to our neighbours.
Alva. They will, if they cannot be prevented. It is on this account that
the king desires counsel and aid from every prince, zealous co-operation
from every stadtholder; not merely a description of the present posture
of affairs, or conjectures as to what might take place were events
suffered to hold on their course without interruption. To contemplate a
mighty evil, to flatter oneself with hope, to trust to time, to strike
a blow, like the clown in a play, so as to make a noise and appear to do
something, when in fact one would fain do nothing; is not such conduct
calculated to awaken a suspicion that those who act thus contemplate
with satisfaction a rebellion, which they would not indeed excite, but
which they are by no means unwilling to encourage?
Egmont (about to break forth, restrains himself, and after a brief
pause, speaks with composure). Not every design is obvious, and many a
man's design is misconstrued. It is widely rumoured, however, that the
object which the king has in view is not so much to govern the provinces
according to uniform and dearly defined laws, to maintain the majesty of
religion, and to give his people universal peace, as unconditionally
to subjugate them, to rob them of their ancient rights, to appropriate
their possessions, to curtail the fair privileges of the nobles,
for whose sake alone they are ready to serve him with life and limb.
Religion, it is said, is merely a splendid device, behind which every
dangerous design may be contrived with the greater ease; the prostrate
crowds adore the sacred symbols pictured there, while behind lurks the
fowler ready to ensnare them.
Alva. This must I hear from you?
Egmont. I speak not my own sentiments! I but repeat what is loudly
rumoured, and uttered now here and now there by great and by humble, by
wise men and fools. The Netherlanders fear a double yoke, and who will
be surety to them for their liberty?
Alva. Liberty! A fair word when rightly understood. What liberty would
they have? What is the freedom of the most free? To do right! And in
that the monarch will not hinder them. No! No! They imagine themselves
enslaved, when they have not the power to injure themselves and others.
Would it not be better to abdicate at once, rather than rule such
a people? When the country is threatened by foreign invaders, the
burghers, occupied only with their immediate interests, bestow no
thought upon the advancing foe, and when the king requires their aid,
they quarrel among themselves, and thus, as it were, conspire with the
enemy. Far better is it to circumscribe their power, to control and
guide them for their good, as children are controlled and guided. Trust
me, a people grows neither old nor wise, a people remains always in its
infancy.
Egmont. How rarely does a king attain wisdom! And is it not fit that the
many should confide their interests to the many rather than to the one?
And not even to the one, but to the few servants of the one, men who
have grown old under the eyes of their master. To grow wise, it seems,
is the exclusive privilege of these favoured individuals.
Alva. Perhaps for the very reason that they are not left to themselves.
Egmont. And therefore they would fain leave no one else to his own
guidance. Let them do what they like, however; I have replied to your
questions, and I repeat, the measures you propose will never succeed!
They cannot succeed! I know my countrymen. They are men worthy to tread
God's earth; each complete in himself, a little king, steadfast, active,
capable, loyal, attached to ancient customs. It may be difficult to win
their confidence, but it is easy to retain it. Firm and unbending! They
may be crushed, but not subdued.
Alva (who during this speech has looked round several times). Would you
venture to repeat what you have uttered, in the king's presence?
Egmont. It were the worse, if in his presence I were restrained by
fear! The better for him and for his people, if he inspired me with
confidence, if he encouraged me to give yet freer utterance to my
thoughts.
Alva. What is profitable, I can listen to as well as he.
Egmont. I would say to him--'Tis easy for the shepherd to drive before
him a flock of sheep; the ox draws the plough without opposition; but
if you would ride the noble steed, you must study his thoughts, you must
require nothing unreasonable, nor unreasonably, from him. The burgher
desires to retain his ancient constitution; to be governed by his own
countrymen; and why? Because he knows in that case how he shall be
ruled, because he can rely upon their disinterestedness, upon their
sympathy with his fate.
Alva. And ought not the Regent to be empowered to alter these ancient
usages? Should not this constitute his fairest privilege? What is
permanent in this world? And shall the constitution of a state alone
remain unchanged? Must not every relation alter in the course of time,
and on that very account, an ancient constitution become the source of
a thousand evils, because not adapted to the present condition of the
people? These ancient rights afford, doubtless, convenient loopholes,
through which the crafty and the powerful may creep, and wherein
they may lie concealed, to the injury of the people and of the entire
community; and it is on this account, I fear, that they are held in such
high esteem.
Egmont. And these arbitrary changes, these unlimited encroachments of
the supreme power, are they not indications that one will permit himself
to do what is forbidden to thousands? The monarch would alone be free,
that he may have it in his power to gratify his every wish, to realize
his every thought. And though we should confide in him as a good and
virtuous sovereign, will he be answerable to us for his successor?
That none who come after him shall rule without consideration, without
forbearance! And who would deliver us from absolute caprice, should he
send hither his servants, his minions, who, without knowledge of the
country and its requirements, should govern according to their own good
pleasure, meet with no opposition, and know themselves exempt from all
responsibility?
Alva (who has meanwhile again looked round). There is nothing more
natural than that a king should choose to retain the power in his own
hands, and that he should select as the instruments of his authority,
those who best understand him, who desire to understand him, and who
will unconditionally execute his will.
Egmont. And just as natural is it, that the burgher should prefer being
governed by one born and reared in the same land, whose notions of right
and wrong are in harmony with his own, and whom he can regard as his
brother.
Alva. And yet the noble, methinks, has shared rather unequally with
these brethren of his.
Egmont. That took place centuries ago, and is now submitted to without
envy. But should new men, whose presence is not needed in the country,
be sent, to enrich themselves a second time, at the cost of the nation;
should the people see themselves exposed to their bold, unscrupulous
rapacity, it would excite a ferment that would not soon be quelled.
Alva. You utter words to which I ought not to listen;--I, too, am a
foreigner.
Egmont. That they are spoken in your presence is a sufficient proof that
they have no reference to you.
Alva. Be that as it may, I would rather not hear them from you. The king
sent me here in the hope that I should obtain the support of the
nobles. The king wills, and will have his will obeyed. After profound
deliberation, the king at length discerns what course will best promote
the welfare of the people; matters cannot be permitted to go on as
heretofore; it is the king's intention to limit their power for their
own good; if necessary, to force upon them their salvation: to sacrifice
the more dangerous burghers in order that the rest may find repose, and
enjoy in peace the blessing of a wise government, This is his resolve;
this I am commissioned to announce to the nobles; and in his name I
require from them advice, not as to the course to be pursued--on that
he is resolved--but as to the best means of carrying his purpose into
effect.
Egmont. Your words, alas, justify the fears of the people, the universal
fear! The king has then resolved as no sovereign ought to resolve. In
order to govern his subjects more easily, he would crush, subvert,
nay, ruthlessly destroy, their strength, their spirit, and their
self-respect! He would violate the inmost core of their individuality,
doubtless with the view of promoting their happiness. He would
annihilate them, that they may assume a new, a different form. Oh! if
his purpose be good, he is fatally misguided! It is not the king whom
we resist;--we but place ourselves in the way of the monarch, who,
unhappily, is about to take the first rash step in a wrong direction.
Alva. Such being your sentiments, it were a vain attempt for us to
endeavour to agree. You must indeed think poorly of the king, and
contemptibly of his counsellors, if you imagine that everything has not
already been thought of and maturely weighed. I have no commission a
second time to balance conflicting arguments. From the people I demand
submission;--and from you, their leaders and princes, I demand counsel
and support, as pledges of this unconditional duty.
Egmont. Demand our heads, and your object Is attained; to a noble soul
it must be indifferent whether he stoop his neck to such a yoke, or lay
it upon the block. I have spoken much to little purpose. I have agitated
the air, but accomplished nothing.
[Enter Ferdinand.
Ferdinand. Pardon my intrusion. Here is a letter, the bearer of which
urgently demands an answer.
Alva. Allow me to peruse its contents. (Steps aside.)
Ferdinand (to Egmont). 'Tis a noble steed that your people have brought,
to carry you away.
Egmont. I have seen worse. I have had him some time; I think of parting
with him. If he pleases you we shall probably soon agree as to the
price.
Ferdinand. We will think about it.
(Alva motions to his son, who retires to the back-ground.)
Egmont. Farewell! Allow me to retire; for, by heaven, I know not what
more I can say.
Alva. Fortunately for you, chance prevents you from making a fuller
disclosure of your sentiments. You incautiously lay bare the recesses of
your heart, and your own lips furnish evidence against you, more fatal
than could be produced by your bitterest adversary.
Egmont. This reproach disturbs me not. I know my own heart; I know with
what honest zeal I am devoted to the king; I know that my allegiance
is more true than that of many who, in his service, seek only to
serve themselves. I regret that our discussion should terminate so
unsatisfactorily, and trust that in spite of our opposing views, the
service of the king, our master, and the welfare of our country, may
speedily unite us; another conference, the presence of the princes
who to-day are absent, may, perchance, in a more propitious moment,
accomplish what at present appears impossible. In this hope I take my
leave.
Alva (who at the same time makes a sign to Ferdinand). Hold,
Egmont!--Your sword!-(The centre door opens and discloses the gallery,
which is occupied with guards, who remain motionless.)
Egmont (after a pause of astonishment). This was the intention? For this
thou hast summoned me? (Grasping his sword as if to defend himself.) Am
I then weaponless?
Alva. The king commands. Thou art my prisoner. (At the same time guards
enter from both sides.)
Egmont (after a pause). The king?--Orange! Orange! (after a pause,
resigning his sword). Take it! It has been employed far oftener in
defending the cause of my king than in protecting this breast.
(He retires by the centre door, followed by the guard and Alva's son.
Alva remains standing while the curtain falls.)
ACT V
SCENE I.--A Street. Twilight
Clara, Brackenburg, Burghers
Brackenburg. Dearest, for Heaven's sake, what wouldst thou do?
Clara. Come with me, Brackenburg! Thou canst not know the people, we
are certain to rescue him; for what can equal their love for him? Each
feels, I could swear it, the burning desire to deliver him, to avert
danger from a life so precious, and to restore freedom to the most free.
Come! A voice only is wanting to call them together. In their souls the
memory is still fresh of all they owe him, and well they know that his
mighty arm alone shields them from destruction. For his sake, for their
own sake, they must peril everything. And what do we peril? At most, our
lives, which if he perish, are not worth preserving.
Brackenburg. Unhappy girl! Thou seest not the power that holds us
fettered as with bands of iron.
Clara. To me it does not appear invincible. Let us not lose time in idle
words. Here comes some of our old, honest, valiant burghers! Hark ye,
friends! Neighbours! Hark!--Say, how fares it with Egmont?
Carpenter. What does the girl want? Tell her to hold her peace.
Clara. Step nearer, that we may speak low, till we are united and more
strong. Not a moment is to be lost! Audacious tyranny, that dared to
fetter him, already lifts the dagger against his life. Oh, my friends!
With the advancing twilight my anxiety grows more intense. I dread this
night. Come! Let us disperse; let us hasten from quarter to quarter, and
call out the burghers. Let every one grasp his ancient weapons. In the
market-place we meet again, and every one will be carried onward by our
gathering stream. The enemy will see themselves surrounded, overwhelmed,
and be compelled to yield. How can a handful of slaves resist us? And
he will return among us, he will see himself rescued, and can for once
thank us, us, who are already so deeply in his debt. He will behold,
perchance, ay doubtless, he will again behold the morn's red dawn in the
free heavens.
Carpenter. What ails thee, maiden?
Clara. Can ye misunderstand me? I speak of the Count! I speak of Egmont.
Jetter. Speak not the name! 'tis deadly.
Clara. Not speak his name? How? Not Egmont's name? Is it not on every
tongue? Where stands it not inscribed? Often have I read it emblazoned
with all its letters among these stars. Not utter it? What mean ye?
Friends! good, kind neighbours, ye are dreaming; collect yourselves.
Gaze not upon me with those fixed and anxious looks! Cast not such timid
glances on every side! I but give utterance to the wish of all. Is not
my voice the voice of your own hearts? Who, in this fearful night, ere
he seeks his restless couch, but on bended knee will, in earnest prayer,
seek to wrest his life as a cherished boon from heaven? Ask each other!
Let each ask his own heart! And who but exclaims with me,--"Egmont's
liberty, or death!"
Jetter. God help us! This is a sad business.
Clara. Stay! Stay! Shrink not away at the sound of his name, to meet
whom ye were wont to press forward so joyously!--When rumour announced
his approach, when the cry arose, "Egmont comes! He comes from
Ghent!"--then happy indeed were those citizens who dwelt in the streets
through which he was to pass. And when the neighing of his steed was
heard, did not every one throw aside his work, while a ray of hope and
joy, like a sunbeam from his countenance, stole over the toil-worn faces
that peered from every window. Then, as ye stood in the doorways, ye
would lift up your children in your arms, and pointing to him, exclaim:
"See, that is Egmont, he who towers above the rest! 'Tis from bird that
ye must look for better times than those your poor fathers have known."
Let not your children inquire at some future day, "Where is he? Where
are the better times ye promised us?"--Thus we waste the time in idle
words! do nothing,--betray him.
Soest. Shame on thee, Brackenburg! Let her not run on thus! Prevent the
mischief!
Brackenburg. Dear Clara! Let us go! What will your Mother say?
Perchance--
Clara. Thinkest thou I am a child, or frantic? What avails
perchance?--With no vain hope canst thou hide from me this dreadful
certainty... Ye shall hear me and ye will: for I see it, ye are
overwhelmed, ye cannot hearken to the voice of your own hearts. Through
the present peril cast but one glance into the past,--the recent past.
Send your thoughts forward into the future. Could ye live, would ye
live, were he to perish? With him expires the last breath of freedom.
What was he not to you? For whose sake did he expose himself to the
direst perils? His blood flowed, his wounds were healed for you alone.
The mighty spirit, that upheld you all, a dungeon now confines, while
the horrors of secret murder are hovering around. Perhaps he thinks of
you--perhaps he hopes in you,--he who has been accustomed only to grant
favours to others and to fulfil their prayers.
Carpenter. Come, gossip.
Clara. I have neither the arms, nor the vigour of a man; but I have
that which ye all lack--courage and contempt of danger. O that my breath
could kindle your souls! That, pressing you to this bosom, I could
arouse and animate you! Come! I will march in your midst!--As a waving
banner, though weaponless, leads on a gallant army of warriors, so shall
my spirit hover, like a flame, over your ranks, while love and courage
shall unite the dispersed and wavering multitude into a terrible host.
Jetter. Take her away; I pity her, poor thing!
[Exeunt Burgers.
Brackenburg. Clara! Seest thou not where we are?
Clara. Where? Under the dome of heaven, which has so often seemed to
arch itself more gloriously as the noble Egmont passed beneath it. From
these windows I have seen them look forth, four or five heads one above
the other; at these doors the cowards have stood, bowing and scraping,
if he but chanced to look down upon them! Oh, how dear they were to me,
when they honoured him. Had he been a tyrant they might have turned with
indifference from his fall! But they loved him! O ye hands, so prompt
to wave caps in his honour, can ye not grasp a sword? Brackenburg, and
we?--do we chide them? These arms that have so often embraced him, what
do they for him now? Stratagem has accomplished so much in the
world. Thou knowest the ancient castle, every passage, every secret
way.--Nothing is impossible,--suggest some plan--
Brackenburg. That we might go home!
Clara. Well.
Brackenburg. There at the corner I see Alva's guard; let the voice of
reason penetrate to thy heart! Dost thou deem me a coward? Dost thou
doubt that for thy sake I would peril my life? Here we are both mad,
I as well as thou. Dost thou not perceive that thy scheme is
impracticable? Oh, be calm! Thou art beside thyself.
Clara. Beside myself! Horrible. You, Brackenburg, are beside yourself.
When you hailed the hero with loud acclaim, called him your friend,
your hope, your refuge, shouted vivats as he passed;--then I stood in my
corner, half opened the window, concealed myself while I listened, and
my heart beat higher than yours who greeted him so loudly. Now it again
beats higher! In the hour of peril you conceal yourselves, deny him, and
feel not, that if he perish, you are lost.
Brackenburg. Come home.
Clara. Home?
Brackenburg. Recollect thyself! Look around thee! These are the streets
in which thou wert wont to appear only on the Sabbath-day, when thou
didst walk modestly to church; where, over-decorous perhaps, thou wert
displeased if I but joined thee with a kindly greeting. And now thou
dost stand, speak, and act before the eyes of the whole world. Recollect
thyself, love! How can this avail us?
Clara. Home! Yes, I remember. Come, Brackenburg, let us go home! Knowest
thou where my home lies?
[Exeunt.