Aulic Counsellor REISSMAN, Lawyer WELLENBERG.
_Reiss._ Ay, dear Mr. Wallenberg, you are--it is--why are you--I cannot
conceive for what reason you left my house in that abrupt manner.
_Well._ The warning came from above to the unworthy. (Takes the bottle
out of his pocket.) What is this? (putting it on the chair.) Answer me
that!
_Reiss._ How!--(snatching at it.)
_Well._ Keep off!--It is poison!
_Reiss._ Ay, good God!
_Well._ There is poison in the wine you pressed me to drink.
_Reiss._ Should you by some unfortunate mistake--
_Well._ It is poison! it was intended to close my lips for ever! Lulled
to sleep by your artful proposals, I might have passed into the other
world according to the old proverb, "Dead men tell no tales;" but you
forgot that I should rise against you at the last day.
_Reiss._ (assuming courage.) Mr. Lawyer, dare you--
_Well._ I dare call you an assassin,
_Reiss._ Who knows what you have been doing with this bottle in the
mean while?
_Well._ So you think to escape by your cunning? This moment I see, and
you feel, the mark which the Almighty has impressed on your brow. Your
mind is callous, and yet you are so struck with terror, that your
tongue cleaves to the roof of your mouth, and cannot perform its
office.
_Reiss._ But, you, you--
_Well._ Silence! Is your soul insensible to the trepidation of your
body, or what I have not in my power to do? Here stands the evidence of
the crime, there the delinquent, and here I stand, either as judge or a
merciful man, if you deliver yourself up vanquished into my hands; and,
if not, as your accuser before the tribunal of the public. Kneel down
this moment, the sword of justice hangs over your head!
_Reiss._ (shaking.) My God!
_Well._ You are at the end of your career! The judgment of heaven is
committed to my hands, but mercy reigns in my heart: act in such a
manner, that my heart may preponderate; for I am a man whom you have
driven to extremes.
_Reiss._ (with terror.) What, what must I?--
_Well._ To the extreme, I say. I can hardly refrain from demanding
justice.
_Reiss._ What is your demand then?
_Well._ For myself I demand nothing. But what does your conscience
demand, wicked man? Is it silent? (With warmth;) Then, then I must do
what I ought to do.
_Reiss._ Well, then, I will give up the legacy at once.
_Well._ Further--
_Reiss._ What can I do more?
_Well._ Resign your office, that the corroding canker may be removed
from the breast of my country.
_Reiss._ But--
_Well._ God and man demand that I should utter this language.
_Reiss._ I will, I will.
_Well._ Consent to the Privy Counsellor's marriage, and do not
disinherit your virtuous daughter. All these points must be reduced to
writing, and signed by you this very day; then I will remain silent,
and spare you, that mercy in turn may be shewn to me.
_Reiss._ I will. Let the seal of silence be placed for ever on your
lips.
_Well._ Forever!
_Reiss._ Give me your word and hand.
_Well._ My word is sufficient. (Puts the bottle in his pocket.) If you
accomplish the conditions, this affair shall be buried in eternal
oblivion.
_Reiss._ All shall be done this very day.
_Well._ Now go, and inform the people of all the blessings you intend
to shower on them.
_Reiss._ I will grant them every thing, but I cannot tell them the
happy effects of our conversation.
_Well._ It must be so to save appearances.
_Reiss._ You are right! (Takes a ring from his finger.) Accept this, it
is of the first water, worth two hundred Louis d'ors.
_Well._ The tears of joy that your virtuous daughter will shed are the
purest christian water, and sparkle better. Those I will accept, and
thank God for the tribulations, for by this he has enabled me to
purchase what is good. Now go. I wish you to die well and soon. Thus I
discharge the sinner from his terrors and my hands, and recommend him
to the hand of the Father of all.--(Reissman slaps his forehead, and
exit.)--I think I have done well; at least, I do not know how I could
have done better. He has stood before the executioner; if that do not
shake and convert him, his good angel will veil his face and fly from
him, and then he will soon be hurled whither I would not wish.