Minna Von Barnhelm. Gotthold Ephraim Lessing

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СКАЧАТЬ I will go, honoured sir!!!!!

      MAJ. T.

      My friend, do not make two foolish strokes instead of one. The lady must retain possession of the room!!!!!

      LAND.

      And your honour could suppose that from distrust, from fear of not being paid, I… As if I did not know that your honour could pay me as soon as you pleased. The sealed purse… five hundred thalers in louis d'ors marked on it—which your honour had in your writing-desk … is in good keeping.

      MAJ. T.

      I trust so; as the rest of my property. Just shall take them into his keeping, when he has paid your bill!!!!!

      LAND.

      Really, I was quite alarmed when I found the purse. I always considered your honour a methodical and prudent man, who never got quite out of money… but still, had I supposed there was ready money in the desk!!!!!

      MAJ. T.

      You would have treated me rather more civilly. I understand you. Go, sir; leave me. I wish to speak with my servant.

      LAND.

      But, honoured sir!!!!!

      MAJ. T.

      Come, Just; he does not wish to permit me to give my orders to you in his house.

      LAND.

      I am going, honoured sir! My whole house is at your service.

      (Exit.)

      SCENE IV

      Major Von Tellheim, Just

      JUST. (stamping with his foot and spitting after the Landlord).

      Ugh!

      MAJ. T.

      What is the matter?

      JUST.

      I am choking with rage.

      MAJ. T.

      That is as bad as from plethora.

      JUST.

      And for you sir, I hardly know you any longer. May I die before your eyes, if you do not encourage this malicious, unfeeling wretch. In spite of gallows, axe, and torture I could… yes, I could have throttled him with these hands, and torn him to pieces with these teeth!

      MAJ. T.

      You wild beast!

      JUST.

      Better a wild beast than such a man!

      MAJ. T.

      But what is it that you want?

      JUST.

      I want you to perceive how much he insults you.

      MAJ. T.

      And then!!!!!

      JUST.

      To take your revenge… No, the fellow is beneath your notice!

      MAJ. T.

      But to commission you to avenge me? That was my intention from the first. He should not have seen me again, but have received the amount of his bill from your hands. I know that you can throw down a handful of money with a tolerably contemptuous mien.

      JUST.

      Oh! a pretty sort of revenge!

      MAJ. T.

      Which, however, we must defer. I have not one heller of ready money, and I know not where to raise any.

      JUST.

      No money! What is that purse then with five hundred thalers' worth of louis d'ors, which the Landlord found in your desk?

      MAJ. T.

      That is money given into my charge.

      JUST.

      Not the hundred pistoles which your old sergeant brought you four or five weeks back?

      MAJ. T.

      The same. Paul Werner's; right.

      JUST.

      And you have not used them yet? Yet, sir, you may do what you please with them. I will answer for it that!!!!!

      MAJ. T.

      Indeed!

      JUST.

      Werner heard from me, how they had treated your claims upon the War Office. He heard!!!!!

      MAJ. T.

      That I should certainly be a beggar soon, if I was not one already. I am much obliged to you, Just. And the news induced Werner to offer to share his little all with me. I am very glad that I guessed this.

      Listen, Just; let me have your account, directly, too; we must part.

      JUST.

      How! what!

      MAJ. T.

      Not a word. There is someone coming.

      SCENE V

      Lady in mourning, Major von Tellheim, Just

      LADY.

      I ask your pardon, sir.

      MAJ. T.

      Whom do you seek, Madam?

      LADY.

      The worthy gentleman with whom I have the honour of speaking. You do not know me again. I am the widow of your late captain.

      MAJ. T.

      Good heavens, Madam, how you are changed!

      LADY.

      I have just risen from a sick bed, to which grief on the loss of my husband brought me. I am troubling you at a very early hour, Major von Tellheim, but I am going into the country, where a kind, but also unfortunate friend, has for the present offered me an asylum.

      MAJ. T. (to Just).

      Leave us.

      SCENE VI

      Lady, Major von Tellheim

      MAJ. T.

      Speak freely, Madam! You must not be ashamed of your bad fortune before me. Can I serve you in any way?

      LADY.

      Major!!!!!

      MAJ. T.

      I СКАЧАТЬ