Elizabeth Inchbald

“ Anhalt.
A man, who, if it so prove, is much concerned for your misfortunes.
Agatha.
How? Oh, Sir! tell me quickly—Whom do you think to find in me?
Anhalt.
Agatha Friburg.
Agatha.
Yes, I am that unfortunate woman; and the man who pretends to take concern in my misfortunes is——Baron Wildenhaim——he who betrayed me, abandoned me and my child, and killed my parents.—He would now repair our sufferings with this purse of gold. [Takes out the purse.] Whatever may be your errand, Sir, whether to humble, or to protect me, it is alike indifferent. ”

“ Baron.
I know, my dear Amelia, I can repay you for the loss of Count Cassel; but what return can I make to you for the loss of half your fortune?
Amelia.
My brother’s love will be ample recompense.
Baron.
I will reward you better. Mr. Anhalt, the battle I have just fought, I owe to myself: the victory I gained, I owe to you. A man of your principles, at once a teacher and an example of virtue, exalts his rank in life to a level with the noblest family—and I shall be proud to receive you as my son.
Anhalt [falling on his knees, and taking the Baron’s hand] . ”

“ Anhalt.
I conjure you not to think of exposing yourself and me to his resentment.
Amelia.
It is my father’s will that I should marry—It is my father’s wish to see me happy—If then you love me as you say, I will marry; and will be happy—but only with you.—I will tell him this.—At first he will start; then grow angry; then be in a passion—In his passion he will call me “undutiful:” but he will soon recollect himself, and resume his usual smiles, saying “Well, well, if he love you, and you love him, in the name of heaven, let it be.” ”

“ Baron.
The whole castle smells of his perfumery. Go, call my daughter hither. [Exit Gentleman.] And am I after all to have an ape for a son-in-law? No, I shall not be in a hurry—I love my daughter too well. We must be better acquainted before I give her to him. I shall not sacrifice my Amelia to the will of others, as I myself was sacrificed. The poor girl might, in thoughtlesshess, say yes, and afterwards be miserable. What a pity she is not a boy! The name of Wildenhaim will die with me. My fine estates, my good peasants, all will fall into the hands of strangers. ”

“ Baron Wildenhaim.
[The Baron’s emotion expresses the sense of amazement, guilt, shame, and horror.]
Frederic.
In this house did you rob my mother of her honour; and in this house I am a sacrifice for the crime. I am your prisoner—I will not be free—I am a robber—I give myself up.—You shall deliver me into the hands of justice—You shall accompany me to the spot of public execution. You shall hear in vain the chaplain’s consolation and injunctions. You shall find how I, in despair, will, to the last moment, call for retribution on my father. ”

“ Butler.
I am willing at any time, dear Lady, to obey your orders; but, on this occasion, the prisoner’s food must remain bread and water—It is the Baron’s particular command.
Amelia.
Ah! My father was in the height of passion when he gave it.
Butler.
Whatsoever his passion might be, it is the duty of a true and honest dependent to obey his Lord’s mandates. I will not suffer a servant in this house, nor will I, myself, give the young man any thing except bread and water—But I’ll tell you what I’ll do—I’ll read my verses to him. ”

“ Pardon an old servant, your father’s old butler, gracious lady, who has had the honour to carry the baron in his arms—and afterwards with humble submiffion to receive many a box o’ the ear from you—if he thinks it his duty to make his congratulations with due reverence on this happy day, and to join with the muses in harmonious tunes on the lyre. ”

“ Tell him, my honour has never been saleable. Tell him, destitute as I am, even indigence will not tempt me to accept charity from my seducer. He despised my heart—I despise his gold. He has trampled on me—I trample on his representative. [Throws the purse on the ground.]
Anhalt.
Be patient—I give you my word, that when the Baron sent this present to an unfortunate woman, for whom her son had supplicated, he did not know that woman was Agatha. ”

“ Anhalt, from his obligations to me, and his high sense of honour, thinks too nobly—
Amelia.
Would it not be noble to make the daughter of his benefactor happy?
Baron.
But when that daughter is a child, and thinks like a child——
Amelia. ”

“ The Landlord of the inn leads Agatha by the hand out of his house.
Landlord.
NO, no! no room for you any longer—It is the fair to-day in the next village; as great a fair as any in the German dominions. The country people with their wives and children take up every corner we have.
Agatha.
You will turn a poor sick woman out of doors who has spent her last farthing in your house. ”

“ Baron.
I don’t choose to give any more. Count, go on.
[Exit Count—as the Baron follows, Frederick seizes him by the breast and draws his sword.]
Frederick.
Your purse, or your life.
Baron [calling] .
Here! here! seize and secure him.
[Some of the Gamekeepers run on, lay hold of Frederick, and disarm him.]
Frederick.
What have I done!
Baron.
Take him to the castle, and confine him in one of the towers. I shall follow you immediately.
Frederick.
One favour I have to beg, one favour only.—I know that I am guilty, and am ready to receive the punishment my crime deserves. ”

“ Patience and love will accompany them in their journey, while melancholy and discord they leave far behind.—Hand in hand they pass on from morning till evening, through their summer’s day, till the night of age draws on, and the sleep of death overtakes the one. ”

“ The Count wants a little of my daughter’s simplicity and sensibility.—Take him under your care while he is here, and make him something like yourself.—You have suceeded to my wish in the education of my daughter.—Form the Count after your own manner.—I shall then have what I have sighed for all my life—a son.
Anhalt.
With your permission, Baron, I will ask one question. What remains to interest you in favour of a man, whose head and heart are good for nothing? ”

“ Baron.
You put me out of patience. Hear, Amelia! [stops short, and speaks softer. To see you happy is my wish. But matrimony, without concord, is like a duetto badly performed; for that reason, nature, the great composer of all harmony, has ordained, that, when bodies are allied, hearts should be in perfect unison. However, I will send Mr. Anhalt to you——
Amelia [much pleased] . ”

“ Enter Frederick—He is dressed in a German soldier’s uniform, has a knapsack on his shoulders, appears in high spirits, and stops at the door of the inn.
Frederick.
Halt! Stand at ease! It is a very hot day—A draught of good wine will not be amiss. But first let me consult my purse. [Takes out a couple of pieces of money, which he turns about in his hand.] This will do for a breakfast the other remains for my dinner; and in the evening I shall be at home. [Calls out] Ha! Halloo! Landlord! [Takes notice of Agatha, who is leaning against the tree.] Who is that? A poor sick woman! ”

“ Anhalt.
Are you of opinion that she will never fall in love?
Baron.
Oh! no. I am of opinion that no woman ever arrived at the age of twenty without that misfortune.—But this is another subject.—Go to Amelia—explain to her the duties of a wife and of a mother.—If she comprehends them, as she ought, then ask her if she thinks she could fulfil those duties, as the wife of Count Cassel. ”

“ Vice is never half so dangerous, as when it assumes the garb of morality. [Exit.
SCENE II. A Room in the Castle.
Amelia [alone] .
Why am I so uneasy; so peevish; who has offended me? I did not mean to come into this room. In the garden I intended to go [going, turns back] . No, I will not—yes, I will—just go, and look if my auriculas are still in blossom; and if the apple tree is grown which Mr. Anhalt planted.—I feel very low-spirited—something must be the matter.—Why do I cry?—Am I not well?
Enter Mr. Anhalt.
Ah! good morning, my dear Sir—Mr. Anhalt, I meant to say—I beg pardon. ”

“ When two sympathetic hearts meet in the marriage state, matrimony may be called a happy life. When such a wedded pair find thorns in their path, each will be eager, for the fake of the other, to tear them from the root. Where they have to mount hills, or wind a labyrinth, the most experienced will lead the way, and be a guide to his companion. ”

“ Amelia’s love, by Kotzebue, is indelicately blunt, and yet void of mirth or sadness: I have endeavoured to attach the attention and sympathy of the audience by whimsical insinuations, rather than coarse abruptness—the same woman, I conceive, whom the author drew, with the self-same sentiments, but with manners adapted to the English rather than the German taste ”

“ It of consequence follows, there’s a virtue in rhime.
The best piece of prose that I’ve heard a long while,
Is what gallant Nelson has sent from the Nile.
And had he but told us the story in rhime,
What a thing ’twou’d be; but, perhaps, he’d no time.
So, I’ll do it myself—Oh! ’tis glorious news!
Nine sail of the line! Just a ship for each Muse.
As I live, there’s an end of the French and their navy—
Sir John Warren has sent the Brest fleet to Old Davy.
’Tis in the Gazette, and that, every one knows,
Is sure to be truth, tho’ ’tis written in prose. ”

“ Agatha.
And he is the only branch on which my hope still blossoms: the rest are withered.—I will forget my wrongs as a woman, if the Baron will atone to the mother—he shall have the woman’s pardon, if he will merit the mother’s thanks— [after a struggle] —I will go to the castle—for the sake of my Frederick, go even to his father. But where are my good host and hostess, that I may take leave, and thank them for their kindness?
Anhalt.
[taking up the purse which Agatha had thrown down] . Here, good friend! Good woman!
Enter the Cottager and his Wife. ”

“ Wife. [to Agatha.]
This young man being tutor in our Baron’s family, he was very much beloved by them all; and so the Baron gave him this living in consequence.
Cottager.
And well he deserved it, for his pious instructions to our young lady: who is, in consequence, good, and friendly to every body.
Agatha.
What young lady do you mean?
Cottager.
Our Baron’s daughter.
Agatha.
Is she here?
Wife.
Dear me! Don’t you know that? I thought every body had known that. It is almost five weeks since the Baron and all his family arrived at the castle.
Agatha.
Baron Wildenhaim? ”

“ Anhalt begs leave——
Baron.
Tell him to come in. I shall be ready in a moment. [Exit Servant.
Count.
Who is Mr. Anhalt?
Amelia.
Oh, a very good man. [With warmth.]
Count.
“A good man.” In Italy, that means a religious man; in France, it means a cheerful man; in Spain, it means a wise man; and in England, it means a rich man.—Which good man of all these is Mr. Anhalt?
Amelia.
A good man in every country, except England. ”

“ Frederick.
And my mother——
Baron.
She shall live in peace and affluence. Do you think I would leave your mother unprovided, unprotected? No! About a mile from this castle I have an estate called Weldendorf there sie shall live, and call her own whatever it produces. There she shall reign, and be sole mistress of the little paradise. There her past sufferings, shall be changed to peace and tranquillity. On a summer’s morning, we, my son, will ride to visit her; pass a day, a week with her; and in this social intercourse time will glide pleasantly. ”

“ Butler.
All my poetry is true—and so far, better than some people’s prose.
Baron.
But I want prose on this occasion, and command you to give me nothing else. [Butler bows.] Have you heard of an engagement which Count Cassel is under to any other woman than my daughter?
Butler.
I am to tell your honour in prose?
Baron.
Certainly. [Butler appears uneasy and loath to speak.] Amelia, he does not like to divulge what he knows in presence of a third person—leave the room. ”

“ Baron.
Believe me, this burthen presses on my thoughts so much, that many nights I go without sleep. A man is sometimes tempted to commit such depravity when young.—Oh, Anhalt! had I, in my youth, had you for a tutor;—but I had no instructor but my passions ”

“ Amelia.
I never liked the Count.
Baron.
No more did I.
Amelia. [after a pause] .
I think love comes just as it pleases, without being asked.
Baron.
It does so. [in deep thought] .
Amelia. [after another pause] .
And there are instances where, perhaps, the object of love makes the passion meritorious.
Baron.
To be sure there are.
Amelia.
For example; my affection for Mr. Anhalt as my tutor.
Baron.
Right.
Amelia [after another pause] .
I would like to marry. [sighing.]
Baron.
So you shall. [a pause] It is proper for every body to marry.
Amelia. ”

“ Agatha, Cottager, his Wife, and Frederick discovered — AGATHA reclined upon a wooden bench, Frederick leaning over her.
Frederick.
GOOD people have you nothing to give her? Nothing that’s nourishing. ”

“ I don’t say it was likely—I only say it is true. ”

“ Agatha [to herself] .
I am astonished! I wonder! Oh! surely he has been informed—Why else should he have sent so much money?
Re-enter Cottager.
Agatha.
Well!—not yet!
Cottager.
I might look till I am blind for him—but I saw our new Rector coming along the road; he calls in sometimes. May be, he will this evening.
Wife.
He is a very good gentleman; pays great attention to his parishioners; and where he can assift the poor, he is always ready.
Enter Mr. Anhalt.
Anhalt. ”

“ Yes, Baron Wildenhaim.
Agatha.
And his lady?
Cottager.
His lady died in France many miles from hence, and her death, I suppose, was the cause of his coming to this estate—For the Baron has not been here till within these five weeks ever since he was married. We regretted his absence much, and his arrival has caused great joy.
Wife [addressing her disconrse to Agatha.]
By all accounts the Baroness was very haughty; and very whimsical.
Cottager.
Wife, wife, never speak ill of the dead. Say what you please against the living, but not a word against the dead. ”

“ He is only a visitor.
Frederick.
I thank you for this information; and if you will undertake to procure me a private interview with Baron Wildenhaim——
Anhalt.
Why private? However, I will venture to take you for a short time from this place, and introduce you; depending on your innocence, or your repentance—on his conviction in your favour, or his mercy towards your guilt. Follow me. [Exit.
Frederick. [following] .
I have beheld an affectionate parent in deep adversity.—Why should I tremble thus?—Why doubt my fortitude, in the presence of an unnatural parent in prosperity? ”