Minna Von Barnhelm

(Rather angrily.)

You will not be my debtor? But suppose you are already, Major? Or, are you not a debtor to the man who once warded off the blow that was meant to split your head; and, at another time, knocked off the arm which was just going to pull and send a ball through your breast? How can you become a greater debtor to that man? Or, is my neck of less consequence than my money? If that is a noble way of thinking, by my soul it is a very silly one too.

MAJ. T.

To whom do you say that, Werner? We are alone, and therefore I may speak; if a third person heard us, it might sound like boasting. I acknowledge with pleasure, that I have to thank you for twice saving my life. Do you not think, friend, that if an opportunity occurred I would have done as much for you, eh?

WER.

If an opportunity occurred! Who doubts it, Major? Have I not seen you risk your life a hundred times for the lowest soldier, when he was in danger?

MAJ. T.

Well!

WER.

But!!!!!

MAJ. T.

Why cannot you understand me? I say, it is not proper that I should be your debtor; I will not be your debtor. That is, not in the circumstances in which I now am.

WER.

Oh! so you would wait till better times. You will borrow money from me another time, when you do not want any: when you have some yourself, and I perhaps none.

MAJ. T.

A man ought not to borrow, when he has not the means of repaying.

WER.

A man like yourself cannot always be in want.

MAJ. T.

You know the world… Least of all should a man borrow from one who wants his money himself.

WER.

Oh! yes; I am such a one! Pray, what do I want it for? When they want a sergeant, they give him enough to live on.

MAJ. T.

You want it, to become something more than a sergeant—to be able to get forward in that path in which even the most deserving, without money, may remain behind.

WER.

To become something more than a sergeant! I do not think of that. I am a good sergeant; I might easily make a bad captain, and certainly a worse general.

MAJ. T.

Do not force me to think ill of you, Werner! I was very sorry to hear what Just has told me. You have sold your farm, and wish to rove about again. Do not let me suppose that you do not love the profession of arms so much as the wild dissolute way of living which is unfortunately connected with it. A man should be a soldier for his own country, or from love of the cause for which he fights. To serve without any purpose—to-day here, to-morrow there—is only travelling about like a butcher's apprentice, nothing more.

WER.

Well, then, Major, I will do as you say. You know better what is right. I will remain with you. But, dear Major, do take my money in the meantime. Sooner or later your affairs must be settled. You will get money in plenty then; and then you shall repay me with interest. I only do it for the sake of the interest.

MAJ. T.

Do not talk of it.

WER.

Upon my life, I only do it for the sake of the interest. Many a time I have thought to myself—"Werner, what will become of you in your old age? when you are crippled? when you will have nothing in the world?

when you will be obliged to go and beg!" And then I thought again— "No, you will not be obliged to beg: you will go to Major Tellheim; he will share his last penny with you; he will feed you till you die; and with him you can die like an honest fellow."

MAJ. T. (taking Werner's hand).

And, comrade, you do not think so still?

WER.

No, I do not think so any longer. He who will not take anything from me, when he is in want, and I have to give, will not give me anything when he has to give, and I am in want. So be it.

(Is going.)

MAJ. T.

Man, do not drive me mad! Where are you going?

(Detains him.)

If I assure you now, upon my honour, that I still have money—If I assure you, upon my honour, that I will tell you when I have no more— that you shall be the first and only person from whom I will borrow anything—will that content you?

WER.

I suppose it must. Give me your hand on it, Major.

MAJ. T.

There, Paul! And now enough of that, I came here to speak with a certain young woman.

SCENE VIII

Franziska (coming out of Minna's room), Major von Tellheim, Paul Werner