Minna Von Barnhelm

Franziska, do you not know?

FRAN.

No, my lady.

RIC.

It is vary necessaire dat I speak him. I come and bring him a nouvelle, of which he will be vary much at ease.

MIN.

I regret it so much the more. But I hope to see him perhaps shortly.

If it is a matter of indifference from whom he hears this good news, I would offer, sir!!!!!

RIC.

I comprehend. Mademoiselle parle francais? Mais sans doute; telle que je la vois! La demande etait bien impolie; vous me pardonnerez, Mademoiselle.

MIN.

Sir!!!!!

RIC.

No! You not speak French, Madame?

MIN.

Sir, in France I would endeavour to do so; but why here? I perceive that you understand me, sir; and I, sir, shall doubtless understand you; speak as you please.

RIC.

Good, good! I can also explain me in your langue. Sachez donc, Mademoiselle, you must know, Madame, dat I come from de table of de ministre, ministre de, ministre de… What is le ministre out dere, in de long street, on de broad place?

MIN.

I am a perfect stranger here.

RIC.

Si, le ministre of de war departement. Dere I have eat my dinner; I ordinary dine dere, and de conversation did fall on Major Tellheim; et le ministre m'a dit en confidence, car Son Excellence est de mes amis, et il n'y a point de mysteres entre nous; Son Excellence, I say, has trust to me, dat l'affaire from our Major is on de point to end, and to end good. He has made a rapport to de king, and de king has resolved et tout a fait en faveur du Major. "Monsieur," m'a dit Son Excellence, "vous comprenez bien, que tout depend de la maniere, dont on fait envisager les choses au roi, et vous me connaissez. Cela fait un tres-joli garcon que ce Tellheim, et ne sais-je pas que vous l'aimez? Les amis de mes amis sont aussi les miens. Il coute un peu cher au Roi ce Tellheim, mais est-ce que l'on sert les rois pour rien? Il faut s'entr'aider en ce monde; et quand il s'agit de pertes, que ce soit le Roi qui en fasse, et non pas un honnete homme de nous autres. Voila le principe, dont je ne me depars jamais." But what say Madame to it? N'est pas, dat is a fine fellow! Ah! que Son Excellence a le coeur bien place! He assure me au reste, if de Major has not recu already une lettre de la main—a royal letter, dat to-day infailliblement must he receive one.

MIN.

Certainly, sir, this news will be most welcome to Major von Tellheim.

I should like to be able to name the friend to him, who takes such an interest in his welfare.

RIC.

Madame, you wish my name? Vous voyez en moi—you see, lady, in me, le Chevalier Riccaut de la Marliniere, Seigneur de Pret-au-val, de la branche de Prens d'or. You remain astonished to hear me from so great, great a family, qui est veritablement du sang royal. Il faut le dire;

je suis sans doute le cadet le plus aventureux que la maison n'a jamais eu. I serve from my eleven year. Une affaire d'honneur make me flee. Den I serve de holy Papa of Rome, den de Republic St. Marino, den de Poles, den de States General, till enfin I am brought her. Ah! Mademoiselle, que je voudrais n'avoir jamais vu ce pays-ci! Had one left me in de service of de States General, should I be now at least colonel. But here always to remain capitaine, and now also a discharged capitaine.

MIN.

That is ill luck.

RIC.

Oui, Mademoiselle, me voila reforme, et par la mis sur le pave!

MIN.

I am very sorry for you.

RIC.

Vous etes bien bonne, Mademoiselle.... No, merit have no reward here. Reformer a man, like me! A man who also have ruin himself in dis service! I have lost in it so much as twenty thousand livres. What have I now? Tranchons le mot; je n'ai pas le sou, et me voila exactement vis-a-vis de rien.

MIN.

I am exceedingly sorry.

RIC.

Vous etes bien bonne, Mademoiselle, But as one say—misfortune never come alone! qu'un malheur ne vient jamais seul: so it arrive with me.

What ressource rests for an honnete homme of my extraction, but play?

Now, I always played with luck, so long I not need her. Now I very much need her, je joue avec un guignon, Mademoiselle, que surpasse toute croyance. For fifteen days, not one is passed, dat I always am broke. Yesterday, I was broke dree times. Je sais bien, qu'il y avait quelque chose de plus que le jeu. Car parmi mes pontes se trouvaient certaines dames. I will not speak more. One must be very galant to les dames. Dey have invite me again to-day, to give me revanche; mais— vous m'entendez, Mademoiselle,—one must first have to live, before one can have to play.

MIN.

I hope, sir!!!!!

RIC.

Vous etes bien bonne, Mademoiselle.

MIN. (Takes Franziska aside.)

Franziska, I really feel for the man. Would he take it ill, if I offer him something?

FRAN.

He does not look to me like a man who would.