SCENE I.--_Pleasure-garden at Augsburg. The_ EMPEROR, _the_ BISHOP OF

BAMBERG, WEISLINGEN, _the_ LADY ADELHEID, COURTIERS.

EMPEROR: I am tired of these merchants with their eternal complaints! Every shopkeeper wants help, and no one will stir against the common enemy of the empire and of Christianity.

WEISLINGEN: Who would be active abroad while he is threatened at home?

BISHOP: If we could only remove that proud Sickingen and Berlichingen, the others would soon fall asunder.

EMPEROR: Brave, noble men at heart, who must be spared and used against the Turks.

WEISLINGEN: The consequences may be dangerous. Better to capture them and leave them quietly upon their knightly parole in their castles.

EMPEROR: If they then abide by the law, they might again be honourably and usefully employed. I shall open the session of the Diet to-morrow with this proposal.

WEISLINGEN: A clamour of joyful assent will spare your majesty the end of the speech.

[_Exit_ EMPEROR, BISHOP, _and_ COURTIERS.

WEISLINGEN: And so you mean to go--to leave the festive scenes for which you longed with all your heart, to leave a friend to whom you are indispensable, to delay our union?

ADELHEID: The gayer, the freer shall I return to you.

WEISLINGEN: Will you be content if we proceed against Berlichingen?

ADELHEID: You deserve a kiss! My uncle, Von Wanzenau, must be captain!

WEISLINGEN: Impossible! An incompetent old dreamer!

ADELHEID: Let the fiery Werdenhagen, his sister's stepson, go with him.

WEISLINGEN: He is thoughtless and foolhardy, and will not improve matters.

ADELHEID: We have to think of our relatives. For love of me, you must do it! And I want some exemptions for the convent of St. Emmerau; you can work the chancellor. Then the cup-bearer's post is vacant at the Hessian Court, and the high stewardship of the Palatinate. I want them for our friends Braimau and Mirsing.

WEISLINGEN: How shall I remember it all?

ADELHEID: I shall train a starling to repeat the names to you, and to add, "Please, please." (_Exit_ WEISLINGEN. _To_ FRANZ, _whom she stops as he crosses to follow his master_): Franz, could you get me a starling, or would you yourself be my starling? You would learn more rapidly.

FRANZ: If you would teach me. Try. Take me with you.

ADELHEID: No, you must serve me here. Have you a good memory?

FRANZ: For your words. I remember every syllable you spoke to me that first day at Bamberg.

ADELHEID: Now, listen, Franz. I shall tell you the names which I want you to repeat to your master, always adding, "Please, please."

FRANZ (_seizing her hand passionately_): Please, please!

ADELHEID (_stepping back_): Hands are not wanted. You must lose such bad manners. But you must not be so upset at a little rebuke. One punishes the children one loves.

FRANZ: You love me, then?

ADELHEID: I might love you as a child, but you are getting too tall and violent. [_Exeunt._