The Lawyers, A Drama in Five Acts Part 23

_Clar._ Ah, the legacy,--his conscience--Dr. Kannenfeld,--it begins to operate.

_Gern._ Yes, yes.

_Soph._ Oh, I wish that was settled!

_Clar._ Do not be uneasy; old Wellenberg has him entirely in his power, and he knows what he is about.

SCENE VIII.

Enter Privy Counsellor CLARENBACH.

_P. Coun._ Sophia, I have kept my word.

_Clar._ (reaches him his hand.) We have been told so.

_Soph._ I know it.

_P. Coun._ My accounts are now settled, and my mind is at ease. I can now call a furnished house and four thousand dollars my own honest property. I have thrown off the burden, I have got rid of a connection that imposed upon me.

_Gern._ Dear brother! how is it possible that any connection should warp your generous principles.

_P. Coun._ Man does not warp all at once, but by degrees. Providence lent me a hand. (Lays Sophia's hand on his breast.) You even look kinder than you used to do.

_Fred._ I should never have forgiven you, if you had compelled me to give my hand to Selling.

_P. Coun._ Dear Frederica!

_Clar._ Well, well! that was done while he was intoxicated with foreign wine. The cup of pride produces that,--a good and useful beverage for those that quaff it in moderation. Whoever cannot do that, had better drink home-made wine.

_Soph._ But what do you intend to do with regard to your office, and the charge brought against you concerning the monopoly?

_P. Coun._ I mean to set off for the capital, and candidly lay the whole before the Minister; he is a good man; I will tell him I a.s.sumed a burthen too heavy for my shoulders, and entreat him to lay it on some person better suited to bear it.

_Clar._ That is right, Jack! When I was desired to sketch a design for the Prince's palace in our neighbourhood, I also said, "Please your Highness, I am a carpenter; the undertaking is beyond my sphere; send for an architect, and what he plans I will endeavour to execute. My head may conceive the plan for a common dwelling-house well enough, but not for a palace; and so I do not wish to step out of my line." The old Prince has since repeatedly thanked me for it, and said, with a significant nod, "You were right, master, Clarenbach! I wish some of my counsellors would do the same, and, when called on, say, I am not fit to fill that office. But they take the hatchet in hand, and slash away without any art or judgment."--My dear son, throw it down, and let some good political carpenter take it up. G.o.d be with you!

SCENE IX.

Enter Lawyer WELLENBERG.

_Well._ Are you all here?--thank G.o.d!

_Clar._ You are welcome, Mr. Wellenberg.

_Well._ A chair, a chair. (P. Counsellor reaches a chair.)

_Clar._ What is the matter with you, pray?

_Well._ O Heaven! oh!

_Fred._ What ails you, Sir?

_Gern._ You make me uneasy.

_Soph._ Have you spoken with my father?

_Well._ Yes, yes, yes.

_P. Coun._ Dear Wellenberg, pray speak plain.

_Well._ _Est necesse, ut remotis testibus loquar._

_P. Coun._ _Dicam ergo aliis ut abeant._

_Well._ _Imo, jubeas, quaeso! sunt enim res summi momenti._

_P. Coun._ _Nunquid sane de sponsae meae parente?_

_Well._ _Quin ita! agitur enim vitae et animae salus._

_P. Coun._ Good folks, leave me a minute alone with this good gentleman.

_Clar._ Good G.o.d!

_Soph._ It concerns my father.--O Clarenbach!

_P. Coun._ We will manage all for the best.

_Soph._ To your compa.s.sion, to your filial compa.s.sion,--to your duty as a son, to your heart, to every thing I appeal, Clarenbach! You must bring him back to the path of virtue, even against his will. You must, and my grat.i.tude shall be eternal.

SCENE X.

Enter Aulic Counsellor REISSMAN.

_Reiss._ Mr. Wellenberg!--

_Well._ Oh, that G.o.d--(Rises.)

_Reiss._ I want to speak with you.

_Well._ No, no! I will not.--Keep off, keep at six yards distance from me at least.

_Reiss._ I must have a private conversation with you.

_Well._ G.o.d forbid!