The Lawyers, A Drama in Five Acts Part 24

_Soph._ Dear Mr. Wellenberg grant it; I entreat you.

_Well._ Can I?--ask him.

_P. Coun._ I beg, I entreat you.

_Well._ (after a pause?) Well, yes. Yes then, I will run the risk.

_Soph._ I thank you.

_Well._ But--(beckons the Privy Counsellor to come near him, and whispers to him.)

_P. Coun._ Yes, I will. Come along.

_Reiss._ (alarmed.) What,--what, will you?

_P. Coun._ Nothing that can give you any uneasiness.

_Reiss._ Where do you intend to go?

_P. Coun._ To win this hand and your esteem. Come along. (All exeunt, except Reissman and Wellenberg.)

SCENE XI.

Aulic Counsellor REISSMAN, Lawyer WELLENBERG.

_Reiss._ Ay, dear Mr. Wallenberg, you are--it is--why are you--I cannot conceive for what reason you left my house in that abrupt manner.

_Well._ The warning came from above to the unworthy. (Takes the bottle out of his pocket.) What is this? (putting it on the chair.) Answer me that!

_Reiss._ How!--(s.n.a.t.c.hing at it.)

_Well._ Keep off!--It is poison!

_Reiss._ Ay, good G.o.d!

_Well._ There is poison in the wine you pressed me to drink.

_Reiss._ Should you by some unfortunate mistake--

_Well._ It is poison! it was intended to close my lips for ever! Lulled to sleep by your artful proposals, I might have pa.s.sed into the other world according to the old proverb, "Dead men tell no tales;" but you forgot that I should rise against you at the last day.

_Reiss._ (a.s.suming courage.) Mr. Lawyer, dare you--

_Well._ I dare call you an a.s.sa.s.sin,

_Reiss._ Who knows what you have been doing with this bottle in the mean while?

_Well._ So you think to escape by your cunning? This moment I see, and you feel, the mark which the Almighty has impressed on your brow. Your mind is callous, and yet you are so struck with terror, that your tongue cleaves to the roof of your mouth, and cannot perform its office.

_Reiss._ But, you, you--

_Well._ Silence! Is your soul insensible to the trepidation of your body, or what I have not in my power to do? Here stands the evidence of the crime, there the delinquent, and here I stand, either as judge or a merciful man, if you deliver yourself up vanquished into my hands; and, if not, as your accuser before the tribunal of the public. Kneel down this moment, the sword of justice hangs over your head!

_Reiss._ (shaking.) My G.o.d!

_Well._ You are at the end of your career! The judgment of heaven is committed to my hands, but mercy reigns in my heart: act in such a manner, that my heart may preponderate; for I am a man whom you have driven to extremes.

_Reiss._ (with terror.) What, what must I?--

_Well._ To the extreme, I say. I can hardly refrain from demanding justice.

_Reiss._ What is your demand then?

_Well._ For myself I demand nothing. But what does your conscience demand, wicked man? Is it silent? (With warmth;) Then, then I must do what I ought to do.

_Reiss._ Well, then, I will give up the legacy at once.

_Well._ Further--

_Reiss._ What can I do more?

_Well._ Resign your office, that the corroding canker may be removed from the breast of my country.

_Reiss._ But--

_Well._ G.o.d and man demand that I should utter this language.

_Reiss._ I will, I will.

_Well._ Consent to the Privy Counsellor's marriage, and do not disinherit your virtuous daughter. All these points must be reduced to writing, and signed by you this very day; then I will remain silent, and spare you, that mercy in turn may be shewn to me.

_Reiss._ I will. Let the seal of silence be placed for ever on your lips.

_Well._ Forever!

_Reiss._ Give me your word and hand.

_Well._ My word is sufficient. (Puts the bottle in his pocket.) If you accomplish the conditions, this affair shall be buried in eternal oblivion.

_Reiss._ All shall be done this very day.

_Well._ Now go, and inform the people of all the blessings you intend to shower on them.

_Reiss._ I will grant them every thing, but I cannot tell them the happy effects of our conversation.

_Well._ It must be so to save appearances.

_Reiss._ You are right! (Takes a ring from his finger.) Accept this, it is of the first water, worth two hundred Louis d'ors.