The Lawyers, A Drama in Five Acts Part 4

_Fred._ Shall I go to him, Gernau?

_Gern._ Do not embitter my life, good soul; I have trouble enough besides. Your brother will drive me away.

_Fred._ What?

_Gern._ He will throw me out of my office.

_Fred._ Why?

_Gern._ To put a more accommodating man in my place.

_Fred._ He does not wish to do that certainly, nor could he even effect it.

_Gern._ He is all-powerful here; his abilities, his connections at Court, his office, render every thing possible that he wishes to atchieve.

_Fred._ And what does he want of you? what displeases him?

_Gern._ Under the pretence of promoting agriculture, he wants the best part of the forest for himself, which is of no great use to the community. And this pretended plea is a garden, he means to lay out in the English style for his own pleasure.

_Fred._ And should not an industrious man be indulged with some pleasure?

_Gern._ Should he wish to have it at the expence of the public? I must oppose it.

_Fred._ Does he know it?

_Gern._ Yes, he behaved so haughtily to me.

_Fred._ And you--

_Gern._ I thought on his sister,--and held my tongue.

_Fred._ (reaches him her hand.) Gernau!

_Gern._ He threatened me!

_Fred._ And you?

_Gern._ I curbed my pa.s.sion. He bid me be gone,--and I shall not trouble him again.

_Fred._ And what do you intend to do as to the forest?

_Gern._ My duty.

_Fred._ (draws back her hand.) Oh!

_Gern._ Yes, yes! It will cost me your hand, I foresee.

_Fred._ Never!--my affection is fixed, and can never be diverted from the dear object.--Your complaisance--

_Gern._ I have been complaisant, as far as laid in my power. I cannot be so at the expence of my duty.

_Fred._ I do not insist on that either. But,--but--

_Gern._ What would you wish that your own sentiments of equity forbids you to utter?

_Fred._ I only wish--I demand nothing--I only wish you to soften your rigid idea of duty, if you can.

_Gern._ I know nothing but justice, that will not admit of any by-road.

And if I were capable of such a sacrifice, whither would it lead me? It would lead me to see you, Selling's wife, and to laugh at me.

_Fred._ Must I break with all the world, because our hearts beat in unison? Am I criminal to listen to Selling's nonsense, because he is the only man through whom I can act upon my brother?

_Gern._ Then I may rely upon you?

_Fred._ Undoubtedly.

_Gern._ Pledge me your hand!

_Fred._ With all my heart!

_Gern._ Thus love will not forsake me, when I shall fall a victim to my duty.

_Fred._ I know no deceit, and follow the dictates of my heart.

_Gern._ In the name of heaven then I go to discharge my duty; it rewards and strengthens. Good bye, Frederica!--One more word, you are good; but are you resolute?

_Fred._ I am indeed!

_Gern._ Your brother has plans about you, in which I am most certainly set down for nought.--Frederica, Frederica, let him drive me hence, but not from you!

_Fred._ He shall not, he cannot. And no man can render me inconstant to you, but yourself.

_Gern._ Then you are mine, and I am easy.

_Fred._ And owe no grudge to my brother?

_Gern._ Frederica, I am an honest man.

_Fred._ Whom the purest love shall reward, as far as love can reward!

_Gern._ Adieu, dear Frederica!

_Fred._ Adieu, Gernau! [Exeunt by opposite doors.

ACT II.