Gotthold Ephraim Lessing (1729–1781). Minna von Barnhelm.
The Harvard Classics. 1909–14. |
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| Act V |
| | | Scene XIII |
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COUNT VON BRUCHSAL (accompanied by several servants and the LANDLORD). The rest as before
Count. (entering). She arrived in safety, I hope? | 1 |
| Min. (running to meet him). Ah! my father! | 2 |
| Count. Here I am, dear Minna (embracing her). But what, girl (seeing TELLHEIM), only four-and-twenty hours here, and friends—company already! | 3 |
| Min. Guess who it is? | 4 |
| Count. Not your Tellheim, surely! | 5 |
| Min. Who else!—Come, Tellheim (introducing him). | 6 |
| Count. Sir, we have never met; but at the first glance I fancied I recognised you. I wished it might be Major von Tellheim.—Your hand, sir; you have my highest esteem; I ask for your friendship. My niece, my daughter loves you. | 7 |
| Min. You know that, my father!—And was my love blind? | 8 |
| Count. No, Minna, your love was not blind; but your lover—is dumb. | 9 |
| Maj. T. (throwing himself in the COUNT’S arms). Let me recover myself, my father! | 10 |
| Count. Right, my son. I see your heart can speak, though your lips cannot. I do not usually care for those who wear this uniform. But you are an honourable man, Tellheim; and one must love an honourable man, in whatever garb he may be. | 11 |
| Min. Ah! did you but know all! | 12 |
| Count. Why should I not hear all?—Which are my apartments, landlord? | 13 |
| Land. Will your Excellency have the goodness to walk this way? | 14 |
| Count. Come, Minna! Pray come, Major! (Exit with the LANDLORD and servants.) | 15 |
| Min. Come, Tellheim! | 16 |
| Maj. T. I will follow you in an instant, Minna. One word first with this man (turning to WERNER). | 17 |
| Min. And a good word, methinks, it should be. Should it not, Franziska? (Exit.) | 18 |
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