Act V. Scene XIV. Lessing, Gotthold Ephraim. 1909-14. Minna von Barnhelm. The Harvard Classics

Gotthold Ephraim Lessing (1729–1781). Minna von Barnhelm.
The Harvard Classics. 1909–14.

Act V

Scene XIV


MAJOR VON TELLHEIM, WERNER, JUST, FRANZISKA Maj. T. (pointing to the purse which WERNER had thrown down). Here, Just, pick up the purse and carry it home. Go! (Just takes it up and goes.)	1
Wer. (still standing, out of humour, in a corner, and absent till he hears the last words). Well, what now?	2
Maj. T. (in a friendly tone while going up to him). Werner, when can I have the other two thousand pistoles?	3
Wer. (in a good humour again instantly). To-morrow, Major, to-morrow.	4
Maj. T. I do not need to become your debtor; but I will be your banker. All you good-natured people ought to have guardians. You are in a manner spendthrifts.—I irritated you just now, Werner.	5
Wer. Upon my life you did! But I ought not to have been such a dolt. Now I see it all clearly. I deserve a hundred lashes. You may give them to me, if you will, Major. Only no more ill will, dear Major!	6
Maj. T. Ill will! (shaking him by the hand). Read in my eyes all that I cannot say to you—Ah! let me see the man with a better wife and a more trusty friend than I shall have.—Eh! Franziska? (Exit.)	7