Chapter 6

Otto

(To theBurgomaster.) In that case, the Major will accept; I’ll answer for him. Leave it to me and look upon yourself as saved.

The Burgomaster

But don’t you see that it’s the same thing as before, that it means handing over an innocent man to execution and that, the more you try to obscure it, the clearer my duty becomes? If I will not permit Claus to die voluntarily in my stead while declaring himself innocent, still less can I allow him to do so by declaring himself guilty, when I know that he is not. That would be committing two mean actions instead of one.

Otto

(Trying to dragClausaway.) Come,Claus, we will save him in spite of himself. Come along to the Major.

The Burgomaster

Claus, stay here. You love me, my dear old Claus: you have just given me the most beautiful and positive proof that one man can give to another. I will ask you for yet another proof, perhaps even more trying; it shall be the last. Promise me that, whatever happens, you will not go to the Major.

Claus

Mr. Burgomaster, Mr. Burgomaster, you know what is right better than I do.... (Sobbing.) But I meant it with all my heart, Mr. Burgomaster.

The Burgomaster

(Embracing him.) Good-bye, my dear Claus.

Claus

Good-bye, Mr. Burgomaster.

Otto

I can’t understand a syllable of all this. It’s simply a mad craving for martyrdom.

The Burgomaster

No, my dear fellow, it’s only the way decent folk behave in this country. (A knock at the door.) Come in! (Enter theFootman.) What is it?

The Footman

Mr. Burgomaster, the Major has sent to ask you and Lieutenant Otto to go with him to the Town-hall.

The Burgomaster

Of course, I was forgetting the war-levy and the fine. We shall have a tough discussion. I’m reckoning on you, Otto.

Otto

I will do my best, but I can’t promise much: the Major seldom allows any one to differ from him.

The Burgomaster

What’s the time? Past four? And here was I quietly attending to private matters, as though I were all alone in the world! It is time that we were thinking of others.

CURTAIN

Back to Index Next