punish it; you shall
never see my face again. [Exit.

_Soph._ Father!--

_Clar._ Here is one that has a heart for the distressed children! Come,
my daughter.

_P. Coun._ My resignation was to be spontaneous; it is now forced and
attended with disgrace.

_Soph._ My heart is Clarenbach's, whether he be fortunate or
unfortunate.

_P. Coun._ He will ruin me, and endeavour to dissolve our mutual tie.

_Clar._ But I and old Wellenberg say, he shall not; between us two old
boys we will sing him such a song, as will make him wish he were under
earth or water. Let me alone; your happiness is at stake.

_Soph._ He is my father,--he is old; for his daughter's sake do not
disgrace him.

_Clar._ But disgrace myself, ay? No; honour to him who honour deserves!
I will ring the bell of disgrace over him, so as to make the whole
country resound. (Disengages himself, and exit.)

_Soph._ On that condition I cannot be your wife. (Going.)

_P. Coun._ (stops her,) Sophia!

_Soph._ In this case, the voice of nature should over-rule that of
love! If he is to be ruined, were it to break my heart and cost me my
life, it is my duty to perish by his side. (Disengages herself, and
exit.)

_Fred._ Sister, dear sister! (Follows.)

_P. Coun._ (to Gernau.) Man! you, that, though poor and low, have
remained faithful to your duty; I apply to that heart which my power
has tortured, and seek for consolation. (Clings round his neck.)

_Gern._ I sympathize in your sufferings; let me go and get information,
and act for you.

_P. Coun._ No! If I should fall, I ought to rise by myself, and if I
cannot bring that about, I ought to perish in the dark, unpitied by
man. [Exit.

ACT V.

SCENE I.

Enter Aulic Counsellor REISSMAN, bringing in two bottles of wine, which
he puts on the table.

_Reiss._ The doctor is dead,--good night to him! The lawyer will soon
follow; he is an old man! Old people are subject to many accidents;
death has them constantly at his nod, such is the course of nature!

SCENE II.

Enter Counsellor SELLING.

_Sell._ Oh, dear Sir, what shall we do now? I have read that Benniger
such a lecture, and taken the money _ad depositum_. But, good heaven!
that fellow is a wild ferocious beast. He says, it is a b