Lovers Vows | Page 7

the house with a small pitcher.]
LANDLORD. Here is wine--a most delicious nectar. [Aside.] It is only Rhenish; but it will pass for the best old Hock.
FREDERICK [impatiently snatching the pitcher]. Give it me.
LANDLORD. No, no--the money first. One shilling and two-pence, if you please.
[Frederick gives him money.]
FREDERICK. This is all I have.--Here, here, mother.
[While she drinks Landlord counts the money.]
LANDLORD. Three halfpence too short! However, one must be charitable. [Exit Landlord.
AGATHA. I thank you, my dear Frederick--Wine revives me--Wine from the hand of my son gives me almost a new life.
FREDERICK. Don't speak too much, mother.--Take your time.
AGATHA. Tell me, dear child, how you have passed the five years since you left me.
FREDERICK. Both good and bad, mother. To day plenty--to-morrow not so much--And sometimes nothing at all.
AGATHA. You have not written to me this long while.
FREDERICK. Dear mother, consider the great distance I was from you!--And then, in the time of war, how often letters miscarry.--Besides ----
AGATHA. No matter now I see you. But have you obtained your discharge?
FREDERICK. Oh, no, mother--I have leave of absence only for two months; and that for a particular reason. But I will not quit you so soon, now I find you are in want of my assistance.
AGATHA. No, no, Frederick; your visit will make me so well, that I shall in a very short time recover strength to work again; and you must return to your regiment when your furlough is expired. But you told me leave of absence was granted you for a particular reason.--What reason?
FREDERICK. When I left you five years ago, you gave me every thing you could afford, and all you thought would be necessary for me. But one trifle you forgot, which was, the certificate of my birth from the church-book.--You know in this country there is nothing to be done without it. At the time of parting from you, I little thought it could be of that consequence to me which I have since found it would have been. Once I became tired of a soldier's life, and in the hope I should obtain my discharge, offered myself to a master to learn a profession; but his question was, "Where is your certificate from the church-book of the parish in which you were born?" It vexed me that I had not it to produce, for my comrades laughed at my disappointment. My captain behaved kinder, for he gave me leave to come home to fetch it--and you see, mother, here I am.
[During this speech Agatha is confused and agitated.
AGATHA. So, you are come for the purpose of fetching your certificate from the church-book.
FREDERICK. Yes, mother.
AGATHA. Oh! oh!
FREDERICK. What is the matter? [She bursts into tears.] For heaven's sake, mother, tell me what's the matter?
AGATHA. You have no certificate.
FREDERICK. No!
AGATHA. No.--The laws of Germany excluded you from being registered at your birth--for--you are a natural son!
FREDERICK [starts--after a pause]. So!--And who is my father?
AGATHA. Oh Frederick, your wild looks are daggers to my heart. Another time.
FREDERICK [endeavouring to conceal his emotion]. No, no--I am still your son--and you are still my mother. Only tell me, who is my father?
AGATHA. When we parted five years ago, you were too young to be intrusted with a secret of so much importance.--But the time is come when I can, in confidence, open my heart, and unload that burthen with which it has been long oppressed. And yet, to reveal my errors to my child, and sue for his mild judgment on my conduct ----
FREDERICK. You have nothing to sue for; only explain this mystery.
AGATHA. I will, I will. But--my tongue is locked with remorse and shame. You must not look at me.
FREDERICK. Not look at you! Cursed be that son who could find his mother guilty, although the world should call her so.
AGATHA. Then listen to me, and take notice of that village, [pointing] of that castle, and of that church. In that village I was born--in that church I was baptized. My parents were poor, but reputable farmers.--The lady of that castle and estate requested them to let me live with her, and she would provide for me through life. They resigned me; and at the age of fourteen I went to my patroness. She took pleasure to instruct me in all kinds of female literature and accomplishments, and three happy years had passed under protection, when her only son, who was an officer in the Saxon service, obtained permission to come home. I had never seen him before--he was a handsome young man--in my eyes a prodigy; for he talked of love, and promised me marriage. He was the first man who ever spoken to me on such a subject.--His flattery made me vain, and his repeated vows--Don't look at me, dear Frederick!--I can say no more. [Frederick