Act II. Scene VIII. 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 II

Scene VIII


MAJOR VON TELLHEIM, LANDLORD, and the above Maj. T. (walks in, and the moment he sees MINNA rushes towards her). Ah! my Minna!	1
Min. (springing towards him). Ah! my Tellheim!	2
Maj. T. (starts suddenly, and draws back). I beg your pardon, Fräulein von Barnhelm; but to meet you here—	3
Min. Cannot surely be so unexpected! (Approaching him, whilst he draws back still more.) Am I to pardon you because I am still your Minna? Heaven pardon you, that I am still Fräulein von Barnhelm!	4
Maj. T. Fräulein … (Looks fixedly at the LANDLORD, and shrugs his shoulders.)	5
Min. (sees the LANDLORD, and makes a sign to FRANZISKA). Sir—	6
Maj. T. If we are not both mistaken—	7
Fran. Why, Landlord, whom have you brought us here? Come, quick! let us go and look for the right man.	8
Land. Is he not the right one? Surely!	9
Fran. Surely not! Come, quick! I have not yet wished your daughter good morning.	10
Land. Oh! you are very good (still does not stir).	11
Fran. (takes hold of him). Come, and we will make the bill of fare. Let us see what we shall have.	12
Land. You shall have first of all—	13
Fran. Stop, I say, stop! If my mistress knows now what she is to have for dinner, it will be all over with her appetite. Come, we must talk that over in private. (Drags him off.)	14