George: Now let your joke be ended, they are frightened enough. One of them, a handsome young man, gave me this casket, and said, "Take this as ransom! The jewels I meant to take to my betrothed. Take them, and let me escape."
Goetz (examining the jewels): This time, Marie, I shall not be tempted to bring it to you as a birthday gift. Even in your misfortune you would rejoice in the happiness of others. Take it, George. Give it back to the lad. Let him take it to his bride, with greeting from Goetz! And let all the prisoners free at sunset.
Act III
Scene I.—Pleasure-garden at Augsburg. The Emperor, the Bishop of Bamberg, Weislingen, the Lady Adelheid, Courtiers.
Emperor: I am tired of these merchants with their eternal complaints! Every shopkeeper wants help, and no one will stir against the common enemy of the empire and of Christianity.
Weislingen: Who would be active abroad while he is threatened at home?
Bishop: If we could only remove that proud Sickingen and Berlichingen, the others would soon fall asunder.
Emperor: Brave, noble men at heart, who must be spared and used against the Turks.
Weislingen: The consequences may be dangerous. Better to capture them and leave them quietly upon their knightly parole in their castles.
Emperor: If they then abide by the law, they might again be honourably and usefully employed. I shall open the session of the Diet to-morrow with this proposal.