Lotte in Weimar Page #2

Our greatness is of the spirit alone.

But now make haste

and show my maid her quarters,

for I shall soon have need of her.

Yes, and on the way, you can tell me

where the author lives who wrote the wonderful Rinaldo.

[Christian August Vulpius, Goethe's brother-in-law]

Oh, what a ravishing book!

I've read it five times without stopping.

Do you think we might chance

to see him in the street?

Only one single word, Frau Councillor.

That very last scene before Werther takes his leave,

that heartrending scene between the three of you,

in the house of the Teutonic Order at Wetzlar,

Werther grasps Lotte's hand and cries:

"We shall meet again!"

In all the world we shall know each other's forms again!"

The Privy Councillor did not make it up, didn't he?

That was real, wasn't it? It actually happened?

Yes. No.

Yes and no.

But go now. Go!

So now your crown of glory stands revealed.

Ah, child.

Goethe in his memoirs complains

that people pester him all the time.

But see how men think only of themselves!

He never once reflects all the harm he did to us,

to your dear, departed father and me,

with his wicked mixture of truth and make-believe.

And black and blue eyes.

I know exactly where he took that from.

Litte Dorte, our neighbour's daughter.

Her eyes were pitch-black.

And from somewhere else.

Mama, there's a ribbon missing.

Do you really want to wear it like this?

All those allusions.

Oh, Lottchen,

you have no mind for some fun.

The librarian Vulpius, author of that glorious work Rinaldo,

is brother-in-law to Herr von Goethe to boot.

It is high time for you both

to be off to the Esplanade, to Aunt Amalia,

to announce our arrival.

Being an old lady, I must lie down

and rest for an hour or so.

I will follow you, as soon as I'm refreshed.

My honoured friend:

I am paying a visit to my sister,

with my daughter Charlotte,

for a few days in your town.

It is my wish to present my child to you;

and to look once more upon a face

which has become famous to all the world.

Weimar, Hotel Elephant, 22nd September 1816.

Your Charlotte Kestner, ne Buff.

Does it hurt?

Not at all.

Alas, I've never experienced all that.

It was never so tempestuous.

He only wrote it down that way.

Come in, little Clara.

Good day.

My child! You're already here.

How tall you are.

And where's dear Lottchen?

She's resting.

Come along!

Take the brat.

Make way.

The kiss won't remain our secret,

I shall tell my fianc.

He's kissed me.

On my lips.

On your lips?

Really?

He may well act the philanderer

for the time he's here.

His blue coat.

Yellow waistcoat, yellow pants.

Loafing.

The engaged couple now decided

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