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CLAVIGO: A TRAGEDY; 



(FROM THE GERMAN OF GOETHE). 



DRAMATIS PERSONS. 



MEN. 



Clavigo. Keeper of the Royal Archives. 



Carlos. Friend of Clavigo. 



Beaumarchais. 



Gullbert. Brother-in-law to Beaumarchais. 



Buenco. 



Saint George. 



WOMEN. 



Maria Beaumarchais. 

 Sophia Guilbert 



SCENE MADRID. 



ACT I. An Apartment in Clavigo's House.* 

 Clavigo and Carlos. Clavigo rising from a writing-desk. 



Clav. This paper will produce a considerable sensation, it will enchant 

 the women. Tell me, Carlos, don't you think my periodical is now one of 

 the first in Europe ? 



Car. In Spain, at least, we have no modern writer, who unites so much 

 power of thought and glowing imagination, with such a brlliiant and 

 flowing style. 



Clav. Yes ! I must create good taste among the people. Men are 

 open to receive various impressions. I have acquired a fame among my 

 fellow-citizens ; and, between you and I, my knowledge increases daily, 

 my sentiments expand, and my style becomes purer and more nervous. 



Car. True, Clavigo ! but don't take it unkindly if I say, your produc- 

 tions pleased me much better when you wrote at the feet of Maria, while 

 the dear sprightly creature influenced you. I don't know ; but the whole 

 had a more vigorous, a more blooming appearance. 



Clav. Ah ! those were happy times, Carlos ; but they are passed now. 

 I frankly own I wrote then with a more open heart, and, in truth, I owe 

 to her one-half the applause, which, from the very beginning, ^the public 

 bestowed on me. But, after all, Carlos, one soon gets satiated with 

 women ; and, were not you the first to commend my resolution, when I 

 determined to leave her ? 



Car. You would soon have been spoiled. There is such monotony in 

 them. But it is high time now to look out for some new object ; there is 

 nothing to be done while you continue so totally undecided. 



Clav. The court is the object I aim at, and to reach that requires un- 

 ceasing activity. Have I not done pretty well for a foreigner, who came 

 here without rank, name, or fortune? Here at a court ! amidst a throng 



* In a review of Goethe's PosthumousWorks in the last Foreign Quarterly, 

 it is stated that Goethe, at the request of a lady, dramatized the story of" Clavi- 

 go" in eight days. However short the time of producing this tragedy* it is a great 

 favourite with us, and we think quite worthy the genius of the great Poet of 

 Germany. We are not aware that any translation has hitherto been given to 

 the public. The story has been told and powerfully and beautifully 'told on 

 canvas, by that youthful genius, Theodor Von Hoist, and appeared at the last 

 exhibition of the Royal Academy. We confess that it was this exquisite picture 

 which induced us to 'offer to our readers the present translation. 

 M.M. No. 105. T 



