A PAIR OF TWINS
Singspiel in one act
adapted from French
by 
Georg Ernst Hofmann
Music by
Franz Schubert  

Schulze - Bass
Lisa, his daughter- Soprano
Anthony, her betrothed- Tenor
The Justice - Bass 
Francis and Frederick Spiess, disabled ex-servicemen- Baritone
(Francis has a bandage on his right eye, Frederick on the left one)
Country-folks

A village in Rhineland, in the early days of the XIXth century.


OVERTURE

SCENE  1

A country scenery. Schulze's house is on the left, in the foreground. Outside the house there is a lime-tree; a table and a bench are under it. Anthony. Some country-folks gathering outside the house. The day is breaking. 

N. 1. Introduction

	CHORUS:
The stars have set
and dawn is fading,
the sun is going to rise;
wake up, bride-to-be!
	ANTHONY:
Sunbeams will shine
on the happy pair;
we will for ever be joined
in marriage on the altar.
	CHORUS:
Sunbeams will shine etc.
	ANTHONY:
Lisa is still asleep,
but her true love is awake.
Come now, stop dreaming,
reality is smiling to you.
	CHORUS:
Lisa is still asleep, etc.
The stars have set, etc.
	ANTHONY:
We have tenderly waken up my fair betrothed. Thank you, dear friends! We will meet again at the wedding breakfast; I do not need you any longer now.

	CHORUS
Good-bye.
(The country-folks go away).

	ANTHONY:
Today is Lisa's eighteenth birthday, at last, and it is also the day of our long-awaited wedding.

SCENE  II
Anthony, Lisa (going out of the house).

	LISA:
Anthony!
	ANTHONY:
Lisa! You have slept very late!
	LISA:
Who told you I was sleeping? I was in bed, that is true, but awake; and I was thinking.
	ANTHONY:
You were thinking? Of what?
	LISA:
Ah, Anthony! What an idle question! As though a bride had nothing to think of... I was thinking of you, of myself, of the past, of today, of our future, and I was rapt in pleasant thoughts.
	ANTHONY:
Please, give up thinking! Those who are happy never think.
	LISA:
Anthony, you do not understand. Am I not to take care of the house as from tomorrow?
	ANTHONY:
I will help you.
	LISA:
Is a housewife not always busy, day and night? 
	ANTHONY:
We will share the housework.
	LISA:
Moreover, could there be three of us soon?
	ANTHONY:
That will come in due time. Look, Lisa, I have done business. I have picked up this little bunch of flowers for my dear eighteen-year-old bride. It is a cheap gift but your heart will not dislike it.
(He hands the bunch to her).

N. 2. Duet

	ANTHONY:
May bloom on your breast
what love have given to you;
save a small room for me
in the bottom of your sweet heart.
	LISA:
Even though the flowers on my faithful
breast are withered,
my beloved one, my joy,
will still be in bloom in my heart.
	LISA, ANTHONY:
Love is not subject to nature, 
but creates a whole world of its own.
It teaches new joys to joy itself
and makes sorrow grow stronger.
	LISA:
I reckoned up the days by sighing,
but time wickedly plodded along;
a single day seemed to last one year to me
because I reckoned up the hours.
	ANTHONY:
I reckoned up the hours by sighing,
but each hour seemed to last a day to me;
the days became years
because I reckoned up the seconds.
	LISA, ANTHONY:
But luckily our day has come;
this endless time has passed.
Heaven, now let our days
last for ever.

SCENE  III
The aforesaid. Schulze, going out of the house.

	SCHULZE:
Good morning, my daughter.
	LISA:
Good morning, my father.
	ANTHONY:
Good morning, Mr Schulze.
	SCHULZE:
Lisa! You are already up, my daughter?
	ANTHONY:
I woke her up.
	SCHULZE:
Did you?
	LISA:
Yes, father! Anthony woke me up very sweetly.
	SCHULZE:
I say! What do you mean by waking up very sweetly? 
	ANTHONY:
I played her a serenade below her window.
	SCHULZE:
You woke her up from behind a wall? All right, this can be done.
	LISA:
And I flew to him from behind a wall. The day of my eighteenth birthday was so slow in breaking.
	SCHULZE:
The day of your wedding, you mean.
	ANTHONY:
To tell the truth, it has been an overbearing action to make us wait until her eighteenth birthday.
	SCHULZE:
My duty forced me to behave like that; and we, the ruling class, have to stick to our duties. Listen, children: just eighteen years ago my daughter was born to me. My neighbour, Mr Spiess, came to me and said: "My friend, today I have come of age and since I have decided to go round the world, I am leaving tonight in order to look for my twin brother. Schulze! Let me mark my leave with a praiseworthy deed: I will be your daughter's godfather and legally deposit for her one thousand thalers as a dowry on condition that, if I come back within eighteen years, she becomes my wife; of course, only if she is to my liking".
	ANTHONY:
Ah! She is indeed. This goes without saying.
	LISA:
But he has not come back yet, has he?
	SCULZE:
And it is not very likely that he will ever do. In fact, I have just had some reliable news that both of the Speisses are still serving with the French colours.
	LISA:
The war has not been completely useless, then! 
	SCHULZE:
Lisa!
	ANTHONY:
Therefore, nothing hinders our union, now. 
	SCHULZE:
Your marriage will be celebrated today. Now Anthony must come to the Justice with me, in order to collect the dowry of one thousand thalers. And yet... This girl is still a child... Come along, Anthony.
(They both leave). 
	LISA (alone):
What? Am I still a child? Father, you are wrong!

N. 3 Aria

	LISA:
Papa can call me a child,
but I know I am not, any longer;
where has the merry mood of my childhood gone?
My heart is burning, my cheeks are aflame,
so I do know I am not a child any longer.

Once I used to fly faster than a bird,
and, like them, I used to sing my merry melodies.
Now I creep along like a snail
and my breast shakes with sighs;
so I do know etc.

Once I used to listen to my turtle-doves' cooing
and would enjoy looking at their tender games.
Now this sight troubles me,
I feel, I feel.. something I cannot tell.

Pangs and desire,
flames and bitter-sweet feeling,
unknown to the light heart of a child.

Papa can call me a child,
but I know I am not any longer;
A child? I do know etc.

SCENE  IV.
Enter Francis Spiess.

	FRANCIS:
I have reached my goal, at last! The heat, the dust, the stones, and above all these darn mountains! Only a madman can praise travelling on foot. By sea it is a pleasant way of travelling, when fair winds swell the sails and... Thank goodness I have reached my goal. What a graceful and friendly village!

SCENE V.  
Francis. Enter Schulze, thoughtful.

	SCHULZE:
Good morning!
	FRANCIS: (slapping Schulze on his shoulder).
Good morning, Schulze ! Why are you gaping at me? Do you not recognise me? I recognised you at once!  I am Francis Spiess. Have you lost your tongue, Schulze?
	SCHULZE:
I am surprised. Mister Spiess, we had false news; we thought you had drowned in the sea.
	FRANCIS:
On the contrary, I am hale and hearty; unfortunately, I lost my right eye. 
	SCHULZE:
Wonderful! Tell me more! I have a passion for stories about travels. Tell me, have you found your brother, your dear Frederick?
	FRANCIS:
Ah, my brother! I vainly looked for him throughout the whole France. He had already gone to the field with his regiment: therefore I joined the army, too, and sailed with my regiment. I survived ten storms and three shipwrecks. 
	SCHULZE:
You did not drown?
	FRANCIS:
Ah! I nearly did. Our ship got dismasted; and when two privateering vessels began to run after us, we could not even offer resistance to them. Then our captain - a plucky old fellow - lit up a quick-match and threw it into the powder-magazine and.. Boom! A frightening thunderbolt was heard and I was blown up like a cannon-ball.
	SCHULZE:
You did not disintegrate?
	FRANCIS:
I fell into the sea and was unconscious: a damned piece of helm hit my head and bumped me off. Stone dead!
	SCHULZE:
But you have risen again from the dead? 
	FRANCIS:
Yes, yes. Those devilish pirates fished me out of the sea, revived me and sold me at the slave market in Algiers.
	SCHULZE:
Good Heavens, you succeeded to escape those rascals, too! You should sail for ever, while we common people stay on the dry land. 
	FRANCIS:
Chicken-hearted man! Such sailing is a lordly thing! 
	SCHULZE:
What if it is stormy? 
	FRANCIS:
You fly, then! 
	SCHULZE:
And if it is lightening? 
	FRANCIS:
It is a great show of illuminations! 
	SCHULZE:
And if it is thundering? 
	FRANCIS:
What heavenly music! 

N. 4. Aria 

	FRANCIS:
It can be stormy, and thundering and lightening,
the ocean can open its jaws wide, 
but either on the edge of the billows,
or sunk on the sea-bottom,
the sea-hero never loses heart
even before the furious waves.

Rolling and yet as quick as lightning
the frail shell of boards keeps on sailing.
The bold sailor scans the horizon
from up there, over the foaming waves;
he securely bids sets the course and leads
the ship to a safe harbour.

	FRANCIS:
And now tell me, my friend: where is your daughter, my betrothed? Thunder and lightning! Have you taken back your word?
	SCHULZE:
Most worthy Mister Spiess, I am a man of my word. My daughter is still unmarried.
	FRANCIS:
Very well, take me to her, then.
	SCHULZE:
Stop! The poor girl needs to be prepared for the news otherwise she may swoon with joy.
	FRANCIS:
Do not make so much fuss! Where is she?
	SCHULZE:
Mister Spiess ! My dear mister Spiess!
	FRANCIS:
Lisa!

SCENE  VI. 
The aforesaid. Lisa (going out of the house).

	LISA:
What a noise! Who is calling me?
	FRANCIS:
I am, my darling!
	LISA: (awkwardly)
Father...
	SCHULZE: (as awkwardly as she)
Daughter...
	FRANCIS:
Thunder and lightning, how beautiful you have grown! I like you. Come hither, let me kiss you!
(He tries kissing her, but Lisa withdraws).

SCENE  VII. 
The aforesaid. Anthony (rushes in furiously and interposes himself between them).

	ANTHONY:
I say! What is happening?
	FRANCIS:
Something very natural. I want to kiss my betrothed.
	ANTHONY:
His betrothed?! 
	SCHULZE:
So it is. Mister Spiess has come back: from the air, from the water and from the sea, from Algiers.
	FRANCIS:
Now I begin to understand! Now I see why she would have swooned!

N. 5. Quartet

	FRANCIS:
I have arrived just at the right moment,
or rather late, too late.
	SCHULZE:
The scene before his eyes
should bring him back to reason.
	LISA:
My father, I feel struck by lightning;
that wicked Spiess has just arrived, hard luck!
	ANTHONY:
Do not fear and hope for the best,
your Anthony will always be your husband.
	LISA, ANTHONY:
Let us hold out against this storm.
Who will ever separate two loving hearts?
	FRANCIS:
Look, how tender they are, the two sweet-hearts;
but am I the bridegroom or is he?
	SCHULZE:
How will this marriage be celebrated?
Is this one the bridegroom or the other?
	LISA, ANTHONY:
That killjoy, that devilish knave
can see we love each other.
	FRANCIS:
That witch, that devilish knave
cast pityful glances at me.
	SCHULZE:
This man has travelled over land and sea,
and comes and looks for us even from Algiers.

	FRANCIS:
I am getting out of patience! I have run to this place, travelling over valleys and mountains like a madman, and finally witness this touching spectacle? Wait and see! She is standing there, as if she were stuck on a sand-bank; and the fellow is wooing her, as if she were not my betrothed!
	ANTHONY:
No, she will never be so, I will not allow it!
	LISA:
I will not, indeed! 
	SCHULZE:
Be calm, children! Spiess, my friend, keep your temper. She is in love with that young man, and he reciprocates her love.
	FRANCIS:
I could have noticed this even with half of my only eye.
	SCHULZE:
The marriage was to be celebrated tonight.. 
	FRANCIS:
Thunder and lightning, that is no problem! Here is the bridegroom.
	SCHULZE:
My friend! Think it over, you are a disabled ex-serviceman.
	FRANCIS:
But a very smart one.
	SCHULZE:
And you are- I beg your pardon - a one-eyed man.
	FRANCIS:
So much the better, I have to close only one of them. I like her and I want to stick to my rights. My brother is dead and the Spiess family cannot die out in this village. Now, say your good-byes, your heart-breaking goodbyes! (To Schulze) Get the breakfast ready. I am going to check the books, and see how our inn have been run. (Exit).

SCENE  VIII. 
The aforesaid, but Francis.

	LISA:
How loathsome!
	ANTHONY:
What a horrible fellow!
	LISA:
My dear father! How will it end?
	SCHULZE:
I think, I fear... with the marriage ceremony between you and mister Spiess. 
	LISA:
Impossible!
	ANTHONY:
No, I will not leave. Mister Spiess had better leave! I will wring his neck! I will strangle him!
	SCHULZE:
Stop it! Sharks lose their appetite as they see him, and the fierce pirates fear him. Kindness may appease him, perhaps.
	ANTHONY:
Nothing can appease that brute; then, the whole village must be stirred up against him because Lisa and I cannot be separated. (He sets out for the village).
	LISA:
I would rather die! (She goes into the house with her father).

SCENE IX. 
Enters Frederick Spiess.  

N. 6. Aria

	FREDERICK:
My dear native land,
look at your son who is coming back.
The real joy of life
is at home, by the fireside.

Cottages, hillocks, brushwood and trees,
my old friends, here you are.
Pure joys, sweet dreams,
you bring youth back.

Over there, where one day the sun
shone over the new-born,
will I be buried
at the end of my life.

	FREDERICK:
My hope has not deceived me. When, fallen into the enemy's hands, I was seriously wounded, and languished in prison, during that long and hard time only my hopes relieved me. It is true that the memory of the wife I had lost, of my dear twin brother Francis, sometimes troubled me; but the sight of my country will heal my sorrow.

SCENE X.  
Frederick. Schulze (going out of the house, carrying wine, bread and cheese).

	SCHULZE:
Welcome, mister Spiess!
	FREDERICK:
Hail to you, dear friend!
	SCHULZE:
You are back, I suppose?
	FREDERICK:
Oh, how happy I am to be back! I have changed, that is true, but that counts for nothing. We are to spend our days in harmony and peace. 
	SCHULZE:
O mister Spiess, I could not think of anything better. The breakfast is ready. 
	FREDERICK:
Ah, no! How amiable and hospitable you are! I feel ashamed.. (They embrace each other).  
	SCHULZE:
Let us have a toast. To your happy return! (They drink up). 
	FREDERICK:
Ah! How merry are these moments, after having spent a whole day lying in a ditch, mortally hurt!
	SCHULZE:
In a ditch? I beg your pardon, are there any ditches in the sea?
	FREDERICK:
No, indeed; I found myself in a dark forest.. 
	SCHULZE:
I see. Was it in Algiers?
	FREDERICK:
In Algiers? What has Algiers got to do with it?
	SCHULZE:
I beg your pardon, excellent mister Spiess, I thought... I believed... Let us have a drink again! (aside:) The blow on his head must have muddled him up. I had better be silent, so that he does not get angry again. (to Frederick:) Some more wine?
	FREDERICK:
Long live our friendship!
	SCHULZE:
Long live! Long live! Long live! (They drink up). How I am happy that you have changed! 
	FREDERICK:
Yes, I used to be a hot-headed person, but now I am good and quiet.
	SCHULZE:
How happy my daughter will be to hear the good news! She must hear it directly from your lips. At any rate, you will be our guest and live with us, I should like it very much. Good-bye, kind mister Spiess. 
	SCHULZE and FREDERICK:
Long live! Long live! 
(Exit Schulze).
	FREDERICK (alone):
How good he is! How amiable! He wants me to be his guest and live with his family; he forces me to have a lavish breakfast; and he hardly knows my name! If a lass comes up to me and wants to marry me by force, that would be the limit!

SCENE  XI. 
Frederick. Lisa (going out of the house).

	LISA:
Mister Spiess! Do not say anything. My father has told me that you have completely changed; that is why I take the liberty of talking frankly to you. You see... You are much older than I am, but this counts for nothing and.. The eye you lost in the battlefield... We might overlook it but - I beg your pardon - the reason is different. Can one resist love? Dearest, excellent mister Spiess! You can say anything against it, but the marriage must be celebrated.
	FREDERICK:
Here you are! Dear child, such big steps require some reflection, and we can take our time before marrying. 
	LISA:
We must, absolutely. I have to get married today, or I will surely die.	
	FREDERICK: (aside)
They want to frame me. (To Lisa:) Dear child: I have a grown-up son... 
	LISA:
So much the better! Why did you not say it before? Therefore, the Spiess family will not die out and nothing is against my wish, any longer. Cheer up, Anthony!
	FREDERICK:
Anthony?
	LISA:
Anthony: the handsomest and kindest boy in the village.
	FREDERICK:
Indeed? Why do you not marry this handsome and kind Anthony?
	LISA:
I wish I could. 
	FREDERICK:
Keep quiet, dear child, I will speak to your father, I will speak to Anthony. All the obstacles to your union will be overcome: I give my word to you, upon my honour of soldier.
	LISA:
Dearest, excellent mister Spiess! I forget and forgive you all the pains you made me suffer. I am running to Anthony and telling him the news about your decision. Fare you well, mister Spiess, very well indeed.
(She sets out for the village).

SCENE  XII. 
Frederick and the Justice.

	FREDERICK:
Poor girl! I pity her!
	JUSTICE:
According to the registered description, have I the honour of speaking to mister Spiess?
	FREDERICK:
Yes, sir, you have. It is hard to mistake me for someone else. Well then, my lord, to whom have I the honour?
	JUSTICE:
To the Law itself, and to the Justice of the Peace himself. I am the government official of the village.
	FREDERICK:
Glad to hear that!
	JUSTICE:
Most praised mister Spiess! On behalf of the Town Council I have the charge to congratulate your Lordship on the brave deeds you did on the battlefield, firstly; secondly, to mourn and to condole with you upon the irretrievable loss of your Lordship's heroic brother. Heroes live for a moment of glory, and entrust us with scribbleries and other similar irksome tasks. You dearest of all heroes! Since I do not mean to trespass your noble kindness, I would restrain  myself from showing you the tiresome statements concerning your estate during your Lordship's absence; and I have the honour to hand you, with due deference, the amount of twelve hundred thalers in solid gold. 
	FREDERICK:
Twelve hundred thalers, to me? 
	JUSTICE:
Would you please sign this receipt?
	FREDERICK:
Well, as the only heir to my brother, I think I can accept this sum of money...
	JUSTICE:
...and countersign the receipt. The Town Hall is near here: allow me to take you to the Capitol for a triumphant celebration.
(They leave together, arm -in-arm).

SCENE XIII. 
Lisa, Anthony.  

	ANTHONY:
Damn Franz Spiess! Damn him!
	LISA:
Anthony! Spiess has formally waived the claim to marry me; exactly here, in this place.
	ANTHONY:
Is that certain and warranted?
	LISA:
He swore by his honour of soldier. 
	ANTHONY:
How did he come to his senses all of a sudden?
	LISA:
My words, my tears touched him. He is not evil; he simply teases a little bit, sometimes. He has just told me that he has a grown-up son. 
	ANTHONY:
But we have reached the long-desired goal of our life. 
	LISA:
That is Heaven on earth!

N. 7. Duet

	LISA:
Now I can be yours,
the oath is kept.
	ANTHONY:
No shade of doubt
will ever spoil our happiness.
	LISA, ANTHONY:
Let us give thanks to the protector
of all true hearts.
What else do I want when I am beside you?
Does our Heaven lack anything?

SCENE  XIV. 
The aforesaid. Francis.

	FRANCIS:
Now I have lost my patience!
	LISA:
Excellent, dearest mister Spiess !
	FRANCIS:
That is better! Save your tenderness for me. 
	LISA:
Have you not just claimed that you want to see me married to Anthony?
	FRANCIS:
I will marry you, what has Anthony got to do with us? 

N. 8. Trio

	LISA:
Would you break your word?
	ANTHONY:
Nay, I want to keep my promise.
	LISA:
Does a man of honour behave as you do? 
	ANTHONY:
My lord! This is a bad trick.
	FRANCIS:
Keep quiet, you play tricks!
Who ever swore, who gave his word? 
Split up you two; Lisa, part from him,
young knave, get out of the way!
	ANTHONY:
Nothing can take me away from Lisa;
look at me, I do not fear you.
	LISA:
Can the man who does not keep his word
still be called a soldier?
	FRANCIS:
Thunder and lightning! Would you shut up?
You two go different ways, it is high time!
The brave Spiess will show you
whether he is a soldier or not.
	LISA
Anthony,...
	ANTHONY
Lisa,... 
	LISA, ANTHONY
... let us say good-bye to each other
for a short while.
	FRANCIS
Do you want to bid the last farewell?
Away, scoundrel, and never come back.
	LISA:
I will soothe his anger,
go away, he is only raving again.
	ANTHONY:
No, your saviour will come back soon
and soothe his madness.
	FRANCIS:
Nobody will ever soothe my rage.
if you do not run away at once.
(Anthony leaves). 

SCENE  XV. 
Lisa, Francis.

	LISA:
Dearest mister Spiess! Even though you go mad sometimes, I do not fear you. Anthony...
	FRANCIS:
Anthony? Enough of this Anthony! I will wring his neck!
	LISA:
Anthony will wring yours, before.
	FRANCIS:
Will he? That dandy?
	LISA:
My Anthony is not a dandy; he is fond of me and becomes a giant if I ask him. Moreover, just to let you know, the whole village are ready to wring your neck. As to me, I will have a good laugh. (she enters her house).
	FRANCIS: (alone)
Thunder and lightning! The child has delivered a withering broadside against me; and I am still anchored here, like a fool.

SCENE  XVI. 
Francis. Schulze (going out of the house). 

	FRANCIS:
Hey you, listen! Your daughter is far too lively, but I will marry her all the same. I could not find that simpleton, the Justice. Well, my friend, I am hungry and thirsty: I have not had breakfast yet.
	SCHULZE: (aside)
Not yet? 
	FRANZ:
Not yet.
	SCHULZE:
Poor fool! His head! It must be because of the helm.
	FRANCIS:
Hey you! What happend to my breakfast?
	SCHULZE:
I beg your pardon, we have already had breakfast.
	FRANCIS:
What? Without waiting for me? How rude of you!
	SCHULZE:
Mister Spiess, I speak for your sake... Therefore - do not take offence at it - the marriage will not be celebrated. 
	FRANCIS:
And why on earth?
	SCHULZE
Dear sir, I cannot give my daughter to a man who raves.
	FRANCIS:
Who raves?
	SCHULZE:
You, my lord! In fact, you do not remember that we have already had breakfast together and that you have waived the claim to marry my daughter; and you cannot even decide whether you fell into the sea, or into a ditch.
	FRANCIS:
You all are mad, all of you! 

SCENE  XVII. 
The aforesaid. The Justice.

	JUSTICE:
Domine Spiess! Domine Spiess!
	FRANCIS:
No, isn't this another bore?
	JUSTICE:
You left me so hurriedly! There was a slight oversight.
	FRANCIS:
Who are you?
	JUSTICE:
What are you muttering? I am the Justice who has just delivered one thousand and two hundred thalers to you.
	FRANCIS:
To me... one thousand and two hundred thalers?
	JUSTICE:
In good gold, quite solid. Here you are, my lord, your receipt.
	FRANCIS:
Now I begin to realise, you try to take me in! I have not even got a farthing.
	JUSTICE:
Me, Mister Spiess, me? You assault me, the Justice?
	SCHULZE: 
Be calm, Justice! The poor fellow is mad. 
	JUSTICE: 
He is a swindler, and I will have him put in the pillory! 
	FRANCIS:
Do not even try! 

SCENE  XVIII. 
The aforesaid. Lisa (going out of the house). Anthony comes from the village with the peasants.

	SCHULZE:
Come hither! Come hither! Here, exactly before the Justice, I want to declare that you are not to marry that man. 
	JUSTICE:
Take him to prison! 
	LISA:
I feel sorry for his son.
	SCHULZE:
Shame on you! Have you got a son, really?
	FRANCIS:
I wonder if you are all possessed? 
	JUSTICE:
Why should you admit having got the money, when you do not hesitate to disown your flesh and blood? Cruel monster!.. But.. What do I notice? He was wearing a bandage on his left eye, before; and now it is on his right one!
	SCHULZE:
You are right!
	ANTHONY:
He is a spy!
	JUSTICE:
Take him to the court!
	FRANCIS:
Do not lay your hands on me, or you are dead!

N. 9. Quintet and Chorus

	JUSTICE:
Catch him and take him to the court!
	PEASANTS:
Let us catch him, do not let him escape!
	FRANCIS:
Hands off, you cannot defeat me!
	PEASANTS:
Let us take him to the court!
	LISA, ANTHONY, SCHULZE:
Stop, listen to some good advice.
Let him go peacefully,
if he spontaneously renounces his claim to Lisa;
afterwards, he can do whatever he wants...
	LISA:
...when Anthony is my husband.
	ANTHONY:
...when Lisa is my wife.
	SCHULZE:
...when they are husband and wife.
	FRANCIS:
Thunder and lightning! Would you shut up?
I will not change my mind.
Should I cross over the mountains 
and quit this place once again?
No, I will not renounce my claim to my wife!
	LISA, ANTHONY, SCHULZE:
No? To the court, then!
	SCHULZE:
Who will pay one thousand and two hundred thalers back to me?
I paid in solid gold
Who warrants me, who pays back?
No payment, no warrant!
	JUSTICE:
Well, to the court, then!
Catch him, etc.
	FRANCIS:
Hands off, etc.
	PEASANTS:
Let us catch him, etc.
Francis Spiess is dragged away forcefully. Everyone leaves, but Lisa and Schulze.

SCENE  XIX. 
Schulze. Lisa.

	SCHULZE:
I wonder if they can restrain him?
	LISA:
At any rate, I have got rid of him. What would I do with a husband who in the evening forgets having married me in the morning?
	SCHULZE:
You are right. Anthony will be your husband.
	LISA:
God help us! He has already escaped.
	SCHULZE:
That is incredible! He is having a walk so quietly!
	FREDERICK:
I thought I had heard a turmoil here.

SCENE  XX. 
The aforesaid. Frederick (carrying a bag full of money).

	SCHULZE:
Mister Spiess, you are a public menace.
	FREDERICK:
What on earth are you saying? 
	SCHULZE:
Why did you want to cheat the Justice out of one thousand and two hundred thalers? Is this the custom of Algiers? 
	FREDERICK:
I do not understand. 
	SCHULZE:
Why have you repudiated your son? I guess the pirates taught this to you! 
	FREDERICK: 
Have I done such a thing? My friend, you take me for someone else. 
	SCHULZE:
I recognise you even too well, although you put a bandage now on your right eye, now on your left one. 
	FREDERICK:
Good Heavens, you are talking nonsense!
	SCHULZE:
Mister Spiess! Confess it, repent it and nobody will ever pursue you again.
	FREDERICK:
I swear I cannot understand a single word you are uttering.
	SCHULZE:
Therefore, either you are a sleep-walker or there are two Spiesses.

SCENE  XXI. 
The aforesaid. Anthony (coming hurriedly). 

	ANTHONY:
What happiness! What joy! Thank God, he is here. Lisa, Mister Spiess, that wicked Mister Spiess, has formally disowned you before the court. But what is your name, sir?
	FREDERICK:
Frederick Spiess.
	ANTHONY:
And your brother's?
	FREDERICK:
Francis Spiess.
	ANTHONY:
Francis Spiess is here.
	SCHULZE:
Here?
	FREDERICK:
What? My brother? The one we believed to be dead? 
	ANTHONY:
He is alive! The signature on the receipt explained the misunderstanding. He is close to you. 
	FREDERICK:
Where is he? Where?
	ANTHONY:
Look, he is here.

SCENE  XXII. 
The aforesaid. The Justice. Some country-folks. Francis rushes in and flungs himself into his brother's arms, who has run to him too.

	FRANCIS: 
Frederick !
	FREDERICK:
Francis!
(They embrace each other).

N. 10. Final Chorus 

The two brothers have met again,
now look at the happy pair!
Look, the two lovers together
are taken to the altar!
Hurrah for the married couple!

(Translation: Silvia Ogier)
(courtesy of: Bongiovanni Musica e Dischi, Bologna, Italy)