Simple case and questions

ACK..'fOWLEDGMENT

I have been at work on the translating of Mother Courage since 1950. I have aclmowledged the help I received in mak- ing the first two versions of it that I brought out. For this, the complete text, I received further help and counsel from Dr. Hugo Schmidt.

Mother Courage and her Children

Characters

MOTHER COURAGE

KATTRIN, her dumb daughter EILIF, her elder son SWISS CHEESE, her younger SOn RECRUITING OFFICER

SERGEANT

COOK

SWEDISH COMMANDER

CHAPLAIN

ORDNANCE OFFICER

YVETTE POTTIER

MAN WITH THE BANDAGE

ANOTHER SERGEANT

OLD COLONEL

CLERK

YOUNG SOLDIER

OLDER SOLDIER

PEASANT

PEASANT WOMAN

YOUNG MAN

OLD WOMAN

ANOTHER PEASANT

ANOTHER PEASANT WOMAN

YOUNG PEASANT

LIEUTENANT

VOICE

Photographs by Martha Holmes

1 SPRING, 1624. IN DALARNA, THE SWEDISH COMMANDER

OXENSTIERNA IS RECRUITING FOR TilE CAMPAIGN IN POLAND.

THE CANTEEN WOMAN ANNA FIERLING, COMMONLY KNO"WN

AS MOTHER COURAGE, LOSES A SON.

Highway outside a town. A SERGEANT and a RECRUITING OFFICER stand shivering.

THE RECRUITING OFFICER: How the hell can you line up a squadron in a place like this? You know what I keep thinking about, Sergeant? Suicide. I'm supposed to knock four platoons together by the twelfth-four pla- toons the Chief's asking for! And they're so friendly around here, I'm scared to go to sleep at night. Suppose I do get my hands on some character and squint at him so I don't notice he's pigeon-chested and has varicose veins. I get him drunk and relaxed, he signs on the dotted line. I pay for the drinks, he steps outside for a minute. I have a hunch I should follow him to the door, and am I right? Away he's gone like a louse from a scratch. You can't take a man's word any more, Sergeant. There's no loyalty left in the world, no rmst, no faith, no sense of honor. I'm losing my confidence in mankind, Sergeant.

TIIE SERGEANT: What they could use around here is a good war. What else can you expect with peace running wild all over the place? you know what the trouble with peace is? No organization. And when do you get organ- ization? In a war. Peace is one big waste of equipment. Anything goes, no one gives a damn. See the way they eat? Cheese on pumpernickel, bacon on the cheese? Dis-

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I4 I MOTHER COURAGE AND HER CHILDREN gusting! How many horses have they got in this town? How many young men? Nobody knows! They haven't bothered to count 'em! That's peace for you! I've been in places where they haven't had a war for seventy years and you know what? The people haven't even been given names! They don't know who they are! It takes a war to fix that. In a war, everyone registers, everyone's name's on a list. Their shoes are stacked, their corn's in the bag, you count it all up--cattle, men, et cetera-and you take it away! That's the story: no organization, no war!

THE RECRUITING OFFICER: It's the God's truth. THE SERGEANT: Of course, a war's like any good deal: hard

to get going. But when it does get moving, it's a pisser, and they're all scared of peace, like a dice player who can't stop-'cause when peace comes they have to pay up. Of course, until it gets going, they're just as scared of war, it's such a novelty!

THE RECRUITING OFFICER: Hey, look, here's a canteen wagon. Two women and a couple of fellows. Stop the old lady, Sergeant. And if there's nothing doing this time, you won't catch me freezing my ass in the April wind any longer.

A harmonica is heard. A canteen wagon rolls on, drawn by two young fellows. MOTHER coURAGE is sitting on it with her dumb daughter, KATTRIN.

MOTHER couRAGE: A good day to you, Sergeant! THE SERGEANT (barring the way): Good day to you! Who

d'you think you are? MOTHER COURAGE: Tradespeople.

She sings: Stop all the troops: here's Mother Courage! Hey, Captain, let them come and buy!

Scene One I I 5

For they can get from Mother Courage Boots they will march in till they die! Your marching men do not adore you (Packs on their backs, lice in their hair) But it's to death they're marching for you And so they need good boots to wear!

Christians, awake! Winter is gone! The snows depart! Dead men sleep on! Let all of you who still survive Get out of bed and look alive!

Your men will walk till they are dead, sir, But cannot fight, sir, unless they eat., The blood they spill for you is red, sir, What fires that blood, sir, is my red meat. Cannon is rough on empty bellies: First with my meat they should be cranrmed. Then let them go and find where hell is And give my greetings to the damned!

Christians, awake! Winter is gone! The snows depart! Dead men sleep on! Let all of you who still survive Get out of bed and look alive!

THE SERGEANT: Halt! Where are you from, rifl'raff? EILIF: Second Finnish Regiment! THE SERGEANT: Where are your papers? MOTHER coURAGE: Papers? swrss CHEESE: But this is Mother Courage! THE SERGEANT: Never heard of her. Where'd she get a name

like that? MOTHER COURAGE: They call me Mother Courage 'cause I

was afraid I'd be ruined, so I drove through the bom- bardment of Riga like a madwoman, with fifty loaves of

I6 I MOTHER COURAGE AND HER CHILDREN bread in my can. They were going moldy, what else could I do?

THE SERGEANT: No funny business! Where are your papers? MOTHER coURAGE (rummaging·among papers in a tin box and

clambering down from her wagon): Here, Sergeant! Here's a missal-! got it in Altotting to wrap my cucumbers in. Here's a map of Moravia-God knows if I'll ever get there-the birds can have it if I don't. And here's a document saying my horse hasn't got hoof and mouth disease-pity he died on us, he cost fifteen guil- ders, thaulr God I didn't pay it. Is that enough paper?

THE SERGEANT: Are you pulling my leg? Well, you've got ~other guess coming. You need a license and you know lt.

MOTHER coURAGE: Show a little respect for a lady and don't go telling these grown children of mine I'm pulling any- thing of yours. What would I want with you? My license in the Second Protestant Regiment is an honest face. If you wouldn't know how to read it, that's not my fault, I want no rubber stamp on it anyhow.

THE RECRUITING OFFICER: Sergeant, we have a case of in- subordination on our hands. Do you know what we need in the army? Discipline!

MOTHER couRAGE: I was going to say sausages. THE SERGEANT: Name? MOTHER couRAGE: Anna Fierliog. THE SERGEANT: So you're all Fierlings. MOTHER couRAGE: I was talking about me. THE SERGEANT: And I was talking about your children. MOTHER COURAGE: Musf they all have the same name? (Point-

ing to the elder son:) This fellow, for instance, I call him Eilif Noyocki. Why? He got the name from his father who told me he was called Koyocki. Or was it Moyocki? Anyhow, the lad remembers him to this day. Only the

Scene One I 17

man he remembers is someone else, a Frenchman with a pointed beard. But he cenainly has his father's brains -that man could whip the breeches off a farmer's back- side before he could turn around. So we all have our own names.

THE SERGEANT: You're all called something different? MOTHER coURAGE: Are you pretending you don't understand? THE sERGEANT (pointing at the younger son): He's Chinese,

I suppose. MOTHER COURAGE: Wrong again. Swiss. THE SERGEANT: After the Frenchman? MOTHER coURAGE: Frenchman? What Frenchman? Don't

confuse the issue, Sergeant, or we'll be here all day. He's Swiss, but he happens to be called F eyos, a name that has nothing to do with his father, who was called some- thing else-a military engineer, if you please, and a druulrard ..

swiss CHEESE nods, beaming; even KATTRIN smiles.

THE SERGEANT: Then how come his name's Feyos? MOTHER couRAGE: Oh, Sergeant, you have no imagination.

Of course he's called Feyos: when he came, I was with a Hungarian. He didn't mind. He had a floating kidney, though he never touched a drop. He was a very honest man. The boy takes after him.

THE SERGEANT: But that wasn't his father! MOTHER coURAGE: I said: he took after him. I call him Swiss

Cheese. Why? Because he's good at pulling wagons. (Pointing to her daughter:) And that is Kattrin Haupt, she's half German.

THE sERGEANT: A nice family, I must say! MOTHER coURAGE: And we've seen the whole wide world to-

gether-this wagonload and me.

[ .. I

I 8 I MOTHER COURAGE AND HER CHILDREN THE SERGEANT: We'll need all that in writing. (He writes.)

You're from Bamberg in Bavaria. What are you doing here? ·

MOTHER COURAGE: I can't Walt till the War is good enough to come to Bamberg.

THE RECRutTING OFFICER: And you twO oxen pui! the can. Jacob Ox and Esau Ox! D'you ever get out of harness?

EILIF: Mother! May I smack him in the puss? I'd like to. MOTHER couRAGE: I'd like you to stay where you are. And

now, gentlemen, what about a brace of pistols? Or a belt? Sergeant? Yours is worn clean through.

THE SERGEANT: It's something else I'm looking for. These lads of yours are straight as birch trees, strong limbs, massive chests .... What are such fine specimens doing out of the army?

MOTHER COURAGE (quickly): A soldier's life is not for sons of mine!

THE RECRutTING OFFICER: Why not? It means money. It means fame. Peddling shoes is woman's work. (To EILIF:) Step this way and let's see if that's muscle or chicken fat.

MOTHER COURAGE: It's chicken fat. Give bim a good hard look, and he'll fall right over.

THE RECRUITING OFFICER: Yes, and kii! a calf in the falling! (He tries to hustle EILIF away.)

MOTHER COURAGE: Let him alone! He's not for you! THE RECRUITING OFFICER: He called my face a puss. That

is an insult. The two of us will now go and settle the affair on the field of honor.

EILIF: Don't worry, Mother, I can handle him. MOT~ER COURAGE: Stay here. You're never happy till you're

m a fight. He has a knife in his boot and he knows how to use it.

Scene One I I9 THE RECRUITING OFFICER: I'll draw it OUt of bim like a milk

tooth. Come on, young fellow! MOTHER COURAGE: Officer, I'll repon you to the Colonel,

and he'll throw you in jail. His lieutenant is courting my daughter.

THE SERGEANT: Go easy. (To MOTHER COURAGE:) What have you got against the service, wasn't his own father a soldier? Didn't you say he died a soldier's death?

MOTHER COURAGE: This one's just a baby. You'll lead him like a lamb to the slaughter. I know you, you'll get five guilders for him.

THE RECRUITING OFFICER (tO EILIF): First thing you know, you'll have a lovely cap and high boots, how about it?

EILIF: Not from you. MOTHER COURAGE: Let's you and me go fishing," said the

angler to the worm. (To swrss CHEESE:) Run and tell everybody they're trying to steal your brother! (She draws a knife.) Yes, just you try, and I'll cut you down like dogs! We sell cloth, we sell ham, we are peaceful people!

THE SERGEANT: You're peaceful all right: your knife proves that. Wby, you should be ashamed of yourself. Give me that knife, you hag! You admit you live off the war, what else could you live off? Now tell me, how can we have a war without soldiers?

MOTHER COURAGE: Do they have to be mine? THE SERGEANT: So that's the trouble. The war should swallow

the peach stone and spit out the peach, hm? Your brood should get fat off the war, but the poor war must ask nothing in return, it can look after itself, can it? Call yourself Mother Courage and then get scared of the war, your breadwinner? Your sons aren't scared, I know that much.

EILIF: Takes more than a war to scare me.

20 I MOTHER COURAGE AND HER CHILDREN THE SERGEANT: Correct! Take me. The soldier's life hasn't

done me any harm, has it? I enlisted at seventeen. MOTHER COURAGE: You haven't reached seventy. THE SERGEAl'<"T: I will, though. MOTHER COURAGE: Above ground? THE SERGEANT: Are you trying to rile me, telling me I'll die? MOTHER couRAGE: Suppose it's the truth? Suppose I see it's

your fate? Suppose I know you're just a corpse on fur- lough?

SWISS CHEESE: She can look into the future. Everyone says so. THE RECRUITING OFFICER: Then by all means look into the

sergeant's future. It might amuse him. THE SERGEANT: I don't believe in that stuff. MOTHER COURAGE: Helmet!

The SERGEANT gives her his helmet.

THE SERGEANT: It means less than a crap in the grass. Any- thing for a laugh.

MOTHER coURAGE (taking a sheet of parchment and tearing it in two): Eilif, Swiss Cheese, Kattrin! So shall we all • be torn in two if we let ourselves get too deep into this war! (To the SERGEANT:) I'll give you the bargain rate, and do it free. Watch! Death is black, so I draw a black cross.

SWISS CHEESE: And the other she leaves blank, see? MOTHER COURAGE: I fold them, put them in the helmet, and

nlix 'em up together, the way we're all mixed up together from our mother's womb on. Now draw!

The SERGEANT hesitates.

THE RECRUITING OFFICER (to EILIF): I don't take just any- body. I'm choosy. And you've got guts, I like that.

THE SERGEANT (fishing around in the helmet): It's silly. Means as much as blowing your nose.

Scene One I 2 I

swiss CHEESE: The black cross! Oh, his number's up! THE RECRUITING OFFICER: Don't let them get under your skin.

There aren't enough bullets to go around. THE sERGEANT (hoarsely): You cheated me! MOTHER coURAGE: You cheated yourself the day you enlisted.

And now we must drive on. There isn't a war every day in the week, we must get to work.

THE SERGEANT: Hell, you're not getting away with this! We're taking that bastard of your ·with us!

EILIF: I'd like that, Mother. MOTHER COURAGE: Quiet~you Finnish devil, you! EILIF: And Swiss Cheese wants to be a soldier, too. MOTHER coURAGE: That's news to me. I see I'll have to draw

lots for all three of you. (She goes to the back to draw the crosses on bits of paper.)

THE RECRUITING OFFICER (to EILIF): People've been Saying the Swedish soldier is religious. That kind of loose talk has hurt us a lot. One verse of a hymn every Sunday- and then only if you have a voice ...

MOTHER COURAGE (returning with the slips and putting them in the SERGEANT's helmet): So they'd desert their old mother, would they, the scoundrels? They take to war like a cat to cream. But I'll consult these slips, and they'll see the world's no promised land, with a "Join up, son, you're officer material!" Sergeant, I'm af~aid for them, very afraid they won't get through this war. They have terrible qualities, all three. (She holds the helmet out to EILIF.) There. Draw your lot. (EILIF fishes in the helmet, unfolds a slip. She snatches it from him.) There you have it: a cross. Unhappy m?ther that I a'?, ~ich only in a mother's sorrows! He dres. ~n the. sprmgtu;:te of his life, he must go. If he's a soldier, he must brte the dust, that's clear. He's too brave, like his father. And if he doesn't use his head, he'll go the way of all flesh,

22 I MOTHER COURAGE AND HER CHILDREN the slip proves it. (Hectoring him:) Will you use your head?

EILIF: Why not? MOTHER COURAGE: It's using your head to stay with your

mother. And when they make fun of you and call you a chicken, just laugh.

THE RECRUITING OFFICER: If you're going to wet your pants, I'll try your brother.

MOTHER COURAGE: I told you to laugh. Laugh! Now it's your turn, Swiss Cheese. You should be a better bet, you're honest. (He fishes in the helmet.) Why are you giving that slip such a funny look? You've drawn a blank for sure. It can't be there's a cross on it. It can't be I'm going to lose you. (She takes the slip.) A cross? Him too! Could it be 'cause he's so simple? Oh, Swiss Cheese, you'll be a goner too, if you aren't honest, honest, honest the whole time, the way I always brought you up to be, the way you always bring me all the change when you buy me a loaf. It's the only way you can save yourself. Look, Sergeant, if it isn't- a black cross!

THE SERGEANT: It's a cross! I don't understand how I got one. I always stay well in the rear. (To the OFFICER:) But it can't be a trick: it gets her children too.

swrss CHEESE: It gets me too. But I don't accept it! MOTHER COURAGE (to KATTRIN): And now all I have left for

certain is you, you're a cross in yourself, you have a good heart. (She holds the helmet up high toward the wagon but takes the slip out herself.) Oh, I could give up in despair! There must be some mistake, I didn't mix them right. Don't be too kind, Kattrin, just don't, there's a cross in your path too. Always be very quiet, it can't be hard, you can't speak. Well, so now you know, all of you: be careful, you'll need to be. Now let's climb

Scene One I 2 3 on the wagon and move on. (She returns the helmet to the SERGEANT and climbs on the wagon.)

THE RECRUITING OFFICER (to the SERGEANT): Do something! THE SERGEANT: I don't feel very well. THE RECRUITING OFFICER: Maybe you caught a chill when

you handed over your helmet in this wind. Get her involved in a business transaction! (Aloud:) That belt, Sergeant, you could at least talre a look at it. These good people live by trade, don't they? Hey, all of you, the sergeant wants to buy the belt! . .

MOTHER COURAGE: Half a guilder. A belt like that IS worth two guilders. (She clambers down again from the wagon.) .

THE SERGEANT: It isn't new. But there's too much wmd here. I'll go and look at it behind the wagon. (He does so.)

MOTHER COURAGE: I don't find it windy. THE SERGEANT: Maybe it's worth half a guilder at that.

There's silver on it. MOTHER coURAGE (following him behind the wagon): A solid

six Olli<ces worth' THE RECRUITING OFFICER (to EILIF): And we Can have a

drink, just us men. I'll advance you some money to cover it. Let's go.

EILIF stands undecided.

MOTHER COURAGE: Half a guilder, then. THE SERGEA:r-;--r: I don't understand it. I always stay in the

rear. There's no safer spot for a sergeant to be. You can send the others on ahead in quest of fame. My ap- petite is ruined. I can tell you right now: I won't be able to get anything down.

MOTHER coURAGE: You shouldn't take on so, just because you can't eat. Just stay in the rear. Here, take a slug of brandy, man. (She gives him brandy.)

24 I MOTHER COURAGE AND HER CHILDREN THE RECRUITING OFFICER (taking EILIF by the arm and mak-

ing off toward the back): Ten guilders in advance and you're a soldier of the king and a stout fellow and the women will be ·mad about you. And you can give me a smack in the puss for insulting you.

Both leave.

Dumb KATTRIN jumps down from the wagon and lets out harsh cries.

MOTHER coURAGE: Coming, Kattrin, coming! The sergeant's just paying up. (She bites the half guilder.) I'm sus- picious of all money, I've been badly burned, Sergeant. But this money's good. And now we'll be going. Where's Eilif?

swrss CHEESE: Gone with the recruiting officer. MOTHER coURAGE (standing quite still, then): Oh, you simple-

ton! (To KATTRIN:) You can't speak, I know. You are innocent.

THE SERGEANT: That's life. Take a slug yourself, Mother. Being a soldier isn't the worst that could happen. You want to live off war and keep you and yours out of it, do you?

MOTHER couRAGE: You must help your brother now, Kattrin.

Brother and sister get into harness together and pull the wagon. MOTHER couRAGE walks at their side. The wagon gets under way.

THE SERGEANT (looking after them): When a war gives you all you earn One day it may claim something in return!

2 IN THE YEARS I625 AND I626 MOTHER COURAGE JOURNEYS THROUGH POLAND IN THE BAGGAGE TRAIN OF THE SWEDISH ARMY. SHE MEETS HER SON AGAIN BEFORE WALLHOF CASTLE.- OF THE SUCCESSFUL SALE OF A CAPON AND GREAT DAYS FOR

THE BRAVE SON.

Tent of the Swedish Commander. Kitchen next to it. Thunder of cannon. The cooK is quarreling with MOTHER COURAGE, who is trying to sell him a capon.

THE cooK: Sixty hellers for that miserable bird? MOTHER couRAGE: Miserable bird? This fat fowl? Your Com-

mander is a glutton. Woe betide you if you've nothing for him to eat. This capon is worth sixty hellers to you.

THE cooK: They're ten hellers a dozen on every corner. MOTHER coURAGE: A capon like this on every corner! With a

siege going on and people all skin and bones? Maybe you can get a field rat! I said maybe. Because we're all out of them too. Don't you see the soldiers running five deep after one hungry little field rat? All right then, in a siege, my price for a giant capon is fifty hellers.

THE cooK: But we're not "in a siege," we're doing the be- sieging, it's the other side that's "in a siege," when will you get this into your head?

MOTHER COURAGE: A fat lot of difference that makes, we haven't got a thing to eat either. They took everything into the town with them before all this started, and now they've nothing to do but eat and drink, I hear. It's us I'm worried about. Look at the farmers around here, they haven't a thing.

THE cooK: Certainly they have. They hide it.

z6 / MOTHER COURAGE AND HER CHILDREN

MOTHER COURAGE: (triumphant): They have not! They're ruined, that's what. They're so hungry I've seen 'em digging up roots to eat. I could boil your leather belt and make their mouths water with it. That's how things are around here. And I'm expected to let a capon go for - fony hellers!

THE cooK: Thirty. Not fony. I said thirty hellers. MOTHER COURAGE: I say this is no ordinary capon. It was a

talented animal, so I hear. It would ouly feed to music- one march in particular was its favorite. It was so in- telligent it could count. Fony hellers is too much for all this? I know your problem: if you don't find something to eat and quick, the Chief will-cut-your-fat-head -off!

THE cooK: All right, just watch. (He takes a piece of beef and lays his knife on it.) Here's a piece of beef, I'm going to roast it. I give you one more chance.

MOTHER coURAGE: Roast it, go ahead, it's ouly one year old. THE cooK: One day old! Yesterday it was a cow. I saw it

running around. • MOTHER couRAGE: In that case it must have staned stinking

before it died. THE cooK: I don't care if I have to cook it for five hours.

We'll see if it's still hard after that. (He cuts into it.) MOTHER COURAGE: Put plenty of pepper in, so the Com-

mander won't smell the smell.

The SWEDISH COMMANDER, a CHAPLAIN, and EILIF enter the tent.

THE COMMANDER (clapping EILIF on the shoulder): In the Commander's tent with you, my son! Sit at my right hand, you happy warrior! You've played a hero's pan, you've served the Lord in his own Holy War, that's the thing! And you'll get a gold bracelet out of it when

Scene Two I 27

we take the town if I have any say in the matter! We come to save their souls and what do they do, the filthy, shameless peasant pigs? Drive their canle away from us, while they stuff their priests with beef at both ends! But you showed 'em. So here's a can of red wine for you, we'll drink together! (They do so.) The chaplain gets the dregs, he's pious. Now what would you like for dinner, my hearty?

EILIF: How about a slice of meat? THE coMMANDER: Cook, meat! THE cooK: Nothing to eat, so he brings company to eat it!

MOTHER COURAGE makes him stop talking; she wants to listen.

EILIF: Tires you out, skinning peasants. Gives you an appetite. MOTHER COURAGE: Dear God, it's my Eilif! THE COOK: Who? MOTHER COURAGE: My eldest. It's two years since I saw him,

he was stolen from me in the street. He must be in high favor if the Commander's invited him to dinner. And what do you have to eat? Nothing. You hear what the Commander's guest wants? Meat! Better take my advice, buy the capon. The price is one guilder.

The COMMANDER has sat down with EILIF and the CHAPLAIN.

THE coMMANDER (roaring): Cook! Dinner, you pig, or I'll have your head!

THE cooK: This is blackmail. Give me the damn thing! MOTHER COURAGE: A miserable bird like this? THE cooK: You were right. Give it here. It's highway robbery,

fifty hellers. MOTHER COURAGE: I said one guilder. Nothing's too high for

my eldest, the Commander's guest of honor.

28 I MOTHER COURAGE AND HER CHILDREN THE cooK (giving her the money): Well, you might at least

pluck it till I have a fire going. MOTHER COURAGE (sitting down to pluck the capon): I can't

wait to see his face when he sees me. This is my brave and clever son. I have a smpid one as well but he's honest. The daughter is nothing. At least, she doesn't talk: we must be thankfnl for small mercies.

THE COMMANDER: Have another glass, my son, it's my fa- vorite Falernian. There's only one cask left-two at the most-but it's worth it to meet a soldier that still believes in God! The shepherd of our flock here just looks on, he only preaches, he hasn't a clue how anything gets done. So now, Eilif, my son, give us the details: tell us how you fixed the peasants and grabbed the twenty bullocks. And let's hope they'll soon be here.

EILIF: In one day's time. Two at the most. MOTHER COURAGE: Now that's considerate of Eilif-to bring

the oxen tomorrow-otherwise my capon woudn't have been so welcome today.

EILIF: Well, it was like this. I found out that the peasants had hidden their oxen and-on the sly and chiefly at night- had driven them into a certain wood. The people from the town were to pick them up there. I let them get their oxen in peace--they ought to know better than me where they are, I said to myself. Meanwhile I made my men crazy for meat. Their rations were short and I made sure they got shorter. Their mouths'd water at the sound of any word beginning with MEA . . . , like measles.

THE COMMANDER: Smart fella. EILIF: Not bad. The rest was a snap. Only the peasants had

clubs and oumumbered us three to one and made a murderous attack on us. Four of them drove me into a clump of trees, knocked my good sword from my hand,

Scene Two I 29 and yelled, "Surrender!" What now, I said to myself, they'll make mincemeat of me.

THE COMMANDER: What did you do? EILIF: I laughed. THE COMMANDER: YOU what? EILIF: I laughed. And so we got to talking. I came right down

to business and said: "Twenty gnilders an ox is too much, I bid fifteen." Like I wanted to buy. That foxed 'em. So while they were scratching their heads, I reached for my good sword and cut 'em to pieces. Necessity knows no law, huh?

THE COMMANDER: What do you say, shepherd of the flock? THE CHAPLAIN: Strictly speaking, that saying is not in the

Bible. Our Lord made five hundred loaves out of five so that no such necessity wonld arise. When he told men to love their neighbors, their bellies were fnll. Things have changed since his day.

THE COMMANDER (laughing): Things have changed! A swal- low of wine for those wise words, you pharisee! (To EILIF:) You cut 'em to pieces in a good cause, our fellows were hungry and you gave 'em to eat. Doesn't it say in the Bible "Whatsoever thou doest to the least of these my children, thou doest unto me?" And what did you do for 'em? You got 'em the best steak dinner they ever tasted. Moldy bread is not what they're used to. They always ate white bread, and drank wine in their helmets, before going out to fight for God.

EILIF: I reached for my good sword and cut 'em to pieces. THE coMMANDER: You have the makings of a Julius Caesar,

why, you shonld be presented to the King! EILIF: I've seen him-from a distance of course. He seemed to

shed a light all around. I must try to be like him! THE coMMANDER: I think you're succeeding, my boy! Oh,

Eilif, you don't know how I value a brave soldier like

I .··.I .

'\',· .. ' ,' I

i ' ~ : '

30 I MOTHER COURAGE AND HER CHILDREN you! I treat such a chap as my very own son. (He takes him to the map.) Take a look at our position, Eilif, it isn't all it might be, is it?

MOTHER COURAGE has been listening and is nrYW plucking angrily at her capon.

MOTHER COURAGE: He must be a very bad Commander. THE COOK: Just a gluttonous one. Why bad? MOTHER COURAGE: Because he needs brave soldiers, that's why.

If his plan of campaign was any good, why would he need brave soldiers, wouldn't plain, ordinary soldiers do? Whenever there are great vittues, it's a sure sign some- thing's wrong.

THE COOK: Yon mean, it's a sure sign something's right. MOTHER COURAGE: I mean what I say. Why? When a general

or a king is stupid and leads his soldiers into a trap, they need this vittue of courage. When he's tightfisted and hasn't enough soldiers, the few he does have need the heroism of Hercules--another vittue. And if he's slov- enly and doesn't give a damn about anything, they have to be as :vise as serpents or they're finished. Loyalty's another Vlitlle and you need plenty of it if the king' s always asking too much of you. All vittues which a well- regulated country with a good king or a good general wouldn't need. In a good country virtues wouldn't be necessary. Everybody could be quite ordinary, middling, and, for all I care, cowards.

THE COMMANDER: I bet your father was a soldier. EIUF: I've heard he was a great soldier. My mother warned

me. I know a song about that. THE COMMANDER: Sing it to us. (Roaring:) Bring that meat! EILIF: It's called The Song of the Wise Woman and the

Soldier.

Scene Two / 3I

He sings and at the same time does a war dance with his saber:

A shotgun will shoot and a jackknife will knife, If you wade in the water, it will drown you, Keep away from the ice, if you want my advice, Said the wise woman to the soldier.

But that young soldier, he loaded his gun, And he reached for his knife, and he statted to run: For marching never could hurt him! From the north to the south he will march through the

land With his knife at his side and his gun in his hand: That's what the soldiers told the wise woman.

Woe to him who defies the advice of the wise! If you wade in the water, it will drown you! Don't ignore what I say or you'll rue it one day, Said the wise woman to the soldier.

But that young soldier, his knife at his side And his gun in his hand, he steps into the tide: For water never could hurt him! When the new moon is shining on yonder church tower We are all coming back: go and pray for that hour: That's what the soldiers told the wise woman.

MOTHER couRAGE continues the song from her kitchen, beating on a pan with a spoon:

Then the wise woman spoke: you will vanish like smoke Leaving nothing but cold air behind you! Just watch the smoke fly! Oh God, don't let him die! Said the wise woman to the soldier.

'·! ,·, i ,·.:,!'1

··•'I'' ,. 1,

3 2 I MOTHER COURAGE AND HER CHILDREN EILIF: What's that?

MOTHER COURAGE, singing On:

And the lad who defied the wise woman's advice, When the new moori shone, floated down with the ice: He waded in the water and it drowned him.

The wise woman spoke, and they vanished like smoke, And their glorious deeds did not warm us. Your glorious deeds do not warm us!

THE COMMANDER: What a kitchen I've got! There's no end to the liberties they take!

EILIF has entered the kitchen and embraced his mother.

EILIF: To see you again! Where are the others? MOTHER COURAGE (in his arms): Happy as ducks in a pond.

Swiss Cheese is paymaster with the Second Reginient, so at least he isn't in the fighting. I couldn't keep him out altogether.

EILIF: Are your feet holding up? MOTHER coURAGE: I've a bit of trouble getting my shoes on in

the morning.

The COMMANDER has come over.

THE COMMANDER: So you're his mother! I hope you have more sons for me like this fellow.

EILIF: If I'm not the lucky one: to be feasted by the Com- mander while you sit listening in the kitchen!

MOTHER coURAGE: Yes. I heard all right. (She gives him a box on the ear.)

EILIF (his hand to his cheek): Because I took the oxen? MOTHER couRAGE: No. Because you didn't surrender when

the four peasants let fly at you and tried to make mince-

Scene Two I 33 meat of you! Didn't I teach you to take care of yourself? You Finnish devil, you!

The coMMANDER and the CHAPLAIN stand laughing in the doorway.

3 THREE YEARS PASS AND MOTHER COURAGE, WITH PARTS OF A

FINNISH REGIMENT, IS TAKEN PRISONER. HER DAUGHTER IS

SAVED, HER WAGON LIKEWISE, BUT HER HONEST SON DIES.

A ctrmp. The regimental flag is flying from a pole. Af- ternoon. All sorts of wares hanging on the wagon. MOTHER coURAGE's clothesline is tied to the wagon at one end, to a cannon at the other. She and KATIRIN are fold- ing the washing on the cannon. At the same time she is bargaining with an ORDNANCE OFFICER over a bag of bul- lets. swrss CHEESE, in paymaster's uniform now, looks on. YVETIE POTTIER, a very good-looking young person, is sewing at a colored hat, a glass of brandy before her. She .is in stocking feet. Her red boots are near by.

THE UF>'ICEK: I'm letting you have the bullets for two guilders. Dirt cheap. 'Cause I need the money. The Colonel's been drinking with the officers for three days and we're out of liquor.

MOTHER COURAGE: They're army property. If they find 'em on me, I'll be court-martialed. You sell your bullets, you bastards, and send your men out to fight with nothing to shoot with.

THE OFFICER: Oh, come on, you scratch my back, aod I'll scratch yours.

MOTHER couRAGE: I won't take army stuff. Not at that price. THE OFFICER: You cao resell 'em for five guilders, maybe

eight, to the Ordnaoce Officer of the Fourth Regiment. All you have to do is to give him a receipt for twelve. He hasn't a bullet left.

MOTHER COURAGE: Why don't you do it yourself?

i

36 I MOTHER COURAGE AND HER CHILDREN THE OFFICER: I don't trust him. We're friends. MOTHER COURAGE (taking the bag): Give it here. (To KAT-

TRIN:) Take it around to the back and pay him a guilder and a half. (As the OFFICER protests:) I said a guilder and a half! (KATTRIN drags the bag away. The OFFICER fol- lows. MOTHER COURAGE speaks to SWISS CHEESE:) Here's your underwear back, take care of it; it's October now, autumn may come at any time; I purposely don't say it must come, I've learned from experience there's nothing that must come, not even the seasons. But your books must balance now you're the regimental paymaster. Do they balance?

swiss CHEESE: Yes, Mother. MOTHER couRAGE: Don't forget they made you paymaster be-

cause you're honest and so simple you'd never think of running off with the cash. Don't lose that underwear.

swiss CHEESE: No, mother. I'll put it under the mattress. (He starts to go.)

THE OFFICER: I'll go with you, paymaster. MOTHER couRAGE: Don't teach him any monkey business. •

Without a good-by the OFFICER /eaves with SWISS CHEESE.

YVETTE (waving to him): You might at least say good-by! MOTHER COURAGE (to YVETTE): I don't like that. He's no SOrt

of company for my Swiss Cheese. But the war's not making a bad start. Before all the different countries get into it, four or five years'll have gone by like nothing. If I look ahead and make no mistakes, business will be good. Don't you know you shouldn't drink in the morning with your illness?

YVETTE: Who says I'm ill? That's libel! MOTHER COURAGE: They all say so. YVETTE: They're all liars. I'm desperate, Mother Courage.

They all avoid me like a stinking fish. Because of those

Scene Three I 37 lies. So what am I arranging my hat for? (She throws it down.) That's why I drink in the morning. I never used to, it gives you craw's feet. But what's the difference? Every man in the regiment knows me. I should have stayed at home when my first was unfaithful. But pride isn't for the likes of us, you eat dirt or down you go.

MOTHER coURAGE: Now don't you start again with your friend Peter and how it all happened-in front of my innocent daughter.

YVETTE: She's the one that should hear it. So she'll get hard- ened against love.

MOTHER couRAGE: That's something no one ever gets hard- ened against.

YVETTE: I'll tell you about it, and get it off my chest. I grew up in Flanders' fields, that's where it starts, or I'd never even have caught sight of him and I wouldn't be here in Poland today. He was an army cook, blond, a Dutchman, but thin. Kattrin, beware of thin men! I didn't. I didn't

' even know he'd had another girl before me and she called him Peter Piper because he never took his pipe out of his mouth the whole time, it meant so little to him.

She sings "The Fraternization Song":

When I was almost seventeen The foe came to our land And laying aside his saber He took me gendy by the hand.

First came the May Day Rite Then came the May Day night. The pipes played and the drums did beat. The foe paraded down the street. And then with us they took their ease And fraternized behind the trees.

3 8 I MOTHER COURAGE AND HER CHILDREN Our foes they came in plenty. A cook was my own foe. I hated him by daylight But in the dark I loved him so.

First comes the May Day Rite Then comes the May Day night. The pipes play and the drums do beat. The foe parades down every street. And then with us they take their ease And fratenuze behind the trees.

The heavens seemed to open Such passion did I feel. But my people never understood The love I felt was real.

One day the sun rose slow On all my pain and woe. My loved one, with the other men, Presented arms and stood at ease Then marched away past all those trees And never did come back again.

I made the mistake of rumUug after him, I never found him. It's five years ago now. (With swaying gait she goes behind the wagon.)

MOTHER COURAGE: You've left your hat. YVETTE: For the birds. MOTHER COURAGE: Let this be a lesson to you, Katrrin, never

start anything with a soldier. The heavens do seem to open, so watch out! Even with men who're not in the army life's no honeypot. He tells you he'd like to kiss the ground under your feet-did you wash 'em yesterday, while we're on the subject?-and then if you don't look

Scene Three I 39 out, your number's up, you're his slave for life. Be glad you're dumb, Katrrin: you'll never contradict yourself, you'll never want to bite your tongue off because you spoke out of turu. Dumbness is a gift from God. Here comes the Commander's cook, what's bothering him?

Enter the COOK and. the CHAPLAIN.

THE CHAPLAIN: I bring a message from your son Eilif. The cook came with me. You've made, ahem, an impression on him.

THE COOK: I thought I'd get a litrle whiff of the balmy breeze. MOTHER coURAGE: You're welcome to that if you behave

yourself, and even if you don't I think I can handle you. But what does Eilif want? I don't have any money.

THE CHAPLAIN: Actually, I have something to tell his brother, the paymaster.

MOTHER COURAGE: He isn't here. And he isn't anywhere else eit)ler. He's not his brother's paymaster, and I won't have him led into temptation. Let Eilif try it on with someone else! (She takes money from the purse at her belt.) Give him this. It's a sin.· He's speculating in mother love, he ought to be ashamed of himself.

THE cooK: Not for long. He has to go with his regiment now -to his death maybe. Send some more money, or you'll be sorry. You women are hard--and sorry afterward. A glass of brandy wouldn't cost very much, but you refuse to provide it, and six feet under goes your man and you can't dig him up again.

THE CHAPLAIN: All very touching, my dear cook, but to fall in this war is not a misfortune, it's a blessing. This is a war of religion. Not just any old war but a special one, a re- ligious one, and therefore pleasing unto God.

THE cooK: Correct. In one sense it's a war because there's fleecing, bribing, plundering, not to mention a litrle rap-

:I ,,,_ ·.·.·1

i

40 I MOTHER COURAGE AND HER CHILDREN ing, but it:s. different from all other wars because it's a w::r of relig>on. That's clear. All the same, it makes you thitsty.

THE C~LAIN (to ~OTIIER COURAGE, pointing at the COOK): I tned to hold him off but he said you'd bewitched him. He dreams about you.

THE COOK (lighting a clay pipe): Brandy from the fair hand of a lady, tha~'s for me. ~d don't embarrass me any more: ~e stones the chaplam was telling me on the way over sull have me blushing.

MOTHER CO~GE: A. man of his cloth! I must get you both something to drmk or you'll be making improper ad- vances out of sheer boredom.

THE CHAPL~IN: That is indeed a temptation, said the court chaplam, and gave way to it. (Turning toward KATTRIN as he walks:) And who is this captivating young person?

MOTHER COURAGE: She's not a captivating young person, she's a respectable young person.

The CHAPLAIN and the COOK go with MOTHER COURA behind the cart, and one hears them talk politics. GE

MOTHER COURAGE: The trouble here in Poland is that the Poles would keep meddling. It's true our King moved in on t?em with man, beast, and wagon, but instead of keepmg the peace the Poles attacked the Swedish King when he was in the act of peacefully withdrawing. So ~hey we:e guilty of a breach of the peace and their blood IS on therr own heads.

THE CHAPLAIN: Anyway, our King was thinkiog of nothing but freedom. The- Kaiser enslaved them all Poles and Germans alike, so our King had to liberate them.

THE COOK: Just what I think. Your health! Your brandy is first-rate, I'm never mistaken in a face.

Scene Three I 4' KATTRIN looks after them, leaves the washing, goes to the hat, picks it up, sits down, and takes up the red boots.

And the war is a war of religion. (Singing while KATTRIN puts the boots on:) "A mighty fortress is our God ... " (He sings a verse or so of Luther's hymn.) And tallting of King Gustavus, this freedom he tried to bring to Germany cost him a pretty penny. Back in Sweden he had to levy a salt tax, the poorer folks didn't like it a bit. Then, too, he had to lock up the Germans and even cut their heads off, they clung so to slavery and their Kaiser. Of course, if no one had wanted to be free, the King wouldn't have had any fun. First it was just Poland he tried to protect from bad men, especially the Kaiser, then his appetite grew with eating, and he ended up protect- ing Germany too. Now Germany put up a pretty deeent fight. So the good King had nothing but worries in re- turn for his outlay and his goodness, and of course he h~d to get his money back with taxes, which made bad blood, but he didn't shrink even from that. For he had one thing in his favor anyway, God's Holy Word, which was all to the good, because otherwise they could have said he did it for profit. That's how he kept his conscience clear. He always put conscience first.

MOTHER COURAGE: It's plain you're no Swede, or you'd speak differently of the Hero King.

THE CHAPLAIN: What's more, you eat his bread. THE COOK: I don't eat his bread. I bake his bread. MOTHER COURAGE: He's unbeatable. Why? His men believe

in him. (Earnestly:) To hear the big fellows talk, they wage war from fear of God and for all things bright and beautiful, but just look into it, and you'll see they're not so silly: they want a good profit out of it, or

42 I MOTHER COURAGE AND HER CHILDREN else the little fellows like you and me wouldn't back 'em up.

THE COOK: That's right. THE CHAPLAIN: And as a-Dutchman you'd do well to see

which flag's flying here before you express an opinion! MOTHER COURAGE: All good Protestants forever! THE COOK: A health!

KATTRIN has begun to strut about with YVETTE's hat on, copying YVETTE's sexy walk_ Suddenly cannon and shots, Drums. MOTHER COURAGE, the COOK, and the CHAPLAIN rush around to the front of the cart, the last two with glasses in their hands. The ORDNANCE OFFICER and a SOL- DIER come running to the cannon and try to push it along.

MOTHER coURAGE: What's the matter? Let me get my washing off that gun, you slobs! (She tries to do so.)

THE OFFICER: The Catholics! Surprise attack! We don't know if we can get away! (To the soLDIER:) Get that gun! (He runs off.)

THE cooK: For heaven's sake! I must go to the Comrnandef. Mother Courage, I'll be back in a.day or two--for a short conversation. (He rushes off.)

MOTHER COURAGE: Hey, you've left your pipe! THE cooK (off): Keep it for me, I'll need it! MOTHER couRAGE: This would happen just when we were

making money. THE CHAPLAIN: Well, I must be going too, Yes, if the enemy's

so close, it can be dangerous. "Blessed are the peace- makers," a good slogan in war time! If only I had a cloak.

MOTHER COURAGE: I'm lending no cloaks. Not even to save a life, I'm not. I've had experience in that line.

THE CHAPLAIN: But I'm in special danger. Because of my re- ligion.

Scene Three I 43 MOTHER COURAGE (bringing him a cloak): It's against my

better judgment. Now run! THE CHAPLAIN: I thank you, you're very generous, but maybe

I'd better stay and sit here. If I run, I might attract the enemy's attention, I might arouse suspicion.

MOTHER COURAGE (to the SOLDIER): Let it alone, you dolt, who's going to pay you for this? It'll cost you your life, let me hold it for you.

THE SOLDIER (running away): Yon're my witness: I tried! MOTHER COURAGE: I'll swear to it! (Seeing KATTRIN with the

hat:) What on eatth are you up to--with a whore's hat! Take it off this minute! Are you mad? With the enemy coming? (She tears the hat off her head.) Do you want them to find you and make a whore of you? And she has the boots on too, straight from Babylon. I'll soon settle that. (She tries to get them off.) Oh God, Chaplain, help me with these boots, I'll be right back. (She runs to the wagon.)

YVETTE',(entering and powdering her face): What's that you say: the Catholics are coming? Wbere's my hat? Who's be.en trampling on it? I can't run around in that, :What will they think of me? And I don't even have a mrrror. (To the cHAPLAIN:) How do I look-too much powder?

THE CHAPLAIN: Just, er, right. YVETTE: And where are my red boots? (She can't find them

because KATTRIN is hiding her feet under her skirt.) I left them here! Now I've got to go barefoot to my tent, it's a scandal! (Exit.)

SWISS CHEESE comes running in carrying a cash box.

MOTHER coURAGE enters with her hands covered with ashes.

MOTHER COURAGE (to KATTRIN): Ashes! (To SWISS CHEESE:) What have you got there?

44 I MOTHER COURAGE AND HER CIDLDREN swiss CHEESE: The regimental cash box. MOTHER COURAGE: Throw it away! Your paymastering days

are over! SWISS CHEESE: It's a trust! (He goes tO the back.) MOTHER COURAGE (to the CHAPLAIN): Off with your pastor's

coat, Chaplain, or they'll recognize you, cloak or no cloak. (She is rubbing ashes into KATTRIN's face.) Keep still. A little ditt, and you're safe. A calamity! The sen- tries were drunk. Well, one must hide one's light under a bushel, as they say. When a soldier sees a clean face, there's one more whore in the world. Especially a Cath- olic soldier. For weeks on end, no grub. Then, when the plundering starts and they steal some, they jump on top of the womenfolk. That should do. Let me look at you. Not bad. Looks like you've been rolling in muck. Don't tremble. Nothing can happen to you now. (To SWISS CHEESE:) Where've you left the cash box?

swiss CHEESE: I thought I'd just put it in the wagon. MOTHER couRAGE (horrified): What! In my wagon? God

punish you for a prize idiot! If I just look away for a- moment' They'll hang all three of us!

SWISS CHEESE: Then I'll put it somewhere else. Or escape with it.

MOTHER coURAGE: You'll stay where you are. It's too late. THE CHAPLAIN (still changing his clothes): For heaven's sake:

the flag! MOTHER COURAGE (taking down the flag): God in heaven! I

don't notice it any more. I've had it twenty-five years.

The thunder of cannon grows.

Three days later. Morning. The cannon is gone. MOTHER COURAGE, KATTRIN, the CHAPLAIN, and SWISS CHEESE sit anxiously eating.

Scene Three I 45 swrss CHEESE: This is the third day I've been sitting here do-

ing nothing, and the Sergeant, who's always been patient with me, may be slowly beginning to ask, "Where on earth is Swiss Cheese with that cash box?"

MOTHER coURAGE: Be glad they're not on the trail. THE CHAPLAIN: What about me? I can't hold a service here or

I'll be in hot water. It is written, "Out of the abundance of the heart, the tongue speaketh." But woe is me if my tongue speaketh!

MOTHER coURAGE: That's how it is. Here you sit--one with his religion, the other with his cash box, I don't know which is more dangerous.

THE CHAPLAIN: We're in God's hands now! MOTHER COURAGE: I hope we're not that desperate, but it

is hard to sleep nights. 'Course it'd be easier if you weren't here, Swiss Cheese, all the same I've not done badly. I told them I was against the Antichrist, who's a Swede with horns on his head. I told them I noticed his left horn's a bit threadbare. When they cross-examined me, I always asked where I could buy holy candles a bit cheaper. I know these things because Swiss Cheese's father was a Catholic and made jokes about it. They didn't quite believe me but they needed a canteen, so they tirrned a bliod eye. Maybe it's all for the best. We're prisoners. But so are lice in fur.

THE CHAPLAIN: The milk is good. As far as quantity goes, we may have to reduce our Swedish appetites somewhat. We are defeated.

MOTHER coURAGE: Who's defeated? The defeats and victories of the fellows at the top aren't always defeats and vic- tories for the fellows at the bottom. Not at all. There've been cases where a defeat is a victory for the fellows at the bottom, it's only their honor that's lost, nothing serious. In Livonia once, our Chief took such a knock

46 I MOTHER COURAGE AND HER CHILDREN from the enemy, in the confusion I got a fine gray mare out of the baggage train, it pulled my wagon seven months--till we won and there was an inventory. But in general both defeat and victory are a costly business for us that haven't got much. The best thing is for politics to get Stuck in the mud. (To SWISS CHEESE:) Eat!

SWISS CHEESE: I don't like it. How will the sergeant pay bis men?

MOTHER COURAGE: Soldiers in flight don't get paid. SWISS CHEESE: Well, they could clainr to be. No pay, no flight.

They can refuse to budge. MOTHER COURAGE: Swiss Cheese, your sense of duty worries

me. I've brought you up to be honest because you're not very bright. But don't overdo it. And now I'm going with the chaplain to buy a Catholic flag and some meat. There's no one can hunt out meat like bim, sure as a sleepwalker. He can tell a good piece of meat from the way his mouth waters. A good thing they let me stay in the business. In business you ask what price, not what religion. And Protestant trousers keep you just as warm. _

THE CHAPLAIN: As the mendicant monk said when there was talk of the Lutherans turning the whole world upside down: Beggars will always be needed. (MOTHER COURAGE disappears into the wagon.) She's worried about the cash box. Up to now they've ignored us--as if we were part of the wagon-but can it last?

SWISS CHEESE: I can get rid of it. THE CHAPLAIN: That's almost more dangerous. Suppose you're

seen. They have spies. Yesterday morning one jumped out of the very hole I was relieving myself in. I was so scared I almost broke out in prayer-that would have given me away all right! I believe their favorite way of finding a Protestant is smelling bis excrement. The spy was a little brute with a bandage over one eye.

Scene Three I 47 MOTHER COURAGE (clambering out of the wagon with a bas-

ket): I've found you out, you shameless hussy! (She holds up YVETTE's red boots in triumph.) Yvette's red boots! She just swiped them-because you went and told her she was a captivating person. (She lays them in the basket.) Stealing Yvette's boots! But she disgraces herself for money, you do it for nothing-for pleasure! I told you, you must wait for the peace. No soldiers! Save your proud peacock ways for peacetime!

THE CHAPLAIN: I don't find her proud. MOTHER COURAGE: Prouder than she can afford to be. I like

her when people say "I never noticed the poor thing." I like her when she's a stone in Dalarna, where there's nothing but stones. (To sWiss CHEESE:) Leave the cash box where it is, do you hear? And pay attention to your sister, she needs it. Between the two of you, you'll be the death of me yet. I'd rather take care of a bag of fleas.

She leaves with the CHAPLAIN. KATTRIN clears the dishes away.

SWISS CHEESE: Not many days more when you can sit in the sun in your shirtsleeves. (KATTRIN points to a tree.) Yes, the leaves are yellow already. (With gestures, KATTRIN asks if he wants a drink.) I'm not drinking, I'm thinking. (Pause.) She says she can't sleep. So. I should take the cash box away. I've found a place for it. I'll keep it in the mole hole by the river till the time comes. I might get it tonight before sunrise and take it to the regiment. How far can they have fled in three days? The Sergeant's eyes'll pop out of his head. "You've disappointed me most pleasantly, Swiss Cheese," he'll say, "I ttust you with the cash box and you bring it back!" Yes, Kattriu, I will have a glass now!

48 I MOTHER COURAGE AND HER CHILDREN When KATTRIN reappears behind the wagon two men confront her. One of them is a SERGEANT. The other doffs his hat and flourishes it in a showy greeting. He has a bandage over one eye.

THE MAN WITH THE BANDAGE: Good morning, young lady. Have you seen a man from the Second Protestant Regi- ment?

Terrified, KATTRIN runs away, spilling her brandy. The two men look at each other and then withdraw after see- ing SWISS CHEESE.

sWiss CHEESE (starting up from his reflection): You're spill- ing it! What's the matter with you, have you hurt your eye? I don't understand. Yes, and I must be going, too. I've decided it's the thing to do. (He stands up. She does all she can to make him aware of the danger he is in. He only pushes her away.) I'd like to know what you mean. I know you mean well, poor thing, you just can't get it out. And don't trouble yourself about the brandy, I'll live to drink so much of it, what's one glass? (He takes the • cash box out of the wagon and puts it under his coat.) I'll be back right away. But don't hold me up or I'll have to scold you. Yes, I know you mean well. If you could only speak!

When she tries to hold him back he kisses her and pulls himself free. Exit. She is desperate and runs up and down, emitting little sounds. MOTHER COURAGE and the CHAP- LAIN return. KATTRIN rushes at her mother.

MOTHER COURAGE: What is it, what is it, Katrrin? Control yourself! Has someone done something to you? Wbere is Swiss Cheese? (To the CHAPLAIN:) Don't stand around, get that Catholic flag up' (She takes a Catholic flag out of her basket and the CHAPLAIN runs it up the pole.)

THE CHAPLAIN (bitterly): All good Catholics forever!

Scene Three I 49 MOTHER COURAGE: Now, Kattrin, calm down and tell all about

' it, your mother understands you. What, that little bastard of mine's taken the cash box away? I'll box his ears for him, the rascal! Now take your time and don't try to talk, use your hands. I don't like it when you howl like a dog, what'll the chaplain think of you? You're giving him the creeps. A man with one eye was here?

THE CHAPLAIN: That fellow with one eye is an informer! Have they caught Swiss Cheese? (KATTRIN shakes her head, shrugs her shoulders.) This is the end.

Voices off. The t'WO men bring in SWISS CHEESE.

SWISS CHEESE: Let me go. I've nothing on me. You're break- ing my shoulder! I am innocent.

THE SERGEANT· This is where he comes from. These are his friends.

MOTHER COURAGE: Us? Since when? SWISS CHEESE: I don't even know 'em. I was just getting my

lunch here. Ten hellers it cost me. Maybe you saw me sitting on that bench. It was too salty.

THE SERGEANT: Wbo are you people, anyway? MOTHER COURAGE: Law-abiding citizens! It's true what he

says, He bought his lunch here. And it was too salty. THE SERGEANT: Are you pretending you don't know him? MOTHER COURAGE: I can't know all of them, can I? I don't ask,

"What's your name and are you a heathen?" If they pay up, they're not heathens to me. Are you a heathen?

sWiss CHEESE: Oh, no! THE CHAPLAIN: He sat there like a law-abiding fellow and

never once opened his mouth. Except to eat. Wbich is necessary.

THE SERGEANT: Wbo do you think you are? MOTHER coURAGE: Oh, he's my barman. And you're thirsty,

I'll bring you a glass of brandy. You must be footsore and weary!

li'

so I MOTHER COURAGE AND HER CHILDREN THE SERGEANT: No brandy on duty. (To SWISS CHEESE:) You

were carrying something. You must have hidden it by the river. We saw the bulge in your shirt.

MOTHER COURAGE: Sure it was him? SWISS CHEESE: I think you mean another fellow. There was a

- fellow with something under his shitt, I saw him. I'm the wrong man.

MOTHER COURAGE: I think SO tOO. It's a misunderstanding. Could happen to anyone. Oh, I know what people are like, I'm Mother Courage, you've heard of me, everyone - knows about me, and I can tell you this: he looks honest.

THE SERGEANT: We're after the regimental cash box. And we know what the man looks like who's been keeping it. We've been looking for him two days. It's you.

SWISS cHEEsE: No, it's not! THE SERGEANT: And if you don't shell out, you're dead, see?

Where is it? MOTHER coURAGE (urgently): 'Course he'd give it to you· to

save his life. He'd up and say, Fve got it, here it is, you're stronger than me. He's not that stupid. Speak, little • stupid, the sergeant's giving you a chance!

SWISS CHEESE; What if I haven't got it? THE SERGEANT: Come with us. We'll get it out of you. (They

take him off.) MOTHER coURAGE (shouting after them): He'd tell you! He's

not that stupid! And don't you break his shoulder! (She runs after them.)

The same evening. The CHAPLAIN and KATTRIN are rins- ing glasses and polishing knives.

THE CHAPLAIN: Cases of people getting caught like this are by no means unknown in the history of religion. I am re- minded of the Passion of Our Lord and Savior. There's an old song about it.

He sings "The Song of the Hours":

In the first hour of the day Simple Jesus Christ was Presented as a murderer To the heathen Pilate.

Pilate found no fault in him No cause to condemn him So he sent the Lord away. Let King Herod see him!

Hour the third: the Son of God Was with scourges beaten And they set a crown of thorns On the head of Jesus.

And they dressed him as a king Joked and jested at him And the cross to die upon He himself must carry

Scene Three I 51

Six: they stripped Lord Jesus bare. To the cross they nailed him. When the blood came gushing, he Prayed and loud lamented.

Each upon his cross, two thieves Mocked him like the others. And the bright sun crept away Not to see such doings.

Nine: Lord Jesus cried aloud That he was forsaken!

I

52 I MOTHER COURAGE AND HER CHILDREN In a sponge upon a pole Vinegar was fed him.

Then the Lord gave up the ghost And the earth did tremble. Temple curtain split in twain. Cliffs fell in the ocean.

Evening: they broke the bones Of the malefactors. Then they took a spear and pierced The side of gentle Jesus.

And the blood and water ran And they laughed at Jesus. Of this simple son of man Such and more they tell us.

MOTHER coURAGE (entering, excited): It's life and death. But the Sergeant will still listen to us. The only thing is, he musm't know it's our Swiss Cheese, or they'll say we helped him. It's only a matter of money, but where can we get money? Isn't Yvette here yet? I talked to her on the way over. She's picked up a Colonel who may be willing to buy her a canteen business.

THE CHAPLAIN: You'd sell the wagon, everything? MOTHER couRAGE: Where else wonld I get the money for

the Sergeant? THE CHAPLAIN: What are you to live off? MOTHER couRAGE: That's just it.

Enter YVETTE with a hoary old COLONEL.

YVETTE (embracing MOTHER COURAGE): Dear Mistress Cour- age, we meet again. (Whispering:) He didn't say no. (Aloud:) This is my friend, my, urn, business adviser.

Scene Three I 53 I happened to hear you might sell your wagon. Due to special circumstances, I'd like to think about it.

MOTHER COURAGE: I want to pawn it, not sell it. And nothing hasty. In war time you don't find another wagon like that so easy.

YVETTE (disappointed): Only pawn it? I thought you wanted to sell. I don't know if I'm interested. ( To the coLONEL:) What do you think, my dear?

THE COLONEL: I quite agree with you, bunny. MOTHER COURAGE: It's only for pawn. YVETTE: I thought you had to have the money. MOTHER COURAGE (firmly); I do have to have it. But I'd

rather wear my feet off looking for an offer than just sell. Why? We live off the wagon. It's an opportunity for you, Yvette. Who knows when you'll have another such? Who knows when you'll find another business adviser?

THE COLONEL: Take it, take it! YVETTE: My friend thinks I should go a!Iead, but I'm not

sure, if it's only for pawn. You think we should buy it outright, don't you?

THE coLoNEL: I do, bunny, I do! MOTHER coURAGE: Then you must go and find something

that's for sale. Maybe you'll find it-if you have the time, and your friend goes with you, let's say in about a week, or two weeks, you may find the right thing.

YVETTE: Yes, we can certainly look around for something. I love going around looking, I love going around with you,Poldy ...

THE COLONEL: Really? Do you? YVETTE: Oh, it's lovely! I could take two weeks of it! THE COLONEL: Really, could you? YVETTE: If you get the money, when are you thinking of

paying it back?

54 I MOTHER COURAGE AND HER CHILDREN MOTHER COURAGE: In two weeks. Maybe one. YVETTE: I can't make up my mind. Poldy, advise me, cberi!

(She takes the COLONEL to one side.) She'll have to sell, don't worry. That Lieutenant-the blond one, you know the one I mean-he'll lend me the money. He's mad about me, he says I remind him of someone. What do you advise?

THE coLONEL: Oh, I have to warn you against him. He's no good. He'll exploit the situation. I told you, bunny, I told you Fd buy you something, didn't I tell you that?

·YVETTE: I simply can't let you! THE COLONEL: Oh, please, please! YVETIE: Well, if you think the Lieutenant might exploit the

situation I will let you! THE COLONEL: I do think SO. YVETTE: So you advise me to? THE coLONEL: I do, bunny, I do! YVETTE (returning to MOTHER COURAGE): My friend says all

right. Write me out a receipt saying the wagon's mine when the two weeks are up-with everything in it. I'll just run through it all now, the two hundred guilders can wait. (To the coLONEL:) You go ahead to the camp, I'll follow, I must go over all this so nothing'll be missing later from my wagon!

THE coLONEL: Wait, I'll help you up! (He does so.) Come soon, honey bun! (Exit.)

MOTHER COURAGE: Yvette, Yvette! YVETTE: There aren't many boots left! MOTHER coURAGE: Yvette, this is no time to go through the

wagon, yours or not yours. You promised you'd talk to the Sergeant about Swiss Cheese. There isn't a minute to lose. He's up before the court-martial one hour from now.

YVETIE: I just want to count these shirts again.

Scene Three I 55 MOTHER coURAGE (dragging her down the steps by the skirt):

You hyena, Swiss Cheese's life's at stake! And don't say who the money comes from. Pretend he's your sweet- heart, for heaven's sake, or we'll all get it for helping him.

YVETIE: I've arranged to meet One Eye in the bushes. He must be there by now.

THE CHAPLAIN: And don't hand over all two hundred, a hun- dred and fifty's sure to be enough.

MOTHER COURAGE: Is it your money? I'll thank you to keep your nose out of this, I'm not doing you out of your porridge. Now run, and no haggling, remember his life's at stake. (She pushes YVETTE off.)

THE CHAPLAIN: I didn't want to talk you into anything, but what are we going to live on? You have an unemploy- able daughter around your neck.

MOTHER couRAGE: I'm counting on that cash box, smart aleck. They'll pay his expenses out of it.

THE CHAPLAIN: YOU think she can work it? MOTHER COURAGE: It's in her own interest: I pay the two

hundred and she gets the wagon. She knows what she's doing, she won't have her Colonel on the string forever. Kattrin, go and clean the knives, use pnmice stone. And don't you stand around like Jesus in Gethsemane. Get a move .on, wash those glasses. There'll be over fifty cavalrymen here tonight, and you'll be saying you're not used to being on your feet. "Oh my poor feet, in church I never had to run around like this!" I think they'll let us have him. Thanks be to God they're cor- ruptible. They're not wolves, they're human and after money. God is merciful, and men are bribable, that's how His will is done on earth as it is in Heaven. Corrup- tion is our only hope. As long as there's corruption,

561 MoTHER coURAGE AND HER cHILDREN

there'll be merciful judges and even the innocent may get off.

YVETTE comes in panting.

YVETTE: They'll do it for two hundred if you make it snappy -these things change from one minute to the next. I'd better take One Eye to my Colonel at once. He confessed he had the cash box, they put the thumbscrews on him. But he threw it in the river when he noticed them coming up behind him. So it's gone. Shall I run and get the money from my Colonel?

MOTHER COURAGE: The cash box gone? How'll I ever get my two hundred back?

YVETTE: So you thought you could get it from the cash box? I would have been sunk. Not a hope, Mother Courage. If you want your Swiss Cheese, you'll have to pay. Or should I let the whole thing drop, so you can keep your wagon?

MOTHER coURAGE: I wasn't figuring on this. But you needn't hound me, you'll get the wagon, it's yours already, and it's been mine seventeen years. I need a minute to think it over, it's all so sudden. What can I do? I can't pay two hundred. Yon should have haggled with them. I must hold on to something, or any passer-by can kick me in the ditch. Go and say I'll pay a hundred and twenty or the deal's off. Even then I lose the wagon.

YVETTE: They won't do it. And anyway, One Eye's in a hurry. He keeps looking over his shoulder all the time, he's so worked up. Hadn't I better give them the whole two hundred?

MOTHER couRAGE (desperate): I can't pay it! I've been work- ing thirty years. She's twenty-five and still no husband. I have her to think of. So leave me alone. I know what I'm doing. A hundred and twenty or no deal.

Scene Three I 57 YVETTE: You know best. (She runs off.)

MOTHER COURAGE turns away and slowly walks a few paces to the rear. Then she turns around, looks neither at the cHAPLAIN nor her daughter, and sits down to help KATTRIN polish the knives.

MOTHER coURAGE: Don't break the glasses, they're not ours. Watch what you're doing, you're cutting yourself. Swiss Cheese will be back, I'll give two hundred, if I have to. You'll get your brother back. With eighty guilders we could pack a hamper with goods and begin again. It wouldn't be the end of the world.

THE CHAPLAIN: The Bible says: the Lord will provide. MOTHER COURAGE: Rub them dry, I said.

They clean the knives in silence.

They say the war will stop soon. How would it? I ask. And no one can answer me. (Slowly.) The King and the Pope are mona! enemies, their Faith is different. They must go for each other till one of them drops dead, neither of them can relax till then. Even so they can't get on with it. Why not? The Emperor is in the way, and they both have something against him. They're not going to fight each other to the death with the Emperor lurking about till they're half dead so. he can fall on both of 'em! No, they're banding together against the Emperor so he'll drop dead first and they can go for each other.

Suddenly KATTRIN runs sobbing behind the wagon.

Someone once offered me five hundred guilders for the wagon. I didn't take it. My Eilif, wherever he may be, thought I'd taken it and cried all night.

5s 1 MoTHER couRAGE AND HER CHILDREN YVETTE comes runningin.

YVETTE: They won't do it. I warned you. One Eye was going to dtop it then and there. There's no point, he said. He said the drums would rolf any second now and that's the sign a verdict has been reached. I offered a hundred and fifty, he didn't even shrug. I could hardly get him to stay there while I came here.

MOTHER COURAGE: Tell him I'll pay two hundted. Run!

YVETTE runs. MOTHER COURAGE sits, silent. The CHAPLAIN has stopped doing the glasses.

I believe-I've haggled too long.

In the distance, a roll of drums. The CHAPLAIN stands up and walks toward the rear. MOTHER COURAGE remains seated. It grows dark. It gets light again. MOTHER coURAGE has not moved. YVETTE appears, pale.

YVETTE: Now you've done it-with your haggling. You can keep the wagon now. He got eleven bullets in him. I don't know why I still bother about you, you don't deserve it, but I just happened to learn they don't think the cash box is really in the river. They suspect it's here, they think you're connected with him. I think they're going to bring him here to see if you'll give your- self away when you see him. You'd better not know him or we're in for it. And I'd better tell you straight, they're just behind me. Shall I keep Kattrin away? (MOTHER couRAGE shakes her head.) Does she know? Maybe she never heard the drums or didn't understand.

MOTHER COURAGE: She knows. Bring her.

YVETTE brings KATTRIN, who walks over to her mother and stands by her. MOTHER COURAGE takes her hand. Two men come on with a stretcher; there is a sheet

Scene Three I 59 on it and something underneath~ Beside them, the SERGEANT. They put the stretcher down.

THE SERGEANT: Here's a man we can't identify. But he has to be registered to keep the records straight. He bought a meal from you. Look at him, see if you know him. (He pulls back the sheet.) Do you know him? (MOTHER COURAGE shakes her head.) What? You never saw him before he took that meal? (MOTHER COURAGE shakes her head.) Lift him up. Throw him in the carrion pit. He has no one that knows him.

They carry him off.

4 MOTHER COURAGE SINGS THE SONG OF THE GREAT

CAPITULATION

Outside an officer's tent. MOTHER couRAGE waits. A CLERK looks out of the tent.

THE CLERK: I know you. You had a Protestant paymaster with you, he was hiding out with you. Better make no complaint.

MOTHER COURAGE: But I'm innocent and if I give up it'll look as if I have a bad conscience. They cut every- thing in my wagon to ribbons with their sabers and then claimed a fine of five thalers for nothing and less than nothing.

THE CLERK: For your own good, keep your trap shut. We haven't many canteens, so we let you stay in business, especially if you've a bad conscience and have to pay a fine now and then.

MOTHER COURAGE: I'm going tO file a complaint. THE CLERK: As you wish. Wait here till the Captain has time.

(He withdraws into the tent.)

A YOUNG soLDIER comes storming in. THE YOUNG SOLDIER: Screw the Captain! Where is the son of

a bitch? Swiping my reward, spending it on brandy for his whores, I'll rip his belly open!

AN OLDER soLDIER (coming after him): Shut your hole, you'll wind up in the stocks.

THE YOUNG SOLDIER: Come out, you thief, I'll make lamb chops out of you! I was the only one in the squad who swam the river and he grabs my money, I can't even

I,

.!

62 I MOTHER COURAGE AND HER CIULDREN buy myself a beer. Come on out! And let me slice you up!

THE OLDER SOLDIER: Holy Christ, he'll destroy himself! THE YOUNG SOLDIER: Let me- go or I'll run you down too.

This has got to be settled! THE OLDER SOLDIER: Saved the Colonel's horse and didn't get

the reward. He's young, he hasn't been at it long. MOTHER coURAGE: Let him go. He doesn't have to be chained,

he's not a dog. Very reasonable to want a reward. Why else should he want to shine?

THE YOUNG SOLDIER: He's in there pouring it down! You're all nice. I've done something special, I want the reward!

MOTHER COURAGE: Young man, don't scream at me, I have my own troubles. And go easy with your voice, you may need it when the Captain comes. The Captain'll come and you'll be hoarse and can't make a sound, so he'll have to deny himself the pleasure of sticking you in the stocks till you pass out. The screamers don't scream long, ouly half an hour, after which they have to be sung to sleep, they're all in.

THE YOUNG soLDIER: I'm not all in, and sleep's out of the question. I'm hungry. They're making their bread out of acorns and hempseed, and not even much of that. He's whoring on my money, and I'm hungry. I'll murder him!

MOTHER COURAGE: I understand: you're hungry. Last year your Commander ordered you people out of the streets and into the fields. So the crops got trampled down. I could have got ten gnilders for boots, if an yon~' d had ten gnilders, and if I'd had any boots. He didn't expect to be around this year, but he is, and there's famine. I understand: you're angry.

THE YOUNG soLDIER: It's no use your talking. I won't stand for injustice!

Scene Four I 63 MOTHER COURAGE: You're qnite right. But how long? How

long won't you stand for injustice? One hour? Or two? you haven't asked yourself that, have you? And yet it's the main thing. It's pure misery to sit in the stocks. Especially if you leave it till then to decide you do stand for injustice.

THE YOUNG SOLDIER: I don't know why I listen to you. Screw that Captain! Where is he?

MOTHER couRAGE: You listen because you know I'm right. Your rage has calmed down already. It was a short one and you'd need a long one. But where would you find it?

THE YOUNG SOLDIER: Are you trying to say it's not right to ask for the money?

MOTHER COURAGE: Just the opposite. I ouly say, your rage won't last. You'll get nowhere with it, it's a pity. If your rage was a long one, I'd urge you on. Slice him up, I'd advise you. But what's the use if you don't slice him up because you can feel your tail between your legs? You stand there and the Captain lets you have it.

THE OLDER SOLDIER: You're qnite right, he's crazy. THE YOUNG SOLDIER: All right, we'll see whether I slice him

up or not. (He draws his sword.) When he comes out, I slice him up!

THE CLERK (looking out): The Captain will be out in a minute. (In the tone of military command:) Be seated!

The YOUNG SOLDIER sitS.

MOTHER coURAGE: And he is seated. What did I tell you? You are seated. They know us through and through. They know how they must work it. Be seated! And we sit. And in sitting there's no revolt. Better not stand up again-not the way you did before-don't stand up again. And don't be embarrassed in front of me, I'm

I [I

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64 I MOTHER COURAGE AND HER CHILDREN no better, not a scrap. They've drawn our teeth, haven't they? If we say boo, it's bad for business. Let me tell you about the great capitulation.

She sings "The Song of th~ Great Capitulation":

Long ago when I was a green beginner I believed I was a special case.

(None of your ordinary run of the mill girls, with my looks and my talent, and my love of the higher things . !if I) m e.

And if I picked a hair out of my dinner I would put the cook right in his place.

(All or nothing. Anyhow, never the second best. I am the master of my Fate. I'll take no orders from no one.)

Then a little bird whispered in my ear: "That's all very well, but wait a year And you will join the big brass band And with your trumpet in your hand You'll march in lockstep with the rest. Then oue day, look! The battalions wheel! The whole thing swings from east to west! And falling on your knees, you'll squeal: The Lord God, He knows best! (But don't give me that!)"

And a month or two before that year was over I had learned to drink their cup of tea.

(Two children round your neck, and the price of bread and what all!)

Scene Four I 65 And the day soon came when I was to discover They had me just where they wanted me.

(You must get in good with people. If you scratch my back, I'll scratch yours. Don't stick your neck out.)

And that little bird whispered in my ear: "You didn't even take a year! And you have joined the big brass band And with your trumpet in your hand You marched in lockstep with the rest. But one day, look! The battalions wheeled! The whole thing swung from east to west! And falling on your knees, you squealed: The Lord God, He knows best! (But don't give me that!)"

Yes, our hopes are high, our plans colossal! And we hitch our wagon to a star!

(Where there's a will there's a way. One can't hold a good man down.)

We can move mountains, says St. Paul the great Apostle

And yet: how heavy one cigar!

(We must cut our coat according to our cloth.)

For that little bird whispers in your ear: "That's all very well but wait a year And we will join the big brass band And with our trumpet in our hand

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66 I MOTHER COURAGE AND HER CHILDREN We march in lockstep with the rest. But one day, look! The battalions wheel! The whole thing swings from east to west! And falling on our knees, we squeal: The Lord God, He knows best! (But don't give me that!)"

And so I think you should stay here with your sword drawn if you're set on it and your anger is big enough. You have good cause, I admit. But if your anger is a short one, you'd better go.

THE YOUNG SOLDIER: Kiss my ass. (He stumbles off, the other soLDIER following him.)

THE CLERK (sticking his head out): The Captain is ready now. You can file your complaint.

MOTHER coURAGE: I've thought better of it. I'm not complain- ing. (Exit.)

The CLERK looks after her, shaking his head.

5 TWO YEARS HAVE PASSED. THE WAR COVERS WIDER AND WIDER TERRITORY. FOREVER ON THE MOVE, THE LITTLE WAGON

CROSSES POLAND, MORAVIA, BAVARIA, ITALY, AND AGAIN

BAVARIA. 163 I. TILLY'S VICTORY AT MAGDEBURG COSTS MOTHER COURAGE FOUR OFFICERS' SHIRTS.

The wagon stands in a war-ravaged village. Faint military music from the distance. Two SOLDIERS are being served at a COUnter by KATTRIN and MOTHER COURAGE. One of them has a woman's fur coat about his shoulders.

MOTHER COURAGE: What, you can't pay? No money, no brandy! They can play victory marches, they should pay their men.

THE FffiST SOLDIER: I want my brandy! I arrived too late for plunder. The Chief allowed one hour to plunder the town, it's a swindle. He's not inhuman, he says. So I suppose they bought him off.

THE CHAPLAIN (staggering in): There are more in the farm- house. A fanrily of peasants. Help me someone. I need linen!

The second soLDIER goes with him. KATTRIN is getting very excited. She tries to get her mother to bring linen out.

MOTHER COURAGE: I have none. I sold all my bandages to the regiment. I'm not tearing up my officers' shirts for these people.

THE CHAPLAIN (calling over his shoulder): I said I need linen! MOTHER COURAGE (stopping KATTRIN from entering the

wagon): Not a thing! They can't pay, and why? They have nothing and they pay nothing!

'I I

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68 I MOTHER COURAGE A.~ HER CHILDREN THE CHAPLAIN (tO a WOMAN he is carrying in): Why did you

stay out there in the line of fire? THE WOMA.><: Our farm- MOTHER COURAGE: Think they'd ever let go of anything?

And now I'm supposed to pay. Well, I won't! THE FIRST soLDIER: They're Protestants, why should they be

Protestants? MOTHER coURAGE: Protestant, Catholic, what do they care?

Their farm's gone, that's what. THE SECOND SOLDIER: They're not Protestants anyway, they're

Catholics. THE FIRST soLDIER: In a bombardment we can't pick and

choose. A PEASANT (broughton by the cHAPLAIN): My arm's gone. THE CHAPLAIN: Where's that linen?

All look at MOTHER COURAGE, who does not budge.

MOTHER couRAGE: I can't give you any. With all I have to pay out-taxes, duties, bribes .... (KATTRIN takes up a board and threatens her mother with it, emitting gurgling sounds.) Are you out of your mind? Put that board down or I'll let you have one, you lunatic! I'm giving nothing, I don't dare, I have myself to think of. (The CHAPLAIN lifts her bodily off the steps of the wagon and sets her down on the ground. He takes out shirts from the wagon and tears them in strips.) My shirts, my officers' shirts!

From the house comes the cry of a child in pain.

THE PEASANT: The child's still in there.

KATTRIN runs in.

THE CHAPLAIN (to the WOMAN): Stay where you are. She's getting it for you.

Scene Five !69

MOTHER coURAGE: Hold her back, the roof may fall in! THE CHAPLAIN: I'm not going back in there! MOTHER coURAGE (pulled in both directions): Go easy on my

expensive linen.

The SECOND SOLDIER holds her back. KATTRIN brings a baby out of the ruins.

MOTHER couRAGE: Another baby to drag around, you must be pleased with yourself. Give it to its mother this minute! Or do I have to fight you again for hours till I get it from you? Are you deaf? (To the SECOND soLDIER:) Don't stand about gawking, go back there and tell 'em to stop that music, I can see their victory without it. I have nothing but losses from your victory!

THE CHAPLAIN (bandaging): The blood's coming through.

KATTRIN is rocking the child and half humming a lullaby.

MOTHER COURAGE: There she sits, happy as a lark in all this misery. Give the baby back, the mother is coming to! (She sees the FIRST SOLDIER. He had been handling the drinks, and is now trying to make off with the bottle.) God's troth! You beast! You want another victory, do you? Then pay for it!

THE FIRST SOLDIER: I have nothing. MOTHER COURAGE (snatching the fur coat back): Then leave

this coat, it's stolen goods anyhow. THE CHAPLAIN: There's still someone in there.

6 BEFORE THE CITY OF INGOLSTADT IN BAVARIA MOTHER COURAGE

IS PRESENT AT THE FUNERAL OF THE FALLEN COMMANDER, TILLY. CONVERSATIONS TAKE PLACE ABOUT WAR HEROES AND THE DURATION OF THE WAR. THE CHAPLAIN COMPLAINS THAT HIS TALENTS ARE LYING FALLOW AND KATTRIN GETS THE RED

BOOTS. THE YEAR IS I 6 32.

The inside of a canteen tent. The inner, .side of a counter at the rear. Rain. In the distance, drums and funeral music. The CHAPLAIN and the regimental CLERK are playing draughts. MOTHER COURAGE and her daughter are taking an inventory.

THE CHAPLAIN: The funeral procession is just staning out. MOTHER COURAGE: Pity about the Chief--twenty-two pairs of

socks-getting killed that way. They say it was an ac- cident. There was a fog over the fields that morning, and the fog was to blame. The Chief called up another regi- ment, told 'em to fight to the death, rode back again, missed his way in the fog, went forward instead of back, and ran smack into a bullet in the thick of the battle-only four lanterns left. (A whistle from the rear. She goes to the counter. To a soLDIER:) It's a disgrace the way you're all skipping your Commander's funeral! (She pours a drink.)

THE CLERK: They shouldn't have handed the money out before the funeral. Now the men ate all getting drunk instead of going to it.

THE CHAPLAIN (to the cLERK): Don't you have to be there? THE CLERK: I stayed away because of the rain.

.'! ,, I ,, 'i]

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72 I MOTHER COURAGE AND HER CHILDREN MOTHER couRAGE: It's different for you, the rain might spoil

your uniform. I hear they wanted to ring the bells for Ills funeral, which is natural, but it came out that the churches had been shot up. by his orders, so the poor Commander won't be hearing any bells when . they lower him in Ills grave. Instead, they'll fire off three shots so the occasion won't be too sober-sixteen leather belts.

A VOICE FROM THE COUNTER: Service! One brandy! MOTHER couRAGE: Your money first. No, you can't come

inside the tent, not with those boots on. You can drink outside, rain or no rain. I only let officers in here. (To the CLERK:) The Chief had Ills troubles lately, I hear. There was unrest in the Second Regiment because he didn't pay 'em but he said it was a war of religion and they must fight it free of charge.

Funeral march. All look toward the rear.

THE cHAPLAIN: Now they're filing past the body. MOTHER coURAGE: I feel sorry for a Commander or an Em-

peror like that-when he might have had something special in mind, something they'd talk about D: times to come, something they'd raise a statue to hun for. The conquest of the world now, that's a goal for a Com- mander, he wonldn't know any better. . . . Lord, worms have got into the biscuits .... In shott, he works his hands to the bone and then it's all spoiled by the common riffraff that only wants a jug of beer or a bit of company, not the higher things in life. The finest plans have always been spoiled by the littleness of them that should carry them out. Even Emperors can't do it all by themselves. They count on suppott from their soldiers and the people round about. Am I right?

THE CHAPLAIN (laughing): You're right, Mother Courage, till you come to the soldiers. They do what they can.

Scene Six I 7 3 Those fellows outside, for example, drinking their brandy in the rain, I'd trust 'em to fight a hundred years, one war after another, two at a time if necessary. And I wasn't trained as a commander.

MOTHER couRAGE: ... Seventeen leather belts .... Then you don't think the war might end?

THE CHAPLAIN: Because a commander's dead? Don't be child- ish, they're a dime a dozen. There are always heroes.

MOTHER COURAGE: Well, I wasn't asking for the sake of argu- ment. I was wondering if I should buy up a lot of supplies. They happen to be cheap just now. But if the war ended, I might just as well throw them away,

THE CHAPLAIN: I realize you are serious, Mother Courage. Well, there've always been people going around saying some day the war will end. I say, you can't be surs:)he war will ever end. Of course it may have to pause' oc~ casionally-for breath, as it were--it can even meet.;with an accident-nothing on this eatth is perfect --:J! · ~ of which we conld say it left nothing to be desired will probably never exist. A war can come to a sudden halt -from unforeseen causes--you can't think of every- thing-a little oversight, and th~ war's in the hole: and someone's got to pnll it out agam! The ,someone ~ the Emperor or the King or the Pop:. They re such fnen~ in need, the war has really nothing to worry about, It can look forward to a prosperous future.

A soLDIER (singing at the counter):

One schnapps, mine host, make haste! We have no time to waste: We must be shooting, shooting, shooting Our Emperor's foes uprooting!

Make it a double. This is a holiday. MOTHER coURAGE: If I was sure you're right ...

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74 I MOTHER COURAGE AND HER CIDLDREN THE CHAPLAIN: Think it out for yourself: how could the war

end? THE SOLDIER (off-stage):

Two breasts, mine host, make haste! For we have no time to waste: We must be hating, hating, hating We cannot keep our Emperor waiting!

THE CLERK (suddenly): What about peace? Yes, peace. I'm from Bohemia. I'd like to get home once in a while.

THE CHAPLAIN: Oh, you would, would you? Dear old peace! What happens to the hole when the cheese is gone?

THE SOLDIER (off-stage):

Your blessing, priest, make haste! For we have no time to waste: We must be dying, dying, dying Our Emperor's greamess glorifying!

THE CLERK: In the long rnn you can't live without peace! THE CHAPLAIN: Well, I'd say there's peace even in war, war

has its islands of peace. For war satisfies all needs, even those of peace, yes, they're provided for, or the war · couldn't keep going. In war-as in the very thick of peace-you can take a crap, and between one battle and the next there's always a beer, and even on the march you can snatch a nap-on your elbow maybe, in a gotter -something can always be managed. Of course you can't play cards during an attack, but neither can you while ploughing the fields in peace time: it's when the victory's won that there are possibilities. You have your leg shot off, and at first you raise quite an outcry as if it was something, but soon you calm down or take a swig of brandy, and you end up hopping about, and the war is none the worse for your little misadventure. And

Scene Six I 7 5 can't you be fruitful and multiply in the thick of slaughter-behind a bam or somewhere? Nothing can keep you from it very long in any event. And so the war has your offspring and can carry on. War is like love, it always finds a way. Why should it end?

KATTRIN has stopped working. She stares at the cHAPLAIN.

MOTHER COURAGE: Then I will buy those supplies, I'll rely on you. (KATTRIN suddenly bangs a basket of glasses down on the ground and runs out. MOTHER COURAGE laughs.) Kattrin! Lord, Kamin's still going to wait for peace. I promised her she'll get a husband-when it's peace. (She runs after her.)

THE CLERK (standing up): I win. You were talking. You pay. MOTHER COURAGE (returning with KATTRIN): Be sensible, the

war'll go on a bit longer, and we'll make a bit more money, then peace'll be all the nicer. Now you go into the town, it's not ten minutes walk, and bring the things from the Golden Lion, just the more expensive ones, we can get the rest later in the wagon. It's all arranged, the clerk will go with you, most of the soldiers are at the Com- mander's funeral, nothing can happen to you. Do a good job, don't lose anything, Kamin, think of your trousseau!

KATTRIN ties a cloth around her head and leaves with the CLERK.

THE CHAPLAIN: You don't mind her going with the clerk? MOTHER COURAGE: She's not so pretty anyone would want to

ruin her. THE CHAPLAIN: The way you run your business and always

come through is highly commendable, Mother Courage -1 see how you got your name.

MOTHER coURAGE: The poor need courage. Why? They're lost. That they even get up in the morning is something

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76 I MOTHER COURAGE AND HER CHILDREN -in their plight. Or that they plough a field_..:.in war time. Even their bringing children into the world shows they have courage, for they have no prospects. They have to hang each other one by one and slaughter each other in the lump, so if they want to look each other in the face once in a while, well, it takes courage. That they put up with an Emperor and a Pope, that takes an un- natural amount of courage, for they cost you your life. (She sits, takes a small pipe from her pocket and smokes it.) You might chop me a bit of firewood.

THE cHAPLAIN (reluctantly taking his coat off and preparing to chop wood): Properly speaking, I'm a pastor of souls, not a woodcutter.

MOTHER coURAGE: But I don't have a soul. And I do need wood.

THE CHAPLAIN: What's that little pipe you've got there? MOTHER COURAGE: Just a pipe. THE CHAPLAIN: I think it's a very patticular pipe. MOTHER COURAGE: Oh? THE CHAPLAIN: The cook's pipe in fact. The cook from the

Oxenstiema Regiment. MOTHER couRAGE: If you know, why beat about the bush? THE CHAPLAIN: Because I don't know if you've been aware

that's what you've been smoking. It was possible you just rummaged among your belongings and your finge~s just lit on a pipe and you just took it. In pure absent-nunded- ness.

MOTHER coURAGE: How do you know that's not it? THE cHAPLAIN: It isn't. You are aware of it. (He brings the ax

down on the block with a crash.) MOTHER coURAGE: What if I was? THE CHAPLAIN: I must give you a warning, Mother Courage,

it's my duty. You are unlikely to see the gentleman again but that's no pity, you're in luck. Mother

Scene Six I 77 Courage, he did not impress me as trustWorthy. On the contrary.

MOTHER coURAGE: Really? He was such a nice man. THE CHAPLAIN: Well! So that's what you call a nice man. I

do not. (The ax falls again.) Far be it from me to wish him ill, but I cannot-cannot-describe him as nice. No, no, he's a Don Juan, a cunning Don Juan. Just look at that pipe if you don't believe me. Yon must admit it tells all.

MOTHER COURAGE: I see nothing special in it. It's been used, of course.

THE CHAPLAIN: It's bitten halfway through! He's a man of great violence! It is the pipe of a man of great violence, you can see that if you've any judgment left! (He deals the block a tremendous blow.)

MOTHER COURAGE: Don't bite my chopping block halfway through!

THE CHAPLAIN: I told you I had no training as a woodcutter. The care of souls was my field. Around here my gifts and capabilities are grossly misused. In physical labor my God-given talents find no-urn-adequate expression- which is a sin. Yon haven't heard me preach. Why, I can put such spirit into a regiment with a single sermon that the enemy's a mere flock of sheep to them and their own lives no more than smelly old shoes to be thrown away at the thought of final victory! God has given me the gift of tongues. I can preach you out of your senses!

MOTHER COURAGE: I need my senses. What would I do with- out them?

THE CHAPLAIN: Mother Courage, I have often thought that- under a veil of plain speech-you conceal a heatt. Yon are human, you need warmth.

MOTHER COURAGE: The best way of warming this tent is tO chop plenty of firewood.

7 8 I MOTHER COURAGE AND HER CHILDREN THE CHAPLAIN: You're changing the subject. Seriously, my

dear Courage, I sometimes ask myself how it would be if our relationship should be somewhat more firmly ce- mented. I mean, now the wild wind of war has whirled us so strangely together.

MOTHER coURAGE: The cement's pretty firm already. I cook your meals. And you lend a hand-at chopping firewood, for instance.

THE CHAPLAIN (going over to her, gesturing with the ax): You know what I mean by a close relationship. It has nothing to do with eating and woodcutting and such base necessities. Let your heart speak!

MOTHER coURAGE: Don't come at me like that with your ax, that'd be too close a relationship!

THE CHAPLAIN: This is no laughing matter, I am in earnest. I've thought it all over.

MOTHER coURAGE: Dear Chaplain, be a sensible fellow. I like you, and I don't want to heap coals of fire on your head. All I want is to bring me and my children through in that wagon. It isn't just mine, the wagon, and anyway I've no mind to start any adventures. At the moment I'm taking quite a risk buying these things when the Commander's fallen and there's all this talk of peace. Where would you go, if I was ruined? See? You don't even know. Now chop some firewood and it'll be warm of an evening, which is quite a lot in times like these. What was that? (She stands up. KATTRIN enters, breath- less, with a wound across the eye and forehead. She is dragging all sorts of articles, parcels, leather goods, a drum, etc.) What is it, were you attacked? On the way back? She was attacked on the way back! I'll bet it was that soldier who got drunk on my liquor. I should never have let you go. Dump all that stuff! It's not bad, the wound is only a flesh wound. I'll bandage it for you, it'll

Scene Six I 79 all be healed up in a week. They're worse than animals. (She bandages the wound.)

THE CHAPLAIN: I reproach them with nothing. At horne they never did these shameful things. The men who start the wars are responsible, they bring out the worst in people.

MOTHER coURAGE: Didn't the clerk walk you back horne? That's because you're a respectable girl, he thought they'd leave you alone. The wound's not at all deep, it will never show. There: all bandaged up. Now, I've got something for you, rest easy. I've been keeping them secret. (She digs YVETTE's red boots out of a bag.) Well, what do you see? You always wanted them. Now you have them. (She helps her to put the boots on.) Put them on qnick, before I change my mind. It will

. never show, though it wouldn't bother me if it did. The ones they like fare worst. They drag them around till they're finished. Those they don't care for they leave alone. I've seen so many girls, pretty as they come in the beginning, then all of a sudden they're so ugly they'd scare a wolf. They can't even go behind a tree on the street without having something to fear from it. They lead a frightful life. Like with trees: the tall, straight ones are cut down for roof timber, and the crooked ones can enjoy life. So this wound here is really a piece of luck. The boots have kept well. I gave them a good cleaning before I put them away.

KATTRIN leaves the boots and creeps into the wagon.

THE CHAPLAIN (when she's gone): I hope she won't be dis- figured?

MOTHER COURAGE: There'll be a scar. She needn't wait for peace now.

THE CHAPLAIN: She didn't let them get any of the stuff.

So f MOTHER coURAGE AND HER CHILDREN MOTHER COURAGE: Maybe I shouldn't have made such a point

of it. If only I ever knew what went on inside her head. Once she stayed out all night, once in all the years. After- ward she seemed much the same, except that she worked harder. I could never get out of her what happened. I worried about it for quite a while. (She picks up the things KATTRIN spilled and sorts them angrily.) This is war. A nice source of income, I must say!

Cannon shots.

THE CHAPLAIN: Now they're lowering the Commander into his grave! A historic moment.

MOTHER couRAGE: It's a historic moment to me when they hit my daughter over the eye. She's all but finished now, she'll never get a husband, and she's so mad about chil- dren! Even her dumbness comes from the war. A soldier stuck something in her mouth when she was little. I'll never see Swiss Cheese again, and where my Eilif is the Good Lord knows. Curse the war!

7 MOTHER COURAGE AT THE HEIGHT OF HER BUSINESS CAREER

A highway. The CHAPLAIN, MOTHER COURAGE, and her daughter KATTRIN pull the wagon, and new wares are hanging from it. MOTHER COURAGE wears a necklace of silver coins.

MOTHER COURAGE: I won't let you spoil my war for me. De- stroys the weak, does it? Well, what does peace do for 'em, huh? War feeds its people better.

She sings:

If wat don't suit your disposition When victory comes, you will be dead. War is a business proposition: But not with cheese, with steel instead!

Christians, awake! Winter is gone! The snows depatt! Dead men sleep on! Let all of you who still survive Get out of bed and look alive!

And staying in one place won't help either. Those who stay at home are the first to go.

She sings:

Too many seek a bed to sleep in: Each ditch is taken, and each cave And he who digs a hole to creep in Finds he has dug an early grave. And many a man spends many a minute

82 I MOTHER COURAGE AND HER CHILDREN In hurrying toward some resting place. You wonder, when at last he's in it Just why the fellow forced the pace.

The wagon proceeds. 8 r6p. IN THIS SAME YEAR GUSTAVUS ADOLPHUS FELL IN THE BATTLE OF LUTZEN. THE PEACE THREATENS MOTHER COURAGE WITH RUIN. HER BRAVE SON PERFORMS ONE HEROIC DEED TOO

MANY AND COMES TO A SHAMEFUL END.

A camp. A summer morning. In front of the wagon, an OLD woMAN and her son. The son is dragging a large bag of bedding.

MOTHER coURAGE (from inside the wagon): Must you come at the crack of dawn?

THE YOUNG MAN: We've been walking all night, twenty miles it was, we have to be back today.

MOTHER COURAGE (still inside): What do I want with bed . feathers? People don't even have houses.

THE YOUNG MAN: At least wait till you see 'em. THE OLD woMAN: Nothing doing here either, let's go. THE YOUNG MAN: And let 'em sign away the roof over our

heads for taxes? Maybe she'll pay three guilders if you throw in that bracelet. (Bells start ringing.) You hear, mother?

VOICES (from the rear): It's peace! The King of Sweden's been killed!

MOTHER coURAGE sticks her head out of the wagon. She hasnt done her hair yet.

MOTHER coURAGE: Bells! What are the bells for, middle of the week?

THE cHAPLAIN (crawling out from under the wagon): What's that they're shouting?

THE YOUNG MAN: It's peace.

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84 I MOTHER COURAGE AND HER CHILDREN THE CHAPLAIN: Peace! MOTHER couRAGE: Don't tell me peace has broken out-when

I've just gone and bought all these supplies! THE cHAPLAIN (calling, tO'Ward the rear): Is it peace? VOICE (from a distance): They say the war stopped three

weeks ago. I've only just heard. THE CHAPLAIN (to MOTHER COURAGE): Or why would they

ring the bells? VOICE: A great crowd of Lutherans have just arrived with

wagons-they brought the news. TIIE YOUNG MAN: It's peace, mother. (The OLD WOMAN col-

lapses.) What's the matter? MOTHER coURAGE (back in the wagon): Kattrin, it's peace!

Put on your black dress, we're going to church, we owe

it to Swiss Cheese! Can it be true? THE YOUNG MAN: The people here say so too, the war's over.

Can you stand up? (The oLD woMAN stands up, dazed.) I'll get the harness shop going again now, I promise you. Everything'll be all right, father will get his bed back .... Can you walk? (To the CHAPLAIN:) She felt ill, it was rhe news. She didn't believe there'd ever be peace again. Father always said there would. We're going home.

(They leave.) MOTHER coURAGE (off): Give her some brandy. THE CHAPLAIN: They've left already. MOTHER COURAGE (still off): What's going on in rhe camp

over there? THE CHAPLAIN: They're all getting together. I think I'll go

over. Shall I put my pastor's coat on again? MOTHER coURAGE: Better get the exact news first, and not risk

being taken for the Antichrist. I'm glad about rhe peace even though I'm ruined. At least I've got two of my children through rhe war. Now I'll see my Eilif again.

Scene Eight f 85

THE cHAPLAIN: And who may this be coming down from rhe camp? Well, if it isn't our Swedish Commander's cook!

THE cooK (somewhat bedraggled, carrying a bundle): Who's here? The chaplain!

THE CHAPLAIN: Mother Courage, a visitor!

MOTHER COURAGE clambers OUt.

THE cooK: Well, I promised I'd come over for a brief conver- sation as soon as I had time. I didn't forget your brandy,

Mrs. Fierling. MOTHER couRAGE: Jesus, the Commander's cook! After all

these years! Where is Eilif, my eldest? THE cooK: Isn't he here yet? He went on ahead yesterday, he

was on his way over. THE CHAPLAIN: I will put my pastor's coat on. I'll be back.

(He goes behind the wagon.) MOTHER COURAGE: He may be here any minute then. (She

calls toward the wagon:) Kattrin, Eilif's coming! Bring a glass of brandy for the cuok, Kattrin! (KATTRIN doesn't come.) Just pull your hair over it. Mr. Lamb is no stranger. (She gets the brandy herself.) She won't come out. Peace is norhing to her, it was too long com- ing. They hit her right over the eye. You can hardly see it now. But she thinks people stare at her.

THE COOK: Ah yes, war! (He and MOTHER COURAGE sit.) MOTHER COURAGE: Cook, you come at a bad time: I'm ruined. THE cooK: What? That's terrible! MOTHER coURAGE: The peace has broken my neck. On the

chaplain's advice I've gone and bought a lot of supplies. Now everybody's leaving and I'm holding rhe baby.

THE cooK: How could you listen to the chaplain? If I'd had time--but rhe Catholics were too quick for me--l' d have warned you against him. He's a windbag. Well, so now he's the big man round here!

86 I MOTHER COURAGE AND HER CHILDREN MOTHER cou""RAGE: He's been doing the dishes for me and

helping with the wagon. THE cooK: With the wagon-him! And I'll bet he's told yon

a few of his jokes. He has a most unhealthy attitude to women. I tried to influence him but it was no good. He isn't sound.

MOTHER couRAGE: Are you sound? THE COOK: If I'm nothing else, I'm sound. Your health! MOTHER COURAGE: Sound! Only one person around here was

ever sound, and I never had to slave as I did then. He sold the blankets off the children's beds in the spring, and he called my harmonica unchristian. You aren't recom- mending yourself if yon admit you're sound.

THE cooK: You fight tooth and nail, don't you? I like that. MOTHER couRAGE: Don't tell me you've been dreaming of my

teeth and nails. THE COOK: Well, here we sit, while the bells of peace do ring,

and you pouring your famous brandy as only you know how!

MOTHER COURAGE: I don't think much of the bells of peace at the moment. I don't see how they can hand out all this pay that's in arrears. And then where shall I be with my famous brandy? Have you all been paid?

THE cooK (hesitating): Not exactly. That's why we dis- banded. In the circumstances, I thought, why stay? For the time being, I'll look up a couple of friends. So here I sit-with you.

MOTHER couRAGE: In other words, you're broke. THE cooK (annoyed by the bells): It's about time they stopped

that racket! I'd like to set myself up in some business. I'm fed up with being their cook. I'm supposed to make do with tree roots and shoe leather, and then they throw my hot soup in my face! Being a cook nowadays is a dog's life. I'd sooner be a soldier, but of course, it's peace

Scene Eight l 87 now. (As the CHAPLAIN turns up, wearing his old coat:) We'll talk it over later.

THE CHAPLAIN: The coat's pretty good. Just a few moth holes. THE COOK: I don't know why you take the trouble. You won't

find another pulpit. Who could you incite now to earn an honest living m risk his life for a cause? Besides, I have a bone to pick with you.

THE CHAPLAIN: Have you? THE cooK: I have. You advised a lady to buy superfluous goods

on the pretext that the war would never end. THE CHAPLAIN (hot/ y) : I'd like to know what business it is of

yours? THE cooK: It's unprincipled behavior! How,can you give un-

wanted advice? And interfere with the conduct of other people's business?

THE CHAPLAIN: Who's interfering now, I'd like to know? (To MOTHER couRAGE:) I had no idea you were such a close friend of this gentleman and had to account to him for everyrhing.

MOTHER coURAGE: Now don't get excited. The cook's giving his personal opinion. You can't deny your war was a flop.

THE CHAPLAIN: You have no respect for peace, Courage. You're a hyena of the battlefield!

MOTHER COURAGE: A what? THE cooK: Who insults my girl friend insults me! THE CHAPLAIN: I am not speaking to you, your intentions are

only too transparent! (To MOTHER COURAGE:) But wheu I see you take peace between finger and thumb like a snotty old hanky, my humanity rebels! It shows that you want war, not peace, for what you get out of it. But don't forget the proverb: he who sups with the devil must use a long spoon!

MOTHER COURAGE: Remember what one fox said to another that was caught in a trap? "If you stay there, you're just

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88 I MOTHER COURAGE AND HER CHILDREN asking for trouble!" There isn't much love lost between me and the war. And when it comes to calling me a hyena, you and I part company.

THE CHAPLAIN: Then why all this grumbling about the peace just as everyone's heaving a sigh of relief? Is it for the junk in your wagon?

MOTHER couRAGE: My goods are not junk. I live off them. You've been living off them.

THE CHAPLAIN: You live off war. Exactly. THE cooK (to the CHAPLAL''): As a grown. man, you should

know better than to go around advising people. (To MOTHER COURAGE:) Now, inyoursimationyou'd be smart to get rid of certain goods at once-before the prices sink to nothing. Get ready and get going, there isn't a mo- ment to lose!

MOTHER COURAGE: That's sensible advice, I think I'll take it. THE CHAPLAIN: Because the cook says so. MOTHER COURAGE: Why didn't you say so? He's right, I must

· get to the market. (She climbs into the wagon.) THE cooK: One up for me, Chaplain. You have no presence of

mind. You should have said, "I gave you advice? Why, I was just talking politics!" And you shouldn't take me on as a rival. Cockfights are not becoming to your cloth.

THE CHAPLAIN: If you don't shut your trap, I'll murder you, cloth or no cloth!

THE cooK (taking his boots oft and unwinding the wrappings on his feet): If you hadn't degenerated into a godless tramp, you could easily get youtself a parsonage, now it's peace. Cooks won't be needed, there's nothing to cook, but there's still plenty to believe, and people will go right on believing it.

THE CHAPLAIN: Mr. Lamb, please don't drive me out! SU.ce I became a tramp, I'm a somewhat better man. I couldn't preach to 'em any more.

Scene Eight I 89 YVETTE POTTIER enters, decked out in black, with a stick. She is much older, fatter, and heavily powdered. Behind her, a SERVANT.

YVETTE: Rullo, everybody! Is this Mother Courage's estab- lishment?

THE CHAPLAIN: Quire right. And with whom have we the pleasure?

YVETTE: I am Madame Colonel Starhemberg, good people. Where's Mother Courage?

THE CHAPLAIN (calling to the wagon): Madame Colonel Starhemberg wants to speak to you!

MOTHER COURAGE (from inside): Coming! YVETTE (calling): It's Yvette! MOTHER COURAGE (inside): Yvette! YVETTE: Just to see how you're getting on! (As the cooK

turns around in horror:) Peter! THE COOK: Yvette! YVETTE: Of all things! How did you get here? THE cooK: On a cart. THE CHAPLAIN: Well! You know each other? Intimately? YVETTE: I'll say. (Scrutinizing the cooK:) You're fat. THE cooK: For that matter, you're no beanpole. YVETTE: Anyway, nice meeting you, tramp. Now I can tell

you what I think of you. THE CHAPLAIN: Do so, tell him all, but wait till Mother

Courage comes out. THE cooK: Now don't make a scene ... MOTHER coURAGE (coming out, laden with goods): Yvette!

(They embrace.) But why are you in mourning? YVETTE: Doesn't it snit me? My husband, the colonel, died

several years ago. MOTHER coURAGE: The old fellow that nearly bought my

wagon?

90 I MOTHER COURAGE AND HER CHILDREN YVETTE: His elder brother. MOTHER couRAGE: So you're not doing badly. Good to see one

person who got somewhere in the war. YVETIE: I've had my ups and downs. MOTHER couRAGE: Don't let's speak ill of colonels. They make

money like hay. THE CHAPLAIN (to the COOK): If I were you, I'd put my shoes

on again. (To YVETTE:) You promised to give us your opinion of this gentleman.

THE cooK: Now, Yvette, don't make a stink! MOTHER coURAGE: He's a friend of mine, Yvette. YVETIE: He's-Peter Piper, that's who. MOTHER COURAGE: What! THE cooK: Cut the nicknames. My name's Lamb. MOTHER COURAGE (laughing): Peter Piper? Who turned the

women's heads? And I've been keeping your pipe for you.

THE CHAPLAIN: And smoking it. YVETTE: Lucky I can warn you against him. He's a bad lot.

You won't find worse on the whole coast of Flanders. He got more girls in trouble than . . .

THE cooK: That's a long time ago, it isn't true any more. YVETIE: Stand up when you talk to a lady! Oh, how I loved

that man; and all the time he was having a little bow- legged brunette. He got her into trouble too, of course.

THE cooK: I seem to have brought you luck! YVETIE: Shut your trap, you hoary ruin! And you take care,

Mother Courage, this type is still dangerous even in de- cay!

MOTHER COURAGE (to YVETTE): Come with me, I must get rid of this stuff before the prices fall. ,

YVETIE (concentrating on the cooK): Miserable cur! MOTHER couRAGE: Maybe you can help me at army head-

quarters, you have contacts.

Scene Eight I 91 YVETTE: Seducer! MOTHER couRAGE (shouting into the wagon): Kattrin, church

is all off, I'm going to market! YVETIE: Whore hunter! MOTHER COURAGE (still to KATTRIN): When Eilif comes, give

him something to drink! YVETIE: That a man like him should have been able to turn

me from the straight and narrow! I have my own star to thank that I rose none the less to the heights! Bur I've put an end to your tricks, Peter Piper, and one day- in a better life than this-the Lord God will reward me! Come, Mother Courage! (She leaves with MOTHER COURAGE.)

THE CHAPLAIN: As our text this morning let us take the say- ing: the mills of God grind slowly. And you complain of my jokes!

THE cooK: I never have any luck. I'll be frank, I was hoping for a good hot dinner, I'm starving. And now they'll be talking about me, and she'll get a completely wrong pic- ture. I think I should go before she comes back.

THE CHAPLAIN: I think so too. THE cooK: Chaplain, peace makes me sick. Mankind must per-

ish by fire and sword, we're born and bred in sin! Oh, how I wish I was roasting a great fat capon for the Commander-God knows where he's got to-with mus- tard sauce and those little yellow carrots . . .

THE CHAPLAIN: Red cabbage-with capon, red cabbage. THE COOK: You're right. But he always wanted yellow carrots. THE CHAPLAIN: He never understood a thing. THE cooK: You always put plenty away. THE CHAPLAIN: Under protest. THE cooK: Anyway, you must admit, those were the days. THE CHAPLAIN: Yes, that I might admit.

92 I MOTHER COURAGE AND HER CHILDREN THE cooK: Now you've called her a hyena, there's not much

future for you here either. What are you staring at? THE CHAPLAIN: It's Eilif!

Followed by two soldiers :With halberds, EILIF enters. His hands are fettered. He is white as chalk.

THE CHAPLAL'<: What's happened to you? EILIF: Where's mother? THE CHAPLAIN: Gone to town. EILIF: They said she was here. I was allowed a last visit. THE COOK (to the SOLDIERS): Where are you taking him? A soLDIER: For a ride.

The other soLDIER makes the gesture of throat cutting.

THE CHAPLAIN: What has he done? THE soLDIER: He broke in on a peasant. The wife is dead. THE CHAPLAIN: Eilif, how could you? EILIF: It's no different. It's what I did before. THE cooK: That was in war time. EILIF: Shut your hole. Can I sit down till she comes? THE soLDIER: No. THE CHAPLAIN: It's true. In war time they honored him for it.

He sat at the Commander's right hand. It was bravery. Couldn't we speak with the provost?

THE SOLDIER: What's the use? Stealing cattle from a peasant, what's brave about that?

THE COOK: It was just stupid. EILIF: If I'd been stupid, I'd have starved, smarty. THE cooK: So you were bright and paid for it. THE CHAPLAIN: At least we must bring Kattrin out, EILIF: Let her alone. Just give me some brandy. THE soLDIER: No. THE CHAPLAIN: What shall we tell your mother?

Scene Eight I 93 EILIF: Tell her it was no different. Tell her it was the same.

Oh, tell her nothing.

The soLDmRs take him away.

THE CHAPLAIN: I'll come with you, I'll ... EILIF: I don't need a priest! THE CHAPLAIN: You don't know-yet. (He follows him.) THE cooK (calling after him): I'll have to tell her, she'll want

to see him! THE CHAPLAIN: Better tell her nothing. Or maybe just that

he was here, and he'll return, maybe tomorrow. Mean- time I'll be back and can break the news. (He leaves quickly.)

The cooK looks after him, shakes his head, then walks about uneasily. Finally, he approaches the wagon.

THE cooK: Hello! Won't you come out? You want to sneak away from the peace, don't you? Well, so do I! I'm the Swedish Commander's cook, remember me? I was won- dering if you've got anything to eat in there-while we're wairing for your mother. I wouldn't mind a bit of bacon-or even bread-just to pass the time. (He looks in.) She's got a blanket over her head.

The thunder of cannon.

MOTHER COURAGE runs in, out of breath, still carrying the goods.

MOTHER coURAGE: Cook, the peace is over, the war's on again, has been for three days! I didn't get rid of this stuff after all, thank God! There's a shooting match in the town already-with the Lutherans. We must get away with the wagon. Pack, Kattrin! What's on your mind? Some- thing the matter?

94 I MOTHER COURAGE AND HER CHILDREN THE cooK: Nothing. MOTHER couRAGE: But there is. I see it in your face. THE cooK: Because the war's on again, most likely. May it

last till tomorrow evening, so I can get something in my belly!

MOTHER COURAGE: You're not telling me. THE cooK: Eilif was here. Only he had to go away again. MOTHER coURAGE: He was here? Then we'll see him on the

march. I'll be with our side this time. How' d he look? THE cooK: The same. MOTHER coURAGE: He'll never change. And the war couldn't

get him, he's bright. Help me with the packing. (She starts it.) Did he tell you anything? Is he well in with the Captain? Did he tell you about his heroic deeds?

THE cooK (darkly): He's done one of them again. MOTHER COURAGE: Tell me about it later. (KATTRIN appears.)

Kattrin, the peace is over, we're on the move again. (To the cooK:) What is the matter with you?

THE COOK: I'll enlist. MOTHER COURAGE: A good idea. Where's the Captain? THE cooK: In the town. With Eilif. MOTHER COURAGE: Stay with us a while, Lamb, I need a bit

of help. THE cooK: This matter of Yvette ... MOTHER coURAGE: Hasn't done you any harm at all in my

eyes. Just the opposite. Where there's smoke, there's fire, they say. You'll come?

THE cooK: I may as well. MOTHER coURAGE: The Twelfth Regiment's under way. Into

harness with you! Maybe I'll see Eilif J;>efore the day is out, just think! That's what I like best. Well, it wasn't such a long peace, we can't grumble. Let's go!

The cooK and KATTRIN are in harness.

Scene Eight /95

MOTHER COURAGE sings:

From Ulm to Metz, past dome and steeple My wagon always moves ahead. The war can care for all its people So long as there is steel and lead. Though steel and lead are stout supporters A war needs human beings too. Report today to your headquarters! If it's to last, this war needs you!

9 THE GREAT WAR OF RELIGION HAS LASTED SIXTEEN YEARS AND GERMANY HAS LOST HALF ITS INHABITANTS. THOSE WHO ARE SPARED IN BATILE DIE BY PLAGUE. OVER ONCE BLOOMING

COUNTRYSIDE HUNGER RAGES. TOWNS ARE BURNED DOWN. WOLVES PROWL THE EMPTY STREETS. IN THE AUTUMN OF 1634

WE FIND MOTHER COURAGE IN THE FICHTELGEBIRGE NOT FAR

FROM THE ROAD THE SWEDISH ARMY IS TAKING. WINTER HAS

COME EARLY AND IS HARD. BUSINESS IS BAD. ONLY BEGGING

REMAINS. THE COOK RECEIVES A LETTER FROM UTRECHT AND

IS SENT PACKING.

In front of a half-ruined parsonage. Early winter. A _ gray morning. Gusts of wind. MOTHER COURAGE and the cooK at the wagon in shabby clothes.

THE cooK: There are no lights on. No one's up. MOTHER couRAGE: But it's a parsonage. The parson']] have to

leave his feather bed and ring the bells. Then he'll have

some hot soup. THE cooK: Where']] he get it from? The whole village is

starving. MOTHER COURAGE: The house is lived in. There was a dog

barking. THE cooK: If the parson has anything, he'll hang on to it. MOTHER COURAGE: Maybe if we sang him something ... THE cooK: I've had enough. (Suddenly:) I didn't tell you, a

letter came from Utrecht. My mother's died of cholera, the inn is mine. There's the letter, if you don't believe me. I'll show it to you, though my aunt's railing about

me and my ups and downs is none of your business.

98 I MOTHER COURAGE AND HER CHILDREN MOTHER COURAGE (reading): Lamb, I'm tired of wandering,

too. I feel like a butcher's dog taking meat to my cus- tomers and getting none myself. I've nothing more to sell and people have nothing to pay with. In Saxony someone tried to force a chestful of books on me in return for two eggs. And in Wiirttemberg they would have let me have their plough for a bag of salt. Nothing grows any more, ouly thorn bushes. In Pomerania I hear the villagers have been eating their younger children. Nuns have been caught committing robbery.

THE cooK: The world's dying out. MOTHER COURAGE: Sometimes I see myself driving through

hell with this wagon and selling brimstone. And some- times I'm driving through heaven handing our provisions to wandering souls! If ouly we could find a place where there's no shooting, me and my children-what's left of 'em-we might rest a while.

THE cooK: We could open this inn together. Think about it, Courage. My miod's made up. With or without you, I'm leaving for Utrecht. And today too.

MOTHER COURAGE: I must talk to Kattrin, it'S a bit sud- den, and I don't like to make my decisions in the cold on an empty stomach. (KATTRIN emerges from the wagon.) Kattrin, I've something to tell you. The cook and I want to go to Utrecht, he's been left an inn. You'd be able to stay put and get to know some people. Many a man' d be prepared to take on a girl with a position. Looks aren't everything. I like the idea. I get on well with the cook. I'll say this for him: he has a head for business. We'd be sure of our dinner, that would be all right, wouldn't it? You'd have your own bed, what do you think of that? In the long run, this is no life, on the road. You might be killed any time. You're eaten up with lice as it is. And we must decide now, because other-

Scene Nine I 99 wise we go north with the Swedes. They must be over there somewhere. (She points left.) I think we'll decide to go, Kattrin.

THE cooK: Anna, I must have a word with you alone. MOTHER COURAGE: Go back inside, Kattrin.

KATTRIN does so.

THE cooK: I'm interrupting because there's a misunderstand- ing, Anna. I thought I wouldn't have to say it right out, but I see I must. If you're bringing her, it's all off. Do we understand each other?

KATTRIN has her head out of the back of the wagon and is listening.

MOTHER COURAGE: You mean I leave Kattrin behind? THE cooK: What do you think? There's no room in the inn,

it isn't one of those places with three counters. If the two of us look lively we can earn a living, but three's too many. Let Kattrin keep your wagon.

MOTHER COURAGE: I was thinking we might find her a hus- band in Utrecht.

THE cooK: Don't make me laugh. With that scar? And old as she is? And dumb?

MOTHER coURAGE: Not so loud! THE cooK: Loud or soft, what is, is. That's another reason I

can't have her in the inn. Customers don't like having something like that always before their eyes. You can't blame them.

MOTHER COURAGE: Shut up. I told you not to talk so loud. THE cooK: There's a light in the parsonage, we can sing now! MOTHER coURAGE: Cook, how could she pull the wagon by

herself? The war frightens her. She can't bear it. She has terrible dreams. I hear her groan at night, especially after battles. What she sees in her dreams I don't know.

roo I MOTHER coURAGE AND HER CHILDREN She suffers from sheer pity. The other day I found her with a hedgehog that we'd run over.

THE cooK: The ion's too small. (Calling:) Worthy Sir, me- nials, and all within! We now present the song of Solomon, Julius Caesar, and other great souls who came to no good, so you can see we're law-abiding folk too, and have a hard time getting by, especially io winter.

He sings "The Song of the Great Souls of this Earth":

King Solomon was very wise, So what's his history? He came to view this life with scorn, Yes, he came to regret he ever had been born Declaring: all is vanity. King Solomon was very wise, But long before the day was out The consequence was clear, alas: His wisdom 'twas that brought him to this pass. A man is better off without.

For the virtues are dangerous io this world, as our fine song tells. You're better off without, you have a nice life, breakfast included-some good hot soup maybe ... I'm an example of a man who's not had any, and I'd like some, I'm a soldier, but what good did my bravery do me io all those battles? None at all. I might just as well have wet my pants like a poltroon and stayed at home. F O{ why?

Old Julius Caesar, he was brave. His fame shall never cease. He sat like a god on an altar piece. Yet they tore brave old Julius limb from valiant limb And Brutus helped to slaughter him. Old Julius was very brave

But long before the day was out The consequence was clear, alas:

Scene Nine I 101

His bravery 'twas that brought him to this pass. A man is better off without.

/ (Under his breath:) They don't even look out. (Aloud:) Worthy Sir, menials, and all within! You could say, no, courage isn't the thing to fill a man's belly, try honesty, that should be worth a dinner, at any rate it must have some effect. Let's see.

You all know honest Socrates Who always spoke the truth. They owed him thanks for that, you'd think, But what happened? Why, they put hemlock io his

drink And swore that he misled the youth.

',, How honest was this Socrates! Yet long before the day was out The consequence was clear, alas: His honesty had brought him to this pass. A man is better off without.

Yes, we're told to be unselfish and share what we have, but what if we have nothing? And those who do share it don't have an easy time either, for what's left when you're through sharing? Unselfishness 1s a very rare virtue--it doesn't pay.

Unselfish Martin could not bear His fellow creatures' woes. He met a poor man io the snows And he gave this poor fellow half his cloak to wear: So both of them fell down and froze. His brothers' woes he could not bear,

102 I MOTIIER COURAGE AND HER CHILDREN So long before the day was out The consequence was clear, alas: Unselfishness had brought him to this pass. A man is better off without.-

That's how it is with us. We're law-abiding folk, we keep to ourselves, don't steal, don't kill, don't burn the place down. And in this way we sink lower and lower and the song proves true and there's no soup going. And if we were different, if we were thieves and killers, maybe we could eat our fill! For virtues bring no reward, only vices. Such is the world, need it be so?

God's ten commandments we have kept And acted as we should. It has not done ns any good. All you people who sit beside a roaring fire 0 help us in our need so dire! The ten commandments we have kept And long before the day was out The consequence was clear, alas: Our godliness has brought us to this pass. A man is better off without.

VOICE (from above): You there! Come up! There's some soup here for you!

MOTHER coURAGE: Lamb, I couldn't swallow a thing. I don't say what you said is unreasonable, but was it your last word? We've always understood each other.

THE cooK: Yes, Anna. Think it over. MOTIIER COURAGE: There's nothing to think over. I'm not

leaving her here. THE cooK: You're going to be silly, but what can I do? I'm

not inhuman, it's just that the inn's a small one. And now we must go up, or there'll be nothing doing here too, and we've been singing in the cold for nothing.

Scene Nine I 103 MOTHER COURAGE: I'll fetch Kattrin. THE cooK: Better stick something in your pocket for her.

If there are three of us, they'll get a shock.

Exeunt.

KATTRIN clambers out of the wagon with a bundle. She makes sure they are both gone. Then, on a wagon wheel, she lays out a skirt of her mother's and a pair of the cook's trousers side by side and easy to see. She has just finished, and has picked up her bundle, when MOTHER COURAGE returns.

MOTHER COURAGE (with a plate of soup): Kattrin! Stay where you are, Kamin! Where do you think you're going with that bundle? (She examines the bundle.) She's packed her things. Were you listening? I told him there was nothing doing, he can have Utrecht and his lousy inn, what would we want with a lousy inn? (She sees the skirt and trousers.) Oh, you're a stupid girl, Kat- trin, what if I'd seen that and you gone? (She takes hold of KATTRIN who is trying to leave.) And don't think I've sent him packing on your account. It was the wagon. You can't part us, I'm too used to it, you didn't come into it, it was the wagon. Now we're leaving, and we'll put the cook's things here where he'll find 'em, the stupid man. (She clambers up and throws a couple of things down to go with the trousers.) There! He's fired. The last man I'll take into this business! Now let's be go- ing, you and me. This winter'll pass, like all the others. Get into harness, it looks like snow.

They harness themselves to the wagon, turn it around, and start out. A gust of wind. E'ilter the cooK, still chew- ing. He sees his things.

10 DURING THE WHOLE OF 1635 MOTHER COURAGE AND KATTRIN PULL THE WAGON ALONG THE ROADS OF CENTRAL GERMANY

IN THE WAKE OF THE EVER MORE TATTERED ARMIES.

On the highway. MOTHER COURAGE and KATTRIN are pulling the wagon. They come to a prosperous farm- house. Someone inside is singing.

THE VOICE:

In March a bush we planted To make the garden gay. In June we were enchanted: A lovely rose was blooming The bahny air perfuming! Blest are they Who have gardens gay! In June we were enchanted.

When snow falls helter -skelter And loudly blows the storm Our farmhouse gives us shelter. The winter's in a hurry But we've no cause to worry. Weare warm In the midst of the storm! Our farmhouse gives us shelter.

MOTHER COURAGE and KATTRIN have stopped to listen. Then they start out again.

11 JANUARY, 1636. CATHOLIC TROOPS THREATEN THE PROTES- TANT TOWN OF HALLE. THE STONE BEGINS TO SPEAK. MOTHER COURAGE LOSES HER DAUGHTER AND JOURNEYS ONWARD ALONE.

THE WAR IS NOT YET NEAR ITS END.

The wagon, very far gone now, stands near a farmhouse with a straw roof. It is night. Out of the woods come a LIEUTENANT and three SOLDIERS in full armor.

THE LIEUTENANT: And there mustn't be a sound. If anyone yells, cut him down.

THE FIRST SOLDIER: But we'll have to knock-if we want a

. guide. THE LIEUTENANT: Knocking's a natural noise, it's all right,

could be a cow hitting the wall of the cowshed.

The SOLDIERS knock at the farmhouse door. An OLD PEASANT woMAN opens. A hand is clapped over her mouth. Two soLDIERS enter.

A MAN'S VOICE: What is it?

The SOLDIERS bring OUt an OLD PEASANT and his SOn.

THE LIEUTENANT (pointing to the wagon On which KATTRIN has appeared): There's one. (A soLDIER pulls her out.) Is this everybody that lives here?

THE PEASANTS (alternating): That's our son. And that's a girl that can't talk. Her mother's in town buying up stocks because the shopkeepers are running away and selling cheap. They're canteen people.

THE LIEUTENANT: I'm warning you. Keep quiet. One sound and we'll crack you over the head with a pike. And I

108 I MOTHER COURAGE AND HER CHILDREN need someone to show us the path to the town. (He points to the YOUNG PEASANT.) You! Come here!

THE YOUNG PEASANT: I don't know auy path! THE SECOND SOLDIER (grinning): He- don't know any path! THE YOUNG PEASANT: I don't help Catholics. THE LIEUTENANT (to the SECOND SOLDIER): Let him feel your

pike in his side. THE YOUNG PEASANT (forced tO his knees, the pike at his

throat): I'd rather die! THE SECOND SOLDIER (again mimicking): He'd rather die! THE FIRST SOLDIER: I know how to change his mind. (He

walks over to the cowshed.) Two cows and a bull. Listen, you. If you aren't going to be reasonable, I'll saber your cattle.

THE YOUNG PEASANT: Not the cattle! THE PEASANT WOMAN (weeping) : Spare the cattle, Captain,

or we'll starve! THE LIEUTENANT: If he must be pigheaded! THE FIRST SOLDIER: I think J'll Statt with the bull. THE YOUNG PEASANT (to the old one): Do I have to? (The

older one nods.) I'll do it. THE PEASANT woMAN: Thank you, thank you, Captain, for

sparing us, for ever and ever, Amen.

The OLD MAN stops her going on thanking him.

THE FIRST SOLDIER: I knew the bull came first all right!

Led by the YOUNG PEASANT, the LIEUTENANT and the SOLDIERS go on their way.

THE OLD PEASANT: I wish we knew what it was. Nothing good, I suppose.

THE PEASANT woMAN: Maybe they're just scouts. What are you doing?

Scene Eleven I 109 THE OLD PEASANT (setting a ladder against the roof and climb-

ing up): I'm seeing if they're alone. (On the roof.) Things are moving---<lll over. I can see armor. And a cannon. There must be more thau a regiment. God have mercy on the town aud all within!

THE PEASANT WOMAN: Are there lights in the town? THE OLD PEASANT: No, they're all asleep. (He climbs down.)

There'll be an attack, aud they'll all be slaughtered .in their beds.

THE PEASANT WOMAN: The watchman'll give warning. THE OLD PEASANT: They must have killed the watchman .in the

tower on the hill or he'd have sounded his horn before this.

THE PEASANT WOMAN: If there were more of us ... THE OLD PEASANT: But being that we're alone with that

cripple ... THE PEASANT WOMAN: There's nothing we can do, is there? THE OLD PEASANT: Nothing. THE PEASANT WOMAN: We cau't get down there. In the dark. THE OLD PEASANT: The whole hillside's swarming with 'em. THE PEASANT WOMAN: We could give a sign? THE OLD PEASANT: And be CUt down for it? THE PEASANT woMAN: No, there's nothing we can do. (To

KATTRIN:) Pray, poor thing, pray! There's nothing we cau do to stop this bloodshed, so even if you cau't talk, at least pray! He hears, if no one else does. I'll help you. (All kneel, KATTRIN behind.) Our Father, which art .in Heaven, hear our prayer, let not the town perish with all that lie there.in asleep and fearing nothing. Wake them, that they rise aud go to the walls aud see the foe that comes with fire aud sword in the night down the hill aud across the fields. (Back to KATTRIN:) God protect our mother aud make the watchman not sleep but wake ere it's too late. And save our son-.in-law too, 0 God, he's

I 10 I MOTHER COURAGE AND HER CHILDREN there with his four children, let them not perish, they're innocent, they know nothing-( To KATTRIN, who groans:---one of them's not two years old, the eldest is seven. (KATTRIN rises, troubled.) Heavenly Father, hear us, only Thou canst help us or we die, for we are weak and have no sword nor nothing; we cannot trust our own strength but only Thine, 0 Lord; we are in Thy hands, our cattle, our farm, and the town too, we're all in Thy hands, and the foe is nigh unto the walls with all his power.

KATTRIN, unperceived, has crept off to the wagon, has taken something out of it, put it under her apron, and has climbed up the ladder to the roof.

Be mindfnl of the children in danger, especially the little ones, be Inindfnl of the old folk who cannot move, and of all Christian souls, 0 Lord.

THE OLD PEASANT: And forgive us our trespasses as we forgive them that trespass against us. Amen.

Sitting on the roof, KATTRIN takes a drum from under her apron and starts to beat it.

THE PEASANT woMAN: Heavens, what's she doing? THE OLD PEASANT: She's OUt of her Jnind! THE PEASA:N""T woMAN: Get her down, quick.

The OLD PEASANT runs tO the ladder but KATTRIN pulls it up on the roof.

She'll get us in trouble. THE OLD PEASANT: Stop it this minute, you silly cripple! THE PEASANT WOMAN: The soldiers'll come! THE OLD PEASANT (looking for stones): I'll stone you! THE PEASANT woMAN: Have you no pity, have you no heart?

We have relations there too, four grandchildren, but

Scene Eleven I I I I there's nothing we can do. If they find us now, it's the end, they'll stab us to death!

KATTRIN is staring into the far distance, toward the town. She goes on drumming.

THE PEASANT WOMAN (to the PEASANT): I told you not to let that riffraff in your farm. What do they care if we lose our cattle?

THE LIEUTENANT (running back with SOLDIERS and the YOUNG PEASANT) : I'll cut you all to bits!

THE PEASANT WOMAN: We're innocent, sir, there's nothing we can do. She did it, a stranger!

THE LIEUTENANT: Where's the ladder? THE OLD PEASANT: On the roof. THE LIEUTENANT (calling): Throw down the drum. I order

you! (KATTRIN goes on drumming.) You're all in this, but you won't live to tell the tale.

THE OLD PEASANT: They've been cutting down fir trees around here. If we bring a tall enough trunk we can knock her off the roof ...

THE FIRST SOLDIER (to the LIEUTENANT) : I beg leave to make a suggestion. (He whispers something to the LIEUTEN- ANT, who nods.) Listen, you! We have an idea-for your own good. Come down and go with us to the town. Show us your mother and we'll spare her.

KATTRIN goes on drumming.

THE LIEUTENANT (pushing him away): She doesn't trust you, no wonder wifh your face. (He calls up to KATTRIN:) Hey, you! Suppose I give you my word? I'm an officer, my word's my bond!

KATTRIN drums harder.

Nothing is sacred to her.

I 12 I MOTHER COURAGE AND HER CHILDREN THE YOUNG PEASANT: Sir, it's not just because of her mother! THE FIRST SOLDIER: This can't go on, they'll hear it in the

town as sure as hell. THE LIEUTENA.c'IT: We must make· another noise with some-

thing. Louder than that drum. What can we make a noise with?

THE FIRST soLDIER: But we musm't make a noise! THE LIEUTENANT: A harmless noise, fool, a peacetime noise! THE OLD PEASANT: I could start chopping wood. THE LIEUTENANT: That's it! (The PEASANT brings his ax and

chops away.) Chop! Chop harder! Chop for your life!

KATTRIN has been listening, bettting the drum less hard. Very upset, and peering around, she now goes on drumming.

It's not enough. (To the FIRST soLDIER:) You chop too! THE OLD PEASANT: I've only one ax. (He stops chopping.) THE LIEUTENANT: We must set fire to the farm. Smoke her

out. THE OLD PEASA.'IT: That's no good, Captain. When they see

fire from the town, they'll know everything.

During the drumming KATTRrN has been listening again. Now she laughs.

THE LIEUTENA.c'IT: She's laughing at us, that's too much, I'll have her guts if it's the last thing I do. Bring a musket!

Two soLDIERS off. KATTRrN goes on drumming.

THE PEASANT woMAN: I have it, Captain. That's their wagon over there, Captain. H we smash that, she'll stop. It's all they have, Captain.

THE LIEUTENANT (tO the YOUNG PEASANT): Smash it! (Call- ing:) If you don't stop that noise, we'll smash your wagon!

Scene Eleven I I I 3 The YOUNG PEASANT deals the wagon a couple of feeble blows with a board.

THE PEASANT WOMAN (to KATTRIN): Stop, you little beast!

KATTRrN stares at the wagon and pauses. Noises of distress come out of her. But she goes on drumming.

THE LIEUTENANT: Where are those sons of bitches with that gun?

THE FIRST SOLDIER: They can't have heard anything in the town or we'd hear their cannon.

THE LIEUTENANT (calling): They don't hear you. And now we're going to shoot you. I'll give you one more chance: throw down that drum!

THE YOUNG PEASANT (dropping the board, screaming to KAT- TRIN): Don't stop now! Or they're all done for. Go on, go on, go on ...

The soLDIER knocks him down and beats him with his pike. KATTRrN starts crying but goes on drumming.

THE PEASANT WOMAN: Not in the back, you're killing him!

The SOLDIERS arrive with the musket.

THE SECOND SOLDIER: The Colonel's foaming at. the mouth. We'll be court-martialed.

THE LIEUTENANT: Set it up! Set it up! (Calling while the musket is set up on forks:) Once and for all: stop that drumming!

Still crying, KATTRIN is drumming as hard as she can.

Fire!

The SOLDIERS fire. KATTRIN is hit. She gives the drum another feeble beat or two, then slowly collapses.

I If I MOTHER COURAGE AND HER CHILDREN THE LIE.UTENANT: That's an end to the noise.

But the last beats of the drum are lost in the din of can- non from the town. Mingled with the thunder of cannon, alarm bells are heard in the distance.

THE FIRST SOLDIER: She made it.

12 Toward morning. The drums and pipes of troops on the march, receding. In front of the wagon MOTHER coUR- AGE sits by KATTRIN'S body. The PEASANTS of the last scene are standing near.

THE PEASANTS: You must leave, woman. There's only one regi- ment to go. You can never get away by yourself.

MOTHER coURAGE: Maybe she's fallen asleep.

She sings:

Lullaby, baby, what's that in the hay? The neighbor's kids cry but mine are gay. The neighbor's kids are dressed in dirt: Your silks are cut from an angel's skirt. They are all starving: you have a pie. If it's roo stale, you need only cry. Lullaby, baby, what's rustling there? One lad fell in Poland. The other is--where?

You shouldn't have told her about the children. THE PEASANTS: If you hadn't gone off to the town to get your

cut, maybe it wouldn't have happened. MOTHER COURAGE: She's asleep now. THE PEASANTS: She's not asleep, it's time you realized. She's

gone. Yon must get away. There are wolves in these parts. And the bandits are worse.

MOTHER COURAGE: That's right.

She goes and fetches a cloth from the wagon to cover up the body.

THE PEASANT woMAN: Have you no one now? Someone you can go to?

I !6 I MOTHER COURAGE AND HER CHILDREN MOTHER COURAGE: There's one. My Eilif. THE PEASANT (while MOTHER COURAGE COVerS the body):

Find him then. Leave her to us. We'll give her a proper burial. You needn't worry.

MOTHER couRAGE: Here's money for the expenses.

She pays the PEASANT. The PEASANT and his son shake her hand and carry KATTRIN away.

THE PEASANT woMAN (also taking her hand, and bowing, as she goes away): Hurry!

MOTHER couRAGE (harnessing herself to the wagon): I hope I can pull the wagon by myself. Yes, I'll manage, there's not much in it now. I must get back into business.

Another regiment passes at the rear with pipe and drum.

MOTHER COURAGE starts pulling the wagon.

MOTHER COURAGE: Hey! Take me with you!

Soldiers are heard singing:

With all its luck, with all its danger, The war moves on, but will not quit. And even if it lasts forever, We shall get nothing out of it. Starvation, filth, and cold enslave us. The army robs us of our pay. But God may yet come down and save us: His holy war won't end today.

Christians, awake! Winter is gone! The snows depart! Dead men sleep on! Let all of you who still survive Get out of bed and look alive!

EDITORIAL NOTES

Mother Courage and her Children was copyrighted in the U.S. in 1940, and first published here, not in German, but in English, in '94" the translation was by H. R. Hays, and the play appeared in an anthology of new writing entitled New Directions, 1941, published by New Directions. An Eric Bentley version of the play, with the cuts made by Brecht for the German production, appeared in The Modern Theatre, volume two (Doubleday, Anchor, 1955). A second Bentley version, even more heavily cut for a projected American production, appeared in Seven Plays by Bertolt Brecht (Grove Press, '96 1 ) •

~he world premiere of the play (and this was in Ger- man) took place in 1941 at the Zurich Schauspielhaus; the director was Leopold Lindtberg. _ The now famous production of the Berlin Ensemble

-dates back to '949 (though the Ensemble did not yet exist) when Erich Engel and Bertolt Brecht put the play on at the Deutsches Theater in Berlin with Helene Weigel (Mrs. Bertolt Brecht) in the title role. Frau Weigel is today (1963) one of the few actors from the original cast who are still in the show.

The first Broadway production of Mother Courage and her Children, in a version by Eric Bentley, opened at the Martin Beck Theatre, New York City, on March 28, 1963. Produced by Cheryl Crawford and Jerome Robbins, directed by Jerome Robbins, and with the music of Paul Dessau, it fea- tured Anne Bancroft, Zohra Lampert, and Barbara Harris. Other professional productions of the play, adapted by Eric Bentley, have been staged in London, Bristol, Dublin, Cleve-

I I 8 I MOTHER COURAGE AND HER CHILDREN land, and San Francisco. It has also been presented by BBC.TV.

The music to the world premiere in Ziirich was by Paul Burkhard, and there is an as yet unused score by Darius Mil- hand, composed expressly for English lyrics of Eric Bentley, but the music generally associated with the play is that of Paul Dessau, for which the lyrics in the present text were writ- ten. Part of Dessau's score can be heard, with the words in French, on a Vanguard Record (VRS-9022); part with the words sung in German by the Berlin cast, on East German records usually available from Deutsche Schallplatten, Deut- scher Buch Export, Lenin-snasse I6, Leipzig C.l. Two lyrics from the play, one set by Dessau, the other by Hanus Fisler, are to be found on Bentley on Brecht (Riverside Records, RM70I7)-

AUTHOR'S NOTES TO

Mother Courage and her Children

The world premiere of Mother Courage and her Children in Ziirich during the Hitler War, with the outstanding Therese Giehse in the title role, made it possible, despite the antifascist and pacifist stand of the Ziirich Schauspielhaus (mainly staffed with German emigrants) , for the bourgeois press to speak of a Niobe tragedy ·and of the overwhelming vital strength of the mother animal. Duly warned, the play- wright made some changes for the Berlin production. The original text follows.

From Scene One, pages 22-24

MOTHER COURAGE: ••• all of you: be careful, you'll need to ·· be. Now let's climb on the wagon and move on.

SERGEANT: I don't feel very well. RECRUITING OFFICER; Maybe you caught a chill when you

handed over your hehnet in all this wind.

The SERGEANT grabs his helmet.

MOTHER COURAGE: And you give me my papers. Someone else might ask for them and I'll be without. (She collects them in her tin.)

RECRUITING OFFICER (to EILIF) : YOU can at least take a look at the boors. And we can have a drink, just us men. I can advance you money: come behind the wagon, and I'll prove it.