ur of death I
shall esteem you. I shall lead the way by the course of nature, but it
will yet be a consolation to me in my last moments to think I have left
an honest man behind me,--a man that will wipe away the tears of the
widow and the orphan.

_Clar._ Jack, listen to the words of this good old man; let them sink
deep into your heart; let them be your model! He possesses little
worldly wealth; but, at the last day, what myriads that now roll in
wealth would wish that they had possessed as little and done half as
much good with it; but it is not for me to judge; I only say, make him
your model.

_P. Coun._ Dear father, I will.

Enter Aulic Counsellor REISSMAN.

_Reiss._ I am come to tell you what I know will please you. How sweet
are the tears of repentance! how refreshing to the drooping soul! I
have at last settled my accounts with my conscience; I owe much, but I
will endeavour to pay all. Now I feel in earnest that I am a father,
and this is my dear daughter! (Embraces Sophia.)

_Soph._ O my dear father, the serenity of your brow, like a mild
evening-sun, sooths the perturbation of my mind. I see that all is
peace within. This single moment of joy would repay an age of sorrow.

_Reiss._ O my child! (embraces her again;) and this is my son!
(embraces Privy Counsellor; Clarenbach takes him by the hand.) I am now
completely happy, my mind tells me so; my feeble sight was dazzled with
the false lustre of gold; but honest Wellenberg took me by the hand and
conducted me into the path in which I ought to walk in the evening of
life.

_Clar._ I have not wept for some time; but nature, on the present
occasion, has indulged me with a few tears, and they shall be paid on
sight. (takes Reissman by the hand.) We are both in the evening of
life; let us descend with even step to the grave; our dear friend
Wellenberg will be our guide. Let us leave our children behind us, and,
if any evil should tempt them in an unguarded moment, may our example
interpose like a guardian angel! Splendor and ambition are gaudy signs,
painted by the hand of delusion, to lead the bewildered traveller still
farther astray. (Gernau kisses Sophia's hand, and gazes on Frederica
with fond attention.)

_Soph._ (embraces Frederica, and drops a tear.) Excuse me, I have a
tear for joy as well as sorrow.

_Clar._ Come, let us not delay the nuptial rites. [Exeunt omnes.

THE END.