SCENE 4. Marburger Schloss. The death watch cell.
DAME GOTHEL sits in the cell. Chains run from the heavy iron collar around her neck to the iron belt around her waist to the handcuffs on her wrists and the shackles on her ankles. Another chain secures her to the floor.
Ballard: So Dame Gothel's fate was sealed, and she was moved to the death watch cell.
Roland: At last, the day of her execution arrived.
Glenna: For her last meal, she requested three fried chicken breasts, a fresh lettuce and cucumber salad with light vinegar salad dressing on the side, and a large pitcher of ice water.
Enter jailer and prison chaplain.
Chap.: This is the moment, madam, to arm yourself with courage.
DG: Courage? The moment when my troubles are going to end is not the moment when my courage is going to fail me.
Chap.: I must impress upon you the heinousness of your sin, and the necessity lying on you of repentance. And one particular part of that must be acknowledging the justice you have met with.
DG: May I have some more water?
Exit chaplain. Re-enter chaplain, with a glass of water. He holds it to DAME GOTHEL'S lips for her to drink.
Chap.: Well? Do you acknowledge the justice you have met with?
DG: The court was too severe with me! Damn all its members! I wish the same justice might overtake all of them, as has come to me! I am a poor witch, and so burnt.
Chap.: Please, try to die in charity with all the world.
DG: What is that to you? I suffer the law, and shall give no account but to God.
Chap.: Do you desire the prayers of any of the people?
DG: I have as many prayers already, as I intend or desire to have.
Enter VON LINDENBERG.
Von L.: Your time has come!
DG: Be ye ready, I am ready.
SCENE 5. Marburg. The Marketplace.
KING LUDWIG, QUEEN MARGARET, DEREK, AGNES, THEO, HANNAH, RAPUNZEL, RUBY, and the Chief Servant sit on a canopied platform. The executioner and his assistants stand in front of the stake. A line of soldiers ring the Marketplace, behind which stands a crowd of townspeople.
Ballard: And so Dame Gothel began her final journey. Eight hundred foot and lance lined the route from the castle to the Marketplace.
Roland: Huge crowds turned out into the streets to see her brought to execution. Many of them were her former neighbors who came all the way from Neustadt to jeer and throw food at her, now that needed no longer fear the witch they had so long lived in terror of. The crowds were so dense it took an hour to travel the one hundred and thirty eight rods from the castle to the Marketplace.
Townspeople: [offstage] Burn the witch! Burn in hell, Gothel!
BALLARD, ROLAND and GLENNA walk up onto the platform to join the rest. GLENNA sits while BALLARD and ROLAND stand behind DEREK.
Theo: Hannah, I think our dark days truly are over now.
King Lud.: Usually, signing a death warrant is one of my most agonizing duties as king, but Dame Gothel made it very easy.
Rap.: Oh, Derek, now we can see each other openly, without you having to climb my hair into the tower.
Derek: And you don't have to sew anymore ladders.
Hannah: Look! Here she comes!
Enter VON LINDENBERG, mounted, followed by a square of mounted knights surrounding a cart containing the jailer, the doctor, the chaplain, and DAME GOTHEL, her dress stained with thrown food and her head covered, between two guards. The jailer, doctor, chaplain, DAME GOTHEL and the guards step off the cart. The knights part to let them pass. The guards hand DAME GOTHEL over to the executioner's assistants, who lead her up to the stake and chain her to it. VON LINDENBERG dismounts and removes the death warrant from his saddlebag. Exit knights, followed by guards leading VON LINDENBERG'S horse. The executioner walks up to DAME GOTHEL and kneels at her feet.
Exec.: I ask your forgiveness.
DG: Forgive thee? A pox on thee!
The executioner descends from the stake.
Chap.: Pax huic dómui.
Von L., Jailer, Doctor: Et omnibus habitántibus in ea.
The chaplain lays the corporal on a table before the stake, places the Blessed Sacrament on it, walks up to the stake to give the crucifix to DAME GOTHEL to kiss, and sprinkles the Marketplace with Holy Water.
Chap.: Aspérges me, Dómine, hyssópo, et mundábor; lavábis me, et super nivem dealbábor. Miserére mei, Deus: secúndum magnam misericordiam tuam. Glora Patri, et Filii, et Spiritui Sancti. Aspérges me, Dómine, hyssópo, et mundábor; lavábis me, et super nivem dealbábor. Adjútorium nostrum in nómine Dómini.
DG: Qui fecit caelum et terram.
Chap.: Dómine, exáudi oratiónem meam.
DG: Et clamor meus ad te véniat.
Chap.: Dóminus vobiscum.
DG: Et cum spiritu tuo.
Chap.: Orémus. Exáudi nos, Dómine sancte, Paer omnípotens, aeterne Deus: et mittere dignéris sanctum Angelum tuum de caelis, qui custódiat, fóveat, prótegat, visitet atque deféndat omnes habitántes in hoc habitáculo. Per Christum Dominum nostrum.
DG: Amen.
The chaplain ascends the stake and goes closer to DAME GOTHEL.
DG: Bless me, Father, for I have sinned.
They talk in hushed tones as she makes her confession.
DG: For these and all the sins of my past life, I ask pardon of God, penance, and absolution from you, Father.
They continue to talk in hushed tones.
DG: Deus meus, ex toto corde poenitet me omnium meorum peccatorum, eaque detestor, quia peccando, non solum poenas a Te iuste statutas promeritus sum, sed praesertim quia offendi Te, summum bonum, ac dignum qui super omnia diligaris. Ideo firmiter propono, adiuvante gratia Tua, de cetero me non peccaturum peccandique occasiones proximas fugiturum. Amen.
Chap.:Dominus noster Jesus Christus te absolvat; et ego auctoritate ipsius te absolvo ab omni vinculo excommunicationis et interdicti in quantum possum et tu indiges. [making the Sign of the Cross] Deinde, ego te absolvo a peccatis tuis in nomine Patris, et Filii, et Spiritus Sancti. Amen. Passio Domini nostri Jesu Christi, merita Beatae Mariae Virginis et omnium sanctorum, quidquid boni feceris vel mail sustinueris sint tibi in remissionem peccatorum, augmentum gratiae et praemium vitae aeternae. Go in peace.
DG: Thank you, Father. [prays in hushed tones]
Chap., DG:[together] Confíteor Deo omnipoténti, beátæ Maríæ semper Vírgini, beáto Michaéli Archángelo, beáto Joanni Baptístæ, sanctis Apóstolis Petro et Paulo, ómnibus Sanctis, et tibi, Pater: quia peccávi nimis cogitatióne, verbo et ópere: mea culpa [chaplain strikes his breast], mea culpa [chaplain strikes his breast], mea máxima culpa [chaplain strikes his breast]. Ideo precor beátam Maríam semper Vírginem, beátum Michaélem Archángelum, beátum Joánnem Baptístam, sanctos Apóstolos Petrum et Paulum, omnes Sanctos, et te, Pater, oráre pro me ad Dóminum Deum nostrum.
Chap.:Misereátur vestri omnípotens Deus, et dimíssis peccátis vestris, perdúcat te ad vitam ætérnam.
Chap., DG:[together]Dómine, non sum dignus, ut intres sub tectum meum: sed tantum dic verbo, et sanábitur ánima mea.
The chaplain places a white linen cloth over DAME GOTHEL'S breast. He goes over to the corporal and places his hand over it.
Chap.: Accipe, soror, Viáticum Córporis Dómini nostri Jesu Christi, qui te custódiat ab hoste maligno, et perdúcat in vitam aetérnam. Amen. Hoc est enim Corpus Meum. [placing his hand over chalice] Hic est enim Calix Sanguinis mei, novi et aeterni testamenti: mysterium fidei: qui pro vobis et pro multis effundetur in remissionem peccatorum. [taking the host and chalice to DAME GOTHEL, who casts her eyes down, tilts her head back 20 degrees, opens her mouth, sticks her tongue out and closes her eyes. He makes a small Sign of the Cross in the air with the host and places it on her tongue] Accipe, soror, Viáticum Córporis Dómini nostri Jesu Christi, qui te custódiat ab hoste maligno, et perdúcat in vitam aetérnam. Amen. [steps down from stake]
DG: Anima Christi, sanctifica me. Corpus Christi, salva me. Sanguis Christi, inebria me. Aqua lateris Christi, lava me. Passio Christi, conforta me. O bone Iesu, exaudi me. Intra tua vulnera absconde me. Ne permittas me separari a te. Ab hoste maligno defende me. In hora mortis meae voca me. Et iube me venire ad te, Ut cum Sanctis tuis laudem te in saecula saeculorum. Amen.
Chap.: Dómine sancte, Pater omnipotens, aetérne Deus, te fidéliter deprecámur, ut accipiénti soróri nostrae sacrosanctum Corpus Dómini nostri Jesu Christi Fillii tui, tam córpori quam animae prost ad remédium sempitérnum: Qui tecum vivit et regnat. Amen. Adjútorium nostrum in nómine Dómini
DG:Qui fecit caelum et terram.
Chap.:Dómine, exáudi oratiónem meam.
DG:Et clamor meus ad te véniat.
Chap.:Dóminus vobiscum.
DG:Et cum spiritu tuo.
Chap.:Orémus. Intróeat, Dómine Jesu Christe, donum hanc sub nostrae humilitátis ingréssu, aetérna felicitas, divina prospéritas, serena laetitia, cáritas fructuósa, sanitas sempiterna effúgiat ex hoc loco accessus daemonum: adsint Angeli pacis, domumque hanc déserat omnis maligna discórdia. Magnifica, Dómine, super nos nomen sanctum tuum; et bénedic [makes Sign of Cross] nostrae conversatióni sanctifica nostrae humilitátis ingréssum, qui sanctus et qui pius es, et pérmanes cum Patre et Spiritu Sancto in saécula saeculórum.
DG: Amen.
Chap.:Orémus et deprecémur Dóminum nostrum Jesum Christum, ut benedicéndo benedicat [makes Sign of Cross] hoc tabernáculum et omnes habitántes in eo, et det eis Angelum bonum custódem, et fáciat eos sibi servire ad considerándum mirabilia de lege sua: avértat ab eis omnes contrárias potestates: eripiat eos ab amni formidine et ab omni perturbatióne, ac sanos in hoc tabernáculo custodire dignétur. Qui cum Patre et Spiritu Sancto vivit et regnat Deus in saécula saeculórum. Orémus. Exáudi nos, Dómine sancte, Pater omnipotens, aetérne Deus: et mittere dignéris sanctum Angelum tuum de caelis, qui custódiat, fóveat, prótegat, visitet atque deféndat omnes habitántes in hoc habitáculo. Per Christum Dóminum nostrum. Amen.
DG: Amen.
Chap.: Confíteor Deo omnipoténti, beátæ Maríæ semper Vírgini, beáto Michaéli Archángelo, beáto Joanni Baptístæ, sanctis Apóstolis Petro et Paulo, ómnibus Sanctis, et tibi, Pater: quia peccávi nimis cogitatióne, verbo et ópere: mea culpa [strikes his breast], mea culpa [strikes his breast], mea máxima culpa [strikes his breast]. Ideo precor beátam Maríam semper Vírginem, beátum Michaélem Archángelum, beátum Joánnem Baptístam, sanctos Apóstolos Petrum et Paulum, omnes Sanctos, et te, Pater, oráre pro me ad Dóminum Deum nostrum. Misereátur vestri omnípotens Deus, et dimíssis peccátis vestris, perdúcat te ad vitam ætérnam. [to crowd] Please pray for her. [makes Sign of Cross] In nómine Patris, et Fílii, et Spíritus Sancti, exstinguátur in te omnis virtus diáboli per impositiónem mánuum nostrárum, et per invocatiónem gloriósae et sanctae Dei Genitricis Virginis Mariea, ejusqye inclytu Sponsi Joseph, et ómnium sanctórum Angelelórum, Archangelórum, Patriarchárum, Prophetárum, Apostolorum, Mártyrum, Confessórum, Virginum, atque ómnium simul Sanctórum.
DG: Amen.
Chap.: Adjútorium nostrum in nómine Dómini.
DG: Qui fecit caelum et terram.
Chap.: Ne reminiscáris, Domine, delicta ancillae tuae, neque vindictam sumas de peccátis ejus. Kyrie, , eleison. Kyrie, Eleison. [prays silently] Et ne nos inducas in tentationem.
DG: Sed libera nos a malo.
Chap.: Salvam fac ancillam tuam.
DG: Deus meus, sperántem in te.
Chap.: Dómine, exáudi oratiónem meam.
DG: Et clamor meus ad te véniat.
Chap.: Dóminus vobiscum.
DG: Et cum spiritu tuo.
Chap.: Orémus. Clementissime Deus, Pater misericordiárum et Deus totius consolatiónis, qui néminem vis perire in te credéntem atque sperántem: secúndum multitúdinem miseratiónum tuárum réspice propitius fámulam tuam Gothel quam tibi vera fides et spes christiána commendant. Visita eam in salutári tuo, et per Unigeniti tui passiónem et mortem ómnium ei delictórum suórum remissiónem et véniam clementer indulge; ut ejus ánima in hora exitus sui te judicem propitiátum inveniat et, in sánguine ejusdem Fílii tui ab omni mácula ablúta, transire ad vitam mereatur perpetuam. Per eúmdem Christum Dóminum nostrum.
DG: Amen.
DG, Von L.: [together] Confíteor Deo omnipoténti, beátæ Maríæ semper Vírgini, beáto Michaéli Archángelo, beáto Joanni Baptístæ, sanctis Apóstolis Petro et Paulo, ómnibus Sanctis, et tibi, Pater: quia peccávi nimis cogitatióne, verbo et ópere: mea culpa [VON LINDENBERG strikes his breast], mea culpa [VON LINDENBERG strikes his breast], mea máxima culpa [VON LINDENBERG strikes his breast]. Ideo precor beátam Maríam semper Vírginem, beátum Michaélem Archángelum, beátum Joánnem Baptístam, sanctos Apóstolos Petrum et Paulum, omnes Sanctos, et te, Pater, oráre pro me ad Dóminum Deum nostrum.
Chap.: Misereátur vestri omnípotens Deus, et dimíssis peccátis vestris, perdúcat te ad vitam ætérnam. Indulgéntiam, absolutiónem, et remissiónem peccatórum nostrórum tríbuat nobis omnípotens et miséricors Dóminus.
DG, Von L.: [together] Amen.
Chap.:Dóminus noster Jesus Christus, Fílius Dei vivi, qui beáto Petro Apóstolo suo dedit potestátem ligándi atque solvéndi, per suam piissimam misericórdiam recipiat confessionem tuam et restituat tibi stolam primam, quam in Baptísmate recepísti: et ego facultáte mihi ab Apostólica Sede tribúta, indulgentiam plenáriam et remissionem omnium peccatorum tibi concédo. In nomine Patris [makes Sign of Cross] et Fílii, et Spiritus Sancti.
DG: Amen.
Chap.: Per sacrosáncta humánae reparatiónis mystéria remittat tibi omnipotens Deus omnes praeséntis et futúrae vitae paenas, Paradísi portas apériat, et ad gáudia sempitérna perdúcat.
DG: Amen.
Chap.: Benedicat te omnipotens Deus, Pater [makes Sign of Cross] et Fílius, et Spíritus Sanctus.
DG: Amen.
Chap.:Ego facultate mihi ab Apostolic Sede tributa, indulgentiam plenariam et remissionem omnium peccatorum tibi concedo et benedico te. In nomine Patris, et Filii, [makes Sign of Cross] et Spirtus Sancti. Amen.
Von L.:[reading death warrant] "Ludwig the Second, by the Grace of God, of Hesse, Nassau and Franconia, king, and so forth, to the Amtmann of the District of Marburg, greeting. Where as Dame Gothel, single woman, of Neustadt, of the Distict of Marburg, hath been indicted of witchcraft, abduction of a minor, unlawful imprisonment, causing bodily harm, threatening the commission of a felony, endangering the welfare of a child, high treason, and causing grievous bodily harm by her done and committed, and the said Dame Gothel hath been thereupon arraigned at a court of oyer and terminer held by adjournment for our First Judicial District at Marburg in the said District of Marburg, and upon such arraignment hath pleaded Not Guilty and for her trial put herself on God and her country: and the said Dame Gothel hath been found and brought in Guilty by the Jury that passed on her according to her indictment; and whereas sentence of death hath then been passed upon her, execution whereof yet remains to be done: we require, and by these presents strictly command you, that upon Thursday the twenty-fourth day of May instant, between the hours of nine in the forenoon and one in the afternoon the same day, you safely conduct her the said Dame Gothel from our goal in Marburg aforesaid to the place of execution and there cause her to burnt with fire until she be dead. And this you are by no means to omit at your peril and this shall be your sufficient Warrant. Witness ourself at Marburg the twenty-first day of May, in the twenty-second year of our reign." [Walks up to stake and shows death warrant to DAME GOTHEL] Behold His Majesty's signature and seal.
DG: I see it
Von L.:Dame Gothel, do you wish to make a final statement?
DG: I'm sorry, Rapunzel. I love you.
RAPUNZEL weeps into her hand. VON LINDENBERG stpes down from the stake.
Von L.:[to executioner] We are ready. [nods] You may proceed.
The executioner's assistants pile more faggots and straw around the stake. The executioner lights his torch from a brazier, then bends down and lights the faggots. Blackout. DAME GOTHEL screams several times. The lights come back on. There is a pile of ashes and charred chains at the bottom of the stake where DAME GOTHEL had been standing. The doctor walks up to examine the ashes.
Von L.: Doctor, examine the patient.
Doctor.: Dame Gothel is dead.
BALLARD, ROLAND and GLENNA walk to the front of the stage.
Ballard: Dame Gothel's ashes were thrown into the Lahn river.
Roland: Her property was confiscated, with her house being given awarded by the Crown to the Chief Servant, who dismissed the other two servants.
Glenna: The judge and jurors held a banquet afterwards.
Ballard: And of course, Derek and Rapunzel resumed their courtship, but that is a story for another time.
THE END.