The Duke's bed-chamber, without his alarming devereux. And 'tis his purpose to dethrone the Emperor? butler. Yes!—Yes!—to rob him of his Crown and Life. deverteux. And he must fall by the executioner's hands, SCEN e III. Scene—A Gothic and gloomy. Apartment at the Duchess Friedland's. Therla on a seat, pale, her eyes closed. The Duchess and LADY Neubrunn busied about her. WALLENs rein and the Countess in conversation. wall.exstein. How knew she it so soon? - countess. She seems to have Foreboded some misfortune. The report Of an engagement, in the which had fallen A colonel of the Imperial army, frighten’d her. I saw it instantly. She flew to meet The Swedish Courier, and with sudden questioning, Soon wrested from him the disastrous secret. Too late we miss'd her, hasten’d after her, we found her lying in his arms, all pale And in a swoon. walleNSTEIN. A heavy, heavy blow ! And she so unprepared! Poor child! How is it? [Turning to the Duchess. Is she coming to herself? duchess. Her eyes are opening. countess. She lives. Thekla (looking around her). Where am I? walless reix (steps to her, raising her up in his arms). Come, cheerly, Thekla 1 be my own brave girl! See, there's thy loving mother. Thou art in Thy father's arms. tnext A (standing up). Where is he? Is he gone? Duchess. ther L.A. - | That word of misery. nuciness. O! think not of it, My Thekla! walleNstrin. Give her sorrow leave to talk! Let her complain—mingle your tears with hers, For she hath suffer'd a deep anguish; but She'll rise superior to it, for my Thekla Hath all her father's unsubdued heart. ther L.A. I am not ill. See, I have power to stand. Why does my mother weep? Have I alarm'd her? It is gone by-I recollect myself— [she casts her eyes round the room, as seeking sonae one. Where is he? Please you, do not hide him from me. You see I have strength enough : now I will hear him. nuciness. No, never shall this messenger of evil Enter again into thy presence, Thekla! ther L.A. My father— wAllenstein. Dearest daughter! ther L.A. I'm not weak— Shortly I shall be quite myself again. You'll grant me one request? walleNstriN. Name it, my daughter. Therla. Permit the stranger to be call'd to me, And grant me leave, that by myself I may Hear his report and question him. Duchess. No, never! countess. "T is not adviseable—assent not to it. wallenstein. Hush! Wherefore wouldst thou speak with him, my daughter? THF, KLA. Knowing the whole, I shall be more collected; I sank into his arms; and that has shamed me. I must replace myself in his esteem, | And I must speak with him, perforce, that he, The stranger, may not think ungently of me, wal. LENstri N. I see she is in the right, and am inclined To grant her this request of hers. Go, call him. (LADY Neuhauss goes to call him). duchess. But I, thy mother, will be present— | - Til exu, A. - "T were More pleasing to me, if alone I saw him: Trust me, I shall behave myself the more Collectedly. wallenstein. Permit her her own will. Leave her alone with him: for there are sorrows, where of necessity the soul must be Its own support. A strong heart will rely On its own strength alone. In her own bosom, Not in her mother's arms, must she collect The strength to rise superior to this blow. It is mine own brave girl. I'll have her treated Not as the woman, but the heroine. countess (detaining him). where art thon going? I heard Tertsky say That "t is thy purpose to depart from hence To-morrow early, but to leave us here. walleNSTEIN. Yes, ye stay here, placed under the protection Of gallant men. countess. O take us with you, brother! Leave us not in this gloomy solitude To brood o'er anxious thoughts. The mists of doubt Magnify evils to a shape of horror. WALLENS train. Who speaks of evil? I entreat you, sister, Use words of better omen. countess. Then take us with you. O leave us not behind you in a place That forces us to such sad omens. Heavy And sick within me is my heart—— These walls breathe on me, like a church-yard vault. I cannot tell you, brother, how this place Doth go against my nature. Take us with you. Come, sister, join you your entreaty'—Niece, Yours too. We all entreat you, take us with you! wallenstein. The place's evil omens will I change Making it that which shields and shelters for me My best beloved. laby Neubrunn (returning). The Swedish officer. wallenstel N. Leave her alone with me. [Exit. duchess (to Thekla, who starts and shivers). There—pale as death!—Child, 'tis impossible That thou shouldst speak with him. Follow thy mother. ther L.A. The Lady Neubrunn then may stay with me. [Exeunt Duchess and Countess. captain (respectfully approaching her). Princess— I must entreat your gentle pardon– My inconsiderate rash speech—How could 4– turkla (with dignity). You have beheld me in my agony. A most distressful accident occasion'd You from a stranger to become at once My confidant. captain. I fear you hate my presence, For my tongue spake a melancholy word. -Ther. L.A. The fault is mine. Myself did wrest it from you. The horror which came o'er me interrupted Your tale at its commencement. May it please you, Continue it to the end. captain. Princess, "t will Renew your anguish. Thert.A. I am firm.—— Well—how began the engagement? CAPTAi N. We lay, expecting no attack, at Neustadt, Entrench'd but insecurely in our camp, When towards evening rose a cloud of dust From the wood thitherward; our vanguard fled Into the camp, and sounded the alarm. Scarce had we mounted, ere the Pappenheimers, Their horses at full speed, broke through the lines, And leapt the trenches; but their heedless courage Had borne them onward far before the others— The infantry were still at distance, only The Pappenheimers follow'd daringly Their daring leader—— [Turki. A betrays agitation in her gestures. The Officer pauses till she makes a sign to him to proceed. I will be firm. cArt Aix. Both in van and flanks With our whole cavalry we now received them; Back to the trenches drove them, where the foot Stretch'd out a solid ridge of pikes to meet them. They neither could advance, nor yet retreat; And as they stood on every side wedged in, The Ithine-Grave to their leader call'd aloud, Inviting a surrender; but their leader, Young Piccolonini—— [Therla, as giddy, grasps a chair. Known by his plume, And his long hair, gave signal for the trenches; Himself leapt first, the regiment all plunged after. His charger, by a halbert gored, rear'd up, Flung him with violence off, and over him The horses, now no longer to be curbed,—— [Thekla who has accompanied the last speech with all the marks of increasing agony, trembles. through her whole frame, and is falling. The Lady Neubrunn runs to her, and receives her in her arms. Neuren unw. My dearest lady—— cArtAlwI retire. The RLA. 'T is over. Proceed to the conclusion. captain. Wild despair Inspired the troops with frenzy when they saw Their leader perish; every thought of rescue was spurn'd; they fought like wounded tigers; their Frantic resistance roused our soldiery; A murderous fight took place, nor was the contest Finish’d before their last man fell. therla (faltering). And where—— Where is—You have not told me all. captain (after a pause). This morning We buried him. Twelve youths of noblest birth Did bear him to interment; the whole army Follow'd the bier. A laurel deck'd his coffin; The sword of the deceased was placed upon it, In mark of honour, by the Rhine-Grave's self. Nor tears were wanting; for there are among us Many, who had themselves experienced The greatness of his mind, and gentle manners; All were affected at his fate. The Rhine-Grave | Would willingly have saved him; but himself | Made vain the attempt—'t is said he wish'd to die. Neubaun N (to Thekla, who has hidden her countenance). Look up, my dearcsi lady—— Tii ERL.A. Where is his trave? captain. At Neustadt, lady; in a cloister church Are his remains deposited, until We can receive directions from his father. Ther-i.A. What is the cloister's name? captain. Saint Catherine's. Thekla. And how far is it thither ? captain. Near twelve leagues. Trier, L.A. | And which the way? CAPTAIN. You go by Tirschenreit And Falkenberg, through our advanced posts. ther i.A. Who Is their commander’ CAPTAIN. Colonel Seckendorf. [Thekla steps to the table, and takes a ring from a casket. thrkla. You have beheld me in my agony, And shown a feeling heart. Please you, accept |Giving him the ring. A small memorial of this hour. Now go! thrkla (falls on Lady Neubrunn's neck). Now, gentle Neubrunn, show me the affection Which thou hast ever promised—prove thyself My own true friend and faithful fellow-pilgrim. This night we must away ! NEub Runn. Away! and whither? th. Ex L.A. Whither! There is hut one place in the world. Thither where he lies buried! To his coffin' neu drunn. What would you do there? ther L.A. What do there? That wouldst thou not have ask'd, hadst thou e'er loved. There, there is all that still remains of him. That single spot is the whole earth to me. Neue Runn. That place of death—— til ERLA. Is now the only place, where life yet dwells for me: detain me not Come and make preparations: let us think Of means to fly from hence. Neubau NN. Your father's rage—— The KLA. That time is past—— And now I fear no human being's rage. Nrubnto Nn. The sentence of the world! The tongue of calumny! ther L.A. Whom am I seeking? Him who is no more. Am I then hastening to the arms——O God! I haste but to the grave of the beloved. Your heart, dear lady, is disquieted To a deep quiet, such as he has found. neu Brau Nix. w ALLENstein. Commend me to your lord. I sympathize In his good fortune; and if you have seen me Deficient in the expressions of that joy, Which such a victory might well demand, Attribute it to no lack of good will, For henceforth are our fortunes one. And for your trouble take my thanks. The citadel shall be surrender'd to you On your arrival. [The Swedish CAprAix retires. WALLENstsix sits lost in thought, his eyes fixed vacantly, and his head sustained by his hand. The Countess Teatsky enters, stands before him awhile, un observed by him; at length he starts, sees her and recollects himself. wall Exsteix. Counest thou from her? Is she restored? How is she? countess. My sister tells me, she was more collected After her conversation with the Swede. She has now retired to rest. wall exist kix. The pang will soften, Farewell, To-morrow * The soliloquy of Thekla consists in the original of six and twenty lines, twenty of which are in rhymes of irregular recurrence. I thought it prudent to abridge it. Indeed the whole scene between Thekla and Lady Neubruna might, Perhaps, have been omitted without injury to the play. countess. At a banquet—he and Illo. wallensteix (rises and strides across the saloon). The night's far spent. Betake thee to thy chamber. cous NT ess. Bid me not go, O let me stay with thee! wallenstein (moves to the window). There is a busy motion in the Heaven, The wind doth chase the flag upon the tower, Fast sweep the clouds, the sickle' of the moon, Struggling, darts snatches of uncertain light. No form of star is visible! That one White stain of light, that single glimmering yonder, Is from Cassiopeia, and therein Is Jupiter. (A pause). But now The blackness of the troubled element hides him! [Ile sinks into profound melancholy, and looks vacantly into the distance. countess (looks on him mournfully, then grasps his hand). What art thou brooding on? wall. Exsteix. Methinks, If I but saw him, 't would be well with me. He is the star of my nativity, And often marvellously hath his aspect Shot strength into my heart. countess. Thou'lt see him again. wallenstein (remains for a while with absent mind, then assumes a livelier manner, and turns suddenly to the Countess). See him again? O never, never again! count Ess. How? wallenstein. He is gone—is dust. Countess. Whom meanest thou then? wallevsteix. He, the more fortunate! yea, he hath finish'd! For him there is no longer any future, His life is bright—bright without spot it was, And cannot cease to be. No orninous hour Knocks at his door with tidings of mishap. Far off is he, above desire and fear; No more submitted to the change and chance Of the unsteady planets. O't is well With him; but who knows what the coming hour Weil'd in thick darkness brings for us? • These four lines are expressed in the original with exquisite felicity. Am Himmel ist geschirftige Bewegung. Dea Thurines Fahne jagi der Wind, schnell geht Derwolken Lug, die Mondes-Sichel wankt, Und durch lie Nacht zuckt ungewisse Helle. The word - moon-sickle, - reminds me of a passage in Harris, as quoted by Johnson, under the word - falcated. - . The enlightened part of the moon appears in the form of a sickle or reaping-hook, which is while she is moving from the conjunction to the opposition, or from the new moon to the full but from full to a new again, the enlightened part appears gibbous, and the dark falcated. The words - wanken- and - schweben- are not easily translated. The English words, by which we attempt to render them, are either vulgar or pedantic, or not of suficiently general application. So • der Wolken Luga—The Draft, the Procession of clouds.-The Masses of the Clouds sweep onward in swift stream. countess. Thou speakest Of Piccolomini, What was his death 1 The courier had just left thee as I came. [WAllenstels by a motion of his hand makes signs to her to be silent. Turn not thine eyes upon the backward view, Let us look forward into sunny days, Welcome with joyous heart the victory, Forget what it has cost thee. Not to-day, For the first time, thy friend was to thee dead; To thee he died, when first he parted from thee. wal. Le Nsteix. This anguish will be wearied down,' I know; What pang is permanent with man From the highest, As from the vilest thing of every day He learns to wean himself: for the strong hours Conquer him. Yet I feel what I have lost In him. The bloom is vanish'd from my life. For O! he stood beside me, like my youth, Transform'd for me the real to a dream, Clothing the palpable and the familiar With golden exhalations of the dawn. Whatever fortunes wait my future toils, The beautiful is vanish’d—and returns not. colo N tess. O be not treacherous to thy own power. Thy heart is rich enough to vivify Itself. Thou lovest and prizest virtues in him, The which thyself didst plant, thyself unfold. wallensreix (stepping to the door). Who interrupts us now at this late hour? It is the Governor. He bringūhe keys Of the Citadel. 'T is midnight. Leave me, sister! countess. O't is so hard to me this night to leave theeA boding fear possesses me! wallr.NSTEIN. Fear 7 Wherefore? countess. Shouldst thou depart this night, and we at waking Never more find thee! wal. i.e. Notein. Fancies! cou NTESS. O my soul Has long been weigh’d down by these dark forebodings. And if I combat and repel them waking, They still rush down upon my heart in dreams, I saw thee yesternight with thy first wife Sit at a banquet gorgeously attired. wall-existriN. This was a dream of favourable omen, That marriage being the founder of my fortunes. countess. To-day I dreamt that I was seeking thee In thy own chamber. As I enter'd, lo! It was no more a chamber: the Chartreuse At Gitschin't was, which thou thyself hast founded, * A very inadequate translation of the original. Verschmerzen werd' ich diesen Schlag, das weias ich, Denn was verschmerzte nicht der Mensch! Litrn. ALLY. I shall griere down this blow, of that I'm conscious: What does not man grieve down? |
