The Complete Poetical Works of Samuel Taylor Coleridge Volume II Part 56

[60] _Countess (recollecting)._ 1800, 1828, 1829.

[63] _Thekla (smiling)._ 1800, 1828, 1829.

[126] their] her 1829.

[160] huge] _Silesian_ MS. R.

SCENE V

_THEKLA and MAX PICCOLOMINI._

_Thekla (as soon us the Countess is out of sight, in a quick low voice to Piccolomini)._ Don't trust them! They are false!

_Max._ Impossible!

_Thekla._ Trust no one here but me. I saw at once, They had a purpose.

_Max._ Purpose! but what purpose?

And how can we be instrumental to it?

_Thekla._ I know no more than you; but yet believe me: 5 There's some design in this! to make us happy, To realize our union--trust me, love!

They but pretend to wish it.

_Max._ But these Tertskys---- Why use we them at all? Why not your mother?

Excellent creature! she deserves from us 10 A full and filial confidence.

_Thekla._ She doth love you, Doth rate you high before all others--but-- But such a secret--she would never have The courage to conceal it from my father.

For her own peace of mind we must preserve it 15 A secret from her too.

_Max._ Why any secret?

I love not secrets. Mark, what I will do.

I'll throw me at your father's feet--let him Decide upon my fortunes!--He is true, He wears no mask--he hates all crooked ways-- 20 He is so good, so n.o.ble!

_Thekla (falls on his neck)._ That are you!

_Max._ You knew him only since this morn; but I Have liv'd ten years already in his presence, And who knows whether in this very moment He is not merely waiting for us both 25 To own our loves, in order to unite us.

You are silent!---- You look at me with such a hopelessness!

What have you to object against your father?

_Thekla._ I? Nothing. Only he's so occupied-- 30 He has no leisure time to think about The happiness of us two. [_Taking his hand tenderly._ Follow me!

Let us not place too great a faith in men.

These Tertskys--we will still be grateful to them For every kindness, but not trust them further 35 Than they deserve;--and in all else rely---- On our own hearts!

_Max._ O! shall we e'er be happy?

_Thekla._ Are we not happy now? Art thou not mine?

Am I not thine? There lives within my soul A lofty courage--'tis love gives it me! 40 I ought to be less open--ought to hide My heart more from thee--so decorum dictates:[651:1]

But where in this place could'st thou seek for truth, If in my mouth thou did'st not find it?

FOOTNOTES:

[651:1] What may not a man write and publish, who writes with the press waiting, and composes p. 86 while the printer is composing p. 85? _MS.

R_.

LINENOTES:

[3] _purpose_ 1800, 1828, 1829.

[18] _him_ 1800, 1828, 1829.

[37] _e'er_ 1800, 1828, 1829.

SCENE VI

_To them enters the COUNTESS TERTSKY._

_Countess._ Come!

My husband sends me for you--It is now The latest moment.

Part you!

_Thekla._ O, not yet!

It has been scarce a moment.

_Countess._ Aye! Then time Flies swiftly with your Highness, Princess niece! 5

_Max._ There is no hurry, aunt.

_Countess._ Away! Away!

The folks begin to miss you. Twice already His father has asked for him.

_Thekla._ Ha! his father?

_Countess._ You understand that, niece!

_Thekla._ Why needs he To go at all to that society? 10 'Tis not his proper company. They may Be worthy men, but he's too young for them.

In brief, he suits not such society.

_Countess._ You mean, you'd rather keep him wholly here?

_Thekla._ Yes! you have hit it, aunt! That is my meaning. 15 Leave him here wholly! Tell the company--

_Countess._ What? have you lost your senses, niece?-- Count, you remember the conditions. Come!

_Max (to Thekla)._ Lady, I must obey. Farewell, dear lady!