The Complete Poetical Works of Samuel Taylor Coleridge Volume II Part 83

Why, how comes this?

Perhaps I am already grown superfluous, 5 And other ways exist, besides through me?

Confess it to me, Thekla! have you seen him?

_Thekla._ To-day and yesterday I have not seen him.

_Countess._ And not heard from him either? Come, be open!

_Thekla._ No syllable.

_Countess._ And still you are so calm? 10

_Thekla._ I am.

_Countess._ May't please you, leave us, Lady Neubrunn!

[_Exit LADY NEUBRUNN._

LINENOTES:

[4] [_THEKLA remaining silent, the, &c._, 1800, 1828, 1829.

SCENE II

_The COUNTESS, THEKLA._

_Countess._ It does not please me, Princess! that he holds Himself so still, exactly at this time.

_Thekla._ Exactly at this time?

_Countess._ He now knows all.

'Twere now the moment to declare himself.

_Thekla._ If I'm to understand you, speak less darkly. 5

_Countess._ 'Twas for that purpose that I bade her leave us.

Thekla, you are no more a child. Your heart Is now no more in nonage: for you love, And boldness dwells with love--that you have proved.

Your nature moulds itself upon your father's 10 More than your mother's spirit. Therefore may you Hear, what were too much for her fort.i.tude.

_Thekla._ Enough! no further preface, I entreat you.

At once, out with it! Be it what it may, It is not possible that it should torture me 15 More than this introduction. What have you To say to me? Tell me the whole and briefly!

_Countess._ You'll not be frightened--

_Thekla._ Name it, I entreat you.

_Countess._ It lies within your power to do your father A weighty service--

_Thekla._ Lies within my power? 20

_Countess._ Max Piccolomini loves you. You can link him Indissolubly to your father.

_Thekla._ I?

What need of me for that? And is he not Already linked to him?

_Countess._ He was.

_Thekla._ And wherefore Should he not be so now--not be so always? 25

_Countess._ He cleaves to the Emperor too.

_Thekla._ Not more than duty And honour may demand of him.

_Countess._ We ask Proofs of his love, and not proofs of his honour.

Duty and honour!

Those are ambiguous words with many meanings. 30 You should interpret them for him: his love Should be the sole definer of his honour.

_Thekla._ How?

_Countess._ The Emperor or you must he renounce.

_Thekla._ He will accompany my father gladly In his retirement. From himself you heard, 35 How much he wished to lay aside the sword.

_Countess._ He must not lay the sword aside, we mean; He must unsheath it in your father's cause.

_Thekla._ He'll spend with gladness and alacrity His life, his heart's blood in my father's cause, 40 If shame or injury be intended him.

_Countess._ You will not understand me. Well, hear then!

Your father has fallen off from the Emperor, And is about to join the enemy With the whole soldiery--

_Thekla._ Alas, my mother! 45

_Countess._ There needs a great example to draw on The army after him. The Piccolomini Possess the love and reverence of the troops; They govern all opinions, and wherever They lead the way, none hesitate to follow. 50 The son secures the father to our interests-- You've much in your hands at this moment.

_Thekla._ Ah, My miserable mother! what a death-stroke Awaits thee!--No! She never will survive it.

_Countess._ She will accommodate her soul to that 55 Which is and must be. I do know your mother.

The far-off future weights upon her heart With torture of anxiety; but is it Unalterably, actually present, She soon resigns herself, and bears it calmly. 60

_Thekla._ O my fore-boding bosom! Even now, E'en now 'tis here, that icy hand of horror!

And my young hope lies shuddering in its grasp; I knew it well--no sooner had I entered, A heavy ominous presentiment 65 Revealed to me, that spirits of death were hovering Over my happy fortune. But why think I First of myself? My mother! O my mother!

_Countess._ Calm yourself! Break not out in vain lamenting!

Preserve you for your father the firm friend, 70 And for yourself the lover, all will yet Prove good and fortunate.

_Thekla._ Prove good? What good?

Must we not part? Part ne'er to meet again?