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Nay, not precipitately either, Thekla.
I understand thee. To thy n.o.ble heart The hardest duty might appear the highest.
The human, not the great part, would I act.
Even from my childhood to this present hour, Think what the duke has done for me, how loved me And think, too, how my father has repaid him.
Oh likewise the free lovely impulses Of hospitality, the pious friend's Faithful attachment, these, too, are a holy Religion to the heart; and heavily The shudderings of nature do avenge Themselves on the barbarian that insults them.
Lay all upon the balance, all--then speak, And let thy heart decide it.
THEKLA.
Oh, thy own Hath long ago decided. Follow thou Thy heart's first feeling----
COUNTESS.
Oh! ill-fated woman!
THEKLA.
Is it possible, that that can be the right, The which thy tender heart did not at first Detect and seize with instant impulse? Go, Fulfil thy duty! I should ever love thee.
Whate'er thou hast chosen, thou wouldst still have acted n.o.bly and worthy of thee--but repentance Shall ne'er disturb thy soul's fair peace.
MAX.
Then I Must leave thee, must part from thee!
THEKLA.
Being faithful To thine own self, thou art faithful, too, to me: If our fates part, our hearts remain united.
A b.l.o.o.d.y hatred will divide forever The houses Piccolomini and Friedland; But we belong not to our houses. Go!
Quick! quick! and separate thy righteous cause From our unholy and unblessed one!
The curse of heaven lies upon our head: 'Tis dedicate to ruin. Even me My father's guilt drags with it to perdition.
Mourn not for me: My destiny will quickly be decided.
[MAX. clasps her in his arms in extreme emotion. There is heard from behind the scene a loud, wild, long-continued cry, Vivat Ferdinandus! accompanied by warlike instruments. MAX. and THEKLA remain without motion in each other's embraces.
SCENE XXII.
To the above enter TERZKY.
COUNTESS (meeting him).
What meant that cry? What was it?
TERZKY.
All is lost!
COUNTESS.
What! they regarded not his countenance?
TERZKY.
'Twas all in vain.
d.u.c.h.eSS.
They shouted Vivat!
TERZKY.
To the emperor.
COUNTESS.
The traitors?
TERZKY.
Nay! he was not permitted Even to address them. Soon as he began, With deafening noise of warlike instruments They drowned his words. But here he comes.
SCENE XXIII.
To these enter WALLENSTEIN, accompanied by ILLO and BUTLER.
WALLENSTEIN (as he enters).
Terzky!
TERZKY.
My general!
WALLENSTEIN.
Let our regiments hold themselves In readiness to march; for we shall leave Pilsen ere evening.
[Exit TERZKY.
Butler!
BUTLER.
Yes, my general.
WALLENSTEIN.
The Governor of Egra is your friend And countryman. Write him instantly By a post courier. He must be advised, That we are with him early on the morrow.
You follow us yourself, your regiment with you.
BUTLER.
It shall be done, my general!
WALLENSTEIN (steps between MAX. and THEKLA, who have remained during this time in each other's arms).
Part!
MAX.
O G.o.d!
[CUIRa.s.sIERS enter with drawn swords, and a.s.semble in the background. At the same time there are heard from below some spirited pa.s.sages out of the Pappenheim March, which seem to address MAX.
WALLENSTEIN (to the CUIRa.s.sIERS).
Here he is, he is at liberty: I keep him No longer.
[He turns away, and stands so that MAX. cannot pa.s.s by him nor approach the PRINCESS.
MAX.
