The Life of Friedrich Schiller Part 10

CAPT. 'Twill renew your grief!

THEKLA. I am prepared for't, I will be prepared.

Proceed! How went the action? Let me hear.

CAPT. At Neustadt, dreading no surprise, we lay Slightly entrench'd; when towards night a cloud Of dust rose from the forest, and our outposts Rush'd into the camp, and cried: The foe was there!

Scarce had we time to spring on horseback, when The Pappenheimers, coming at full gallop, Dash'd o'er the palisado, and next moment These fierce troopers pa.s.s'd our camp-trench also.

But thoughtlessly their courage had impelled them To advance without support; their infantry Was far behind; only the Pappenheimers Boldly following their bold leader-

[_Thekla makes a movement. The Captain pauses for a moment, till she beckons him to proceed._

On front and flank with all our horse we charged them; And ere long forc'd them back upon the trench, Where rank'd in haste our infantry presented An iron hedge of pikes to stop their pa.s.sage.

Advance they could not, nor retreat a step, Wedg'd in this narrow prison, death on all sides.

Then the Rheingraf call'd upon their leader, In fair battle, fairly to surrender: But Colonel Piccolomini- [_Thekla, tottering, catches by a seat._ -We knew him By's helmet-plume and his long flowing hair, The rapid ride had loosen'd it: to th' trench He points; leaps first himself his gallant steed Clean over it; the troop plunge after him: But-in a twinkle it was done!-his horse Run through the body by a partisan, Rears in its agony, and pitches far Its rider; and fierce o'er him tramp the steeds O' th' rest, now heeding neither bit nor bridle.

[_Thekla, who has listened to the last words with increasing anguish, falls into a violent tremor; she is sinking to the ground; Fraulein Neubrunn hastens to her, and receives her in her arms._

NEU. Lady, dearest mistress-

CAPT. [_moved_] Let me begone.

THEKLA. 'Tis past; conclude it.

CAPT. Seeing their leader fall, A grim inexorable desperation Seiz'd the troops: their own escape forgotten, Like wild tigers they attack us; their fury Provokes our soldiers, and the battle ends not Till the last man of the Pappenheimers falls.

THEKLA [_with a quivering voice_].

And where-where is-You have not told me all.

CAPT. [_after a pause_]

This morning we interr'd him. He was borne By twelve youths of the n.o.blest families, And all our host accompanied the bier.

A laurel deck'd his coffin; and upon it The Rheingraf laid his own victorious sword.

Nor were tears wanting to his fate: for many Of us had known his n.o.ble-mindedness, And gentleness of manners; and all hearts Were mov'd at his sad end. Fain would the Rheingraf Have sav'd him; but himself prevented it; 'Tis said he wish'd to die.

NEU. [_with emotion, to Thekla, who hides her face_]

O! dearest mistress, Look up! O, why would you insist on this?

THEKLA. Where is his grave?

CAPT. I' th' chapel of a cloister At Neustadt is he laid, till we receive Directions from his father.

THEKLA. What is its name?

CAPT. St. Catharine's.

THEKLA. Is't far from this?

CAPT. Seven leagues.

THEKLA. How goes the way?

CAPT. You come by Tirschenreit And Falkenberg, and through our farthest outposts.

THEKLA. Who commands them?

CAPT. Colonel Seckendorf.

THEKLA [_steps to a table, and takes a ring from her jewel-box_].

You have seen me in my grief, and shown me A sympathising heart: accept a small Memorial of this hour [_giving him the ring_]. Now leave me.

CAPT. [_overpowered_] Princess!

[_Thekla silently makes him a sign to go, and turns from him. He lingers, and attempts to speak; Neubrunn repeats the sign; he goes._

SCENE XI.

NEUBRUNN; THEKLA.

THEKLA [_falls on Neubrunn's neck_].

Now, good Neubrunn, is the time to show the love Which thou hast always vow'd me. Prove thyself A true friend and attendant! We must go, This very night.

NEU. Go! This very night! And whither?

THEKLA. Whither? There is but one place in the world, The place where he lies buried: to his grave.

NEU. Alas, what would you there, my dearest mistress?

THEKLA. What there? Unhappy girl! Thou wouldst not ask If thou hadst ever lov'd. There, there, is all That yet remains of him; that one small spot Is all the earth to me. Do not detain me!

O, come! Prepare, think how we may escape.

NEU. Have you reflected on your father's anger?

THEKLA. I dread no mortal's anger now.

NEU. The mockery Of the world, the wicked tongue of slander!

THEKLA. I go to seek one that is cold and low: Am I, then, hast'ning to my lover's arms?

O G.o.d! I am but hast'ning to his grave!

NEU. And we alone? Two feeble, helpless women?

THEKLA. We will arm ourselves; my hand shall guard thee.

NEU. In the gloomy night-time?

THEKLA. Night will hide us.

NEU. In this rude storm?