The Works of Frederick Schiller Part 167

What! he has vanquished all impediment, And in the wilful mood of his own daughter Shall a new struggle rise for him? Child! child!

As yet thou hast seen thy father's smiles alone; The eye of his rage thou hast not seen. Dear child, I will not frighten thee. To that extreme, I trust it ne'er shall come. His will is yet Unknown to me; 'tis possible his aims May have the same direction as thy wish.

But this can never, never be his will, That thou, the daughter of his haughty fortunes, Shouldest e'er demean thee as a lovesick maiden And like some poor cost-nothing, fling thyself Toward the man, who, if that high prize ever Be destined to await him, yet with sacrifices The highest love can bring, must pay for it.

[Exit COUNTESS.

SCENE IX.

THEKLA (who during the last speech had been standing evidently lost in her reflections).

I thank thee for the hint. It turns My sad presentiment to certainty.

And it is so! Not one friend have we here, Not one true heart! we've nothing but ourselves!

Oh, she said rightly--no auspicious signs Beam on this covenant of our affections.

This is no theatre where hope abides The dull thick noise of war alone stirs here, And love himself, as he were armed in steel, Steps forth, and girds him for the strife of death.

[Music from the banquet-room is heard.

There's a dark spirit walking in our house.

And swiftly will the destiny close on us.

It drove me hither from my calm asylum, It mocks my soul with charming witchery, It lures me forward in a seraph's shape, I see it near, I see it nearer floating, It draws, it pulls me with a G.o.dlike power-- And lo! the abyss--and thither am I moving-- I have no power within me not to move!

[The music from the banquet-room becomes louder.

Oh, when a house is, doomed in fire to perish, Many and dark Heaven drives his clouds together, Yea, shoots his lightnings down from sunny heights, Flames burst from out the subterraneous chasms, And fiends and angels, mingling in their fury, Sling firebrands at the burning edifice. [13]

[Exit THEKLA.

ACT IV.

SCENE I.

A large saloon lighted up with festal splendor; in the midst of it, and in the centre of the stage a table richly set out, at which eight generals are sitting, among whom are OCTAVIO PICCOLOMINI, TERZKY, and MARADAS. Right and left of this, but further back, two other tables, at each of which six persons are placed. The middle door, which is standing open, gives to the prospect a fourth table with the same number of persons. More forward stands the sideboard.

The whole front of the stage is kept open, for the pages and servants-in-waiting. All is in motion. The band of music belonging to TERZKY's regiment march across the stage, and draw up around the tables. Before they are quite off from the front of the stage, MAX.

PICCOLOMINI appears, TERZKY advances towards him with a paper, ISOLANI comes up to meet him with a beaker, or service-cup.

TERZKY, ISOLANI, MAX. PICCOLOMINI.

ISOLANI.

Here, brother, what we love! Why, where hast been?

Off to thy place--quick! Terzky here has given The mother's holiday wine up to free booty.

Here it goes on as at the Heidelberg castle.

Already hast thou lost the best. They're giving At yonder table ducal crowns in shares; There Sternberg's lands and chattels are put up, With Eggenberg's, Stawata's, Lichtenstein's, And all the great Bohemian feudalities.

Be nimble, lad! and something may turn up For thee, who knows? off--to thy place! quick! march!

TIEFENBACH and GOETZ (call out from the second and third tables).

Count Piccolomini!

TERZKY.

Stop, ye shall have him in an instant. Read This oath here, whether as 'tis here set forth, The wording satisfies you. They've all read it, Each in his turn, and each one will subscribe His individual signature.

MAX. (reads).

"Ingratis servire nefas."

ISOLANI.

That sounds to my ears very much like Latin, And being interpreted, pray what may it mean?

TERZKY.

No honest man will serve a thankless master.

MAX. "Inasmuch as our supreme commander, the ill.u.s.trious Duke of Friedland, in consequence of the manifold affronts and grievances which he has received, had expressed his determination to quit the emperor, but on our unanimous entreaty has graciously consented to remain still with the army, and not to part from us without our approbation thereof, so we, collectively and each in particular, in the stead of an oath personally taken, do, hereby oblige ourselves--likewise by him honorably and faithfully to hold, and in nowise whatsoever from him to part, and to be ready to shed for his interests the last drop of our blood, so far, namely, as our oath to the emperor will permit it. (These last words are repeated by ISOLANI.) In testimony of which we subscribe our names."

TERZKY.

Now! are you willing to subscribe to this paper?

ISOLANI.

Why should he not? All officers of honor Can do it, ay, must do it. Pen and ink here!

TERZKY.

Nay, let it rest till after meal.

ISOLANI (drawing MAX. along).

Come, Max!

[Both seat themselves at their table.

SCENE II.

TERZKY, NEUMANN.

TERZKY (beckons to NEUMANN, who is waiting at the side-table and steps forward with him to the edge of the stage).

Have you the copy with you, Neumann? Give it.

It may be changed for the other?

NEUMANN.

I have copied it Letter by letter, line by line; no eye Would e'er discover other difference, Save only the omission of that clause, According to your excellency's order.

TERZKY.

Right I lay it yonder and away with this-- It has performed its business--to the fire with it.

[NEUMANN lays the copy on the table, and steps back again to the side-table.

SCENE III.

ILLO (comes out from the second chamber), TERZKY.

ILLO.