The Works of Frederick Schiller Part 216

COUNTESS.

'Tis not advisable--a.s.sent not to it.

WALLENSTEIN.

Hush! Wherefore wouldst thou speak with him, my daughter?

THEKLA.

Knowing the whole, I shall be more collected; I will not be deceived. My mother wishes Only to spare me. I will not be spared-- The worst is said already: I can hear Nothing of deeper anguish!

COUNTESS and d.u.c.h.eSS.

Do it not.

THEKLA.

The horror overpowered me by surprise, My heart betrayed me in the stranger's presence: He was a witness of my weakness, yea, I sank into his arms; and that has shamed me.

I must replace myself in his esteem, And I must speak with him, perforce, that he, The stranger, may not think ungently of me.

WALLENSTEIN.

I see she is in the right, and am inclined To grant her this request of hers. Go, call him.

[LADY NEUBRUNN goes to call him.

d.u.c.h.eSS.

But I, thy mother, will be present----

THEKLA.

'Twere More pleasing to me if alone I saw him; Trust me, I shall behave myself the more Collectedly.

WALLENSTEIN.

Permit her her own will.

Leave her alone with him: for there are sorrows, Where of necessity the soul must be Its own support. A strong heart will rely On its own strength alone. In her own bosom, Not in her mother's arms, must she collect The strength to rise superior to this blow.

It is mine own brave girl. I'll have her treated Not as the woman, but the heroine.

[Going.

COUNTESS (detaining him).

Where art thou going? I heard Terzky say That 'tis thy purpose to depart from hence To-morrow early, but to leave us here.

WALLENSTEIN.

Yes, ye stay here, placed under the protection Of gallant men.

COUNTESS.

Oh, take us with you, brother.

Leave us not in this gloomy solitude.

To brood o'er anxious thoughts. The mists of doubt Magnify evils to a shape of horror.

WALLENSTEIN.

Who speaks of evil? I entreat you, sister, Use words of better omen.

COUNTESS.

Then take us with you.

Oh leave us not behind you in a place That forces us to such sad omens. Heavy And sick within me is my heart-- These walls breathe on me like a churchyard vault.

I cannot tell you, brother, how this place Doth go against my nature. Take us with you.

Come, sister, join you your entreaty! Niece, Yours too. We all entreat you, take us with you!

WALLENSTEIN.

The place's evil omens will I change, Making it that which shields and shelters for me My best beloved.

LADY NEUBRUNN (returning).

The Swedish officer.

WALLENSTEIN.

Leave her alone with me.

d.u.c.h.eSS (to THEKLA, who starts and shivers).

There--pale as death! Child, 'tis impossible That thou shouldst speak with him. Follow thy mother.

THEKLA.

The Lady Neubrunn then may stay with me.

[Exeunt d.u.c.h.eSS and COUNTESS.

SCENE X.

THEKLA, THE SWEDISH CAPTAIN, LADY NEUBRUNN.

CAPTAIN (respectfully approaching her).

Princess--I must entreat your gentle pardon-- My inconsiderate rash speech. How could!----

THEKLA (with dignity).

You have beheld me in my agony.

A most distressful accident occasioned You from a stranger to become at once My confidant.

CAPTAIN.

I fear you hate my presence, For my tongue spake a melancholy word.

THEKLA.

The fault is mine. Myself did wrest it from you.

The horror which came o'er me interrupted Your tale at its commencement. May it please you, Continue it to the end.

CAPTAIN.

Princess, 'twill Renew your anguish.

THEKLA.

I am firm,-- I will be firm. Well--how began the engagement?

CAPTAIN.

We lay, expecting no attack, at Neustadt, Intrenched but insecurely in our camp, When towards evening rose a cloud of dust From the wood thitherward; our vanguard fled Into the camp, and sounded the alarm.

Scarce had we mounted ere the Pappenheimers, Their horses at full speed, broke through the lines, And leaped the trenches; but their heedless courage Had borne them onward far before the others-- The infantry were still at distance, only The Pappenheimers followed daringly Their daring leader----