Duch. (shaking her head). I saw none. Wal. Th' Ambassador from Spain, who once was wont To plead so warmly for me?— Duch. Silent, silent! Wal. These suns then are eclipsed for us. Henceforward Must we roll on, our own fire, our own light. Duch. And were it-were it, my dear lord, in that Which mov'd about the Court in buz and whisper, But in the country let itself be heard Aloud-in that which Father Lamormain Wal. (eagerly). Lamormain! what said he? And his supreme behests. The proud Bavarian, Of far more fearful menace than that former one (stifling extreme emotion.) O! they force, they thrust me With violence, against my own will, onward! By giving way and by submission, this What are we, if the sovereign's grace and favour SCENE VII.-Enter the COUNTESS TERTSKY, leading in her hand the PRINCESS THEKLA, richly adorned with brilliants. COUNTESS, THEKLA, WALLENSTEIN, DUCHESS. Coun. How sister? What already upon business, (observing the countenance of the Duchess.) And business of no pleasing kind I see, Ere he has gladden'd at his child. The first Moment belongs to joy. Here, Friedland! father! This is thy daughter. (Thekla approaches with a shy and timid air, and bends herself as about to kiss his hand, he receives her in his arms, and remains standing for some time lost in the feeling of her presence.) Wal. Yes; pure and lovely hath hope risen on me⚫ I take her as the pledge of greater fortune. Duch. 'Twas but a little child when you departed Wal. Duch. (to Thekla). Thou would'st not have recogatz'd thy father, Would'st thou, my child? She counted scarce eight years When last she saw your face. Thek. O yes, yes, mother! At the first glance !-My father is not alter'd. No feature of the image that hath liv'd So long within me ! Wal. The voice of my child! (then after a pause). I was indignant at my destiny That it denied me a man-child to be Heir of my name and of my prosperous fortune, In a proud line of princes. I wrong'd my destiny. Here upon this head, Let fall the garland of a life of war; Around these beauteous brows. (He clasps her in his arms as Piccolomini enters.) SCENE IX.-Enter MAX. PICCOLOMINI, and some time after COUNT TERTSKY, the others remaining as before. Coun. There comes the Palladin who protected us. Wal. Max.! Welcome, ever welcome! Always wert thou The morning star of my best joys! Max. My General Wal. 'Till now it was the Emperor who rewarded thee, I but the instrument. This day thou hast bound Max. My prince! You made no common hurry to transfer it. I come with shame. Yea, not without a pang! For scarce have I arriv'd here, scarce deliver'd The mother and the daughter to your arms, But there is brought to me from your equery A splendid richly plated hunting dress, So to remunerate me for my trouble——————— Yes, yes, remunerate me! Since a trouble It must be, a mere office, not a favour Which I leapt forward to receive, and which I came already with full heart to thank you for, No! 'twas not so intended, that my business Should be my highest, best good fortune? (Tertsky enters, and delivers letters to the Duke which he breaks open hurryingly.) Coun. (to Max.) Remunerate your trouble! For his joy He makes you recompence. 'Tis not unfitting So tenderly-my brother it beseems To show himself for ever great and princely. Thek. Then I too must have scruples of his love: For his munificent hands did ornament me Ere yet the father's heart had spoken to me. And making happy. (He grasps the hand of the Duchess with still increasing warmth.) How my heart pours out Its all of thanks to him: O! how I seem To utter all things in the dear name Friedland. In this name hath my destiny charm-bound me! My brother wishes us to leave him. Come. Wal. (turns himself round quickly, collects himself, and speaks with cheerfulness to the Duchess.) Once more I bid thee welcome to the camp, Thou art the hostess of this court. You, Max. Will now again administer your old office, While we perform the sovereign's business here. (Max. Piccolomini offers the Duchess his arm, the Countess accompanies the Princess.) Ter. (calling after him.) Max., we depend on seeing you at the meeting. |