He can no longer trust me Then no longer Vicegerent. Go, conduct your Gustave Wrangel To my state cabinet. - Myself will speak A servant for Octavio Piccolomini. [TO TERTSKY. [To the COUNTESS, who cannot conceal her triumph. No exultation-woman, triumph not! For jealous are the Powers of Destiny. Joy premature, and Shouts ere victory, Incroach upon their rights and privileges. We sow the seed and they the growth determine. [Exit FRIDOLIN. BY SCHILLER. (Bulwer's Translation.) A HARMLESS lad was Fridolin, A pious youth was he; He served, and sought her grace to win. And gentle was the dame as fair, Soon as the early morning shone, For her sweet hest he lived alone, But then his eyes would overflow. . . It seemed a sin if strength could swerve And so of all her house, the dame Most favored him always; And from her lips forever came His unexhausted praise. On him, more like some gentle child, For this, the Huntsman Robert's heart And long, till ripened into art, The hateful envy nursed. His lord was rash of thought and deed: "Your lot, great Count, in truth is fair, He who a noble spouse can claim, Her truth no villain arts ensnare The smooth seducer comes not there." "How now! - bold man, what sayest thou?" The frowning Count replied "Think'st thou I build on woman's vow, Unstable as the tide ? "Right!" quoth the other, " and your scorn Who though a simple vassal born, Who buoys his heart with rash desires, "Surely; ean that to all revealed Be all unknown to you? "How! Out burst the Count, with gasping breath, "My lord, I speak of Fridolin! "His face is comely to behold—” He adds - then paused with art. The Count grew hot- the Count grew cold The words had pierced his heart. "My gracious master sure must see That only in her eyes lives he; Behind your board he stands unheeding, Confessed the frantic thought." No doubt the Countess, soft and tender, And I repent the babbling word That 'scaped my lips - What ails my lord?" Straight to a wood, in scorn and shame, Away Count Savern rode, Where, in the soaring furnace-flame, Here, late and early, still the brand Their strength the Fire, the Water gave, In interleagued endeavor; The mill wheel, whirled amidst the wave, Here, day and night, resounds the clamor, And, suppled in that ceaseless storm, Iron to iron stamps a form. And hied they, with the bellows' breath, The huntsman seeks the page-God wot, Thy lord hath need of thee!" "It shall be done "—and to the task He hies without delay. Had she no hest? - 'twere well to ask, So, wending backward at the thought, "Ere I go to the forge, I have come to thee: Hast thou any commands by the road for me?" "I fain," thus spake that lady fair, In winsome tone and low, Forth on the welcome task he wends, To and fro the church bell, swinging, He thought, "Seek God upon thy way, He gains the House of Prayer to pray, It was the Harvest's merry reign, At once the good resolve he takes, "No halt," quoth he, "the footstep makes, That doth but heavenward swerve!" So, on the priest, with humble soul, Now, as the ministrant, before The priest he took his stand; Tinkling, as the sanctus fell, Thrice at each holy name, the bell. Now the meek priest, bending lowly, Rears the cross divine. While the clear bell, lightly swinging, That boy-sacristan is ringing; Strike their breasts, and down inclining, Kneel the crowd, the symbol signing. Still in every point excelling, With a quick and nimble art Every custom in that dwelling Knew the boy by heart! |