Wallenstein/The Death of Wallenstein/A1S02
SCENE II.
The Countess, Thekla.
COUNTESS.It does not please me, Princess! that he holdsHimself so still, exactly at this time.
THEKLA.Exactly at this time?
COUNTESS.He now knows all.'Twere now the moment to declare himself.
THEKLA.If I'm to understand you, speak less darkly.
COUNTESS.'Twas for that purpose that I bade her leave us. Thekla, you are no more a child. Your heartIs no more in nonage: for you love,And boldness dwells with love—that you have prov'd.Your nature moulds itself upon your father'sMore than your mother's spirit. Therefore may youHear, what were too much for her fortitude.
THEKLA.Enough! no further preface, I intreat you.At once, out with it! Be it what it may,It is not possible that it should torture meMore than this introduction. What have youTo say to me? Tell me the whole, and briefly!
COUNTESS.You'll not be frightened—
THEKLA.Name it, I intreat you.
COUNTESS.It lies within your power to do your fatherA weighty service—
THEKLA.Lies within my power.
COUNTESS.Max. Piccolomini loves you. You can link himIndissolubly to your father.
THEKLA.I?What need of me for that? And is he notAlready link'd to him?
COUNTESS.He was.
THEKLA.And whereforeShould he not be so now—not be so always?
COUNTESS.He cleaves to th' Emp'ror too.
THEKLA.Not more than dutyAnd honour may demand of him.
COUNTESS.We askProofs of his love, and not proofs of his honour.Duty and honour!Those are ambiguous words with many meanings.You should interpret them for him: his loveShould be the sole definer of his honour.
THEKLA.How?
COUNTESS.Th' Emperor or you must he renounce.
THEKLA.He will accompany my father gladlyIn his retirement. From himself you heard,How much he wish'd to lay aside the sword.
COUNTESS.He must not lay the sword aside, we mean;He must unsheath it in your father's cause.
THEKLA.He'll spend with gladness and alacrityHis life, his heart's blood in my father's cause,If shame or injury be intended him.
COUNTESS.You will not understand me. Well, hear then!Your father has fallen off from the Emperor,And is about to join the enemyWith the whole soldiery—
THEKLA.Alas, my mother!
COUNTESS.There needs a great example to draw onThe army after him. The PiccolominiPossess the love and rev'rence of the troops;They govern all opinions, and whereverThey lead the way, none hesitate to follow.The son secures the father to our interests—You've much in your hands at this moment.
THEKLA.Ah,My miserable mother! what a death-strokeAwaits thee!—No! she never will survive it.
COUNTESS.She will accommodate her soul to thatWhich is and must be. I do know your mother.The far-off future weighs upon her heartWith torture of anxiety; but is itUnalterably, actually present,She soon resigns herself, and bears it calmly.
THEKLA.O my fore-boding bosom! Even now,E'en now 'tis here, that icy hand of horror!And my young hope lies shuddering in its grasp.I knew it well—no sooner had I enter'd,An heavy ominous presentimentRevealed to me, that spirits of death were hov'ringOver my happy fortune. But why think IFirst of myself? My mother! O my mother!
COUNTESS.Calm yourself! Break not out in vain lamenting!Preserve you for your father the firm friend,And for yourself the lover, all will yetProve good and fortunate.
THEKLA.Prove good? What good?Must we not part; part ne'er to meet again?
COUNTESS.He parts not from you! He can not part from you.
THEKLA.Alas for his sore anguish! It will rendHis heart asunder.
COUNTESS.If indeed he loves you,His resolution will be speedily taken.
THEKLA.His resolution will be speedily taken—O do not doubt of that! A resolution!Does there remain one to be taken?
COUNTESS.Hush!Collect yourself! I hear your mother coming.
THEKLA.How shall I bear to see her?
COUNTESS.Collect yourself.