Wallenstein/The Death of Wallenstein/A1S12
SCENE XII.
Countess, Duchess, Thekla.
THEKLA. (endeavouring to hold back the Duchess.)Dear mother, do stay here!
DUCHESS.No! Here is yetSome frightful mystery that is hidden from me.Why does my sister shun me? Don't I see herFull of suspense and anguish roam aboutFrom room to room?—Art thou not full of terror?And what import these silent nods and gesturesWhich stealthwise thou exchangest with her?
THEKLA.Nothing;Nothing, dear mother!
DUCHESS. (to the Countess.)Sister, I will know.
COUNTESS.What boots it now to hide it from her? SoonerOr later she must learn to hear and bear it.'Tis not the time now to indulge infirmity, Courage beseems us now, a heart collect,And exercise and previous disciplineOf fortitude. One word, and over with it! Sister, you are deluded. You believe,The Duke has been depos'd—The Duke is notDepos'd—he is———
THEKLA. (going to the Countess.)What? do you wish to kill her?
COUNTESS.The Duke is———
THEKLA. (Throwing her arms round her mother.)O stand firm! stand firm, my mother!
COUNTESS.Revolted is the Duke, he is preparingTo join the enemy, the army leave him,And all has fail'd.(During these words the Duchess totters, andfalls in a fainting-fit into the arms of herdaughter. While Thekla is calling for help,the curtain drops.)
END OF ACT I.