Jump to content

Wallenstein/The Death of Wallenstein/A4S03

From Wikisource
4422927Wallenstein — The Death of Wallenstein: Act 4, Scene IIISamuel Taylor ColeridgeJohann Christoph Friedrich von Schiller

SCENE III.

Scene, a gothic and gloomy Apartment at the Duchess Friedland's. Thekla on a seat, pale, her eyes closed. The Duchess and Lady Neubrunn busied about her. Wallenstein and the Countess in conservation.
WALLENSTEIN.How knew she it so soon?
COUNTESS.She seems to haveForeboded some misfortune. The reportOf an engagement, in the which had fallenA Colonel of the Imperial Army, frighten'd her.I saw it instantly. She flew to meetThe Swedish Courier, and with sudden questioning,Soon wrested from him the disastrous secret.Too late we miss'd her, hastened after her,We found her lying in his arms, all paleAnd in a swoon.
WALLENSTEIN.A heavy, heavy blow!And she so unprepar'd! Poor child! How is it?(turning to the Duchess.)Is she coming to herself?
DUCHESS.Her eyes are opening.
COUNTESS.She lives.
THEKLA. (looking round her.)Where am I?
WALLENSTEIN. (steps to her, raising her up in his arms.)Come cheerly, Thekla! be my own brave girlSee, there's thy loving mother. Thou art inThy father's arms.
THEKLA. (standing up.)Where is he? Is he gone?
DUCHESS.Who gone, my daughter?
THEKLA. He—the man who utter'd That word of misery.
DUCHESS. O! think not of it, My Thekla!
WALLENSTEIN. Give her sorrow leave to talk! Let her complain—mingle your tears with her's, For she hath suffer'd a deep anguish; but She'll rise superior to it, for my Thekla Hath all her father's unsubdued heart.
THEKLA. I am not ill. See, I have power to stand. Why does my mother weep? Have I alarm'd her? It is gone by-I recollect myself. (she casts her eyes round the room, as seeking some one.)Where is he? Please you, do not hide him from me. You see, I have strength enough: now I will hear him.
DUCHESS. No, never shall this messenger of evil Enter again into thy presence, Thekla!
THEKLA.My father-
WALLENSTEIN.Dearest daughter!
THEKLA.I'm not weak—Shortly I shall be quite myself again.You'll grant me one request?
WALLENSTEIN.Name it, my daughter.
THEKLA.Permit the stranger to be call'd to me,And grant me leave, that by myself I mayHear his report and question him.
DUCHESS.No, never!
COUNTESS.'Tis not adviseable—assent not to it.
WALLENSTEIN.Hush! Wherefore would'st thou speak with him, my daughter?
THEKLA.Knowing the whole, I shall be more collected;I will not be deceiv'd. My mother wishesOnly to spare me. I will not be spar'd.The worst is said already: I can hearNothing of deeper anguish!
COUNTESS and DUCHESS.Do it not.
THEKLA.The horror overpower'd me by surprize.My heart betray'd me in the stranger's presence;He was a witness of my weakness, yea, I sank into his arms; and that has sham'd 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 inclin'dTo grant her this request of her's. Go, call him.(Lady Neubrunn goes to call him.)
DUCHESS.But I, thy mother, will be present—
THEKLA.'TwereMore pleasing to me, if alone I saw him:Trust me, I shall behave myself the moreCollectedly.
WALLENSTEIN.Permit her her own will.Leave her alone with him: for there are sorrows,Where of necessity the soul must beIts own support. A strong heart will relyOn its own strength alone. In her own bosom,Not in her mother's arms, must she collectThe strength to rise superior to this blow.It is mine own brave girl. I'll have her treatedNot as the woman, but the heroine.(going.)
COUNTESS. (detaining him.)Where art thou going? I heard Tertsky sayThat 'tis thy purpose to depart from henceTo-morrow early, but to leave us here.
WALLENSTEIN.Yes, ye stay here, plac'd under the protectionOf gallant men.
COUNTESS.O take us with you, brother.Leave us not in this gloomy solitudeTo brood o'er anxious thoughts. The mists of doubtMagnify 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.O leave us not behind you in a placeThat forces us to such sad omens. HeavyAnd sick within me is my heart——These walls breathe on me, like a church-yard vault.I cannot tell you, brother, how this placeDoth go against my nature. Take us with you.Come, sister, join you your entreaty!—Niece,Your's 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 meMy best-belov'd.
LADY NEUBRUNN. (returning)The Swedish officer.
WALLENSTEIN.[Exit.Leave her alone with him.
DUCHESS. (to Thekla, who starts and shivers)There—pale as death!—Child, 'tis impossibleThat thou should'st speak with him. Follow thy mother.
THEKLA.The Lady Neubrunn then may stay with me.[Exeunt Duchess and Countess.