Wallenstein/The Death of Wallenstein/A4S04
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SCENE IV.
Thekla, the Swedish Captain, Lady Neubrunn.
CAPTAIN. (respectfully approaching her.)
Princess—I must entreat your gentle pardon—
My inconsiderate rash speech—How could I—
Princess—I must entreat your gentle pardon—
My inconsiderate rash speech—How could I—
THEKLA. (with dignity.)
You have beheld me in my agony.
A most distressful accident occasion'd
You from a stranger to become at once
My confidant.
You have beheld me in my agony.
A most distressful accident occasion'd
You from a stranger to become at once
My confidant.
CAPTAIN.
I fear you hate my presence,
For my tongue spake a melancholy word.
I fear you hate my presence,
For my tongue spake a melancholy word.
THEKLA.
The fault is mine. Myself did wrest it from you.
The horror which came o'er me interrupted
Your tale at its commencement. May it please you,
Continue it to the end.
The fault is mine. Myself did wrest it from you.
The horror which came o'er me interrupted
Your tale at its commencement. May it please you,
Continue it to the end.
CAPTAIN.
Princess, 'twill
Renew your anguish.
Princess, 'twill
Renew your anguish.
THEKLA.
I am firm.———
I will be firm. Well—how began the engagement?
I am firm.———
I will be firm. Well—how began the engagement?
CAPTAIN.
We lay, expecting no attack, at Neustadt,
Entrench'd but insecurely in our camp,
When towards evening rose a cloud of dust
From the wood thitherward; our vanguard fled
Into the camp, and sounded the alarm.
Scarce had we mounted, ere the Pappenheimers,
Their horses at full speed, broke thro' the lines,
And leapt the trenches; but their heedless courage
Had borne them onward far before the others—
The infantry were still at distance, only
The Pappenheimers followed daringly
Their daring leader———
(Thekla betrays agitation in her gestures. The officer pauses till she makes a sign to him to proceed.)
We lay, expecting no attack, at Neustadt,
Entrench'd but insecurely in our camp,
When towards evening rose a cloud of dust
From the wood thitherward; our vanguard fled
Into the camp, and sounded the alarm.
Scarce had we mounted, ere the Pappenheimers,
Their horses at full speed, broke thro' the lines,
And leapt the trenches; but their heedless courage
Had borne them onward far before the others—
The infantry were still at distance, only
The Pappenheimers followed daringly
Their daring leader———
(Thekla betrays agitation in her gestures. The officer pauses till she makes a sign to him to proceed.)
CAPTAIN.
Both in van and flanks
With our whole cavalry we now receiv'd them,
Back to the trenches drove them, where the foot
Stretch'd out a solid ridge of pikes to meet them.
They neither could advance, nor yet retreat;
And as they stood on every side wedg'd in,
The Rhinegrave to their leader call'd aloud,
Inviting a surrender; but their leader,
Young Piccolomini———
(Thekla, as giddy, grasps a chair.)
Known by his plume,
And his long hair, gave signal for the trenches;
Himself leapt first, the regiment all plung'd after.—
His charger, by an halbert gor'd, rear'd up,
Flung him with violence off, and over him
The horses, now no longer to be curb'd,———
(Thekla, who has accompanied the last speech with all the marks of increasing agony, trembles through her whole frame, and is falling. The Lady Neubrunn runs to her, and receives her in her arms.)
Both in van and flanks
With our whole cavalry we now receiv'd them,
Back to the trenches drove them, where the foot
Stretch'd out a solid ridge of pikes to meet them.
They neither could advance, nor yet retreat;
And as they stood on every side wedg'd in,
The Rhinegrave to their leader call'd aloud,
Inviting a surrender; but their leader,
Young Piccolomini———
(Thekla, as giddy, grasps a chair.)
Known by his plume,
And his long hair, gave signal for the trenches;
Himself leapt first, the regiment all plung'd after.—
His charger, by an halbert gor'd, rear'd up,
Flung him with violence off, and over him
The horses, now no longer to be curb'd,———
(Thekla, who has accompanied the last speech with all the marks of increasing agony, trembles through her whole frame, and is falling. The Lady Neubrunn runs to her, and receives her in her arms.)
NEUBRUNN.
My dearest lady———
My dearest lady———
CAPTAIN.
I retire.
I retire.
THEKLA.
'Tis over.
Proceed to the conclusion.
'Tis over.
Proceed to the conclusion.
CAPTAIN.
Wild despair
Inspir'd the troops with frenzy when they saw
Their leader perish; every thought of rescue
Was spurn'd; they fought like wounded tygers; their
Frantic resistance rous'd our soldiery;
A murderous fight took place, nor was the contest
Finish'd before their last man fell.
Wild despair
Inspir'd the troops with frenzy when they saw
Their leader perish; every thought of rescue
Was spurn'd; they fought like wounded tygers; their
Frantic resistance rous'd our soldiery;
A murderous fight took place, nor was the contest
Finish'd before their last man fell.
THEKLA. (faltering.)
And where———
Where is—You have not told me all.
And where———
Where is—You have not told me all.
CAPTAIN. (after a pause.)
This morning
We buried him. Twelve youths of noblest birth
Did bear him to interment; the whole army
Follow'd the bier. A laurel deck'd his coffin;
The sword of the deceas'd was plac'd upon it,
In mark of honour, by the Rhinegrave's self.
Nor tears were wanting: for there are among us
Many, who had themselves experienced
The greatness of his mind, and gentle manners;
All were affected at his fate. The Rhinegrave
Would willingly have sav'd him; but himself
Made vain th' attempt—'tis said he wish'd to die.
This morning
We buried him. Twelve youths of noblest birth
Did bear him to interment; the whole army
Follow'd the bier. A laurel deck'd his coffin;
The sword of the deceas'd was plac'd upon it,
In mark of honour, by the Rhinegrave's self.
Nor tears were wanting: for there are among us
Many, who had themselves experienced
The greatness of his mind, and gentle manners;
All were affected at his fate. The Rhinegrave
Would willingly have sav'd him; but himself
Made vain th' attempt—'tis said he wish'd to die.
NEUBRUNN. (to Thekla, who has hidden her countenance.)
Look up, my dearest lady———
Look up, my dearest lady———
THEKLA.
Where is his grave?
Where is his grave?
CAPTAIN.
At Neustadt, lady; in a cloister church
Are his remains deposited, until
We can receive directions from his father.
At Neustadt, lady; in a cloister church
Are his remains deposited, until
We can receive directions from his father.
THEKLA.
What is the cloister's name?
What is the cloister's name?
CAPTAIN.
Saint Catharine's.
Saint Catharine's.
THEKLA.
And how far is it thither?
And how far is it thither?
CAPTAIN.
Near twelve leagues.
Near twelve leagues.
THEKLA.
And which the way?
And which the way?
CAPTAIN.
You go by Tirschenreit
And Falkenberg, thro' our advanced posts.
You go by Tirschenreit
And Falkenberg, thro' our advanced posts.
THEKLA.
Who
Is their commander?
Who
Is their commander?
CAPTAIN.
Colonel Seckendorf.
(Thekla steps to the table, and takes a ring from a casket.)
Colonel Seckendorf.
(Thekla steps to the table, and takes a ring from a casket.)
THEKLA.
You have beheld me in my agony,
And shewn a feeling heart. Please you, accept
(giving him the ring.)
A small memorial of this hour. Now go!
You have beheld me in my agony,
And shewn a feeling heart. Please you, accept
(giving him the ring.)
A small memorial of this hour. Now go!
CAPTAIN. (confused.)
Princess———
(Thekla silently makes signs to him to go, and turns from him. The Captain lingers, and is about to speak. Lady Neubrunn repeats the signal, and he retires.)
Princess———
(Thekla silently makes signs to him to go, and turns from him. The Captain lingers, and is about to speak. Lady Neubrunn repeats the signal, and he retires.)