Wallenstein/The Death of Wallenstein/A4S04
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—
THEKLA. (with dignity.)You have beheld me in my agony.A most distressful accident occasion'dYou from a stranger to become at onceMy confidant.
CAPTAIN.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 interruptedYour tale at its commencement. May it please you,Continue it to the end.
CAPTAIN.Princess, 'twillRenew your anguish.
THEKLA.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 dustFrom the wood thitherward; our vanguard fledInto 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 courageHad borne them onward far before the others—The infantry were still at distance, onlyThe Pappenheimers followed daringlyTheir 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 flanksWith our whole cavalry we now receiv'd them,Back to the trenches drove them, where the footStretch'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 himThe 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———
CAPTAIN.I retire.
THEKLA.'Tis over.Proceed to the conclusion.
CAPTAIN.Wild despairInspir'd the troops with frenzy when they sawTheir leader perish; every thought of rescueWas spurn'd; they fought like wounded tygers; theirFrantic resistance rous'd our soldiery;A murderous fight took place, nor was the contestFinish'd before their last man fell.
THEKLA. (faltering.)And where———Where is—You have not told me all.
CAPTAIN. (after a pause.)This morningWe buried him. Twelve youths of noblest birthDid bear him to interment; the whole armyFollow'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 usMany, who had themselves experiencedThe greatness of his mind, and gentle manners;All were affected at his fate. The RhinegraveWould willingly have sav'd him; but himselfMade vain th' attempt—'tis said he wish'd to die.
NEUBRUNN. (to Thekla, who has hidden her countenance.)Look up, my dearest lady———
THEKLA.Where is his grave?
CAPTAIN.At Neustadt, lady; in a cloister churchAre his remains deposited, untilWe can receive directions from his father.
THEKLA.What is the cloister's name?
CAPTAIN.Saint Catharine's.
THEKLA.And how far is it thither?
CAPTAIN.Near twelve leagues.
THEKLA.And which the way?
CAPTAIN.You go by TirschenreitAnd Falkenberg, thro' our advanced posts.
THEKLA.Who Is their commander?
CAPTAIN.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!
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.)