(To the Countess.) And let him not Stay here too long. It might awake suspicion In the old man Coun. A truce with your precautions! [Exeunt Tertsky and Illo. SCENE III. Countess, Max. Piccolomini. Max. (peeping in on the stage shily) Aunt Tertsky! may I venture? (Advances to the middle of the stage, and looks around him with uneasiness.) She's not here! Where is she? Coun. Look but somewhat narrowly In yonder corner, lest perhaps she lie Conceal'd behind that screen. Мах. There lie her gloves! (Snatches at them, but the Countess takes them herself.) You unkind Lady! You refuse me this— You make it an amusement to torment me. Coun. And this the thanks you give me for my trouble? Max. O, if you felt the oppression at my heart! Since we've been here, so to constrain myself With such poor stealth to hazard words and glances— Coun. You have still Many new habits to acquire, young friend! But on this proof of your obedient temper Мах. Where is she? Coun. But wherefore comes she not? Into my hands you must place it Whole and entire. Whom could you find, indeed, No soul on earth must know it—not your father. Мах. Alas! what danger? Here is no face on which I might concentre O Lady! tell me. Or is it only I? Is all chang'd around me; I find myself, As among strangers! Not a trace is left Of all my former wishes, former joys. Where has it vanish'd to? There was a time When ev'n, methought, with such a world, as this, I was not discontented. Now, how flat! How stale! No life, no bloom, no flavour in it! My comrades are intolerable to me. My father-Even to him I can say nothing. They are such wearying toys! Coun. But, gentle friend! 1 must entreat it of your condescension, You would be pleas'd to sink your eye, and favour Where even now much, and of much moment, Мах. Something, I can't but know, is going forward round me. A wretched painting 'twas, yet 'twas the friend In splendour, mid extatic worshippers; Coun. Enjoy your fortune and felicity! Forget the world around you. Meantime, friendship Points you the road to full accomplishment. How long may it be since you declared your passion? * I am doubtful whether this be the dedication of the cloister, or the name of one of the city gates, near which it stood. I have translated it in the former sense; but fearful of having made some blunder, I add the original: Es ist ein Kloster hier zur Himmelspforte. Max. This morning did I hazard the first word. And gazing out upon the dreary field: Before us the dragoons were riding onward, And trembling ventur'd I at length these words: She faulter'd. I beheld a glowing red Possess her beautiful cheeks, and from the ground (The Princess Thekla appears at the door, and With instant boldness I caught her in my arms, my mouth touch'd her's; It parted us-'Twas you. What since has happened, Coun. (after a pause, with a stolen glance at Thekla) And is it your excess of modesty; Or are you so incurious, that you do not Ask me too cf my secret? Мах. Of your secret? Coun. Why, yes! When in the instant after you I stepp'd into the room, and found my niece there, What she in this first moment of the heart, Ta'en with surprise Max. (with eagerness) SCENE IV. Well? Thekla (hurries forward), Countess, Max. Piccolomini. Thek. (to the Countess) Spare yourself the trouble. My Princess! That hears he better from myself. Max. (stepping backward) What have you let her hear me say, aunt Tertsky! Coun. Where have you stay'd so long? Thek. Yes; and soon must go. Alas! my mother Wept so again! and I-I see her suffer, Yet cannot keep myself from being happy. Max. Now once again I have courage to look on you. To-day at noon I could not. The dazzle of the jewels that play'd round you Hid the beloved from me. Thek. Then you saw me With your eye only-and not with your heart? Max. This morning, when I found you in the circle Of all your kindred, in your father's arms, Beheld myself an alien in this circle, O! what an impulse felt I in that moment To fall upon his neck, to call him father! R |