Well, let it be. I have long thought of it, So let it burst then. (Turns to Max.) Well, how is it with thee? Wilt thou attempt a heat with me. Away! Front against front, and lead them to the battle; Thou'rt skill'd in war, thou hast learn'd somewhat under me; I need not be asham'd of my opponent, And never hadst thou fairer opportunity Coun. Is it then, Can it have come to this?-What! cousin, cousin! Max. The regiments that are trusted to my care (Two reports of cannon; Illo and Tertsky hurry Your messenger. Wal. (starting up) Ha! Death and hell! I will Ter. Expose thyself to their blind frenzy ? Not yet! This rash and bloody deed has thrown them Into a frenzy-fit-allow them time Wal. Away! too long already have I loiter'd. Are they not my troops? Am I not their general, That countenance, which was their sun in battle! To these rebellious forces, and at once Revolt is mounded, and the high-swoln current [Exit Wallenstein; Illo, Tertsky, and Butler follow. SCENE IX. Countess, Duchess, Max., and Thekla Coun. (to the Duchess) Let them but see him-there is hope still, sister. Duch. Hope! I have none ! Max. (who during the last scene has been standing at a distance in a visible struggle of feelings, advances,) This can I not endure. With most determin'd soul did I come hither, On my own heart. My mind moves to and fro- Coun. What! you know not? Of infamy, a common form of cursing To the posterity of Wallenstein. Max. Where is that voice of truth which I dare follow ? It speaks no longer in my heart. We all What other angel seek I? To this heart, Will ask thy love, which has the power to bless From the disquieted and guilty-canst thou Max. I did not question thee as Friedland's daughter. Thee, the beloved, and the unerring god Within thy heart, I question. What's at stake? Be to be won or no-that mightst thou think on. It lives, a spirit passes into it, The avenging furies seize possession of it, And with sure malice guide it the worst way. Thek. O! Max. Max. (interrupting her,) Nay, not precipitately either, Thekla. I understand thee. To thy noble heart The hardest duty might appear the highest. Think what the Duke has done for me, how lov'd me, And think, too, how my father has repay'd him. O likewise the free lovely impulses Of hospitality, the pious friend's Faithful attachment, these, too, are a holy Religion to the heart; and heavily The shudderings of nature do avenge Themselves on the barbarian that insults them. Lay all upon the balance, all-then speak, And let thy heart decide it. Thek. O, thy own Hath long ago decided. Follow thou Thy heart's first feeling Coun. Oh! ill-fated woman! Thek. Is it possible, that that can be the right, The which thy tender heart did not at first Detect and seize with instant impulse? Go, Fulfil thy duty! I should ever love thee. Whate'er thou hadst chosen, thou would'st still have acted Nobly and worthy of thee-but repentance Shall ne'er disturb thy soul's fair peace. Мах. Then I Being faithful Must leave thee, must part from thee! Thek. To thine own self, thou art faithful, too, to me; If our fates part, our hearts remain united. A bloody hatred will divide for ever The houses, Piccolomini and Friedland; Quick! quick! and separate thy righteous cause From our unholy and unblessed one! The curse of heaven lies upon our head; |