My father's guilt drags with it to perdition. My destiny will quickly be decided. (Max. clasps her in his arms in extreme emotion. There is heard from behind the Scene a loud, wild, long continued cry-Vivat Ferdinandus, accompanied by warlike instruments. Мах. and Thekla remain without motion in each others embraces.) SCENE X. To these enter Tertsky. Coun. (meeting him) What meant that cry? What Ter. was it? All is lost! Coun. What! they regarded not his countenance? Ter. 'Twas all in vain. Duch. They shouted vivat! Ter. Coun. The traitors! Ter To the Emperor. Nay! he was not once permitted Even to address them. Soon as he began, With deafening noise of warlike instruments They drown'd his words. But here he comes. Wal. The governor at Egra is your friend Wal. (steps between Max. and Thekla, who have remained during this time in each others arms.) Мах. Part! (Cuirassiers enter with drawn swords, and assemble in the back-ground. At the same time there are heard from below some spirited passages out of the Pappenheim march, which seem to address Мах.) Wal. (to the cuirassiers) Here he is, he is at liberty: I keep him No longer. (He turns away, and stands so that Max. cannot pass by him nor approach the Princess.) Max. Thou know'st that I have not yet learnt to live Without thee! I go forth into a desert, Leaving my all behind me. O do not turn Thine eyes away from me! O once more show me Thy ever dear and honour'd countenance. (Max. attempts to take his hand, but is repelled; he turns to the Countess.) Is there no eye that has a look of pity for me? (The Countess turns away from him; he turns to the Duchess.) My mother! Duch. Go where duty calls you. Haply The time may come, when you may prove to us Of the Emperor. Мах. You give me hope; you would not Suffer me wholly to despair. No! No! Mine is a certain misery-Thanks to heaven That offers me a means of ending it. (The military music begins again. The stage fills more and more with armed men. Butler, and addresses him.) And you here, Colonel Butler-and will you Max. sees Not follow me? Well, then, remain more faithful Fair booty for each slave that trades in murder. Illo. (casting suspicious looks on Illo and Butler,) In Galas', in your father's quarters. Here (Max. attempts once more to approach Thekla. Max. Blow, blow! 0 were it but the Swedish Trumpets, And all the naked swords, which I see here, Were plunged into my breast! What purpose you? (the stage is entirely filled with armed men.) (He turns to the back-ground, there ensues a sudden ACT III. Scene, the Burgomaster's House at Egra. SCENE I. But. (just arrived,) Here then he is, by his destiny conducted. Here, Friedland, and no farther! From Bohemia And here upon the borders of Bohemia Must sink. Thou hast forsworn the ancient colours, Blind man! yet trustest to thy ancient fortunes. Profaner of the altar and the hearth, Against thy Emperor and fellow-citizens Thou mean'st to wage the war. Friedland, beware The evil spirit of revenge impels thee Beware, thou, that revenge destroy thee not. Gor. Is it you? SCENE II. Butler and Gordon. How my heart sinks! The Duke a fugitive traitor ! His princely head attainted! O my God! But. You have receiv'd the letter which I sent you By a post courier. Gor. Yes! and in obedience to it |