Chapter 69

_To these enter the DUCHESS, who rushes into the Chamber. THEKLA and the COUNTESS follow her._

_Duchess._ O Albrecht! What hast thou done?

_Wallenstein._ And now comes this beside.

_Countess._ Forgive me, brother! It was not in my power. They know all.

_Duchess._ What hast thou done?

_Countess (to Tertsky)._ Is there no hope? Is all lost utterly? 5

_Tertsky._ All lost. No hope. Prague in the Emperor's hands, The soldiery have ta'en their oaths anew.

_Countess._ That lurking hypocrite. Octavio! Count Max is off too?

_Tertsky._ Where can he be? He's Gone over to the Emperor with his father. 10

[_THEKLA rushes out into the arms of her mother, hiding her face in her bosom._

_Duchess (enfolding her in her arms)._ Unhappy child! and more unhappy mother!

_Wallenstein (aside to Tertsky)._ Quick! Let a carriage stand in readiness In the court behind the palace. Scherfenberg Be their attendant; he is faithful to us; To Egra he'll conduct them, and we follow. 15

[_To ILLO, who returns._

Thou hast not brought them back?

_Illo._ Hear'st thou the uproar? The whole corps of the Pappenheimers is Drawn out: the younger Piccolomini, Their colonel, they require; for they affirm, That he is in the palace here, a prisoner; 20 And if thou dost not instantly deliver him, They will find means to free him with the sword.

_Tertsky._ What shall we make of this?

_Wallenstein._ Said I not so? O my prophetic heart! he is still here. He has not betrayed me--he could not betray me. 25 I never doubted of it.

_Countess._ If he be Still here, then all goes well; for I know what

[_Embracing THEKLA._

Will keep him here for ever.

_Tertsky._ It can't be. His father has betrayed us, is gone over To the Emperor--the son could not have ventured 30 To stay behind.

_Thekla (her eye fixed on the door)._ There he is!

LINENOTES:

[9] _he_ 1800.

[After 22] [_All stand amazed._ 1800, 1828, 1829.