Chapter 47

_A Gothic and gloomy Apartment at the_ DUCHESS FRIEDLAND'S. THEKLA _on a seat, pale, her eyes closed. The_ DUCHESS _and_ LADY NEUBRUNN _busied about her_. WALLENSTEIN _and the_ COUNTESS _in conversation_.

WALLENST.

How knew she it so soon?

COUNTESS.

She seems to have Foreboded some misfortune. The report Of an engagement, in the which had fallen A colonel of the Imperial army, frighten'd her. I saw it instantly. She flew to meet The Swedish courier, and with sudden questioning Soon wrested from him the disastrous secret. Too late we missed her, hasten'd after her, We found her lying in his arms, all pale And in a swoon.

WALLENSTEIN.

A heavy, heavy blow! And she so unprepared! Poor child! how is it?

[_Turning to the_ DUCHESS.]

Is she coming to herself?

DUCHESS.

Her eyes are opening.

COUNTESS.

She lives!

THEKLA (_looking around her_).

Where am I?

WALLENSTEIN (_steps to her, raising her up in his arms_).

Come, cheer'ly, Thekla! be my own brave girl! See, there's thy loving mother. Thou art in Thy father's arms.

THEKLA (_standing up_).

Where is he? Is he gone?

DUCHESS.

Who gone, my daughter?

THEKLA.

He--the man who utter'd That word of misery.

DUCHESS.

O! think not of it, My Thekla!

WALLENSTEIN.

Give her sorrow leave to talk! Let her complain--mingle your tears with hers, For she hath suffer'd a deep anguish; but She'll rise superior to it, for my Thekla Hath all her father's unsubdued heart.

THEKLA.

I am not ill. See, I have power to stand. Why does my mother weep? Have I alarm'd her? It is gone by--I recollect myself--

[_She casts her eyes round the room, as seeking some one._]

Where is he? Please you, do not hide him from me. You see I have strength enough: now I will hear him.

DUCHESS.

No; never shall this messenger of evil Enter again into thy presence, Thekla!

THEKLA.

My father--

WALLENSTEIN.

Dearest daughter!

THEKLA.

I'm not weak-- Shortly I shall be quite myself again. You'll grant me one request?

WALLENSTEIN.

Name it, my daughter.

THEKLA.

Permit the stranger to be called to me, And grant me leave that by myself I may Hear his report and question him.

DUCHESS.

No, never!

COUNTESS.

'Tis not advisable--assent not to it.

WALLENST.

Hush! Wherefore wouldst thou speak with him, my daughter?

THEKLA.

Knowing the whole, I shall be more collected; I will not be deceived. My mother wishes Only to spare me. I will not be spared-- The worst is said already: I can hear Nothing of deeper anguish!

COUNTESS _and_ DUCHESS.

Do it not.

THEKLA.

The horror overpower'd me by surprise. My heart betray'd me in the stranger's presence: He was a witness of my weakness, yea, I sank into his arms; and that has shamed me. I must replace myself in his esteem, And I must speak with him, perforce, that he, The stranger, may not think ungently of me.

WALLENST.

I see she is in the right, and am inclined To grant her this request of hers. Go, call him.

[LADY NEUBRUNN _goes to call him_.]

DUCHESS.

But I, thy mother, will be present--

THEKLA.

'Twere More pleasing to me, if alone I saw him; Trust me, I shall behave myself the more Collectedly.

WALLENSTEIN.

Permit her own will. Leave her alone with him: for there are sorrows Where of necessity the soul must be Its own support. A strong heart will rely On its own strength alone. In her own bosom, Not in her mother's arms, must she collect The strength to rise superior to this blow. It is mine own brave girl. I'll have her treated Not as a woman, but the heroine. [_Going_.]

COUNTESS (_detaining him_).

Where art thou going? I heard Terzky say That 'tis _thy_ purpose to depart from hence Tomorrow early, but to leave us here.

WALLENST.

Yes, ye stay here, placed under the protection Of gallant men.

COUNTESS.

O take us with you, brother. Leave us not in this gloomy solitude To brood o'er anxious thoughts. The mists of doubt Magnify evils to a shape of horror.

WALLENST.

Who speaks of evil? I entreat you, sister, Use words of better omen.

COUNTESS.

Then take us with you. O leave us not behind you in a place That forces us to such sad omens. Heavy And sick within me is my heart-- These walls breathe on me, like a church-yard vault. I cannot tell you, brother, how this place Doth go against my nature. Take us with you. Come, sister, join you your entreaty! Niece, Yours too. We all entreat you, take us with you!

WALLENST.

The place's evil omens will I change, Making it that which shields and shelters for me My best beloved.

LADY NEUBRUNN (_returning_).

The Swedish officer.

WALLENST.

Leave her alone with him.

DUCHESS (_to_ THEKLA, _who starts and shivers_).

There--pale as death! Child, 'tis impossible That thou shouldst speak with him. Follow thy mother.

THEKLA.

The Lady Neubrunn then may stay with me.

[_Exeunt_ DUCHESS _and_ COUNTESS.]