Part 155 (1/2)

WALLENSTEIN.

Well!

d.u.c.h.eSS.

Of a second---- (catches her voice and hesitates.)

WALLENSTEIN.

Second----

d.u.c.h.eSS.

Most disgraceful Dismission.

WALLENSTEIN.

Talk they?

[Strides across the chamber in vehement agitation.

Oh! they force, they thrust me With violence, against my own will, onward!

d.u.c.h.eSS (presses near him in entreaty).

Oh! if there yet be time, my husband, if By giving way and by submission, this Can be averted--my dear Lord, give way!

Win down your proud heart to it! Tell the heart, It is your sovereign lord, your emperor, Before whom you retreat. Oh! no longer Low trickling malice blacken your good meaning With abhorred venomous glosses. Stand you up s.h.i.+elded and helmed and weaponed with the truth, And drive before you into uttermost shame These slanderous liars! Few firm friends have we-- You know it! The swift growth of our good fortune It hath but set us up a mark for hatred.

What are we, if the sovereign's grace and favor Stand not before us!

SCENE III.

Enter the Countess TERZKY, leading in her hand the Princess THEKLA, richly adorned with brilliants.

COUNTESS, TEKLA, WALLENSTEIN, d.u.c.h.eSS.

COUNTESS.

How sister? What, already upon business?

[Observing the countenance of the d.u.c.h.eSS.

And business of no pleasing kind I see, Ere he has gladdened at his child. The first Moment belongs to joy. Here, Friedland! father!

This is thy daughter.

[THEKLA approaches with a shy and timid air, and bends herself as about to kiss his hand. He receives her in his arms, and remains standing for some time lost in the feeling of her presence.

WALLENSTEIN.

Yes! pure and lovely hath hope risen on me, I take her as the pledge of greater fortune.

d.u.c.h.eSS.

'Twas but a little child when you departed To raise up that great army for the emperor And after, at the close of the campaign, When you returned home out of Pomerania, Your daughter was already in the convent, Wherein she has remained till now.

WALLENSTEIN.

The while We in the field here gave our cares and toils To make her great, and fight her a free way To the loftiest earthly good; lo! mother Nature Within the peaceful, silent convent walls, Has done her part, and out of her free grace Hath she bestowed on the beloved child The G.o.d-like; and now leads her thus adorned To meet her splendid fortune, and my hope.

d.u.c.h.eSS (to THEKLA).

Thou wouldst not now have recognized thy father, Wouldst thou, my child? She counted scarce eight years When last she saw your face.

THEKLA.