Part 205 (1/2)

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; And if thou dost not instantly deliver him, They will find means to free him with the sword.

[All stand amazed.

TERZKY.

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.

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 forever.

TERZKY.

It can't be.

His father has betrayed us, is gone over To the emperor--the son could not have ventured To stay behind.

THEKLA (her eye fixed on the door).

There he is!

SCENE XVIII.

To these enter MAX. PICCOLOMINI.

MAX.

Yes, here he is! I can endure no longer To creep on tiptoe round this house, and lurk In ambush for a favorable moment: This loitering, this suspense exceeds my powers.

[Advancing to THEKLA, who has thrown herself into her mother's arms.

Turn not thine eyes away. O look upon me!

Confess it freely before all. Fear no one.

Let who will hear that we both love each other.

Wherefore continue to conceal it? Secrecy Is for the happy--misery, hopeless misery, Needeth no veil! Beneath a thousand suns It dares act openly.

[He observes the COUNTESS looking on THEKLA with expressions of triumph.

No, lady! No!

Expect not, hope it not. I am not come To stay: to bid farewell, farewell forever.

For this I come! 'Tis over! I must leave thee!

Thekla, I must--must leave thee! Yet thy hatred Let me not take with me. I pray thee, grant me One look of sympathy, only one look.

Say that thou dost not hate me. Say it to me, Thekla!

[Grasps her hand.

O G.o.d! I cannot leave this spot--I cannot!

Cannot let go this hand. O tell me, Thekla!

That thou dost suffer with me, art convinced That I cannot act otherwise.

[THEKLA, avoiding his look, points with her hand to her father.