Part 209 (1/2)

[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 d.u.c.h.eSS.

My mother!

d.u.c.h.eSS.

Go where duty calls you. Haply The time may come when you may prove to us A true friend, a good angel at the throne Of the emperor.

MAX.

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. MAX. sees BUTLER and addresses him.

And you here, Colonel Butler--and will you Not follow me? Well, then, remain more faithful To your new lord, than you have proved yourself To the emperor. Come, Butler! promise me.

Give me your hand upon it, that you'll be The guardian of his life, its s.h.i.+eld, its watchman.

He is attainted, and his princely head Fair booty for each slave that trades in murder.

Now he doth need the faithful eye of friends.h.i.+p, And those whom here I see----

[Casting suspicious looks on ILLO and BUTLER.

ILLO.

Go--seek for traitors In Gallas', in your father's quarters. Here Is only one. Away! away! and free us From his detested sight! Away!

[MAX. attempts once more to approach THERLA. WALLENSTEIN prevents him. MAX. stands irresolute, and in apparent anguish, In the meantime the stage fills more and more; and the horns sound from below louder and louder, and each time after a shorter interval.

MAX.

Blow, blow! Oh, were it but the Swedish trumpets, And all the naked swords, which I see here, Were plunged into my breast! What purpose you?

You come to tear me from this place! Beware, Ye drive me not to desperation. Do it not!

Ye may repent it!

[The stage is entirely filled with armed men.

Yet more! weight upon weight to drag me down Think what ye're doing. It is not well done To choose a man despairing for your leader; You tear me from my happiness. Well, then, I dedicate your souls to vengeance. Mark!

For your own ruin you have chosen me Who goes with me must be prepared to perish.

[He turns to the background; there ensues a sudden and violent movement among the CUIRa.s.sIERS; they surround him, and carry him off in wild tumult. WALLENSTEIN remains immovable. THERLA sinks into her mother's arms. The curtain falls. The music becomes loud and overpowering, and pa.s.ses into a complete war-march--the orchestra joins it--and continues during the interval between the second and third acts.

ACT IV.

SCENE I.

The BURGOMASTER's house at Egra.

BUTLER (just arrived).

Here then he is by his destiny conducted.

Here, Friedland! and no further! From Bohemia Thy meteor rose, traversed the sky awhile, And here upon the borders of Bohemia Must sink.

Thou hast forsworn the ancient colors, Blind man! yet trustest to thy ancient fortunes.