The Complete Poetical Works of Samuel Taylor Coleridge Volume II Part 90

[26] _did_ 1800.

[39] _Wallenstein (with eager expectation)._ Well? 1800, 1828, 1829.

[42] _Illo (stamping with his foot)._ d.a.m.nation! 1800, 1828, 1829.

[48] _is_ 1800, 1828, 1829.

SCENE XI

_Countess Tertsky (enters from a side room)._ I can endure no longer. No! [_Looks around her._ Where are they?

No one is here. They leave me all alone, Alone in this sore anguish of suspense.

And I must wear the outward shew of calmness Before my sister, and shut in within me 5 The pangs and agonies of my crowded bosom.

It is not to be borne.--If all should fail; If--if he must go over to the Swedes, An empty-handed fugitive, and not As an ally, a covenanted equal, 10 A proud commander with his army following; If we must wander on from land to land, Like the Count Palatine, of fallen greatness An ignominious monument--But no!

That day I will not see! And could himself 15 Endure to sink so low, I would not bear To see him so low sunken.

SCENE XII

_COUNTESS, d.u.c.h.eSS, THEKLA._

_Thekla (endeavouring to hold back the d.u.c.h.ess)._ Dear mother, do stay here!

_d.u.c.h.ess._ No! Here is yet Some frightful mystery that is hidden from me.

Why does my sister shun me? Don't I see her Full of suspense and anguish roam about From room to room?--Art thou not full of terror? 5 And what import these silent nods and gestures Which stealthwise thou exchangest with her?

_Thekla._ Nothing: Nothing, dear Mother!

_d.u.c.h.ess (to the Countess)._ Sister, I will know.

_Countess._ What boots it now to hide it from her? Sooner Or later she must learn to hear and bear it. 10 'Tis not the time now to indulge infirmity, Courage beseems us now, a heart collected, And exercise and previous discipline Of fort.i.tude. One word, and over with it!

Sister, you are deluded. You believe, 15 The Duke has been deposed--The Duke is not Deposed--he is----

_Thekla (going to the Countess)._ What? do you wish to kill her?

_Countess._ The Duke is----

_Thekla (throwing her arms round her mother)._ O stand firm! stand firm, my mother!

_Countess._ Revolted is the Duke, he is preparing 20 To join the enemy, the army leave him, And all has failed.

LINENOTES:

[10] _must_ 1800, 1828, 1829.

[12] collected] collect 1800, 1828, 1829.

[After 22] [_During these words the d.u.c.h.eSS totters, and falls in a fainting fit into the arms of her daughter. While THEKLA is calling for help, the curtain drops._ 1800, 1828, 1829.

ACT II

SCENE I

SCENE--_A s.p.a.cious Room in the DUKE OF FRIEDLAND'S Palace._

_Wallenstein (in armour)._ Thou hast gained thy point, Octavio! Once more am I Almost as friendless as at Regenspurg.

There I had nothing left me, but myself-- But what one man can do, you have now experience.

The twigs have you hewed off, and here I stand 5 A leafless trunk. But in the sap within Lives the creating power, and a new world May sprout forth from it. Once already have I Proved myself worth an army to you--I alone!

Before the Swedish strength your troops had melted; 10 Beside the Lech sank Tilly, your last hope; Into Bavaria, like a winter torrent, Did that Gustavus pour, and at Vienna In his own palace did the Emperor tremble.

Soldiers were scarce, for still the mult.i.tude 15 Follow the luck: all eyes were turned on me, Their helper in distress; the Emperor's pride Bowed itself down before the man he had injured.

'Twas I must rise, and with creative word a.s.semble forces in the desolate camps. 20 I did it. Like a G.o.d of war, my name Went through the world. The drum was beat--and, lo!

The plough, the work-shop is forsaken, all Swarm to the old familiar long-loved banners; And as the wood-choir rich in melody 25 a.s.semble quick around the bird of wonder, When first his throat swells with his magic song, So did the warlike youth of Germany Crowd in around the image of my eagle.

I feel myself the being that I was. 30 It is the soul that builds itself a body, And Friedland's camp will not remain unfilled.

Lead then your thousands out to meet me--true!

They are accustomed under me to conquer, But not against me. If the head and limbs 35 Separate from each other, 'twill be soon Made manifest, in which the soul abode.

(_ILLO and TERTSKY enter._)

Courage, friends! Courage! We are still unvanquished; I feel my footing firm; five regiments, Tertsky, Are still our own, and Butler's gallant troops; 40 And a host of sixteen thousand Swedes to-morrow.

I was not stronger, when nine years ago I marched forth, with glad heart and high of hope, To conquer Germany for the Emperor.

LINENOTES:

[11] sank] sunk 1800, 1828, 1829.

SCENE II

_WALLENSTEIN, ILLO, TERTSKY. (To them enter NEUMANN, who leads TERTSKY aside, and talks with him.)_

_Tertsky._ What do they want?

_Wallenstein._ What now?

_Tertsky._ Ten Cuira.s.siers From Pappenheim request leave to address you In the name of the regiment.

_Wallenstein (hastily to Neumann)._ Let them enter.

[_Exit NEUMANN._

This May end in something. Mark you. They are still Doubtful, and may be won. 5