The Complete Poetical Works of Samuel Taylor Coleridge Volume II Part 105

[_Exeunt BUTLER through one door, MACDONALD and DEVEREUX through the other._

LINENOTES:

[13] _thinking_ 1800, 1828, 1829.

[Before 16] _Butler (appeased)._ 1800, 1828, 1829.

[28] _words_ 1800, 1828, 1829.

[42] _Both (starting back)._ 1800, 1828, 1829.

[45] thee, Macdonald] the Macdonald 1800.

[65] _Devereux (hesitates)._ The Pestalutz-- 1800, 1828, 1829.

[69] _must_ 1800, 1828, 1829.

[70] _will_ 1800, 1828, 1829.

[Before 72] _Devereux (after some reflection)._ 1800, 1828, 1829.

[120] _him_ 1800, 1828, 1829.

[121] _Butler (starting up)._ What? 1800, 1828, 1829.

[122] flash] slash 1800, 1828, 1829.

SCENE III

SCENE--_A Gothic Apartment at the d.u.c.h.eSS FRIEDLAND'S. THEKLA on a seat, pale, her eyes closed. The d.u.c.h.eSS and LADY NEUBRUNN busied about her.

WALLENSTEIN and the COUNTESS in conversation._

_Wallenstein._ 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 5 The Swedish Courier, and with sudden questioning, Soon wrested from him the disastrous secret.

Too late we missed her, hastened after her, We found her lying in his arms, all pale And in a swoon.

_Wallenstein._ A heavy, heavy blow! 10 And she so unprepared! Poor child! How is it?

[_Turning to the d.u.c.h.eSS._

Is she coming to herself?

_d.u.c.h.ess._ 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, cheerly, Thekla! be my own brave girl!

See, there's thy loving mother. Thou art in 15 Thy father's arms.

_Thekla (standing up)._ Where is he? Is he gone?

_d.u.c.h.ess._ Who gone, my daughter?

_Thekla._ He--the man who uttered That word of misery.

_d.u.c.h.ess._ O! think not of it, My Thekla!

_Wallenstein._ Give her sorrow leave to talk!

Let her complain--mingle your tears with hers, 20 For she hath suffered 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 alarmed her? 25 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.

_d.u.c.h.ess._ No, never shall this messenger of evil Enter again into thy presence, Thekla! 30

_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 35 Hear his report and question him.

_d.u.c.h.ess._ No, never!

_Countess._ 'Tis not advisable--a.s.sent not to it.

_Wallenstein._ Hus.h.!.+ Wherefore would'st thou speak with him, my daughter?

_Thekla._ Knowing the whole, I shall be more collected; I will not be deceived. My mother wishes 40 Only to spare me. I will not be spared.

The worst is said already: I can hear Nothing of deeper anguis.h.!.+

_Countess and d.u.c.h.ess._ Do it not.