Duch. What now? Why is she going? She's not well. Duch. What ails then my beloved child? [Both follow the Princess, and endeavour to detain her. During this Wallenstein appears, engaged in conversation with Illo. SCENE IV. Wallenstein, Illo, Countess, Duchess, Thekla. Wal. All quiet in the camp? Illo. It is all quiet. Wal. In a few hours may couriers come from Prague With tidings, that this capital is ours. Then we may drop the mask, and to the troops Whoever is foremost Still leads the herd. An imitative creature The troops at Prague conceive no other, Illo. At his own bidding, unsolicited, He came to offer you himself and regiment. Wal. I find we must not give implicit credence The voice of truth and inward revelation, The first pledge of my fortune. Illo. And doubt not That his example will win over to you The best men in the army. Wal. Go and send Isolani hither. Send him immediately. Go. [Illo exit. Wal. (turns himself round to the females.) Lo, For once we'll have an interval of rest- Coun. 'Tis long since we've been thus together, Wal. (to the Countess aside.) Can she sustain the news? Is she prepared? Coun. Not yet. Wal. Come here, my sweet girl! Seat thee by me, For there is a good spirit on thy lips. Thy mother praised to me thy ready skill: That beats his black wings close above my head. Duch. Where is thy lute, my daughter? Let thy father Hear some small trial of thy skill. I Thek. My mother! Duch. Trembling? Come, collect thyself. Go, cheer Thy father. Thek. 0 my mother! I-I cannot. Coun. How, what is that, niece? Thek. (to the Countess.) O spare me—sing— now-in this sore anxiety, Of the o'erburthen'd soul-to sing to him, Who is thrusting, even now, my mother headlong Into her grave! Duch. How, Thekla? Humorsome? What! shall thy father have expressed a wish My God! how can I— Thek. (The orchestra plays. During the ritornello Thekla expresses in her gestures and countenance the struggle of her feelings and at the moment that she should begin to sing, contracts herself together, as one shuddering, throws the instrument down, and retires abruptly.) Duch. My child! O she is ill— Wal. Say, is she often so ? Coun. What ails the maiden? Since then herself Has now betrayed it, I too must no longer Coun. Max. does she love! Max. Piccolomini. Hast thou ne'er noticed it? Nor yet my sister? Duch. Was it this that lay so heavy on her heart? God's blessing on thee, my sweet child! Thou needest Never take shame upon thee for thy choice. Coun. This journey,-if 'twere not thy aim, Coun. Yes, and he hopes to win her. Ay?---The thought pleases me, The young man has no grovelling spirit. Coun. Since Such and such constant favour you have shown him Wal. He chooses finally to be my heir. And true it is, I love the youth; yea, honour him. Duch. His noble disposition and his manners--- His rank, his ancestors Then Ancestors! What? He is a subject, and my son-in-law Wal. I will seek out upon the thrones of Europe. Duch. O dearest Albrecht! Climb we not too high, Lest we should fall too low. Wal. What? have I paid A price so heavy to ascend this eminence, |