A princely patronage to every art,

And to all worth a Sovereign's protection.

Can build, can plant, can watch the starry courses—
COUNTESS.

Yet I would have you look, and look again,
Before you lay aside your arms, young friend!
A gentle bride, as she is, is well worth it

That you should woo and win her with the sword.

MAX.

O, that the sword could win her!

COUNTESS.

What was that?

Did you hear nothing? Seem'd, as if I heard
Tumult and larum in the banquet-room.

[Exit Countess.

SCENE V.

THEKLA and MAX. PICCOLOMINI.

THEKLA.

(As soon as the Countess is out of sight, in a quick

low voice to Piccolomini.)

Don't trust them! They are false !

MAX.

Impossible!

THEKLA.

Trust no one here but me. I saw at once,

They had a purpose.

MAX.

Purpose! but what purpose?

And how can we be instrumental to it?

THEKLA.

I know no more than you; but yet, believe me : There's some design in this! to make us happy, To realize our union-trust me, love!

They but pretend to wish it.

MAX.

But these Tertskys

Why use we them at all? Why not your mother? Excellent creature! she deserves from us

A full and filial confidence.

Doth rate you high before all others-but-
But such a secret-she would never have
The courage to conceal it from my father.
For her own peace of mind we must preserve it
A secret from her too.

MAX.

Why any secret?

I love not secrets. Mark, what I will do.

I'll throw me at your father's feet—let him
Decide upon my fortunes!-He is true,

He wears no mask-he hates all crooked ways-
He is so good, so noble !

THEKLA. (falls on his neck.)

MAX.

That are you!

You knew him only since this morn; but I
Have liv'd ten years already in his presence,
And who knows whether in this very moment
He is not merely waiting for us both
To own our loves, in order to unite us.

You are silent?

You look at me with such a hopelessness!

What have you to object against your father?
THEKLA.

I? Nothing. Only he's so occupied

He has no leisure time to think about

The happiness of us two.

[taking his hand tenderly. Follow me!

Let us not place too great a faith in men.

These Tertskys-we will still be grateful to them
For every kindness, but not trust them further
Than they deserve;-and in all else rely-
On our own hearts!

MAX.

O! shall we e'er be happy?

THEKLA.

Are we not happy now; Art thou not mine;
Am I not thine; There lives within my soul
A lofty courage-'tis love gives it me!

I ought to be less open-ought to hide

My heart more from thee-so decorum dictates:
But where in this place could'st thou seek for truth,
If in my mouth thou did'st not find it;

SCENE VI.

To them enters the Countess TERTSKY.

COUNTESS. (in a pressing manner.)

Come!

My husband sends me for you-It is now

The latest moment.

[They not appearing to attend to what she says,

she steps between them.

Part you!

THEKLA.

It has been scarce a moment.

O, not yet!

"Tis not his proper company. They may
Be worthy men, but he's too young for them.
In brief, he suits not such society.

COUNTESS.

You mean, you'd rather keep him wholly here? THEKLA. (with energy.)

Yes! you

have hit it, aunt! That is my meaning. Leave him here wholly ! Tell the company

COUNTESS.

What? have you lost your senses, niece?—

Count, you remember the conditions. Come!