That was the last relay of the whole journey! And gazing out upon the dreary field: And trembling ventured I at length these words: Possess her beautiful cheeks, and from the ground [The Princess Thekla appears at the door, and remains standing, observed by the Countess, but not by Piccolomini. With instant boldness I caught her in my arms, my mouth touched her's; There was a rustling in the room close by; It parted us-'Twas you. What since has happened, You know. COUNTESS. (after a pause, with a stolen glance at Thekla.) And is it your excess of modesty ; Or are you so incurious, that Ask me too of my secret? you do not MAX. Of your secret? COUNTESS. Why, yes! When in the instant after you I stepped into the room, and found my niece there, What she in this first moment of the heart Ta'en with surprise MAX. (with eagerness.) Well? SCENE VI. THEKLA. (hurries forward) COUNTESS, MAX. PICCOLOMINI. THEKLA. (to the Countess.) Spare yourself the trouble: That hears he better from myself. MAX. (stepping backward.) What have you My Princess! let her hear me say, aunt Tertsky! THEKLA. (to the Countess.) Has he been here long? COUNTESS. Yes; and soon must go. Where have you stayed so long? THEKLA. Alas! my mother Wept so again! and I-I see her suffer, Yet cannot keep myself from being happy. MAX. Now once again I have courage to look on you. The dazzle of the jewels that play'd round you THEKLA. Then you saw me With your eye only-and not with your heart? MAX. This morning, when I found you in the circle But his stern eye o'erpowered the swelling passion- At the first meeting spread as 'twere the ban And cast upon the light and joyous heart THEKLA. Hush! not a word more of this mummery, (to the Countess.) He is not in spirits. Wherefore is he not? (To Max.) It was my wish to see you always so, And never otherwise! MAX. You find yourself In your great father's arms, beloved lady! All in a new world, which does homage to you, Delights your eye. THEKLA. Yes; I confess to you That many things delight me here: this camp, And binds to life, binds to reality, What hitherto had but been present to me As a sweet dream! MAX, Alas! not so to me. It makes a dream of my reality. Upon some island in the ethereal heights I've lived for these last days. This mass of men That, reconducting to my former life, THEKLA. The game of life Looks cheerful, when one carries in one's heart The unalienable treasure. "Tis a game, Which having once reviewed, I turn more joyous Back to my deeper and appropriate bliss. [breaking off, and in a sportive tone. In this short time that I've been present here, |