Thither I went, there found myself alone.
Over the altar hung a holy mother;

A wretched painting 'twas, yet 'twas the friend
That I was seeking in this moment.

Ab,

How oft have I beheld that glorious form

In splendour, mid ecstatic worshippers;

Yet, still it moved me not! and now at once
Was my devotion cloudless as my love.
COUNTESS.

Enjoy your fortune and felicity!

Forget the world around you. Meantime, friendship
Shall keep strict vigils for you, anxious, active.
Only be manageable when that friendship
Points you the road to full accomplishment.

How long may it be since you declared your passion?
MAX.

This morning did I hazard the first word.

COUNTESS.

This morning the first time in twenty days?

MAX.

"Twas at that hunting-castle, betwixt here

And Nepomuck, where you had joined us, and—

have translated it in the former sense; but fearful of having made some blunder, I add the original.-Es ist ein Kloster hier zur Himmelspforte.

That was the last relay of the whole journey!
In a balcony we were standing mute,

And gazing out upon the dreary field:

Before us the dragoons were riding onward,

The safe-guard which the Duke had sent us-heavy
The inquietude of parting lay upon me,

And trembling ventured I at length these words:
This all reminds me, noble maiden, that
To-day I must take leave of my good fortune.
A few hours more, and you will find a father,
Will see yourself surrounded by new friends,
And I henceforth shall be but as a stranger,
Lost in the many-" Speak with my aunt Tertsky!"
With hurrying voice she interrupted me.

She faltered. I beheld a glowing red

Possess her beautiful cheeks, and from the ground
Raised slowly up her eye met mine-no longer
Did I control myself.

[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 you do not

Ask me too of my secret?

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).

My Princess !

What have you 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.
To-day at noon I could not.

The dazzle of the jewels that play'd round you
Hid the beloved from me.

THEKLA.

Then you saw me

With your eye only-and not with your heart?

MAX.

This morning, when I found you in the circle
Of all your kindred, in your father's arms,
Beheld myself an alien in this circle,
O! what an impulse felt I in that moment
To fall upon his neck, to call him father!

But his stern eye o'erpower'd the swelling passion-
It dared not but be silent. And those brilliants,
That like a crown of stars enwreathed your brows,
They scared
me too! O wherefore, wherefore

should he

At the first meeting spread as 'twere the ban
Of excommunication round you, wherefore
Dress up the angel as for sacrifice,

And cast upon the light and joyous heart
The mournful burthen of his station? Fitly
May love dare woo for love; but such a splendour
Might none but monarchs venture to approach.
THEKLA.

Hush! not a word more of this mummery,
You see how soon the burthen is thrown off.
(to the Countess.)

He is not in spirits. Wherefore is he not?
'Tis you, aunt, that have made him all so gloomy!
He had quite another nature on the journey—
So calm, so bright, so joyous eloquent.

(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!