DRAMATIS PERSONE. WALLENSTEIN, Duke of Friedland, Generalissimo of the Imperial Forces in the Thirty Years' War. DUCHESS OF FRIEDLAND, Wife of Wallenstein. THEKLA, her Daughter, Princess of Friedland. OCTAVIO PICCOLOMINI, Lieutenant-General. MAX. PICCOLOMINI, his Son, Colonel of a Regiment of Cuirassiers. of Wallenstein. ILLO, Field-Marshal, Wallenstein's Confidant. BUTLER, an Irishman, Commander of a Regiment of Dragoons. GORDON, Governor of Egra. MAJOR GERALDIN. CAPTAIN DEVEREUX. CAPTAIN MACDONALD. NEUMANN, Captain of Cavalry, Aide-de-Camp to Tertsky. SWEDISH CAPTAIN. SENI. BURGOMASTER of Egra. ANSPESSADE of the Cuirassiers. GROOM OF THE CHAMBER, belonging to the Duke. A PAGE, } Cuirassiers, Dragoons, Servants. THE DEATH OF WALLENSTEIN. ACT I. SCENE I.-A Chamber in the House of the Duchess of Friedland. Countess Tertsky, Thekla, Lady Neubrunn. (The two latter sit at the same table at work.) Coun. (watching them from the opposite side.) So you have nothing, niece, to ask me? Nothing? I have been waiting for a word from you. [Thekla remaining silent, the Countess rises and advances Why comes this ? Perhaps I am already grown superfluous, And other ways exist, besides through me? Confess it to me, Thekla! have you seen him? Thek. To-day and yesterday I have not seen him. Coun. And not heard from him either? Come, be open! Coun. Thek. I am. And still you are so calm? Coun. May't please you, leave us, Lady Neubrunn ! [Exit Lady Neubrunn. SCENE II.-The Countess, Thekla. Coun. It does not please me, Princess! that he holds Himself so still, exactly at this time. Thek. Exactly at this time? Coun. He now knows all. 'Twere now the moment to declare himself. Thek. If I'm to understand you, speak less darkly. Coun. 'Twas for that purpose that I bade her leave us. Thekla, you are no more a child. Your heart Is now no more in nonage: for you love, And boldness dwells with love-that you have proved. Your nature moulds itself upon your father's More than your mother's spirit. Therefore may you Thek. Enough! no further preface, I entreat you. Thek. Name it, I entreat you. Coun. It lies within your power to do your father A weighty service Thek. Lies within my power ? Coun. Max. Piccolomini loves you. You can link him Indissolubly to your father. What need of me for that? And is he not Already linked to him? Coin. Thek. He was. And wherefore Should he not be so now-not be so always? Coun. He cleaves to th' Emperor too. And honor may demand of him. Coun. Not more than duty We ask Proofs of his love, and not proofs of his honor. Duty and honor ! Those are ambiguous words with many meanings. You should interpret them for him his love Should be the sole definer of his honor. Thek. How? Coun. Th' Emperor or you must he renounce. Thek. He will accompany my father gladly In his retirement. From himself you heard, How much he wished to lay aside the sword. |