FOOTNOTES:

Max Piccolomini (busily and passionately going from one toanother, and soothing them).Hear, my commander! Hear me, generals!250Let me conjure you, Duke! Determine nothing,Till we have met and represented to youOur joint remonstrances.—Nay, calmer! Friends!I hope all may be yet set right again.Tertsky.Away! let us away! in the antechamber255Find we the others.[They go.Butler (to Questenberg).If good counsel gainDue audience from your wisdom, my Lord Envoy!You will be cautious how you shew yourselfIn public for some hours to come—or hardlyWill that gold key protect you from maltreatment.260

Tertsky.Away! let us away! in the antechamber255Find we the others.[They go.

Butler (to Questenberg).If good counsel gainDue audience from your wisdom, my Lord Envoy!You will be cautious how you shew yourselfIn public for some hours to come—or hardlyWill that gold key protect you from maltreatment.260

[Commotions heard from without.

Wallenstein.A salutary counsel——Thou, Octavio!Wilt answer for the safety of our guest.Farewell, Von Questenberg![Questenbergis about to speak.Nay, not a word.Not one word more of that detested subject!You have performed your duty—We know how265To separate the office from the man.

[AsQuestenbergis going off withOctavio, Goetz, Tiefenbach, Kolatto, press in; several otherGeneralsfollowing them.

Goetz.Where's he who means to rob us of our general?Tiefenbach (at the same time).What are we forced to hear?That thou wilt leave us?Kolatto (at the same time).We will live with thee, we will die with thee.Wallenstein (pointing to Illo).There! the Field-Marshal knows our will.[Exit.270

Goetz.Where's he who means to rob us of our general?

Tiefenbach (at the same time).What are we forced to hear?That thou wilt leave us?

Kolatto (at the same time).We will live with thee, we will die with thee.

Wallenstein (pointing to Illo).There! the Field-Marshal knows our will.[Exit.270

[634:1]The original is not translatable into English:——Und seinSoldMuss demSoldatenwerden, darnach heisst er.It might perhaps have been thus rendered:'And that for which he sold his services,The soldier must receive.'But a false or doubtful etymology is no more than a dull pun.

[634:1]The original is not translatable into English:

——Und seinSoldMuss demSoldatenwerden, darnach heisst er.

It might perhaps have been thus rendered:

'And that for which he sold his services,The soldier must receive.'

But a false or doubtful etymology is no more than a dull pun.

Before1Wallenstein, Tertsky, &c. . . . rank. There reigns a momentary silence.1800,1828,1829.

[56]there1800.

there1800.

[79]that1800.

that1800.

[83]did1800.

did1800.

[91]Arn't] An't1800,1828,1829.

Arn't] An't1800,1828,1829.

[105]pay . . . covenant1800.

pay . . . covenant1800.

[135]I1800.

I1800.

Before170Wallenstein (raising his voice, as all, but Illo, had remained silent, and seemingly scrupulous).1800,1828,1829.

[171]Max Piccolomini (after a long pause).1800,1828,1829.

Max Piccolomini (after a long pause).1800,1828,1829.

[176]so . . . here1800.

so . . . here1800.

[182]event1800.

event1800.

[206]my1800.

my1800.

[244]we1800.

we1800.

[270]Wallenstein (with stateliness and, &c.).1800,1828,1829.

Wallenstein (with stateliness and, &c.).1800,1828,1829.

After270[While all are going off the stage, the curtain drops.1800,1828,1829.

Scene—A small Chamber.

IlloandTertsky.

Tertsky.Now for this evening's business! How intend youTo manage with the generals at the banquet?Illo.Attend! We frame a formal declaration,Wherein we to the Duke consign ourselvesCollectively, to be and to remain5His both with life and limb, and not to spareThe last drop of our blood for him, providedSo doing we infringe no oath nor duty,We may be under to the Emperor.—Mark!This reservation we expressly make10In a particular clause, and save the conscience.Now hear! This formula so framed and wordedWill be presented to them for perusalBefore the banquet. No one will find in itCause of offence or scruple. Hear now further!15After the feast, when now the vap'ring wineOpens the heart, and shuts the eyes, we letA counterfeited paper, in the whichThis one particular clause has been left out,Go round for signatures.Tertsky.How? think you then20That they'll believe themselves bound by an oath,Which we had tricked them into by a juggle?Illo.We shall have caught and caged them! Let them thenBeat their wings bare against the wires, and raveLoud as they may against our treachery,25At court their signatures will be believedFar more than their most holy affirmations.Traitors they are, and must be; therefore wiselyWill make a virtue of necessity.Tertsky.Well, well, it shall content me; let but something30Be done, let only some decisive blowSet us in motion.Illo.Besides, 'tis of subordinate importance[640]How, or how far, we may thereby propelThe generals. 'Tis enough that we persuade35The Duke, that they are his—Let him but actIn his determined mood, as if he had them,And he will have them. Where he plunges in,He makes a whirlpool, and all stream down to it.Tertsky.His policy is such a labyrinth,40That many a time when I have thought myselfClose at his side, he's gone at once, and left meIgnorant of the ground where I was standing.He lends the enemy his ear, permits meTo write to them, to Arnheim; to Sesina45Himself comes forward blank and undisguised;Talks with us by the hour about his plans,And when I think I have him—off at once——He has slipped from me, and appears as ifHe had no scheme, but to retain his place.50Illo.He give up his old plans! I'll tell you, friend!His soul is occupied with nothing else,Even in his sleep—They are his thoughts, his dreams,That day by day he questions for this purposeThe motions of the planets——Tertsky.Ay! you know55This night, that is now coming, he with SeniShuts himself up in the astrological towerTo make joint observations—for I hear,It is to be a night of weight and crisis;And something great, and of long expectation,60Is to make its procession in the heaven.Illo.Come! be we bold and make dispatch. The workIn this next day or two must thrive and growMore than it has for years. And let but onlyThings first turn up auspicious here below——65Mark what I say—the right stars too will shew themselves.Come, to the generals. All is in the glow,And must be beaten while 'tis malleable.Tertsky.Do you go thither, Illo. I must stayAnd wait here for the Countess Tertsky. Know70That we too are not idle. Break one string,A second is in readiness.Illo.Yes! Yes![641]I saw your Lady smile with such sly meaning.What's in the wind?Tertsky.A secret. Hush! she comes.[ExitIllo.

Tertsky.Now for this evening's business! How intend youTo manage with the generals at the banquet?

Illo.Attend! We frame a formal declaration,Wherein we to the Duke consign ourselvesCollectively, to be and to remain5His both with life and limb, and not to spareThe last drop of our blood for him, providedSo doing we infringe no oath nor duty,We may be under to the Emperor.—Mark!This reservation we expressly make10In a particular clause, and save the conscience.Now hear! This formula so framed and wordedWill be presented to them for perusalBefore the banquet. No one will find in itCause of offence or scruple. Hear now further!15After the feast, when now the vap'ring wineOpens the heart, and shuts the eyes, we letA counterfeited paper, in the whichThis one particular clause has been left out,Go round for signatures.

Tertsky.How? think you then20That they'll believe themselves bound by an oath,Which we had tricked them into by a juggle?

Illo.We shall have caught and caged them! Let them thenBeat their wings bare against the wires, and raveLoud as they may against our treachery,25At court their signatures will be believedFar more than their most holy affirmations.Traitors they are, and must be; therefore wiselyWill make a virtue of necessity.

Tertsky.Well, well, it shall content me; let but something30Be done, let only some decisive blowSet us in motion.

Illo.Besides, 'tis of subordinate importance[640]How, or how far, we may thereby propelThe generals. 'Tis enough that we persuade35The Duke, that they are his—Let him but actIn his determined mood, as if he had them,And he will have them. Where he plunges in,He makes a whirlpool, and all stream down to it.

Tertsky.His policy is such a labyrinth,40That many a time when I have thought myselfClose at his side, he's gone at once, and left meIgnorant of the ground where I was standing.He lends the enemy his ear, permits meTo write to them, to Arnheim; to Sesina45Himself comes forward blank and undisguised;Talks with us by the hour about his plans,And when I think I have him—off at once——He has slipped from me, and appears as ifHe had no scheme, but to retain his place.50

Illo.He give up his old plans! I'll tell you, friend!His soul is occupied with nothing else,Even in his sleep—They are his thoughts, his dreams,That day by day he questions for this purposeThe motions of the planets——

Tertsky.Ay! you know55This night, that is now coming, he with SeniShuts himself up in the astrological towerTo make joint observations—for I hear,It is to be a night of weight and crisis;And something great, and of long expectation,60Is to make its procession in the heaven.

Illo.Come! be we bold and make dispatch. The workIn this next day or two must thrive and growMore than it has for years. And let but onlyThings first turn up auspicious here below——65Mark what I say—the right stars too will shew themselves.Come, to the generals. All is in the glow,And must be beaten while 'tis malleable.

Tertsky.Do you go thither, Illo. I must stayAnd wait here for the Countess Tertsky. Know70That we too are not idle. Break one string,A second is in readiness.

Illo.Yes! Yes![641]I saw your Lady smile with such sly meaning.What's in the wind?

Tertsky.A secret. Hush! she comes.[ExitIllo.

[6]His1800.

His1800.

[7]him1800.

him1800.

[8]nor] or1800,1828,1829.

nor] or1800,1828,1829.

[31]done1800,1828,1829.

done1800,1828,1829.

[38]will1800.

will1800.

[70]wait1800.

wait1800.

TheCountesssteps out from a Closet.

CountandCountess Tertsky.

Tertsky.Well—is she coming?—I can keep him backNo longer.Countess.She will be there instantly.You only send him.Tertsky.I am not quite certain,I must confess it, Countess, whether or notWe are earning the Duke's thanks hereby. You know,5No ray has broken from him on this point.You have o'er-ruled me, and yourself know bestHow far you dare proceed.Countess.I take it on me.[Talking to herself, while she is advancing.Here's no need of full powers and commissions—My cloudy Duke! we understand each other—10And without words. What, could I not unriddle,Wherefore the daughter should be sent for hither,Why first he, and no other, should be chosenTo fetch her hither! This sham of betrothing herTo a bridegroom,[641:1]whom no one knows—No! no!—--15This may blind others! I see through thee, Brother!But it beseems thee not, to draw a cardAt such a game. Not yet!—It all remainsMutely delivered up to my finessing——Well—thou shalt not have been deceived, Duke Friedland!In her who is thy sister.——20Servant (enters).The commanders!Tertsky (to the Countess).Take care you heat his fancy and affections—Possess him with a reverie, and send him,Absent and dreaming, to the banquet; thatHe may not boggle at the signature.25

Tertsky.Well—is she coming?—I can keep him backNo longer.

Countess.She will be there instantly.You only send him.

Tertsky.I am not quite certain,I must confess it, Countess, whether or notWe are earning the Duke's thanks hereby. You know,5No ray has broken from him on this point.You have o'er-ruled me, and yourself know bestHow far you dare proceed.

Countess.I take it on me.[Talking to herself, while she is advancing.Here's no need of full powers and commissions—My cloudy Duke! we understand each other—10And without words. What, could I not unriddle,Wherefore the daughter should be sent for hither,Why first he, and no other, should be chosenTo fetch her hither! This sham of betrothing herTo a bridegroom,[641:1]whom no one knows—No! no!—--15This may blind others! I see through thee, Brother!But it beseems thee not, to draw a cardAt such a game. Not yet!—It all remainsMutely delivered up to my finessing——Well—thou shalt not have been deceived, Duke Friedland!In her who is thy sister.——20

Servant (enters).The commanders!

Tertsky (to the Countess).Take care you heat his fancy and affections—Possess him with a reverie, and send him,Absent and dreaming, to the banquet; thatHe may not boggle at the signature.25

Countess.Take you care of your guests!—Go, send him hither.Tertsky.All rests upon his undersigning.Countess.Go to your guests! Go——Illo (comes back).Where art staying, Tertsky?The house is full, and all expecting you.30Tertsky.Instantly! Instantly![To theCountess.And let him notStay here too long. It might awake suspicionIn the old man——Countess.A truce with your precautions!

Countess.Take you care of your guests!—Go, send him hither.

Tertsky.All rests upon his undersigning.

Countess.Go to your guests! Go——

Illo (comes back).Where art staying, Tertsky?The house is full, and all expecting you.30

Tertsky.Instantly! Instantly![To theCountess.And let him notStay here too long. It might awake suspicionIn the old man——

Countess.A truce with your precautions!

[ExeuntTertskyandIllo.

[641:1]In Germany, after honourable addresses have been paid and formally accepted, the lovers are called Bride and Bridegroom, even though the marriage should not take place till years afterwards.

[6]broken] broke out1800,1828,1829.

broken] broke out1800,1828,1829.

[13]he1800,1828,1829.

he1800,1828,1829.

[15]whom] when1800,1828,1829.

whom] when1800,1828,1829.

[28]Countess (interrupting him).1800,1828,1829.

Countess (interrupting him).1800,1828,1829.

Countess, Max Piccolomini.

Max.Aunt Tertsky? may I venture?[Advances to the middle of the stage, and looks around him with uneasiness.She's not here!Where is she?Countess.Look but somewhat narrowlyIn yonder corner, lest perhaps she lieConceal'd behind that screen.Max.There lie her gloves![642:1][Snatches at them, but theCountesstakes them herself.You unkind Lady! You refuse me this—5You make it an amusement to torment me.Countess.And this the thanks you give me for my trouble?Max.O, if you felt the oppression at my heart!Since we've been here, so to constrain myself—With such poor stealth to hazard words and glances—10These, these are not my habits!Countess.You have stillMany new habits to acquire, young friend![643]But on this proof of your obedient temperI must continue to insist; and onlyOn this condition can I play the agent15For your concerns.Max.But wherefore comes she not?Where is she?Countess.Into my hands you must place itWhole and entire. Whom could you find, indeed,More zealously affected to your interest?No soul on earth must know it—not your father.20He must not above all.Max.Alas! what danger?Here is no face on which I might concentreAll the enraptured soul stirs up within me.O Lady! tell me. Is all changed around me?Or is it only I?I find myself,25As among strangers! Not a trace is leftOf all my former wishes, former joys.Where has it vanished to? There was a timeWhen even, methought, with such a world as thisI was not discontented. Now how flat!30How stale! No life, no bloom, no flavour in it!My comrades are intolerable to me.My father—Even to him I can say nothing.My arms, my military duties—O!They are such wearying toys!Countess.But, gentle friend!35I must entreat it of your condescension,You would be pleased to sink your eye, and favourWith one short glance or two this poor stale world,Where even now much, and of much moment,Is on the eve of its completion.Max.Something,40I can't but know, is going forward round me.I see it gathering, crowding, driving on,In wild uncustomary movements. Well,In due time, doubtless, it will reach even me.Where think you I have been, dear lady? Nay,45No raillery. The turmoil of the camp,The spring-tide of acquaintance rolling in,The pointless jest, the empty conversation,[644]Oppress'd and stifled me. I gasped for air—I could not breathe—I was constrain'd to fly,50To seek a silence out for my full heart;And a pure spot wherein to feel my happiness.No smiling, Countess! In the church was I.There is a cloister here to the heaven's gate,[644:1]Thither I went, there found myself alone.55Over the altar hung a holy mother;A wretched painting 'twas, yet 'twas the friendThat I was seeking in this moment. Ah,How oft have I beheld that glorious formIn splendour, mid ecstatic worshippers;60Yet, still it moved me not! and now at onceWas my devotion cloudless as my love.Countess.Enjoy your fortune and felicity!Forget the world around you. Meantime, friendshipShall keep strict vigils for you, anxious, active.65Only be manageable when that friendshipPoints 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?70Max.'Twas at that hunting-castle, betwixt hereAnd Nepomuck, where you had joined us, and—That was the last relay of the whole journey!In a balcony we were standing mute,And gazing out upon the dreary field:75Before us the dragoons were riding onward,The safe-guard which the Duke had sent us—heavyThe inquietude of parting lay upon me,And trembling ventured I at length these words:This all reminds me, noble maiden, that80To-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!'85With hurrying voice she interrupted me.[645]She faltered. I beheld a glowing redPossess her beautiful cheeks, and from the groundRaised slowly up her eye met mine—no longerDid I control myself.

Max.Aunt Tertsky? may I venture?[Advances to the middle of the stage, and looks around him with uneasiness.She's not here!Where is she?

Countess.Look but somewhat narrowlyIn yonder corner, lest perhaps she lieConceal'd behind that screen.

Max.There lie her gloves![642:1][Snatches at them, but theCountesstakes them herself.You unkind Lady! You refuse me this—5You make it an amusement to torment me.

Countess.And this the thanks you give me for my trouble?

Max.O, if you felt the oppression at my heart!Since we've been here, so to constrain myself—With such poor stealth to hazard words and glances—10These, these are not my habits!

Countess.You have stillMany new habits to acquire, young friend![643]But on this proof of your obedient temperI must continue to insist; and onlyOn this condition can I play the agent15For your concerns.

Max.But wherefore comes she not?Where is she?

Countess.Into my hands you must place itWhole and entire. Whom could you find, indeed,More zealously affected to your interest?No soul on earth must know it—not your father.20He must not above all.

Max.Alas! what danger?Here is no face on which I might concentreAll the enraptured soul stirs up within me.O Lady! tell me. Is all changed around me?Or is it only I?I find myself,25As among strangers! Not a trace is leftOf all my former wishes, former joys.Where has it vanished to? There was a timeWhen even, methought, with such a world as thisI was not discontented. Now how flat!30How stale! No life, no bloom, no flavour in it!My comrades are intolerable to me.My father—Even to him I can say nothing.My arms, my military duties—O!They are such wearying toys!

Countess.But, gentle friend!35I must entreat it of your condescension,You would be pleased to sink your eye, and favourWith one short glance or two this poor stale world,Where even now much, and of much moment,Is on the eve of its completion.

Max.Something,40I can't but know, is going forward round me.I see it gathering, crowding, driving on,In wild uncustomary movements. Well,In due time, doubtless, it will reach even me.Where think you I have been, dear lady? Nay,45No raillery. The turmoil of the camp,The spring-tide of acquaintance rolling in,The pointless jest, the empty conversation,[644]Oppress'd and stifled me. I gasped for air—I could not breathe—I was constrain'd to fly,50To seek a silence out for my full heart;And a pure spot wherein to feel my happiness.No smiling, Countess! In the church was I.There is a cloister here to the heaven's gate,[644:1]Thither I went, there found myself alone.55Over the altar hung a holy mother;A wretched painting 'twas, yet 'twas the friendThat I was seeking in this moment. Ah,How oft have I beheld that glorious formIn splendour, mid ecstatic worshippers;60Yet, still it moved me not! and now at onceWas my devotion cloudless as my love.

Countess.Enjoy your fortune and felicity!Forget the world around you. Meantime, friendshipShall keep strict vigils for you, anxious, active.65Only be manageable when that friendshipPoints 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?70

Max.'Twas at that hunting-castle, betwixt hereAnd Nepomuck, where you had joined us, and—That was the last relay of the whole journey!In a balcony we were standing mute,And gazing out upon the dreary field:75Before us the dragoons were riding onward,The safe-guard which the Duke had sent us—heavyThe inquietude of parting lay upon me,And trembling ventured I at length these words:This all reminds me, noble maiden, that80To-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!'85With hurrying voice she interrupted me.[645]She faltered. I beheld a glowing redPossess her beautiful cheeks, and from the groundRaised slowly up her eye met mine—no longerDid I control myself.

[ThePrincess Theklaappears at the door, and remains standing, observed by theCountess, but not byPiccolomini.

With instant boldness90I caught her in my arms, my mouth touched hers;There was a rustling in the room close by;It parted us—'Twas you. What since has happened,You know.Countess.And is it your excess of modesty;Or are you so incurious, that you do not95Ask me too of my secret?Max.Of your secret?Countess.Why, yes! When in the instant after youI stepped into the room, and found my niece there,What she in this first moment of the heartTa'en with surprise—Max.Well?100

With instant boldness90I caught her in my arms, my mouth touched hers;There was a rustling in the room close by;It parted us—'Twas you. What since has happened,You know.

Countess.And is it your excess of modesty;Or are you so incurious, that you do not95Ask me too of my secret?

Max.Of your secret?

Countess.Why, yes! When in the instant after youI stepped into the room, and found my niece there,What she in this first moment of the heartTa'en with surprise—

Max.Well?100

[642:1]All this is terribly childish, at least appears so to anEnglishlover. Besides it is modern French Comedy—for which, by the by, we want a word to distinguish it from thetoto caelodifferent Comedy which Shakespere and his contemporaries worked up into their Tragedy with such felicity of action and reaction.MS. R.

[644:1]I am doubtful whether this be the dedication of the cloister or the name of one of the city gates, near which it stood. I have translated it in the former sense; but fearful of having made some blunder, I add the original—Es ist ein Kloster hierzur Himmelspforte.

Max(peeping in on the stage shyly).1800,1828,1829.

[7]thanks] thank1800,1828,1829.

thanks] thank1800,1828,1829.

[8]my1800,1828,1829.

my1800,1828,1829.

[17]my1800,1828,1829.

my1800,1828,1829.

[21]He1800,1828,1829.

He1800,1828,1829.

[72]you1800,1828,1829.

you1800,1828,1829.

[91]mouth]lipsMS. R.

mouth]lipsMS. R.

[94]Countess (after a pause, with a stolen glance at Thekla).1800,1828,1829.

Countess (after a pause, with a stolen glance at Thekla).1800,1828,1829.

[96]your1800,1828,1829.

your1800,1828,1829.

[100]Max (with eagerness).1800,1828,1829.

Max (with eagerness).1800,1828,1829.

Thekla(hurries forward),Countess, Max Piccolomini.

Thekla (to the Countess).Spare yourself the trouble:That hears he better from myself.Max.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 mother5Wept 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 you10Hid the beloved from me.Thekla.Then you saw me[646]With your eye only—and not with your heart?Max.This morning, when I found you in the circleOf all your kindred, in your father's arms,Beheld myself an alien in this circle,15O! what an impulse felt I in that momentTo fall upon his neck, to call him father!But his stern eye o'erpowered the swelling passion—It dared not but be silent. And those brilliants,That like a crown of stars enwreathed your brows,20They scared me too! O wherefore, wherefore should heAt the first meeting spread as 'twere the banOf excommunication round you, whereforeDress up the angel as for sacrifice,And cast upon the light and joyous heart25The mournful burthen of his station? FitlyMay love dare woo for love; but such a splendourMight none but monarchs venture to approach.Thekla.Hush! not a word more of this mummery.You see how soon the burthen is thrown off.30[To theCountess.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.[ToMax.It was my wish to see you always so,35And never otherwise!Max.You find yourselfIn your great father's arms, belovéd lady!All in a new world, which does homage to you,And which, wer't only by its novelty,Delights your eye.Thekla.Yes; I confess to you40That many things delight me here: this camp,This motley stage of warriors, which renewsSo manifold the image of my fancy,And binds to life, binds to reality,What hitherto had but been present to me45As a sweet dream!Max.Alas! not so to me.It makes a dream of my reality.Upon some island in the ethereal heightsI've lived for these last days. This mass of men[647]Forces me down to earth. It is a bridge50That, reconducting to my former life,Divides me and my heaven.Thekla.The game of lifeLooks cheerful, when one carries in one's heartThe inalienable treasure. 'Tis a game,Which having once reviewed, I turn more joyous55Back to my deeper and appropriate bliss.In this short time that I've been present here,What new unheard-of things have I not seen!And yet they all must give place to the wonderWhich this mysterious castle guards.Countess.And what60Can this be then? Methought I was acquaintedWith all the dusky corners of this house.Thekla.Ay, but the road thereto is watched by spirits,Two griffins still stand sentry at the door.Countess (laughs).The astrological tower!—How happens it65That this same sanctuary, whose accessIs to all others so impracticable,Opens before you even at your approach?Thekla.A dwarfish old man with a friendly faceAnd snow-white hairs, whose gracious services70Were mine at first sight, opened me the doors.Max.That is the Duke's astrologer, old Seni.Thekla.He questioned me on many points; for instance,When I was born, what month, and on what day,Whether by day or in the night.Countess.He wished75To erect a figure for your horoscope.Thekla.My hand too he examined, shook his headWith much sad meaning, and the lines methought,Did not square over truly with his wishes.Countess.Well, Princess, and what found you in this tower?80My highest privilege has been to snatchA side-glance, and away!Thekla.[647:1]It was a strange[648]Sensation that came o'er me, when at firstFrom the broad sunshine I stepped in; and nowThe narrowing line of day-light, that ran after85The closing door, was gone; and all about me'Twas pale and dusky night, with many shadowsFantastically cast. Here six or sevenColossal statues, and all kings, stood round meIn a half-circle. Each one in his hand90A sceptre bore, and on his head a star;And in the tower no other light was thereBut from these stars: all seemed to come from them.'These are the planets,' said that low old man,'They govern worldly fates, and for that cause95Are imaged here as kings. He farthest from you,Spiteful, and cold, an old man melancholy,With bent and yellow forehead, he is Saturn.He opposite, the king with the red light,An arm'd man for the battle, that is Mars:100And both these bring but little luck to man.'But at his side a lovely lady stood,The star upon her head was soft and bright,And that was Venus, the bright star of joy.On the left hand, lo! Mercury, with wings.105Quite in the middle glittered silver-brightA cheerful man, and with a monarch's mien;And this was Jupiter, my father's star:And at his side I saw the Sun and Moon.Max.O never rudely will I blame his faith110In the might of stars and angels! 'Tis not merelyThe human being's Pride that peoples spaceWith life and mystical predominance;Since likewise for the stricken heart of LoveThis visible nature, and this common world,115Is all too narrow: yea, a deeper importLurks in the legend told my infant yearsThan lies upon that truth, we live to learn.For fable is Love's world, his home, his birth-place;Delightedly dwells he 'mong fays and talismans,120And spirits; and delightedly believesDivinities, being himself divine.[649]The intelligible forms of ancient poets,The fair humanities of old religion,The Power, the Beauty, and the Majesty,125That had their haunts in dale, or piny mountain,Or forest by slow stream, or pebbly spring,Or chasms and wat'ry depths; all these have vanished.They live no longer in the faith of reason!But still the heart doth need a language, still130Doth the old instinct bring back the old names,And to yon starry world they now are gone,Spirits or gods, that used to share this earthWith man as with their friend;[649:1]and to the loverYonder they move, from yonder visible sky135Shoot influence down: and even at this day'Tis Jupiter who brings whate'er is great,And Venus who brings every thing that's fair!Thekla.And if this be the science of the stars,I too, with glad and zealous industry,140Will learn acquaintance with this cheerful faith.It is a gentle and affectionate thought,That in immeasurable heights above us,At our first birth, the wreath of love was woven,With sparkling stars for flowers.Countess.Not only roses,145But thorns too hath the heaven; and well for youLeave they your wreath of love inviolate;What Venus twined, the bearer of glad fortune,The sullen orb of Mars soon tears to pieces.Max.Soon will his gloomy empire reach its close.150Blest be the General's zeal: into the laurelWill he inweave the olive-branch, presentingPeace to the shouting nations. Then no wishWill have remained for his great heart! EnoughHas he performed for glory, and can now155Live for himself and his. To his domainsWill he retire; he has a stately seatOf fairest view at Gitschin; Reichenberg,And Friedland Castle, both lie pleasantly—[650]Even to the foot of the huge mountains here160Stretches the chase and covers of his forests:His ruling passion, to create the splendid,He can indulge without restraint; can giveA princely patronage to every art,And to all worth a Sovereign's protection.165Can 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.170Max.O, that the sword could win her!Countess.What was that?Did you hear nothing? Seem'd, as if I heardTumult and larum in the banquet-room.[ExitCountess.

Thekla (to the Countess).Spare yourself the trouble:That hears he better from myself.

Max.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 mother5Wept 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 you10Hid the beloved from me.

Thekla.Then you saw me[646]With your eye only—and not with your heart?

Max.This morning, when I found you in the circleOf all your kindred, in your father's arms,Beheld myself an alien in this circle,15O! what an impulse felt I in that momentTo fall upon his neck, to call him father!But his stern eye o'erpowered the swelling passion—It dared not but be silent. And those brilliants,That like a crown of stars enwreathed your brows,20They scared me too! O wherefore, wherefore should heAt the first meeting spread as 'twere the banOf excommunication round you, whereforeDress up the angel as for sacrifice,And cast upon the light and joyous heart25The mournful burthen of his station? FitlyMay love dare woo for love; but such a splendourMight none but monarchs venture to approach.

Thekla.Hush! not a word more of this mummery.You see how soon the burthen is thrown off.30[To theCountess.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.[ToMax.It was my wish to see you always so,35And never otherwise!

Max.You find yourselfIn your great father's arms, belovéd lady!All in a new world, which does homage to you,And which, wer't only by its novelty,Delights your eye.

Thekla.Yes; I confess to you40That many things delight me here: this camp,This motley stage of warriors, which renewsSo manifold the image of my fancy,And binds to life, binds to reality,What hitherto had but been present to me45As a sweet dream!

Max.Alas! not so to me.It makes a dream of my reality.Upon some island in the ethereal heightsI've lived for these last days. This mass of men[647]Forces me down to earth. It is a bridge50That, reconducting to my former life,Divides me and my heaven.

Thekla.The game of lifeLooks cheerful, when one carries in one's heartThe inalienable treasure. 'Tis a game,Which having once reviewed, I turn more joyous55Back to my deeper and appropriate bliss.In this short time that I've been present here,What new unheard-of things have I not seen!And yet they all must give place to the wonderWhich this mysterious castle guards.

Countess.And what60Can this be then? Methought I was acquaintedWith all the dusky corners of this house.

Thekla.Ay, but the road thereto is watched by spirits,Two griffins still stand sentry at the door.

Countess (laughs).The astrological tower!—How happens it65That this same sanctuary, whose accessIs to all others so impracticable,Opens before you even at your approach?

Thekla.A dwarfish old man with a friendly faceAnd snow-white hairs, whose gracious services70Were mine at first sight, opened me the doors.

Max.That is the Duke's astrologer, old Seni.

Thekla.He questioned me on many points; for instance,When I was born, what month, and on what day,Whether by day or in the night.

Countess.He wished75To erect a figure for your horoscope.

Thekla.My hand too he examined, shook his headWith much sad meaning, and the lines methought,Did not square over truly with his wishes.

Countess.Well, Princess, and what found you in this tower?80My highest privilege has been to snatchA side-glance, and away!

Thekla.[647:1]It was a strange[648]Sensation that came o'er me, when at firstFrom the broad sunshine I stepped in; and nowThe narrowing line of day-light, that ran after85The closing door, was gone; and all about me'Twas pale and dusky night, with many shadowsFantastically cast. Here six or sevenColossal statues, and all kings, stood round meIn a half-circle. Each one in his hand90A sceptre bore, and on his head a star;And in the tower no other light was thereBut from these stars: all seemed to come from them.'These are the planets,' said that low old man,'They govern worldly fates, and for that cause95Are imaged here as kings. He farthest from you,Spiteful, and cold, an old man melancholy,With bent and yellow forehead, he is Saturn.He opposite, the king with the red light,An arm'd man for the battle, that is Mars:100And both these bring but little luck to man.'But at his side a lovely lady stood,The star upon her head was soft and bright,And that was Venus, the bright star of joy.On the left hand, lo! Mercury, with wings.105Quite in the middle glittered silver-brightA cheerful man, and with a monarch's mien;And this was Jupiter, my father's star:And at his side I saw the Sun and Moon.

Max.O never rudely will I blame his faith110In the might of stars and angels! 'Tis not merelyThe human being's Pride that peoples spaceWith life and mystical predominance;Since likewise for the stricken heart of LoveThis visible nature, and this common world,115Is all too narrow: yea, a deeper importLurks in the legend told my infant yearsThan lies upon that truth, we live to learn.For fable is Love's world, his home, his birth-place;Delightedly dwells he 'mong fays and talismans,120And spirits; and delightedly believesDivinities, being himself divine.[649]The intelligible forms of ancient poets,The fair humanities of old religion,The Power, the Beauty, and the Majesty,125That had their haunts in dale, or piny mountain,Or forest by slow stream, or pebbly spring,Or chasms and wat'ry depths; all these have vanished.They live no longer in the faith of reason!But still the heart doth need a language, still130Doth the old instinct bring back the old names,And to yon starry world they now are gone,Spirits or gods, that used to share this earthWith man as with their friend;[649:1]and to the loverYonder they move, from yonder visible sky135Shoot influence down: and even at this day'Tis Jupiter who brings whate'er is great,And Venus who brings every thing that's fair!

Thekla.And if this be the science of the stars,I too, with glad and zealous industry,140Will learn acquaintance with this cheerful faith.It is a gentle and affectionate thought,That in immeasurable heights above us,At our first birth, the wreath of love was woven,With sparkling stars for flowers.

Countess.Not only roses,145But thorns too hath the heaven; and well for youLeave they your wreath of love inviolate;What Venus twined, the bearer of glad fortune,The sullen orb of Mars soon tears to pieces.

Max.Soon will his gloomy empire reach its close.150Blest be the General's zeal: into the laurelWill he inweave the olive-branch, presentingPeace to the shouting nations. Then no wishWill have remained for his great heart! EnoughHas he performed for glory, and can now155Live for himself and his. To his domainsWill he retire; he has a stately seatOf fairest view at Gitschin; Reichenberg,And Friedland Castle, both lie pleasantly—[650]Even to the foot of the huge mountains here160Stretches the chase and covers of his forests:His ruling passion, to create the splendid,He can indulge without restraint; can giveA princely patronage to every art,And to all worth a Sovereign's protection.165Can 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.170

Max.O, that the sword could win her!

Countess.What was that?Did you hear nothing? Seem'd, as if I heardTumult and larum in the banquet-room.[ExitCountess.

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