[647:1]In this and in Max's reply to it I have taken more liberty than in any other part of the play—except perhaps in Gordon's character of Wallenstein [Act III. Scene ii]. In truth, Max's reply after the first nine lines is almost my own, as are the first seven lines of Thekla's description. The remainder I take a little pride in as a specimen of translation, fully equal, and in diction and rhythmic feeling superior, to the original.S. T. C.MS. R.
[647:1]In this and in Max's reply to it I have taken more liberty than in any other part of the play—except perhaps in Gordon's character of Wallenstein [Act III. Scene ii]. In truth, Max's reply after the first nine lines is almost my own, as are the first seven lines of Thekla's description. The remainder I take a little pride in as a specimen of translation, fully equal, and in diction and rhythmic feeling superior, to the original.S. T. C.MS. R.
[649:1]No more of talk, where God or Angel GuestWith Man, as with his friend, familiar usedTo sit indulgent.Paradise Lost, ix. 1-3.1800,1828,1829.
[649:1]
No more of talk, where God or Angel GuestWith Man, as with his friend, familiar usedTo sit indulgent.
No more of talk, where God or Angel GuestWith Man, as with his friend, familiar usedTo sit indulgent.
Paradise Lost, ix. 1-3.1800,1828,1829.
[2]Max (stepping backward).1800,1828,1829.
Max (stepping backward).1800,1828,1829.
[5]you1800,1828,1829.
you1800,1828,1829.
[17]father1800,1828,1829.
father1800,1828,1829.
[26]his1800,1828,1829.
his1800,1828,1829.
[54]inalienable] unalienable1800,1828,1829.
inalienable] unalienable1800,1828,1829.
After56[Breaking off, and in a sportive tone.1800,1828,1829.
After56[Breaking off, and in a sportive tone.1800,1828,1829.
[60]Countess (recollecting).1800,1828,1829.
Countess (recollecting).1800,1828,1829.
[63]Thekla (smiling).1800,1828,1829.
Thekla (smiling).1800,1828,1829.
[126]their] her1829.
their] her1829.
[160]huge]SilesianMS. R.
huge]SilesianMS. R.
TheklaandMax Piccolomini.
Thekla (as soon us 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:5There'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 us10A full and filial confidence.Thekla.She doth love you,Doth rate you high before all others—but—But such a secret—she would never haveThe courage to conceal it from my father.For her own peace of mind we must preserve it15A secret from her too.Max.Why any secret?I love not secrets. Mark, what I will do.[651]I'll throw me at your father's feet—let himDecide upon my fortunes!—He is true,He wears no mask—he hates all crooked ways—20He is so good, so noble!Thekla (falls on his neck).That are you!Max.You knew him only since this morn; but IHave liv'd ten years already in his presence,And who knows whether in this very momentHe is not merely waiting for us both25To 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—30He has no leisure time to think aboutThe 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 themFor every kindness, but not trust them further35Than 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 soulA lofty courage—'tis love gives it me!40I ought to be less open—ought to hideMy heart more from thee—so decorum dictates:[651:1]But where in this place could'st thou seek for truth,If in my mouth thou did'st not find it?
Thekla (as soon us 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:5There'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 us10A full and filial confidence.
Thekla.She doth love you,Doth rate you high before all others—but—But such a secret—she would never haveThe courage to conceal it from my father.For her own peace of mind we must preserve it15A secret from her too.
Max.Why any secret?I love not secrets. Mark, what I will do.[651]I'll throw me at your father's feet—let himDecide upon my fortunes!—He is true,He wears no mask—he hates all crooked ways—20He is so good, so noble!
Thekla (falls on his neck).That are you!
Max.You knew him only since this morn; but IHave liv'd ten years already in his presence,And who knows whether in this very momentHe is not merely waiting for us both25To 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—30He has no leisure time to think aboutThe 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 themFor every kindness, but not trust them further35Than 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 soulA lofty courage—'tis love gives it me!40I ought to be less open—ought to hideMy heart more from thee—so decorum dictates:[651:1]But where in this place could'st thou seek for truth,If in my mouth thou did'st not find it?
[651:1]What may not a man write and publish, who writes with the press waiting, and composes p. 86 while the printer is composing p. 85?MS. R.
[651:1]What may not a man write and publish, who writes with the press waiting, and composes p. 86 while the printer is composing p. 85?MS. R.
[3]purpose1800,1828,1829.
purpose1800,1828,1829.
[18]him1800,1828,1829.
him1800,1828,1829.
[37]e'er1800,1828,1829.
e'er1800,1828,1829.
To them enters theCountess Tertsky.
Countess.Come!My husband sends me for you—It is now[652]The latest moment.Part you!Thekla.O, not yet!It has been scarce a moment.Countess.Aye! Then timeFlies swiftly with your Highness, Princess niece!5Max.There is no hurry, aunt.Countess.Away! Away!The folks begin to miss you. Twice alreadyHis father has asked for him.Thekla.Ha! his father?Countess.You understand that, niece!Thekla.Why needs heTo go at all to that society?10'Tis not his proper company. They mayBe 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.Yes! you have hit it, aunt! That is my meaning.15Leave him here wholly! Tell the company—Countess.What? have you lost your senses, niece?—Count, you remember the conditions. Come!Max (to Thekla).Lady, I must obey. Farewell, dear lady![Theklaturns away from him with a quick motion.What say you then, dear lady?Thekla (without looking at him).Nothing. Go!20Max.Can I, when you are angry——
Countess.Come!My husband sends me for you—It is now[652]The latest moment.Part you!
Thekla.O, not yet!It has been scarce a moment.
Countess.Aye! Then timeFlies swiftly with your Highness, Princess niece!5
Max.There is no hurry, aunt.
Countess.Away! Away!The folks begin to miss you. Twice alreadyHis father has asked for him.
Thekla.Ha! his father?
Countess.You understand that, niece!
Thekla.Why needs heTo go at all to that society?10'Tis not his proper company. They mayBe 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.Yes! you have hit it, aunt! That is my meaning.15Leave him here wholly! Tell the company—
Countess.What? have you lost your senses, niece?—Count, you remember the conditions. Come!
Max (to Thekla).Lady, I must obey. Farewell, dear lady![Theklaturns away from him with a quick motion.What say you then, dear lady?
Thekla (without looking at him).Nothing. Go!20
Max.Can I, when you are angry——
[He draws up to her, their eyes meet, she stands silent a moment, then throws herself into his arms; he presses her fast to his heart.
Countess.Off! Heavens! if any one should come!Hark! What's that noise? It comes this way.——Off!
Countess.Off! Heavens! if any one should come!Hark! What's that noise? It comes this way.——Off!
[Maxtears himself away out of her arms, and goes. TheCountessaccompanies him.Theklafollows him with her eyes at first, walks restlessly across the room, then stops, and remains standing, lost in thought. A guitar lies on the table, she seizes it as by a sudden emotion, and after she has played a while an irregular and melancholy symphony, she falls gradually into the music and sings.
Thekla (plays and sings).
The cloud doth gather, the greenwood roar,The damsel paces along the shore;25The billows they tumble with might, with might;And she flings out her voice to the darksome night;Her bosom is swelling with sorrow;The world it is empty, the heart will die,There's nothing to wish for beneath the sky:30Thou Holy One, call thy child away!I've lived and loved, and that was to-day—Make ready my grave-clothes to-morrow.[653:1]
The cloud doth gather, the greenwood roar,The damsel paces along the shore;25The billows they tumble with might, with might;And she flings out her voice to the darksome night;Her bosom is swelling with sorrow;The world it is empty, the heart will die,There's nothing to wish for beneath the sky:30Thou Holy One, call thy child away!I've lived and loved, and that was to-day—Make ready my grave-clothes to-morrow.[653:1]
The cloud doth gather, the greenwood roar,The damsel paces along the shore;25The billows they tumble with might, with might;And she flings out her voice to the darksome night;
Her bosom is swelling with sorrow;The world it is empty, the heart will die,There's nothing to wish for beneath the sky:30Thou Holy One, call thy child away!I've lived and loved, and that was to-day—Make ready my grave-clothes to-morrow.[653:1]
[653:1]I found it not in my power to translate this song withliteralfidelity, preserving at the same time the Alcaic Movement, and have therefore added the original with a prose translation. Some of my readers may be more fortunate.Thekla (spielt und singt).Der Eichwald brauset, die Wolken ziehn,Das Mägdlein wandelt an Ufers Grün,Es bricht sich die Welle mit Macht, mit Macht,Und sie singt hinaus in die finstre Nacht,Das Auge von Weinen getrübet:Das Herz ist gestorben, die Welt ist leer,Und weiter giebt sie dem Wunsche nichts mehr.Du Heilige, rufe dein Kind zurück,Ich habe genossen das irdische Glück,Ich habe gelebt und geliebet.Literal Translation.Thekla (plays and sings).The oak-forest bellows, the clouds gather, the damsel walks to and fro on the green of the shore; the wave breaks with might, with might, and she sings out into the dark night, her eye discoloured with weeping: the heart is dead, the world is empty, and further gives it nothing more to the wish. Thou Holy One, call thy child home. I have enjoyed the happiness of this world, I have lived and have loved.I cannot but add here an imitation of this song, with which the author ofThe Tale of Rosamond Gray and Blind Margarethas favoured me, and which appears to me to have caught the happiest manner of our old ballads.The clouds are black'ning, the storms threat'ning,The cavern doth mutter, the greenwood moan;Billows are breaking, the damsel's heart aching,Thus in the dark night she singeth alone,Her eye upward roving:The world is empty, the heart is dead surely,In this world plainly all seemeth amiss;To thy heaven, Holy One, take home thy little one,I have partaken of all earth's bliss,Both living and loving.The text of Lamb's version as printed inWorks, 1818, i. 42 is as follows:BALLAD.From the German.The clouds are blackening, the storms threatening,And ever the forest maketh a moan:Billows are breaking, the damsel's heart aching,Thus by herself she singeth alone,Weeping right plenteously.The world is empty, the heart is dead surely,In this world plainly all seemeth amiss:To thy breast, holy one, take now thy little one,I have had earnest of all earth's blissLiving most lovingly.Spring, 1800.
[653:1]I found it not in my power to translate this song withliteralfidelity, preserving at the same time the Alcaic Movement, and have therefore added the original with a prose translation. Some of my readers may be more fortunate.
Thekla (spielt und singt).
Der Eichwald brauset, die Wolken ziehn,Das Mägdlein wandelt an Ufers Grün,Es bricht sich die Welle mit Macht, mit Macht,Und sie singt hinaus in die finstre Nacht,Das Auge von Weinen getrübet:Das Herz ist gestorben, die Welt ist leer,Und weiter giebt sie dem Wunsche nichts mehr.Du Heilige, rufe dein Kind zurück,Ich habe genossen das irdische Glück,Ich habe gelebt und geliebet.
Der Eichwald brauset, die Wolken ziehn,Das Mägdlein wandelt an Ufers Grün,Es bricht sich die Welle mit Macht, mit Macht,Und sie singt hinaus in die finstre Nacht,Das Auge von Weinen getrübet:Das Herz ist gestorben, die Welt ist leer,Und weiter giebt sie dem Wunsche nichts mehr.Du Heilige, rufe dein Kind zurück,Ich habe genossen das irdische Glück,Ich habe gelebt und geliebet.
Literal Translation.
Thekla (plays and sings).
The oak-forest bellows, the clouds gather, the damsel walks to and fro on the green of the shore; the wave breaks with might, with might, and she sings out into the dark night, her eye discoloured with weeping: the heart is dead, the world is empty, and further gives it nothing more to the wish. Thou Holy One, call thy child home. I have enjoyed the happiness of this world, I have lived and have loved.
I cannot but add here an imitation of this song, with which the author ofThe Tale of Rosamond Gray and Blind Margarethas favoured me, and which appears to me to have caught the happiest manner of our old ballads.
The clouds are black'ning, the storms threat'ning,The cavern doth mutter, the greenwood moan;Billows are breaking, the damsel's heart aching,Thus in the dark night she singeth alone,Her eye upward roving:The world is empty, the heart is dead surely,In this world plainly all seemeth amiss;To thy heaven, Holy One, take home thy little one,I have partaken of all earth's bliss,Both living and loving.
The clouds are black'ning, the storms threat'ning,The cavern doth mutter, the greenwood moan;Billows are breaking, the damsel's heart aching,Thus in the dark night she singeth alone,Her eye upward roving:The world is empty, the heart is dead surely,In this world plainly all seemeth amiss;To thy heaven, Holy One, take home thy little one,I have partaken of all earth's bliss,Both living and loving.
The text of Lamb's version as printed inWorks, 1818, i. 42 is as follows:
BALLAD.
From the German.
The clouds are blackening, the storms threatening,And ever the forest maketh a moan:Billows are breaking, the damsel's heart aching,Thus by herself she singeth alone,Weeping right plenteously.The world is empty, the heart is dead surely,In this world plainly all seemeth amiss:To thy breast, holy one, take now thy little one,I have had earnest of all earth's blissLiving most lovingly.
The clouds are blackening, the storms threatening,And ever the forest maketh a moan:Billows are breaking, the damsel's heart aching,Thus by herself she singeth alone,Weeping right plenteously.The world is empty, the heart is dead surely,In this world plainly all seemeth amiss:To thy breast, holy one, take now thy little one,I have had earnest of all earth's blissLiving most lovingly.
Spring, 1800.
[1]Countess (in a pressing manner).1800,1828,1829.
Countess (in a pressing manner).1800,1828,1829.
[3]The latest, &c.[They not appearing to attend to what she says, she steps between them.1800,1828,1829.
The latest, &c.[They not appearing to attend to what she says, she steps between them.
The latest, &c.[They not appearing to attend to what she says, she steps between them.
1800,1828,1829.
[9]that1800,1828,1829.
that1800,1828,1829.
[15]Thekla (with energy).1800,1828,1829.
Thekla (with energy).1800,1828,1829.
Countess(returns),Thekla.
Countess.Fie, lady niece! to throw yourself upon him,Like a poor gift to one who cares not for it,And so must be flung after him! For you,Duke Friedland's only child, I should have thoughtIt had been more beseeming to have shewn yourself5More chary of your person.Thekla.And what mean you?Countess.I mean, niece, that you should not have forgottenWho you are, and who he is. But perchanceThat never once occurred to you.Thekla.What then?Countess.That you're the daughter of the Prince-Duke Friedland.10Thekla.Well—and what farther?Countess.What? a pretty question!Thekla.He was born that which we have but become.He's of an ancient Lombard family,Son of a reigning princess.Countess.Are you dreaming?Talking in sleep? An excellent jest, forsooth!15We shall no doubt right courteously entreat himTo honour with his hand the richest heiressIn Europe.Thekla.That will not be necessary.Countess.Methinks 'twere well though not to run the hazard.
Countess.Fie, lady niece! to throw yourself upon him,Like a poor gift to one who cares not for it,And so must be flung after him! For you,Duke Friedland's only child, I should have thoughtIt had been more beseeming to have shewn yourself5More chary of your person.
Thekla.And what mean you?
Countess.I mean, niece, that you should not have forgottenWho you are, and who he is. But perchanceThat never once occurred to you.
Thekla.What then?
Countess.That you're the daughter of the Prince-Duke Friedland.10
Thekla.Well—and what farther?
Countess.What? a pretty question!
Thekla.He was born that which we have but become.He's of an ancient Lombard family,Son of a reigning princess.
Countess.Are you dreaming?Talking in sleep? An excellent jest, forsooth!15We shall no doubt right courteously entreat himTo honour with his hand the richest heiressIn Europe.
Thekla.That will not be necessary.
Countess.Methinks 'twere well though not to run the hazard.
Thekla.His father loves him, Count Octavio20Will interpose no difficulty——Countess.His!His father! his! But yours, niece, what of yours?Thekla.Why I begin to think you fear his father,So anxiously you hide it from the man!His father, his, I mean.Countess (looks at her).Niece, you are false.25Thekla.Are you then wounded? O, be friends with me!Countess.You hold your game for won already. Do notTriumph too soon!—Thekla.Nay now, be friends with me.Countess.It is not yet so far gone.Thekla.I believe you.Countess.Did you suppose your father had laid out30His most important life in toils of war,Denied himself each quiet earthly bliss,Had banished slumber from his tent, devotedHis noble head to care, and for this only,To make a happy pair of you? At length35To draw you from your convent, and conductIn easy triumph to your arms the manThat chanc'd to please your eyes! All this, methinks,He might have purchased at a cheaper rate.Thekla.That which he did not plant for me might yet40Bear me fair fruitage of its own accord.And if my friendly and affectionate fate,Out of his fearful and enormous being,Will but prepare the joys of life for me—[655:1]Countess.Thou seest it with a love-lorn maiden's eyes.45Cast thine eye round, bethink thee who thou art.Into no house of joyance hast thou stepped,For no espousals dost thou find the wallsDeck'd out, no guests the nuptial garland wearing.Here is no splendour but of arms. Or think'st thou50That all these thousands are here congregatedTo lead up the long dances at thy wedding?Thou see'st thy father's forehead full of thought,[656]Thy mother's eye in tears: upon the balanceLies the great destiny of all our house.55Leave now the puny wish, the girlish feeling,O thrust it far behind thee! Give thou proof,Thou'rt the daughter of the Mighty—hisWho where he moves creates the wonderful.Not to herself the woman must belong,60Annexed and bound to alien destinies.But she performs the best part, she the wisest,Who can transmute the alien into self,Meet and disarm necessity by choice;And what must be, take freely to her heart,65And bear and foster it with mother's love.Thekla.Such ever was my lesson in the convent.I had no loves, no wishes, knew myselfOnly as his—his daughter—his, the Mighty!His fame, the echo of whose blast drove to me70From the far distance, wakened in my soulNo other thought than this—I am appointedTo offer up myself in passiveness to him.Countess.That is thy fate. Mould thou thy wishes to it.I and thy mother gave thee the example.75Thekla.My fate hath shewn me him, to whom behoves itThat I should offer up myself. In gladnessHim will I follow.Countess.Not thy fate hath shewn him!Thy heart, say rather—'twas thy heart, my child!Thekla.Fate hath no voice but the heart's impulses.80I am all his! His Present—his alone,Is this new life, which lives in me. He hathA right to his own creature. What was IEre his fair love infused a soul into me?Countess.Thou would'st oppose thy father then, should he85Have otherwise determined with thy person?[Theklaremains silent. TheCountesscontinues.Thou mean'st to force him to thy liking?—Child,His name is Friedland.Thekla.My name too is Friedland.He shall have found a genuine daughter in me.Countess.What? he has vanquished all impediment,90And in the wilful mood of his own daughter[657]Shall a new struggle rise for him? Child! child!As yet thou hast seen thy father's smiles alone;The eye of his rage thou hast not seen. Dear child,I will not frighten thee. To that extreme,95I trust, it ne'er shall come. His will is yetUnknown to me: 'tis possible his aimsMay have the same direction as thy wish.But this can never, never be his will,That thou, the daughter of his haughty fortunes,100Should'st e'er demean thee as a love-sick maiden;And like some poor cost-nothing, fling thyselfToward the man, who, if that high prize everBe destined to await him, yet, with sacrificesThe highest love can bring, must pay for it.[ExitCountess.105Thekla.I thank thee for the hint. It turnsMy sad presentiment to certainty.And it is so!—Not one friend have we here,Not one true heart! we've nothing but ourselves!O she said rightly—no auspicious signs110Beam on this covenant of our affections.This is no theatre, where hope abides.The dull thick noise of war alone stirs here.And love himself, as he were armed in steel,Steps forth, and girds him for the strife of death.115[Music from the banquet-room is heard.There's a dark spirit walking in our house,And swiftly will the Destiny close on us.It drove me hither from my calm asylum,It mocks my soul with charming witchery,It lures me forward in a seraph's shape,120I see it near, I see it nearer floating,It draws, it pulls me with a god-like power—And lo! the abyss—and thither am I moving—I have no power within me not to move![The music from the banquet-room becomes louder.O when a house is doomed in fire to perish,125Many a dark heaven drives his clouds together,Yea, shoots his lightnings down from sunny heights,Flames burst from out the subterraneous chasms,[658]And fiends and angels mingling in their fury,Sling fire-brands at the burning edifice.[658:1]130[ExitThekla.
Thekla.His father loves him, Count Octavio20Will interpose no difficulty——
Countess.His!His father! his! But yours, niece, what of yours?
Thekla.Why I begin to think you fear his father,So anxiously you hide it from the man!His father, his, I mean.
Countess (looks at her).Niece, you are false.25
Thekla.Are you then wounded? O, be friends with me!
Countess.You hold your game for won already. Do notTriumph too soon!—
Thekla.Nay now, be friends with me.
Countess.It is not yet so far gone.
Thekla.I believe you.
Countess.Did you suppose your father had laid out30His most important life in toils of war,Denied himself each quiet earthly bliss,Had banished slumber from his tent, devotedHis noble head to care, and for this only,To make a happy pair of you? At length35To draw you from your convent, and conductIn easy triumph to your arms the manThat chanc'd to please your eyes! All this, methinks,He might have purchased at a cheaper rate.
Thekla.That which he did not plant for me might yet40Bear me fair fruitage of its own accord.And if my friendly and affectionate fate,Out of his fearful and enormous being,Will but prepare the joys of life for me—
[655:1]Countess.Thou seest it with a love-lorn maiden's eyes.45Cast thine eye round, bethink thee who thou art.Into no house of joyance hast thou stepped,For no espousals dost thou find the wallsDeck'd out, no guests the nuptial garland wearing.Here is no splendour but of arms. Or think'st thou50That all these thousands are here congregatedTo lead up the long dances at thy wedding?Thou see'st thy father's forehead full of thought,[656]Thy mother's eye in tears: upon the balanceLies the great destiny of all our house.55Leave now the puny wish, the girlish feeling,O thrust it far behind thee! Give thou proof,Thou'rt the daughter of the Mighty—hisWho where he moves creates the wonderful.Not to herself the woman must belong,60Annexed and bound to alien destinies.But she performs the best part, she the wisest,Who can transmute the alien into self,Meet and disarm necessity by choice;And what must be, take freely to her heart,65And bear and foster it with mother's love.
Thekla.Such ever was my lesson in the convent.I had no loves, no wishes, knew myselfOnly as his—his daughter—his, the Mighty!His fame, the echo of whose blast drove to me70From the far distance, wakened in my soulNo other thought than this—I am appointedTo offer up myself in passiveness to him.
Countess.That is thy fate. Mould thou thy wishes to it.I and thy mother gave thee the example.75
Thekla.My fate hath shewn me him, to whom behoves itThat I should offer up myself. In gladnessHim will I follow.
Countess.Not thy fate hath shewn him!Thy heart, say rather—'twas thy heart, my child!
Thekla.Fate hath no voice but the heart's impulses.80I am all his! His Present—his alone,Is this new life, which lives in me. He hathA right to his own creature. What was IEre his fair love infused a soul into me?
Countess.Thou would'st oppose thy father then, should he85Have otherwise determined with thy person?[Theklaremains silent. TheCountesscontinues.Thou mean'st to force him to thy liking?—Child,His name is Friedland.
Thekla.My name too is Friedland.He shall have found a genuine daughter in me.
Countess.What? he has vanquished all impediment,90And in the wilful mood of his own daughter[657]Shall a new struggle rise for him? Child! child!As yet thou hast seen thy father's smiles alone;The eye of his rage thou hast not seen. Dear child,I will not frighten thee. To that extreme,95I trust, it ne'er shall come. His will is yetUnknown to me: 'tis possible his aimsMay have the same direction as thy wish.But this can never, never be his will,That thou, the daughter of his haughty fortunes,100Should'st e'er demean thee as a love-sick maiden;And like some poor cost-nothing, fling thyselfToward the man, who, if that high prize everBe destined to await him, yet, with sacrificesThe highest love can bring, must pay for it.[ExitCountess.105
Thekla.I thank thee for the hint. It turnsMy sad presentiment to certainty.And it is so!—Not one friend have we here,Not one true heart! we've nothing but ourselves!O she said rightly—no auspicious signs110Beam on this covenant of our affections.This is no theatre, where hope abides.The dull thick noise of war alone stirs here.And love himself, as he were armed in steel,Steps forth, and girds him for the strife of death.115[Music from the banquet-room is heard.There's a dark spirit walking in our house,And swiftly will the Destiny close on us.It drove me hither from my calm asylum,It mocks my soul with charming witchery,It lures me forward in a seraph's shape,120I see it near, I see it nearer floating,It draws, it pulls me with a god-like power—And lo! the abyss—and thither am I moving—I have no power within me not to move![The music from the banquet-room becomes louder.O when a house is doomed in fire to perish,125Many a dark heaven drives his clouds together,Yea, shoots his lightnings down from sunny heights,Flames burst from out the subterraneous chasms,[658]And fiends and angels mingling in their fury,Sling fire-brands at the burning edifice.[658:1]130[ExitThekla.
[655:1]A noble speech, and with the additional excellence of being in character.MS. R.
[655:1]A noble speech, and with the additional excellence of being in character.MS. R.
[658:1]There are few, who will not have taste enough to laugh at the two concluding lines of this soliloquy; and still fewer, I would fain hope, who would not have been more disposed to shudder, had I given afaithfultranslation. For the readers of German I have added the original:Blind-wüthend schleudert selbst der Gott der FreudeDen Pechkranz in das brennende Gebäude.[658:A]
[658:1]There are few, who will not have taste enough to laugh at the two concluding lines of this soliloquy; and still fewer, I would fain hope, who would not have been more disposed to shudder, had I given afaithfultranslation. For the readers of German I have added the original:
Blind-wüthend schleudert selbst der Gott der FreudeDen Pechkranz in das brennende Gebäude.[658:A]
Blind-wüthend schleudert selbst der Gott der FreudeDen Pechkranz in das brennende Gebäude.[658:A]
[658:A]The two lines are sufficiently fustian, but this seems no reason for interpreting 'the God of Joy' as any higher divinity than Comus or rather an allegoric personage. Festivity alluding to the festive music and uproar heard from the banquet-room.MS. R.
[658:A]The two lines are sufficiently fustian, but this seems no reason for interpreting 'the God of Joy' as any higher divinity than Comus or rather an allegoric personage. Festivity alluding to the festive music and uproar heard from the banquet-room.MS. R.
[6]Thekla (rising).1800,1828,1829.
Thekla (rising).1800,1828,1829.
[8]you1800,1828,1829.
you1800,1828,1829.
[12]born . . . become1800,1828,1829.
born . . . become1800,1828,1829.
[16]entreat1800,1828,1829.
entreat1800,1828,1829.
[21]His1800,1828,1829.
His1800,1828,1829.
[22]His . . . his1800,1828,1829.
His . . . his1800,1828,1829.
[25]His . . . his1800,1828,1829.Countess (looks at her, as scrutinizing).1800,1828,1829.false1800,1828,1829.
His . . . his1800,1828,1829.
Countess (looks at her, as scrutinizing).1800,1828,1829.
false1800,1828,1829.
[28]Thekla (interrupting her, and attempting to soothe her).1800,1828,1829.
Thekla (interrupting her, and attempting to soothe her).1800,1828,1829.
[58]his1800,1828,1829.
his1800,1828,1829.
[74]is1800,1828,1829.
is1800,1828,1829.
[76]him1800,1828,1829.
him1800,1828,1829.
[78]Him1800,1828,1829.
Him1800,1828,1829.
[81]HisPresent—his1800,1828,1829.
HisPresent—his1800,1828,1829.
[88]My1800,1828,1829.
My1800,1828,1829.
[103]if1800,1828,1829.
if1800,1828,1829.
Before106Thekla (who during the last speech had been standing evidently lost in her reflections).1800,1828,1829.
Before106Thekla (who during the last speech had been standing evidently lost in her reflections).1800,1828,1829.
[111]covenant] couvenant1800.
covenant] couvenant1800.
[126]a] and1800,1828,1829.
a] and1800,1828,1829.
A large Saloon lighted up with festal Splendour; in the midst of it, and in the Centre of the Stage, a Table richly set out, at which eightGeneralsare sitting, among whom areOctavio Piccolomini, Tertsky, andMaradas. Right and left of this, but farther back, two other Tables, at each of which six Persons are placed. The Middle Door, which is standing open, gives to the Prospect a Fourth Table, with the same Number of Persons. More forward stands the sideboard. The whole front of the Stage is kept open for the Pages and Servants in waiting. All is in Motion. The Band of Music belonging to Tertsky's Regiment march across the Stage, and draw up round the Tables. Before they are quite off from the Front of the Stage,Max Piccolominiappears,Tertskyadvances towards him with a Paper,Isolanicomes up to meet him with a Beaker or Service-cup.
Tertsky, Isolani, Max Piccolomini.
Isolani.Here brother, what we love! Why, where hast been?Off to thy place—quick! Tertsky here has givenThe mother's holiday wine up to free booty.Here it goes on as at the Heidelberg castle.Already hast thou lost the best. They're giving5At yonder table ducal crowns in shares;There's Sternberg's lands and chattels are put up,With Egenberg's, Stawata's, Lichtenstein's,And all the great Bohemian feodalities.Be nimble, lad! and something may turn up10[659]For thee—who knows? off—to thy place! quick! march!Tiefenbach and Goetz (call out from the second and third tables).Count Piccolomini!Tertsky.Stop, ye shall have him in an instant.—ReadThis oath here, whether as 'tis here set forth,The wording satisfies you. They've all read it,15Each in his turn, and each one will subscribeHis individual signature.Max (reads).'Ingratis servire nefas.'Isolani.That sounds to my ears very much like Latin,And being interpreted, pray what may't mean?Tertsky.No honest man will serve a thankless master.20Max.'Inasmuch as our supreme Commander, the illustriousDuke of Friedland, in consequence of the manifold affronts andgrievances which he has received, had expressed his determinationto quit the Emperor, but on our unanimous entreaty hasgraciously consented to remain still with the army, and not to25part from us without our approbation thereof, so we, collectivelyandeach in particular, in the stead of an oath personally taken,do hereby oblige ourselves—likewise by him honourably andfaithfully to hold, and in nowise whatsoever from him topart, and to be ready to shed for his interests the last drop of30our blood, so far, namely, asour oath to the Emperor will permitit. (These last words are repeated byIsolani.) In testimony ofwhich we subscribe our names.'Tertsky.Now!—are you willing to subscribe this paper?Isolani.Why should he not? All officers of honour35Can do it, aye, must do it.—Pen and ink here!Tertsky.Nay, let it rest till after meal.Isolani (drawing Max along).Come, Max.
Isolani.Here brother, what we love! Why, where hast been?Off to thy place—quick! Tertsky here has givenThe mother's holiday wine up to free booty.Here it goes on as at the Heidelberg castle.Already hast thou lost the best. They're giving5At yonder table ducal crowns in shares;There's Sternberg's lands and chattels are put up,With Egenberg's, Stawata's, Lichtenstein's,And all the great Bohemian feodalities.Be nimble, lad! and something may turn up10[659]For thee—who knows? off—to thy place! quick! march!
Tiefenbach and Goetz (call out from the second and third tables).Count Piccolomini!
Tertsky.Stop, ye shall have him in an instant.—ReadThis oath here, whether as 'tis here set forth,The wording satisfies you. They've all read it,15Each in his turn, and each one will subscribeHis individual signature.
Max (reads).'Ingratis servire nefas.'
Isolani.That sounds to my ears very much like Latin,And being interpreted, pray what may't mean?
Tertsky.No honest man will serve a thankless master.20
Max.'Inasmuch as our supreme Commander, the illustriousDuke of Friedland, in consequence of the manifold affronts andgrievances which he has received, had expressed his determinationto quit the Emperor, but on our unanimous entreaty hasgraciously consented to remain still with the army, and not to25part from us without our approbation thereof, so we, collectivelyandeach in particular, in the stead of an oath personally taken,do hereby oblige ourselves—likewise by him honourably andfaithfully to hold, and in nowise whatsoever from him topart, and to be ready to shed for his interests the last drop of30our blood, so far, namely, asour oath to the Emperor will permitit. (These last words are repeated byIsolani.) In testimony ofwhich we subscribe our names.'
Tertsky.Now!—are you willing to subscribe this paper?
Isolani.Why should he not? All officers of honour35Can do it, aye, must do it.—Pen and ink here!
Tertsky.Nay, let it rest till after meal.
Isolani (drawing Max along).Come, Max.
[Both seat themselves at their table.