The Complete Poetical Works of Samuel Taylor Coleridge
Chapter 277 : _Thekla._ And how far is it thither?_Captain._ Near twelve leagues._Thekla._ And which

_Thekla._ And how far is it thither?

_Captain._ Near twelve leagues.

_Thekla._ And which the way?

_Captain._ You go by Tirschenreit 65 And Falkenberg, through our advanced posts.

_Thekla._ Who Is their commander?

_Captain._ Colonel Seckendorf.

[_THEKLA steps to the table, and takes a ring from a casket._

_Thekla._ You have beheld me in my agony, And shewn a feeling heart. Please you, accept

[_Giving him the ring._

A small memorial of this hour. Now go! 70

_Captain._ Princess----

[_THEKLA silently makes signs to him to go, and turns from him. The Captain lingers, and is about to speak. LADY NEUBRUNN repeats the signal, and he retires._

LINENOTES:

[Before 1] _Captain (respectfully approaching her)._ 1800, 1828, 1829.

[Before 3] _Thekla (with dignity)._ 1800, 1828, 1829.

[3] did behold] have beheld 1800, 1828, 1829.

[13] _will_ 1800, 1828, 1829.

[46] _Thekla (faltering)._ And where-- 1800, 1828, 1829.

[Before 71] _Captain (confused)._ 1800, 1828, 1829.

SCENE V

_THEKLA, LADY NEUBRUNN._

_Thekla (falls on Lady Neubrunn's neck)._ Now, gentle Neubrunn, shew me the affection Which thou hast ever promised--prove thyself My own true friend and faithful fellow-pilgrim.

This night we must away!

_Neubrunn._ Away! and whither?

_Thekla._ Whither! There is but one place in the world. 5 Thither where he lies buried! To his coffin!

_Neubrunn._ What would you do there?

_Thekla._ What do there?

That would'st thou not have asked, hadst thou e'er loved.

There, there is all that still remains of him.

That single spot is the whole earth to me. 10

_Neubrunn._ That place of death----

_Thekla._ Is now the only place, Where life yet dwells for me: detain me not!

Come and make preparations: let us think Of means to fly from hence.

_Neubrunn._ Your father's rage----

_Thekla._ That time is past---- 15 And now I fear no human being's rage.

_Neubrunn._ The sentence of the world! The tongue of calumny!

_Thekla._ Whom am I seeking? Him who is no more.

Am I then hastening to the arms----O G.o.d!

I haste but to the grave of the beloved. 20

_Neubrunn._ And we alone, two helpless feeble women?

_Thekla._ We will take weapons: my arms shall protect thee.

_Neubrunn._ In the dark night-time?

_Thekla._ Darkness will conceal us.

_Neubrunn._ This rough tempestuous night----

_Thekla._ Had he a soft bed Under the hoofs of his war-horses?

_Neubrunn._ Heaven! 25 And then the many posts of the enemy!--

_Thekla._ They are human beings. Misery travels free Through the whole earth.

_Neubrunn._ The journey's weary length--

_Thekla._ The pilgrim, travelling to a distant shrine Of hope and healing, doth not count the leagues. 30

_Neubrunn._ How can we pa.s.s the gates?

_Thekla._ Gold opens them.

Go, do but go.

_Neubrunn._ Should we be recognized--