The Complete Poetical Works of Samuel Taylor Coleridge
Chapter 217 : _d.u.c.h.ess._ Of a second---- _Wallenstein._ Second---- _d.u.c.h.ess._ More disgracef

_d.u.c.h.ess._ Of a second----

_Wallenstein._ Second----

_d.u.c.h.ess._ More disgraceful ----Dismission.

_Wallenstein._ Talk they?

O! they force, they thrust me With violence, against my own will, onward! 75

_d.u.c.h.ess_. O! if there yet be time, my husband! if By giving way and by submission, this Can be averted--my dear lord, give way!

Win down your proud heart to it! Tell that heart It is your sovereign lord, your Emperor 80 Before whom you retreat. O let no longer Low tricking malice blacken your good meaning With abhorred venomous glosses. Stand you up s.h.i.+elded and helm'd and weapon'd with the truth, And drive before you into uttermost shame 85 These slanderous liars! Few firm friends have we-- You know it!--The swift growth of our good fortune It hath but set us up, a mark for hatred.

What are we, if the sovereign's grace and favour Stand not before us? 90

LINENOTES:

[14] _you_ wish 1800, 1828, 1829.

[15] _Wallenstein (after a pause)._ Well, then? 1800, 1828, 1829.

[After 17] [_The d.u.c.h.eSS casts her eyes on the ground and remains silent._ 1800, 1828, 1829.

[31] _so_ 1800, 1828, 1829.

[45] _Now_ 1800, 1828, 1829. _d.u.c.h.ess (wiping away her tears, after a pause)._ 1800, 1828, 1829. _did_ 1800, 1828, 1829.

[53] _d.u.c.h.ess (shaking her head)._ 1800, 1828, 1829.

[62] _Wallenstein (eagerly)._ Lamormain, &c. 1800, 1828, 1829. _he_ 1800, 1828, 1829.

[71]

And people . . . Ah!-- [_Stifling extreme emotion._

1800, 1828, 1829.

[73] _d.u.c.h.ess._ Of a second---- (_catches her voice and hesitates_).

1800, 1828, 1829.

[74]

_Wallenstein._ Talk they? [_Strides across the chamber in vehement agitation._

1800, 1828, 1829.

[Before 76] _d.u.c.h.ess (presses near to him, in entreaty)._ 1800, 1828, 1829.

SCENE VIII

_Enter the COUNTESS TERTSKY, leading in her hand the PRINCESS THEKLA, richly adorned with brilliants._

_COUNTESS, THEKLA, WALLENSTEIN, d.u.c.h.eSS._

_Countess._ How, sister? What already upon business, And business of no pleasing kind I see, Ere he has gladdened at his child. The first Moment belongs to joy. Here, Friedland! father!

This is thy daughter. 5

(_THEKLA approaches with a shy and timid air, and bends herself as about to kiss his hand. He receives her in his arms, and remains standing for some time lost in the feeling of her presence._)

_Wallenstein._ Yes! pure and lovely hath hope risen on me: I take her as the pledge of greater fortune.

_d.u.c.h.ess._ 'Twas but a little child when you departed To raise up that great army for the Emperor: And after, at the close of the campaign, 10 When you returned home out of Pomerania, Your daughter was already in the convent, Wherein she has remain'd till now.

_Wallenstein._ The while We in the field here gave our cares and toils To make her great, and fight her a free way 15 To the loftiest earthly good, lo! mother Nature Within the peaceful silent convent walls Has done her part, and out of her free grace Hath she bestowed on the beloved child The G.o.dlike; and now leads her thus adorned 20 To meet her splendid fortune, and my hope.

_d.u.c.h.ess (to Thekla)._ Thou wouldst not have recognized thy father, Wouldst thou, my child? She counted scarce eight years, When last she saw your face.

_Thekla._ O yes, yes, mother!

At the first glance!--My father is not altered. 25 The form, that stands before me, falsifies No feature of the image that hath lived So long within me!

_Wallenstein._ The voice of my child!

[_Then after a pause._

I was indignant at my destiny That it denied me a man-child to be 30 Heir of my name and of my prosperous fortune, And re-illume my soon extinguished being In a proud line of princes.

I wronged my destiny. Here upon this head So lovely in its maiden bloom will I 35 Let fall the garland of a life of war, Nor deem it lost, if only I can wreath it Transmitted to a regal ornament, Around these beauteous brows.

[_He clasps her in his arms as PICCOLOMINI enters._

LINENOTES:

[After 1] [_Observing the countenance of the d.u.c.h.ess._ 1800, 1828, 1829.

SCENE IX

_Enter MAX PICCOLOMINI, and some time after COUNT TERTSKY, the others remaining as before._

_Countess._ There comes the Paladin who protected us.

_Wallenstein._ Max! Welcome, ever welcome! Always wert thou The morning star of my best joys!

_Max._ My General----

_Wallenstein._ 'Till now it was the Emperor who rewarded thee, I but the instrument. This day thou hast bound 5 The father to thee, Max! the fortunate father, And this debt Friedland's self must pay.

_Max._ My prince!

You made no common hurry to transfer it.