The German Classics of the Nineteenth and Twentieth Centuries, Volume 03

Where of necessity the soul must be

Its own support. A strong heart will rely

On its own strength alone. In her own bosom,

Not in her mother's arms, must she collect

The strength to rise superior to this blow.

It is mine own brave girl. I'll have her treated

Not as a woman, but the heroine. [Going.]

COUNTESS (detaining him).

Where art thou going? I heard Terzky say

That 'tis thy purpose to depart from hence

Tomorrow early, but to leave us here.

WALLENST.

Yes, ye stay here, placed under the protection

Of gallant men.

COUNTESS.

                   O take us with you, brother.

Leave us not in this gloomy solitude

To brood o'er anxious thoughts. The mists of doubt

Magnify evils to a shape of horror.

WALLENST.

Who speaks of evil? I entreat you, sister,

Use words of better omen.

COUNTESS.

               Then take us with you.

O leave us not behind you in a place

That forces us to such sad omens. Heavy

And sick within me is my heart—

These walls breathe on me, like a church-yard vault.

I cannot tell you, brother, how this place

Doth go against my nature. Take us with you.

Come, sister, join you your entreaty! Niece,

Yours too. We all entreat you, take us with you!

WALLENST.

The place's evil omens will I change,

Making it that which shields and shelters for me

My best beloved.

LADY NEUBRUNN (returning).

The Swedish officer.

WALLENST.

Leave her alone with him.

DUCHESS (to THEKLA, who starts and shivers).

There—pale as death! Child, 'tis impossible

That thou shouldst speak with him. Follow thy mother.

THEKLA.

The Lady Neubrunn then may stay with me.

[Exeunt DUCHESS and COUNTESS.]

SCENE X

THEKLA, the SWEDISH CAPTAIN, LADY NEUBRUNN

CAPTAIN (respectfully approaching her).

Princess—I must entreat your gentle pardon—

My inconsiderate rash speech. How could I—

THEKLA (with dignity).

You have beheld me in my agony.

A most distressful accident occasion'd

You from a stranger to become at once

My confidant.

CAPTAIN.

I fear you hate my presence,

For my tongue spake a melancholy word.

THEKLA.

The fault is mine. Myself did wrest it from you.

The horror which came o'er me interrupted

Your tale at its commencement. May it please you,

Continue it to the end.

CAPTAIN.

                 Princess, 'twill

Renew your anguish.

THEKLA.

                        I am firm—

I will be firm. Well—how began the engagement?

CAPTAIN.

We lay, expecting no attack, at Neustadt,

Intrench'd but insecurely in our camp,

When toward evening rose a cloud of dust

From the wood thitherward; our vanguard fled

Into the camp, and sounded the alarm.

Scarce had we mounted ere the Pappenheimers,

Their horses at full speed, broke through the lines,

And leapt the trenches; but their heedless courage

Had borne them onward far before the others—

The infantry were still at distance, only

The Pappenheimers follow'd daringly

Their daring leader—

[THEKLA betrays agitation in her gestures. The officer pauses till she makes a sign to him to proceed.]

CAPTAIN.

                   Both in van and flanks

With our whole cavalry we now received them;

Back to the trenches drove them, where the foot

Stretch'd out a solid ridge of pikes to meet them.

They neither could advance, nor yet retreat;

And as they stood on every side wedged in,

The Rhinegrave to their leader call'd aloud,

Inviting a surrender; but their leader,

Young Piccolomini—

[THEKLA, as giddy, grasps a chair.] Known by his plume, And his long hair, gave signal for the trenches; Himself leapt first: the regiment all plunged after. His charger, by a halbert gored, rear'd up, Flung him with violence off, and over him The horses, now no longer to be curbed— [THEKLA, who has accompanied the last speech with all the marks of increasing agony, trembles through her whole frame, and is falling. The LADY NEUBRUNN runs to her, and receives her in her arms.]

NEUBR.

My dearest lady—

CAPTAIN.

I retire.

THEKLA.

                      'Tis over.

Proceed to the conclusion.

CAPTAIN.

                         Wild despair

Inspired the troops with frenzy when they saw

Their leader perish; every thought of rescue

Was spurned; they fought like wounded tigers; their

Frantic resistance roused our soldiery;

A murderous fight took place, nor was the contest

Finish'd before their last man fell.

THEKLA (faltering).

And where—

Where is—You have not told me all.

CAPTAIN (after a pause).

                           This morning

We buried him. Twelve youths of noblest birth

Did bear him to interment; the whole army

Follow'd the bier. A laurel deck'd his coffin;

The sword of the deceased was placed upon it,

In mark of honor, by the Rhinegrave's self.

Nor tears were wanting; for there are among us

Many, who had themselves experienced

The greatness of his mind and gentle manners;

All were affected at his fate. The Rhinegrave

Would willingly have saved him; but himself

Made vain the attempt—'tis said he wish'd to

die.

NEUBRUNN (to THEKLA, who has hidden her countenance).

Look up, my dearest lady—

THEKLA.

Where is his grave?

CAPTAIN.

At Neustadt, lady; in a cloister church

Are his remains deposited, until

We can receive directions from his father.

THEKLA.

What is the cloister's name?

CAPTAIN.

Saint Catherine's.

THEKLA.

And how far is it thither?

CAPTAIN.

Near twelve leagues.

THEKLA.

And which the way?

CAPTAIN.

                 You go by Tirschenreut

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 shown a feeling heart. Please you, accept

[Giving him the ring.]

A small memorial of this hour. Now go!

CAPTAIN (confusedly).

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.]

SCENE XI

THEKLA, LADY NEUBRUNN

THEKLA (falls on LADY NEUBRUNN's neck).

Now, gentle Neubrunn, show 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.

Thither, where he lies buried! To his coffin!

NEUBR.

What would you do there?

THEKLA.

                          What do there?

That wouldst thou not have ask'd, hadst thou e'er loved.

There, there is all that still remains of him!

That single spot is the whole earth to me.

NEUBR.

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—

And now I fear no human being's rage.

NEUBR.

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 God!

I haste but to the grave of the beloved.

NEUBR.

And we alone, two helpless feeble women?

THEKLA.

We will take weapons: my arm shall protect thee.

NEUBR.

In the dark night-time?

THEKLA.

Darkness will conceal us.

NEUBR.

This rough tempestuous night—

THEKLA.

                  Had he a soft bed

Under the hoofs of his war-horses?

NEUBRUNN.

                             Heaven!

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, traveling to a distant shrine

Of hope and healing, doth not count the leagues.

NEUBR.

How can we pass the gates?

THEKLA.

                   Gold opens them.

Go, do but go.

NEUBRUNN.

Should we be recognized—

THEKLA.

In a despairing woman, a poor fugitive,

Will no one seek the daughter of Duke Friedland.

NEUBR.

And where procure we horses for our flight?

THEKLA.

My equerry procures them. Go and fetch him.

NEUBR.

Dares he, without the knowledge of his lord?

THEKLA.

He will. Go, only go. Delay no longer.

NEUBR.

Dear lady! and your mother?

THEKLA.

Oh! my mother!

NEUBR.

So much as she has suffer'd too already;

Your tender mother—Ah! how ill prepared

For this last anguish!

THEKLA.

Woe is me! my mother!

[Pauses.]

Go instantly.

NEUBRUNN.

But think what you are doing!

THEKLA.

What can be thought, already has been thought.

NEUBR.

And being there, what purpose you to do?

THEKLA.

There a Divinity will prompt my soul.

NEUBR.

Your heart, dear lady, is disquieted!

And this is not the way that leads to quiet.

THEKLA.

To a deep quiet, such as he has found.

It draws me on, I know not what to name it,

Resistless does it draw me to his grave.

There will my heart be eased, my tears will flow.

O hasten, make no further questioning!

There is no rest for me till I have left

These walls—they fall in on me—a dim power

Drives me from hence—Oh mercy! What a feeling!

What pale and hollow forms are those! They fill,

They crowd the place! I have no longer room here!

Mercy! Still more! More still! The hideous swarm,

They press on me; they chase me from these walls—

Those hollow, bodiless forms of living men!

NEUBR.

You frighten me so, lady, that no longer

I dare stay here myself. I go and call

Rosenberg instantly. [Exit LADY NEUBRUNN.]

SCENE XII

THEKLA

His spirit 'tis that calls me: 'tis the troop

Of his true followers, who offer'd up

Themselves to avenge his death: and they accuse me

Of an ignoble loitering—they would not

Forsake their leader even in his death—they died for him,

And shall I live?—

For me too was that laurel-garland twined

That decks his bier. Life is an empty casket.

I throw it from me. O! my only hope

To die beneath the hoofs of trampling steeds—

That is the lot of heroes upon earth!

[Exit THEKLA.[33]]

[The Curtain drops.]

SCENE XIII

THEKLA, LADY NEUBRUNN, and ROSENBERG

NEUBR.

He is here lady, and he will procure them.

THEKLA.

Wilt thou provide us horses, Rosenberg?

ROSENB.

I will, my lady.

THEKLA.

And go with us as well?

ROSENB.

To the world's end, my lady.

THEKLA.

                            But consider,

Thou never canst return unto the Duke.

ROSENB.

I will remain with thee.

THEKLA.

                I will reward thee,

And will commend thee to another master,

Canst thou unseen conduct us from the castle?

ROSENB.

I can.

THEKLA.

When can I go?

ROSENBERG.

                    This very hour.

But wither would you, Lady?

THEKLA.

To—Tell him, Neubrunn.

NEUBR.

To Neustadt.

ROSENBERG.

So;—I leave you to get ready.

[Exit.]

NEUBR.

O see, your mother comes.

THEKLA.

Indeed! O Heav'n!

SCENE XIV

THEKLA, LADY NEUBRUNN, the DUCHESS

DUCHESS.

He's gone! I find thee more composed, my child.

THEKLA.

I am so, mother; let me only now

Retire to rest, and Neubrunn here be with me.

I want repose.

DUCHESS.

            My Thekla, thou shalt have it.

I leave thee now consoled, since I can calm

Thy father's heart.

THEKLA.

Good night, beloved mother! (Falling on her neck and embracing her with deep emotion).

DUCHESS.

Thou scarcely art composed e'en now, my daughter.

Thou tremblest strongly, and I feel thy heart

Beat audibly on mine.

THEKLA. Sleep will appease

Its beating: now good night, good night, dear mother.

(As she withdraws from her mother's arms the curtain falls).

ACT V

SCENE I

Butler's Chamber.

BUTLER and MAJOR GERALDIN

BUTLER.

Find me twelve strong dragoons, arm them with pikes,

For there must be no firing—

Conceal them somewhere near the banquet-room,

And soon as the dessert is served up, rush all in

And cry—"Who is loyal to the Emperor!"

I will overturn the table—while you attack

Illo and Terzky and dispatch them both.

The castle-palace is well barr'd and guarded,

That no intelligence of this proceeding

May make its way to the Duke. Go instantly;

Have you yet sent for Captain Devereux

And the Macdonald?—

GERALDIN.

They'll be here anon.

[Exit GERALDIN.]

BUTLER.

Here's no room for delay. The citizens

Declare for him, a dizzy drunken spirit

Possesses the whole town. They see in the Duke

A Prince of peace, a founder of new ages

And golden times. Arms too have been given out

By the town-council, and a hundred citizens

Have volunteered themselves to stand on guard.

Dispatch! then, be the word; for enemies

Threaten us from without and from within.

SCENE II

BUTLER, CAPTAIN DEVEREUX, and MACDONALD

MACDON.

Here we are, General.

DEVEREUX.

What's to be the watchword?

BUTLER.

Long live the Emperor!

BOTH (recoiling).

How?

BUTLER.

Live the House of Austria.

DEVEREUX.

Have we not sworn fidelity to Friedland?

MACDON.

Have we not march'd to this place to protect him?

BUTLER.

Protect a traitor, and his country's enemy?

DEVEREUX.

Why, yes! in his name you administer'd

Our oath.

MACDONALD.

And follow'd him yourself to Egra.

BUTLER.

I did it the more surely to destroy him.

DEVEREUX.

So then!

MACDONALD.

An alter'd case!

BUTLER (to DEVEREUX).

                      Thou wretched man,

So easily leavest thou thy oath and colors?

DEVEREUX.

The devil!—I but follow'd your example,

If you could prove a villain, why not we?

MACDON.

We've nought to do with thinking—that's your business.

You are our General, and give out the orders;

We follow you, though the track lead to hell.

BUTLER (appeased).

Good then! we know each other.

MACDONALD.

I should hope so.

DEVEREUX.

Soldiers of fortune are we—who bids most,

He has us.

MACDONALD.

'Tis e'en so!

BUTLER.

                         Well, for the present

Ye must remain honest and faithful soldiers.

DEVEREUX.

We wish no other.

BUTLER.

Ay, and make your fortunes.

MACRON.

That is still better.

                    Listen!

BOTH.

We attend.

BUTLER.

It is the Emperor's will and ordinance

To seize the person of the Prince-Duke Friedland,

Alive or dead.

DEVEREUX.

It runs so in the letter.

MACRON.

Alive or dead-these were the very words.

BUTLER.

And he shall be rewarded from the State

In land and gold, who proffers aid thereto.

DEVEREUX.

Ay! that sounds well. The words sound always well

That travel hither from the Court. Yes! yes!

We know already what Court-words import.

A golden chain perhaps in sign of favor,

Or an old charger, or a parchment patent,

And such like—The Prince-Duke pays better.

MACDONALD.

                                      Yes

The Duke's a splendid paymaster.

BUTLER.

                                All over

With that, my friends! His lucky stars are set.

MACDON.

And is that certain?

BUTLER.

You have my word for it.

DEVEREUX.

His lucky fortunes all past by?

BUTLER.

                      Forever

He is as poor as we.

MACDONALD.

As poor as we?

DEVEREUX.

Macdonald, we'll desert him.

BUTLER.

                    We'll desert him?

Full twenty thousand have done that already;

We must do more, my countrymen! In short—

We—we must kill him.

BOTH (starting back).

Kill him!

BUTLER.

            Yes, must kill him;

And for that purpose have I chosen you.

BOTH.

Us!

BUTLER.

You, Captain Devereux, and thee, Macdonald.

DEVEREUX (after a pause).

Choose you some other.

BUTLER.

                      What! art dastardly?

Thou, with full thirty lives to answer for—

Thou conscientious of a sudden?

DEVEREUX.

                             Nay

To assassinate our Lord and General—

MACDON.

To whom we've sworn a soldier's oath

BUTLER.

                              The oath

Is null, for Friedland is a traitor.

DEVEREUX.

No, no! it is too bad!

MACDONALD.

                   Yes, by my soul!

It is too bad. One has a conscience too—

DEVEREUX.

If it were not our Chieftain, who so long

Has issued the commands, and claim'd our duty—

BUTLER.

Is that the objection?

DEVEREUX.

                       Were it my own father,

And the Emperor's service should demand it of me,

It might be done perhaps—But we are soldiers,

And to assassinate our Chief Commander—

That is a sin, a foul abomination,

From which no monk or confessor absolves us.

BUTLER.

I am your Pope, and give you absolution.

Determine quickly!

DEVEREUX.

'Twill not do.

MACDONALD.

'Twont do!

BUTLER.

Well, off then! and—send Pestalutz to me.

DEVEREUX (hesitates).

The Pestalutz—

MACDONALD.

What may you want with him?

BUTLER.

If you reject it, we can find enough—

DEVEREUX.

Nay, if he must fall, we may earn the bounty

As well as any other. What think you,

Brother Macdonald?

MACDONALD.

                    Why, if he must fall,

And will fall, and it can't be otherwise,

One would not give place to this Pestalutz.

DEVEREUX (after some reflection).

When do you purpose he should fall?

BUTLER.

                     This night.

Tomorrow will the Swedes be at our gates.

DEVEREUX.

You take upon you all the consequences

BUTLER.

I take the whole upon me.

DEVEREUX.

                      And it is

The Emperor's will, his express absolute will?

For we have instances, that folks may like

The murder, and yet hang the murderer.

BUTLER.

The manifesto says—"alive or dead."

Alive—'tis not possible—you see it is not.

DEVEREUX.

Well, dead then! dead! But how can we come at him?

The town is filled with Terzky's soldiery.

MACDON.

Ay! and then Terzky still remains, and Illo—

BUTLER.

With these you shall begin—you understand me?

DEVEREUX.

How! And must they too perish?

BUTLER.

They the first.

MACDON.

Hear, Devereux! A bloody evening this.

DEVEREUX.

Have you a man for that? Commission me—

BUTLER.

'Tis given in trust to Major Geraldin;

This is a carnival night, and there's a feast

Given at the castle—there we shall surprise them,

And hew them down. The Pestalutz and Lesley

Have that commission. Soon as that is finish'd—

DEVEREUX.

Hear, General! It will be all one to you—

Hark ye, let me exchange with Geraldin.

BUTLER.

'Twill be the lesser danger with the Duke.

DEVEREUX.

Danger! The Devil! What do you think me, General?

'Tis the Duke's eye, and not his sword, I fear.

BUTLER.

What can his eye do to thee?

DEVEREUX.

                     Death and hell!

Thou know'st that I'm no milksop, General!

But 'tis not eight days since the Duke did send me

Twenty gold pieces for this good warm coat

Which I have on! and then for him to see me

Standing before him with the pike, his murderer,

That eye of his looking upon this coat—

Why—why—the devil fetch me! I'm no milksop!

BUTLER.

The Duke presented thee this good warm coat,

And thou, a needy wight, hast pangs of conscience

To run him through the body in return?

A coat that is far better and far warmer