THEKLA.

I?

What need of me for that? And is he not Already linked to him?

COUNTESS.

He was.

THEKLA.

And wherefore Should he not be so now--not be so always?

COUNTESS.

He cleaves to the emperor too.

THEKLA.

Not more than duty And honor may demand of him.

COUNTESS.

We ask Proofs of his love, and not proofs of his honor.

Duty and honor!

Those are ambiguous words with many meanings.

You should interpret them for him: his love Should be the sole definer of his honor.

THEKLA.

How?

COUNTESS.

The emperor or you must he renounce.

THEKLA.

He will accompany my father gladly In his retirement. From himself you heard, How much he wished to lay aside the sword.

COUNTESS.

He must not lay the sword aside, we mean; He must unsheath it in your father"s cause.

THEKLA.

He"ll spend with gladness and alacrity His life, his heart"s blood in my father"s cause, If shame or injury be intended him.

COUNTESS.

You will not understand me. Well, hear then: Your father has fallen off from the emperor, And is about to join the enemy With the whole soldiery----

THEKLA.

Alas, my mother!

COUNTESS.

There needs a great example to draw on The army after him. The Piccolomini Possess the love and reverence of the troops; They govern all opinions, and wherever They lead the way, none hesitate to follow.

The son secures the father to our interests-- You"ve much in your hands at this moment.

THEKLA.

Ah, My miserable mother! what a death-stroke Awaits thee! No! she never will survive it.

COUNTESS.

She will accommodate her soul to that Which is and must be. I do know your mother: The far-off future weighs upon her heart With torture of anxiety; but is it Unalterably, actually present, She soon resigns herself, and bears it calmly.

THEKLA.

O my foreboding bosom! Even now, E"en now "tis here, that icy hand of horror!

And my young hope lies shuddering in its grasp; I knew it well--no sooner had I entered, An heavy ominous presentiment Revealed to me that spirits of death were hovering Over my happy fortune. But why, think I First of myself? My mother! O my mother!

COUNTESS.

Calm yourself! Break not out in vain lamenting!

Preserve you for your father the firm friend, And for yourself the lover, all will yet Prove good and fortunate.

THEKLA.

Prove good! What good?

Must we not part; part ne"er to meet again?

COUNTESS.

He parts not from you! He cannot part from you.

THEKLA.

Alas, for his sore anguish! It will rend His heart asunder.

COUNTESS.

If indeed he loves you.

His resolution will be speedily taken.

THEKLA.

His resolution will be speedily taken-- Oh, do not doubt of that! A resolution!

Does there remain one to be taken?

COUNTESS.

Hush!

Collect yourself! I hear your mother coming.

THERLA.

How shall I bear to see her?

COUNTESS.

Collect yourself.

SCENE III.

To them enter the d.u.c.h.eSS.

d.u.c.h.eSS (to the COUNTESS).

Who was here, sister? I heard some one talking, And pa.s.sionately, too.

COUNTESS.