The Poetical Works of Coleridge, Shelley, and Keats

therla (as soon as the Countess is out of sight, in a quick low voice to Piccolomini). Don't trust them! They are false! MAx. Impossible! ther L.A. 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? TH ext, A. I know no more than you; but yet believe me: There'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 us A full and filial confidence. THER LA. She doth love you, Doth rate you high before all others—but– But such a secret—she would never have The courage to conceal it from my father. For her own peace of mind we must preserve it A secret from her too. Max. Why any secret? I love not secrets. Mark, what I will do. I'll throw me at your father's feet—let him Decide upon my fortunes!—He is true, He wears no mask—he hates all crooked ways— He is so good, so noble! therla (falls on his neck). That are you! MAx. You knew him only since this morn; but I Have lived ten years already in his presence. And who knows whether in this very moment He is not merely waiting for us both To 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? Th Fri.A. 1? Nothing. Only he's so occupied— He has no leisure time to think about The happiness of us two. Follow me! Let us not place too great a faith in men. These Tertskys—we will still be grateful to them For every kindness, but not trust them further Than they deserve;—and in all else rely—— On our own hearts! Max. O! shall we e'er be happy?

[Exit Countess.

[Taking his hand tenderly.

Thekl.A. Are we not happy now? Art thou not mine? Am I not thine? There lives within my soul A lofty courage—'t is love gives it me! I ought to be less open–ought to hide My heart more from thee—so decorum dictates: But where in this place couldst thou seek for truth, If in my mouth thou didst not find it?

SC E N E VI. To them enters the Countess Tentsky.

countess (in a pressing manner). Come! My husband sends me for you—It is now The latest moment. [They not appearing to attend to what she says, she steps between them. Part you! the KLA. O, not yet! It has been scarce a moment. countess. Aye! Then time Flies swiftly with your Highness, Princess niece! MAX. There is no hurry, aunt. countrss. Away! away! The folks begin to miss you. Twice already His father has ask'd for him. th. Ekl, A. Ha! his father' countess. You understand that, niece' ther L.A. Why needs he To go at all to that society? 'Tis not his proper company. They may Be worthy men, but he's too young for them. In brief, he suits not such society. count ess. You mean, you'd rather keep him wholly here? therla (with energy). Yes! you have hit it, aunt! That is my meaning. Leave 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! [Thorls turns away from him with a quick motion. What say you then, dear lady? Therla (without looking at him). Nothing. Go! MAx. Can I, when you are angry—— [He draws up to her, their eyes meet, she stand, silent a moment, then throu's 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 Max. tears himself away out of her arms, and goes. The Countess accompanies him. Turkla fol

lows 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. thkkla (plays and sings). The cloud doth gather, the greenwood roar, The damsel paces along the shore; The billows they tumble with might, with might; And she slings 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: Thou Holy One, call thy child away! I've lived and loved, and that was to-day— Make ready my grave-clothes to morrow.

SCEN E W II.
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 thought,
It had been more beseeming to have shown yourself
More chary of your person.
therla (rising).
And what mean you?

'I found it not in my power to translate this song with literal *"y, 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.

tnesla (spielt und sing).

Der Eichwald brauser, die wolken ziehn,
Das Miradlein wandelt an Ufers Gran.
** bricht sich die Welle mit Macht, mit Macht,
Und sie sing binaus in die finsure Nacht,

Das Auge von Weinen getrabet:
Das Herz ist gestorben, die welt ist seer,
Und weiter Biebt sie dem Wunsche nichts mehr.
Du Heilige, rufe dein kind rurack,
Ich bahe genoseen das irdische Glack,

Ich babe gelebt unu geliebet.

Lifetial thaxslatiox.

tnesla (plays and sings).

The oak-forest bellows, the cloud, gather, the damsel walks to *"d fro on the green of the bore; the wave breaks with might, ** might, and she sit go out into the dark night, her eye disco” with weeping; the heart is dead, the world in empty, and *** gives it nothing more to the wish. Thou Holy One, call thy child home. I have enjoyed the happiness of this world, I have Iived and have loved.

I cannot but add here an imitation of this song, with which the **hor of . The Tale of Rosamund Gray and blind Margaret- has "oured me, and which appears to me to have caught the happiest manner of our old ballads.

The clouds are blackening, the storms threat'ning,
The cavern doth mutter, the greenwood moan;
billows are breaking, the damsel's heart aching,
Thus in the dark night he singeth alone,
tier eye upward roving:
The world is empty, the heart is dead surely,
In this world plainly ail seemeth amiss:
To thy heaven, iloly One, take home thy little one,
I have partaken of all earth's bliss,
Both living and loving.

Countess.
I mean, niece, that you should not have forgotten
Who you are, and who he is. But perchance
That never once occurr'd to you.
TH exila.
What then?
Countess.
That you're the daughter of the Prince Duke Friedland.
Th Ekla.
Well—and what farther?
Count Ess.
What? a pretty question
The kla.
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 !
We shall no doubt right courteously entreat him
To honour with his hand the richest heiress
In Europe.
THERLA.
That will not be necessary.
count Ess.
Methinks 't were well though not to run the hazard.
The Kla.
His father loves him : Count octavio
Will interpose no difficulty——
Countess.
Hist
His father! his ' But yours niece, what of yours?
ther L.A.
Why I begin to think you fear his father.
So anxiously you hide it from the man!
His father, his, I mean.
coustess (looks at her as scrutinizing).
Niece, you are false.
th Ek L.A.
Are you then wounded 0, be friends with me!
Count ES5.
You hold your game for won already. Do not
Triumph too soon!—
- THEKLA (interrupting her, and attempting to soothe
her.)
Nay now, be friends with me.
countess.
It is not yet so far gone.
the ki.A.
I believe you.
countess.
Did you suppose your father had laid out
His most important life in toils of war,
Denied himself each quiet earthly bliss,
Ilad banish'd slumber from his tent, devoted
His noble head to care, and for this only,
To make a happier pair of you? At length
To draw you from your convent, and conduct
In easy triumph to your arms the man
That chanced to please your eyes! All this, methinks,
He might have purchased at a cheaper rate.
tti Ek L.A.
That which he did not plant for me might yet
Bear 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—

countess.
Thou seest it with a lovelorn maiden's eyes.
Cast thine eye round, bethink thee who thou art.
Into no house of joyance hast thou stepp'd,
For no espousals dost thou find the walls
Deck'd out, no guests the nuptial garland wearing.
Here is no splendour but of arms. Or think'st thou
That all these thousands are here congregated
To lead up the long dances at thy wedding !
Thou see'st thy father's forehead full of thought,
Thy mother's eye in tears : upon the balance
Lies the great destiny of all our house.
Leave now the puny wish, the girlish feeling,
O thrust it far behind thee! Give thou proof,
Thou'rt the daughter of the Mighty—his
Who where he moves creates the wonderful.
Not to herself the woman must belong,
Annex'd 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,
And bear and foster it with mother's love.

Ta Ekla.
Such ever was my lesson in the convent.
I had no loves, no wishes, knew myself
Only as his—his daughter—his, the Mighty .
His fame, the echo of whose blast drove to me
From the far distance, waken'd in my soul
No other thought that this—I am appointed
To 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.

the ki.A.
My fate hath shown me him, to whom behoves it
That I should offer up myself. In gladness
Him will I follow.

countess.

Not thy fate hath shown him

Thy heart, say rather—'t was thy heart, my child!

ther t.A.
Fate hath no voice but the heart's impulses.
I am all his! His present—his alone,
Is this new life, which lives in me? He hath
A right to his own creature. What was I
Ere his fair love infused a soul into me?

cot Not ess.
Thou wouldst oppose thy father then, should he
Have otherwise determined with thy person?

[Turk LA remains silent. The Countess continues.

Thou mean's to force him to thy liking –Child,
His name is Friedland.

th. Fr. L.A.

My name too is Friedland.

He shall have found a genuine daughter in me.

cott workss.
What? he has vanquish'd all impediment,
And in the wilful mood of his own daughter
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,
I trust, it ne'er shall come. His will is yet

| Unknown to me: 'i is possible his aims
| May have the same direction as thy wish.
| But this can never, never be his will
| That thou, the daughter of his haughty fortunes,
Should'st eer demean thee as a love-sick maiden;
And like some poor cost-nothing, fling thyself
Toward the man, who, if that high prize ever
Be destined to await him, yet, with sacrifices
The highest love can bring, must pay for it.
[Exit CouxTFss.
rhEkla (who during the last speech had been standing
evidently lost in her reflections).
I thank thee for the hint. It turns
My 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 signs
Beam 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 arm'd in steel,
Steps forth, and girds him for the strife of death.
[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, t
It mocks my soul with charming witchery,
It lures me forward in a seraph's shape;
I 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 doom'd in lire to perish,
Many and dark heaven drives his clouds together,
Yea, shoots his lightnings down from sunny heights,
Flames burst from out the subterraneous chasins,
"And fiends and angels mingling in their fury,
Sling fire-brands at the burning edifice.
[Exit THEKLA.

SCEN E VIII.

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 eight Generals are sitting, among whom are Octavio Piccolourwi. Terrsky, and MARADAs. Right and left of this, but further 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 Serrants in waiting. All is in motion. The Band of Music belonging to Tekrsky's Regiment march across the Stage, and draw up round the Tables. Before they are quite off from the Front of the stage, Max. Piccolonist appears, Teatsky advances towards him with a

* There are few, who will not have taste enough to langh at the two concluding lines of this soliloquy ; and still fewer, I would fain hope, who would not have been more dis osed to shudder, had Î given a faithful translation. For the readers of German I have added the original:

Rhind-wathend schlendert selbst der Gott der Freude
Den Pechkranz in das brennende GeForude.

Paper, Isolant comes up to meet him with a Beaker or Service-cup.

Tearsky, Isolaxi, Max. Piccolomini.

isol, Ant. fiere brother, what we love! Why, where hast been 1 Off to thv place—quick! Tertsky here has given The 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 giving At vonder table ducal crowns in shares; There's Sternberg's lands and chattels are put up, with Eggenberg's, Stawata's, Lichtenstein's, And all the great Bohemian feodalities. Be nimble, sal' and something may turn up For thee—who knows? off—to thy place! quick! march' tierexbach and Gostz (call out from the second and third tables). Count Piccolominil tratsky. Stop, ye shall have him in an instant.—Read This oath here, whether as "t is here set forth, The wording satisfies you. They 've all read it, Each in his turn, and each one will subscribe His individual signature. MAx. (reads). • Ingratis servirencfas." Isot, ANI. That sounds to my ears very much like Latin, And being interpreted, pray what may’t mean?

refitsky. = No honest man will serve a thankless master. Max. • Inasmuch as our supreme Commander, the illustrious Duke of Friedland, in consequence of the manifold affronts and grievances which he has received, had expressed his determination to quit the Emperor, but on our unanimous entreaty has graciously consented to remain still with the army, and not to part from us without our approbation thereof, so we, collectively and each in particular, in the stead of an oath personally taken, do hereby oblige ourselves—likewise by him honourably and faithfully to hold, and in nowise whatsoever from him to part, and to be ready to shed for his interests the last drop of our blood, so far, namely, as our oath to the Emperor will permit it. (These last words are repeated by Isolani.) In testimony of which we subscribe our names.” tents KY. Now!—are you willing to subscribe this paper? 1soil-N1. why should he not? All officers of honour Can do it, aye must do it.-Pen and ink here! tentsky. Nay, let it rest till after meal. isolani (drawing Max, along). Come, Max. (Both seat themselves at their table.

SCENE i x. Tentsky, NEUMANN.

tentsky (beckons to Neumans who is waiting at the side-table, and steps forward with him to the edge of the stage). Have you the copy with you, Neumann? Give it. It may be changed for the other? Neum ANN, I have copied it Letter by letter, line by line; no eye Would eer discover other difference, Save only the omission of that clause, According to your Excellency's order. - Tertsky. Right! lay it yonder, and away with this— It has perform'd its business—to the fire with it— [NeuMANN lays the copy on the table, and steps back again to the side-table.

S C E N E X. Illo (comes out from the second chamber), Tentsky.

- 1 LL0.

How goes it with young Piccolominis

teatsky. All right, I think. He has started no objection.

it. Lo.

Ile is the only one I fear about—
Ile and his father. Have an eye on both !

TERTsky.
How looks it at your table: you forget not
To keep them warm and stirring?

1 LLo.
0, quite cordial,

They are quite cordial in the scheme. We have them.
And 'tis as I predicted too. Already
It is the talk, not merely to maintain
The Duke in station. • Since we're once for all
Together and unanimous, why not, -
Says Montecuculi, - ay, why not onward,
And make conditions with the Emperor
There in his own Vienna? - Trust me, Count,
Were it not for these said Piccolomini,
We might have spared ourselves the cheat.

teats KY.

And Butler?

How goes it there? Hush'

SCENE XI. to them enter Butler from the second table.

but LeR. Don't disturb yourselves. Field Marshal, I have understood you perfectly. Good luck be to the scheme; and as to me, [h'ith an air of mystery. You may depend upon me. illo (with vivacity). May we, Butler?

but LEra.
With or without the clause, all one to me?
You understand me? My fidelity
The Duke may put to any proof–I'm with him!
Tell him so! I'm the Emperor's officer,

As long as 'tis his pleasure to remain
The Emperor's general' and Friedland's servant,
As soon as it shall please him to become
His own lord.
tertsky.
You would make a good exchange.

No stern economist, no Ferdinand,
ls he to whom you plight your services.

butlem (with a haughty look).
I do not put up my fidelity
To sale, Count Tertsky! Half a year ago
I would not have advised you to have made me
An overture to that, to which I now
Offer myself of my own free accord.—
But that is past ! and to the Duke, Field Marshal,
I bring myself together with my regiment.
And mark you, "t is my humour to believe,
The example which I give will not remain
Without an influence.

ILL0.
Who is ignorant,
That the whole army look to Colonel Butler,
As to a light that moves before them?
But Leit.
Ey?

Then I repent me not of that fidelity
Which for the length of forty years I held,
If in my sixtieth year my old good name
Can purchase for me a revenge so full.
Start not at what I say, sir Generals!
My real motives—they concern not you.
And you yourselves, I trust, could not expect
That this your game had crook'd my judgment—or
That fickleness, quick blood, or such like cause,
Has driven the old man from the track of honour,
Which he so long had trodden.—Come, my friends!
I'm not thereto determined with less firmness,
Because I know and have look'd steadily
At that on which I have determined.

ILL0. Say, And speak roundly, what are we to deem you? Butler.

A friend! I give you here my hand! I'm your's
With all I have. Not only men, but money
Will the Duke want.—Go, tell him, sirs’
I've earn'd and laid up somewhat in his service,
I lend it him; and is he my survivor,
It has been already long ago bequeath'd him.
He is my heir. For me, I stand alone
Here in the world; nought know I of the feeling
That binds the husband to a wife and children.
My name dies with me, my existence ends.
ILL0.
'T is not your money that he needs—a heart
Like yours weighs tons of gold down, weighs down
millions!
but Left.
I came a simple soldier's boy from Ireland
To Prague—and with a master, whom I buried.
From lowest stable duty I climb'd up,
Such was the fate of war, to this high rank,
The plaything of a whimsical good fortune.
And Wallenstein too is a child of luck;
I love a fortune that is like my own.

11, Lo.

All powerful souls have kindred with each other.

Butlert.
This is an awful moment! to the brave,
To the determined, an auspicious moment.
The Prince of Weimar arms, upon the Maine
To found a mighty dukedom. He of Halberstadt,
That Mansfeld, wanted but a longer life
To have mark'd out with his good sword a lordship
That should reward his courage. Who of these
Equals our Friedland? there is nothing, nothing
So high, but he may set the ladder to it!

Teritsky.
That's spoken like a man!

but Left.
Do you secure the Spaniard and Italian-
I'll be your warrant for the Scotchman Lesly.
Come, to the company'

Teatsky.
Where is the master of the cellar? Ho!
Let the best wines come up. Ho! cheerly, boy!
Luck comes to-day, so give her hearty welome.

[Exeunt, each to his table.

MASTER OF THE CELLAB. The best wine! O : if my old mistress, his lady mother, could but see these wild Boings on, she would turn herself round in her grave. Yes, yes, sir officer! "t is all down the hill with this noble house! no end, no moderation And this marriage with the Duke's sister, a splendid connection, a very splendid connection! but I will tell you, sir officer, it looks no good. in Euxia NN. Heaven forbid! Why, at this very moment the whole prospect is in bud and blossom MASTER of the cell AR. You think son-Well, well! much may be said on that head. Fiest servant (comes). Burgundy for the fourth table. MASTER of THE CELLARNow, sir lieutenant, if this an’t the seventieth flask– Fiast seaw ANt. Why, the reason is, that German lord, Tiefenbach sits at that table. Master of the cellar (continuing his discourse to NEUMANN). They are soaring too high. They would rival kings and electors in their pomp and splendour; and wherever the Duke leaps, not a minute does my gracious master, the count, loiter on the brink——(to the Servants.)—What do you stand there listening for I will let you know you have legs presently. Off! see to the tables, see to the slasks! Look there! Count Palfi has an empty glass before him! nuns En (comes). The great service-cup is wanted, sir; that rich gold cup with the Bohemian arms on it. The Count says you know which it is. Master of the cellAR. Ay! that was made for Frederick's coronation by the

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The Poetical Works of Coleridge, Shelley, and Keats: Complete in One Volume, 1권