The Complete Poetical Works of Samuel Taylor Coleridge Volume II Part 96

[_MAX clasps her in his arms. There is heard from behind the Scene a loud, wild, long continued cry, 'Vivat Ferdinandus,' accompanied by warlike instruments._

LINENOTES:

[Before 3] _Max (who . . . distance in a visible struggle of feelings, advances)._ 1800, 1828, 1829.

[22] _amends_ 1800, 1828, 1829.

[23] _Outweigh_ 1800, 1828, 1829.

[28] _my_ 1800, 1828, 1829.

[37] _can'st_ 1800, 1828, 1829.

[40] _feelest_ 1800, 1828, 1829.

[45] _think_ 1800, 1828, 1829.

[46] _his_ _1800_.]

[57] _Max (interrupting her)._ Nay, &c. 1800, 1828, 1829.

[After 92] [_MAX . . . in extreme emotion. There is . . . instruments.

MAX and THEKLA remain without motion in each other's embraces._ 1800, 1828, 1829.

SCENE X

_To these enter TERTSKY._

_Countess (meeting him)._ What meant that cry? What was it?

_Tertsky._ All is lost!

_Countess._ What! they regarded not his countenance?

_Tertsky._ 'Twas all in vain.

_d.u.c.h.ess._ They shouted Vivat!

_Tertsky._ To the Emperor.

_Countess._ The traitors!

_Tertsky._ Nay! he was not once permitted Even to address them. Soon as he began, 5 With deafening noise of warlike instruments They drowned his words. But here he comes.

SCENE XI

_To these enter WALLENSTEIN, accompanied by ILLO and BUTLER._

_Wallenstein (as he enters)._ Tertsky!

_Tertsky._ My General?

_Wallenstein._ Let our regiments hold themselves In readiness to march; for we shall leave Pilsen ere evening. [_Exit TERTSKY._ Butler!

_Butler._ Yes, my General.

_Wallenstein._ The Governor at Egra is your friend 5 And countryman. Write to him instantly By a Post Courier. He must be advised, That we are with him early on the morrow.

You follow us yourself, your regiment with you.

_Butler._ It shall be done, my General!

_Wallenstein (steps between Max and Thekla)._ Part!

_Max._ O G.o.d! 10

[Cuira.s.siers _enter with drawn swords, and a.s.semble in the back-ground. At the same time there are heard from below some spirited pa.s.sages out of the Pappenheim March, which seem to address MAX._

_Wallenstein (to the Cuira.s.siers)._ Here he is, he is at liberty: I keep him No longer.

[_He turns away, and stands so that MAX cannot pa.s.s by him nor approach the PRINCESS._

_Max._ Thou know'st that I have not yet learnt to live Without thee! I go forth into a desert, Leaving my all behind me. O do not turn 15 Thine eyes away from me! O once more shew me Thy ever dear and honoured countenance.

[_MAX attempts to take his hand, but is repelled; he turns to the COUNTESS._

Is there no eye that has a look of pity for me?

[_The COUNTESS turns away from him; he turns to the d.u.c.h.eSS._

My mother!

_d.u.c.h.ess._ Go where duty calls you. Haply The time may come, when you may prove to us 20 A true friend, a good angel at the throne Of the Emperor.

_Max._ You give me hope; you would not Suffer me wholly to despair. No! No!

Mine is a certain misery--Thanks to heaven That offers me a means of ending it. 25

[_The military music begins again. The stage fills more and more with armed men. MAX sees BUTLER, and addresses him._

And you here, Colonel Butler--and will you Not follow me? Well, then! remain more faithful To your new lord, than you have proved yourself To the Emperor. Come, Butler! promise me, Give me your hand upon it, that you'll be 30 The guardian of his life, its s.h.i.+eld, its watchman.

He is attainted, and his princely head Fair booty for each slave that trades in murder.

Now he doth need the faithful eye of friends.h.i.+p, And those whom here I see--

[_Casting suspicious looks on ILLO and BUTLER._

_Illo._ Go--seek for traitors 35 In Galas', in your father's quarters. Here Is only one. Away! away! and free us From his detested sight! Away!