The Complete Poetical Works of Samuel Taylor Coleridge Volume II Part 106

The Complete Poetical Works of Samuel Taylor Coleridge Volume II Part 106

_Thekla._ The horror overpowered me by surprise.

My heart betrayed me in the stranger's presence; 45 He was a witness of my weakness, yea, I sank into his arms; and that has shamed me.

I must replace myself in his esteem, And I must speak with him, perforce, that he, The stranger, may not think ungently of me. 50

_Wallenstein._ I see she is in the right, and am inclined To grant her this request of hers. Go, call him.

[_LADY NEUBRUNN goes to call him._

_d.u.c.h.ess._ But I, thy mother, will be present--

_Thekla._ 'Twere More pleasing to me, if alone I saw him: Trust me, I shall behave myself the more 55 Collectedly.

_Wallenstein._ Permit her her own will.

Leave her alone with him: for there are sorrows, Where of necessity the soul must be Its own support. A strong heart will rely On its own strength alone. In her own bosom, 60 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 the woman, but the heroine. [_Going._

_Countess (detaining him)._ Where art thou going? I heard Tertsky say 65 That 'tis thy purpose to depart from hence To-morrow early, but to leave us here.

_Wallenstein._ 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 70 To brood o'er anxious thoughts. The mists of doubt Magnify evils to a shape of horror.

_Wallenstein._ 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 75 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. 80 Come, sister, join you your entreaty!--Niece, Yours too. We all entreat you, take us with you!

_Wallenstein._ 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. 85

_Wallenstein._ Leave her alone with him. [_Exit._

_d.u.c.h.ess (to Thekla who starts and shivers)._ There--pale as death!--Child, 'tis impossible That thou should'st speak with him. Follow thy mother.

_Thekla._ The Lady Neubrunn then may stay with me.

[_Exeunt d.u.c.h.eSS and COUNTESS._

LINENOTES:

SCENE--_A Gothic and gloomy, &c._ 1800, 1828, 1829.

[66] _thy_ 1800, 1828, 1829.

SCENE IV

_THEKLA, the_ Swedish Captain, _LADY NEUBRUNN._

_Captain._ Princess--I must entreat your gentle pardon-- My inconsiderate rash speech--How could I--

_Thekla._ You did behold me in my agony.

A most distressful accident occasioned You from a stranger to become at once 5 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, 10 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, Entrenched but insecurely in our camp, 15 When towards 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, 20 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 followed 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 25 With our whole cavalry we now received them; Back to the trenches drove them, where the foot Stretched 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, 30 The Rhinegrave to their leader called 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. 35 His charger, by a halbert gored, reared 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._

_Neubrunn._ My dearest lady----

_Captain._ I retire.

_Thekla._ 'Tis over.

Proceed to the conclusion.

_Captain._ Wild despair 40 Inspired the troops with frenzy when they saw Their leader perish; every thought of rescue Was spurn'd; they fought like wounded tigers; their Frantic resistance rous'd our soldiery; A murderous fight took place, nor was the contest 45 Finish'd before their last man fell.

_Thekla._ And where---- Where is--You have not told me all.

_Captain (after a pause)._ This morning We buried him. Twelve youths of n.o.blest birth Did bear him to interment; the whole army Followed the bier. A laurel decked his coffin; 50 The sword of the deceased was placed upon it, In mark of honour, 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; 55 All were affected at his fate. The Rhinegrave Would willingly have saved him; but himself Made vain the attempt--'tis said he wished 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 60 Are his remains deposited, until We can receive directions from his father.

_Thekla._ What is the cloister's name?

_Captain._ Saint Catharine's.