MAX.
"Twas at that hunting-castle, betwixt here And Nepomuck, where you had joined us, and That was the last relay of the whole journey; In a balcony we were standing mute, And gazing out upon the dreary field Before us the dragoons were riding onward, The safeguard which the duke had sent us--heavy; The inquietude of parting lay upon me, And trembling ventured at length these words: This all reminds me, n.o.ble maiden, that To-day I must take leave of my good fortune.
A few hours more, and you will find a father, Will see yourself surrounded by new friends, And I henceforth shall be but as a stranger, Lost in the many--"Speak with my Aunt Terzky!"
With hurrying voice she interrupted me.
She faltered. I beheld a glowing red Possess her beautiful cheeks, and from the ground Raised slowly up her eye met mine--no longer Did I control myself.
[The Princess THEKLA appears at the door, and remains standing, observed by the COUNTESS, but not by PICCOLOMINI.
With instant boldness I caught her in my arms, my lips touched hers; There was a rustling in the room close by; It parted us--"Twas you. What since has happened You know.
COUNTESS (after a pause, with a stolen glance at THEKLA).
And is it your excess of modesty Or are you so incurious, that you do not Ask me too of my secret?
MAX.
Of your secret?
COUNTESS.
Why, yes! When in the instant after you I stepped into the room, and found my niece there; What she in this first moment of the heart Taken with surprise----
MAX. (with eagerness).
Well?
SCENE IV.
THEKLA (hurries forward), COUNTESS, MAX. PICCOLOMINI.
THEKLA (to the COUNTESS).
Spare yourself the trouble: That hears he better from myself.
MAX. (stepping backward).
My princess!
What have you let her hear me say, Aunt Terzky?
THEKLA (to the COUNTESS).
Has he been here long?
COUNTESS.
Yes; and soon must go, Where have you stayed so long?
THEKLA.
Alas! my mother, Wept so again! and I--I see her suffer, Yet cannot keep myself from being happy.
MAX.
Now once again I have courage to look on you.
To-day at noon I could not.
The dazzle of the jewels that played round you Hid the beloved from me.
THEKLA.
Then you saw me With your eye only--and not with your heart?
MAX.
This morning, when I found you in the circle Of all your kindred, in your father"s arms, Beheld myself an alien in this circle, O! what an impulse felt I in that moment To fall upon his neck, to call him father!
But his stern eye o"erpowered the swelling pa.s.sion, It dared not but be silent. And those brilliants, That like a crown of stars enwreathed your brows, They scared me too! O wherefore, wherefore should be At the first meeting spread as "twere the ban Of excommunication round you,--wherefore Dress up the angel as for sacrifice.
And cast upon the light and joyous heart The mournful burden of his station? Fitly May love dare woo for love; but such a splendor Might none but monarchs venture to approach.
THEKLA.
Hush! not a word more of this mummery; You see how soon the burden is thrown off.
[To the COUNTESS.
He is not in spirits. Wherefore is he not?
"Tis you, aunt, that have made him all so gloomy!
He had quite another nature on the journey-- So calm, so bright, so joyous eloquent.
[To MAX.
It was my wish to see you always so, And never otherwise!
MAX.
You find yourself In your great father"s arms, beloved lady!
All in a new world, which does homage to you, And which, were"t only by its novelty, Delights your eye.
THEKLA.
Yes; I confess to you That many things delight me here: this camp, This motley stage of warriors, which renews So manifold the image of my fancy, And binds to life, binds to reality, What hitherto had but been present to me As a sweet dream!
MAX.
Alas! not so to me.
It makes a dream of my reality.
Upon some island in the ethereal heights I"ve lived for these last days. This ma.s.s of men Forces me down to earth. It is a bridge That, reconducting to my former life, Divides me and my heaven.
THEKLA.
The game of life Looks cheerful, when one carries in one"s heart The unalienable treasure. "Tis a game, Which, having once reviewed, I turn more joyous Back to my deeper and appropriate bliss.
[Breaking off, and in a sportive tone.
In this short time that I"ve been present here.
What new unheard-of things have I not seen; And yet they all must give place to the wond Which this mysterious castle guards.
COUNTESS (recollecting).
And what Can this be then? Methought I was acquainted With all the dusky corners of this house.
THEKLA (smiling).
Ay, but the road thereto is watched by spirits, Two griffins still stand sentry at the door.
COUNTESS (laughs).
The astrological tower! How happens it That this same sanctuary, whose access Is to all others so impracticable, Opens before you even at your approach?
THEKLA.
A dwarfish old man with a friendly face And snow-white hairs, whose gracious services Were mine at first sight, opened me the doors.
MAX.
That is the duke"s astrologer, old Seni.
THEKLA.
He questioned me on many points; for instance, When I was born, what month, and on what day, Whether by day or in the night.