The Death of Wallenstein (play)

SCENE X.

THEKLA, THE SWEDISH CAPTAIN, LADY NEUBRUNN.

CAPTAIN (respectfully approaching her).

Princess-I must entreat your gentle pardon-

My inconsiderate rash speech. How could!--

THEKLA (with dignity).

You have beheld me in my agony.

A most distressful accident occasioned

You from a stranger to become at once

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,

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,

Intrenched but insecurely in our camp,

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,

And leaped 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

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,

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 leaped first: the regiment all plunged after.

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.

THERLA.

'Tis over.

Proceed to the conclusion.

CAPTAIN.

Wild despair

Inspired the troops with frenzy when they saw

Their leader perish; every thought of rescue

Was spurned; they fought like wounded tigers; their

Frantic resistance roused our soldiery;

A murderous fight took place, nor was the contest

Finished before their last man fell.

THEKLA (faltering).

And where-

Where is-you have not told me all.

CAPTAIN (after a pause).

This morning

We buried him. Twelve youths of noblest birth

Did bear him to interment; the whole army

Followed the bier. A laurel decked his coffin;

The sword of the deceased was placed upon it,

In mark of honor 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;

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

Are his remains deposited, until

We can receive directions from his father.

THEKLA.

What is the cloister's name?

CAPTAIN.

Saint Catherine's.

THEKLA.

And how far is it thither?

CAPTAIN.

Near twelve leagues.

THEKLA.

And which the way?

CAPTAIN.

You go by Tirschenreut

And Falkenberg, through our advanced posts.

THEKLA

Who

Is their commander?

CAPTAIN.

Colonel Seckendorf.

[THEKLA steps to the table, and takes a ring from a casket.

THEKLA.

You have beheld me in my agony,

And shown a feeling heart. Please you, accept

[Giving him the ring.

A small memorial of this hour. Now go!

CAPTAIN (confusedly).

Princess--

[THEKLA silently makes signs to him to go, and turns from him.

The captain lingers, and is about to speak. LADY NEUBRUNN repeats

the signal, and he retires.