The heart's voice _thou_ hast not o'erpowered--as little Will Wallenstein be able to o'erpower it.

OCTAVIO.

O, Max! I see thee never more again!

MAX.

Unworthy of thee wilt thou never see me.

OCTAVIO.

I go to Frauenburg--the Pappenheimers I leave thee here, the Lothrings too; Tsokans And Tiefenbach remain here to protect thee.

They love thee, and are faithful to their oath, And will far rather fall in gallant contest Than leave their rightful leader, and their honor.

MAX.

Rely on this, I either leave my life In the struggle, or conduct them out of Pilsen.

OCTAVIO.

Farewell, my son!

MAX.

Farewell!

OCTAVIO.

How! not one look Of filial love? No grasp of the hand at parting?

It is a b.l.o.o.d.y war to which we are going, And the event uncertain and in darkness.

So used we not to part--it was not so!

Is it then true? I have a son no longer?

[MAX _falls into his arms, they hold each other for a long time in a speechless embrace, then go away at different sides_.]

[_The Curtain drops_.]

ACT III

SCENE I

_A Chamber in the House of the d.u.c.h.ess of Friedland_

COUNTESS TERZKY, THEKLA, LADY NEUBRUNN (_the two latter sit at the same table at work_)

COUNTESS (_watching them from the opposite side_).

So you have nothing to ask me--nothing?

I have been waiting for a word from you.

And could you then endure in all this time Not once to speak his name?

[THEKLA _remaining silent, the_ COUNTESS _rises and advances to her_.]

Why, how comes this!

Perhaps I am already grown superfluous, And other ways exist, besides through me?

Confess it to me, Thekla: have you seen him?

THEKLA.

Today and yesterday I have not seen him.

COUNTESS.

And not heard from him, either? Come, be open.

THEKLA.

No syllable.

COUNTESS.

And still you are so calm?

THEKLA.

I am.

COUNTESS.

May 't please you, leave us, Lady Neubrunn.

[_Exit_ LADY NEUBRUNN.]

SCENE II

_The_ COUNTESS, THEKLA

COUNTESS.

It does not please me, Princess, that he holds Himself so _still_, exactly at _this_ time.

THEKLA.