NEUBR.

So much as she has suffer'd too already; Your tender mother--Ah! how ill prepared For this last anguish!

THEKLA.

Woe is me! my mother!

_[Pauses.]_

Go instantly.

NEUBRUNN.

But think what you are doing!

THEKLA.

What _can_ be thought, already has been thought.

NEUBR.

And being there, what purpose you to do?

THEKLA.

There a Divinity will prompt my soul.

NEUBR.

Your heart, dear lady, is disquieted!

And this is not the way that leads to quiet.

THEKLA.

To a deep quiet, such as he has found.

It draws me on, I know not what to name it, Resistless does it draw me to his grave.

There will my heart be eased, my tears will flow.

O hasten, make no further questioning!

There is no rest for me till I have left These walls--they fall in on me--a dim power Drives me from hence--Oh mercy! What a feeling!

What pale and hollow forms are those! They fill, They crowd the place! I have no longer room here!

Mercy! Still more! More still! The hideous swarm, They press on me; they chase me from these walls-- Those hollow, bodiless forms of living men!

NEUBR.

You frighten me so, lady, that no longer I dare stay here myself. I go and call Rosenberg instantly. [Exit LADY NEUBRUNN.]

SCENE XII

THEKLA.

His spirit 'tis that calls me: 'tis the troop Of his true followers, who offer'd up Themselves to avenge his death: and they accuse me Of an ign.o.ble loitering--_they_ would not Forsake their leader even in his death--_they_ died for him, And shall I live?-- For me too was that laurel-garland twined That decks his bier. Life is an empty casket.

I throw it from me. O! my only hope To die beneath the hoofs of trampling steeds-- That is the lot of heroes upon earth!

[_Exit_ THEKLA.[33]]

[_The Curtain drops._]

SCENE XIII

THEKLA, LADY NEUBRUNN, _and_ ROSENBERG

NEUBR.

He is here lady, and he will procure them.

THEKLA.

Wilt thou provide us horses, Rosenberg?

ROSENB.

I will, my lady.

THEKLA.

And go with us as well?

ROSENB.

To the world's end, my lady.

THEKLA.

But consider, Thou never canst return unto the Duke.

ROSENB.

I will remain with thee.

THEKLA.

I will reward thee, And will commend thee to another master, Canst thou unseen conduct us from the castle?

ROSENB.