COUNTESS.

He wished To erect a figure for your horoscope.

THEKLA.

My hand too he examined, shook his head With much sad meaning, and the lines, methought, Did not square over truly with his wishes.

COUNTESS.

Well, princess, and what found you in this tower?

My highest privilege has been to s.n.a.t.c.h A side-glance, and away!

THEKLA.

It was a strange Sensation that came o'er me, when at first From the broad sunshine I stepped in; and now The narrowing line of daylight, that ran after The closing door, was gone; and all about me 'Twas pale and dusky night, with many shadows Fantastically cast. Here six or seven Colossal statues, and all kings, stood round me In a half-circle. Each one in his hand A sceptre bore, and on his head a star; And in the tower no other light was there But from these stars all seemed to come from them.

"These are the planets," said that low old man, "They govern worldly fates, and for that cause Are imaged here as kings. He farthest from you, Spiteful and cold, an old man melancholy, With bent and yellow forehead, he is Saturn.

He opposite, the king with the red light, An armed man for the battle, that is Mars; And both these bring but little luck to man."

But at his side a lovely lady stood, The star upon her head was soft and bright, Oh, that was Venus, the bright star of joy.

And the left hand, lo! Mercury, with wings Quite in the middle glittered silver bright.

A cheerful man, and with a monarch's mien; And this was Jupiter, my father's star And at his side I saw the Sun and Moon.

MAX.

Oh, never rudely will I blame his faith In the might of stars and angels. 'Tis not merely The human being's pride that peoples s.p.a.ce With life and mystical predominance; Since likewise for the stricken heart of love This visible nature, and this common world, Is all too narrow; yea, a deeper import Lurks in the legend told my infant years Than lies upon that truth, we live to learn.

For fable is love's world, his home, his birth-place; Delightedly dwells he among fays and talismans, And spirits; and delightedly believes Divinities, being himself divine The intelligible forms of ancient poets, The fair humanities of old religion, The power, the beauty, and the majesty, That had her haunts in dale, or piny mountain, Or forest by slow stream, or pebbly spring, Or chasms, and watery depths, all these have vanished.

They live no longer in the faith of reason!

But still the heart doth need a language, still Doth the old instinct bring back the old names; And to yon starry world they now are gone, Spirits or G.o.ds, that used to share this earth With man as with their friend [11], and to the lover Yonder they move, from yonder visible sky Shoot influence down: and even at this day 'This Jupiter who brings whate'er is great, And Venus who brings everything that's fair!

THEKLA.

And if this be the science of the stars, I, too, with glad and zealous industry, Will learn acquaintance with this cheerful faith.

It is a gentle and affectionate thought, That in immeasurable heights above us, At our first birth, the wreath of love was woven, With sparkling stars for flowers.

COUNTESS.

Not only roses And thorns too hath the heaven, and well for you Leave they your wreath of love inviolate: What Venus twined, the bearer of glad fortune, The sullen orb of Mars soon tears to pieces.

MAX.

Soon will this gloomy empire reach its close.

Blest be the general's zeal: into the laurel Will he inweave the olive-branch, presenting Peace to the shouting nations. Then no wish Will have remained for his great heart. Enough Has he performed for glory, and can now Live for himself and his. To his domains will He retire; he has a stately seat Of fairest view at Gitschin, Reichenberg, And Friedland Castle, both lie pleasantly; Even to the foot of the huge mountains here Stretches the chase and covers of his forests: His ruling pa.s.sion to create the splendid He can indulge without restraint; can give A princely patronage to every art, And to all worth a sovereign's protection.

Can build, can plant, can watch the starry courses----

COUNTESS.

Yet I would have you look, and look again, Before you lay aside your arms, young friend!

A gentle bride, as she is, is well worth it, That you should woo and win her with the sword.

MAX.

Oh, that the sword could win her!

COUNTESS.

What was that?

Did you hear nothing? Seemed as if I heard Tumult and larum in the banquet-room.

[Exit COUNTESS.

SCENE V.

THEKLA and MAX. PICCOLOMINI.

THEKLA (as soon as the COUNTESS is out of sight, in a quick, low voice to PICCOLOMINI).

Don't trust them! They are false!

MAX.

Impossible!

THEKLA.

Trust no one here but me. I saw at once, They had a purpose.

MAX.

Purpose! but what purpose?

And how can we be instrumental to it?

THEKLA.

I know no more than you; but yet believe me There's some design in this; to make us happy, To realize our union--trust me, love!

They but pretend to wish it.

MAX.

But these Terzkys-- Why use we them at all? Why not your mother?

Excellent creature! She deserves from us A full and filial confidence.

THEKLA.

She doth love you, Doth rate you high before all others--but-- But such a secret--she would never have The courage to conceal it from my father.

For her own peace of mind we must preserve it A secret from her too.

MAX.

Why any secret?

I love not secrets. Mark what I will do.

I'll throw me at your father's feet--let him Decide upon my fortune! He is true, He wears no mask--he hates all crooked ways-- He is so good, so n.o.ble!

THEKLA. (falls on his neck).

That are you!

MAX.

You knew him only from this morn! But I Have lived ten years already in his presence; And who knows whether in this very moment He is not merely waiting for us both To own our loves in order to unite us?

You are silent!

You look at me with such a hopelessness!

What have you to object against your father?

THEKLA.

I? Nothing. Only he's so occupied-- He has no leisure time to think about The happiness of us two.

[Taking his hand tenderly.

Follow me Let us not place too great a faith in men.

These Terzkys--we will still be grateful to them For every kindness, but not trust them further Than they deserve;--and in all else rely On our own hearts!