The Complete Poetical Works of Samuel Taylor Coleridge - LightNovelsOnl.com
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LINENOTES:
[6] _His_ 1800.
[7] _him_ 1800.
[8] nor] or 1800, 1828, 1829.
[31] _done_ 1800, 1828, 1829.
[38] _will_ 1800.
[70] _wait_ 1800.
SCENE II
_The COUNTESS steps out from a Closet._
_COUNT and COUNTESS TERTSKY._
_Tertsky._ Well--is she coming?--I can keep him back No longer.
_Countess._ She will be there instantly.
You only send him.
_Tertsky._ I am not quite certain, I must confess it, Countess, whether or not We are earning the Duke's thanks hereby. You know, 5 No ray has broken from him on this point.
You have o'er-ruled me, and yourself know best How far you dare proceed.
_Countess._ I take it on me.
[_Talking to herself, while she is advancing._
Here's no need of full powers and commissions-- My cloudy Duke! we understand each other-- 10 And without words. What, could I not unriddle, Wherefore the daughter should be sent for hither, Why first he, and no other, should be chosen To fetch her hither! This sham of betrothing her To a bridegroom,[641:1] whom no one knows--No! no!---- 15 This may blind others! I see through thee, Brother!
But it beseems thee not, to draw a card At such a game. Not yet!--It all remains Mutely delivered up to my finessing---- Well--thou shalt not have been deceived, Duke Friedland!
In her who is thy sister.---- 20
_Servant (enters)._ The commanders!
_Tertsky (to the Countess)._ Take care you heat his fancy and affections-- Possess him with a reverie, and send him, Absent and dreaming, to the banquet; that He may not boggle at the signature. 25
_Countess._ Take you care of your guests!--Go, send him hither.
_Tertsky._ All rests upon his undersigning.
_Countess._ Go to your guests! Go----
_Illo (comes back)._ Where art staying, Tertsky?
The house is full, and all expecting you. 30
_Tertsky._ Instantly! Instantly! [_To the COUNTESS._ And let him not Stay here too long. It might awake suspicion In the old man----
_Countess._ A truce with your precautions!
[_Exeunt TERTSKY and ILLO._
FOOTNOTES:
[641:1] In Germany, after honourable addresses have been paid and formally accepted, the lovers are called Bride and Bridegroom, even though the marriage should not take place till years afterwards.
LINENOTES:
[6] broken] broke out 1800, 1828, 1829.
[13] _he_ 1800, 1828, 1829.
[15] whom] when 1800, 1828, 1829.
[28] _Countess (interrupting him)._ 1800, 1828, 1829.
SCENE III
_COUNTESS, MAX PICCOLOMINI._
_Max._ Aunt Tertsky? may I venture?
[_Advances to the middle of the stage, and looks around him with uneasiness._
She's not here!
Where is she?
_Countess._ Look but somewhat narrowly In yonder corner, lest perhaps she lie Conceal'd behind that screen.
_Max._ There lie her gloves![642:1]
[_s.n.a.t.c.hes at them, but the COUNTESS takes them herself._
You unkind Lady! You refuse me this-- 5 You make it an amus.e.m.e.nt to torment me.
_Countess._ And this the thanks you give me for my trouble?
_Max._ O, if you felt the oppression at my heart!
Since we've been here, so to constrain myself-- With such poor stealth to hazard words and glances-- 10 These, these are not my habits!
_Countess._ You have still Many new habits to acquire, young friend!
But on this proof of your obedient temper I must continue to insist; and only On this condition can I play the agent 15 For your concerns.
