The Complete Poetical Works of Samuel Taylor Coleridge - LightNovelsOnl.com
You're reading novel online at LightNovelsOnl.com. Please use the follow button to get notifications about your favorite novels and its latest chapters so you can come back anytime and won't miss anything.
_Wallenstein._ And does he know it?
_Countess._ Yes, and he hopes to win her.
_Wallenstein._ Hopes to win her!
Is the boy mad?
_Countess._ Well--hear it from themselves.
_Wallenstein._ He thinks to carry off Duke Friedland's daughter! 75
Aye?--The thought pleases me.
The young man has no grovelling spirit.
_Countess._ Since Such and such constant favour you have shewn him--
_Wallenstein._ He chooses finally to be my heir.
And true it is, I love the youth; yea, honour him. 80 But must he therefore be my daughter's husband!
Is it daughters only? Is it only children That we must shew our favour by?
_d.u.c.h.ess._ His n.o.ble disposition and his manners--
_Wallenstein._ Win him my heart, but not my daughter.
_d.u.c.h.ess._ Then 85 His rank, his ancestors--
_Wallenstein._ Ancestors! What?
He is a subject, and my son-in-law I will seek out upon the thrones of Europe.
_d.u.c.h.ess._ O dearest Albrecht! Climb we not too high.
Lest we should fall too low.
_Wallenstein._ What? have I paid 90 A price so heavy to ascend this eminence, And jut out high above the common herd, Only to close the mighty part I play In Life's great drama, with a common kinsman?
Have I for this-- [_pause._] She is the only thing 95 That will remain behind of me on earth; And I will see a crown around her head, Or die in the attempt to place it there.
I hazard all--all! and for this alone, To lift her into greatness-- 100 Yea, in this moment, in the which we are speaking-- [_pause._ And I must now, like a soft-hearted father, Couple together in good peasant fas.h.i.+on The pair, that chance to suit each other's liking-- And I must do it now, even now, when I 105 Am stretching out the wreath that is to twine My full accomplished work--no! she is the jewel, Which I have treasured long, my last, my n.o.blest, And 'tis my purpose not to let her from me For less than a king's sceptre.
_d.u.c.h.ess._ O my husband! 110 You're ever building, building to the clouds, Still building higher, and still higher building, And ne'er reflect, that the poor narrow basis Cannot sustain the giddy tottering column.
_Wallenstein (to the Countess)._ Have you announced the place of residence 115 Which I have destined for her?
_Countess._ No! not yet.
'Twere better you yourself disclosed it to her.
_d.u.c.h.ess._ How? Do we not return to Karn then?
_Wallenstein._ No.
_d.u.c.h.ess._ And to no other of your lands or seats?
_Wallenstein._ You would not be secure there.
_d.u.c.h.ess._ Not secure 120 In the Emperor's realms, beneath the Emperor's Protection?
_Wallenstein._ Friedland's wife may be permitted No longer to hope that.
_d.u.c.h.ess._ O G.o.d in heaven!
And have you brought it even to this?
_Wallenstein._ In Holland You'll find protection.
_d.u.c.h.ess._ In a Lutheran country? 125 What? And you send us into Lutheran countries?
_Wallenstein._ Duke Franz of Lauenburg conducts you thither.
_d.u.c.h.ess._ Duke Franz of Lauenburg?
The ally of Sweden, the Emperor's enemy.
_Wallenstein._ The Emperor's enemies are mine no longer. 130
_d.u.c.h.ess (casting a look of terror on the Duke and the Countess)._ Is it then true? It is. You are degraded?
Deposed from the command? O G.o.d in heaven!
_Countess (aside to the Duke)._ Leave her in this belief. Thou seest she cannot Support the real truth.
LINENOTES:
[26] _fear_ 1800, 1828, 1829.
[48] from] _for_ 1800, 1828, 1829.
[56] _him_ 1800, 1828, 1829.
[95]
Have I for this-- [_Stops suddenly, repressing himself._
1800, 1828, 1829.
[After 101] [_He recollects himself._ 1800, 1828, 1829.
[118] Karn 1800.
[123] _that_ 1800, 1828, 1829.
SCENE V
_To them enter COUNT TERTSKY._
