COUNTESS.

Oh! ill-fated woman.

THEKLA.

Is it possible that that can be the right,
The which thy tender heart did not at first
Detect and seize with instant impulse?  Go,
Fulfil thy duty!  I should ever love thee
What’er thou hadst chosen, thou wouldst still have acted
Nobly and worthy of thee—­but repentance
Shall ne’er disturb thy soul’s fair peace.

MAX.

Then I
Must leave thee, must part from thee!

THEKLA.

Being faithful
To thine own self, thou art faithful, too, to me;
If our fates part, our hearts remain united. 
A bloody hatred will divide forever
The houses Piccolomini and Friedland;
But we belong not to our houses.  Go! 
Quick! quick! and separate thy righteous cause
From our unholy and unblessed one! 
The curse of Heaven lies upon our head: 
’Tis dedicate to ruin.  Even me
My father’s guilt drags with it to perdition. 
Mourn not for me: 
My destiny will quickly be decided.

[MAX clasps her in his arms in extreme emotion.  There is heard from behind the scenes a loud, wild, long continued cry, Vivat Ferdinandus! accompanied by warlike instruments.  MAX and THEKLA remain without motion in each other’s embraces.]

SCENE XXII

To the above enter TERZKY

COUNTESS (meeting him).

What meant that cry?  What was it?

TERZKY.

All is lost!

COUNTESS.

What! they regarded not his countenance?

TERZKY.

’Twas all in vain.

DUCHESS.

They shouted Vivat!—­

TERZKY.

To the Emperor.

COUNTESS.

The traitors!

TERZIBY.

Nay! he was not permitted
Even to address them.  Soon as he began,
With deafening noise of warlike instruments
They drown’d his words.  But here he comes.

SCENE XXIII

To these enter WALLENSTEIN, accompanied by ILLO and BUTLER

WALLENSTEIN (as he enters).

Terzky!

TERZKY.

My General!

WALLENSTEIN.

Let our regiments hold themselves
In readiness to march; for we shall leave
Pilsen ere evening.

[Exit TERZKY.]

Butler!

BUTLER.

Yes, my General.

WALLENST.

The Governor of Egra is your friend
And countryman.  Write to him instantly
By a post-courier.  He must be advised,
That we are with him early on the morrow. 
You follow us yourself, your regiment with you.

BUTLER.

It shall be done, my General!

WALLENSTEIN (steps between MAX and THEKLA, who have remained during this time in each other’s arms).