THEKLA.

Knowing the whole, I shall be more collected;
I will not be deceived.  My mother wishes
Only to spare me.  I will not be spared—­
The worst is said already:  I can hear
Nothing of deeper anguish!

COUNTESS and DUCHESS.

Do it not.

THEKLA.

The horror overpower’d me by surprise. 
My heart betray’d me in the stranger’s presence: 
He was a witness of my weakness, yea,
I sank into his arms; and that has shamed me. 
I must replace myself in his esteem,
And I must speak with him, perforce, that he,
The stranger, may not think ungently of me.

WALLENST.

I see she is in the right, and am inclined
To grant her this request of hers.  Go, call him.

     [LADY NEUBRUNN goes to call him.]

DUCHESS.

But I, thy mother, will be present—­

THEKLA.

’Twere
More pleasing to me, if alone I saw him;
Trust me, I shall behave myself the more
Collectedly.

WALLENSTEIN.

Permit her own will. 
Leave her alone with him:  for there are sorrows
Where of necessity the soul must be
Its own support.  A strong heart will rely
On its own strength alone.  In her own bosom,
Not in her mother’s arms, must she collect
The strength to rise superior to this blow. 
It is mine own brave girl.  I’ll have her treated
Not as a woman, but the heroine. [Going.]

COUNTESS (detaining him).

Where art thou going?  I heard Terzky say
That ’tis thy purpose to depart from hence
Tomorrow early, but to leave us here.

WALLENST.

Yes, ye stay here, placed under the protection
Of gallant men.

COUNTESS.

O take us with you, brother. 
Leave us not in this gloomy solitude
To brood o’er anxious thoughts.  The mists of doubt
Magnify evils to a shape of horror.

WALLENST.

Who speaks of evil?  I entreat you, sister,
Use words of better omen.

COUNTESS.

Then take us with you. 
O leave us not behind you in a place
That forces us to such sad omens.  Heavy
And sick within me is my heart—­
These walls breathe on me, like a church-yard vault. 
I cannot tell you, brother, how this place
Doth go against my nature.  Take us with you. 
Come, sister, join you your entreaty!  Niece,
Yours too.  We all entreat you, take us with you!

WALLENST.

The place’s evil omens will I change,
Making it that which shields and shelters for me
My best beloved.

LADY NEUBRUNN (returning).

The Swedish officer.

WALLENST.

Leave her alone with him.

DUCHESS (to THEKLA, who starts and shivers).

There—­pale as death!  Child, ’tis impossible
That thou shouldst speak with him.  Follow thy mother.