_Duchess._ They talk---- _Wallenstein._ Well! _Duchess._ Of a second---- _Wallenstein._ Second---- _Duchess._ More disgraceful ----Dismission. _Wallenstein._ Talk they? O! they force, they thrust me With violence, against my own will, onward! 75 _Duchess_. O! if there yet be time, my husband! if By giving way and by submission, this Can be averted--my dear lord, give way! Win down your proud heart to it! Tell that heart It is your sovereign lord, your Emperor 80 Before whom you retreat. O let no longer Low tricking malice blacken your good meaning With abhorred venomous glosses. Stand you up Shielded and helm'd and weapon'd with the truth, And drive before you into uttermost shame 85 These slanderous liars! Few firm friends have we-- You know it!--The swift growth of our good fortune It hath but set us up, a mark for hatred. What are we, if the sovereign's grace and favour Stand not before us? 90 LINENOTES: [14] _you_ wish 1800, 1828, 1829. [15] _Wallenstein (after a pause)._ Well, then? 1800, 1828, 1829. [After 17] [_The DUCHESS casts her eyes on the ground and remains silent._ 1800, 1828, 1829. [31] _so_ 1800, 1828, 1829. [45] _Now_ 1800, 1828, 1829. _Duchess (wiping away her tears, after a pause)._ 1800, 1828, 1829. _did_ 1800, 1828, 1829. [53] _Duchess (shaking her head)._ 1800, 1828, 1829. [62] _Wallenstein (eagerly)._ Lamormain, &c. 1800, 1828, 1829. _he_ 1800, 1828, 1829. [71] And people . . . Ah!-- [_Stifling extreme emotion._ 1800, 1828, 1829. [73] _Duchess._ Of a second---- (_catches her voice and hesitates_). 1800, 1828, 1829. [74] _Wallenstein._ Talk they? [_Strides across the chamber in vehement agitation._ 1800, 1828, 1829. [Before 76] _Duchess (presses near to him, in entreaty)._ 1800, 1828, 1829. SCENE VIII _Enter the COUNTESS TERTSKY, leading in her hand the PRINCESS THEKLA, richly adorned with brilliants._ _COUNTESS, THEKLA, WALLENSTEIN, DUCHESS._ _Countess._ How, sister? What already upon business, And business of no pleasing kind I see, Ere he has gladdened at his child. The first Moment belongs to joy. Here, Friedland! father! This is thy daughter. 5 (_THEKLA approaches with a shy and timid air, and bends herself as about to kiss his hand. He receives her in his arms, and remains standing for some time lost in the feeling of her presence._) _Wallenstein._ Yes! pure and lovely hath hope risen on me: I take her as the pledge of greater fortune.