[8] _my_ 1800, 1828, 1829. [17] _my_ 1800, 1828, 1829. [21] _He_ 1800, 1828, 1829. [72] _you_ 1800, 1828, 1829. [91] mouth] _lips_ MS. R. [94] _Countess (after a pause, with a stolen glance at Thekla)._ 1800, 1828, 1829. [96] _your_ 1800, 1828, 1829. [100] _Max (with eagerness)._ 1800, 1828, 1829. SCENE IV _THEKLA (hurries forward), COUNTESS, MAX PICCOLOMINI._ _Thekla (to the Countess)._ Spare yourself the trouble: That hears he better from myself. _Max._ My Princess! What have you let her hear me say, aunt Tertsky? _Thekla (to the Countess)._ Has he been here long? _Countess._ Yes; and soon must go. Where have you stayed so long? _Thekla._ Alas! my mother 5 Wept so again! and I--I see her suffer, Yet cannot keep myself from being happy. _Max._ Now once again I have courage to look on you. To-day at noon I could not. The dazzle of the jewels that play'd round you 10 Hid the beloved from me. _Thekla._ Then you saw me With your eye only--and not with your heart? _Max._ This morning, when I found you in the circle Of all your kindred, in your father's arms, Beheld myself an alien in this circle, 15 O! what an impulse felt I in that moment To fall upon his neck, to call him father! But his stern eye o'erpowered the swelling passion-- It dared not but be silent. And those brilliants, That like a crown of stars enwreathed your brows, 20 They scared me too! O wherefore, wherefore should he At the first meeting spread as 'twere the ban Of excommunication round you, wherefore Dress up the angel as for sacrifice, And cast upon the light and joyous heart 25 The mournful burthen of his station? Fitly May love dare woo for love; but such a splendour Might none but monarchs venture to approach. _Thekla._ Hush! not a word more of this mummery. You see how soon the burthen is thrown off. 30 [_To the COUNTESS._ He is not in spirits. Wherefore is he not? 'Tis you, aunt, that have made him all so gloomy! He had quite another nature on the journey-- So calm, so bright, so joyous eloquent. [_To MAX._ It was my wish to see you always so, 35 And never otherwise! _Max._ You find yourself In your great father's arms, belovéd lady! All in a new world, which does homage to you, And which, wer't only by its novelty, Delights your eye.