_Thekla._ And if this be the science of the stars, I too, with glad and zealous industry, 140 Will learn acquaintance with this cheerful faith. It is a gentle and affectionate thought, That in immeasurable heights above us, At our first birth, the wreath of love was woven, With sparkling stars for flowers. _Countess._ Not only roses, 145 But thorns too hath the heaven; and well for you Leave they your wreath of love inviolate; What Venus twined, the bearer of glad fortune, The sullen orb of Mars soon tears to pieces. _Max._ Soon will his gloomy empire reach its close. 150 Blest be the General's zeal: into the laurel Will he inweave the olive-branch, presenting Peace to the shouting nations. Then no wish Will have remained for his great heart! Enough Has he performed for glory, and can now 155 Live for himself and his. To his domains Will he retire; he has a stately seat Of fairest view at Gitschin; Reichenberg, And Friedland Castle, both lie pleasantly-- Even to the foot of the huge mountains here 160 Stretches the chase and covers of his forests: His ruling passion, to create the splendid, He can indulge without restraint; can give A princely patronage to every art, And to all worth a Sovereign's protection. 165 Can build, can plant, can watch the starry courses-- _Countess._ Yet I would have you look, and look again, Before you lay aside your arms, young friend! A gentle bride, as she is, is well worth it, That you should woo and win her with the sword. 170 _Max._ O, that the sword could win her! _Countess._ What was that? Did you hear nothing? Seem'd, as if I heard Tumult and larum in the banquet-room. [_Exit COUNTESS._ FOOTNOTES: [647:1] In this and in Max's reply to it I have taken more liberty than in any other part of the play--except perhaps in Gordon's character of Wallenstein [Act III. Scene ii]. In truth, Max's reply after the first nine lines is almost my own, as are the first seven lines of Thekla's description. The remainder I take a little pride in as a specimen of translation, fully equal, and in diction and rhythmic feeling superior, to the original. _S. T. C._ _MS. R_. [649:1] No more of talk, where God or Angel Guest With Man, as with his friend, familiar used To sit indulgent. _Paradise Lost_, ix. 1-3. _1800_, _1828_, _1829_. LINENOTES: [2] _Max (stepping backward)._ 1800, 1828, 1829. [5] _you_ 1800, 1828, 1829. [17] _father_ 1800, 1828, 1829. [26] _his_ 1800, 1828, 1829. [54] inalienable] unalienable 1800, 1828, 1829. [After 56] [_Breaking off, and in a sportive tone._ 1800, 1828, 1829. [60] _Countess (recollecting)._ 1800, 1828, 1829. [63] _Thekla (smiling)._ 1800, 1828, 1829. [126] their] her 1829.