_Thekla._ O my fore-boding bosom! Even now, E'en now 'tis here, that icy hand of horror! And my young hope lies shuddering in its grasp; I knew it well--no sooner had I entered, A heavy ominous presentiment 65 Revealed to me, that spirits of death were hovering Over my happy fortune. But why think I First of myself? My mother! O my mother! _Countess._ Calm yourself! Break not out in vain lamenting! Preserve you for your father the firm friend, 70 And for yourself the lover, all will yet Prove good and fortunate. _Thekla._ Prove good? What good? Must we not part? Part ne'er to meet again? _Countess._ He parts not from you! He can not part from you. _Thekla._ Alas for his sore anguish! It will rend 75 His heart asunder. _Countess._ If indeed he loves you, His resolution will be speedily taken. _Thekla._ His resolution will be speedily taken-- O do not doubt of that! A resolution! Does there remain one to be taken? _Countess._ Hush! 80 Collect yourself! I hear your mother coming. _Thekla._ How shall I bear to see her? _Countess._ Collect yourself. LINENOTES: [2] _still . . . this_ 1800, 1828, 1829. [3] _this_ 1800, 1828, 1829. [9] _you_ 1800, 1828, 1829. [20] _my_ 1800, 1828, 1829. [31] _You_ 1800, 1828, 1829. [37] _not_ 1800, 1828, 1829. [72] Prove _good_ 1800. [74] _can_ 1800. [80] _taken_ 1800. SCENE III _To them enter the DUCHESS._ _Duchess (to the Countess)._ Who was here, sister? I heard some one talking, And passionately too. _Countess._ Nay! There was no one. _Duchess._ I am grown so timorous, every trifling noise Scatters my spirits, and announces to me The footstep of some messenger of evil. 5 And can you tell me, sister, what the event is? Will he agree to do the Emperor's pleasure, And send the horse-regiments to the Cardinal? Tell me, has he dismissed Von Questenberg With a favourable answer? _Countess._ No, he has not. 10 _Duchess._ Alas! then all is lost! I see it coming, The worst that can come! Yes, they will depose him; The accurséd business of the Regenspurg diet Will all be acted o'er again! _Countess._ No! never! Make your heart easy, sister, as to that. 15 [_THEKLA throws herself upon her mother, and enfolds her in her arms, weeping._