_Countess._ What boots it now to hide it from her? Sooner Or later she must learn to hear and bear it. 10 'Tis not the time now to indulge infirmity, Courage beseems us now, a heart collected, And exercise and previous discipline Of fortitude. One word, and over with it! Sister, you are deluded. You believe, 15 The Duke has been deposed--The Duke is not Deposed--he is---- _Thekla (going to the Countess)._ What? do you wish to kill her? _Countess._ The Duke is---- _Thekla (throwing her arms round her mother)._ O stand firm! stand firm, my mother! _Countess._ Revolted is the Duke, he is preparing 20 To join the enemy, the army leave him, And all has failed. LINENOTES: [10] _must_ 1800, 1828, 1829. [12] collected] collect 1800, 1828, 1829. [After 22] [_During these words the DUCHESS totters, and falls in a fainting fit into the arms of her daughter. While THEKLA is calling for help, the curtain drops._ 1800, 1828, 1829. ACT II SCENE I SCENE--_A spacious Room in the DUKE OF FRIEDLAND'S Palace._ _Wallenstein (in armour)._ Thou hast gained thy point, Octavio! Once more am I Almost as friendless as at Regenspurg. There I had nothing left me, but myself-- But what one man can do, you have now experience. The twigs have you hewed off, and here I stand 5 A leafless trunk. But in the sap within Lives the creating power, and a new world May sprout forth from it. Once already have I Proved myself worth an army to you--I alone! Before the Swedish strength your troops had melted; 10 Beside the Lech sank Tilly, your last hope; Into Bavaria, like a winter torrent, Did that Gustavus pour, and at Vienna In his own palace did the Emperor tremble. Soldiers were scarce, for still the multitude 15 Follow the luck: all eyes were turned on me, Their helper in distress; the Emperor's pride Bowed itself down before the man he had injured. 'Twas I must rise, and with creative word Assemble forces in the desolate camps. 20 I did it. Like a god of war, my name Went through the world. The drum was beat--and, lo! The plough, the work-shop is forsaken, all Swarm to the old familiar long-loved banners; And as the wood-choir rich in melody 25 Assemble quick around the bird of wonder, When first his throat swells with his magic song, So did the warlike youth of Germany Crowd in around the image of my eagle. I feel myself the being that I was. 30 It is the soul that builds itself a body, And Friedland's camp will not remain unfilled. Lead then your thousands out to meet me--true! They are accustomed under me to conquer, But not against me. If the head and limbs 35 Separate from each other, 'twill be soon