_Countess._ O take us with you, brother. Leave us not in this gloomy solitude 70 To brood o'er anxious thoughts. The mists of doubt Magnify evils to a shape of horror. _Wallenstein._ Who speaks of evil? I entreat you, sister, Use words of better omen. _Countess._ Then take us with you. O leave us not behind you in a place 75 That forces us to such sad omens. Heavy And sick within me is my heart---- These walls breathe on me, like a church-yard vault. I cannot tell you, brother, how this place Doth go against my nature. Take us with you. 80 Come, sister, join you your entreaty!--Niece, Yours too. We all entreat you, take us with you! _Wallenstein._ The place's evil omens will I change, Making it that which shields and shelters for me My best beloved. _Lady Neubrunn (returning)._ The Swedish officer. 85 _Wallenstein._ Leave her alone with him. [_Exit._ _Duchess (to Thekla who starts and shivers)._ There--pale as death!--Child, 'tis impossible That thou should'st speak with him. Follow thy mother. _Thekla._ The Lady Neubrunn then may stay with me. [_Exeunt DUCHESS and COUNTESS._ LINENOTES: SCENE--_A Gothic and gloomy, &c._ 1800, 1828, 1829. [66] _thy_ 1800, 1828, 1829. SCENE IV _THEKLA, the_ Swedish Captain, _LADY NEUBRUNN._ _Captain._ Princess--I must entreat your gentle pardon-- My inconsiderate rash speech--How could I-- _Thekla._ You did behold me in my agony. A most distressful accident occasioned You from a stranger to become at once 5 My confidant. _Captain._ I fear you hate my presence, For my tongue spake a melancholy word. _Thekla._ The fault is mine. Myself did wrest it from you. The horror which came o'er me interrupted Your tale at its commencement. May it please you, 10 Continue it to the end. _Captain._ Princess, 'twill Renew your anguish. _Thekla._ I am firm.---- I will be firm. Well--how began the engagement? _Captain._ We lay, expecting no attack, at Neustadt, Entrenched but insecurely in our camp, 15 When towards evening rose a cloud of dust From the wood thitherward; our vanguard fled Into the camp, and sounded the alarm. Scarce had we mounted, ere the Pappenheimers, Their horses at full speed, broke through the lines, 20 And leapt the trenches; but their heedless courage Had borne them onward far before the others-- The infantry were still at distance, only The Pappenheimers followed daringly Their daring leader---- [_THEKLA betrays agitation in her gestures. The officer pauses till she makes a sign to him to proceed._