Nay, not precipitately either, Thekla, I understand thee. To thy noble heart The hardest duty might appear the highest. The human, not the great part, would I act Even from my childhood to this present hour. Think what the Duke has done--for me, how loved me And think, too, how my father has repaid him. O likewise the free lovely impulses Of hospitality, the pious friend's Faithful attachment, these, too, are a holy Religion to the heart; and heavily The shudderings of nature do avenge Themselves on the barbarian that insults them. Lay all upon the balance, all--then speak, And let thy heart decide it. THEKLA. O, thy own Hath long ago decided. Follow thou Thy heart's first feeling-- COUNTESS. Oh! ill-fated woman. THEKLA. Is it possible that that can be the right, The which thy tender heart did not at first Detect and seize with instant impulse? Go, Fulfil thy duty! I should ever love thee What'er thou hadst chosen, thou wouldst still have acted Nobly and worthy of thee--but repentance Shall ne'er disturb thy soul's fair peace. MAX. Then I Must leave thee, must part from thee! THEKLA. Being faithful To thine own self, thou art faithful, too, to me; If our fates part, our hearts remain united. A bloody hatred will divide forever The houses Piccolomini and Friedland; But we belong not to our houses. Go! Quick! quick! and separate thy righteous cause From our unholy and unblessèd one! The curse of Heaven lies upon our head: 'Tis dedicate to ruin. Even me My father's guilt drags with it to perdition. Mourn not for me: My destiny will quickly be decided. [MAX _clasps her in his arms in extreme emotion. There is heard from behind the scenes a loud, wild, long continued cry_, Vivat Ferdinandus! _accompanied by warlike instruments_. MAX _and_ THEKLA _remain without motion in each other's embraces_.] SCENE XXII _To the above enter_ TERZKY COUNTESS (_meeting him_). What meant that cry? What was it? TERZKY. All is lost! COUNTESS. What! they regarded not his countenance? TERZKY. 'Twas all in vain. DUCHESS. They shouted Vivat!-- TERZKY. To the Emperor. COUNTESS. The traitors! TERZIBY. Nay! he was not permitted Even to address them. Soon as he began, With deafening noise of warlike instruments They drown'd his words. But here he comes. SCENE XXIII _To these enter_ WALLENSTEIN, _accompanied by_ ILLO _and_ BUTLER WALLENSTEIN (_as he enters_). Terzky! TERZKY. My General! WALLENSTEIN. Let our regiments hold themselves In readiness to march; for we shall leave Pilsen ere evening. [_Exit_ TERZKY.] Butler! BUTLER. Yes, my General. WALLENST.