The German Classics of the Nineteenth and Twentieth Centuries, Volume 03: Masterpieces of German Literature Translated into English. in Twenty Volumes
General
The German Classics of the Nineteenth and Twentieth Centuries, Volume 03: Masterpieces of German Literature Translated into English. in Twenty Volumes
German literature -- 19th century -- Translations into English; German literature -- 20th century -- Translations into English
This morning
We buried him. Twelve youths of noblest birth
Did bear him to interment; the whole army
Follow'd the bier. A laurel deck'd his coffin;
The sword of the deceased was placed upon it,
In mark of honor, by the Rhinegrave's self.
Nor tears were wanting; for there are among us
Many, who had themselves experienced
The greatness of his mind and gentle manners;
All were affected at his fate. The Rhinegrave
Would willingly have saved him; but himself
Made vain the attempt--'tis said he wish'd to
die.
NEUBRUNN _(to_ THEKLA, _who has hidden her countenance_).
Look up, my dearest lady--
THEKLA.
Where is his grave?
CAPTAIN.
At Neustadt, lady; in a cloister church
Are his remains deposited, until
We can receive directions from his father.
THEKLA.
What is the cloister's name?
CAPTAIN.
Saint Catherine's.
THEKLA.
And how far is it thither?
CAPTAIN.
Near twelve leagues.
THEKLA.
And which the way?
CAPTAIN.
You go by Tirschenreut
And Falkenberg through our advanced posts.
THEKLA.
Who
Is their commander?
CAPTAIN.
Colonel Seckendorf.
[THEKLA _steps to the table, and takes a ring from a
casket.]_
THEKLA.
You have beheld me in my agony,
And shown a feeling heart. Please you, accept
_[Giving him the ring_.]
A small memorial of this hour. Now go!
CAPTAIN _(confusedly)._
Princess--
[THEKLA _silently makes signs to him to go, and turns from
him. The_ CAPTAIN _lingers, and is about to speak_. LADY
NEUBRUNN _repeats the signal, and he retires.]_
SCENE XI
THEKLA, LADY NEUBRUNN
THEKLA _(falls on_ LADY NEUBRUNN's _neck_).
Now, gentle Neubrunn, show me the affection
Which thou hast ever promised--prove thyself
My own true friend and faithful fellow-pilgrim.
This night we must away!
NEUBRUNN.
Away! and whither?
THEKLA.
Whither! There is but one place in the world.
Thither, where he lies buried! To his coffin!
NEUBR.
What would you do there?
THEKLA.
What do there?
That wouldst thou not have ask'd, hadst thou e'er loved.
There, there is all that still remains of him!
That single spot is the whole earth to me.
NEUBR.
That place of death--
THEKLA.
Is now the only place
Where life yet dwells for me: detain me not!
Come and make preparations; let us think
Of means to fly from hence.
NEUBRUNN.
Your father's rage--
THEKLA.
That time is past--
And now I fear no human being's rage.
NEUBR.
The sentence of the world! The tongue of
calumny!
THEKLA.
Whom am I seeking? Him who is no more?
Am I then hastening to the arms--O God!
I haste but to the grave of the beloved.
NEUBR.
And we alone, two helpless feeble women?
THEKLA.
We will take weapons: my arm shall protect
thee.
NEUBR.
In the dark night-time?
THEKLA.
Darkness will conceal us.
NEUBR.
This rough tempestuous night--
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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