THEKLA. Are they not men? Misfortune Passes free through all the earth. NEU. So far! So— THEKLA. Does the pilgrim count the miles, when journeying To the distant shrine of grace? NEU. How shall we Even get out of Eger? THEKLA. Gold opens gates. Go! Do go! NEU. If they should recognise us? THEKLA. In a fugitive despairing woman No one will look to meet with Friedland's daughter. NEU. And where shall we get horses for our flight? THEKLA. My Equerry will find them. Go and call him. NEU. Will he venture without his master's knowledge? THEKLA. He will, I tell thee. Go! O, linger not! NEU. Ah! And what will your mother do when you Are vanish'd? THEKLA [_recollecting this, and gazing with a look of anguish_]. O my mother! NEU. Your good mother! She has already had so much to suffer. Must this last heaviest stroke too fall on her? THEKLA. I cannot help it. Go, I prithee, go! NEU. Think well what you are doing. THEKLA. All is thought That can be thought, already. NEU. _Were_ we there, What would you do? THEKLA. God will direct me, there. NEU. Your heart is full of trouble: O my lady! This way leads _not_ to peace. THEKLA. To that deep peace Which he has found. O, hasten! Go! No words! There is some force, I know not what to call it, Pulls me irresistibly, and drags me On to his grave: there I shall find some solace Instantly; the strangling band of sorrow Will be loosen'd; tears will flow. O, hasten! Long time ago we might have been o' th' road. No rest for me till I have fled these walls: They fall upon me, some dark power repels me From them—Ha! What's this? The chamber's filling With pale gaunt shapes! No room is left for me! More! more! The crowding spectres press on me, And push me forth from this accursed house. NEU. You frighten me, my lady: I dare stay No longer; quickly I'll call Rosenberg. SCENE XII. THEKLA. It is his spirit calls me! 'Tis the host Of faithful souls that sacrificed themselves In fiery vengeance for him. They upbraid me For this loit'ring: _they_ in death forsook him not, Who in their life had led them; their rude hearts Were capable of this: and _I_ can live? No! No! That laurel-garland which they laid Upon his bier was twined for both of us! What is this life without the light of love? I cast it from me, since its worth is gone. Yes, when we found and lov'd each other, life Was something! Glittering lay before me The golden morn: I had two hours of Heaven. Thou stoodest at the threshold of the scene Of busy life; with timid steps I cross'd it: How fair it lay in solemn shade and sheen! And thou beside me, like some angel, posted To lead me out of childhood's fairy land On to life's glancing summit, hand in hand! My first thought was of joy no tongue can tell, My first look on _thy_ spotless spirit fell.