THEKLA. And if this be the science of the stars, I, too, with glad and zealous industry, Will learn acquaintance with this cheerful faith. It is a gentle and affectionate thought, That in immeasurable heights above us, At our first birth, the wreath of love was woven, With sparkling stars for flowers. COUNTESS. Not only roses And thorns too hath the heaven, and well for you Leave they your wreath of love inviolate: What Venus twined, the bearer of glad fortune, The sullen orb of Mars soon tears to pieces. MAX. Soon will this gloomy empire reach its close. Blest be the general's zeal: into the laurel Will he inweave the olive-branch, presenting Peace to the shouting nations. Then no wish Will have remained for his great heart. Enough Has he performed for glory, and can now Live for himself and his. To his domains will He retire; he has a stately seat Of fairest view at Gitschin, Reichenberg, And Friedland Castle, both lie pleasantly; Even to the foot of the huge mountains here Stretches the chase and covers of his forests: His ruling passion to create the splendid He can indulge without restraint; can give A princely patronage to every art, And to all worth a sovereign's protection. Can build, can plant, can watch the starry courses---- COUNTESS. Yet I would have you look, and look again, Before you lay aside your arms, young friend! A gentle bride, as she is, is well worth it, That you should woo and win her with the sword. MAX. Oh, that the sword could win her! COUNTESS. What was that? Did you hear nothing? Seemed as if I heard Tumult and larum in the banquet-room. [Exit COUNTESS. SCENE V. THEKLA and MAX. PICCOLOMINI. THEKLA (as soon as the COUNTESS is out of sight, in a quick, low voice to PICCOLOMINI). Don't trust them! They are false! MAX. Impossible! THEKLA. Trust no one here but me. I saw at once, They had a purpose. MAX. Purpose! but what purpose? And how can we be instrumental to it? THEKLA. I know no more than you; but yet believe me There's some design in this; to make us happy, To realize our union--trust me, love! They but pretend to wish it. MAX. But these Terzkys-- Why use we them at all? Why not your mother? Excellent creature! She deserves from us A full and filial confidence. THEKLA. She doth love you, Doth rate you high before all others--but-- But such a secret--she would never have The courage to conceal it from my father. For her own peace of mind we must preserve it A secret from her too. MAX. Why any secret? I love not secrets. Mark what I will do. I'll throw me at your father's feet--let him Decide upon my fortune! He is true, He wears no mask--he hates all crooked ways-- He is so good, so noble! THEKLA. (falls on his neck). That are you!