The Piccolomini: A Play

SCENE IV.

      Enter MAX. PICCOLOMINI, and some time after COUNT TERZKY, the
      others remaining as before.

   COUNTESS.
   There comes the Paladin who protected us.

   WALLENSTEIN.
   Max.! Welcome, ever welcome! Always wert thou
   The morning star of my best joys!

   MAX.
                     My general——

   WALLENSTEIN.
   Till now it was the emperor who rewarded thee,
   I but the instrument. This day thou hast bound
   The father to thee, Max.! the fortunate father,
   And this debt Friedland's self must pay.

   MAX.
                        My prince!
   You made no common hurry to transfer it.
   I come with shame: yea, not without a pang!
   For scarce have I arrived here, scarce delivered
   The mother and the daughter to your arms,
   But there is brought to me from your equerry 
   A splendid richly-plated hunting dress
   So to remunerate me for my troubles—
   Yes, yes, remunerate me,—since a trouble
   It must be, a mere office, not a favor
   Which I leaped forward to receive, and which
   I came with grateful heart to thank you for.
   No! 'twas not so intended, that my business
   Should be my highest best good fortune!

      [TERZKY enters; and delivers letters to the DUKE, which he
      breaks open hurriedly.

   COUNTESS (to MAX.).
   Remunerate your trouble! For his joy,
   He makes you recompense. 'Tis not unfitting
   For you, Count Piccolomini, to feel
   So tenderly—my brother it beseems
   To show himself forever great and princely.

   THEKLA.
   Then I too must have scruples of his love:
   For his munificent hands did ornament me
   Ere yet the father's heart had spoken to me.

   MAX
   Yes; 'tis his nature ever to be giving
   And making happy.
      [He grasps the hand of the DUCHESS with still increasing warmth.
             How my heart pours out
   Its all of thanks to him! O! how I seem
   To utter all things in the dear name—Friedland.
   While I shall live, so long will I remain
   The captive of this name: in it shall bloom
   My every fortune, every lovely hope.
   Inextricably as in some magic ring
   In this name hath my destiny charm-bound me!

   COUNTESS (who during this time has been anxiously watching the DUKE,
      and remarks that he is lost in thought over the letters).
   My brother wishes us to leave him. Come.

   WALLENSTEIN (turns himself round quick, collects himself, and speaks
      with cheerfulness to the DUCHESS).
   Once more I bid thee welcome to the camp,
   Thou art the hostess of this court. You, Max.,
   Will now again administer your old office,
   While we perform the sovereign's business here.

      [MAX. PICCOLOMINI offers the DUCHESS his arm; the COUNTESS
      accompanies the PRINCESS.

   TERZKY (calling after him).
   Max., we depend on seeing you at the meeting.