[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_.]
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.
_To these enter_ WALLENSTEIN, _accompanied by_ ILLO _and_ BUTLER
Let our regiments hold themselves In readiness to march; for we shall leave Pilsen ere evening.
The Governor of Egra is your friend And countryman. Write to him instantly By a post-courier. He must be advised, That we are with him early on the morrow. You follow us yourself, your regiment with you.
WALLENSTEIN (_steps between_ MAX _and_ THEKLA, _who have remained during this time in each other's arms_).
[Cuirassiers _enter with drawn swords, and assemble in the background. At the same time there are heard from below some spirited passages out of the Pappenheim March, which seem to address_ MAX.]
Here he is, he is at liberty: I keep him No longer.
[_He turns away, and stands so that_ MAX _cannot pass by him nor approach the_ PRINCESS.]
Thou know'st that I have not yet learnt to live Without thee! I go forth into a desert, Leaving my all behind me. O do not turn Thine eyes away from me! O once more show me Thy ever dear and honor'd countenance!
[MAX _attempts to take his hand, but is repelled; he turns to the_ COUNTESS.]
Is there no eye that has a look of pity for me?
[_The_ COUNTESS _turns away from him; he turns to the_ DUCHESS.]
Go where duty calls you. Haply The time may come, when you may prove to us A true friend, a good angel at the throne Of the Emperor.
You give me hope; you would not Suffer me wholly to despair. No! no! Mine is a certain misery. Thanks to Heaven! That offers me a means of ending it.
[_The military music begins again. The stage fills more and more with armed men_. MAX _sees_ BUTLER _and addresses him_.]
And you here, Colonel Butler--and will you Not follow me? Well, then! remain more faithful To your new lord than you have proved yourself To the Emperor. Come, Butler! promise me, Give me your hand upon it, that you'll be The guardian of his life, its shield, its watchman. He is attainted, and his princely head Fair booty for each slave that trades in murder. Now he doth need the faithful eye of friendship, And those whom here I see--