O take us with you, brother. Leave us not in this gloomy solitude To brood o'er anxious thoughts. The mists of doubt Magnify evils to a shape of horror.
Who speaks of evil? I entreat you, sister, Use words of better omen.
Then take us with you. O leave us not behind you in a place That forces us to such sad omens. Heavy And sick within me is my heart-- These walls breathe on me, like a church-yard vault. I cannot tell you, brother, how this place Doth go against my nature. Take us with you. Come, sister, join you your entreaty! Niece, Yours too. We all entreat you, take us with you!
The place's evil omens will I change, Making it that which shields and shelters for me My best beloved.
DUCHESS (_to_ THEKLA, _who starts and shivers_).
There--pale as death! Child, 'tis impossible That thou shouldst speak with him. Follow thy mother.
THEKLA, _the_ SWEDISH CAPTAIN, LADY NEUBRUNN
CAPTAIN (_respectfully approaching her_).
Princess--I must entreat your gentle pardon-- My inconsiderate rash speech. How could I--
You have beheld me in my agony. A most distressful accident occasion'd You from a stranger to become at once My confidant.
I fear you hate my presence, For my tongue spake a melancholy word.
The fault is mine. Myself did wrest it from you. The horror which came o'er me interrupted Your tale at its commencement. May it please you, Continue it to the end.
I am firm-- I _will_ be firm. Well--how began the engagement?
We lay, expecting no attack, at Neustadt, Intrench'd but insecurely in our camp, When toward evening rose a cloud of dust From the wood thitherward; our vanguard fled Into the camp, and sounded the alarm. Scarce had we mounted ere the Pappenheimers, Their horses at full speed, broke through the lines, And leapt the trenches; but their heedless courage Had borne them onward far before the others-- The infantry were still at distance, only The Pappenheimers follow'd daringly Their daring leader--
[THEKLA _betrays agitation in her gestures. The officer pauses till she makes a sign to him to proceed_.]
Both in van and flanks With our whole cavalry we now received them; Back to the trenches drove them, where the foot Stretch'd out a solid ridge of pikes to meet them. They neither could advance, nor yet retreat; And as they stood on every side wedged in, The Rhinegrave to their leader call'd aloud, Inviting a surrender; but their leader, Young Piccolomini--