The Complete Works of Samuel Taylor Coleridge (Illustrated Edition). Samuel Taylor Coleridge

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СКАЧАТЬ No ray has broken from him on this point.

       You have o’erruled me, and yourself know best

       How far you dare proceed.

      Countess. I take it on me.

      [Talking to herself, while she is advancing.

      Here’s no need of full powers and commissions —

       My cloudy Duke! we understand each other — 10

       And without words. What, could I not unriddle,

       Wherefore the daughter should be sent for hither,

       Why first he, and no other, should be chosen

       To fetch her hither! This sham of betrothing her

       To a bridegroom, whom no one knows — No! no! —— 15

       This may blind others! I see through thee, Brother!

       But it beseems thee not, to draw a card

       At such a game. Not yet! — It all remains

       Mutely delivered up to my finessing ——

       Well — thou shalt not have been deceived, Duke Friedland!

       In her who is thy sister. —— 20

      Servant (enters). The commanders!

      Tertsky (to the Countess). Take care you heat his fancy and

       affections —

       Possess him with a reverie, and send him,

       Absent and dreaming, to the banquet; that

       He may not boggle at the signature. 25

      Countess. Take you care of your guests! — Go, send him hither.

      Tertsky. All rests upon his undersigning.

      Countess. Go to your guests! Go ——

      Illo (comes back). Where art staying, Tertsky?

       The house is full, and all expecting you. 30

      Tertsky. Instantly! Instantly! [To the COUNTESS.

       And let him not

       Stay here too long. It might awake suspicion

       In the old man ——

      Countess. A truce with your precautions!

      [Exeunt TERTSKY and ILLO.

SCENE III

       Table of Contents

      COUNTESS, MAX PICCOLOMINI.

      Max. Aunt Tertsky? may I venture?

      [Advances to the middle of the stage, and looks

       around him with uneasiness.

      She’s not here!

       Where is she?

      Countess. Look but somewhat narrowly

       In yonder corner, lest perhaps she lie

       Conceal’d behind that screen.

      Max. There lie her gloves!

      [Snatches at them, but the COUNTESS takes them herself.

      You unkind Lady! You refuse me this — 5

       You make it an amusement to torment me.

      Countess. And this the thanks you give me for my trouble?

      Max. O, if you felt the oppression at my heart!

       Since we’ve been here, so to constrain myself —

       With such poor stealth to hazard words and glances — 10

       These, these are not my habits!

      Countess. You have still

       Many new habits to acquire, young friend!

       But on this proof of your obedient temper

       I must continue to insist; and only

       On this condition can I play the agent 15

       For your concerns.

      Max. But wherefore comes she not?

       Where is she?

      Countess. Into my hands you must place it

       Whole and entire. Whom could you find, indeed,

       More zealously affected to your interest?

       No soul on earth must know it — not your father. 20

       He must not above all.

      Max. Alas! what danger?

       Here is no face on which I might concentre

       All the enraptured soul stirs up within me.

       O Lady! tell me. Is all changed around me?

       Or is it only I?

       I find myself, 25

       As among strangers! Not a trace is left

       Of all my former wishes, former joys.

       Where has it vanished to? There was a time

       When even, methought, with such a world as this

       I was not discontented. Now how flat! 30

       How stale! No life, no bloom, no flavour in it!

       My comrades are intolerable to me.

       My father — Even to him I can say nothing.

       My arms, my military duties — O!

       They are such wearying toys!

      Countess. But, gentle friend! 35

       I must entreat it of your condescension,

       You would be pleased to sink your eye, and favour

       With one short glance or two this poor stale world,

       Where even now much, and of much moment,

       Is on the eve of its completion.

      Max. Something, 40

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