4
THE DEATH OF
COUNTESS.
He was.
He was.
THEKLA.
And wherefore
Should he not be so now—not be so always?
And wherefore
Should he not be so now—not be so always?
COUNTESS.
He cleaves to th' Emp'ror too.
He cleaves to th' Emp'ror too.
THEKLA.
Not more than duty
And honour may demand of him.
Not more than duty
And honour may demand of him.
COUNTESS.
We ask
Proofs of his love, and not proofs of his honour.
Duty and honour!
Those are ambiguous words with many meanings.
You should interpret them for him: his love
Should be the sole definer of his honour.
We ask
Proofs of his love, and not proofs of his honour.
Duty and honour!
Those are ambiguous words with many meanings.
You should interpret them for him: his love
Should be the sole definer of his honour.
THEKLA.
How?
How?
COUNTESS.
Th' Emperor or you must he renounce.
Th' Emperor or you must he renounce.
THEKLA.
He will accompany my father gladly
In his retirement. From himself you heard,
How much he wish'd to lay aside the sword.
He will accompany my father gladly
In his retirement. From himself you heard,
How much he wish'd to lay aside the sword.
COUNTESS.
He must not lay the sword aside, we mean;
He must unsheath it in your father's cause.
He must not lay the sword aside, we mean;
He must unsheath it in your father's cause.
THEKLA.
