6
THE DEATH OF
THEKLA.
O my fore-boding bosom! Even now,
E'en now 'tis here, that icy hand of horror!
And my young hope lies shuddering in its grasp.
I knew it well—no sooner had I enter'd,
An heavy ominous presentiment
Revealed to me, that spirits of death were hov'ring
Over my happy fortune. But why think I
First of myself? My mother! O my mother!
O my fore-boding bosom! Even now,
E'en now 'tis here, that icy hand of horror!
And my young hope lies shuddering in its grasp.
I knew it well—no sooner had I enter'd,
An heavy ominous presentiment
Revealed to me, that spirits of death were hov'ring
Over my happy fortune. But why think I
First of myself? My mother! O my mother!
COUNTESS.
Calm yourself! Break not out in vain lamenting!
Preserve you for your father the firm friend,
And for yourself the lover, all will yet
Prove good and fortunate.
Calm yourself! Break not out in vain lamenting!
Preserve you for your father the firm friend,
And for yourself the lover, all will yet
Prove good and fortunate.
THEKLA.
Prove good? What good?
Must we not part; part ne'er to meet again?
Prove good? What good?
Must we not part; part ne'er to meet again?
COUNTESS.
He parts not from you! He can not part from you.
He parts not from you! He can not part from you.
THEKLA.
Alas for his sore anguish! It will rend
His heart asunder.
Alas for his sore anguish! It will rend
His heart asunder.
COUNTESS.
If indeed he loves you,
His resolution will be speedily taken.
If indeed he loves you,
His resolution will be speedily taken.
THEKLA.
His resolution will be speedily taken—
O do not doubt of that! A resolution!
Does there remain one to be taken?
His resolution will be speedily taken—
O do not doubt of that! A resolution!
Does there remain one to be taken?
COUNTESS.
