And ever at departure to embrace me —
WALLENSTEIN
Now she omitted it?
DUCHESS (wiping away her tears after a pause)
She did embrace me,
But then first when I had already taken
My formal leave, and when the door already
Had closed upon me, then did she come out
In haste, as she had suddenly bethought herself,
And pressed me to her bosom, more with anguish
Than tenderness.
WALLENSTEIN (seizes her hand soothingly)
Nay, now collect yourself.
And what of Eggenberg and Lichtenstein,
And of our other friends there?
DUCHESS (shaking her head)
I saw none.
WALLENSTEIN
The ambassador from Spain, who once was wont
To plead so warmly for me?
DUCHESS
Silent, silent!
WALLENSTEIN
These suns then are eclipsed for us. Henceforward
Must we roll on, our own fire, our own light.
DUCHESS
And were it – were it, my dear lord, in that
Which moved about the court in buzz and whisper,
But in the country let itself be heard
Aloud – in that which Father Lanormain
In sundry hints and —
WALLENSTEIN (eagerly)
Lanormain! what said he?
DUCHESS
That you're accused of having daringly
O'erstepped the powers intrusted to you, charged
With traitorous contempt of the emperor
And his supreme behests. The proud Bavarian,
He and the Spaniards stand up your accusers —
That there's a storm collecting over you
Of far more fearful menace than the former one
Which whirled you headlong down at Regensburg.
And people talk, said he, of – Ah!
[Stifling extreme emotion.
WALLENSTEIN
Proceed!
DUCHESS
I cannot utter it!
WALLENSTEIN
Proceed!
DUCHESS
They talk —
WALLENSTEIN
Well!
DUCHESS
Of a second —
(catches her voice and hesitates.)
WALLENSTEIN
Second —
DUCHESS
Most disgraceful
Dismission.