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hout the streets of Paris. COUNTESS. And to thee The voice within thy soul bodes nothing? WALLENSTEIN. Nothing. Be wholly tranquil. COUNTESS. And another time I hastened after thee, and thou rann'st from me Through a long suite, through many a spacious hall. There seemed no end of it; doors creaked and clapped; I followed panting, but could not overtake thee; When on a sudden did I feel myself Grasped from behind,--the hand was cold that grasped me; 'Twas thou, and thou didst kiss me, and there seemed A crimson covering to envelop us. WALLENSTEIN. That is the crimson tapestry of my chamber. COUNTESS (gazing on him). If it should come to that--if I should see thee, Who standest now before me in the fulness Of life---- [She falls on his breast and weeps. WALLENSTEIN. The emperor's proclamation weighs upon thee-- Alphabets wound not--and he finds no hands. COUNTESS. If he should find them, my resolve is taken-- I bear about me my support and refuge. [Exit COUNTESS. SCENE V. WALLENSTEIN, GORDON. WALLENSTEIN. All quiet in the town? GORDON. The town is quiet. WALLENSTEIN. I hear a boisterous music! and the castle Is lighted up. Who are the revellers? GORDON. There is a banquet given at the castle To the Count Terzky and Field-Marshal Illo. WALLENSTEIN. In honor of the victory--this tribe Can show their joy in nothing else but feasting. [Rings. The GROOM OF THE CHAMBER enters. Unrobe me. I will lay me down to sleep. [WALLENSTEIN takes the keys from GORDON. So we are guarded from all enemies, And shut in with sure friends. For all must cheat me, or a face like this [Fixing his eyes on GORDON. Was ne'er a hypocrite's mask. [The GROOM OF THE CHAMBER takes off his mantle, collar, and scarf. WALLENSTEIN. Take care--what is that? GROOM OF THE CHAMBER. The golden chain is snapped in two. WALLENSTEIN. Well, it has lasted long enough. Here--give it. [He takes and looks at the chain. 'Twas the first present of the emperor. He hung it round me in the war of Friule, He being then archduke; and I have worn it Till now from habit-- From superstition, if you will. Belike, It was to be a talisman to me; And while I wore it on my neck in faith, It was to chain to me all my life-long The volatile fortune, whose first pledge it was. Well, be it so! Henceforward a
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