10
THE DEATH OF
DUCHESS.
Come, my child!
Come wipe away thy tears, and shew thy father
A cheerful countenance. See, the tie-knot here
Is off—this hair must not hang so dishevell'd.
Come, dearest! dry thy tears up. They deform
Thy gentle eye—well now—what was I saying?
Yes, in good truth, this Piccolomini
Is a most noble and deserving gentleman.
Come, my child!
Come wipe away thy tears, and shew thy father
A cheerful countenance. See, the tie-knot here
Is off—this hair must not hang so dishevell'd.
Come, dearest! dry thy tears up. They deform
Thy gentle eye—well now—what was I saying?
Yes, in good truth, this Piccolomini
Is a most noble and deserving gentleman.
COUNTESS.
That is he, sister!
That is he, sister!
THEKLA.
(to the Countess, with marks of great oppression of spirits).
Aunt, you will excuse me? (is going)
(to the Countess, with marks of great oppression of spirits).
Aunt, you will excuse me? (is going)
COUNTESS.
But whither? See, your father comes.
But whither? See, your father comes.
THEKLA.
I cannot see him now.
I cannot see him now.
COUNTESS.
Nay, but bethink you.
Nay, but bethink you.
THEKLA.
Believe me, I cannot sustain his presence.
Believe me, I cannot sustain his presence.
COUNTESS.
But he will miss you, will ask after you.
But he will miss you, will ask after you.
DUCHESS.
What now? Why is she going?
What now? Why is she going?
COUNTESS.
She's not well.
She's not well.
DUCHESS.
