156
THE DEATH OF
In the Chartreuse, which he himself did found
At Gitschin, rests the Countess Wallenstein;
And by her side, to whom he was indebted
For his first fortunes, gratefully he wish'd
He might sometime repose in death! O let him
Be buried there. And likewise, for my husband's
Remains, I ask the like grace. The Emperor
Is now proprietor of all our Castles.
This sure may well be granted us—one sepulchre
Beside the sepulchres of our forefathers!
At Gitschin, rests the Countess Wallenstein;
And by her side, to whom he was indebted
For his first fortunes, gratefully he wish'd
He might sometime repose in death! O let him
Be buried there. And likewise, for my husband's
Remains, I ask the like grace. The Emperor
Is now proprietor of all our Castles.
This sure may well be granted us—one sepulchre
Beside the sepulchres of our forefathers!
OCTAVIO.
Countess, you tremble, you turn pale!
Countess, you tremble, you turn pale!
COUNTESS.
(reassembles all her powers, and speaks with energy and dignity.)
You think
More worthily of me, than to believe
I would survive the downfal of my house.
We did not hold ourselves too mean, to grasp
After a monarch's crown—the crown did fate
Deny, but not the feeling and the spirit
That to the crown belong! We deem a
Courageous death more worthy of our free station
Than a dishonoured life.—I have taken poison.
(reassembles all her powers, and speaks with energy and dignity.)
You think
More worthily of me, than to believe
I would survive the downfal of my house.
We did not hold ourselves too mean, to grasp
After a monarch's crown—the crown did fate
Deny, but not the feeling and the spirit
That to the crown belong! We deem a
Courageous death more worthy of our free station
Than a dishonoured life.—I have taken poison.
OCTAVIO.
Help! Help! Support her!
Help! Help! Support her!
COUNTESS.
Nay, it is too late.
[Exit Countess.In a few moments is my fate accomplish'd.
Nay, it is too late.
[Exit Countess.In a few moments is my fate accomplish'd.
GOR-
