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diff --git a/6787-h/6787-h.htm b/6787-h/6787-h.htm new file mode 100644 index 0000000..364cc4a --- /dev/null +++ b/6787-h/6787-h.htm @@ -0,0 +1,9026 @@ +<!DOCTYPE HTML PUBLIC "-//W3C//DTD HTML 4.01 Transitional//EN"> +<html lang="en"> +<head> +<meta http-equiv="Content-Type" content="text/html; charset=us-ascii"> + +<title> + The Death of Wallenstein, + by Friedrich Schiller +</title> + +<style type="text/css"> + <!-- + body {background:#faebd7; margin:10%; text-align:justify} + P { text-indent: 1em; + margin-top: .75em; + margin-bottom: .75em; } + H1,H2,H3,H4,H5,H6 { text-align: center; } + HR { width: 33%; text-align: center; } + blockquote {font-size: 97%; margin-left: 20%; margin-left: 20%; } + .figleft {float: left;} + .figright {float: right;} + .toc { margin-left: 15%; margin-bottom: 0em;} + CENTER { padding: 10px;} + PRE { font-family: Times; font-size: 100%; margin-left: 15%;} + // --> +</style> + + +</head> +<body> + + +<pre> + +Project Gutenberg's The Death of Wallenstein, by Friedrich Schiller + +This eBook is for the use of anyone anywhere at no cost and with +almost no restrictions whatsoever. You may copy it, give it away or +re-use it under the terms of the Project Gutenberg License included +with this eBook or online at www.gutenberg.org + + +Title: The Death of Wallenstein + A Play + +Author: Friedrich Schiller + +Release Date: October 26, 2006 [EBook #6787] + +Language: English + +Character set encoding: ASCII + +*** START OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK THE DEATH OF WALLENSTEIN *** + + + + +Produced by Tapio Riikonen and David Widger + + + + + +</pre> + + + +<h1> + THE DEATH OF WALLENSTEIN. +</h1> +<br /> + +<h2> +By Friedrich Schiller +</h2> +<br /> +<br /> + +<h3> +Translated by S. T. Coleridge. +</h3> + + + +<br /> +<br /> +<hr> +<br /> +<br /> + + +<blockquote> +<p class="toc"><a href="#2H_4_0001"> +DRAMATIS PERSONAE. +</a></p><br /> + + + + + +<p class="toc"><a href="#2H_4_0002"> +<b>ACT I.</b> +</a></p> +<p class="toc"><a href="#2H_4_0003"> +SCENE I. +</a></p> +<p class="toc"><a href="#2H_4_0004"> +SCENE II. +</a></p> +<p class="toc"><a href="#2H_4_0005"> +SCENE III. +</a></p> +<p class="toc"><a href="#2H_4_0006"> +SCENE IV. +</a></p> +<p class="toc"><a href="#2H_4_0007"> +SCENE V. +</a></p> +<p class="toc"><a href="#2H_4_0008"> +SCENE VI. +</a></p> +<p class="toc"><a href="#2H_4_0009"> +SCENE VII. +</a></p> +<br /> + +<p class="toc"><a href="#2H_4_0010"> +<b>ACT II.</b> +</a></p> +<p class="toc"><a href="#2H_4_0011"> +SCENE I. +</a></p> +<p class="toc"><a href="#2H_4_0012"> +SCENE II. +</a></p> +<p class="toc"><a href="#2H_4_0013"> +SCENE III. +</a></p> +<p class="toc"><a href="#2H_4_0014"> +SCENE IV. +</a></p> +<p class="toc"><a href="#2H_4_0015"> +SCENE V. +</a></p> +<p class="toc"><a href="#2H_4_0016"> +SCENE VI. +</a></p> +<p class="toc"><a href="#2H_4_0017"> +SCENE VII. +</a></p> +<br /> + +<p class="toc"><a href="#2H_4_0018"> +<b>ACT III.</b> +</a></p> +<p class="toc"><a href="#2H_4_0019"> +SCENE I. +</a></p> +<p class="toc"><a href="#2H_4_0020"> +SCENE II. +</a></p> +<p class="toc"><a href="#2H_4_0021"> +SCENE III. +</a></p> +<p class="toc"><a href="#2H_4_0022"> +SCENE IV. +</a></p> +<p class="toc"><a href="#2H_4_0023"> +SCENE V. +</a></p> +<p class="toc"><a href="#2H_4_0024"> +SCENE VI. +</a></p> +<p class="toc"><a href="#2H_4_0025"> +SCENE VII. +</a></p> +<p class="toc"><a href="#2H_4_0026"> +SCENE VIII. +</a></p> +<p class="toc"><a href="#2H_4_0027"> +SCENE X. +</a></p> +<p class="toc"><a href="#2H_4_0028"> +SCENE XI. +</a></p> +<p class="toc"><a href="#2H_4_0029"> +SCENE XII. +</a></p> +<p class="toc"><a href="#2H_4_0030"> +SCENE XIII. +</a></p> +<p class="toc"><a href="#2H_4_0031"> +SCENE XIV. +</a></p> +<p class="toc"><a href="#2H_4_0032"> +SCENE XV. +</a></p> +<p class="toc"><a href="#2H_4_0033"> +SCENE XVI. +</a></p> +<p class="toc"><a href="#2H_4_0034"> +SCENE XVII. +</a></p> +<p class="toc"><a href="#2H_4_0035"> +SCENE XVIII. +</a></p> +<p class="toc"><a href="#2H_4_0036"> +SCENE XIX. +</a></p> +<p class="toc"><a href="#2H_4_0037"> +SCENE XX. +</a></p> +<p class="toc"><a href="#2H_4_0038"> +SCENE XXI. +</a></p> +<p class="toc"><a href="#2H_4_0039"> +SCENE XXII. +</a></p> +<p class="toc"><a href="#2H_4_0040"> +SCENE XXIII. +</a></p> +<br /> + + +<p class="toc"><a href="#2H_4_0041"> +<b>ACT IV.</b> +</a></p> +<p class="toc"><a href="#2H_4_0042"> +SCENE I. +</a></p> +<p class="toc"><a href="#2H_4_0043"> +SCENE II. +</a></p> +<p class="toc"><a href="#2H_4_0044"> +SCENE III. +</a></p> +<p class="toc"><a href="#2H_4_0045"> +SCENE IV. +</a></p> +<p class="toc"><a href="#2H_4_0046"> +SCENE V. +</a></p> +<p class="toc"><a href="#2H_4_0047"> +SCENE VI. +</a></p> +<p class="toc"><a href="#2H_4_0048"> +SCENE VII. +</a></p> +<p class="toc"><a href="#2H_4_0049"> +SCENE VIII. +</a></p> +<p class="toc"><a href="#2H_4_0050"> +SCENE IX. +</a></p> +<p class="toc"><a href="#2H_4_0051"> +SCENE X. +</a></p> +<p class="toc"><a href="#2H_4_0052"> +SCENE XI. +</a></p> +<p class="toc"><a href="#2H_4_0053"> +SCENE XII. +</a></p> +<p class="toc"><a href="#2H_4_0054"> +SCENE XIII. +</a></p> +<p class="toc"><a href="#2H_4_0055"> +SCENE XIV. +</a></p> +<br /> + +<p class="toc"><a href="#2H_4_0056"> +<b>ACT V.</b> +</a></p> +<p class="toc"><a href="#2H_4_0057"> +SCENE I. +</a></p> +<p class="toc"><a href="#2H_4_0058"> +SCENE II. +</a></p> +<p class="toc"><a href="#2H_4_0059"> +SCENE III. +</a></p> +<p class="toc"><a href="#2H_4_0060"> +SCENE V. +</a></p> +<p class="toc"><a href="#2H_4_0061"> +SCENE V. +</a></p> +<p class="toc"><a href="#2H_4_0062"> +SCENE VI. +</a></p> +<p class="toc"><a href="#2H_4_0063"> +SCENE VII. +</a></p> +<p class="toc"><a href="#2H_4_0064"> +SCENE VIII. +</a></p> +<p class="toc"><a href="#2H_4_0065"> +SCENE IX. +</a></p> +<p class="toc"><a href="#2H_4_0066"> +SCENE X. +</a></p> +<p class="toc"><a href="#2H_4_0067"> +SCENE XI. +</a></p> +<p class="toc"><a href="#2H_4_0068"> +SCENE XII. +</a></p> +<br /> + +<p class="toc"><a href="#2H_FOOT"> +FOOTNOTES +</a></p> + +</blockquote> + + + +<a name="2H_4_0001"><!-- H2 anchor --></a> + +<div style="height: 4em;"><br><br><br><br></div> + +<h2> + DRAMATIS PERSONAE. +</h2> +<pre> + WALLENSTEIN, Duke of Friedland, Generalissimo of the Imperial Forces in + the Thirty Years' War. + DUCHESS OF FREIDLAND, Wife of Wallenstein. + THEKLA, her Daughter, Princess of Friedland. + THE COUNTESS TERZKY, Sister of the Duchess. + LADY NEUBRUNN. + OCTAVIO PICCOLOMINI, Lieutenant-General. + MAX. PICCOLOMINI, his Son, Colonel of a Regiment of Cuirassiers. + COUNT TERZKY, the Commander of several Regiments, and + Brother-in-law of Wallenstein. + ILLO, Field-Marshal, Wallenstein's Confidant. + ISOLANI, General of the Croats. + BUTLER, an Irishman, Commander of a Regiment of Dragoons. + GORDON, Governor of Egra. + MAJOR GERALDIN. + CAPTAIN DEVEREUX. + CAPTAIN MACDONALD. + AN ADJUTANT. + NEUMANN, Captain of Cavalry, Aide-de-Camp to TERZKY. + COLONEL WRANGEL, Envoy from the Swedes. + ROSENBURG, Master of Horse. + SWEDISH CAPTAIN. + SENI. + BURGOMASTER of Egra. + ANSPESSADE of the Cuirassiers. + GROOM OF THE CHAMBER. | Belonging + A PAGE. | to the Duke. + Cuirassiers, Dragoons, and Servants. +</pre> +<a name="2H_4_0002"><!-- H2 anchor --></a> + +<div style="height: 4em;"><br><br><br><br></div> + +<h2> + ACT I. +</h2> +<a name="2H_4_0003"><!-- H2 anchor --></a> + +<div style="height: 4em;"><br><br><br><br></div> + +<h2> + SCENE I. +</h2> +<pre> + A room fitted up for astrological labors, and provided with + celestial charts, with globes, telescopes, quadrants, and other + mathematical instruments. Seven colossal figures, representing the + planets, each with a transparent star of different color on its + head, stand in a semicircle in the background, so that Mars and + Saturn are nearest the eye. The remainder of the scene and its + disposition is given in the fourth scene of the second act. There + must be a curtain over the figures, which may be dropped and conceal + them on occasions. + + [In the fifth scene of this act it must be dropped; but in the + seventh scene it must be again drawn up wholly or in part.] + + WALLENSTEIN at a black table, on which, a speculum astrologicum is + described with chalk. SENI is taking observations through a window. + + WALLENSTEIN. + All well—and now let it be ended, Seni. Come, + The dawn commences, and Mars rules the hour; + We must give o'er the operation. Come, + We know enough. + + SENI. + Your highness must permit me + Just to contemplate Venus. She is now rising + Like as a sun so shines she in the east. + + WALLENSTEIN. + She is at present in her perigee, + And now shoots down her strongest influences. + [Contemplating the figure on the table. + Auspicious aspect! fateful in conjunction, + At length the mighty three corradiate; + And the two stars of blessing, Jupiter + And Venus, take between them the malignant + Slyly-malicious Mars, and thus compel + Into my service that old mischief-founder: + For long he viewed me hostilely, and ever + With beam oblique, or perpendicular, + Now in the Quartile, now in the Secundan, + Shot his red lightnings at my stars, disturbing + Their blessed influences and sweet aspects: + Now they have conquered the old enemy, + And bring him in the heavens a prisoner to me. + + SENI (who has come down from the window). + And in a corner-house, your highness—think of that! + That makes each influence of double strength. + + WALLENSTEIN. + And sun and moon, too, in the Sextile aspect, + The soft light with the vehement—so I love it. + Sol is the heart, Luna the head of heaven, + Bold be the plan, fiery the execution. + + SENI. + And both the mighty Lumina by no + Maleficus affronted. Lo! Saturnus, + Innocuous, powerless, in cadente Domo. + + WALLENSTEIN. + The empire of Saturnus is gone by; + Lord of the secret birth of things is he; + Within the lap of earth, and in the depths + Of the imagination dominates; + And his are all things that eschew the light. + The time is o'er of brooding and contrivance, + For Jupiter, the lustrous, lordeth now, + And the dark work, complete of preparation, + He draws by force into the realm of light. + Now must we hasten on to action, ere + The scheme, and most auspicious positure + Parts o'er my head, and takes once more its flight, + For the heaven's journey still, and adjourn not. + [There are knocks at the door. + There's some one knocking there. See who it is. + + TERZKY (from without). + Open, and let me in. + + WALLENSTEIN. + Ay—'tis Terzky. + What is there of such urgence? We are busy. + + TERZKY (from without). + Lay all aside at present, I entreat you; + It suffers no delaying. + + WALLENSTEIN. + Open, Seni! + + [While SENI opens the door for TERZKY, WALLENSTEIN draws the curtain + over the figures. +</pre> +<a name="2H_4_0004"><!-- H2 anchor --></a> + +<div style="height: 4em;"><br><br><br><br></div> + +<h2> + SCENE II. +</h2> +<pre> + WALLENSTEIN, COUNT TERZKY. + + TERZKY (enters). + Hast thou already heard it? He is taken. + Gallas has given him up to the emperor. + + [SENI draws off the black table, and exit. + + WALLENSTEIN (to TERZKY). + Who has been taken? Who is given up? + + TERZKY. + The man who knows our secrets, who knows every + Negotiation with the Swede and Saxon, + Through whose hands all and everything has passed—— + + WALLENSTEIN (drawing back). + Nay, not Sesina? Say, no! I entreat thee. + + TERZKY. + All on his road for Regensburg to the Swede + He was plunged down upon by Gallas' agent, + Who had been long in ambush, lurking for him. + There must have been found on him my whole packet + To Thur, to Kinsky, to Oxenstiern, to Arnheim: + All this is in their hands; they have now an insight + Into the whole—our measures and our motives. +</pre> +<a name="2H_4_0005"><!-- H2 anchor --></a> + +<div style="height: 4em;"><br><br><br><br></div> + +<h2> + SCENE III. +</h2> +<pre> + To them enters ILLO. + + ILLO (to TERZKY). + Has he heard it? + + TERZKY. + He has heard it. + + ILLO (to WALLENSTEIN). + Thinkest thou still + To make thy peace with the emperor, to regain + His confidence? E'en were it now thy wish + To abandon all thy plans, yet still they know + What thou hast wished: then forwards thou must press; + Retreat is now no longer in thy power. + + TERZKY. + They have documents against us, and in hands, + Which show beyond all power of contradiction—— + + WALLENSTEIN. + Of my handwriting—no iota. Thee + I punish or thy lies. + + ILLO. + And thou believest, + That what this man, and what thy sister's husband, + Did in thy name, will not stand on thy reckoning? + His word must pass for thy word with the Swede, + And not with those that hate thee at Vienna? + + TERZKY. + In writing thou gavest nothing; but bethink thee, + How far thou venturedst by word of mouth + With this Sesina! And will he be silent? + If he can save himself by yielding up + Thy secret purposes, will he retain them? + + ILLO. + Thyself dost not conceive it possible; + And since they now have evidence authentic + How far thou hast already gone, speak! tell us, + What art thou waiting for? Thou canst no longer + Keep thy command; and beyond hope of rescue + Thou'rt lost if thou resign'st it. + + WALLENSTEIN. + In the army + Lies my security. The army will not + Abandon me. Whatever they may know, + The power is mine, and they must gulp it down + And if I give them caution for my fealty, + They must be satisfied, at least appear so. + + ILLO. + The army, duke, is thine now; for this moment + 'Tis thine: but think with terror on the slow, + The quiet power of time. From open violence + The attachment of thy soldiery secures thee + To-day, to-morrow: but grant'st thou them a respite, + Unheard, unseen, they'll undermine that love + On which thou now dost feel so firm a footing, + With wily theft will draw away from thee + One after the other—— + + WALLENSTEIN. + 'Tis a cursed accident! + Oh! I will call it a most blessed one, + If it work on thee as it ought to do, + Hurry thee on to action—to decision. + The Swedish general? + + WALLENSTEIN. + He's arrived! Know'st + What his commission is—— + + ILLO. + To thee alone + Will he intrust the purpose of his coming. + + WALLENSTEIN. + A cursed, cursed accident! Yes, yes, + Sesina knows too much, and won't be silent. + + TERZKY. + He's a Bohemian fugitive and rebel, + His neck is forfeit. Can he save himself + At thy cost, think you he will scruple it? + And if they put him to the torture, will he, + Will he, that dastardling, have strength enough—— + + WALLENSTEIN (lost in thought). + Their confidence is lost, irreparably! + And I may act which way I will, I shall + Be and remain forever in their thought + A traitor to my country. How sincerely + Soever I return back to my duty, + It will no longer help me—— + + ILLO. + Ruin thee, + That it will do! Not thy fidelity, + Thy weakness will be deemed the sole occasion—— + + WALLENSTEIN (pacing up and down in extreme agitation). + What! I must realize it now in earnest, + Because I toyed too freely with the thought! + Accursed he who dallies with a devil! + And must I—I must realize it now— + Now, while I have the power, it must take place! + + ILLO. + Now—now—ere they can ward and parry it! + + WALLENSTEIN (looking at the paper of Signatures). + I have the generals' word—a written promise! + Max. Piccolomini stands not here—how's that? + + TERZRY. + It was—he fancied—— + + ILLO. + Mere self-willedness. + There needed no such thing 'twixt him and you. + + WALLENSTEIN. + He is quite right; there needed no such thing. + The regiments, too, deny to march for Flanders + Have sent me in a paper of remonstrance, + And openly resist the imperial orders. + The first step to revolt's already taken. + + ILLO. + Believe me, thou wilt find it far more easy + To lead them over to the enemy + Than to the Spaniard. + + WALLENSTEIN. + I will hear, however, + What the Swede has to say to me. + + ILLO (eagerly to TERZKY). + Go, call him, + He stands without the door in waiting. + + WALLENSTEIN. + Stay! + Stay but a little. It hath taken me + All by surprise; it came too quick upon me; + 'Tis wholly novel that an accident, + With its dark lordship, and blind agency, + Should force me on with it. + + ILLO. + First hear him only, + And then weigh it. + + [Exeunt TERZKY and ILLO. +</pre> +<a name="2H_4_0006"><!-- H2 anchor --></a> + +<div style="height: 4em;"><br><br><br><br></div> + +<h2> + SCENE IV. +</h2> +<pre> + WALLENSTEIN (in soliloquy). + Is it possible? + Is't so? I can no longer what I would? + No longer draw back at my liking? I + Must do the deed, because I thought of it? + And fed this heart here with a dream? + Because I did not scowl temptation from my presence, + Dallied with thoughts of possible fulfilment, + Commenced no movement, left all time uncertain, + And only kept the road, the access open? + By the great God of Heaven! it was not + My serious meaning, it was ne'er resolved. + I but amused myself with thinking of it. + The free-will tempted me, the power to do + Or not to do it. Was it criminal + To make the fancy minister to hope, + To fill the air with pretty toys of air, + And clutch fantastic sceptres moving toward me? + Was not the will kept free? Beheld I not + The road of duty close beside me—but + One little step, and once more I was in it! + Where am I? Whither have I been transported? + No road, no track behind me, but a wall, + Impenetrable, insurmountable, + Rises obedient to the spells I muttered + And meant not—my own doings tower behind me. + [Pauses and remains in deep thought. + A punishable man I seem, the guilt, + Try what I will, I cannot roll off from me; + The equivocal demeanor of my life + Bears witness on my prosecutor's party. + And even my purest acts from purest motives + Suspicion poisons with malicious gloss. + Were I that thing for which I pass, that traitor, + A goodly outside I had sure reserved, + Had drawn the coverings thick and double round me, + Been calm and chary of my utterance; + But being conscious of the innocence + Of my intent, my uncorrupted will, + I gave way to my humors, to my passion: + Bold were my words, because my deeds were not. + Now every planless measure, chance event, + The threat of rage, the vaunt of joy and triumph, + And all the May-games of a heart overflowing, + Will they connect, and weave them all together + Into one web of treason; all will be plan, + My eye ne'er absent from the far-off mark, + Step tracing step, each step a politic progress; + And out of all they'll fabricate a charge + So specious, that I must myself stand dumb. + I am caught in my own net, and only force, + Naught but a sudden rent can liberate me. + + [Pauses again. + + How else! since that the heart's unbiased instinct + Impelled me to the daring deed, which now + Necessity, self-preservation, orders. + Stern is the on-look of necessity, + Not without shudder may a human hand + Grasp the mysterious urn of destiny. + My deed was mine, remaining in my bosom; + Once suffered to escape from its safe corner + Within the heart, its nursery and birthplace, + Sent forth into the foreign, it belongs + Forever to those sly malicious powers + Whom never art of man conciliated. + + [Paces in agitation through the chamber, then pauses, and, after + the pause, breaks out again into audible soliloquy. + + What is thy enterprise? thy aim? thy object? + Hast honestly confessed it to thyself? + Power seated on a quiet throne thou'dst shake, + Power on an ancient, consecrated throne, + Strong in possession, founded in all custom; + Power by a thousand tough and stringy roots + Fixed to the people's pious nursery faith. + This, this will be no strife of strength with strength. + That feared I not. I brave each combatant, + Whom I can look on, fixing eye to eye, + Who, full himself of courage, kindles courage + In me too. 'Tis a foe invisible + The which I fear—a fearful enemy, + Which in the human heart opposes me, + By its coward fear alone made fearful to me. + Not that, which full of life, instinct with power, + Makes known its present being; that is not + The true, the perilously formidable. + O no! it is the common, the quite common, + The thing of an eternal yesterday. + Whatever was, and evermore returns, + Sterling to-morrow, for to-day 'twas sterling! + For of the wholly common is man made, + And custom is his nurse! Woe then to them + Who lay irreverent hands upon his old + House furniture, the dear inheritance + From his forefathers! For time consecrates; + And what is gray with age becomes religion. + Be in possession, and thou hast the right, + And sacred will the many guard it for thee! + + [To the PAGE,—who here enters. + + The Swedish officer? Well, let him enter. + + [The PAGE exit, WALLENSTEIN fixes his eye in deep thought + on the door. + + Yet, it is pure—as yet!—the crime has come + Not o'er this threshold yet—so slender is + The boundary that divideth life's two paths. +</pre> +<a name="2H_4_0007"><!-- H2 anchor --></a> + +<div style="height: 4em;"><br><br><br><br></div> + +<h2> + SCENE V. +</h2> +<pre> + WALLENSTEIN and WRANGEL. + + WALLENSTEIN (after having fixed a searching look on him). + Your name is Wrangel? + + WRANGEL. + Gustave Wrangel, General + Of the Sudermanian Blues. + + WALLENSTEIN. + It was a Wrangel + Who injured me materially at Stralsund, + And by his brave resistance was the cause + Of the opposition which that seaport made. + + WRANGEL. + It was the doing of the element + With which you fought, my lord! and not my merit, + The Baltic Neptune did assert his freedom: + The sea and land, it seemed were not to serve + One and the same. + + WALLENSTEIN + You plucked the admiral's hat from off my head. + + WRANGEL. + I come to place a diadem thereon. + + WALLENSTEIN (makes the motion for him to take a seat, and seats himself). + And where are your credentials + Come you provided with full powers, sir general? + + WRANGEL. + There are so many scruples yet to solve—— + + WALLENSTEIN (having read the credentials). + An able letter! Ay—he is a prudent, + Intelligent master whom you serve, sir general! + The chancellor writes me that he but fulfils + His late departed sovereign's own idea + In helping me to the Bohemian crown. + + WRANGEL. + He says the truth. Our great king, now in heaven, + Did ever deem most highly of your grace's + Pre-eminent sense and military genius; + And always the commanding intellect, + He said, should have command, and be the king. + + WALLENSTEIN. + Yes, he might say it safely. General Wrangel, + [Taking his hand affectionately. + Come, fair and open. Trust me, I was always + A Swede at heart. Eh! that did you experience + Both in Silesia and at Nuremberg; + I had you often in my power, and let you + Always slip out by some back door or other. + 'Tis this for which the court can ne'er forgive me, + Which drives me to this present step: and since + Our interests so run in one direction, + E'en let us have a thorough confidence + Each in the other. + + WRANGEL. + Confidence will come + Has each but only first security. + + WALLENSTEIN. + The chancellor still, I see, does not quite trust me; + And, I confess—the game does not lie wholly + To my advantage. Without doubt he thinks, + If I can play false with the emperor, + Who is my sovereign, I can do the like + With the enemy, and that the one, too, were + Sooner to be forgiven me than the other. + Is not this your opinion, too, sir general? + + WRANGEL. + I have here a duty merely, no opinion. + + WALLENSTEIN. + The emperor hath urged me to the uttermost + I can no longer honorably serve him. + For my security, in self-defence, + I take this hard step, which my conscience blames. + + WRANGEL. + That I believe. So far would no one go + Who was not forced to it. + [After a pause. + What may have impelled + Your princely highness in this wise to act + Toward your sovereign lord and emperor, + Beseems not us to expound or criticise. + The Swede is fighting for his good old cause, + With his good sword and conscience. This concurrence, + This opportunity is in our favor, + And all advantages in war are lawful. + We take what offers without questioning; + And if all have its due and just proportions—— + + WALLENSTEIN. + Of what then are ye doubting? Of my will? + Or of my power? I pledged me to the chancellor, + Would he trust me with sixteen thousand men, + That I would instantly go over to them + With eighteen thousand of the emperor's troops. + + WRANGEL. + Your grace is known to be a mighty war-chief, + To be a second Attila and Pyrrhus. + 'Tis talked of still with fresh astonishment, + How some years past, beyond all human faith, + You called an army forth like a creation: + But yet—— + + WALLENSTEIN. + But yet? + + WRANGEL. + But still the chancellor thinks + It might yet be an easier thing from nothing + To call forth sixty thousand men of battle, + Than to persuade one-sixtieth part of them—— + + WALLENSTEIN. + What now? Out with it, friend? + + WRANGEL. + To break their oaths. + + WALLENSTEIN. + And he thinks so? He judges like a Swede, + And like a Protestant. You Lutherans + Fight for your Bible. You are interested + About the cause; and with your hearts you follow + Your banners. Among you whoe'er deserts + To the enemy hath broken covenant + With two lords at one time. We've no such fancies. + + WRANGEL. + Great God in heaven! Have then the people here + No house and home, no fireside, no altar? + + WALLENSTEIN. + I will explain that to you, how it stands: + The Austrian has a country, ay, and loves it, + And has good cause to love it—but this army + That calls itself the imperial, this that houses + Here in Bohemia, this has none—no country; + This is an outcast of all foreign lands, + Unclaimed by town or tribe, to whom belongs + Nothing except the universal sun. + And this Bohemian land for which we fight + Loves not the master whom the chance of war, + Not its own choice or will, hath given to it. + Men murmur at the oppression of their conscience, + And power hath only awed but not appeased them. + A glowing and avenging memory lives + Of cruel deeds committed on these plains; + How can the son forget that here his father + Was hunted by the bloodhound to the mass? + A people thus oppressed must still be feared, + Whether they suffer or avenge their wrongs. + + WRANGEL. + But then the nobles and the officers? + Such a desertion, such a felony, + It is without example, my lord duke, + In the world's history. + + WALLENSTEIN. + They are all mine— + Mine unconditionally—mine on all terms. + Not me, your own eyes you must trust. + + [He gives him the paper containing the written oath. WRANGEL reads + it through, and, having read it, lays it on the table,—remaining + silent. + + So then; + Now comprehend you? + + WRANGEL. + Comprehend who can! + My lord duke, I will let the mask drop—yes! + I've full powers for a final settlement. + The Rhinegrave stands but four days' march from here + With fifteen thousand men, and only waits + For orders to proceed and join your army. + These orders I give out immediately + We're compromised. + + WALLENSTEIN. + What asks the chancellor? + + WRANGEL (considerately). + Twelve regiments, every man a Swede—my head + The warranty—and all might prove at last + Only false play—— + + WALLENSTEIN (starting). + Sir Swede! + + WRANGEL (calmly proceeding). + Am therefore forced + To insist thereon, that he do formally, + Irrevocably break with the emperor, + Else not a Swede is trusted to Duke Friedland. + + WALLENSTEIN. + Come, brief and open! What is the demand? + + WRANGEL. + That he forthwith disarm the Spanish regiments + Attached to the emperor, that he seize on Prague, + And to the Swedes give up that city, with + The strong pass Egra. + + WALLENSTEIN. + That is much indeed! + Prague!—Egra's granted—but—but Prague! 'Twon't do. + I give you every security + Which you may ask of me in common reason— + But Prague—Bohemia—these, sir general, + I can myself protect. + + WRANGEL. + We doubt it not. + But 'tis not the protection that is now + Our sole concern. We want security, + That we shall not expend our men and money + All to no purpose. + + WALLENSTEIN. + 'Tis but reasonable. + + WRANGEL. + And till we are indemnified, so long + Stays Prague in pledge. + + WALLENSTEIN. + Then trust you us so little? + + WRANGEL (rising). + The Swede, if he would treat well with the German, + Must keep a sharp lookout. We have been called + Over the Baltic, we have saved the empire + From ruin—with our best blood have we sealed + The liberty of faith and gospel truth. + But now already is the benefaction + No longer felt, the load alone is felt. + Ye look askance with evil eye upon us, + As foreigners, intruders in the empire, + And would fain send us with some paltry sum + Of money, home again to our old forests. + No, no! my lord duke! it never was + For Judas' pay, for chinking gold and silver, + That we did leave our king by the Great Stone. <a href="#note-1" name="noteref-1">1</a> + No, not for gold and silver have there bled + So many of our Swedish nobles—neither + Will we, with empty laurels for our payment, + Hoist sail for our own country. Citizens + Will we remain upon the soil, the which + Our monarch conquered for himself and died. + + WALLENSTEIN. + Help to keep down the common enemy, + And the fair border land must needs be yours. + + WRANGEL. + But when the common enemy lies vanquished, + Who knits together our new friendship then? + We know, Duke Friedland! though perhaps the Swede + Ought not to have known it, that you carry on + Secret negotiations with the Saxons. + Who is our warranty that we are not + The sacrifices in those articles + Which 'tis thought needful to conceal from us? + + WALLENSTEIN (rises). + Think you of something better, Gustave Wrangel! + Of Prague no more. + + WRANGEL. + Here my commission ends. + + WALLENSTEIN. + Surrender up to you my capital! + Far liever would I force about, and step + Back to my emperor. + + WRANGEL. + If time yet permits—— + + WALLENSTEIN. + That lies with me, even now, at any hour. + + WRANGEL. + Some days ago, perhaps. To-day, no longer; + No longer since Sesina's been a prisoner. + [WALLENSTEIN is struck, and silenced. + My lord duke, hear me—we believe that you + At present do mean honorably by us. + Since yesterday we're sure of that—and now + This paper warrants for the troops, there's nothing + Stands in the way of our full confidence. + Prague shall not part us. Hear! The chancellor + Contents himself with Alstadt; to your grace + He gives up Ratschin and the narrow side. + But Egra above all must open to us, + Ere we can think of any junction. + + WALLENSTEIN. + You, + You therefore must I trust, and not you me? + I will consider of your proposition. + + WRANGEL. + I must entreat that your consideration + Occupy not too long a time. Already + Has this negotiation, my lord duke! + Crept on into the second year. If nothing + Is settled this time, will the chancellor + Consider it as broken off forever? + + WALLENSTEIN. + Ye press me hard. A measure such as this + Ought to be thought of. + + WRANGEL. + Ay! but think of this too, + That sudden action only can procure it. + Success—think first of this, your highness. + + [Exit WRANGEL. +</pre> +<a name="2H_4_0008"><!-- H2 anchor --></a> + +<div style="height: 4em;"><br><br><br><br></div> + +<h2> + SCENE VI. +</h2> +<pre> + WALLENSTEIN, TERZKY, and ILLO (re-enter). + + ILLO. + Is't all right? + + TERZKY. + Are you compromised? + + ILLO. + This Swede + Went smiling from you. Yes! you're compromised. + + WALLENSTEIN. + As yet is nothing settled; and (well weighed) + I feel myself inclined to leave it so. + + TERZKY. + How? What is that? + + WALLENSTEIN. + Come on me what will come, + The doing evil to avoid an evil + Cannot be good! + + TERZKY. + Nay, but bethink you, duke. + + WALLENSTEIN. + To live upon the mercy of these Swedes! + Of these proud-hearted Swedes!—I could not bear it. + + ILLO. + Goest thou as fugitive, as mendicant? + Bringest thou not more to them than thou receivest? + + WALLENSTEIN. + How fared it with the brave and royal Bourbon + Who sold himself unto his country's foes, + And pierced the bosom of his father-land? + Curses were his reward, and men's abhorrence + Avenged the unnatural and revolting deed. + + ILLO. + Is that thy case? + + WALLENSTEIN. + True faith, I tell thee, + Must ever be the dearest friend of man + His nature prompts him to assert its rights. + The enmity of sects, the rage of parties, + Long-cherished envy, jealousy, unite;' + And all the struggling elements of evil + Suspend their conflict, and together league + In one alliance 'gainst their common foe— + The savage beast that breaks into the fold, + Where men repose in confidence and peace. + For vain were man's own prudence to protect him. + 'Tis only in the forehead nature plants + The watchful eye; the back, without defence, + Must find its shield in man's fidelity. + + TERZKY. + Think not more meanly off thyself than do + Thy foes, who stretch their hands with joy to greet thee. + Less scrupulous far was the imperial Charles, + The powerful head of this illustrious house; + With open arms he gave the Bourbon welcome; + For still by policy the world is ruled. +</pre> +<a name="2H_4_0009"><!-- H2 anchor --></a> + +<div style="height: 4em;"><br><br><br><br></div> + +<h2> + SCENE VII. +</h2> +<pre> + To these enter the COUNTESS TERZKY. + + WALLENSTEIN. + Who sent for you? There is no business here + For women. + + COUNTESS + I am come to bid you joy. + + WALLENSTEIN. + Use thy authority, Terzky; bid her go. + + COUNTESS. + Come I perhaps too early? I hope not. + + WALLENSTEIN. + Set not this tongue upon me, I entreat you: + You know it is the weapon that destroys me. + I am routed, if a woman but attack me: + I cannot traffic in the trade of words + With that unreasoning sex. + + COUNTESS. + I had already + Given the Bohemians a king. + + WALLENSTEIN (sarcastically). + They have one, + In consequence, no doubt. + + COUNTESS (to the others). + Ha! what new scruple? + + TERZKY. + The duke will not. + + COUNTESS. + He will not what he must! + + ILLO. + It lies with you now. Try. For I am silenced + When folks begin to talk to me of conscience + And of fidelity. + + COUNTESS. + How? then, when all + Lay in the far-off distance, when the road + Stretched out before thine eyes interminably, + Then hadst thou courage and resolve; and now, + Now that the dream is being realized, + The purpose ripe, the issue ascertained, + Dost thou begin to play the dastard now? + Planned merely, 'tis a common felony; + Accomplished, an immortal undertaking: + And with success comes pardon hand in hand, + For all event is God's arbitrament. + + SERVANT (enters). + The Colonel Piccolomini. + + COUNTESS (hastily). + —Must wait. + + WALLENSTEIN. + I cannot see him now. Another time. + + SERVANT. + But for two minutes he entreats an audience + Of the most urgent nature is his business. + + WALLENSTEIN. + Who knows what he may bring us! I will hear him. + + COUNTESS (laughs). + Urgent for him, no doubt? but thou may'st wait. + + WALLENSTEIN. + What is it? + + COUNTESS. + Thou shalt be informed hereafter. + First let the Swede and thee be compromised. + + [Exit SERVANT. + + WALLENSTEIN. + If there were yet a choice! if yet some milder + Way of escape were possible—I still + Will choose it, and avoid the last extreme. + + COUNTESS. + Desirest thou nothing further? Such a way + Lies still before thee. Send this Wrangel off. + Forget thou thy old hopes, cast far away + All thy past life; determine to commence + A new one. Virtue hath her heroes too, + As well as fame and fortune. To Vienna + Hence—to the emperor—kneel before the throne; + Take a full coffer with thee—say aloud, + Thou didst but wish to prove thy fealty; + Thy whole intention but to dupe the Swede. + + ILLO. + For that too 'tis too late. They know too much; + He would but bear his own head to the block. + + COUNTESS. + I fear not that. They have not evidence + To attaint him legally, and they avoid + The avowal of an arbitrary power. + They'll let the duke resign without disturbance. + I see how all will end. The King of Hungary + Makes his appearance, and 'twill of itself + Be understood, and then the duke retires. + There will not want a formal declaration. + The young king will administer the oath + To the whole army; and so all returns + To the old position. On some morrow morning + The duke departs; and now 'tis stir and bustle + Within his castles. He will hunt and build; + Superintend his horses' pedigrees, + Creates himself a court, gives golden keys, + And introduceth strictest ceremony + In fine proportions, and nice etiquette; + Keeps open table with high cheer: in brief, + Commenceth mighty king—in miniature. + And while he prudently demeans himself, + And gives himself no actual importance, + He will be let appear whate'er he likes: + And who dares doubt, that Friedland will appear + A mighty prince to his last dying hour? + Well now, what then? Duke Friedland is as others, + A fire-new noble, whom the war hath raised + To price and currency, a Jonah's gourd, + An over-night creation of court-favor, + Which, with an undistinguishable ease, + Makes baron or makes prince. + + WALLENSTEIN (in extreme agitation). + Take her away. + Let in the young Count Piccolomini. + + COUNTESS. + Art thou in earnest? I entreat thee! + Canst thou consent to bear thyself to thy own grave, + So ignominiously to be dried up? + Thy life, that arrogated such an height + To end in such a nothing! To be nothing, + When one was always nothing, is an evil + That asks no stretch of patience, a light evil; + But to become a nothing, having been—— + + WALLENSTEIN (starts up in violent agitation). + Show me a way out of this stifling crowd, + Ye powers of aidance! Show me such a way + As I am capable of going. I + Am no tongue-hero, no fine virtue-prattler; + I cannot warm by thinking; cannot say + To the good luck that turns her back upon me + Magnanimously: "Go; I need thee not." + Cease I to work, I am annihilated. + Dangers nor sacrifices will I shun, + If so I may avoid the last extreme; + But ere I sink down into nothingness, + Leave off so little, who began so great, + Ere that the world confuses me with those + Poor wretches, whom a day creates and crumbles, + This age and after ages <a href="#note-2" name="noteref-2">2</a> speak my name + With hate and dread; and Friedland be redemption + For each accursed deed. + + COUNTESS. + What is there here, then, + So against nature? Help me to perceive it! + Oh, let not superstition's nightly goblins + Subdue thy clear, bright spirit! Art thou bid + To murder? with abhorred, accursed poniard, + To violate the breasts that nourished thee? + That were against our nature, that might aptly + Make thy flesh shudder, and thy whole heart sicken. <a href="#note-3" name="noteref-3">3</a> + Yet not a few, and for a meaner object, + Have ventured even this, ay, and performed it. + What is there in thy case so black and monstrous? + Thou art accused of treason—whether with + Or without justice is not now the question— + Thou art lost if thou dost not avail thee quickly + Of the power which thou possessest—Friedland! Duke! + Tell me where lives that thing so meek and tame, + That doth not all his living faculties + Put forth in preservation of his life? + What deed so daring, which necessity + And desperation will not sanctify? + + WALLENSTEIN. + Once was this Ferdinand so gracious to me; + He loved me; he esteemed me; I was placed + The nearest to his heart. Full many a time + We like familiar friends, both at one table, + Have banqueted together—he and I; + And the young kings themselves held me the basin + Wherewith to wash me—and is't come to this? + + COUNTESS. + So faithfully preservest thou each small favor, + And hast no memory for contumelies? + Must I remind thee, how at Regensburg + This man repaid thy faithful services? + All ranks and all conditions in the empire + Thou hadst wronged to make him great,—hadst loaded on thee, + On thee, the hate, the curse of the whole world. + No friend existed for thee in all Germany, + And why? because thou hadst existed only + For the emperor. To the emperor alone + Clung Friedland in that storm which gathered round him + At Regensburg in the Diet—and he dropped thee! + He let thee fall! he let thee fall a victim + To the Bavarian, to that insolent! + Deposed, stripped bare of all thy dignity + And power, amid the taunting of thy foe + Thou wert let drop into obscurity. + Say not, the restoration of thy honor + Has made atonement for that first injustice. + No honest good-will was it that replaced thee; + The law of hard necessity replaced thee, + Which they had fain opposed, but that they could not. + + WALLENSTEIN. + Not to their good wishes, that is certain, + Nor yet to his affection I'm indebted + For this high office; and if I abuse it, + I shall therein abuse no confidence. + + COUNTESS. + Affection! confidence!—they needed thee. + Necessity, impetuous remonstrant! + Who not with empty names, or shows of proxy, + Is served, who'll have the thing and not the symbol, + Ever seeks out the greatest and the best, + And at the rudder places him, e'en though + She had been forced to take him from the rabble— + She, this necessity, it was that placed thee + In this high office; it was she that gave thee + Thy letters-patent of inauguration. + For, to the uttermost moment that they can, + This race still help themselves at cheapest rate + With slavish souls, with puppets! At the approach + Of extreme peril, when a hollow image + Is found a hollow image and no more, + Then falls the power into the mighty hands + Of nature, of the spirit-giant born, + Who listens only to himself, knows nothing + Of stipulations, duties, reverences, + And, like the emancipated force of fire, + Unmastered scorches, ere it reaches them, + Their fine-spun webs, their artificial policy. + + WALLENSTEIN. + 'Tis true! they saw me always as I am— + Always! I did not cheat them in the bargain. + I never held it worth my pains to hide + The bold all-grasping habit of my soul. + + COUNTESS. + Nay rather—thou hast ever shown thyself + A formidable man, without restraint; + Hast exercised the full prerogatives + Of thy impetuous nature, which had been + Once granted to thee. Therefore, duke, not thou, + Who hast still remained consistent with thyself, + But they are in the wrong, who, fearing thee, + Intrusted such a power in hands they feared. + For, by the laws of spirit, in the right + Is every individual character + That acts in strict consistence with itself: + Self-contradiction is the only wrong. + Wert thou another being, then, when thou + Eight years ago pursuedst thy march with fire, + And sword, and desolation, through the circles + Of Germany, the universal scourge, + Didst mock all ordinances of the empire, + The fearful rights of strength alone exertedst, + Trampledst to earth each rank, each magistracy, + All to extend thy Sultan's domination? + Then was the time to break thee in, to curb + Thy haughty will, to teach thee ordinance. + But no, the emperor felt no touch of conscience; + What served him pleased him, and without a murmur + He stamped his broad seal on these lawless deeds. + What at that time was right, because thou didst it + For him, to-day is all at once become + Opprobrious, foul, because it is directed + Against him. O most flimsy superstition! + + WALLENSTEIN (rising). + I never saw it in this light before, + 'Tis even so. The emperor perpetrated + Deeds through my arm, deeds most unorderly. + And even this prince's mantle, which I wear, + I owe to what were services to him, + But most high misdemeanors 'gainst the empire. + + COUNTESS. + Then betwixt thee and him (confess it, Friedland!) + The point can be no more of right and duty, + Only of power and the opportunity. + That opportunity, lo! it comes yonder + Approaching with swift steeds; then with a swing + Throw thyself up into the chariot-seat, + Seize with firm hand the reins ere thy opponent + Anticipate thee, and himself make conquest + Of the now empty seat. The moment comes; + It is already here, when thou must write + The absolute total of thy life's vast sum. + The constellations stand victorious o'er thee, + The planets shoot good fortune in fair junctions, + And tell thee, "Now's the time!" The starry courses + Hast thou thy life-long measured to no purpose? + The quadrant and the circle, were they playthings? + + [Pointing to the different objects in the room. + + The zodiacs, the rolling orbs of heaven, + Hast pictured on these walls and all around thee. + In dumb, foreboding symbols hast thou placed + These seven presiding lords of destiny— + For toys? Is all this preparation nothing? + Is there no marrow in this hollow art, + That even to thyself it doth avail + Nothing, and has no influence over thee + In the great moment of decision? + + WALLENSTEIN (during this last speech walks up and down with inward + struggles, laboring with passion; stops suddenly, stands still, then + interrupting the COUNTESS). + Send Wrangel to me—I will instantly + Despatch three couriers—— + + ILLO (hurrying out). + God in heaven be praised! + + WALLENSTEIN. + It is his evil genius and mine. + Our evil genius! It chastises him + Through me, the instrument of his ambition; + And I expect no less, than that revenge + E'en now is whetting for my breast the poinard. + Who sows the serpent's teeth let him not hope + To reap a joyous harvest. Every crime + Has, in the moment of its perpetration, + Its own avenging angel—dark misgiving, + An ominous sinking at the inmost heart. + He can no longer trust me. Then no longer + Can I retreat—so come that which must come. + Still destiny preserves its due relations, + The heart within us is its absolute + Vicegerent. [To TERZKY. + Go, conduct you Gustave Wrangel + To my state cabinet. Myself will speak to + The couriers. And despatch immediately + A servant for Octavio Piccolomini. + + [To the COUNTESS, who cannot conceal her triumph. + + No exultation! woman, triumph not! + For jealous are the powers of destiny, + Joy premature, and shouts ere victory, + Encroach upon their rights and privileges. + We sow the seed, and they the growth determine. + + [While he is making his exit the curtain drops. +</pre> +<a name="2H_4_0010"><!-- H2 anchor --></a> + +<div style="height: 4em;"><br><br><br><br></div> + +<h2> + ACT II. +</h2> +<a name="2H_4_0011"><!-- H2 anchor --></a> + +<div style="height: 4em;"><br><br><br><br></div> + +<h2> + SCENE I. +</h2> +<p> +SCENE as in the preceding Act. +</p> +<pre> + WALLENSTEIN, OCTAVIO PICCOLOMINI. + + WALLENSTEIN (coming forward in conversation). + He sends me word from Linz that he lies sick; + But I have sure intelligence that he + Secretes himself at Frauenberg with Gallas. + Secure them both, and send them to me hither. + Remember, thou takest on thee the command + Of those same Spanish regiments,—constantly + Make preparation, and be never ready; + And if they urge thee to draw out against me, + Still answer yes, and stand as thou went fettered. + I know, that it is doing thee a service + To keep thee out of action in this business. + Thou lovest to linger on in fair appearances; + Steps of extremity are not thy province, + Therefore have I sought out this part for thee. + Thou wilt this time be of most service to me + By thy inertness. The meantime, if fortune + Declare itself on my side, thou wilt know + What is to do. + + [Enter MAX. PICCOLOMINI. + + Now go, Octavio. + This night must thou be off, take my own horses + Him here I keep with me—make short farewell— + Trust me, I think we all shall meet again + In joy and thriving fortunes. + + OCTAVIO (to his son). + I shall see you + Yet ere I go. +</pre> +<a name="2H_4_0012"><!-- H2 anchor --></a> + +<div style="height: 4em;"><br><br><br><br></div> + +<h2> + SCENE II. +</h2> +<pre> + WALLENSTEIN, MAX. PICCOLOMINI. + + MAX. (advances to him). + My general! + + WALLENSTEIN. + That I am no longer, if + Thou stylest thyself the emperor's officer. + + MAX. + Then thou wilt leave the army, general? + + WALLENSTEIN. + I have renounced the service of the emperor. + + MAX. + And thou wilt leave the army? + + WALLENSTEIN. + Rather hope I + To bind it nearer still and faster to me. + [He seats himself. + Yes, Max., I have delayed to open it to thee, + Even till the hour of acting 'gins to strike. + Youth's fortunate feeling doth seize easily + The absolute right, yea, and a joy it is + To exercise the single apprehension + Where the sums square in proof; + But where it happens, that of two sure evils + One must be taken, where the heart not wholly + Brings itself back from out the strife of duties, + There 'tis a blessing to have no election, + And blank necessity is grace and favor. + This is now present: do not look behind thee,— + It can no more avail thee. Look thou forwards! + Think not! judge not! prepare thyself to act! + The court—it hath determined on my ruin, + Therefore I will be beforehand with them. + We'll join the Swedes—right gallant fellows are they, + And our good friends. + [He stops himself, expecting PICCOLOMINI's answer. + I have taken thee by surprise. Answer me not: + I grant thee time to recollect thyself. + + [He rises, retires to the back of the stage. MAX. remains + for a long time motionless, in a trance of excessive anguish. + At his first motion WALLENSTEIN returns, and places himself + before him. + + MAX. + My general, this day thou makest me + Of age to speak in my own right and person, + For till this day I have been spared the trouble + To find out my own road. Thee have I followed + With most implicit, unconditional faith, + Sure of the right path if I followed thee. + To-day, for the first time, dost thou refer + Me to myself, and forcest me to make + Election between thee and my own heart. + + WALLENSTEIN. + Soft cradled thee thy fortune till to-day; + Thy duties thou couldst exercise in sport, + Indulge all lovely instincts, act forever + With undivided heart. It can remain + No longer thus. Like enemies, the roads + Start from each other. Duties strive with duties, + Thou must needs choose thy party in the war + Which is now kindling 'twixt thy friend and him + Who is thy emperor. + + MAX. + War! is that the name? + War is as frightful as heaven's pestilence, + Yet it is good, is it heaven's will as that is. + Is that a good war, which against the emperor + Thou wagest with the emperor's own army? + O God of heaven! what a change is this. + Beseems it me to offer such persuasion + To thee, who like the fixed star of the pole + Wert all I gazed at on life's trackless ocean? + O! what a rent thou makest in my heart! + The ingrained instinct of old reverence, + The holy habit of obediency, + Must I pluck life asunder from thy name? + Nay, do not turn thy countenance upon me— + It always was as a god looking upon me! + Duke Wallenstein, its power has not departed; + The senses still are in thy bonds, although + Bleeding, the soul hath freed itself. + + WALLENSTEIN. + Max., hear me. + + MAX. + Oh, do it not, I pray thee, do it not! + There is a pure and noble soul within thee, + Knows not of this unblest unlucky doing. + Thy will is chaste, it is thy fancy only + Which hath polluted thee—and innocence, + It will not let itself be driven away + From that world-awing aspect. Thou wilt not, + Thou canst not end in this. It would reduce + All human creatures to disloyalty + Against the nobleness of their own nature. + 'Twill justify the vulgar misbelief, + Which holdeth nothing noble in free will, + And trusts itself to impotence alone, + Made powerful only in an unknown power. + + WALLENSTEIN. + The world will judge me harshly, I expect it. + Already have I said to my own self + All thou canst say to me. Who but avoids + The extreme, can he by going round avoid it? + But here there is no choice. Yes, I must use + Or suffer violence—so stands the case, + There remains nothing possible but that. + + MAX. + Oh, that is never possible for thee! + 'Tis the last desperate resource of those + Cheap souls, to whom their honor, their good name, + Is their poor saving, their last worthless keep, + Which, having staked and lost, they staked themselves + In the mad rage of gaming. Thou art rich + And glorious; with an unpolluted heart + Thou canst make conquest of whate'er seems highest! + But he who once hath acted infamy + Does nothing more in this world. + + WALLENSTEIN (grasps his hand). + Calmly, Max.! + Much that is great and excellent will we + Perform together yet. And if we only + Stand on the height with dignity, 'tis soon + Forgotten, Max., by what road we ascended. + Believe me, many a crown shines spotless now, + That yet was deeply sullied in the winning. + To the evil spirit doth the earth belong, + Not to the good. All that the powers divine + Send from above are universal blessings + Their light rejoices us, their air refreshes, + But never yet was man enriched by them: + In their eternal realm no property + Is to be struggled for—all there is general. + The jewel, the all-valued gold we win + From the deceiving powers, depraved in nature, + That dwell beneath the day and blessed sunlight. + Not without sacrifices are they rendered + Propitious, and there lives no soul on earth + That e'er retired unsullied from their service. + + MAX. + Whate'er is human to the human being + Do I allow—and to the vehement + And striving spirit readily I pardon + The excess of action; but to thee, my general! + Above all others make I large concession. + For thou must move a world and be the master— + He kills thee who condemns thee to inaction. + So be it then! maintain thee in thy post + By violence. Resist the emperor, + And if it must be force with force repel; + I will not praise it, yet I can forgive it. + But not—not to the traitor—yes! the word + Is spoken out— + Not to the traitor can I yield a pardon. + That is no mere excess! that is no error + Of human nature—that is wholly different, + Oh, that is black, black as the pit of hell! + [WALLENSTEIN betrays a sudden agitation. + Thou canst not hear it named, and wilt thou do it? + O turn back to thy duty. That thou canst, + I hold it certain. Send me to Vienna; + I'll make thy peace for thee with the emperor. + He knows thee not. But I do know thee. He + Shall see thee, duke! with my unclouded eye, + And I bring back his confidence to thee. + + WALLENSTEIN. + It is too late! Thou knowest not what has happened. + + MAX. + Were it too late, and were things gone so far, + That a crime only could prevent thy fall, + Then—fall! fall honorably, even as thou stoodest, + Lose the command. Go from the stage of war! + Thou canst with splendor do it—do it too + With innocence. Thou hast lived much for others, + At length live thou for thy own self. I follow thee. + My destiny I never part from thine. + + WALLENSTEIN. + It is too late! Even now, while thou art losing + Thy words, one after another, are the mile-stones + Left fast behind by my post couriers, + Who bear the order on to Prague and Egra. + + [MAX. stands as convulsed, with a gesture and countenance + expressing the most intense anguish. + + Yield thyself to it. We act as we are forced. + I cannot give assent to my own shame + And ruin. Thou—no—thou canst not forsake me! + So let us do, what must be done, with dignity, + With a firm step. What am I doing worse + Than did famed Caesar at the Rubicon, + When he the legions led against his country, + The which his country had delivered to him? + Had he thrown down the sword, he had been lost. + As I were, if I but disarmed myself. + I trace out something in me of this spirit. + Give me his luck, that other thing I'll bear. + + [MAX. quits him abruptly. WALLENSTEIN startled and overpowered, + continues looking after him, and is still in this posture when + TERZKY enters. +</pre> +<a name="2H_4_0013"><!-- H2 anchor --></a> + +<div style="height: 4em;"><br><br><br><br></div> + +<h2> + SCENE III. +</h2> +<pre> + WALLENSTEIN, TERZKY. + + TERZKY. + Max. Piccolomini just left you? + + WALLENSTEIN. + Where is Wrangel? + + TERZKY. + He is already gone. + + WALLENSTEIN. + In such a hurry? + + TERZKY. + It is as if the earth had swallowed him. + He had scarce left thee, when I went to seek him. + I wished some words with him—but he was gone. + How, when, and where, could no one tell me. + Nay, I half believe it was the devil himself; + A human creature could not so at once + Have vanished. + + ILLO (enters). + Is it true that thou wilt send + Octavio? + + TERZKY. + How, Octavio! Whither send him? + + WALLENSTEIN. + He goes to Frauenberg, and will lead hither + The Spanish and Italian regiments. + + ILLO. + No! + Nay, heaven forbid! + + WALLENSTEIN. + And why should heaven forbid? + + ILLO. + Him!—that deceiver! Wouldst thou trust to him + The soldiery? Him wilt thou let slip from thee, + Now in the very instant that decides us—— + + TERZKY. + Thou wilt not do this! No! I pray thee, no! + + WALLENSTEIN. + Ye are whimsical. + + ILLO. + O but for this time, duke, + Yield to our warning! Let him not depart. + + WALLENSTEIN. + And why should I not trust him only this time, + Who have always trusted him? What, then, has happened + That I should lose my good opinion of him? + In complaisance to your whims, not my own, + I must, forsooth, give up a rooted judgment. + Think not I am a woman. Having trusted him + E'en till to-day, to-day too will I trust him. + + TERZKY. + Must it be he—he only? Send another. + + WALLENSTEIN. + It must be he, whom I myself have chosen; + He is well fitted for the business. + Therefore I gave it him. + + ILLO. + Because he's an Italian— + Therefore is he well fitted for the business! + + WALLENSTEIN. + I know you love them not, nor sire nor son, + Because that I esteem them, love them, visibly + Esteem them, love them more than you and others, + E'en as they merit. Therefore are they eye-blights, + Thorns in your footpath. But your jealousies, + In what affect they me or my concerns? + Are they the worse to me because you hate them? + Love or hate one another as you will, + I leave to each man his own moods and likings; + Yet know the worth of each of you to me. + + ILLO. + Von Questenberg, while he was here, was always + Lurking about with this Octavio. + + WALLENSTEIN. + It happened with my knowledge and permission. + + ILLO. + I know that secret messengers came to him + From Gallas—— + + WALLENSTEIN. + That's not true. + + ILLO. + O thou art blind, + With thy deep-seeing eyes! + + WALLENSTEIN. + Thou wilt not shake + My faith for me; my faith, which founds itself + On the profoundest science. If 'tis false, + Then the whole science of the stars is false; + For know, I have a pledge from Fate itself, + That he is the most faithful of my friends. + + ILLO. + Hast thou a pledge that this pledge is not false? + + + </pre +<br /> +<br /> +<center> +<img alt="2pb312 (155K)" src="images/2pb312.jpg" height="772" width="488" /> +</center> +<br /> +<br /> +<pre> + + WALLENSTEIN. + There exist moments in the life of man, + When he is nearer the great Soul of the world + Than is man's custom, and possesses freely + The power of questioning his destiny: + And such a moment 'twas, when in the night + Before the action in the plains of Luetzen, + Leaning against a tree, thoughts crowding thoughts, + I looked out far upon the ominous plain. + My whole life, past and future, in this moment + Before my mind's eye glided in procession, + And to the destiny of the next morning + The spirit, filled with anxious presentiment, + Did knit the most removed futurity. + Then said I also to myself, "So many + Dost thou command. They follow all thy stars, + And as on some great number set their all + Upon thy single head, and only man + The vessel of thy fortune. Yet a day + Will come, when destiny shall once more scatter + All these in many a several direction: + Few be they who will stand out faithful to thee." + I yearned to know which one was faithfulest + Of all, my camp included. Great destiny, + Give me a sign! And he shall be the man, + Who, on the approaching morning, comes the first + To meet me with a token of his love: + And thinking this, I fell into a slumber, + Then midmost in the battle was I led + In spirit. Great the pressure and the tumult! + Then was my horse killed under me: I sank; + And over me away, all unconcernedly, + Drove horse and rider—and thus trod to pieces + I lay, and panted like a dying man; + Then seized me suddenly a savior arm; + It was Octavio's—I woke at once, + 'Twas broad day, and Octavio stood before me. + "My brother," said he, "do not ride to-day + The dapple, as you're wont; but mount the horse + Which I have chosen for thee. Do it, brother! + In love to me. A strong dream warned me so." + It was the swiftness of this horse that snatched me + From the hot pursuit of Bannier's dragoons. + My cousin rode the dapple on that day, + And never more saw I or horse or rider. + + ILLO. + That was a chance. + + WALLENSTEIN (significantly). + There's no such thing as chance + And what to us seems merest accident + Springs from the deepest source of destiny. + In brief, 'tis signed and sealed that this Octavio + Is my good angel—and now no word more. + + [He is retiring. + + TERZKY. + This is my comfort—Max. remains our hostage. + + ILLO. + And he shall never stir from here alive. + + WALLENSTEIN (stops and turns himself round). + Are ye not like the women, who forever + Only recur to their first word, although + One had been talking reason by the hour! + Know, that the human being's thoughts and deeds + Are not like ocean billows, blindly moved. + The inner world, his microcosmus, is + The deep shaft, out of which they spring eternally. + They grow by certain laws, like the tree's fruit— + No juggling chance can metamorphose them. + Have I the human kernel first examined? + Then I know, too, the future will and action. + + [Exeunt. +</pre> +<a name="2H_4_0014"><!-- H2 anchor --></a> + +<div style="height: 4em;"><br><br><br><br></div> + +<h2> + SCENE IV. +</h2> +<pre> + Chamber in the residence of Piccolomini: OCTAVIO PICCOLOMINI + (attired for travelling), an ADJUTANT. + + OCTAVIO. + Is the detachment here? + + ADJUTANT. + It waits below. + + OCTAVIO. + And are the soldiers trusty, adjutant? + Say, from what regiment hast thou chosen them? + + ADJUTANT. + From Tiefenbach's. + + OCTAVIO. + That regiment is loyal, + Keep them in silence in the inner court, + Unseen by all, and when the signal peals + Then close the doors, keep watch upon the house. + And all ye meet be instantly arrested. + [Exit ADJUTANT. + I hope indeed I shall not need their service, + So certain feel I of my well-laid plans; + But when an empire's safety is at stake + 'Twere better too much caution than too little. +</pre> +<a name="2H_4_0015"><!-- H2 anchor --></a> + +<div style="height: 4em;"><br><br><br><br></div> + +<h2> + SCENE V. +</h2> +<pre> + A chamber in PICCOLOMINI's dwelling-house: OCTAVIO, + PICCOLOMINI, ISOLANI, entering. + + ISOLANI. + Here am I—well! who comes yet of the others? + + OCTAVIO (with an air of mystery). + But, first, a word with you, Count Isolani. + + ISOLANI (assuming the same air of mystery). + Will it explode, ha? Is the duke about + To make the attempt? In me, friend, you may place + Full confidence—nay, put me to the proof. + + OCTAVIO. + That may happen. + + ISOLANI. + Noble brother, I am + Not one of those men who in words are valiant, + And when it comes to action skulk away. + The duke has acted towards me as a friend: + God knows it is so; and I owe him all; + He may rely on my fidelity. + + OCTAVIO. + That will be seen hereafter. + + ISOLANI. + Be on your guard, + All think not as I think; and there are many + Who still hold with the court—yes, and they say + That these stolen signatures bind them to nothing. + + OCTAVIO. + Indeed! Pray name to me the chiefs that think so; + + ISOLANI. + Plague upon them! all the Germans think so + Esterhazy, Kaunitz, Deodati, too, + Insist upon obedience to the court. + + OCTAVIO. + I am rejoiced to hear it. + + ISOLANI. + You rejoice? + + OCTAVIO. + That the emperor has yet such gallant servants, + And loving friends. + + ISOLANI. + Nay, jeer not, I entreat you. + They are no such worthless fellows, I assure you. + + OCTAVIO. + I am assured already. God forbid + That I should jest! In very serious earnest, + I am rejoiced to see an honest cause + So strong. + + ISOLANI. + The devil!—what!—why, what means this? + Are you not, then——For what, then, am I here? + + OCTAVIO. + That you may make full declaration, whether + You will be called the friend or enemy + Of the emperor. + + ISOLANI (with an air of defiance). + That declaration, friend, + I'll make to him in whom a right is placed + To put that question to me. + + OCTAVIO. + Whether, count, + That right is mine, this paper may instruct you. + + ISOLANI (stammering). + Why,—why—what! this is the emperor's hand and seal + [Reads. + "Whereas the officers collectively + Throughout our army will obey the orders + Of the Lieutenant-General Piccolomini, + As from ourselves."—Hem!—Yes! so!—Yes! yes! + I—I give you joy, lieutenant-general! + + OCTAVIO. + And you submit to the order? + + ISOLANI. + I— + But you have taken me so by surprise + Time for reflection one must have—— + + OCTAVIO. + Two minutes. + + ISOLANI. + My God! But then the case is—— + + OCTAVIO. + Plain and simple. + You must declare you, whether you determine + To act a treason 'gainst your lord and sovereign, + Or whether you will serve him faithfully. + + ISOLANI. + Treason! My God! But who talks then of treason? + + OCTAVIO. + That is the case. The prince-duke is a traitor— + Means to lead over to the enemy + The emperor's army. Now, count! brief and full— + Say, will you break your oath to the emperor? + Sell yourself to the enemy? Say, will you? + + ISOLANI. + What mean you? I—I break my oath, d'ye say, + To his imperial majesty? + Did I say so! When, when have I said that? + + OCTAVIO. + You have not said it yet—not yet. This instant + I wait to hear, count, whether you will say it. + + ISOLANI. + Ay! that delights me now, that you yourself + Bear witness for me that I never said so. + + OCTAVIO. + And you renounce the duke then? + + ISOLANI. + If he's planning + Treason—why, treason breaks all bonds asunder. + + OCTAVIO. + And are determined, too, to fight against him? + + ISOLANI. + He has done me service—but if he's a villain, + Perdition seize him! All scores are rubbed off. + + OCTAVIO. + I am rejoiced that you are so well disposed. + This night break off in the utmost secrecy + With all the light-armed troops—it must appear + As came the order from the duke himself. + At Frauenberg's the place of rendezvous; + There will Count Gallas give you further orders. + + ISOLANI. + It shall be done. But you'll remember me + With the emperor—how well disposed you found me. + + OCTAVIO. + I will not fail to mention it honorably. + + [Exit ISOLANI. A SERVANT enters. + + What, Colonel Butler! Show him up. + + ISOLANI (returning). + Forgive me too my bearish ways, old father! + Lord God! how should I know, then, what a great + Person I had before me. + + OCTAVIO. + No excuses! + + ISOLANI. + I am a merry lad, and if at time + A rash word might escape me 'gainst the court + Amidst my wine,—you know no harm was meant. + + OCTAVIO. + You need not be uneasy on that score. + That has succeeded. Fortune favor us + With all the others only but as much. + + [Exit. +</pre> +<a name="2H_4_0016"><!-- H2 anchor --></a> + +<div style="height: 4em;"><br><br><br><br></div> + +<h2> + SCENE VI. +</h2> +<pre> + OCTAVIO PICCOLOMINI, BUTLER. + + BUTLER. + At your command, lieutenant-general. + + OCTAVIO. + Welcome, as honored friend and visitor. + + BUTLER. + You do me too much honor. + + OCTAVIO (after both have seated themselves) + You have not + Returned the advances which I made you yesterday— + Misunderstood them as mere empty forms. + That wish proceeded from my heart—I was + In earnest with you—for 'tis now a time + In which the honest should unite most closely. + + BUTLER. + 'Tis only the like-minded can unite. + + OCTAVIO. + True! and I name all honest men like-minded. + I never charge a man but with those acts + To which his character deliberately + Impels him; for alas! the violence + Of blind misunderstandings often thrusts + The very best of us from the right track. + You came through Frauenberg. Did the Count Gallas + Say nothing to you? Tell me. He's my friend. + + BUTLER. + His words were lost on me. + + OCTAVIO. + It grieves me sorely + To hear it: for his counsel was most wise. + I had myself the like to offer. + + BUTLER. + Spare + Yourself the trouble—me the embarrassment. + To have deserved so ill your good opinion. + + OCTAVIO. + The time is precious—let us talk openly. + You know how matters stand here. Wallenstein + Meditates treason—I can tell you further, + He has committed treason; but few hours + Have past since he a covenant concluded + With the enemy. The messengers are now + Full on their way to Egra and to Prague. + To-morrow he intends to lead us over + To the enemy. But he deceives himself; + For prudence wakes—the emperor has still + Many and faithful friends here, and they stand + In closest union, mighty though unseen. + This manifesto sentences the duke— + Recalls the obedience of the army from him, + And summons all the loyal, all the honest, + To join and recognize in me their leader. + Choose—will you share with us an honest cause? + Or with the evil share an evil lot? + + BUTLER (rises). + His lot is mine. + + OCTAVIO. + Is that your last resolve? + + BUTLER. + It is. + + OCTAVIO. + Nay, but bethink you, Colonel Butler. + As yet you have time. Within my faithful breast + That rashly uttered word remains interred. + Recall it, Butler! choose a better party; + You have not chosen the right one. + + BUTLER (going). + Any other + Commands for me, lieutenant-general? + + OCTAVIO. + See your white hairs; recall that word! + + BUTLER. + Farewell! + + OCTAVIO. + What! Would you draw this good and gallant sword + In such a cause? Into a curse would you + Transform the gratitude which you have earned + By forty years' fidelity from Austria? + + BUTLER (laughing with bitterness). + Gratitude from the House of Austria! + + [He is going. + + OCTAVIO (permits him to go as far as the door, then calls after him). + Butler! + + BUTLER. + What wish you? + + OCTAVIO. + How was't with the count? + + BUTLER. + Count? what? + + OCTAVIO (coldly). + The title that you wished, I mean. + + BUTLER (starts in sudden passion). + Hell and damnation! + + OCTAVIO (coldly). + You petitioned for it— + And your petition was repelled—was it so? + + BUTLER. + Your insolent scoff shall not go by unpunished. + Draw! + + OCTAVIO. + Nay! your sword to its sheath! and tell me calmly + How all that happened. I will not refuse you + Your satisfaction afterwards. Calmly, Butler! + + BUTLER. + Be the whole world acquainted with the weakness + For which I never can forgive myself, + Lieutenant-general! Yes; I have ambition. + Ne'er was I able to endure contempt. + It stung me to the quick that birth and title + Should have more weight than merit has in the army. + I would fain not be meaner than my equal, + So in an evil hour I let myself + Be tempted to that measure. It was folly! + But yet so hard a penance it deserved not. + It might have been refused; but wherefore barb + And venom the refusal with contempt? + Why dash to earth and crush with heaviest scorn + The gray-haired man, the faithful veteran? + Why to the baseness of his parentage + Refer him with such cruel roughness, only + Because he had a weak hour and forgot himself? + But nature gives a sting e'en to the worm + Which wanton power treads on in sport and insult. + + OCTAVIO. + You must have been calumniated. Guess you + The enemy who did you this ill service? + + BUTLER. + Be't who it will—a most low-hearted scoundrel! + Some vile court-minion must it be, some Spaniard; + Some young squire of some ancient family, + In whose light I may stand; some envious knave, + Stung to his soul by my fair self-earned honors! + + OCTAVIO. + But tell me, did the duke approve that measure? + + BUTLER. + Himself impelled me to it, used his interest + In my behalf with all the warmth of friendship. + + OCTAVIO. + Ay! are you sure of that? + + BUTLER. + I read the letter. + + OCTAVIO. + And so did I—but the contents were different. + [BUTLER is suddenly struck. + By chance I'm in possession of that letter— + Can leave it to your own eyes to convince you. + + [He gives him the letter. + + BUTLER. + Ha! what is this? + + OCTAVIO. + I fear me, Colonel Butler, + An infamous game have they been playing with you. + The duke, you say, impelled you to this measure? + Now, in this letter, talks he in contempt + Concerning you; counsels the minister + To give sound chastisement to your conceit, + For so he calls it. + + [BUTLER reads through the letter; his knees tremble, he seizes a + chair, and sinks clown in it. + + You have no enemy, no persecutor; + There's no one wishes ill to you. Ascribe + The insult you received to the duke only. + His aim is clear and palpable. He wished + To tear you from your emperor: he hoped + To gain from your revenge what he well knew + (What your long tried fidelity convinced him) + He ne'er could dare expect from your calm reason. + A blind tool would he make you, in contempt + Use you, as means of most abandoned ends. + He has gained his point. Too well has he succeeded + In luring you away from that good path + On which you had been journeying forty years! + + BUTLER (his voice trembling). + Can e'er the emperor's majesty forgive me? + + OCTAVIO. + More than forgive you. He would fain compensate + For that affront, and most unmerited grievance + Sustained by a deserving gallant veteran. + From his free impulse he confirms the present, + Which the duke made you for a wicked purpose. + The regiment, which you now command, is yours. + + [BUTLER attempts to rise, sinks down again. He labors inwardly + with violent emotions; tries to speak and cannot. At length + he takes his sword from the belt, and offers it to PICCOLOMINI. + + OCTAVIO. + What wish you? Recollect yourself, friend. + + BUTLER. + Take it. + + OCTAVIO. + But to what purpose? Calm yourself. + + BUTLER. + O take it! + I am no longer worthy of this sword. + + OCTAVIO. + Receive it then anew, from my hands—and + Wear it with honor for the right cause ever. + + BUTLER. + Perjure myself to such a gracious sovereign? + + OCTAVIO. + You'll make amends. Quick! break off from the duke! + + BUTLER. + Break off from him. + + OCTAVIO. + What now? Bethink thyself. + + BUTLER (no longer governing his emotion). + Only break off from him? He dies! he dies! + + OCTAVIO. + Come after me to Frauenberg, where now + All who are loyal are assembling under + Counts Altringer and Gallas. Many others + I've brought to a remembrance of their duty + This night be sure that you escape from Pilsen. + + BUTLER (strides up and down in excessive agitation, then steps up to + OCTAVIO with resolved countenance). + Count Piccolomini! dare that man speak + Of honor to you, who once broke his troth. + + OCTAVIO. + He who repents so deeply of it dares. + + BUTLER. + Then leave me here upon my word of honor! + + OCTAVIO. + What's your design? + + BUTLER. + Leave me and my regiment. + + OCTAVIO. + I have full confidence in you. But tell me + What are you brooding? + + BUTLER. + That the deed will tell you. + Ask me no more at present. Trust me. + Ye may trust safely. By the living God, + Ye give him over, not to his good angel! + Farewell. + [Exit BUTLER. + + SERVANT (enters with a billet). + A stranger left it, and is gone. + The prince-duke's horses wait for you below. + + [Exit SERVANT. + + OCTAVIO (reads). + "Be sure, make haste! Your faithful Isolani." + —O that I had but left this town behind me. + To split upon a rock so near the haven! + Away! This is no longer a safe place + For me! Where can my son be tarrying! +</pre> +<a name="2H_4_0017"><!-- H2 anchor --></a> + +<div style="height: 4em;"><br><br><br><br></div> + +<h2> + SCENE VII. +</h2> +<pre> + OCTAVIO and MAX. PICCOLOMINI. + + MAX. enters almost in a state of derangement, from extreme + agitation; his eyes roll wildly, his walk is unsteady, and he + appears not to observe his father, who stands at a distance, + and gazes at him with a countenance expressive of compassion. + He paces with long strides through the chamber, then stands still + again, and at last throws himself into a chair, staring vacantly + at the object directly before him. + + OCTAVIO (advances to him). + I am going off, my son. + [Receiving no answer, he takes his hands + My son, farewell. + + MAX. + Farewell. + + OCTAVIO. + Thou wilt soon follow me? + + MAX. + I follow thee? + Thy way is crooked—it is not my way. + [OCTAVIO drops his hand and starts back. + Oh, hadst thou been but simple and sincere, + Ne'er had it come to this—all had stood otherwise. + He had not done that foul and horrible deed, + The virtuous had retained their influence over him + He had not fallen into the snares of villains. + Wherefore so like a thief, and thief's accomplice + Didst creep behind him lurking for thy prey! + Oh, unblest falsehood! Mother of all evil! + Thou misery-making demon, it is thou + That sinkest us in perdition. Simple truth, + Sustainer of the world, had saved us all! + Father, I will not, I cannot excuse thee! + Wallenstein has deceived me—oh, most foully! + But thou has acted not much better. + + OCTAVIO. + Son + My son, ah! I forgive thy agony! + + MAX. (rises and contemplates his father with looks of suspicion). + Was't possible? hadst thou the heart, my father, + Hadst thou the heart to drive it to such lengths, + With cold premeditated purpose? Thou— + Hadst thou the heart to wish to see him guilty + Rather than saved? Thou risest by his fall. + Octavio, 'twill not please me. + + OCTAVIO. + God in heaven! + + MAX. + Oh, woe is me! sure I have changed my nature. + How comes suspicion here—in the free soul? + Hope, confidence, belief, are gone; for all + Lied to me, all that I e'er loved or honored. + No, no! not all! She—she yet lives for me, + And she is true, and open as the heavens + Deceit is everywhere, hypocrisy, + Murder, and poisoning, treason, perjury: + The single holy spot is our love, + The only unprofaned in human nature. + + OCTAVIO. + Max.!—we will go together. 'Twill be better. + + MAX. + What? ere I've taken a last parting leave, + The very last—no, never! + + OCTAVIO. + Spare thyself + The pang of necessary separation. + Come with me! Come, my son! + + [Attempts to take him with him. + + MAX. + No! as sure as God lives, no! + + OCTAVIO (more urgently). + Come with me, I command thee! I, thy father. + + MAX. + Command me what is human. I stay here. + + OCTAVIO. + Max.! in the emperor's name I bid thee come. + + MAX. + No emperor has power to prescribe + Laws to the heart; and wouldst thou wish to rob me + Of the sole blessing which my fate has left me, + Her sympathy? Must then a cruel deed + Be done with cruelty? The unalterable + Shall I perform ignobly—steal away, + With stealthy coward flight forsake her? No! + She shall behold my suffering, my sore anguish, + Hear the complaints of the disparted soul, + And weep tears o'er me. Oh! the human race + Have steely souls—but she is as an angel. + From the black deadly madness of despair + Will she redeem my soul, and in soft words + Of comfort, plaining, loose this pang of death! + + OCTAVIO. + Thou wilt not tear thyself away; thou canst not. + Oh, come, my son! I bid thee save thy virtue. + + MAX. + Squander not thou thy words in vain. + The heart I follow, for I dare trust to it. + + OCTAVIO (trembling, and losing all self-command). + Max.! Max.! if that most damned thing could be, + If thou—my son—my own blood—(dare I think it?) + Do sell thyself to him, the infamous, + Do stamp this brand upon our noble house, + Then shall the world behold the horrible deed, + And in unnatural combat shall the steel + Of the son trickle with the father's blood. + + MAX. + Oh, hadst thou always better thought of men, + Thou hadst then acted better. Curst suspicion, + Unholy, miserable doubt! To him + Nothing on earth remains unwrenched and firm + Who has no faith. + + OCTAVIO. + And if I trust thy heart, + Will it be always in thy power to follow it? + + MAX. + The heart's voice thou hast not o'erpowered—as little + Will Wallenstein be able to o'erpower it. + + OCTAVIO. + O, Max.! I see thee never more again! + + MAX. + Unworthy of thee wilt thou never see me. + + OCTAVIO. + I go to Frauenberg—the Pappenheimers + I leave thee here, the Lothrings too; Tsokana + And Tiefenbach remain here to protect thee. + They love thee, and are faithful to their oath, + And will far rather fall in gallant contest + Than leave their rightful leader and their honor. + + MAX. + Rely on this, I either leave my life + In the struggle, or conduct them out of Pilsen. + + OCTAVIO. + Farewell, my son! + + MAX. + Farewell! + + OCTAVIO. + How! not one look + Of filial love? No grasp of the hand at parting? + It is a bloody war to which we are going, + And the event uncertain and in darkness. + So used we not to part—it was not so! + Is it then true? I have a son no longer? + + [MAX. falls into his arms, they hold each other for a long time + in a speechless embrace, then go away at different sides. + + (The curtain drops.) +</pre> +<a name="2H_4_0018"><!-- H2 anchor --></a> + +<div style="height: 4em;"><br><br><br><br></div> + +<h2> + ACT III. +</h2> +<a name="2H_4_0019"><!-- H2 anchor --></a> + +<div style="height: 4em;"><br><br><br><br></div> + +<h2> + SCENE I. +</h2> +<pre> + A chamber in the house of the Duchess of Friedland. + + COUNTESS TERZKY, THEKLA, LADY NEUBRUNN (the two latter sit + at the same table at work). + + COUNTESS (watching them from the opposite side). + So you have nothing to ask me—nothing? + I have been waiting for a word from you. + And could you then endure in all this time + Not once to speak his name? + + [THEKLA remaining silent, the COUNTESS rises and advances to her. + + Why, how comes this? + Perhaps I am already grown superfluous, + And other ways exist, besides through me + Confess it to me, Thekla: have you seen him? + + THEKLA. + To-day and yesterday I have not seen him. + + COUNTESS. + And not heard from him, either? Come, be open. + + THEKLA. + No Syllable. + + COUNTESS. + And still you are so calm? + + THEKLA. + I am. + + COUNTESS. + May it please you, leave us, Lady Neubrunn. + + [Exit LADY NEUBRUNN. +</pre> +<a name="2H_4_0020"><!-- H2 anchor --></a> + +<div style="height: 4em;"><br><br><br><br></div> + +<h2> + SCENE II. +</h2> +<pre> + The COUNTESS, THEKLA. + + COUNTESS. + It does not please me, princess, that he holds + Himself so still, exactly at this time. + + THEKLA. + Exactly at this time? + + COUNTESS. + He now knows all + 'Twere now the moment to declare himself. + + THEKLA. + If I'm to understand you, speak less darkly. + + COUNTESS. + 'Twas for that purpose that I bade her leave us. + Thekla, you are no more a child. Your heart + Is no more in nonage: for you love, + And boldness dwells with love—that you have proved + Your nature moulds itself upon your father's + More than your mother's spirit. Therefore may you + Hear what were too much for her fortitude. + + THEKLA. + Enough: no further preface, I entreat you. + At once, out with it! Be it what it may, + It is not possible that it should torture me + More than this introduction. What have you + To say to me? Tell me the whole, and briefly! + + COUNTESS. + You'll not be frightened—— + + THEKLA. + Name it, I entreat you. + + COUNTESS. + Lies within my power to do your father + A weighty service—— + + THEKLA. + Lies within my power. + + COUNTESS. + Max. Piccolomini loves you. You can link him + Indissolubly to your father. + + THEKLA. + I? + What need of me for that? And is he not + Already linked to him? + + COUNTESS. + He was. + + THEKLA. + And wherefore + Should he not be so now—not be so always? + + COUNTESS. + He cleaves to the emperor too. + + THEKLA. + Not more than duty + And honor may demand of him. + + COUNTESS. + We ask + Proofs of his love, and not proofs of his honor. + Duty and honor! + Those are ambiguous words with many meanings. + You should interpret them for him: his love + Should be the sole definer of his honor. + + THEKLA. + How? + + COUNTESS. + The emperor or you must he renounce. + + THEKLA. + He will accompany my father gladly + In his retirement. From himself you heard, + How much he wished to lay aside the sword. + + COUNTESS. + He must not lay the sword aside, we mean; + He must unsheath it in your father's cause. + + THEKLA. + He'll spend with gladness and alacrity + His life, his heart's blood in my father's cause, + If shame or injury be intended him. + + COUNTESS. + You will not understand me. Well, hear then: + Your father has fallen off from the emperor, + And is about to join the enemy + With the whole soldiery—— + + THEKLA. + Alas, my mother! + + COUNTESS. + There needs a great example to draw on + The army after him. The Piccolomini + Possess the love and reverence of the troops; + They govern all opinions, and wherever + They lead the way, none hesitate to follow. + The son secures the father to our interests— + You've much in your hands at this moment. + + THEKLA. + Ah, + My miserable mother! what a death-stroke + Awaits thee! No! she never will survive it. + + COUNTESS. + She will accommodate her soul to that + Which is and must be. I do know your mother: + The far-off future weighs upon her heart + With torture of anxiety; but is it + Unalterably, actually present, + She soon resigns herself, and bears it calmly. + + THEKLA. + O my foreboding 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 entered, + An heavy ominous presentiment + Revealed to me that spirits of death were hovering + 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. + + THEKLA. + Prove good! What good? + Must we not part; part ne'er to meet again? + + COUNTESS. + He parts not from you! He cannot part from you. + + THEKLA. + Alas, for his sore anguish! It will rend + His heart asunder. + + COUNTESS. + If indeed he loves you. + His resolution will be speedily taken. + + THEKLA. + His resolution will be speedily taken— + Oh, do not doubt of that! A resolution! + Does there remain one to be taken? + + COUNTESS. + Hush! + Collect yourself! I hear your mother coming. + + THERLA. + How shall I bear to see her? + + COUNTESS. + Collect yourself. +</pre> +<a name="2H_4_0021"><!-- H2 anchor --></a> + +<div style="height: 4em;"><br><br><br><br></div> + +<h2> + SCENE III. +</h2> +<pre> + To them enter the DUCHESS. + + DUCHESS (to the COUNTESS). + Who was here, sister? I heard some one talking, + And passionately, too. + + COUNTESS. + Nay! there was no one. + + DUCHESS. + I am growing so timorous, every trifling noise + Scatters my spirits, and announces to me + The footstep of some messenger of evil. + And you can tell me, sister, what the event is? + Will he agree to do the emperor's pleasure, + And send the horse regiments to the cardinal? + Tell me, has he dismissed von Questenberg + With a favorable answer? + + COUNTESS. + No, he has not. + + DUCHESS. + Alas! then all is lost! I see it coming, + The worst that can come! Yes, they will depose him; + The accursed business of the Regensburg diet + Will all be acted o'er again! + + COUNTESS. + No! never! + Make your heart easy, sister, as to that. + + [THEKLA, in extreme agitation, throws herself upon her mother, + and enfolds her in her arms, weeping. + + DUCHESS. + Yes, my poor child! + Thou too hast lost a most affectionate godmother + In the empress. Oh, that stern, unbending man! + In this unhappy marriage what have I + Not suffered, not endured? For even as if + I had been linked on to some wheel of fire + That restless, ceaseless, whirls impetuous onward, + I have passed a life of frights and horrors with him, + And ever to the brink of some abyss + With dizzy headlong violence he bears me. + Nay, do not weep, my child. Let not my sufferings + Presignify unhappiness to thee, + Nor blacken with their shade the fate that waits thee. + There lives no second Friedland; thou, my child, + Hast not to fear thy mother's destiny. + + THEELA. + Oh, let us supplicate him, dearest mother! + Quick! quick! here's no abiding-place for us. + Here every coming hour broods into life + Some new affrightful monster. + + DUCHESS. + Thou wilt share + An easier, calmer lot, my child! We, too, + I and thy father, witnessed happy days. + Still think I with delight of those first years, + When he was making progress with glad effort, + When his ambition was a genial fire, + Not that consuming flame which now it is. + The emperor loved him, trusted him; and all + He undertook could not but be successful. + But since that ill-starred day at Regensburg, + Which plunged him headlong from his dignity, + A gloomy, uncompanionable spirit, + Unsteady and suspicious, has possessed him. + His quiet mind forsook him, and no longer + Did he yield up himself in joy and faith + To his old luck and individual power; + But thenceforth turned his heart and best affections + All to those cloudy sciences which never + Have yet made happy him who followed them. + + COUNTESS. + You see it, sister! as your eyes permit you, + But surely this is not the conversation + To pass the time in which we are waiting for him. + You know he will be soon here. Would you have him + Find her in this condition? + + DUCHESS. + Come, my child! + Come, wipe away thy tears, and show thy father + A cheerful countenance. See, the tie-knot here + Is off; this hair must not hang so dishevelled. + 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! + + THEKLA (to the COUNTESS, with marks of great oppression of spirits). + Aunt, you will excuse me? + + (Is going). + + COUNTESS. + But, whither? See, your father comes! + + THEKLA. + I cannot see him now. + + COUNTESS. + Nay, but bethink you. + + THEKLA. + Believe me, I cannot sustain his presence. + + COUNTESS. + But he will miss you, will ask after you. + + DUCHESS. + What, now? Why is she going? + + COUNTESS. + She's not well. + + DUCHESS (anxiously). + What ails, then, my beloved child? + + [Both follow the PRINCESS, and endeavor to detain her. During + this WALLENSTEIN appears, engaged in conversation with ILLO. +</pre> +<a name="2H_4_0022"><!-- H2 anchor --></a> + +<div style="height: 4em;"><br><br><br><br></div> + +<h2> + SCENE IV. +</h2> +<pre> + WALLENSTEIN, ILLO, COUNTESS, DUCHESS, THEKLA. + + WALLENSTEIN. + All quiet in the camp? + + ILLO. + It is all quiet. + + WALLENSTEIN. + In a few hours may couriers come from Prague + With tidings that this capital is ours. + Then we may drop the mask, and to the troops + Assembled in this town make known the measure + And its result together. In such cases + Example does the whole. Whoever is foremost + Still leads the herd. An imitative creature + Is man. The troops at Prague conceive no other, + Than that the Pilsen army has gone through + The forms of homage to us; and in Pilsen + They shall swear fealty to us, because + The example has been given them by Prague. + Butler, you tell me, has declared himself? + + ILLO. + At his own bidding, unsolicited, + He came to offer you himself and regiment. + + WALLENSTEIN, + I find we must not give implicit credence + To every warning voice that makes itself + Be listened to in the heart. To hold us back, + Oft does the lying spirit counterfeit + The voice of truth and inward revelation, + Scattering false oracles. And thus have I + To entreat forgiveness for that secretly. + I've wronged this honorable gallant man, + This Butler: for a feeling of the which + I am not master (fear I would not call it), + Creeps o'er me instantly, with sense of shuddering, + At his approach, and stops love's joyous motion. + And this same man, against whom I am warned, + This honest man is he who reaches to me + The first pledge of my fortune. + + ILLO. + And doubt not + That his example will win over to you + The best men in the army. + + WALLENSTEIN. + Go and send + Isolani hither. Send him immediately. + He is under recent obligations to me: + With him will I commence the trial. Go. + + [Exit ILLO. + + WALLENSTEIN (turns himself round to the females). + Lo, there's the mother with the darling daughter. + For once we'll have an interval of rest— + Come! my heart yearns to live a cloudless hour + In the beloved circle of my family. + + COUNTESS. + 'Tis long since we've been thus together, brother. + + WALLENSTEIN (to the COUNTESS, aside). + Can she sustain the news? Is she prepared? + + COUNTESS. + Not yet. + + WALLENSTEIN. + Come here, my sweet girl! Seat thee by me, + For there is a good spirit on thy lips. + Thy mother praised to me thy ready skill; + She says a voice of melody dwells in thee, + Which doth enchant the soul. Now such a voice + Will drive away from me the evil demon + That beats his black wings close above my head. + + DUCHESS. + Where is thy lute, my daughter? Let thy father + Hear some small trial of thy skill. + + THEKLA. + My mother + I—— + + DUCHESS. + Trembling? Come, collect thyself. Go, cheer + Thy father. + + THEKLA. + O my mother! I—I cannot. + + COUNTESS. + How, what is that, niece? + + THEKLA (to the COUNTESS). + O spare me—sing—now—in this sore anxiety, + Of the overburdened soul—to sing to him + Who is thrusting, even now, my mother headlong + Into her grave. + + DUCHESS. + How, Thekla! Humorsome! + What! shall thy father have expressed a wish + In vain? + + COUNTESS. + Here is the lute. + + THEKLA. + My God! how can I—— + + [The orchestra plays. During the ritornello THEKLA expresses in her + gestures and countenance the struggle of her feelings; and at the + moment that she should begin to sing, contracts herself together, as + one shuddering, throws the instrument down, and retires abruptly. + + DUCHESS. + My child! Oh, she is ill—— + + WALLENSTEIN. + What ails the maiden? + Say, is she often so? + + COUNTESS. + Since then herself + Has now betrayed it, I too must no longer + Conceal it. + + WALLENSTEIN. + What? + + COUNTESS. + She loves him! + + WALLENSTEIN. + Loves him? Whom? + + COUNTESS. + Max. does she love! Max. Piccolomini! + Hast thou never noticed it? Nor yet my sister? + + DUCHESS. + Was it this that lay so heavy on her heart? + God's blessing on thee,—my sweet child! Thou needest + Never take shame upon thee for thy choice. + + COUNTESS. + This journey, if 'twere not thy aim, ascribe it + To thine own self. Thou shouldst have chosen another + To have attended her. + + WALLENSTEIN. + And does he know it? + + COUNTESS. + Yes, and he hopes to win her. + + WALLENSTEIN. + Hopes to win her! + Is the boy mad? + + COUNTESS. + Well—hear it from themselves. + + WALLENSTEIN. + He thinks to carry off Duke Friedland's daughter! + Ay? The thought pleases me. + The young man has no groveling spirit. + + COUNTESS. + Since + Such and such constant favor you have shown him—— + + WALLENSTEIN. + He chooses finally to be my heir. + And true it is, I love the youth; yea, honor him. + But must he therefore be my daughter's husband? + Is it daughters only? Is it only children + That we must show our favor by? + + DUCHESS. + His noble disposition and his manners—— + + WALLENSTEIN. + Win him my heart, but not my daughter. + + DUCHESS. + Then + His rank, his ancestors—— + + WALLENSTEIN. + Ancestors! What? + He is a subject, and my son-in-law + I will seek out upon the thrones of Europe. + + DUCHESS + O dearest Albrecht! Climb we not too high + Lest we should fall too low. + + WALLENSTEIN. + What! have I paid + A price so heavy to ascend this eminence, + And jut out high above the common herd, + Only to close the mighty part I play + In life's great drama with a common kinsman? + Have I for this—— + [Stops suddenly, repressing himself. + She is the only thing + That will remain behind of me on earth; + And I will see a crown around her head, + Or die in the attempt to place it there. + I hazard all—all! and for this alone, + To lift her into greatness. + Yea, in this moment, in the which we are speaking + [He recollects himself. + And I must now, like a soft-hearted father, + Couple together in good peasant fashion + The pair that chance to suit each other's liking— + And I must do it now, even now, when I + Am stretching out the wreath that is to twine + My full accomplished work—no! she is the jewel, + Which I have treasured long, my last, my noblest, + And 'tis my purpose not to let her from me + For less than a king's sceptre. + + DUCHESS. + O my husband! + You're ever building, building to the clouds, + Still building higher, and still higher building, + And ne'er reflect, that the poor narrow basis + Cannot sustain the giddy tottering column. + + WALLENSTEIN (to the COUNTESS). + Have you announced the place of residence + Which I have destined for her? + + COUNTESS. + No! not yet, + 'Twere better you yourself disclosed it to her. + + DUCHESS. + How? Do we not return to Carinthia then? + + WALLENSTEIN. + No. + + DUCHESS. + And to no other of your lands or seats? + + WALLENSTEIN. + You would not be secure there. + + DUCHESS. + Not secure. + In the emperor's realms, beneath the emperor's + Protection? + + WALLENSTEIN. + Friedland's wife may be permitted + No longer to hope that. + + DUCHESS. + O God in heaven! + And have you brought it even to this! + + WALLENSTEIN. + In Holland + You'll find protection. + + DUCHESS + In a Lutheran country? + What? And you send us into Lutheran countries? + + WALLENSTEIN. + Duke Franz of Lauenburg conducts you thither. + + DUCHESS. + Duke Franz of Lauenburg? + The ally of Sweden, the emperor's enemy. + + WALLENSTEIN. + The emperor's enemies are mine no longer. + + DUCHESS (casting a look of terror on the DUKE and the COUNTESS). + Is it then true? It is. You are degraded + Deposed from the command? O God in heaven! + + COUNTESS (aside to the DUKE). + Leave her in this belief. Thou seest she cannot + Support the real truth. +</pre> +<a name="2H_4_0023"><!-- H2 anchor --></a> + +<div style="height: 4em;"><br><br><br><br></div> + +<h2> + SCENE V. +</h2> +<pre> + To them enter COUNT TERZKY. + + COUNTESS. + Terzky! + What ails him? What an image of affright! + He looks as he had seen a ghost. + + TERZKY (leading WALLENSTEIN aside). + Is it thy command that all the Croats—— + + WALLENSTEIN. + Mine! + + TERZKY. + We are betrayed. + + WALLENSTEIN. + What? + + TERZKY. + They are off! This night + The Jaegers likewise—all the villages + In the whole round are empty. + + WALLENSTEIN. + Isolani! + + TERZKY. + Him thou hast sent away. Yes, surely. + + WALLENSTEIN. + I? + + TERZKY. + No? Hast thou not sent him off? Nor Deodati? + They are vanished, both of them. +</pre> +<a name="2H_4_0024"><!-- H2 anchor --></a> + +<div style="height: 4em;"><br><br><br><br></div> + +<h2> + SCENE VI. +</h2> +<pre> + To them enter ILLO. + + ILLO. + Has Terzky told thee? + + TERZKY. + He knows all. + + ILLO. + And likewise + That Esterhatzy, Goetz, Maradas, Kaunitz, + Kolatto, Palfi, have forsaken thee. + + TERZKY. + Damnation! + + WALLENSTEIN (winks at them). + Hush! + + COUNTESS (who has been watching them anxiously from the distance and + now advances to them). + Terzky! Heaven! What is it? What has happened? + + WALLENSTEIN (scarcely suppressing his emotions). + Nothing! let us be gone! + + TERZKY (following him). + Theresa, it is nothing. + + COUNTESS (holding him back). + Nothing? Do I not see that all the life-blood + Has left your cheeks—look you not like a ghost? + That even my brother but affects a calmness? + + PAGE (enters). + An aide-de-camp inquires for the Count Terzky. + + [TERZKY follows the PAGE. + + WALLENSTEIN. + Go, hear his business. + [To ILLO. + This could not have happened + So unsuspected without mutiny. + Who was on guard at the gates? + + ILLO. + 'Twas Tiefenbach. + + WALLENSTEIN. + Let Tiefenbach leave guard without delay, + And Terzky's grenadiers relieve him. + [ILLO is going. + Stop! + Hast thou heard aught of Butler? + + ILLO. + Him I met + He will be here himself immediately. + Butler remains unshaken, + + [ILLO exit. WALLENSTEIN is following him. + + COUNTESS. + Let him not leave thee, sister! go, detain him! + There's some misfortune. + + DUCHESS (clinging to him). + Gracious Heaven! What is it? + + WALLENSTEIN. + Be tranquil! leave me, sister! dearest wife! + We are in camp, and this is naught unusual; + Here storm and sunshine follow one another + With rapid interchanges. These fierce spirits + Champ the curb angrily, and never yet + Did quiet bless the temples of the leader; + If I am to stay go you. The plaints of women + Ill suit the scene where men must act. + + [He is going: TERZKY returns. + + TERZKY. + Remain here. From this window must we see it. + + WALLENSTEIN (to the COUNTESS). + Sister, retire! + + COUNTESS. + No—never! + + WALLENSTEIN. + 'Tis my will. + + TERZKY (leads the COUNTESS aside, and drawing her attention + to the DUCHESS). + Theresa! + + DUCHESS. + Sister, come! since he commands it. +</pre> +<a name="2H_4_0025"><!-- H2 anchor --></a> + +<div style="height: 4em;"><br><br><br><br></div> + +<h2> + SCENE VII. +</h2> +<pre> + WALLENSTEIN, TERZKY. + + WALLENSTEIN (stepping to the window). + What now, then? + + TERZKY. + There are strange movements among all the troops, + And no one knows the cause. Mysteriously, + With gloomy silentness, the several corps + Marshal themselves, each under its own banners; + Tiefenbach's corps make threatening movements; only + The Pappenheimers still remain aloof + In their own quarters and let no one enter. + + WALLENSTEIN. + Does Piccolomini appear among them? + + TERZKY. + We are seeking him: he is nowhere to be met with. + + WALLENSTEIN. + What did the aide-de-camp deliver to you? + + TERZKY. + My regiments had despatched him; yet once more + They swear fidelity to thee, and wait + The shout for onset, all prepared, and eager. + + WALLENSTEIN. + But whence arose this larum in the camp? + It should have been kept secret from the army + Till fortune had decided for us at Prague. + + TERZKY. + Oh, that thou hadst believed me! Yester-evening + Did we conjure thee not to let that skulker, + That fox, Octavio, pass the gates of Pilsen. + Thou gavest him thy own horses to flee from thee. + + WALLENSTEIN. + The old tune still! Now, once for all, no more + Of this suspicion—it is doting folly. + + TERZKY. + Thou didst confide in Isolani too; + And lo! he was the first that did desert thee. + + WALLENSTEIN. + It was but yesterday I rescued him + From abject wretchedness. Let that go by; + I never reckoned yet on gratitude. + And wherein doth he wrong in going from me? + He follows still the god whom all his life + He has worshipped at the gaming-table. With + My fortune and my seeming destiny + He made the bond and broke it, not with me. + I am but the ship in which his hopes were stowed, + And with the which, well-pleased and confident, + He traversed the open sea; now he beholds it + In eminent jeopardy among the coast-rocks, + And hurries to preserve his wares. As light + As the free bird from the hospitable twig + Where it had nested he flies off from me: + No human tie is snapped betwixt us two. + Yea, he deserves to find himself deceived + Who seeks a heart in the unthinking man. + Like shadows on a stream, the forms of life + Impress their characters on the smooth forehead, + Naught sinks into the bosom's silent depth: + Quick sensibility of pain and pleasure + Moves the light fluids lightly; but no soul + Warmeth the inner frame. + + TERZKY. + Yet, would I rather + Trust the smooth brow than that deep furrowed one. +</pre> +<a name="2H_4_0026"><!-- H2 anchor --></a> + +<div style="height: 4em;"><br><br><br><br></div> + +<h2> + SCENE VIII. +</h2> +<pre> + WALLENSTEIN, TERZKY, ILLO. + + ILLO (who enters agitated with rage). + Treason and mutiny! + + TERZKY. + And what further now? + + ILLO. + Tiefenbach's soldiers, when I gave the orders. + To go off guard—mutinous villains! + + TERZKY. + Well! + + WALLENSTEIN. + What followed? + + ILLO. + They refused obedience to them. + + TERZKY. + Fire on them instantly! Give out the order. + + WALLENSTEIN. + Gently! what cause did they assign? + + ILLO. + No other, + They said, had right to issue orders but + Lieutenant-General Piccolomini. + + WALLENSTEIN (in a convulsion of agony). + What? How is that? + + ILLO. + He takes that office on him by commission, + Under sign-manual from the emperor. + + TERZKY. + From the emperor—hearest thou, duke? + + ILLO. + At his incitement + The generals made that stealthy flight—— + + TERZKY. + Duke, hearest thou? + + ILLO. + Caraffa too, and Montecuculi, + Are missing, with six other generals, + All whom he had induced to follow him. + This plot he has long had in writing by him + From the emperor; but 'twas finally concluded, + With all the detail of the operation, + Some days ago with the Envoy Questenberg. + + [WALLENSTEIN sinks down into a chair and covers his face. + + TERZKY. + Oh, hadst thou but believed me! +</pre> +<center> +SCENE IX. +</center> +<pre> + To them enter the COUNTESS. + + COUNTESS. + This suspense, + This horrid fear—I can no longer bear it. + For heaven's sake tell me what has taken place? + + ILLO. + The regiments are falling off from us. + + TERZKY. + Octavio Piccolomini is a traitor. + + COUNTESS. + O my foreboding! + + [Rushes out of the room. + + TERZKY. + Hadst thou but believed me! + Now seest thou how the stars have lied to thee. + + WALLENSTEIN. + The stars lie not; but we have here a work + Wrought counter to the stars and destiny. + The science is still honest: this false heart + Forces a lie on the truth-telling heaven, + On a divine law divination rests; + Where nature deviates from that law, and stumbles + Out of her limits, there all science errs. + True I did not suspect! Were it superstition + Never by such suspicion to have affronted + The human form, oh, may the time ne'er come + In which I shame me of the infirmity. + The wildest savage drinks not with the victim, + Into whose breast he means to plunge the sword. + This, this, Octavio, was no hero's deed + 'Twas not thy prudence that did conquer mine; + A bad heart triumphed o'er an honest one. + No shield received the assassin stroke; thou plungest + Thy weapon on an unprotected breast— + Against such weapons I am but a child. +</pre> +<a name="2H_4_0027"><!-- H2 anchor --></a> + +<div style="height: 4em;"><br><br><br><br></div> + +<h2> + SCENE X. +</h2> +<pre> + To these enter BUTLER. + + TERZKY (meeting him). + Oh, look there, Butler! Here we've still a friend! + + WALLENSTEIN (meets him with outspread arms and embraces him with warmth). + Come to my heart, old comrade! Not the sun + Looks out upon us more revivingly, + In the earliest month of spring, + Than a friend's countenance in such an hour. + + BUTLER. + My general; I come—— + + WALLENSTEIN (leaning on BUTLER'S shoulder). + Knowest thou already + That old man has betrayed me to the emperor. + What sayest thou? Thirty years have we together + Lived out, and held out, sharing joy and hardship. + We have slept in one camp-bed, drank from one glass, + One morsel shared! I leaned myself on him, + As now I lean me on thy faithful shoulder, + And now in the very moment when, all love, + All confidence, my bosom beat to his + He sees and takes the advantage, stabs the knife + Slowly into my heart. + + [He hides his face on BUTLER's breast. + + BUTLER. + Forget the false one. + What is your present purpose? + + WALLENSTEIN. + Well remembered! + Courage, my soul! I am still rich in friends, + Still loved by destiny; for in the moment + That it unmasks the plotting hypocrite + It sends and proves to me one faithful heart. + Of the hypocrite no more! Think not his loss + Was that which struck the pang: Oh, no! his treason + Is that which strikes the pang! No more of him! + Dear to my heart, and honored were they both, + And the young man—yes—he did truly love me, + He—he—has not deceived me. But enough, + Enough of this—swift counsel now beseems us. + The courier, whom Count Kinsky sent from Prague, + I expect him every moment: and whatever + He may bring with him we must take good care + To keep it from the mutineers. Quick then! + Despatch some messenger you can rely on + To meet him, and conduct him to me. + + [ILLO is going. + + BUTLER (detaining him). + My general, whom expect you then? + + WALLENSTEIN. + The courier + Who brings me word of the event at Prague. + + BUTLER (hesitating). + Hem! + + WALLENSTEIN. + And what now? + + BUTLER. + You do not know it? + + WALLENSTEIN. + Well? + + BUTLER. + From what that larum in the camp arose? + + WALLENSTEIN. + From what? + + BUTLER. + That courier—— + + WALLENSTEIN (with eager expectation). + Well? + + BUTLER. + Is already here. + + TERZKY and ILLO (at the same time). + Already here? + + WALLENSTEIEN. + My courier? + + BUTLER. + For some hours. + + WALLENSTEIN. + And I not know it? + + BUTLER. + The sentinels detain him + In custody. + + ILLO (stamping with his foot). + Damnation! + + BUTLER. + And his letter + Was broken open, and is circulated + Through the whole camp. + + WALLENSTEIN. + You know what it contains? + + BUTLER. + Question me not. + + TERZKY. + Illo! Alas for us. + + WALLENSTEIN. + Hide nothing from me—I can bear the worst. + Prague then is lost. It is. Confess it freely. + + BUTLER. + Yes! Prague is lost. And all the several regiments + At Budweiss, Tabor, Braunau, Koenigingratz, + At Brunn, and Znaym, have forsaken you, + And taken the oaths of fealty anew + To the emperor. Yourself, with Kinsky, Terzky, + And Illo have been sentenced. + + [TERZKY and ILLO express alarm and fury. WALLENSTEIN remains + firm and collected. + + WALLENSTEIN. + 'Tis decided! 'Tis well! I have received a sudden cure + From all the pangs of doubt: with steady stream + Once more my life-blood flows! My soul's secure! + In the night only Friedland stars can beam. + Lingering irresolute, with fitful fears + I drew the sword—'twas with an inward strife, + While yet the choice was mine. The murderous knife + Is lifted for my heart! Doubt disappears! + I fight now for my head and for my life. + + [Exit WALLENSTEIN; the others follow him. +</pre> +<a name="2H_4_0028"><!-- H2 anchor --></a> + +<div style="height: 4em;"><br><br><br><br></div> + +<h2> + SCENE XI. +</h2> +<pre> + COUNTESS TERZKY (enters from a side room). + I can endure no longer. No! + [Looks around her. + Where are they! + No one is here. They leave me all alone, + Alone in this sore anguish of suspense. + And I must wear the outward show of calmness + Before my sister, and shut in within me + The pangs and agonies of my crowded bosom. + It is not to be borne. If all should fail; + If—if he must go over to the Swedes, + An empty-handed fugitive, and not + As an ally, a covenanted equal, + A proud commander with his army following, + If we must wander on from land to land, + Like the Count Palatine, of fallen greatness + An ignominious monument. But no! + That day I will not see! And could himself + Endure to sink so low, I would not bear + To see him so low sunken. +</pre> +<a name="2H_4_0029"><!-- H2 anchor --></a> + +<div style="height: 4em;"><br><br><br><br></div> + +<h2> + SCENE XII. +</h2> +<pre> + COUNTESS, DUCHESS, THEKLA. + + THEKLA (endeavoring to hold back the DUCHESS) + Dear mother, do stay here! + + DUCHESS. + No! Here is yet + Some frightful mystery that is hidden from me. + Why does my sister shun me? Don't I see her + Full of suspense and anguish roam about + From room to room? Art thou not full of terror? + And what import these silent nods and gestures + Which stealthwise thou exchangest with her? + + THEKLA. + Nothing + Nothing, dear mother! + + DUCHESS (to the COUNTESS). + Sister, I will know. + + COUNTESS. + What boots it now to hide it from her? Sooner + Or later she must learn to hear and bear it. + 'Tis not the time now to indulge infirmity; + Courage beseems us now, a heart collect, + And exercise and previous discipline + Of fortitude. One word, and over with it! + Sister, you are deluded. You believe + The duke has been deposed—the duke is not + Deposed—he is—— + + THEKLA (going to the COUNTESS), + What? do you wish to kill her? + + COUNTESS. + The duke is—— + + THEKLA (throwing her arms round her mother). + Oh, stand firm! stand firm, my mother! + + COUNTESS. + Revolted is the duke; he is preparing + To join the enemy; the army leave him, + And all has failed. +</pre> +<a name="2H_4_0030"><!-- H2 anchor --></a> + +<div style="height: 4em;"><br><br><br><br></div> + +<h2> + SCENE XIII. +</h2> +<pre> + A spacious room in the Duke of Friedland's palace. + + WALLENSTEIN (in armor). + Thou hast gained thy point, Octavio! Once more am I + Almost as friendless as at Regensburg. + There I had nothing left me but myself; + But what one man can do you have now experience. + The twigs have you hewed off, and here I stand + A leafless trunk. But in the sap within + Lives the creating power, and a new world + May sprout forth from it. Once already have I + Proved myself worth an army to you—I alone! + Before the Swedish strength your troops had melted; + Beside the Lech sank Tilly, your last hope; + Into Bavaria, like a winter torrent, + Did that Gustavus pour, and at Vienna + In his own palace did the emperor tremble. + Soldiers were scarce, for still the multitude + Follow the luck: all eyes were turned on me, + Their helper in distress; the emperor's pride + Bowed itself down before the man he had injured. + 'Twas I must rise, and with creative word + Assemble forces in the desolate camps. + I did it. Like a god of war my name + Went through the world. The drum was beat; and, to + The plough, the workshop is forsaken, all + Swarm to the old familiar long loved banners; + And as the wood-choir rich in melody + Assemble quick around the bird of wonder, + When first his throat swells with his magic song, + So did the warlike youth of Germany + Crowd in around the image of my eagle. + I feel myself the being that I was. + It is the soul that builds itself a body, + And Friedland's camp will not remain unfilled. + Lead then your thousands out to meet me—true! + They are accustomed under me to conquer, + But not against me. If the head and limbs + Separate from each other, 'twill be soon + Made manifest in which the soul abode. + + (ILLO and TERZKY enter.) + + Courage, friends! courage! we are still unvanquished; + I feel my footing firm; five regiments, Terzky, + Are still our own, and Butler's gallant troops; + And an host of sixteen thousand Swedes to-morrow. + I was not stronger when, nine years ago, + I marched forth, with glad heart and high of hope, + To conquer Germany for the emperor. +</pre> +<a name="2H_4_0031"><!-- H2 anchor --></a> + +<div style="height: 4em;"><br><br><br><br></div> + +<h2> + SCENE XIV. +</h2> +<pre> + WALLENSTEIN, ILLO, TERZKY. + + (To them enter NEUMANN, who leads TERZKY aside, + and talks with him.) + + TERZKY. + What do they want? + + WALLENSTEIN. + What now? + + TERZKY. + Ten cuirassiers + From Pappenheim request leave to address you + In the name of the regiment. + + WALLENSTEIN (hastily to NEUMANN). + Let them enter. + [Exit NEUMANN. + This + May end in something. Mark you. They are still + Doubtful, and may be won. +</pre> +<a name="2H_4_0032"><!-- H2 anchor --></a> + +<div style="height: 4em;"><br><br><br><br></div> + +<h2> + SCENE XV. +</h2> +<pre> + WALLENSTEIN, TERZKY, ILLO, ten CUIRASSIERS (led by an ANSPESSADE + <a href="#note-4" name="noteref-4">4</a>, march up and arrange themselves, after the word of command, + in one front before the DUKE, and make their obeisance. He takes + his hat off, and immediately covers himself again). + + ANSPESSADE. + Halt! Front! Present! + + WALLENSTEIN (after he has run through them with his eye, to the + ANSPESSADE). + I know thee well. Thou art out of Brueggen in Flanders: + Thy name is Mercy. + + ANSPESSADE. + Henry Mercy. + + WALLENSTEIN. Thou were cut off on the march, surrounded by the Hessians, + and didst fight thy way with an hundred and eighty men through their + thousand. + + ANSPESSADE. 'Twas even so, general! + + WALLENSTEIN. What reward hadst thou for this gallant exploit? + + ANSPESSADE. That which I asked for: the honor to serve in this corps. + + WALLENSTEIN (turning to a second). Thou wert among the volunteers that + seized and made booty of the Swedish battery at Altenburg. + + SECOND CUIRASSIER. Yes, general! + + WALLENSTEIN. I forget no one with whom I have exchanged words. + (A pause.) Who sends you? + + ANSPESSADE. Your noble regiment, the cuirassiers of Piccolomini. + + WALLENSTEIN. Why does not your colonel deliver in your request according + to the custom of service? + + ANSPESSADE. Because we would first know whom we serve. + + WALLENSTEIN. Begin your address. + + ANSPESSADE (giving the word of command). Shoulder your arms! + + WALLENSTEIN (turning to a third). Thy name is Risbeck; Cologne is thy + birthplace. + + THIRD CUIRASSIER. Risbeck of Cologne. + + WALLENSTEIN. It was thou that broughtest in the Swedish colonel Duebald, + prisoner, in the camp at Nuremberg. + + THIRD CUIRASSIER. It was not I, general. + + WALLENSTRIN. Perfectly right! It was thy elder brother: thou hadst a + younger brother, too: where did he stay? + + THIRD CUIRASSIER. He is stationed at Olmutz, with the imperial army. + + WALLENSTEIN (to the ANSPESSADE). Now then—begin. + + ANSPESSADE. + There came to hand a letter from the emperor + Commanding us—— + + WALLENSTEIN (interrupting him). + Who chose you? + + ANSPESSADE. + Every company + Drew its own man by lot. + + WALLENSTEIN. + Now! to the business. + + ANSPESSADE. + There came to hand a letter from the emperor + Commanding us, collectively, from thee + All duties of obedience to withdraw, + Because thou wert an enemy and traitor. + + WALLENSTEIN. + And what did you determine? + + ANSPESSADE. + All our comrades + At Braunau, Budweiss, Prague, and Olmutz, have + Obeyed already; and the regiments here, + Tiefenbach and Toscano, instantly + Did follow their example. But—but we + Do not believe that thou art an enemy + And traitor to thy country, hold it merely + For lie and trick, and a trumped-up Spanish story! + [With warmth. + Thyself shall tell us what thy purpose is, + For we have found thee still sincere and true + No mouth shall interpose itself betwixt + The gallant general and the gallant troops. + + WALLENSTEIN. + Therein I recognize my Pappenheimers. + + ANSPESSADE. + And this proposal makes thy regiment to thee: + Is it thy purpose merely to preserve + In thine own hands this military sceptre, + Which so becomes thee, which the emperor + Made over to thee by a covenant! + Is it thy purpose merely to remain + Supreme commander of the Austrian armies? + We will stand by thee, general! and guarantee + Thy honest rights against all opposition. + And should it chance, that all the other regiments + Turn from thee, by ourselves we will stand forth + Thy faithful soldiers, and, as is our duty, + Far rather let ourselves be cut to pieces + Than suffer thee to fall. But if it be + As the emperor's letter says, if it be true, + That thou in traitorous wise wilt lead us over + To the enemy, which God in heaven forbid! + Then we too will forsake thee, and obey + That letter—— + + WALLENSTEIN. + Hear me, children! + + ANSPESSADE. + Yes, or no, + There needs no other answer. + + WALLENSTEIN. + Yield attention. + You're men of sense, examine for yourselves; + Ye think, and do not follow with the herd: + And therefore have I always shown you honor + Above all others, suffered you to reason; + Have treated you as free men, and my orders + Were but the echoes of your prior suffrage. + + ANSPESSADE. + Most fair and noble has thy conduct been + To us, my general! With thy confidence + Thou has honored us, and shown us grace and favor + Beyond all other regiments; and thou seest + We follow not the common herd. We will + Stand by thee faithfully. Speak but one word— + Thy word shall satisfy us that it is not + A treason which thou meditatest—that + Thou meanest not to lead the army over + To the enemy; nor e'er betray thy country. + + WALLENSTEIN. + Me, me are they betraying. The emperor + Hath sacrificed me to my enemies, + And I must fall, unless my gallant troops + Will rescue me. See! I confide in you. + And be your hearts my stronghold! At this breast + The aim is taken, at this hoary head. + This is your Spanish gratitude, this is our + Requital for that murderous fight at Luetzen! + For this we threw the naked breast against + The halbert, made for this the frozen earth + Our bed, and the hard stone our pillow! never stream + Too rapid for us, nor wood too impervious; + With cheerful spirit we pursued that Mansfeldt + Through all the turns and windings of his flight: + Yea, our whole life was but one restless march: + And homeless, as the stirring wind, we travelled + O'er the war-wasted earth. And now, even now, + That we have well-nigh finished the hard toil, + The unthankful, the curse-laden toil of weapons, + With faithful indefatigable arm + Have rolled the heavy war-load up the hill, + Behold! this boy of the emperor's bears away + The honors of the peace, an easy prize! + He'll weave, forsooth, into his flaxen locks + The olive branch, the hard-earned ornament + Of this gray head, grown gray beneath the helmet. + + ANSPESSADE. + That shall he not, while we can hinder it! + No one, but thou, who has conducted it + With fame, shall end this war, this frightful war. + Thou leadest us out to the bloody field + Of death; thou and no other shalt conduct us home, + Rejoicing, to the lovely plains of peace— + Shalt share with us the fruits of the long toil. + + WALLENSTEIN. + What! Think you then at length in late old age + To enjoy the fruits of toil? Believe it not. + Never, no never, will you see the end + Of the contest! you and me, and all of us, + This war will swallow up! War, war, not peace, + Is Austria's wish; and therefore, because I + Endeavored after peace, therefore I fall. + For what cares Austria how long the war + Wears out the armies and lays waste the world! + She will but wax and grow amid the ruin + And still win new domains. + [The CUIRASSIERS express agitation by their gestures. + Ye're moved—I see + A noble rage flash from your eyes, ye warriors! + Oh, that my spirit might possess you now + Daring as once it led you to the battle + Ye would stand by me with your veteran arms, + Protect me in my rights; and this is noble! + But think not that you can accomplish it, + Your scanty number! to no purpose will you + Have sacrificed you for your general. + [Confidentially. + No! let us tread securely, seek for friends; + The Swedes have proffered us assistance, let us + Wear for a while the appearance of good-will, + And use them for your profit, till we both + Carry the fate of Europe in our hands, + And from our camp to the glad jubilant world + Lead peace forth with the garland on her head! + + ANSPESSADE. + 'Tis then but mere appearances which thou + Dost put on with the Swede! Thou'lt not betray + The emperor? Wilt not turn us into Swedes? + This is the only thing which we desire + To learn from thee. + + WALLENSTEIN. + What care I for the Swedes? + I hate them as I hate the pit of hell, + And under Providence I trust right soon + To chase them to their homes across their Baltic. + My cares are only for the whole: I have + A heart—it bleeds within me for the miseries + And piteous groanings of my fellow-Germans. + Ye are but common men, but yet ye think + With minds not common; ye appear to me + Worthy before all others, that I whisper thee + A little word or two in confidence! + See now! already for full fifteen years, + The war-torch has continued burning, yet + No rest, no pause of conflict. Swede and German, + Papist and Lutheran! neither will give way + To the other; every hand's against the other. + Each one is party and no one a judge. + Where shall this end? Where's he that will unravel + This tangle, ever tangling more and more + It must be cut asunder. + I feel that I am the man of destiny, + And trust, with your assistance, to accomplish it. +</pre> +<a name="2H_4_0033"><!-- H2 anchor --></a> + +<div style="height: 4em;"><br><br><br><br></div> + +<h2> + SCENE XVI. +</h2> +<pre> + To these enter BUTLER. + + BUTLER (passionately). + General! this is not right! + + WALLENSTEIN. + What is not right? + + BUTLER. + It must needs injure us with all honest men. + + WALLENSTEIN. + But what? + + BUTLER. + It is an open proclamation + Of insurrection. + + WALLENSTEIN. + Well, well—but what is it? + + BUTLER. + Count Terzky's regiments tear the imperial eagle + From off his banners, and instead of it + Have reared aloft their arms. + + ANSPESSADE (abruptly to the CUIRASSIERS). + Right about! March! + + WALLENSTEIN. + Cursed be this counsel, and accursed who gave it! + [To the CUIRASSIERS, who are retiring. + Halt, children, halt! There's some mistake in this; + Hark! I will punish it severely. Stop + They do not hear. (To ILLO). Go after them, assure them, + And bring them back to me, cost what it may. + + [ILLO hurries out. + + This hurls us headlong. Butler! Butler! + You are my evil genius, wherefore must you + Announce it in their presence? It was all + In a fair way. They were half won! those madmen + With their improvident over-readiness— + A cruel game is Fortune playing with me. + The zeal of friends it is that razes me, + And not the hate of enemies. +</pre> +<a name="2H_4_0034"><!-- H2 anchor --></a> + +<div style="height: 4em;"><br><br><br><br></div> + +<h2> + SCENE XVII. +</h2> +<pre> + To these enter the DUCHESS, who rushes into the chamber; + THEKLA and the COUNTESS follow her. + + DUCHESS. + O Albrecht! + What hast thou done? + + WALLENSTEIN. + And now comes this beside. + + COUNTESS. + Forgive me, brother! It was not in my power— + They know all. + + DUCHESS. + What hast thou done? + + COUNTESS (to TERZKY). + Is there no hope? Is all lost utterly? + + TERZKY. + All lost. No hope. Prague in the emperor's hands, + The soldiery have taken their oaths anew. + + COUNTESS. + That lurking hypocrite, Octavio! + Count Max. is off too. + + TERZKY. + Where can he be? He's + Gone over to the emperor with his father. + + [THEKLA rushes out into the arms of her mother, hiding her face + in her bosom. + + DUCHESS (enfolding her in her arms). + Unhappy child! and more unhappy mother! + + WALLENSTEIN (aside to TERZKY). + Quick! Let a carriage stand in readiness + In the court behind the palace. Scherfenberg, + Be their attendant; he is faithful to us. + To Egra he'll conduct them, and we follow. + [To ILLO, who returns. + Thou hast not brought them back? + + ILLO. + Hear'st thou the uproar? + The whole corps of the Pappenheimers is + Drawn out: the younger Piccolomini, + Their colonel, they require: for they affirm, + That he is in the palace here, a prisoner; + And if thou dost not instantly deliver him, + They will find means to free him with the sword. + + [All stand amazed. + + TERZKY. + What shall we make of this? + + WALLENSTEIN. + Said I not so? + O my prophetic heart! he is still here. + He has not betrayed me—he could not betray me. + I never doubted of it. + + COUNTESS. + If he be + Still here, then all goes well; for I know what + [Embracing THEKLA. + Will keep him here forever. + + TERZKY. + It can't be. + His father has betrayed us, is gone over + To the emperor—the son could not have ventured + To stay behind. + + THEKLA (her eye fixed on the door). + There he is! +</pre> +<a name="2H_4_0035"><!-- H2 anchor --></a> + +<div style="height: 4em;"><br><br><br><br></div> + +<h2> + SCENE XVIII. +</h2> +<pre> + To these enter MAX. PICCOLOMINI. + + MAX. + Yes, here he is! I can endure no longer + To creep on tiptoe round this house, and lurk + In ambush for a favorable moment: + This loitering, this suspense exceeds my powers. + + [Advancing to THEKLA, who has thrown herself into her mother's arms. + + Turn not thine eyes away. O look upon me! + Confess it freely before all. Fear no one. + Let who will hear that we both love each other. + Wherefore continue to conceal it? Secrecy + Is for the happy—misery, hopeless misery, + Needeth no veil! Beneath a thousand suns + It dares act openly. + + [He observes the COUNTESS looking on THEKLA with expressions + of triumph. + + No, lady! No! + Expect not, hope it not. I am not come + To stay: to bid farewell, farewell forever. + For this I come! 'Tis over! I must leave thee! + Thekla, I must—must leave thee! Yet thy hatred + Let me not take with me. I pray thee, grant me + One look of sympathy, only one look. + Say that thou dost not hate me. Say it to me, Thekla! + + [Grasps her hand. + + O God! I cannot leave this spot—I cannot! + Cannot let go this hand. O tell me, Thekla! + That thou dost suffer with me, art convinced + That I cannot act otherwise. + + [THEKLA, avoiding his look, points with her hand to her father. + MAX. turns round to the DUKE, whom he had not till then perceived. + + Thou here? It was not thou whom here I sought. + I trusted never more to have beheld thee, + My business is with her alone. Here will I + Receive a full acquittal from this heart; + For any other I am no more concerned. + + WALLENSTEIN. + Think'st thou that, fool-like, I shall let thee go, + And act the mock-magnanimous with thee? + Thy father is become a villain to me; + I hold thee for his son, and nothing more + Nor to no purpose shalt thou have been given + Into my power. Think not, that I will honor + That ancient love, which so remorselessly + He mangled. They are now passed by, those hours + Of friendship and forgiveness. Hate and vengeance + Succeed—'tis now their turn—I too can throw + All feelings of the man aside—can prove + Myself as much a monster as thy father! + + MAX (calmly). + Thou wilt proceed with me as thou hast power. + Thou knowest I neither brave nor fear thy rage. + What has detained me here, that too thou knowest. + [Taking THEKLA by the hand. + See, duke! All—all would I have owed to thee, + Would have received from thy paternal hand + The lot of blessed spirits. That hast thou + Laid waste forever—that concerns not thee. + Indifferent thou tramplest in the dust + Their happiness who most are thine. The god + Whom thou dost serve is no benignant deity, + Like as the blind, irreconcilable, + Fierce element, incapable of compact. + Thy heart's wild impulse only dost thou follow. <a href="#note-5" name="noteref-5">5</a> + + WALLENSTEIN. + Thou art describing thy own father's heart. + The adder! Oh, the charms of hell o'erpowered me + He dwelt within me, to my inmost soul + Still to and fro he passed, suspected never. + On the wide ocean, in the starry heaven + Did mine eyes seek the enemy, whom I + In my heart's heart had folded! Had I been + To Ferdinand what Octavio was to me, + War had I ne'er denounced against him. + No, I never could have done it. The emperor was + My austere master only, not my friend. + There was already war 'twixt him and me + When he delivered the commander's staff + Into my hands; for there's a natural + Unceasing war twixt cunning and suspicion; + Peace exists only betwixt confidence + And faith. Who poisons confidence, he murders + The future generations. + + MAX. + I will not + Defend my father. Woe is me, I cannot! + Hard deeds and luckless have taken place; one crime + Drags after it the other in close link. + But we are innocent: how have we fallen + Into this circle of mishap and guilt? + To whom have we been faithless? Wherefore must + The evil deeds and guilt reciprocal + Of our two fathers twine like serpents round us? + Why must our fathers' + Unconquerable hate rend us asunder, + Who love each other? + + WALLENSTEIN. + Max., remain with me. + Go you not from me, Max.! Hark! I will tell thee—— + How when at Prague, our winter quarters, thou + Wert brought into my tent a tender boy, + Not yet accustomed to the German winters; + Thy hand was frozen to the heavy colors; + Thou wouldst not let them go. + At that time did I take thee in my arms, + And with my mantle did I cover thee; + I was thy nurse, no woman could have been + A kinder to thee; I was not ashamed + To do for thee all little offices, + However strange to me; I tended thee + Till life returned; and when thine eyes first opened, + I had thee in my arms. Since then, when have + Altered my feelings toward thee? Many thousands + Have I made rich, presented them with lands; + Rewarded them with dignities and honors; + Thee have I loved: my heart, my self, I gave + To thee; They all were aliens: thou wert + Our child and inmate. <a href="#note-6" name="noteref-6">6</a> Max.! Thou canst not leave me; + It cannot be; I may not, will not think + That Max. can leave me. + + MAX. + Oh, my God! + + WALLENSTEIN + I have + Held and sustained thee from thy tottering childhood. + What holy bond is there of natural love, + What human tie that does not knit thee to me? + I love thee, Max.! What did thy father for thee, + Which I too have not done, to the height of duty? + Go hence, forsake me, serve thy emperor; + He will reward thee with a pretty chain + Of gold; with his ram's fleece will he reward thee; + For that the friend, the father of thy youth, + For that the holiest feeling of humanity, + Was nothing worth to thee. + + MAX. + O God! how can I + Do otherwise. Am I not forced to do it, + My oath—my duty—my honor—— + + WALLENSTEIN. + How? Thy duty? + Duty to whom? Who art thou? Max.! bethink thee + What duties may'st thou have? If I am acting + A criminal part toward the emperor, + It is my crime, not thine. Dost thou belong + To thine own self? Art thou thine own commander? + Stand'st thou, like me, a freeman in the world, + That in thy actions thou shouldst plead free agency? + On me thou art planted, I am thy emperor; + To obey me, to belong to me, this is + Thy honor, this a law of nature to thee! + And if the planet on the which thou livest + And hast thy dwelling, from its orbit starts. + It is not in thy choice, whether or no + Thou'lt follow it. Unfelt it whirls thee onward + Together with his ring, and all his moons. + With little guilt steppest thou into this contest; + Thee will the world not censure, it will praise thee, + For that thou held'st thy friend more worth to thee + Than names and influences more removed + For justice is the virtue of the ruler, + Affection and fidelity the subject's. + Not every one doth it beseem to question + The far-off high Arcturus. Most securely + Wilt thou pursue the nearest duty: let + The pilot fix his eye upon the pole-star. +</pre> +<a name="2H_4_0036"><!-- H2 anchor --></a> + +<div style="height: 4em;"><br><br><br><br></div> + +<h2> + SCENE XIX. +</h2> +<pre> + To these enter NEUMANN. + + WALLENSTEIN. + What now? + + NEUMANN. + The Pappenheimers are dismounted, + And are advancing now on foot, determined + With sword in hand to storm the house, and free + The count, their colonel. + + WALLENSTEIN (to TERZKY). + Have the cannon planted. + I will receive them with chain-shot. + [Exit TERZKY. + Prescribe to me with sword in hand! Go, Neumann! + 'Tis my command that they retreat this moment, + And in their ranks in silence wait my pleasure. + + [NEUMANN exit. ILLO steps to the window. + + COUNTESS. + Let him go, I entreat thee, let him go. + + ILLO (at the window). + Hell and perdition! + + WALLENSTEIN. + What is it? + + ILLO. + They scale the council-house, the roof's uncovered, + They level at this house the cannon—— + + MAX. + Madmen + + ILLO. + They are making preparations now to fire on us. + + DUCHESS and COUNTESS. + Merciful heaven! + + MAX. (to WALLENSTEIN). + Let me go to them! + + WALLENSTEIN. + Not a step! + + MAX. (pointing to THEKLA and the DUCHESS). + But their life! Thine! + + WALLENSTEIN. + What tidings bringest thou, Terzky? +</pre> +<a name="2H_4_0037"><!-- H2 anchor --></a> + +<div style="height: 4em;"><br><br><br><br></div> + +<h2> + SCENE XX. +</h2> +<pre> + To these TERZKY returning. + + TERZKY. + Message and greeting from our faithful regiments. + Their ardor may no longer be curbed in. + They entreat permission to commence the attack; + And if thou wouldst but give the word of onset + They could now charge the enemy in rear, + Into the city wedge them, and with ease + O'erpower them in the narrow streets. + + ILLO. + Oh come + Let not their ardor cool. The soldiery + Of Butler's corps stand by us faithfully; + We are the greater number. Let us charge them + And finish here in Pilsen the revolt. + + WALLENSTEIN. + What? shall this town become a field of slaughter, + And brother-killing discord, fire-eyed, + Be let loose through its streets to roam and rage? + Shall the decision be delivered over + To deaf remorseless rage, that hears no leader? + Here is not room for battle, only for butchery. + Well, let it be! I have long thought of it, + So let it burst then! + [Turns to MAX. + Well, how is it with thee? + Wilt thou attempt a heat with me. Away! + Thou art free to go. Oppose thyself to me, + Front against front, and lead them to the battle; + Thou'rt skilled in war, thou hast learned somewhat under me, + I need not be ashamed of my opponent, + And never hadst thou fairer opportunity + To pay me for thy schooling. + + COUNTESS. + Is it then, + Can it have come to this? What! Cousin, cousin! + Have you the heart? + + MAX. + The regiments that are trusted to my care + I have pledged my troth to bring away from Pilsen + True to the emperor; and this promise will I + Make good, or perish. More than this no duty + Requires of me. I will not fight against thee, + Unless compelled; for though an enemy, + Thy head is holy to me still, + + [Two reports of cannon. ILLO and TERZKY hurry to the window. + + WALLENSTEIN. + What's that? + + TERZBY. + He falls. + + WALLENSTEIN. + Falls! Who? + + ILLO. + Tiefenbach's corps + Discharged the ordnance. + + WALLENSTEIN. + Upon whom? + + ILLO. + On—Neumann, + Your messenger. + + WALLENSTEIN (starting up). + Ha! Death and hell! I will—— + + TERZKY. + Expose thyself to their blind frenzy? + + DUCHESS and COUNTESS. + No! + For God's sake, no! + + ILLO. + Not yet, my general! + Oh, hold him! hold him! + + WALLENSTEIN. + Leave me—— + + MAX. + Do it not; + Not yet! This rash and bloody deed has thrown them + Into a frenzy-fit—allow them time—— + + WALLENSTEIN. + Away! too long already have I loitered. + They are emboldened to these outrages, + Beholding not my face. They shall behold + My countenance, shall hear my voice— + Are they not my troops? Am I not their general, + And their long-feared commander! Let me see, + Whether indeed they do no longer know + That countenance which was their sun in battle! + From the balcony (mark!) I show myself + To these rebellious forces, and at once + Revolt is mounded, and the high-swollen current + Shrinks back into the old bed of obedience. + + [Exit WALLENSTEIN; ILLO, TERZKY, and BUTLER follow. +</pre> +<a name="2H_4_0038"><!-- H2 anchor --></a> + +<div style="height: 4em;"><br><br><br><br></div> + +<h2> + SCENE XXI. +</h2> +<pre> + COUNTESS, DUCHESS, MAX., and THEKLA. + + COUNTESS (to the DUCHESS). + Let them but see him—there is hope still, sister. + + DUCHESS. + Hope! I have none! + + MAX. (who during the last scene has been standing at a distance, in a + visible struggle of feelings advances). + This can I not endure. + With most determined soul did I come hither; + My purposed action seemed unblamable + To my own conscience—and I must stand here + Like one abhorred, a hard, inhuman being: + Yea, loaded with the curse of all I love! + Must see all whom I love in this sore anguish, + Whom I with one word can make happy—O! + My heart revolts within me, and two voices + Make themselves audible within my bosom. + My soul's benighted; I no longer can + Distinguish the right track. Oh, well and truly + Didst thou say, father, I relied too much + On my own heart. My mind moves to and fro— + I know not what to do. + + COUNTESS. + What! you know not? + Does not your own heart tell you? Oh! then I + Will tell it you. Your father is a traitor, + A frightful traitor to us—he has plotted + Against our general's life, has plunged us all + In misery—and you're his son! 'Tis yours + To make the amends. Make you the son's fidelity + Outweigh the father's treason, that the name + Of Piccolomini be not a proverb + Of infamy, a common form of cursing + To the posterity of Wallenstein. + + MAX. + Where is that voice of truth which I dare follow! + It speaks no longer in my heart. We all + But utter what our passionate wishes dictate: + Oh that an angel would descend from heaven, + And scoop for me the right, the uncorrupted, + With a pure hand from the pure Fount of light. + [His eyes glance on THEKLA. + What other angel seek I? To this heart, + To this unerring heart, will I submit it; + Will ask thy love, which has the power to bless + The happy man alone, averted ever + From the disquieted and guilty—canst thou + Still love me, if I stay? Say that thou canst, + And I am the duke's—— + + COUNTESS. + Think, niece—— + + MAX. + Think nothing, Thekla! + Speak what thou feelest. + + COUNTESS. + Think upon your father. + + MAX. + I did not question thee, as Friedland's daughter. + Thee, the beloved and the unerring God + Within thy heart, I question. What's at stake? + Not whether diadem of royalty + Be to be won or not—that mightest thou think on. + Thy friend, and his soul's quiet are at stake: + The fortune of a thousand gallant men, + Who will all follow me; shall I forswear + My oath and duty to the emperor? + Say, shall I send into Octavio's camp + The parricidal ball? For when the ball + Has left its cannon, and is on its flight, + It is no longer a dead instrument! + It lives, a spirit passes into it; + The avenging furies seize possession of it, + And with sure malice, guide it the worst way. + + THEKLA. + Oh! Max.—— + + MAX. (interrupting her). + Nay, not precipitately either, Thekla. + I understand thee. To thy noble heart + The hardest duty might appear the highest. + The human, not the great part, would I act. + Even from my childhood to this present hour, + Think what the duke has done for me, how loved me + And think, too, how my father has repaid him. + Oh likewise the free lovely impulses + Of hospitality, the pious friend's + Faithful attachment, these, too, are a holy + Religion to the heart; and heavily + The shudderings of nature do avenge + Themselves on the barbarian that insults them. + Lay all upon the balance, all—then speak, + And let thy heart decide it. + + THEKLA. + Oh, thy own + Hath long ago decided. Follow thou + Thy heart's first feeling—— + + COUNTESS. + Oh! ill-fated woman! + + THEKLA. + Is it possible, that that can be the right, + The which thy tender heart did not at first + Detect and seize with instant impulse? Go, + Fulfil thy duty! I should ever love thee. + Whate'er thou hast chosen, thou wouldst still have acted + Nobly and worthy of thee—but repentance + Shall ne'er disturb thy soul's fair peace. + + MAX. + Then I + Must leave thee, must part from thee! + + THEKLA. + Being faithful + To thine own self, thou art faithful, too, to me: + If our fates part, our hearts remain united. + A bloody hatred will divide forever + The houses Piccolomini and Friedland; + But we belong not to our houses. Go! + Quick! quick! and separate thy righteous cause + From our unholy and unblessed one! + The curse of heaven lies upon our head: + 'Tis dedicate to ruin. Even me + My father's guilt drags with it to perdition. + Mourn not for me: + My destiny will quickly be decided. + + [MAX. clasps her in his arms in extreme emotion. There is heard + from behind the scene a loud, wild, long-continued cry, Vivat + Ferdinandus! accompanied by warlike instruments. MAX. and THEKLA + remain without motion in each other's embraces. +</pre> +<a name="2H_4_0039"><!-- H2 anchor --></a> + +<div style="height: 4em;"><br><br><br><br></div> + +<h2> + SCENE XXII. +</h2> +<pre> + To the above enter TERZKY. + + COUNTESS (meeting him). + What meant that cry? What was it? + + TERZKY. + All is lost! + + COUNTESS. + What! they regarded not his countenance? + + TERZKY. + 'Twas all in vain. + + DUCHESS. + They shouted Vivat! + + TERZKY. + To the emperor. + + COUNTESS. + The traitors? + + TERZKY. + Nay! he was not permitted + Even to address them. Soon as he began, + With deafening noise of warlike instruments + They drowned his words. But here he comes. +</pre> +<a name="2H_4_0040"><!-- H2 anchor --></a> + +<div style="height: 4em;"><br><br><br><br></div> + +<h2> + SCENE XXIII. +</h2> +<pre> + To these enter WALLENSTEIN, accompanied by ILLO and BUTLER. + + WALLENSTEIN (as he enters). + Terzky! + + TERZKY. + My general! + + WALLENSTEIN. + Let our regiments hold themselves + In readiness to march; for we shall leave + Pilsen ere evening. + [Exit TERZKY. + Butler! + + BUTLER. + Yes, my general. + + WALLENSTEIN. + The Governor of Egra is your friend + And countryman. Write him instantly + By a post courier. He must be advised, + That we are with him early on the morrow. + You follow us yourself, your regiment with you. + + BUTLER. + It shall be done, my general! + + WALLENSTEIN (steps between MAX. and THEKLA, who have remained during this + time in each other's arms). + Part! + + MAX. + O God! + + [CUIRASSIERS enter with drawn swords, and assemble in the + background. At the same time there are heard from below some + spirited passages out of the Pappenheim March, which seem to + address MAX. + + WALLENSTEIN (to the CUIRASSIERS). + Here he is, he is at liberty: I keep him + No longer. + + [He turns away, and stands so that MAX. cannot pass by him + nor approach the PRINCESS. + + MAX. + Thou know'st that I have not yet learnt to live + Without thee! I go forth into a desert, + Leaving my all behind me. Oh, do not turn + Thine eyes away from me! Oh, once more show me + Thy ever dear and honored countenance. + + [MAX. attempts to take his hand, but is repelled: he + turns to the COUNTESS. + + Is there no eye that has a look of pity for me? + + [The COUNTESS turns away from him; he turns to the DUCHESS. + + My mother! + + DUCHESS. + + Go where duty calls you. Haply + The time may come when you may prove to us + A true friend, a good angel at the throne + Of the emperor. + + MAX. + You give me hope; you would not + Suffer me wholly to despair. No! no! + Mine is a certain misery. Thanks to heaven! + That offers me a means of ending it. + + [The military music begins again. The stage fills more and more + with armed men. MAX. sees BUTLER and addresses him. + + And you here, Colonel Butler—and will you + Not follow me? Well, then, remain more faithful + To your new lord, than you have proved yourself + To the emperor. Come, Butler! promise me. + Give me your hand upon it, that you'll be + The guardian of his life, its shield, its watchman. + He is attainted, and his princely head + Fair booty for each slave that trades in murder. + Now he doth need the faithful eye of friendship, + And those whom here I see—— + + [Casting suspicious looks on ILLO and BUTLER. + + ILLO. + Go—seek for traitors + In Gallas', in your father's quarters. Here + Is only one. Away! away! and free us + From his detested sight! Away! + + [MAX. attempts once more to approach THERLA. WALLENSTEIN prevents + him. MAX. stands irresolute, and in apparent anguish, In the + meantime the stage fills more and more; and the horns sound from + below louder and louder, and each time after a shorter interval. + + MAX. + Blow, blow! Oh, were it but the Swedish trumpets, + And all the naked swords, which I see here, + Were plunged into my breast! What purpose you? + You come to tear me from this place! Beware, + Ye drive me not to desperation. Do it not! + Ye may repent it! + + [The stage is entirely filled with armed men. + + Yet more! weight upon weight to drag me down + Think what ye're doing. It is not well done + To choose a man despairing for your leader; + You tear me from my happiness. Well, then, + I dedicate your souls to vengeance. Mark! + For your own ruin you have chosen me + Who goes with me must be prepared to perish. + + [He turns to the background; there ensues a sudden and violent + movement among the CUIRASSIERS; they surround him, and carry him + off in wild tumult. WALLENSTEIN remains immovable. THERLA sinks + into her mother's arms. The curtain falls. The music becomes + loud and overpowering, and passes into a complete war-march—the + orchestra joins it—and continues during the interval between the + third and fourth acts. +</pre> +<a name="2H_4_0041"><!-- H2 anchor --></a> + +<div style="height: 4em;"><br><br><br><br></div> + +<h2> + ACT IV. +</h2> +<a name="2H_4_0042"><!-- H2 anchor --></a> + +<div style="height: 4em;"><br><br><br><br></div> + +<h2> + SCENE I. +</h2> +<pre> + The BURGOMASTER's house at Egra. + + BUTLER (just arrived). + Here then he is by his destiny conducted. + Here, Friedland! and no further! From Bohemia + Thy meteor rose, traversed the sky awhile, + And here upon the borders of Bohemia + Must sink. + Thou hast forsworn the ancient colors, + Blind man! yet trustest to thy ancient fortunes. + Profaner of the altar and the hearth, + Against thy emperor and fellow-citizens + Thou meanest to wage the war. Friedland, beware— + The evil spirit of revenge impels thee— + Beware thou, that revenge destroy thee not! +</pre> +<a name="2H_4_0043"><!-- H2 anchor --></a> + +<div style="height: 4em;"><br><br><br><br></div> + +<h2> + SCENE II. +</h2> +<pre> + BUTLER and GORDON. + + GORDON. + Is it you? + How my heart sinks! The duke a fugitive traitor! + His princely head attainted! Oh, my God! + Tell me, general, I implore thee, tell me + In full, of all these sad events at Pilsen. + + BUTLER. + You have received the letter which I sent you + By a post-courier? + + GORDON. + Yes: and in obedience to it + Opened the stronghold to him without scruple, + For an imperial letter orders me + To follow your commands implicitly. + But yet forgive me! when even now I saw + The duke himself, my scruples recommenced. + For truly, not like an attainted man, + Into this town did Friedland make his entrance; + His wonted majesty beamed from his brow, + And calm, as in the days when all was right, + Did he receive from me the accounts of office. + 'Tis said, that fallen pride learns condescension. + But sparing and with dignity the duke + Weighed every syllable of approbation, + As masters praise a servant who has done + His duty and no more. + + BUTLER. + 'Tis all precisely + As I related in my letter. Friedland + Has sold the army to the enemy, + And pledged himself to give up Prague and Egra. + On this report the regiments all forsook him, + The five excepted that belong to Terzky, + And which have followed him, as thou hast seen. + The sentence of attainder is passed on him, + And every loyal subject is required + To give him in to justice, dead or living. + + GORDON. + A traitor to the emperor. Such a noble! + Of such high talents! What is human greatness? + I often said, this can't end happily. + His might, his greatness, and this obscure power + Are but a covered pitfall. The human being + May not be trusted to self-government. + The clear and written law, the deep-trod footmarks + Of ancient custom, are all necessary + To keep him in the road of faith and duty. + The authority intrusted to this man + Was unexampled and unnatural, + It placed him on a level with his emperor, + Till the proud soul unlearned submission. Woe is me! + I mourn for him! for where he fell, I deem + Might none stand firm. Alas! dear general, + We in our lucky mediocrity + Have ne'er experienced, cannot calculate, + What dangerous wishes such a height may breed + In the heart of such a man. + + BUTLER. + Spare your laments + Till he need sympathy; for at this present + He is still mighty, and still formidable. + The Swedes advance to Egra by forced marches, + And quickly will the junction be accomplished. + This must not be! The duke must never leave + This stronghold on free footing; for I have + Pledged life and honor here to hold him prisoner, + And your assistance 'tis on which I calculate. + + GORDON. + O that I had not lived to see this day! + From his hand I received this dignity, + He did himself intrust this stronghold to me, + Which I am now required to make his dungeon. + We subalterns have no will of our own: + The free, the mighty man alone may listen + To the fair impulse of his human nature. + Ah! we are but the poor tools of the law, + Obedience the sole virtue we dare aim at! + + BUTLER. + Nay! let it not afflict you, that your power + Is circumscribed. Much liberty, much error! + The narrow path of duty is securest. + And all then have deserted him you say? + He has built up the luck of many thousands + For kingly was his spirit: his full hand + Was ever open! Many a one from dust + [With a sly glance on BUTLER. + Hath he selected, from the very dust + Hath raised him into dignity and honor. + And yet no friend, not one friend hath he purchased, + Whose heart beats true to him in the evil hour. + + BUTLER. + Here's one, I see. + + GORDON. + I have enjoyed from him + No grace or favor. I could almost doubt, + If ever in his greatness he once thought on + An old friend of his youth. For still my office + Kept me at distance from him; and when first + He to this citadel appointed me, + He was sincere and serious in his duty. + I do not then abuse his confidence, + If I preserve my fealty in that + Which to my fealty was first delivered. + + BUTLER. + Say, then, will you fulfil the attainder on him, + And lend your aid to take him in arrest? + + GORDON (pauses, reflecting—then as in deep dejection). + If it be so—if all be as you say— + If he've betrayed the emperor, his master, + Have sold the troops, have purposed to deliver + The strongholds of the country to the enemy— + Yea, truly!—there is no redemption for him! + Yet it is hard, that me the lot should destine + To be the instrument of his perdition; + For we were pages at the court of Bergau + At the same period; but I was the senior. + + BUTLER. + I have heard so—— + + GORDON. + 'Tis full thirty years since then, + A youth who scarce had seen his twentieth year + Was Wallenstein, when he and I were friends + Yet even then he had a daring soul: + His frame of mind was serious and severe + Beyond his years: his dreams were of great objects + He walked amidst us of a silent spirit, + Communing with himself; yet I have known him + Transported on a sudden into utterance + Of strange conceptions; kindling into splendor + His soul revealed itself, and he spake so + That we looked round perplexed upon each other, + Not knowing whether it were craziness, + Or whether it were a god that spoke in him. + + BUTLER. + But was it where he fell two story high + From a window-ledge, on which he had fallen asleep + And rose up free from injury? From this day + (It is reported) he betrayed clear marks + Of a distempered fancy. + + GORDON. + He became + Doubtless more self-enwrapped and melancholy; + He made himself a Catholic. <a href="#note-7" name="noteref-7">7</a> Marvellously + His marvellous preservation had transformed him. + Thenceforth he held himself for an exempted + And privileged being, and, as if he were + Incapable of dizziness or fall, + He ran along the unsteady rope of life. + But now our destinies drove us asunder; + He paced with rapid step the way of greatness, + Was count, and prince, duke-regent, and dictator, + And now is all, all this too little for him; + He stretches forth his hands for a king's crown, + And plunges in unfathomable ruin. + + BUTLER. + No more, he comes. +</pre> +<a name="2H_4_0044"><!-- H2 anchor --></a> + +<div style="height: 4em;"><br><br><br><br></div> + +<h2> + SCENE III. +</h2> +<pre> + To these enter WALLENSTEIN, in conversation with the + BURGOMASTER of Egra. + + WALLENSTEIN. + You were at one time a free town. I see + Ye bear the half eagle in your city arms. + Why the half eagle only? + + BURGOMASTER. + We were free, + But for these last two hundred years has Egra + Remained in pledge to the Bohemian crown; + Therefore we bear the half eagle, the other half + Being cancelled till the empire ransom us, + If ever that should be. + + WALLENSTEIN. + Ye merit freedom. + Only be firm and dauntless. Lend your ears + To no designing whispering court-minions. + What may your imposts be? + + BURGOMASTER. + So heavy that + We totter under them. The garrison + Lives at our costs. + + WALLENSTEIN. + I will relieve you. Tell me, + There are some Protestants among you still? + [The BURGOMASTER hesitates. + Yes, yes; I know it. Many lie concealed + Within these walls. Confess now, you yourself—— + [Fixes, his eye on him. The BURGOMASTER alarmed. + Be not alarmed. I hate the Jesuits. + Could my will have determined it they had + Been long ago expelled the empire. Trust me— + Mass-book or Bible, 'tis all one to me. + Of that the world has had sufficient proof. + I built a church for the Reformed in Glogau + At my own instance. Hark ye, burgomaster! + What is your name? + + BURGOMASTER. + Pachhalbel, may it please you. + + WALLENSTEIN. + Hark ye! But let it go no further, what I now + Disclose to you in confidence. + [Laying his hand on the BURGOMASTER'S shoulder with a certain + solemnity. + The times + Draw near to their fulfilment, burgomaster! + The high will fall, the low will be exalted. + Hark ye! But keep it to yourself! The end + Approaches of the Spanish double monarchy— + A new arrangement is at hand. You saw + The three moons that appeared at once in the heaven? + + BURGOMASTER. + With wonder and affright! + + WALLENSTEIN. + Whereof did two + Strangely transform themselves to bloody daggers, + And only one, the middle moon, remained + Steady and clear. + + BURGOMASTER. + We applied it to the Turks. + + WALLENSTEIN. + The Turks! That all? I tell you that two empires + Will set in blood, in the East and in the West, + And Lutherism alone remain. + [Observing GORDON and BUTLER. + I'faith, + 'Twas a smart cannonading that we heard + This evening, as we journeyed hitherward: + 'Twas on our left hand. Did ye hear it here? + + GORDON. + Distinctly. The wind brought it from the south. + + BUTLER. + It seemed to come from Weiden or from Neustadt. + + WALLENSTEIN. + 'Tis likely. That's the route the Swedes are taking. + How strong is the garrison? + + GORDON. + Not quite two hundred + Competent men, the rest are invalids. + + WALLENSTEIN. + Good! And how many in the vale of Jochim? + + GORDON. + Two hundred arquebusiers have I sent thither + To fortify the posts against the Swedes. + + WALLENSTEIN. + Good! I commend your foresight. At the works too + You have done somewhat? + + GORDON. + Two additional batteries + I caused to be run up. They were needless; + The Rhinegrave presses hard upon us, general! + + WALLENSTEIN. + You have been watchful in your emperor's service. + I am content with you, lieutenant-colonel. + [To BUTLER. + Release the outposts in the vale of Jochim, + With all the stations in the enemy's route. + [To GORDON. + Governor, in your faithful hands I leave + My wife, my daughter, and my sister. I + Shall make no stay here, and wait but the arrival + Of letters to take leave of you, together + With all the regiments. +</pre> +<a name="2H_4_0045"><!-- H2 anchor --></a> + +<div style="height: 4em;"><br><br><br><br></div> + +<h2> + SCENE IV. +</h2> +<pre> + To these enter COUNT TERZKY. + + TERZKY. + Joy, general, joy! I bring you welcome tidings. + + WALLENSTEIN. + And what may they be? + + TERZKY. + There has been an engagement + At Neustadt; the Swedes gained the victory. + + WALLENSTEIN. + From whence did you receive the intelligence? + + TERZKY. + A countryman from Tirschenreut conveyed it. + Soon after sunrise did the fight begin + A troop of the imperialists from Tachau + Had forced their way into the Swedish camp; + The cannonade continued full two hours; + There were left dead upon the field a thousand + Imperialists, together with their colonel; + Further than this he did not know. + + WALLENSTEIN. + How came + Imperial troops at Neustadt? Altringer, + But yesterday, stood sixty miles from there. + Count Gallas' force collects at Frauenberg, + And have not the full complement. Is it possible + That Suys perchance had ventured so far onward? + It cannot be. + + TERZKY. + We shall soon know the whole, + For here comes Illo, full of haste, and joyous. +</pre> +<a name="2H_4_0046"><!-- H2 anchor --></a> + +<div style="height: 4em;"><br><br><br><br></div> + +<h2> + SCENE V. +</h2> +<pre> + To these enter ILLO. + + ILLO (to WALLENSTEIN). + A courier, duke! he wishes to speak with thee. + + TERZKY (eagerly). + Does he bring confirmation of the victory? + + WALLENSTEIN (at the same time). + What does he bring? Whence comes he? + + ILLO. + From the Rhinegrave, + And what he brings I can announce to you + Beforehand. Seven leagues distant are the Swedes; + At Neustadt did Max. Piccolomini + Throw himself on them with the cavalry; + A murderous fight took place! o'erpowered by numbers + The Pappenheimers all, with Max. their leader, + [WALLENSTEIN shudders and turns pale. + Were left dead on the field. + + WALLENSTEIN (after a pause, in a low voice). + Where is the messenger? Conduct me to him. + + [WALLENSTEIN is going, when LADY NEUBRUNN rushes into the room. + Some servants follow her and run across the stage. + + NEUBRUNN. + Help! Help! + + ILLO and TERZKY (at the same time). + What now? + + NEUBRUNN. + The princess! + + WALLENSTEIN and TERZKY. + Does she know it? + + NEUBRUNN (at the same time with them). + She is dying! + + [Hurries off the stage, when WALLENSTEIN and TERZKY follow her. +</pre> +<a name="2H_4_0047"><!-- H2 anchor --></a> + +<div style="height: 4em;"><br><br><br><br></div> + +<h2> + SCENE VI. +</h2> +<pre> + BUTLER and GORDON. + + GORDON. + What's this? + + BUTLER. + She has lost the man she loved— + Young Piccolomini, who fell in the battle. + + GORDON. + Unfortunate lady! + + BUTLER. + You have heard what Illo + Reporteth, that the Swedes are conquerers, + And marching hitherward. + + GORDON. + Too well I heard it. + + BUTLER. + They are twelve regiments strong, and there are five + Close by us to protect the duke. We have + Only my single regiment; and the garrison + Is not two hundred strong. + + GORDON. + 'Tis even so. + + BUTLER. + It is not possible with such small force + To hold in custody a man like him. + + GORDON. + I grant it. + + BUTLER. + Soon the numbers would disarm us, + And liberate him. + + GORDON. + It were to be feared. + + BUTLER (after a pause). + Know, I am warranty for the event; + With my head have I pledged myself for his, + Must make my word good, cost it what it will, + And if alive we cannot hold him prisoner, + Why—death makes all things certain! + + GORDON. + Sutler! What? + Do I understand you? Gracious God! You could—— + + BUTLER. + He must not live. + + GORDON. + And you can do the deed? + + BUTLER. + Either you or I. This morning was his last. + + GORDON. + You would assassinate him? + + BUTLER. + 'Tis my purpose. + + GORDON. + Who leans with his whole confidence upon you! + + BUTLER. + Such is his evil destiny! + + GORDON. + Your general! + The sacred person of your general! + + BUTLER. + My general he has been. + + GORDON. + That 'tis only + An "has been" washes out no villany, + And without judgment passed. + + BUTLER. + The execution + Is here instead of judgment. + + GORDON. + This were murder, + Not justice. The most guilty should be heard. + + BUTLER. + His guilt is clear, the emperor has passed judgment, + And we but execute his will. + + GORDON. + We should not + Hurry to realize a bloody sentence. + A word may be recalled, a life never can be. + + BUTLER. + Despatch in service pleases sovereigns. + + GORDON. + No honest man's ambitious to press forward + To the hangman's service. + + BUTLER. + And no brave man loses + His color at a daring enterprise. + + GORDON. + A brave man hazards life, but not his conscience. + + BUTLER. + What then? Shall he go forth anew to kindle + The unextinguishable flame of war? + + GORDON. + Seize him, and hold him prisoner—do not kill him. + + BUTLER. + Had not the emperor's army been defeated + I might have done so. But 'tis now passed by. + + GORDON. + Oh, wherefore opened I the stronghold to him? + + BUTLER. + His destiny, and not the place destroys him. + + GORDON. + Upon these ramparts, as beseemed a soldier— + I had fallen, defending the emperor's citadel! + + BUTLER. + Yes! and a thousand gallant men have perished! + + GORDON. + Doing their duty—that adorns the man! + But murder's a black deed, and nature curses it. + + BUTLER (brings out a paper). + Here is the manifesto which commands us + To gain possession of his person. See— + It is addressed to you as well as me. + Are you content to take the consequences, + If through our fault he escape to the enemy? + + GORDON. + I? Gracious God! + + BUTLER. + Take it on yourself. + Come of it what may, on you I lay it. + + GORDON. + Oh, God in heaven! + + BUTLER. + Can you advise aught else + Wherewith to execute the emperor's purpose? + Say if you can. For I desire his fall, + Not his destruction. + + GORDON. + Merciful heaven! what must be + I see as clear as you. Yet still the heart + Within my bosom beats with other feelings! + + BUTLER. + Mine is of harder stuff! Necessity + In her rough school hath steeled me. And this Illo, + And Terzky likewise, they must not survive him. + + GORDON. + I feel no pang for these. Their own bad hearts + Impelled them, not the influence of the stars. + 'Twas they who strewed the seeds of evil passions + In his calm breast, and with officious villany + Watered and nursed the poisonous plants. May they + Receive their earnests to the uttermost mite! + + BUTLER. + And their death shall precede his! + We meant to have taken them alive this evening + Amid the merrymaking of a feast, + And keep them prisoners in the citadel, + But this makes shorter work. I go this instant + To give the necessary orders. +</pre> +<a name="2H_4_0048"><!-- H2 anchor --></a> + +<div style="height: 4em;"><br><br><br><br></div> + +<h2> + SCENE VII. +</h2> +<pre> + To these enter ILLO and TERZKY. + + TERZKY. + Our luck is on the turn. To-morrow come + The Swedes—twelve thousand gallant warriors, Illo! + Then straightwise for Vienna. Cheerily, friend! + What! meet such news with such a moody face? + + ILLO. + It lies with us at present to prescribe + Laws, and take vengeance on those worthless traitors + Those skulking cowards that deserted us; + One has already done his bitter penance, + The Piccolomini: be his the fate + Of all who wish us evil! This flies sure + To the old man's heart; he has his whole life long + Fretted and toiled to raise his ancient house + From a count's title to the name of prince; + And now must seek a grave for his only son. + + BUTLER. + 'Twas pity, though! A youth of such heroic + And gentle temperament! The duke himself, + 'Twas easily seen, how near it went to his heart. + + ILLO. + Hark ye, old friend! That is the very point + That never pleased me in our general— + He ever gave the preference to the Italians. + Yea, at this very moment, by my soul! + He'd gladly see us all dead ten times over, + Could he thereby recall his friend to life. + + TERZKY. + Hush, hush! Let the dead rest! This evening's business + Is, who can fairly drink the other down— + Your regiment, Illo! gives the entertainment. + Come! we will keep a merry carnival + The night for once be day, and 'mid full glasses + Will we expect the Swedish avant-garde. + + ILLO. + Yes, let us be of good cheer for to-day, + For there's hot work before us, friends! This sword + Shall have no rest till it is bathed to the hilt + In Austrian blood. + + GORDON. + Shame, shame! what talk is this, + My lord field-marshal? Wherefore foam you so + Against your emperor? + + BUTLER. + Hope not too much + From this first victory. Bethink you, sirs! + How rapidly the wheel of fortune turns; + The emperor still is formidably strong. + + ILLO. + The emperor has soldiers, no commander, + For this King Ferdinand of Hungary + Is but a tyro. Gallas? He's no luck, + And was of old the ruiner of armies. + And then this viper, this Octavio, + Is excellent at stabbing in the back, + But ne'er meets Friedland in the open field. + + TERZKY. + Trust me, my friends, it cannot but succeed; + Fortune, we know, can ne'er forsake the duke!— + And only under Wallenstein can Austria + Be conqueror. + + ILLO. + The duke will soon assemble + A mighty army: all come crowding, streaming + To banners, dedicate by destiny + To fame, and prosperous fortune. I behold + Old times come back again! he will become + Once more the mighty lord which he has been. + How will the fools, who've how deserted him, + Look then? I can't but laugh to think of them, + For lands will he present to all his friends, + And like a king and emperor reward + True services; but we've the nearest claims. + [To GORDON. + You will not be forgotten, governor! + He'll take from you this nest, and bid you shine + In higher station: your fidelity + Well merits it. + + GORDON. + I am content already, + And wish to climb no higher; where great height is, + The fall must needy be great. "Great height, great depth." + + ILLO. + Here you have no more business, for to-morrow + The Swedes will take possession of the citadel. + Come, Terzky, it is supper-time. What think you? + Nay, shall we have the town illuminated + In honor of the Swede? And who refuses + To do it is a Spaniard and a traitor. + + TERZKY. + Nay! nay! not that, it will not please the duke—— + + ILLO. + What; we are masters here; no soul shall dare + Avow himself imperial where we've the rule. + Gordon! good-night, and for the last time take + A fair leave of the place. Send out patrols + To make secure, the watchword may be altered. + At the stroke of ten deliver in the keys + To the duke himself, and then you've quit forever + Your wardship of the gates, for on to-morrow + The Swedes will take possession of the citadel. + + TERZKY (as he is going, to BUTLER). + You come, though, to the castle? + + BUTLER. + At the right time. + + [Exeunt TERZKY and ILLO. +</pre> +<a name="2H_4_0049"><!-- H2 anchor --></a> + +<div style="height: 4em;"><br><br><br><br></div> + +<h2> + SCENE VIII. +</h2> +<pre> + GORDON and BUTLER. + + GORDON (looking after them). + Unhappy men! How free from all foreboding + They rush into the outspread net of murder + In the blind drunkenness of victory; + I have no pity for their fate. This Illo, + This overflowing and foolhardy villain, + That would fain bathe himself in his emperor's blood. + + BUTLER. + Do as he ordered you. Send round patrols, + Take measures for the citadel's security; + When they are within I close the castle-gate + That nothing may transpire. + + GORDON (with earnest anxiety). + Oh! haste not so! + Nay, stop; first tell me—— + + BUTLER. + You have heard already, + To-morrow to the Swedes belongs. This night + Alone is ours. They make good expedition. + But we will make still greater. Fare you well. + + GORDON. + Ah! your looks tell me nothing good. Nay, Butler, + I pray you promise me! + + BUTLER. + The sun has set; + A fateful evening doth descend upon us, + And brings on their long night! Their evil stars + Deliver them unarmed into our hands, + And from their drunken dream of golden fortunes + The dagger at their hearts shall rouse them. Well, + The duke was ever a great calculator; + His fellow-men were figures on his chess-board + To move and station, as his game required. + Other men's honor, dignity, good name, + Did he shift like pawns, and made no conscience of + Still calculating, calculating still; + And yet at last his calculation proves + Erroneous; the whole game is lost; and low! + His own life will be found among the forfeits. + + GORDON. + Oh, think not of his errors now! remember + His greatness, his munificence; think on all + The lovely features of his character, + On all the noble exploits of his life, + And let them, like an angel's arm, unseen, + Arrest the lifted sword. + + BUTLER. + It is too late. + I suffer not myself to feel compassion, + Dark thoughts and bloody are my duty now. + [Grasping GORDON's hand. + Gordon! 'tis not my hatred (I pretend not + To love the duke, and have no cause to love him). + Yet 'tis not now my hatred that impels me + To be his murderer. 'Tis his evil fate. + Hostile occurrences of many events + Control and subjugate me to the office. + In vain the human being meditates + Free action. He is but the wire-worked <a href="#note-8" name="noteref-8">8</a> puppet + Of the blind Power, which, out of its own choice, + Creates for him a dread necessity. + What too would it avail him if there were + A something pleading for him in my heart— + Still I must kill him. + + GORDON. + If your heart speak to you + Follow its impulse. 'Tis the voice of God. + Think you your fortunes will grow prosperous + Bedewed with blood—his blood? Believe it not! + + BUTLER. + You know not. Ask not! Wherefore should it happen + That the Swedes gained the victory, and hasten + With such forced marches hitherwards? Fain would I + Have given him to the emperor's mercy. Gordon! + I do not wish his blood,—but I must ransom + The honor of my word,—it lies in pledge— + And he must die, or—— + [Passionately grasping GORDON's hand. + Listen, then, and know + I am dishonored if the duke escape us. + + GORDON. + Oh! to save such a man—— + + BUTLER. + What! + + GORDON. + It is worth + A sacrifice. Come, friend! Be noble-minded! + Our own heart, and not other men's opinions, + Forms our true honor. + + BUTLER (with a cold and haughty air). + He is a great lord, + This duke, and I am of but mean importance. + This is what you would say! Wherein concerns it + The world at large, you mean to hint to me, + Whether the man of low extraction keeps + Or blemishes his honor— + So that the man of princely rank be saved? + We all do stamp our value on ourselves: + The price we challenge for ourselves is given us. + There does not live on earth the man so stationed + That I despise myself compared with him. + Man is made great or little by his own will; + Because I am true to mine therefore he dies! + + GORDON. + I am endeavoring to move a rock. + Thou hadst a mother, yet no human feelings. + I cannot hinder you, but may some God + Rescue him from you! + + [Exit GORDON. + BUTLER <a href="#note-9" name="noteref-9">9</a> (alone). + I treasured my good name all my life long; + The duke has cheated me of life's best jewel, + So that I blush before this poor weak Gordon! + He prizes above all his fealty; + His conscious soul accuses him of nothing; + In opposition to his own soft heart + He subjugates himself to an iron duty. + Me in a weaker moment passion warped; + I stand beside him, and must feel myself + The worst man of the two. What though the world + Is ignorant of my purposed treason, yet + One man does know it, and can prove it, too— + High-minded Piccolomini! + There lives the man who can dishonor me! + This ignominy blood alone can cleanse! + Duke Friedland, thou or I. Into my own hands + Fortune delivers me. The dearest thing a man has is himself. +</pre> +<a name="2H_4_0050"><!-- H2 anchor --></a> + +<div style="height: 4em;"><br><br><br><br></div> + +<h2> + SCENE IX. +</h2> +<pre> + [A gothic and gloomy apartment at the DUCHESS FRIEDLAND's. + THEKLA on a seat, pale, her eyes closed. The DUCHESS and LADY + NEUBRUNN busied about her. WALLENSTEIN and the COUNTESS in + conversation. + + WALLENSTEIN. + How knew she it so soon? + + COUNTESS. + She seems to have + Foreboded some misfortune. The report + Of an engagement, in which had fallen + A colonel of the imperial army, frightened her. + I saw it instantly. She flew to meet + The Swedish courier, and with sudden questioning, + Soon wrested from him the disastrous secret. + Too late we missed her, hastened after her, + We found her lying in his arms, all pale, + And in a swoon. + + WALLENSTEIN. + A heavy, heavy blow! + And she so unprepared! Poor child! how is it? + [Turning to the DUCHESS. + Is she coming to herself? + + DUCHESS. + Her eyes are opening—— + + COUNTESS. + She lives! + + THEKLA (looking around her). + Where am I? + + WALLENSTEIN (steps to her, raising her up in his arms). + Come, cheerly, Thekla! be my own brave girl! + See, there's thy loving mother. Thou art in + Thy father's arms. + + THEKLA (standing up). + Where is he? Is he gone? + + DUCHESS. + Who gone, my daughter? + + THEKLA. + He—the man who uttered + That word of misery. + + DUCHESS. + Oh, think not of it! + My Thekla! + + WALLENSTEIN. + Give her sorrow leave to talk! + Let her complain—mingle your tears with hers, + For she hath suffered a deep anguish; but + She'll rise superior to it, for my Thekla + Hath all her father's unsubdued heart. + + THEKLA. + I am not ill. See, I have power to stand. + Why does my mother weep? Have I alarmed her? + It is gone by—I recollect myself. + [She casts her eyes round the room, as seeking some one. + Where is he? Please you, do not hide him from me. + You see I have strength enough: now I will hear him. + + DUCHESS. + No; never shall this messenger of evil + Enter again into thy presence, Thekla! + + THEKLA. + My father—— + + WALLENSTEIN. + Dearest daughter! + + THEKLA. + I'm not weak. + Shortly I shall be quite myself again. + You'll grant me one request? + + WALLENSTEIN. + Name it, my daughter. + + THEKLA. + Permit the stranger to be called to me, + And grant me leave, that by myself I may + Hear his report and question him. + + DUCHESS. + No, never! + + COUNTESS. + 'Tis not advisable—assent not to it. + + WALLENSTEIN. + Hush! Wherefore wouldst thou speak with him, my daughter? + + THEKLA. + Knowing the whole, I shall be more collected; + I will not be deceived. My mother wishes + Only to spare me. I will not be spared— + The worst is said already: I can hear + Nothing of deeper anguish! + + COUNTESS and DUCHESS. + Do it not. + + THEKLA. + The horror overpowered me by surprise, + My heart betrayed me in the stranger's presence: + He was a witness of my weakness, yea, + I sank into his arms; and that has shamed me. + I must replace myself in his esteem, + And I must speak with him, perforce, that he, + The stranger, may not think ungently of me. + + WALLENSTEIN. + I see she is in the right, and am inclined + To grant her this request of hers. Go, call him. + + [LADY NEUBRUNN goes to call him. + + DUCHESS. + But I, thy mother, will be present—— + + THEKLA. + 'Twere + More pleasing to me if alone I saw him; + Trust me, I shall behave myself the more + Collectedly. + + WALLENSTEIN. + Permit her her own will. + Leave her alone with him: for there are sorrows, + Where of necessity the soul must be + Its own support. A strong heart will rely + On its own strength alone. In her own bosom, + Not in her mother's arms, must she collect + The strength to rise superior to this blow. + It is mine own brave girl. I'll have her treated + Not as the woman, but the heroine. + + [Going. + + COUNTESS (detaining him). + Where art thou going? I heard Terzky say + That 'tis thy purpose to depart from hence + To-morrow early, but to leave us here. + + WALLENSTEIN. + Yes, ye stay here, placed under the protection + Of gallant men. + + COUNTESS. + Oh, take us with you, brother. + Leave us not in this gloomy solitude. + To brood o'er anxious thoughts. The mists of doubt + Magnify evils to a shape of horror. + + WALLENSTEIN. + Who speaks of evil? I entreat you, sister, + Use words of better omen. + + COUNTESS. + Then take us with you. + Oh leave us not behind you in a place + That forces us to such sad omens. Heavy + And sick within me is my heart— + These walls breathe on me like a churchyard vault. + I cannot tell you, brother, how this place + Doth go against my nature. Take us with you. + Come, sister, join you your entreaty! Niece, + Yours too. We all entreat you, take us with you! + + WALLENSTEIN. + The place's evil omens will I change, + Making it that which shields and shelters for me + My best beloved. + + LADY NEUBRUNN (returning). + The Swedish officer. + + WALLENSTEIN. + Leave her alone with me. + + DUCHESS (to THEKLA, who starts and shivers). + There—pale as death! Child, 'tis impossible + That thou shouldst speak with him. Follow thy mother. + + THEKLA. + The Lady Neubrunn then may stay with me. + + [Exeunt DUCHESS and COUNTESS. +</pre> +<a name="2H_4_0051"><!-- H2 anchor --></a> + +<div style="height: 4em;"><br><br><br><br></div> + +<h2> + SCENE X. +</h2> +<pre> + THEKLA, THE SWEDISH CAPTAIN, LADY NEUBRUNN. + + CAPTAIN (respectfully approaching her). + Princess—I must entreat your gentle pardon— + My inconsiderate rash speech. How could!—— + + THEKLA (with dignity). + You have beheld me in my agony. + A most distressful accident occasioned + You from a stranger to become at once + My confidant. + + CAPTAIN. + I fear you hate my presence, + For my tongue spake a melancholy word. + + THEKLA. + The fault is mine. Myself did wrest it from you. + The horror which came o'er me interrupted + Your tale at its commencement. May it please you, + Continue it to the end. + + CAPTAIN. + Princess, 'twill + Renew your anguish. + + THEKLA. + I am firm,— + I will be firm. Well—how began the engagement? + + CAPTAIN. + We lay, expecting no attack, at Neustadt, + Intrenched but insecurely in our camp, + When towards evening rose a cloud of dust + From the wood thitherward; our vanguard fled + Into the camp, and sounded the alarm. + Scarce had we mounted ere the Pappenheimers, + Their horses at full speed, broke through the lines, + And leaped the trenches; but their heedless courage + Had borne them onward far before the others— + The infantry were still at distance, only + The Pappenheimers followed daringly + Their daring leader—— + + [THEKLA betrays agitation in her gestures. The officer pauses + till she makes a sign to him to proceed. + +</pre> +<br /> +<br /> +<center> +<img alt="2pb408 (137K)" src="images/2pb408.jpg" height="755" width="478" /> +</center> +<br /> +<br /> +<pre> + + + + CAPTAIN. + Both in van and flanks + With our whole cavalry we now received them; + Back to the trenches drove them, where the foot + Stretched out a solid ridge of pikes to meet them. + They neither could advance, nor yet retreat; + And as they stood on every side wedged in, + The Rhinegrave to their leader called aloud, + Inviting a surrender; but their leader, + Young Piccolomini—— + [THEKLA, as giddy, grasps a chair. + Known by his plume, + And his long hair, gave signal for the trenches; + Himself leaped first: the regiment all plunged after. + His charger, by a halbert gored, reared up, + Flung him with violence off, and over him + The horses, now no longer to be curbed,—— + + [THEKLA, who has accompanied the last speech with all + the marks of increasing agony, trembles through her whole + frame and is falling. The LADY NEUBRUNN runs to her, and + receives her in her arms. + + NEUBRUNN. + My dearest lady! + + CAPTAIN. + I retire. + + THERLA. + 'Tis over. + Proceed to the conclusion. + + CAPTAIN. + Wild despair + Inspired the troops with frenzy when they saw + Their leader perish; every thought of rescue + Was spurned; they fought like wounded tigers; their + Frantic resistance roused our soldiery; + A murderous fight took place, nor was the contest + Finished before their last man fell. + + THEKLA (faltering). + And where— + Where is—you have not told me all. + + CAPTAIN (after a pause). + This morning + We buried him. Twelve youths of noblest birth + Did bear him to interment; the whole army + Followed the bier. A laurel decked his coffin; + The sword of the deceased was placed upon it, + In mark of honor by the Rhinegrave's self, + Nor tears were wanting; for there are among us + Many, who had themselves experienced + The greatness of his mind and gentle manners; + All were affected at his fate. The Rhinegrave + Would willingly have saved him; but himself + Made vain the attempt—'tis said he wished to die. + + NEUBRUNN (to THEKLA, who has hidden her countenance). + Look up, my dearest lady—— + + THEKLA. + Where is his grave? + + CAPTAIN. + At Neustadt, lady; in a cloister church + Are his remains deposited, until + We can receive directions from his father. + + THEKLA. + What is the cloister's name? + + CAPTAIN. + Saint Catherine's. + + THEKLA. + And how far is it thither? + + CAPTAIN. + Near twelve leagues. + + THEKLA. + And which the way? + + CAPTAIN. + You go by Tirschenreut + And Falkenberg, through our advanced posts. + + THEKLA + Who + Is their commander? + + CAPTAIN. + Colonel Seckendorf. + + [THEKLA steps to the table, and takes a ring from a casket. + + THEKLA. + You have beheld me in my agony, + And shown a feeling heart. Please you, accept + [Giving him the ring. + A small memorial of this hour. Now go! + + CAPTAIN (confusedly). + Princess—— + + [THEKLA silently makes signs to him to go, and turns from him. + The captain lingers, and is about to speak. LADY NEUBRUNN repeats + the signal, and he retires. +</pre> +<a name="2H_4_0052"><!-- H2 anchor --></a> + +<div style="height: 4em;"><br><br><br><br></div> + +<h2> + SCENE XI. +</h2> +<pre> + THEKLA, LADY NEUBRUNN. + + THEKLA (falls on LADY NEUBRUNN's neck). + Now gentle Neubrunn, show me the affection + Which thou hast ever promised—prove thyself + My own true friend and faithful fellow-pilgrim. + This night we must away! + + NEUBRUNN. + Away! and whither? + + THEKLA. + Whither! There is but one place in the world. + Thither, where he lies buried! To his coffin! + + NEUBRUNN. + What would you do there? + + THEKLA. + What do there? + That wouldst thou not have asked, hadst thou e'er loved. + There, that is all that still remains of him! + That single spot is the whole earth to me. + + NEUBRUNN. + That place of death—— + + THEKLA. + Is now the only place + Where life yet dwells for me: detain me not! + Come and make preparations; let us think + Of means to fly from hence. + + NEUBRUNN. + Your father's rage + + THEKLA. + That time is past— + And now I fear no human being's rage. + + NEUBRUNN. + The sentence of the world! The tongue of calumny! + + THEKLA. + Whom am I seeking? Him who is no more. + Am I then hastening to the arms—O God! + I haste—but to the grave of the beloved. + + NEUBRUNN. + And we alone, two helpless, feeble women? + + THEKLA. + We will take weapons: my arm shall protect thee. + + NEUBRUNN. + In the dark night-time? + + THEKLA. + Darkness will conceal us. + + NEUBRUNN. + This rough tempestuous night—— + + THEKLA. + Had he a soft bed + Under the hoofs of his war-horses? + + NEUBRUNN. + Heaven! + And then the many posts of the enemy! + + THEKLA. + They are human beings. Misery travels free + Through the whole earth. + + NEUBRUNN. + The journey's weary length—— + + THEKLA. + The pilgrim, travelling to a distant shrine + Of hope and healing doth not count the leagues. + + NEUBRUNN. + How can we pass the gates? + + THEKLA. + Gold opens them. + Go, do but go. + + NEUBRUNN. + Should we be recognized—— + + THEKLA. + In a despairing woman, a poor fugitive, + Will no one seek the daughter of Duke Friedland. + + NEUBRUNN. + And where procure we horses for our flight? + + THEKLA. + My equerry procures them. Go and fetch him. + + NEUBRUNN. + Dares he, without the knowledge of his lord? + + THEKLA. + He will. Go, only go. Delay no longer. + + NEUBRUNN. + Dear lady! and your mother? + + THEKLA. + Oh! my mother! + + NEUBRUNN. + So much as she has suffered too already; + Your tender mother. Ah! how ill prepared + For this last anguish! + + THEKLA. + Woe is me! My mother! + [Pauses. + Go instantly. + + NEUBRUNN. + But think what you are doing! + + THEKLA. + What can be thought, already has been thought. + + NEUBRUNN. + And being there, what purpose you to do? + + THEKLA. + There a divinity will prompt my soul. + + NEUBRUNN. + Your heart, dear lady, is disquieted! + And this is not the way that leads to quiet. + + THEKLA. + To a deep quiet, such as he has found, + It draws me on, I know not what to name it, + Resistless does it draw me to his grave. + There will my heart be eased, my tears will flow. + Oh hasten, make no further questioning! + There is no rest for me till I have left + These walls—they fall in on me—a dim power + Drives me from hence—oh mercy! What a feeling! + What pale and hollow forms are those! They fill, + They crowd the place! I have no longer room here! + Mercy! Still more! More still! The hideous swarm, + They press on me; they chase me from these walls— + Those hollow, bodiless forms of living men! + + NEUBRUNN. + You frighten me so, lady, that no longer + I dare stay here myself. I go and call + Rosenberg instantly. + + [Exit LADY NEUBRUNN. +</pre> +<a name="2H_4_0053"><!-- H2 anchor --></a> + +<div style="height: 4em;"><br><br><br><br></div> + +<h2> + SCENE XII. +</h2> +<pre> + THEKLA. + His spirit 'tis that calls me: 'tis the troop + Of his true followers, who offered up + Themselves to avenge his death: and they accuse me + Of an ignoble loitering—they would not + Forsake their leader even in his death; they died for him, + And shall I live? + For me too was that laurel garland twined + That decks his bier. Life is an empty casket: + I throw it from me. Oh, my only hope; + To die beneath the hoofs of trampling steeds— + That is a lot of heroes upon earth! + + [Exit THEKLA. [10] + + (The Curtain drops.) +</pre> +<a name="2H_4_0054"><!-- H2 anchor --></a> + +<div style="height: 4em;"><br><br><br><br></div> + +<h2> + SCENE XIII. +</h2> +<pre> + THEKLA, LADY NEUBRUNN, and ROSENBERG. + + NEUBRUNN. + He is here, lady, and he will procure them. + + THEKLA. + Wilt thou provide us horses, Rosenberg? + + ROSENBERG. + I will, my lady. + + THEKLA. + And go with us as well? + + ROSENBERG. + To the world's end, my lady. + + THEKLA. + But consider, + Thou never canst return unto the duke. + + ROSENBERG. + I will remain with thee. + + THEKLA. + I will reward thee. + And will commend thee to another master. + Canst thou unseen conduct us from the castle? + + ROSENBERG. + I can. + + THEKLA. + When can I go? + + ROSENBERG. + This very hour. + But whither would you, lady? + + THEKLA. + To—Tell him, Neubrunn. + + NEUBRUNN. + To Neustadt. + + ROSENBERG. + So; I leave you to get ready. + + [Exit. + + NEUBRUNN. + Oh, see, your mother comes. + + THEKLA. + Indeed! O Heaven! +</pre> +<a name="2H_4_0055"><!-- H2 anchor --></a> + +<div style="height: 4em;"><br><br><br><br></div> + +<h2> + SCENE XIV. +</h2> +<pre> + THEKLA, LADY NEUBRUNN, the DUCHESS. + + DUCHESS. + He's gone! I find thee more composed, my child. + + THEKLA. + I am so, mother; let me only now + Retire to rest, and Neubrunn here be with me. + I want repose. + + DUCHESS. + My Thekla, thou shalt have it. + I leave thee now consoled, since I can calm + Thy father's heart. + + THEKLA. + Good night, beloved mother! + + (Falling on her neck and embracing her with deep emotion). + + DUCHESS. + Thou scarcely art composed e'en now, my daughter. + Thou tremblest strongly, and I feel thy heart + Beat audibly on mine. + + THEKLA. + Sleep will appease + Its beating: now good-night, good-night, dear mother. + + (As she withdraws from her mother's arms the curtain falls). +</pre> +<a name="2H_4_0056"><!-- H2 anchor --></a> + +<div style="height: 4em;"><br><br><br><br></div> + +<h2> + ACT V. +</h2> +<a name="2H_4_0057"><!-- H2 anchor --></a> + +<div style="height: 4em;"><br><br><br><br></div> + +<h2> + SCENE I. +</h2> +<pre> + Butler's Chamber. + + BUTLER, and MAJOR GERALDIN. + + BUTLER. + Find me twelve strong dragoons, arm them with pikes + For there must be no firing— + Conceal them somewhere near the banquet-room, + And soon as the dessert is served up, rush all in + And cry—"Who is loyal to the emperor?" + I will overturn the table—while you attack + Illo and Terzky, and despatch them both. + The castle-palace is well barred and guarded, + That no intelligence of this proceeding + May make its way to the duke. Go instantly; + Have you yet sent for Captain Devereux + And the Macdonald? + + GERALDIN. + They'll be here anon. + + [Exit GERALDIN. + + BUTLER. + Here's no room for delay. The citizens + Declare for him—a dizzy drunken spirit + Possesses the whole town. They see in the duke + A prince of peace, a founder of new ages + And golden times. Arms, too, have been given out + By the town-council, and a hundred citizens + Have volunteered themselves to stand on guard. + Despatch! then, be the word; for enemies + Threaten us from without and from within. +</pre> +<a name="2H_4_0058"><!-- H2 anchor --></a> + +<div style="height: 4em;"><br><br><br><br></div> + +<h2> + SCENE II. +</h2> +<pre> + BUTLER, CAPTAIN DEVEREUX, and MACDONALD. + + MACDONALD. + Here we are, general. + + DEVEREUX. + What's to be the watchword? + + BUTLER. + Long live the emperor! + + BOTH (recoiling). + How? + + BUTLER. + Live the house of Austria. + + DEVEREUX. + Have we not sworn fidelity to Friedland? + + MACDONALD. + Have we not marched to this place to protect him? + + BUTLER. + Protect a traitor and his country's enemy? + + DEVEREUX. + Why, yes! in his name you administered + Our oath. + + MACDONALD. + And followed him yourself to Egra. + + BUTLER. + I did it the more surely to destroy him. + + DEVEREUX. + So then! + + MACDONALD. + An altered case! + + BUTLER (to DEVEREUX). + Thou wretched man + So easily leavest thou thy oath and colors? + + DEVEREUX. + The devil! I but followed your example; + If you could prove a villain, why not we? + + MACDONALD. + We've naught to do with thinking—that's your business. + You are our general, and give out the orders; + We follow you, though the track lead to hell. + + BUTLER (appeased). + Good, then! we know each other. + + MACDONALD. + I should hope so. + + DEVEREUX. + Soldiers of fortune are we—who bids most + He has us. + + MACDONALD. + 'Tis e'en so! + + BUTLER. + Well, for the present + You must remain honest and faithful soldiers. + + DEVEREUX. + We wish no other. + + BUTLER. + Ay, and make your fortunes. + + MACDONALD. + That is still better. + + BUTLER. + Listen! + + BOTH. + We attend. + + BUTLER. + It is the emperor's will and ordinance + To seize the person of the Prince-Duke Friedland + Alive or dead. + + DEVEREUX. + It runs so in the letter. + + MACDONALD. + Alive or dead—these were the very words. + + BUTLER. + And he shall be rewarded from the state + In land and gold who proffers aid thereto. + + DEVEREUX. + Ay! that sounds well. The words sound always well + That travel hither from the court. Yes! yes! + We know already what court-words import. + A golden chain perhaps in sign of favor, + Or an old charger, or a parchment-patent, + And such like. The prince-duke pays better. + + MACDONALD. + Yes, + The duke's a splendid paymaster. + + BUTLER. + All over + With that, my friends. His lucky stars are set. + + MACDONALD. + And is that certain? + + BUTLER. + You have my word for it. + + DEVEREUX. + His lucky fortune's all passed by? + + BUTLER. + Forever. + He is as poor as we. + + MACDONALD. + As poor as we? + + DEVEREUX. + Macdonald, we'll desert him. + + BUTLER. + We'll desert him? + Full twenty thousand have done that already; + We must do more, my countrymen! In short— + We—we must kill him. + + BOTH (starting back) + Kill him! + + BUTLER. + Yes, must kill him; + And for that purpose have I chosen you. + + BOTH. + Us! + + BUTLER. + You, Captain Devereux, and thee, Macdonald. + + DEVEREUX (after a pause). + Choose you some other. + + BUTLER. + What! art dastardly? + Thou, with full thirty lives to answer for— + Thou conscientious of a sudden? + + DEVEREUX. + Nay + To assassinate our lord and general—— + + MACDONALD. + To whom we swore a soldier's oath—— + + BUTLER. + The oath + Is null, for Friedland is a traitor. + + DEVEREUX. + No, no! it is too bad! + + MACDONALD. + Yes, by my soul! + It is too bad. One has a conscience too—— + + DEVEREUX. + If it were not our chieftain, who so long + Has issued the commands, and claimed our duty—— + + BUTLER. + Is that the objection? + + DEVEREUX. + Were it my own father, + And the emperor's service should demand it of me, + It might be done perhaps—but we are soldiers, + And to assassinate our chief commander, + That is a sin, a foul abomination, + From which no monk or confessor absolves us. + + BUTLER. + I am your pope, and give you absolution. + Determine quickly! + + DEVEREUX. + 'Twill not do. + + MACDONALD. + 'Twont do! + + BUTLER. + Well, off then! and—send Pestalutz to me. + + DEVEREUX (hesitates). + The Pestalutz—— + + MACDONALD. + What may you want with him? + + BUTLER. + If you reject it, we can find enough—— + + DEVEREUX. + Nay, if he must fall, we may earn the bounty + As well as any other. What think you, + Brother Macdonald? + + MACDONALD. + Why, if he must fall, + And will fall, and it can't be otherwise, + One would not give place to this Pestalutz. + + DEVEREUX (after some reflection). + When do you purpose he should fall? + + BUTLER. + This night. + To-morrow will the Swedes be at our gates. + + DEVEREUX. + You take upon you all the consequences? + + BUTLER. + I take the whole upon me. + + DEVEREUX. + And it is + The emperor's will, his express absolute will? + For we have instances that folks may like + The murder, and yet hang the murderer. + + BUTLER. + The manifesto says—"alive or dead." + Alive—'tis not possible—you see it is not. + + DEVEREUX. + Well, dead then! dead! But how can we come at him. + The town is filled with Terzky's soldiery. + + MACDONALD. + Ay! and then Terzky still remains, and Illo—— + + BUTLER. + With these you shall begin—you understand me? + + DEVEREUX. + How! And must they too perish? + + BUTLER. + They the first. + + MACDONALD. + Hear, Devereux! A bloody evening this. + + DEVEREUX. + Have you a man for that? Commission me—— + + BUTLER. + 'Tis given in trust to Major Geraldin; + This is a carnival night, and there's a feast + Given at the castle—there we shall surprise them, + And hew them down. The Pestalutz and Lesley + Have that commission. Soon as that is finished—— + + DEVEREUX. + Hear, general! It will be all one to you— + Hark ye, let me exchange with Geraldin. + + BUTLER. + 'Twill be the lesser danger with the duke. + + DEVEREUX. + Danger! The devil! What do you think me, general, + 'Tis the duke's eye, and not his sword, I fear. + + BUTLER. + What can his eye do to thee? + + DEVEREUX. + Death and hell! + Thou knowest that I'm no milksop, general! + But 'tis not eight days since the duke did send me + Twenty gold pieces for this good warm coat + Which I have on! and then for him to see me + Standing before him with the pike, his murderer. + That eye of his looking upon this coat— + Why—why—the devil fetch me! I'm no milksop! + + BUTLER. + The duke presented thee this good warm coat, + And thou, a needy wight, hast pangs of conscience + To run him through the body in return, + A coat that is far better and far warmer + Did the emperor give to him, the prince's mantle. + How doth he thank the emperor? With revolt + And treason. + + DEVEREUX. + That is true. The devil take + Such thankers! I'll despatch him. + + BUTLER. + And would'st quiet + Thy conscience, thou hast naught to do but simply + Pull off the coat; so canst thou do the deed + With light heart and good spirits. + + DEVEREUX. + You are right, + That did not strike me. I'll pull off the coat— + So there's an end of it. + + MACDONALD. + Yes, but there's another + Point to be thought of. + + BUTLER. + And what's that, Macdonald? + + MACDONALD. + What avails sword or dagger against him? + He is not to be wounded—he is—— + + BUTLER (starting up). + What! + + MACDONALD. + Safe against shot, and stab, and flash! Hard frozen. + Secured and warranted by the black art + His body is impenetrable, I tell you. + + DEVEREUX. + In Ingolstadt there was just such another: + His whole skin was the same as steel; at last + We were obliged to beat him down with gunstocks. + + MACDONALD. + Hear what I'll do. + + DEVEREUX. + Well. + + MACDONALD. + In the cloister here + There's a Dominican, my countryman. + I'll make him dip my sword and pike for me + In holy water, and say over them + One of his strongest blessings. That's probatum! + Nothing can stand 'gainst that. + + BUTLER. + So do, Macdonald! + But now go and select from out the regiment + Twenty or thirty able-bodied fellows, + And let them take the oaths to the emperor. + Then when it strikes eleven, when the first rounds + Are passed, conduct them silently as may be + To the house. I will myself be not far off. + + DEVEREUX. + But how do we get through Hartschier and Gordon, + That stand on guard there in the inner chamber? + + BUTLER. + I have made myself acquainted with the place, + I lead you through a back door that's defended + By one man only. Me my rank and office + Give access to the duke at every hour. + I'll go before you—with one poinard-stroke + Cut Hartschier's windpipe, and make way for you. + + DEVEREUX. + And when we are there, by what means shall we gain + The duke's bed-chamber, without his alarming + The servants of the court? for he has here + A numerous company of followers. + + BUTLER. + The attendants fill the right wing: he hates bustle, + And lodges in the left wing quite alone. + + DEVEREUX. + Were it well over—hey, Macdonald! I + Feel queerly on the occasion, devil knows. + + MACDONALD. + And I, too. 'Tis too great a personage. + People will hold us for a brace of villains. + + BUTLER. + In plenty, honor, splendor—you may safely + Laugh at the people's babble. + + DEVEREUX. + If the business + Squares with one's honor—if that be quite certain. + + BUTLER. + Set your hearts quite at ease. Ye save for Ferdinand + His crown and empire. The reward can be + No small one. + + DEVEREUX. + And 'tis his purpose to dethrone the emperor? + + BUTLER. + Yes! Yes! to rob him of his crown and life. + + DEVEREUX. + And must he fall by the executioner's hands, + Should we deliver him up to the emperor + Alive? + + BUTLER. + It were his certain destiny. + + DEVEREUX. + Well! Well! Come then, Macdonald, he shall not + Lie long in pain. + + [Exeunt BUTLER through one door, MACDONALD and DEVEREUX + through the other. +</pre> +<a name="2H_4_0059"><!-- H2 anchor --></a> + +<div style="height: 4em;"><br><br><br><br></div> + +<h2> + SCENE III. +</h2> +<pre> + A saloon, terminated by a gallery, which extends far + into the background. + + WALLENSTIN sitting at a table. The SWEDISH CAPTAIN + standing before him. + + WALLENSTEIN. + Commend me to your lord. I sympathize + In his good fortune; and if you have seen me + Deficient in the expressions of that joy, + Which such a victory might well demand, + Attribute it to no lack of good-will, + For henceforth are our fortunes one. Farewell, + And for your trouble take my thanks. To-morrow + The citadel shall be surrendered to you + On your arrival. + + [The SWEDISH CAPTAIN retires. WALLENSTEIN sits lost in thought, + his eyes fixed vacantly, and his head sustained by his hand. The + COUNTESS TERZKY enters, stands before him for awhile, unobserved + by him; at length he starts, sees her and recollects himself. + + WALLENSTEIN. + Comest thou from her? Is she restored? How is she? + + COUNTESS. + My sister tells me she was more collected + After her conversation with the Swede. + She has now retired to rest. + + WALLENSTEIN. + The pang will soften + She will shed tears. + + COUNTESS. + I find thee altered, too, + My brother! After such a victory + I had expected to have found in thee + A cheerful spirit. Oh, remain thou firm! + Sustain, uphold us! For our light thou art, + Our sun. + + WALLENSTEIN. + Be quiet. I ail nothing. Where's + Thy husband? + + COUNTESS. + At a banquet—he and Illo. + + WALLENSTEIN (rises and strides across the saloon). + The night's far spent. Betake thee to thy chamber. + + COUNTESS. + Bid me not go, oh, let me stay with thee! + + WALLENSTEIN (moves to the window). + There is a busy motion in the heaven, + The wind doth chase the flag upon the tower, + Fast sweep the clouds, the sickle <a href="#note-11" name="noteref-11">11</a> of the moon, + Struggling, darts snatches of uncertain light. + No form of star is visible! That one + White stain of light, that single glimmering yonder, + Is from Cassiopeia, and therein + Is Jupiter. (A pause.) But now + The blackness of the troubled element hides him! + + [He sinks into profound melancholy, and looks vacantly + into the distance. + + COUNTESS (looks on him mournfully, then grasps his hand). + What art thou brooding on? + + WALLENSTEIN. + Methinks + If I but saw him, 'twould be well with me. + He is the star of my nativity, + And often marvellously hath his aspect + Shot strength into my heart. + + COUNTESS. + Thou'lt see him again. + + WALLENSTEIN (remains for awhile with absent mind, then assumes a livelier + manner, and turning suddenly to the COUNTESS). + See him again? Oh, never, never again! + + COUNTESS. + How? + + WALLENSTEIN. + He is gone—is dust. + + COUNTESS. + Whom meanest thou, then? + + WALLENSTEIN. + He, the more fortunate! yea, he hath finished! + For him there is no longer any future, + His life is bright—bright without spot it was, + And cannot cease to be. No ominous hour + Knocks at his door with tidings of mishap, + Far off is he, above desire and fear; + No more submitted to the change and chance + Of the unsteady planets. Oh, 'tis well + With him! but who knows what the coming hour + Veiled in thick darkness brings us? + + COUNTESS. + Thou speakest of Piccolomini. What was his death? + The courier had just left thee as I came. + + [WALLENSTEIN by a motion of his hand makes signs to her + to be silent. + + Turn not thine eyes upon the backward view, + Let us look forward into sunny days, + Welcome with joyous heart the victory, + Forget what it has cost thee. Not to-day, + For the first time, thy friend was to thee dead; + To thee he died when first he parted from thee. + + WALLENSTEIN. + This anguish will be wearied down <a href="#note-12" name="noteref-12">12</a>, I know; + What pang is permanent with man? From the highest, + As from the vilest thing of every day, + He learns to wean himself: for the strong hours + Conquer him. Yet I feel what I have lost + In him. The bloom is vanished from my life, + For oh, he stood beside me, like my youth, + Transformed for me the real to a dream, + Clothing the palpable and the familiar + With golden exhalations of the dawn, + Whatever fortunes wait my future toils, + The beautiful is vanished—and returns not. + + COUNTESS. + Oh, be not treacherous to thy own power. + Thy heart is rich enough to vivify + Itself. Thou lovest and prizest virtues in him, + The which thyself didst plant, thyself unfold. + + WALLENSTEIN (stepping to the door). + Who interrupts us now at this late hour? + It is the governor. He brings the keys + Of the citadel. 'Tis midnight. Leave me, sister! + + COUNTESS. + Oh, 'tis so hard to me this night to leave thee; + A boding fear possesses me! + + WALLENSTEIN. + Fear! Wherefore? + + COUNTESS. + Shouldst thou depart this night, and we at waking + Never more find thee! + + WALLENSTEIN. + Fancies! + + COUNTESS. + Oh, my soul + Has long been weighed down by these dark forebodings, + And if I combat and repel them waking, + They still crush down upon my heart in dreams, + I saw thee, yesternight with thy first wife + Sit at a banquet, gorgeously attired. + + WALLENSTHIN. + This was a dream of favorable omen, + That marriage being the founder of my fortunes. + + COUNTESS. + To-day I dreamed that I was seeking thee + In thy own chamber. As I entered, lo! + It was no more a chamber: the Chartreuse + At Gitschin 'twas, which thou thyself hast founded, + And where it is thy will that thou shouldst be + Interred. + + WALLENSTEIN. + Thy soul is busy with these thoughts. + + COUNTESS. + What! dost thou not believe that oft in dreams + A voice of warning speaks prophetic to us? + + WALLENSTEIN. + There is no doubt that there exist such voices, + Yet I would not call them + Voices of warning that announce to us + Only the inevitable. As the sun, + Ere it is risen, sometimes paints its image + In the atmosphere, so often do the spirits + Of great events stride on before the events, + And in to-day already walks to-morrow. + That which we read of the fourth Henry's death + Did ever vex and haunt me like a tale + Of my own future destiny. The king + Felt in his breast the phantom of the knife + Long ere Ravaillac armed himself therewith. + His quiet mind forsook him; the phantasma + Started him in his Louvre, chased him forth + Into the open air; like funeral knells + Sounded that coronation festival; + And still with boding sense he heard the tread + Of those feet that even then were seeking him + Throughout 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. +</pre> +<a name="2H_4_0060"><!-- H2 anchor --></a> + +<div style="height: 4em;"><br><br><br><br></div> + +<h2> + SCENE V. +</h2> +<pre> + 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 new fortune + Must spring up for me; for the potency + Of this charm is dissolved. + + [GROOM OF THE CHAMBER retires with the vestments. WALLENSTEIN + rises, takes a stride across the room, and stands at last before + GORDON in a posture of meditation. + + How the old time returns upon me! I + Behold myself once more at Burgau, where + We two were pages of the court together. + We oftentimes disputed: thy intention + Was ever good; but thou were wont to play + The moralist and preacher, and wouldst rail at me— + That I strove after things too high for me, + Giving my faith to bold, unlawful dreams, + And still extol to me the golden mean. + Thy wisdom hath been proved a thriftless friend + To thy own self. See, it has made thee early + A superannuated man, and (but + That my munificent stars will intervene) + Would let thee in some miserable corner + Go out like an untended lamp. + + GORDON. + My prince + With light heart the poor fisher moors his boat, + And watches from the shore the lofty ship + Stranded amid the storm. + + WALLENSTEIN. + Art thou already + In harbor, then, old man? Well! I am not. + The unconquered spirit drives me o'er life's billows; + My planks still firm, my canvas swelling proudly. + Hope is my goddess still, and youth my inmate; + And while we stand thus front to front almost, + I might presume to say, that the swift years + Have passed by powerless o'er my unblanched hair. + + [He moves with long strides across the saloon, and remains + on the opposite side over against GORDON. + + Who now persists in calling fortune false? + To me she has proved faithful; with fond love + Took me from out the common ranks of men, + And like a mother goddess, with strong arm + Carried me swiftly up the steps of life. + Nothing is common in my destiny, + Nor in the furrows of my hand. Who dares + Interpret then my life for me as 'twere + One of the undistinguishable many? + True, in this present moment I appear + Fallen low indeed; but I shall rise again. + The high flood will soon follow on this ebb; + The fountain of my fortune, which now stops, + Repressed and bound by some malicious star, + Will soon in joy play forth from all its pipes. + + GORDON. + And yet remember I the good old proverb, + "Let the night come before we praise the day." + I would be slow from long-continued fortune + To gather hope: for hope is the companion + Given to the unfortunate by pitying heaven. + Fear hovers round the head of prosperous men, + For still unsteady are the scales of fate. + + WALLENSTEIN (smiling). + I hear the very Gordon that of old + Was wont to preach, now once more preaching; + I know well, that all sublunary things + Are still the vassals of vicissitude. + The unpropitious gods demand their tribute. + This long ago the ancient pagans knew + And therefore of their own accord they offered + To themselves injuries, so to atone + The jealousy of their divinities + And human sacrifices bled to Typhon. + [After a pause, serious, and in a more subdued manner. + I too have sacrificed to him—for me + There fell the dearest friend, and through my fault + He fell! No joy from favorable fortune + Can overweigh the anguish of this stroke. + The envy of my destiny is glutted: + Life pays for life. On his pure head the lightning + Was drawn off which would else have shattered me. +</pre> +<a name="2H_4_0061"><!-- H2 anchor --></a> + +<div style="height: 4em;"><br><br><br><br></div> + +<h2> + SCENE V. +</h2> +<pre> + To these enter SENI. + + WALLENSTEIN. + Is not that Seni! and beside himself, + If one can trust his looks? What brings thee hither + At this late hour, Baptista? + + SENI. + Terror, duke! + On thy account. + + WALLENSTEIN. + What now? + + SENI. + Flee ere the day break! + Trust not thy person to the Swedes! + + WALLENSTEIN. + What now + Is in thy thoughts? + + SENI (with louder voice). + Trust not thy person to the Swedes. + + WALLENSTEIN. + What is it, then? + + SENI (still more urgently). + Oh, wait not the arrival of these Swedes! + An evil near at hand is threatening thee + From false friends. All the signs stand full of horror! + Near, near at hand the net-work of perdition— + Yea, even now 'tis being cast around thee! + + WALLENSTEIN. + Baptista, thou art dreaming!—fear befools thee. + + SENI. + Believe not that an empty fear deludes me. + Come, read it in the planetary aspects; + Read it thyself, that ruin threatens thee + From false friends. + + WALLENSTEIN. + From the falseness of my friends + Has risen the whole of my unprosperous fortunes. + The warning should have come before! At present + I need no revelation from the stars + To know that. + + SENI. + Come and see! trust thine own eyes. + A fearful sign stands in the house of life— + An enemy; a fiend lurks close behind + The radiance of thy planet. Oh, be warned! + Deliver not up thyself to these heathens, + To wage a war against our holy church. + + WALLENSTEIN (laughing gently). + The oracle rails that way! Yes, yes! Now + I recollect. This junction with the Swedes + Did never please thee—lay thyself to sleep, + Baptista! Signs like these I do not fear. + + GORDON (who during the whole of this dialogue has shown marks + of extreme agitation, and now turns to WALLENSTEIN). + My duke and general! May I dare presume? + + WALLENSTEIN. + Speak freely. + + GORDON. + What if 'twere no mere creation + Of fear, if God's high providence vouchsafed + To interpose its aid for your deliverance, + And made that mouth its organ? + + WALLENSTEIN. + Ye're both feverish! + How can mishap come to me from the Swedes? + They sought this junction with me—'tis their interest. + + GORDON (with difficulty suppressing his emotion). + But what if the arrival of these Swedes— + What if this were the very thing that winged + The ruin that is flying to your temples? + + [Flings himself at his feet. + + There is yet time, my prince. + + SENI. + Oh hear him! hear him! + + GORDON (rises). + The Rhinegrave's still far off. Give but the orders, + This citadel shall close its gates upon him. + If then he will besiege us, let him try it. + But this I say; he'll find his own destruction, + With his whole force before these ramparts, sooner + Than weary down the valor of our spirit. + He shall experience what a band of heroes, + Inspirited by an heroic leader, + Is able to perform. And if indeed + It be thy serious wish to make amend + For that which thou hast done amiss,—this, this + Will touch and reconcile the emperor, + Who gladly turns his heart to thoughts of mercy; + And Friedland, who returns repentant to him, + Will stand yet higher in his emperor's favor + Then e'er he stood when he had never fallen. + + WALLENSTEIN (contemplates him with surprise, remains silent a while, + betraying strong emotion). + Gordon—your zeal and fervor lead you far. + Well, well—an old friend has a privilege. + Blood, Gordon, has been flowing. Never, never + Can the emperor pardon me: and if he could, + Yet I—I ne'er could let myself be pardoned. + Had I foreknown what now has taken place, + That he, my dearest friend, would fall for me, + My first death offering; and had the heart + Spoken to me, as now it has done—Gordon, + It may be, I might have bethought myself. + It may be too, I might not. Might or might not + Is now an idle question. All too seriously + Has it begun to end in nothing, Gordon! + Let it then have its course. + [Stepping to the window. + All dark and silent—at the castle too + All is now hushed. Light me, chamberlain? + + [The GROOM OF THE CHAMBER, who had entered during the last dialogue, + and had been standing at a distance and listening to it with visible + expressions of the deepest interest, advances in extreme agitation + and throws himself at the DUKE's feet. + + And thou too! But I know why thou dost wish + My reconcilement with the emperor. + Poor man! he hath a small estate in Carinthia, + And fears it will be forfeited because + He's in my service. Am I then so poor + That I no longer can indemnify + My servants? Well! to no one I employ + Means of compulsion. If 'tis thy belief + That fortune has fled from me, go! forsake me. + This night for the last time mayst thou unrobe me, + And then go over to the emperor. + Gordon, good-night! I think to make a long + Sleep of it: for the struggle and the turmoil + Of this last day or two was great. May't please you + Take care that they awake me not too early. + + [Exit WALLENSTEIN, the GROOM OF THE CHAMBER lighting him. SENI + follows, GORDON remains on the darkened stage, following the DUKE + with his eye, till he disappears at the further end of the gallery: + then by his gestures the old man expresses the depth of his anguish, + and stands leaning against a pillar. +</pre> +<a name="2H_4_0062"><!-- H2 anchor --></a> + +<div style="height: 4em;"><br><br><br><br></div> + +<h2> + SCENE VI. +</h2> +<pre> + GORDON, BUTLER (at first behind the scenes). + + BUTLER (not yet come into view of the stage). + Here stand in silence till I give the signal. + + GORDON (starts up). + 'Tis he! he has already brought the murderers. + + BUTLER. + The lights are out. All lies in profound sleep. + + GORDON. + What shall I do, shall I attempt to save him? + Shall I call up the house? alarm the guards? + + BUTLER (appears, but scarcely on the stage). + A light gleams hither from the corridor. + It leads directly to the duke's bed-chamber. + + GORDON. + But then I break my oath to the emperor; + If he escape and strengthen the enemy, + Do I not hereby call down on my head + All the dread consequences. + + BUTLER (stepping forward). + Hark! Who speaks there? + + GORDON. + 'Tis better, I resign it to the hands + Of Providence. For what am I, that I + Should take upon myself so great a deed? + I have not murdered him, if he be murdered; + But all his rescue were my act and deed; + Mine—and whatever be the consequences + I must sustain them. + + BUTLER (advances). + I should know that voice. + + GORDON. + Butler! + + BUTLER. + 'Tis Gordon. What do you want here? + Was it so late, then, when the duke dismissed you? + + GORDON. + Your hand bound up and in a scarf? + + BUTLER. + 'Tis wounded. + That Illo fought as he were frantic, till + At last we threw him on the ground. + + GORDON (shuddering). + Both dead? + + BUTLER. + Is he in bed? + + GORDON. + Ah, Butler! + + BUTLER. + Is he? speak. + + GORDON. + He shall not perish! Not through you! The heaven + Refuses your arm. See—'tis wounded! + + BUTLER. + There is no need of my arm. + + GORDON. + The most guilty + Have perished, and enough is given to justice. + + [The GROOM OF THE CHAMBER advances from the gallery with his finger + on his mouth commanding silence. + + GORDON. + He sleeps! Oh, murder not the holy sleep! + + BUTLER. + No! he shall die awake. + [Is going. + + GORDON. + His heart still cleaves + To earthly things: he's not prepared to step + Into the presence of his God! + + BUTLER (going). + God's merciful! + + GORDON (holds him). + Grant him but this night's respite. + + BUTLER (hurrying of). + The next moment + May ruin all. + + GORDON (holds him still). + One hour! + + BUTLER. + Unhold me! What + Can that short respite profit him? + + GORDON. + Oh, time + Works miracles. In one hour many thousands + Of grains of sand run out; and quick as they + Thought follows thought within the human soul. + Only one hour! Your heart may change its purpose, + His heart may change its purpose—some new tidings + May come; some fortunate event, decisive, + May fall from heaven and rescue him. Oh, what + May not one hour achieve! + + BUTLER. + You but remind me + How precious every minute is! + + [He stamps on the floor. +</pre> +<a name="2H_4_0063"><!-- H2 anchor --></a> + +<div style="height: 4em;"><br><br><br><br></div> + +<h2> + SCENE VII. +</h2> +<pre> + To these enter MACDONALD and DEVEREUX, with the HALBERDIERS. + + GORDON (throwing himself between him and them). + No, monster! + First over my dead body thou shalt tread. I will + Not live to see the accursed deed! + + BUTLER (forcing him out of the way). + Weak-hearted dotard! + + [Trumpets are heard in the distance. + + DEVEREUX and MACDONALD. + Hark! The Swedish trumpets! + The Swedes before the ramparts! Let us hasten! + + GORDON (rushes out). + Oh, God of mercy! + + BUTLER (calling after him). + Governor, to your post! + + GROOM OF THE CHAMBER (hurries in). + Who dares make larum here? Hush! The duke sleeps. + + DEVEREUX (with loud, harsh voice). + Friend, it is time now to make larum. + + GROOM OF THE CHAMBER. + Help! + Murder! + + BUTLER. + Down with him! + + GROOM OF THE CHAMBER (run through the body by DEVEREUX, falls at + the entrance of the gallery). + Jesus Maria! + + BUTLER. + Burst the doors open. + + [They rush over the body into the gallery—two doors are heard to + crash one after the other. Voices, deadened by the distance—clash + of arms—then all at once a profound silence: +</pre> +<a name="2H_4_0064"><!-- H2 anchor --></a> + +<div style="height: 4em;"><br><br><br><br></div> + +<h2> + SCENE VIII. +</h2> +<pre> + COUNTESS TERZKY (with a light). + Her bedchamber is empty; she herself + Is nowhere to be found! The Neubrunn too, + Who watched by her, is missing. If she should + Be flown—but whither flown? We must call up + Every soul in the house. How will the duke + Bear up against these worst bad tidings? Oh, + If that my husband now were but returned + Home from the banquet! Hark! I wonder whether + The duke is still awake! I thought I heard + Voices and tread of feet here! I will go + And listen at the door. Hark! what is that? + 'Tis hastening up the steps! +</pre> +<a name="2H_4_0065"><!-- H2 anchor --></a> + +<div style="height: 4em;"><br><br><br><br></div> + +<h2> + SCENE IX. +</h2> +<pre> + COUNTESS, GORDON. + + GORDON (rushes in out of breath) + 'Tis a mistake! + 'Tis not the Swedes; ye must proceed no further— + Butler! Oh, God! where is he? + [Observing the COUNTESS. + Countess! Say—— + + COUNTESS. + You're come then from the castle? Where's my husband? + + GORDON (in an agony of affright). + Your husband! Ask not! To the duke—— + + COUNTESS. + Not till + You have discovered to me—— + + GORDON. + On this moment + Does the world hang. For God's sake! to the duke. + While we are speaking—— + [Calling loudly. + Butler! Butler! God! + + COUNTESS. + Why, he is at the castle with my husband. + + [BUTLER comes from the gallery. + + GORDON. + 'Twas a mistake. 'Tis not the Swedes—it is + The imperialists' lieutenant-general + Has sent me hither—will be here himself + Instantly. You must not proceed. + + BUTLER. + He comes + Too late. + + [GORDON dashes himself against the wall. + + GORDON. + Oh, God of mercy! + + COUNTESS. + What, too late? + Who will be here himself? Octavio + In Egra? Treason! Treason! Where's the duke? + + [She rushes to the gallery. +</pre> +<a name="2H_4_0066"><!-- H2 anchor --></a> + +<div style="height: 4em;"><br><br><br><br></div> + +<h2> + SCENE X. +</h2> +<pre> + Servants run across the stage full of terror. The whole scene + must be spoken entirely without pauses. + + SENI (from the gallery). + Oh, bloody, frightful deed! + + COUNTESS. + What is it, Seni? + + PAGE (from the gallery). + Oh, piteous sight! + + [Other servants hasten in with torches. + + COUNTESS. + What is it? For God's sake! + + SENI. + And do you ask? + Within the duke lies murdered—and your husband + Assassinated at the castle. + + [The COUNTESS stands motionless. + + FEMALE SERVANT (rushing across the stage). + Help! help! the duchess! + + BURGOMASTER (enters). + What mean these confused + Loud cries that wake the sleepers of this house? + + GORDON. + Your house is cursed to all eternity. + In your house doth the duke lie murdered! + + BURGOMASTER (rushing out) + Heaven forbid! + + FIRST SERVANT. + Fly! fly! they murder us all! + + SECOND SERVANT (carrying silver-plate). + That way! the lower + Passages are blocked up. + + VOICE (from behind the scene). + Make room for the lieutenant-general! + + [At these words the COUNTESS starts from her stupor, collects + herself, and retires suddenly. + + VOICE (from behind the scene). + Keep back the people! Guard the door! +</pre> +<a name="2H_4_0067"><!-- H2 anchor --></a> + +<div style="height: 4em;"><br><br><br><br></div> + +<h2> + SCENE XI. +</h2> +<pre> + To these enter OCTAVIO PICCOLOMINI with all his train. At the same + time DEVEREUX and MACDONALD enter from out the corridor with the + Halberdiers. WALLENSTEIN's dead body is carried over the back part + of the stage, wrapped in a piece of crimson tapestry. + + OCTAVIO (entering abruptly). + It must not be! It is not possible! + Butler! Gordon! + I'll not believe it. Say no! + + [GORDON, without answering, points with his hand to the body of + WALLENSTEIN as it is carried over the back of the stage. OCTAVIO + looks that way, and stands overpowered with horror. + + DEVEREUX (to BUTLER). + Here is the golden fleece—the duke's sword—— + + MACDONALD. + Is it your order—— + + BUTLER (pointing to OCTAVIO). + Here stands he who now + Hath the sole power to issue orders. + + [DEVEREUX and MACDONALD retire with marks of obeisance. One drops + away after the other, till only BUTLER, OCTAVIO, and GORDON remain + on the stage. + + OCTAVIO (turning to BUTLER). + Was that my purpose, Butler, when we parted? + Oh, God of Justice! + To thee I lift my hand! I am not guilty + Of this foul deed. + + BUTLER. + Your hand is pure. You have + Availed yourself of mine. + + OCTAVIO. + Merciless man! + Thus to abuse the orders of thy lord— + And stain thy emperor's holy name with murder, + With bloody, most accursed assassination! + + BUTLER (calmly). + I've but fulfilled the emperor's own sentence. + + OCTAVIO. + Oh, curse of kings, + Infusing a dread life into their words, + And linking to the sudden, transient thought + The unchanging, irrevocable deed. + Was there necessity for such an eager + Despatch? Couldst thou not grant the merciful + A time for mercy? Time is man's good angel. + To leave no interval between the sentence, + And the fulfilment of it, doth beseem + God only, the immutable! + + BUTLER. + For what + Rail you against me? What is my offence? + The empire from a fearful enemy + Have I delivered, and expect reward. + The single difference betwixt you and me + Is this: you placed the arrow in the bow; + I pulled the string. You sowed blood, and yet stand + Astonished that blood is come up. I always + Knew what I did, and therefore no result + Hath power to frighten or surprise my spirit. + Have you aught else to order; for this instant + I make my best speed to Vienna; place + My bleeding sword before my emperor's throne, + And hope to gain the applause which undelaying + And punctual obedience may demand + From a just judge. + + [Exit BUTLER. +</pre> +<a name="2H_4_0068"><!-- H2 anchor --></a> + +<div style="height: 4em;"><br><br><br><br></div> + +<h2> + SCENE XII. +</h2> +<pre> + To these enter the COUNTESS TERZKY, pale and disordered. + Her utterance is slow and feeble, and unimpassioned. + + OCTAVIO (meeting her). + Oh, Countess Terzky! These are the results + Of luckless, unblest deeds. + + COUNTESS. + They are the fruits + Of your contrivances. The duke is dead, + My husband too is dead, the duchess struggles + In the pangs of death, my niece has disappeared; + This house of splendor, and of princely glory, + Doth now stand desolated: the affrighted servants + Rush forth through all its doors. I am the last + Therein; I shut it up, and here deliver + The keys. + + OCTAVIO (with a deep anguish). + Oh, countess! my house, too, is desolate. + + COUNTESS. + Who next is to be murdered? Who is next + To be maltreated? Lo! the duke is dead. + The emperor's vengeance may be pacified! + Spare the old servants; let not their fidelity + Be imputed to the faithful as a crime— + The evil destiny surprised my brother + Too suddenly: he could not think on them. + + OCTAVIO. + Speak not of vengeance! Speak not of maltreatment! + The emperor is appeased; the heavy fault + Hath heavily been expiated—nothing + Descended from the father to the daughter, + Except his glory and his services. + The empress honors your adversity, + Takes part in your afflictions, opens to you + Her motherly arms. Therefore no further fears. + Yield yourself up in hope and confidence + To the imperial grace! + + COUNTESS (with her eye raised to heaven) + To the grace and mercy of a greater master + Do I yield up myself. Where shall the body + Of the duke have its place of final rest? + 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 wished + He might sometime repose in death! Oh, let him + Be buried there. And likewise, for my husband's + Remains I ask the like grace. The emperor + Is now the 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 (reassembles all her powers, and speaks with energy and + dignity). + You think + More worthily of me than to believe + I would survive the downfall 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 dishonored life. I have taken poison. + + OCTAVIO. + Help! Help! Support her! + + COUNTESS. + Nay, it is too late. + In a few moments is my fate accomplished. + + [Exit COUNTESS. + + GORDON. + Oh, house of death and horrors! + + [An OFFICER enters, and brings a letter with the great seal. + GORDON steps forward and meets him. + + What is this + It is the imperial seal. + + [He reads the address, and delivers the letter to OCTAVIO with + a look of reproach, and with an emphasis on the word. + + To the Prince Piccolomini. + + [OCTAVIO, with his whole frame expressive of sudden anguish, + raises his eyes to heaven. + + The Curtain drops. +</pre> +<a name="2H_FOOT"><!-- H2 anchor --></a> + +<div style="height: 4em;"><br><br><br><br></div> + +<h2> + FOOTNOTES. +</h2> +<pre> + <a href="#noteref-1" name="note-1">1</a> A great stone near Luetzen, since called the Swede's Stone, the body + of their great king having been found at the foot of it, after the + battle in which he lost his life. + + <a href="#noteref-2" name="note-2">2</a> Could I have hazarded such a Germanism as the use of the word + afterworld for posterity,—"Es spreche Welt und Nachwelt meinen + Namen"—might have been rendered with more literal fidelity: Let + world and afterworld speak out my name, etc. + + <a href="#noteref-3" name="note-3">3</a> I have not ventured to affront the fastidious delicacy of our age + with a literal translation of this line, + + werth + Die Eingeweide schaudernd aufzuregen. + + <a href="#noteref-4" name="note-4">4</a> Anspessade, in German, Gefreiter, a soldier inferior to a corporal, + but above the sentinels. The German name implies that he is exempt + from mounting guard. + + <a href="#noteref-5" name="note-5">5</a> I have here ventured to omit a considerable number of lines. I fear + that I should not have done amiss had I taken this liberty more + frequently. It is, however, incumbent on me to give the original, + with a literal translation. + + "Weh denen, die auf Dich vertraun, an Dich + Die sichre Huette ihres Glueckes lehnen, + Gelockt von deiner geistlichen Gestalt. + Schnell unverhofft, bei naechtlich stiller Weile, + Gaehrts in dem tueckschen Feuerschlunde, ladet, + Sich aus mit tobender Gewalt, und weg + Treibt ueber alle Pflanzungen der Menschen + Der wilde Strom in grausender Zerstoerung." + + WALLENSTEIN. + "Du schilderst deines Vaters Herz. Wie Du's + Beschreibst, so ist's in seinem Eingeweide, + In dieser schwarzen Heuchlers Brust gestaltet. + Oh, mich hat Hoellenkunst getaeuscht! Mir sandte + Der Abgrund den verflecktesten der Geister, + Den Luegenkundigsten herauf, und stellt' ihn + Als Freund an meiner Seite. Wer vermag + Der Hoelle Macht zu widersthn! Ich zog + Den Basilisken auf an meinem Busen, + Mit meinem Herzblut naehrt' ich ihn, er sog + Sich schwelgend voll an meiner Liebe Bruesten, + Ich hatte nimmer Arges gegen ihn, + Weit offen liess ich des Gedankens Thore, + Und warf die Schluessel weiser Vorsicht weg, + Am Sternenhimmel," etc. + + LITERAL TRANSLATION. + + "Alas! for those who place their confidence on thee, against thee + lean their secure hut of their fortune, allured by thy hospitable + form. Suddenly, unexpectedly, in a moment still as night, there is + a fermentation in the treacherous gulf of fire; it discharges + itself with raging force, and away over all the plantations of men + drives the wild stream in frightful devastation." + + WALLENSTEIN.—"Thou art portraying thy father's heart; as thou + describest, even so is it shaped in its entrails, in this black + hypocrite's breast. Oh, the art of hell has deceived me! The abyss + sent up to me the most the most spotted of the spirits, the most + skilful in lies, and placed him as a friend by my side. Who may + withstand the power of hell? I took the basilisk to my bosom, with + my heart's blood I nourished him; he sucked himself glutfull at the + breasts of my love. I never harbored evil towards him; wide open + did I leave the door of my thoughts; I threw away the key of wise + foresight. In the starry heaven, etc." We find a difficulty in + believing this to have been written by Schiller. + + <a href="#noteref-6" name="note-6">6</a> This is a poor and inadequate translation of the affectionate + simplicity of the original— + + Sie alle waren Fremdlinge, Du warst + Das Kind des Hauses. + + Indeed the whole speech is in the best style of Massinger. + O si sic omnia! + + <a href="#noteref-7" name="note-7">7</a> It appears that the account of his conversion being caused by + such a fall, and other stories of his juvenile character, are not + well authenticated. + + <a href="#noteref-8" name="note-8">8</a> We doubt the propriety of putting so blasphemous a statement in the + mouth of any character.—T. + + <a href="#noteref-9" name="note-9">9</a> [This soliloquy, which, according to the former arrangement, + constituted the whole of scene ix., and concluded the fourth act, + is omitted in all the printed German editions. It seems probable + that it existed in the original manuscript from which Mr. Coleridge + translated.—ED.] + + 10 The soliloquy of Thekla consists in the original of six-and-twenty + lines twenty of which are in rhymes of irregular recurrence. I + thought it prudent to abridge it. Indeed the whole scene between + Thekla and Lady Neubrunn might, perhaps, have been omitted without + injury to the play.—C. + + <a href="#noteref-11" name="note-11">11</a> These four lines are expressed in the original with exquisite + felicity:— + + Am Himmel ist geschaeftige Bewegung. + Des Thurmes Fahne jagt der Wind, schnell geht + Der Wolken Zug, die Mondessichel wankt + Und durch die Nacht zuckt ungewisse Helle. + + The word "moon-sickle" reminds me of a passage in Harris, as quoted + by Johnson, under the word "falcated." "The enlightened part of the + moon appears in the form of a sickle or reaping-hook, which is while + she is moving from the conjunction to the opposition, or from the + new moon to the full: but from full to a new again the enlightened + part appears gibbous, and the dark falcated." + + The words "wanken" and "schweben" are not easily translated. The + English words, by which we attempt to render them, are either vulgar + or antic, or not of sufficiently general application. So "der + Wolken Zug"—The Draft, the Procession of Clouds. The Masses of the + Clouds sweep onward in swift stream. + + <a href="#noteref-12" name="note-12">12</a> A very inadequate translation of the original:— + + Verschmerzen werd' ich diesen Schlag, das weiss ich, + Denn was verschmerzte nicht der Mensch! + + LITERALLY. + + I shall grieve down this blow, of that I'm conscious: + What does not man grieve down? +</pre> + + +<div style="height: 6em;"><br><br><br><br><br><br></div> + + + + + + + + +<pre> + + + + + +End of Project Gutenberg's The Death of Wallenstein, by Friedrich Schiller + +*** END OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK THE DEATH OF WALLENSTEIN *** + +***** This file should be named 6787-h.htm or 6787-h.zip ***** +This and all associated files of various formats will be found in: + https://www.gutenberg.org/6/7/8/6787/ + +Produced by Tapio Riikonen and David Widger + +Updated editions will replace the previous one--the old editions +will be renamed. + +Creating the works from public domain print editions means that no +one owns a United States copyright in these works, so the Foundation +(and you!) can copy and distribute it in the United States without +permission and without paying copyright royalties. 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