Schiller's tragedies: The Piccolomini; and The death of Wallenstein [from the trilogy ...

Front matter

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Preface

The two Dramas,— Piccolo mini, or the first part of Waluenbtsw, and Tab Dsath or Walunstkin, are introduced in the original manuscript by a Prelude in one Act, entitled WAixsif8Tiiir*B Camp. This is written la rhyme, and in nine-syllable verse, in the same lilting metre (if that expression may be permitted) with the second Eclogue of Spenser's Shepherd's Calendar.

This prelude possesses a sort of broad humour, and is not deficient in character ; but to hare translated it into prose, or into any other metre than that of the original, would hare given a false idea both of Its style and purport ; to have translated it into the same metre would have been incompatible with a faithful adherence to the sense of the German, from the comparative poverty of our language in rhymes ; and it would have been inadvisable, from the incongruity of those lax verses with the present taste of the English Public. Schiller's intention seems to have been merely to have prepared his reader for the Tragedies by a lively picture of the laxity of discipline, and the mutinous dispositions, of Wallenstein's soldiery. It is not necessary as a preliminary explanation. For these reasons it has been thought expedient not to translate it.

The admirers of Schiller, who have abstracted their idea of that author from The Robbers, and The Cabal and Love, plays in which the main interest is produced by the excitement of curiosity, and in which the curiosity la excited by terrible and extraordinary incident, will not have perused without some portion of disappointment the Dramas, which it has been my employment to translate. They should, however, reflect that these are Historical Dramas, taken from a popular German History ; that we must, therefore, judge of them in some measure with the feelings of Germans ; or, by analogy, with the interest excited in us by similar Dramas in our own language. Few, I trust, would be rash or ignorant enough to compare Schiller with Shakspeare ; yet, merely as illustration, I would say that we should proceed to the perusal of Wallenstein, not from Lear or Othello, but from Richard the Second, or the three partsof Henry the Sixth. We scarcely expect rapidity in an Historical Drama ; and many prolix speeches are pardoned from characters, whose names and actions have formed the most »tnn«iTi g tales of our early life. On the other hand, there exist in these plays more individual beauties, more passages whose excellence will bear reflection, than in the former productions of Schiller. The description of the Astrological Tower, and the reflections of the Young Lover, which follow it, form in the original a fine poem ; and my translation must have been wretched indeed, if it can have wholly overclouded the beauties of the Scene in the first Act of the first Flay, between Questenberg, Max. and Octavio Piccolomini.

If we except the Scene of the setting sun in the Robbers, I know of no part in Schiller's Plays which equals the first Scene of the fifth Act of the concluding Play. It would be unbecoming in me to be more diffuse on this subject A Translator stands connected with the original Author by a certain law of subordination, which makes it more decorous to point out excellences than defects : indeed he is not likely to be a fair judge of either. The pleasure or disgust from his own labour will mingle with the feelings that arise from an after, view of the original. Even in the first perusal of a work in any foreign language which we understand, we are apt to attribute to it more excellence than it really possesses from our own pleasurable sense of difficulty overcome without effort Translation of poetry into poetry is difficult, because the Translator must give a brilliancy to his language without that warmth of original conception, from which such brilliancy would follow of its own accord. But the Translator of a living Author is encumbered with additional inconveniences. If he render his original faithfully, as to the sense of each passage, he must, necessarily, destroy a considerable portion of the spirit ; if he endeavour to give a work executed according to laws of compensation, he subjects himself to imputations of vanity, or misrepresentation. I have thought it my duty to remain bound by the sense of my original, with as few exceptions as the nature of the languages rendered possible.

S. T. C.

DKAMATIS PERSONS.

Wallenstein, Duke ofFriedland, Generalissimo of

the Imperial Forces in the Thirty-years' War. Octayio Picoolomini, Lieutenant-General. Max. Piccolomini, hi* Son, Colonel of a Regiment of

Cuirassiers.

Count Tertsky, the Commander of several Regiments,

and Brother-in-law of Wallenstein. Illo, Field Marshal, Wallenstein's Confidant. Isolant, General of the Croats. Butler, an Irishman, Commander of a Regiment of

Dragoons.

TlEFENBACH,

Don Maradas, Goetz,

KOLATTO,

Neumann, Captain of Cavalry, Aide-de-camp to Tertsky.

Generals under Wallenstein.

Von Qusstenrerg, (he War Commissioner, Imperial

Envoy.

General Wranoel, Swedish Envoy. Baftibta Seni, an Astrologer.

Duchess or Friedland, Wife of WaUenstein. Thskla, her daughter, Princess of Friedland. The Countess Tertsky, sister of the Duchess. A Cornet.

Colonels and Generals (several). Pages and Attendants belonging to WaUenstein. Attendants and Hoboists belonging to Tertsky* Master of the Cellar, to Count Tertsky. Valet de Ckaubbm of Count Piccolomini.

THE PICCOLOMINI.

Scene I

An oli Gothic Chamber in the Council Routt at Pilsen, decorated with Colours and other War Insignia.

Iiajo with BinxBR and Isolani.

Ye have come too late — but ye are come ! The Count Isolan, excuses your delay. [distance,

ISOLANI.

Add this too, that we come not empty-handed. At Donauwerth l it was reported to us, »

A Swedish caravan was on its way Transporting a rich cargo of provision, Almost six hundred waggons. This my Croats Plunged down upon and seized, this weighty prize ! — We bring it hither

ILLO.

Just in time to banquet The illustrious company assembled here.

BUTLER.

'Tis all alive ! a stirring scene here 1

ISOLANI.

Ay!

The very churches are all full of soldiers.

* [Casts hts eye round.

And in the Council-house too, I observe, You're settled, quite at home ! Well, well ! we sol- Must shift and suit us in what way we can. [diers

ILLO.

We have the colonels here of thirty regiments.

You'll find Count Tertsky here, and Tiefenbach,

Kolatto, Goetz, Maradas, Hinnersam,

The Piccolomini, both son and father

You'll meet with many an unexpected greeting

From many an old friend and acquaintance. Only

Galas is wanting still, and Altringer.

BUTLER.

Expect not Galas.

illo (hesitating).

How so! Do you know

isolani (interrupting him).

Max. Piccolomini here!— bring me to him. I see him yet ('tis now ten years ago, We were engaged with Mansfeldt hard by Dessau), I see the youth, in my mind's eye I see him, Leap his black war-horse from the bridge adown, And t'ward his father, then in extreme peril,

1 A town about twelve German miles N.K. of Ulm.

Beat up against the strong tide of the Elbe. The down was scarce upon his chin ! I hear He has made good the promise of his youth, And the full hero now is finish'd in him.

ILLO.

You'll see him yet ere evening. He conducts The Duchess Friedland hither, and the Princess • From Carnthen. We expect them here at noon.

BUTLER.

Both wife and daughter does the Duke call hither! He crowds in visitants from all sides.

ISOLANI.

Hml

So much the better ! I had framed my mind To hear of nought but warlike circumstance, Of marches, and attacks, and batteries : And lo ! the Duke provides, that something too Of gentler sort, and lovely, should be present To feast our eyes.

illo (who has been standing in the attitude of meditation, to Butler, whom he leads a little on one side).

And how came you to know

That the Count Galas joins us not !

BUTLER.

Because He importuned me to remain behind.

illo (with warmth).

And you ! — You hold out firmly !

[Grasping his hand with affection. Noble Butler !

BUTLER.

After the obligation which the Duke Had laid so newly on me

illo.

I had forgotten A pleasant duty — Major General, I wish you joy !

isolani.

What, you mean, of his regiment! I hear, too, that to make the gift still sweeter, The Duke has given him the very same In which he first saw service, and since then, [ment, Work'd himself, step by step, through each prefer- From the ranks upwards. And verily, it gives A precedent of hope, a spur of action To the whole corps, if once in their remembrance An old deserving soldier makes his way.

8 The Dukes in Germany being always reigning powers, their sons and daughters are entitled Frinoes and Prinoessee.

THE P1CCOLOMINI.

BUTLER.

I am perplex'd and doubtful, whether or no

I dare accept this your congratulation.

The Emperor has not yetconlrm'dthe appointment.

ISOLANI.

Seize it, friend! Seize it! The hand which in that post Placed you, is strong enough to keep you there, Spite of the Emperor and his Ministers !

ILLO.

Ay, if we would but so consider it ! —

If we would all of us consider it so !

The Emperor gives us nothing ; from the Duke

Comes all — whate'er we hope, whate'er we have.

ISOLAlfl (to Illo).

My noble brother ! did I tell you how The Duke will satisfy my creditors 1 Will be himself my banker for the future, Make me once more a creditable man ! — And this is now the third time, think of that ! This kingly-minded man has rescued me From absolute ruin, and restored my honour.

ILLO.

thai his power but kept pace with his wishes ! Why, friend ! he'd give the whole world to his soldiers. But at Vienna, brother ! — here's the grievance. — What politic schemes do they not lay to shorten His arm, and where they can, to clip his pinions. Then these new dainty requisitions ! these, Which this same Questenberg brings hither ! — i

Ay!

These requisitions of the Emperor, — I too have heard about them ; but I hope The Duke will not draw back a single inch !

ILLO.

Not from his right most surely, unless first — From office 1

butler (shocked and confused).

Know you aught then 1 You alarm me.

isolani (at the same time with butler, and in a hurrying voice).

We should be ruin'd, every one of us !

ILLO.

No more !

Yonder I see our worthy friend x approaching With the Lieutenant-General, Piccolomini.

BUTLBR (shaking his head significantly). I fear we shall not go hence as we came.

Scene II

Enter Octavio Pjccom>mini and Qubstknbkro. octavio (8 till in the distance.) Ay, ay 1 more still ! Still more new visitors ! Acknowledge, friend ! that never was a camp, Which held ajb once so many heads of heroes.

[Approaching nearer.

Welcome, Count Isolani t

ISOLANI.

My noble brother, Even now am I arrived; it had been else my duty —

OCTAVIO.

And Colonel Butler— trust me, I rejoice Thus to renew acquaintance with a man Whose worth and services I know and honour. » Spoken with a sneer.

See, see, my friend !

There might we place at once before our eyes

The sum of war's whole trade and mystery —

[To Qubstsnbkro, presenting Butlbr and Isolani at the same time to him.

These two the total sum — Strength and Dispatch.

QUESTENBERG (to OCTAVIO).

And lo! betwixt them both experienced Prudence! octavio (presenting Questenberg to Butler and Isolani).

The Chamberlain and War-commissioner Questen- The bearer of the Emperor's behests, [berg,

The long-tried friend and patron of all soldiers, We honour in this noble visitor. [Universal silence.

illo (moving towards Questenberg). Tis not the first time, noble Minister, You have shown our camp this honour. questenberg.

Once before I stood before these colours.

ILLO.

Perchance too you remember where that was.

It was at Znaim* in Moravia, where

You did present yourself upon the part

Of the Emperor, to supplicate our Duke

That he would straight assume the chief command.

QUESTENBERG.

To supplicate 9 Nay bold General ! So far extended neither my commission (At least to my own knowledge) nor my zeal.

ILLO.

Well, well, then— to compel him, if you choose. I can remember me right well, Count Tilly Had suffer'd total rout upon the Lech. Bavaria lay all open to the enemy, Whom there was nothing to delay from pressing Onwards into the very heart of Austria. At that time you and Werdenberg appeared Before our General, storming him with prayers. And menacing the Emperor's displeasure, Unless he took compassion on this wretchedness.

isolani (steps up to them).

Yes, yes, 'tis comprehensible enough, Wherefore with your commission of to-day You were not all too willing to remember Your former one.

QUESTENBERG.

Why not, Count Isolan !

No contradiction sure exists between them. It was the urgent business of that time To snatch Bavaria from her enemy's hand ; And my commission of to-day instructs me To free her from her good friends and protectors.

ILLO.

A worthy office ! After with our blood

We have wrested this Bohemia from the Saxon,

To be swept out of it is all our thanks,

The sole reward of all our hard- won victories.

QUESTENBERG.

Unless that wretched land be doomed to suffer

Only a change of evils, it must be

Freed from the scourge alike of friend and foe.

ILLO.

What ! Twas a favourable year ; the boors

Can answer fresh demands already.

* A town not far from the Mine-mountains, on the high road from Vienna to Prague.

THE PICCOLOMINL

QUESTENBERO.

Nay,

If you discourse of herds and meadow-grounds —

ISOLANI.

The war nnunfaunw the war. Are the boon ruin'dl The Emperor gains so many more new soldiers.

QUESTENBERO.

And is the poorer by even so many subjects.

ISOLANI.

Poh ! we are all his subjects.

QUESTENBERO.

Yet with a difference, General ! The one fill

The others are well skill'd to empty it.

The sword has made the Emperor poor; the plough

Must reinvigorate his resources.

ISOLANI.

Sure!

Times are not yet so bad. Methinks I see

[Examining with his eye the dress and ornaments

4/ r Q > UKSTKNBKRO. •>>

Good store of gold that still remains uncom'd.

QUESTENBERO.

Thank Heavenl that means have been found out to Some little from the fingers of the Croats, [hide

ILLO.

There 1 The Stawata and the Martinitz,

On whom the Emperor heaps his gifts and graces,

To the heart-burning of all good Bohemians —

Those minions of court favour, those court harpies,

Who fatten on the wrecks of citizens

Driven from their house and home — who reap no

Save in the general calamity — [harvests

Who now, with kingly pomp, insult and mock

The desolation of then* country — these,

Let these, and such as these, support the war,

The fatal war, which they alone enkindled !

And those state-parasites, who have their feet So constantly beneath the Emperor's table, Who cannot let a benefice fall, but they Snap at it with dogs' hunger — they, forsooth, [ing! Would pare the soldier'sbread, and cross his reckon-

ISOLANI.

My life long will it anger me to think, How when I went to court seven years ago, To see about new horses for our regiment, How from one antechamber to another They dragg'd me on, and left me by the hour To kick my heels among a crowd of simpering Feast-fatten'd slaves, as if I had come thither A mendicant suitor for the crumbs of favour That fall beneath their tables.. And, at last, Whom should they send me but a capuchin I Straight I began to muster up my sins For absolution— but no such luck for me ! This was the man, this capuchin, with whom I was to treat concerning the army horses : And I was forced at last to quit the field, The business unaccomplished. Afterwards The Duke procured me in three days, what I Could not obtain in thirty at Vienna.

QUESTENBERO.

Yes, yes I your travelling bills soon found their

way tons: Too well I know we have still accounts to settle.

ILLO.

War is a violent trade : one cannot always

Finish one's work by soft means ; every trifle

Must not be blacken'd into sacrilege.

If we should wait till you, in solemn council,

With due deliberation had selected

The smallest out of four-and-twenty evils,

I' faith we should wait lone. —

"Dash! and through with ft !"— That's the better

watch-word.

Then after come what may come. 'Tis man's nature To make the best of a bad thing once past. A bitter and perplex'd " what shall I do V Is worae to man than worst necessity.

QUESTENBERO.

Ay, doubtless, it is true : the Duke does spare us The troublesome task of choosing.

BUTLER.

Yes, the Duke Cares with a father's feelings for his troops ; But how the Emperor feels for us, we see.

QUESTENBERO.

His cares and feelings all ranks share alike, Nor will he offer one up to another.

ISOLANI.

And therefore thrusts he us into the deserts As beasts of prey, that so he may preserve His dear sheep fattening in his fields at home.

questenbero {with a sneer).

Count! this comparison you make, not I.

BUTLER.

Why, were we all the Court supposes us, 'Twere dangerous, sure, to give us liberty.

QUESTENBERO.

You have taken liberty— -it was not given you. And therefore it becomes an urgent duty To rein it in with curbs.

octavio (interposing and addressing Questenbero).

My noble friend, This is no more than a remembrancing That you are now in camp, and among warriors. The soldier's boldness constitutes his freedom. Could he act daringly, unless he dared Talk even so 1 One runs into the other. The boldness of this worthy officer,

[Pointing to Botlkil Which now has but mistaken in its mark, Preserved, when nought but boldness could preserve it, To the Emperor his capital city, Prague, In a most formidable mutiny Of the whole garrison. [Military music at a distance. Hah 1 here they come !

ILLO.

The sentries are saluting them : this signal Announces the arrival of the Duchess.

octavio (to Questenbero).

Then my son Max. too has returned. 'Twas he Fetch 'd and attended them from Carnthen hither.

ISOLANI (to ILLO).

Shall we not go in company to greet them 1

ILLO.

Well, let us go. — Ho ! Colonel Butler, come.

[To Octavio. , You'll not forget, that yet ere noon we meet The noble Envoy at the General's palace.

[Exeunt ail but Qukstshbero and Octavio. b a

THE PICCOLOMINL

Scene III

QuEflTZKBBAO and OCTAVIO. qcestexberg (with signs of aversion and astonishment).

What have I not been forced to hear, Octavio ! What sentiments ! what fierce, uncurb'd defiance! And were this spirit universal—

OCTAVIO.

Hm ! [army.

You are now acquainted with three -fourths of the

QUESTENBERG.

Where must we seek then for a second host To have the custody of this 1 That Illo Thinks worse, I fear me, than he speaks. And then This Butler too — he cannot even conceal The passionate workings of his ill intentions.

octavio.

, Twas nothing more. I cannot give up Butler.

I I know a speU that will soon dispossess

, The evil spirit in him.

questenbero (walking up and down in evident disouiet).

Friend, friend 1 O ! this is worse, far worse, than we had suffer'd Ourselves to dream of at Vienna. There We saw it only with a courtier's eyes, Eyes dazzled by the splendour of the throne. We had not seen the War-chief, the Commander, The man all-powerful in his camp. Here, here, *T is quite another thing.

Here is no Emperor more — the Duke is Emperor. Alas, my friend 1 alas, my noble friend ! This walk which you have ta'en me through the Strikes my hopes prostrate. [camp

octavio.

Now you see yourself Of what a perilous kind the office is, Which you deliver to me from the Court. The least suspicion of the General Costs me my freedom and my life, and would But hasten his most desperate enterprise.

QUESTENBERG.

Where was our reason sleeping when we trusted This madman with the sword', and placed such In such a hand 1 I tell you, he '11 refuse, [power Flatly refuse, to obey the Imperial orders. Friend, he can do 't, and what he can, he will. And then the impunity of his defiance — Oh ! what a proclamation of our weakness !

octavio.

D 1 ye think too, he has brought his wife and daughter Without a purpose hither ? Here in camp ! And at the very point of time, in which We 're arming for the war ! That he has taken These, the last pledges of his loyalty, Away from out the Emperor's domains — This is no doubtful token of the nearness Of some eruption !

QUESTENBERG.

How shall we hold footing Beneath this tempest, which collects itself And threats us from all quarters 1 The enemy Of the empire on our borders, now already The master of the Danube, and still farther, And farther still, extending every hour !

In our interior the alarum-bells Of insurrection — peasantry in arms — All orders discontented — and the army, Just in the moment of our expectation Of aidance from it — lo ! this very army Seduced, run wild, lost to all discipline, Loosen'd, and rent asunder from the state And from their sovereign, the blind instrument Of the most daring of mankind, a weapon Of fearful power, which at his will he wields !

octavio.

Nay, nay, friend ! let us not despair too soon. Men's words are ever bolder than their deed* : And many a resolute, who now appears Made up to all extremes, will, on a sudden Find in his breast a heart he wot not of, Let but a single honest man speak out The true name of his crime ! Remember too, We stand not yet so wholly unprotected. Counts Altringer and Galas have maintain'd Their little army faithful to its duty, And daily it becomes more numerous. Nor can he take us by surprise : you know I hold him all encompassed by my listeners. Whate'er he does, is mine, even while 't is doing — No step so small, but instantly I hear it ; Yea, his own mouth discloses it.

QUESTENBERG.

T is quite Incomprehensible, that he detects not The foe so near !

OCTAVIO.

Beware, you do not think, That I by lying arts, and complaisant Hypocrisy, have skulked into his graces : Or with the substance of smooth professions Nourish his all-confiding friendship ! No — Compell'd alike by prudence, and that duty Which we all owe our country, and our sovereign, To hide my genuine feelings from him, yet Ne'er have I duped him with base counterfeits !

QUESTENBERG.

It is the visible ordinance of Heaven.

octavio.

I know not what it is that so attracts And links him both to me and to my son. Comrades and friends we always were — long habit, Adventurous deeds performed in company, And all those many and various incidents Which store a soldier's memory with affections, Had bound us long and early to each other — Yet I can name the day, when all at once His heart rose on me, and his confidence Shot out into sudden growth. It was the morning Before the memorable fight at Lutzner. Urged by an ugly dream, I sought him out, '

To press him to accept another charger. At distance from the tents, beneath a tree, I found him in a sleep. When I had waked him, And had related all my bodings to him, Long time he stared upon me, like a man Astounded : thereon fell upon my neck, And manifested to me an emotion That far outstripped the worth of that small service. Since then his confidence has follow'd me With the same pace that mine has fled from him.

QUESTENBERG.

You lead your son into the secret I

THE PICCOLOMINI.

No!

QUESTENBERG.

What ! and not warn him either what bad hands His lot has placed him in 1

OCTAVIO.

I must perforce Leave him in wardship to his innocence. His young and open soul — dissimulation Is foreign to its habits ! Ignorance Alone can keep alive the cheerful air, The unembarrass'd sense and light free spirit, That make the Duke secure.

questenberg (anxiously).

My honoured friend ! most highly do I deem

Of Colonel Piccolomini — yet — if

Reflect a little

OCTAVIO.

I must venture it Hush I — There he comes !

Scene IV

Max. Piccolomini, Octavio Piccolomini, Qubstknbjcro.

MAX.

Ha I there he is himself. Welcome, my father ! [He embraces his father. As he turns round, he

observes Qusstknbkro, and draws back with a

cold and reserved air.

You are engaged, I see. I'll not disturb you.

OCTAVIO.

How, Max. 1 Look closer at this visitor. Attention, Max. an old friend merits — Reverence Belongs of right to the envoy of your sovereign.

max. (drily).

Von Questenberg I — Welcome— if you bring with Aught good to our head-quarters. [you

questenberg (seizing his hand), f

Nay, draw not Your hand away, Count Piccolomini ! Not on mine own account alone I seized it, And nothing common will I say therewith.

iTaking the hands of both.

Octavio — Max. Piccolomini !

saviour names, and full of happy omen ! Ne'er will her prosperous genius turn from Austria, While two such stars, with blessed influences Beaming protection, shine above her hosts.

MAX.

Heh ! — Noble minister ! You miss your part.

You came not here to act a panegyric.

You 're sent, I know, to find fault and to scold ■

1 must not be beforehand with my comrades.

octavio (to Max.).

He comes from court, where people are not quite So well contented with the Duke, as here.

MAX.

What now have they contrived to find out in him? That he alone determines for himself What he himself alone doth understand ! Well, therein he does right, and will persist in 't. Heaven never meant him for that passive tiling That can be struck and hammer'd out to spit Another's taste and fancy. He '11 not dance To every tune of every minister :

It goes against his nature— he can't do it

He is Dossess'd by a commanding spirit,

And his too is the station of command.

And well for us it is so ! There exist

Few fit to rule themselves, but few that use

Their intellects intelligently. — Then

Well for the whole, if there be found a man,

Who makes himself what nature destined him,

The pause, the central point to thousand thousands —

Stands fixed and stately, like a firm-built column,

Where all may press with joy and confidence.

Now such a man is Wallenstein ; and if

Another better suits the court — no other

But such a one as he can serve the army.

QUESTENBERG.

The army 1 Doubtless !

octavio (to Questenberg).

Hush ! Suppress it friend !

Unless some end were answerM by the utterance. — Of him there you 'U make nothing.

MAX. (continuing).

In their distress They call a spirit up, and when he comes, Straight their flesh creeps and quivers, and they

dread him More than the ills for which they call'd him up. The uncommon, the sublime, must seem and be Like things of every day. — But in the field, Ay, there the Present Being makes itself felt The personal must command, the actual eye Examine. If to be the chieftain asks All that is great in nature, let it be Likewise his privilege to move and act In all the correspondencies of greatness. The oracle within him, that which lives, He must invoke and question — not dead books, Not ordinances, not mould-rotted papers.

OCTAVIO.

My son ! of those old narrow ordinances

Let us not hold too lightly. They are weights

Tied to the volatile will of their oppressors.

For always formidable was the league

And partnership of free power with free will.

The way of ancient ordinance, though it winds,

Is yet no devious way. Straight forward goes

The lightning's path, and straight the fearful path

Of the cannon-ball. Direct it flies and rapid,

Shattering that it may reach, and shattering what

it reaches.

My son ! the road, the human being travels, That, on which blessing comes and goes, doth

follow The river's course, the valley's playful windings, Curves round the corn-field and the hill of vines, Honouring the holy bounds of property ! And thus secure, though late, leads to its end.