Act V, Scene I
SCENE--As in the preceding Act.
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 Galas. Secure them both, and send them to me hither. Remember, thou tak'st on thee the command 5 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 wert fettered. I know, that it is doing thee a service 10 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 15 By thy inertness. The mean time, 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-- 20 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.
LINENOTES:
[3] Secretes] Secrets 1828, 1829, 1893.
[9] YES 1800, 1828, 1829.
Act V, Scene II
WALLENSTEIN, MAX PICCOLOMINI.
Max (advances to him). My General!
Wallenstein. That am I no longer, if Thou styl'st 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 5 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 10 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, 15 There 'tis a blessing to have no election, And blank necessity is grace and favour. --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! 20 The Court--it hath determined on my ruin, Therefore I will to 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 ta'en thee by surprise. Answer me not. 25 I grant thee time to recollect thyself.
[_He rises, and retires at 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 30 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. 35
Wallenstein. Soft cradled thee thy Fortune till to-day; Thy duties thou couldst exercise in sport, Indulge all lovely instincts, act for ever With undivided heart. It can remain No longer thus. Like enemies, the roads 40 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. 45 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 50 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, 55 Must I pluck live asunder from thy name? Nay, do not turn thy countenance upon me-- It always was as a god looking at me! Duke Wallenstein, its power is not departed: The senses still are in thy bonds, although, 60 Bleeding, the soul hath freed itself.
Wallenstein. Max, hear me.
Max. O! 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 65 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 70 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. 75
Wallenstein. The world will judge me sternly, 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 80 Or suffer violence--so stands the case, There remains nothing possible but that.
Max. O that is never possible for thee! 'Tis the last desperate resource of those Cheap souls, to whom their honour, their good name 85 Is their poor saving, their last worthless keep, Which having staked and lost, they stake 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! 90 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 95 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 100 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. 105 The jewel, the all-valued gold we win From the deceiving Powers, depraved in nature, That dwell beneath the day and blessed sun-light. Not without sacrifices are they rendered Propitious, and there lives no soul on earth 110 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! 115 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, 120 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. 125 That is no mere excess! that is no error Of human nature--that is wholly different, O that is black, black as the pit of hell! Thou canst not hear it nam'd, and wilt thou do it? O turn back to thy duty. That thou canst, 130 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. 135
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 honourably, even as thou stood'st. Lose the command. Go from the stage of war. 140 Thou canst with splendour do it--do it too With innocence. Thou hast liv'd 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 145 Thy words, one after the other are the mile-stones Left fast behind by my post couriers, Who bear the order on to Prague and Egra. Yield thyself to it. We act as we are forced. I cannot give assent to my own shame 150 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 Cæsar at the Rubicon, When he the legions led against his country, 155 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 his spirit. Give me his luck, that other thing I'll bear. 160
[_MAX quits him abruptly. WALLENSTEIN, startled and overpowered, continues looking after him, and is still in this posture when TERTSKY enters._
LINENOTES:
[86] saving . . . Keep 1800, 1828, 1829.
[104] property 1800, 1828, 1829.
[116] all 1800, 1828, 1829.
[123] traitor 1800, 1828, 1829.
[After 128] [WALLENSTEIN betrays a sudden agitation. 1800, 1828, 1829.
[129] nam'd . . . do 1800, 1828, 1829.
[After 148] [MAX stands as convulsed, with a gesture and countenance expressing the most intense anguish. 1800, 1828, 1829.
[150] I 1800, 1828, 1829.
[151] Thou--no 1800, 1828, 1829.
[160] that other thing 1800, 1828, 1829.
Act V, Scene III
WALLENSTEIN, TERTSKY.
Tertsky. Max Piccolomini just left you?
Wallenstein. Where is Wrangel?
Tertsky. He is already gone.
Wallenstein. In such a hurry?
Tertsky. 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. 5 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?
Tertsky. How, Octavio! Whither send him? 10
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! Would'st thou trust to him The soldiery? Him wilt thou let slip from thee, 15 Now, in the very instant that decides us----
Tertsky. 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, 20 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 25 E'en till to-day, to-day too will I trust him.
Tertsky. 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-- 30 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, 35 Thorns in your foot-path. 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; 40 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 45 From Galas----
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. 50 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?
Wallenstein. There exist moments in the life of man, When he is nearer the great soul of the world 55 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 Lützen, Leaning against a tree, thoughts crowding thoughts, 60 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, 65 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 70 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 yearn'd to know which one was faithfullest 75 Of all, this 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. 80 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 85 I lay, and panted like a dying man. Then seized me suddenly a saviour arm; It was Octavio's--I awoke at once, 'Twas broad day, and Octavio stood before me. 'My brother,' said he,'do not ride to-day 90 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. 95 My cousin rode the dapple on that day. And never more saw I or horse or rider.
Illo. That was a chance.
Wallenstein. There's no such thing as chance. In brief, 'tis signed and sealed that this Octavio Is my good angel--and now no word more. [He is retiring.
Tertsky. This is my comfort--Max remains our hostage. 100
Illo. And he shall never stir from here alive.
Wallenstein (stops and turns himself round). Are ye not like the women, who for ever Only recur to their first word, although One had been talking reason by the hour? 105 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-- 110 No juggling chance can metamorphose them. Have I the human kernel first examined? Then I know, too, the future will and action.
LINENOTES:
[38] me 1800, 1828, 1829.
[76] included] include 1800.
[89] Octavio 1800, 1828, 1829.
[98] Wallenstein (significantly). 1800, 1828, 1829.
[112] kernel 1800, 1828, 1829.
Act V, Scene IV
SCENE--A Chamber in PICCOLOMINI'S Dwelling-House.
OCTAVIO PICCOLOMINI, ISOLANI (entering).
Isolani. Here am I--Well! who comes yet of the others?
Octavio. But, first, a word with you, Count Isolani.
Isolani. 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. 5
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---- 10 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 those stolen signatures bind them to nothing. 15
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 20 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 25 You will be called the friend or enemy Of the Emperor.
Isolani. That declaration, friend, I'll make to him in whom a right is placed To put that question to me.
Octavio. Whether, Count, 30 That right is mine, this paper may instruct you.
Isolani. 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 35 As from ourselves.'----Hem!--Yes! so!--Yes! yes!-- I--I give you joy, Lieutenant-General!
Octavio. And you submit you to the order?
Isolani. I---- But you have taken me so by surprise-- Time for reflection one must have----
Octavio. Two minutes. 40
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? 45
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? 50
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. 55
Isolani. Aye! 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? 60
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're so well disposed. This night break off in the utmost secrecy With all the light-armed troops--it must appear 65 As came the order from the Duke himself. At Frauenberg's the place of rendezvous; There will Count Galas give you further orders.
Isolani. It shall be done. But you'll remember me With the Emperor--how well disposed you found me. 70
Octavio. I will not fail to mention it honourably.
[Exit ISOLANI. A Servant enters.
What, Colonel Butler!--Shew 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! 75
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. [Exit.
Octavio. You need not be uneasy on that score. That has succeeded. Fortune favour us 80 With all the others only but as much!
LINENOTES:
[Before 2] Octavio (with an air of mystery). 1800, 1828, 1829.
[Before 3] Isolani (assuming the same air of mystery). 1800, 1828, 1829.
[27] Isolani (with an air of defiance). 1800, 1828, 1829.
[Before 32] Isolani (stammering). 1800, 1828, 1829.
[36] Hem 1800, 1828, 1829.
[40] must 1800, 1828, 1829.
[55] will 1800, 1828, 1829.
Act V, Scene V
OCTAVIO PICCOLOMINI, BUTLER.
Butler. At your command, Lieutenant-General.
Octavio. Welcome, as honoured friend and visitor.
Butler. You do me too much honour.
Octavio (after both have seated themselves). You have not Returned the advances which I made you yesterday-- Misunderstood them, as mere empty forms. 5 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. 10 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. 15 You came through Frauenberg. Did the Count Galas 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 20 Yourself the trouble--me th' 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-- 25 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 30 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-- 35 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? 40
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: 45 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 50 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. The title that you wished, I mean. 55
Butler (starts in sudden passion). Hell and damnation!
Octavio. 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 'ts sheath![718:1] and tell me calmly, How all that happened. I will not refuse you 60 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. 65 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! 70 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 grey-haired man, the faithful veteran? 75 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. 80
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, 85 In whose light I may stand, some envious knave, Stung to his soul by my fair self-earned honours!
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. 90
Octavio. Ay? Are you sure of that?
Butler. I read the letter.
Octavio. And so did I--but the contents were different. 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, 95 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, 100 For so he calls it.
[_BUTLER reads through the letter, his knees tremble, he seizes a chair, and sinks down 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 105 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 110 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. Can e'er the Emperor's Majesty forgive me? 115
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. 120 The regiment, which you now command, is yours.
[_BUTLER attempts to rise, sinks down again. He labours 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 125 Wear it with honour 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! 130
Octavio. Come after me to Frauenberg, where now All who are loyal are assembling under Counts Altringer and Galas. Many others I've brought to a remembrance of their duty. This night be sure that you escape from Pilsen. 135
Butler. Count Piccolomini! Dare that man speak Of honour 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 honour!
Octavio. What's your design?
Butler. Leave me and my regiment. 140
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 to me. Ye may trust safely. By the living God Ye give him over, not to his good angel! 145 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 Isolan.' --O that I had but left this town behind me. To split upon a rock so near the haven!-- 150 Away! This is no longer a safe place for me! Where can my son be tarrying?
FOOTNOTES:
[718:1] It probably did not suit Schiller's purposes to remark, what he doubtless knew, that Butler was of a noble Irish family, indeed one of the noblest. MS. R.
LINENOTES:
[18] me 1800, 1828, 1829.
[55] Octavio (coldly). 1800, 1828, 1829.
[After 92] [BUTLER is suddenly struck. 1800, 1828, 1829.
[Before 115] Butler (his voice trembling). 1800, 1828, 1829.
[Before 136] Butler (strides up and down in excessive agitation, then steps up to Octavio with resolved countenance). 1800, 1828, 1829.
Act V, Scene VI
OCTAVIO and MAX PICCOLOMINI.
Octavio (advances to Max). I am going off, my son.
[Receiving no answer he takes his hand.
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.
O, hadst thou been but simple and sincere, Ne'er had it come to this--all had stood otherwise. 5 He had not done that foul and horrible deed, The virtuous had retained their influence o'er him: He had not fallen into the snares of villains. Wherefore so like a thief, and thief's accomplice Did'st creep behind him--lurking for thy prey? 10 O, unblest falsehood! Mother of all evil! Thou misery-making demon, it is thou That sink'st us in perdition. Simple truth, Sustainer of the world, had saved us all! Father, I will not, I cannot excuse thee! 15 Wallenstein has deceived me--O, most foully! But thou hast acted not much better.
Octavio. Son! My son, ah! I forgive thy agony!
Max. Was't possible? had'st thou the heart, my father, Had'st thou the heart to drive it to such lengths, 20 With cold premeditated purpose? Thou-- Had'st 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. O, woe is me! sure I have changed my nature. 25 How comes suspicion here--in the free soul? Hope, confidence, belief, are gone; for all Lied to me, all what I e'er loved or honoured. No! No! Not all! She--she yet lives for me, And she is true, and open as the Heavens! 30 Deceit is every where, hypocrisy, Murder, and poisoning, treason, perjury: The single holy spot is now our love, The only unprofaned in human nature.
Octavio. Max!--we will go together. 'Twill be better. 35
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! 40
Octavio. 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 would'st thou wish to rob me 45 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! 50 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 55 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. O, come, my son! I bid thee save thy virtue.
Max. Squander not thou thy words in vain. 60 The heart I follow, for I dare trust to it.
Octavio. Max! Max! if that most damnéd 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, 65 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. O hadst thou always better thought of men, Thou hadst then acted better. Curst suspicion! 70 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'erpower'd--as little 75 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; Toskana 80 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 honour.
Max. Rely on this, I either leave my life 85 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. 90 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.
LINENOTES:
[Before 1] (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). 1800, 1828, 1829.
[Before 19] Max (rises and contemplates his father with looks of suspicion). 1800, 1828, 1829.
[28] what] that 1828, 1829.
[33] The single holy spot is our love 1800.
[Before 41] Octavio (more urgently). 1800, 1828, 1829.
[Before 62] Octavio (trembling, and losing all self-command). 1800, 1828, 1829.
[63] think 1800.
[75] thou 1800.
THE DEATH OF WALLENSTEIN
A TRAGEDY IN FIVE ACTS
PREFACE OF THE TRANSLATOR TO THE FIRST EDITION
The two Dramas, PICCOLOMINI, or the first part of WALLENSTEIN, and WALLENSTEIN, are introduced in the original manuscript by a Prelude in one Act, entitled WALLENSTEIN'S CAMP. This is written in rhyme, and in nine-syllable verse, in the same lilting metre (if that expression may be permitted) 5 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 have translated it into prose, or into any other metre than that of the original, would have given a false notion both of its style and purport; to have 10 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 unadvisable from the incongruity of those lax verses with the present taste of the English Public. Schiller's intention 15 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. 20
The admirers of Schiller, who have abstracted their conception 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 is excited by terrible and extraordinary incident, will not have perused without some 25 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 30 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 35 three parts of 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 amusing tales of our early life. On the other hand, there exist in these plays more individual beauties, 40 more passages the excellence of which 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 45 wholly overclouded the beauties of the Scene in the first Act of the first Play 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 whole of the first Scene of the fifth Act of the concluding Play. It 50 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 excellencies than defects: indeed he is not likely to be a fair judge of either. The pleasure or disgust from his 55 own labour will mingle with the feelings that arise from an afterview 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 effect. 60 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 65 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 70 bound by the sense of my original, with as few exceptions as the nature of the languages rendered possible.
LINENOTES:
Title] Part Second. The Death of Wallenstein. A Tragedy. The Death of Wallenstein. Preface of the Translator. 1828, 1829.
[10] notion] idea 1800, 1828, 1829.
[21] conception] idea 1800, 1828, 1829.
[41] the excellence of which] whose excellence 1800, 1828, 1829.
[60] effect] effort 1834.
[66] sense] sense 1800, 1828, 1829.
[67] spirit] spirit 1800, 1828, 1829.
[68] compensation] compensation 1800, 1828, 1829.
[After 72] S. T. Coleridge 1800, 1828, 1829.
Dramatis Personae
_WALLENSTEIN, Duke of Friedland, Generalissimo of the Imperial Forces in the Thirty Years' War._ DUCHESS OF FRIEDLAND, Wife of Wallenstein. THEKLA, her Daughter, Princess of Friedland. THE COUNTESS TERTSKY, Sister of the Duchess. LADY NEUBRUNN. OCTAVIO PICCOLOMINI, Lieutenant-General. MAX PICCOLOMINI, his 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. BUTLER, an Irishman, Commander of a Regiment of Dragoons. GORDON, Governor of Egra. MAJOR GERALDIN. CAPTAIN DEVEREUX. CAPTAIN MACDONALD. NEUMANN, Captain of Cavalry, Aide-de-Camp to Tertsky. SWEDISH CAPTAIN. SENI. BURGOMASTER of Egra. ANSPESSADE of the Cuirassiers. GROOM OF THE CHAMBER, } belonging to the Duke. A PAGE, } CUIRASSIERS, DRAGOONS, SERVANTS.
THE DEATH OF WALLENSTEIN
Act I, Scene I
SCENE--A Chamber in the House of the DUCHESS OF FRIEDLAND.
COUNTESS TERTSKY, THEKLA, LADY NEUBRUNN (the two latter sit at the same table at work).
Countess (watching them from the opposite side). So you have nothing, niece, 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?
[The COUNTESS rises and advances to her.
Why, how comes this? Perhaps I am already grown superfluous, 5 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? 10
Thekla. I am.
Countess. May't please you, leave us, Lady Neubrunn!
[Exit LADY NEUBRUNN.
LINENOTES:
[4] [THEKLA remaining silent, the, &c., 1800, 1828, 1829.
Act I, Scene II
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. 5
Countess. 'Twas for that purpose that I bade her leave us. Thekla, you are no more a child. Your heart Is now no more in nonage: for you love, And boldness dwells with love--that you have proved. Your nature moulds itself upon your father's 10 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 15 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. It lies within your power to do your father A weighty service--
Thekla. Lies within my power? 20
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? 25
Countess. He cleaves to the Emperor too.
Thekla. Not more than duty And honour may demand of him.
Countess. We ask Proofs of his love, and not proofs of his honour. Duty and honour! Those are ambiguous words with many meanings. 30 You should interpret them for him: his love Should be the sole definer of his honour.
Thekla. How?
Countess. The Emperor or you must he renounce.
Thekla. He will accompany my father gladly In his retirement. From himself you heard, 35 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, 40 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! 45
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. 50 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 55 Which is and must be. I do know your mother. The far-off future weights upon her heart With torture of anxiety; but is it Unalterably, actually present, She soon resigns herself, and bears it calmly. 60
Thekla. O my fore-boding 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, A heavy ominous presentiment 65 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, 70 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 can not part from you.
Thekla. Alas for his sore anguish! It will rend 75 His heart asunder.
Countess. If indeed he loves you, His resolution will be speedily taken.
Thekla. His resolution will be speedily taken-- O do not doubt of that! A resolution! Does there remain one to be taken?
Countess. Hush! 80 Collect yourself! I hear your mother coming.
Thekla. How shall I bear to see her?
Countess. Collect yourself.
LINENOTES:
[2] still . . . this 1800, 1828, 1829.
[3] this 1800, 1828, 1829.
[9] you 1800, 1828, 1829.
[20] my 1800, 1828, 1829.
[31] You 1800, 1828, 1829.
[37] not 1800, 1828, 1829.
[72] Prove good 1800.
[74] can 1800.
[80] taken 1800.
Act I, Scene III
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 grown so timorous, every trifling noise Scatters my spirits, and announces to me The footstep of some messenger of evil. 5 And can you 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 favourable answer?
Countess. No, he has not. 10
Duchess. Alas! then all is lost! I see it coming, The worst that can come! Yes, they will depose him; The accurséd business of the Regenspurg diet Will all be acted o'er again!
Countess. No! never! Make your heart easy, sister, as to that. 15
[_THEKLA 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. O that stern unbending man! In this unhappy marriage what have I Not suffered, not endured. For ev'n as if 20 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 whirls me. 25 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. 30
Thekla. O 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, 35 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. 40 The Emperor loved him, trusted him: and all He undertook could not but be successful. But since that ill-starred day at Regenspurg, Which plunged him headlong from his dignity, A gloomy uncompanionable spirit, 45 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 50 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. 55 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 shew thy father A cheerful countenance. See, the tie-knot here Is off--this hair must not hang so dishevelled. 60 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). Aunt, you will excuse me? 65
[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? 70
Countess. She's not well.
Duchess. What ails then my beloved child?
[_Both follow the PRINCESS, and endeavour to detain her. During this WALLENSTEIN appears, engaged in conversation with ILLO._
LINENOTES:
[Between 14, 15] [THEKLA, in extreme agitation, throws herself, &c. 1800, 1828, 1829.
[28] fate 1800.
[40] flame 1800.
[53] your 1800.
[56] be soon] soon be 1828, 1829.
[57] her 1800, 1828, 1829.
[65] Thekla (to the Countess, with marks of great oppression of spirits). 1800, 1828, 1829.
[Before 72] Duchess (anxiously). 1800, 1828, 1829.
Act I, Scene IV
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 5 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 10 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, 15 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 20 The voice of Truth and inward Revelation, Scattering false oracles. And thus have I To intreat forgiveness, for that secretly I've wrong'd this honourable gallant man, This Butler: for a feeling, of the which 25 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 30 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. 35 With him will I commence the trial. Go. [ILLO exit.
Wallenstein (turns himself round to the females). Lo, there 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. 40
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: 45 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 50 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, 55 Of the o'erburthen'd soul--to sing to him, Who is thrusting, even now, my mother headlong Into her grave!
Duchess. How, Thekla? Humoursome? What! shall thy father have expressed a wish In vain?
Countess. Here is the lute.
Thekla. My God! how can I-- 60
[_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! O 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. 65 Hast thou ne'er 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 70 To thine own self. Thou shouldest 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! 75
Aye?--The thought pleases me. The young man has no grovelling spirit.
Countess. Since Such and such constant favour you have shewn him--
Wallenstein. He chooses finally to be my heir. And true it is, I love the youth; yea, honour him. 80 But must he therefore be my daughter's husband! Is it daughters only? Is it only children That we must shew our favour by?
Duchess. His noble disposition and his manners--
Wallenstein. Win him my heart, but not my daughter.
Duchess. Then 85 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 90 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-- [pause.] She is the only thing 95 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-- 100 Yea, in this moment, in the which we are speaking-- [pause. 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 105 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! 110 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 115 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 Karn then?
Wallenstein. No.
Duchess. And to no other of your lands or seats?
Wallenstein. You would not be secure there.
Duchess. Not secure 120 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? 125 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. 130
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.
LINENOTES:
[26] fear 1800, 1828, 1829.
[48] from] for 1800, 1828, 1829.
[56] him 1800, 1828, 1829.
[95]
Have I for this-- [Stops suddenly, repressing himself.
1800, 1828, 1829.
[After 101] [He recollects himself. 1800, 1828, 1829.
[118] Kärn 1800.
[123] that 1800, 1828, 1829.
Act I, Scene V
To them enter COUNT TERTSKY.
Countess. --Tertsky! What ails him? What an image of affright! He looks as he had seen a ghost.
Tertsky (leading Wallenstein aside). Is it thy command that all the Croats--
Wallenstein. Mine! 5
Tertsky. We are betrayed.
Wallenstein. What?
Tertsky. They are off! This night The Jägers likewise--all the villages In the whole round are empty.
Wallenstein. Isolani?
Tertsky. Him thou hast sent away. Yes, surely.
Wallenstein. I?
Tertsky. No! Hast thou not sent him off? Nor Deodate? 10 They are vanished both of them.
Act I, Scene VI
To them enter ILLO.
Illo. Has Tertsky told thee?
Tertsky. He knows all.
Illo. And likewise That Esterhatzy, Goetz, Maradas, Kaunitz, Kolatto, Palfi, have forsaken thee?
Tertsky. Damnation!
Wallenstein (winks at them). Hush!
_Countess (who has been watching them anxiously from the distance and now advances to them)._ Tertsky! Heaven! What is it? What has happened? 5
Wallenstein (scarcely suppressing his emotions). Nothing! let us be gone!
Tertsky (following him). Theresa, it is nothing.
Countess (holding him back). Nothing? Do I not see, that all the lifeblood Has left your cheeks--look you not like a ghost? That even my brother but affects a calmness? 10
Page (enters). An Aid-de-Camp enquires for the Count Tertsky.
[TERTSKY 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. 15
Wallenstein. Let Tiefenbach leave guard without delay, And Tertsky'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! 20 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 nought unusual; Here storm and sunshine follow one another With rapid interchanges. These fierce spirits 25 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: TERTSKY returns.
Tertsky. Remain here. From this window must we see it. 30
Wallenstein (to the Countess). Sister, retire!
Countess. No--never.
Wallenstein. 'Tis my will.
Tertsky (leads the Countess aside, and drawing her attention to the Duchess). Theresa!
Duchess. Sister, come! since he commands it.
LINENOTES:
[4] Wallenstein (winks to them). 1800.
Act I, Scene VII
WALLENSTEIN, TERTSKY.
Wallenstein (stepping to the window). What now, then?
Tertsky. 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. 5 Tiefenbach's corps makes threatening movements; only The Pappenheimers still remain aloof In their own quarters, and let no one enter.
Wallenstein. Does Piccolomini appear among them?
Tertsky. We are seeking him: he is no where to be met with. 10
Wallenstein. What did the Aid-de-Camp deliver to you?
Tertsky. My regiments had dispatched 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? 15 It should have been kept secret from the army, Till fortune had decided for us at Prague.
Tertsky. O that thou hadst believed me! Yester evening Did we conjure thee not to let that skulker, That fox, Octavio, pass the gates of Pilsen. 20 Thou gav'st 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.
Tertsky. Thou did'st confide in Isolani too; And lo! he was the first that did desert thee. 25
Wallenstein. It was but yesterday I rescued him From abject wretchedness. Let that go by. I never reckon'd yet on gratitude. And wherein doth he wrong in going from me? He follows still the god whom all his life 30 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 35 He traversed the open sea; now he beholds it In imminent 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: 40 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, 45 Nought 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.
Tertsky. Yet, would I rather Trust the smooth brow than that deep furrowed one. 50
LINENOTES:
[6] makes] make 1800, 1828, 1829.
[11] Aid-de-Camp] Aide-de-Camp 1800.
[32] FORTUNE 1800, 1828, 1829.
Act I, Scene VIII
WALLENSTEIN, TERTSKY, ILLO.
Illo. Treason and mutiny!
Tertsky. And what further now?
Illo. Tiefenbach's soldiers, when I gave the orders To go off guard--Mutinous villains!
Tertsky. Well!
Wallenstein. What followed?
Illo. They refused obedience to them. 5
Tertsky. 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. What? How is that? 10
Illo. He takes that office on him by commission, Under sign-manual of the Emperor.
Tertsky. From the Emperor--hear'st thou, Duke?
Illo. At his incitement The Generals made that stealthy flight--
Tertsky. Duke! hearest thou?
Illo. Caraffa too, and Montecuculi, 15 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 20 Some days ago with the Envoy Questenberg.
[_WALLENSTEIN sinks down into a chair and covers his face._
Tertsky. O hadst thou but believed me!
LINENOTES:
[Before 1] Illo (who enters agitated with rage). 1800, 1828, 1829.
[9] Piccolomini 1800, 1828, 1829.
[10] Wallenstein (in a convulsion of agony). 1800, 1828, 1829.
Act I, Scene IX
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 all falling off from us.
Tertsky. Octavio Piccolomini is a traitor. 5
Countess. O my foreboding! [Rushes out of the room.
Tertsky. 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 10 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 15 Never by such suspicion t' have affronted The human form, O may that 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. 20 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-- 25 Against such weapons I am but a child.
Act I, Scene X
To these enter BUTLER.
Tertsky (meeting him). O 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. 5
Butler. My General: I come--
Wallenstein (leaning on Butler's shoulders). Know'st thou already? That old man has betrayed me to the Emperor. What say'st thou? Thirty years have we together Lived out, and held out, sharing joy and hardship. We have slept in one camp-bed, drunk from one glass, 10 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 15 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, 20 It sends and proves to me one faithful heart. Of the hypocrite no more! Think not, his loss Was that which struck the pang: O no! his treason Is that which strikes this pang! No more of him! Dear to my heart, and honoured were they both, 25 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 30 He may bring with him, we must take good care To keep it from the mutineers. Quick, then! Dispatch 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 35 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. Well?
Butler. Is already here.
Tertsky and Illo (at the same time). Already here?
Wallenstein. My Courier?
Butler. For some hours. 40
Wallenstein. And I not know it?
Butler. The centinels detain him In custody.
Illo. 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.
Tertsky. Illo! alas for us. 45
Wallenstein. Hide nothing from me--I can hear the worst. Prague then is lost. It is. Confess it freely.
Butler. Yes! Prague is lost. And all the several regiments At Budweiss, Tabor, Brannau, Konigingratz, At Brun and Znaym, have forsaken you, 50 And ta'en the oaths of fealty anew To the Emperor. Yourself, with Kinsky, Tertsky, And Illo have been sentenced.
[TERTSKY 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 55 Once more my life-blood flows! My soul's secure! In the night only Friedland's 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 60 Is lifted for my heart! Doubt disappears! I fight now for my head and for my life.
[Exit WALLENSTEIN; the others follow him.
LINENOTES:
[11] him 1800, 1828, 1829.
[12] thy 1800, 1828, 1829.
[21] faithful 1800.
[26] did 1800.
[39] Wallenstein (with eager expectation). Well? 1800, 1828, 1829.
[42] Illo (stamping with his foot). Damnation! 1800, 1828, 1829.
[48] is 1800, 1828, 1829.
Act I, Scene XI
Countess Tertsky (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 shew of calmness Before my sister, and shut in within me 5 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, 10 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 15 Endure to sink so low, I would not bear To see him so low sunken.
Act I, Scene XII
COUNTESS, DUCHESS, THEKLA.
Thekla (endeavouring 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? 5 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. 10 'Tis not the time now to indulge infirmity, Courage beseems us now, a heart collected, And exercise and previous discipline Of fortitude. One word, and over with it! Sister, you are deluded. You believe, 15 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). O stand firm! stand firm, my mother!
Countess. Revolted is the Duke, he is preparing 20 To join the enemy, the army leave him, And all has failed.
LINENOTES:
[10] must 1800, 1828, 1829.
[12] collected] collect 1800, 1828, 1829.
[After 22] [During these words the DUCHESS totters, and falls in a fainting fit into the arms of her daughter. While THEKLA is calling for help, the curtain drops. 1800, 1828, 1829.
Act II, Scene I
SCENE--A spacious Room in the DUKE OF FRIEDLAND'S Palace.
Wallenstein (in armour). Thou hast gained thy point, Octavio! Once more am I Almost as friendless as at Regenspurg. 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 5 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; 10 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 15 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. 20 I did it. Like a god of war, my name Went through the world. The drum was beat--and, lo! The plough, the work-shop is forsaken, all Swarm to the old familiar long-loved banners; And as the wood-choir rich in melody 25 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. 30 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 35 Separate from each other, 'twill be soon Made manifest, in which the soul abode.
(ILLO and TERTSKY enter.)
Courage, friends! Courage! We are still unvanquished; I feel my footing firm; five regiments, Tertsky, Are still our own, and Butler's gallant troops; 40 And a 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.
LINENOTES:
[11] sank] sunk 1800, 1828, 1829.
Act II, Scene II
WALLENSTEIN, ILLO, TERTSKY. (To them enter NEUMANN, who leads TERTSKY aside, and talks with him.)
Tertsky. What do they want?
Wallenstein. What now?
Tertsky. 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. 5
Act II, Scene III
WALLENSTEIN, TERTSKY, ILLO, Ten Cuirassiers (led by an Anspessade,[745:1] 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 Brüggin in Flanders: Thy name is Mercy.
Anspessade. Henry Mercy.
Wallenstein. Thou wert cut off on the march, surrounded by the Hessians, and didst fight thy way with a hundred and 5 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 honour to serve in this corps. 10
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 15 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? 20
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. 25
Third Cuirassier. Risbeck of Cologne.
Wallenstein. It was thou that broughtest in the Swedish colonel, Diebald, prisoner, in the camp at Nuremberg.
Third Cuirassier. It was not I, General!
Wallenstein. Perfectly right! It was thy elder brother: 30 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 35 Commanding us----
Wallenstein. 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, 40 Because thou wert an enemy and traitor.
Wallenstein. And what did you determine?
Anspessade. All our comrades At Brannau, Budweiss, Prague and Olmutz, have Obeyed already, and the regiments here, 45 Tiefenbach and Toscana, 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! 50 Thyself shalt 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. 55
Anspessade. And this proposal makes thy regiment to thee: Is it thy purpose merely to preserve In thy own hands this military sceptre, Which so becomes thee, which the Emperor Made over to thee by a covenant? 60 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 65 Turn from thee, by ourselves will we 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, 70 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. 75 You're men of sense, examine for yourselves; Ye think, and do not follow with the herd: And therefore have I always shewn you honour Above all others, suffered you to reason; Have treated you as free men, and my orders 80 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 hast honoured us, and shewn us grace and favour Beyond all other regiments; and thou seest 85 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 90 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. 95 And be your hearts my strong hold! 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 Lutzen! For this we threw the naked breast against 100 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 Mansfield Through all the turns and windings of his flight; 105 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, 110 With faithful indefatigable arm Have rolled the heavy war-load up the hill, Behold! this boy of the Emperor's bears away The honours of the peace, an easy prize! He'll weave, forsooth, into his flaxen locks 115 The olive branch, the hard-earn'd ornament Of this grey head, grown grey beneath the helmet.
Anspessade. That shall he not, while we can hinder it! No one, but thou, who hast conducted it With fame, shall end this war, this frightful war. 120 Thou led'st us out into 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 125 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 130 Endeavoured 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 135 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! 140 But think not that you can accomplish it, Your scanty number! to no purpose will you Have sacrificed you for your General. No! let us tread securely, seek for friends; The Swedes have proffered us assistance, let us 145 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! 150
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? 155 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 160 And piteous groaning 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 ye A little word or two in confidence! 165 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. 170 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, 175 And trust, with your assistance, to accomplish it.
FOOTNOTES:
[745:1] Anspessade, in German, Gefreiter, a soldier inferior to a corporal, but above the centinels. The German name implies that he is exempt from mounting guard.
LINENOTES:
[21] whom 1800, 1828, 1829.
[36] Wallenstein (interrupting him). Who chose you? 1800, 1828, 1829.
[46] Toscana] Toscano 1828, 1829.
[After 50] (With warmth.) 1800, 1828, 1829.
[141] you 1800, 1828, 1829.
[After 143] [Confidentially. 1800, 1828, 1829.
[147] your] our 1800, 1828, 1829.
Act II, Scene IV
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 Tertsky's regiments tear the Imperial Eagle 5 From off the banners, and instead of it, Have reared aloft thy 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! 10 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 15 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. 20
Act II, Scene V
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 Tertsky). Is there no hope? Is all lost utterly? 5
Tertsky. All lost. No hope. Prague in the Emperor's hands, The soldiery have ta'en their oaths anew.
Countess. That lurking hypocrite. Octavio! Count Max is off too?
Tertsky. Where can he be? He's Gone over to the Emperor with his father. 10
[_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 Tertsky). 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. 15
[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; 20 And if thou dost not instantly deliver him, They will find means to free him with the sword.
Tertsky. 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. 25 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 for ever.
Tertsky. It can't be. His father has betrayed us, is gone over To the Emperor--the son could not have ventured 30 To stay behind.
Thekla (her eye fixed on the door). There he is!
LINENOTES:
[9] he 1800.
[After 22] [All stand amazed. 1800, 1828, 1829.
Act II, Scene VI
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 favourable moment. This loitering, this suspense exceeds my powers.
[Advancing to THEKLA.
Turn not thine eyes away. O look upon me! 5 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 10 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 for ever. For this I come! 'Tis over! I must leave thee! Thekla, I must--must leave thee! Yet thy hatred 15 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! 20 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 25 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; 30 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 honour That ancient love, which so remorselessly He mangled. They are now past by, those hours 35 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. Thou wilt proceed with me, as thou hast power. 40 Thou know'st, I neither brave nor fear thy rage. What has detained me here, that too thou know'st.
[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. This hast thou 45 Laid waste for ever--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 irreconcileable 50 Fierce element, incapable of compact, Thy heart's wild impulse only dost thou follow.[753:1]
Wallenstein. Thou art describing thy own father's heart. The adder! O, the charms of hell o'erpowered me. He dwelt within me, to my inmost soul 55 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, 60 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 65 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 70 Defend my father. Woe is me, I cannot! Hard deeds and luckless have ta'en 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? 75 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. 80 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 colours; 85 Thou would'st 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 90 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 I Altered my feelings towards thee? Many thousands 95 Have I made rich, presented them with lands; Rewarded them with dignities and honours; Thee have I loved: my heart, my self, I gave To thee! They all were aliens: thou wert Our child and inmate.[755:1] Max! Thou canst not leave me; 100 It cannot be; I may not, will not think That Max can leave me.
Max. O 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? 105 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; 110 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--honour--
Wallenstein. How? Thy duty? 115 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? 120 Stand'st thou, like me, a freeman in the world, That in thy actions thou should'st plead free agency? On me thou'rt planted, I am thy Emperor; To obey me, to belong to me, this is Thy honour, this a law of nature to thee! 125 And if the planet, on the which thou liv'st 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. 130 With little guilt stepp'st thou into this contest, Thee will the world not censure, it will praise thee, For that thou heldst thy friend more worth to thee Than names and influences more removed. For justice is the virtue of the ruler, 135 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. 140
FOOTNOTES:
[753:1] 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 Hütte ihres Glückes lehnen, Gelockt von deiner gastlichen Gestalt. Schnell, unverhofft, bei nächtlich stiller Weile Gährt's in dem tückschen Feuerschlunde, ladet Sich aus mit tobender Gewalt, und weg Treibt über alle Pflanzungen der Menschen Der wilde Strom in grausender Zerstörung.
WALLENSTEIN. Du schilderst deines Vaters Herz. Wie Du's Beschreibst, so ist's in seinem Eingeweide, In dieser schwarzen Heuchlersbrust gestaltet. O mich hat Höllenkunst getäuscht. Mir sandte Der Abgrund den verstecktesten der Geister, Den Lügekundigsten herauf, und stellt' ihn Als Freund an meine Seite. Wer vermag Der Hölle Macht zu widerstehn! Ich zog Den Basilisken auf an meinem Busen, Mit meinem Herzblut nährt' ich ihn, er sog Sich schwelgend voll an meiner Liebe Brüsten. Ich hatte nimmer Arges gegen ihn, Weit offen Hess ich des Gedankens Thore, Und warf die Schlüssel weiser Vorsicht weg, Am Sternenhimmel, &c.
LITERAL TRANSLATION.
Alas! for those who place their confidence on thee, against thee lean the 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 his entrails, in this black hypocrite's breast. O, the art of hell has deceived me! The Abyss sent up to me 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 harboured 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, &c.--We find a difficulty in believing this to have been written by Schiller. 1800, 1828, 1829. I have here ventured to omit a considerable number of lines, which it is difficult to believe that Schiller could have written. 1834.
[755:1] 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!
LINENOTES:
[After 4] [Advancing to THEKLA, who has thrown herself into her mother's arms. 1800, 1828, 1829.
[14] must leave 1800, 1828, 1829.
[Before 40] Max (calmly). 1800, 1828, 1829.
[60] Ferdinand . . . me 1800, 1828, 1829.
[98] lov'd 1800, 1828, 1829.
[117] thou 1800, 1828, 1829.
[124] me . . . belong 1800, 1828, 1829.
Act II, Scene VII
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 Tertsky). Have the cannon planted. I will receive them with chain-shot. [Exit TERTSKY. 5 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? 10
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! 15
Wallenstein. What tidings bring'st thou, Tertsky?
Act II, Scene VIII
To these TERTSKY (returning).
Tertsky. Message and greeting from our faithful regiments. Their ardour may no longer be curbed in. They intreat permission to commence the attack, And if thou would'st but give the word of onset, They could now charge the enemy in rear, 5 Into the city wedge them, and with ease O'erpower them in the narrow streets.
Illo. O come! Let not their ardour cool. The soldiery Of Butler's corps stand by us faithfully; We are the greater number. Let us charge them, 10 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 15 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! 20 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 had'st thou fairer opportunity 25 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 30 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. 35
[Two reports of cannon. ILLO and TERTSKY hurry to the window.
Wallenstein. What's that?
Tertsky. 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--
Tertsky. Expose thyself to their blind frenzy?
Duchess and Countess. No! For God's sake, no!
Illo. Not yet, my General! 40
Countess. O, 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, 45 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 50 That countenance, which was their sun in battle! From the balcony (mark!) I shew myself To these rebellious forces, and at once Revolt is mounded, and the high-swoln current Shrinks back into the old bed of obedience. 55
[Exit WALLENSTEIN; ILLO, TERTSKY, and BUTLER follow.
LINENOTES:
[48] my 1800, 1828, 1829.
Act II, Scene IX
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, advances)._ This can I not endure. With most determined soul did I come hither, My purposed action seemed unblameable To my own conscience--and I must stand here 5 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 10 Make themselves audible within my bosom. My soul's benighted; I no longer can Distinguish the right track. O, well and truly Didst thou say, father, I relied too much On my own heart. My mind moves to and fro-- 15 I know not what to do.
Countess. What! you know not? Does not your own heart tell you? O! 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 20 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 25 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: O that an angel would descend from Heaven, 30 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 35 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. 40
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 might'st thou think on. 45 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 50 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, 55 And with sure malice guide it the worst way.
Thekla. O! Max----
Max. 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. 60 Ev'n 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. O likewise the free lovely impulses Of hospitality, the pious friend's 65 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, 70 And let thy heart decide it.
Thekla. O, 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 75 Detect and seize with instant impulse? Go, Fulfil thy duty! I should ever love thee. Whate'er thou had'st chosen, thou would'st still have acted Nobly and worthy of thee--but repentance Shall ne'er disturb thy soul's fair peace.
Max. Then I 80 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 for ever The houses Piccolomini and Friedland; 85 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 90 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. There is heard from behind the Scene a loud, wild, long continued cry, 'Vivat Ferdinandus,' accompanied by warlike instruments._
LINENOTES:
[Before 3] Max (who . . . distance in a visible struggle of feelings, advances). 1800, 1828, 1829.
[22] amends 1800, 1828, 1829.
[23] Outweigh 1800, 1828, 1829.
[28] my 1800, 1828, 1829.
[37] can'st 1800, 1828, 1829.
[40] feelest 1800, 1828, 1829.
[45] think 1800, 1828, 1829.
[46] his 1800.]
[57] Max (interrupting her). Nay, &c. 1800, 1828, 1829.
[After 92] [_MAX . . . in extreme emotion. There is . . . instruments. MAX and THEKLA remain without motion in each other's embraces._ 1800, 1828, 1829.
Act II, Scene X
To these enter TERTSKY.
Countess (meeting him). What meant that cry? What was it?
Tertsky. All is lost!
Countess. What! they regarded not his countenance?
Tertsky. 'Twas all in vain.
Duchess. They shouted Vivat!
Tertsky. To the Emperor.
Countess. The traitors!
Tertsky. Nay! he was not once permitted Even to address them. Soon as he began, 5 With deafening noise of warlike instruments They drowned his words. But here he comes.
Act II, Scene XI
To these enter WALLENSTEIN, accompanied by ILLO and BUTLER.
Wallenstein (as he enters). Tertsky!
Tertsky. My General?
Wallenstein. Let our regiments hold themselves In readiness to march; for we shall leave Pilsen ere evening. [Exit TERTSKY. Butler!
Butler. Yes, my General.
Wallenstein. The Governor at Egra is your friend 5 And countryman. Write to 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). Part!
Max. O God! 10
[Cuirassiers _enter with drawn swords, and assemble in the back-ground. 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. O do not turn 15 Thine eyes away from me! O once more shew me Thy ever dear and honoured 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 20 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. 25
[_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 30 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 35 In Galas', 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 THEKLA. WALLENSTEIN prevents him. MAX stands irresolute, and in apparent anguish. In the mean time 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! O were it but the Swedish Trumpets, And all the naked swords, which I see here, 40 Were plunged into my breast! What purpose you? You come to tear me from this place! Beware, Ye drive me not in 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! 45 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: 50 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. THEKLA 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 second and third Act._
LINENOTES:
[10] Wallenstein (steps between Max and Thekla, who have remained during this time in each others arms). 1800, 1828, 1829.
Act III, Scene I
The Burgomaster's House at Egra.
BUTLER.
Butler. Here then he is, by his destiny conducted. Here, Friedland! and no farther! From Bohemia Thy meteor rose, traversed the sky awhile, And here upon the borders of Bohemia Must sink. Thou hast forsworn the ancient colours, 5 Blind man! yet trustest to thy ancient fortunes. Profaner of the altar and the hearth, Against thy Emperor and fellow-citizens Thou mean'st to wage the war. Friedland, beware-- The evil spirit of revenge impels thee-- 10 Beware thou, that revenge destroy thee not!
LINENOTES:
[Before 1] Butler (just arrived). 1800, 1828, 1829.
Act III, Scene II
BUTLER and GORDON.
Gordon. Is it you? How my heart sinks! The Duke a fugitive traitor! His princely head attainted! O my God!
Butler. You have received the letter which I sent you By a post-courier?
Gordon. Yes! and in obedience to it 5 Opened the strong hold 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. 10 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; 15 '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 20 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 Tertsky, 25 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! 30 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 pit-fall. The human being May not be trusted to self-government. 35 The clear and written law, the deep trod foot-marks Of ancient custom, are all necessary To keep him in the road of faith and duty. The authority entrusted to this man Was unexampled and unnatural 40 It placed him on a level with his Emperor, Till the proud soul unlearned submission. Wo is me; I mourn for him! for where he fell, I deem Might none stand firm. Alas! dear General, We in our lucky mediocrity 45 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. 50 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 strong hold on free footing; for I have Pledged life and honour here to hold him prisoner, 55 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 entrust this strong hold to me, Which I am now required to make his dungeon. 60 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! 65
Butler. Nay, let it not afflict you, that your power Is circumscribed. Much liberty, much error! The narrow path of duty is securest.
Gordon. And all then have deserted him, you say? He has built up the luck of many thousands; 70 For kingly was his spirit: his full hand Was ever open! Many a one from dust Hath he selected, from the very dust Hath raised him into dignity and honour. And yet no friend, not one friend hath he purchased, 75 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 favour. I could almost doubt, If ever in his greatness he once thought on An old friend of his youth. For still my office 80 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 85 Which to my fealty was first delivered.
Butler. Say, then, will you fulfil the attainder on him?
Gordon. 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 90 The strong holds 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 95 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: 100 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 105 Of strange conceptions; kindling into splendour 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. 110
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 115 Doubtless more self-enwrapt and melancholy; He made himself a Catholic. Marvellously His marvellous preservation had transformed him. Thenceforth he held himself for an exempted And privileged being, and, as if he were 120 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. 125 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.
LINENOTES:
[After 72] [With a sly glance on BUTLER. 1800, 1828, 1829.
[Before 88] Gordon (pauses reflecting--then as in deep dejection). 1800, 1828, 1829.
Act III, Scene III
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, 5 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. 10 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 15 Within these walls--Confess now--you yourself-- 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. 20 Of that the world has had sufficient proof. I built a church for the reformed in Glogan At my own instance. Hark'e, Burgomaster! What is your name?
Burgomaster. Pachhälbel, may it please you.
Wallenstein. Hark'e!---- 25 But let it go no further, what I now Disclose to you in confidence.
[Laying his hand on the Burgomaster's shoulder.
The times Draw near to their fulfilment, Burgomaster! The high will fall, the low will be exalted. Hark'e! But keep it to yourself! The end 30 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. 35 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 Luth'ranism alone remain. [Observing GORDON and BUTLER. I'faith, 40 'Twas a smart cannonading that we heard This evening, as we journeyed hitherward; 'Twas on our left hand. Did you hear it here?
Gordon. Distinctly. The wind brought it from the South.
Butler. It seemed to come from Weiden or from Neustadt. 45
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 arquebussiers have I sent thither 50 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! 55
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 60 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.
LINENOTES:
[2] half 1800, 1828, 1829.
[After 16] [Fixes his eye on him. The Burgomaster alarmed. 1800, 1828, 1829.
[27]
Disclose to you in confidence. [Laying . . . shoulder with a certain solemnity.
1800, 1828, 1829.
Act III, Scene IV
To these enter COUNT TERTSKY.
Tertsky. Joy, General; joy! I bring you welcome tidings.
Wallenstein. And what may they be?
Tertsky. There has been an engagement At Neustadt; the Swedes gained the victory.
Wallenstein. From whence did you receive the intelligence?
Tertsky. A countryman from Tirschenseil conveyed it. 5 Soon after sunrise did the fight begin! A troop of the Imperialists from Fachau Had forced their way into the Swedish camp; The cannonade continued full two hours; There were left dead upon the field a thousand 10 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 Galas' force collects at Frauenberg, 15 And have not the full complement. Is it possible, That Suys perchance had ventured so far onward? It cannot be.
Tertsky. We shall soon know the whole, For here comes Illo, full of haste, and joyous.
Act III, Scene V
To these enter ILLO.
Illo (to Wallenstein). A courier, Duke! he wishes to speak with thee.
Tertsky. Does he bring confirmation of the victory?
Wallenstein. 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; 5 At Neustadt did Max Piccolomini Throw himself on them with the cavalry; A murderous fight took place! o'erpower'd by numbers The Pappenheimers all, with Max their leader, Were left dead on the field. 10
Wallenstein (after a pause). 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 Tertsky (at the same time). What now?
Neubrunn. The Princess!
Wallenstein and Tertsky. Does she know it?
Neubrunn. She is dying!
[_Hurries off the stage, when WALLENSTEIN and TERTSKY follow her._
LINENOTES:
[Before 2] Tertsky (eagerly). 1800, 1828, 1829.
[Before 3] Wallenstein (at the same time). 1800, 1828, 1829.
[After 9] [WALLENSTEIN shudders and turns pale. 1800, 1828, 1829.
[Before 11] Wallenstein (after a pause, in a low voice). 1800, 1828, 1829.
[13] Neubrunn (at the same time with them). She is dying! 1800, 1828, 1829.
Act III, Scene VI
BUTLER and GORDON.
Gordon. What's this?
Butler. She has lost the man she lov'd-- Young Piccolomini, who fell in the battle.
Gordon. Unfortunate Lady!
Butler. You have heard what Illo Reporteth, that the Swedes are conquerors, And marching hitherward.
Gordon. Too well I heard it. 5
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 10 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, 15 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. Butler! What? Do I understand you? Gracious God! You could--
Butler. He must not live.
Gordon. And you can do the deed! 20
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! 25
Butler. My General he has been.
Gordon. That 'tis only A 'has been' washes out no villainy. And without judgment passed?
Butler. The execution Is here instead of judgment.
Gordon. This were murder, Not justice. The most guilty should be heard. 30
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 can never be.
Butler. Dispatch in service pleases sovereigns. 35
Gordon. No honest man's ambitious to press forward To the hangman's service.
Butler. And no brave man loses His colour at a daring enterprize.
Gordon. A brave man hazards life, but not his conscience.
Butler. What then? Shall he go forth anew to kindle 40 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 past by.
Gordon. O, wherefore opened I the strong hold to him! 45
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! 50 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, 55 If through our fault he escape to the enemy?
Gordon. I?--Gracious God!
Butler. Take it on yourself. Let come of it what may, on you I lay it.
Gordon. O God in heaven!
Butler. Can you advise aught else Wherewith to execute the Emperor's purpose? 60 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 65 In her rough school hath steeled me. And this Illo And Tertsky 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 70 In his calm breast, and with officious villainy Watered and nursed the pois'nous 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 75 Amid the merry-making of a feast, And kept them prisoners in the citadels. But this makes shorter work. I go this instant To give the necessary orders.
LINENOTES:
[19] You 1800, 1828, 1829.
[20] you 1800, 1828, 1829.
[26] has been 1800, 1828, 1829.
[58] Come of it what it may, on you I lay it. 1800, 1828, 1829.
[77] kept] keep 1800, 1828, 1829.
Act III, Scene VII
To these enter ILLO and TERTSKY.
Tertsky. Our luck is on the turn. To-morrow come The Swedes--twelve thousand gallant warriors, Illo! Then straightways for Vienna. Cheerily, friend! What! meet such news with such a moody face?
Illo. It lies with us at present to prescribe 5 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 10 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 15 And gentle temperament! The Duke himself, 'Twas easily seen, how near it went to his heart.
Illo. Hark'e, old friend! That is the very point That never pleased me in our General-- He ever gave the preference to the Italians. 20 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.
Tertsky. Hush, hush! Let the dead rest! This evening's business Is, who can fairly drink the other down-- 25 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 Avantgarde.
Illo. Yes, let us be of good cheer for to-day, 30 For there's hot work before us, friends! This sword Shall have no rest, till it be 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 35 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 40 Is but a tyro. Galas? 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. 45
Tertsky. 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 50 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 now deserted him, 55 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! 60 He'll take you from 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 needs be great. 'Great height, great depth.' 65
Illo. Here you have no more business for to-morrow; The Swedes will take possession of the citadel. Come, Tertsky, it is supper-time. What think you? Say, shall we have the State illuminated In honour of the Swede? And who refuses 70 To do it is a Spaniard and a traitor.
Tertsky. 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 rule. Gordon! Good night, and for the last time, take 75 A fair leave of the place. Send out patroles To make secure, the watch-word may be altered At the stroke of ten; deliver in the keys To the Duke himself, and then you're quit for ever Your wardship of the gates, for on to-morrow 80 The Swedes will take possession of the citadel.
Tertsky (as he is going, to Butler). You come though to the castle.
Butler. At the right time. [Exeunt TERTSKY and ILLO.
LINENOTES:
[50] come] comes 1800, 1828, 1829.
[74] Avow himself imperial where we've the rule. 1800, 1828, 1829.
Act III, Scene VIII
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 fool-hardy villain 5 That would fain bathe himself in his Emperor's blood.
Butler. Do as he ordered you. Send round patroles. Take measures for the citadel's security; When they are within I close the castle gate That nothing may transpire.
Gordon. Oh! haste not so! 10 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, 15 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 20 The dagger at their heart 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 honour, dignity, good name, 25 Did he shift like pawns, and made no conscience of it: Still calculating, calculating still; And yet at last his calculation proves Erroneous; the whole game is lost; and lo! His own life will be found among the forfeits. 30
Gordon. O 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 35 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) 40 Yet 'tis not now my hatred that impels me To be his murderer. 'Tis his evil fate. Hostile concurrences of many events Control and subjugate me to the office. In vain the human being meditates 45 Free action. He is but the wire-worked[777:1] puppet Of the blind power, which out of his 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-- 50 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, 55 That the Swedes gained the victory, and hasten With such forced marches hitherward? Fain would I Have given him to the Emperor's mercy.--Gordon! I do not wish his blood--But I must ransom The honour of my word--it lies in pledge-- 60 And he must die, or----
[Passionately grasping GORDON'S hand.
Listen then, and know! I am dishonoured if the Duke escape us.
Gordon. O! 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, 65 Forms our true honour.
Butler. He is a great Lord, This Duke--and I am but of 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 70 Or blemishes his honour-- 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, 75 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 endeavouring to move a rock. Thou hadst a mother, yet no human feelings. 80 I cannot hinder you, but may some God Rescue him from you! [Exit GORDON.
FOOTNOTES:
[777:1] We doubt the propriety of putting so blasphemous a sentiment in the mouth of any character.--T[RANSLATOR]. 1800, 1828, 1829.
LINENOTES:
[10] Gordon (with earnest anxiety). Oh! &c. 1800, 1828, 1829.
[38] duty 1800, 1828, 1829.
[62] dishonour'd 1800, 1828, 1829.
[66] Butler (with a cold and haughty air). He is, &c. 1800, 1828, 1829.
Act III, Scene IX
Butler (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; 5 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 10 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 dishonour me! This ignominy blood alone can cleanse! 15 Duke Friedland, thou or I--Into my own hands Fortune delivers me--The dearest thing a man has is himself.
(The curtain drops.)
LINENOTES:
[12] One 1800, 1828, 1829.
Act IV, Scene I
SCENE--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? 5 I will overturn the table--while you attack Illo and Tertsky, and dispatch 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; 10 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 15 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. Dispatch then be the word. For enemies 20 Threaten us from without and from within.