Wallenstein. What's that?
Tertsky. He falls.
Wallenstein. Falls! Who?
Illo. Tiefenbach's corps
Discharged the ordnance.
Discharged the ordnance.
Wallenstein. Upon whom?
Illo. On Neumann,
Your messenger.
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!
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——
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
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.
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.
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,
[760] 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.
Does not your own heart tell you? O! then I
Will tell it you. Your father is a traitor,
[760] 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——
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.
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,
[761] The avenging furies seize possession of it, 55
And with sure malice guide it the worst way.
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,
[761] 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.
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——
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.
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!
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:
[762] My destiny will quickly be decided.
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:
[762] 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.
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.
Even to address them. Soon as he began, 5
With deafening noise of warlike instruments
They drowned his words. But here he comes.
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!
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.
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.
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!
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.
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
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.
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
[764] Is only one. Away! away! and free us
From his detested sight! Away!
In Galas', in your father's quarters. Here
[764] 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.
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.
[765] 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!
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.
[765] 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.
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!
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?
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.
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.
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
[766] 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.
Of such high talents! What is human greatness!
I often said, this can't end happily.
His might, his greatness, and this obscure power
[766] 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.
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
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.
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.
[767] And yet no friend, not one friend hath he purchased, 75
Whose heart beats true to him in the evil hour.
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.
[767] 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.
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.
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
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
[768] Of a distempered fancy.
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
[768] 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.
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.
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?
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.
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?
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.
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
[769] 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?
There are some Protestants among you still? [The Burgomaster hesitates.
Yes, yes; I know it. Many lie concealed 15
[769] 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.
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.
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?
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
Gordon. Not quite two hundred
Competent men, the rest are invalids.
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.
To fortify the posts against the Swedes.
Wallenstein. Good! I commend your foresight. At the works too
You have done somewhat?
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
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.
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.