[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.
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.
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.
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
[771] And have not the full complement. Is it possible,
That Suys perchance had ventured so far onward?
It cannot be.
Imperial troops at Neustadt? Altringer,
But yesterday, stood sixty miles from there.
Count Galas' force collects at Frauenberg, 15
[771] 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.
For here comes Illo, full of haste, and joyous.
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
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
To hold in custody a man like him.
Gordon. I grant it.
Butler. Soon the numbers would disarm us.
And liberate him.
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!
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—
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
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?
A 'has been' washes out no villainy.
And without judgment passed?
Butler. The execution
Is here instead of judgment.
Is here instead of judgment.
Gordon. This were murder,
Not justice. The most guilty should be heard. 30
Not justice. The most guilty should be heard. 30
Gordon. We should not
Hurry to realize a bloody sentence.
A word may be recalled, a life can never be.
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.
To the hangman's service.
Butler. And no brave man loses
His colour at a daring enterprize.
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?
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.
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!
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.
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?
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.
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.
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!
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.
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!
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.
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.
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?
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.
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.
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.
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.
[775] Come! we will keep a merry carnival—
The night for once be day, and mid full glasses
Will we expect the Swedish Avantgarde.
Is, who can fairly drink the other down— 25
Your regiment, Illo! gives the entertainment.
[775] 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.
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?
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.
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
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.
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.
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
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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——
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.
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!
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
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.
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
[778] A something pleading for him in my heart— 50
Still I must kill him.
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
[778] 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!
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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 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?——
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.
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.
Scene II
Butler, Captain Devereux, and Macdonald.
Macdonald. Here we are, General.
Devereux. What's to be the watchword?
Butler. Long live the Emperor!
Both (recoiling). How?
Butler. Live the House of Austria!
Devereux. Have we not sworn fidelity to Friedland?
Macdonald. Have we not marched to this place to protect him?
Butler. Protect a traitor, and his country's enemy! 5
Devereux. Why, yes! in his name you administered
Our oath.
Our oath.
Macdonald. And followed him yourself to Egra.
Butler. I did it the more surely to destroy him.
Devereux. So then!
Macdonald. An altered case!
Butler (to Devereux). Thou wretched man!
So easily leav'st thou thy oath and colours? 10
So easily leav'st thou thy oath and colours? 10
Devereux. The devil!—I but followed your example,
If you could prove a villain, why not we?
If you could prove a villain, why not we?
Macdonald. We've nought to do with thinking—that's your business.
You are our General, and give out the orders;
We follow you, though the track lead to hell. 15
You are our General, and give out the orders;
We follow you, though the track lead to hell. 15
Butler. Good then! we know each other.
Macdonald. I should hope so.
Devereux. Soldiers of fortune are we—who bids most,
He has us.
He has us.
Macdonald. 'Tis e'en so!
Butler. Well, for the present
Ye must remain honest and faithful soldiers.
Ye must remain honest and faithful soldiers.