[625:1]This passing off of his real irresolution and fancy-dalliance for depth of Reserve and for Plan formed within the magic circle of his own inapproachable spirits is very fine; but still it is not tragic—nay scarce obvious enough to be altogetherdramatic, if in this word we involve theatre-representation. Iago (so far only analogous to Wallenstein as in him anImpulseis the source of his conduct rather than themotive), always acting is not the object of Interest, [but] derives a constant interest from Othello, on whom he is acting; from Desdemona, Cassio, every one; and, besides, for the purpose of theatric comprehensibility he is furnished with a set of outside motives that actually pass with the groundling for the true springs of action.MS. R.
[625:1]This passing off of his real irresolution and fancy-dalliance for depth of Reserve and for Plan formed within the magic circle of his own inapproachable spirits is very fine; but still it is not tragic—nay scarce obvious enough to be altogetherdramatic, if in this word we involve theatre-representation. Iago (so far only analogous to Wallenstein as in him anImpulseis the source of his conduct rather than themotive), always acting is not the object of Interest, [but] derives a constant interest from Othello, on whom he is acting; from Desdemona, Cassio, every one; and, besides, for the purpose of theatric comprehensibility he is furnished with a set of outside motives that actually pass with the groundling for the true springs of action.MS. R.
Before1Wallenstein (in deep thought to himself).1800,1828,1829.
Before1Wallenstein (in deep thought to himself).1800,1828,1829.
[37]we1800
we1800
[62]never1800.
never1800.
[63]known1800.
known1800.
[69]thou1800.
thou1800.
[70]not1800.
not1800.
[72]me1800.
me1800.
[76]would1800.
would1800.
[79]power1800.
power1800.
Illo, Wallenstein, Tertsky.
Wallenstein.How stand affairs without? Are they prepared?Illo.You'll find them in the very mood you wish.They know about the Emperor's requisitions,And are tumultuous.Wallenstein.How hath IsolanDeclared himself?Illo.He's yours, both soul and body,5Since you built up again his Faro-bank.Wallenstein.And which way doth Kolatto bend? Hast thouMade sure of Tiefenbach and Deodate?Illo.What Piccolomini does, that they do too.Wallenstein.You mean then I may venture somewhat with them?10Illo.—If you are assured of the Piccolomini.Wallenstein.Not more assured of mine own self.Tertsky.And yetI would you trusted not so much to Octavio,The fox!Wallenstein.Thou teachest me to know my man?Sixteen campaigns I have made with that old warrior.15Besides, I have his horoscope,We both are born beneath like stars—in shortTo this belongs its own particular aspect,If therefore thou canst warrant me the rest——Illo.There is among them all but this one voice,20You must not lay down the command. I hearThey mean to send a deputation to you.Wallenstein.If I'm in aught to bind myself to them,They too must bind themselves to me.Illo.Of course.Wallenstein.Their words of honour they must give, their oaths,25Give them in writing to me, promisingDevotion to my service unconditional.
Wallenstein.How stand affairs without? Are they prepared?
Illo.You'll find them in the very mood you wish.They know about the Emperor's requisitions,And are tumultuous.
Wallenstein.How hath IsolanDeclared himself?
Illo.He's yours, both soul and body,5Since you built up again his Faro-bank.
Wallenstein.And which way doth Kolatto bend? Hast thouMade sure of Tiefenbach and Deodate?
Illo.What Piccolomini does, that they do too.
Wallenstein.You mean then I may venture somewhat with them?10
Illo.—If you are assured of the Piccolomini.
Wallenstein.Not more assured of mine own self.
Tertsky.And yetI would you trusted not so much to Octavio,The fox!
Wallenstein.Thou teachest me to know my man?Sixteen campaigns I have made with that old warrior.15Besides, I have his horoscope,We both are born beneath like stars—in shortTo this belongs its own particular aspect,If therefore thou canst warrant me the rest——
Illo.There is among them all but this one voice,20You must not lay down the command. I hearThey mean to send a deputation to you.
Wallenstein.If I'm in aught to bind myself to them,They too must bind themselves to me.
Illo.Of course.
Wallenstein.Their words of honour they must give, their oaths,25Give them in writing to me, promisingDevotion to my service unconditional.
Illo.Why not?Tertsky.Devotion unconditional?The exception of their duties towards AustriaThey'll always place among the premises.30With this reserve——Wallenstein.All unconditional!No premises, no reserves.Illo.A thought has struck me.Does not Count Tertsky give us a set banquetThis evening?Tertsky.Yes; and all the GeneralsHave been invited.Illo (to Wallenstein).Say, will you here fully35Commission me to use my own discretion?I'll gain for you the Generals' words of honour,Even as you wish.Wallenstein.Gain me their signatures!How you come by them, that is your concern.Illo.And if I bring it to you, black on white,40That all the leaders who are present hereGive themselves up to you, without condition;Say, will you then—then will you shew yourselfIn earnest, and with some decisive actionMake trial of your luck?Wallenstein.The signatures!45Gain me the signatures.Illo.[628:1]Seize, seize the hourEre it slips from you. Seldom comes the momentIn life, which is indeed sublime and weighty.To make a great decision possible,O! many things, all transient and all rapid,50Must meet at once: and, haply, they thus metMay by that confluence be enforced to pauseTime long enough for wisdom, though too short,Far, far too short a time for doubt and scruple!This is that moment. See, our army chieftains,55Our best, our noblest, are assembled around you,[629]Their kinglike leader! On your nod they wait.The single threads, which here your prosperous fortuneHath woven together in one potent webInstinct with destiny, O let them not60Unravel of themselves. If you permitThese chiefs to separate, so unanimousBring you them not a second time together.'Tis the high tide that heaves the stranded ship,And every individual's spirit waxes65In the great stream of multitudes. BeholdThey are still here, here still! But soon the warBursts them once more asunder, and in smallParticular anxieties and interestsScatters their spirit, and the sympathy70Of each man with the whole. He, who to-dayForgets himself, forced onward with the stream,Will become sober, seeing but himself,Feel only his own weakness, and with speedWill face about, and march on in the old75High road of duty, the old broad-trodden road,And seek but to make shelter in good plight.Wallenstein.The time is not yet come.Tertsky.So you say always.But when will it be time?Wallenstein.When I shall say it.Illo.You'll wait upon the stars, and on their hours,80Till the earthly hour escapes you. O, believe me,In your own bosom are your destiny's stars.Confidence in yourself, prompt resolution,This is your Venus! and the sole malignant,The only one that harmeth you is Doubt.85Wallenstein.Thou speakest as thou understand'st. How oftAnd many a time I've told thee, Jupiter,That lustrous god, was setting at thy birth.Thy visual power subdues no mysteries;Mole-eyed, thou mayest but burrow in the earth,90[629:1]Blind as that subterrestrial, who with wan,[630]Lead-coloured shine lighted thee into life.The common, the terrestrial, thou mayest see,With serviceable cunning knit togetherThe nearest with the nearest; and therein95I trust thee and believe thee! but whate'erFull of mysterious import Nature weaves,And fashions in the depths—the spirit's ladder,That from this gross and visible world of dustEven to the starry world, with thousand rounds,100Builds itself up; on which the unseen powersMove up and down on heavenly ministries—The circles in the circles, that approachThe central sun with ever-narrowing orbit—These see the glance alone, the unsealed eye,105Of Jupiter's glad children born in lustre.[He walks across the chamber, then returns, and standing still, proceeds.The heavenly constellations make not merelyThe day and nights, summer and spring, not merelySignify to the husbandman the seasonsOf sowing and of harvest. Human action,110That is the seed too of contingencies,Strewed on the dark land of futurityIn hopes to reconcile the powers of fate.Whence it behoves us to seek out the seed-time,To watch the stars, select their proper hours,115And trace with searching eye the heavenly houses,Whether the enemy of growth and thrivingHide himself not, malignant, in his corner.Therefore permit me my own time. MeanwhileDo you your part. As yet I cannot say120What I shall do—only, give way I will not.Depose me too they shall not. On these pointsYou may rely.Page (entering).My Lords, the Generals.Wallenstein.Let them come in.
Illo.Why not?
Tertsky.Devotion unconditional?The exception of their duties towards AustriaThey'll always place among the premises.30With this reserve——
Wallenstein.All unconditional!No premises, no reserves.
Illo.A thought has struck me.Does not Count Tertsky give us a set banquetThis evening?
Tertsky.Yes; and all the GeneralsHave been invited.
Illo (to Wallenstein).Say, will you here fully35Commission me to use my own discretion?I'll gain for you the Generals' words of honour,Even as you wish.
Wallenstein.Gain me their signatures!How you come by them, that is your concern.
Illo.And if I bring it to you, black on white,40That all the leaders who are present hereGive themselves up to you, without condition;Say, will you then—then will you shew yourselfIn earnest, and with some decisive actionMake trial of your luck?
Wallenstein.The signatures!45Gain me the signatures.
Illo.[628:1]Seize, seize the hourEre it slips from you. Seldom comes the momentIn life, which is indeed sublime and weighty.To make a great decision possible,O! many things, all transient and all rapid,50Must meet at once: and, haply, they thus metMay by that confluence be enforced to pauseTime long enough for wisdom, though too short,Far, far too short a time for doubt and scruple!This is that moment. See, our army chieftains,55Our best, our noblest, are assembled around you,[629]Their kinglike leader! On your nod they wait.The single threads, which here your prosperous fortuneHath woven together in one potent webInstinct with destiny, O let them not60Unravel of themselves. If you permitThese chiefs to separate, so unanimousBring you them not a second time together.'Tis the high tide that heaves the stranded ship,And every individual's spirit waxes65In the great stream of multitudes. BeholdThey are still here, here still! But soon the warBursts them once more asunder, and in smallParticular anxieties and interestsScatters their spirit, and the sympathy70Of each man with the whole. He, who to-dayForgets himself, forced onward with the stream,Will become sober, seeing but himself,Feel only his own weakness, and with speedWill face about, and march on in the old75High road of duty, the old broad-trodden road,And seek but to make shelter in good plight.
Wallenstein.The time is not yet come.
Tertsky.So you say always.But when will it be time?
Wallenstein.When I shall say it.
Illo.You'll wait upon the stars, and on their hours,80Till the earthly hour escapes you. O, believe me,In your own bosom are your destiny's stars.Confidence in yourself, prompt resolution,This is your Venus! and the sole malignant,The only one that harmeth you is Doubt.85
Wallenstein.Thou speakest as thou understand'st. How oftAnd many a time I've told thee, Jupiter,That lustrous god, was setting at thy birth.Thy visual power subdues no mysteries;Mole-eyed, thou mayest but burrow in the earth,90[629:1]Blind as that subterrestrial, who with wan,[630]Lead-coloured shine lighted thee into life.The common, the terrestrial, thou mayest see,With serviceable cunning knit togetherThe nearest with the nearest; and therein95I trust thee and believe thee! but whate'erFull of mysterious import Nature weaves,And fashions in the depths—the spirit's ladder,That from this gross and visible world of dustEven to the starry world, with thousand rounds,100Builds itself up; on which the unseen powersMove up and down on heavenly ministries—The circles in the circles, that approachThe central sun with ever-narrowing orbit—These see the glance alone, the unsealed eye,105Of Jupiter's glad children born in lustre.[He walks across the chamber, then returns, and standing still, proceeds.The heavenly constellations make not merelyThe day and nights, summer and spring, not merelySignify to the husbandman the seasonsOf sowing and of harvest. Human action,110That is the seed too of contingencies,Strewed on the dark land of futurityIn hopes to reconcile the powers of fate.Whence it behoves us to seek out the seed-time,To watch the stars, select their proper hours,115And trace with searching eye the heavenly houses,Whether the enemy of growth and thrivingHide himself not, malignant, in his corner.Therefore permit me my own time. MeanwhileDo you your part. As yet I cannot say120What I shall do—only, give way I will not.Depose me too they shall not. On these pointsYou may rely.
Page (entering).My Lords, the Generals.
Wallenstein.Let them come in.
[628:1]Here is an instance of the defect classed No. 1 in the blank leaf. With what propriety is this speech of profound moral insight put in the mouth of that stupid, foolish Illo?MS. R.
[628:1]Here is an instance of the defect classed No. 1 in the blank leaf. With what propriety is this speech of profound moral insight put in the mouth of that stupid, foolish Illo?MS. R.
[629:1]This issaid, and finely too; but in what one instance is it shown realized in Illo? This is a common fault of a man of genius whose genius is not howevercreativebutideative. There is just such another in my Maria as described by Osorio, the Character exists only in the description.MS. R.
[629:1]This issaid, and finely too; but in what one instance is it shown realized in Illo? This is a common fault of a man of genius whose genius is not howevercreativebutideative. There is just such another in my Maria as described by Osorio, the Character exists only in the description.MS. R.
After17(with an air of mystery)1800,1828,1829.
After17(with an air of mystery)1800,1828,1829.
[21]must1800.
must1800.
[27]unconditional1800.
unconditional1800.
[28]unconditional1800.
unconditional1800.
[31]unconditional1800.
unconditional1800.
[32]Wallenstein (shaking his head).1800,1828,1829.
Wallenstein (shaking his head).1800,1828,1829.
[39]your1800.
your1800.
[43]then—then1800.
then—then1800.
[66]multitudes] multitude1800.
multitudes] multitude1800.
[79]when1800.
when1800.
[108]nights] night1800,1828,1829.
nights] night1800,1828,1829.
[121]I1800.
I1800.
Wallenstein, Tertsky, Illo.—To them enterQuestenberg, Octavio, andMax Piccolomini, Butler, Isolani, Maradas, and three otherGenerals.WallensteinmotionsQuestenberg, who in consequence takes the Chair directly opposite to him; the others follow, arranging themselves according to their rank.
Wallenstein.I have understood, 'tis true, the sum and importOf your instructions, Questenberg, have weighed them,And formed my final, absolute resolve;Yet it seems fitting, that the GeneralsShould hear the will of the Emperor from your mouth.5May't please you then to open your commissionBefore these noble Chieftains.Questenberg.I am readyTo obey you; but will first entreat your Highness,And all these noble Chieftains, to consider,The Imperial dignity and sovereign right10Speaks from my mouth, and not my own presumption.Wallenstein.We excuse all preface.Questenberg.When his MajestyThe Emperor to his courageous armiesPresented in the person of Duke FriedlandA most experienced and renowned commander,15He did it in glad hope and confidenceTo give thereby to the fortune of the warA rapid and auspicious change. The onsetWas favourable to his royal wishes.Bohemia was delivered from the Saxons,20The Swede's career of conquest checked! These landsBegan to draw breath freely, as Duke FriedlandFrom all the streams of Germany forced hitherThe scattered armies of the enemy,Hither invoked as round one magic circle25The Rhinegrave, Bernhard, Banner, Oxenstirn,Yea, and that never-conquered King himself;Here finally, before the eye of Nürnberg,The fearful game of battle to decide.Wallenstein.May't please you to the point.30
Wallenstein.I have understood, 'tis true, the sum and importOf your instructions, Questenberg, have weighed them,And formed my final, absolute resolve;Yet it seems fitting, that the GeneralsShould hear the will of the Emperor from your mouth.5May't please you then to open your commissionBefore these noble Chieftains.
Questenberg.I am readyTo obey you; but will first entreat your Highness,And all these noble Chieftains, to consider,The Imperial dignity and sovereign right10Speaks from my mouth, and not my own presumption.
Wallenstein.We excuse all preface.
Questenberg.When his MajestyThe Emperor to his courageous armiesPresented in the person of Duke FriedlandA most experienced and renowned commander,15He did it in glad hope and confidenceTo give thereby to the fortune of the warA rapid and auspicious change. The onsetWas favourable to his royal wishes.Bohemia was delivered from the Saxons,20The Swede's career of conquest checked! These landsBegan to draw breath freely, as Duke FriedlandFrom all the streams of Germany forced hitherThe scattered armies of the enemy,Hither invoked as round one magic circle25The Rhinegrave, Bernhard, Banner, Oxenstirn,Yea, and that never-conquered King himself;Here finally, before the eye of Nürnberg,The fearful game of battle to decide.
Wallenstein.May't please you to the point.30
Questenberg.In Nürnberg's camp the Swedish monarch leftHis fame—in Lützen's plains his life. But whoStood not astounded, when victorious FriedlandAfter this day of triumph, this proud day,Marched toward Bohemia with the speed of flight,35And vanished from the theatre of war;While the young Weimar hero forced his wayInto Franconia, to the Danube, likeSome delving winter-stream, which, where it rushes,Makes its own channel; with such sudden speed40He marched, and now at once 'fore RegenspurgStood to the affright of all good Catholic Christians.Then did Bavaria's well-deserving PrinceEntreat swift aidance in his extreme need;The Emperor sends seven horsemen to Duke Friedland,45Seven horsemen couriers sends he with the entreaty:He superadds his own, and supplicatesWhere as the sovereign lord he can command.In vain his supplication! At this momentThe Duke hears only his old hate and grudge,50Barters the general good to gratifyPrivate revenge—and so falls Regenspurg.Wallenstein.Max, to what period of the war alludes he?My recollection fails me here.Max.He meansWhen we were in Silesia.Wallenstein.Ay! Is it so!55But what had we to do there?Max.To beat outThe Swedes and Saxons from the province.Wallenstein.True.In that description which the Minister gaveI seemed to have forgotten the whole war.[ToQuestenberg.Well, but proceed a little.Questenberg.Yes! at length60Beside the river Oder did the DukeAssert his ancient fame. Upon the fieldsOf Steinau did the Swedes lay down their arms,Subdued without a blow. And here, with others,The righteousness of Heaven to his avenger65Delivered that long-practised stirrer-up[633]Of insurrection, that curse-laden torchAnd kindler of this war, Matthias Thur.But he had fallen into magnanimous hands;Instead of punishment he found reward,70And with rich presents did the Duke dismissThe arch-foe of his Emperor.Wallenstein (laughs).I know,I know you had already in ViennaYour windows and balconies all forestalledTo see him on the executioner's cart.75I might have lost the battle, lost it tooWith infamy, and still retained your graces—But, to have cheated them of a spectacle,Oh! that the good folks of Vienna never,No, never can forgive me.Questenberg.So Silesia80Was freed, and all things loudly called the DukeInto Bavaria, now pressed hard on all sides.And he did put his troops in motion: slowly,Quite at his ease, and by the longest roadHe traverses Bohemia; but ere ever85He hath once seen the enemy, faces round,Breaks up the march, and takes to winter quarters.Wallenstein.The troops were pitiably destituteOf every necessary, every comfort.The winter came. What thinks his Majesty90His troops are made of? Arn't we men? subjectedLike other men to wet, and cold, and allThe circumstances of necessity?O miserable lot of the poor soldier!Wherever he comes in, all flee before him,95And when he goes away, the general curseFollows him on his route. All must be seized,Nothing is given him. And compelled to seizeFrom every man, he's every man's abhorrence.Behold, here stand my Generals. Karaffa!100Count Deodate! Butler! Tell this manHow long the soldiers' pay is in arrears.Butler.Already a full year.Wallenstein.And 'tis the hireThat constitutes the hireling's name and duties,[634]The soldier's pay is the soldier's covenant.[634:1]105Questenberg.Ah! this is a far other tone from thatIn which the Duke spoke eight, nine years ago.Wallenstein.Yes! 'tis my fault, I know it: I myselfHave spoilt the Emperor by indulging him.Nine years ago, during the Danish war,110I raised him up a force, a mighty force,Forty or fifty thousand men, that cost himOf his own purse no doit. Through SaxonyThe fury goddess of the war marched on,E'en to the surf-rocks of the Baltic, bearing115The terrors of his name. That was a time!In the whole Imperial realm no name like mineHonoured with festival and celebration—And Albrecht Wallenstein, it was the titleOf the third jewel in his crown!120But at the Diet, when the Princes metAt Regenspurg, there, there the whole broke out,There 'twas laid open, there it was made known,Out of what money-bag I had paid the host.And what was now my thank, what had I now,125That I, a faithful servant of the Sovereign,Had loaded on myself the people's curses,And let the Princes of the empire payThe expenses of this war, that aggrandizesThe Emperor alone—What thanks had I!130What? I was offered up to their complaints,Dismissed, degraded!Questenberg.But your Highness knowsWhat little freedom he possessed of actionIn that disastrous diet.Wallenstein.Death and hell!I had that which could have procured him freedom.135No! Since 'twas proved so inauspicious to me[635]To serve the Emperor at the empire's cost,I have been taught far other trains of thinkingOf the empire, and the diet of the empire.From the Emperor, doubtless, I received this staff,140But now I hold it as the empire's general—For the common weal, the universal interest,And no more for that one man's aggrandizement!But to the point. What is it that's desired of me?Questenberg.First, his imperial Majesty hath willed145That without pretexts of delay the armyEvacuate Bohemia.Wallenstein.In this season?And to what quarter wills the EmperorThat we direct our course?Questenberg.To the enemy.His Majesty resolves, that Regenspurg150Be purified from the enemy, ere Easter,That Lutheranism may be no longer preachedIn that cathedral, nor hereticalDefilement desecrate the celebrationOf that pure festival.Wallenstein.My generals,155Can this be realized?Illo.'Tis not possible.Butler.It can't be realized.Questenberg.The EmperorAlready hath commanded Colonel SuysTo advance toward Bavaria!Wallenstein.What did Suys?Questenberg.That which his duty prompted. He advanced!160Wallenstein.What? he advanced? And I, his general,Had given him orders, peremptory orders,Not to desert his station! Stands it thusWith my authority? Is this the obedienceDue to my office, which being thrown aside165No war can be conducted? Chieftains, speak!You be the judges, generals! What deservesThat officer, who of his oath neglectfulIs guilty of contempt of orders?Illo.Death.Wallenstein.Count Piccolomini! what has he deserved?170
Questenberg.In Nürnberg's camp the Swedish monarch leftHis fame—in Lützen's plains his life. But whoStood not astounded, when victorious FriedlandAfter this day of triumph, this proud day,Marched toward Bohemia with the speed of flight,35And vanished from the theatre of war;While the young Weimar hero forced his wayInto Franconia, to the Danube, likeSome delving winter-stream, which, where it rushes,Makes its own channel; with such sudden speed40He marched, and now at once 'fore RegenspurgStood to the affright of all good Catholic Christians.Then did Bavaria's well-deserving PrinceEntreat swift aidance in his extreme need;The Emperor sends seven horsemen to Duke Friedland,45Seven horsemen couriers sends he with the entreaty:He superadds his own, and supplicatesWhere as the sovereign lord he can command.In vain his supplication! At this momentThe Duke hears only his old hate and grudge,50Barters the general good to gratifyPrivate revenge—and so falls Regenspurg.
Wallenstein.Max, to what period of the war alludes he?My recollection fails me here.
Max.He meansWhen we were in Silesia.
Wallenstein.Ay! Is it so!55But what had we to do there?
Max.To beat outThe Swedes and Saxons from the province.
Wallenstein.True.In that description which the Minister gaveI seemed to have forgotten the whole war.[ToQuestenberg.Well, but proceed a little.
Questenberg.Yes! at length60Beside the river Oder did the DukeAssert his ancient fame. Upon the fieldsOf Steinau did the Swedes lay down their arms,Subdued without a blow. And here, with others,The righteousness of Heaven to his avenger65Delivered that long-practised stirrer-up[633]Of insurrection, that curse-laden torchAnd kindler of this war, Matthias Thur.But he had fallen into magnanimous hands;Instead of punishment he found reward,70And with rich presents did the Duke dismissThe arch-foe of his Emperor.
Wallenstein (laughs).I know,I know you had already in ViennaYour windows and balconies all forestalledTo see him on the executioner's cart.75I might have lost the battle, lost it tooWith infamy, and still retained your graces—But, to have cheated them of a spectacle,Oh! that the good folks of Vienna never,No, never can forgive me.
Questenberg.So Silesia80Was freed, and all things loudly called the DukeInto Bavaria, now pressed hard on all sides.And he did put his troops in motion: slowly,Quite at his ease, and by the longest roadHe traverses Bohemia; but ere ever85He hath once seen the enemy, faces round,Breaks up the march, and takes to winter quarters.
Wallenstein.The troops were pitiably destituteOf every necessary, every comfort.The winter came. What thinks his Majesty90His troops are made of? Arn't we men? subjectedLike other men to wet, and cold, and allThe circumstances of necessity?O miserable lot of the poor soldier!Wherever he comes in, all flee before him,95And when he goes away, the general curseFollows him on his route. All must be seized,Nothing is given him. And compelled to seizeFrom every man, he's every man's abhorrence.Behold, here stand my Generals. Karaffa!100Count Deodate! Butler! Tell this manHow long the soldiers' pay is in arrears.
Butler.Already a full year.
Wallenstein.And 'tis the hireThat constitutes the hireling's name and duties,[634]The soldier's pay is the soldier's covenant.[634:1]105
Questenberg.Ah! this is a far other tone from thatIn which the Duke spoke eight, nine years ago.
Wallenstein.Yes! 'tis my fault, I know it: I myselfHave spoilt the Emperor by indulging him.Nine years ago, during the Danish war,110I raised him up a force, a mighty force,Forty or fifty thousand men, that cost himOf his own purse no doit. Through SaxonyThe fury goddess of the war marched on,E'en to the surf-rocks of the Baltic, bearing115The terrors of his name. That was a time!In the whole Imperial realm no name like mineHonoured with festival and celebration—And Albrecht Wallenstein, it was the titleOf the third jewel in his crown!120But at the Diet, when the Princes metAt Regenspurg, there, there the whole broke out,There 'twas laid open, there it was made known,Out of what money-bag I had paid the host.And what was now my thank, what had I now,125That I, a faithful servant of the Sovereign,Had loaded on myself the people's curses,And let the Princes of the empire payThe expenses of this war, that aggrandizesThe Emperor alone—What thanks had I!130What? I was offered up to their complaints,Dismissed, degraded!
Questenberg.But your Highness knowsWhat little freedom he possessed of actionIn that disastrous diet.
Wallenstein.Death and hell!I had that which could have procured him freedom.135No! Since 'twas proved so inauspicious to me[635]To serve the Emperor at the empire's cost,I have been taught far other trains of thinkingOf the empire, and the diet of the empire.From the Emperor, doubtless, I received this staff,140But now I hold it as the empire's general—For the common weal, the universal interest,And no more for that one man's aggrandizement!But to the point. What is it that's desired of me?
Questenberg.First, his imperial Majesty hath willed145That without pretexts of delay the armyEvacuate Bohemia.
Wallenstein.In this season?And to what quarter wills the EmperorThat we direct our course?
Questenberg.To the enemy.His Majesty resolves, that Regenspurg150Be purified from the enemy, ere Easter,That Lutheranism may be no longer preachedIn that cathedral, nor hereticalDefilement desecrate the celebrationOf that pure festival.
Wallenstein.My generals,155Can this be realized?
Illo.'Tis not possible.
Butler.It can't be realized.
Questenberg.The EmperorAlready hath commanded Colonel SuysTo advance toward Bavaria!
Wallenstein.What did Suys?
Questenberg.That which his duty prompted. He advanced!160
Wallenstein.What? he advanced? And I, his general,Had given him orders, peremptory orders,Not to desert his station! Stands it thusWith my authority? Is this the obedienceDue to my office, which being thrown aside165No war can be conducted? Chieftains, speak!You be the judges, generals! What deservesThat officer, who of his oath neglectfulIs guilty of contempt of orders?
Illo.Death.
Wallenstein.Count Piccolomini! what has he deserved?170
Max Piccolomini.According to the letter of the law,Death.Isolani.Death.Butler.Death, by the laws of war.
Max Piccolomini.According to the letter of the law,Death.
Isolani.Death.
Butler.Death, by the laws of war.
[Questenbergrises from his seat,Wallensteinfollows; all the rest rise.
Wallenstein.To this the law condemns him, and not I.And if I shew him favour, 'twill ariseFrom the reverence that I owe my Emperor.175Questenberg.If so, I can say nothing further—here!Wallenstein.I accepted the command but on conditions!And this the first, that to the diminutionOf my authority no human being,Not even the Emperor's self, should be entitled180To do aught, or to say aught, with the army.If I stand warranter of the event,Placing my honour and my head in pledge,Needs must I have full mastery in allThe means thereto. What rendered this Gustavus185Resistless, and unconquered upon earth?This—that he was the monarch in his army!A monarch, one who is indeed a monarch,Was never yet subdued but by his equal.But to the point! The best is yet to come.190Attend now, generals!Questenberg.The prince CardinalBegins his route at the approach of springFrom the Milanese; and leads a Spanish armyThrough Germany into the Netherlands.That he may march secure and unimpeded,195'Tis the Emperor's will you grant him a detachmentOf eight horse-regiments from the army here.Wallenstein.Yes, yes! I understand!—Eight regiments! Well,Right well concerted, father Lamormain!Eight thousand horse! Yes, yes! 'Tis as it should be!200I see it coming!Questenberg.There is nothing coming.All stands in front: the counsel of state-prudence,The dictate of necessity!——Wallenstein.What then?What, my Lord Envoy? May I not be suffered[637]To understand, that folks are tired of seeing205The sword's hilt in my grasp: and that your courtSnatch eagerly at this pretence, and useThe Spanish title, to drain off my forces,To lead into the empire a new armyUnsubjected to my control. To throw me210Plumply aside,—I am still too powerful for youTo venture that. My stipulation runs,That all the Imperial forces shall obey meWhere'er the German is the native language.Of Spanish troops and of Prince Cardinals215That take their route, as visitors, through the empire,There stands no syllable in my stipulation.No syllable! And so the politic courtSteals in a-tiptoe, and creeps round behind it;First makes me weaker, then to be dispensed with,220Till it dares strike at length a bolder blowAnd make short work with me.What need of all these crooked ways, Lord Envoy?Straight-forward man! His compact with me pinchesThe Emperor. He would that I moved off!—225Well!—I will gratify him![Here there commences an agitation among the Generals which increases continually.It grieves me for my noble officers' sakes!I see not yet, by what means they will come atThe moneys they have advanced, or how obtainThe recompense their services demand.230Still a new leader brings new claimants forward,And prior merit superannuates quickly.There serve here many foreigners in the army,And were the man in all else brave and gallant,I was not wont to make nice scrutiny235After his pedigree or catechism.This will be otherwise, i'the time to come.Well—me no longer it concerns.[He seats himself.Max Piccolomini.Forbid it. Heaven, that it should come to this!Our troops will swell in dreadful fermentation—240The Emperor is abused—it cannot be.Isolani.It cannot be; all goes to instant wreck.Wallenstein.Thou hast said truly, faithful Isolani![638]What we with toil and foresight have built up,Will go to wreck—all go to instant wreck.245What then? another chieftain is soon found,Another army likewise (who dares doubt it?)Will flock from all sides to the EmperorAt the first beat of his recruiting drum.
Wallenstein.To this the law condemns him, and not I.And if I shew him favour, 'twill ariseFrom the reverence that I owe my Emperor.175
Questenberg.If so, I can say nothing further—here!
Wallenstein.I accepted the command but on conditions!And this the first, that to the diminutionOf my authority no human being,Not even the Emperor's self, should be entitled180To do aught, or to say aught, with the army.If I stand warranter of the event,Placing my honour and my head in pledge,Needs must I have full mastery in allThe means thereto. What rendered this Gustavus185Resistless, and unconquered upon earth?This—that he was the monarch in his army!A monarch, one who is indeed a monarch,Was never yet subdued but by his equal.But to the point! The best is yet to come.190Attend now, generals!
Questenberg.The prince CardinalBegins his route at the approach of springFrom the Milanese; and leads a Spanish armyThrough Germany into the Netherlands.That he may march secure and unimpeded,195'Tis the Emperor's will you grant him a detachmentOf eight horse-regiments from the army here.
Wallenstein.Yes, yes! I understand!—Eight regiments! Well,Right well concerted, father Lamormain!Eight thousand horse! Yes, yes! 'Tis as it should be!200I see it coming!
Questenberg.There is nothing coming.All stands in front: the counsel of state-prudence,The dictate of necessity!——
Wallenstein.What then?What, my Lord Envoy? May I not be suffered[637]To understand, that folks are tired of seeing205The sword's hilt in my grasp: and that your courtSnatch eagerly at this pretence, and useThe Spanish title, to drain off my forces,To lead into the empire a new armyUnsubjected to my control. To throw me210Plumply aside,—I am still too powerful for youTo venture that. My stipulation runs,That all the Imperial forces shall obey meWhere'er the German is the native language.Of Spanish troops and of Prince Cardinals215That take their route, as visitors, through the empire,There stands no syllable in my stipulation.No syllable! And so the politic courtSteals in a-tiptoe, and creeps round behind it;First makes me weaker, then to be dispensed with,220Till it dares strike at length a bolder blowAnd make short work with me.What need of all these crooked ways, Lord Envoy?Straight-forward man! His compact with me pinchesThe Emperor. He would that I moved off!—225Well!—I will gratify him![Here there commences an agitation among the Generals which increases continually.It grieves me for my noble officers' sakes!I see not yet, by what means they will come atThe moneys they have advanced, or how obtainThe recompense their services demand.230Still a new leader brings new claimants forward,And prior merit superannuates quickly.There serve here many foreigners in the army,And were the man in all else brave and gallant,I was not wont to make nice scrutiny235After his pedigree or catechism.This will be otherwise, i'the time to come.Well—me no longer it concerns.[He seats himself.
Max Piccolomini.Forbid it. Heaven, that it should come to this!Our troops will swell in dreadful fermentation—240The Emperor is abused—it cannot be.
Isolani.It cannot be; all goes to instant wreck.
Wallenstein.Thou hast said truly, faithful Isolani![638]What we with toil and foresight have built up,Will go to wreck—all go to instant wreck.245What then? another chieftain is soon found,Another army likewise (who dares doubt it?)Will flock from all sides to the EmperorAt the first beat of his recruiting drum.
[During this speech,Isolani, Tertsky, IlloandMaradastalk confusedly with great agitation.