Isolani.Why,—why—what! This is the Emperor's hand and seal![Reads.'Whereas the officers collectivelyThroughout our army will obey the ordersOf the Lieutenant-General Piccolomini35As from ourselves.'——Hem!—Yes! so!—Yes! yes!—I—I give you joy, Lieutenant-General!Octavio.And you submit you to the order?Isolani.I——But you have taken me so by surprise—Time for reflection one must have——Octavio.Two minutes.40Isolani.My God! But then the case is——Octavio.Plain and simple.You must declare you, whether you determineTo act a treason 'gainst your Lord and Sovereign,Or whether you will serve him faithfully.Isolani.Treason!—My God!—But who talks then of treason?45Octavio.That is the case. The Prince-Duke is a traitor—Means to lead over to the enemyThe Emperor's army.—Now, Count!—brief and full—Say, will you break your oath to the Emperor?Sell yourself to the enemy?—Say, will you?50Isolani.What mean you? I—I break my oath, d'ye say,To his Imperial Majesty?Did I say so?—When, when have I said that?Octavio.You have not said it yet—not yet. This instantI wait to hear, Count, whether you will say it.55Isolani.Aye! that delights me now, that you yourselfBear witness for me that I never said so.Octavio.And you renounce the Duke then?Isolani.If he's planningTreason—why, treason breaks all bonds asunder.Octavio.And are determined, too, to fight against him?60Isolani.He has done me service—but if he's a villain,Perdition seize him!—All scores are rubbed off.Octavio.I am rejoiced that you're so well disposed.This night break off in the utmost secrecyWith all the light-armed troops—it must appear65As came the order from the Duke himself.[716]At Frauenberg's the place of rendezvous;There will Count Galas give you further orders.Isolani.It shall be done. But you'll remember meWith the Emperor—how well disposed you found me.70Octavio.I will not fail to mention it honourably.[ExitIsolani. AServantenters.What, Colonel Butler!—Shew him up.Isolani (returning).Forgive me too my bearish ways, old father!Lord God! how should I know, then, what a greatPerson I had before me.Octavio.No excuses!75Isolani.I am a merry lad, and if at timeA rash word might escape me 'gainst the courtAmidst my wine—You know no harm was meant.[Exit.Octavio.You need not be uneasy on that score.That has succeeded. Fortune favour us80With all the others only but as much!
Isolani.Why,—why—what! This is the Emperor's hand and seal![Reads.'Whereas the officers collectivelyThroughout our army will obey the ordersOf the Lieutenant-General Piccolomini35As from ourselves.'——Hem!—Yes! so!—Yes! yes!—I—I give you joy, Lieutenant-General!
Octavio.And you submit you to the order?
Isolani.I——But you have taken me so by surprise—Time for reflection one must have——
Octavio.Two minutes.40
Isolani.My God! But then the case is——
Octavio.Plain and simple.You must declare you, whether you determineTo act a treason 'gainst your Lord and Sovereign,Or whether you will serve him faithfully.
Isolani.Treason!—My God!—But who talks then of treason?45
Octavio.That is the case. The Prince-Duke is a traitor—Means to lead over to the enemyThe Emperor's army.—Now, Count!—brief and full—Say, will you break your oath to the Emperor?Sell yourself to the enemy?—Say, will you?50
Isolani.What mean you? I—I break my oath, d'ye say,To his Imperial Majesty?Did I say so?—When, when have I said that?
Octavio.You have not said it yet—not yet. This instantI wait to hear, Count, whether you will say it.55
Isolani.Aye! that delights me now, that you yourselfBear witness for me that I never said so.
Octavio.And you renounce the Duke then?
Isolani.If he's planningTreason—why, treason breaks all bonds asunder.
Octavio.And are determined, too, to fight against him?60
Isolani.He has done me service—but if he's a villain,Perdition seize him!—All scores are rubbed off.
Octavio.I am rejoiced that you're so well disposed.This night break off in the utmost secrecyWith all the light-armed troops—it must appear65As came the order from the Duke himself.[716]At Frauenberg's the place of rendezvous;There will Count Galas give you further orders.
Isolani.It shall be done. But you'll remember meWith the Emperor—how well disposed you found me.70
Octavio.I will not fail to mention it honourably.[ExitIsolani. AServantenters.What, Colonel Butler!—Shew him up.
Isolani (returning).Forgive me too my bearish ways, old father!Lord God! how should I know, then, what a greatPerson I had before me.
Octavio.No excuses!75
Isolani.I am a merry lad, and if at timeA rash word might escape me 'gainst the courtAmidst my wine—You know no harm was meant.[Exit.
Octavio.You need not be uneasy on that score.That has succeeded. Fortune favour us80With all the others only but as much!
Before2Octavio (with an air of mystery).1800,1828,1829.
Before2Octavio (with an air of mystery).1800,1828,1829.
Before3Isolani (assuming the same air of mystery).1800,1828,1829.
Before3Isolani (assuming the same air of mystery).1800,1828,1829.
[27]Isolani (with an air of defiance).1800,1828,1829.
Isolani (with an air of defiance).1800,1828,1829.
Before32Isolani (stammering).1800,1828,1829.
Before32Isolani (stammering).1800,1828,1829.
[36]Hem1800,1828,1829.
Hem1800,1828,1829.
[40]must1800,1828,1829.
must1800,1828,1829.
[55]will1800,1828,1829.
will1800,1828,1829.
Octavio Piccolomini, Butler.
Butler.At your command, Lieutenant-General.Octavio.Welcome, as honoured friend and visitor.Butler.You do me too much honour.Octavio (after both have seated themselves).You have notReturned the advances which I made you yesterday—Misunderstood them, as mere empty forms.5That wish proceeded from my heart—I wasIn earnest with you—for 'tis now a timeIn which the honest should unite most closely.Butler.'Tis only the like-minded can unite.Octavio.True! and I name all honest men like-minded.10I never charge a man but with those actsTo which his character deliberatelyImpels him; for alas! the violenceOf blind misunderstandings often thrustsThe very best of us from the right track.15You came through Frauenberg. Did the Count GalasSay nothing to you? Tell me. He's my friend.Butler.His words were lost on me.Octavio.It grieves me sorely[717]To hear it: for his counsel was most wise.I had myself the like to offer.Butler.Spare20Yourself the trouble—me th' embarrassment,To have deserved so ill your good opinion.Octavio.The time is precious—let us talk openly.You know how matters stand here. WallensteinMeditates treason—I can tell you further—25He has committed treason; but few hoursHave past, since he a covenant concludedWith the enemy. The messengers are nowFull on their way to Egra and to Prague.To-morrow he intends to lead us over30To the enemy. But he deceives himself;For prudence wakes—the Emperor has stillMany and faithful friends here, and they standIn closest union, mighty though unseen.This manifesto sentences the Duke—35Recalls the obedience of the army from him,And summons all the loyal, all the honest,To join and recognize in me their leader.Choose—will you share with us an honest cause?Or with the evil share an evil lot?40Butler (rises).His lot is mine.Octavio.Is that your last resolve?Butler.It is.Octavio.Nay, but bethink you, Colonel Butler!As yet you have time. Within my faithful breastThat rashly uttered word remains interred.Recall it, Butler! choose a better party:45You have not chosen the right one.Butler (going).Any otherCommands for me, Lieutenant-General?Octavio.See your white hairs! Recall that word!Butler.Farewell!Octavio.What, would you draw this good and gallant swordIn such a cause? Into a curse would you50Transform the gratitude which you have earnedBy forty years' fidelity from Austria?Butler (laughing with bitterness).Gratitude from the House of Austria.[He is going.Octavio (permits him to go as far as the door, then calls after him).Butler!
Butler.At your command, Lieutenant-General.
Octavio.Welcome, as honoured friend and visitor.
Butler.You do me too much honour.
Octavio (after both have seated themselves).You have notReturned the advances which I made you yesterday—Misunderstood them, as mere empty forms.5That wish proceeded from my heart—I wasIn earnest with you—for 'tis now a timeIn which the honest should unite most closely.
Butler.'Tis only the like-minded can unite.
Octavio.True! and I name all honest men like-minded.10I never charge a man but with those actsTo which his character deliberatelyImpels him; for alas! the violenceOf blind misunderstandings often thrustsThe very best of us from the right track.15You came through Frauenberg. Did the Count GalasSay nothing to you? Tell me. He's my friend.
Butler.His words were lost on me.
Octavio.It grieves me sorely[717]To hear it: for his counsel was most wise.I had myself the like to offer.
Butler.Spare20Yourself the trouble—me th' embarrassment,To have deserved so ill your good opinion.
Octavio.The time is precious—let us talk openly.You know how matters stand here. WallensteinMeditates treason—I can tell you further—25He has committed treason; but few hoursHave past, since he a covenant concludedWith the enemy. The messengers are nowFull on their way to Egra and to Prague.To-morrow he intends to lead us over30To the enemy. But he deceives himself;For prudence wakes—the Emperor has stillMany and faithful friends here, and they standIn closest union, mighty though unseen.This manifesto sentences the Duke—35Recalls the obedience of the army from him,And summons all the loyal, all the honest,To join and recognize in me their leader.Choose—will you share with us an honest cause?Or with the evil share an evil lot?40
Butler (rises).His lot is mine.
Octavio.Is that your last resolve?
Butler.It is.
Octavio.Nay, but bethink you, Colonel Butler!As yet you have time. Within my faithful breastThat rashly uttered word remains interred.Recall it, Butler! choose a better party:45You have not chosen the right one.
Butler (going).Any otherCommands for me, Lieutenant-General?
Octavio.See your white hairs! Recall that word!
Butler.Farewell!
Octavio.What, would you draw this good and gallant swordIn such a cause? Into a curse would you50Transform the gratitude which you have earnedBy forty years' fidelity from Austria?
Butler (laughing with bitterness).Gratitude from the House of Austria.[He is going.
Octavio (permits him to go as far as the door, then calls after him).Butler!
Butler.What wish you?Octavio.How was't with the Count?Butler.Count? what?Octavio.The title that you wished, I mean.55Butler (starts in sudden passion).Hell and damnation!Octavio.You petitioned for it—And your petition was repelled—Was it so?Butler.Your insolent scoff shall not go by unpunished.Draw!Octavio.Nay! your sword to 'ts sheath![718:1]and tell me calmly,How all that happened. I will not refuse you60Your satisfaction afterwards.—Calmly, Butler!Butler.Be the whole world acquainted with the weaknessFor which I never can forgive myself.Lieutenant-General! Yes—I have ambition.Ne'er was I able to endure contempt.65It stung me to the quick, that birth and titleShould have more weight than merit has in the army.I would fain not be meaner than my equal,So in an evil hour I let myselfBe tempted to that measure—It was folly!70But yet so hard a penance it deserved not.It might have been refused; but wherefore barbAnd venom the refusal with contempt?Why dash to earth and crush with heaviest scornThe grey-haired man, the faithful veteran?75Why to the baseness of his parentageRefer him with such cruel roughness, onlyBecause he had a weak hour and forgot himself?But nature gives a sting e'en to the wormWhich wanton power treads on in sport and insult.80Octavio.You must have been calumniated. Guess youThe enemy, who did you this ill service?Butler.Be't who it will—a most low-hearted scoundrel,Some vile court-minion must it be, some Spaniard,Some young squire of some ancient family,85In whose light I may stand, some envious knave,Stung to his soul by my fair self-earned honours!
Butler.What wish you?
Octavio.How was't with the Count?
Butler.Count? what?
Octavio.The title that you wished, I mean.55
Butler (starts in sudden passion).Hell and damnation!
Octavio.You petitioned for it—And your petition was repelled—Was it so?
Butler.Your insolent scoff shall not go by unpunished.Draw!
Octavio.Nay! your sword to 'ts sheath![718:1]and tell me calmly,How all that happened. I will not refuse you60Your satisfaction afterwards.—Calmly, Butler!
Butler.Be the whole world acquainted with the weaknessFor which I never can forgive myself.Lieutenant-General! Yes—I have ambition.Ne'er was I able to endure contempt.65It stung me to the quick, that birth and titleShould have more weight than merit has in the army.I would fain not be meaner than my equal,So in an evil hour I let myselfBe tempted to that measure—It was folly!70But yet so hard a penance it deserved not.It might have been refused; but wherefore barbAnd venom the refusal with contempt?Why dash to earth and crush with heaviest scornThe grey-haired man, the faithful veteran?75Why to the baseness of his parentageRefer him with such cruel roughness, onlyBecause he had a weak hour and forgot himself?But nature gives a sting e'en to the wormWhich wanton power treads on in sport and insult.80
Octavio.You must have been calumniated. Guess youThe enemy, who did you this ill service?
Butler.Be't who it will—a most low-hearted scoundrel,Some vile court-minion must it be, some Spaniard,Some young squire of some ancient family,85In whose light I may stand, some envious knave,Stung to his soul by my fair self-earned honours!
Octavio.But tell me! Did the Duke approve that measure?Butler.Himself impelled me to it, used his interestIn my behalf with all the warmth of friendship.90Octavio.Ay? Are you sure of that?Butler.I read the letter.Octavio.And so did I—but the contents were different.By chance I'm in possession of that letter—Can leave it to your own eyes to convince you.[He gives him the letter.Butler.Ha! what is this?Octavio.I fear me, Colonel Butler,95An infamous game have they been playing with you.The Duke, you say, impelled you to this measure?Now, in this letter talks he in contemptConcerning you, counsels the MinisterTo give sound chastisement to your conceit,100For so he calls it.[Butlerreads through the letter, his knees tremble, he seizes a chair, and sinks down in it.You have no enemy, no persecutor;There's no one wishes ill to you. AscribeThe insult you received to the Duke only.His aim is clear and palpable. He wished105To tear you from your Emperor—he hopedTo gain from your revenge what he well knew(What your long-tried fidelity convinced him)He ne'er could dare expect from your calm reason.A blind tool would he make you, in contempt110Use you, as means of most abandoned ends.He has gained his point. Too well has he succeededIn luring you away from that good pathOn which you had been journeying forty years!Butler.Can e'er the Emperor's Majesty forgive me?115Octavio.More than forgive you. He would fain compensateFor that affront, and most unmerited grievanceSustained by a deserving, gallant veteran.From his free impulse he confirms the present,Which the Duke made you for a wicked purpose.120The regiment, which you now command, is yours.
Octavio.But tell me! Did the Duke approve that measure?
Butler.Himself impelled me to it, used his interestIn my behalf with all the warmth of friendship.90
Octavio.Ay? Are you sure of that?
Butler.I read the letter.
Octavio.And so did I—but the contents were different.By chance I'm in possession of that letter—Can leave it to your own eyes to convince you.[He gives him the letter.
Butler.Ha! what is this?
Octavio.I fear me, Colonel Butler,95An infamous game have they been playing with you.The Duke, you say, impelled you to this measure?Now, in this letter talks he in contemptConcerning you, counsels the MinisterTo give sound chastisement to your conceit,100For so he calls it.[Butlerreads through the letter, his knees tremble, he seizes a chair, and sinks down in it.You have no enemy, no persecutor;There's no one wishes ill to you. AscribeThe insult you received to the Duke only.His aim is clear and palpable. He wished105To tear you from your Emperor—he hopedTo gain from your revenge what he well knew(What your long-tried fidelity convinced him)He ne'er could dare expect from your calm reason.A blind tool would he make you, in contempt110Use you, as means of most abandoned ends.He has gained his point. Too well has he succeededIn luring you away from that good pathOn which you had been journeying forty years!
Butler.Can e'er the Emperor's Majesty forgive me?115
Octavio.More than forgive you. He would fain compensateFor that affront, and most unmerited grievanceSustained by a deserving, gallant veteran.From his free impulse he confirms the present,Which the Duke made you for a wicked purpose.120The regiment, which you now command, is yours.
[Butlerattempts to rise, sinks down again. He labours inwardly with violent emotions; tries to speak, andcannot. At length he takes his sword from the belt, and offers it toPiccolomini.
Octavio.What wish you? Recollect yourself, friend.Butler.Take it.Octavio.But to what purpose? Calm yourself.Butler.O take it!I am no longer worthy of this sword.Octavio.Receive it then anew from my hands—and125Wear it with honour for the right cause ever.Butler.——Perjure myself to such a gracious Sovereign!Octavio.You'll make amends. Quick! break off from the Duke!Butler.Break off from him!Octavio.What now? Bethink thyself.Butler (no longer governing his emotion).Only break off from him?—He dies!—he dies!130Octavio.Come after me to Frauenberg, where nowAll who are loyal are assembling underCounts Altringer and Galas. Many othersI've brought to a remembrance of their duty.This night be sure that you escape from Pilsen.135Butler.Count Piccolomini! Dare that man speakOf honour to you, who once broke his troth?Octavio.He, who repents so deeply of it, dares.Butler.Then leave me here, upon my word of honour!Octavio.What's your design?Butler.Leave me and my regiment.140Octavio.I have full confidence in you. But tell meWhat are you brooding?Butler.That the deed will tell you.Ask me no more at present. Trust to me.Ye may trust safely. By the living GodYe give him over, not to his good angel!145Farewell.[ExitButler.Servant (enters with a billet).A stranger left it, and is gone.The Prince-Duke's horses wait for you below.[ExitServant.Octavio (reads).'Be sure, make haste! Your faithful Isolan.'—O that I had but left this town behind me.To split upon a rock so near the haven!—150Away! This is no longer a safe place for me!Where can my son be tarrying?
Octavio.What wish you? Recollect yourself, friend.
Butler.Take it.
Octavio.But to what purpose? Calm yourself.
Butler.O take it!I am no longer worthy of this sword.
Octavio.Receive it then anew from my hands—and125Wear it with honour for the right cause ever.
Butler.——Perjure myself to such a gracious Sovereign!
Octavio.You'll make amends. Quick! break off from the Duke!
Butler.Break off from him!
Octavio.What now? Bethink thyself.
Butler (no longer governing his emotion).Only break off from him?—He dies!—he dies!130
Octavio.Come after me to Frauenberg, where nowAll who are loyal are assembling underCounts Altringer and Galas. Many othersI've brought to a remembrance of their duty.This night be sure that you escape from Pilsen.135
Butler.Count Piccolomini! Dare that man speakOf honour to you, who once broke his troth?
Octavio.He, who repents so deeply of it, dares.
Butler.Then leave me here, upon my word of honour!
Octavio.What's your design?
Butler.Leave me and my regiment.140
Octavio.I have full confidence in you. But tell meWhat are you brooding?
Butler.That the deed will tell you.Ask me no more at present. Trust to me.Ye may trust safely. By the living GodYe give him over, not to his good angel!145Farewell.[ExitButler.
Servant (enters with a billet).A stranger left it, and is gone.The Prince-Duke's horses wait for you below.[ExitServant.
Octavio (reads).'Be sure, make haste! Your faithful Isolan.'—O that I had but left this town behind me.To split upon a rock so near the haven!—150Away! This is no longer a safe place for me!Where can my son be tarrying?
[718:1]It probably did not suit Schiller's purposes to remark, what he doubtless knew, that Butler was of a noble Irish family, indeed one of the noblest.MS. R.
[718:1]It probably did not suit Schiller's purposes to remark, what he doubtless knew, that Butler was of a noble Irish family, indeed one of the noblest.MS. R.
[18]me1800,1828,1829.
me1800,1828,1829.
[55]Octavio (coldly).1800,1828,1829.
Octavio (coldly).1800,1828,1829.
After92[Butleris suddenly struck.1800,1828,1829.
After92[Butleris suddenly struck.1800,1828,1829.
Before115Butler (his voice trembling).1800,1828,1829.
Before115Butler (his voice trembling).1800,1828,1829.
Before136Butler (strides up and down in excessive agitation, then steps up to Octavio with resolved countenance).1800,1828,1829.
Before136Butler (strides up and down in excessive agitation, then steps up to Octavio with resolved countenance).1800,1828,1829.
OctavioandMax Piccolomini.
Octavio (advances to Max).I am going off, my son.[Receiving no answer he takes his hand.My son, farewell.Max.Farewell.Octavio.Thou wilt soon follow me?Max.I follow thee?Thy way is crooked—it is not my way.[Octaviodrops his hand, and starts back.O, hadst thou been but simple and sincere,Ne'er had it come to this—all had stood otherwise.5He had not done that foul and horrible deed,The virtuous had retained their influence o'er him:He had not fallen into the snares of villains.Wherefore so like a thief, and thief's accompliceDid'st creep behind him—lurking for thy prey?10O, unblest falsehood! Mother of all evil!Thou misery-making demon, it is thouThat sink'st us in perdition. Simple truth,Sustainer of the world, had saved us all!Father, I will not, I cannot excuse thee!15Wallenstein has deceived me—O, most foully!But thou hast acted not much better.Octavio.Son!My son, ah! I forgive thy agony!Max.Was't possible? had'st thou the heart, my father,Had'st thou the heart to drive it to such lengths,20With cold premeditated purpose? Thou—Had'st thou the heart, to wish to see him guilty,Rather than saved? Thou risest by his fall.Octavio, 'twill not please me.Octavio.God in Heaven!Max.O, woe is me! sure I have changed my nature.25[722]How comes suspicion here—in the free soul?Hope, confidence, belief, are gone; for allLied to me, all what I e'er loved or honoured.No! No! Not all! She—she yet lives for me,And she is true, and open as the Heavens!30Deceit is every where, hypocrisy,Murder, and poisoning, treason, perjury:The single holy spot is now our love,The only unprofaned in human nature.Octavio.Max!—we will go together. 'Twill be better.35Max.What? ere I've taken a last parting leave,The very last—no never!Octavio.Spare thyselfThe pang of necessary separation.Come with me! Come, my son![Attempts to take him with him.Max.No! as sure as God lives, no!40Octavio.Come with me, I command thee! I, thy father.Max.Command me what is human. I stay here.Octavio.Max! in the Emperor's name I bid thee come.Max.No Emperor has power to prescribeLaws to the heart; and would'st thou wish to rob me45Of the sole blessing which my fate has left me,Her sympathy? Must then a cruel deedBe done with cruelty? The unalterableShall I perform ignobly—steal away,With stealthy coward flight forsake her? No!50She shall behold my suffering, my sore anguish,Hear the complaints of the disparted soul,And weep tears o'er me. Oh! the human raceHave steely souls—but she is as an angel.From the black deadly madness of despair55Will she redeem my soul, and in soft wordsOf comfort, plaining, loose this pang of death!Octavio.Thou wilt not tear thyself away; thou canst not.O, come, my son! I bid thee save thy virtue.Max.Squander not thou thy words in vain.60The heart I follow, for I dare trust to it.Octavio.Max! Max! if that most damnéd thing could be,If thou—my son—my own blood—(dare I think it?)[723]Do sell thyself to him, the infamous,Do stamp this brand upon our noble house,65Then shall the world behold the horrible deed,And in unnatural combat shall the steelOf the son trickle with the father's blood.Max.O hadst thou always better thought of men,Thou hadst then acted better. Curst suspicion!70Unholy miserable doubt! To himNothing on earth remains unwrenched and firm,Who has no faith.Octavio.And if I trust thy heart,Will it be always in thy power to follow it?Max.The heart's voice thou hast not o'erpower'd—as little75Will Wallenstein be able to o'erpower it.Octavio.O, Max! I see thee never more again!Max.Unworthy of thee wilt thou never see me.Octavio.I go to Frauenberg—the PappenheimersI leave thee here, the Lothrings too; Toskana80And Tiefenbach remain here to protect thee.They love thee, and are faithful to their oath,And will far rather fall in gallant contestThan leave their rightful leader, and their honour.Max.Rely on this, I either leave my life85In the struggle, or conduct them out of Pilsen.Octavio.Farewell, my son!Max.Farewell!Octavio.How? not one lookOf filial love? No grasp of the hand at parting?It is a bloody war, to which we are going,And the event uncertain and in darkness.90So used we not to part—it was not so!Is it then true? I have a son no longer?
Octavio (advances to Max).I am going off, my son.[Receiving no answer he takes his hand.My son, farewell.
Max.Farewell.
Octavio.Thou wilt soon follow me?
Max.I follow thee?Thy way is crooked—it is not my way.[Octaviodrops his hand, and starts back.O, hadst thou been but simple and sincere,Ne'er had it come to this—all had stood otherwise.5He had not done that foul and horrible deed,The virtuous had retained their influence o'er him:He had not fallen into the snares of villains.Wherefore so like a thief, and thief's accompliceDid'st creep behind him—lurking for thy prey?10O, unblest falsehood! Mother of all evil!Thou misery-making demon, it is thouThat sink'st us in perdition. Simple truth,Sustainer of the world, had saved us all!Father, I will not, I cannot excuse thee!15Wallenstein has deceived me—O, most foully!But thou hast acted not much better.
Octavio.Son!My son, ah! I forgive thy agony!
Max.Was't possible? had'st thou the heart, my father,Had'st thou the heart to drive it to such lengths,20With cold premeditated purpose? Thou—Had'st thou the heart, to wish to see him guilty,Rather than saved? Thou risest by his fall.Octavio, 'twill not please me.
Octavio.God in Heaven!
Max.O, woe is me! sure I have changed my nature.25[722]How comes suspicion here—in the free soul?Hope, confidence, belief, are gone; for allLied to me, all what I e'er loved or honoured.No! No! Not all! She—she yet lives for me,And she is true, and open as the Heavens!30Deceit is every where, hypocrisy,Murder, and poisoning, treason, perjury:The single holy spot is now our love,The only unprofaned in human nature.
Octavio.Max!—we will go together. 'Twill be better.35
Max.What? ere I've taken a last parting leave,The very last—no never!
Octavio.Spare thyselfThe pang of necessary separation.Come with me! Come, my son![Attempts to take him with him.
Max.No! as sure as God lives, no!40
Octavio.Come with me, I command thee! I, thy father.
Max.Command me what is human. I stay here.
Octavio.Max! in the Emperor's name I bid thee come.
Max.No Emperor has power to prescribeLaws to the heart; and would'st thou wish to rob me45Of the sole blessing which my fate has left me,Her sympathy? Must then a cruel deedBe done with cruelty? The unalterableShall I perform ignobly—steal away,With stealthy coward flight forsake her? No!50She shall behold my suffering, my sore anguish,Hear the complaints of the disparted soul,And weep tears o'er me. Oh! the human raceHave steely souls—but she is as an angel.From the black deadly madness of despair55Will she redeem my soul, and in soft wordsOf comfort, plaining, loose this pang of death!
Octavio.Thou wilt not tear thyself away; thou canst not.O, come, my son! I bid thee save thy virtue.
Max.Squander not thou thy words in vain.60The heart I follow, for I dare trust to it.
Octavio.Max! Max! if that most damnéd thing could be,If thou—my son—my own blood—(dare I think it?)[723]Do sell thyself to him, the infamous,Do stamp this brand upon our noble house,65Then shall the world behold the horrible deed,And in unnatural combat shall the steelOf the son trickle with the father's blood.
Max.O hadst thou always better thought of men,Thou hadst then acted better. Curst suspicion!70Unholy miserable doubt! To himNothing on earth remains unwrenched and firm,Who has no faith.
Octavio.And if I trust thy heart,Will it be always in thy power to follow it?
Max.The heart's voice thou hast not o'erpower'd—as little75Will Wallenstein be able to o'erpower it.
Octavio.O, Max! I see thee never more again!
Max.Unworthy of thee wilt thou never see me.
Octavio.I go to Frauenberg—the PappenheimersI leave thee here, the Lothrings too; Toskana80And Tiefenbach remain here to protect thee.They love thee, and are faithful to their oath,And will far rather fall in gallant contestThan leave their rightful leader, and their honour.
Max.Rely on this, I either leave my life85In the struggle, or conduct them out of Pilsen.
Octavio.Farewell, my son!
Max.Farewell!
Octavio.How? not one lookOf filial love? No grasp of the hand at parting?It is a bloody war, to which we are going,And the event uncertain and in darkness.90So used we not to part—it was not so!Is it then true? I have a son no longer?
[Maxfalls into his arms, they hold each [other] for a long time in a speechless embrace, then go away at different sides.
The Curtain drops.
Before1(Maxenters almost in a state of derangement from extreme agitation, his eyes roll wildly, his walk is unsteady, and he appears not to observe his father, who stands at a distance, and gazes at him with a countenance expressive of compassion. He paces with long strides through the chamber, then stands still again, and at last throws himself into a chair, staring vacantly at the object directly before him).1800,1828,1829.
Before1(Maxenters almost in a state of derangement from extreme agitation, his eyes roll wildly, his walk is unsteady, and he appears not to observe his father, who stands at a distance, and gazes at him with a countenance expressive of compassion. He paces with long strides through the chamber, then stands still again, and at last throws himself into a chair, staring vacantly at the object directly before him).1800,1828,1829.
Before19Max (rises and contemplates his father with looks of suspicion).1800,1828,1829.
Before19Max (rises and contemplates his father with looks of suspicion).1800,1828,1829.
[28]what] that1828,1829.
what] that1828,1829.
[33]The single holy spot is our love1800.
The single holy spot is our love1800.
Before41Octavio (more urgently).1800,1828,1829.
Before41Octavio (more urgently).1800,1828,1829.
Before62Octavio (trembling, and losing all self-command).1800,1828,1829.
Before62Octavio (trembling, and losing all self-command).1800,1828,1829.
[63]think1800.
think1800.
[75]thou1800.
thou1800.
The two Dramas,Piccolomini, or the first part ofWallenstein, andWallenstein, are introduced in the originalmanuscript by a Prelude in one Act, entitledWallenstein'sCamp. This is written in rhyme, and in nine-syllable verse, inthe sameliltingmetre (if that expression may be permitted)5with the second Eclogue of Spenser's Shepherd's Calendar.
This Prelude possesses a sort of broad humour, and is notdeficient in character; but to have translated it into prose, orinto any other metre than that of the original, would havegiven a false notion both of its style and purport; to have10translated it into the same metre would have been incompatible witha faithful adherence to the sense of the German, from thecomparative poverty of our language in rhymes; and it would havebeen unadvisable from the incongruity of those lax verses withthe present taste of the English Public. Schiller's intention15seems to have been merely to have prepared his reader for theTragedies by a lively picture of the laxity of discipline, and themutinous dispositions of Wallenstein's soldiery. It is notnecessary as a preliminary explanation. For these reasons ithas been thought expedient not to translate it.20
The admirers of Schiller, who have abstracted their conceptionof that author from theRobbers, and theCabalandLove, playsin which the main interest is produced by the excitement ofcuriosity, and in which the curiosity is excited by terrible andextraordinary incident, will not have perused without some25portion of disappointment the Dramas, which it has been myemployment to translate. They should, however, reflect thatthese are Historical Dramas, taken from a popular GermanHistory; that we must therefore judge of them in some measurewith the feelings of Germans; or by analogy, with the interest30excited in us by similar Dramas in our own language. Few,I trust, would be rash or ignorant enough to compare Schillerwith Shakspeare yet, merely as illustration, I would saythat we should proceed to the perusal of Wallenstein, notfrom Lear or Othello, but from Richard the Second, or the35three parts of Henry the Sixth. We scarcely expect rapidityin an Historical Drama; and many prolix speeches arepardoned from characters, whose names and actions haveformed the most amusing tales of our early life. On the otherhand, there exist in these plays more individual beauties,40more passages the excellence of which will bear reflection,than in the former productions of Schiller. The description ofthe Astrological Tower, and the reflections of the Young Lover,which follow it, form in the original a fine poem; and mytranslation must have been wretched indeed, if it can have45wholly overclouded the beauties of the Scene in the first Act ofthe first Play between Questenberg, Max, and Octavio Piccolomini.If we except the Scene of the setting sun in theRobbers,I know of no part in Schiller's Plays which equals the wholeof the first Scene of the fifth Act of the concluding Play. It50would be unbecoming in me to be more diffuse on this subject.A Translator stands connected with the original Author bya certain law of subordination, which makes it more decorousto point out excellencies than defects: indeed he is not likelyto be a fair judge of either. The pleasure or disgust from his55own labour will mingle with the feelings that arise from anafterview of the original. Even in the first perusal of a workin any foreign language which we understand, we are apt toattribute to it more excellence than it really possesses from ourown pleasurable sense of difficulty overcome without effect.60Translation of poetry into poetry is difficult, because theTranslator must give a brilliancy to his language without that warmthof original conception, from which such brilliancy would followof its own accord. But the translator of a living Author isencumbered with additional inconveniences. If he render his65original faithfully, as to the sense of each passage, he mustnecessarily destroy a considerable portion of the spirit; if heendeavour to give a work executed according to laws ofcompensation, he subjects himself to imputations of vanity, ormisrepresentation. I have thought it my duty to remain70bound by the sense of my original, with as few exceptions asthe nature of the languages rendered possible.