[2]half1800,1828,1829.
half1800,1828,1829.
After16[Fixes his eye on him. TheBurgomasteralarmed.1800,1828,1829.
After16[Fixes his eye on him. TheBurgomasteralarmed.1800,1828,1829.
[27]Disclose to you in confidence.[Laying . . . shoulder with a certain solemnity.1800,1828,1829.
Disclose to you in confidence.[Laying . . . shoulder with a certain solemnity.
Disclose to you in confidence.[Laying . . . shoulder with a certain solemnity.
1800,1828,1829.
To these enterCount Tertsky.
Tertsky.Joy, General; joy! I bring you welcome tidings.Wallenstein.And what may they be?Tertsky.There has been an engagementAt Neustadt; the Swedes gained the victory.Wallenstein.From whence did you receive the intelligence?Tertsky.A countryman from Tirschenseil conveyed it.5Soon after sunrise did the fight begin!A troop of the Imperialists from FachauHad forced their way into the Swedish camp;The cannonade continued full two hours;There were left dead upon the field a thousand10Imperialists, together with their Colonel;Further than this he did not know.Wallenstein.How cameImperial 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.
Tertsky.Joy, General; joy! I bring you welcome tidings.
Wallenstein.And what may they be?
Tertsky.There has been an engagementAt Neustadt; the Swedes gained the victory.
Wallenstein.From whence did you receive the intelligence?
Tertsky.A countryman from Tirschenseil conveyed it.5Soon after sunrise did the fight begin!A troop of the Imperialists from FachauHad forced their way into the Swedish camp;The cannonade continued full two hours;There were left dead upon the field a thousand10Imperialists, together with their Colonel;Further than this he did not know.
Wallenstein.How cameImperial 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.
To these enterIllo.
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 youBeforehand. Seven leagues distant are the Swedes;5At Neustadt did Max PiccolominiThrow himself on them with the cavalry;A murderous fight took place! o'erpower'd by numbersThe Pappenheimers all, with Max their leader,Were left dead on the field.10Wallenstein (after a pause).Where is the messenger? Conduct me to him.
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 youBeforehand. Seven leagues distant are the Swedes;5At Neustadt did Max PiccolominiThrow himself on them with the cavalry;A murderous fight took place! o'erpower'd by numbersThe 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.
[Wallensteinis going, whenLady Neubrunnrushes 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!
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, whenWallensteinandTertskyfollow her.
Before2Tertsky (eagerly).1800,1828,1829.
Before2Tertsky (eagerly).1800,1828,1829.
Before3Wallenstein (at the same time).1800,1828,1829.
Before3Wallenstein (at the same time).1800,1828,1829.
After9[Wallensteinshudders and turns pale.1800,1828,1829.
After9[Wallensteinshudders and turns pale.1800,1828,1829.
Before11Wallenstein (after a pause, in a low voice).1800,1828,1829.
Before11Wallenstein (after a pause, in a low voice).1800,1828,1829.
[13]Neubrunn (at the same time with them).She is dying!1800,1828,1829.
Neubrunn (at the same time with them).She is dying!1800,1828,1829.
ButlerandGordon.
Gordon.What's this?Butler.She has lost the man she lov'd—Young Piccolomini, who fell in the battle.
Gordon.What's this?
Butler.She has lost the man she lov'd—Young Piccolomini, who fell in the battle.
Gordon.Unfortunate Lady!Butler.You have heard what IlloReporteth, that the Swedes are conquerors,And marching hitherward.Gordon.Too well I heard it.5Butler.They are twelve regiments strong, and there are fiveClose by us to protect the Duke. We haveOnly my single regiment; and the garrisonIs not two hundred strong.Gordon.'Tis even so.Butler.It is not possible with such small force10To hold in custody a man like him.Gordon.I grant it.Butler.Soon the numbers would disarm us.And liberate him.Gordon.It were to be feared.Butler (after a pause).Know, I am warranty for the event;With my head have I pledged myself for his,15Must make my word good, cost it what it will,And if alive we cannot hold him prisoner,Why—death makes all things certain!Gordon.Butler! What?Do I understand you? Gracious God! You could—Butler.He must not live.Gordon.And you can do the deed!20Butler.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!25Butler.My General he has been.Gordon.That 'tis onlyA 'has been' washes out no villainy.And without judgment passed?Butler.The executionIs here instead of judgment.Gordon.This were murder,Not justice. The most guilty should be heard.30Butler.His guilt is clear, the Emperor has passed judgment,[773]And we but execute his will.Gordon.We should notHurry to realize a bloody sentence.A word may be recalled, a life can never be.Butler.Dispatch in service pleases sovereigns.35Gordon.No honest man's ambitious to press forwardTo the hangman's service.Butler.And no brave man losesHis colour at a daring enterprize.Gordon.A brave man hazards life, but not his conscience.Butler.What then? Shall he go forth anew to kindle40The unextinguishable flame of war?Gordon.Seize him, and hold him prisoner—do not kill him.Butler.Had not the Emperor's army been defeated,I might have done so.—But 'tis now past by.Gordon.O, wherefore opened I the strong hold to him!45Butler.His destiny and not the place destroys him.Gordon.Upon these ramparts, as beseemed a soldier,I had fallen, defending the Emperor's citadel!Butler.Yes! and a thousand gallant men have perished.Gordon.Doing their duty—that adorns the man!50But murder's a black deed, and nature curses it.Butler (brings out a paper).Here is the manifesto which commands usTo gain possession of his person. See—It is addressed to you as well as me.Are you content to take the consequences,55If through our fault he escape to the enemy?Gordon.I?—Gracious God!Butler.Take it on yourself.Let come of it what may, on you I lay it.Gordon.O God in heaven!Butler.Can you advise aught elseWherewith to execute the Emperor's purpose?60Say if you can. For I desire his fall,Not his destruction.Gordon.Merciful heaven! what must beI see as clear as you. Yet still the heartWithin my bosom beats with other feelings!Butler.Mine is of harder stuff! Necessity65In her rough school hath steeled me. And this IlloAnd Tertsky likewise, they must not survive him.
Gordon.Unfortunate Lady!
Butler.You have heard what IlloReporteth, that the Swedes are conquerors,And marching hitherward.
Gordon.Too well I heard it.5
Butler.They are twelve regiments strong, and there are fiveClose by us to protect the Duke. We haveOnly my single regiment; and the garrisonIs not two hundred strong.
Gordon.'Tis even so.
Butler.It is not possible with such small force10To hold in custody a man like him.
Gordon.I grant it.
Butler.Soon the numbers would disarm us.And liberate him.
Gordon.It were to be feared.
Butler (after a pause).Know, I am warranty for the event;With my head have I pledged myself for his,15Must make my word good, cost it what it will,And if alive we cannot hold him prisoner,Why—death makes all things certain!
Gordon.Butler! What?Do I understand you? Gracious God! You could—
Butler.He must not live.
Gordon.And you can do the deed!20
Butler.Either you or I. This morning was his last.
Gordon.You would assassinate him.
Butler.'Tis my purpose.
Gordon.Who leans with his whole confidence upon you!
Butler.Such is his evil destiny!
Gordon.Your General!The sacred person of your General!25
Butler.My General he has been.
Gordon.That 'tis onlyA 'has been' washes out no villainy.And without judgment passed?
Butler.The executionIs here instead of judgment.
Gordon.This were murder,Not justice. The most guilty should be heard.30
Butler.His guilt is clear, the Emperor has passed judgment,[773]And we but execute his will.
Gordon.We should notHurry 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 forwardTo the hangman's service.
Butler.And no brave man losesHis colour at a daring enterprize.
Gordon.A brave man hazards life, but not his conscience.
Butler.What then? Shall he go forth anew to kindle40The unextinguishable flame of war?
Gordon.Seize him, and hold him prisoner—do not kill him.
Butler.Had not the Emperor's army been defeated,I might have done so.—But 'tis now past by.
Gordon.O, wherefore opened I the strong hold to him!45
Butler.His destiny and not the place destroys him.
Gordon.Upon these ramparts, as beseemed a soldier,I had fallen, defending the Emperor's citadel!
Butler.Yes! and a thousand gallant men have perished.
Gordon.Doing their duty—that adorns the man!50But murder's a black deed, and nature curses it.
Butler (brings out a paper).Here is the manifesto which commands usTo gain possession of his person. See—It is addressed to you as well as me.Are you content to take the consequences,55If through our fault he escape to the enemy?
Gordon.I?—Gracious God!
Butler.Take it on yourself.Let come of it what may, on you I lay it.
Gordon.O God in heaven!
Butler.Can you advise aught elseWherewith to execute the Emperor's purpose?60Say if you can. For I desire his fall,Not his destruction.
Gordon.Merciful heaven! what must beI see as clear as you. Yet still the heartWithin my bosom beats with other feelings!
Butler.Mine is of harder stuff! Necessity65In her rough school hath steeled me. And this IlloAnd Tertsky likewise, they must not survive him.
Gordon.I feel no pang for these. Their own bad heartsImpelled them, not the influence of the stars.'Twas they who strewed the seeds of evil passions70In his calm breast, and with officious villainyWatered and nursed the pois'nous plants. May theyReceive their earnests to the uttermost mite!Butler.And their death shall precede his!We meant to have taken them alive this evening75Amid the merry-making of a feast,And kept them prisoners in the citadels.But this makes shorter work. I go this instantTo give the necessary orders.
Gordon.I feel no pang for these. Their own bad heartsImpelled them, not the influence of the stars.'Twas they who strewed the seeds of evil passions70In his calm breast, and with officious villainyWatered and nursed the pois'nous plants. May theyReceive their earnests to the uttermost mite!
Butler.And their death shall precede his!We meant to have taken them alive this evening75Amid the merry-making of a feast,And kept them prisoners in the citadels.But this makes shorter work. I go this instantTo give the necessary orders.
[19]You1800,1828,1829.
You1800,1828,1829.
[20]you1800,1828,1829.
you1800,1828,1829.
[26]has been1800,1828,1829.
has been1800,1828,1829.
[58]Come of it what it may, on you I lay it.1800,1828,1829.
Come of it what it may, on you I lay it.1800,1828,1829.
[77]kept] keep1800,1828,1829.
kept] keep1800,1828,1829.
To these enterIlloandTertsky.
Tertsky.Our luck is on the turn. To-morrow comeThe 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 prescribe5Laws, and take vengeance on those worthless traitors,Those skulking cowards that deserted us;One has already done his bitter penanceThe Piccolomini, be his the fateOf all who wish us evil! This flies sure10To the old man's heart; he has his whole life longFretted and toiled to raise his ancient houseFrom 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 heroic15And gentle temperament! The Duke himself,'Twas easily seen, how near it went to his heart.Illo.Hark'e, old friend! That is the very pointThat never pleased me in our General—He ever gave the preference to the Italians.20Yea, 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 businessIs, who can fairly drink the other down—25Your regiment, Illo! gives the entertainment.[775]Come! we will keep a merry carnival—The night for once be day, and mid full glassesWill we expect the Swedish Avantgarde.Illo.Yes, let us be of good cheer for to-day,30For there's hot work before us, friends! This swordShall have no rest, till it be bathed to the hiltIn Austrian blood.Gordon.Shame, shame! what talk is this,My Lord Field Marshal? Wherefore foam you soAgainst your Emperor?Butler.Hope not too much35From 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 Hungary40Is 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.45Tertsky.Trust me, my friends, it cannot but succeed;Fortune, we know, can ne'er forsake the Duke!And only under Wallenstein can AustriaBe conqueror.Illo.The Duke will soon assembleA mighty army, all come crowding, streaming50To banners dedicate by destinyTo fame and prosperous fortune. I beholdOld times come back again, he will becomeOnce more the mighty Lord which he has been.How will the fools, who've now deserted him,55Look 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 rewardTrue services; but we've the nearest claims.[ToGordon.You will not be forgotten, Governor!60He'll take you from this nest and bid you shineIn higher station: your fidelityWell merits it.Gordon.I am content already,And wish to climb no higher; where great height isThe fall must needs be great. 'Great height, great depth.'65
Tertsky.Our luck is on the turn. To-morrow comeThe 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 prescribe5Laws, and take vengeance on those worthless traitors,Those skulking cowards that deserted us;One has already done his bitter penanceThe Piccolomini, be his the fateOf all who wish us evil! This flies sure10To the old man's heart; he has his whole life longFretted and toiled to raise his ancient houseFrom 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 heroic15And gentle temperament! The Duke himself,'Twas easily seen, how near it went to his heart.
Illo.Hark'e, old friend! That is the very pointThat never pleased me in our General—He ever gave the preference to the Italians.20Yea, 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 businessIs, who can fairly drink the other down—25Your regiment, Illo! gives the entertainment.[775]Come! we will keep a merry carnival—The night for once be day, and mid full glassesWill we expect the Swedish Avantgarde.
Illo.Yes, let us be of good cheer for to-day,30For there's hot work before us, friends! This swordShall have no rest, till it be bathed to the hiltIn Austrian blood.
Gordon.Shame, shame! what talk is this,My Lord Field Marshal? Wherefore foam you soAgainst your Emperor?
Butler.Hope not too much35From 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 Hungary40Is 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 AustriaBe conqueror.
Illo.The Duke will soon assembleA mighty army, all come crowding, streaming50To banners dedicate by destinyTo fame and prosperous fortune. I beholdOld times come back again, he will becomeOnce more the mighty Lord which he has been.How will the fools, who've now deserted him,55Look 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 rewardTrue services; but we've the nearest claims.[ToGordon.You will not be forgotten, Governor!60He'll take you from this nest and bid you shineIn higher station: your fidelityWell merits it.
Gordon.I am content already,And wish to climb no higher; where great height isThe 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 illuminatedIn honour of the Swede? And who refuses70To 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 dareAvow himself imperial where we've rule.Gordon! Good night, and for the last time, take75A fair leave of the place. Send out patrolesTo make secure, the watch-word may be alteredAt the stroke of ten; deliver in the keysTo the Duke himself, and then you're quit for everYour wardship of the gates, for on to-morrow80The 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.[ExeuntTertskyandIllo.
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 illuminatedIn honour of the Swede? And who refuses70To 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 dareAvow himself imperial where we've rule.Gordon! Good night, and for the last time, take75A fair leave of the place. Send out patrolesTo make secure, the watch-word may be alteredAt the stroke of ten; deliver in the keysTo the Duke himself, and then you're quit for everYour wardship of the gates, for on to-morrow80The 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.[ExeuntTertskyandIllo.
[50]come] comes1800,1828,1829.
come] comes1800,1828,1829.
[74]Avow himself imperial where we've the rule.1800,1828,1829.
Avow himself imperial where we've the rule.1800,1828,1829.
GordonandButler.
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 villain5That 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 gateThat nothing may transpire.Gordon.Oh! haste not so!10Nay, stop; first tell me——Butler.You have heard already,To-morrow to the Swedes belongs. This nightAlone is ours. They make good expedition.But we will make still greater. Fare you well.
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 villain5That 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 gateThat nothing may transpire.
Gordon.Oh! haste not so!10Nay, stop; first tell me——
Butler.You have heard already,To-morrow to the Swedes belongs. This nightAlone 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,15I pray you, promise me!Butler.The sun has set;A fateful evening doth descend upon us,And brings on their long night! Their evil starsDeliver them unarmed into our hands.And from their drunken dream of golden fortunes20The 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,25Did he shift like pawns, and made no conscience of it:Still calculating, calculating still;And yet at last his calculation provesErroneous; the whole game is lost; and lo!His own life will be found among the forfeits.30Gordon.O think not of his errors now; rememberHis greatness, his munificence, think on allThe lovely features of his character,On all the noble exploits of his life,And let them, like an angel's arm, unseen35Arrest the lifted sword.Butler.It is too late.I suffer not myself to feel compassion,Dark thoughts and bloody are my duty now:[GraspingGordon'shand.Gordon! 'Tis not my hatred (I pretend notTo love the Duke, and have no cause to love him)40Yet 'tis not now my hatred that impels meTo be his murderer. 'Tis his evil fate.Hostile concurrences of many eventsControl and subjugate me to the office.In vain the human being meditates45Free action. He is but the wire-worked[777:1]puppetOf the blind power, which out of his own choiceCreates for him a dread necessity.What too would it avail him, if there were[778]A something pleading for him in my heart—50Still 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 prosperousBedewed with blood—his blood? Believe it not!Butler.You know not. Ask not! Wherefore should it happen,55That the Swedes gained the victory, and hastenWith such forced marches hitherward? Fain would IHave given him to the Emperor's mercy.—Gordon!I do not wish his blood—But I must ransomThe honour of my word—it lies in pledge—60And he must die, or——[Passionately graspingGordon'shand.Listen then, and know!I am dishonoured if the Duke escape us.Gordon.O! to save such a man——Butler.What!Gordon.It is worthA sacrifice.—Come, friend! Be noble-minded!Our own heart, and not other men's opinions,65Forms 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 itThe world at large, you mean to hint to me,Whether the man of low extraction keeps70Or 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,75That 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.80I cannot hinder you, but may some GodRescue him from you![ExitGordon.
Gordon.Ah! your looks tell me nothing good. Nay, Butler,15I pray you, promise me!
Butler.The sun has set;A fateful evening doth descend upon us,And brings on their long night! Their evil starsDeliver them unarmed into our hands.And from their drunken dream of golden fortunes20The 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,25Did he shift like pawns, and made no conscience of it:Still calculating, calculating still;And yet at last his calculation provesErroneous; 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; rememberHis greatness, his munificence, think on allThe lovely features of his character,On all the noble exploits of his life,And let them, like an angel's arm, unseen35Arrest the lifted sword.
Butler.It is too late.I suffer not myself to feel compassion,Dark thoughts and bloody are my duty now:[GraspingGordon'shand.Gordon! 'Tis not my hatred (I pretend notTo love the Duke, and have no cause to love him)40Yet 'tis not now my hatred that impels meTo be his murderer. 'Tis his evil fate.Hostile concurrences of many eventsControl and subjugate me to the office.In vain the human being meditates45Free action. He is but the wire-worked[777:1]puppetOf the blind power, which out of his own choiceCreates for him a dread necessity.What too would it avail him, if there were[778]A something pleading for him in my heart—50Still 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 prosperousBedewed with blood—his blood? Believe it not!
Butler.You know not. Ask not! Wherefore should it happen,55That the Swedes gained the victory, and hastenWith such forced marches hitherward? Fain would IHave given him to the Emperor's mercy.—Gordon!I do not wish his blood—But I must ransomThe honour of my word—it lies in pledge—60And he must die, or——[Passionately graspingGordon'shand.Listen then, and know!I am dishonoured if the Duke escape us.
Gordon.O! to save such a man——
Butler.What!
Gordon.It is worthA sacrifice.—Come, friend! Be noble-minded!Our own heart, and not other men's opinions,65Forms 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 itThe world at large, you mean to hint to me,Whether the man of low extraction keeps70Or 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,75That 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.80I cannot hinder you, but may some GodRescue him from you![ExitGordon.
[777:1]We doubt the propriety of putting so blasphemous a sentiment in the mouth of any character.—T[ranslator].1800,1828,1829.
[777:1]We doubt the propriety of putting so blasphemous a sentiment in the mouth of any character.—T[ranslator].1800,1828,1829.
[10]Gordon (with earnest anxiety).Oh! &c.1800,1828,1829.
Gordon (with earnest anxiety).Oh! &c.1800,1828,1829.
[38]duty1800,1828,1829.
duty1800,1828,1829.
[62]dishonour'd1800,1828,1829.
dishonour'd1800,1828,1829.
[66]Butler (with a cold and haughty air).He is, &c.1800,1828,1829.
Butler (with a cold and haughty air).He is, &c.1800,1828,1829.
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;5In opposition to his own soft heartHe subjugates himself to an iron duty.Me in a weaker moment passion warped;I stand beside him, and must feel myselfThe worst man of the two. What though the world10Is ignorant of my purposed treason, yetOne 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!15Duke Friedland, thou or I—Into my own handsFortune delivers me—The dearest thing a man has is himself.
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;5In opposition to his own soft heartHe subjugates himself to an iron duty.Me in a weaker moment passion warped;I stand beside him, and must feel myselfThe worst man of the two. What though the world10Is ignorant of my purposed treason, yetOne 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!15Duke Friedland, thou or I—Into my own handsFortune delivers me—The dearest thing a man has is himself.
(The curtain drops.)
[12]One1800,1828,1829.
One1800,1828,1829.
Scene—Butler'sChamber.
Butler, andMajor 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 inAnd cry—Who is loyal to the Emperor?5I will overturn the table—while you attackIllo and Tertsky, and dispatch them both.The castle-palace is well barred and guarded,That no intelligence of this proceedingMay make its way to the Duke.—Go instantly;10Have you yet sent for Captain DevereuxAnd the Macdonald?——Geraldin.They'll be here anon.[ExitGeraldin.
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 inAnd cry—Who is loyal to the Emperor?5I will overturn the table—while you attackIllo and Tertsky, and dispatch them both.The castle-palace is well barred and guarded,That no intelligence of this proceedingMay make its way to the Duke.—Go instantly;10Have you yet sent for Captain DevereuxAnd the Macdonald?——
Geraldin.They'll be here anon.[ExitGeraldin.
Butler.Here's no room for delay. The citizensDeclare for him, a dizzy drunken spiritPossesses the whole town. They see in the Duke15A Prince of peace, a founder of new agesAnd golden times. Arms too have been given outBy the town-council, and a hundred citizensHave volunteered themselves to stand on guard.Dispatch then be the word. For enemies20Threaten us from without and from within.
Butler.Here's no room for delay. The citizensDeclare for him, a dizzy drunken spiritPossesses the whole town. They see in the Duke15A Prince of peace, a founder of new agesAnd golden times. Arms too have been given outBy the town-council, and a hundred citizensHave volunteered themselves to stand on guard.Dispatch then be the word. For enemies20Threaten us from without and from within.
Butler, Captain Devereux, andMacdonald.
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!5Devereux.Why, yes! in his name you administeredOur 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?10Devereux.The devil!—I but followed your example,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.15Butler.Good then! we know each other.Macdonald.I should hope so.Devereux.Soldiers of fortune are we—who bids most,He has us.Macdonald.'Tis e'en so!Butler.Well, for the presentYe must remain honest and faithful soldiers.
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 administeredOur 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
Devereux.The devil!—I but followed your example,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
Butler.Good then! we know each other.
Macdonald.I should hope so.
Devereux.Soldiers of fortune are we—who bids most,He has us.
Macdonald.'Tis e'en so!
Butler.Well, for the presentYe must remain honest and faithful soldiers.