Scene V

[26]fear1800,1828,1829.

fear1800,1828,1829.

[48]from]for1800,1828,1829.

from]for1800,1828,1829.

[56]him1800,1828,1829.

him1800,1828,1829.

[95]Have I for this—[Stops suddenly, repressing himself.1800,1828,1829.

Have I for this—[Stops suddenly, repressing himself.

1800,1828,1829.

After101[He recollects himself.1800,1828,1829.

[118]Kärn1800.

Kärn1800.

[123]that1800,1828,1829.

that1800,1828,1829.

To them enterCount Tertsky.

Countess.—Tertsky!What ails him? What an image of affright!He looks as he had seen a ghost.Tertsky (leading Wallenstein aside).Is it thy command that all the Croats—Wallenstein.Mine!5

Countess.—Tertsky!What ails him? What an image of affright!He looks as he had seen a ghost.

Tertsky (leading Wallenstein aside).Is it thy command that all the Croats—

Wallenstein.Mine!5

Tertsky.We are betrayed.Wallenstein.What?Tertsky.They are off! This nightThe Jägers likewise—all the villagesIn the whole round are empty.Wallenstein.Isolani?Tertsky.Him thou hast sent away. Yes, surely.Wallenstein.I?Tertsky.No! Hast thou not sent him off? Nor Deodate?10They are vanished both of them.

Tertsky.We are betrayed.

Wallenstein.What?

Tertsky.They are off! This nightThe Jägers likewise—all the villagesIn the whole round are empty.

Wallenstein.Isolani?

Tertsky.Him thou hast sent away. Yes, surely.

Wallenstein.I?

Tertsky.No! Hast thou not sent him off? Nor Deodate?10They are vanished both of them.

To them enterIllo.

Illo.Has Tertsky told thee?Tertsky.He knows all.Illo.And likewiseThat Esterhatzy, Goetz, Maradas, Kaunitz,Kolatto, Palfi, have forsaken thee?Tertsky.Damnation!Wallenstein (winks at them).Hush!Countess (who has been watching them anxiously from the distance and now advances to them).Tertsky! Heaven! What is it? What has happened?5Wallenstein (scarcely suppressing his emotions).Nothing! let us be gone!Tertsky (following him).Theresa, it is nothing.Countess (holding him back).Nothing? Do I not see, that all the lifebloodHas left your cheeks—look you not like a ghost?That even my brother but affects a calmness?10Page (enters).An Aid-de-Camp enquires for the Count Tertsky.[Tertskyfollows the Page.Wallenstein.Go, hear his business.[ToIllo.This could not have happenedSo unsuspected without mutiny.Who was on guard at the gates?Illo.'Twas Tiefenbach.15Wallenstein.Let Tiefenbach leave guard without delay,And Tertsky's grenadiers relieve him.[Illois going.Stop!Hast thou heard aught of Butler?Illo.Him I met.He will be here himself immediately.[737]Butler remains unshaken.[Illoexit.Wallensteinis following him.Countess.Let him not leave thee, sister! go, detain him!20There's some misfortune.Duchess (clinging to him).Gracious heaven! What is it?Wallenstein.Be tranquil! leave me, sister! dearest wife!We are in camp, and this is nought unusual;Here storm and sunshine follow one anotherWith rapid interchanges. These fierce spirits25Champ the curb angrily, and never yetDid quiet bless the temples of the leader.If I am to stay, go you. The plaints of womenIll suit the scene where men must act.[He is going:Tertskyreturns.Tertsky.Remain here. From this window must we see it.30Wallenstein (to the Countess).Sister, retire!Countess.No—never.Wallenstein.'Tis my will.Tertsky (leads the Countess aside, and drawing her attention to the Duchess).Theresa!Duchess.Sister, come! since he commands it.

Illo.Has Tertsky told thee?

Tertsky.He knows all.

Illo.And likewiseThat Esterhatzy, Goetz, Maradas, Kaunitz,Kolatto, Palfi, have forsaken thee?

Tertsky.Damnation!

Wallenstein (winks at them).Hush!

Countess (who has been watching them anxiously from the distance and now advances to them).Tertsky! Heaven! What is it? What has happened?5

Wallenstein (scarcely suppressing his emotions).Nothing! let us be gone!

Tertsky (following him).Theresa, it is nothing.

Countess (holding him back).Nothing? Do I not see, that all the lifebloodHas left your cheeks—look you not like a ghost?That even my brother but affects a calmness?10

Page (enters).An Aid-de-Camp enquires for the Count Tertsky.[Tertskyfollows the Page.

Wallenstein.Go, hear his business.[ToIllo.This could not have happenedSo unsuspected without mutiny.Who was on guard at the gates?

Illo.'Twas Tiefenbach.15

Wallenstein.Let Tiefenbach leave guard without delay,And Tertsky's grenadiers relieve him.[Illois going.Stop!Hast thou heard aught of Butler?

Illo.Him I met.He will be here himself immediately.[737]Butler remains unshaken.[Illoexit.Wallensteinis following him.

Countess.Let him not leave thee, sister! go, detain him!20There's some misfortune.

Duchess (clinging to him).Gracious heaven! What is it?

Wallenstein.Be tranquil! leave me, sister! dearest wife!We are in camp, and this is nought unusual;Here storm and sunshine follow one anotherWith rapid interchanges. These fierce spirits25Champ the curb angrily, and never yetDid quiet bless the temples of the leader.If I am to stay, go you. The plaints of womenIll suit the scene where men must act.[He is going:Tertskyreturns.

Tertsky.Remain here. From this window must we see it.30

Wallenstein (to the Countess).Sister, retire!

Countess.No—never.

Wallenstein.'Tis my will.

Tertsky (leads the Countess aside, and drawing her attention to the Duchess).Theresa!

Duchess.Sister, come! since he commands it.

[4]Wallenstein (winks to them).1800.

Wallenstein (winks to them).1800.

Wallenstein, Tertsky.

Wallenstein (stepping to the window).What now, then?Tertsky.There are strange movements among all the troops,And no one knows the cause. Mysteriously,With gloomy silentness, the several corpsMarshal themselves, each under its own banners.5Tiefenbach's corps makes threatening movements; onlyThe Pappenheimers still remain aloofIn their own quarters, and let no one enter.Wallenstein.Does Piccolomini appear among them?Tertsky.We are seeking him: he is no where to be met with.10Wallenstein.What did the Aid-de-Camp deliver to you?Tertsky.My regiments had dispatched him; yet once moreThey swear fidelity to thee, and waitThe shout for onset, all prepared, and eager.Wallenstein.But whence arose this larum in the camp?15It should have been kept secret from the army,Till fortune had decided for us at Prague.Tertsky.O that thou hadst believed me! Yester evening[738]Did we conjure thee not to let that skulker,That fox, Octavio, pass the gates of Pilsen.20Thou gav'st him thy own horses to flee from thee.Wallenstein.The old tune still! Now, once for all, no moreOf this suspicion—it is doting folly.Tertsky.Thou did'st confide in Isolani too;And lo! he was the first that did desert thee.25Wallenstein.It was but yesterday I rescued himFrom abject wretchedness. Let that go by.I never reckon'd yet on gratitude.And wherein doth he wrong in going from me?He follows still the god whom all his life30He has worshipped at the gaming table. WithMy Fortune, and my seeming destiny,He made the bond, and broke it not with me.I am but the ship in which his hopes were stowed,And with the which well-pleased and confident35He traversed the open sea; now he beholds itIn imminent jeopardy among the coast-rocks,And hurries to preserve his wares. As lightAs the free bird from the hospitable twigWhere it had nested, he flies off from me:40No human tie is snapped betwixt us two.Yea, he deserves to find himself deceived,Who seeks a heart in the unthinking man.Like shadows on a stream, the forms of lifeImpress their characters on the smooth forehead,45Nought sinks into the bosom's silent depth:Quick sensibility of pain and pleasureMoves the light fluids lightly; but no soulWarmeth the inner frame.Tertsky.Yet, would I ratherTrust the smooth brow than that deep furrowed one.50

Wallenstein (stepping to the window).What now, then?

Tertsky.There are strange movements among all the troops,And no one knows the cause. Mysteriously,With gloomy silentness, the several corpsMarshal themselves, each under its own banners.5Tiefenbach's corps makes threatening movements; onlyThe Pappenheimers still remain aloofIn their own quarters, and let no one enter.

Wallenstein.Does Piccolomini appear among them?

Tertsky.We are seeking him: he is no where to be met with.10

Wallenstein.What did the Aid-de-Camp deliver to you?

Tertsky.My regiments had dispatched him; yet once moreThey swear fidelity to thee, and waitThe shout for onset, all prepared, and eager.

Wallenstein.But whence arose this larum in the camp?15It should have been kept secret from the army,Till fortune had decided for us at Prague.

Tertsky.O that thou hadst believed me! Yester evening[738]Did we conjure thee not to let that skulker,That fox, Octavio, pass the gates of Pilsen.20Thou gav'st him thy own horses to flee from thee.

Wallenstein.The old tune still! Now, once for all, no moreOf this suspicion—it is doting folly.

Tertsky.Thou did'st confide in Isolani too;And lo! he was the first that did desert thee.25

Wallenstein.It was but yesterday I rescued himFrom abject wretchedness. Let that go by.I never reckon'd yet on gratitude.And wherein doth he wrong in going from me?He follows still the god whom all his life30He has worshipped at the gaming table. WithMy Fortune, and my seeming destiny,He made the bond, and broke it not with me.I am but the ship in which his hopes were stowed,And with the which well-pleased and confident35He traversed the open sea; now he beholds itIn imminent jeopardy among the coast-rocks,And hurries to preserve his wares. As lightAs the free bird from the hospitable twigWhere it had nested, he flies off from me:40No human tie is snapped betwixt us two.Yea, he deserves to find himself deceived,Who seeks a heart in the unthinking man.Like shadows on a stream, the forms of lifeImpress their characters on the smooth forehead,45Nought sinks into the bosom's silent depth:Quick sensibility of pain and pleasureMoves the light fluids lightly; but no soulWarmeth the inner frame.

Tertsky.Yet, would I ratherTrust the smooth brow than that deep furrowed one.50

[6]makes] make1800,1828,1829.

makes] make1800,1828,1829.

[11]Aid-de-Camp] Aide-de-Camp1800.

Aid-de-Camp] Aide-de-Camp1800.

[32]Fortune1800,1828,1829.

Fortune1800,1828,1829.

Wallenstein, Tertsky, Illo.

Illo.Treason and mutiny!Tertsky.And what further now?Illo.Tiefenbach's soldiers, when I gave the ordersTo go off guard—Mutinous villains!Tertsky.Well!

Illo.Treason and mutiny!

Tertsky.And what further now?

Illo.Tiefenbach's soldiers, when I gave the ordersTo go off guard—Mutinous villains!

Tertsky.Well!

Wallenstein.What followed?Illo.They refused obedience to them.5Tertsky.Fire on them instantly! Give out the order.Wallenstein.Gently! what cause did they assign?Illo.No other,They said, had right to issue orders butLieutenant-General Piccolomini.Wallenstein.What? How is that?10Illo.He takes that office on him by commission,Under sign-manual of the Emperor.Tertsky.From the Emperor—hear'st thou, Duke?Illo.At his incitementThe Generals made that stealthy flight—Tertsky.Duke! hearest thou?Illo.Caraffa too, and Montecuculi,15Are missing, with six other Generals,All whom he had induced to follow him.This plot he has long had in writing by himFrom the Emperor; but 'twas finally concludedWith all the detail of the operation20Some days ago with the Envoy Questenberg.

Wallenstein.What followed?

Illo.They refused obedience to them.5

Tertsky.Fire on them instantly! Give out the order.

Wallenstein.Gently! what cause did they assign?

Illo.No other,They said, had right to issue orders butLieutenant-General Piccolomini.

Wallenstein.What? How is that?10

Illo.He takes that office on him by commission,Under sign-manual of the Emperor.

Tertsky.From the Emperor—hear'st thou, Duke?

Illo.At his incitementThe Generals made that stealthy flight—

Tertsky.Duke! hearest thou?

Illo.Caraffa too, and Montecuculi,15Are missing, with six other Generals,All whom he had induced to follow him.This plot he has long had in writing by himFrom the Emperor; but 'twas finally concludedWith all the detail of the operation20Some days ago with the Envoy Questenberg.

[Wallensteinsinks down into a chair and covers his face.

Tertsky.O hadst thou but believed me!

Before1Illo (who enters agitated with rage).1800,1828,1829.

[9]Piccolomini1800,1828,1829.

Piccolomini1800,1828,1829.

[10]Wallenstein (in a convulsion of agony).1800,1828,1829.

Wallenstein (in a convulsion of agony).1800,1828,1829.

To them enter theCountess.

Countess.This suspense,This horrid fear—I can no longer bear it.For heaven's sake, tell me, what has taken place.Illo.The regiments are all falling off from us.Tertsky.Octavio Piccolomini is a traitor.5Countess.O my foreboding![Rushes out of the room.Tertsky.Hadst thou but believed me!Now seest thou how the stars have lied to thee.Wallenstein.The stars lie not; but we have here a workWrought counter to the stars and destiny.The science is still honest: this false heart10Forces a lie on the truth-telling heaven.On a divine law divination rests;Where nature deviates from that law, and stumblesOut of her limits, there all science errs.[740]True, I did not suspect! Were it superstition15Never by such suspicion t' have affrontedThe human form, O may that time ne'er comeIn which I shame me of the infirmity.The wildest savage drinks not with the victimInto whose breast he means to plunge the sword.20This, this, Octavio, was no hero's deed:'Twas not thy prudence that did conquer mine;A bad heart triumphed o'er an honest one.No shield received the assassin stroke; thou plungestThy weapon on an unprotected breast—25Against such weapons I am but a child.

Countess.This suspense,This horrid fear—I can no longer bear it.For heaven's sake, tell me, what has taken place.

Illo.The regiments are all falling off from us.

Tertsky.Octavio Piccolomini is a traitor.5

Countess.O my foreboding![Rushes out of the room.

Tertsky.Hadst thou but believed me!Now seest thou how the stars have lied to thee.

Wallenstein.The stars lie not; but we have here a workWrought counter to the stars and destiny.The science is still honest: this false heart10Forces a lie on the truth-telling heaven.On a divine law divination rests;Where nature deviates from that law, and stumblesOut of her limits, there all science errs.[740]True, I did not suspect! Were it superstition15Never by such suspicion t' have affrontedThe human form, O may that time ne'er comeIn which I shame me of the infirmity.The wildest savage drinks not with the victimInto whose breast he means to plunge the sword.20This, this, Octavio, was no hero's deed:'Twas not thy prudence that did conquer mine;A bad heart triumphed o'er an honest one.No shield received the assassin stroke; thou plungestThy weapon on an unprotected breast—25Against such weapons I am but a child.

To these enterButler.

Tertsky (meeting him).O look there! Butler! Here we've still a friend!Wallenstein (meets him with outspread arms, and embraces him with warmth).Come to my heart, old comrade! Not the sunLooks out upon us more revivinglyIn the earliest month of spring,Than a friend's countenance in such an hour.5Butler.My General: I come—Wallenstein (leaning on Butler's shoulders).Know'st thou already?That old man has betrayed me to the Emperor.What say'st thou? Thirty years have we togetherLived out, and held out, sharing joy and hardship.We have slept in one camp-bed, drunk from one glass,10One morsel shared! I leaned myself on him,As now I lean me on thy faithful shoulder.And now in the very moment, when, all love,All confidence, my bosom beat to his,He sees and takes the advantage, stabs the knife15Slowly into my heart.[He hides his face onButler'sbreast.Butler.Forget the false one.What is your present purpose?Wallenstein.Well remembered!Courage my soul! I am still rich in friends,[741]Still loved by Destiny; for in the moment,That it unmasks the plotting hypocrite,20It sends and proves to me one faithful heart.Of the hypocrite no more! Think not, his lossWas that which struck the pang: O no! his treasonIs that which strikes this pang! No more of him!Dear to my heart, and honoured were they both,25And the young man—yes—he did truly love me,He—he—has not deceived me. But enough,Enough of this—Swift counsel now beseems us.The Courier, whom Count Kinsky sent from PragueI expect him every moment: and whatever30He may bring with him, we must take good careTo keep it from the mutineers. Quick, then!Dispatch some messenger you can rely onTo meet him, and conduct him to me.[Illois going.Butler (detaining him).My General, whom expect you then?Wallenstein.The Courier35Who brings me word of the event at Prague.Butler (hesitating).Hem!Wallenstein.And what now?Butler.You do not know it?Wallenstein.Well?Butler.From what that larum in the camp arose?Wallenstein.From what?Butler.That Courier.Wallenstein.Well?Butler.Is already here.Tertsky and Illo (at the same time).Already here?Wallenstein.My Courier?Butler.For some hours.40Wallenstein.And I not know it?Butler.The centinels detain himIn custody.Illo.Damnation!Butler.And his letterWas broken open, and is circulatedThrough the whole camp.Wallenstein.You know what it contains?Butler.Question me not.

Tertsky (meeting him).O look there! Butler! Here we've still a friend!

Wallenstein (meets him with outspread arms, and embraces him with warmth).Come to my heart, old comrade! Not the sunLooks out upon us more revivinglyIn the earliest month of spring,Than a friend's countenance in such an hour.5

Butler.My General: I come—

Wallenstein (leaning on Butler's shoulders).Know'st thou already?That old man has betrayed me to the Emperor.What say'st thou? Thirty years have we togetherLived out, and held out, sharing joy and hardship.We have slept in one camp-bed, drunk from one glass,10One morsel shared! I leaned myself on him,As now I lean me on thy faithful shoulder.And now in the very moment, when, all love,All confidence, my bosom beat to his,He sees and takes the advantage, stabs the knife15Slowly into my heart.[He hides his face onButler'sbreast.

Butler.Forget the false one.What is your present purpose?

Wallenstein.Well remembered!Courage my soul! I am still rich in friends,[741]Still loved by Destiny; for in the moment,That it unmasks the plotting hypocrite,20It sends and proves to me one faithful heart.Of the hypocrite no more! Think not, his lossWas that which struck the pang: O no! his treasonIs that which strikes this pang! No more of him!Dear to my heart, and honoured were they both,25And the young man—yes—he did truly love me,He—he—has not deceived me. But enough,Enough of this—Swift counsel now beseems us.The Courier, whom Count Kinsky sent from PragueI expect him every moment: and whatever30He may bring with him, we must take good careTo keep it from the mutineers. Quick, then!Dispatch some messenger you can rely onTo meet him, and conduct him to me.[Illois going.

Butler (detaining him).My General, whom expect you then?

Wallenstein.The Courier35Who brings me word of the event at Prague.

Butler (hesitating).Hem!

Wallenstein.And what now?

Butler.You do not know it?

Wallenstein.Well?

Butler.From what that larum in the camp arose?

Wallenstein.From what?

Butler.That Courier.

Wallenstein.Well?

Butler.Is already here.

Tertsky and Illo (at the same time).Already here?

Wallenstein.My Courier?

Butler.For some hours.40

Wallenstein.And I not know it?

Butler.The centinels detain himIn custody.

Illo.Damnation!

Butler.And his letterWas broken open, and is circulatedThrough the whole camp.

Wallenstein.You know what it contains?

Butler.Question me not.

Tertsky.Illo! alas for us.45Wallenstein.Hide nothing from me—I can hear the worst.Prague then is lost. It is. Confess it freely.Butler.Yes! Prague is lost. And all the several regimentsAt Budweiss, Tabor, Brannau, Konigingratz,At Brun and Znaym, have forsaken you,50And ta'en the oaths of fealty anewTo the Emperor. Yourself, with Kinsky, Tertsky,And Illo have been sentenced.

Tertsky.Illo! alas for us.45

Wallenstein.Hide nothing from me—I can hear the worst.Prague then is lost. It is. Confess it freely.

Butler.Yes! Prague is lost. And all the several regimentsAt Budweiss, Tabor, Brannau, Konigingratz,At Brun and Znaym, have forsaken you,50And ta'en the oaths of fealty anewTo the Emperor. Yourself, with Kinsky, Tertsky,And Illo have been sentenced.

[TertskyandIlloexpress alarm and fury.Wallensteinremains firm and collected.

Wallenstein.'Tis decided!'Tis well! I have received a sudden cureFrom all the pangs of doubt: with steady stream55Once more my life-blood flows! My soul's secure!In the night only Friedland's stars can beam.Lingering irresolute, with fitful fearsI drew the sword—'twas with an inward strife,While yet the choice was mine. The murderous knife60Is lifted for my heart! Doubt disappears!I fight now for my head and for my life.[ExitWallenstein; the others follow him.

[11]him1800,1828,1829.

him1800,1828,1829.

[12]thy1800,1828,1829.

thy1800,1828,1829.

[21]faithful1800.

faithful1800.

[26]did1800.

did1800.

[39]Wallenstein (with eager expectation).Well?1800,1828,1829.

Wallenstein (with eager expectation).Well?1800,1828,1829.

[42]Illo (stamping with his foot).Damnation!1800,1828,1829.

Illo (stamping with his foot).Damnation!1800,1828,1829.

[48]is1800,1828,1829.

is1800,1828,1829.

Countess Tertsky (enters from a side room).I can endure nolonger. No![Looks around her.Where are they?No one is here. They leave me all alone,Alone in this sore anguish of suspense.And I must wear the outward shew of calmnessBefore my sister, and shut in within me5The pangs and agonies of my crowded bosom.It is not to be borne.—If all should fail;If—if he must go over to the Swedes,An empty-handed fugitive, and notAs an ally, a covenanted equal,10A proud commander with his army following;If we must wander on from land to land,Like the Count Palatine, of fallen greatnessAn ignominious monument—But no!That day I will not see! And could himself15Endure to sink so low, I would not bearTo see him so low sunken.

Countess, Duchess, Thekla.

Thekla (endeavouring to hold back the Duchess).Dear mother,do stay here!Duchess.No! Here is yetSome frightful mystery that is hidden from me.Why does my sister shun me? Don't I see herFull of suspense and anguish roam aboutFrom room to room?—Art thou not full of terror?5And what import these silent nods and gesturesWhich stealthwise thou exchangest with her?Thekla.Nothing:Nothing, dear Mother!Duchess (to the Countess).Sister, I will know.Countess.What boots it now to hide it from her? SoonerOr later she must learn to hear and bear it.10'Tis not the time now to indulge infirmity,Courage beseems us now, a heart collected,And exercise and previous disciplineOf fortitude. One word, and over with it!Sister, you are deluded. You believe,15The Duke has been deposed—The Duke is notDeposed—he is——Thekla (going to the Countess).What? do you wish to kill her?Countess.The Duke is——Thekla (throwing her arms round her mother).O stand firm! stand firm, my mother!Countess.Revolted is the Duke, he is preparing20To join the enemy, the army leave him,And all has failed.

Thekla (endeavouring to hold back the Duchess).Dear mother,do stay here!

Duchess.No! Here is yetSome frightful mystery that is hidden from me.Why does my sister shun me? Don't I see herFull of suspense and anguish roam aboutFrom room to room?—Art thou not full of terror?5And what import these silent nods and gesturesWhich stealthwise thou exchangest with her?

Thekla.Nothing:Nothing, dear Mother!

Duchess (to the Countess).Sister, I will know.

Countess.What boots it now to hide it from her? SoonerOr later she must learn to hear and bear it.10'Tis not the time now to indulge infirmity,Courage beseems us now, a heart collected,And exercise and previous disciplineOf fortitude. One word, and over with it!Sister, you are deluded. You believe,15The Duke has been deposed—The Duke is notDeposed—he is——

Thekla (going to the Countess).What? do you wish to kill her?

Countess.The Duke is——

Thekla (throwing her arms round her mother).O stand firm! stand firm, my mother!

Countess.Revolted is the Duke, he is preparing20To join the enemy, the army leave him,And all has failed.

[10]must1800,1828,1829.

must1800,1828,1829.

[12]collected] collect1800,1828,1829.

collected] collect1800,1828,1829.

After22[During these words theDuchesstotters, and falls in a fainting fit into the arms of her daughter. WhileTheklais calling for help, the curtain drops.1800,1828,1829.

Scene—A spacious Room in theDuke of Friedland'sPalace.

Wallenstein (in armour).Thou hast gained thy point, Octavio! Once more am IAlmost as friendless as at Regenspurg.[744]There I had nothing left me, but myself—But what one man can do, you have now experience.The twigs have you hewed off, and here I stand5A leafless trunk. But in the sap withinLives the creating power, and a new worldMay sprout forth from it. Once already have IProved myself worth an army to you—I alone!Before the Swedish strength your troops had melted;10Beside the Lech sank Tilly, your last hope;Into Bavaria, like a winter torrent,Did that Gustavus pour, and at ViennaIn his own palace did the Emperor tremble.Soldiers were scarce, for still the multitude15Follow the luck: all eyes were turned on me,Their helper in distress; the Emperor's prideBowed itself down before the man he had injured.'Twas I must rise, and with creative wordAssemble forces in the desolate camps.20I did it. Like a god of war, my nameWent through the world. The drum was beat—and, lo!The plough, the work-shop is forsaken, allSwarm to the old familiar long-loved banners;And as the wood-choir rich in melody25Assemble quick around the bird of wonder,When first his throat swells with his magic song,So did the warlike youth of GermanyCrowd in around the image of my eagle.I feel myself the being that I was.30It is the soul that builds itself a body,And Friedland's camp will not remain unfilled.Lead then your thousands out to meet me—true!They are accustomed under me to conquer,But not against me. If the head and limbs35Separate from each other, 'twill be soonMade manifest, in which the soul abode.

(IlloandTertskyenter.)

Courage, friends! Courage! We are still unvanquished;I feel my footing firm; five regiments, Tertsky,Are still our own, and Butler's gallant troops;40And a host of sixteen thousand Swedes to-morrow.I was not stronger, when nine years ago[745]I marched forth, with glad heart and high of hope,To conquer Germany for the Emperor.

[11]sank] sunk1800,1828,1829.

sank] sunk1800,1828,1829.

Wallenstein, Illo, Tertsky.(To them enterNeumann, who leadsTertskyaside, and talks with him.)

Tertsky.What do they want?Wallenstein.What now?Tertsky.Ten CuirassiersFrom Pappenheim request leave to address youIn the name of the regiment.Wallenstein (hastily to Neumann).Let them enter.[ExitNeumann.ThisMay end in something. Mark you. They are stillDoubtful, and may be won.5

Tertsky.What do they want?

Wallenstein.What now?

Tertsky.Ten CuirassiersFrom Pappenheim request leave to address youIn the name of the regiment.

Wallenstein (hastily to Neumann).Let them enter.[ExitNeumann.ThisMay end in something. Mark you. They are stillDoubtful, and may be won.5

Wallenstein, Tertsky, Illo, TenCuirassiers(led by anAnspessade,[745:1]march up and arrange themselves, after the word of command, in one front before theDuke, and make their obeisance. He takes his hat off, and immediately covers himself again).

Anspessade.Halt! Front! Present!Wallenstein (after he has run through them with his eye, to the Anspessade).I know thee well. Thou art out of Brüggin in Flanders:Thy name is Mercy.Anspessade.Henry Mercy.

Anspessade.Halt! Front! Present!

Wallenstein (after he has run through them with his eye, to the Anspessade).I know thee well. Thou art out of Brüggin in Flanders:Thy name is Mercy.

Anspessade.Henry Mercy.

Wallenstein.Thou wert cut off on the march, surroundedby the Hessians, and didst fight thy way with a hundred and5eighty men through their thousand.Anspessade.'Twas even so, General!Wallenstein.What reward hadst thou for this gallant exploit?Anspessade.That which I asked for: the honour to servein this corps.10Wallenstein (turning to a second).Thou wert among thevolunteers that seized and made booty of the Swedish batteryat Altenburg.Second Cuirassier.Yes, General!Wallenstein.I forget no one with whom I have exchanged15words. (A pause). Who sends you?Anspessade.Your noble regiment, the Cuirassiers ofPiccolomini.Wallenstein.Why does not your colonel deliver in yourrequest, according to the custom of service?20Anspessade.Because we would first know whom we serve.Wallenstein.Begin your address.Anspessade (giving the word of command).Shoulder your arms!Wallenstein (turning to a third).Thy name is Risbeck, Cologneis thy birthplace.25Third Cuirassier.Risbeck of Cologne.Wallenstein.It was thou that broughtest in the Swedishcolonel, Diebald, prisoner, in the camp at Nuremberg.Third Cuirassier.It was not I, General!Wallenstein.Perfectly right! It was thy elder brother:30thou hadst a younger brother too: Where did he stay?Third Cuirassier.He is stationed at Olmutz with theImperial army.Wallenstein (to the Anspessade).Now then—begin.

Wallenstein.Thou wert cut off on the march, surroundedby the Hessians, and didst fight thy way with a hundred and5eighty men through their thousand.

Anspessade.'Twas even so, General!

Wallenstein.What reward hadst thou for this gallant exploit?

Anspessade.That which I asked for: the honour to servein this corps.10

Wallenstein (turning to a second).Thou wert among thevolunteers that seized and made booty of the Swedish batteryat Altenburg.

Second Cuirassier.Yes, General!

Wallenstein.I forget no one with whom I have exchanged15words. (A pause). Who sends you?

Anspessade.Your noble regiment, the Cuirassiers ofPiccolomini.

Wallenstein.Why does not your colonel deliver in yourrequest, according to the custom of service?20

Anspessade.Because we would first know whom we serve.

Wallenstein.Begin your address.

Anspessade (giving the word of command).Shoulder your arms!

Wallenstein (turning to a third).Thy name is Risbeck, Cologneis thy birthplace.25

Third Cuirassier.Risbeck of Cologne.

Wallenstein.It was thou that broughtest in the Swedishcolonel, Diebald, prisoner, in the camp at Nuremberg.

Third Cuirassier.It was not I, General!

Wallenstein.Perfectly right! It was thy elder brother:30thou hadst a younger brother too: Where did he stay?

Third Cuirassier.He is stationed at Olmutz with theImperial army.

Wallenstein (to the Anspessade).Now then—begin.

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