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TRANSLATED FROM A MANUSCRIPT COPY ATTESTED BY THE AUTHOR,
THE
PICCOLOMINI,
FIRST PART OF WALLENSTFjy
POINTED BY G. WpODFALL, PATERNOSTER EO«V.
tTOujpmaXL 4
WALLENSTEIN
London Published April iSoo.byMes.sr'Zonffmnn. a7ulJlees.Pa&rno<rta-llc>*-
THE
PICCOLOMINI,
FIRST PART OF WALLENSTEIX,
A DRAMA
IN FIVE ACTS.
TRANSLATED FROM THE GERMAN OP
FREDERICK SCHILLER
S. T, COLERIDGE.
<2m£^0
LONDON «
»HINTED I'fIR T. N. LONGMAN AND O. RE£J, PATERNOSTER. ROW.
1 800.
PREFACE
TOEASURSs
OF
THE TRANSLATOR.
f was my intention to have prefixed a Life of Wallenftein to this tranflation ; but I found that it muft either have occupied a fpace wholly disproportionate to the nature of the publication, or have been merely a meagre catalogue of events narrated not more fully than they already are in the Play itfelf. The recent tranflation, likewife, of Schiller's History of the Thirty Years' War di- minifhed the motives thereto. In the tranf- lation I endeavoured to render mv Author literally wherever I was not prevented by abfolute differences of idiom ; but I am confcious, that in two or three ihort pafTages: a 3 I have
II PREFACE OF THE TRANSLATOR.
I have been guilty of dilating the original; and, from anxiety to give the full meaning, have weakened the force. In the metre I have availed myfelf of no other liberties than thofe which Schiller had permitted to himfelf, except the occafional breaking-up of the line by tho fubftitution of a trochee for an iambic; of which liberty, fo frequent in our tragedies, I find no inftance in thefe dramas»
S. T. COLERIDGE,
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DRAMATIS PERSONS
WALLENSTEIN, Duke of Friedland, Generalißmo of the Impe- rial Forces in the Thirty-years War.
Octavio Piccolomini, Lieutenant General.
Max. Piccolomini, his Son, Colonel of a Regiment oj 'Cuirajicrs.
Count Tertsky, the Commander of federal Regiments, and Brother-in-laiv of Wallenßein.
Illo, Field Marßal, Wallenßein' s Confidant.
Isolani, General of the Croats.
Butler,«» Irifiman, Commander of a Regiment of Dragoons.
Tiefenbach,
j.iefenbach, "j Don Maradas, i
GOETZ, X
KOLATTO, J
Generals under Wallenßein.
Neumann, Captain of Cavalry, Aide-de-camp to Tertßy. The War Commißoner Von Qu est en berg, Imperial Envoy* General Wrangel, Sivediß Envoy. Baptista Seni, Aßrologer.
Duchess of Friedland, Wife of Wallenßein. Thekla, her Daughter, Princefs of Friedland. The Countess Tertsky, Sißer of the Duchefs.
A Cornet.
Several Colonels and Generals.
Pages and Attendants belonging to Wallenßein.
Attendants and Hoböists belonging to Tertßy.
The Master of the Cellar to Count Tertßy.
Valet de Chambre of Count Piccolomini.
THE
PICCOLOMINI, &c,
ACT I.
SCENE I.
An old Gothic Chamber in the Council Houfe at Pilfen, decorated with Colours and other War Infignia.
Illo with Butler and Isolani.
illo. Y E have come late — but ye are come ! The
diftance, Count lfolan, excufes your delay.
ISOLANI.
Add this too, that we come not empty-handed. At *Donauwert it was reported to us, A Swedifh caravan was on it's way Tranfporting a rich cargo of provifion, Almoft fix hundred waggons. This my Croats
■ * A town about 12 German miles N. E. of Ulm.
. b . Plung'd
2 THE PICCOLOMINI, OR THE
Plung'd down upon and feiz'd, this weighty
prize !-
We bring it hither-
ILLO.
Juft in time to banquet The illuftrious company aflembled here.
butler. 'Tis all alive ! a ftirring fcene here !
ISOLANI.
Ay! The very churches are all full of foldiers.
(Cafis his eye round) And in the Council-houfe too, I obferve, You're fettled, quite at home ! Well, well ! we
foldiers Muft fhift and fuit us in what way we can.
ILLO.
We have the Colonels here of thirty regiments. You'll find Count Tertfky here, and Tiefenbach, Kolatto, Goetz, Maradas, Hinnerfam,
The Piccolomini, both fön and father
You'll meet with many an unexpected greeting From many an old friend and acquaintance. Only Galas is wanting ftill, and Altringer.
BUTLER^.
Expect not Galas.
iLLo. [heßtating) How fo ? Do you know
isolAni. [interrupting him) Max. Piccolomini here ? — O bring me to him- I fee him yet, ('tis now ten years ago,
We
FIftS? PAfcT OF WÄtiEtfsffclN. 5
We were engaged with Märisfeld hard by Deffau) I fee the youth, in my mind's eye I fee him, Leap his black wär-hörfe from the bridge adown, And t'ward his father, then in extreme peril, Beat up againft the ftrong tide of the Elbe. The down Was fcarce upon his chin ! I hear He has made good the promife of his youth, And the full hero now is finifli'd in him.
illq.
You'll fee him yet ere evening. He conducts The Duchefs Friedland hither, and the *Princefs From Carnthen. We expect them here at noon.
BUTLER.
Both wife and daughter does the Duke call hither ? He crowds in vifitants from all fides.
ISOLANI.
Hm! So much the better ! I had fram'd my mind To hear of naught but warlike circumftance, Of marches, and attacks, and batteries : And lo ! the Duke provides, that fomething too Of gentler fort, and lovely, fhould be prefent To feaft our eyes. illo. (who has been (landing in the attitude of
meditation, to Butler, whom he leads a little
on one ßde.)
And how came you to know, That the Count Galas joins us not ?
* The Dukes in Germany being always reigning powers, their fons and daughters are entitled Princes and Princefles.
B 2 BUT-
*i THE PICCOLOMINI, OR THE
BUTLER.
Becaufe He importun'd me to remain behind.
illo. (with zoarmth). And you ? — You hold out firmly ?
(Grafping his hand with affection,)
Noble Butler!
BUTLER.
After the obligation which the Duke Had lay'd fo newly on me
ILLO.
I had forgotten A pleafant duty — Major General, I wifh you joy !
ISOLANI.
What, you mean, of his regiment ? I hear, too, that, to make the gift flill fweeter, The Duke has given him the very fame In which he flrfi; faw fervice, and fince then, WorkM himfelf, ftep by ftep, thro* each prefer- ment From the ranks upwards. And verily, it gives A precedent of hope, a fpur of action To the whole corps, if once in their remembrance An old deferving foldier makes his way.
BUTLER.
I am perplexed and doubtful, whether or no I dare accept this your congratulation. The Emperor has not yet confirm'd th' appoint- ment.
ISOLANI.
FIRST PART OF WALLENSTEIK. 5
ISOLANI.
Seize it, friend! Seize it! The hand which in
that poft Plac'd you, is ftrong enough to keep you there, Spite of the Emperor and his Ministers t
ILLO.
Ay, if We would but fo confider it ! —
If we would all of us confider it fo !
The Emperor gives us nothing ; from the Duke
Comes all — whate'er we hope, whate'er we have*
ISOLANI. (to Illo) My noble brother ! did I tell you how The Duke will fatisfy my creditors ? Will be himfelf my banker for the future,
Make me once more a creditable man !
And this is now the third time, think of that ! This kingly-minded man has refcued me From abfolute ruin, and reftor'd my honour.
ILLO.
O that his power but kept pace with his wifhes I Why, friend ! he'd give the whole world to his
foldiers. But at Vienna, brother ! — there's the grievance !— <- What politic fchemes do they not lay to motten His arm, and, where they can, to clip his pinions. Then thefe new dainty requifitions ! thefe, Which this fame Quellen berg brings hither !
BUTLER.
Ay! Thefe requifitions of the Emperor, — —
b 3 I too
6 THE PICeOLOMINI, OR THE
I too have heard about them; but I hope The Dufce will not draw back a fingle inch !
ILLO.
Not from his right mod furely, unlefs firft — From office !
butler. (fliocked and confufed) Know you aught then? You alarm me. isolani. {at the fame time with Butler^ and in
a hurrying voice.) We mould be ruin'd, every one of us!
II.LO.
No more! Yonder I fee our worthy friend* approaching With the Lieutenant-General, Piccolomini.
butler, (ßiähing his head fig niß canity.) I fear we mall not go hence as we came.
SCENE II.
Enter Octavio Piccolomini and Ques,-
TENBERG.
o c t A v i o . (fill in the difiance) Ay, ay ! more ftill ! Still more new vifitors ! Acknowledge, friend ! that never was a camp. Which held at once fo many heads of heroes,
{Approaching nearer.) Welcome, Count Ifolani !
* SpoKen with a fheer,
ISOLANI»
FIRST PART OF WALLENSTEIN. 1
ISOLANI.
My noble brother, Even now am I arriv'd ; it had been elfe my duty —
octavio. And Colonel Butler — truft me, I rejoice Thus to renew acquaintance with a man Whofe worth and fervices I know and honor. See, fee, my friend !
There might we place at once before our eyes The fum of war's whole trade and myftery — (To Queßenberg, prefenting Butler and Ifolani
at the fame time to him.) Thefe two the total fum — Strength and Dis- patch.
QU ESTENBERG (to Octavio).
And \o\ betwixt them both experienc'd Prudence!
octavio [prefenting Queßenberg to Butler and
Ifolani'). The Chamberlain and War-commiflioner Quef-
tenberg, The bearer of the Emperor's behefb, The long- tried friend and patron of all foldiers, We honor in this noble vifitor.
( Univerfal ßlence.)
illo. {moving towards Queßenberg,) 'Tis not the firft time, noble Minifter, You have (hewn our camp this honor.
QUESTENBERG.
Once before I flood before thefe colours.
S 4 ILI.0
8 THE PICCOLOMINI, OR THE
ILLO.
Perchance too you remember where that was.
It was at Znäim * in Moravia, where
You did prefent yourfeif upon the part
Of th' Emperor, to fupplicate our Duke
That he would ftraight affurae the chief command.
QUESTENBERG.
To fupplicate ? Nay, noble General ! So far extended neither my commiffion (At leafl to my own knowledge) nor my zeal.
ILLO.
Well, well then — to compel him, if you chufe.
I can remember me right well, Count Tilly
Had fuffered total rout upon the Lech.
Bavaria lay all open to the enemy,
Whom there was nothing to delay from prefling
Onwards into the very heart of Auflria.
At that time you and Werdenberg appear'd
Before our General, florming him with prayers,
And menacing the Emperor's difpleafure,
Unlefs he took compaffion on this wretchednefs. .
isolani. (Steps up to them.) Yes, yes, 'tis comprehenfible enough, Wherefore with your commiffion of to-day You were not all too willing to remember " Your former one.
QUESTENBERG.
Why not, Count Ifolan ? No contradiction fure exifls between them.
* A town not far from the Mine-mpuntains, on the high road from Vienna to Prague.'
It
FIRST PART OF WALLENSTEIN. 9
It was the urgent bufinefs of that time To ihatch Bavaria from her enemy's hand ; And my commiffion of to-day inftruct-S me To free her from her good friends and protectors.
ILLO.
A worthy office ! After with our blood
We have wrefted this Bohemia from the Saxon,
To be fwept out of it is all our thanks,
The fole reward of all our hard-won victories.
QUESTENBERG.
Unlefs that wretched land be doom'd to fuffer
Only a change of evils, it muft be
Freed from the fcourge alike of friend and foe.
ILLO.
What ? 'Twas a favorable year; the Boors Can anfwer freih demands already.
QUESTENBERG.
Nay, If you difcourfe of herds and meadow-grounds —
ISOLANI.
The war maintains the war. Are the Boors ruin'd The Emperor gains fo many more new foldiers.
QUESTENBERG.
And is the poorer by even fo many fubjects.
ISOLANI,
Poh ! We are all his fubjeclis.
QUESTENBERG.
Yet with a difference, General ! The one fill With profitable induftry the purfe, The others are well fkili'd to empty it.
The
10 THE PICCOLOMINI, OR THE
The fword has made the Emperor poor; the plough Mint reinvigorate his refources.
ISOLANI.
Sure ! Times are not yet fo bad. Methinks I fee (examining with his eye the drefs and ornaments
ef 2ueße?iberg) Good flore of gold that ftill remains uncoin'd.
QUESTENBERG.
Thank Heaven ! that means have been found out
to hide Some little from the fingers of the Croats. ,
ILLO.
There ! The Stawata and the Martinitz,
On whom the Emperor heaps his gifts and graces,
To the heart-burning of all good Bohemians —
Thofe minions of court favor, thofe court harpies,
Who fatten on the wrecks of citizens
Driven from their houfe and home — who reap no
harvefts Save in the general calamity — Who now, with kingly pomp, infult and mock The defolation of their country — thefe, Let thefe, and fuch as thefe, fupport the war, The fatal war, which they alone enkindled !
BUTLER.
And thofe ftate-parafites, who have their feet So conftantly beneath the Emperor's table, Who cannot let a benefice fall, but they Snap at it with dog's hunger — they, forfooth,
Would
FIRST PART OF WALLENSTEIN. II
Would pare the foldier's bread, and crofs his reckoning !
ISOJ/ANI.
My life long will it anger me to think, How when I went to court feven years ago, To fee about new horfes for our regiments, How from one antichamber to another They dragg'd me on, and left me by the hour To kick my heels among a croud of fimpering, Feaft-fatten'd Haves, as if I had come thither A mendicant fuitor for the crumbs of favor That fall beneath their tables. And, at laft, Whom mould they fend me but a Capuchin ! Straight I began to mufter up my fins For abfolution — but no fuch luck for vie! This was the man, this Capuchin, with whom I was to treat concerning th' army horfes. And I was forc'd at laft to quit the field, The bufinefs unaccomplifiYd. Afterwards The Duke procur'd me in three days, what I Could not obtain in thirty at Vienna.
QUESTENBERG.
Yes, yes ! your travelling bills foon found their
way to us : Too well I know we have {till accounts to fettle.
ILLO.
War is a violent trade ; one cannot always Finifii one's work by foft means ; every trifle , Mud not be blacken'd into facrilege. If we fhould wait till you, in folemn council, With due deliberation had feleded
The
12 THE PICCOLOMINI, OR THE
The fmallcft out of four-and- twenty evils,
I'faith we fhould wait Jong. —
"Dam ! and through with it ["—That's the
better watch-word. Then after come what may come. 'Tis man's
nature To make the beft of a bad thing once pari. A bitter and perplexed " What mail I do?" Is worfe to man than worft neceflity.
QUESTENBERG.
Ay, doubtlefs, it is true; the Duke does fpare us The troubleforne tafk of chufing.
BUTLER.
Yes, the Duke Cares with a father's feelings for his troops ; But how the Emperor feels for us, we fee.
QUESTENBERG,
His cares and feelings all ranks (hare alike. Nor will he offer one up to another.
ISOLANI.
And therefore thrufts he us into the defarts As beads of prey, that fo he may preferve His dear fheep fattening in his fields at home.
QUESTENBERG [ivitll üßieev).
Count, this comparifon you make, not I.
BUTLER.
Why, were we all the Court fuppofes us, 'Twere dangerous, fure, to give us liberty,
QUESTENBERG.
You have taken liberty — it was not given you.
And
FIRST PART OF WALLENSTElK. 13
And therefore it becomes an urgent duty To rein it in with curbs.
octavio {interpofing and addrejjing Quefleji- berg).
My noble friend, This is no more than a remembrancing That you are now in camp, and^ among warriors. The foldier's boldnefs conftitutes his freedom. Could he act daringly, unlefc he dar'd Talk even fo ? One runs into the other. The boldnefs of this worthy officer, {pointing to Butler') Which now has but miftaken in its mark, Preferv'd, when nought but boldnefs could pre-
ferve it, To the Emperor his Capital city Prague, In a moft formidable mutiny Of the whole garrifon.
[Military mufic at a dißance.) Hah ! here they come !
ILLO.
The fentries are faluting them : this fignal Announces the arrival of the Duchefs.
octavio (to Queftenbcrg). Then my fen Max. too has return'd. 'Twas he Fetch'd and attended them from Carnthen hither.
i so LAN i (to 1116). Shall we not go in company to greet them ?
ILLO.
Well, let us go. — Ho ! Colonel Butler, come.
You'll
14 TH£ t»ICCOLOM*NI, OR THE
{To Octavio.) You'll not forget, that yet ere noon we meet The noble Envoy at the General's palace.
Exeunt all but 2ueße?iberg and Octavio.
SCENE III.
QUESTENBERG and OCTAVIO.
$u estenberg (pith figns of averfion and aßo-
nijkment). What have I not been forc'd to hear, Oclavio ! What fentiments ! what fierce, uncurb'd defiance I And were this fpirit univerfal — -
OCTAVIO.
Hm!
You are now acquainted with three fourths of the army.^
QUESTENBERG.
Where muft we feek then for a fecönd hofl To have the cuftody of this ? That Illo Thinks worfe, I fear me, than he fpeaks. And
then This Butler too — he cannot even conceal The paflionate workings of his ill intentions..
OCTAVIO.
Quicknefs of temper — 'irritated pride j 'Twas nothing more. I cannot give up Butler. I know a fpell that will foon difpoflefs The evil fpirit in him.
4 QUESTENBERG
FIRST FAIT OF WALLENSTEIN. 13
qü Esten berg [zvalking up and down in evident dif quiet).
Friend, friend ! O ! this is worfe, far worfe, than we had fuffer'd Ourfelves to dream of at Vienna. There We law it only with the courtier's eyes, Eyes dazzled by the fplendor of the throne. We had not {een the War-ehief, the Commander, The man all-powerful in his camp. Here, here, 'Tis quite another thing.
Here is no Emperor more — the Duke is Emperor. Alas, my friend ! alas, my noble friend ! This walk which you have ta'en me through the
camp Strikes my hopes proftrate.
OCTAVIO.
Now you fee yourfelf Of what a perilous kind the office is, Which you deliver to me from the Court. The lead fufpicion of the General Cofls me my freedom and my life, and would But haften his moft defperate enterprife.
QUESTENBERG.
Where was our reaibn ileeping when we trufted This madman with the fword, and plac'd fuch
power In fuch a hand ? I tell you, he'll refufe, Flatly refufe, t'obey the Imperial orders. Friend, he can do't, and what he can, he will. And then th' impunity of his defiance — O ! what a proclamation of our weaknefs !
OCTAVIO.
16 THE PICCOLOMINI, OR THE
OCTAVIO.
D'ye think too, he has brought his wife and
daughter Without a purpofe hither ? Here in camp I And at the very point of time, in which We're arming for the war ? That he has taken Thefe, the lad pledges of his loyalty, Away from out the Emperor's domains — This is no doubtful token of the nearnefs Of fome eruption !
QÜESTENBERG. *
How mall we hold footing Beneath this tempeft, which collects itfelf And threats us from all quarters ? Th' enemy Of th' empire on our borders, now already The mafter of the Danube, and ftill farther, And farther ftill, extending every hour ! In our interior the alarum-bells
Of infurre&ion — peafantry in arms
All orders difcontented — and the army, Juft in the moment of our expectation Of aidance from it — lo ! this very army Seduc'd, run wild, loft to all difcipline, Loofen'd, and rent afunder from the ftate And from their fov'reign, the blind inftrumeni: Of the moft daring of mankind, a weapon Of fearful power, which at his will he wields !
OCTAVIO.
Nay, nay, friend ! let us not defpair too foon. Men's words are ever bolder than their deeds : And many a refolute, who now appears
Made
FIRST PART OF WALLENSTEIN. 17
Made up to all extremes, will, on a fudden, Find in his breaft a heart he wot not of, Let but a tingle honeft man fpeak out The true name of his crime ! Remember too, We fland not yet fo wholly unprotected. Counts Altringer and Galas have maintain'd Their little army faithful to it's duty, And daily it becomes more numerous. Nor can he take us by furprize : you know, I hold him all encompafs'd by my lift'ners. Whate'er he does, is mine, even while 'tis doing — > No ftep fo fmall, but inftantly I hear its Yea, his own mouth difclofes it.
QUESTENBERG.
'Tis quite Irtcomprehenfible, that he detects not The foe fo near !
OCTAVIO.
Beware, you do not think. That I by lying arts, and complaifant Hypocrify, have fkulk'd into his graces ; Or with the fuftenance of fmooth profeffions Nourifli his all-confiding friendfhip ! No — Compell'd alike by prudence, and that duty Which we all owe our country, and our fovereign, To hide my gamine feelings from him, yet Ne'er have I dup'd him with bafe counterfeits !
QUESTENBERG.
It is the vifible ordinance of heaven.
C OCTAVIO.
18 THE PICCOLOMINI, OR THE
OCTAVIO.
I know not what it is that fo attracts And links him both to me and to my fon. Comrades and friends we always were — long habit, Adventurous deeds perfbrm'd in company, And all thofe many and various incidents Which flore a foldier's memory with affections, Had bound us long and early to each other — Yet I can name the day, when all at once His heart rofe on me, and his confidence Shot out in fudden growth. It was the morning Before the memorable fight at Lützner. Urg'd by an ugly dream, I fought him out» To prefs him to accept another charger. At diftance from the tents, beneath a tree, I found him in a fleep. When I had wak'd him, And had related all my bodings to him, Long time he ftar'd upon me, like a man Aftounded , thereon fell upon my neck, And manifefted to me an emotion That far outftripp'd the worth ofthat fmall fervice. Since then his confidence has follow'd me With the fame pace that mine has fled from him.
QUESTENBERG.
You lead your Ion into the fecret ?
OCTAVIO.
No!
QUESTENBERG.
What ? and not warn him either what bad hands His lot has plac'd him in ?
5 OCTAVIO.
FIRST PART OF WALLENSTEIN. 19
OCTAVIO.
I muft perforce Leave him in wardfhip to his innocence. His young and open foul — dimmulation Is foreign to it's habits ! Ignorance Alone can keep alive the cheerful air. The unembarrafs'd fenfe and light free fpirit, That make the Duke fecure.
QU EST EN BERG. ( dlixioufiy )
My honour'd friend ! moll highly do I deem Of Colonel Piccolomini — yet — if Refled a little
OCTAVIO.
I mull venture it. Hum ! — There he comes !
SCENE IV.
Max. Piccolomini, Octavio Piccolomini,
questenberg.
MAX.
Ha ! there he is himfelf. Welcome, my father ! (He embraces his father. As he turns round, he obferves 2ueßenberg, and draws back with a cold and referred air.) You are engag'd, I fee. I'll not difturb you.
C 2 OCTAVIO.
20 THE PICCOLOMINI, OR THE
OCTAVIO.
How, Max. ? Look clofer at this vifitor Attention, Max. an old friend merits — Rev'rencc Belongs of right to the envoy of your fov'reign.
max. ( drily) Von Queftenberg ! — Welcome — if you bring with
you Aught good to our head quarters.
questenberg. (feizing his hand) Nay, draw not Your hand away, Count Piccolomini ! Not on mine own account alone I feiz'd it, And nothing common will I fay therewith.
(taking the hands of both) Octavio — Max. Piccolomini !
0 faviour names, and full of happy omen ! Ne'er will her profperous genius turn from Auftria, While two fuch ftars, with blefled influences Beaming protection, mine above her hofts.
MAX.
Heh ! — Noble minifter ! You mifs your part.
You came not here to aft a panegyric.
You're fent, I know, to find fault and to fcold us —
1 muft not be beforehand with my comrades.
octavio. (to Max.) He comes from court, where people are not quite So well contented with the duke, as here.
MAX.
What now have they contriv'd to find out in him ?
That he alone determines for himfelf
What
FIRST PART OF WALLENSTEIN. 21
What he himfelf alone doth underftand ?
Well, therein he does right, and will perfift in't.
Heaven never meant him for that paffive thing
That can be ftruck and hammer'd out to flat
Another's tafte and fancy. He'll not dance
To every tune of every minifter.
It goes againft his nature — he can't do it.
He is poffefs'd by a commanding fpirit,
And his too is the ftation of command.
And well for us it is fo ! There exift
Few fit to rule themfelves, but few that ufe
Their intellects intelligently. — Then
Well for the whole, if there be found a man,
Who makes himfelf what nature deftin'd him,
The paufe, the central point of thoufand thou-
fands i Stands fix'd and ftately, like a firm-built column, Where all may prefs with joy and confidence. Now fuch a man is Wallenftein ; and if Another better fuits the court — no other But fuch a one as. he can ferve the army,
QUESTENBERG.
The army ? Doubtlefs !
octavio. [to Queßenberg)
Hum ! Supprefs it friend ! Unteüfome end were anfwer'd by the utterance, — Of him there you'll make nothing.
max. {continuing)
In their diflrefs They call a fpirit up, and when he comes,
c 3 Straight
22 THE PICCOLOMINI, OR THE
Straight their flefh creeps and quivers, and they
dread him More than the ills for which they call'd him up. Th* uncommon, the fublime, muft feem and be Like things of every day. — But in the field, Aye, there the Prefent Being makes itfelf felt. The perfonal muft command, the actual eye Examine. If to be the chieftain alks All that is great in nature, let it be Likewife his privilege to move and a£t In all the correfpondencies of greatnefs. The oracle within him, that which lives, He muft invoke and queftion — not dead books, Not ordinances, not mould -rotted papers.
OCTAVIO.
My fon ! of thofe old narrow ordinances
Let us not hold too lightly. They are weights
Of pricelefs value, which opprefs'd mankind
Tied to the volatile will of their opprefibrs.
For always formidable was the league
And partnerfhip of free power with free will.
The way of ancient ordinance, tho' it winds,
Is yet no devious way. Straight forwards goes
The lightning's path, and ftraight the fearful path
Of the cannon-ball. Direct it flies and rapid,
Shatt'ring that it may reach, and (hatt'ring what
it reaches. My fon ! the road, the human being travels, That, on which blessing comes and goes, doth
follow The river's courie, the valley's playful windings, Curves round the corn-held and the hill of vines,
Honour-
FIRST PART OF WALLENSTEIN. 23
Honouring the holy bounds of property ! And thus fecure, tho' late, leads to its end.
QUESTENBERG.
O hear your father, noble youth ! hear him, Who is at once the hero and the man.
OCTAVIO.
My fon, the nurfling of the camp fpoke in thee !
A war of fifteen years
Hath been thy education and thy fchool.
Peace haft thou never witneiVd ! There exifls
An higher than the warrior's excellence.
In war itfelf war is no ultimate purpofe.
The vaft and fudden deeds of violence,
Adventures wild, and wonders of the moment,
Thefe are not they, my fon, that generate
The Calm, the Blifsful, and th' enduring Mighty !
Lo there ! the foldier, rapid architect !
Builds his light town of canvafs, and at once
The whole fcene moves and bullies momently,
With arms, and neighing fleeds, and mirth and
quarrel ! The motley market fills; the roads, the ftreams Are crowded with new freights, trade ftirs and
hurries ! But on fome morrow morn, all fuddenly, The tents drop down, the hord renews its march. Dreary, and folitary as a church -yard The meadow and down-trodden feed-plot lie, And the year's harveft is gone utterly.
MAX.
O let the Emperor make peace, my father !
c 4 Moft
l24f THE PICCOLOMINI, OR THE
Mofl gladly would I give the blood-ftain'd laurel For the firft violet * of the leaflefs fpring, Pluck'd in thofe quiet fields where I have journey 'd !
OCTAVIO.
What ails thee ? What fo moves thee all at once ?
MAX.
Peace have I ne'er beheld ? I have beheld it. From thence am I come hither : O ! that fight, It glimmers ftill before me, like fome landfcape Left in the diftance, — fome delicious landfcape ! My road conducted me thro' countries where The war has not yet reach'd. Life, life, my
father
My venerable father, Life has charms
Which we have ne'er experienc'd. We have been
But voyaging along it's barren coafts,
Like fome poor ever-roaming horde of pirates,
That, crowded in the rank and narrow (hip,
Houfe on the wild fea with wild ufages,
Nor know aught of the main land, but the bays
Where fafelieft they may venture a thieves' landing,
Whate'er in th' inland dales the land conceals
Of fair and exquifite, O ! nothing, nothing,
Do we behold of that in our rude voyage.
* In the original,
Den blutgen Lorbeer, geb ich hin, mit Freuden Fürs erfte veilchen, das der merz uns bringt, Pas duftige PfFand der neuverjüngten Evd".
OCTAVIQ.
FIRST PART OF WALLENSTEIN. 25
octavio. {attentive, with an appearance of uneafinefs) , And fo your journey has reveal'd this to you?
MAX.
'Twas the firft leifure of my life. O tell me,
What is the meed and purpofe of the toil,
The painful toil, which robb'd me of my youth,
Left me an heart unfoul'd and folitary,
A fpirit uninform'd, unornamented.
For the camp's ftir and crowd and eeafelefs larum,
The neighing war-horfe, the air- lhatt'ring trumpet,
The unvaried, ftill-returning hour of duty,
Word of command, and exercife of arms —
There's nothing here, there's nothing in all this
To fatisfy the heart, the gafping heart !
Mere buttling nothingnefs, where the foul is not —
This cannot be the fole felicity,
^Thefe cannot be man's beft and only pleafures !
OCTAVIO.
Much has thou learnt, my fon, in this fhort journey,
MAX.
O ! day thrice lovely ! when at length the foldier
Returns home into life ; when he becomes
A fellow-man among his fellow- men.
The colours are unfurl'd, the cavalcade ,
Marfhals, and now the buz is hufh'd, and hark !
Now the foft peace-march beats, -home, brothers,
home ! The caps and helmets are all garlanded
With
26 THE PICCOLOMINI, OR THE
With green boughs, the laft plund'ring of the
fields. The city gates fly open of themfelves, They need no longer the petard to tear them. The ramparts are all filled with men and women, With peaceful men and women, that fend onwards Kiffes and welcomings upon the air, Which they make breezy with affectionate geflures. From all the towers rings out the merry peal, The joyous vefpers of a bloody day.
0 happy man, O fortunate ! for whom
The well-known door, the faithful arms are open, The faithful tender arms with mute embracing.
qüestenberg (apparently much affected). O ! that you mould fpeak Of fuch a diftant, diftant time, and not Of the to-morrow, not of this to-day. max. (turning round to him quick and vehement.) Where lies the fault but on you in Vienna ?
1 will deal openly with you, Queftenberg. Juft now, as firft I faw you flanding here, { 1*11 own it to you freely) indignation Crowded and preft my inmofl foul together. 'Tis ye that hinder peace, ye I — and the warrior, It is the warrior that mufl force it from you.
Ye fret the General's life out, blacken him, Hold him up as a rebel, and Heaven knows What elfe ftill worfe, becaufe he fpares the Saxons, And tries to awaken confidence in th* enemy ; Which yet's the only way to peace : for if
War
FIRST PART OF WALLENSTEIN. 27
War intermit not during war, how then
And whence can peace come ?- — Your own plagues
fall on you ! Even as I love what's virtuous, hate I you. And here make I this vow, here pledge myfelf; My blood (hall fpurt out for this Wallenftein, And my heart drain off, drop by drop, ere ye Shall revel and dance jubilee o'er his ruin.
[Exit.
SCENE V.
QüESTENBERG, OCTAVIO PlCCOLOMIJTI. QUESTENEERG.
Alas, alas ! and ftands it fo ?
(then in prejing and impatient tones.) What, friend ! and do we let him go away In this delufion — let him go away ? Not call him back immediately, not open His eyes upon the fpot ?
octavio (recovering himfelf out of a deepfiudy)*
He has now open'd mine, And I fee more than pleafes me.
QUESTENBERG.
What is it I octavio. Curfe on this journey J
QUESTEJJBERG.
But why fo ? What is it ?
OCTAVIO.
28 THE PICCOLOMINI, OR THE
OCTAVIO.
Come, come along, friend ! I muft follow up The ominous track immediately. Mine eyes Are open'd now, and I muft ufe them. Come J {draws 2ueße?iberg on with him.)
QUESTENBERG.
What now ? Where go you then ?
OCTAVIO.
To her herfelf.
QUESTENBERG.
To—
octavio {interrupting him, and correcting him-
folf.) To the Duke. Come, let us go* — 'Tis done,
'tis done •! I fee the net that is thrown over him*
0 ! he returns not to me as he went.
QUESTENBERG.
Nay, but explain yourfelf.
OCTAVIO.
And that I fhould not Forefee it, not prevent this journey ! Wherefore Did I keep it from him ? — You were in the right.
1 Ihould have warn'd him ! Now it is too late.
QUESTENBERG.
But what's too late ? Bethink yourfelf, my friend, That you are talking abfölute riddles to me.
octavio [more collected). Come ! — to the Duke's. 'Tis clofe upon the
hour
Which
FIRST PART OF WALLENSTEIN. 29
Which he appointed you for audience. Come ! A curfe, a threefold curfe, upon this journey !
(He leads Quefienberg off.)
SCENE VI.
Changes to a fpacious chamber in the houfe of the Duke of Friedland. — Servants employed i?i putting the tables and chairs in order. During this enters Seni, like an old Italian doctor, in black, and clothed fomewhat fantaf- tically. He carries a white flaff, with which he marks out the quarters of the heaven.
FIRST SERVANT.
Come — to it, lads, to it ! Make an end of it. I hear the fentry call out, " Stand to your arms !" They will be there in a minute.
SECOND SERVANT.
Why were we not told before that the audience would be held here ? Nothing prepared — no or- ders— no inftructions —
THIRD SERVANT.
Ay, and why was the balcony-chamber counter- manded, that with the great worked carpet ?— there one can look about one.
FIRST SERVANT.
Nay, that you muft aft the mathematician there. He fays it is an unlucky cha^nber.
SECON&
30 THE PICCOLOMINI, OR THE
SECOND SERVANT.
Poh ! fluff and nonfenfe ! That's what I call a hum. A chamber is a chamber; what much can the place fignify in the affair ?
s e n i [with gravity ). My fon, there's nothing infignificant, Nothi?ig! But yet in every earthly thing Firft and mod principal is place and time.
first servant (to the Second). Say nothing to him, Nat. The Duke himfelf rauft let him have his own will.
sen i (counts the chairs, half in a loud, half in a low voice > till he comes to eleven, which he repeats}.
Eleven ! an evil number ! Set twelve chairs.
Twelve 1 twelve figns hath the zodiac : five and feven,
The holy numbers, include themfelves in twelve.
second servant. And what may you have to object againfl eleven ? I mould like to know that now.
senk Eleven is — tranfgreffion ; eleven overfteps The ten commandments.
second servant. i That's good ! and why do you call five an holy number ?
SENI.
Five is the fqpl of man : for even as man
Is
FIRST PART OF WALLENSTEIN. SI
Is mingled up of good and evil, fo
The five is the firft number that's made up
Of even and odd.
SECOND SERVANT.
The foolifh old coxcomb i
FIRST SERVANT.
Ey 1 let him alone though. I like to hear him ; there is more in his words than- can be feen at firft fight.
THIRD SERVANT.
Off! They come.
SECOND SERVANT.
There ! Out at the fide-door.
{They harry off. Seni follows Jloxvly. A page brings the fiaff of command on a red citfhion, and places it on the table near the Duke's chair. They are announced from without, and the zvings of the door fly open. )
SCENE VII. Wallenstein, Duchess.
wallenstein. You went then through Vienna, were prefented To the Queen of Hungary ?
DUCHESS.
Yes ; and to the Emprefs too* And by both Majeflies were we admitted To kifs the hand. .
WALLEN-
82 THE PlCCOLOMINr, OR THE
WALLENSTEIN.
And how was it receiv'd, That I had fent for wife and daughter hither To the camp, in winter time ?
DUCHESS.
I did even that Which you commiffion'd me to do. I told them, You had determin'd on our daughter's marriage, And wifrrd, ere yet you went into the field, To fhew th' elected hufband his betroth'd.
WALLENSTEIN,
And did they guefs the choice which I had made ?
duchess: They only hop'd and wifli'd it may have fallen Upon no foreign nor yet Lutheran noble.
WALLENSTEIN.
And you — what do you wiiri, Elizabeth?
duchess. Your will, you know, was always mine.
wallenstein {after a paufe). Well then ! And in all elfe, of what kind and complexion Was your reception at the court ? {The Duchefs caßs her eyes on the ground, and
remains filent.) Hide nothing from me. How were you receiv'd ?
duchess. O ! my dear lord, all is not what it was. A cankerworm, my lord, a cankenvorm Has ftolen into the bud.
W A. I L'E N •
FIRST PART OF WALLENSTEIN. 33
WALLENSTEIN.
Ay ! is it fo ? What, they were lax ? they fail'd of th' old refpect ?
DUCHESS.
Not of refpect. No honors were omitted, No outward courtefy ; but in the place Of condefcending, confidential kindnefs, Familiar and endearing, there were given me Only thefe honors and that folemn courtefy. Ah ! and the tendernefs which was put on, It was the guile of pity, not of favor. No ! Albrecht's wife, Duke Albrecht's princely
wife, Count Harrach's noble daughter, mould not To— - Not wholly fo mould fhe have been receiv'd.
WALLENSTEIN.
Yes, yes ; they have ta'en offence. My lateft
conduct, They rail'd at it, no doubt.
DUCHESS.
O that they had ! 1 have been long accuftom'd to defend you, To heal and pacify diftemper'd fpirits. No j no one rail'd at you. They wrapp'd them up, O Heaven ! in fuch oppreffive, folemn filence ! — ■ Here is no every-day mifunderftanding, No transient pique, no cloud that paffes over ; Something moll iucklefs,- moft unhealable, Has taken place. The Queen of Hungary TJs'd formerly to call me her dear aunt, And ever at departure to embrace me—
D WALLEN-
34 THE PICCOLOMINI, OR THE
WALLENSTEIN.
Now (he omitted it?
duchess (zuiping away her tears, after a paufe.)
She did embrace me, But then firft when I had already taken My formal leave, and when the door already Had closed upon me, then did (he come out In hafte, as fhe had fuddenly bethought herfelf, And prefs'd me to her bofom, more with anguifa Than tendernefs. wallenstein {feizes her hand foothingty .) Nay now, collect yourfelf. And what of Eggenberg and Lichtenflein, And of our other friends there ?
duchess (Jhaking her head.) I faw none.
wallenstein. TV AmbafTador from Spain, who once was wont To plead fo warmly for me ? —
DUCHESS.
Silent, filent !
WALLENSTEIN.
Thefe funs then are eclipfed for us. Henceforward Muft we roll on, our own fire, our own light.
DUCHESS.
And were it — were it, my dear lord, in that
Which mov'd about the Court in buz and whifper,
But in the country let itfelf be heard
Aloud— in that which Father Lamormain
In fundry hints and
waller-
FIRST PART OF WALLENSTEIN. 35
wallenstein {ectgerhj) . Lamormain ! what faid he ?
DUCHESS.
That you 're aceufed of having daringly O'erllepp'd the powers entrufted to you, charg'd With traiterous contempt of th' Emperor And his fupreme behefts. The proud Bavarian, He and the Spaniards ftand up your accufers. — That there's a ftorm collecting over you Of far more fearful menace than that former one Which whirl'd you headlong down at Regeniburg.
And people talk, faid he, of Ah ! —
[flifling extreme emotion.)
WALLENSTEIN.
Proceed !
DUCHESS.
I cannot utter it !
WALLENSTEIN.
Proceed !
DUCHESS.
They talk
WALLENSTEIN.
Well !
DUCHESS.
Of a fecond (catches her
voice and heßtates.)
WALLENSTEIN.
Second
DUCHESS.
More difgraceful -Difmiffion.
» 2 WALLEN-
36 THE PICCOLOMINI, OR THE
WALLENSTEIN.
Talk they ? [Strides acrofs the chamber in vehement agitation)
O ! they force, they thruft me With violence, againft my own will, onward !
duchess, (preßes near to him, in entreaty.) O ! if there yet be time, my hufband ! If By giving way and by fubmiffion, this Can be averted — my dear lord, give way ! Win down your proud heart to it ! Tell that
heart, It is your fovereign lord, your Emperor Before whom you retreat. Q^let no longer Low tricking malice blacken your good meaning With abhor'd venomous glofles. Stand you up Shielded and helm'd and weapon'd with the truth, And drive before you into uttermofl fhame Thefe flanderous liars ! Few firm friends have we. You know it ! — The fwift growth of our good
fortune It hath but fet us up, a mark for hatred. What are we, if the fovereign's grace and favour Stand not before us !
SCENE
FIRST PART OF WALLENSTEIN. 37
SCENE VIII.
Enter the Countefs Tertsky, leading in her hand the Princefs Thekla, richly adorned with brilliants.
Countess, Thekla, Wallenstein, t Duchess.
countess. How, fitter ? What already upon bufinefs,
(obferving the countenance of the Duchefs) And bufinefs of no pleafing kind I fee, Ere he has gladden'd at his child. The firft Moment belongs to joy. Here, Friedland! father! This is thy daughter.
{Thekla approaches with ajliy and timid air,
and bends herfelf as about to kifs his hand.
he receives her in his arms, and remains
flanding for fome time lofi in the feeling of
her prefence.)
WALLENSTEIN,
Yes ; pure and lovely hath hope rifen on me : I take her as the pledge of greater fortune.
DUCHESS.
'Twas but a little child when you departed To raife up that great army for the Emperor : And after, at the clofe of the campaign, When you return'd home out of Pomerania, Your daughter was already in the convent, Wherein fhe has remain'd till now.
P 3 WAL-
38 THE PICCOLOMINI, OR THE
WALLENSTEIN.
The whiie We in the field here gave our cares and toils To make her great, and fight her a free way To the loftieft earthly good ; lo! mother Nature Within the peaceful filent convent walls Has done her part, and out of her free grace Hath fhe befiowed on the beloved child The godlike ; and now leads her thus adorned To meet her fplendid fortune, and my hope.
duchess, [to Thekla) Thou wouldeft not have recogniz'd thy father, Would'il thou, my child ? She counted fcarce
eight years, When laft Hie faw your face.
THEKLA.
O yes, yes, mother ! At the firfl glance !— My father is not alter'd. The form, that ftands before me, falfifies No feature of the image that hath liv'd So long within me !
WALLENSTEIN.
The voice of my child ! (then after a panfe) I was indignant at my deftiny That it denied me a man-child to be Heir of my name and of my profperous fortune, And re-illume my foon extinguifh'd being In a proud line of princes. I wrong'd my deftiny. Here upon this head So lovely in its maiden bloom will I
Let
FIRST PART OF WALLENSTEIN. 39
Let fall the garland of a life of war,
Nor deem it loft, if only I can wreath it
Tranfmitted to a regal ornament,
Around thefe beauteous brows.
{He clafps her in his arms as Piccolomini enters.)
SCENE IX.
Enter Max. Piccolomini, and fometime after Count Tertsky, the others remaining as
before.
countess. There comes the Palladin who protected us.
WALLENSTEIN.
Max ! Welcome, ever welcome ! Always wert thou The morning liar of my beft joys !
MAX.
My General
WALLENSTEIN.
'Till now it was the Emperor who rewarded thee, I but the inftrument. This day thou haft bound The father to thee, Max 1 the fortunate father, And this debt Friedland's felf muft pay.
MAX.
My prince ! You made no common hurry to transfer it. I come with (harne. Yea, not without a pang ! For fcarce have I arriv'd here, fcarce deliver'd The mother and the daughter to your arms,
d 4 But
i
40 THE PICCOLOMINI, OR THE
But there is brought to me from your equerry A fplendid richly-plated hunting drefs
So to remunerate me for my trouble ■
Yes, yes, remunerate me ! Since a trouble It muft be, a mere office, not a favour Which I leapt forward to receive, and which I came already with full heart to thank you for. No ! 'twas not fo intended, that my bufinefs Should be my higheft belt good fortune !
(Tert/ky enters, and delivers letter's to the Duke, which he breaks open hurryingly.)
countess, (to Max.) Remunerate your trouble ! For his joy He makes you recompenfe. 'Tis not unfitting For you, Count Piccolomini, to feel So tenderly — my brother it befeems To fhew himfeif for ever great and princely.
TIIEKLA.
Then I too muft have fcruples of his love : For his munificent hands did ornament me Ere yet the father's heart had fpoken to me.
MAX.
Yes ; 'tis his nature ever to be giving And making happy.
[He grqfps the hand of the Duchefs zuith ßill increaßng warmth.)
How my heart pours out Its all of thanks to him : O ! how I feem To utter all things in the dear name Friedland. While I (hall live, fo long will I remain The captive of this name : in it mail bloom.
Mv
FIRST PART OF WALLENSTEIN, 41
My every fortune, every lovely hope.
Inextricably as in fome magic ring
In this name hath my deftiny charm-bound me !
COUNTESS.
(Who during this time has been anxioufixj watching the Duke, and remarks that he is loß in thought over the letters.) My brother wifties us to leave him. Come.
WALLENSTEIN.
{Turns himfelf round quick, collects himfelf and J peaks with chearfulnefs to the Duchefs-) Once more I bid thee welcome to the camp, Thou art the hoftefs of this court. You, Max. Will now again adminifter your old office, While we perform the fovereign's bufinefs here. (Max. Piccolommi offers the Duchefs his arm, the Countefs accompanies the Princefs.)
tertsky, (calling after him.) Max. we depend on feeing you at the meeting.
SCENE X.
Wallenstein, Count Tertsky.
wallenstein, {in deep thought to himfelf) She hath feen all things as they are — It is fo, And fquares completely with my other notices* They have determin'd finally in Vienna, Have given me my fucceffor already; It is the king of Hungary, Ferdinand,
The
42 THE PICCOLOMINI, OR THE
The Emperor's delicate ion ! he's now their faviour, He's the new ftar that's rifing now ! Of us They think themfelves already fairly rid, And as we were deceas'd, the heir already Is entering on pofTeffion. — Therefore — difpatch ! (As he turns round he objerves Terfjky, and gives him a letter.) Count Altringer will have himfelf excus'd, And Galas too — I like not this !
TERTSKY.
And if Thou loiterefr. longer, all will fall away, One following the other.
WALLENSTEIN.
Altringer Is mafier of the Tyrole paffes. I muft forthwith Send fome one to him, that he let not in The Spaniards on me from the Milanefe.
Well, and the old Sefin, that ancient trader
In contraband negociations, he
Has fhewn himfelf again of late. What brings he
From the Count Thur?
TERTSKY.
The Count communicates, He has found out the SwediiTi chancellor At Halberftadt, where the convention's held, Who fays, you've tir'd him out, and that he'll
have No further dealings with you.
WALLENSTEIN.
And why fo ?
TERTSKY.
FIRST PART OF WALLENSTEIN. 43 TERTSKT.
He fays, you are never in earned in your fpeeches, That you decoy the Swedes — to make fools of them, Will league yourfelf with Saxony againfh them, And at laft make yourfelf a riddance of them With a paltry fum of money.
WALLENSTEIN.
So then, doubtlefs, Yes, doubtlefs, this fame modefh Swede expects That I fhall yield him fome fair German tract For his prey and booty, that ourfelves at laft On our own foil and native territory, May be no longer our own lords and mailers ! An excellent fcheme ! — No, no ! They mufh.be off, Off, off ! away ! — we want no fuch neighbours.
TERTSKY.
Nay, yield them up that dot, that fpeck of land —
It goes not from your portion. If you win
The game, what matters it to you who pays it ?
WALLENSTEIN.
Off with them, off! Thou underiland'il not this. Never fhall it be faid of me, I parcelFd My native land away, difmember'd Germany, Betray'd it to a foreigner, in order To come with ftealthy tread, and filch away My own fhare of the plunder. — Never ! never ! — No foreign power fhall ilrike root in the empire, And leaft of all, thefe Goths ! thefe hunger- wolves ! Who fend fuch envious, hot and greedy glances T'wards the rich bleffings of our German lands !
I'll
44 THE PICCOLOMINI, OR THE
I'll have their aid to caft and draw my nets, But not a iingle fifh of all the draught Shall they come in for.
TERTSKY.
You will deal, however,
More fairly with the Saxons ? They lofe patience
While you (hift ground and make fo many curves.
Say, to what purpofe all thefe mafks ? Your friends
Are plung'd in doubts, baffled, and led aflray in you.
There's Oxenftein, there's Arnheim — neither knows
What he fhould think of your procraftinations.
And in the end I prove the liar ; all
Pafles through me. I have not even your hand- writing.
WALLENSTEIN.
I never give my hand-writing ; thou know'fl it.
TERTSKY.
But how can it be known that you're in earneft, If the act follows not upon the word ? You muft yourfelf acknowledge, that in all Your intercourfes hitherto with th' enemy You might have done with fafety all you have done, Had you meant nothing further than to gull him For th' Emperor's fervice.
wallen stein ( aflcr a pentfe, during which he
looks narrowly on Terfjki/.)
And from whence doft tliou know
That I'm not gulling him for th' Emperor's fervice ?
Whence
FIRST PART OF WALLENSTEIN. 45
Whence knoweft thou that I'm not gulling all of
you ? Doft thou know me fo well ? When made I thee TV intendant of my fecret purpofes ? I am not confcious that I ever open'd My inmoft thoughts to thee. TV Emperor, it is
true, Hath dealt with me amifs ; and if I would, I could repay him with ufurious interefl For th' evil he hath done me. It delights me To know my power; but whether I mall ufe it, Of that, I mould have thought that thou could' ft
fpeak No wifelier than .thy fellows.
TERTSKY.
So hail thou always play'd thy game with us. Enter illo.
SCENE XI.
Illo, Wallenstein, Tertsky.
wallenstein. How fland affairs without ? Are they prepar'd ?
ILLO.
You'll find them in the very mood you wifli. They know about the Emperor's requifitions, And are tumultuous.
WALLENSTEIN.
How hath Ifolan Declar'dhimfelf?
ILLO,
46 THE PICCOLOMINI, OR THE
ILLO.
He's your's, both foul and body, Since you. built up again his Faro-bank.
WALLENSTEIN.
.And which way doth Kolatto bend ? Haft thou Made lure of Tiefenbach and Deodate ?
ILLO.
What Piccolomini does, that they do too.
WALLENSTEIN.
You mean then I may venture fomewhat with them ?
ILLO.
— If you are affured of the Piccolomini.
WALLENSTEIN.
Not more affur'd of mine own felf.
TERTSKY.
And yet I would you trufted not fo much to Octavio,
The fox !
WALLENSTEIN.
Thou teach eft me to know my man ? Sixteen campaigns I have made with that old
warrior. Befides, I have his horofcope, We both are born beneath like ftars — in fhort
(with an air of myßert/) To this belongs its own particular afpect. If therefore thou canft warrant me the reft — —
ILLO.
There is among them all but this one voice,
You
FIRST PART OF WALLENSTEIN. 47
You mufi not lay down the command. I hear They mean to fend a deputation to you.
WALLENSTEIN.
If I'm in aught to biad myfelf to them, They too muft bind themfelves to me.
ILLO.
Of courfe.
WALLENSTEIN.
Their words of honor they mufh give, their oaths, Give them in writing to me, promifing Devotion to my fervice unconditional.
ILLO.
Why not ?
TERTSKY.
Devotion unconditional? The exception of their duties towards Auftria They'll always place among the premifes. With this referve—
wallenstein (Jkaking his head.)' All unconditional ! No premifes, no refer ves.
ILLO.
A thought has ftruck me. Does not Count Tertfky give us a fet banquet This evening ?
TERTSKY.
Yes j and all the Generals Have been invited.
ILLO
48 THE PICCOLÖMINI, OR THE
illo (to Wallenfiein.) Say, will you here fully Commiffion me to ufe my own difcretion ? I'll gain for you the Generals' words of honor* Even as you with.
WALLENSTEIN.
Gain me their fignatures ! How you come by them, that is your concern.
ILLO.
And if I bring it to you, black on white, That all the leaders who are prefent here Give themfelves up to you, without condition ; Say, will you then— then will you (hew yourfelf In earned, and with fome decifive adlion Make trial of your luck ?
WALLENSTEIN.
The fignatures ! Gain me the fignatures.
ILLO.
Seize, feize the hour Ere it flips from you. Seldom comes the moment In life, which is indeed fublime and weighty. To make a great decifion poffible, O ! many .things, all tranfient and all rapid, Muft meet at once : and, haply, they thus met May by that confluence be enforc'd to paufe Time long enough for wifdom, though too fhort, Far, far too fhort a time for doubt and fcruple ! This is that moment. See, our army chieftains, Our bell, our nobleft, are afTembled round you,
Their
FIRST PART OF WALLENSTEIN. 49
Their kinglike leader ! On your nod they wait. The tingle threads, which here your profperous
fortune Hath woven together in one potent web Inftinct with deftiny, O let them not Unravel of themfelves. If you permit Thefe chiefs to feparate, (o unanimous Bring you them- not a fecond time together. 'Tis the high tide that heaves the flranded fhip. And every individual's fpirit waxes In the great flream of multitude. Behold, They are Hill here, here ftill ! But foon the war Burfls them once more afunder, and in fmall Particular anxieties and interefts Scatters their fpirit, and the fympathy Of each man with the whole. He, who to-day Forgets himfelf, forc'd onward with the flream, Will become fober, feeing but himfelf, Feel only his own weaknefs, and with fpeed Will face about, and march on in the old High road of duty, the old broad-trodden road, And feek but to make fhelter in good plight.
WALLENSTEIN.
The time is not yet come.
TERTSKY.
So you fay always. But when will it be time ?
WALLENSTEIN.
When I mail fay it.
ILLO.
You'll wait upon the ftars, and on their hours,
e Tili
50 THE PICCOLOMINI, OR THE
Tili the earthly hour efcapes you. O, believe me, In your own. bofom are your deftiny's liars. Confidence in yourfelf, prompt refolution, This is your. Venus ! and the Cole malignant, The only one that harmeth you, is Doubt.
WALLENSTEIN.
Thou fpeakeft as thou understand' ft. How oft And many a time I've told thee, Jupiter, That luflrous god, was fetting at thy birth. Thy vifual power fubdues no myfteries; Mole ey'd, thou may'A but burrow in the earth, Blind as that fubterreftrial, who with wan, Lead-colour'd fliinc lighted thee into life. The common, the terreftrial, thou may'ft fee, With ferviceable cunning knit together The nearelt with the neareft ; and therein I truft thee and believe thee ! but whate'er Full of myfterious import Nature weaves, And falhions in the depths — the fpirit's ladder, That from this grofs and vifible world of duft Even to the ftarry world, with thoufand rounds, Builds itfelf up ; on which the unfeen powers Move up and down on heavenly minifteries — The circles in the circles, that approach
The central fun with ever-narrowing orbit
Thefe fees the glance alone, the unfeal'd eye,
Of Jupiter's glad children born in luftre.
(lie walks acrofs the chamber, then returns, and,
(landing ßill, proceeds.) The heavenly conftellations make not merely The day and night, fummer and fpring, not merely
Signify
FIRST PART OF WALLENSTEIN. 51
Signify to the hufbandman the feafons Of fowing and of harveft. Human a&ion, That is the feed too of contingencies, Strew'd on the dark land of futurity In hopes to reconcile the powers of fate. Whence it behoves us to feek out the feed-time, To watch the ftars, felect their proper hours, And trace with fearching eye the heavenly houfeSj Whether the enemy of growth and thriving Hide himfelf not* malignant, in his corner. Therefore permit me my own time. Meanwhile Do you your part. As yet I cannot fay What / ihall do — only, give way I will not. Depofe me too they fhall not. On thefe points You may rely.
page [entering.)
My Lords, the Generals
"VVALLENSTEIN.
Let them come in.
*'
e 2 SCENE
52 THE PICCOLOMINI, OR THE
SCENE XIL
Wallenflein, Tertjhj, Illo. — To them enter Quef- tenberg, Octavio and Max. Piccolomini, But- ler, Ifolani, Maradas, and three other Ge- nerals. Wallenfiein motions Qneßenberg, tiotio in confeqnence takes the Chair directly oppofite to him ; the others follow, arranging them- felves according to their Rank. There reigns a momentary Silence.
WALLENSTEIN.
I have underltood, 'tis true, the fum and import Of your inftructions, Queftenberg, have weigh'd
them, And form'd my final, abfolute refolve ; Yet it feems fitting, that the Generals Should hear the will of th' Emperor from your
mouth. May't pleafe you then to open your commiflion Before thefe noble Chieftains.
QUESTENBERG.
I am ready To obey you; but will firft entreat your Highnefs, And all thefe noble Chieftains, to confider, Th' Imperial dignity and fov'reign right Speaks from my mouth, and not my own pre^ fumption.
WALLENSTEIN.
We excufe all preface.
QUESTENBERG.
FIRST PART OF WALLENSTEIN. 53
QUESTENBERG.
When his Majefty The Emperor to his courageous armies Prefented in the perfon of Duke Friedland A mod experienc'd and renown'd commander, He did it in glad hope and confidence To give thereby to the fortune of the wai A rapid and aufpicious change. The onfet Was favourable to his royal with es. Bohemia was deliver'd from the Saxons, The Swede's career of conqueft check'd ! Thefe
lands Began to draw breath freely, as Duke Friedland From all the flreams of Germany forc'd hither The fcatter'd armies of the enemy, Hither invok'd as round one magic circle The Rhinegrave, Bernhard, Banner, Oxenftirn, Yea, and that never-conquer'd King himfelf; Here finally, before the eye of Nürnberg, The fearful game of battle to decide,
WALLENSTEIN,
May't pleafe you, to the point,
QUESTENBERG.
In Nürnberg's camp the Swedifh monarch left His fame — in Lützen's plains his life. But who Stood not aftounded, when victorious Friedland After this day of triumph, this proud day, March'd toward Bohemia with the fpeed of flight, •And vanifh'd from the theatre of war; While the young Weimar hero forc'd his way Into Franconia, to the Danube, like
e 3 Some
5i THE PICCOLOMINI, OR THE
Some delving winter-dream, which, where it rufhes, Makes its own channel ; with fuch fudden fpeed He march'd, and now at once 'fore Regenfpurg Stood to th' affright of all good Catholic Chriftians. Then did Bavaria's well-deferving Prince Entreat fwift aidance in his extreme need ; The Emperor fends feven horfemen to Duke
Fried land, Seven horfemen couriers fends he with th' entreaty ; He Superadds his own, and fupplicates Where as the fovereign lord he can command. In vain his fupplication ! At this moment The Duke hears only his old hate and grudge. Barters the general good to gratify Private revenge — and fo falls Regenfpurg.
WALLENSTEIN.
Max. to what period of the war alludes he ? My recollection fails me here.
MAX.
He means yVhen we were in Silefia.
WALLENSTEIN.
Ay ! Is it fo ? But what had we to do there f
MAX.
To beat out The Swedes and Saxons from the province.
WALLENSTEIN.
True.
In that description which the Minifter gave
I feem'd to have forgotten the whole war.
••' ' (to
FIRST PART OF WALLENSTEIN, 55
(to Queßenberg) Well, but proceed a little.
QÜESTENBERG.
Yes ! at length Beüäe the river Oder did the Düke AfTeri his ancient fame. Upon the fields Of Steinau did the Swedes lay down their arms. Subdued without a blow. And here, with others» The righteoufnefs of Heaven to his avenger Deliver'd that long-pra&is'd ftirrer-up Of infurre&ion, that curfe-Iaden torch And kindler of this war, Matthias Thur. But he had fallen into magnanimous hands ; Inftead of punifhment he found reward. And with rich prefents did the Duke difmiis The arch -foe of his Emperor.
wallenstein, (laughs) I know, I know you had already in Vienna Your windows and balconies all foreftalFd To fee him on the executioner's cart» I might have loft the battle, loft it too With infamy, and ftill retained your graces — But, to have cheated them of a fpeftacle. Oh ! that the good folks of Vienna never, No, never can forgive me.
QUESTENBERG,
So Silefia Was freed, and all things loudly cail'd the Duke |nto Bavaria, now prefs'd hard, on d& fides.
e 4 And
56 THE PICCOLOMINI, OR THE
And he did put his troops in motion : flowly,
Quite at his eafe, and by the longed road
He traverfes Bohemia j but ere ever
He hath once feen the enemy, faces round,
Breaks up the march, and takes to winter quarters.
WALLENSTEIN.
The troops were pitiably deftitute OF every neceflary, every comfort. The winter came. What thinks his Majefty His troops are made of? An't we men ? fubjeclied Like other men to wet, and cold, and all The circumftances of neceffity ? O miferable lot of the poor foldier ! Wherever he comes in, all flee before him, And when he goes away, the general curie Follows him on his rout. ,A11 muft be feiz'd, Nothing is given him. And compell'd to feize From every man, he's every man's abhorrence. Behold, here (land my Generals. Karaffa ! Count Peodate ! Butler ! Tell this man How long the folcjiers' pay is in arrears.
BUTLER.
Already a full year.
WALLENSTEIN.
And 'tis the hire That conftitutes the hireling's name and duties. The foldier's pay is the foldier's covenant *.
QUES-
* The original is not tranflatable into Englifh : — — Und {tWifold
Mufs dem fildaten werden, darnach lieifst er.
• ■ If
FIRST PART OF WALLENSTEIN. ST QUESTENBERG.
Ah ! * this is a far other tone from that
In which the Duke fpoke eight, nine years ago.
WALLENSTEIN.
.Yes ! 'tis my fault, I know it: I myfelf Have fpoilt the Emperor by indulging him, Nine years ago, during the Danilri war, I rais'd him up a force, a mighty force, Forty or fifty thoufand men, that coft him Of his own purfe no doit. Through Saxony The fury goddefs of the war march'd on, E'en to the furf-rocks of the Baltic, bearing The terrors of his name. That was a time ! In the whole Imperial realm no name like mine Honor'd with feftival and celebration — And Albrecht Wallenstein, it was the title Of the third jewel in his crown ! But at the Diet, when the Princes met At Regenfpurg, there, there the whole broke out, There 'twas laid open, there it was made known, Out of what money-bag I had paid the holt. And what was now my thank, what had I now, That I, a faithful fervant of the Sovereign, Had loaded on myfelf the people's curfes, And let the Princes of the empire pay The expences of this war, that aggrandizes
It might perhaps have been thus rendered:
" And that for which he fold his fervices, " The foldier muft receive."
But a falfe or doubtful etymology is no mor: than a dull pun.
The
58 THE PICCOLOMINI, OK THE
The Emperor alone — What thanks had I ! What ? I was oflfer'd up to their complaints, Difmifs'd, degraded !
QUESTENBERG.
But your Highnefs knows What little freedom he poffefs'd of action In that difaftrous diet.
WALLENSTEIN.
Death and hell ! /had that which could have procur'd him freedom. No ! Since 'twas prov'd fo inaufpicious to me To ferve the Emperor at the empire's coft, I have been taught far other trains of thinking Of th* empire, and the diet of the empire. From th' Emperor, doubtlefs, I receiv'd this ftaff, But now I hold jt as the empire's general — For the common weal, the univerfal int'reft, And no more for that one man's aggrandizement I Jkit to the point. What is it that's defir'd of me ?
QUESTENBERG.
Firft, his Imperial Majefty hath will'd That without pretexts of delay the army Evacuate Bohemia.
WALLENSTEIN.
In this feafon ? And to what quarter, wills the Emperor, That we direct our cpurfe ?
QUESTENBERG.
To the enemy.
His Majefty refolves, that Regenfpurg
Be purified from the enemy, ere. Eafter,
That
FIRST PART OF W ALLENSTEIN". &&
That Luth'ranifm may be no longer preach'd In that cathedral, nor heretical Defilement defacrate the celebration Of that pure feftival.
WALLENSTEIN.
My generals, Can this be realized ?
ILLO.
'Tis not poflible.
BUTLER.
ft can't be realiz'd.
QUESTENBERG.
The Emperor Already hath commanded colonel Sitys To advance toward Bavaria ?
WALLENSTEIN.
What did Suys ?
QUESTENBERG.
That which his duty prompted. He advanc'd !
WALLENSTEIN.
What ? he advanc'd ? And I, his general, Had given him orders, peremptory orders, Not to defert his ftation ! Stands it thus With my authority ? Is this th' obedience Due to my office, which being thrown afide No war can be conducted ? Chieftains, fpeak ! You be the judges, generals ! What deferves That officer, who of his oath neglectful Is guilty of contempt of orders ?
2 ILLQ,
60 THE PICCOLOMINI, OR THE
ILLO.
Death.
WALLENSTEIN.
{raifing his voice, as all, but lllo, had re- mained filent, and feemingly fcrupulous) Count Piccolomini ! what has he deferv'd ?
Max. Piccolomini. (After a long paufe) According to the letter of the law, iDeath.
isolAni. Death.
BUTLER.
Death, by the laws of war. {ßueßenberg rifes from his feat, Wallenfiein follows, all the refl rife)
WALLENSTEIN.
To this the law condemns him, and not I. And if I fhew him favour, 'twill arife From the rev'rence that I owe my Emperor.
QUESTENBERG.
If fo, I can fay nothing further — here t
WALLENSTEIN.
I accepted the command but on conditions'!
And this the firft, that to the diminution
Of my authority no human being,
Not even the Emperor's felf, fhould be entitled
To do aught, or to fay aught, with the army.
If I (land warranter of the event,
Placing my honour and my head in pledge.
Needs muft I have füll maftery in all
The
FIRST PART OF WALLENSTEIN, 61
The means thereto. What render'd this Guftavus Refiftlefs, and unconquer'd upon earth ? This : that he was the monarch in his army ; A monarch, one who is indeed a monarch, Was never yet fubdued but by his equal. But to the point ! The beft is yet to come. Attend now, generals !
QUESTENBERG.
The prince Cardinal Begins his route at the approach of fpring From the Milanefe ; and leads a Spanifli army Thro' Germany into the Netherlands. That he may march fecure and unimpeded, 'Tis th' Emperor's will, you grant him a detach- ment Of eight horfe-regiments from the army here.
WALLENSTEIN.
Yes, yes 1 I underfland ! — Eight regiments ! Well,
Right well concerted, father Lamormain !
Eight thoufand horfe ! Yes, yes ! 'Tis as it fhould
be! I fee it coming.
QUESTENBERG.
There is nothing coming. All ftands in front : the counfel of ftate -prudence, The dictate of neceffity !
WALLENSTEIN.
What then ? What, my Lord Envoy ? May I not be fuffer'd To underftand, that folks are tir'd of feeing
The
6'2 THE fICCOLOMINI, OR TllE
The fword's hilt in my grafp : and that your court
Snatch eagerly at this pretence, and ufe
The Spaniih title, to drain off my forces*
To lead into the empire a new army
Unfubjected to my controul. To throw me
Plumply afide, — I am ftill too powerful for you
To venture that. My ftipulation runs,
That all the Imperial forces (hall obey me
Where-e'er the German is the native language.
Of Spaniih troops and of Prince Cardinals
That take their route, asvifitors, thro* the empire,
There Hands no fyllable in my ftipulation.
No fyllable ! And fo the politic court
Steals in a tiptoe, and creeps round behind it ;
Firft makes me Weaker, then to be difpens'd with5
Till it dares ftrike at length a bolder blow
And make fhort work with me.
What need of all thefe crooked ways. Lord Envoy ?
Straight-forward, man ! His compact with me
pinches The Emperor- He would that I mov'd off!—
Well ! — I will gratify him !
[Here there commences an agitationamong th generals which increafes continually.) It grieves me for my noble officers fakes ! I fee not yet, by what means they will come at The moneys they have advanced, or how obtain The recompence their fervices demand. Still a new leader brings new claimants forward, And prior merit fuperannuates quickly. There ferve here many foreigners in th' army,
. And
FIRST PART OF WALLEN5TEIN. 63
And were the man in all elfe brave and gallant, I was not wont to make nice fcrutiny After his pedigree or catechifm. This will be otherwife, i'the time to come. Well — me no longer it concerns.
[He feats hint/elf.)
MAX. PICCOLOMINI.
Forbid it Heaven, that it fliould come to this ! Our troops will fwell in dreadful fermentation — The Emperor is abus'd — it cannot be.
ISOLANI.
It cannot be ; all goes to inflant wreck.
WALLENSTEIN.
Thou haft faid truly, faithful Ifolani ! What we with toil and forefight have built up, Will go to wreck — all go to inftant wreck. What then ? another chieftain is foon found, Another army likewife (who dares doubt it ?) Will flock from all fides to the Emperor At the firft beat of his recruiting drum.
(During thisfpeech, Ifolani, Terfßy, lib, and Maradas, talk confufedly with great agi- tation.)
MAX. PICCOLOMINI.
(Bu/ily, and paßonately going from one to another, and foothing them.) Hear, my commander ! Hear me, generals ! Let me conjure you, Duke ! Determine nothing, Till we have met and reprefentcd to you
Our
64 THE PICCOLOMINI, OR THE
Our joint rem on ft ranees. — Nay, calmer ! Friends !• I hope all may be yet fet right again.
TERTSKY.
Away ! let us away 1 in th' antichamber
Find we the others. [They go\
rut l er. (to Queßenberg.)
If good counfel gain Due audience from your wifdom, my Lord Envoy I You will be cautious how you fhew yourfelf In public for Ibme hours to come — or hardly Will that gold key protect you from mal- treat- ment.
(Commotions heard from without.)
WALLENSTEIN.
A falutary counfel Thou, Octavio f
Wilt anfwer for the fafety of our.guelt. Farewell, Von Queftenberg !
(ßueßenberg is about to /peak.) Nay;, not a word. Not one word more of that detefted fubject ! You have perform'd your duty — We know how To feparate the office from the man. {AsQuefienberg is goijig off with OctavioyGoetz, Tiefenbach, Kollatto, prefs in, J ever al other generals following them.)
GOETZ.
'Where's he, who means to rob us of our general ?
Tiefenbach, {at the fame time.) What are we fore'd to hear ? That thou wilt leave us ?
KOL-
FIRST PART OF WALLENSTEIN. 65
koLATTO. (at the fame time.) We will live with thee, we will die with thee.
wallensteiN. (with fiatelinefs, and pointing
to Mo.) There ! the Field- Marihal knows bur will.
[Exit. [While all are going off the ftage, the curtain
£ND OF ACT I.
ACT II.
■0$ THE PrcCOLOMINI, OR TtfE
ACT II.
Scene a fmall Chamber.
SCENE I. Illo and Tertsky.
, TERTSKY.
Now for this evening's bufinefs 3 How intend you; To manage with the generals at the banquet ?
ILLO.
Attend ! We frame a formal declaration,
Wherein we to the Duke confign ourfelves
Collectively, to be and to remain <
His both with life and limb, and not to fpare
The lafb drop of our blood for him, provided
So doing we infringe no oath or duty,
We may be under to the Emp'ror. — Mark J
This refervation we exprefsly make
In a particular claufe, and fave the confcience.
Now hear ! This formula fo fram'd and worded
Will be prefented to them for perufal
Before the banquet. No one will find in it
Caufe of offence or fcruple. Hear now further t
After the feaft, when now the vap'ring wine
Opens-
FIRST PART OF WALLENSTEIN. 67
Opens the heart, and fhuts the eyes, we let A counterfeited paper, in the which This one particular claufe has been left out, Go round for fignatures.
TERTSKY.
How ? think you.then That they'll believe themfelves bound by an oath, Which we had trick'd them into by a juggle ?
ILLO.
We fliall have caught and cag'd them ! Let them
then Beat their wings bare againft the wires, and rave Loud as they may againft our treachery, At court their fignatures will be believ'd Far more than their mofl holy affirmations. Traitors they are, and muft be ; therefore wifely Will make a virtue of neceflity.
TERTSKY.
Well, well, it lliall content me ; let but fomething Be done, let only fome decifive blow Set us in motion.
ILLO.
Befides, 'tis of fubordinate importance How, or how far, we may thereby propel The generals. 'Tis enough that we perfuade The Duke, that they are his — Let him but a£t In his determin'd mood, as if he had them, And he will have them. Where he plunges in, He makes a whirlpool, and all ftream down to it.
F 2 x TERTSKY.
68 THE PICCOLOMINI, OR THE
TERTSKY.
His policy is fuch a labyrinth, That many a time when I have thought myfelf Clofe at his fide, he's gone at once, and left me Ignorant of the ground where I was {landing. He lends the enemy his ear, permits me To write to them, to Arnheim ; to Sefina Himfelf comes forward blank and undifguis'd ; Talks with us by the hour about his plans,
And when I think I have him— off at once
He has flipp'd from me, and appears as if He had no fcheme, but to retain his place.
ILLO.
He give up his old plans ! I'll tell you, friend I
His foul is occupied with nothing elfe,
Even in his fleep— They are his thoughts, his
dreams-
That day by day he queftions for this purpofe The motions of the planets
TERTSKY.
Ay ! you know This night, that is now coming, he with Seni Shuts himfelf up in the aftrological tower To make joint obfervations — for I hear, It is to be a night of weight and crilis, And fomething great, and of long expectation, Is to make its proceffion in the heaven.
ILLO.
Come ! be we bold and make difpatch. The work In this next clay or two muft thrive and grow
More
FIRST PART OF WALLENSTEIN. 69
More than it has for years. And let but only Things firft turn up aufpicious here below-
Mark what I fay — the right ftars too will fhew
themfelves. Come, to the generals. All is in the glow, And muft be beaten while 'tis malleable.
TERTSKY.
Do you go thither, Illo. I muft ilay And wait here for the Countefs Tertfky. Know, That we too are not idle. Break one firing, A fecond is in readinefs.
ILLO.
Yes ! Yes ! I faw your Lady fmile with fueh fly meaning. What's in the wind ?
TERTSKY.
A fecret. Hum ! fhe comes.
[Exit Illo.
SCENE II.
(The Countefs ßeps out from a clofet.) Count and, Countess Tertsky.
TERTSKY.
Well — is fhe coming — I can keep him back No longer.
COUNTESS,
She will be there inflantly. You only fend him.
f 3 TERTSKY.
70 THE PICCOLOMINI, OR THE
TERTSKY.
I am not quite certain I muft confefs it, Countefs, whether or no We are earning the Duke's thanks hereby. You
know, No ray has broke out from him on this point. You have o'er rul'd me, and yourfelf know beft, How far you dare proceed.
COUNTESS.
I take it on me. (talking to her/elf, while Jhe is advancing.) Here's no need of full powers and commiffions — My cloudy Duke ! we underftand each other — And without words. What, could I not unriddle, Wherefore the daughter mould be fent for hither, Why firft he, and no other, fhould be chofen To fetch her hither ! This (ham of betrothing her To a bridegroom *, when no one knows — No !
no !
This may blind others ! I fee thro' thee, Brother !
But it befeems thee not, to draw a card
At fuch a game. Not yet ! — It all remains
Mutely deliver'd up to my fineffing — —
Well — thou (halt not have been deceiv'd, Duke
Friedland ! In her who is thy fifter.
* In Germany, after honourable addrefies have been paid and formally accepted, the lovers are called Bride and Bride- groom, even though the marriage fhould not take place till years afterwards.
SERVANT.
FIRST PART OF WALLENSTEIN. 7 }
servant. Renters.)
The commanders !
tertsky. (to the Countefs.) Take care you heat his fancy and affections — PofTefs him with a reverie, and fend him, Abfent, and dreaming, to the banquet -3 that jHe may not boggle at the fignature.
COUNTESS.
Take you care of you]r guefts !- — Go, fend him Either.
TERTSKY.
All refts upon his underfigning.
countess, {interrupting him.) Go to your guefts ! Go
illo. (comes back.) Where art flaying, Tertfky ? The houfe is full, and all expecting you.
TERTSKY.
Inftantly* inftantly*
(To the Countefs.) And let him not Stay here too long. It might awake fufpicion In the old man
countess. A truce with your precautions !
[Exeunt Tertßy and Illo.
f 4 SCENE
72 THE PICCOLOMINI, OR THE
SCENE III.
Countess, Max. Piccolomini. max. (peeping in on the fiagejliily.) Aunt Tertfky ! may I Venture ?
(Advances to the middle of the fiage, and lookf around him with unea/inefs.)
She's not here J Where is (he .?
countess. ; jLook but fbmewhat narrowly In yonder corner, left perhaps me lie Conceal'd behind that fcreen. .
MAX.
There lie her gloves ! {Snatches at them, but the Countefs takes them her/elf.) You unkind Lady ! You refufe me this — ■ You make it an amufement to torment me,
COUNTESS.
And this the thank you give me for my trouble ?
MAX.
O, if you felt the oppreffion at my heart I Since we've been here, fb to conftrain myfelf — With fuch poor Health to hazard words and
glances — - Thefe, thefe are not my habits !
COUNTESS.
You have ftill Many new habits to acquire, young friend !
But
FIRST PART OF WALLENSTEIN. 73
But on this proof öf your obedient temper I mult continue to infill ; and only On this condition can I play the agent For your concerns.
MAX.
But wherefore comes me not ? Where is flie ?
COUNTESS.
Into my hands you muft place it Whole and entire. Whom could you find, indeed, More zealoufly affected to your intereft ? No foul on earth muft know it — not your father. He muft not above all.
MAX.
Alas ! what danger ? Here is no face on which I might concenter All, the enraptur'd foul ftirs up within me.
0 Lady ! tell me. Is all chang'd around me ; Or is it only I ?
Ifind myfelf, As among ftrangers ! Not a trace is left Of all my former wiihes, former joys. Where has it vanihYd to ? There was a time Whenev'n,methought, with fuch a world, as this,
1 was not difcontented. Now how flat !
How ftale ! No life, no bloom, no flavour in it !
My comrades are intolerable to me.
My father — Even to him I can fay nothing.
My arms, my military duties — O !
They are fuch wearying toys !
COUNTESS.
74 THE PICCOLOMINI, OR THE
COUNTESS. *
But, gentle friend ! I mull entreat it of your condefcenfion, You would be pleas'd to link your eye, and favour With one fhort glance or two this poor ftale world» Where even now much, and of much moment, Is on the eye of its completion.
MAX.
Something, I can't but know, is going forward round me. I fee it gath 'ring, crowding, driving on, In wild uncuftomary movements. Well, In due time, doubtlefs, it will reach even me. Where think you I have been, dear lady ? Nay, No raillery. The turmoil of the camp, The fpring-tide of acquaintance rolling in, The pointlefs jeft, the empty converfation, Opprefs'd and ftifled me. I gafp*d for air — I could not breathe — I was conftrain'd to fly, To feek a filence out for my full heart ; And a pure fpot wherein to feel my happinefs. No Trailing, Countefs ! In the church was I. There is acloifter here to the * heaven's gate, Thither I went, there found myfelf alone. Over the altar hung an holy mother ; A wretched painting 'twas, yet 'twas the friend
* I am doubtful whether this be the dedication of the cloifter, ©r the name of one of the city gates, near which it flood. I have tranflated it in the former fenfe ; but fearful of having made feme blunder, I add the original. — Es ift ein Klofter hierzu' Himmelfpforte.
That
FIRST PART ÜF WALLENSTEIN. 75
That I was feeking in this moment. Ah, How oft have I beheld that glorious form Jn fplendour, mid extatic worftlippers; Yet, ftill it mov'd me not ! and now at once Was my devotion clovidlefs as my love.
COUNTESS.
Enjoy your fortune and felicity ! *
Forget the world around you. Meantime, friend-
fhip Shall keep ftricl: vigils for you, anxious, active. Only be manageable when that friend (hip Points you the road to full accomplifhment. How long may it befince you declared your pafiion?
MAX.
This morning did I hazard the firfl: word,
COUNTESS.
This morning the firft time in twenty days ?
MAX.
'Twas at that hunting-caftle, Betwixt here
And Nepomuck, where you hadjoin'd us, and —
That was the laft relay of the whole journey !
In a balcony we were {landing mute,
And gazing out upon the dreary field :
Before us the dragoons were riding onward,
The fafe-guard which the Duke had fent us— heavy
The inquietude of parting lay upon me,
And trembling ventur'd I at length thefe words:
This all reminds me, noble maiden, that
To-day I muH take leave of my good fortune.
3 A few
16 THE PICCOLOMINI, OR THE
A few hours more, and you will find a father, Will fee yourfelf furrounded by new friends, And I henceforth (hall be but as a ftranger, Loft in the many — " Speak with my aunt Tertfky f" With hurrying voice (he interrupted me. She faulter'd. I beheld a glowing red Poflefs her beautiful cheeks, and from the ground Rais'd ilowly up her eye met mine — no longer Did I controul myfelf.
(The Princefs Thekla appears at the door, and, remains ßanding, obferved by the Counlefs, but not by Piccolomini.)
With inftant boldnefs I caught her in my arms, my mouth touch'd her's ; There was a ruftling in the room cloie by ; It parted us — 'Twas you. What (ince has hap- pened, You know.
COUNTESS.
(after a paufe, with a ßolen glance at Thekla.)
And is it your excefs of modefty ;
Or are you fo incurious, that you do not
Afk me too of my fecret ?
MAX.
Of your fecret ?
countess.
Why, yes ! When in the inftant after you
I ftepp'd into the room, and found my niece there,
What (he in this firft moment of the heart
Ta'en with furprife —
max. (with eagernefs.)
Well ?
SCENE
FIRST PART OF WALLENSTEIN. 77
SCENE IV.
Thekla (hurries forward), Countess, Max. Piccolomini.
thekla. (to the Countefs)
Spare yourfelf the trouble.
That hears he better from myfelf.
max. (ßepping backward)
My Princefs!
What have you let her hear me fay, aunt Tertfky !
thekla. (to the Countefs) Has he been here long ?
COUNTESS.
Yes ; and foon muft go. Where have you ftay'd fo long ?
THEKLA.
Alas ! my mother Wept fo again ! and I — I fee her fuffer, Yet cannot keep myfelf from being happy.
MAX.
Now once again 1 have courage to look on you. To-day at noon I could not. The dazzle of the jewels that play'd round you Hid the beloved from me.
THEKLA.
Then you faw me With your eye only — and not with your heart ?
MAX.
This morning, when I found you in the circle
Of all your kindred, in your father's arms,
Beheld myfelf an alien in this circle,
O ! what an impulfe felt I in that moment
To
78 THE PICCOXOMINI, OR TÖÄ
To fall upon bis neck* to call him father ! But his Hern eye o'erpower'd the fwelling paflion-^- It dar'd not but be filent. And thofe brilliants, That like a crown of ftars enwreath'd your brows, They fcar'd me too ! O wherefore, wherefore
fhould he At the firfl" meeting fpread as 'twere the bann Of excommunication round you, wherefore Drefs up the angel as for facrifice, And caft upon the light and joyous heart The mournful burthen of his ftation ? Fitly May love dare woo for love; but fuch a fplendour Might none but monarchs venture to approach.
THEKLA.
Hufh ! not a word more of this mummery. You fee how foon the burthen is thrown off.
(to the Count efs.) He is not in fpirits. Wherefore is he not ? 'Tis you, aunt, that have made him all lb gloomy ! He had quite another nature on the journey — ■ So calm, fo bright, fo joyous eloquent.
(to Max.) It was my wifti to fee you always fo, And never other wife !
MAX.
You find yourfelf In your great father's arms, beloved lady ! All in a new world, which does homage to you, And which, were't only by its novelty, Delights your eye.
THEKLA.
Yes ; I confefs to you
That
FIRST PART OF WALLENSTEIN.- W
That many things delight me here : this camp,
This motley flage of warriors, which renews
So manifold the image of my fancy,
And binds to life, binds to reality,
What hitherto had but been prefent to me
As a fweet dream !
MAX.
Alas !, not fo to me. It makes a dream of my reality. Upon fome ifland in the etherial heights I've liv'd for thefe laft days. This mafs of men. Forces me down to earth. It is a bridge That, reconducting to my former life, Divides me and my heaven.
THEKLA.
The game of life Looks cheerful, when one carries in one's heart The unalienable treafure. "Tis a game, Which having once review'd, I turn more joyous Back to my deeper and appropriate blifs.
(breaking off, and in afportive tone) In this fhort time that I've been prefent here, What new unheard-of things have I not feen ? And yet they all mufl give place to the wonder Which this myfterious caftle guards.
countess, (reco lie c ting) And what Can this be then ? Methought I was acquainted With all the dufky corners of this houfe.
thekla. (fmiling) Ay, but the road thereto is watch'd by fpirits, Two griffins flill ftand fentry at the door.
COUN'
80 *HE ?ICCOLÖMlNr, ÖH T=ÖE
countess, (laughs) The aftrological tower ! — How happens it That this fame fandtuary* whofe accefs Is to all others fo impracticable, Opens before you e'en at your approach ?
THEKLA.
A dwarfifh old man with a friendly face
And mow-white hairs, whofe gracious fervices
Were mine -at firft fight, open'd me the doors.
MAX.
That is the Duke's aftrologer, old Seni.
THEKLA.
He queftion'd me on many points ; for inftance; When I was born, what month* and on what day* Whether by day or in the night.
COUNTESS.
He wiQYd To erecl: a; figure for your horofcope.
THEKLA.
My hand too he examin'd, fhook bis head With much fad meaning, and the lines, methought* Did not fquare over truly with his willies.
COUNTESS.
Well, Princefs, and what found you in this tower ? My bigheft privilege has been to match "A fide-glance, and away !
THEKLA.
It was a dränge Senfation that came o'er me, when at firft From the broad funthine I ftepp'd in j and no\v The narrowing line of daylight, that ran after The clofing door, was gone ; and all about me 'Twas pale and dufky night, with many fnadows
Fantai-
FIRST PART OF WALLENSTEIN". 81
Fantaftically cafl. Here fix or feven
Coloflal flatues, and all kings, flood round me
In a half-circle. Each one in his hand
A fceptre bore, and on his head a flar,
And in the tower no other light was there
But from thefe flars j all feem'd to come from them.
* Thefe are the planets,' faid that low old man, ' They govern worldly fates, and for that caufe
6 Are imag'd here as kings. He farther! from you, 4 Spiteful and cold, an old man melancholy,
* With bent and yellow forehead, he is Saturn. ' He oppofite, the king with the red light,
4 An arm'd man for the battle, that is Mars : c And both thefe bring but little luck to man.* But at liis fide a lovely lady flood, The flar upon her head was foft and bright, And that was Venus, the bright flar of joy. On the left hand, lo ! Mercury, with wings. Quite in the middle glitter'd filver-bright A cheerful man» and with a monarch's mien j And this was Jupiter, my father's ftar: And at his fide I faw the Sun and Moon.
MAX.
O never rudely will I blame his faith In the might of flars and angels ! 'Tis not merely" The human being's pride that peoples fpace With life and myflical predominance ; Since likewife for the flricken heart of Love This vifible nature, and this common world, Is all too narrow : yea, a deeper import Lurks in the legend told my infant years Than lies upon that truth, we live to learn,
g For
$2 THE PICCOLOMINT, OR THE
For fable is Love's world, his home, his birth-place : Delightedly dwells he 'mong fays and talifmans, And fpirits; and delightedly believes Divinities, being himfelf divine. The intelligible forms of ancient poets, The fair humanities of old religion. The Power, the Beauty, and the Majefty, That had their haunts in dale, or piny mountain, Or foreft by flow ftream, or pebbly fpring, Or chafms and wat'ry depths ; all thefe have vanifh'd. They live no longer in the faith of reafon ! But ilill the heart doth need a language, ftill Doth the old inilind bring back the old names. And to yon Harry world they now are gone, * Spirits or gods,, that us'd to (hare this earth With man as with their friend ; and to the lover Yonder they move, from yonder vifible Iky Shoot influence down : and even at this day 'Tis Jupiter who brings whate'er is great, And Venus who brings every thing that's fair!
THEKLA.
And if this be the fcience of the ftars,
I too, with glad and zealous induftry,
Will learn acquaintance with this cheerful faith.
It is a gentle and affectionate thought,
That in immeasurable heights above us,
At our firft birth, the wreath of love was woven,
With fparkling ftars for flowers.
COUNTESS.
Not only rofes, But thorns too hath the heaven; and well for you,
* No more of talk, where god or angel gueir. With man, as with his friend familiar, us'd To fit indulgent. paradise lost, b. ix.
Leave
FIRST PART OF WALLENSTEIN. S3
Leave they your wreath of love inviolate. What Venus twin'd, the bearer of glad fortune. The füllen orb of Mars foon tears to pieces.
MAX.
Soon will his gloomy empire reach its clofe. Bleft be the General's ^eal : into the laurel Will he inweave the olive-branch, prefenting Peace to the ihouting nations. Then no wifli Will have remain'd for his great heart ! Enough Has he perform'd for glory, and can now Live for himfelf and his. To his domains Will he retire ; he has a ftately (eat Of faireft view at Gitfchin ; Reichehberg, And Friediand Caflle, both lie pleafantly — Even to the foot of the huge mountains here Stretches the chafe and covers of his forefts : His ruling paffion, to create the fplendid, He can indulge without reftraint ; can give A princely patronage to every art, And to all worth a Sovereign's protection. Can build, can plant, can watch the ftarry courfes— ■
countess. Yet I would have you look, and look again, Before you lay afide your arms, young friend ! A gentle bride, as (he is, is well worth it That you mould woo and win her with the fword.
MAX.
O, that the fword could win her !
COUNTESS.
What was that ? Did you hear nothing ? Seem'd, as if I heard Tumult and larum in the banquet-room.
[Exit Count efs. g z SCENE
84 THE PICCOLOMINI, OR THE
SCENE V. Thekla and Max. Piccolomini.
THEKLA.
(Asfoonas the Countefs is out of J?ght3 in a quick ßoiv voice to Piccolomini) Don't truft them ! They are falfe !
MAX.
Impoflible !
THEKLA.
Truft no one here but me. I faw at once, The)' had & purpofe.
MAX.
Purpofe ! but what purpofe ? And how can we be instrumental to it ?
THEKLA.
I know no more than you ; but yet, believe me : There's lbme defign in this ! To make us happy. To realize our union — truft me, love ! - They but pretend to wifh it.
MAX.
But thefe Tertlkies
Why ufe we them at all ? Why not your mother ? Excellent creature ! fhe deferves from us A full and filial confidence.
THEKLA.
She doth love you, Doth rate you high before all others — but — But fuch a fecret — fhe would never have The courage to conceal it from my father.
For
FIRST PART OF WALLENSTEIN. 85
For her own peace of mind we muft preferve it A fecret from her too.
MAX.
- Why any fecret ? I love not fecrets. Mark, what I will do. I'll throw me at your father's feet— let him Decide upon my fortunes ! — He is true, He wears no maik — he hates all crooked ways — He is fo good, fo noble !
the k la. (falls on his neck.) That are you !
MAX.
You knew him only fince this morn ; but I Have liv'd ten years already in his prefence, And who knows whether in this very moment He is not merely waiting for us both To own our loves, in order to unite us.
You are filent ? ■
You look at me with fuch a hopeleflhefs ! What have you to object againft your father ?
THEKLA.
I ? Nothing. Only he's fo occupied- He has no leifure time to think about The happinefs of us two.
(Taking his hand tenderly.) Follow me ! Let us not place too great a faith in men. Thefe Tertfkies — we will ftill be grateful to them For every kindnefs, but not truft them further -
Than they deferve j — and in all elfe rely
On our own hearts !
g 3 MAX.
86 THE PICCOLOMINI, OR THE
MAX.
O ! fhall we e'er be happy ?
THEKLA.
Are we not happy now ? Art thou not mine ?
Am I not thine ? There lives within my foul
A lofty courage — 'tis love gives it me !
I ought to be lefs open-— ought to hide
My heart more from thee — fo decorum dictates.
But where in this place could'ft thou feek for truth,
If in my mouth thou did'ft not find it ?
SCENE VI.
To them enters the Countefs Tertskt.
countess, [in a prejing manner.) Come ! My hufband fends me for you — It is now The lateft moment.
{They not appearing to attend to what ßic fays, Jhe fieps between them.)
Part you !
THEKLA.
O, not yet !
It has been fcarce a moment.
i
COUNTESS.
Aye ? Then time Flies fwiftly with your Highnefs, Princefs niece !
MAX.
There is no hurry, aunt.
COUN-
FIRST PART OF WALLENSTEIN. 87 C .}UNTESS.
Away ! away ! The folks begin to mifs you. Twice already His father has afk'd for him.
THEKLA.
Ha ! his father ?
COUNTESS.
You underftand that, niece !
THEKLA.
Why needs he To go at all to that fociety ? 'Tis not his proper company. They may Be worthy men, but he's too young for them. Jn brief, he fuits not fuch fociety.
COUNTESS.
You mean, you'd rather keep him wholly here ?
thekla. (with energy.) Yes ! you have hit it, aunt ! That is my meaning. Leave him here wholly ! Tell the company *
COUNTESS.
What ? have you loft your fenfes, niece ?
Count, you remember the conditions. Come !
max. {to Thekla.) Lady, I mud obey. Farewell, dear lady !
{Thekla turns away from him with a quick motion.) What fay you then, dear lady ?
thekla. {without looking at him.) Nothing. Go ! g 4 max.
88 THE PICCOLOMINI, OR THE
MAX.
Can I, when you are angry
{He drtiws up to her, their eyes meet, fie fiands filent a moment, tlien throws her/elf into his arms s he prejfes her faß to his heart.)
COUNTESS.
Off ! Heavens ! if any one mould come !
Hark ! What's that noife ? It comes this way. —
Off!
{Max. tears him f elf away out of her arms, and
goes. The Countefs accompanies him.
Thekla folloxvs him with her eyes at firfl,
walks reßlefsly acrofs the room, then fops,
and remains flanding, lofi in thought. A
guitar lies on the table^fhe feizes it as by a
fudden emotion, and after fie has played
a zvhile an irregular and melancholy Jym-
phony, Jhs falls gradually into the mufic and
fings.)
thekla. (plays and fings.)
The cloud doth gather, the greenwood roar, The damfel paces along the fliore ; The billows they tumble with might, with might ; And fhe flings out her voice to the darkfome night,
Her bofom is fwelling with furrow ; . The world it is empty, the heart will die, There's nothing to wifh for beneath the fky : Thou Holy One, call thy child away ! , I've lived and loved, and that was to-day
Make ready my grave-clothes to-morrow *.
* T found it not in my power to tranflate this fong with literal fidelity, preserving at the fame time the Alcaic Movement ; and
have
FIRST PART OF WALLENSTEIN. 89
have therefore added the original with a profe tranflation. Some of my readers may be more fortunate.
THEKLA. ffpielt und fingt.) Der Eichwald braufet, die Wolken ziehn, Das Mägdlein wandelt an Ufers Grün, Es bricht fich die Welle mit Macht, mit Macht, Und fie fingt hinaus in die finftre Nacht,
Das Auge von Weinen getrübet : Das Herz iift geftorben, die Welt ill leer, Und weiter giebt fie dem Wunfche nichts mehr. Du Heilige, rufe dein Kind zurück, Ich habe genolTen das irdifche Glück, Ich habe gelebt und geliebet.
Literal Tranflation. THEKLA. (plays andßngs.) The oak-foreft bellows, the clouds gather, the damfel walks to and fro on the green of the fhore ; the wave breaks with might, with might, and fhe fings out into the dark night, her «ye difcolour'd with weeping : the heart is dead, the world is empty, and further gives it nothing more to the wifli. Thou Holy One, call thy child home, I have enjoyed the happinefs of this world, I have lived and have loved.
I cannot but add here an imitation of this fong, with which the author of " The Tale of Rofamund Gray and Blind Mar- garet," has favoured me, and which appears to me to have caught the happieft manner of our old ballads.
The clouds are black'ning, the ftorms threat'ning,
The cavern doth mutter, the greenwood moan ; Billows are breaking, the damfels' heart aching,
Thus in the dark night fhe fingeth alone, Her eye upward roving : The world is empty, the heart is dead furely,
In this world plainly all feemeth amifs j To thy heaven, Holy One, take home thy little one,
I have partaken of all earth's blifs, Both living and loving.
SCExVE
.90 THE PICCOLOMINI, OR THE
SCENE VII. Countess (returns) Thekla.
countess. Fie, lady niece ! to throw yourfelf upon him, like a poor gift to one who cares not for it, And fo muft be flung after him ! For you, Duke Friedland'sonly child, I mould have thought, It had been more befeeming to have fhewn yourfelf More chary of your perfon.
thekla. (rißng)
And what mean you ?
countess. I mean, niece, that you fhould not have forgotten Who you are, and who he is. But perchance That never once occurr'd to you.
THEKLA.
What then ?
COUNTESS.
That you're the daughter of the Prince-duke, Friedland.
THEKLA.
Well-— and what farther ?
COUNTESS.
What ? a pretty queflion !
THEKLA.
He was born that which we have but become. He's of an ancient Lombard family, Son of a reigning princefs.
COUNTESS.
FIRST PART OF WALLENSTEIN. 91 COUNTESS. /
Are you dreaming ? Talking in fleep ? An excellent jell, forfooth ! We fhall no doubt right courteoufly entreat him To honour with his hand the richeft heirefs In Europe.
THEKLA.
That will not be neceflary.
COUNTESS.
Methinks 'twere well tho' not to run the hazard.
THEKLA.
His father loves him, Count Oclavio Will interpofe no difficulty
COUNTESS.
His!
His father ! his ! But your's, niece, what of your's ?
THEKLA.
Why I begin to think you fear his father,
So anxioufly you hide it from the man ; >
His father, his, I mean.
countess. ( looks at her, as fcrutinhing) Niece, you arefalfe.
THEKLA.
Are you then wounded ? O, be friends with me !
COUNTESS.
You hold your game for won already. Do not Triumph too foon !-—
THEKLA (interrupting her, and attempting to footh her.) Nay now, be friends with me.
COUNTESS-
92 THE PICCOLOMINr, OR THE
COUNTESS.
It is not yet fo far gone.
THEKLA.
I believe you.
COUNTESS.
Did you fuppofe your father had laid out His mod important life in toils of war, Denied himfelf each quiet earthly blifs, Had banilh'd flumber from his tent, devoted His noble head to care, and for this only, To make a happy pair of you ? At length To draw you from your convent, and conduct In eafy triumph to your arms the man That chanc'd to pleafe your eyes ! All this,
methinks, He might have purchas'd at a cheaper rate.
THEKLA.
That which he did not plant for me, might yet Bear me fair fruitage of its own accord. And if my friendly and affectionate fate, Out of his fearful and enormous being, Will but prepare the joys of life for me —
COUNTESS.
Thou feed it with a lovelorn maiden's eyes. Call thine eye round, bethink thee who thou art. Into no houfe of joyance haft thou ftepp'd, For no efpoufals dort thou find the walls Deck'd out, no guefts the nuptial garland wearing. Here is no fplendour but of arms. Or think'ft thou
Tha"
FIRST PART OF WALLENSTEIN. 93
That all thefe thoufands are here congregated To lead up the long dances at thy wedding ? Thou fee'ft thy father's forehead full of thought, Thy mother's eye in tears : upon the balance Lies the great deftiny of all our houfe. Leave now the puny wifli, the girlifh feeling,
0 thruft it far behind thee ! Give thou proof, That thou'rt the daughter of the Mighty — his, Who where he moves creates the wonderful. Not to herfelf the woman muß: belong, Annex'd and bound to alien deftinies.
But Ihe performs the belt part, {he the wifelt, Who can tranfmute the alien into felf, Meet and difarm neceffity by choice; And what muft be, take freely to her heart, And bear and fofter it with mother's love.
THEKLA.
Such ever was my leflbn in the convent.
1 had no loves, no wifhes, knew myfelf Only as his — his daughter — his, the Mighty ! His fame, the echo of whofe blaft drove to me From the far diftance, waken'd in my foul No other thought than this — I am appointed To offer up myfelf in pamvenefs to him.
COUNTESS.
That is thy fate. Mould thou thy wifhes to it. I and thy mother gave thee the example.
THEKLA.
My fate hath fhewn me Min, to whom behoves it That I mould offer up myfelf. In gladnefs Him will I follow,
eouN-
04- TOE PICCOLOMINI, OR THE
COUNTESS.
Not thy fate hath fhewn him ! Thy heart, fay rather — 'twas thy heart, my child !
THEKLA.
Fate hath no voice but the heart's impulfes. I am all his ! Hü Prefent — his alone, Is this new life, which lives in me. He hath A right to his own creature. What was I Ere his fair love infus'd a foul into me?
COUNTESS.
Thou would'ftoppofethy father then, mould he Have otherwife determin'd with thy perfon ? (Thekla remaiyis filent. The Countefs continues.) Thou mean'ft to force him to thy liking ? — Child, His name is Friedland.
THEKLA.
My name too is Friedland. He fhall have found a genuine daughter in me.
COUNTESS.
What ? he has vanquifh'd all impediment, And in the wilful mood of his own daughter Shall a new flruggle rife for him ? Child ! child ! As yet thou haft feen thy father's fmiles alone -3 The eye of his rage thou haft not feen. Dear
child, I will not frighten thee. To that extreme, I truft, it ne'er fhall come. His will is yet Unknown to me : 'tis poflible, his aims May have the fame direction as thy wiQi. But this can never, never be his will,
That
FIRST PART OF WALLENSTEIN. 95
That thou, the daughter of his haughty fortunes, Should'ft e'er demean thee as a love-fick maiden; And like fome poor coft-nothing, fling thyfelf Toward the man, who, if that high prize ever Be deftin'd to await him, yet, with facrifkes The higheft love can bring, mull pay for it.
[Exit Countess, the k la. {liiho during the laß fpeech had been
ßanding evidently lofi in her reflections.} I thank thee for the hint. It turns My fad prefentiment to certainty. And it is fo' — Not one friend have we here, Not one true heart! we've nothing but ourfelves!
0 (he faid rightly — no aufpicious figns Beam on this convenant of our affections. This is no theatre, where hope abides. The dull thick noife of war alone ftirs here. And love himfelf, as he were arm'd in fteel, Steps forth, and girds him for the ftrife of death.
(Muße from the banquet room is heard.) There's a dark fpirit walking in our houfe, And fwiftly will the Defliny clofe on us. It drove me hither from my calm afylum, It mocks my foul with charming witchery, It lures me forward in a feraph's fhape, I fee it near, I fee it nearer floating, It draws, it pulls me with a god-like power — - And lo ! the abyfs — and thither am I moving — ■
1 have no power within me not to move !
(The muflc from the banquet room becomes
louder.) 4 O when
96 THE PICCOLOMINI, OR THE
O when a houfe is doom'd in fire to perifh, Many and dark heaven drives his clouds together, Yea, moots his lightnings down from funny heights, Flames burft from out the fubterraneous chafms, * And fiends and angels, mingling in their fury, Sling fire-brands at the burning edifice.
[Exit Thekla.
* There are few, who will not have tafte enough to laugh at the two concluding lines of this foliloquy ; and ftill fewer, I "would fain hope, who would not have been more difpofed tö fhudder, had I given a. faithful tranflation. For the readers 9f German I have added the original :
Blind-wüthendfchleudert felbft der Gott der Freude Den Pechkranz in das brennende Gebäude,
SCENE
FIRST PART OF WALLENSTEIN. 07
SCENE VIII.
A large Saloon lighted up withfeßal Splendour _,* in the Midfi of it, and in the Centre of the Stage, a Table richly fet out, at which eight Oenerals are fitting, among whom are Oc- tavio Piccolomini, Tertsky, and Ma- radas. Right and left of this, but further back, two other Tables, at each of which fix Perfons are placed. The middle Door, which is fianding open, gives to the Profpect a fourth Table, with the fame Number of Perfons. More forward fiands the Sideboard. The whole Front of the Stage is kept open for the Pages and Servants in waiting. All is in Motion. The Band of Mufic belonging to Tertfky's Regiment, march acrofs the Stage, and draw up round the Tables. Before they are quite off from the Front of the Stage, Max. Piccolomini appears, Tertfky ad- vances towards him with a Paper, Ifolani comes up to meet him with a Beaker or Service- cup.
Tertsky, Isolani, Max. Piccolomini.
isolani. Here brother, what we love ! Why, where haft
been ? Off, to thy place — quick! Tert Iky here has given. The mother's holiday wine up to free booty. Here it goes on as at the Heideberg caftie.
h Already
9$ THE PICCOLOMINI, OR THE
Already haft thou loft the beft. They're giving At yonder table ducal crowns in (hares; There's Sternberg's lands and chattels are put up, With Eggenberg's, Stawata's, Lichtenftein's, And all the great Bohemian feodalties. Be nimble, lad ! and fomething may turn up For thee — who knows ? Off — to thy place ! quick! march !
Tiefenbach and goetz (call out from the fecond and third tables.)
Count Piccolomini !
TERTSKY.
Stop, ye mail have him in an inftant. — Read This oath here, whether as 'tis here fet forth, The wordirig fatisfies you. They've all read it, Each in his turn, and each one will fubfcribe His individual fignature.
max. (reads) " Ingratis fervire nefas."
ISOLANI.
That founds to my ears very much like Latin, And being interpreted, pray what may't mean ?
TERT3KY.
No honeft man will ferve a thanklefs mafter.
MAX.
" Inafmuch as our fupreme Commander, the illuftrious Duke of Friedland, in confequence of the manifold affronts and grievances which he has received, had expreifed his determination to quit the Emperor, but on our unanimous entreaty has
gracioufly
FIRST PART OF WALLENSTEIN. 99
gräcioufly confented to remain ftill with the army, and not to part from us without our approbation thereof, fo we, collectively and each in particular, in the ftead of an oath perfonally taken, do hereby oblige ourfelves — likewife by him honourably and faithfully to hold, and in nowife whatfoever from him to part, and to be ready to fhed for his interefts the laft drop of our blood, fo far, namely, as our oath to the Emperor will permit it. (Thefe laß words are repeated by Ifolani.) In teftimony of which we fubfcribe our names."
TERTSKY.
Now ! — are you willing to fubfcribe this paper?
ISOLANI.
Why mould he not ? All officers of honour Can do it, ay mull do it. — Pen and ink here !
TERTSKY.
Nay, let it reft till after meal.
isoLANi. (drawing Max. a long.) Come, Max. (Both feat them/elves at their table.)
SCENE LX. Tertsky, Neumank.
tertsky. (beckons to Neumann who is waiting at the fide-table, and fieps forward with him to the edge of the fiage.)
Have you the copy with you, Neumann? 'Give it.
It may be chang'd for the other ?
H 2 NEV-
100 THE PICCOLOMINI, ÖR THß
NEUMANN.
I have copied it Letter by letter, line by line ; no eye Would e'er difcover other difference, Save only the omiflion of that claufe, According to your Excellency's order.
TERTSKY.
Right ! Lay it yonder, and away with this — It has perform'd its bufinefs — to the fire with it — (Neumann lays the copy on the table, and ßeps back again to the fide-table.)
SCENE X.
Illo (comes out from the fecond chamber j, Tertsky.
ILLO.
How goes it with young Piccolomini ?
TERTSKY.
All right, I think. He has ftarted no obje&ion.
ILLO.
He is the only one I fear about —
He and his father. Have an eye« on both !
, TERTSKY.
How looks it at your table ? You forget not To keep them warm and {lining ?
ILLO.
O, quite cordial,
They
FIRST PART OF WALLENSTEIN. 101
They are quite cordial in the fcheme. We have
them. And 'tis as I predicted too. Already It .is the talk, not merely to maintain The Duke in ftation. Vj Since we're once for all Together and unanimous, why not," Says Montecuculi, " ay, why not onward ? And. make conditions with the Emperor There in his own Vienna ?" Truft me, Count, Were it not for thefe faid Piccolomini, We might have fpar'd ourfelves the cheat.
TERTSKY..
And Butler ? How goes it there ? Hum !
SCENE XI. To them enter Butler from the fecond table.
BUTLER.
Don't difturb yourfelves. Field Marfhal, I have underflood you perfectly, pood luck be to the fcheme ; and as to me,
(with an air of my fiery) You may depend upon me.
i l l o . (with vivacity)
May we, Butler ?
BUTLER.
With or without the claufe, all one to me ! Yqu underftand me ? My fidelity
h 3 The
102 THE PICCOLOMINI, OR THE
The Duke may put to any proof — Pm with him !
Tell him (o ! I'm the Emperor's officer,
As long as 'tis his pleafure to remain
The Emperor's general ! and Friedland's fervant,
As foon as it (hall pleafe him to become
His own lord.
TERTSKY.
You would make a good exchange« No ftern economift, no Ferdinand, Is he to whom you plight your fervices.
butler, (with a haughty look) I do not put up my fidelity To fale, Count Tertfky ! Half a year ago I would not have advis'd you to have made me An overture to that, to which I now Offer myfelf of my own free accord. — But that is paft ! and to the Duke, Field Marfhal, I bring myfelf together with my regiment. And mark you, 'tis my humour to believe, The example which I give will not remain Without an influence.
ILLO.
Who is ignorant, That the whole army look to Colonel Butler, As to a light that moves before them ?
BUTLER.
Ey?
Then I repent me not of that fidelity
Which for the length of forty years I held,
If in my fixtieth year my old good name
Can purchafe for me a revenge fo full.
Start
FIRST PART OF WALLENSTEIN. 103
Start not at what I fay, fir Generals ! My real motives — they concern not you. And you yourfelves, I truft, could not expedt That this your game had crook'd Tray judgment — or That ficklenefs, quick blood, or fuch light caufe, Has driven the old man from the track of honour, Which he fo long had trodden. — Come, my friends! I'm not thereto determined with lefs firmnefs, Becaufe I know and haye look'd fteadjly At that on which I have determin'd.
ILLO.
Say, And fpeak roundly, what are we to deem you ?
BUTLER.
A friend ! I give you here my hand ! I'm your's
With all I have. Not only men, but money
Will the Duke want. — : — Go, tel| him, firs !
I've earn'd and laid up fomewhat in his fervice,
I lend it him j and is he my furvivor,
It has been already long ago bequeath'd him.
He is my heir. For me, I ftand alone
Here in the world j nought know I of the feeling
That bind the hufband to a wife and children.
$/ly name dies with me, my exiftence ends.
ILLO.
'Tis not your money that he needs — a heart Like your's weighs tons of gold down, weighs down millions ! v
butleb. I came a fimple foldier's boy from Ireland To Prague — and with a matter, whom I buried. h 4 From
104? THE PICCOLOMINI, OR THE
From lowelt liable duty I climb'd up., Such was the fate of war, to this high rank, The plaything of a whimfical good fortune. And Wallenftein too is a child of luck, I love a fortune that is like my own.
ILLO.
All powerful fouls have kindred with each other.
BUTLER.
This is an awful moment ! to the brave,. To the determin'd, an aufpicious moment. The Prince of Weimar arms, upon the Main To found a mighty dukedom. He of Halberftadt, That Mans feld, wanted but a longer life To have mark'd out with his good fword a lordfhip That fhould reward his courage. Who of thefe Equals our Friedland ? There is nothing, nothing So high, but he may fet the ladder to it !
TERTSKY.
That's fpoken like a man !
BUTLER.
Do you fecure the Spaniard and Italian — I'll be your warrant for the Scotchman Lefly, Come ! to the company !
TERTSKY.
Where is the mailer of the cellar ? Ho ! Let the bell wines come up. Ho ! cheerly, boy ! Luck comes to-day, fo give her hearty welcome. [Exeunt, each to his table.
SCENE
FIRST PART OF WALLENSTEIN. 1QS
SCENE XII.
The Master of the Cellar advanci?ig with Neumann, Servants paffmg backioards and forwards.
master of the cellar. The beft wine ! O ! if my old miftrefs, his lady mother, could but fee thefe wild goings on, fhe would turn herfelf round in her grave. Yes, yes, fir officer! 'tis all down the hill with this noble houfe! no end, no moderation 1 And this marriage with the Duke's fifter, a fplendid connection, a very fplendid connection ! but I tell you, fir officer^ it bodes no good.
NEUMANN
Heaven forbid !. Why, at this Very moment the whole profpecl is in bud and bloflbm !
MASTER OF THE CELLAR.
' ■ \
you think fo ? — Well, well ! much may be fai4 on that head,
FIRST SERVANT, (comts)
Burgundy for the fourth table*
MASTER OF THE CELLAR.
Now, fir lieutenant, if this an't the feventieta fla&- —
tflRST SERVANT.
Why, the reafo'n is, that German lord, Tiefen-? bach, fits at that table,
master of the cellar. ( ' continuing his dif- courfe to Neumann.) They are foaring too high. They would rival kings and electors in their pomp and fplendour ;
and
106 THE PICCOLOMINI, OR THE
and wherever the Duke leaps, not a minute does my gracious matter, the Count, loiter on the
brink. (to the Servants )~SM\\2X do you ftand
there liftening for ? I will let you know you have legs prefently. Off! fee to the tables, fee to the flafks ! Look there ! Count Pain* has an empty glafs before him !
runner, (comes) The great fervice-cup is wanted, fir 5 that rich; gold cup with the Bohemian arms on it. The Count fays you know which it is.
MASTER OF THE CELLAR.
Ay ! that was made for Frederick's coronation by the artifb William' — there was not fuch another prize in the whole booty at Prague.
RUNNER.
The fame ! — a health is to go round in him.
master of the cellar. (Jhaking his head
while he fetches and rinfes the cup.)
This will be fomething for the tale bearers — this goes to Vienna.
NEUMANN.
Permit me to look at it. — Well, this is a cup indeed ! How heavy ! as well it may be, being all gold. — And what neat things are embofs'd on it ! how natural and elegant thev look ! — There, on that firft quarter, let me fee. That proud Amazon there on horfeback, (he that is taking a leap over the crofier and mitres, and carries on a wand a hat together with a banner, on which there's a goblet
repre-
FIRST PART OF WALLENSTEIN. 107
reprefented. Can you tell me what all this fig- nifies ?
MASTER OF THE CELLAR.
The woman whom you fee there on horfeback, is the Free Election of the Bohemian Crown. That is fignified by the round hat, and by that fiery fteed on which (he is riding. The hat is the pride of man ; for he who cannot keep his hat on before lfings and emperors is no free man.
NEUMANN.
But what is the cup there on the banner ?
MASTER OF THE CELLAR.
The cup fignifies the freedom of the Bohemian Church, as it was in our forefathers' times. Our forefathers in the wars of the Huffites forced from the Pope this noble privilege; for the Pope, you know, will not grant the cup to any layman. Your true Moravian values nothing beyond the cup ; it is his coftly jewel, and has cod the Bohe- mians their precious blood in many and many a battle.
NEUMANN.
And what fays that chart that hangs in the air there, over it all ?
MASTER OF THE CELLAR.
That fignifies the Bohemian letter royal, which we forced from the Emperor Rudolph — a precious, never to be enough valued parchment, that fecures to the new Church the old privileges of free ring- ing and open pfalmody. But fince he of Steier- 3 * mark
10S THE PICCOLOMINI, OR THE
mark has ruled over us, that is at an end ; and after the battle at Prague, in which Count Bala- tine Frederic loft crown and empire, our faith hangs upon the pulpit and the altar — and our brethren look at their homes over thpir fhoulders j but the letter royal the Emperor himfelf cut to pieces with his fcifTars.
NEUMANN..
Why, my good Mailer of the Cellar ! you are deep read in the chronicles of your country !.
MASTER OF THE CELLAR.
So' were my forefathers, and for that reafbn were they minftrels, and ferved under Procopius and Zifka. Peace be with their afhes ! Well, well !. they fought for a good caufe tho' — There - carry it up I
NEU MAN INT.
Stay ! let me but look at this fecond quarter. Look there ! That is, when at Prague Caftle the Imperial Counfellors, Martinitz and Stawata were hurl'd down head over heels. 'Tis even fo ! there ftands Count Thur who commands it. {Runner takes the fervice-ctip and goes off with it.)
MASTER OF THE CELLAR.
O let me never more hear of that day. It was
the three and twentieth of May, in the year of
our Lord one thoufand^ fix hundred, and eighteen.
It feems to me as it were but yefterday — from that
unlucky day it all began, ail the heart-aches of
the country. Since that day it is now fixteen
vears, and there has never once been peace on the 6 -
earth.
'Health
FIRST PART OF WALLENSTEIN. 1Ö9
(Health drank aloud at the fecond table.) The Prince of Weimar ! Hurra \
{At the third and fourth table.) Long live Prince William ! Long live Duke Bernard ! Hurra •
[Mufic flrikes tip.)
FIRST SERVANT.
Hear'em •' Hear'em ! What an uproar !
second servant, (comes in running.) Did you hear ? They have drank the Prince of Weimar's health.
THIRD SERVANT.
The Swedish Chief Commander !
first servant, {/peaking at the fame time.) The Lutheran \
SECOND SERVANT.
Juft before, when Count Deodate gave out the Emperor's health, they were all as mum as a nibbling moufe.
MASTER OF THE CELLAR.
Po, po \ When the wine goes in, ftrange things come out. A good fervant hears, and hears not ! — You mould be nothing but eyes and feet, except when you're called to.
SECOND SERVANT.
,■ {To the Runner, to whom he gives fecretly a
fiafk of wine, keeping his eye on the Maßer
of the Cellar, flanding between him and the
Runner. )
Quick, Thomas! before the Malier of the
Cellar
110 THE PICCOLOMINI, OR THE
Cellar looks this way — 'tis a flafk of Frontignac ? — Snapp'd it up at the third table — Canft go off with it >
runner, (h ides it in h is pocket.) All right i
[Exit, the Second Servant.
third servant. (afide> to thefirfl.) Be on the hark, Jack? that we may have right plenty to tell to father Quivoga — ^He will give us right plenty of abfolution in return for it.
FIRST SERVANT.
, For that very purpofe I am always having fome-
thing to do behind Illo's chair. — He is the man
for fpeeches to make you flare with !
master of the cellar, [to Neumann.) Who, pray, may that fwarthy man be, he with
the crofs, that is chatting fo confidentially with
Efferhats ?
NEUMANN. -
Ay ! he too is one of thofe to whom they con- fide too much. He calls himfelf Maradas, s Spaniard is he.
master of the cellar, {impatiently.) Spaniard ! Spaniard • — I tell you, friend ; nothing good comes of thofe Spaniards. All thefe outlandifh * fellows are little better than rogues.
* There is a humour in the original which cannot be given in the tranflation. " Die ivel/chen alle," &a. which word in clafiical German means the Italians alone ; but in its firft fenfe, and at prefent in the vulgar ufe of the word, fignifies foreigners in general. Our word wall-nuts, I fuppofe, means outlandiß nuts — Wallae nuces, in German " Welfch-miffe." T.
NEUMANN.
FIRST PART OF WALLENSTEIN. Ill
NEUMANN.
Fy, fy - you fliould not fay fo, friend. There are among them our very beft generals, and thofe on whom the Duke at this moment relies the mofL
MASTER OF THE CELLAR.
(Taking the floß: out of the Runner's pocket.) My fon, it will be broken to pieces in your pocket.
( Tertfky hurries in, fetches away the paper, and calls to a fervant for pen and ink, and goes to the back of the ßage.)
master of the cellar, {to the fervants.) The Lieutenant-General (lands up. — Be on the watch. — Now ! They break up. — Off, and move back the forms I
{They rife at all the tables, the fervants hurry off the front of the ßage to the tables ; part of the guefis come forward.)
SCENE
.112 TkE PiCCOLOIVflNT, Ölt THfi
SCENE XIII.
(Octavio Piccolomini enters in converffr tion with Mar ad as, and both place them- felves quite on the edge of the Jtage on one Jide of the profcenium. On the fide directly oppofite, Max. Piccolomini, by himfelf loß in thought, and taking no part in any thing that is going forward. The middle fpace between both, but rather more difiant from the edge of the ßage, is filled up by Butler, Isolani, Goetz, Tiefen- bach, and Kolatto.)
isolani. {zvhile the company is coming forward*)
Good night, good night, Kolatto ! Good night,
Lieutenant -General ! — I fhould rather fay, good
morning.
goetz. {to Tiefenbach.)
Noble brother 1 [making the ufual compliment
after meals.)
TIEFENBACH.
Ay ! 'twas a royal feaft indeed.
GOETZ.
Yes, my Lady Countefs underftands thefe mat- ters. Her mother-in-law, heaven reft her foul, taught her ! — Ah ! that was a houfewife for you I
TIEFENBACTI.
There was not her like in all Bohemia for fetting out a table.
octavio. [afide'to Maradas.) Do me the favour to talk to me — talk of what
you
FIRST PART OF WALLENSTEIN.- 115
yoü will — or of nothing. Only preferve the ap- pearance at lead of talking. I would not wifh to fland by myfelf, and yet I conjecture that there will be goings on here worthy of our attentive obfervation. (He continues to fix his eye on the whole following fcene.)
isoläni. (on the point of going.) Lights! lights!
tertsky. ( advances with the paper to Ifolani. ) Noble brother ! two minutes longer !— Here is fomething to fubfcribe.
ISOLANt.
Subfcribe as much as you like— but you rriuft excufe me from reading it.
TERTSKY.
There is no need. It is the öäth which you have already read. — Only a few marks of your pen ! (Ifolani hands over the paper to Octavio, refpectfully . )
TEKTSKY.
Nay, nay, rlrft come firft ferved. There is no precedence here. (Öctavio runs over the paper zvith apparent indifference. Tertfky watches him atfome dißance*)
goetz. (to Tertficy.) Noble Count ! with your permiffion — Good night.
TERTSKY.'
Where's -the hurry ? Come, one other corftpofing draught, (to ihefervants) — Ho S
I GOETZ-
114 THE PICCOLOMINI, OR THE
GOETZ.
Excufe me — an 'it able.
TERTSKY.
A thimble-full !
GOETZ.
Excufe me.
TIEFENBACH. (fits doWfl.)
Pardon me, nobles ! — This {landing does not agree with me.
TERTSKY.
Confult only your own convenience, General 1
TIEFENBACH.
Clear at head, found in ftomach — only my legs won't carry me any longer.
i sol an i. (pointing at his corpulence.) Poor legs ' how Jkould they ? Such an unmer- ciful load •' (Octavio fubfcribes his name, and reaches over the paper to TertJJcy, who gives it to Ifolani; and he goes to the table to Jign his name.)
TIEFENBACH.
'Twas that war in Pomerania that flrft brought it on. Out in all weathers — ice and fnow — no hel|T for it. — I (hall never get the better of it all the
days of my life.
GOETZ.
Why, in fimple verity, your Swede makes no
nice enquiries about the feafon.
tertsky. (obferving I/o la ni, zvhofe hand trem- bles exceffively, fo that he canfcar.ee direct his pen.) Have you had that ugly complaint
long, noble brother ? — Difpatch it.
JSjQLANJ.
fJHST PART QP WALLENSTEIN. 115
ISOLAftl. The fins of youth ! I have already tried the Chalybeate waters. Well — I muft bear it. ( Tertßy gives the paper to Mar atlas ; he fieps to the table to fubfcribe.)
- octavio. {advancing to Butler.) You are not over fond of the orgies of Bacchus» Colonel! I have obferved it. You would, I think,, find yourfelf more- to your liking in the uproar of a battle, than of a feaft.
BUTLER.
I muft confefs, 'tis not in my way.
octavio. (fiepping nearer to him friendlily .) Nor in mine either, I can aflure you ; and I am not a little glad, my much honoured Colonel Butler, that1 we agree fo well in our opinions. A half dozen good friends at moft, at a fmall round table, a glafs of genuine Tokay, open hearts, and a rational converfation — that's my tafte ! '■'•■
BUTI/ER.
And mine too» when it can be had. (77ie paper comes to Tiefenbach, who glances over it at the fame time with Goetz and Kolatto* Mara« das in the mean time returns to Octavio, all this takes place, the converfation with Butler proceed« ing uninterrupted.)
octavio. {introducing Maradas to Butler,) Don Balthafar Maradas ! likewife a man of our ftamp, and long ago your admirer. [Butler bozvs)
i a OCTAVIO
116 THE PICCOLOMINI, OR THE
octavio. (continuing.) You are a ftranger here — 'twas but ^efterday you arrived ; — you are ignorant of the ways and means here. 'Tis a wretched place — I know, at our age, one loves to be fnug and quiet — What if you moved your lodgings ? — Come, be my vifitor. [Butler makes a low bow.) Nay, with- out compliment ! — For a friend like you, I have flill a corner remaining.
butler, [coldly.) Your obliged humble fervant, my Lord Lieu- tenant-General ! [The paper comes to Sutler, who goes to the table to fubfcribe it. The front of the fiage is vacant, fo that both the Piccolo- minis, each on the fide where he had been from the commencement of the fcene, remain alone,
octavio. [After having fome time watched his fon in filence, advances fomewhat nearer to him.) You were long abfent from us, friend !
MAX.
I- -urgent bufinefs detained me.
OCTAVIO.
And, I obferve, you are flill abfent !
MAX.
You know this croud and buftle always makes me filent.
octavio. [advajicing fill nearer. ) May I be permitted to afk what the bufinefs was that detained you ? — Tertfly knows it without
afking !
MAX.
FIRST PART OF WALLE^STEIN. 117
MAX.
What does Tertfky know ?
OCTAVIO.
He was the only one who did not mifs you.
isolani. (who has been attending to them from fome dißance, ßeps up.) Well done, father ! Rout out his baggage ! Beat up his quarters ! There is fomething there that fhould not be.
t e r ts k y . (with the paper.) Is there none wanting ? Have the whole fub- fcribed ?
OCTAVIO.
All. •
tertsky. (calling aloud.) Ho ! Who fubferibes ?
butxer, (to Tertfiy.) Count the names. There ought to be juft thirty.
tertsky. Here is a crofs.
tiefenbach. That's my mark.
ISOLANI.
He cannot write ; but his crofs is a good crofs, and is honoured by Jews as well as Chriftians.
octavio. (prejes on to Max.) Come, General ! let us go. It is late.
tertsky. One Piccolomini only has figned«
isolani. (pointing to Max.) Look t that is your man, that ftatue there, who i 3 has
118 . THE PICCOLOMINI, OR THE
has had neither eye, ear, nor tongue for us the whole evening. {Max. receives the paper from Tertßy, which he looks upon vacantly.)
■.■■; ' ' '■ ■ , .r
SCENE XIV.
(To t liefe enter Illo from the inner room. He has in his hand the golden fervice-ctip, and is
* extremely difiempered with drinking : Goetz and Butler follow him, endeavouring to keep him back.) • '°
ILLO.
What do you Want ? Let me go, goetz and butler.
( V '■ '
Drinl^ no More, Illo ! For heav'n's fake, drink no more.
illo. (goes up to Ocfavio, andfhakes him cor- dially by the hand, and then drinks.) Odtavio ! I bring this to you ! Let all grudge t>e drowned in this friendly bowl ! I know well enough, ye never loved me — Devil take me! — and I never loved you !— I am always even with people in that way ! — Let what's pail be pail— that is, you underfland — forgotten! I efteem^ you infinitely,' [embracing him re- peatedly.) You have not a dearer friend on earth than I — but thai' you know. The fellow that cries rogue to you calls me villain— and I'll ftrangle Jfufr/J<öiHfy dätr friend •'
TERTSKY,
FIRST PART OF WALL^NSTEIN. H$
tertsky. (whifpering to him.) Art in thy fenfes ? For heaven's fake, mo ■ think where you are.
illo. (aloud. J What do you mean ? — There are none but friends
here, are there > (looks round the whole circle
■ v .,
with a jolly and triumphant air.) Not a meeker
i i i ~ l
among us, thank heaven *
tertsky. {to Butler, eagerly.) Take him off with you, force him off, I entreat you, Butler!
BUTLER. [talllo.)
Field Marfhal \ a word with you. (leads him to the fide-board.)
illo. [cordially.) A thoufand for one ? Fill — Fill it once more up to the brim. — To this gallant man's health ! isoLANi. {to Max . who alt the while has been flaring on the paper with ßxed but vac ant eyes.)
Slow and fure, my noble brother ! — Haft parfed it all yet ? — Some words yet to go thro' ? — Ha ?— *
max. (waking- as from a dream.) What am I to do ?
tertsky, and at the fame time isolani. Sign your name. (Octavio directs his eyes on him with intenfe anxiety.)
max. (returns the paper.) Let it ftay till to-morrow. It is bufinefs — to-day I am not fufficiently collected.' Send it to me to-morrow«
l 4 TERTSKY.
120 THE PICCOLOMINI, OR THE TERTSKY.
Nay, cglled yourfelf a little.
ISOLANI.
Awake, man! awake N— Come, thy fignature, and have done with . it •' What ? Thou art the youngefl in the whole company, and WQuldefl be- wifer than all of us together ? Look there ! thy father has figned — we have all figned. .
tertsky. (to Qctavie.) Tjfe your influence. Inftruft Jiirrj.
OCTAVIO.
My fon is at (he age of djfcretion.
-i^Lp, ({eaves the fervice-cup on thefide-boar$.) What's the difpute ?
TERTSKY. He declines fubfcribing the paper.
MAX.
I fay, it may as well flay till to-morrow,
ILLO.
It cannot flay. We have all fubfcribed to it— r-r and fo mull you.— You muft fubfcribe,
MAX.
Illo, good night !
ILLO.
No ! — You come not off fo ! The Duke fhali learn who are his friends, (all collect round Illo and Mai:)
MAX.
What my fentiments are towards the Duke, the . Duke knows, every one knows— what need of this' wild fluff?
I£ L0.
FIRST PART OF WALLENSTEIN. 121 ILLO.
This is the thanks the Duke gets for his par- tlalty to Italians and foreigners. — Us Bohemians he holds for little better than dullards— nothing pleafes him out what's outlandifh,
TERTSKY.jin extreme embarrajfment, to the com* wanders, who at IWs words gave afuddeiijlart, as preparing to refent them.) It is the wine that fpeaks, and not his reafon. Attend not to him, J entreat you.
i so lan i. (with a bitfer laugh.)
Wine invents nothing i it only tattles.
ILLO.
He who is not with me is againfl me. Your tender consciences ! Unlefs they can flip out by a back-door, by a puny provifo
tertsky. (interrupting him.) He is ftark mad — don't liften to him !
ILLO. (raifing his voice] to the higheß pitch.) Unlefs they can flip out by'a provifo. — What of the provifo ? The devil take this provifo !
max. (has his attention roufed, and looks again into the paper.) What is there here then of fuch perilous im- port ? You make me curious — I muft look clofer at it.
tertsky. (in a low voice to lllo.) What are you doing, lllo ? You are ruining us.
TIEFENBACH.- (to Kolatto.)
• Ay, ay ! I obferved, that before we fat down to fupper, it was read differently.
GOETZ.
122 THE PICCOLOMINI, OR THE -
COETZ.
Why,' Ifeemed to tnink fo too.
ISOLANI.
What do T care for that ? Where there fland other names, mine can fland too.
- ' .
TIEFENBACH.
Before (upper "there "was a certain provifo there- in, or fhört claufe concerning our duties "to the
o
Emperor.
butler, (to one of the commanders.)
For fhame, for fhame ! Bethink you.- What
is the main bufinefs here ? The queftion now is,
whether we (hall keep our General, or let him
retire. One muft not take thefe things too nicely
and over-fcrupuloufly.
r n *
isoLANi. (to one of, the generals.) Did the Duke make any of thefe provifoes when he gave you your regiment ?
, TERTSKY. [to Goet.Z.)
' Or when lie gave you the office of army-pur-^ veyancer, which brings you in yearly a thoufand pifloles !
ILLO,
He is a rafcal who makes us out to be rogues. If there be any one that wants fatisfa&ion, let him fay fo. — I am his man.
TIEFENBACH.
Softly, foftly ! 'Twas but a word or two. max. (having read the paper gives it back.) Till to-morrow therefore !
JLLQ.
FIR4T PART OF WALLENSTEIN. 123
illo. (fiammering with rage and fury, lofes all command over him/elf, and prefents the paper to Mar. with one hand, and his /word in the other.) Subfcribe — Judas !
ISOLANI.
Out upon you, Illo !
octavio, tertsky, butler; (all together.) Down with the fword !
jwax. [rujlies on him fuddenly and difarms him,, then to Count Tert/ky.) Take him off to bed.
(Max. leaves the fiage. Illo curßng and raving is held^ back by Jome of the officers •, and amidß ßn univerfal confufion the curtain drops.
gNP of ACT II.
ACT III
124 VTHE PICCOLOMINI, OR TH&-
ACT III.
Scene a Chamber in .PiccotominV s Manfion. — It is Night.
SCENE I.
Octavio Piccolomini. A Valet de Chambre, with Lights.
OCTAVIO.
And when my fon comes in, conduct him
hither. What is the hour ?
. VALET.
'Tis on the point of morning.
OCTAVIO.
Set down the light. We mean not to undrefs.
You may retire to fleep.
[Exit Valet. Octavio paces, mujing, acrofs the chamber. Max. Piccolomini enters unob- ferved, and looks at his father for fome mo- ments infilence.
MAX.
Art thou offended with me ? Heav'n knows That odious bufinefs was no fault of mine.
Tis
FIRST PART OF WALL^NSTEIN. 125
'Tis true, indeed, I Taw thy fignature.
What thou hadft fan&ion'd, mould not, it might
feem, Have come amifs to me. But — 'tis my nature — Thou know'ft, that in fuch matters I muft follow My own light, not another's. octavio. (goes up to him, and embraces him. J
Follow it, O follow it ftill further, my beft fon ! To night, dear boy ! it hath more faithfully Guided thee than th' example of thy father.
MAX.
Declare thyfelf lefs darkly.
aCTAVIO.
I will do fo. For after what has taken place this night, There muft remain no fecrets 'twixt us two.
(Both feat them/elves.) Max. Piccolomini ! what think'ft thou of The oath that was fent round for fignatures ?
MAX.
I hold it for a thing of harmlefs import, Altho' I love not thefe fet declarations.
OCTAVIO.
And on no other ground hadft thou refus'd The fignature they fain had wrefted from thee ?
MAX.
It was a ferious bufinefs 1 was abfent —
The affair itfelf fcem'd not fo urgent to me.
OCTAVIO.
Be open, Max. Thou hadft then no fufpicion ?
5 MAX,
126 THE PICCOLOMINI, OR THE
MAX.
Sufpicion I what fufpicion ? Not the leaft.
' OCTAVIO.
Thank thy good angel, Piccolomini ;
He drew thee back unconfcious from the abyfs.
MAX,
I know not what thou meaneft.
OCTAVIO.
I will tell thee. Fain would they have extorted from thee, fon, The fanction of thy name to villainy; Yea, with a fingle flourifh of thy pen, Made thee renounce thy duty and thy honour !
max. (rifes) \
Oclavio !
OCTAVIO.
Patience !•— Seat yourfelf. Much yet Haft thou to hear from me, friend '! — haft for years Liv'd in incomprehenfible illufion. Before thine eyes is Treafon drawing out As black a web as e'er was fpun from venom : A power of hell o'erclouds thy underftanding. I dare no longer Hand in filence — dare No longer fee thee wandering on in darknefs, Nor pluck the bandage from thine eyes.
MAX.
My father ! Yet, ere thou fpeak'ft, a moment's paufe of thought! If your difclofures mould appear to be Conjectures only — and almoft I fear
They
FIRST PART OF WALLENSTEIN. 127
They will be nothing further — fpare them ! I Am not in that collected mood at prefent, That I could litten to them quietly.
OCTAVIO.
The deeper caufe thou haft to hate this light,
The more impatient caufe have I, my fon,
To force it on thee. To the innocence
And wifdom of thy heart I could have trufted thee
With calm aflurance — but I fee the net
Preparing — and it is thy heart itfelf
Alarms me for thine innocence — that fecret,
(fixing his eye ßedfaflly on his fon s face) Which thou concealeft, forces mine from me. (Max. attempts to anfwer, but hefitates', and cafis his eyes to the ground embarrajfftd.) octavio. (after a paufe) Know, then, they are duping thee! — a moft foul
game With thee and with us all — nay, hear me calmly— - The Duke even now is playing. He affumes The mafk, as if he would forfake the army; And irf this moment makes he preparations That army from the Emperor — to feat, And carry it over to the enemy !
MAX.
That low Priefl's legend I know well, but did not Expect to hear it from thy mouth.
OCTAVIO.
That mouth, From which thou hear'ft it at this prefent moment, Doth warrant thee that it is no Prieft's legend.
4 MAX.
128 THE PICCOLOMINI, OR THE
MAX. How mere a maniac they fuppofe the Duke ! What, he can meditate ? — the Duke ? — can dream That he can lure away full thirty thoufand Tried troops and true, all honourable foldiers, More than a thoufand noblemen among them, From oaths, from duty, from their honour lure
them, And make them all unanimous to do A deed tliat brands them fcoundrels ?
octavio.
Such a deed, With fuch a front of infamy, the Duke No ways defires — what he requires of us Bears a far gentler appellation. Nothing He wifhes, but to give the Empire peace. And fo, becaufe the Emperor hates this peace, Therefore the- Duke — the Duke will force him
to it. All parts of the Empire will he pacify, And for his trouble will retain in payment (What he hasalready in his gripe) — Bohemia i
MAX.
Has he, Octavio, merited of us,
That we — that we mould think fo vilely of him ?
OCTAVIO.
What we would think is not the queftion here. The affair ipeaks for itfelf — -and cleared proofs'. Hear me, my fon— -'tis not unknown to thee, In what ill credit with the Court we (land. But little doll thou know, or guefs, what tricks,
What
FIRST PART OF WALLENSTEIN. 129
What bafe intrigues, what lying artifices, Have been employ 'd — for this fole end — to fow Mutiny in the camp! All bands are loos'd — Loos'd all the bands, that link the officer To his liege Emperor, all that bind the foldier Affectionately to the citizen. Lavvlefs he ftands, and threat' ningly beleaguers The ftate he's bound to guard. To fuch a height 'Tis fwoln, that at this hour the Emperor Before his armies — his own armies — trembles j Yea, in his capital, his palace, fears The traitors' poniards, and is meditating
To hurry off and hide his tender offspring
Not from the Swedes, not from the Lutherans — No ! from his own troops hide and hurry them !
MAX.
Ceafe, ceafe ! thou tortur'ft, thatter'ft me. I know That oft we tremble at an empty terror 5 But the falfe phantafm brings a real mifery.
OCTAVIO.
It is no phantafm. An inteftine war, Of all the mod unnatural and cruel, Will burft out into flames, if inftantly We do not fly and flifle it. The Generals Are many of them long ago won over; The fubalterns are vacillating — whole Regiments and garrifons are vacillating. To foreigners our flrong holds are entruftedi To that fufpccted Schafgotch is the whole Force of Silefia given up: to Tertiky
k Five
130 THE PICCOLOMINI, OR THE
Five regiments, foot and horfe — to Ifolani, To Ilio, Kinlky, Butler, the beft troops.
MAX.
Likewife to both of us.
OCTAVIO.
Becaufe the Duke BelieVes he has fecur'd us — means to lure us Still further on by fplendid promifes. To me he portions forth the princedoms, Glatz And Sagan ; and too plain I fee the angel With which he doubts not to catch thee.
MAX.
No ! no ! I tell thee — no !
OCTAVIO.
O open yet thine eyes ! And to what purpoie think'ft thou he has call'd us Hither to Pilfen ? — To avail himfelf Of our advice ? — O when did Friedland ever Need our advice ? — Be calm, and liflen to me. To fell ourfelves are we call'd hither, and Decline we that — to be his hoftages. Therefore doth noble Galas (land aloof; Thy father, too, thou would'fl not have feen here, If higher duties had not held him fetter'd.
MAX.
He makes no fecret of it — needs make none — That we're call'd hither for his fake — he owns it. He needs our aidance to maintain himfelf— He did fo much for us ; and 'tis but fair That we too mould do fomewhat now for him.
OCTAVIO.
FIRST PART ÖF WALLENSTEIN. 131 ÖCTAVIO.
And know*ft thou what it is which we muft do? That illo's drunken mood betray'd it to thee. Bethink thyfelf — what haft thou heard, what feen ? The counterfeited paper — the omiilion Of that particular claufe, fo full of meaning, . Does it not prove, that they would bind us down To nothing good ?
Max. That counterfeited paper Appears to me no other than a trick Of Illo's own device, Thefe underhand Traders in great mens* interefts ever ufe To urge and hurry all things to the extreme. They fee the Duke at variance with the Court, And fondly think to ferve him, when they widen The breach irreparably. Truil me, father, The Duke knows nothing of all this.
OCTAVIÖ.
It grieves me That I muft da(h to earth, that I muft (hatter A faith fo fpecious; but I may not fpare thee 1 For this is not a time for tendefnefsi Thou muft take meafures, fpeedy Ones — muft act. I therefore will confefs to thee, that all Which I've entrufted to thee now-^that all Which feems to thee fo unbelievable, That — yes, I will tell thee — (a panfe) — Max. ! I
had it all From his own mouth — from the Duke's mouth I
had it,
k a MAX,
13c2 THE PICCOLOMINI, OR THE
max. (in excejfive agitation) No !— no ! — never !
OCTAVIO.
Himfelf confided to me What I, 'tis true, had long before difcover'd By other means — himfelf confided to me, That 'twas his fettled plan to join the Swedes; And, at the head of the united armies, Compel the Emperor
MAX.
He is paffionate. The Court has flung him— he is fore all over With injuries and affronts; and in a moment Of irritation, what if he, for once, Forgot himfelf? He's an impetuous man.
OCTAVIO.
Nay, in cold blood he did confefs this to. me ; And having conftrued my aftonifhment Into a fcruple of his power, he fhew'd me His written evidences — fhew'd me letters, Both from the Saxon and the Swede, that gave Promife of aidance, and defin'd th' amount.
MAX.
It cannot be ! — can not be! — can, not be !
Doft thou not fee,, it cannot !
Thou wouldeft of necemty have fhewn him
Such horror, fuch deep loathing — that or he
Had tak'n thee for his better genius, or
Thou flood'ft not now a living man before me —
OCTAVIO.
I have laid open my objections to him, Dilluaded him with premng earneflnefti
But
FIRST PART OF WALLENSTEIN. 133
But my abhorrence, the full fentiment
Of my whole heart — that I have ftillkept facred
To my own confcioufnefs.
MAX.
And thou haft been So treacherous ? That looks not like my father ! I trufted not thy words, when thou didft tell me Evil of him; much lefs can I now do it, That thou calumniateil thy own felf.
OCTAVIO.
I did not thru (I myfelf into his fecrefy.
MAX.
Uprightnefs merited his confidence.
OCTAVIO.
He was no longer worthy of fincerity.
MAX.
Diffimulation, fure, was flill lefs worthy Of thee, Oftavio !
OCTAVIO.
Gave I him a caufe To entertain a fcruple of my honour ?
- _ MAX.
That he did not, evinc'd his confidence.
OCTAVIO.
Dear fon, it is not always poflible
Still to preferve that infant purity
Which the voice teaches in our inmofl heart.
Still in alarm, for ever on the watch
Againft the wiles of wicked men, e'en Virtue
Will fometimes bear away her outward robes
Soil'd in the wreftle with Iniquity.
k 3 This
I34f THE PICCOLOMINI, OR THE
This is the curfe of every evil deed, That, propagating ftill, it brings forth evil. I do not cheat my better foul with fophifms? I but perform my orders; the Emperor Prefcribes my conduct to me, Deareft boy, Far better were it, doubtlefs, if we all Obey'd the heart at all times; but fo doing, Jn this our prefent fojourn with bad men, We muft abandon many an honeft object. 'Tis now our call to ferve the Emperor, By what means he can beft be ferv'd— the heart May whifper what it will — this is our call !
MAX.
It feems a thing appointed, that to-day
I fliould not comprehend, not underftand thee.
The Duke, thou fay'ft, did honeftly pour out
His heart to thee, but for an evil purpofe;
And thou difhoneftly hail cheated him
For a good purpofe ! Silence, I entreat thee —
My friend thou ftealeft not from me —
Let me not lofe my father !
octavio. (fupprefing refentment)
As yet thou know' ft not all, my fon. I have Yet fomewhat to difclofe to thee. (After a paufe)
Duke Friedland Hath made his preparations, He relies Upon his ftars. He deems us unprovided, And thinks to fall upon us by furprize. Yea, in his dream of hope, he grafps already The golden circle in his hand. He errs.
4 We
FIRST PART OF WALLENSTEIN. 135
We too have been in a&ion — he but grafps His evil fate, moft evil, moft myfterious !
MAX.
O nothing rafh, my fife ! By all that's good Let me invoke thee — no precipitation !
OCTAVIO.
With light tread ftole he on his evil way,
And light of tread hath Vengeance ftole on after
him. Unfeen fhe ftands already, dark behind him — But one flep more — he (hudders in her grafp ! — Thou haft feen Queftenberg with me. As yet Thou know'ft but his oftenfible commiffion— He brought with him a private one, my fon ! And that was for me only.
MAX.
May I know it ? octavio. ( feizes the patent.)
Max! (A paitfe.)
In this difclofure place I in thy hands
The Empire's welfare and thy father's life. Dear to thy inmoft heart is Wallenftein : A powerful tie of love, of veneration, Hath knit thee to him from thy earlieft youth. Thou nourifheft the wifi — O let me ftill Anticipate thy loitering confidence ! The hope thou nourifheft to knit thyfelf Yet clofer to him-
k 4 MAX.
136 THE PICCOLOMINI, OR THE
MAX.
Father
OCTAVIO.
O my Ton ! I truft thy heart undoubtingly. But am I Equally fure of thy collectednefs ? Wilt thou be able, with calm countenance, To enter this man's prefence, when that I Have trufted to thee his whole fate ?
MAX.
According As thou doft truft me, father, with hb crime.
(Octavio takes a paper out of his efcmtoire, and gives it to him.)
MAX.
What ? how ? — a full Imperial patent !
OCTAVIO.
Read it. max. (jiifi glances on it) Duke Friedland fentenc'd and condemn'd !
OCTAVIO.
Even fo. max. (throws down the paper) O this is too much ! — O unhappy error !
OCTAVIO.
Read on. Colleä thyfelf.
max. (after he has read further, with a look of affright and aßonifhment on his father)
How ! — what ! — Thou ! — thou !
OCTAVIO.
FIRST PART OF WALLENSTEIN. 137
OCTAVIO.
But for the prefent moment, till the King Of Hungary may fafely join the army, Is the command affign'd to me.
MAX.
And think'ft thou, Doft thou believe, that thou wilt tear it from him? O never hope it ! — Father! father! father! An inaufpicious office is enjoin'd thee. This paper here — this ! and wilt thou enforce it? The mighty, in the middle of his hoft, Surrounded by his thoufands, him would'ft thou Difarm — degrade ! Thou art loft, both thou and all of us.
OCTAVIO.
What hazard I incur thereby, I know. In the great hand of God I {land. The Almighty Will cover with his fhield the Imperial boufe, And (hatter, in his wrath, the work of darknefs. The Emperor hath true fervants füll; and, even Here in the camp, there are enough brave men, Who for the good caufe will fight gallantly. The faithful have been warn'd — the dangerous Are clofely watch'd. I wait but the firft ftep, And then immediately
. . MAX,
What ! on fufpicion ? Immediately ?
OCTAVIO.
The Emperor is no tyrant. The deed alone he'll punifh, not the wiffi.
The
138 THE PICCÖLOMINI, OR THE
The Duke hath yet his deftiny in his power.
Let him but leave the treafon uncompleted,
He will be filently difplac'd from office,
And make way to his Emperor's royal fon.
An honourable exile to his caftles
Will be a benefaction to him rather
Than punifhment. But the firft open ftep
MAX.
What call'ft thou fuch a ftep ? A wicked ftep Ne'er will he take; but thou might'ft eafily, Yea, thou haft done it, mifinterpret him.
OCTAVIO.
Nay, howfoever punifhable were
Duke Friedland's purpofes, yet ftill the fteps
Which he hath taken openly, permit
A mild conftruction. It is my intention
To leave this paper wholly uninforc'd
Till fome act is committed which convicts him.
Of an high-treafon, without doubt or plea,
And that (hall fentence him.
MAX.
But who the judge ?
OCTAVIO,
Thyfelf.
MAX.
For ever, then, this paper will lie idle.
OCTAVIO.
Too foon, I fear, its powers muft all be proved. After the counter-promife of this evening, It cannot be but he muft deem himfelf
Secure
FIRST PART OF WALLENSTEIN. 159
Secure of the majority with us; And of the army's general fentiment He hath a pleafing proof in that petition Which thou deliver'ft to him from the regiments. Add this to© — I have letters that the Rhinegrave Hath chang'd his route, and travels by forc'd
marches To the Bohemian Foreft. What this purports, Remains unknowns and, to confirm fufpicion, This night a Swedilh nobleman arriv'd here.
MAX.
I have thy word. Thou' It not proceed to action Before thou haft convinc'd me — me myfelf.
OCTAVIO.
Is it poffible? Still, after all thou know'ft, Canft thou believe ftill in his innocence?
max. (with enthußaßn) Thy judgment may miftake: my heart can not.
(moderates his voice and manner) Thefe reafons might expound thy fpirit or mine; But they expound not Friedland — I have faith; For as he knits his fortunes to the ftars, Even fo doth he refemble them in fecret, Wonderful, flill inexplicable courfes! Truft me, they do him wrong. All will be folv'd. Thefe fmokes, at once, will kindle into flame — The edges of this black and ftormy cloud Will brighten fuddenly, and we fh all view The Unapproachable glide out in fplendour.
OCTAVIQ.
I will await it.
SCENE
140 THE PICCOLOMINI, OR THE
SCENE II.
Octavio and Max. as before. To them the Valet of the Chamber.
OCTAVIO.
How now, then?
VALET.
A difpatch is at the door.
OCTAVIO.
So early ? From whom comes he then ? Who is it?
VALET.
That he refus'd to tell me.
OCTAVIO.
Lead him in : And, hark you — let it not tranfpire.
[Exit Valet — the Cornet fieps in.
OCTAVIO.
Ha! Cornet — is it you? and from Count Galas? Give me your letters.
CORNET.
The Lieutenant-general Trufted it not to letters.
OCTAVIO.
And what is it ?
CORNET.
He bade me tell you — Dare I fpeak openly here ?
OCTAVIO.
My fon knows all.
CORNET.
TIRST PART OF WALLENSTEIN. 141
CORNET.
We have him.
aCTAYIO.
Whom ?
CORNET.
Seßna, The old negociator.
octavio. (eagerly)
And you have him ? cornet.
In the Bohemian Foreft Captain Mohrbrand Found and fecur'd him yefter morning early: He was proceeding then to Regenfpurg, And on him were difpatches for the Swede.
OCTAVIO.
And the difpatches-— — ?
CORNET.
The Lieutenant-general Sent them that inllant to Vienna, and The prifoner with them.
OOTAVKh
This is, indeed, a tiding] That fellow is a precious casket to us, Enclofing weighty things.— Was much found on him?
"cornet. I think, fix packets, with Count Tertfky's arms.
OCTAVIO.
None in the. Duke's own hand ?
c cornet.
142 THE PICCOLOMINf, OR THE CORNET,
Not that I know,
OCTAVIO.
And oldSefma?
CORNET*
He was forely frighten 'd, When it was told him he muft to Vienna. But the Count Altringer bade him take heart, Would he but make a full and free confeflion.
OCTAVIO.
Is Altringer then with your Lord ? I heard That he lay fick at Linz.
CORNET.
Thefe three days paft He's with my mafler, the Lieutenant-general, At Frauemburg. Already have they fixty Small companies together, chofen men : Refpectfully they greet you with afiurances, That they are only waiting your commands.
OCTAVIO/
In a few days may great events take place. And when muft you return?
CORNET.
I wait your orders,
OCTAVIO.
Remain till evening.
(Comet fignifies his ajjent and obeifance, and is going.)
OCTAVIO.
No one faw you — ha ?
cornet.
FIRST PART OF WALLENSTEIN. 143 CORNET.
No living creature. Thro' the cloifler wicket The Capuchins, as ufual, let me in.
OCTAVIO.
Go, reft your limbs, and keep yourfelf conceal'd.
I hold it probable, that yet ere evening
I fhall dilpatch you. The developement
Of this affair approaches : ere the day,
That even now is dawning in the heaven,
Ere this eventful day hath fet, the lot
That muft decide our fortunes will be drawn.
[Exit Cornet.
SCENE III.
Octavio and Max. Piccolomini.
octavio. Well — and what now, fon ? All will foon be clear; For all, Pm certain, went thro' that Sefina.
MAX.
{fVho through the whole of the foregoing fcene has been in a violent and vifible flruggle of feelings, at length farts as one refolved)
I will procure me light a (horter way. Farewell.
OCTAVIO.
Where now ? — Remain here.
MAX.
To the Duke.
OCTAVIO.
144? THE PICCOLOMINI, OR THE
octavio. (alarmed)
What
max. (returning) If thou haft believ'd that I (hall a<5t
A part in this thy play
Thou haft mi (calculated on me grievoufly. .
My way rauft be ftraight on. True with the tongue,
Falfe with the heart — I may not, cannot be :
Nor can I fufFer that a man mould traft me —
As his friend traft me — and then lull my confeience
With fuch low pleas as thefe : — " I aik'd him not —
He did it all at his own hazard — and
My mouth has never lied to him."— No, no !
What a friend takes me for, that I muft be.
■ — I'll to the Duke ; ere yet this day is ended
Will I demand of him that he do fave
His crood name from the world, and with one ftride
Break through and rend this fine-fpun web of
your's. He can, he will !— J ftill am his believer. Yet I'Jl not pledge rnyfelf, but that thofe letters May furniih you, perchance, with proofs againft
him. How far may not this Tertfky have proceeded — What may not he himfelf too have permitted Himfelf to do, to fnare the enemy, The laws of war exeufing ? Nothing, fave His own mouth (hall convict him— nothing lefs I And face to face will I go queftion him.
OCTAVIO.
Thou wilt ?
MAX.
FIRST PART Op WALLENSTEIN. |4f
MAX.
I will, as fure as this heart beats.
OCTAVIO.
I have, indeed, mifcalculated on thee.
I calculated on a prudent fon,
Who would have bleft the hand beneficent
That pluck'd him back from the abyfs — and lo !
A fafcinated being I difcover,
Whom his two eyes befool, whom paffion wilders,
Whom not the broadeft light of noon can heal.
Go, question him ! — Be mad enough, I pray thee.
The purpofe of thy father, of thy Emperor,
Go, give it up free booty ! — Force me, drive me
To an open breach before the time. And now,
Now that a miracle of heaven had guarded
My fecret purpofe even to this hour,
And laid to fleep Sufpicion's piercing eyes,
Let me have liv'd to fee that mine own fon,
With frantic enterprife, annihilates
My toilfome labours and ftate-policy.
MAX.
Aye — this ftate-policy 1 O bow I curfe it ! "You will fome time, with your ftate-policy, Compel him to the meafure : it may happen, Becaufe ye are determined that he is guilty, Guilty ye'll make him. All retreat cut off, You clofe up every outlet, hem him in Narrower and narrower, till at length ye force him — Yes, 7/e, — ye force him, in his defperation, To fet fire to his prifon. — Father! father! That never can end well — it cannot— will not !
L And
146 THE PICCOLOMINI, OR THE
And let it be decided as it may, I fee with boding heart the near approach Of an ill-ftarr'd, unbleft cataftrophe. For this great Monarch-fpirit, if he fall, Will drag a world into the ruin with him. And as a fhip (that midway on the ocean Takes fire) at once, and with a thunder-burft Explodes, and with itfelf (hoots out its crew In fmoke and ruin betwixt fea and heaven; So will he, falling, draw down in his fall AH us, who're fix'd and mortic'd to his fortune, Deem of it what thou wilt ; but pardon me, That 1 muft bear me on in my own way. A1J mufl remain pure betwixt him and me ; And, ere the day light dawns, it muft be known Which I muft lofe — my father, or my friend.
(During his exit the curtain drops.)
END OF ACT III«
ACT
FIRST PART OF WALLENSTEIN. 147
ACT IF.
Scene a Room fitted -up for aflrological Labours, and provided with celeßial Charts, with Globes, Tele/copes, Quadrants, and other mathematical Infiruments. — Seven Colo/fal Figures, repre- senting the Planets , each with a tranf parent Star of a different Colour on its Head, fand in a Semi-circle in the Back-ground, fo that Mars and Saturn are neareß the Eye.— The Remainder of the Scene, and its Difpofition, is given in the Fourth Scene of the Second Act. — - There muß be a Curtain over the Figures, which may be dropped, and conceal them on Occafions,
[In the Fifth Scene of this Act it muß be dropped-, but, in the Seventh Scene, it muß be again olrawnup wholly or in part, .]
SCENE I,
Wallenstein at a black Table, on which a Speculum Aflrologicum is defcribed with Chalk. Sent is taking Obfervations through a Window.
WALLENSTEIN.
^Aill well — -and now let it be ended, Seni. — Come, The dawn commences, and Mars rules the hour.
L 2 Wq
HB THE FICCOLOMINI, ÖR THE
We muft give o'er the operation. Come, We know enough.
SENI.
Your High nefs muft permit me Jufl to contemplate Venus. She's now rifing: Like as a fun, fo fhines fhe in the eaft.
"SVALLENSTEIN.
She is at prefent in ner perigee»
And moots down now her ftrongeft influences.
(Contemplating the figure on tire table.)
Aufpicious afpect ! fateful in conjunction, At length the mighty three corradiate* And the two ftars of blefling, Jupiter And Venus» take between them the malignafct Silly-malicious jVlars-, and thus compel Into my fervice that old mifchief-founder : For long he view'd me hoftilely, and ever With beam oblique* «or perpendicular, Now in the Quartile, now in the Secundan, Shot his red lightnings at my ftars, disturbing Their blefTed influences and fweet afpects, Now they have conquer'd the old enemy, And bring him in the heavens a prifoner to me.
seni. (who has come down from the ivindow) And in a corner houfe, your Highfjefs— think of
rfrat 1 'That makes e&ch influence of double ftrength.
WALLEN ST EIN".
And fun and 'moon, too, in the Sex'tile atpec\ The foft light with the veh'ment— <o 1 love -it.
Sol
FIRST PART OF WALLENSTEIN. 149
Sol is the heart, Luna the head of heaven. Bold be the plan, fiery the execution.
SENI.
Arid both the mighty Lumina hy no Maleficus affronted. Lo! Saturnus, Innocuous, powerlefs, in cadente Domo,
WALLENSTEIN.
The empire of Saturnus jj gone by:
Lord of the fecret birth of things is he;
Within the lap of earth, and in the depths
Of the imagination dominates;
And his are all things that efchew the light.
The time is o'er of brooding and contrivance;
For Jupiter, the luftrous, lordeth now,
And the dark work, complete of preparation,
He draws by force into the realm of light.
Now muft we haften on to action, ere
The fcheme, and moft aufpicious pofiture
Parts o'er my head, and takes once more its flight ;
For the heavens journey dill, and fojourn not.
(There are knocks at the door) There's fome one knocking there. See who it is.
tertsky. (from without) Open, and let me in.
WALLENSTEIN.
Aye — 'tis Tertfky. What is there of fuch urgencc ? We are bufy,
TERTsjcy. (from without) Lay all afide at prefent, J entreat you. It fuffers no delaying.
L % WALLEN.STEIN,
150 THE PICCOLOMINI, OR THE
WALLENSTEIN.
Open, Seni ! {While Sejii opens the door for Tcrtfiy, Wallen- flein draws the curtain over the figures. tertsky. (enters) Haft thou already heard it ? He is taken. Galas has giv'n him up to the Emperor.
{Seni draws off the black table, and exit.
SCENE II.
WALLENSTEIN. COUNT TERTSKT.
wallenstein. ( to Tertficy) Who has been taken ? — Who is given up ?
TERTSKY.
The man who knows our fecrets, who knows every
Negociation with the Swede and Saxon,
Thro' whofe hands all and every thing has pafs'd—
wallenstein, (drawing back) Nay, not Sefina ? — Say, No ! Fentreat thee.
tertsky. All on his road for Regenfpurg to the Swede He was plung'd down upon by Galas' agent, Who had been long in ambufh, lurking for him. There mud have been found on him my whole
packet To Thur, to Kinfky, to Oxenftirn, to Arnheim : All this is in their hands ; they have now an infight Into the whole — our meaiures, and our motives.
SCENE
FIRST PART OF WALLENSTEIN. 151
SCENE III.
To them enters Illo.
illo. (to Tertfey} Has he heard it ?
TERTSKY.
He has heard it.
illo. [to Wallenfiein)
Think'ft thou füll To make thy peace with the Emp'ror, to regain! His confidence ?— E'en were it now thy wi(h To abandon all thy plans, yet ftill they know What thou haft wifli'd -, then forwards thou mud
prefs ; Retreat is now no longer in thy power.
TERTSKY.
They have documents againft us, and in hands, Which (hew beyond all power of contradiction—
WALLENSTEIN.
Of my hand-writing — no iota. Thee I punifh for thy lies.
ILLO.
And thou believ'ft That what this man, that what thy fitter's hufband, Did in thy name, will not (land on thy reck'ning? His word mud pafs for thy word with the Swede, And not with thofe that hate thee at Vienna.
TERTSKY.
In writing thou gav'ft nothing — 'But bethink thee, How far thou ventured 'ft by word of mouth
l 4 With
laß TÖE PlfcCÖLOMlNI, OR THE
With this Sefina ? And will he be filent ? If he can fave himfelf by yielding up Thy feeret purpofes, will he retain them ?
ILLO.
Thyfelf doft not conceive it pofliblej And fincethey now have evidence authentic How far thou haft already gone, fpeak ! — tell us, What art thou waiting for ? Thou canft no longer Keep thy command; and be" y olid hope of refcue Thou'rt loft, if thou fefign'fl it.
WALLENSTEIjST.
In the army Lies my fecunty. The army will not Abandon me. Whatever they may know, The power is mine, and they muft gulp it down—? And fubftitute I caution for my fealty, They muft be fatisfied, at ieaft appear fo.
ILLO.
The army, Duke, is thine now — for this moment — 'Tis thine: but think with terror on the flow, The quiet power of time. From open vi'lence The attachment of thy foldiery fecures thee To-day — to-morrow; but gfant'ft thou them a
refpite, Unheard, unfeen, they'll undermine that love On which thou now doft feel fo firm a footing, With wily theft will draw away from thee One after th' other
WALLEttSTEIN.
'Tis a eurfed accident !
ILLO.
FIRST PART OF WALLENSTEIN. 153
ILLO. O I will call it a moft blefled one, If it work on thee as it ought to do, Hurry thee on to action— to decifion — The Swedifh General
WALLENSTEIN.
He's arriv'd ! — Know* ft thou What his commimon is
ILIO.
To thee alone Will he entruft the purpofe of his coming.
WALLENSTEIN.
A curfed, curfed accident !— Yes, yes, Sefina knows too much, and won't be filent.
TERTSKY.
He's a Bohemian fugitive and rebel, His neck is forfeit. Can he fave himfelf At thy coft, think you he will fcruple it ? And if they put him to the torture, will he, • Will he, that daftardling, have ftrength enough —
WALLENSTEIN, {lofi ill thought)
Their confidence is loft — irreparably ! And I may act what way I will, I fhall Be and remain for ever in their thought A traitor to my country. How lincerely Soever I return back to my duty, It will no longer help me -
ILLO.
Ruin thee, That it will do ! Not thy fidelity, Thy weaknefs will be deem'd the fole occafion —
WALLENSTEIN.
I54f THE PICCOLOMINI, OR THE I
wallenstein, (pacing tip and down in ex- treme agitation) What ! I mud realize it now in earneft, Becaufe I toy'd too freely with the thought ? Accurfed he who dallies with a devil ! And muft I — I muß realize it now — Now* while I have the power, it muß take place ?
ILLO.
Now — now — ere they can ward and parry it f
wall en stein, (looking at the paper ofßg- natures) I have the General's words — a written promife ! Max. Piccolomini ftands not here — how's that ?
• - TERTSKY.-
It was- — —he fancied
ILIO.
Mere felf-willednefs. There needed no fuch thing 'twixt him and you.
WALLENSTEIN".
He is quite right — there needeth no fuch thing. The regiments, too, deny to march for Flanders — Have fent me in a paper of remonftrance, And openly refift the Imperial orders. The firft fiep to revolt 's already taken,
ILLO.
Believe me, thou wilt find it far more eafy To lead them over to the enemy
Than to the Spaniard.
WALLEXSTEIX.
I will hear, however,
What the Swede has to fay to me.
ILLO.
FIRST PART OF WA'LLENSTEtN". 155
illo. {eagerly to Tertßcy.) Go, call him J
He Hands without the dcor in waiting.
WALLENSTEIN.
Stay! Stay yet a little. It hath taken me All by furprize, — it came too quick upon me ; 'Tis wholly novel, that an accident, With its dark lordlhip, and blind agency, Should force me on with it.
1LL0.
Firlt hear him only, And after weigh it.
[Exeunt Tertjky and Illo.
SCENE IV.
Wallenstein, (in foliloquy ,) Is it poffible ? Is't fo ? I can no longer what I would? No longer draw back at my liking ? I Muft do the deed, becaufe I thought of it, And fed this heart here with a dream ? Becaufe I did not fcowl temptation from my prefence, Dallied with thoughts of poffible fulfilment, Commenced no movement, left all time uncertain, And only kept the road, the accefs open ? By the great God of Heaven ! It was not My ferioüs meaning, it was ne'er refolve. I but amus'd myfelf with thinking of it.
3 The
156 THE PICCOLOMINI, OR THE
The free-will tempted me, the power to do
Or not to do it. — Was it criminal
To make the fancy minifter to hope,
To fill the air with pretty toys of air,
And clutch fantaftic fceptres moving t'ward me ?
Was not the will kept free ? Beheld I not
The road of duty clofe befide me-— but
One little ftep, and once more I was in it 1
Where am I ? Whither have I been tranfported ?
No road, no track behind me, but a wall,
Impenetrable, infurmountable,
Rifes obedient to the fpells I mutter'd
And meant not — my own doings tower behind me.
{Paufes and remains in deep thought.} A punilhable man I feem, the guilt, Try what I will, I cannot roll off from me ; The equivocal demeanour of my life Bears witnefs on my profecutor's party, And even my pureft acts from pureft motives Sufpicion poifons with malicious glofs. Were I that thing, for which I päfs, that traitor, A goodly outfide I had fure referv'd, „
Had drawn the cov'rings thick and double rourjd
me, Been calm and chary of my utterance. But being confcious of the innocence Of my intent, my uncorrupted will, I gave way to my humours, to my paflion : Bold were my words, becaufe my deeds were not Now every planlefs meafure, chance event, The threap of rage, the vaunt of joy and triumph,
And
FIRST PART OF WALLENSTEIN. 157
And all the May-games of a heart o'erflowing, Will they conned:, and weave them all together Into one web of treaibn ; all will be plan, My eye ne'er ab lent from the far- off mark, Step tracing ftep, each ftep a politic progrefs* And out of all they'll fabricate a charge So fpecious, that I muß; myfelf fland dumb. I am caught in my own net, and only force, Naught but a fudden rent can liberate me.
[P auf es again.) How elfe ! fince that the heart's unbias'd inftinct Impell'd me to the daring deed, which now NecefSty, felf-preiervation, orders. Stern is the On-look of neceffity, Kot without fhudder may a human hand Grafp the myflerious urn of deftiny. JMy deed was mine, remaining in my bofom, Once fuffer'd to -efcape from it's iafe corner Within the heart, it's nurfery and birth-place, Sent forth into the Foreign, it "belongs Foi" ever to thofe fly malicious powers Whom never art of man conciliated.
[Paces in agitation through the chamber \ th-enpaufes, and, after thepaufe, breaks ■out again into audible Jbliloquy .) What is thy enterprize ? thy aim ? thy ©fojeä: ? Haft honeftly confefs'd it to thyfeif ? Power feated Ofi'"a <juiet throne thou'dfr. fhake, Power on -an ancient confecrated throne, Strong in poffeflion, founded in old cuftom ; Power by a. thoufand tough and ftringy roots
Fix'd
158 THE PICCOLOMINI, OR THE
Fix'd to the people's pious nurfery-faith. This, this will be no ftrife of ftrength with ftrengtb, That fear'd I not. I brave each combatant. Whom I can look on, fixing eye to eye, Who full himfelf of courage kindles courage In me too. 'Tis a foe invifible, The which I fear — a fearful enemy, Which in the human heart oppofes me, By it's coward fear alone made fearful to me. Not that, which full of life, inftinct with pow'r, Makes known it's prefent being, that is not The true, the periloufly formidable. O no I it is the common, the quite common, . The thing of an eternal yefterdaj', What ever was, and ever more returns, Sterling to-morrow, for to-day 'twas* fterling ! For of the wholly common is man made, And cuftom is his nurfe ! Woe then to them, Who lay irreverent hands upon his old Houfe furniture, the dear inheritance From his forefathers. For time confecrates 5 And what is grey with age becomes religion. Be in porTerlion, and thou haft the right, And facred will the many guard it for thee I
( To the Page, who here enters.) The Sfredi-fh officer ?— Well, let him enter.
{The Page exit, Wallenßeinjixes his eye in deep thought on the door.) Yet is it pure — as yet ! — the crime has come Not o'er this threfhold yet- — fo ilender is The boundary that divideth life's two paths.
SCENE
TIRST PART OF WALLENSTEIN. 159 SCENE V.
Wallenstein and Wrangel.
wallenstein., (after having fixed a fearch- ing look on himj Your name is Wrangel ?
WRANGEL,
Guflave Wrangel, General Of the Sudermanian Blues.
WALLENSTEIN.
It was a Wrangel Who injur'd me materially at Stralsund, And by his brave refinance was the caufe Of th' opposition which that fea-port made,
WRANGEL.
It was the doing of the element
With which you fought, my Lord ! and not my
merit. The Baltic Neptune did affert his freedom, The fea and land, it feem'd, were not to ferve One and the fame.
wallenstein, {makes the motion for him to take a feat, and feats himfelf)
And where are your credentials ? Come you provided with full powers, Sir General ?
wrangel. m There are fo many fcruples yet to folve
wallenstein. ( having read the credentials.) An able letter ! — Ay- — he is a prudent
Intelligent
160 THE PICC0L0MINI, OR THE
Intelligent mafter, whom you ferve, Sir General ! The Chancellor writes me, that he but fulfils His late departed Sovereign's own idea In helping me to the Bohemian crown.
WRANGEL.
He fays the truth. Our great King, now in
heaven, Did eve* deem moft ^highly of your Grace's Pre-eminent fenfe and military genius ; And always the commanding Intellect, He faid, mould have command, and be the King.
WALLEN ST EIN.
Yes, he might fay it fafely.— General Wrangel,
{Taking his hand affectionately.) Come, fair and open. — Truft me, I was always A Swede at heart. Ey ! that did you experience Both in Silefia and at Nuremburg ; I had you often in my power, and let you Always flip out by fome back door or other. 'Tis this for which the Court can ne'er forgive me, Which drives me to this prefent ftep : and fince Our interefts fo run in one direction, E'n let us have a thorough confidence Each in the other.
WRANGEL.
Confidence will come Has each but only firft fecurity.
WALLENSTEIN.
The Chancellor ftill, I fee, does not quite truft me,
And, I confefs — the game does not lie wholly
To my advantage — Without doubt he thinks
If I can play falfe with the Emperor,
5 Who
FIRST PART OF WALLENSTEIN. ll?I
Who is my Sov'reign, I can do the like With th' enemy, and that the one too were Sooner to be forgiven me than the other. Is not this your opinion too, Sir General ?
WRANG EL.
I have here an office merely, no opinion.
WALLENSTEIN.
The Emperor hath urged me to the uttermoft»
I can no longer honourably ferve him.
For my fecurity, in felf-defence,
I take this hard flep, which my confcience blames,
W RAN GEL.
That I believe. So far would no one go Who was not forc'd to it.
{After a paufe.) What may have impelled Your princely Highnefs in this wife to act Toward your Sovereign Lord and Emperor, Befeems not us to expound or criticize. The Swede is fighting for his good old caufe. With his good fword and confcience. This con- currence, This opportunity, is in our favour, And all advantages in war are lawful. We -take what offers without questioning ; And if all have its due and juft proportions .... - ■■
WALLENSTEIN.
Of what then are ye doubting ? Qf my will? Or of my power ? I pledg'd me to the Chancellor, Would he truft me with fixteen thoufand men,
m That
162 THE PICCOLOMINI, OR THE
That I would inftantly go over to them
With eighteen thoufand of the Emperor's troops.
WRANGEL.
Your Grace is known to be a mighty war-chief, To be a fecond Attila and Pyrrhus. 'Tis talk'd of ftill with frefh aftonifliment, *fclow fome years paft, beyond all human faith, You called an army forth, like a creation : But yet
WALLENSTEIN.
But yet ?
WRANGEL.
But ftill the Chancellor thinks, It might yet be an eafier thing from nothing To call forth fixty thoufand men of battle, Than to perfuade one fixtieth part of them —
WALLENSTEIN.
What now ? Out with it, friend ?
WRANGEL.
To break their oaths.
WALLENSTEIN.
And he thinks fo ?— He judges like a Swede, And like a Proteftant. You Lutherans Fight for your Bible. You are int'refted About the caufe ; and with your hearts you follow Your banners. — Among you> whoe'er deferts To the enemy, hath broken covenant With two Lords at one time.— We've no fuch fancies.
WRANGEL,
FIRST PART OF WALLENSTEIN* 163
VRAMGEL
Great God in Heaven •' Have then the people here No houfe and home, no fire-fide, no altar ?
WALLENSTEIN.
I will explain that to you, how it ftands — The Auftrian has a country, ay, and loves it, And has good caufe to love it-r-but this army, That calls itfelf th' Imperial, this that houfes Here in Bohemia, this has none — no country ; This is an outcaft of all foreign lands, UnclainVd by town or tribe, to whom belongs Nothing, except the univerfal fun,
WRANGEL.
But then the Nobles and the Officers ? Such a defertion, fuch a felony, It is without example, my Lord Duke, In the world's hiftory.
WALLENSTEIN.
They are all mine—« Mine unconditionally— mine on all terms. Not me, your own eyes you may truft.
[He gives him the paper containing the written oath. Wrangel reads it through, and, having read it, lays it on the table, remaining filent.~\
So then r "Now comprehend you ?
WRANGEL.
Comprehend* who can ! My Lord Duke ! I will let the mafk drop— yesl m 2 I have
Vff4 rut 1?iccolomini, ök THE
I've full powers for a final fettlement.
The Rhinegrave {lands but four days march from
here, With fifteen thoufand men, and only waits For orders to proceed and join your army. Thofe orders / give out, immediately We're compromis'd.
WALLENSTEIN.
What aiks the Chancellor ?
wrangLe. {conßderately .) Twelve Regiments, every man a Swede — my head The warranty — and all might prove at laft Only falfe play
WALLENSTEIN, (ßa'rtiftg.)
Sir Swede .' wrangel. {calmly proceeding. )
Am therefore forc'd T' infill thereon, that he do formally, Irrevocably break with th' Emperor, Elfe not a Swede is trufled to Duke Friedland.
WALLENSTEIN.
Come, brief, and open ! What is the demand ?
WRANGEL.
That he forthwith difarm the Spanifh reg'ments Attach Yl to th' Emperor, that he feize Prague, And to the Swedes give up that city, with The flrong pafs Egra.
WALLENSTEIN.
That is much indeed !
Prague !— Egra's granted — But— but Prague !— -
'Twon't do.
I g^
FIRST PART OF WALLENSTfclN. 165
I give you every fecurity
Which you may afk of me in common reafon-r But Prague — Bohemia — thefe, Sir General, I can myfelf protect.
WRANG EL.
We doubt it no£. But 'tis not the protection that is now Our fole concern. We want fecurity, That we fhall not expend opr men and money All to no purpofe.
WALLENSTEIN.
, 'Tis but reafonable.
WRANGEL.
And till we are indemnified, fo long Stays Prague in pledge.
WALLENSTEIN.
Then truft you us fo little ? wrangel. (rißng.) The Swede, if he would treat well with the Ger- man, Muft keep a (harp look-out. We have been call'd Over the Baltic, we have fav'd the empire From rjuiri— with our beft blood have we feal'd The liberty of faith, and gofpel truth. But now already is the benefaction No longer felt, the load alone is felt. Ye look afkarice with evil eye upon us, As foreigners, intruders in the empire, And would fain fend us, with fome paltry fum Of money, home again to our old forefts. No, no ! my Lord Duke ! no !^-it never was
m 3 For
166 THE PICCOLOMINI, OR THE
For Judas pay, for chinking gold arid filver, That we did leave our King by the * Great Stone. No, not for gold and filver have there bled So many of our Swedifh Nobles — neither Will we, with empty laurels for our payment, Hoi ft fail for our own country. Citizens Will we remain upon the foil, the which Our Monarch conquer'd for himfelf, and died.
WALLENSTEJ.N.
Help to keep down the common enemy, And the fair border land muft needs be your's.
WRANGEL.
But when the common enemy lies vanquiuYd, Who knits together our new friendlriip then ? We know, Duke F-iiedland ! though perhaps the
Swede Ought not t' have known it, that you carry on Secret negociations with the Saxons. Who is our warranty, that zue are not The facrifices in thofe articles Which 'tis thought needful to conceal from us ?
WALLENSTEIN. (rifeS.)
Think you of fomething better, Guftave Wrangell Of Prague no more.
W RAN GEL.
Here my commiflion ends,
* A great ftpne near putzen, fince called the Swede's Stone, the body of their great King having been found at the foot of it, after the battle in which he lolt his life.
WAL-
FIRST PART OF WALLENSTEIN. 167 WALLENSTEIN.
Surrender up to you my capital .!
Far liever would I face about, and ftep
Back to my Emperor.
WRANGEL.
If time yet permits
WALLENSTEIN.
That lies with me, even now, at any hour.
WRANGEL.
Some days ago, perhaps. To-day, no longer, No longer fince Sefina's been a prifoner.
(IVallenfiein is firuck, and filenced.) My Lord Duke, hear me — We believe that you At prefent do mean honourably by us. Since yefierday we're fure of that — and now This paper warrants for the troops, there's nothing Stands in the way of our full confidence. Prague (hall not part us. Hear ! The Chancellor Contents himfelf with Albftadt, to your Grace - He gives up Ratfchin and the narrow fide, But Egra, above all, mufl open to us, E're we can think of any junction.
WALLENSTEIN.
You, You therefore muft I truft, and you not me ? I will confider of your propofition,
WRANGEL.
I muft entreat, that your confederation Occupy not too long a time. Already Has this negociation, my Lord Duke ! Crept on into the fecond year. If nothing
m 4
Is
16*8 THE PICCOLOMINI, OR THfc
Is fettled this time, will the Chancellor Confider it as broken off for ever.
WALLENSTEIN.
Ye prefs me hard. A meafure, fuch as this, Ought to be thought of.
WRANGtL.
Ay ! but think of this too, That fudden action only can procure it Succefs — think firfl of this, your Highnefs. , [Exit WrangeL
SCENE VI.
Wallenstein, Tertsky, and Illo (re- enter.)
ix to.
Is't all right?
TERTSKY.
Are you compromis'd ?
ILLO.
This Swede Went fmiling from you. Yes ! you're compro- mis'd.
WALLENSTEIN.
As yet is nothing fettled : and (well weighed) I feel myfelf inclin'd to leave it fo.
tertsky» How ? What is that ?
4 WAL-
FIRST PART OF WALXEKSTEIN, 16§ WALLENSTEIN.
Come on me what will come, The doing evil to avoid an evil Cannot be good !
TERTSKY.
Nay, but bethink you, Duke ?
WALLENSTEIN.
To live upon the mercy of thefe Swedes !
Of thefe proud-hearted Swedes ! I could not bear it.
ILLO.
Goeft; thou as fugitive, as mendicant ?
Bring'ft thou not more to them than thou receiv'ft?
SCENE VII. To thefe enter the Countess Tertsky.
WALLENSTEIN.
Who feht for you ? There is no bufinefs her$ For women,
COUNTESS.
I am come to bid you joy»
WALLENSTEIN.
Ufe thy authority, Tertfky, bid, her go.
COUNTESS.
Come I perhaps too early ? I hope not.
WALLENSTEIN.
170 THE PICC0L0MINI, OR THE WALLENSTEIN.
Set not this tongue upon me, T entreat you. You know it is the weapon that deftroys me. I am routed, if a woman but attack me. I cannot traffic in the trade of words With that unreafoning fex.
COUNTESS.
I had already Giv'n the Bohemians a king.
wallenstein, (farcafiically .)
They have one, In confequence, no doubt.
countess {to the others.)
Ha ! what new fcruple ?
TERTSKY.
The Duke will not,.
COUNTESS.
He will not what he muß ! illo. Jt Jies with you now. Try. For I am filenced, When folks begin to talk to me of conference, And of fidelity.
COUNTESS.
How ? then, when all Lay in the far off diftance, when the road Stretch'd out before thine eyes interminably, Then hadft thou courage and refolve ; and now, Now that the dream is being realized,
The
FIRST* PART OP WALLENSTEIN, 171
The purpofe ripe, the ifTue afcertained, Doft thou begin to play the daftard now ? Plann'd merely, 'tis a common felony ; AccomplifiYd, an immortal undertaking ; And with fuccefs comes pardon hand in hand ; For all event is God's arbitrement.
servant, (enters.) The Colonel Piccolomini.
countess, (haflily.)
— Muft wait,
WALLENSTEIN.
I cannot fee him now. Another time.
SERVANT.
But for two minutes he entreats an audience, Of the moll urgent nature is his bufinefs.
WALLENSTEIN.
Who knows what he may bring us ? I will hear him,
countess.- (laughs.) Urgent for him, no doubt j but thou may'ft wait*
wallenstein. What is it ?
countess. Thou fhalt be inform'd hereafter. Firft let the Swede and thee be compromifed.
[Exit Servant.
WALLENSTEIN.
If there were yet a choice; if yet fome milder Way of efcape were poffible — I ftill Will chufe it, and avoid the Jaft extreme.
COUNTESS,
172 THE PICCOLOMINI, OJl. THE
COUNTESS.
Defir'ft thou nothing further ? Such a way- Lies ftill before thee. Send this Wrangel off. Forget thou thy old hopes, call far away AH thy pail life ; determine to commence A new one. Virtue hath her heroes too, As well as Fame and Fortune. — To Vienna — ■ Hence— to the Emperor — kneel before the throne 3 Take a full coffer with thee — fay aloud, Thou did'ft but wim to prove thy fealty ; Thy whole intention but to dupe the Swede.
ILIO.
For that too 'tis too late. They know too much. He would but bear his own head, to the block.
COUNTESS.
I fear not that. They have not evidence
To attaint him legally, and they avoid
The avowal of an arbitrary power.
They'll let the Duke refign without difturbance.
I fee how all will end. The King of Hungary
Makes his appearance, and 'twill of itfelf
Be underftood, that then the Duke retires.
There will not want a formal declaration.
The young King will adminifter the oath
To the whole army ; and fo all returns
To the old pofition. On fome morrow morning
The Duke departs ; and now 'tis ftir and buftle
Within his caftles. He will hunt, and build,
Superintend his horfes' pedigrees,.
Create
FXRSf PART OF WALLENSTEIN. 173
Creates himfelf a court, gives golden keys,
And introduced ftri&eft ceremony
In fine proportions, and nice etiquette -,
Keeps open table with high cheer; in brief
Commenceth mighty King — in miniature.
And while he prudently demeans himfelf,
And gives himfelf no actual importance,
He will be let appear whate'er he likes ;
And who dares doubt, that Friedland will appear
A mighty Prince to his laft dying hour?
Well now, what then ? Duke Fried land is, as
others, A fire-new Noble, whom the war hath rais'd To price and currency, a Jonah's Gourd, An over-night creation of court-favour, With which an undiflinguifliable eafe Makes Baron or makes Prince.
W al l e n s t e i n. [in extreme agitation. )
Take her away. Let in the young Count Piccolomini.
' COUNTESS,
Art thou in earnefl ? I entreat thee ! Can'ft thou Content to bear thyfelf to thy own grave, So ignominioufly to be dried up ? Thy life, that arrogated fuch an height, To end in fuch a nothing ! To be nothing, When one was always nothing, is an evil That afks no ftretch of patience, a light evil, But to become a nothing, having been^-
WALLENSTEIN
174- THE PICCOLOMINI, OR THE
wallenstein, (darts up in violent agitation.)
Shew me a way out of this {lifting crowd,
Ye Powers of Aidance ! Shew me fuch a way
As / am' capable of going.— I
Am no tongue-hero, no fine virtue-prattler ;
I can not warm by thinking ; cannot fay
To the good luck that turns her back upon me,
Magnanimoufly : " Go ! I need thee not."
Ceafe I to work, I am annihilated.
Dangers nor facrifices will I fhun,
If fo I may avoid the lafl extreme ;
But ere I fink down into nothingnefs,
Leave off fo little, who begun fo great,
Ere that the world confufes me with thofe
Poor wretches, whom a day creates and crumbles,
This age and * after-ages fpeak my name
With hate and dread; and Friedland be redemption
For each accurfeddeed !
COUNTESS.
What is there here, then* So againfl nature ? Help me to perceive it V O let not Superftit ion's nightly goblins Subdue thy clear bright fpirit ! Art thou bid To murder ?-— with abhorr'd accurfed poinard,
* Could I have hazarded fuch a Germanifm, as the ufe of the word after-world, for pofterity.— " Es fpreche "Welt und Nacbivelt meinen Nahmen" — might have been rendered with more literal fidelity ;.-Let world and after- world fpeak out my name, &c.
To
FIRST PART OF WALLENSTEIN. 175
To violate the breafts that nourifli'd thee ? That were againft our nature, that might aptly * Make thy fleih ftiudder, and thy whole heart
ficken. Yet not a few, and for a meaner object Have ventur'd even this, ay, and perform'd it. What is there in thy cafe fo black and monflrous ? Thou art accus' d of treafon — whether with Or without juftice is not now the queftion — Thou art loft if thou doft not avail thee quickly Of the power which thou poffefleft. — Friedland !
Büke ! Tell me, where lives that thing fo meek and tame, That doth not all his living faculties Put forth in prefervation of his life ? What deed fo daring, which neceflity And defperation will not fanctify ?
WALLENSTEIN.
O nee was this Ferdinand fo gracious to me : He lov'd me ; he efteem'd me ; I was plac'd The neareft to his heart. Full many a time We like familiar friends, both at one table, Have banqueted together. He and I — And the young kings themfelves held me the bafon Where with to warn me — and is't come to this ?
COUNTESS.
So faithfully preferv'ft thou each fmall favour, And haft no memory for contumelies ?
* I have not ventured to affront the faftidious delicacy of our age with a literal tranflation of this line.
(t werth <c Die Eingeweide fchaudernd aufzuregen."
Muft
1*16 THE PICCOLOMINI, OR TUE.
Muß: I remind thee, how at Regenfpurg This man repaid thy faithful fervices ? All ranks and all conditions in the empire Thou hadft wrong'd, to make him great, — hadft
loaded on thee, On thee, the hate, the curfe of the whole world. No friend exifled for thee in all Germany, And why ? becaufe thou hadft exifted only For th' Emperor. To th' Emperor alone Clung Friedland in that ftorm which gather'd
round him At Regenfpurg in the Diet — and he dropp'd thee ! He let thee fall ! He let thee fall a victim To the Bavarian, to that infolent ! Depos'd, ftript bare of all thy dignity And power, amid the taunting of thy foes, Thou wert let drop into obfcurity. — Say not, the reftoration of thy honour Has made atonement for that firft injuftice. No honeft good-will was it that replac'd thee, The law of hard neceffity replac'd thee, Which they had fain oppos'd, but that they could
not.
WALLENSTEIN.
Not to their good wifhes, that is certain, Nor yet to his affection I'm indebted For this high office,; and if I abufe it, I mall therein abufe no confidence.
COUNTESS.
Affection ! confidence !— They needed thee» Neceffity, impetuous remonflrant !
Who
FIRST PART OF WALLENSTEIN. 177
Who not with empty names, or (hews of proxy,
Is ferv'd, who'll have the thing and not the fymbol, ,
Ever feeks out the greateft and the beft,
And at the rudder places him, e'en though
She had been forc'd to take him from the rabble —
She, this Neceflity, it was that plac'd thee '
In this high office, it was fhe that gave thee
Thy letters patent of inauguration.
For, to the uttermofl moment that they can,
This race (till help themfelves at cheapeft rate
With flavifli fouls, with puppets ! At the approach
Of extreme peril, when a hollow image
Is found a hollow image and no more,
Then falls the power into the mighty hands
Of Nature, of the fpirit giant-born,
Who liftens only to himfelf, knows nothing
Of ftipulations, duties, reverences,
And, like th' emancipated force of fire,
Unmafter'd fcorches, ere it it reaches them,
Their fine-fpun webs, their artificial policy.
WALLENSTEIN.
'Tis true ! they faw me always as I am — Always ! I did not cheat them in the bargain. I never held it worth my pains to hide The bold all-grafping habit of my foul.
COUNTESS.
Nay rather — thou haft ever (hewn thyfelf A formidable man, without reftraint; Haft exercisM the full prerogatives
N Of
178 THE PICCOLOMINI, OR THE
Of thy impetuous nature, which had been Once granted to thee. Therefore, Duke, not thou, Who haft ftill remain'd confident with thyfelf, But they are in the wrong, who fearing thee, Entrufted fuch a power in hands, they fear'd. For, by the laws of Spirit, in the right Is every individual character That ads in Uriel confidence with itfelf. Self -contradiction is the only wrong. Wert thou another being, then, when thou Eight years ago purfuedft thy march with fire And fword, and defolation, through the Circles Of Germany, the univerfal fcourge, Didft mock all ordinances of the empire, The fearful rights of ftrength alone exertedft, Trampledft to earth each rank, each magiftracy, All to extend thy Sultan's domination ? Then was the time to break thee in, to curb Thy haughty will, to teach thee ordinance. But no ! the Emperor felt no touch of confidence, What ferv'd him pleas'd him, and without a murmur He ftamp'd his broad feal on thefe lawlefs deeds. What at that time was right, becaufe thou didft it For him, to day is all at once become Opprobrious, foul, becaufe it is directed 'Againfi him. — O mod flimfy fuperftition !
WALLENSTEIN, (rifillg^
I never faw it in this light before.
'Tis even Co. The Emperor perpetrated
Deeds through my arm, deeds moft unorderly.
And
FIRST PART OF WALLENSTEIN. 179
And even this prince's mantle, which I wear,
I owe to what were fervices to him,
But molt high mifdemeanours 'gainft the empire.
COUNTESS.
Then betwixt thee and him (confefs it, Friedland !) The point can be no more of right and duty, Only of power and th' opportunity. That opportunity, lo ! it comes yonder, Approaching with fwift fleeds j then with a fwing Throw thyfelf up into the chariot feat, Seize with firm hand the reins, ere thy opponent Anticipate thee, and himfelf make conqueft Of the now empty feat. The moment comes, It is already here, when thou muft write The abfolute total of thy life's vaft fum. The conftellations (land victorious o'er thee, The planets (hoot good fortune in fair junctions, And tell thee, " Now's the time !" The ftarry
courfes Haft thou thy life-long meafur'd to no purpofe ? The quadrant and the circle, were they playthings?
(pointing to the different objects in the room) The zodiacs, the rolling orbs of heaven, Haft pi&ur'd on thefe walls, and all around thee , In dumb, foreboding fymbols haft thou plac'd Thefe feven prefiding Lords of deftiny — For toys ? Is all this preparation nothing ? " Is there no marrow in this hollow art, That even to thyfelf it doth avail Nothing, and has no influence over thee
n 2 • i In
180 THE PICCOLOMINI, OR THE
In the great moment of decifion ?
wallenstein. ( during this laß fpeech zvalks up and down with inward ßruggles, labouring with pajfiojis ; ßops fuddenly, ßandsßill, then interrupting the CountefsJ
Send Wrangel to me — I will inftantly
Difpatch three couriers
illo. (hurrying out)
God in heaven be prais'd !
WALLENSTEIN.
It is his evil genius and mine.
Our evil genius ! It chaftifes him
Through me, the inftrument of his ambition ;
And I expect no lefs, than that Revenge
E'en now is whetting for my bread the poniard.
Who fows the ferpent's teeth, let him not hope
To reap a joyous harveft. Every crime
Has, in the moment of its perpetration,
Its own avenging angel- — dark Mifgiving,
An ominous Sinking at the inmoft heart.
"He can no longer truft me. — Then no longer
Can I retreat — fo come that which muftcome, —
Still deftiny preferves its due relations,
The heart within us is its abfolute
Vicegerent.
(to Tertßy)
Go, conduct you Guftave Wrangel
To my flate-cabinet. — Myfelf will fpeak to
The couriers. — And difpatch immediately
A fervant for O&avio Piccolömini.
(to
FIRST PART OF WALLENSTEIN. 181
(to the CountefSy who cannot conceal her triumph)
No exultation! — woman, triumph not!
For jealous are the Powers of Deftiny.
Joy premature, and Shouts ere victory,
Incroach upon their rights and privileges.
We fow the feed, and they the growth determine.
[While he is making his exit, the curtain drops, .]
END OF ACT IV.
n 3 ACT
182 THE PICCOLOMINI, OR THE
ACT V.
Scene, as in the preceding Act.
SCENE I.
Wallenstein, Octavio Piccolomini.
wallenstein, (coming forward in converfation.)
He fends me word from Linz, that he lies fick ;
But I have fure intelligence, that he
Secretes himfelf at Frauenberg with Galas.
Secure them both, and fend them to me hither.
Remember, thou tak'ft on thee the command
Of thofe fame Spanifh regiments, — conftantly
Make preparation, and be never ready ;
And if they urge thee to draw out againft me,
Still anfwer yes, and ftand as thou wert fetter'd.
I know, that it is doing thee a fervice
To keep thee out of aftion jn this bufinefs.
Thou lov'ft to linger on in fair appearances ;
Steps of extremity are not thy province,
Therefore have I fought out this part for thee.
Thou wilt this time be of mod fervice to me
By thy inertnefs. The mean time, if fortune
Declare itfelf on my fide, thou wilt know
What is to do.
(Enter
FIRST PART OF WALLENSTEIN. 183
{Enter max. piccolomini.) Now go, O&avio. This night muft thou be off, take my own horfes : Him here I keep with me — make fliort farewell — Truft me, I think we all (hall meet again In joy and thriving fortunes.
octavio. (to his fun.)
I (hall fee you Yet e'er I go.
SCENE II.
Wallenstein, Max. Piccolomini.
max. (advances to him.) My General !
wallenstein.
That am I no longer, if~ Thou flyl'ld thyfelf the Emperor's officer.
MAX.
Then thou wilt leave the army, General ?
wallenstein. I have renounc'd the fervice of the Emperor.
max.
And thou wilt leave the army ? «
WALLENSTEIN,
Rather hope I To bind it nearer ftill and fafter to me.
(He feats himfelf.) Yes, Max, I have delay'd to open it to thee, Even till the hour of acting 'gins to ftrike.
n 4 Youth's.
184 THE PICCOLOMINI, OR THE '
Youth's fortunate feeling doth feize eafily
The abfolute right, yea, and a joy it is
To exercife the fingle apprehenfion
Where the fums fquare in proof;
But where it happens, that of two fure evils
One muft be taken, where the heart not wholly
Brings itfelf back from out the ftrife of duties,
There 'tis a bleffing to have no election,
And blank neceffity is grace and favour.
— This is now prefent : do not look behind thee, —
It can no more avail thee. Look thou forwards !
Think not ! judge not ! prepare thyfelf to aft !
The Court — it hath determin'd on my ruin,
Therefore I will to be beforehand with them.
We'll join the Swedes — right gallant fellows are
they, And our good friends.
[He fiops himfelf expecting Piccolomini's anfwer.) I have ta'en thee by furprife. Anfwer me not. I grant thee time to recollect, thyfelf. (He rifes, and retires at the back of the fiage. Max. remains for a long time motionlefs-, in a trance of excejfive anguifh. At his firft mo- tion Wallenfiein returns, and places himfelf before him.)
MAX.
My General, this day thou makeft me Of age, to fpeak in my own right and perfon, For til] this day I have been fpared the trouble To find out my own road. Thee have I follow'd
With
FIRST PART OF WALLENSTEIN. 185
With mofl implicit unconditional faith, Sure of the right path if I follow 'd thee. To day, for the firft time, doft th,ou refer Me to myfelf, and forced me to make Election between thee and my own heart.
WALLENSTEIN.
Soft cradled thee thy Fortune till to day ; Thy duties thou couldft exercife in fport, Indulge all lovely inftincts, act for ever With undivided heart. It can remain No longer thus Like enemies, the roads Start from each other. Duties flrive with duties. Thou muft needs chufe thy party in the war Which is now kindling 'twixt thy friend and him Who is thy Emperor.
MAX.
War ! is that the name ? War is as frightful as heaven's peftilence, Yet it is good, is it heaven s will as that is. Is that a good war, which againft the Emperor Thou wageft with the Emperor's own army? O God of heaven ! what a change is this . Befeems it me to offer fuch perfuafion To thee, who like the fix'd ftar of the pole Wert all, I gaz'd at, on life's tracklefs ocean? O ! what a rent thou makeft in my heart ! The ingrained inftinct of old reverence, The holy habit of obediency, Muft I pluck live afunder from thy name? Nay, do not turn thy countenance upon me —
It
180 THE PICCOLOMINI, OR THE
It always was a god looking at me ! Duke Wallenftein, its power is not departed : The fenfes ftill are in thy bonds, although, Bleeding, the foul hath freed itfelf.
WALLENSTEIN.
Max, hear me.
MAX.
O ! do it not, I pray thee, do it not f There is a pure and noble foul within thee, Knows not of this unbleft, unlucky doing. Thy will is chafte, it is thy fancy only Which hath polluted thee — and innocence, - It will not let itfelf be driv'n away From that world -awing afpect,. Thou wilt not, Thou canft not, end in this. It would reduce All human creatures to difloyalty Againft the noblenefs of their own nature. 'Twill juflify the vulgar mifbelief, Which holdeth nothing noble in free will, And trufts itfelf to impotence alone Made powerful only in an unknown power.
WALLENSTEIN.
The world will judge me flernly, I expe& it. Already have I faid to my own felf All thou canft fay to me. Who but avoids Th' extreme, — can he by going round avoid it ? But here there is no choice. Yes — I muft ufe Or fufTer violence — fo Hands the cafe, There remains nothing pofiible but that.
MAX..
FIRST PART OF WALLENSTEIN. 187
MAX.
O that is never poflible for thee ! Tis the laft defperate refource of thofe Cheap fouls, to whom their honor, their good name Is their poor faving, their lafl worthlefs Keep, Which having ftak'd and loft, they ftake themfelres In the mad rage of gaming. Thou art rich, And glorious; with an unpolluted heart Thou canft make conqueft of whate'er feems
high eft ! But he, who once hath acted infamy, Does nothing more in this world.
wallenst^in. (grcifps his hand) Calmly, Max! Much that is great and excellent will we Perform together yet. And if we only Stand on the height with dignity, 'tis foon Forgotten, Max, by what road we afcended. Believe me, many a crown fhines fpotlefs now, That yet was deeply fullied in the winning. To the evil fpirit doth the earth belong, Not to the good. All, that the powers divine Send from above, are univerfal bleffings : Their light rejoices us, their air refrefhes, But never yet was man enrich'd by them: In their eternal realm no property Is to be ftruggled for— all there is general. The jewel, the all-valued gold we win From the deceiving Powers, deprav'd in nature, That dwell beneath the day and bleffed fun-light. Not without facrifiees are they render'd
5 Propitious
188 THE PICCOLOMINI, OR THE
Propitious, and there lives no foul on earth That e'er retir'd unfullied from their fervice.
MAX.
Whate'er is human, to the human being
Do I allow — and to the vehement
And ftriving fpirit readily I pardon
Th* excefs of action; but to thee, my general!
Above all others make I large conceflion.
For thou muft move a world, and be the mafier—
He kills thee, who condemns thee to inaction.
So be it then ! maintain thee in thy poll
By violence. Refill the Emperor,
And if it muft be, force with force repel :
I will not praife it, yet I can forgive it.
But not— not to the traitor — yes ! — the word
Is fpoken out— —
Not to the traitor can I yield a pardon.
That is no mere excefs ! that is no error
Of human nature — that is wholly diff'rent,
O that is black, black as the pit of hell !
(IVallenfiein betrays a fudden agitation.)
Thou canft not hear it namd> and wilt thou do it ?
0 turn back to thy duty. That thou canft,
1 hold it certain. Send me to Vienna.
I'll make thy peace for thee with th' Emperor. He knows thee not. But I do know thee. He Shall fee thee, Duke ! with my unclouded eye, And I bring back his confidence to thee.
WALLENSTEIN.
FIRST PART OF WALLENSTEIN. 189 WALLENSTEIN.
It is too late. Thou know'ft not what has happen'd.
MAX.
Were it too late, and were gone fo far, That a crime only could prevent thy fall, Then — fall ! fall honourably, even as thou ftood'ft. Lofe the command. Go from the ftage of war. Thou canfl with fplendour do it — do it too With innocence. Thou haft liv'd much for others^ At length live thou for thy own felf. I follow
thee. My deftiny I never part from thine.
WALLENSTEIN.
It is too late ! Even now, while thou art lofing Thy words, one after the other are the mile-ftones Left fail behind by my poll couriers, Who bear the order on to Prague and Egra.
(Max.fiands as convulsed, with a geflure and countenance exprejfing the mofi intenfe an- guijh.)
Yield thyfelf to it. We a& as we are forc'd. / cannot give affent to my own (hame And ruin. Thou — no — thou canft not forfake me! So let us do, what rauft be done, with dignity, With a firm ftep. What am I doing worfe, Than did fam'd Csefar at the Rubicon, > When he the legions led againft his country, The which his country had deliver'd to him ? Had he thrown down the fword, he had been loft,
As
190 THE ?ICCOLOMINI, OR THE
As I were, if I but difarm'd myfelf.
I trace out fomething in me of his fpirit.
Give me his luck, that other thing I'll bear.
{Max. quits him abruptly. Wallenßein, flartled and overpowered, continues looking qfter'him, and is ßill in this pofture when Tertjky en- ters. )
SCENE III.
Wallenstein. Tertjky.
tertsky. Max Piccolomini juft left you ?
WALLENSTEIN.
Where is Wrangel ?
TERTSKY.
"He is already gone.
WALLENSTEIN.
In fuch a hurry ?
TERTSKY.
It is as if the earth had fwallow'd him.
He had fcarce left thee, when I went to feek him.
I wifh'd fome words with him — but he was gone.
How, when, and where, could no one tell me. Nay,
I half believe it was the devil himfelf ,
A human creature could not fo at once
Have van im 'd.
ILLO.
FIR9T PART OF WALLENSTEIN. 191
iLLO. (enters) Is it true that thou wilt fend Octavio ?
TERTSKY.
How, O&avio ! Whither fend him ?
WALLENSTEIN.
He goes to Frauenberg, and will lead hither The Spanifh and Italian regiments.
„ ILLO.
No!— Nay, Heaven forbid !
WALLENSTEIN,
And why fhould Heaven forbid ?
ILLO.
Him ! — that deceiver ! Would'ft thou truft to him The foldiery ? Him wilt thou let flip from thee, Now, in the very inftant that decides us
TERTSKY.
Thou wilt not do this ! — No ! I pray thee, no !
WALLENSTEIN.
Ye are whimfical.
ILLO.
O but for this time, Duke, Yield to our warning ! Let him not depart.
WALLENSTEIN.
And why ihould I not truft him only this time, Who have always trufted him ? What, then, has
happen'd, That I fhould lofe my good opinion of hirn ? In complaifance to your whims, not my own,
I rauft,
192 THE PICCOLÖMINI, OR THE
I muft, forfooth, give up a rooted judgment* Think not I am a woman. Having trufted him E'en 'till to-day, to-day too will I trull him.
TERTSKY.
Muft it be he — he only ? Send another.
- WALLENSTEIN.
It muft be he, whom I myfelf have chofen ; He is well fitted for the bufinefs. Therefore I gave it him.
ILLO.
Becaufe he's an Italian — Therefore is he well fitted for the bufinefs.
WALLENSTEIN.
I know you love them not — nor fire nor fon —
Becaufe that I efteem them, love them — vifibly
Efteem them, love them more than you and others,
E'en as they merit. Therefore are they eye-blights,
Thorns in your foot-path. But your jealoufies,
In what affect, they me or my concerns ?
Are they the worfe to me becaufe you hate them ?
Love or hate one another as you will,
I leave to each man his own moods and likings -y
Yet know the worth of each of you to me.
ILLO.
Von Queftenberg, while he was here, was always Lurking about with this Oclavio.
WALLENSTEIN.
It happen'd with my knowledge and permiffion.
ILLO.
I know that fecrct meffengers came to him From Galas
WALLENSTEIN.
FIRST PART OP WALLENSTEIN. 193 WALLENSTEIN.
That's not true.
ILLÖ.
O thou art blind With thy deep-feeing eyes.
WALLENSTEIN.
Thou wilt not make My faith for me — my faith, which founds itfelf On the profoundeft fcience. If 'tis falfe, Then the whole fcience of the ftars is falfe. For know, I have a pledge from Fate itfelf, That he is the mofi faithful of my friends.
ILLO.
Haft thou a pledge, that this pledge is not falfe r
WALLENSTEIN.
There exift moments in the life of mart,
When he is nearer the great Soul of the world
Than is man's cuftom, and pofteffes freely
The power of queflioning his deftiny:
And fuch a moment 'twas, when in the night
Before the action in the plains of Lützen,
Leaning againft a tree, thoughts crowding thoughts,
I look'd out far upon the ominous plain.
My whole life, paft and future, in this moment
Before my mind's eye glided in proceflion*
And to the deftiny of the next morning
The fpirit, fili'd with anxious prefentiment^
Did knit t he moft remov'd futurity.
Then faid I alfo'to myfelf, " So many
Doft thou command. They follow all thy ftars,!
And as on fome great number fet their All
o Upon
1.94 THE PICCOLOMINI, OR THE
Upon thy fingle head, and only man
The veflel of thy fortune. Yet a day
Will come, when Deftiny mail once more fcatter
All thefe in many a feveral direction :
few be they who will {land out faithful to thee."
I yearn'd. to know which one was faithfulleft
Of all, this camp include. Great Deftiny,
Give me a fign ! And he lhall be the man,
Who, on th' approaching morning, comes the firft
To meet me with fome token of his love :
And thinking this, I fell into a flumber.
Then midmoft in the battle was I led
In fpirit. Great the preffure and the tumult !
Then was my horfe kill'd under me : I fank ;
And over me away, all unconcernedly,
Drove horfe and rider— and thus trod to pieces
I lay, and panted like a dying man.
Then feiz'd me fuddenly a faviour arm.
It was Octavio's — I awoke at once.
'Twas broad day, and Octavio Hood before me.
" My brother," faid he, " do not ride to-day
" The dapple, as you're wont; but mount the
" horfe " Which I have chofen for thee. Do it, brother! " In love to me. A ftrong dream warn'd me fo." It was the fwiftnefs of this horfe that fhatch'd me From the hot purfuit of Bannier's dragoons. My coufin rode the dapple on that day, And never more faw I or horfe or rider.
ILLO.
That was a chance.
WALLENSTEIN.
FIRST PART OF WALLENSTEIN. 195 WALLENSTEIN. (figlllficantllj)
There's no fuch thing as chance. In brief, 'tis fign'd and feal'd that this Octavio Is my good angel — and now no word more. ( He is retiring. )
TERTSKY.
"his is my comfort — Max. remains our hoftage.
ILLO.
And he (hall never ftir from here alive.
wallenstein, (ßoßs, and turns him/elf round ) Are ye not like the women, who for ever Only recur to their firft word, altho' One had been talking reafon by the hour ? Know, that the human being's thoughts and deeds Are not, like ocean billows, blindly mov'd. The inner world, his microcofmus, is The deep fhaft, out of which they fpring eternally. They grow by certain laws, like the tree's fruit — ■ No juggling chance can metamorphofe them. Have I the human kernel firft examin'd ? Then I know, too, the future will and action.
SCENE IV.
Scene a Chamber in Piccolomini"s Dwclling- Houfe.
Octavio Piccolomini, Isolani, entering,
ISOLANI.
Here am I— Well ! who comes yet of the others ? o 2 octavio
196 THE PICCOLOMINI, OR THE
o c t a v i o . (with an air of my fiery ) But, firft, a word with you, Count Hblani.
i s o l a n i . ( ajfuming the fame air of my fiery ) Will it explode, ha? — Is the Duke about To make th' attempt ? In me, friend, you may
place Full confidence. — Nay, put me to the proof.
octavio. That may happen.
ISOLANI.
Noble brother, I am Not one of thofe men who in words are valiant, And when it comes to action fkulk away. The Duke has acted towards me as a friend.
- Gods knows it is fo j and I owe him all
He may rely on my fidelity.
OCTAVIO.
That will be feen hereafter.
ISOLANI.
Be on your guard. All think, not as I think; and there are many Who flill hold with the Court — yes, and they fay That thofe flol'n fignatures bind them to nothing.
octavio. I am rejoic'd to .hear it.
ISOLANI.
You rejoice!
OCTAVIO.
That the Emperor has yet fuch gallant fervants And loving friends.
ISOLANI.
FIRST PART OF WALLENSTEIN, 197 ISOLANI.
Nay, jeer not, I entreat you. They are no fuch worthlefs fellows, I aflure you.
OCTAVIO.
I am aflur'd already. God forbid That I mould jeft ! — In very ferious earneft I am rejoic'd to fee an honeft caufe So ftrong.
ISOLANI.
The devil ! — what ! — why, what means this ? Are you not, then For what, then, am I here ?
OCTAVIO.
That you may make full declaration, whether You will be call'd the friend or enemy Of th' Emperor.
isolani. ( with an a ir of defiance ) That declaration, friend, I'll make to him in whom a right is plac'd To put that queftion to me.
OCTAVIO.
Whether, Count, That right is mine, this paper may inftruct you.
isoLANi. {ßammering) Why — why — what! this is the Emperor's hand
and feal ! (Beads.) . . . .
<{ Whereas the officers collectively " Throughout our army will obey the orders " Of the Lieutenant-general Piccolomini, " As from ourfelves." Hem! — Yes! fo! —
Yes ! yes ! — I — I give you joy, Lieutenant-general !
o 7 OCTAVIO
198 THE PICCOLOMINI, OR THE
OCTAVIO.
And you fubmit you to the order ?
ISOLANI,
I
But you have taken me fo by furprize — Time for reflection one muß have
OCTAVIO.
Two minutes,
ISOLANI.
My God ! But then the cafe is — —
OCTAVIO.
Plain and fimple. You muft declare you, whether you determine To acl a treafon 'gainft your Lord and Sovereign, Or whether you will ferve him faithfully.
ISOLANI.
Treafon ! — My God ! — But who talks then of treafon? . •
OCTAVIO.
That is the cafe. The Prince-duke is a traitor —
Means to lead over to the enemy
The Emperor's army. — Now, Count! — brief and
full— Say, will you break your oath to th' Emperor ? Sell yourfelf to the enemy ? — Say, will you ?
ISOLANI.
What mean you ? I — I break my oath, d'ye fay,
To his Imperial Majefty ?
Did I fay fo ? — When, when have I faid that ?
OCTAVIO.
FIRST PART OF WALLENSTEIN. 199 OCTAVIO.
You have not faid it yet — not yet. This inftant I wait to hear, Count, whether you will fay it.
ISOLANI.
Aye ! that delights me now, that you yourfelf Bear witnefs for me that I never faid fo.
OCTAVIO.
And you renounce the Duke then ?
ISOLANI.
If he's planning Treafon — why, treafon breaks all bonds afunder.
OCTAVIO.
And are determin'd, too, to fight againft him ?
ISOLANI.
He has done me fervice — but if he's a villain, Perdition feize him ! — All fcores are rubb'd off.
OCTAVIO.
I am rejoic'd that you're fo well difpos'd. This night break off in th' utmoft fecrefy With all the light -arm'd troops — it mufl appear As came the order from the Duke himfelf. At Frauenberg's the place of rendezvous ; There will Count Galas give you further orders.
ISOLANI.
It mail be done, But you'll remember me With th' Emperor — how weli-difpos'd you found me.
OCTAVIO.
I will not fail to mention it honourably,
[Exit Ifolani. A Servant enters. What, Cojonel Butler !— Shew him up.
0 4 ISOLANI,
200 T#E PICCOLOMINI, OR TH£
j so lan i. (returning J Forgive me too my bearifh ways, old father ! Lord God ! how mould I know, then, what a great Perfon I had before me.
QCTAVIO.
No excufes !
ISOLANI.
I am a merry lad, and if at time A rath word might efcape me 'gainft the court Amidft my wine — you know no harm was meant.
[Exit.
OCTAVIp.
You need not be uneafy on that fcore. That has fucceeded. Fortune favour us With all the others only but as much !
SCENE V.
OCTAVIOPICCOLOMINI. BlJTLER. SUTLER.
At your command, Lieutenant General.
octavio. Welcome, as honor'd friend and vifitor.
BUTLER.
You do me too much honour.
octavio.
FIRST PART OF WALLENSTEIN. 201
ocTAVio. [after both have feated the??if elves.)
You have not .Returned the advances which I made you y efterda) — Mifunder flood them, as mere empty forms. That wilh proceeded from my heart — I was In earner! with you — for 'tis now a time In which the honeft mould unite moft cloiely.
BUTLER.
'Tis only the like-minded can unite.
OCTAVIO.
True ! and I name all honeft men like-minded.
I never charge a man but with thofe acts
To which his character deliberately
Impels him ; for alas ! the violence
Of blind mifunderftandinffs often thrnfts
The very beft of us from the right track.
You came thro' Frauenberg. Did the Count Galas
Say nothing to you ? Tell me. He's my friend.
BUTLER.
His words were loft on me.
OCTAVIO.
It grieves me fore!/ To hear it : for his counfel was moft wife. I had myfelf the like to offer.
BUTLER.
Spare Yourfelf the trouble — me th' embarraflment, To have deferv'd fo ill your good opinion.
OCTAVIO.
202 THE PICCOLOMINI, OR THE OCTAVIO.
The time is precious — let us talk openly. You know how matters ftand here. Wallenftein Meditates treafon — I can tell you further — He has committed treafon j but few hours Have paft, fince he a covenant concluded With th' enemy. The mefTengers are now Full on their way to Egra and to Prague. To-morrow he intends to lead us over To th' enemy. But he deceives himfelf ; For Prudence wakes — the Emperor has flill Many and faithful friends here, and they Hand In clofefl union, mighty tho' unfeen. This manifeilo fentences the Duke — Recals the obedience of the army from him, And fummons all the loyal, all the honed, To join and recognize in me their leader. Choofe — will you fhare with us an honeft caufe ? Or with the evil mare an evil lot,
butler, (rifes.) His lot is mine.
OCTAVIO.
Is that your laft refolve ?
BUTLER,
It is.
OCTAVIO.
Nay, but bethink you, Colonel Butler !
As yet you have time. Within my faithful breafl
That raflily utter'd word remains interr'd.
Recal it, Butler ! chufe a better party.
You have not chofen the right one.
4 BUTLER.
FIRST PART OF WALLENSTEIN, 20$ BUTLER, (going.)
Any other Commands for me, Lieutenant General ?
OCTAVIO.
See your white hairs ! Recal that word !
butler.
Farewell !
OCTAVIO.
What would you draw this good and gallant fword In fuch a caufe ? Into a curfe would you Transform the gratitude which you have earn'd By forty years' fidelity from Auftria ?
butler, {laibghing with bitternefs.)
Gratitude from the houfe of Auftria.
(he is going.)
pcTAvio. (permits him to go as far as the door>
then calls after him.) Butler !
BUTLER.
What with you ?
OCTAVIO.
How was't with the Count ?
BUTLER.
Count ? what ?
octavio. {coldly J The title that you wifh'd I mean.
butler, (ßartsinfuddenpajfwn.) Hell and damnation !
octavio. {coldly.)
You petition'd for it — \ And your petition was repell'd — Was it fo ?
butler.
204 THE PICCOLOMINI, OR THE
BUTLER.
Your infolent feoff ll^all not go by unpuniüVd, Draw !
OCTAVIO.
Nay ! your fword to'ts (heath ! and tell me calmly How all that happen'd. I will not refufe you Your fatisfaclion afterwards. — Calmly, Butler !
BUTLER.
Be the whole world acquainted with the weaknefs For which I never can forgive myfelf. Lieutenant General ! Yes — I have ambition. Ne'er was I able to endure contempt. It flung me to the quick, that birth and title Should have more weight than merit has in th*
army. I would fain not be meaner than my equal, So in an evil hour I let myfelf Be tempted to that meafure — It was folly 1 But yet fohard a penance it deferv'd not. It might have been refus'd ; but wherefore barb And venom the refufal with contempt ? Why dafh to earth and crufh with heavier! fcorn The grey-hair'd man, the faithful Veteran ? Why to the bafenefs of his parentage Refer him with fuch cruel roughnefs, only Becaufe he had a weak hour and forgot himfelf ? But nature gives a fling e'en to the worm Which wanton Power treads on in fport and infuk.
OCTxWIO.
y"ou mult have been calumniated. Guefs you The enemy, who did you this ill fervice ?
3 BUTLER.
FIRST PART OF WALLENSTEIN. 205 BUTLER.
Be't who it will — a moft low-hearted fcoundrel, Some vile court-minion mull itbe,fome Spaniard, Some young {quire of fome ancient family, In whofe light I may ftand, fome envious knave, Stung to his foul by my fair felf-earn'd honours ! ,
OCTAVIO.
But tell me ! Did the Duke approve that meafurc?
BUTLER.
Himfelf impell'd me to it, ufed his interefl
In my behalf with all the warmth of friend (hip.
OCTAVIO.
Ay ? Are you fure of that ?
BUTLER.
I read the letter.
OCTAVIO. '/
And fo did I — but the contents were different.
(Butler is fuddenly firack) By chance I'm in poffemon 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, An infamous game have they been playing with
you. The Duke, you fay, impell'd you to this meafure ?" Now, in this letter talks he in contempt Concerning you, counfels the Minifler
n To
205 THE flCCOLoMlNI, OR Ttf£
To give found chaftifement to your conceit, For fo he calls it.
• ( Butler reads through the letter, his knce$ tremble, he feizes a chair, and finks down in it.)
You have no enenvy, no perfecutor; There's no one wifhes ill to you. Afcribe The infult you receiv'd to the Duke only. His aim is clear and palpable. He wifh'd To tear you from your Emperor — he hop'd To gain from your revenge what he well knew (What your long-tried fidelity convinced him) He n'er could dare exped: from your calm reafon. A blind tool would he make you, in contempt "Ufe you, as means of moft abandon'd ends. He has gain'd his point. Too well has he fucceeded In luring you away from that good path On which you had been journeying forty years !
butler, [his voice trem b ling ) Can e'er the Emperor's Majefly forgive me ?
OCT AVI Ö.
More than forgive you. He would fain com-
penfate For that affront, and moft unmerited grievance Suftain'd by a deferving, gallant veteran. From his free impulfe he confirms the prefent, Which the Duke made you for a wicked purpofe. The regiment, which you now command, is your's.
(Butler attempts to rife, finks down again. He labours inward'y with violent emotions ; tries
to
FIRST PART OF WALLENSTEIN. 207
to /peak, and cannot. At length he takes his /word from the belt, and offers it to Pic- colomini. )
OCTAVIO.
What wifh you? Recoiled yourfelf, friend.
BUTLER.
Take it.
OCTAVIO.
But to what purpofe ? Calm yourfelf.
BUTLER.
O take it ! I am no longer worthy of this fword.
OCTAVIO.
Receive it then anew from my hands — and Wear it with honour for the right caufe ever,
BUTLER.
— i — Perjure myfelf to fuch a gracious Sovereign !
OCTAVIO.
You'll make amends. Quick ! break off from the Duke !
BUTLER.
Break off from him !
OCTAVIO.
What now ? Bethink thyfelf.
butler, (no longer governing his emotion ) Only break off from him ! — He dies ! he dies !
OCTAVIO.
Come after me to Frauenberg, where now All, who are loyal, are affembling under Counts Altringer and Galas. Many others
I've
208 THE PICCOLOMINT, OR THE
I've brought to a remembrance of their duty. This night be fure, that you efcape from Pilfen*. butler, (firides up and down in exceffive agitation, then fteps up to Octavio ivith re- folued countenance . ) Count Piccolcmini ! Dare that man fpeak Of honour to you, who once broke his troth ,
OCTAVIO.
He, who repents fo deeply of it, dares.
BUTLER.
Then' leave me here, upon my word of honour !
OCTAVIO.
What's your defign ?
BUTLER.
Leave me and my regiment-,
OCTAVIO.
I have full confidence in you. But tell me What are you brooding ?
BUTLER.
That the deed will tell you. Aik me no more at prefent. Truft to me. Ye may truft fafely. By the living God Ye give him over, not to his good angel ! Farewell ! [Exit Butler.
servant, {enters with a billet.) A ftranger left it, and is gone.. The Prince-Duke's -horfes wait for you below.
[Exit Servant. octavio. (reads.) • " Be fure, make hafte! Your faithful Ifolan." — O that I had but left this town behind me.
To
FIRST PART -OF WALLENSTEIN. 209
To fplit upon a rock fo near the haven ! — Away S This is no longer a fafe place for me ! Where can my fon be tarrying ?
SCENE VI.
Octavio and Max. Piccolomini.
(Max. enters almofi in aftale of derangement
from extreme agitation, his eyes roll wildly,
his walk is unfleady, and he appears not to
obferve his father,, who fiands at a dißance,
and gazes at him with a countenance expref-
five of compajfion. He paces with long
ßrides through the chamber, then ßands
fill again, and at laß throws himfelf into a
chair, flaring vacantly at the object directly
before him.')
octavio. (advances to him.) I am going off, my fon.
{Receiving no anfwer, he takes his hand.) My fon, farewell.
MAX.
Farewell.
OCTAVIO.
Thou wilt foon follow me ?
MAX. ■
I follow thee ? Thy way is crooked — it is not my way.
p {Octavio
210 THE PICC0L0MINI, OR THE
(Octavio drops his hand, and ßarts back.) O, hadft thou been but fimple and fincere, Ne'er had it come to this — all had flood otherwife. He had not done that foul and horrible deed, The virtuous had retained their influence o'er him : He had not fallen into the fnares of villains. Wherefore fo like a thief, and thief's accomplice Did'ft creep behind him — lurking for thy prey ? O, unbleft falfehood ! Mother of all evil ! Thou mifery-making daemon, it is thou That fmk'ft us in perdition. Simple truth, Suftainer of the world, had fav'd us all ! Father, I will not, I cannot excufe thee ! Wallenftein has deceiv'd me — O, mofb foully ! But thou haft a<5ted not much better.
OCTAVIO.
Son ! My fon, ah ! I forgive thy agony ! max. (rifes, and Contemplates his father with looks of fufpicion.) Was't poffible ? had'ft thou the heart, my father, Had 'ft thou the heart to drive it to fuch lengths, With cold premeditated purpofe ? Thou — Had'ft thou the heart, to wifli to fee him guilty, Rather than fav'd ? Thou rifeft by his fall. Oftavio, 'twill not pleafe me.
OCTAVIO.
God in Heaven !
.:n' MAX.
O, woe is me ! fure I have chang'd my nature.
a How
FIRST PART OF WALLENSTEIN. 211
How comes fufpicion here — in the free foul ? Hope, confidence, belief, are gone ; for all Lied to me, all what I e'er lov'd or honour'd. No ! No ! Not all ! She — fhe yet lives for me, And (he is true, and open as the Heavens ! Deceit is every where, hypocrify, Murder, and poifoning, treafon, perjury : The fingle holy fpot js our love, The only unprofan'd in human nature.
OCTAVIO.
Max ! — we will go together. 'Twill be better.
MAX.
AVhat ? ere I've taken a laft parting leave, The very laft — no never !
OCTAVIO.
Spare thyfelf The pang of neceflary feparation. Come with me ! Come, my fon !
(Attempts to take him zuith him.)
MAX.
No ! as fure as God lives, no !
octavio. (more urgently.) Come with me, I command thee ! I, thy father.
MAX.
Command me what is human. I ftay here.
OCTAVIO.
Max ! in the Emperor's name I bid thee come.
max. No Emperor hath power to prefcribe
? z Laws
212 THE PICeOLOMINI, OR THE
Laws to the heart ; and would'ft thou wifh to rob
me Of the fole bleffing which my fate has left me, Her fympathy. Muft then a cruel deed Be done with cruelty ? The unalterable Shall I perform ignobly — fteal away, With Healthy coward flight forfake her ? No ! She fhall behold my fußering, my fore anguiih, Hear the complaints of the difparted foul, And weep tears o'er me. O ! the human race Have fteeiy fouls — but fhe is as an angel. From the black deadly madnefs of defpair Will fne redeem my foul, and in foft words Of comfort, plaining, loofe this pang of death !
OCTAVIO.
Thou will not tear thyfelf away, thou can' ft not. O, come, my fon ! I bid thee fave thy virtue.
max. Squander not thou thy words in vain. The heart I follow, for I dare truft to it.
octavio. (tremblings and loßng all felf-
comma?id.)
Max ! Max ! if that moft damned thing could be,
If thou—my fon — my own blood — (dare I think
it?) Do fell thyfelf to him, the infamous, Do ftamp this brand upon our noble houfe, Then man the world behold the horrible deed, And in unnatural combat (hall the fteel Of the fon trickle with the father's blood.
MAX.
FIRST PART OF WALLENSTEIN. 213
MAX.
O hadft thou always better thought of men, Thou hadfl then acted better. Curft fufpicion ! Unholy miferable doubt ! To him Nothing on earth remains unwrench'd and firm, Who has no faith.
OCTAVIO.
And if I truft thy heart, Will it be always in thy power to follow it ?
MAX.
The heart's voice thou haft not o'erpower'd- — as
little Will Wallenftein be able to o'erpower it,
OCTAVIO.
O, Max ! I fee thee never more again !
MAX.
Unworthy of thee wilt thou never fee me.
OCTAVIO.
I go to Frauenberg — the Pappenheimers
I leave thee here, the Lothrings too ; Tofkana
And Tiefenbach remain here to protect thee.
They love thee, and are faithful to their oath,
And will far rather fall in gallant contefl
Than leave their rightful leader, and their honour,
MAX.
Rely on this, I either leave my life
In the ftruggle, or conduct them out of Pilfen,
OCTAVIO.
Farewell, my fon !
MAX.
Farewell',
OCTAVIO,
0 214 THE PICCOLOMINI, OR THE
OCTAVIO.
How ? not one look Of filial love ? No grafp of th' hand at parting ? It is a bloody war, to which we are going, And the event uncertain and in darknefs. So us'd we not to part — it was not fo ! Js it then true ? I have a fon no longer ?
(Max. falls into his arms, they hold each for u long time in a fpeechlefs embrace, then go away at different fides.)
TUE CURTAIJSr DROPS =
fnniedlj Q.Wooafalt, Nc. 22, Paternoßer-Rvw, London,
In the Prefs, and fpeedily vsill be puhlijhed, From the German of Schiller,
THE DEATH OF WALLENSTEIN j
WJLLENSTEIN's CAMP,
A Prelude of One Act to the two former Dramas ; with an ESSAY on the GENIUS of SCHILLER.
^ BY S. T. COLERIDGE.
N. B. The Drama will be embellifhed with an elegant Portrait of Wallenstein, engraved by Chapman.
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By SAMUEL TAYLOR, Gent.
THE
DEATH
OF
WALLENSTEIN,
A TRAGE p%
IN FIVE ACTS.
TRANSLATED FROM THE GERMAN 07
FREDERICK SCHILLER S. T. COLERIDGE.
LONDON:
PRINTED FOX. T. V. LONGMAN AND O. REES, PATERNOSTiR R01T,
By G. Wood/all, No. 2 s, Paternofier-Rvxii. 1800.
WALLENSTEIN.
A DRAMA
IN TWO PARTS,
TRANSLATED PROM THE OERMAN OP
FREDERICK SCHILLER
BY
$ T. COLERIDGE.
LONDON:
»RINTED FOR T. N. LONGMAN AND 0. REES, PATERNOSTER-ROTT,
By G. Woodfall, No. 22, Paternqߣr~Rotw. 1800
PREFACE
er the
TRANSLATOR.
JL HE two Dramas, Piccolomini, or the firft:
part of Wallenstein, and Wallenstein, are introduced in the original manufcript by a Prelude in one Aft, entitled Wall en stein's Camp. This is written in rhyme, and in nine iylkble verfe, in the fame lilting metre (if that expreflion may be permitted) with the fecond Eclogue of Spencer's Shepherd's Calendar.
This Prelude pofiefTes a fort of broad humour, and is not deficient in character ; but to have tranilated it into profe, or into any other metre than that of the original, would have given a falfe idea both of its ftyle and purport 5 to have tranilated it into the fame metre would have been^ incompatible with a faithful adherence to the fenfe of the German, from the comparative po- verty of our language in rhymes ; and it would have been unadvifeable from the incongruity of thofe lax verfes with the prefent tafte of the Eng- lish Public. Schiller's intention feems to have been merely to have prepared his reader for the Tragedies by a lively picture of the laxity of dis- cipline, and the mutinous difpofitions of Wallen- ftein's foldiery. It is not neceffary as a prelimi- nary explanation. For thefe reafons it has been thought expedient not to tranilate it.
The
PREFACE.
The admirers of Schiller, who have abftracted their idea of that author from the Robbers, and the Cabal and Love* plays in which the main in- tereft is produced by the excitement of curiofity, and in which the curiofity is excited by terrible and extraordinary incident, will not have perufed without fome portion of difappointment the Dramas, which it has been my employment to translate. They fhould, however, reflect that thefe are Hiftorical Dramas, taken from a po- pular German Hiftory ; that we mull therefore judge of them in fome meafure with the feelings of Germans ; or by analogy, with the intereft excited in us by fimilar Dramas in our own language. Few, I truft, would be ram or igno- rant enough to compare Schiller with Shakefpeare; yet, merely as illuftration, I would fay that we fhould proceed to the perufal of Wallenftein, not from Lear or Othello, but from . Richard the Second, or the three parts of Henry the. Sixth. We fcarcely expect rapidity in an Hiftorical Drama ; and many prolix fpeeches are pardoned from characters, whofe names and actions have formed the moft amufing tales of our early life. On the other hand, there exifl in thefe plays more individual beauties, more pafTages, whofe excel- lence will bear reflection, than in the former productions of Schiller. The defcription of the Aftrological Tower, and the reflections of the Young Lover, which follow it, form in the ori- ginal a fine poem j and my tranflation muft have been wretched indeed, if it can have wholly over- clouded the beauties of the Scene in the firft Act of the firft Play between Queftenberg, Max. and Octavio Piccolomini. If we except the Scene of the fetting fun in the Robbers, I know of no part in Schiller's Plays which equals the whole of the firft Scene of the fifth Act of the concluding
Play.
PREFACE.
Play. It would be unbecoming in me to be mora diffufe on this fubjecl:. A Tranflacor Hands con- nected with the original Author by a certain law of fubordination, which makes it more decorous to point out excellencies than defects: indeed he is not likely to be a fair judge of either. The pleafure or difguft from his own labour wilt mingle with the feelings that arife from an after- view of the original. Even in the fiift perufal of a work in any foreign language which we underftand, we are apt to attribute to it more excellence than it really porTeffes from our own pleafurable fenfe of difficulty overcome without effort. Translation of poetry into poetry is diffi- cult, becaufe the Tranilator muft give a brilliancy to his language without that warmth of original conception, from which fuch brilliancy would follow of its own accord. But the Tranflator of a living Author is encumbered with additional inconveniences. If he render his original faith- fully, as to the fenfe of each paffage, he mult neceffarily deftroy a confiderable portion of the fpirit j if he endeavour to give a work executed according to laws of compenfation, he fubjecls himfeifto imputations of vanity, or mifrepreienta- tiop. I have thought it my duty to remain bound by the fenfe of my original, with as few exceptions as the nature of the languages rendered poflible.
S. T. COLERIDGE
DRAMATIS
DRAMATIS PERSONS
Wallenstein, Dukeof Friedland, Gent ratißmo of the Impe- rial Forces in the Thirty-years War.
Duchess of Friedland, Wife of Wallenflein.
Thekla, her Daughter i Princefs of Friedland.
The Countess Tertsky, Sifter, of the Duchefs.
Lady Neubrunn,
Octavio Piccolomint, Lieutenant General.
Max. PrccoLOMiNi, bis Son, Cohnelof a Regiment of Cutraßers-*
Count Tertsky, the Commander of feveral Regiments, and Brother-in-law of Wallenßein.
Illo, Field Marßal, Wallenßein' s Confidant.
Butler, an Irißman, Commander of a Regiment of Dragoons,
Gordon, Governor of Egra,
Major Geraldin.
Captain Devereux.
. Macdonald.
Neumann, Captain of Cavalry, Aide-de-camp to Tertfky.
Swedish Captain.
Seni.
Burgomaster, of Egra.
Anspessade of the Cuiraßers*
Groom of the Chamber, "I Behng]ng „ tU Duhm
A Page, J
Cuirassiers, Dragoons, Servants.
THE
DEATH
OF
WALLENSTEIN.
ACT I.
Svcne^ a Chamber in the Houfe of the Duchefs v of Friedland.
SCENE I.
Countess Tertsky., Thekla. Ladt Neubrunn.
(the two tatter fit at the fame table at work.)
countess, (watching them from the oppofitejide.) So you have nothing, niece* to afk me ? Nothing ? I have been waiting for a word from you. And could you then endure in all this time Not once to fpeak his name ? (Thekla remaining filent, the Countefs rifes and advances to her.)
Why, how comes this ? Perhaps I am already grown fuperfluous, And other ways exift, befides through me ? Confefs it to me, Thekla ! have you feen him ?
b thekla.
2 THE DEATH OF
THEKLA.
To -day and yefterday I have Dot feen him.
COUNTESS.
And not heard from him either ? Come, be open !
THEKLA.
No fyllable.
COUNTESS.
And ftill you are fo calm ?
THEKLA.
I am.
COUNTESS.
May't pleafe you, leave us, LadyNeubrunn ! [Exit Lady Neubrunn.
SCENE II. The Countess. Thekla.
COUNTESS.
It does not pleafe me, Princefs ! that he holds Himfelf (ofiill, exactly at this time.
THEKLA.
Exactly at this time ?
COUNTESS.
He now knows all. 'Twere now the moment to declare himfelf.
THEKLA.
If I'm to underfland you, fpeak lefs darkly.
COUNTESS.
'Twas for that purpofe that I bade her leave us.
3 Thekla,
WALLENSTEIN. 3
Thekla, you are no more a child. Your heart
Is now no more in nonage : for you love,
And boldnefs dwells with love — tlrat you have
prov'd. ,
Your nature moulds i'tfelf upon your father's More than your mother's fpirit. Therefore may you Hear, what were too much for her fortitude.
THEKLA.
Enough ! no further preface, I intreat you. At once, out with it ! Be it what it may, It is not poffible that it mould torture me More than this introduction. What have you To fay to me ? Tell me the whole, and briefly !
COUNTESS.
You'll not be frighten'd —
THEKLA.
Name it, I intreat you.
COUNTESS.
It lies within your power to do yoUr father . A weighty fervice —
THEKLA.
Lies within my power?
COUNTESS.
Max. Piccolomini loves you. You can link him Indiffolubly to your fathers
THEKLA,
I?
What need of me for that ? And is he not Already iink'd to him ?
B 2 COUNTESS,
4 THE DEATH OF
COUNTESS.
He was.
THEKLA.
And wherefore Should he not be fo now — not be fo always ?
COUNTESS.
He cleaves to th' Emp'ror too.
THEKLA.
Not more than duty And honour may demand of him.
countess.
Weaik Proofs of his love, and not proofs of his honour. Duty and honour !
Thofe are ambiguous words with many meanings. You mould interpret them for him : his love Should be the fole definer of his honour.
THEKLA.
How ?
countess. Th' Emperor or you mull he renounce.
THEKLA.
He will accompany my father gladly
In his retirement. From himfelf you heard,
How much he wifli'd to lay afide the fword.
COUNTESS.
He mufl not lay the fword afide, we mean; He mufl unfheath it in your father's caufe.
THEKLA.
WALLENSTEIN. 5
THEKLA.
He'll fpend with gladnefs and alacrity
His life, his heart's blood in my father's caufe,
If lhame or injury be intended him.
COUNTESS.
You will not underftand me. Well, hear then ! Your father has fallen off from the Emperor, And is about to join the enemy With the whole foldiery —
THEKLA.
Alas, my mother !
COUNTESS.
There needs a great example to draw on The army after him. The Piccolomini Poffefs the love and rev'rence of the troops ; They govern all opinions, and wherever They lead the way, none hefitate to follow. The fon fecures the father to our intereffe- — You've much in your hands at this moment.
THEKLA.
Ah, My miferable mother ? what a death-ftroke Awaits thee ! — No ! She never will furviveit.
COUNTESS.
She will accommodate her foul to that
Which is and rauft be. I do know your mother.
The far-ofF future weighs upon her heart
With torture of anxiety , but is it
Unalterably, actually prefent,
She foon refigns herfelf, and bears it calmly.
B 3 THEKLA.
6 THE DEATH OF
THEKLA.
0 my fore-boding bofom ! Even now, E'en now 'tis here, that icy hand of horror ! And my young hope lies fhuddering in its grafp.
1 knew |t well — no fooner had I enter'd, An heavy ominous prefentiment
ReveaPd to me, that fpirits of death were hov'ring Over my happy fortune, But why think I ' Firft of myfelf? My mother ! O my mother!
countess. Calm yourfelf! Break not out in vain lamenting! Preferve you for your father the firm friend, And for yourfelf the lover, all will yet Prove good and fortunate.
THEKLA.
Prove good ? What good Muft we not part ? Part ne'er to meet again ?
COUNTESS.
He parts not from you ! He can not part from you.
• THEKLA.
Alas for his fore anguifh ! It will rend His heart afunder.
countess.
If indeed he loves you, His refolution will be fpeedily taken.
THEKLA.
His refolution will be fpeedily taken — O do not doubt of that ! A refolution ! Does there remain one to be taken ?
COUNTESS.
WALLENSTEIN. COUNTESS.
Hufh»
Collect yourfelf ! I hear your mother coming.
THEKLA,
How (hall I bear to fee her ?
COUNTESS.
Collect yourfelf.
SCENE IN.
To them enter the Duchess.
duchess, (to the Countefs.J
Who was here, fifter ? I heard fome one talking, And paffionately too.
COUNTESS.
Nay { There was no one*
DUCHESS.
I am grown fo timorous, every trifling noite Scatters my fpirits, and announces to me The footftep of fome menenger of evil. And canyon tell me, fiftera what the event is?- Will he agree to do the Emperor's pleafure, And fend th' horfe-regiments to the Cardinal ? Tell me, has he difmifs'd Von Queftenberg With a favourable anfwer ?
COUNTESS.
fta-uwl . __ . ■
No, he has not.
b 4 DUCHESS,
8
THE DEATH OF
DUCHESS.
Alas ! then all is loft ! I fee it coming, The worft that can come J Yes, they will depofe him j The accurfed bufinefs of the Regenfpurg diet Will all be a<fted o'er again !
£OUNTEßS.
No ! never !
Make your heart eafy, filler, as to that.
(Thekla, in extreme agitation, throws herf elf upon her mother, and enfolds her in her arms, weep- ing.\
DUCHESS.
Yes, my poor child !
Thou too haft loft a moft affedionate godmother
In th' Emprefs. O that ftern unbending man !
In this unhappy marriage what have I
Not fuifer'd, not endur'd. For ev'n as if
I had been link'd on to fome wheel of fire
That reftlefs, ceafelefs, whirls impetuous onward,
I have paft a life of frights and horrors with him,
And ever to the brink of fome Abyfs
With dizzy headlong violence he whirls me.
Nay, do not weep, my child ! Let not my furT' rings
Prefignify uphappinefs to thee,
Nor blacken with their fliade, the fate that waits
thee. There lives no fecond Friedland : thou, my child, Haft not to fear thy mother's deftiny.
THEKLA. r.o 3
O let us fupplicate him, deareft mother ! Quick ! quick ! here's no abiding-place for us.
Here
WALLENSTEItt. 9
J lere every coming hour broods into life Some new affrightful monfter.
DUCHESS.
Thou wilt marc An eafier, calmer lot, my child ! We too, I and thy father, witnefs'd happy days. Still think I with delight of thofe firfl years, When he was making progrefs with glad effort, When his ambition was a genial fire, Not that confuming^<2;«£ which now it is. The Emperor lov'd him, traded him ; and all He undortook, could not but be fuccefsful. But fince that ill-flarr'd day at Regenfpurg, Which plung'd him headlong from his dignity, A gloomy uncompanionable fpirit, Unfteady and mfpicious, has poffefs'd him. His quiet mind forfook him, and no longer Did he yield up himfelf in joy and faith To his old luck, and individual power ; But thenceforth turn'd his heart and belt affections AH to thofe cloudy fciences, which never Have yet made happy him who followed them.
COUNTESS.
You fee it, filter ! as your eyes permit you. But furely this is not the converiation To pafs the time in which we are waiting for him. You know he will be foon here. Would you have
him Find her in this condition ?
DUCHESS.
20 THE DEATH OF
DUCHESS.
Come, my child? Come wipe away thy tears, and fliew thy father A chearful countenance. See, the tie-knot here Is off— this hair muft not hang fo difhevell'd. Come, deareft ! dry thy tears up. They deform Thy gentle eye — well now — what was I faying ? Yesr in good truth, this Piccolomini Is a moft noble and deferving gentleman.
COUNTESS.
That is he, filler I
THEKLA.
(to theCountefsy with marks of great oppreffon of fpirits.) Aunt, you will excufe me ? (is going)
COUNTESS.
Bot whither ? See, your father comes.
THEKLA.
I cannot fee him now.
COUNTESS.
Nay, but bethink you,
THEKLA.
Believe me, I cannot fuftain his prefence.
COUNTESS.
But he will mifs you, will aik after }'ou.
DUCHESS.
What now ? Why is fhe going ?
countess.
She's not well.
DUCHESS.
WALLENSTEIN. If
duchess, (anxioufly.)
What ails then my beloved child ?
(both follow the Prifice/s, and endeavour to detain her. During this Wallenfiein appear 's, en- gaged in converfation züith lib.)
SCENE rv.
Wallenstein. Illo. Countess. Duchess. Thekla. wallenstein. All quiet in the camp ?
illo.
It is all quiet.
WALLENSTEIN.
In a few hours may couriers come from Prague
With tidings, that this capital is ours.
Then we may drop the mafk, and to the troops
Aflembled in this town make known the meafure
And it's refult together. In fuch cafes
Example does the whole. Whoever is foremoft
Still leads the herd. An imitative creature
Is man. The troops at Prague conceive no other,
Than that the Pilfen army has gone through
The forms of homage to us ; and in Piifen
They (hall fwear fealty to us, becaufe
The example has been given them by Prague.
Butler, you tell me, has declared himfelf.
ILLO.
At his own bidding, unfolicited,
He came to offer you himfelf and regiment.
WALLENSTEIN.
12 TUE DEATH OF
WALLENSTEIN.
I find we muft not give implicit credence
To every warning voice that makes itfelf
Be liften'd to in th' heart. To hold us back,
Oft does the lying fpirit counterfeit
The voice of Truth and inward Revelation,
Scattering falfe oracles. And thus have I
To intreat forgivenefs, for thatfecretly
I've wrong'd this honourable gallant man,
This Butler: for a feeling, of the which
I am not mafter, {fear I would not call it)
Creeps o'er me inftantly, with fenfe of fliudd'ring,
At his approach, and Hops love's joyous motion.
And this fame man, againft whom J am warn'd,
This honeft mart is he, who reaches to me
The firft pledge of my fortune.
I LLC,
And doubt not That his example will win over to you The beft men in the army.
WALLENSTEIN.
Go and fend Ifolani hither. Send him immediately. He is under recent obligations to me. With him will I commence the trial. Go.
[illo. Exit.
w a llenstein. (turns hi mf elf round to thefemales) I/>, there the mother with the darling daughter, ' For once we'll have an interval of reft — Come ! my heart yearns to live a cloudlefs hour In the beloved circle of my family.
countess.
WALLENSTEIN. 13
COUNTESS.
*Tis long fince we've been thus together, brother.
wallenstein, (to the Counteß, aßäe.) Can fhe fuftain the news ? Is fhe prepar'd ?
COUNTESS.
Not yet.
WALLENSTEIN.
Come here, my fweet girl ! Seat thee by me. For there is a good fpirit on thy lips. Thy mother prais'd to me thy ready fkili : She fays a voice of melody dwells in thee, Which doth enchant the foul. Now fuch a voice Will drive away for me the evil daemon That beats his black wings clofe above my head.
DUCHESS.
Where is thy lute, my daughter ? Let thy father Hear fome fmall trial of thy {kill.
THEKLA.
My mother 1 I—
DUCHESS.
Trembling ? Come, collect thyfelf. Go, cheer Thy father,
thekla. O my mother! I-r-I cannot.
COUNTESS.
How, what is that, niece ?
thekla. (to the Countefi.)
O fpare me — fing — now — in this fore anxiety,
Of the o'erburthen'd foul — to fing to him>
Who
It THE DEATH OF
Who is thrufting, even now, my mother headlong Into her grave.
i DUCHESS.
How, Thekla ? Humourfome ? What ! mail thy father have exprefs'd a wifh In vain ?
COUNTESS.
Here is the lute.
THEKLA.
My God ! how can I — [The orchefira plays. During the ritornello Thekla exprejfesin her gefiures and countenance the firuggle of her feelings ; and at the mo- ment that Jlie Jliould begin to fing, contracts hcrfelf together, as one Jliu ddering, throws the injirument down, and retires abruptly.)
DUCHESS.
My child ! O me is ill — -
WALLENSTEIN.
What ails the maiden ? Say, is me often fo ?
COUNTESS.
Since then herfelf Has now betray'd it, I too muft no longer Conceal it.
WALLENSTEIN.
What ?
COUNTESS.
She loves him !
WALLENSTEIN.
WALLENSTEIN. 15
WALLENSTEIN.
Loves him ! Whom ?
COUNTESS.
Max. does me love ? Max. Piccolomini. Haft thou ne'er notic'd it ? Nor yet my filler ?
DUCHESS.
Was it this that lay fo heavy on her heart ? God's blefling on thee, my fweet child ! Thou
need'fl Never take fhame upon thee for thy choice.
countess. This journey, if 'twere not thy aim, afcribe it To thine own felf. Thou fhould'fl have chofen
another To have attended her.
wallenstein.
And does he know it ?
COUNTESS.
Yes, and he hopes to win her.
WALLENSTEIN.
Hopes to win her ! Is the boy mad ?
countess. Well — hear it from themfelves.
WALLENSTEIN.
He thinks to carry offDuke Friedland's daughter !
Ay ? — The thought pleafes me.
The young man has no grovelling fpirit.
COUNTESS.
IG \ THE DEATH OF
COUNTESS,
Since Such and luch conftant favour you have fhewn him.
WALLENSTEIN.
He chufes finally to be my heir. And true it is, I love the youth, yea, honour him. But mud he therefore be my daughter's hufband r Is it daughters only ? Is it only children That we muft fhew our favour by ?
DUCHESS.
His noble difpofition and his manners—
WALLENSTEIN.
Win him my heart, but not my daughter.
DUCHESS.
Then His rank, his anceftors —
WALLENSTEIN.
Anceftors ! What ? He is a fubjecr., and my fon-in-lavv I will feek out upon the thrones of Europe.
DUCHESS.
O deareft Albrecht ! Climb we not too high, Left we fhould fall too low.
WALLENSTEIN.
What ? have I paid A price fo heavy to afcend this eminence, And jut out high above the common herd, Only to clofe the mighty part I play
In
VVALLENSTEIN. 17
In Life's great Drama, with a common kinfman ? Have I for this —
(ßops fuddenly , repreffing himfclf.)
She is the only thing That will remain behind of me on earth -> And I will fee a crown around her head, Or die in the attempt to place it there. I hazard all — all ! and for this alone, To lift her into greatnefs— ft« on «11 £*A
Yea, in this moment, in the which we are fpeaking—
{he recollects himfelf) And I mud now, like a foft-hearted father, Couple together in good peafant fafhion The pair, that chance to fuit each other's liking-r- And I muft do it now, even now, when I Am ftretching out the wreath, that is to twine My full accomplifh'd work — no ! ihe is the jewel, Which I have treafur'd long, my laft, my nobleft, And 'tis my purpofe not to let her from me For lefs than a king's fceptre.
DUCHESS.
O my hufband ! You're ever building, building to the clouds, Still building higher, and flill higher building, And ne'er reflect, that the poor narrow bafis Cannot fuftain the giddy tottering column.
wallenstein, (to the Countefs.) Have you announc'd the place of refidence .. Which I have deftin'd for her ?
C COUNTESS»
1$ THE DEATH OP
COUNTESS.
No ! not yet. Twere better, you yourfelf difclos'd it to her.
DUCHESS.
How ? Do we not return to Kärn then ?
WALLENSTEIN.
No.
DUCHESS.
And to no other of your lands or feats ?
WALLENSTEIN.
You would not be fecure there.
DUCHESS.
Not fecure In the Emperor's realms, beneath the Emperor's Protection?
WALLENSTEIN.
Friedland's wife may be permitted No longer to hope that.
DUCHESS.
O God in heaven ! And have you brought it even to this ?
WALLENSTEIN.
In Holland You'll find protection.
DUCHESS.
In a Lutheran country ? What ? And you fend us into Lutheran countries ?
WALLENSTEIN.
Vuke Franz of Lauenburg conducts you thither.
DUCHESS.
WALLLENSTEtN« 1 J>
DUCHEJS.
Duke Franz öf Lauenberg ?
The ally of Sweden, the Emperor's enemy.
WALLENSTEIN»
The Emperor's enemies are mine no longer.
DUCHESS.
(cafiing a look of terror on the Duke and the
Countefs.) Is it then true ? It is. You are degraded ? Depos'd from the command ? O God in heaven !
countess, (afide to the Duke. J Leave her in this belief. Thou feeft fhe cannot Support the real truth.
SCENE V. To them enter Count Tertsky.
COUNTESS.
—TERTSKY !
What ails him ? What an image of affright 1 He looks as he had feen a ghoft.
TERTSKY.
[leading Wallenßein qfide.) Is it thy command that all the Croats*—
WALLENSTEIN. .
Mine!
TERTSKY,
Wc are betrayed.
C a WAL-
20 -THE DEATH OF
WALLENSTEIK.
What ?
TERTSKY.
They are off I This flight The Jägers likewife — ail the villages In the whole round are empty.
WALLENSTEIN.
Ifolani I
TERTSKY.
Him thou haft fent away. Yes, furely.
WALLENSTEIN..
I? TERTSKY.
No ! Haft thou not lent him off? Nor Deodate 2 They are vanifh'd both of them.
SCENE VI. To them enter* Illo.
illo. Has Tertfky told thee ?
TERTSKY.
He knows all.
ILLO.
And likewife That Efterhatzy, Goetz, Maradas, Kaunitz* Kolatto, Palfi, have forfaken thee.
TERTSKY.
Damnation t
wallenstein, (winks to them.) HuQi !
COUNTESS
WALLENSTEIN. " 21
COUNTESS.
{who has been watching them anxionfiy from the
dißance, and ?iozv advances to them.) Tertfky ! Heaven ! What is it ? What has hap- pened ?
wallenstein, (fcarcelyfupprejfing his emotions.) Nothing ! Let us be gone !
tertsky. {following him.)
Therefa, it is nothing.
countess, (holding him back.) Nothing ? Do I not fee, that all the life blood Has left your cheeks — look you not like a ghoft ? That even my brother but affects a calmnefs ?
page, {enters.)
An Aid-de-Camp enquires for the Count Tertfky.
(Tcrtjlsy follows the Page)
wallenstein» Go, hear his bufinefs.
(to Illo) This could not have happened So unfufpecled without mutiny, Who was on guard at the gates ?
illo.
'Twas Tiefenbach.
wallenstein. Let Tiefenbach leave guard without delay, And Tertfky 's grenadiers relieve him. (Illo is going)
Stop !
Haft thou heard aught of Butler ?
p 3 illo,
22 THE DEATH OP
ILLO.
Him I met* He will be. here himfelf immediately. Butler remains unfhaken.
(Illo exit. Wallenfiein is following him- )
COUNTESS.
Let him not leave thee, lifter ! go, detain him ! There's forne misfortune.
^ duchess, (clinging to him.)
Gracious heaven ! What is it ?
WALLENSTEIN.
Be tranquil ! leave me, lifter ! deareft wife ! We are in camp, and this is nought unufual ; Here ftorm and funlhine follow one another With rapid interchanges.' Thefe fierce fpirits Champ the curb angrily, and never yet Did quiet blefs the temples of the leader. If I am to ftay, go you. The plaints of women. Ill fuit the fcene where men mult acr..
(He is going : Tertjky returns.)
TERTSKY.
Remain here. From this window muft we fee it,
wallenstein, (to the Countefs.) Sifter, retire !
COUNTESS.
No — never,
WALLENSTEIN.
Tis my will.
TERTjSKY*
WALLENSTEIN. 23
tertsky. (leads (he Countefs aßde, and draw- ing her attention to the Duchefs.) Therefa !
DUCHESS.
Sifter, come ! fince he commands it.
SCENE VII.
Wallenstein. Tertsky.
wallenstein, (flepping to the window.) What now, then ?
TERTSKY.
There are ftrange movements among all the troops, And no one knows the caufe. Myfterioufly, With gloomy lilentnefs, the feveral corps Marfhal themfelves, each under its own banners. Tiefenbach's corps make threatening movements ;
only The Pappenheimers flill remain aloof In their own quarters, and let no one enter.«
wallenstein. Does Piccolomini appear among them ?
tertsky. We are feeking him : he is no where to be met with«
wallenstein. What did the Aide-de-Camp deliver to you ?
TERTSKY.
My regiments had difpatched him \ yet once more c 4 They
24? THE DEATH OF
They fwear fidelity to thee, and wait
The fhout for onfet, all prepar'd, and eager.
WALLENSTEIN.
But whence arofe this larftm in the camp ?
It mould have been kept fecret from the army,
Till fortune had decided for us at Prague.
TERTSKY.
0 that thou hadft believ'd me ! Yefter evening Did we conjure thee not to let that Skulker, That fox, Octavio, pafs the gates of Pilfen. Thou gav'fl him thy own horfes to flee from thee.
WALLENSTEIN.
The old tuneilill ! Now, once for all, no more Of this fufpicion— it is doting folly.
TERTSKY.
Thou did'fb confide in Ifolani too ;
And lo ! he was the firft that did defert thee.
WALLENSTEIN.
It was but yeflerday I refcued him
From abject wretched nefs. Let that go by.
1 never reckon'd yet on gratitude.
And wherein doth he wrong in going from me ?
He follows flill the god whom all his life
He has worfhipp'd at the gaming table. With
My Fortune, and my feeming deftiny,
He made the bond, and broke it not with me.
I am but the (hip in which his hopes were ftow'd,.
And with the which well-pleas'd and confident
He travers'd the open fea j now he beholds it
In eminent jeopardy among the coaft-rocks,
And
%
WALLENSTEIN. 25
And hurries to preferve his wares. As light As the free bird from the hofpitable twig Where it had nefled, he flies off from me ; No human tie is fhapp'd betwixt us two. Yea, he deferves to find himfelf deceiv'd, Who feeks a heart in the unthinking man. Like (h ado ws on a dream, the forms of life Jmprefs their characters on the fmooth forehead, . Nought links into the bofom's lilent depth : Quick fenfibility of pain and pleafure Moves the light fluids lightly ; but no foul Warmeth the inner frame.
TERTSKY.
Yet, would I rather Trull -the fmooth brow than that deep furrow'done.
SCENE VIII.
Wallenstein. Tertsky. Illo. {zvho enters agitated with rage.)
ILLO.
Treafon and mutiny I
TERTSKY.
And what further now I'
ILLO.
Tiefenbach's foldiers, when I gave the orders To go off guard — Mutinous villains !
TERTSKY.
Well ?
WALLENSTEIN.
What follow'd ?
ILLO.
They refus'd obedience to them.
TERTSKY.
26 THE DEATH OF
TERTSKY.
Fire on them inftantly ! Give out the order,
WALLENSTEIN.
Gently I What caufe did they affign ?
ILLO.
No other, They faid, had right to ifiue orders but Lieutenant^General Piccolomini.
WALLENSTEIN, (in Ö CQlWulfion of ag07iy,J
What ? How is that ?
ILLO,
He takes that office on him by commiflionj, TJnder fign-manual of the Emperor.
TERTSKY.
From thT Emp'ror — hear'ft thou, Duke ?
ILLO.
At his incitement The Generals made that ftealthy flight —
TERTSKY.
Duke ! hear'ft thou r
ILLO.
Caraffa too, and Montecuculi, Are miffing, with fix other Generals, All whom he had induc'd to follow him. This plot he has long had in writing by him From the Emperor ; but 'twas finally concluded With all the detail of the operation Some c}ays ago with the Envoy Queflenberg. (Wallenfiein finks dozvn into a chair and covers his face.)
TERTSKY.
O hadft thou but believed me !
SCENE
WALLENSTEIN. 27
SCENE IX.
To them enter the Countess,
countess.
This fufpenfe, TThis horrid fear — I can no longer bear it. For heaven's fake, tell me, what has taken place.
ILLO.
The regiments are all falling off from us,
TERTSKY.
Octavio Piccolomini is a traitor.
COUNTESS.
O my foreboding ! {riijlies out of the room.')
TERTSKV.
Hadfl thou but believ'dme ! Now feed thou how the flars have lied to thee.
WALLENSTEIN.
The flars lie not ; but we have here a work Wrought counter to the flars and deftiny. The fcience is flill honeft : this falfe heart Forces a lie on the truth-telling heaven. On a divine law divination reds ; Where nature deviates from that law, and ftumbles Out of her limits, there all fcience errs. True, I did not fufpect ! Were it fuperflition Never by fuch fufpicion t' have affronted The human form, O may that time ne'er come In which I fhame me of th' infirmity. ' The wildefl favage drinks not with the victim,
Into
28 THE DEATH OP
In whofe breafb he means to plunge the fvvord.
This, this, O&avio, was no hero's deed :
'Twas not thy prudence that did conquer mine j
A bad heart triumph'd o'er an honed one.
No fhield received the aflaffin ftroke ; thou plunged
Thy weapon on an unprotected bread —
Againft fuch weapons I am but a child.
SCENE X.
To t liefe enter Butler, tertsky. {meeting him.) O look there ! Butler ! Here we've dill a friend !
WALLENSTEIN.
{meets him with oittfpread arms, and embraces
him with warmth.) Come to my heart, old comrade ! Not the fun Looks out upon us more revivingly In the earlied month of fpring, Than a friend's countenance in fuch an hour.
BUTLER.
My General • I come —
WALLENSTEIN.
{leaning on Butler's J/ioulder.)
Know'd thou akeady ?
That old man has betray 'd me to the Emperor.
What fay'd thou ? Thirty years have we together
Liv'd out, and held out, lharing joy and hardfhip.
We have flept in one camp-bed, drunk from one
glafs,
Oae
GALLENSTEIN. 29
One morfel (har'd ! I lean'd myfelf on him$ As- now I lean me on thy faithful moulder. And now in the very moment, when, all love, AU confidence, my bofom beat to his, He fees and takes the advantage, flabs the knife Slowly into my heart.
{he hides his face in Butler s breafi.)
BUTLER.
Forget the falfe one. What is your prefent purpofe ?
WALLENSTEIN".
Well remember'd ! Courage, my foul ! I am flill rich in friends, Still lov'd by Defliny ; for in the moment, That it unmafks the plotting hypocrite, It fends and proves to me one faithful heart. Of the hypocrite no more ! Think not, his loft Was that which ftruck the pang: O no ! his treafor* Is that which ftrikes this pang ! No more of him! Dear to my heart, and honour'd were they both, And the young man — yes — he did truly love me, He — he — has not deceiv'd nie. But enough, Enough of this — Swift counfel now befeems us. The Courier, whom Count Kinfky fent from Prague, I expect him every moment : and whatever He may bring with him, we muft take good care To keep it from the mutineers. Quick, then ! Difpatch fome meffenger you can rely on To meet him, and conduct him to me. [Illo is going.) butler, {detaining him.) My General* whom expect you then ?
WAL-
39 THE DEATH QP
WALLENSTEIN.
The Courier Who brings me word of the event at Prague.
Butler, {hefitating.)
Hem!
WALLENSTEIN.
And what now ?
BUTLER.
You do. not know it ?
WALLENSTEIN.
Well ?
BUTLER.
From what that larum in the camp arofe ?
WALLENSTEIN.
From what 2
BUTLER.
That Courier
wall e nst ein. (with eager expectation.)
Well?
butler:
Is already here.
tertsky and illo. {at the fame time.) Already here ?
wallenstein.
My Courier ?
BUTLER.
For fome hours.
WALLENSTEIN.
Aid I not know it ?
a butler*
YVALLENSTEINY 31
BUTLER.
The centinels detain him In cuftody.
illo. Xßamping with his foot.) Damnation !
BUTLER.
And his letter Was broken open, and is circulated Through the whole camp.
WALLENSTEIN.
You know what it contains ?
BUTLER.
Queftion me not !
TERTSKY.
Illo ! alas for us !
WALLENSTEIN.
Hide nothing from me — I can hear the word. Prague then is loft. It is. Confefs it freely.
BUTLER.
Yes ! Prague is loft. And all the feveral regiments At Budweifs, Tabor, Braunau, Konigingratz, At Brun, and Znaym, have forfaken you, And ta'en the oaths of fealty anew To the Emperor. Yourfelf, with Kiniky, Tertiky, And Illo have been fentenc'd.
{Tertfky mid Illo exprefs alarm and fury. Wal' lenßein remains firm and collected.)
WALLENSTEIN.
Tis. decided !
Tis
32 THE DEATH OF
'Tis well ! I have receiv'd a fudden cure
From all the pangs of doubt : with fleady ftrearri
Once more my life-blood flows ! My foul's fecure !
In the night only Friedland's flars can beam.
Lingering, irrefolute, with fitful fears
I drew the fword — 'twas with an inward flrife,
While yet the choice was mine. The murd'rou3
knife Is lifted for my heart I Doubt difappears ? I fight now for my head and for my life.
[Exit Wallenßein, the others follow him*
SCENE XI. Countess Tertsky. [enters from a fide room.) I can endure no longer. No !
(looks around her.)
Where are they ? No one is here. They leave me all alone, Alone in this fore anguifh of fufpenfe. And I mull wear the outward (hew of calmnefs Before my filter, and (hut in within me The pangs and agonies of my crowded bofom. It is not to be borne. — If all mould fail ; If— if he muft go over to the Swedes, An empty-handed fugitive, and not As an ally, a covenanted equal, A proud commander with his army following j If we muft wander on from land to land, Like the Count Palatine, of fallen greatnefs
3 An
WALLENSTEIN.
An ignominious monument — But no ! That day I will not fee ! And could himfelf Endure to fink fo low, I would not bear To fee him fo low funken.
SCENE XII.
Countess, Duchess, Thekla.
thekla. {endeavouring to hold back the Duchefs.') Dear mother, do flay here !
duchess. •
No ! Here is yet Some frightful myftery that is hidden from me. Why does my lifter fhun me ? Don't I fee her Full of fufpenfe and anguifh roam about From room to room ? — Art thou not full of
terror ? And what import thefe filent nods and geftures Which ftealthwife thou exchanged with her ?
thekla.
Nothing ; Nothing, dear mother !
duchess, {to the Coujitefs.) Sifter, I will know.
COUNTESS.
What boots it now to hide it from her ? Sooner Or later (he muß learn to hear and bear it. 'Tis not the time now to indulge infirmity,
d Courage
34? THE DEATH OF
Courage befeems us now, a heart collect,
And e.xercife and previous discipline
Of fortitude. One word, and over with it !
Sifter, you are deluded. You believe,
The Duke has been depos'd — The Duke is not
Depos'd — he is—
thekla. (going to the Countefs.J
What ? do you wilh to kill her ?
COUNTESS.
The Duke is
t hex la. [Throwing her arms round her mother.) O ftand firm ! ftand firm, my mother !
COUNTESS.
Revolted is the Duke, he is preparing To join the enemy, the army leave him, And all has fail'd.
(During thefe words the Duchefs totters, and falls in a fainting-fit into the arms of her daughter. While Thekla is calling for help, the curtain drops.)
END OF ACT I.
ACT
WALLENSTEIN. 35
Act ii.
Scene, ä fßacious Room in the Duke of Fried- land's Pälace.
SCENE I.
wallenstein. (in armour. J Thou hafl gain'd thy point, Octavio ! Once more
am I Almoft as friendlefs as at Regenfpurg. There I had nothing left me, But myfelf — But what one man can do, you have now ex- perience. The twigs have you hew'd off, and here I Hand A leaflefs trunk. But in the Tap within Lives the creating power, and a new world May fprout forth from it. Once already have I rrov'd myfelf worth an army to you— I alone ! Before theSwediih ftrength your troops had melted j Befide the Lech funk Tilly, your läft hope ', Into Bavaria, like a winter torrent, JDid that Guftavus pour, and at Vienna In his owh palace did the Emperor tremble. Soldiers were fcarce, for ftill the multitude Follow the luck : all eyes were türn'd on mej Their helper in diftrefs : the Emperor's pride .Bow'd itfelf down before the man he had injur'd« 'Twas I muft rife, and with creative word
d 2 Aflemble
36
THE DEATH OF
AiTemble forces in the defolate camps,
I did it. Like a god of war, my name
Went thro' the world. The drum was beat~
and, lo ! The plough, the work-fhöp is forfaken^ all Swarm to the old familiar long-lov'd banners j And as the wood-choir rich in melody AfTemble quick around the bird of wonder, When firft his throat fwells with his magic fong, So did the warlike youth of Germany Croud in around the image of my eagle. I feel myfelf the being that I was. It is the foul that builds itfelf a body, And Friedland's camp will not remain unfill'cL Lead then your thoufands out to meet me — true! They are accuftom'd under me to conquer, But not againfr, me. If the head and limbs Separate from each other, 'twill be foon Made manifeft, in which the foul abode.
(Illo and Tertjky enter.) Courage, friends ! Courage ! We are ftill un-
vanquifh'd ; I feel my footing firm ; five regiments, Tertiky, Are ftill our own, and Butler's gallant troops -, And an hoft of fixteen thoufand Swedes to-morrow, I was not ftronger, when nine years ago I march'd forth, with glad heart and high of hope» To conquer Germany for the Emperor.
SCENE
WALLENSTEIN. 37
SCENE IL
Wallensteinn, Illo, Tertsky. (To them enter Neumann, who leads Tertjky aßde, and talks with him.)
TERTSKY.
What do they want ?
wallenstein.
What now ?
TERTSKY.
Ten Cuirarliers From Pappenheim requeft leave to addrefs you Jn the name of the regiment.
wallenstein. (haßili/y to ls[eumann) Let them enter.
[Exit Neumann, This May end in fomething. Mark you. They are- dill jDoujbjtful, and may be won.
v 3 ;■ .. SCENE
38 THE DEATH OF
SCENE III.
Wallenstein, Tertsky, Illo, Ten Cui- rassiers. ( led by an Anfpcffade * , march up, and arrange them/elves, after the word of com- mand, in one front before the Duke, and make their obeifances. He takes his hat off, and immediately covers him/ elf again.)
ANSPESSADE.
Halt ! Front ! Prefent !
wallenstein, {after he has run through them
zvith his eye, to the Anfpeffade .) I know the«? well. Thou art out of Brüggin in
Flanders : Thy name is Mercy.
ANSPESSADE.
Henry Mercy.
WALLENSTEIN.
Thou wert cut off on the march, furrounded by the Heffians, and didft fight thy way with aiy hundred and eighty men thro' their thoufand.
ANSPESSADE.
'Twas even To, General !
WALLENSTEIN.
What reward hadft thou for this gallant ex- ploit ?
* Anfpeffade, in German, Gefreiter, a foldier inferior to a corporal, but above the centinels. The German name implies that he is exempt from mounting guard.
ANSPES-
WÄLLENSTEIN.' 39.-
ANSPESSADE.
That which I aik'd for : the honour to ferve in this corps.
wallenstein, [turning to a fecond.)
Thou wert among the; volunteers that feized and made booty of the Swedifh battery at Alten- burg,
SECOND- CUIRASSIER.
Yes, General !
WALLENSTEIN.
I forget no one with whom I have exchanged words, (a panfe.). Who lends you ?.
ANSPESSADE.
Your noble regiment, the Cujraffiers of Picco- lomini.
WALLENSTEIN.
Why does not your colonel deliver in your re? queft, according to the cuftom of fervice ?
ANSP-ESSADE.
Becaufe we would firft know whom we ferve.
WALLENSTETN.
Begin your addrefs.
anspessade. {giving the zoo rd of com mand. ) Shoulder your arms !
wallenstein, [turning to a third.)
Thy name is Rifbeck, Cologne is thy birthr place.
THIRD CUIRASSIER,
Rifbeck of Cologne. h
TT 4 WAL-
40 THE DEATH OF
WALLENSTEIN.
It was thou that broughtefl in the Swedifo colonel, Diebald, prifoner, in the camp at Nu* renburg.
THIRD CUIRASSIER.
It was not I, General !
WALLENSTEIN.
Perfectly right ! It was thy elder brother, thou hadft a younger brother too : Where did he flay ?
THIRD CUIRASSIER.
He is ftationed at Olmutz with the Imperial army.
wallenstein, {to the Anfpejade.) Now then — begin.
ANSPESSADE.
There came to hand a letter from the Emperor Commanding us
wallenstein, (interrupting him.) Who chofe you ?
ANSPESSADE.
Every company Drew its own man by lot.
WALLENSTEIN.
Now ! to the bufinefs.
ANSPESSADE.
There came to hand a letter from the Emperor Commanding us collectively, from thee All duties of obedience to withdraw, Becaufe thou wert an enemy and traitor.
WALLENSTEIN.
And what did you determine ?
ANSPES-
WALLENSTEIN. 41
ANSPESSADE.
All our comrades At Brunau, Budweifs, Prague and Olmutz, have. Obey'd already, and the regiments here, Tiefenbach and Tofcana, inftantly Did follow their example. But — but we Do not believe that thou art an enemy And traitor to thy country, hold it merely For lie and trick, and a trump'd up SpaniQi ftoryl
(with warmth.) Thyfelf (halt tell us what thy purpofe is, For we have found thee ftill fincere and true : No mouth (hall interpofe itfelf betwixt The gallant General aud the gallant troops.
WALLENSTEIN.
Therein I recognize my Pappenheimers.
ANSPESSADE.
And this propofal makes thy regiment to thee: Is it thy purpofe merely to preferve In thy own hands this military fceptre, Which fo becomes thee, which the Emperor Made over to thee by a covenant ; Is it thy purpofe merely to remain Supreme commander of the Auftrian armies ; We will ftand by thee-, General ! and guarantee Thy honeft rights againft all oppofition. And fhould it chance, that all the other regiments Turn from thee, by ourfelves will we ftand forth Thy faithful foldiers, and, as is our duty, Far rather let ourfelves be cut to pieces, Than fuffer thee to fall. But if it be
As
42 T*HE DEATH OF
As the Emperor's letter fays, if it be true, That thou in trait'rous wife wilt lead us over To the enemy, which God in heaven forbid I Then we too will forfake thee, and obey That letter
WALLENSTEIN,
Hear me, children !
ANSPESSAPE.
Yes, or no ! There needs no other anfwer.
WALLENSTEIN.
Yield attention. You're men of fenfe, examine for yourfelves ; Ye think, and do not follow with the herd : And therefore have I always fhewn you honour Above all others, fufFer'd you to reafon ; Have treated you as free men, and my orders Were but the echoes of your prior fufPrage. — i
ANSFESSADE.
Mod fair and noble has thy conduct been To us, my General ! With thy confidence Thou haft honour'd us, and (hewn us grace and
favour Beyond all other regiments ;.and thou fee' ft We follow not the common herd. We will Stand by thee faithfully. Speak but one word — Thy word (hall fatisfy us, that it is not A trealbn which thou meditated — that Thou meaneft not to lead the army over To the enemy , nor e'er betray thy country.
\VAL-
WALLENSTEIN, 43
WALLENSTEIN.
Me, me, are they betraying. Th' Emperor
Hath facrificed me to my. enemies,
And I mud fall, unlefs my gallant troops
Will refcue me. See ! I confide in you.
And be your hearts my flrong hold ! At this breaft
The aim is taken, at this hoary head.
This is }rour Spanifh gratitude, this is our
Requital for that murderous fight at Lutzen !
For this we threw the naked breaft againft
The halbert, made for this the frozen earth
Pur bed, and the hard ftone our pillow ! never
ftream Too rapid for us, no wood too impervious; With chearful fpirit we purfued that Mansfield Through all the turns and windings of his flight; Yea, our whole life was but one reftlefs march ; And homelefs, as the ftirring wind, we travell'd O'er the war- wafted earth. And now, even now, That we have well nigh finifh'd the hard toil, The unthankful, the curfe-laden toil of weapons, With faithful indefatigable arm Have roll'd the heavy war-load up the hill, Behold ! this boy of the Emperor's bears away The honours of the peace, an eafy prize ! He'll weave, forfooth, into his flaxen locks The olive branch, the hard-eain'd ornament (Of this grey head, grown grey beneath the helmet.
ANSPESSADE.
That ill all he not, while we can hinder it ! No one, but thou, who haft conducted it
With
4* THE DEATH OF
With fame, (hall end this war, this frightful war Thou led'ft us out into the bloody field Of death, thou and no other (halt conduct us home, Rejoicing to the lovely plains of peace — Shalt ßiare with us the fruits of the long toil. —
WALLENSTEIN.
What ? Think you then at length in late old age To enjoy the fruits of toil ? Believe it not. Never, no never, will you fee the end Of the conteft ! you and me, and all of us, This war will fwallow up ! War, war, not peace, Is Auftria's wifh ; and therefore, becaufe I Endeavour'd after peace, therefore I fall. For what cares Auftria, how long the war Wears out the armies and lays wafte the world ? She will but wax and grow amid the ruin, And ftill win new domains. {the Cuirajßers expreß agitation by their geßures.)
Ye're mov*d — J fee A noble rage flafh from your eyes, ye warriors ! Oh that my fpirit might poffefs you now Daring as once it led you to the battle ! Ye would Hand by me with your veteran arms, Protect me in my rights ; and this is noble ! But think not that you can accomplish it, Tour fcanty number! to no purpofe will you Have facrificed you for your General.
(confidtn tialltj.) No ? let us tread fecurely, feek for friends ; The Swedes have proffer'd us affiftance, let us Wear for a while the appearance of good will,
And
WALLENSTEIN. 45
And ufe them for our profit, till we both Carry the fate of Europe in our hands, And from our camp to the glad jubilant world Lead Peace forth with the garland on her head !
ANSPESSADE.
'Tis then but mere appearances which thou Doft put on with the Swede ? Thou'lt not betray The Emperor ? Wilt not turn us into Swedes? This is the only thing which we defire To learn from thee.
WALLENSTEIN.
What care I for the Swedes ? I hate them as I hate the pit of hell, And under Providence I truft right foon To chafe them to their homes acrofs their Baltic. My cares are only for the whole : I have A heart — it bleeds within me for the miferies And piteous groaning of my fellow Germans. Ye are but common men, but yet ye think With minds not common ; ye appear to me Worthy before all others, that I whifper ye A little word or two in confidence \ See now ! already for full fifteen years The war-torch has continu'd burning, yet No reft, no paufe of conflict. Swede and German ! Papift and Lutheran ! neither will give way To the other, every hand's againft the other. Each one is party and no one a judge. Where fhall this end ? Where's he that will unravel This tangle, ever tangling more and more.
It
4(5 THE DEATH OF
It muft be cut afunder.
I feel that I am the man of deftiny,
And truft, with your affiftance, to accomplifli i»
SCENE IV.
To thefe enter Butler.
butler, (pajionately.) General ! This is not right !
WALLENSTEIN.
What is not right t
BUTLER.
It muft needs injure us with all honeft men*
WALLENSTEIN.
But what ?
BUTLERi
It is an open proclamation Of infurrecYion.
WALLENSTEIN.
Well, well — but what is it ?
BUTLER.
Count Tertfky's regiments tear the Imperial Eagle From off the banners, and inftead of it, Have rear'd aloft thy arms.
an sp ess ad E. (abruptly to the Cuirafjiers.) Right about ! March !
WALLENSTEIN.
Curs'd be this counfel, and accurs'd who gave it !
(to the Cuiraßiers, ivho are retiring.) Halt, children, halt ! There's fome miftake in this !
Hark !
WALLENSTEIN. 47
Hark ! — I will punifh it feverely. Stop !
They do not hear, (to Illo.J Go after them, affure
them, And bring them back to me, coil what it may.
(Illo hurries out.) This hurls us headlong. Butler ! Butler ! You are my evil genius, wherefore mufl you Announce it in their prefence ? It was all In a fair way. They were half won, thofe madmen With their improvident over-readinefs — A cruel game is Fortune playing with me. The zeal of friends it is that razes me. And not the hate of enemies.
SCENE V.
To thefe enter the Duchess, who rujlies into the Chamber. Thekla and the Countess fol- low her.
DUCHESS.
O Albrecht ! What haft thou done ?
WALLENSTEIN.
And now comes this befide„
countess. Forgive me, brother ! It was not in my power. They know all.
DUCHESS.
What haft thou done ?
COUNTESS.
4$ THE DEATH OF
countess, (to Tertßy.) Is there no hope ? Is all loft utterly ?
TERTSKY-
All loft. No hope. Prague in the Emperor's hands* The foldiery have ta'en their oaths anew.
COUNTESS.
That lurking hypocrite, O&avio ! Count Max. is off too ?
TERTSKY.
Where can he be ? He's Gone over to the Emperor with his father. {Thekla rujlies out into the arms of her mother* hiding her face in her bofom.)
duchess, [enfolding her in her arms.) Unhappy child"! and more unhappy mother !
wallenstein. ( afide to Tertjky.} Quick I Let a carriage ftand in readinefs In the court behind the palace. Scherfenberg Be their attendant ; he is faithful to us ; To Egra he'll conduct them, and we follow»
(to Illo who returns) Thou haft not brought them back ?
ILLO.
Hear'ft thou the uproar ? The whole corps of the Pappenheimers is Drawn out : the younger Piccolomini, Their colonel, they require ; for they affirm, That he is in the palace here, a prifoner ; And if thou doft not inftantly deliver him, They will find means to free him with the fword. (allßand amazed.)
3 TERTSKY.
WALLENSTEIN. 4P
TERTSKY.
What fliall we make of this ?
WALLENSTEIN.
Said I not fo ?
0 my prophetic heart ! he is ftill here.
He has not betray'd me — he could not betray me.
1 never doubted of it.
COUNTESS.
If he be Still here, then all goes well ; for I know what
(embracing Thekla.) Will keep him here for ever.
TERTSKY.
It can't be. His father has betray'd us, is gone over To the Emperor — the fon could not have ventur'd To flay behind.
thekla. (her eye fixed on the door.)
There he is !
SCENE VII.
To thefe enter Max. Piccolomini. max. Yes ! here he is ! I can endure no longer To creep on tiptoe round this houfe, and lurk In ambufh for a favourable moment. This loitering, this fufpenfe exceeds my powers. (advancing to Thekla^ who has thrown her/elf info her mother's arms.)
e Turn
SO THE DEATH OF
Turn not thine eyes away. O look upon me f Confefs it freely before all. Fear no one. Let who will hear that we both love each other. Wherefore continue to conceal it ? Secrecy Is for the happy — mifery, hopelefs mifery, Needeth no veil ! Beneath a thoufand funs It dares adt openly.
(he obferves the Countefs looki?ig on Thekla with exprejfions of triumph.)
No, Lady ! No ! Exped not, hope it not. I am not come To flay : to bid farewel, farewel for ever, For this I come ! 'Tis over ! I muft leave thee ! Thekla, I muft — muß leave thee ! Yet thy hatred Let me not take with me. I pray thee, grant me One look of fympathy, only one look. Say that thou doft not hate me. Say it to me, Thekla !
(grafps her hand.)
0 God ! I cannot leave this fpot — I cannot f Cannot let go this hand. O tell me, Thekla ! That thou doft fuffer with me, art convinc'd That I can not aft; otlrerwile.
(Thekla, avoiding his look, points with her hand to her father. Max. turns round to the Duke> whom he had not till then per ceiv'd.)
Thou here ? It was not thou, whom here I fought.
1 trufted never more to have beheld thee. My bufinefs is with her alone. Here will I Receive a full acquittal from this heart — For any other I am no more concern'd.
WAL-
WALLENSTEIN« 51
WALLEtfSTEIN.
Think'ft thou, that fool-like, I (hall let thee go, And acl: the mock-magnanimous with thee ? Thy father is become a villain to me j I hold thee for his fon, and nothing more ; Nor to no purpofe (halt thou have been given Into my power. Think not, that I will honour That ancient love, which fo remorfelefsly He mangled. They are now paft by, thofe hours Offriendfhip and forgivenefs. Hate and vengeance Succeed— 'tis now their turn — I too can throw All feelings of the man afide — can prove Myfelf as much a monfter as thy father !
max. (calmly.) Thou wilt proceed with me, as thou haft power. Thou know'ft, I neither brave nor fear thy rage. What haft detain'd me here, that too thou know'ft.
(taking Thekla by the hand.) See, Duke ! All — all would I have owed to thee, Would have receiv'd from thy paternal hand The lot of bleffed fpirits. This haft thou Laid wafte for ever — that concerns not thee. Indifferent thou trampleft in the duft Their happinefs, who mod are thine. The god Whom thou doft ferve, is no benignant deity. Like as the blind irreconcileable Fierce element, incapable of compact, Thy heart's wild impulfe only doft thou follow*.
WAL-
* I have here ventured to omit a confiderable number of
lines. I fear that I ßiould not have done amifs, had I taken
e 2 this
52 THE DEATH OT
WALLENSTEIN,
Thou art defcribing thy own father's heart. The adder ! O, the eharms of hell o'erpowerd me.
He
this liberty more frequently. It is, however* incumbent on me to give the original with a literal tranflation.
Weh denen die auf dich vertraun, an Dich
Die fichre Hütte ihres Glückes lehnen,
Gelockt von deiner gaftlichen Geftalt. . Schnell unverhoiFt, by nächtlich fliller Weile
Gährts in dem tückfchen Feuerfchlunde, ladet
Sich aus mit tobender Gervalt, und weg
Treibt über alle Pflanzunger der Menfchen
Der wilde Strom in graufender zerflöhrungv j
WALLENSTEIN,
Du fchilderft deines Vaters Herz. Wie Du's
Befchreibft, fo ifls in feinem Eingeweide,. *
In diefer fchwarzen Heuchlers Bruft geflaltet.
O mich hat Höllenkunft getäufcht. Mir fandte
Der Abgrund den verfleckteften der Geifler,
Den Lügekundigflen herauf, und Hellt' ihn
Als Freund an meine Seite. Wer vermag
Der Hölle Macht zu widerftehn ! Ich zog
Den Bafililken auf an meinem Bufen,
Mit meinem Herzblut nährt ich ihn, er fog
Sich fchwelgend voll an meiner Liebe Brüllen.,
Ich.hatte nimmer Arges gegen ihn,
Weit offen liefs ich des Gedankens Thore,
Und warft die Schlüfiel weifer Vorficht weg*
Am Sternenhimmel, &c.
Lateral Translation. Alas ! for thofe who place their confidence on thee, againft thee lean the fecure hut of their fortune, allured by thy hof- pitable form. Suddenly, unexpectedly, in a moment fiill as- night, there is a fermentation in the treacherous gulf of ^ fre ; it discharges itfelf with raging force, and away over
ail
WALLENSTEIN. 53
He dwelt within me, to my inmoft foul ■
Still to and fro he pafs'd, fufpected never !
On the wide ocean, in the ftarry heaven
Did mine eyes feek the enemy, whom I
In my heart's heart had folded ! Had I been
To Ferdinand what O'&avio was to me,
War had I ne'er denounc'd againft him. No,
I never could have done it. The Emp'ror was
My auftere mafier only? not my friend.
There was already war 'twixt him and me
When he deliver'd the Commander's Staff
Into my hands ; for there's a natural
Unceafing war 'twixt cunning and fufpicion ;
Peace exifts only betwjxt confidence
And faith. Who poifons confidence, he murders
The future generations.
MAX.
I will riot Defend my father. Woe is me, I cannot ! Hard deeds and lucklefs have ta'en place, one crime
all the plantations of men drives the wild ftream in fright- ful devaftation. Wallenstein. Thou art portraying thy father's heart, as thou defcribeft, even fo is it fliaped in his entrails, in this black hypocrite's breaft. O, the art of hell has deceiv'd me ! The Abyfs fent up to me the moft fpotted of the fpirits, the moft fkilful in lies, and placed him as a friend at my fide. Who may withftand the power of hell ? I took the bafilifk to my bofom, with my heart's blood I nourifhed him ; he fucked himfelf glut-full at the breafts of my love. I never harboured evil towards him ; wide open did I leave the door of my thoughts; I threw away the key of wife forefight. In the ftarry heaven, &c— We find a diffi- culty in believing this to have been written by Schiller.
e 3 Drags
54? THE DEATH OF
Drags after it the other in clofe link.
But we are innocent : how have we fallen
Into this circle of mif-hapand guilt ?
To whom have we been faithlefs ? Wherefore muft
The evil deeds and guilt reciprocal
Of our two fathers twine like ferpents rounds us ?
Why muft our fathers' Unconquerable hate rend us afunder, Who love each other ?
WALLENSTEIN.
i Max. remain with me.
Go you not from me, Max ! Hark ! I will tell
thee — ■ How when at Prague, our winter quarters, thou Wert brought into my tent a tender boy, Not yet accuftom'd to the German winters ; Thy hand was frozen to the heavy colours j Thou would'ft not let them go — At that time did I take thee in my arms, And with my mantle did I cover thee : I was thy nurfe, no woman could have been A kinder to thee ; I was not afliam'd To do for thee all little offices, However ftrange to me; I tended thee Till life return'd ; and when thine eyes firft open'd, " I had thee in my arms. Since then, when have I Alter'd my feelings towards thee ? Many thoufands Have I made rich, prefented them with lands ; Rewarded them with dignities and honours ; Thee have I lov'd : my heart, my felf, I gave
To
WALLENSTEIN. 55,
To thee ! They all were aliens : thou wert Our child and inmate *. Max. ! Thou can'ft not
leave .me ; It cannot be ; I may not, will not think That Max. can leave me.
MAX.
O my God !
WALLENSTEIN.
I have Held and fuftain'd thee from thy tott'ring child- hood. What holy bond is there of natural love ? What human tie, that does not knit thee to me ? I love thee, Max ! What did thy father for thee, Which I too have not done, to the height of duty ? Go hence, forfake me, ferve thy Emperor ; He will reward thee with a pretty chain Of gold ; with his ram's fleece will he reward thee ; For that the friend, the father of thy youth, For that the holieft feeling of humanity, Was nothing worth to thee.
MAX.
O God 1 How can I Do otherwife ? Am I not forc'd to do it ? My oath — my duty — -honour —
* This is a ppor and inadequate tranflation of the affec- tionate fimplicity of the original— ■>
Sie alle waren Fremdlinge, Du warft
Pas kind des Haufes.
Indeed the whole fpeech is in the bell ftyle of Maffinger. O fi fxc omnia ! ,
E 4 WAL-
H
56 THE DEATH OF
WALLENSTEIN.
How ? Thy duty ? Duty to whom ? Who art thou ? Max ! bethink
thee What duties may'ft thou have ? If I am acting A criminal part toward the Emperor, It is my crime, not thine. Doft thou belong To thine own felf ? Art fhqu thine own com- mander ? Stand'ft thou, like me, a freeman in the world, That in thy actions thou (hould'ft plead free
agency ? On me thou 'rt planted, I am thy Emperor ; To obey me, to belong to me, this is Thy honour, this a law of nature to thee ! And if the planet, on the which thou liv'ft And haft thy dwelling, from its orbit Harts, It is not in thy choice, whether or no Thou'lt follow it. Unfelt it whirls thee onward Together with his ring and all his moons. With little guilt ftepp'fl thou into this conteft, Thee will the world not cenfure, it will praife
thee, For that thou heldft thy friend more worth to thee Than names and influences more remov'd. For juflice is the virtue of the ruler, Affection and fidelity the fubjecVs. Not every one doth it befeem to queflion The far-off high Arcturus. Moll fecurely "\Vilt thou purfue the neareft duty — let The pilot fix his eye upon the pole-ilar.
SCENE
'wallenstein. 57
SCENE VII.
To thefe enter Neumann.
WALLENSTEIN.
What now ?
NEUMANN.
The Pappenheimers are difmounted, And are advancing now on foot, determined* With fword in hand to ftorm the houfe, and free The Count, their colonel.
wallenstein, (to Tertftyl)
Have the cannon planted. J will receive them with chain-fliot.
[Exit Tertjky. Prefcribe to me with fword in hand ! Go, Neu- mann ! 'Tis my command that they retreat this moment, And in their ranks in filence wait my pleafure.
[Neumann exit. Illoßeps to the window.
countess. Let him go, I entreat thee, let him go.
i l l o . [at the zoindow.) Hell and perdition !
WALLENSTEIN.
What is it ?
ILLO.
They fcale the council -houfe, the roof's uncover'd, They level at this houfe the cannon
MAX.
Madmen !
ILLO.
They are making preparations now to fire on usN
DUCHESS »I
55 THE DEATH OF
DUCHESS AND COUNTESS,
Merciful Heaven !
max. {to Wallenfiein.)
Let me go to them !
WALLENSTEIN.
Not a ftep !
max. (pointing to Thekla and the Duchefi. But their life ! Thine !
WALLENSTEIN.
What tidings bring'ft thou, Tertfky ?
SCENE VIII. To thefe Tertsky (returning.)
TERTSKY.
MefTage and greeting from our faithful reg'ments. Their ardour may no longer be curb'd in'. They intreat permiffion to commence th' attack, And if thou would'ft but give the word of onfet, They could now charge the enemy in rear, Into the city wedge them, and with eafe O'erpower them in the narrow ftreets.
ILLO.
O come ! Let not their ardour cool. The foldiery Of Butler's corps fland by us faithfully ; We are the greater number. Let us charge them. And finifh here in Pilfen the revolt.
• V « WAL-
WALLENSTEIN. 59
WALLENSTEIN.
What ? mall this town become a field of
daughter, And brother-killing Difcord, fire-eyed, Be let lofe through its ftreets to roam and rage ? Shall the deciiion be delivered over To deaf rernorfelefs Rage, that hears no leader ? Here is not room for battle, only for butchery. Well, let it be ! I have long thought of it, So let it burft then !
(turns to Max,) Well, how is it with thee ? Wilt thou attempt a heat with me. Away ! Thou art free to go. Oppofe thyfelf to me, Front againft front, and lead them to the battle ; Thou'rt fkill'd in war, thou haft learn'd fomewhat
under me, I need not be afham'd of my opponent, And never hadft thou fairer opportunity TV pay. me for thy fchooling.
COUNTESS.
Is it then, Can it have come to this ? — What ! Coufin,
Coufin ! Have you the heart ?
MAX.
The regiments that are trufted to my care
I have pledg'd my troth to bring away from
Pilfen True to the Emperor, and this promife will I Make good, or perifh. More than this no duty Requires of nie. I will not fight againft thee,
Unlefs
i - -m
60 THE DEATH OF
Unlefs compeird ; for though an enemy, Thy head is holy to me dill.
(Two reports of cannon, Jllo and Tertjky hurry to the window.)
WALLENSTEIN.
What's that ?
TERTSKY.
He falls.
WALLENSTEIN.
Falls! Who!
ILLO.
Tiefenbach's corps Difcharg'd the ordnance.
WALLENSTEIN.
Upon whom ?
ILLO.
On Neumann, Your meffenger.
wallenstein, (ßarting up.)
Ha ! Death and hell ! I will— •
TERTSKY.
Expofe thyfelf to their blind frenzy ?
duchess and countess.
No! For God's fake, No !
ILLO.
Not yet, my General !
countess. O, hold him j hold him !
WAL-
\VALLENSTEIN. - 6\
WALLENSTEIN.
Leave me
MAX.
Do it not ;
Not yet ! This ralh and bloody deed has thrown
them Into a frenzy- fit — allow them time
WALLENSTEIN.
Away J too long already have I loiter'd. They are embolden'd to thefe outrages, Beholding not my face. They mail behold
My countenance, (hall hear my voice
Are they not my troops ? Am I not their General, And their long-fear' d commander ? Let me fee, Whether indeed they do no longer know Trjat countenance, which was their fun in battle I From the balcony, (mark !) I (hew myfelf To thefe rebellious forces, and at once Revolt is mounded, and the high-fwoln current Shrinks back into the old bed of obedience.
[JEzit Wallenßein ; Illo, Tertßcy, and Butler follow.
SCENE IX.
Countess, Duchess, Max. and Thekla.
countess, {to the Duckefs.) Let them but fee him — there is hope Hill, fitter.
DUCHESS.
Hope i I have none I
3 MAX.
I
62 THE DEATH OF
max. (who during the laß fcene has been fland- ing at a difiance in a vifible firuggle of feelings, advajices.)
This can I not endure. With moft determin'd foul did I come hither, My purpos'd action feem'd unblameable To my own confcience — and I muft fland here Like one abhorr'd, a hard inhuman being ; Yea, loaded with the curfe of all I love ! Mud fee all whom I love in this fore anguiflb, Whom I with one word can make happy — O ! My heart revolts within me, and two voices Make themfelves audible within my bofom. My foul's benighted ; I no longer can Diftinguifli the right track. O, well and truly Didft thou fay, father, I relied too much On my qwn heart. My mind moves to and fro — I know not what to do.
countess'. ,
What ! you know not ?
Does not your own heart tell you ? O ! then I
Will tell it you. Your father is a traitor,
A frightful traitor to us — he has plotted
Againft our General's life, has plung'd us all
In mifery — and you're his foil ! 'Tis your's
To make the amends — Make you the fon's
fidelity
Outweigh the father's treafon, that the name
Of Piccolomini be not a proverb
Of infamy, a common form of curling
To the pofcerity of Wallenftein.
5 MAX-
* • a
• • 4 I 1
WALLENSTEIN. 63
MAX.
Where is that voice of truth which I dare follow ? It fpeaks no longer in myt heart. We all But utter what our paffionate wifhes dictate. O that an angel would defcend from Heaven, And fcoop for me the right, the uncorrupted, With a pure hand from the pure Fount of Light.
{His eyes glance on Thekla. ) What other angel feek I ? To this heart, To this unerring heart, will I fubmit it, Will afk thy love, which has the power to blefs The happy man alone, averted ever From the difquieted and guilty— carifi thou Still love me, if I flay ? Say that thou can'fl:, And I am the Duke's
COUNTESS.
Think, niece
MAX.
Think nothing, Thekla ! Speak what thou fee lefl.
COUNTESS.
Think upon your father.
MAX.
I did not queftion thee, as Friedland's daughter.
Thee, the beloved, and the unerring god
Within thy heart, I queftion. What's at flake ?
Not whether diadem of royalty
Be to be won or no — that might'ft thou think on.
Thy friend j and his foul's quiet, are at flake ;
The fortune of a thoufand gallant men, ;
Who will all follow me ; (hall I forfwear
- * My
64! THE DEATH OF
My oath and duty to the Emperor ? Say, fhall I fend into Octavio's camp The parricidal ball ? For when the ball Has left its cannon, and is on its flight, It is no longer a dead inftrument ; It lives, a fpirit pafles into it, The avenging furies feize pofTeffion of it, And with fure malice guide it the worfl way»
THEKLA.
O! Max.
max. (interrupting her.) Nay, not precipitately either, Thekla. I underftand thee. To thy noble heart The hardeft duty might appear the higheft. The human, not the great part, would I act. Ev'n from my childhood to this prefent hour, Think what the Duke has done for me, how lov'd
me, And think too, how my father has repay'd him.. O like wife the free lovely impulfes Of hofpitality, the pious friend's Faithful attachment, thefe too are a holy Religion to the heart ; and heavily The fhudderings of nature do avenge Themfelves on the barbarian that infults them« Lay all upon the balance, all — then fpeak, And let thy heart decide it.
THEKLA.
O, thy own
Hath long ago decided. Follow thou Thy heart's firft feeling — —
COUN- I
• * ? * ' W
WALLENSTEIN. 65
COUNTESS.
Oh ! ill-fated woman !
THEKLA.
Is it poflible, that that can be the right, The which thy tender heart did not at firft Detect and feize with inflant impulfe ? Go, Fulfil thy duty j I mould ever love thee. What e'er thou hadft chofen, thou would'ft ftill
have acted Nobly and worthy of thee — but repentance Shall ne'er difturb thy foul's fair peace.
MAX.
Then I Muft leave thee, muft part from thee !
THEKLA.
Being faithful
To thine own felf, thou art faithful too to me;
If our fates part, our hearts remain united.
A bloody hatred will divide for ever
The houfes Piccolomini and Friedland ;
But we belong not to our houfes — Go !
Quick ! quick ! and feparate thy righteous caufe
From our unholy and unblefsed one !
The curfe of heaven lies upon our head :
'Tis dedicate to ruin. Even me
My father's guilt drags with it to perdition.
Mourn not for me :
My deftiny will quickly be decided.
(Max. clafps her in his arms in extreme emotion. There is heard from behind the Scene a loud, wild, long continued cry. Vivat Ferdi-
F NANDUS,
66 THE DEATH OF
n andus, accompanied by warlike Infiruments. Max. and Thekla remain without motion in each others embraces.)
SCENE X.
To thefe enter Tertsky.
countess, {meeting him.) What meant that cry ? What was it ?
TERTSKY.
All is loll!
COUNTESS.
What ! they regarded not his countenance ?
TERTSKY.
'Twas all in vain.
DUCHESS.
They fhouted Vivat !
TERTSKY.
To the Emperor,
COUNTESS.
The traitors !
TERTSKY.
Nay ! he was not once permitted Even to addrefs them. Soon as he began, With deafening noife of warlike infiruments They drown'd his words. But here he comes.
SCENE
WALLLENSTEIN. 67
SCENE XL
To thefe enter Wallenstein, accompanied by
Illo and Butler.
wallenstein, (as he enters.)
Tertfky !
TERTSKY.
My General ?
WALLENSTEIN.
Let our regiments hold, themfelves In readinefs to march ; for we mail leave Pilfen ere evening. [Exit Tert/ky.
Butler!
BUTLER.
Yes, my General.
WALLENSTEIN.
The Governor at Egra is your friend And countryman. Write to him inftantly By a Poll Courier. He muft be advis'd, That we are with him early on the morrow. You follow us yourfelf, your regiment with you.
BUTLER.
It fhall be done, my General !
wallenstein, (ßeps between Max. andThekla,
who have remained during this time in each
others arms.)
Part !
MAX.
O God !
(Cuir a filers enter with drawn /words, and
ajfemble in the back-ground. At the fame
time there are heard from below fame fpirited
pajages out of the Pappenheim March, which
feem to addrefs Max.)
f 2, wal-
68 THE DEATH OF
wallenstein, {to the Cuirajiers,) Here he is, he is at liberty : I keep him No longer.
{lie turns away> and ßands fo that Max. cannot pafs by him nor approach the Princefs. )
MAX.
Thou know'fl that I have not yet learnt to live
Without thee ! I go forth into a defart,
Leaving my all behind me. O do not turn
Thine eyes away from me ! O once more fhew me
Thy ever dear and honour'd countenance.
(Max. attempts to take his hand, but is repelled ;
he turns to the Countefs.J
Is there no eye that has a look of pity for me ?
(The Countefs turns away from him ; he turns to
the Duchefs.) My mother !
DUCHESS.
Go where duty calls you. Haplj The time may come, when you may prove to us A true friend, a good Angel at the throne Of the Emperor.
MAX.
You give me hope ; you would not Suffer me wholly to defpair. No ! No ! Mine is a certain mifery — Thanks to heaven That offers me a means of ending it. {The military mufic begins again. The flage fills
more and more with armed men. Max. fees
Butler, and addrefies him.) And you here, Colonel Butler — and will you Not follow me? Well, then ! remain more faithful
To
WALLENSTEIN. 6&
To your- new lord, than you have prov'd yourfelf To the Emperor. Come, Butler I promife me, Give me your hand upon it, that you'll be The guardian of his life, its fhield, its watchman. He is attainted, and his princely head Fair booty for each Have that trades in murder. Now he doth need the faithful eye of friendfhip, And thofe whom here I fee —
{caßing fufpicious looks on Illo and Butler)
ILLO.
Go — feek for traitors In Galas', in your father's quarters. Here Is only one. Away ! away ! and free us From his detefted fight ! Away ! {Max. attempts once more to approach The Ida. Wallenfiein prevents him. Max. flands irrefo- lute, and in apparent anguifli. In the mean time the flage fills more and more ; and the horns found from below louder and louder, and €ach time after ajliorter interval.)
MAX.
Blow, blow ! O were it but the Swedifti Trumpets, And all the naked fwords, which I fee here, Were plunged into my breaft ! What purpofe you ? You come to tear me from this place ! Beware, Ye drive me not to defperation. — Do it not ! Ye may repent it !
(theßage is entirely fill'd with armed men.) Yet more ! weight upon weight to drag me down ! Think what ye're doing. It is not well done To choofe a man defpairing for your leader;
f 3 You
70 THE DEATH OF
You tear me from my happinefs. Well, then, I dedicate your fouls to vengeance. Mark ! For your own ruin you have chofen me : Who goes with me, muft be prepar'd to perifh. {He turns to the back-ground, there enfues a fudden and violent movement among the Cuiraffiers ; they fur round him, and carry him off in wild tumult. Wallenftein remains im- moveable. Thekla finks into her mother s arms. The curtain falls. The mufic becomes loud and overpowering, and pajj'es into a complete war-march — the orcheftra joins it — and conti- 7iues during the interval between thefecond and third Act.) -
ACT
WALLENSTEIN. 71
ACT III.
Scene, the Burgomaßer's Houfe at Egra*
SCENE I.
butler, (jufi arrived.) Here then he is, by his defliny conducted. Here, Friedland ! and no farther ! From Bohemia Thy meteor rofe, travers'd the iky awhile, And here upon the borders of Bohemia Mull fink.
Thou hall forfworn the ancient colours, Blind man ! yet truflefl to thy ancient fortunes. Profaner of the altar and the hearth, Againft thy Emperor and fellow-citizens Thou mean'ft to wage the war. Friedland, be- ware— The evil fpirit of revenge impels thee — Beware thou, that revenge deflroy thee not !
SCENE II. Butler, and Gordon,
GORDON.
Is it you ?
How my heart finks ! The Duke a fugitive traitor \
His princely head attainted ! O my God !
?4 £UTLER*
72 THE DEATH OF
BUTLER.
You have receiv'd the letter which I fent you By a poll-courier.
GORDON.
Yes ! and in obedience to it ©pen'd the ftrong hold to him without fcruple. For an imperial letter orders me To follow your commands implicitly. But yet forgive me ; when even now I faw The Duke himfelf, my fcruples recommenced. For truly, not like an attainted man, Into this town did Friedland make his entrance ; His wonted Majefty beam'd from his brow, And calm, as in the days when all was right, Did he receive from me the accounts of office ; 'Tis faid, that fallen pride learns condefcenfion : But fparing and with dignity the Duke Weigh'd every fyllable of approbation, As maftefs praife a fervant who has done His duty, and no more.
BUTLER.
'Tis all precifely As I related in my letter. Friedland Has fold the army to the enemy, And pledg'd himfelf to give up Prague and Egra. On this report the regiments all forfook him, The five excepted that belong to Tertiky, And which have follow'd him, as thou haft feen. The fentence of attainder is pafs'd on him,
c And
WALLENSTEIN. 73
And «very loyal fubjed is required
To give him in to juftice, dead or living.
GORDON.
A traitor to the Emperor — Such a noble !
Of fuch high talents ! What is human greatnefs !
I often faid, this can't end happily.
His might, his greatnefs, and this obfcure power
Are but a cover'd pit-fall. The human being
May not be tnifted to felf-government.
The clear and written law, the deep trod foot-marks
Of ancient cuftom, are all neceffary
To keep him in the road of faith and duty.
The authority entrufted to this man
Was unexampl'd and unnatural,
It plac'd him on a level with his Emperor,
Till the proud foul unlearn'd fubmiffion. Wo is
me j I mourn for himl for where he fell, I deem Might none ftand firm. Alas 1 dear General, We in our lucky mediocrity Have ne'er experienc'd, cannot calculate, What dangerous wiihes fuch a height may breed In the heart of fuch a man.
BUTLER.
Spare your laments Till he need fympathy ; for at this prefent He is (till mighty, and ftill formidable. The Swedes advance to Egra by forc'd marches, And quickly will thejun&ion be accomplifrYd. This muft not be ! The Duke muft never leave
This
74 THE DEATH OP
This ftrong hold on free footing ; for I have Pledg'd life and honour here to hold him pris'ner-, And your amftance 'tis on which I calculate.
GORDON.
O that I had not liv'd to fee this day ! From his hand I receiv'd this dignity, He did himfelf entrufl this ftrong hold to me, Which I am now requifd to make his dungeon, We fubalterns have no will of our own : The free, the mighty man alone may'liften To the fair impulfe of his human nature. Ah ! we are but the poor tools of the law, Obedience the fole virtue we dare aim at !
BUTLER.
Nay, let it not afflict you, that your power Is circumfcrib'd. Much liberty, much error I The narrowr path of duty is fecureft.
GORDON.
And all then have deferted him, you fay ? He has built up the luck of many thoufands, ■ For kingly washisfpirit : his full hand Was ever open ! Many a one from duft (with a fide glance on Butler.) Hath he felected, from the very duft Hath rais'd him into dignity and honour. And yet nofriend,notone friend hath he purchas'd, Whofe heart beats true to him in the evil hour.
BUTLER.
Here's one, I fee
GOR*
WALLENSTEIN. 75
GORDON.
I have enjoy 'd from him No grace or favour. I could almoft doubt, If ever in his greatnefs he once thought on An old friend of his youth. For fiill my office Kept me at diftance from him ; and when firft He to this citadel appointed me, He was fincere and ferious in his duty. I do not then abufe his confidence, If I preferve my fealty in that Which to my fealty was firft deliver'd.
9
BUTLER.
Say, then, will you fulfil th' attainder on him ?
Gordon, (paufes reflecting — then as in deep
dejection.) If it be fo — if all be as you fay — If he've betray'd the Emperor, his mafter, Have fold the troops, have purpos'd to deliver The ftrong holds of the country to the enemy — Yea, truly ! — there is no redemption for him ! — Yet it is hard, that me the lot fhould defline To be the inftrument of his perdition ; For we were pages at the court of Bergau At the fame period ; but I was the fenior.
BUTLER.
I have heard fo
GORDON.
'Tis full thirty years fince then. A youth who fcarce had feen his twentieth year Was Wallenftein, when he and I were friends :
4 Yet
7tf THE DEATH OF
Yet even then he had a daring foul : His frame of mind was ferious and fevere Beyond his years j his dreams were of great ob- jects. He walk'd amidft us of a filent fpirit, Communing with himfelf : yet I have known him Tranfported on a fudden into utterance Of ftrange conceptions ; kindling into fplendour His foul reveal'd itfelf, and he fpake fo That we look'd round perplex'd upon each other, Not knowing whether it were crazinefs, Or whether 't were a god that fpoke in him.
BUTLER.
But was it where he fell two flory high
From a window-ledge, on which he had fallen
afleep ; And rofe up free from injury ? From this day (It is reported) he betray'd clear marks Of a diftemper'd fancy.
GORDON.
He became Doubtlefs more felf-enwrapt and melancholy ; He made himfelf a Catholic. Marvellously His marvellous prefervation had transform'd him. Thenceforth he held himfelf for an exempted And privileg'd being, and, as if he were Incapable of dizzinefs or fall, He ran along the unfteady rope of life. But now our deftinies drove us afunder : He pae'd with rapid ftep the way of greatnefs,
Was
WALLENSTEIN. 77
Was Count, and Prince, Duke regent, and Dic- tator. And now is all, all this too little for him ; He ftretches forth his hands for a king's crown, And plunges in unfathomable ruin.
BUTLER.
No more, he comes.
SCENE III.
To thefe enter Wall en stein, in converfation with the Burgomaster of Egra.
WALLENSTEIN.
You were at one time a free town. I fee, Ye bear the half eagle in your city arms. Why the half eagle only ?
BURGOMASTER.
We were free, But for thefe laft two hundred years has Egra Remain'd in pledge to the Bohemian crown, Therefore we bear the half eagle, the other half Being cancelPd till the empire ranfom us, If ever that mould be.
WALLENSTEIN.
Ye merit freedom. Only be firm and dauntlefs. Lend your ears To no defigning whifpering court-minions. What may your impofts be ?
BURGO-
78 THE DEATH OF
BURGOMASTER.
So heavy that We totter under them. The garrifon Lives at our coils.
WALLENSTEIN.
I will relieve you. Tell me, There are fome Protectants among you ftill ?
(The Burgomaßer hefitates.) Yes, yes; I know it. Many lie conceal'd Within thefe walls — Confefs now — you yourfelf — {Fixes his eye. on him. The Burgomaßer alarm' d.) Be not alarm'd. I hate the Jefuits. Could my will have determin'd it, they had Been long ago expelPd the empire. Truft me — Mafs-book or bible — 'tis all one to me. Of that the world has had fufHcient proof. I built a church for the reform'd in Glogan At my own inftance. Hark'e, Burgomafter ! What is your name.
BURGOMASTER.
Pachhälbel, may it pleafe you.
WALLENSTEIN.
Hark'e ! —
But let it go no further, what I now Difclofe to you in confidence.
{Laying his hand on the Burgomaßer* s ßoulder with a certain folemnity .)
The times Draw near to their fulfilment, Burgomafter ! The high will fall, the low will be exalted. Hark'e ! But keep it to yourfelf!. The end
Approaches
WALLENSTEIN. 79
Approaches of the Spanifh double monarchy — A new arrangement is at hand. You faw The three moons that appear'd at once in the Heaven. '
BURGOMASTER.
With wonder and affright !
WALLENSTEIN.
Whereof did two Strangely transform themfelves to bloody daggers, And only one, the middle moon, remain'd Steady and clear.
BURGOMASTER.
We applied it to the Turks.
WALLENSTEIN.
The Turks ! That all ?-— I tell you, that two
empires Will fet in blood, in the Eaft and in the Weft, And Luth'ranifm alone remain.
(obferving Gordon and Butler?)
I'faith, 'Twas a fmart cannonading that we heard This evening, as we joumey'd hitherward ; 'Twas on our left hand. Did you hear it here ?
GORDON.
Diftinctly. The wind brought it from the South.
BUTLER.
It feem'd to come from Weiden or from Neuftadt.
WALLENSTEIN.
'Tis likely. That's the route the Swedes are taking. How ftrong is the garrifon ?
GORDON
80 THE DEATH OF
GORDON.
Not quite two hundred Competent men, the reft are invalids.
WALLENSTEIN.
Good ! And how many in the vale of Jochim.
GORDON.
Two hundred Arquebuffiers have I fent thither To fortify the pofts againft the Swedes.
WALLENSTEIN.
Good! I commend your forefight. At the works
too You have done fomewhat ?
GORDON.
Two additional batteries I caused to be run up. They were needlefs. The Rhine- Grave preffes hard upon us, General !
WALLENSTEIN.
You have been watchful in your Emperor's fervice. I am content with you, Lieutenant -Colonel.
(to Butler.) Releafe the outpofts in the vale of Jochim With all the ftations in the enemy's route.
(to Gordon,) Governor, in your faithful hands I leave My wife, my daughter, and my filter. I Shall make no flay here, and wait but the arrival Of letters, to take leave of you, together With ail the regiments.
SCENE
WALLENSTEIN. 81
SCENE IV. To thefe enter Count Tertsky.
TERTSKY. -
Joy* General ; joy 1 I bring you welcome tidings.
WALLENSTEIN.
And what may they be ?
TERTSKY.
There has been an engagement At Neuiladt ; the Swedes gain'd the victory.
WALLENSTEIN.
From whence did you receive the intelligence ?
TERTSKY.
A countryman from Tirfchenfeil convey'd it. Soon after fun rife did the fight begin ! A troop of the Imperialifts from Fachau Had forc'd their way into the Swedifh camp ; The cannonade continued fall two hours > There were left dead upon the field a thoufand Imperialifts together* with their Colonel ; Further than this he did not know.
WALLENSTEIN.
How came Imperial troops at Neuftadt ? Altringer But yefterday, flood fixty miles from there. Count Galas' force collects at Frauenberg, And have not the full complement. Is it poflible, Tnat Suys perchance had ventur'd fo far onward ? It cannot be.
TERTSKY.
We, (hall foon know the whole, For here comes Illo, full of hafte, and joyous.
g SCENE
82 THE DEATH OF
SCENE V.
To thefe enter Illo. illo. (to Wallenfiein.) A courier, Duke ! he wifhes to fpeak with thee.
tertsky. (eagerly.) Does he bring, confirmation of the victory ?
wallenstein, {at the fame time.') What does he bring ? Whence comes he ?
ILLO.
From the Rhine-grave. And what he brings I can announce to you Before hand. Seven leagues diftant are the Swedes; At Neuftadt did Max. Piccolomini Throw himfelf on them with the cavalry; A murd'rous fight took place; o'erpower'd by
numbers The Pappenheimers all, with Max- their leader,
(Wallenfiein fhudders and turns pale.) Were left dead on the field.
wallenstein, (after a paufe in a loio voice.) Where <r the meflenger ? Conduct, me to him. (Wahüfftepi is going* when Lady Keubj-umi
ruflies into the room. Some fervants follow her
and run acrofs the. f age.)
neubrunn. Help! Help!
illo and tertsky. {at the fame time.)
WThat now ?
-2 NEU-
WALLENSTEIN. 83
NEUBRUNN.
The Princefs !—
WALLENSTEIN (Hid TERTSKY.
Does fhe know it ?
Neubrunn. ( at the fame time with them.) She is dying ! (hurries off 'the fi age ; and Wallen- flein and T er tjky follow her.)
SCENE VI. Butler and Gordon.
GORDON.
What's this ?
BUTLRR.
She has loft the man fhe lov'd— * Young Piccolomini who fell in the battle.
GORDON.
Unfortunate Lady !
BUTLER.
You have heard what Hlo Reporteth, that the Swedes are conquerors, And marching hitherward.
GORDON.
Too wBil heard it.
BUTLER.
They are twelve regiments ilrong, and there are
five Clofe by us to proted the Duke. We have Only my fingle regiment ; and the garrifon Is not two hundred ftrong.
G 2 GOR-
84 THE DEATH OF
GORDON.
'Tis even fo.
BUTLER.
It is not poffible with fuch fmall force To hold in euftody a man like him.
GORDON.
I grant it.
BUTLER.
Soon the numbers would difarm us, And liberate him.
GORDON.
It were to be feafd,
butler, (after apaufe.) Know* I am warranty for the event ; With my head have I pledg'd myfelf for his, Müft make my word good, coft it what it will, And if alive we cannot hold him prifoner, Why — death makes all things certain !
GORDON.
Butler! What? Do I underftand you ? Gracious God ! You could—
BUTLER.
He mufl not live.
GORDON.
And you can do the deed !
BUTLER.
Either you or I. This morning was his laft.
GORDON.
You would afiaffinate him ?
BUTLER.
'Tis my purpofe.
GOR-
WALLENSTEIN. 85
GORDON.
Who leans with his whole confidence upon you !
BUTLER.
Such is his evil deftiny !
GORDON.
Your General ! The facred perfon of your General i
BUTLER.
My General he has been.
GORDON.
That 'tis only An " has been" wafhes out no villainy. And without judgment pafs'd ?
BUTLER.
The execution Is here inftead of judgment.
GORDON.
This were murder. Not juflice. The moft guilty fhould be heard.
BUTLER.
His guilt is clear, the Emperor has paft judgment, And we but execute his will.
GORDON.
We mould not Hurry to realize a bloody fentence. A word may be recall'd, a life can never be.
BUTLER.
Difpatch in fervice pleafes fovereigns.
GOR*DON.
No honeft man's ambitious to prefs forward To the hangman's fervice.
G 3 BUT-
86 THE DEATH OF
BUTLER.
And no brave man lofes His colour at a daring cnterprize.
GORDON.
A brave man hazards life, but not his confcience.
BUTLER.
What then ? Shall he go forth anew to kindle The unextinguifhable flame of war?
GORDON.
Seize him, and hold him prifoner — do not kill him !
BUTLER.
Had not the Emperor's army been defeated, I might have done fo. — But 'tis now pall by.
GORDON.
O, wherefore open'd I the ftrong hold to him ?
BUTLER.
His deftiny and not the place deilroys him.
GORDON.
Upon thefe ramparts, as befeem'd a foldier, I had fallen, defending the Emperor's citadel !
BUTLER.
Yes ! and a thoufand gallant men have perifrVd.
GORDON.
Doing their duty — that adorns the man !
But murder's a black deed, and nature curfes it.
butler, (brings out a paper.) Here is the man'fefto which commands us To gain poffefTion of his perfon. See — It is addrefs'd to you as well as me.
Are
WALLENSTEIN. 87
Are you content to take the confequences, If thro' our fault he efcape to the enemy.
GORDON.
I ? — Gracious God !
BUTLER.
Take it on yourfelf. Come of it what it may, on you I lay it.
. GORDON.
0 God in heaven !
BUTLER.
Can you advife aught elfe Wherewith to execute the Emperor's purpofe ? Say if you can. For I defire his fall, Not his deft.ruc~t.ion.
GORDON.
Merciful heaven ! what mufl be
1 fee as clear as you. Yet flill the heart Within my bofom beats with other feelings !
BUTLER.
Mine is of harder fluff! Neceffity
In her rough fchool hath fteeFd me. And this Illo,
And Tertfky likewife, they muft not furvive him.
GORDON.
I feel no pang for thefe. Their own bad heart Impell'd them, not the influence of the ftars. 'Twas they who ftrew'd the feeds of evil paflions In his calm bread, and with officious villainy Water'd and nurs'd the pois'nous plants. May
they Receive their earnefls to the uttermofl mite !
G 4 BUT-
88 THE DEATH OF
BUTLER.
And their death (hall precede his !
We meant to have taken them alive this evening
Amid the merry-making of a feaft,
And keep them prifoners in the citadels.
But this makes fhorter work. I go this inftant
To give the neceflary orders.
SCENE VII.
To thefe enter Ilio üw^Tertsky.
TERTSKY.
Our luck is on the turn. To-morrow come The Swedes — twelve thoufand gallant warriors,
Mo ! Then ftraightways for Vienna. Cheerily, friend ! What ! meet fuch news with fuch a moody face ?
ILLO.
It lies with us at preferit to prefcribe Laws, and take vengeance on thofe worthlefs trai- tors, Thofe ikulking cowards that deferted us ; One has already done his bitter penance, The Piccolomipij be his the fate Of all who wilh us evil J This flies fure To the old man's heart j he has his whole life long Fretted and.loil'd to raife his ancient houfe From a Count's title to the name of Prince ; And now muft feek a gra\e for his only fon.
BUTLER.
WÄLLENSTEIN. 89
BUTLER.
'Twas pity tho' ! A youth of fuch heroic And gentle temp'rament ! The Duke himfelf, 'Twas eafily feen, how near it went to his heart.
ILLO.
Hark?e, old friend ! That is the very point That never pleas'd me in our General — He ever gave the preference to the Italians, Yea, at this very moment, by my foul ! He'd gladly fee us all dead ten times over, Could he thereby recal his friend to life.
TERTSKY.
Hum, hum ! Let the dead reft ! This evening's
bufinefs Is, who can fairly drink the other down — Your regiment, Illo ! gives the entertainment. Come ! we will keep a merry carnival — The night for once be day, and mid full glafles Will we exped the Swedilh Avantgarde.
ILLO.
Yes, let us be of good chear for to-day, For there's hot work before us, friends ! This fword Shall have no reft, till it be bath'd to the hilt In Auftrian blood.
GORDON.
Shame, fhame ! what talk is this, My Lord Field Marfhal ? Wherefore foam you fo Againft your Emperor ?
BUTLER.
Hope not too much prom this firft victory. Bethink you, firs 1
How
SO THE DEATH OF
How rapidly the wheel of fortune turns. The Emperor Hill is formidably flrong.
ILLO.
The Emperor has foldiers, no commander, For this King Ferdinand of Hungary Is but a Tyro. Galas ? He's no luck, And was of old the ruiner of armies. And then this Viper, this Octavio, Is excellent at {tabbing in the back, But ne'er meets Friedland in the open field.
TERTSKY.
Trull me, my friends, it cannot but fucceed ; Fortune, we know can ne'er forfake the Duke ! And only under Wallenftein can Auftria Be conquejor.
ILLO.
The Duke will foon aliemble A mighty army, all comes crowding, ftreaming To banners, dedicate by deftiny, To fame, and profperous fortune. I behold Old times come back again, he will become Once more the mighty Lord which he has been. How will the fools, who've now deferted him, Look then ? I can't but laugh to think of them, For lands will he prefent to all his friends, And like a King and Emperor reward True fervices ; but we've the neareft claims.
(To Gordon.) You will not be forgotten, Governor ! He'll take you from this neft and bid you fhine
In
WALLENSTEIN. g\
In higher ftation : your fidelity- Well merits it.
GORDON.
T am content already, And wifh to climb no higher; where great height is The fall muft needs be great. " Great height, great depth."
ILLO.
Here you have no more bufinefs for to-morrow ; The Swedes will take porTeffion of the citadel. Come, Tertfky, it is fupper-time. What think
you ? Say, (hall we have the State illuminated In honour of the Swede ? And who refufes To do it is a Spaniard and a traitor.
TERTSKY.
Nay ! Nay ! not that, it not will pleafe the Duke —
ILLO.
What ! we are matters here ; no foul fhali dare Avow himfelf imperial where we've the rule. Gordon ! Good Jiight, and, for the laft time, take A fair leave of the place. Send out patroles To make fecure, the watch- word may be alter'd At the flroke of ten; deliver in the keys To the Duke himfelf, and then you're quit for ever Your wardfhip of the gates, for on to-morrow The Swedes will take pofTemon of the citadel.
tertsky. fas he is gobig, to Butler. J You come though to the caftle.
BUTLER.
At the right time. (Exeunt Tertßy and Illo.J
SCENE
$2 THE DEATH OF
SCENE VIIT.
Gordon and Butler, gordon. (looking after them.) Unhappy man ! How free from all foreboding ! They rum into the outfpread net of murder, In the blind drunkennefs of victory ; I have no pity for their fate. This Illo, This overflowing and fool-hardy villain That would fain bathe himfelf in his Emperor's blood.
BUTLER.
Do as he order'd you. Send round patroles, Take meafures for the citadel's fecurity ; When they are within I clofe the caftle gate That nothing may tranfpire.
gordon. (with earneß anxiety.) Oh ! hafte not fo ! Nay, flop ; firft tell me
BUTLER.
You have heard already, To-morrow to the Swedes belongs. This night Alone is ours. They make good expeditions But we will make ftill greater. Fare you well.
GORDON.
Ah ! your looks tell me nothing good. Nay,
Butler, I pray you, promife me !
BUTLER.
The fun has fet ; A fateful evening doth defcend upon us, And brings on their long night ! Their evil ftars
Deliver
WALLENSTEIN. 93
Deliver them unarm'd into our hands,
And from their drunken dream of golden fortunes
The dagger at their heart ihali roufe them. Well,
The Duke was ever a great calculator ;
His fellow-men were figures on his chefs-board,
To move and flat ion, as his game requir'd.
Other men's honour, dignity, good name,
Did he fhift like pawns, and made no confcience
of it: Still calculating, calculating ftiil, And yet at laft his calculation proves Erroneous ; the whole game is loft ; and lo ! His own life will be found among the forfeits,
GORDON.
0 think not of his errors now ; remember His greatnefs, his munificence, think on all The lovely features of his character,
On all the noble exploits of his life,
And let them, like an angels' arm, unfeen
Arreft the lifted fword.
BUTLER.
It is too late.
1 fuffer not myfelf to feel companion,
Dark thoughts and bloody are my duty now:
(grafting Gordon's hand.) Gordon ! 'Tis not my hatred (I pretend not To love the Duke, and have no caufe to love him) Yet 'tis not now my hatred that impels me To be his murderer. 'Tis his evil fate. Hoftile concurrences of many events Control and fubjugate me to the office.
In
94? THE DEATH OF
In vain the human being meditates
Free action. He is but the wire-work'd * puppet
Of the blind power, which out of his own choice
Creates for him a dread neceffity.
What too would it avail him, if there were
A fomething pleading for him in my heart —
Still I mult kill him.
GORDON.
If your heart fpeak to you, Follow its impulfe. 'Tis the voice of God. Think you your fortunes will grow profperous ' Bedew'd with blood, his blood ? Believe it not !
BUTLER.
You know not. Afk not ! Wherefore mould it happen,
That the Swedes gain'd the victory, and haften
With fuch forc'd marches hitherward ? Fain would I
Have given him to the Emperor's mercy. — Gor- don !
I do not wifh his blood — But I muft ranfom
The honour of my word — it lies in pledge —
And he muft die, or
(pajfwnately grafping Gordon's hand.) Liften then, and know 1
I am dijlionour'* d if the Duke efcape us.
GORDON.
O ! to fave fuch a man
* We doubt the propriety of putting fo blafphemous a fentiroent in the mouth of any character. T.
BUTLER.
WALLENSTEIN. 95
BUTLER.
What!
GORDON.
It is worth A facrifice. — Come, friend ! be noble-minded ! Our own heart, and not other men's opinions, Forms our true honour.
butler, (with a cold and haughty air )
He is a great Lord, This Duke — and I am but of mean importance. This is what you would fay ? Wherein concerns it The world at large, you mean to hint to me, Whether the man of low extraction keeps Or blemifhes his honour — So that the man of princely rank be fav'd. We all do flamp our value on ourfelves. The price we challenge for ourfelves is given us. There does not live on earth the man fo ftation'd. That I defpife myfelf compar'd with him. Man is made great or little by his own will, Becaufe I am true to mine, therefore he dies.
GORDON.
I am endeavouring to move a rock.
Thou hadft a mother, yet no human feelings.
I cannot hinder you, but may fome God
Refcue him from you !
[Exit Gordon.
SCENE
96 . *Hß ÜEATH OF %^
SCENE IX.
butler, {alone.) 1 treafuf d my good name all my life long ; The Duke has cheated me of life's beft jewel, So that I blulh before this poor weak Gordon { He prizes above all his feälty j His confcious foul accufes him of nothing ; In oppofition to his own foft heart He fubjugates himfelf to an iron duty* Me in a weaker moment paftion warp'd j I (land befide him, and muft feel myfelf The worfe man of the two. What, though the
world Is ignorant of my purpos'd treafon, yet One man does know it, and can prove it too— • High-minded Piccolomini ! There lives the man who can diftionour me ! This ignominy blood alone can cleanfe ! Puke Friedland, thou or I — Into my own hands Fortune delivers me — The deareft thing a man has
is himfelf.
(The curtain drops.)
ACT
WAL Lfctf STEIN. 91
ACT IV.
Scene, Butler's Chamber.
SCENE L Butler, Major, and Geraldin.
BUTLER.
Find me twelve ftrong Dragoons, arm them with
pikes, For there muft be no firing-—' — Conceal them fomewhere near the banquet-room, And foon as the defert is fery'd up, rufti all in And cry — Who is loyal to the Emperor ? I will overturn the table — while you attack Illo and Tertfky, and difpatch them both. The caftle-palace is well barr'd and guarded, That no intelligence of this proceeding May make its way to the Duke. — Go inftantly j Have you yet fent for Captain Devereux And the Macdonald ?
GERALDim
They'll be here anon.
[Exit Geraldin.
BUTLER.
Here's no room for delay. The citizens Declare for him, a dizzy drunken fpirit Poffefles the whole town. They fee in the Duke h A Prince
9$ THE DEATH OF
A Prince of peace, a founder of new ages And golden times. Arms too have been given out By the town-council, and an hundred citizens Have volunteer'd themfelves to (land on guard. Difpatch then be the word. For enemies Threaten us from without and from within.
SCENE II.
Butler, Captain Devereux, and Macdonald.
macdonald. Here we are, GeneraL
DEVEREUX.
What's to be the watchword I
BUTLER.
Long live the Emperor !
both, (recoiling.) How ?
BUTLER.
Live the Houfe of Auflria !
DEVEREUX.
Have we not fwore fidelity to Friedland ?
MACDONALD.
Have we not march'd to this place to protect him ? .
BUTLER.
Protect a traitor, and his country's enemy !
DEVEREUX.
Why, yes ! in his name you adminifter'd Our oath.
MAC-
WALLENSTEIK. ' 99
MACDONALD.
And follow'd him yourfelf to Egra.
BUTLER.
I did it the more furely to deftroy him.
DEVEREUX.
So, then !
MACDOXALD.
An alter'd cafe !
eutler. (to Deverenx.)
Thou wretched man ! So eafily leav'ft thou thy oath and colours ?
DEVEREUX.
The devil ! — I but follow'd your example, If you could prove a villain, why not we ?
MACDONALD.
We've nought to do with thinking — that's your
bufinefs. You are our General, and give out the orders ; We follow you, tho' the track lead to hell.
butler, (appeafed.) Good then ! we know each other.
MACDONALD.
I mould hope fo.
DEVEREUX.
Soldiers of fortune are we-^-who bids moil, He has us*
MACDONALD.
'Tis e'en fo !
BUTLER.
Well, for the prefent Y^ mult remain honeft and faithful foldiers.
H 2 DEVEREUX.
100 THE DEATH OF
DEVEREUX.
We wifh no other.
BUTLER.
Aye, and make your fortunes.
MACDONALD.
That is dill better.
BUTLER.
Liften !
BOTH.
We attend.
BUTLER.
It is the Emperor's will and ordinance
To feize the perfonof the Prince-Duke Friedland,
Alive or dead.
DEVEREUX.
It runs fo in the letter.
MACDONALD.
Alive or dead — thefe were the very words.
BUTLER.
And he mall be rewarded from the State In land and gold, who proffers aid thereto.
DEVEREUX.
Ay ? That founds well. The words found always
well That travel hither from the Court. Yes ! yes ! We know already what Court-words import. A golden chain perhaps in fign of favour, Or an old charger, or a parchment patent, And fuch like. — The JPrince-Duke pays better.
MAC-
WALLENSTEIN. 101
MACDONALD.
Yes, The Duke's a fplendid paymafter.
BUTLER.
All over With that, my friends ! His lucky ftars are fet.
MACDONALD.
And is that certain ?
BUTLER.
You have my word for it.
DEVEREUX.
His lucky fortunes all pafl by ?
BUTLER.
For ever. He is as poor as we.
MACDONALD,
As poor as we ?
DEVEREUX.
Macdonald, we'll defert him.
BUTLER.
We'll defert him? Full twenty thoufand have done that already ; We muft do more, my countrymen ! In fhort — We — we muft kill him.
both, (fiarting back.)
Kill him!
BUTLER.
Yes ! mull kill him. And for that purpofe have I chofen you.
h 3 BOTH.
102 THE DEATH OF
BOTH.
Us!
BUTLER.
You, Captain Devereux, and the Macdonald.
devereux. (after a paufe.) Chufe you fome other.
BUTLER.
What ? art daflardly ? Thou, with full thirty lives to anfwer for — Thou confcientious of a fudden?
devereux.
Nay, To aflaffinate our Lord and General —
MACDONALD.
To whom we've fworn a foldier's oath —
BUTLER.
The oath Is null, for Friedland is a traitor.
devereux. No, no ! It is too bad !
MACDONALD.
Yes, by my foul i It is too bad. One has a confcience too —
devereux. If it were not our Chieftain, who fo long Has iflued the commands, and claim'd our duty.
BUTLER.
Is that the objection ?
DEVEREUX.
Were it my own father, And the Emperor's fervice mould demand it of me,
It
WALLENSTEIN. 103
It might be done perhaps — But we are foldiers, And to aflaflinate our Chief Commander, That is a (in, a foul abomination, From which no Monk or Confefibr abfolves us.
BUTLER.
I am your Pope, and give you.abfolution. Determine quickly !
DEVEREUX.
'Twill not do !
MACDONALD.
'Twont do !
BUTLER.
Well, off then ! and — fend Peftalutz to me.
devereux. (hefltates.) The Peftalutz—
MACDONALD.
What may you want with him ?
BUTLER.
If you reject it, we can find enough—
DEVEREUX.
Nay, if he mufl fall, we may earn the bounty As well as any other. What think you, Brother Macdonald ?
MACDONALD.
Why if he muß fall, And will fall, and it can't be otherwife, One would not give place to this Peftalutz.
devereux. (after fome reflection.) When do you purpofe he mould fall ?
h 4 BUT-
104 THE DEATH OF
BUTLER.
This night. To-morrow will the Swedes be at our gates.
DEVEREUX.
You take upon you all the confequences !
butler. T take the whole upon me.
DEVEREUX.
And it is The Emperor's will, his exprefs abfolute will ? For we have inftances, that folks may like The1 murder, and yet hang the murderer,
BUTLER.
The manifefto fays — alive or dead. Alive — 'tis not poflible — you fee it is not.
DEVEREUX.
Well, dead then ! dead ! But how can we come
at him ? The town is fill'd with Tertfky's foldiery.
MACDONALD.
Ay ! and then Tertiky ftill remains, and Illo — ■
BUTLER.
With thefe we fhall begin — you underftand me ?
DEVEREUX.
How ? And mull they too perifti ?
BUTLER.
They the firft.
MACDONALD.
Hear, Devereux ! A bloody evening this.
DEVEREUX.
Have you a man for that ? Commimon me —
BUT-
WALLENSTEIN. 105
BUTLER.
'Tis given in truft to Major Geraldin ; This is a carnival night, and there's a feaft Given at the Caftle — there we mail furprize them, And hew them down. The Peflalutz, and Lefley, Have that commiffion — foon as that is finifh'd —
DEVEREUX.
Hear, General ! It will be all one to you. Hark'e ! let me exchange with Geraldin.
BUTLER.
'Twill be the lefTer danger with the Duke.
DEVEREUX.
Danger i The devil ! What do you think me, Ge- neral ? 'Tis the Duke's eye, and not his fword, I fear.
BUTLER.
What can his eye do to thee ?
DEVEREUX.
Death and hell ! Thou know'ft that I'm no milk-fop, General ! But 'tis not eight days, fince the Duke did fend
me Twenty gold pieces for this good warm coat Which I have on ! and then for him to fee me Standing before him with the pike, his murderer, That eye of his looking upon this coat — Why — why— the devil fetch me ! I'm no milk- fop ! i
A BUT-
106 THE DEATH OF
, BUTLER.
The Duke preferred thee this good warm coat,
And thou, a needy wight, haft pangs of confcience
To run him through the body in return.
A coat that is far better and far warmer
Did the Emperor give to him, the Prince's mantle.
How doth he thank the Emperor ? With revolt,
And treafon.
DEVEREUX.
That is true. The devil take Such thankers ! I'll difpatch him.
BUTLER.
And would'ft quiet Thy confcience, thou haft nought to do but limply Pull off the coat ; fo can'ft thou do the deed With light heart and good fpirits.
DEVEREUX.
You are right. That did not ftrike me. I'll pull off the coat- So there's an end of it.
MACDONALD.
Yes, but there's another Point to be thought of.
BUTLER.
And what's that, Macdonald ?
MACDONALD.
What avails fword or dagger againft him ? He is not to be wounded — he is —
butler, (ßarting up.) ,
What?
MAC-
1VALLENSTEIN. 107
MACDONALD.
Safe againft (hot, and flab and flafh ! Hard frozen, Secur'd, and warranted by the black art ! His body is impenetrable, I tell you.
BEVEREUX.
In Ingleftadt there was juft another — His whole fkin was the fame as fteel ; at laft We were obliged to beat him down with gunT flocks.
MACDONALD.
Hear what I'll do.
DEVEREITX.
Well?
MACDONALD.
In the Cloifter here There's a Dominican, my countryman. I'll make him dip my fword and pike for me In holy water, and fay over them One of his ftrongeft bleffings. That's probatum ! Nothing can ftand 'gainft that.
BUTLER.
So do,- Macdonald ! But now go and felect from out the regiment Twenty or thirty able-bodied fellows, And let them take the oaths to the Emperor. Then when it ftrikes eleven, when the firft rounds Are pafs'd, conduct them, filently as may be, To th' houfe — I will myfelf be not far off.
DEVEREUX.
But how do we get through Hartfchier and Gordon That ftand on guard there in the inner chamber ? 5 But-
108 THE DEATH OF
BUTLER.
I have made myfelf acquainted with the place. I lead you through a back-door that's defended By one man only. Me my rank and office Give,accefs to the Duke at every hour. I'll go before you — with one poinard-ftroke Cut Hartfchier's wind-pipe, and make way for you.
DEVEREUX.
And when we are there, by what means mail we
gain The Duke's bed-chamber, without his alarming The fervants of the Court ; for he has here A numerous company of followers.
BUTLER.
The attendants fill the right wing ; he hates buftle, And lodges in the left wing quite alone.
DEVEREUX.
Were it well over-^hey, Macdonald ? I Feel queerly on the oceafion, devil knows !
MACDONALD.
And I too. - 'Tis too great a perfonage. People will hold us for a brace of villains.
BUTLER.
In plenty, honour, fplendour.— You may fafely Laugh at the people's babble.
DEVEREUX.
If the bufinefs Squares with one's honour — if that be quite cer- tain—
BUT-
WALLENSTEIN. 10,9
BUTLER.
Set your hearts quite at eafe. Ye fave for Ferdi- nand His Crown and Empire. The reward can be No fmallone.
DEVEREUX.
And 'tis his purpofe to dethrone the Emperor ?
BUTLER.
Yes ! — Yes ! — to rob him of his Crown and Life.
DEVEREUX.
And he muft fall by the executioner's hands, Should we deliver him up to the Emperor Alive?
BUTLER.
It were his certain defliny.
DEVEREUX.
Well ! Well ! Come then, Macdonald, he mall not Lie long in pain.
[Exeunt Butler through one door, Macdonald and Devereux through the other.]
SCENE III.
Scene, a gothic and gloomy Apartment at the Duchefs Friedland V. Thekla on a feat, pale, her eyes clofed. The Duchess and Lady Neu brunn bußed about her. Wallen- stein and the Countess in converfation.
WALLENSTEIN.
How knew fhe it fo foon ?
COUN-
110 THE DEATH OF
COUNTESS.
She feems to have Foreboded fome misfortune. The report Of an engagement, in the which had fallen A Colonel of the Imperial Army, frighten'd her. I faw it inftantly. She flew to meet The Swedilh Courier, and with fudden queftion-
ing, Soon wrefled from him the difaftrous fecret. Too late we mifVd her, haftened after her, We found her lying in his arms, all pale And in a fwoon.
WALLENSTEIN.
A heavy, heavy blow ! And fhe fo unprepar'd ! PooV child ! How is it ?
(turning to the Duchefs.) Is fhe coming to herfelf ?
DUCHESS.
Her eyes are opening.
COUNTESS.
She lives.
t h e k l a. ( looking round her.)
Where am I ?
wallenstein, (fieps to her * raifing her up in
his arms.) Come cheerly, Thekla ! be my own brave girl ! See, there's thy loving mother. Thou art in Thy father's arms.
thekla. (flanding up.)
Where is he ? Is he gone ? nu CHESS.
WALLENSTEIN. Ill
DUCHESS.
Who gone, my daughter ?
THEKLA.
He — the man who utter'd That word of mifery.
DUCHESS.
O! think not of it, MyThekla!
WALLENSTEIN.
Give her forrow leave to talk ! Let her complain — mingle your tears with her's, For (he hath fuffer'd a deep anguifh ; but She'll rife fuperior to it, for my Thekla Hath all her father's unfubdued heart.
THEKLA.
I am not ill. See, I have power to ftand.
Why does my mother weep ? Have I alarm'd her ?
It is gone by — I recollect myfelf.
(Jhe cafis her eyes round the room, as feehing fome
one.) Where is he ? Pleafe you, do not hide him from
me. You fee, I have ftrength enough : now I will hear
him.
DUCHESS.
No, never (hall this meffenger of evil Enter again into thy prefence, Thekla !
THEKLA.
My father—
WAL-
112 THE DEATH OP
WALLENSTEIN.
Deareft daughter I
THEKLA.
I'm not weak — Shortly I (hall be quite myfelf again. You'll grant me one requeft ?
WALLENSTEIN.
Name it, my daughter.
THEKLA.
Permit the ftranger to be call'd to me, And grant me leave, that by myfelf I may Hear his report and queflion him.
DUCHESS.
No, never-
COUNTESS.
'Tis not advifeable- — aflent not to it.
WALLENSTEIN.
Hum 1 Wherefore would'ft thou fpeak with him, my daughter ?
THEKLA.
Knowing the whole, I fhall be more collected } I will not be deceiv'd. My mother wifhes Only to fpare me. I will not be fpar'd. The worft is faid already : I can hear Nothing of deeper anguifh !
countess and duchess.
Do it not.
THEKLA.
The horror overpower'd me by furprize.
My heart betray'd me in the ftranger's prefence ;
He was a witnefs of my weaknefs, yea,
Ifank
WALLENSTEIN. 113
I lank into his arms; and that has fham'd me. I muft replace myfelf in his efteem, And I muft fpeak with him, perforce, that he, The ftranger, may not think ungently of me.
WALLENSTEIN.
I fee fhe is in the right, and am inclin'd To grant her this requeft of her's. Go, call him. {Lady Neitbrumi goes to call him.)
DUCHESS.
But J, thy mother, will be prefent —
THEKLA. L
'Twere v More pleafing to me, if alone I faw him : Truft me, I (hall behave myfelf the more Collededly.
WALLENSTEIN.
Permit her her own will. Leave her alone with him : for there are forrows, Where of neceffity the foul muft be Its own fupport. A ftrong heart will rely On its own ftrength alone. In her ownbofom, Not in her mother's arms, muft (lie collecl The ftrength to rife fuperior to this blow. It is mine own brave girl. I'll have her treated Not as the woman, but the heroine. (going.) countess, {detaining him.) Where art thou going ? I heard Tertfky fay That 'tis thy purpoie to depart from hence To-morrow early, but to leave us here.
I WAL-
114 THE DEATH OF
WALLENSTEIN.
Yes, ye flay here, plac'd under the protection Of gallant men.
COUKTESS.
O take us with you, brother. Leave us not in this gloomy folitude To brood o'er anxious thoughts. The mifts of
doubt Magnify evils to a fhape of horror.
WALLENSTEIN.
Who fpeaks of evil ? I entreat you, filter, Ufe words of better omen.
COUNTESS.
Then take us with you.
0 leave us not behind you in a place That forces us to iuch fad omens. Heavy And fick within me is my heart
Thefe walls breathe on me, like a church-yard vault.
1 cannot tell you, brother, how this place Doth go againft. my nature. Take us with you. Come, lifter, join you your entreaty ! — Niece, Your's too. We all entreat you, take us with
you !
WALLENSTEIN.
The place's evil omens will I change,
Making it that which fhields and (helters for me
My beft-belov'd.
lady neubrunn. [returning ) The Swedifli officer.
WAL-
WALLENSTEIN. 115
WALLENSTEIN.
Leave her alone with him. [Exit.
duchess, (to Thekta, who fi arts andjhivers) There — pale as death ! — Child, 'tis impoffible That thou ihould'fl fpeak with him. Follow thy mother.
THEKLA.
The Lady Neubrunn then may ftay with me.
[Exeunt Duchefs and Countefs»
SCENE IV.
Thekla, the Swedish Captain, Lady
Neubrunn.
captain, [refpecffully approaching her.) Princefs — I mud entreat y.our gentle pardon — My inconfiderate ram fpeech — How could I— -
thekla. (with dignity.) You have beheld me in my agony. A mod diftrefsful accident occafion'd You from a ftranger to become at once
My confidant.
CAPTAIN.
I fear you hate my prefence, For my tongue fpake a melancholy word.
thekla. The fault is mine. Myfelf did wreft it from you. The horror which came o'er me interrupted Your tale at its commencement. May it pleafe you, Continue it to the end.
I 2 CAP-
116 THE DEATH OF
CAPTAIN.
Princefs, 'twill Renew your anguifli.
THEKLA.
I am firm.
I will be firm. Well — how began the engage- ment ?
CAPTAIN.
We lay, expecting no attack, at Neuftadt, Entrench'd but infecurely in our camp, When towards evening; rofe a cloud of duft From the wood thitherward ; our vanguard fled Into the camp, and founded the alarm. Scarce had we mounted, ere the Pappenheimers, Their horfes at full fpeed, broke thro' the lines, And leapt the trenches ; but their heedlefs courage Had borne them onward far before the others — The infantry were ftill at diftance, only The Pappenheimers followed daringly
Their daring leader
(TheJcla betrays agitation in her geßures. The officer panfes till JJie makes a Jign to him to proceed. J
CAPTAIN".
Both in van and flanks With our whole cavalry w@ now receiv'd them, Back to the trenches drove them, where the foot-" Stretch'd out a folid ridge of pikes to meet them. They neither could advance, nor yet retreat ; And as they flood on every fide wedg'd in, The Rhinegrave to their leader call'd aloud,
Inviting
WALLENSTEIN. . 117
Inviting a flirrender; but their leader,
Young Piccolomini ■
(Thekla, as giddy, grafps a chair.) Known by his plume, And his long hair, gave fignal for the trenches ; Hi mfelf leapt firft, the regiment all plung'd after. — His charger, by an halbert gor'd, rear'd up, Flung him with violence off, and over him
The horfes, now no longer to be curb'd,
(Thekla, who has accompanied the laß fpeech
with all the marks of increafing agony,
trembles through her whole frame, and is
falling. The Lady Neubrunn runs to her,
and receives her in her arms.)
NEUBRUNN.
My dearefl lady
CAPTAIN.
I retire.
THEKLA.
'Tis over. Proceed to the conclufion.
CAPTAIN.
Wild defpair Infpir'd the troops with frenzy when they faw Their leader periih ; every thought of refcue Was fpurn'd ; they fought like wounded tygers ;
their Frantic refinance rous'd our foldiery; A murderous fight took place, nor was the conteft Finiln'd before their lall man feil.
I 3 THEKLA.
1 18 THE DEATH OF
t h e k l a . (fa Iter in g . ) And where-
Whcre is — You have not told me all.
captain, [after a paufe.) This morning We buried him. Twelve youths of nobleft birth Did bear him to interment ; the whole army Follow'd the. bier. A laurel deck'd his coffin ; The fword of the deceas'd was plac'd upon it, In mark of honour, by the Rhinegrave's felf. Nor tears were wanting : for there are among us Many, who had themfelves experienced The greatnefs of his mind, and gentle manners ; All were affected at his fate. The Rhinegrave Would willingly have fav'd him ; but himfelf Made vain th' attempt — 'tis faid he wiih'd to die. neubrunn. (to Thekla, who has hidden her
countenance .) Look up, my deareft lady .
THEKLA.
Where is his grave ?
CAPTAIN.
At Neuftadt, lady \ in a cloifter church
Are his remains depofited, until
We can receive directions from his father.
THEKLA.
What is the cloifter' s name ?
CAPTAIN.
Saint Catharine's.
THEKLA.
And how far is it thither ?
CAP-
WALLENSTEIN. 119
CAPTAIN.
Near twelve leagues.
THEKLA.
And which the way ?
CAPTAIN.
You go by Tirfchenreit And Falkenberg, thro' our advanced polls.
THEKLA.
Who Is their commander ?
CAPTAIN.
Colonel Seckendorf. (Thekla ßeps to the table, and takes a ring from a cafJcet.)
THEKLA.
You have beheld me in my agony,
And fhewn a feeling heart. Pleafe you, accept
(giving him the rifig.) A fmall memorial of this hour. Now go !
captain, (confufed.)
Princefs
{Thekla filently makes fighs to him to go, and turns from him. The Captain lingers, and is about tofpeak. Lady Neubrunn repeats thefignal, and he retires.)
i 4 SCENE
120 THE DEATH OF
SCENE V.
Thekla, Lady Neubrunn.
thekla. (falls on Lady Neubrunn 's neck.) Now, gentle Neubrunn, (hew me the affe&ion Which thou haft ever promis'd — prove thyfelf My own true friend and faithful fellow-pilgrim. This night we muft away !
NEUBRUNN.
Away ! and whither ?
THEKLA.
Whither ! There is but one place in the v/orld. Thither where he lies buried ! To his coffin !
NEUBRUNN.
What would you do there ?
THEKLA.
What do there ? That would'ft thou not have aik'd, hadft thou
e'er lov'd. There, there is all that flill remains of him. That fingle fpot is the whole earth to me.
NEUBRUNN.
That place of death — :
THEKLA.
Is now the only place, Where life yet dwells for me : detain me not ! Come and make preparations : let us think Of means to fly from hence.
NEU-
WALLENSTEIN. 121
NEUBRUNN.
Your father's rage
THEKLA.
That time is paft
And now I fear no human being's rage.
NEUBRUNN.
The fentence of the world I The tongue of calumny i
THEKLA.
Whom am I feeking ? Him who is no more.
Am I then haftening to the arms O God !
I hafte but to the grave of the beloved.
NEUBRUNN.
And we alone, two helplefs feeble women ?
THEKLA.
:!We will take weapons : my arm fhall protecr. thee.
NEUBRUNN.
In the dark night-time ?
THEKLA.
Darknefs will conceal us.
NEUBRUNN.
This rough tempeftuous night
THEKLA.
Had he a foft bed Under the hoofs of his war-horfes ?
NEUBRUNN.
Heaven ! And then the many pofts of the enemy 4 —
THEKLA.
122 THE DEATH OF
THEKLA.
They are human beings. Mifery travels free Through the whole earth.
NEUBRUNN.
The journey's weary length —
THEKLA.
The pilgrim, travelling to a diftant fhrine
Of hope and healing, doth not count the leagues.
NEUBRUNN.
How can we pafs the gates ?
THEKLA.
Gold opens them. Go, do but go.
NEUBRUNN.
Should we be recogniz'd —
THEKLA.
In a defpairing woman, a poor fugitive,
Will no one feek the daughter of Duke Friedland.
NEUBRUNN.
And where procure we horfes for our flight ?
THEKLA.
My equerry procures them. Go and fetch him.
NEUBRUNN.
Dares he, without the knowledge of his lord ?
THEKLA.
He will. Go, only go. Delay no longer.
NEUBRUNN.
Dear lady ! and your mother ?
THEKLA.
Oh f my mother !
NEU-»
WALLENSTEIN. 123
NEUBRUNN.
So much as me has fuffer'd too already ; Your tender mother — Ah i how ill prepar'd For this laft anguifti !
THEKLA.
Woe is me ! my mother !
fpaiffes.) Go inftantly.
NEUBRUNN.
But think what you are doing !
THEKLA.
What can be thought, already has been thought.
NEUBRUNN.
And being there, what purpofe you to do ?
THEKLA.
There a Divinity will prompt my foul.
NEUBRUNN.
Your heart, dear lady, is difquieted ! And this is not the way that leads to quiet.
THEKLA.
To a deep quiet, luch as he has found.
It draws me on, I know not what to name it,
Refiftlefs does it draw me to his grave.
There will my heart be eas'd, my tears will flow.
O haften, make no further queftioning !
There is no reft for me till I have left
Thefe walls — they fall in on me — A dim power
Drives me from hence — Oh mercy ! What a feel-
ing !
What
124? THE DEATH OF
What pale and hollow forms are thofe ! They fill, They crowd the place I I have no longer room
here ! Mercy ! Still more ! More ftill ! The hideous
fwarm ! They prefs on me ; they chace me from thefe
walls
Thofe hollow, bodilefs forms of living men •
NEUBRUNN.
You frighten me fo, lady, that no longer I dare ftay here myfelf. I go and call Rofenberg inftantly.
[Exit Lady Neubrunn.
SCENE VI.
THEKLA.
His fpirit 'tis that calls me : 'tis the troop Of his true followers, who offer'd up Themfelves t' avenge his death : and they accufe
me Of an ignoble loitering — they would not Forfake their leader even in death — they died for
him !
And mail /live?
For me too was that laurel-garland twin'd That decks his bier. Life is an empty cafket. I throw it from me. O, my only hope •,
5 ■ To
WALLENSTEIN. 125
To die beneath the hoofs of trampling fteeds — That is the lot of heroes upon earth !
[Exit Thekla. * ( The curtain drops. )
* The foliloquy of Thekla cpnfifts in the original of fix and twenty lines, twenty of which are in rhymes of irregular recurrence. T thought it prudent to abridge it, Indeed the whole fcene between Thekla and Lady Neubrunn might, perhaps, have been omitted without injury to the play.
END OF ACT JV.
JCT
V26 THE DEATH OF
ACT F.
Seene, a Saloon, terminated by a gallery which extends far into the back-ground.
SCENE I.
Wallenstein* {fitting at a table.) The Swedish Captain. (fianding before him.)
WALLENSTEIN.
Commend me to your lord. I iympathize In his good fortune ; and if you have feen me Deficient in the exprefiions of that joy, Which fuch a victory might well demand,. Attribute it to no lack of good will, For henceforth are our fortunes one. Farewell, And for your trouble take my thanks. To-mor- row The citadel (hall be furrender'd to you On your arrival.
[The Sxvedifh Captain retires. Wallenfiein fits lofi in thought, his eyesfix'd vacantly, and his head fufiahx 'd by his hand. The Countess Tertsky enters, fiands before him awhile, unobferved by him; at length he farts, fees her, and recollects himfelf]
WAL-
WALLENSTEIN. 127
WALLENSTEIN.
Com'fl thou from her ? Is fhe reftor'd ? How is ihe?
COUNTESS.
My fifler tells me, fhe was more colle&ed After her converfation with the Swede. She has now retired to reft.
WALLENSTEIN.
The pang will (often. She will (bed tears.
COUNTESS.
I find thee alter'd too, My brother ! After fuch a victory I had expected to have found in thee A cheerful fpirit. O remain thou firm ! Suftain, uphold us ! For our light thou art, Our fun.
WALLENSTEIN.
Be quiet. I ail nothing. Where's Thy hufband.
countess.
At a banquet4 — he and Illo.
WALLENSTEIN.
(rifes and flrides acrofs the faloon.J The night's far fpent. Betake thee to thy cham- ber.
countess. Bid me not go, O let me flay with thee !
WALLENSTEIN.
{moves to the window.) There is a bufy motion in the Heaven,
3 ' The
128 THE DEATH OP
The wind doth chace the flag upon the tower, Faft fly the clouds, the * fickle of the moon, Struggling, darts matches of uncertain light. No form of ftar is vifible 1 That one White (lain of light, that fingle glimm'ring yonder, Is from Caffiopeia, and therein Is. Jupiter, (apaufe.) But now The blacknefs of the troubled element hides him ! {he Jinks into profound melancholy ', and looks va- cantly into the dijlance.)
COUNTESS.
(looks on him mournfully, then grafps his hand.) What art thou brooding on ?
WALLENSTEIN.
Methinks, If I but faw him, 'twould be well with me.
* Thefe four lines are expreffed in the orginal with exqui- fite felicity.
Am Himmel ill gefchäftige Bewegung, Des Thurmes Fahne jagt der Wind, fchnerl geht Der Wolken Zug, die Mondes-fichel njcankt, Und durch die Nacht zuckt ungewifle Helle. The word '« moon-fickle," reminds me of a paflage in Harris, as quoted by Johnfon, under the word '« falcated." " The enlightened part of the moon appears in the form of a fickle or reaping-hook, which is' while fhe is moving from the conjunclion to the oppofition, or from the new moon to the full ; but from full to a new again, the en- lightened part appears gibbous, and the dark falcated."
The words " wanken" and " fchweben" are not eafily tranflated. The Englilh words, by which we attempt to render them, are either vulgar or pedantic, or not of fuffi- cienilv general application«
He
WALLENSTEIN, 129
He is the ftar of my nativity,
And often marvelloufly hath his afpect
Shot ftrength into my heart.
COUNTESS.
Thou'lt fee him again.
WALLENSTEIN.
[remains for a white with abfent mind, then af- fumes a livelier manner, and turns fuddenly to the Countefs.)
See him again ? O never, never again.
COUNTESS.
How?
WALLENSTEIN.
He is gone — is duft.
COUNTESS.
Whom mean'ft thou then ?
WALLENSTEIN.
He the more fortunate ! yea, he hath finifh'd !
For him there is no longer any future —
His life is bright — bright without fpot it was,
And cannot ceafe to be. No ominous hour
Knocks at his door with tidings of mif-hap.
Far off is he, above defire and fear ;
No more fubmitted to the change and chance
Of the unfteady planets. O 'tis well
With him ! but who knows what the coming hour
Veil'd in thick darknefs brings for us !
COUNTESS.
Thou (peakeft Of Piccolomini. What was his death ?
k The
130 THE DEATH OF
The courier had jufl left thee, as I came. [Wallenßein by a motion of his hand makes Jigns
to her to be file nt ) Turn not thine eyes upon the backward view, Let us look forward into funny days. Welcome with joyous heart the victory, Forget what it has cod thee. Not to day, For the firfl time, thy friend was to thee dead ; To thee he died, when firft he parted from thee.
WALLENSTEIN.
This anguifh will be wearied down, * I know ; What pang is permanent with man? From th'
highefl, As from the vilefl thing of every day He learns to wean himfelf : for the ftrong hours Conquer him. Yet I feel what I have loll In him. The bloom is vanifh'd from my life. For O ! he flood befide me, like my youth, Transformed for me the real to a dream, Cloathing the palpable and the familiar With golden exhalations of the dawn. Whatever fortunes wait my future toils, The beautiful is vanifh'd — and returns not.
COUNTESS.
O be not treacherous to thy own power. Thy heart is rich enough to vivify
* A very inadequate tranflation of the original. te Verfchmerzen werd ich diefen Schlag, das weifs ich, Dennwas verfchmerzte nicht der Menfch !"
Literally. I '{hall grieve down this blow, of that I'm confcious ; What does not man grieve down ?
Ttfelf.
WALLENSTEIN. 131
Itfelf. Thou lov'ft and prizeft virtues in him, The which thyfelf did'ft plant, thyfelf unfold.
wallenstein. (fiepping to the door.) Who interrupts us now at this late hour ? It is the Governor. He brings the keys Of the Citadel. 'Tis midnight. Leave me, filter !
COUNTESS.
0 'tis fo hard to me this night to leave thee — - A boding fear poflefles me !
WALLENSTEIN.
Fear ? Wherefore ?
COUNTESS.
Should'ft thou depart this night, and we at waking Never more find thee !
WALLENSTEIN.
Fancies !
COUNTESS.
O my foul Has long been weigh'd down by thefe dark fore- bodings. And if I combat and repel them waking, They ftill rufh down upon my heart in dreams.
1 faw thee yefternight with thy firft wife Sit at a banquet gorgeoufly attir'd.
WALLENSTEIN.
This was a dream of favourable omen,
That marriage being the founder of my fortunes,
COUNTESS.
To-day I dreamt that I was feeking thee
jc 2 In
132 THE DEATH OF
In thy own chamber. As I enter'd, lo !
It was no more a chamber, the Chartreufe
At Gitfchin 'twas, which thou thyfelf haft founded,
And where it is thy will that thou fhould'ft be
Interr'd.
WALLENSTEIN.
Thy foul is bufy with thefe thoughts.
COUNTESS.
What doft thou not believe, that oft in dreams A voice of warning fpeaks prophetic to us ?
WALLENSTEIN.
There is no doubt that there exifl: fuch voices.
Yet I would not call them
Voices of warning that announce to us
Only the inevitable. As the fun,
Ere it is rifen, fometimes paints its image
In the atmofphere, fo often do the fpirits
Of great events ftride on before the events,
And in to-day already walks to-morrow.
That which we read of the fourth Henry's death,
Did ever vex and haunt me like a tale
Of my own future deftiny. The King
Felt in his breafl: the phantom of the knife,
Long ere Ravaillac arm'd himfelf therewith.
His quiet mind forfook him : the Phantafma
Started him in his Louvre, chae'd him forth
Into the open air : like funeral Knells
Sounded that coronation feftival j
And ftill with bod ins: fenfe he heard the tread
Of thofe feet, that ev'n then were feeking him
Through-
WALLENSTEIN. 133
Throughout the ftreets of Paris.
COUNTESS.
-And to thee The voice within thy foul bodes nothing ?
WALLENSTEIN.
Nothing. Be wholly tranquil.
COUNTESS.
And another time I haflen'd after thee, and thou ran'ft from me Thro' a long fuite, thro' many a fpacious h#ll. There feem'd no end of it — door creek'd and
clapp'd ; I follow'd panting, but could not o'ertake thee ; When on a fudden did I feel myfelf Grafp'd from behind — the hand was cold, that
grafp'd me — 'Twas thou, and thou did'ft kifs me, and there
feem'd A crimfon covering to envelope us.
WALLENSTEIN.
That is the crimfon tap'ftry of my chamber.
countess, (gazing on him.) If it mould come to that — if I mould fee thee, Who ftandeft now before me in the fullnefs Of life—
(Jlie. falls on his breafi and weeps.)
WALLENSTEIN.
The Emperor's proclamation weighs upon thee^— Alphabets wound not — and he finds no hands.
K 3 COUN-
134? THE DEATH OF
COUNTESS.
If heJJiould find them, my refolve is taken — I bear about me my fupport and refuge.
\Exit Countefs.
SCENE II.
Wallenstein. Gordon.
wallenstein. All quiet in the town ?
GORDON.
The town is quiet.
WALLENSTEIN.
I hear a boifterous mufic ! and the Caftle Is lighted up. Who are the revellers ?
GORDON.
There is a banquet given at the Caftle
To the Count Tertiky, and Field Marmal Illo.
WALLENSTEIN.
In honour of the victory. — This tribe Can fhew their joy in nothing elfe but feafling. (Rings. The Groom of the Chamber enters.) Unrobe me. I will lay me down to fleep.
(Wallenfiein takes the keys from Gordon.) So we are guarded from all enemies, And fhut in with fure friends. For all muft cheat me, or a face like this (Fixing his eye on Gordon.)
Was
WALLENSTEIN. 135
Was ne'er an hypocrite's mafk. {The Groom of the Chamber takes off his mantle, collar andfcarf)
WALLENSTEIN.
Take care — what is that ?
GROOM of the CHAMBER.
The golden chain is fnapp'd in two.
WALL EN ST EIN.
Well, it has lafted long enough. Here — give it.
[He takes and looks at the ^chain.) 'Twas the firft prefent of the Emperor. He hung it round me in the war of Friule, He being then Archduke ; and I have worn it
Till now from habit
From fuperftition if you will. Belike, It was to be a Talifman to me, And while I wore it on my neck in faith, It was to chain to me all my life long, The volatile fortune, whofe firft pledge it was. Well, be it fo ! Henceforward a new fortune Muft fpring up for me ; for the potency Of this charm is diffolv'd.
(Groom of the Chamber retires zvith the vefiments. Wallenflein rifes, takes aflride acrofs the room, 'andfiands at laß before Gordon in a poflure of meditation.) How the old time returns upon me ! I Behold myfelf once more at Burgau, where We two, were Pages of the Court together. We oftentimes difputed : thy intention Was ever good ; but thou wert wont to play
k 4 The
136 THE DEATH OF
The Moralift and Preacher, and would 'ft rail at
me — That I ftrove after things too high for me, Giving my faith to bold unlawful dreams, And ftill extol to me the golden mean. — Thy wifdom hath been prov'd a thriftlefs friend To thy own felf. See, it has made thee early A fuperannuated man, and (but That my munificent ftars will intervene) Would let thee in fome miferable corner Go out, like an untended lamp.
GORDON.
My Prince ! With light heart the poor fifher moors his boat, And watches from the fhore the lofty fhip Stranded amid the ftorm.
WALLENSTEIN.
Art thou already In harbour then, old man ? Weil ! I am not. The unconquer'd fpirit drives me o'er life's billows ; My planks ftill firm, my canvafs fwelling proudty. Hope is my goddefs ftill, and youth my inmate j And while we ftand thus front to front almoft, I might prefume to fay, that the fwift years Have pafs'd by powerlefs o'er my unblanch'd hair. {He moves with longßrides acrofs the faloon, and remains on the oppofit.e fide over againfi Gor- don.) Who now perfifts in calling fortune falfe ? To me (lie has prov'd faithful, with fond love Took me from out the common ranks of men,
And
WALLENSTEIN. 137
And like a mother goddefs with ftrong arm, Carried me fwiftly up the fteps of life. Nothing is common in my deftiny, Nor in the furrows of my hand. Who dares Interpret then my life for me as 'twere One of the undiltinguimable many ? True in this prefent moment I appear Fallen low indeed ; but I (hall rife again. The high flood will foon follow on this ebb 3 The fountain of my fortune, which now flops Reprefs'd and bound by fome malicious flar, Will foon in joy play forth from all its pipes.
GORDON.
And yet remember I the good old proverb, " Let the night come before we praife the day." I would be flow from long-continued fortune To gather hope : for hope is the companion Given to the unfortunate by pitying Heaven. Fear hovers round the head of profperous men : For ftill unfteady are the fcales of fate.
WALLENSTEIN, (fmilillg.)
I hear the very Gordon that of old
Was wont to preach to me, now once more
preaching ; I know well, that all fublunary things Are ftill the vaflals of viciffitude. The unpropitious gods demand their tribute. This long ago the ancient Pagans knew : And therefore of their own accord they offer'd To themfelves injuries, fo to atone
The
138. THE DEATH OF
The jealoufy of their divinities :■ And human facrifices bled to Typhon.
(after a panfe, jcrious, and in a more fubdued
manner.} I too have facrific'd to him — For me There fell the deareft friend, and through my
fault He fell ! No joy from favourable fortune Can overweigh the anguifh of this ftroke. The envy of my deftiny is glutted : Life pays for life. On this pure head the
light'ning Was drawn off, which would elfe have fhatter'd
me.
SCENE III. To tkefe enter Seni.
WALLENSTEIN.
Is not that Seni ? and befide himfelf,
If one may truft his looks ! What brings thee hither
At this late hour, Baptifta ?
SENI.
Terror, Duke ! On thy account.
WALLENSTEIN.
What now ?
SENI.
Flee ere the day -break ! Trull not thy perfon to the Swedes !
* WAL-
WALLENSTEIN. " ] 39
WALLENSTEIN.
What now Is in thy thoughts ?
seni. {with louder voice.) Truft not thy perfon to thefe Swedes.
WALLENSTEIN.
What is it then ? seni. (flill more urgently.) O wait not the arrival of thefe Swedes ! An evil near at hand is threatening thee From falfe friends. All the figns ftand full of
horror ! Near, near at hand the net-work of perdition — Yea, even now 'tis being caft around thee !
WALLENSTEIN.
Baptifta, thou art dreaming ! — Fear befools thee.
SENI.
Believe not that an empty fear deludes me. Come, read it in the planetaty afpects ; Read it thyfelf, that ruin threatens thee From falfe friends !
WALLENSTEIN.
From the falfenefs qf my friends Has rifen the whole of my unprofperous fortunes. The warning mould have come before ! At prefent J need no revelation from the liars To know that.
SENI.
Come and fee ! truft thine own eyes ! A fearful fign ftahds in the houfe of life An enemy ; a fiend lurks clofe behind
The
140 THE DEATH OF
The radiance of thy planet — O be warn'd ! Deliver not thyfelf up to thefe heathens To wage a war againft our holy church.
wallenstein, (laughing gently.) The oracle rails that way ! Yes, yes ! Now I recollect. This junction with the Swedes Did never pleafe thee — lay thyfelf to fleep, Baptifta ! Signs like thefe I do not fear. gordon. {who during the whole of this dia- logue has Jliewn marks of extreme agitation, and now turns to Wallenflein.) My Duke and General ! May I dare prefume ?
WALLENSTEIN.
■ Speak freely.
GORDON.
What ? if 'twere no mere creation Of fear, if God's high providence vouchfaf'd To interpofe its aid for your deliv'rance, And made that mouth its organ.
WALLENSTEIN.
Ye're both feverith ! How can mifriap come to me from the Swedes ? They fought this junction with me — 'tis their
intereft. '
gordon. (zvith difficulty fupprejfing his emotion.) But what if the arrival of thefe Swedes — What if this were the very thing that wing'd The ruin that is flying to your temples ?
(fiings himfelf at his feet.) There is yet time, my Prince
SENI«
WALLENSTEIN. 141
SENI.
O hear him ! hear him ! Gordon, (rifes.) The Rhinegrave's ftill far off. Give but the
orders
This citadel (hall clofe its gates upon him.
If then he will befiege us, let him try it.
But this I fay j he'll find his own deftruction
With his whole force before thefe ramparts, fooner
Than weary down the valour of our fpirit.
He (hall experience what a band of heroes,
Infpirited by an heroic leader,
Is able to perform. And if indeed
It be thy ferious wifh to make amend
For that which thou haft done amifs, — this, this
Will touch and reconcile the Emperor,
Who gladly turns his heart to thoughts of mercy,
And Friedland, who returns repentant to him,
Will Hand yet higher in his Emperor's favour,
Than e'er he flood when he had never fallen.
wallenstein, [contemplates h im withfurprize, remains filent awhile, betraying firong emo- tion!) Gordon — your zeal and fervour lead you far. Well, well — an old friend has a privilege. Blood, Gordon, has been flowing. Never, never Can the Emperor pardon me : and if he could, Yet I — I ne'er could let myfelf be pardon'd. Had I foreknown what now has taken place, That he, my dear eft friend, would fall for me, My firft death -offering : and had the heart
5 Spoken
142 THE DEATH OF
Spoken to me, as now it has done — Gordon,
!lt may be, I might have bethought myfelf.
It may be too, I might not. — Might, or might
not, Is now an idle queftion. All too ferioufly Has it begun to end in nothing, Gordon ! Let it then have its courfe.
(fiepping to the window.) AU dark and filent — at the caftle too All is now huih'd — Light me, Chamberlain I {The groom of the chamber, who had entered during the laß dialogue, and had been ß and- ing at a dißance and lißening to it with vißble exprejßons of the deepeß inter eß, ad- vances in extreme agitation, and throws himf elf at the Duke's feet,) And thou too ! But I know why thou doft wifh My reconcilement with the Emperor. Poor man ! he hath a fmali eftate in Carnthen, And fears it will be forfeited becaufe He's in my fervice. Am I then fo poor, That I no longer can indemnify My fervants ? Well ! To no one I employ Means of compulfion. If 'tis thy belief That fortune has fled from me, go ! Forfake me. This night for the laft time mayft thou unrobe me, And then go over to thy Emperor. Gordon, good night ! I think to make a long Sleep of it : for the ftruggle and the turmoil Of this laft day^ or two was great. May't pleafe you !
Take
WALLENSTEIN. 143
Take care that they awake me not too early. . [Exit Wallenfiein, the Groom of the Chamber lighting him. Seni follows. Gordon re- mains on the darken' d fi age, following the Duke zvith his eye, till lie difappears at the farther end of the gallery : then by his gefiures the old man exprefies the depth, of his anguifi, and ßands leaning againfi a pillar-,
SCENE IV.
Gordon, Butler, [at firfi behind the fcenes .)
butler, [not yet come in to view of the fiage. )
Here Hand in filence till I give the fignah
Gordon, (far is up.) "Tis he, he has already brought the murderers.
BUTLER.
The lights are out. All lies in profound fleep.
GORDON.
What (hall I do, (hall I attempt to fave him ? Shall I call up the houfe ? Alarm the guards ?
butler, [appears, but fear cely on the flage.) A light gleams hither from the corridor. It leads directly to the Duke's bed-chamber.
GORDON.
But then I break my oath to the Emperor ! If he efcape and ftrengthen the enemy,
3 Do
144 THE DEATH OF
Do I not hereby call down on my head All the dread confequences ?
butler, (fleppingforwa rd.J
Hark ! Who fpeaks there ?
GORDON.
'Tis better, I refign it to the hands Of Providence. For what am I, that / Should take upon myfelf To great a deed ? /have not murder'd him, if he be murder'd i But all his refcue were my act and deed ; Mine — and whatever be the confequences, I muft fuftain them.
butler, {advances.) I mould know that voice.
GORDON.
Butler !
BUTLER.
'Tis Gordon. What do you want here I Was it fo late then, when the Duke difmifs'd you ?
GORDON.
Your hand bound up and in a fcarf ?
BUTLER.
'Tis wounded. That Illo fought as he was frantic, till At lafl: we threw him on the ground.
gordon. (Jliuddering.)
Both dead ?
BUTLER.
Is he in bed ?
GOR-
WALLENSTEIN. 145
GORDON,
Ah, Butler I
BUTLER.
Is he ? fpeak.
GORDON.
He (hall not perlfh ! Not through you ! The
Heaven Refufes your arm. See — 'tis wounded ! —
BUTLER.
There is no need of my arm.
GORDON.
The more guilty Have perifh'd, and enough is given to juftice. (The Groom of the Chamber advances from the gallery, with his finger on his mouth, commanding filence.)
GORDON.
He fleeps J O murder notPthe holy fleep !
BUTLER.
No ! he fhall die awake.
(is going.)
GORDON.
His heart ftill cleaves To earthly things : he's not prepar'd to ftep Into the prefence of his God !
butler, (going.)
God's merciful i
Gordon, (holds him.} Grant him but this night's refpite.
l but-
146* THE DEATH OP
butler, {hurrying off.) The next moment May ruin all.
Gordon, (holds himßilL) One hour ! ■
BUTLER,
Unhold me ! What Can that fhort refpite profit him ?
GORDON.
O — Time Works miracles. In one hour many thoufands Of grains of fand run out ; and quick as they, Thought follows thought within the human foul. Only one hour ! Your heart may change its pur-
pofe, His heart may change its purpofe— fome new
tidings May come -, fome fortunate event, decifive, May fail from Heaven and refcue him ! O what May not one hour achieve !
BUTLER.
You but remind me, How precious every minute is !
(hejtamps on the floor.)
SCENE
WALLENSTEIN. 147
SCENE V.
Tothefe enter Macdonald, and Devereux, with the Halberdiers.
gordon. (throwing him/elf 'between him and them.)
No, monfter ! Firil over my dead body thou fhalt tread. I will not live to fee the accurfed deed ! .
butler, (forcing him out of the way.) Weak-hearted dotard !
{trumpets- are heard in the dißance.)
DEVEREUX and MACDONALD,
Hark ! The Swedifh trumpets ! The Swedes before the ramparts ! Let us haften !
gordon. [rujlies out.) O God of mercy !
butler, [calling after him.) Governor, to your poft !
GROOM OF THE CHAMBER, (fairries ill.)
Who dares make larum here ? Hu(h ! The Duke fleeps.
devereux. (with loud harfli voice.). Friend, it is time now to make larum.
GROOM OF THE CHAMBER..
Help ! Murder !
L 2 BUT-
148 THE DEATH OF
BUTLER.
Down with him !
GROOM OF THE CHAMBER, (run through the
body by Devereux, falls at the entrance of the gallery.)
Jefus Maria !
BUTLER.
Burft the doors open !
{they ruß, over the body into the gallery — two doors are heard to crafh one after the other — Voices deadened by the difiance — Clafli of arms — then all at once a profound filence.)
SCENE VI.
i Countess Tertsky. (with a light.') Her bed-chamber is empty ; fhe herfelf Is nowhere to be found ! The Neubrunn too, Who watch'd by her, is miffing. If (he mould Be flown — But whither flown ? We muft call up Every foul in the houfe. How will the Duke Bear up againft thefe worft bad tidings ? O If that my hufband now were but return'd Home from the banquet : Hark ! I wonder
whether The Duke is ftill awake ! I thought I heard Voices and treaid of feet here ! I will go And liften at the door. Hark ! What is that ?
'Tis haftening up the fteps !
SCENE
WALLENSTEIN. 149
SCENE VII. Countess, Gordon.
Gordon, (rußies in out of breath.) 'Tis a miftake, 'Tis not the Swedes— Ye muft proceed no further — ■ Butler ! O God ! Where is he ?
(then obferving the Countefs.) Countefs ! Say
COUNTESS.
You are come then from the caftle ? Where's my hulband ? gordon. (in an agony of affright.) Your hufband ! — Afk not !— To the Duke—
COUNTESS.
Not till You have difcover'd to me- *
GORDON.
On this moment Does the world hang. For God's fake ! to the Duke. While we are fpeaking —
{calling loudly.')
Butler! Butler 1 God!
COUNTESS.
Why, he is at the caftle with my hufband. (Butler comes from the gallery.)
GORDON.
'Twas a miftake — 'Tis not the Swedes — It is The Imperialift's Lieutenant-General
l 3 Has
150 THE DEATH OF
Has fent me hither, will be herehimfelf Inftantly. — You muft not proceed.
BUTLER.
He comes Too late.
{Gordon daflies himfelf againß the wall.)
GORDON.
O God of mercy*
. COUNTESS.
What too late ? Who will be here himfelf? Odravio InEgra? Treafon! Treafon ! Where's the Duke ? (She rii/Iies to the gallery.)
SCENE VIII.
{Servants run acrofs the fiage full of terror. The whole Scene maß be fpoken entirely ivithout paufes.)
sen i. (from the gallery.)
O; bloody frightful deed !
COUNTESS.
What is it, Seni :
page, (from the gallery.) Ö piteous fight !
(Other fervants haßen in with torches.)
COUNTESS.
What is it ?For God's fake !
SENI.
WALLENSTEItt. 15 1
SENI.
And do you afk } Within the Duke lies murder'd — and your huf-
band Aflaffinated at the Cattle.
(The Countefs flands motionlefs .) female servant, (rußing acrofs theßage.) Help ! Help ! the Duchefs !
burgomaster, (enters.)
What meant thefe confus'd Loud cries, that wake the fleepcrs of this houfe ?
GORDON.
Your houfe is curs'd to all eternity.
In your houfe doth the Duke lie murdered !
BURGOMASTER, (rilßlblg Ollt.J
Heaven forbid !
FIRST SERVANT.
Fly ! fly ! they murder us all !
second servant. ( 'carrying fiver plate.)
That way ! The lower Paflages are block'd up.
voice, (from behind the Scene.) Make room for the Lieutenant General ! (At thefe words the Countefs farts from her fiu- por, collects her f elf and retires Juddenly.) voice, (from behind the Scene.") Keep back the people ! Guard the door.
l 4 SCENE
152 THE DEATH OF
SCENE IX.
To thefe enters Oct avio Piccolomini with all his train. At the fame time Devereux and Macdonald enter from out the Corridor with the Halberdier's. W a llenstein's dead body is carried over the back part of the ßage, wrapped in a piece of crimfon tapeßry.
ocTAViOi {entering abruptly.) It muft not be ! It is not poffible ! Butler ! Gordon ! I'll not believe it. Say no \
GORDON*
{Without anfw er ing, points with his hand to the body of Wallenfiein as it is carried over the back of the ßage. Octavio looks that way, and fiands overpowered with horror.)
devereux. {to Butler.) Here is the golden fleece — the Duke's fword —
MACDONALD.
Is it your order ?
butler, {pointing to Octavio.}
Here ftands he who now
Hath the fole power to iflue orders.
(Devereux^Macdonald retire with marks
of obeifance. One drops away after t/{e other,
till only Butler* Octavio, and Gordon remain
on the ßage .)
• o-
WALLENSTEIN. 153
ocTAVio. (turning to Butler.) Was that my purpofe, Butler, when we parted ? O God of Juftice !
To thee I lift my hand ! I am not guilty Of this foul deed.
BUTLER.
Your hand is pure. You have Avail'd yourfelf of mine.
OCTAVIO.
Mercilefs man I Thus to abufe the orders of thy Lord — And ftain thy Emperor's holy name with murder, With bloody, mod accurs'd affaffination ?
butler, (cahnly.) I've but fulfill'd the Emperor's own fentence.
OCTAVIO.
Ö curfe of Kings,
Infufing a dread life into their words,
And linking to the fudden tranfeient thought
The unchangeable irrevocable deed.
Was there necefifity for fuch an eager
Defpatch ? Could'ft thou not grant the merciful
A time for mercy? Time is man's good Angel.
To leave no interval between the fentence,
And the fulfilment of it, doth befeem
God only, the immutable !
BUTLER.
For what Rail you againft me ? What is my offence ? The Empire from a fearful enemy
Have
I54 THE DEATH OF
Have I deliver'd, and expert reward.
The (ingle difference betwixt you and me
Is this : you plac d the arrow in the bow ;
I pull'd the firing. You fow'd blood, and yet
ftand Aftonifh'd that blood is come up. I always Knew what I did, and therefore no refult Hath power to frighten or furprize my fpirit ; Have you aught elfe to order ; for this inftant I make my beft fpeed to Vienna ; place My bleeding fword before my Emperor's Throne, And hope to gain the applaufe which undelaying And punctual obedience may demand From a juft Judge. [Exit Butler ,
SCENE X.
Tothefe enter the Countess Tertsky,^/^ und dif ordered. Her utter mice is ßow and feeble, and unempajfioned.
oct Avi 0. {meeting her.) O Countefs Tertfky ! Thefeare the refults Of lucklefs unbleil deeds.
COUNTESS.
They are the fruits
Of your contrivances. The Duke is dead,
My hulband too is dead, the Duchefs flruggles
In the pangs of death, my niece hasdifappear'd.
This houfe of fplendour, and of princely glory,
Doth now ftand defolated : the affrighted fervants
Rufli
WALXENSTEIN. 155
Rudi forth thro' all its doors. I am the laft Therein; I (hut it up, and here deliver The keys.
oc t a v io. {with a deep anguijh.)
O Countefs ! my houfe too is defolate.
COUNTESS.
Who next is to be mürder'd ? Who is next To be maltreated ? Lo ! The Duke is dead. The Emperor's vengeance may be pacified I Spare the old fervants ; let not their fidelity Be imputed to the faithful as a crime — The evil deftiny furpriz'd my brother Too fuddenly : he could not think on them.
OCTAVIO.
Speak not of vengeance ! Speak not of maltreat- ment! The Emp'ror is appeas'd ; the heavy fault Hath heavily been expiated — nothing Defcended from the father to the daughter, Except his glory and his fervices. The Emprefs honours your adverfity, Takes part in your afflictions, opens to you Her motherly arms ! Therefore no farther fears ! Yield yourfelf up in hope and confidence To the Imperial Grace !
COUNTESS.
(with her eye rais'd to heaven.) To the grace and mercy of a greater Mailer Do I yield up myfelf. — Where (hall the body Of the Duke have its place of final reft ?
4 In
156 THE DEATH OF
In the Chartreufe, which he himfelf did found
At Gitfchin, refts the Countefs Wallenftein ;
And by her fide, to whom he was indebted
For his firft fortunes, gratefully he wifh'd
He might fometime repofe in death ! O let him
Be buried there. And iikewife, for my hufband's
Remains, I afk the like grace. The Emperor
Is now proprietor of all our Caftles.
This fure may well be granted us — one fepulchrc
Befide the fepulchres of our forefathers !
OCTAVIO.
Countefs, you tremble, you turn pale I
COUNTESS.
{reajfembles all her powers, and /peaks with energy and dignity.)
You think More worthily of me, than to believe I would furvive the downfal of my houfe. We did not hold ourfelves too mean, to grafp After a monarch's crown — the crown did fate Deny, but not the feeling and the fpirit That to the crown belong ! We deem a Courageous death more worthy of our free ftation Than a diihonoured life. — I have taken poifon.
OCTAVIO.
Help ! Help ! Support her !
COUNTESS.
Nay, it is too late. In a few moments is my fate accompliih'd.
[Exit Countefs.
3 GOR-
WALLENSTEIN-. 157
GORDON.
O Houfe of death and horrors ! (An officer enters, and brings a letter with the great Seal.) gordon. (fieps forward and meets him.)
What is this ? It is the Imperial Seal .
[He reads the Addrefs, and delivers the letter to Octavio with a look of reproach, and with an emphafis on the word.) To the Prince Piccolomini.
octavio. {with his xo hole frame exprejfive offud- den anguifli, raifes his eyes to heaven.)
The Curtain drops.
FINIS.
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