ACT IV

Scene I

Scene—A Room fitted up for astrological Labours, and provided with celestial Charts, with Globes, Telescopes, Quadrants, and other mathematical Instruments.—Seven Colossal Figures, representing the Planets, each with a transparent Star of a different Colour on its Head, stand in a Semi-circle in the Back-ground, so that Mars and Saturn are nearest the Eye.—The remainder of the Scene, and its Disposition, is given in the Fourth Scene of the Second Act.—There must be a Curtain over the Figures, which may be dropped, and conceal them on Occasions.

[In the Fifth Scene of this Act it must be dropped; but in the Seventh Scene, it must be again drawn up wholly or in part.]

Wallenstein at a black Table, on which a Speculum Astrologicum is described with Chalk. Seni is taking Observations through a window.

Wallenstein. All well—and now let it be ended, Seni.—Come,
The dawn commences, and Mars rules the hour.
We must give o'er the operation. Come,
We know enough.

Seni. Your Highness must permit me
Just to contemplate Venus. She's now rising: 5
Like as a sun, so shines she in the east.

Wallenstein. She is at present in her perigee,
And shoots down now her strongest influences. [Contemplating the figure on the table.
Auspicious aspect! fateful in conjunction,
At length the mighty three corradiate; [10]
And the two stars of blessing, Jupiter
And Venus, take between them the malignant
Slily-malicious Mars, and thus compel
Into my service that old mischief-founder;
For long he viewed me hostilely, and ever 15
[[686]] With beam oblique, or perpendicular,
Now in the Quartile, now in the Secundan,
Shot his red lightnings at my stars, disturbing
Their blessed influences and sweet aspects.
Now they have conquered the old enemy, 20
And bring him in the heavens a prisoner to me.

Seni (who has come down from the window). And in a corner house, your Highness—think of that!
That makes each influence of double strength.

Wallenstein. And sun and moon, too, in the Sextile aspect,
The soft light with the vehement—so I love it. [25]
Sol is the heart, Luna the head of heaven,
Bold be the plan, fiery the execution.

Seni. And both the mighty Lumina by no
Maleficus affronted. Lo! Saturnus,
Innocuous, powerless, in cadente Domo. 30

Wallenstein. The empire of Saturnus is gone by;
Lord of the secret birth of things is he;
Within the lap of earth, and in the depths
Of the imagination dominates;
And his are all things that eschew the light. 35
The time is o'er of brooding and contrivance;
For Jupiter, the lustrous, lordeth now,
And the dark work, complete of preparation,
He draws by force into the realm of light.
Now must we hasten on to action, ere 40
The scheme, and most auspicious positure
Parts o'er my head, and takes once more its flight;
For the heavens journey still, and sojourn not. [There are knocks at the door.
There's some one knocking there. See who it is.

Tertsky (from without). Open, and let me in.

Wallenstein. Aye—'tis Tertsky. 45
What is there of such urgence? We are busy.

Tertsky (from without). Lay all aside at present, I entreat you.
It suffers no delaying.

Wallenstein. Open, Seni!

[While Seni opens the doors for Tertsky, Wallenstein draws the curtain over the figures.

Tertsky (enters). Hast thou already heard it? He is taken.
Galas has given him up to the Emperor. 50

[Seni draws off the black table, and exit.

LINENOTES:

[[14]]

my 1800, 1828, 1829.

[[26]]

Sol . . . Luna 1800, 1828, 1829.

Scene II

Wallenstein, Count Tertsky.

Wallenstein (to Tertsky). Who has been taken?—Who is given up?

Tertsky. The man who knows our secrets, who knows every
Negotiation with the Swede and Saxon,
Through whose hands all and every thing has passed—

Wallenstein (drawing back). Nay, not Sesina?—Say, No! I entreat thee. 5

Tertsky. All on his road for Regenspurg to the Swede
He was plunged down upon by Galas' agent,
Who had been long in ambush, lurking for him.
There must have been found on him my whole packet
To Thur, to Kinsky, to Oxenstirn, to Arnheim: 10
All this is in their hands; they have now an insight
Into the whole—our measures, and our motives.

Scene III

To them enters Illo.

Illo (to Tertsky). Has he heard it?

Tertsky. He has heard it.

Illo (to Wallenstein). Thinkest thou still
To make thy peace with the Emperor, to regain
His confidence?—E'en were it now thy wish
To abandon all thy plans, yet still they know
What thou hast wished; then forwards thou must press; 5
Retreat is now no longer in thy power.

Tertsky. They have documents against us, and in hands,
Which shew beyond all power of contradiction—

Wallenstein. Of my hand-writing—no iota. Thee
I punish for thy lies.

Illo. And thou believest, [10]
That what this man, that what thy sister's husband,
Did in thy name, will not stand on thy reck'ning?
His word must pass for thy word with the Swede,
And not with those that hate thee at Vienna.

Tertsky. In writing thou gav'st nothing—But bethink thee, 15
How far thou ventured'st by word of mouth
[[688]] With this Sesina? And will he be silent?
If he can save himself by yielding up
Thy secret purposes, will he retain them?

Illo. Thyself dost not conceive it possible; 20
And since they now have evidence authentic
How far thou hast already gone, speak!—tell us,
What art thou waiting for? thou canst no longer
Keep thy command; and beyond hope of rescue
Thou'rt lost, if thou resign'st it.

Wallenstein. In the army 25
Lies my security. The army will not
Abandon me. Whatever they may know,
The power is mine, and they must gulp it down—
And substitute I caution for my fealty,
They must be satisfied, at least appear so. [30]

Illo. The army, Duke, is thine now—for this moment—
'Tis thine: but think with terror on the slow,
The quiet power of time. From open violence
The attachment of thy soldiery secures thee
To-day—to-morrow; but grant'st thou them a respite, 35
Unheard, unseen, they'll undermine that love
On which thou now dost feel so firm a footing,
With wily theft will draw away from thee
One after the other——

Wallenstein. 'Tis a curséd accident!

Illo. O, I will call it a most blessed one, 40
If it work on thee as it ought to do,
Hurry thee on to action—to decision.
The Swedish General——

Wallenstein. He's arrived! Know'st thou
What his commission is——

Illo. To thee alone
Will he entrust the purpose of his coming. 45

Wallenstein. A curséd, curséd accident! Yes, yes,
Sesina knows too much, and won't be silent.

Tertsky. He's a Bohemian fugitive and rebel,
His neck is forfeit. Can he save himself
At thy cost, think you he will scruple it? [50]
And if they put him to the torture, will he,
Will he, that dastardling, have strength enough——

Wallenstein. Their confidence is lost—irreparably!
[[689]] And I may act what way I will, I shall
Be and remain for ever in their thought 55
A traitor to my country. How sincerely
Soever I return back to my duty,
It will no longer help me——

Illo. Ruin thee,
That it will do! Not thy fidelity,
Thy weakness will be deemed the sole occasion—— [60]

Wallenstein. What! I must realize it now in earnest,
Because I toy'd too freely with the thought?
Accurséd he who dallies with a devil!
And must I—I must realize it now—
Now, while I have the power, it must take place? [65]

Illo. Now—now—ere they can ward and parry it!

Wallenstein (looking at the paper of signatures). I have the Generals' word—a written promise!
Max Piccolomini stands not here—how's that?

Tertsky. It was——he fancied——

Illo. Mere self-willedness.
There needed no such thing 'twixt him and you. 70

Wallenstein. He is quite right—there needeth no such thing.
The regiments, too, deny to march for Flanders—
Have sent me in a paper of remonstrance,
And openly resist the Imperial orders.
The first step to revolt's already taken. [75]

Illo. Believe me, thou wilt find it far more easy
To lead them over to the enemy
Than to the Spaniard.

Wallenstein. I will hear, however,
What the Swede has to say to me.

Illo (to Tertsky). Go, call him!
He stands without the door in waiting.

Wallenstein. Stay! 80
Stay yet a little. It hath taken me
All by surprise,—it came too quick upon me;
'Tis wholly novel, that an accident,
With its dark lordship, and blind agency,
Should force me on with it.

Illo. First hear him only, 85
And after weigh it. [Exeunt Tertsky and Illo.

LINENOTES:

[[13]]

His 1800, 1828, 1829.

[[31]]

is 1800, 1828, 1829.

[[52]]

he 1800, 1828, 1829.

Before [[53]] Wallenstein (lost in thought). 1800, 1828, 1829.

Before [[61]] Wallenstein (pacing up and down in extreme agitation). 1800, 1828, 1829.

[[64]]

I must 1800, 1828, 1829.

[[65]]

must 1800, 1828, 1829.

[[79]]

Illo (eagerly to Tertsky). 1800, 1828, 1829.

Scene IV

Wallenstein. Is it possible?
Is't so? I can no longer what I would?
No longer draw back at my liking? I
Must do the deed, because I thought of it,
And fed this heart here with a dream? Because 5
I did not scowl temptation from my presence,
Dallied with thoughts of possible fulfilment,
Commenced no movement, left all time uncertain,
And only kept the road, the access open?
By the great God of Heaven! it was not 10
My serious meaning, it was ne'er resolve.
I but amused myself with thinking of it.
The free-will tempted me, the power to do
Or not to do it.—Was it criminal
To make the fancy minister to hope, 15
To fill the air with pretty toys of air,
And clutch fantastic sceptres moving t'ward me?
Was not the will kept free? Beheld I not
The road of duty close beside me—but
One little step, and once more I was in it! 20
Where am I? Whither have I been transported?
No road, no track behind me, but a wall,
Impenetrable, insurmountable,
Rises obedient to the spells I muttered
And meant not—my own doings tower behind me. [25]
A punishable man I seem, the guilt,
Try what I will, I cannot roll off from me;
The equivocal demeanour of my life
Bears witness on my prosecutor's party;
And even my purest acts from purest motives 30
Suspicion poisons with malicious gloss.
Were I that thing, for which I pass, that traitor,
A goodly outside I had sure reserved,
Had drawn the coverings thick and double round me,
Been calm and chary of my utterance. [35]
But being conscious of the innocence
Of my intent, my uncorrupted will,
I gave way to my humours, to my passion:
Bold were my words, because my deeds were not.
[[691]] Now every planless measure, chance event, 40
The threat of rage, the vaunt of joy and triumph,
And all the May-games of a heart o'erflowing,
Will they connect, and weave them all together
Into one web of treason; all will be plan,
My eye ne'er absent from the far-off mark, [45]
Step tracing step, each step a politic progress;
And out of all they'll fabricate a charge
So specious, that I must myself stand dumb.
I am caught in my own net, and only force,
Naught but a sudden rent can liberate me. [50]
How else! since that the heart's unbiass'd instinct
Impelled me to the daring deed, which now
Necessity, self-preservation, orders.
Stern is the On-look of Necessity,
Not without shudder many a human hand [55]
Grasps the mysterious urn of destiny.
My deed was mine, remaining in my bosom,
Once suffered to escape from its safe corner
Within the heart, its nursery and birthplace,
Sent forth into the Foreign, it belongs [60]
For ever to those sly malicious powers
Whom never art of man conciliated.
What is thy enterprize? thy aim? thy object?
Hast honestly confessed it to thyself?
Power seated on a quiet throne thou'dst shake, 65
Power on an ancient consecrated throne,
Strong in possession, founded in old custom;
Power by a thousand tough and stringy roots
Fixed to the people's pious nursery-faith.
This, this will be no strife of strength with strength. 70
That feared I not. I brave each combatant,
Whom I can look on, fixing eye to eye,
Who full himself of courage kindles courage
In me too. 'Tis a foe invisible,
The which I fear—a fearful enemy, 75
Which in the human heart opposes me,
By its coward fear alone made fearful to me.
Not that, which full of life, instinct with power,
[[692]] Makes known its present being, that is not
The true, the perilously formidable. 80
O no! it is the common, the quite common,
The thing of an eternal yesterday,
What ever was, and evermore returns,
Sterling to-morrow, for to-day 'twas sterling!
For of the wholly common is man made, 85
And custom is his nurse! Woe then to them,
Who lay irreverent hands upon his old
House furniture, the dear inheritance
From his forefathers. For time consecrates;
And what is grey with age becomes religion. 90
Be in possession, and thou hast the right,
And sacred will the many guard it for thee! [To the Page, who here enters.
The Swedish officer?—Well, let him enter.
[The Page exit, Wallenstein fixes his eye in deep thought on the door. Yet is it pure—as yet!—the crime has come
Not o'er this threshold yet—so slender is 95
The boundary that divideth life's two paths.

LINENOTES:

Before [1] Wallenstein (in soliloquy). 1800, 1828, 1829.

[[2]]

can . . . would 1800, 1828, 1829.

[[4]]

do . . . thought 1800, 1828, 1829.

After [25] [Pauses and remains in deep thought. 1800, 1828, 1829.

[[39]]

not 1800, 1828, 1829.

[[48]]

dumb 1800.

[[50]]

rent 1800.

After [50] [Pauses again. 1800, 1828, 1829.

[[53]]

orders 1800, 1828, 1829.

[[55]]

many] may 1800, 1828, 1829.

[[56]]

Grasps] Grasp 1800, 1828, 1829.

After [62] [Paces in agitation through the chamber, then pauses, and, after the pause, breaks out again into audible soliloquy. 1800, 1828, 1829.

Scene V

Wallenstein and Wrangel.

Wallenstein. Your name is Wrangel?

Wrangel. Gustave Wrangel, General
Of the Sudermanian Blues.

Wallenstein. It was a Wrangel
Who injured me materially at Stralsund,
And by his brave resistance was the cause
Of the opposition which that sea-port made. 5

Wrangel. It was the doing of the element
With which you fought, my Lord! and not my merit.
The Baltic Neptune did assert his freedom,
The sea and land, it seemed, were not to serve
One and the same.

Wallenstein (makes a motion for him to take a seat, and seats himself).
And where are your credentials? [10]
Come you provided with full powers, Sir General?

Wrangel. There are so many scruples yet to solve——

[[693]]Wallenstein (having read the credentials). An able letter!—Ay—he is a prudent,
Intelligent master, whom you serve, Sir General!
The Chancellor writes me, that he but fulfils 15
His late departed Sovereign's own idea
In helping me to the Bohemian crown.

Wrangel. He says the truth. Our great King, now in heaven,
Did ever deem most highly of your Grace's
Pre-eminent sense and military genius; [20]
And always the commanding Intellect,
He said, should have command, and be the King.

Wallenstein. Yes, he might say it safely.—General Wrangel, [Taking his hand.
Come, fair and open—Trust me, I was always
A Swede at heart. Ey! that did you experience 25
Both in Silesia and at Nuremburg;
I had you often in my power, and let you
Always slip out by some back door or other.
'Tis this for which the Court can ne'er forgive me,
Which drives me to this present step: and since 30
Our interests so run in one direction,
E'en let us have a thorough confidence
Each in the other.

Wrangel. Confidence will come
Has each but only first security.

Wallenstein. The Chancellor still, I see, does not quite trust me; [35]
And, I confess—the gain does not wholly lie
To my advantage—Without doubt he thinks
If I can play false with the Emperor,
Who is my Sov'reign, I can do the like
With the enemy, and that the one too were [40]
Sooner to be forgiven me than the other.
Is not this your opinion too, Sir General?

Wrangel. I have here an office merely, no opinion.

Wallenstein. The Emperor hath urged me to the uttermost.
I can no longer honourably serve him. 45
For my security, in self-defence,
I take this hard step, which my conscience blames.

Wrangel. That I believe. So far would no one go
Who was not forced to it. [After a pause.
What may have impelled
[[694]] Your princely Highness in this wise to act 50
Toward your Sovereign Lord and Emperor,
Beseems not us to expound or criticize.
The Swede is fighting for his good old cause.
With his good sword and conscience. This concurrence,
This opportunity, is in our favour, 55
And all advantages in war are lawful.
We take what offers without questioning;
And if all have its due and just proportions——

Wallenstein. Of what then are ye doubting? Of my will?
Or of my power? I pledged me to the Chancellor, [60]
Would he trust me with sixteen thousand men,
That I would instantly go over to them
With eighteen thousand of the Emperor's troops.

Wrangel. Your Grace is known to be a mighty war-chief,
To be a second Attila and Pyrrhus. 65
'Tis talked of still with fresh astonishment,
How some years past, beyond all human faith,
You called an army forth, like a creation:
But yet——

Wallenstein. But yet?

Wrangel. But still the Chancellor thinks,
It might yet be an easier thing from nothing [70]
To call forth sixty thousand men of battle,
Than to persuade one sixtieth part of them—

Wallenstein. What now? Out with it, friend!

Wrangel. To break their oaths.

Wallenstein. And he thinks so?—He judges like a Swede,
And like a Protestant. You Lutherans [75]
Fight for your Bible. You are interested
About the cause; and with your hearts you follow
Your banners.—Among you, whoe'er deserts
To the enemy, hath broken covenant
With two Lords at one time.—We've no such fancies. [80]

Wrangel. Great God in Heaven! Have then the people here
No house and home, no fire-side, no altar?

Wallenstein. I will explain that to you, how it stands—
The Austrian has a country, ay, and loves it,
And has good cause to love it—but this army, 85
That calls itself the Imperial, this that houses
Here in Bohemia, this has none—no country;
[[695]] This is an outcast of all foreign lands,
Unclaimed by town or tribe, to whom belongs
Nothing, except the universal sun. 90

Wrangel. But then the Nobles and the Officers?
Such a desertion, such a felony,
It is without example, my Lord Duke,
In the world's history.

Wallenstein. They are all mine—
Mine unconditionally—mine on all terms. [95]
Not me, your own eyes you must trust.

[He gives him the paper containing the written oath. Wrangel reads it through, and, having read it, lays it on the table, remaining silent.

So then?
Now comprehend you?

Wrangel. Comprehend who can!
My Lord Duke; I will let the mask drop—yes!
I've full powers for a final settlement.
The Rhinegrave stands but four days' march from here [100]
With fifteen thousand men, and only waits
For orders to proceed and join your army.
Those orders I give out, immediately
We're compromised.

Wallenstein. What asks the Chancellor?

Wrangel. Twelve Regiments, every man a Swede—my head [105]
The warranty—and all might prove at last
Only false play——

Wallenstein (starting). Sir Swede!

Wrangel. Am therefore forced
T' insist thereon, that he do formally,
Irrevocably break with the Emperor,
Else not a Swede is trusted to Duke Friedland. 110

Wallenstein. Come, brief and open! What is the demand?

Wrangel. That he forthwith disarm the Spanish regiments
Attached to the Emperor, that he seize Prague,
And to the Swedes give up that city, with
The strong pass Egra.

Wallenstein. That is much indeed! 115
Prague!—Egra's granted—But—but Prague!—'Twon't do.
I give you every security
[[696]] Which you may ask of me in common reason—
But Prague—Bohemia—these, Sir General,
I can myself protect.

Wrangel. We doubt it not. 120
But 'tis not the protection that is now
Our sole concern. We want security,
That we shall not expend our men and money
All to no purpose.

Wallenstein. 'Tis but reasonable.

Wrangel. And till we are indemnified, so long 125
Stays Prague in pledge.

Wallenstein. Then trust you us so little?

Wrangel (rising). The Swede, if he would treat well with the German,
Must keep a sharp look-out. We have been called
Over the Baltic, we have saved the empire
From ruin—with our best blood have we seal'd 130
The liberty of faith, and gospel truth.
But now already is the benefaction
No longer felt, the load alone is felt.——
Ye look askance with evil eye upon us,
As foreigners, intruders in the empire, 135
And would fain send us, with some paltry sum
Of money, home again to our old forests.
No, no! my Lord Duke! no!—it never was
For Judas' pay, for chinking gold and silver,
That we did leave our King by the Great Stone.[696:1] [140]
No, not for gold and silver have there bled
So many of our Swedish Nobles—neither
Will we, with empty laurels for our payment,
Hoist sail for our own country. Citizens
Will we remain upon the soil, the which 145
Our Monarch conquered for himself, and died.

Wallenstein. Help to keep down the common enemy,
And the fair border land must needs be yours.

Wrangel. But when the common enemy lies vanquished,
Who knits together our new friendship then? [150]
We know, Duke Friedland! though perhaps the Swede
Ought not t' have known it, that you carry on
[[697]] Secret negotiations with the Saxons.
Who is our warranty, that we are not
The sacrifices in those articles 155
Which 'tis thought needful to conceal from us?

Wallenstein (rises). Think you of something better, Gustave Wrangel!
Of Prague no more.

Wrangel. Here my commission ends.

Wallenstein. Surrender up to you my capital!
Far liever would I face about, and step [160]
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 since Sesina is a prisoner.
My Lord Duke, hear me—We believe that you [165]
At present do mean honourably by us.
Since yesterday we're sure of that—and now
This paper warrants for the troops, there's nothing
Stands in the way of our full confidence.
Prague shall not part us. Hear! The Chancellor 170
Contents himself with Albstadt, to your Grace
He gives up Ratschin and the narrow side,
But Egra above all must open to us,
Ere we can think of any junction.

Wallenstein. You,
You therefore must I trust, and you not me? 175
I will consider of your proposition.

Wrangel. I must entreat, that your consideration
Occupy not too long a time. Already
Has this negotiation, my Lord Duke!
Crept on into the second year. If nothing [180]
Is settled this time, will the Chancellor
Consider it as broken off for ever.

Wallenstein. Ye press me hard. A measure, such as this,
Ought to be thought of.

Wrangel. Ay! but think of this too,
That sudden action only can procure it 185
Success—think first of this, your Highness. [Exit Wrangel.

FOOTNOTES:

[696:1] A great stone near Lützen, since 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 lost his life.

LINENOTES:

Before [1] Wallenstein (after having fixed a searching look on him). 1800, 1828, 1829.

Before [10] Wallenstein (makes the motion, &c. 1800, 1828, 1829.

[[23]]

might 1800, 1828, 1829.

After [23] [Taking his hand affectionately. 1800, 1828, 1829.

[[36]]

wholly lie] lie wholly 1828, 1829.

[[40]]

the one 1800, 1828, 1829.

[[41]]

other 1800, 1828, 1829.

[[61]]

me 1800, 1828, 1829.

[[74]]

so 1800, 1828, 1829.

[[77]]

hearts 1800, 1828, 1829.

[[78]]

you 1800, 1828, 1829.

[[84]]

has 1800, 1828, 1829.

[[96]]

must] may 1800, 1828, 1829.

[[103]]

I 1800, 1828, 1829. out] you 1828, 1829.

Before [105] Wrangel (considerately). 1800, 1828, 1829.

[[107]]

Wrangel (calmly proceeding). 1800, 1828, 1829.

[[144]]

Citizens 1800, 1828, 1829.

[[154]]

we 1800, 1828, 1829.

[[164]]

Sesina is] Sesina's been 1800, 1828, 1829.

After [164] [Wallenstein is struck, and silenced. 1800, 1828, 1829.

[[167]]

yesterday 1800, 1828, 1829.

[[184]]

thought 1800, 1828, 1829.

Scene VI

Wallenstein, Tertsky, and Illo (re-enter).

Illo. Is't all right?

Tertsky. Are you compromised?

Illo. This Swede
Went smiling from you. Yes! you're compromised.

Wallenstein. As yet is nothing settled: and (well weighed)
I feel myself inclined to leave it so.

Tertsky. How? What is that?

Wallenstein. Come on me what will come, 5
The doing evil to avoid an evil
Cannot be good!

Tertsky. Nay, but bethink you, Duke?

Wallenstein. To live upon the mercy of these Swedes!
Of these proud-hearted Swedes! I could not bear it.

Illo. Goest thou as fugitive, as mendicant? [10]
Bringest thou not more to them than thou receivest?

LINENOTES:

[[10]]

Wallenstein (sarcastically). 1800, 1828, 1829.

[[11]]

Countess (to the others). 1800, 1828, 1829.

Scene VII

To these enter the Countess Tertsky.

Wallenstein. Who sent for you? There is no business here
For women.

Countess. I am come to bid you joy.

Wallenstein. Use thy authority, Tertsky, bid her go.

Countess. Come I perhaps too early? I hope not.

Wallenstein. Set not this tongue upon me, I entreat you. 5
You know it is the weapon that destroys me.
I am routed, if a woman but attack me.
I cannot traffic in the trade of words
With that unreasoning sex.

Countess. I had already
Given the Bohemians a king.

Wallenstein. They have one, [10]
In consequence, no doubt.

Countess. Ha! what new scruple?

Tertsky. The Duke will not.

Countess. He will not what he must!

Illo. It lies with you now. Try. For I am silenced,
When folks begin to talk to me of conscience,
And of fidelity.

Countess. How? then, when all 15
[[699]] Lay in the far-off distance, when the road
Stretched out before thine eyes interminably,
Then hadst thou courage and resolve; and now,
Now that the dream is being realized,
The purpose ripe, the issue ascertained, 20
Dost thou begin to play the dastard now?
Planned merely, 'tis a common felony;
Accomplished, an immortal undertaking:
And with success comes pardon hand in hand;
For all event is God's arbitrement. [25]

Servant (enters). The Colonel Piccolomini.

Countess. —Must wait.

Wallenstein. I cannot see him now. Another time.

Servant. But for two minutes he entreats an audience.
Of the most urgent nature is his business.

Wallenstein. Who knows what he may bring us? I will hear him. [30]

Countess. Urgent for him, no doubt; but thou mayest wait.

Wallenstein. What is it?

Countess. Thou shalt be informed hereafter.
First let the Swede and thee be compromised. [Exit Servant.

Wallenstein. If there were yet a choice! if yet some milder
Way of escape were possible—I still 35
Will choose it, and avoid the last extreme.

Countess. Desir'st thou nothing further? Such a way
Lies still before thee. Send this Wrangel off.
Forget thou thy old hopes, cast far away
All thy past life; determine to commence 40
A new one. Virtue hath her heroes too,
As well as Fame and Fortune.—To Vienna—
Hence—to the Emperor—kneel before the throne;
Take a full coffer with thee—say aloud,
Thou did'st but wish to prove thy fealty; 45
Thy whole intention but to dupe the Swede.

Illo. 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 50
The avowal of an arbitrary power.
They'll let the Duke resign without disturbance.
I see how all will end. The King of Hungary
[[700]] Makes his appearance, and 'twill of itself
Be understood, that then the Duke retires. 55
There will not want a formal declaration.
The young King will administer the oath
To the whole army; and so all returns
To the old position. On some morrow morning
The Duke departs; and now 'tis stir and bustle 60
Within his castles. He will hunt, and build,
Superintend his horses' pedigrees;
Creates himself a court, gives golden keys,
And introduceth strictest ceremony
In fine proportions, and nice etiquette; 65
Keeps open table with high cheer; in brief,
Commenceth mighty King—in miniature.
And while he prudently demeans himself,
And gives himself no actual importance,
He will be let appear whate'er he likes; 70
And who dares doubt, that Friedland will appear
A mighty Prince to his last dying hour?
Well now, what then? Duke Friedland is as others,
A fire-new Noble, whom the war hath raised
To price and currency, a Jonah's Gourd, [75]
An over-night creation of court-favour,
Which with an undistinguishable ease
Makes Baron or makes Prince.

Wallenstein. Take her away.
Let in the young Count Piccolomini.

Countess. Art thou in earnest? I entreat thee! Canst thou 80
Consent to bear thyself to thy own grave,
So ignominiously to be dried up?
Thy life, that arrogated such a height
To end in such a nothing! To be nothing,
When one was always nothing, is an evil [85]
That asks no stretch of patience, a light evil,
But to become a nothing, having been——

Wallenstein (starts up). Shew me a way out of this stifling crowd,
Ye Powers of Aidance! Shew me such a way
As I am capable of going.—I [90]
Am no tongue-hero, no fine virtue-prattler;
I cannot warm by thinking; cannot say
[[701]] To the good luck that turns her back upon me,
Magnanimously: 'Go! I need thee not.'
Cease I to work, I am annihilated, 95
Dangers nor sacrifices will I shun,
If so I may avoid the last extreme;
But ere I sink down into nothingness,
Leave off so little, who began so great,
Ere that the world confuses me with those 100
Poor wretches, whom a day creates and crumbles,
This age and after-ages [701:1] speak my name
With hate and dread; and Friedland be redemption
For each accurséd deed!

Countess. What is there here, then,
So against nature? Help me to perceive it! 105
O let not Superstition's nightly goblins
Subdue thy clear bright spirit! Art thou bid
To murder?—with abhorr'd accurséd poniard,
To violate the breasts that nourished thee?
That were against our nature, that might aptly [110]
Make thy flesh shudder, and thy whole heart sicken.[701:2]
Yet not a few, and for a meaner object,
Have ventured even this, ay, and performed it.
What is there in thy case so black and monstrous?
Thou art accused of treason—whether with [115]
Or without justice is not now the question—
Thou art lost if thou dost not avail thee quickly
Of the power which thou possessest—Friedland! Duke!
Tell me, where lives that thing so meek and tame,
That doth not all his living faculties 120
Put forth in preservation of his life?
What deed so daring, which necessity
And desperation will not sanctify?

Wallenstein. Once was this Ferdinand so gracious to me:
[[702]] He loved me; he esteemed me; I was placed 125
The nearest to his heart. Full many a time
We like familiar friends, both at one table,
Have banquetted together. He and I—
And the young kings themselves held me the bason
Wherewith to wash me—and is't come to this? 130

Countess. So faithfully preserv'st thou each small favour,
And hast no memory for contumelies?
Must I remind thee, how at Regenspurg
This man repaid thy faithful services?
All ranks and all conditions in the Empire [135]
Thou hadst wronged, to make him great,—hadst loaded on thee,
On thee, the hate, the curse of the whole world.
No friend existed for thee in all Germany,
And why? because thou hadst existed only
For the Emperor. To the Emperor alone 140
Clung Friedland in that storm which gathered round him
At Regenspurg in the Diet—and he dropped thee!
He let thee fall! He let thee fall a victim
To the Bavarian, to that insolent!
Deposed, stript bare of all thy dignity [145]
And power, amid the taunting of thy foes,
Thou wert let drop into obscurity.—
Say not, the restoration of thy honour
Hath made atonement for that first injustice.
No honest good-will was it that replaced thee, 150
The law of hard necessity replaced thee,
Which they had fain opposed, but that they could not.

Wallenstein. Not to their good wishes, that is certain,
Nor yet to his affection I'm indebted
For this high office; and if I abuse it, [155]
I shall therein abuse no confidence.

Countess. Affection! confidence!—They needed thee.
Necessity, impetuous remonstrant!
Who not with empty names, or shews of proxy,
Is served, who'll have the thing and not the symbol, [160]
Ever seeks out the greatest and the best,
And at the rudder places him, e'en though
She had been forced to take him from the rabble—
She, this Necessity, it was that placed thee
In this high office, it was she that gave thee 165
[[703]] Thy letters patent of inauguration.
For, to the uttermost moment that they can.
This race still help themselves at cheapest rate
With slavish souls, with puppets! At the approach
Of extreme peril, when a hollow image 170
Is found a hollow image and no more,
Then falls the power into the mighty hands
Of Nature, of the spirit giant-born,
Who listens only to himself, knows nothing
Of stipulations, duties, reverences 175
And, like the emancipated force of fire,
Unmastered scorches, ere it reaches them,
Their fine-spun webs, their artificial policy.

Wallenstein. 'Tis true! they saw me always as I am—
Always! I did not cheat them in the bargain. 180
I never held it worth my pains to hide
The bold all-grasping habit of my soul.

Countess. Nay rather—thou hast ever shewn thyself
A formidable man, without restraint;
Hast exercised the full prerogatives [185]
Of thy impetuous nature, which had been
Once granted to thee. Therefore, Duke, not thou,
Who hast still remained consistent with thyself,
But they are in the wrong, who fearing thee,
Entrusted such a power in hands they feared. 190
For, by the laws of Spirit, in the right
Is every individual character
That acts in strict consistence with itself.
Self-contradiction is the only wrong.
Wert thou another being, then, when thou 195
Eight years ago pursuedst thy march with fire
And sword, and desolation, through the Circles
Of Germany, the universal scourge,
Didst mock all ordinances of the empire,
The fearful rights of strength alone exertedst, 200
Trampledst to earth each rank, each magistracy,
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 conscience, [205]
What served him pleased him, and without a murmur
He stamped his broad seal on these lawless deeds.
[[704]] What at that time was right, because thou didst it
For him, to-day is all at once become
Opprobrious, foul, because it is directed [210]
Against him.—O most flimsy superstition!

Wallenstein (rising). I never saw it in this light before.
'Tis even so. The Emperor perpetrated
Deeds through my arm, deeds most unorderly.
And even this prince's mantle, which I wear, 215
I owe to what were services to him,
But most high misdemeanours 'gainst the empire.

Countess. Then betwixt thee and him (confess it, Friedland!)
The point can be no more of right and duty,
Only of power and opportunity. [220]
That opportunity, lo! it comes yonder,
Approaching with swift steeds; then with a swing
Throw thyself up into the chariot-seat,
Seize with firm hand the reins, ere thy opponent
Anticipate thee, and himself make conquest 225
Of the now empty seat. The moment comes—
It is already here, when thou must write
The absolute total of thy life's vast sum.
The constellations stand victorious o'er thee,
The planets shoot good fortune in fair junctions, 230
And tell thee, 'Now's the time!' The starry courses
Hast thou thy life long measured to no purpose?
The quadrant and the circle, were they playthings?
[Pointing to the different objects in the room.
The zodiacs, the rolling orbs of heaven,
Hast pictured on these walls, and all around thee 235
In dumb, foreboding symbols hast thou placed
These seven presiding Lords of Destiny—
For toys? Is all this preparation nothing?
Is there no marrow in this hollow art,
That even to thyself it doth avail [240]
Nothing, and has no influence over thee
In the great moment of decision?——

Wallenstein (interrupting the Countess). Send Wrangel to me—I will instantly
Dispatch three couriers——

[[705]]Illo (hurrying out). God in heaven be praised!

Wallenstein. It is his evil genius and mine. [245]
Our evil genius! It chastises him
Through me, the instrument of his ambition;
And I expect no less, than that Revenge
E'en now is whetting for my breast the poniard.
Who sows the serpent's teeth, let him not hope 250
To reap a joyous harvest. Every crime
Has, in the moment of its perpetration,
Its own avenging angel—dark misgiving,
An ominous sinking at the inmost heart.
He can no longer trust me—Then no longer 255
Can I retreat—so come that which must come.—
Still destiny preserves its due relations,
The heart within us is its absolute
Vicegerent. [To Tertsky.
Go, conduct you Gustave Wrangel
To my state-cabinet. Myself will speak to [260]
The couriers.—And dispatch immediately
A servant for Octavio Piccolomini. [To the Countess.
No exultation—woman, triumph not!
For jealous are the Powers of Destiny.
Joy premature, and shouts ere victory, 265
Incroach upon their rights and privileges.
We sow the seed, and they the growth determine.

[While he is making his exit the curtain drops.

FOOTNOTES:

[701:1] Could I have hazarded such a Germanism as the use of the word 'after-world' for posterity, 'Es spreche Welt und Nachwelt meinen Nahmen' might have been rendered with more literal fidelity:

'Let world and after-world speak out my name,' &c.

1800, 1828, 1829.

[701:2] I have not ventured to affront the fastidious delicacy of our age with a literal translation of this line:

'werth
Die Eingeweide schaudernd aufzuregen.'

1800, 1828, 1829.

LINENOTES:

[[12]]

will not . . . must 1800, 1828, 1829.

[[26]]

Countess (hastily). 1800, 1828, 1829.

Before [31] Countess (laughs). 1800, 1828, 1829.

[[78]]

Wallenstein (in extreme agitation). 1800, 1828, 1829.

Before [88] Wallenstein (starts up in violent agitation). 1800, 1828, 1829.

[[90]]

As I 1800, 1828, 1829.

[[110]]

were 1800, 1828, 1829.

[[118]]

Duke 1800, 1828, 1829.

[[137]]

thee 1800, 1828, 1829.

[[149]]

Hath] Has 1800, 1828, 1829.

[[157]]

needed 1800, 1828, 1829.

[[163]]

him 1800, 1828, 1829.

[[187]]

thou 1800, 1828, 1829.

[[189]]

they 1800, 1828, 1829.

[[209]]

For him 1800, 1828, 1829.

[[211]]

Against him 1800, 1828, 1829.

[[220]]

and opportunity] and th' opportunity 1800, 1828, 1829.

After [242] Wallenstein (during this last speech walks up and down with inward struggles, labouring with passions; stops suddenly, stands still, then, &c. 1800, 1828, 1829.

[[245]]

his . . . mine 1800, 1828, 1829.

[[246]]

him 1800, 1828, 1829.

[[249]]

my 1800, 1828, 1829.

After [262] [To the Countess, who cannot conceal her triumph. 1800, 1828, 1829.

ACT V

Scene I

Scene—As in the preceding Act.

Wallenstein, Octavio Piccolomini.

Wallenstein (coming forward in conversation). He sends me word from Linz, that he lies sick;
But I have sure intelligence, that he
Secretes himself at Frauenberg with Galas.
Secure them both, and send them to me hither.
Remember, thou tak'st on thee the command [5]
[[706]] Of those same Spanish regiments,—constantly
Make preparation, and be never ready;
And if they urge thee to draw out against me,
Still answer yes, and stand as thou wert fettered.
I know, that it is doing thee a service 10
To keep thee out of action in this business.
Thou lovest to linger on in fair appearances;
Steps of extremity are not thy province,
Therefore have I sought out this part for thee.
Thou wilt this time be of most service to me 15
By thy inertness. The mean time, if fortune
Declare itself on my side, thou wilt know
What is to do.

Enter Max Piccolomini.

Now go, Octavio.
This night must thou be off, take my own horses:
Him here I keep with me—make short farewell— 20
Trust me, I think we all shall meet again
In joy and thriving fortunes.

Octavio (to his son). I shall see you
Yet ere I go.

LINENOTES:

[[3]]

Secretes] Secrets 1828, 1829, 1893.

[[9]]

yes 1800, 1828, 1829.

Scene II

Wallenstein, Max Piccolomini.

Max (advances to him). My General!

Wallenstein. That am I no longer, if
Thou styl'st thyself the Emperor's officer.

Max. Then thou wilt leave the army, General?

Wallenstein. I have renounced the service of the Emperor.

Max. And thou wilt leave the army?

Wallenstein. Rather hope I 5
To bind it nearer still and faster to me. [He seats himself.
Yes, Max, I have delayed to open it to thee,
Even till the hour of acting 'gins to strike.
Youth's fortunate feeling doth seize easily
The absolute right, yea, and a joy it is 10
To exercise the single apprehension
Where the sums square in proof;
But where it happens, that of two sure evils
One must be taken, where the heart not wholly
Brings itself back from out the strife of duties, 15
[[707]] There 'tis a blessing to have no election,
And blank necessity is grace and favour.
—This is now present: do not look behind thee.—
It can no more avail thee. Look thou forwards!
Think not! judge not! prepare thyself to act! 20
The Court—it hath determined 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 stops himself, expecting Piccolomini's answer.
I have ta'en thee by surprise. Answer me not. 25
I grant thee time to recollect thyself.

[He rises, and retires at the back of the stage. Max remains for a long time motionless, in a trance of excessive anguish. At his first motion Wallenstein returns, and places himself before him.

Max. My General, this day thou makest me
Of age to speak in my own right and person,
For till this day I have been spared the trouble
To find out my own road. Thee have I followed 30
With most implicit unconditional faith,
Sure of the right path if I followed thee.
To-day, for the first time, dost thou refer
Me to myself, and forcest me to make
Election between thee and my own heart. 35

Wallenstein. Soft cradled thee thy Fortune till to-day;
Thy duties thou couldst exercise in sport,
Indulge all lovely instincts, act for ever
With undivided heart. It can remain
No longer thus. Like enemies, the roads 40
Start from each other. Duties strive with duties.
Thou must needs choose 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 pestilence. 45
Yet it is good, is it heaven's will as that is.
Is that a good war, which against the Emperor
Thou wagest with the Emperor's own army?
O God of heaven! what a change is this.
Beseems it me to offer such persuasion 50
To thee, who like the fixed star of the pole
Wert all I gazed at on life's trackless ocean?
[[708]] O! what a rent thou makest in my heart!
The ingrained instinct of old reverence.
The holy habit of obediency, 55
Must I pluck live asunder from thy name?
Nay, do not turn thy countenance upon me—
It always was as a god looking at me!
Duke Wallenstein, its power is not departed:
The senses still are in thy bonds, although, 60
Bleeding, the soul hath freed itself.

Wallenstein. Max, hear me.

Max. O! do it not, I pray thee, do it not!
There is a pure and noble soul within thee,
Knows not of this unblest, unlucky doing.
Thy will is chaste, it is thy fancy only 65
Which hath polluted thee—and innocence,
It will not let itself be driven away
From that world-awing aspect. Thou wilt not,
Thou canst not, end in this. It would reduce
All human creatures to disloyalty 70
Against the nobleness of their own nature.
'Twill justify the vulgar misbelief,
Which holdeth nothing noble in free will,
And trusts itself to impotence alone
Made powerful only in an unknown power. 75

Wallenstein. The world will judge me sternly, I expect it.
Already have I said to my own self
All thou canst say to me. Who but avoids
The extreme,—can he by going round avoid it?
But here there is no choice. Yes—I must use 80
Or suffer violence—so stands the case,
There remains nothing possible but that.

Max. O that is never possible for thee!
'Tis the last desperate resource of those
Cheap souls, to whom their honour, their good name [85]
Is their poor saving, their last worthless keep,
Which having staked and lost, they stake themselves
In the mad rage of gaming. Thou art rich,
And glorious; with an unpolluted heart
Thou canst make conquest of whate'er seems highest! 90
But he, who once hath acted infamy,
Does nothing more in this world.

Wallenstein (grasps his hand). Calmly, Max!
[[709]] Much that is great and excellent will we
Perform together yet. And if we only
Stand on the height with dignity, 'tis soon 95
Forgotten, Max, by what road we ascended.
Believe me, many a crown shines spotless now,
That yet was deeply sullied in the winning.
To the evil spirit doth the earth belong,
Not to the good. All, that the powers divine [100]
Send from above, are universal blessings:
Their light rejoices us, their air refreshes,
But never yet was man enriched by them:
In their eternal realm no property
Is to be struggled for—all there is general. 105
The jewel, the all-valued gold we win
From the deceiving Powers, depraved in nature,
That dwell beneath the day and blessed sun-light.
Not without sacrifices are they rendered
Propitious, and there lives no soul on earth 110
That e'er retired unsullied from their service.

Max. Whate'er is human, to the human being
Do I allow—and to the vehement
And striving spirit readily I pardon
The excess of action; but to thee, my General! [115]
Above all others make I large concession.
For thou must move a world, and be the master—
He kills thee, who condemns thee to inaction.
So be it then! maintain thee in thy post
By violence. Resist the Emperor, [120]
And if it must be, force with force repel:
I will not praise it, yet I can forgive it.
But not—not to the traitor—yes!—the word
Is spoken out——
Not to the traitor can I yield a pardon. [125]
That is no mere excess! that is no error
Of human nature—that is wholly different,
O that is black, black as the pit of hell!
Thou canst not hear it nam'd, and wilt thou do it?
O turn back to thy duty. That thou canst, 130
I hold it certain. Send me to Vienna.
I'll make thy peace for thee with the Emperor.
[[710]] He knows thee not. But I do know thee. He
Shall see thee, Duke! with my unclouded eye,
And I bring back his confidence to thee. 135

Wallenstein. It is too late. Thou knowest not what has happened.

Max. Were it too late, and were things gone so far,
That a crime only could prevent thy fall,
Then—fall! fall honourably, even as thou stood'st.
Lose the command. Go from the stage of war. 140
Thou canst with splendour do it—do it too
With innocence. Thou hast liv'd much for others,
At length live thou for thy own self. I follow thee.
My destiny I never part from thine.

Wallenstein. It is too late! Even now, while thou art losing [145]
Thy words, one after the other are the mile-stones
Left fast behind by my post couriers,
Who bear the order on to Prague and Egra.
Yield thyself to it. We act as we are forced.
I cannot give assent to my own shame [150]
And ruin. Thou—no—thou canst not forsake me!
So let us do, what must be done, with dignity,
With a firm step. What am I doing worse
Than did famed Cæsar at the Rubicon,
When he the legions led against his country, 155
The which his country had delivered to him?
Had he thrown down the sword, he had been lost,
As I were, if I but disarmed myself.
I trace out something in me of his spirit.
Give me his luck, that other thing I'll bear. [160]

[Max quits him abruptly. Wallenstein, startled and overpowered, continues looking after him, and is still in this posture when Tertsky enters.

LINENOTES:

[[86]]

saving . . . Keep 1800, 1828, 1829.

[[104]]

property 1800, 1828, 1829.

[[116]]

all 1800, 1828, 1829.

[[123]]

traitor 1800, 1828, 1829.

After [128] [Wallenstein betrays a sudden agitation. 1800, 1828, 1829.

[[129]]

nam'd . . . do 1800, 1828, 1829.

After [148] [Max stands as convulsed, with a gesture and countenance expressing the most intense anguish. 1800, 1828, 1829.

[[150]]

I 1800, 1828, 1829.

[[151]]

Thou—no 1800, 1828, 1829.

[[160]]

that other thing 1800, 1828, 1829.

Scene III

Wallenstein, Tertsky.

Tertsky. Max Piccolomini just left you?

Wallenstein. Where is Wrangel?

Tertsky. He is already gone.

[[711]]Wallenstein. In such a hurry?

Tertsky. It is as if the earth had swallowed him.
He had scarce left thee, when I went to seek him.
I wished some words with him—but he was gone. 5
How, when, and where, could no one tell me. Nay,
I half believe it was the devil himself;
A human creature could not so at once
Have vanished.

Illo (enters). Is it true that thou wilt send
Octavio?

Tertsky. How, Octavio! Whither send him? 10

Wallenstein. He goes to Frauenberg, and will lead hither
The Spanish and Italian regiments.

Illo. No!
Nay, Heaven forbid!

Wallenstein. And why should Heaven forbid?

Illo. Him!—that deceiver! Would'st thou trust to him
The soldiery? Him wilt thou let slip from thee, 15
Now, in the very instant that decides us——

Tertsky. Thou wilt not do this!—No! I pray thee, no!

Wallenstein. Ye are whimsical.

Illo. O but for this time, Duke,
Yield to our warning! Let him not depart.

Wallenstein. And why should I not trust him only this time, 20
Who have always trusted him? What, then, has happened,
That I should lose my good opinion of him?
In complaisance to your whims, not my own,
I must, forsooth, give up a rooted judgment.
Think not I am a woman. Having trusted him 25
E'en till to-day, to-day too will I trust him.

Tertsky. Must it be he—he only? Send another.

Wallenstein. It must be he, whom I myself have chosen;
He is well fitted for the business. Therefore
I gave it him.

Illo. Because he's an Italian— 30
Therefore is he well fitted for the business.

Wallenstein. I know you love them not—nor sire nor son—
Because that I esteem them, love them—visibly
Esteem them, love them more than you and others,
E'en as they merit. Therefore are they eye-blights, [35]
Thorns in your foot-path. But your jealousies,
In what affect they me or my concerns?
[[712]] Are they the worse to me because you hate them?
Love or hate one another as you will,
I leave to each man his own moods and likings; 40
Yet know the worth of each of you to me.

Illo. Von Questenberg, while he was here, was always
Lurking about with this Octavio.

Wallenstein. It happened with my knowledge and permission.

Illo. I know that secret messengers came to him 45
From Galas——

Wallenstein. That's not true.

Illo. O thou art blind
With thy deep-seeing eyes.

Wallenstein. Thou wilt not shake
My faith for me—my faith, which founds itself
On the profoundest science. If 'tis false,
Then the whole science of the stars is false. 50
For know, I have a pledge from fate itself,
That he is the most faithful of my friends.

Illo. Hast thou a pledge, that this pledge is not false?

Wallenstein. There exist moments in the life of man,
When he is nearer the great soul of the world 55
Than is man's custom, and possesses freely
The power of questioning his destiny:
And such a moment 'twas, when in the night
Before the action in the plains of Lützen,
Leaning against a tree, thoughts crowding thoughts, 60
I looked out far upon the ominous plain.
My whole life, past and future, in this moment
Before my mind's eye glided in procession,
And to the destiny of the next morning
The spirit, filled with anxious presentiment, 65
Did knit the most removed futurity.
Then said I also to myself, 'So many
Dost thou command. They follow all thy stars,
And as on some great number set their All
Upon thy single head, and only man 70
The vessel of thy fortune. Yet a day
Will come, when destiny shall once more scatter
All these in many a several direction:
Few be they who will stand out faithful to thee.'
I yearn'd to know which one was faithfullest [75]
[[713]] Of all, this camp included. Great Destiny,
Give me a sign! And he shall be the man,
Who, on the approaching morning, comes the first
To meet me with a token of his love:
And thinking this, I fell into a slumber. 80
Then midmost in the battle was I led
In spirit. Great the pressure and the tumult!
Then was my horse killed under me: I sank:
And over me away, all unconcernedly,
Drove horse and rider—and thus trod to pieces [85]
I lay, and panted like a dying man.
Then seized me suddenly a saviour arm;
It was Octavio's—I awoke at once,
'Twas broad day, and Octavio stood before me.
'My brother,' said he,'do not ride to-day 90
The dapple, as you're wont; but mount the horse
Which I have chosen for thee. Do it, brother!
In love to me. A strong dream warned me so.'
It was the swiftness of this horse that snatched me
From the hot pursuit of Bannier's dragoons. [95]
My cousin rode the dapple on that day.
And never more saw I or horse or rider.

Illo. That was a chance.

Wallenstein. There's no such thing as chance.
In brief, 'tis signed and sealed that this Octavio
Is my good angel—and now no word more. [He is retiring.

Tertsky. This is my comfort—Max remains our hostage. 100

Illo. And he shall never stir from here alive.

Wallenstein (stops and turns himself round). Are ye not like the women, who for ever
Only recur to their first word, although
One had been talking reason by the hour? 105
Know, that the human being's thoughts and deeds
Are not, like ocean billows, blindly moved.
The inner world, his microcosmus, is
The deep shaft, out of which they spring eternally.
They grow by certain laws, like the tree's fruit— [110]
No juggling chance can metamorphose them.
Have I the human kernel first examined?
Then I know, too, the future will and action.

LINENOTES:

[[38]]

me 1800, 1828, 1829.

[[76]]

included] include 1800.

[[89]]

Octavio 1800, 1828, 1829.

[[98]]

Wallenstein (significantly). 1800, 1828, 1829.

[[112]]

kernel 1800, 1828, 1829.

Scene IV

Scene—A Chamber in Piccolomini's Dwelling-House.

Octavio Piccolomini, Isolani (entering).

Isolani. Here am I—Well! who comes yet of the others?

Octavio. But, first, a word with you, Count Isolani.

Isolani. Will it explode, ha?—Is the Duke about
To make the attempt? In me, friend, you may place
Full confidence.—Nay, put me to the proof. 5

Octavio. That may happen.

Isolani. Noble brother, I am
Not one of those men who in words are valiant,
And when it comes to action skulk away.
The Duke has acted towards me as a friend.
God knows it is so; and I owe him all—— 10
He may rely on my fidelity.

Octavio. That will be seen hereafter.

Isolani. Be on your guard,
All think not as I think; and there are many
Who still hold with the Court—yes, and they say
That those stolen signatures bind them to nothing. 15

Octavio. I am rejoiced to hear it.

Isolani. You rejoice!

Octavio. That the Emperor has yet such gallant servants
And loving friends.

Isolani. Nay, jeer not, I entreat you.
They are no such worthless fellows, I assure you.

Octavio. I am assured already. God forbid 20
That I should jest!—In very serious earnest
I am rejoiced to see an honest cause
So strong.

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 [25]
You will be called the friend or enemy
Of the Emperor.

Isolani. That declaration, friend,
I'll make to him in whom a right is placed
To put that question to me.

Octavio. Whether, Count, [30]
That right is mine, this paper may instruct you.

[[715]]Isolani. Why,—why—what! This is the Emperor's hand and seal! [Reads.
'Whereas the officers collectively
Throughout our army will obey the orders
Of the Lieutenant-General Piccolomini [35]
As from ourselves.'——Hem!—Yes! so!—Yes! yes!—
I—I give you joy, Lieutenant-General!

Octavio. And you submit you to the order?

Isolani. I——
But you have taken me so by surprise—
Time for reflection one must have——

Octavio. Two minutes. [40]

Isolani. My God! But then the case is——

Octavio. Plain and simple.
You must declare you, whether you determine
To act a treason 'gainst your Lord and Sovereign,
Or whether you will serve him faithfully.

Isolani. Treason!—My God!—But who talks then of treason? 45

Octavio. That is the case. The Prince-Duke is a traitor—
Means to lead over to the enemy
The Emperor's army.—Now, Count!—brief and full—
Say, will you break your oath to the Emperor?
Sell yourself to the enemy?—Say, will you? 50

Isolani. What mean you? I—I break my oath, d'ye say,
To his Imperial Majesty?
Did I say so?—When, when have I said that?

Octavio. You have not said it yet—not yet. This instant
I wait to hear, Count, whether you will say it. [55]

Isolani. Aye! that delights me now, that you yourself
Bear witness for me that I never said so.

Octavio. And you renounce the Duke then?

Isolani. If he's planning
Treason—why, treason breaks all bonds asunder.

Octavio. And are determined, too, to fight against him? 60

Isolani. He has done me service—but if he's a villain,
Perdition seize him!—All scores are rubbed off.

Octavio. I am rejoiced that you're so well disposed.
This night break off in the utmost secrecy
With all the light-armed troops—it must appear 65
As came the order from the Duke himself.
[[716]] At Frauenberg's the place of rendezvous;
There will Count Galas give you further orders.

Isolani. It shall be done. But you'll remember me
With the Emperor—how well disposed you found me. 70

Octavio. I will not fail to mention it honourably.
[Exit Isolani. A Servant enters.
What, Colonel Butler!—Shew him up.

Isolani (returning). Forgive me too my bearish ways, old father!
Lord God! how should I know, then, what a great
Person I had before me.

Octavio. No excuses! 75

Isolani. I am a merry lad, and if at time
A rash word might escape me 'gainst the court
Amidst my wine—You know no harm was meant. [Exit.

Octavio. You need not be uneasy on that score.
That has succeeded. Fortune favour us 80
With all the others only but as much!

LINENOTES:

Before [2] Octavio (with an air of mystery). 1800, 1828, 1829.

Before [3] Isolani (assuming the same air of mystery). 1800, 1828, 1829.

[[27]]

Isolani (with an air of defiance). 1800, 1828, 1829.

Before [32] Isolani (stammering). 1800, 1828, 1829.

[[36]]

Hem 1800, 1828, 1829.

[[40]]

must 1800, 1828, 1829.

[[55]]

will 1800, 1828, 1829.

Scene V

Octavio Piccolomini, Butler.

Butler. At your command, Lieutenant-General.

Octavio. Welcome, as honoured friend and visitor.

Butler. You do me too much honour.

Octavio (after both have seated themselves). You have not
Returned the advances which I made you yesterday—
Misunderstood them, as mere empty forms. 5
That wish proceeded from my heart—I was
In earnest with you—for 'tis now a time
In which the honest should unite most closely.

Butler. 'Tis only the like-minded can unite.

Octavio. True! and I name all honest men like-minded. 10
I never charge a man but with those acts
To which his character deliberately
Impels him; for alas! the violence
Of blind misunderstandings often thrusts
The very best of us from the right track. [15]
You came through Frauenberg. Did the Count Galas
Say nothing to you? Tell me. He's my friend.

Butler. His words were lost on me.

Octavio. It grieves me sorely
[[717]] To hear it: for his counsel was most wise.
I had myself the like to offer.

Butler. Spare 20
Yourself the trouble—me th' embarrassment,
To have deserved so ill your good opinion.

Octavio. The time is precious—let us talk openly.
You know how matters stand here. Wallenstein
Meditates treason—I can tell you further— 25
He has committed treason; but few hours
Have past, since he a covenant concluded
With the enemy. The messengers are now
Full on their way to Egra and to Prague.
To-morrow he intends to lead us over 30
To the enemy. But he deceives himself;
For prudence wakes—the Emperor has still
Many and faithful friends here, and they stand
In closest union, mighty though unseen.
This manifesto sentences the Duke— 35
Recalls the obedience of the army from him,
And summons all the loyal, all the honest,
To join and recognize in me their leader.
Choose—will you share with us an honest cause?
Or with the evil share an evil lot? 40

Butler (rises). His lot is mine.

Octavio. Is that your last resolve?

Butler. It is.

Octavio. Nay, but bethink you, Colonel Butler!
As yet you have time. Within my faithful breast
That rashly uttered word remains interred.
Recall it, Butler! choose a better party: 45
You have not chosen the right one.

Butler (going). Any other
Commands for me, Lieutenant-General?

Octavio. See your white hairs! Recall that word!

Butler. Farewell!

Octavio. What, would you draw this good and gallant sword
In such a cause? Into a curse would you 50
Transform the gratitude which you have earned
By forty years' fidelity from Austria?

Butler (laughing with bitterness). Gratitude from the House of Austria. [He is going.

Octavio (permits him to go as far as the door, then calls after him).
Butler!

[[718]]Butler. What wish you?

Octavio. How was't with the Count?

Butler. Count? what?

Octavio. The title that you wished, I mean. [55]

Butler (starts in sudden passion). Hell and damnation!

Octavio. You petitioned for it—
And your petition was repelled—Was it so?

Butler. Your insolent scoff shall not go by unpunished.
Draw!

Octavio. Nay! your sword to 'ts sheath![718:1] and tell me calmly,
How all that happened. I will not refuse you 60
Your satisfaction afterwards.—Calmly, Butler!

Butler. Be the whole world acquainted with the weakness
For which I never can forgive myself.
Lieutenant-General! Yes—I have ambition.
Ne'er was I able to endure contempt. 65
It stung me to the quick, that birth and title
Should have more weight than merit has in the army.
I would fain not be meaner than my equal,
So in an evil hour I let myself
Be tempted to that measure—It was folly! 70
But yet so hard a penance it deserved not.
It might have been refused; but wherefore barb
And venom the refusal with contempt?
Why dash to earth and crush with heaviest scorn
The grey-haired man, the faithful veteran? 75
Why to the baseness of his parentage
Refer him with such cruel roughness, only
Because he had a weak hour and forgot himself?
But nature gives a sting e'en to the worm
Which wanton power treads on in sport and insult. 80

Octavio. You must have been calumniated. Guess you
The enemy, who did you this ill service?

Butler. Be't who it will—a most low-hearted scoundrel,
Some vile court-minion must it be, some Spaniard,
Some young squire of some ancient family, 85
In whose light I may stand, some envious knave,
Stung to his soul by my fair self-earned honours!

[[719]]Octavio. But tell me! Did the Duke approve that measure?

Butler. Himself impelled me to it, used his interest
In my behalf with all the warmth of friendship. [90]

Octavio. Ay? Are you sure of that?

Butler. I read the letter.

Octavio. And so did I—but the contents were different.
By chance I'm in possession of that letter—
Can leave it to your own eyes to convince you. [He gives him the letter.

Butler. Ha! what is this?

Octavio. I fear me, Colonel Butler, 95
An infamous game have they been playing with you.
The Duke, you say, impelled you to this measure?
Now, in this letter talks he in contempt
Concerning you, counsels the Minister
To give sound chastisement to your conceit, 100
For so he calls it.
[Butler reads through the letter, his knees tremble, he seizes a chair, and sinks down in it.
You have no enemy, no persecutor;
There's no one wishes ill to you. Ascribe
The insult you received to the Duke only.
His aim is clear and palpable. He wished 105
To tear you from your Emperor—he hoped
To gain from your revenge what he well knew
(What your long-tried fidelity convinced him)
He ne'er could dare expect from your calm reason.
A blind tool would he make you, in contempt 110
Use you, as means of most abandoned ends.
He has gained his point. Too well has he succeeded
In luring you away from that good path
On which you had been journeying forty years!

Butler. Can e'er the Emperor's Majesty forgive me? [115]

Octavio. More than forgive you. He would fain compensate
For that affront, and most unmerited grievance
Sustained by a deserving, gallant veteran.
From his free impulse he confirms the present,
Which the Duke made you for a wicked purpose. 120
The regiment, which you now command, is yours.

[Butler attempts to rise, sinks down again. He labours inwardly with violent emotions; tries to speak, and cannot. At length he takes his sword from the belt, and offers it to Piccolomini.

Octavio. What wish you? Recollect yourself, friend.

Butler. Take it.

Octavio. But to what purpose? Calm yourself.

Butler. O take it!
I am no longer worthy of this sword.

Octavio. Receive it then anew from my hands—and 125
Wear it with honour for the right cause ever.

Butler.——Perjure myself to such a gracious Sovereign!

Octavio. You'll make amends. Quick! break off from the Duke!

Butler. Break off from him!

Octavio. What now? Bethink thyself.

Butler (no longer governing his emotion). Only break off from him?—He dies!—he dies! 130

Octavio. Come after me to Frauenberg, where now
All who are loyal are assembling under
Counts Altringer and Galas. Many others
I've brought to a remembrance of their duty.
This night be sure that you escape from Pilsen. [135]

Butler. Count Piccolomini! Dare that man speak
Of honour to you, who once broke his troth?

Octavio. He, who repents so deeply of it, dares.

Butler. Then leave me here, upon my word of honour!

Octavio. What's your design?

Butler. Leave me and my regiment. 140

Octavio. I have full confidence in you. But tell me
What are you brooding?

Butler. That the deed will tell you.
Ask me no more at present. Trust to me.
Ye may trust safely. By the living God
Ye give him over, not to his good angel! 145
Farewell. [Exit Butler.

Servant (enters with a billet). A stranger left it, and is gone.
The Prince-Duke's horses wait for you below. [Exit Servant.

Octavio (reads). 'Be sure, make haste! Your faithful Isolan.'
—O that I had but left this town behind me.
To split upon a rock so near the haven!— 150
Away! This is no longer a safe place for me!
Where can my son be tarrying?

FOOTNOTES:

[718:1] It probably did not suit Schiller's purposes to remark, what he doubtless knew, that Butler was of a noble Irish family, indeed one of the noblest. MS. R.

LINENOTES:

[[18]]

me 1800, 1828, 1829.

[[55]]

Octavio (coldly). 1800, 1828, 1829.

After [92] [Butler is suddenly struck. 1800, 1828, 1829.

Before [115] Butler (his voice trembling). 1800, 1828, 1829.

Before [136] Butler (strides up and down in excessive agitation, then steps up to Octavio with resolved countenance). 1800, 1828, 1829.

Scene VI

Octavio and Max Piccolomini.

Octavio (advances to Max). I am going off, my son. [Receiving no answer he takes his hand.
My son, farewell.

Max. Farewell.

Octavio. Thou wilt soon follow me?

Max. I follow thee?
Thy way is crooked—it is not my way. [Octavio drops his hand, and starts back.
O, hadst thou been but simple and sincere,
Ne'er had it come to this—all had stood otherwise. 5
He had not done that foul and horrible deed,
The virtuous had retained their influence o'er him:
He had not fallen into the snares of villains.
Wherefore so like a thief, and thief's accomplice
Did'st creep behind him—lurking for thy prey? 10
O, unblest falsehood! Mother of all evil!
Thou misery-making demon, it is thou
That sink'st us in perdition. Simple truth,
Sustainer of the world, had saved us all!
Father, I will not, I cannot excuse thee! [15]
Wallenstein has deceived me—O, most foully!
But thou hast acted not much better.

Octavio. Son!
My son, ah! I forgive thy agony!

Max. Was't possible? had'st thou the heart, my father,
Had'st thou the heart to drive it to such lengths, 20
With cold premeditated purpose? Thou—
Had'st thou the heart, to wish to see him guilty,
Rather than saved? Thou risest by his fall.
Octavio, 'twill not please me.

Octavio. God in Heaven!

Max. O, woe is me! sure I have changed my nature. [25]
[[722]] How comes suspicion here—in the free soul?
Hope, confidence, belief, are gone; for all
Lied to me, all what I e'er loved or honoured.
No! No! Not all! She—she yet lives for me,
And she is true, and open as the Heavens! [30]
Deceit is every where, hypocrisy,
Murder, and poisoning, treason, perjury:
The single holy spot is now our love,
The only unprofaned in human nature.

Octavio. Max!—we will go together. 'Twill be better. 35

Max. What? ere I've taken a last parting leave,
The very last—no never!

Octavio. Spare thyself
The pang of necessary separation.
Come with me! Come, my son! [Attempts to take him with him.

Max. No! as sure as God lives, no! [40]

Octavio. Come with me, I command thee! I, thy father.

Max. Command me what is human. I stay here.

Octavio. Max! in the Emperor's name I bid thee come.

Max. No Emperor has power to prescribe
Laws to the heart; and would'st thou wish to rob me 45
Of the sole blessing which my fate has left me,
Her sympathy? Must then a cruel deed
Be done with cruelty? The unalterable
Shall I perform ignobly—steal away,
With stealthy coward flight forsake her? No! 50
She shall behold my suffering, my sore anguish,
Hear the complaints of the disparted soul,
And weep tears o'er me. Oh! the human race
Have steely souls—but she is as an angel.
From the black deadly madness of despair 55
Will she redeem my soul, and in soft words
Of comfort, plaining, loose this pang of death!

Octavio. Thou wilt not tear thyself away; thou canst not.
O, come, my son! I bid thee save thy virtue.

Max. Squander not thou thy words in vain. [60]
The heart I follow, for I dare trust to it.

Octavio. Max! Max! if that most damnéd thing could be,
If thou—my son—my own blood—(dare I think it?)
[[723]] Do sell thyself to him, the infamous,
Do stamp this brand upon our noble house, 65
Then shall the world behold the horrible deed,
And in unnatural combat shall the steel
Of the son trickle with the father's blood.

Max. O hadst thou always better thought of men,
Thou hadst then acted better. Curst suspicion! [70]
Unholy miserable doubt! To him
Nothing on earth remains unwrenched and firm,
Who has no faith.

Octavio. And if I trust thy heart,
Will it be always in thy power to follow it?

Max. The heart's voice thou hast not o'erpower'd—as little 75
Will Wallenstein be able to o'erpower it.

Octavio. O, Max! I see thee never more again!

Max. Unworthy of thee wilt thou never see me.

Octavio. I go to Frauenberg—the Pappenheimers
I leave thee here, the Lothrings too; Toskana 80
And Tiefenbach remain here to protect thee.
They love thee, and are faithful to their oath,
And will far rather fall in gallant contest
Than leave their rightful leader, and their honour.

Max. Rely on this, I either leave my life 85
In the struggle, or conduct them out of Pilsen.

Octavio. Farewell, my son!

Max. Farewell!

Octavio. How? not one look
Of filial love? No grasp of the hand at parting?
It is a bloody war, to which we are going,
And the event uncertain and in darkness. 90
So used we not to part—it was not so!
Is it then true? I have a son no longer?

[Max falls into his arms, they hold each [other] for a long time in a speechless embrace, then go away at different sides.

The Curtain drops.

LINENOTES:

Before [1] (Max enters almost in a state of derangement from extreme agitation, his eyes roll wildly, his walk is unsteady, and he appears not to observe his father, who stands at a distance, and gazes at him with a countenance expressive of compassion. He paces with long strides through the chamber, then stands still again, and at last throws himself into a chair, staring vacantly at the object directly before him). 1800, 1828, 1829.

Before [19] Max (rises and contemplates his father with looks of suspicion). 1800, 1828, 1829.

[[28]]

what] that 1828, 1829.

[[33]]

The single holy spot is our love 1800.

Before [41] Octavio (more urgently). 1800, 1828, 1829.

Before [62] Octavio (trembling, and losing all self-command). 1800, 1828, 1829.

[[63]]

think 1800.

[[75]]

thou 1800.