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]