Duchess. Go where duty calls you. Haply
The time may come, when you may prove to us 20
A true friend, a good angel at the throne
Of the Emperor.
Max. You give me hope; you would not
Suffer me wholly to despair. No! No!
Mine is a certain misery—Thanks to heaven
That offers me a means of ending it. 25
[The military music begins again. The stage fills more and more with armed men. Max sees Butler, and addresses him.
And you here, Colonel Butler—and will you
Not follow me? Well, then! remain more faithful
To your new lord, than you have proved yourself
To the Emperor. Come, Butler! promise me,
Give me your hand upon it, that you'll be 30
The guardian of his life, its shield, its watchman.
He is attainted, and his princely head
Fair booty for each slave that trades in murder.
Now he doth need the faithful eye of friendship,
And those whom here I see— [Casting suspicious looks on Illo and Butler.
Illo. Go—seek for traitors 35
In Galas', in your father's quarters. Here
[[764]] Is only one. Away! away! and free us
From his detested sight! Away!
![[764]](#2122162087445876004_stcvol2_764.png.id-2177029439953122573.wrap-0.html.html){kind=link}
[Max attempts once more to approach Thekla. Wallenstein prevents him. Max stands irresolute, and in apparent anguish. In the mean time the stage fills more and more; and the horns sound from below louder and louder, and each time after a shorter interval.
Max. Blow, blow! O were it but the Swedish Trumpets,
And all the naked swords, which I see here, 40
Were plunged into my breast! What purpose you?
You come to tear me from this place! Beware,
Ye drive me not in desperation.—Do it not!
Ye may repent it! [The stage is entirely filled with armed men.
Yet more! weight upon weight to drag me down! 45
Think what ye're doing. It is not well done
To choose a man despairing for your leader;
You tear me from my happiness. Well, then,
I dedicate your souls to vengeance. Mark!
For your own ruin you have chosen me: 50
Who goes with me, must be prepared to perish.
[He turns to the background, there ensues a sudden and violent movement among the Cuirassiers; they surround him, and carry him off in wild tumult. Wallenstein remains immovable. Thekla sinks into her mother's arms. The curtain falls. The music becomes loud and overpowering, and passes into a complete war-march—the orchestra joins it—and continues during the interval between the second and third Act.