Seni. Believe not that an empty fear deludes me.
Come, read it in the planetary aspects; 15
Read it thyself, that ruin threatens thee
From false friends!

Wallenstein. From the falseness of my friends
Has risen the whole of my unprosperous fortunes.
The warning should have come before! At present
I need no revelation from the stars 20
To know that.

Seni. Come and see! trust thine own eyes!
A fearful sign stands in the house of life;
An enemy, a fiend lurks close behind
The radiance of thy planet—O be warned!
Deliver not thyself up to these heathens 25
To wage a war against our holy church.

Wallenstein (laughing gently). The oracle rails that way! Yes, yes! Now
I recollect. This junction with the Swedes
Did never please thee—lay thyself to sleep,
Baptista! Signs like these I do not fear. 30

Gordon (who during the whole of this dialogue has shewn marks of extreme agitation, and now turns to Wallenstein). My Duke and General! May I dare presume?

Wallenstein. Speak freely.

Gordon. What if 'twere no mere creation
Of fear, if God's high providence vouchsaf'd
To interpose its aid for your deliverance,
And made that mouth its organ.

[[802]]Wallenstein. Ye're both feverish! 35
How can mishap come to me from the Swedes?
They sought this junction with me—'tis their interest.

Gordon (with difficulty suppressing his emotion). But what if the arrival of these Swedes—
What if this were the very thing that winged
The ruin that is flying to your temples? 40
[Flings himself at his feet.
There is yet time, my Prince.

Seni. O hear him! hear him!