Max Piccolomini. Forbid it. Heaven, that it should come to this!
Our troops will swell in dreadful fermentation— [240]
The Emperor is abused—it cannot be.

Isolani. It cannot be; all goes to instant wreck.

Wallenstein. Thou hast said truly, faithful Isolani!
[[638]] What we with toil and foresight have built up,
Will go to wreck—all go to instant wreck. 245
What then? another chieftain is soon found,
Another army likewise (who dares doubt it?)
Will flock from all sides to the Emperor
At the first beat of his recruiting drum.

[During this speech, Isolani, Tertsky, Illo and Maradas talk confusedly with great agitation.

Max Piccolomini (busily and passionately going from one to
another, and soothing them). Hear, my commander! Hear me, generals! 250
Let me conjure you, Duke! Determine nothing,
Till we have met and represented to you
Our joint remonstrances.—Nay, calmer! Friends!
I hope all may be yet set right again.

Tertsky. Away! let us away! in the antechamber 255
Find we the others. [They go.

Butler (to Questenberg). If good counsel gain
Due audience from your wisdom, my Lord Envoy!
You will be cautious how you shew yourself
In public for some hours to come—or hardly
Will that gold key protect you from maltreatment. 260

[Commotions heard from without.

Wallenstein. A salutary counsel——Thou, Octavio!
Wilt answer for the safety of our guest.
Farewell, Von Questenberg! [Questenberg is about to speak.
Nay, not a word.
Not one word more of that detested subject!
You have performed your duty—We know how 265
To separate the office from the man.

[As Questenberg is going off with Octavio, Goetz, Tiefenbach, Kolatto, press in; several other Generals following them.