Illo. The Emperor has soldiers, no commander,
For this King Ferdinand of Hungary 40
Is but a tyro. Galas? He's no luck,
And was of old the ruiner of armies.
And then this viper, this Octavio,
Is excellent at stabbing in the back,
But ne'er meets Friedland in the open field. 45
Tertsky. Trust me, my friends, it cannot but succeed;
Fortune, we know, can ne'er forsake the Duke!
And only under Wallenstein can Austria
Be conqueror.
Illo. The Duke will soon assemble
A mighty army, all come crowding, streaming [50]
To banners dedicate by destiny
To fame and prosperous fortune. I behold
Old times come back again, he will become
Once more the mighty Lord which he has been.
How will the fools, who've now deserted him, 55
Look then? I can't but laugh to think of them,
For lands will he present to all his friends,
And like a King and Emperor reward
True services; but we've the nearest claims. [To Gordon.
You will not be forgotten, Governor! 60
He'll take you from this nest and bid you shine
In higher station: your fidelity
Well merits it.
Gordon. I am content already,
And wish to climb no higher; where great height is
The fall must needs be great. 'Great height, great depth.' 65
Illo. Here you have no more business for to-morrow;
The Swedes will take possession of the citadel.
Come, Tertsky, it is supper-time. What think you?
Say, shall we have the State illuminated
In honour of the Swede? And who refuses [70]
To do it is a Spaniard and a traitor.
Tertsky. Nay! Nay! not that, it will not please the Duke—
Illo. What! we are masters here; no soul shall dare
Avow himself imperial where we've rule.
Gordon! Good night, and for the last time, take 75
A fair leave of the place. Send out patroles
To make secure, the watch-word may be altered
At the stroke of ten; deliver in the keys
To the Duke himself, and then you're quit for ever
Your wardship of the gates, for on to-morrow 80
The Swedes will take possession of the citadel.
Tertsky (as he is going, to Butler). You come though to the castle.
Butler. At the right time. [Exeunt Tertsky and Illo.