THE DEATH OF WALLENSTEIN

Coleridge’s blank-verse translation of Schiller’s historical tragedy in five acts, dramatizing the imperial general Wallenstein’s treason against the Emperor, his betrayal by trusted officers, and his assassination. Its central matter is ambition, fate (Wallenstein’s trust in his star), political power and corruption, and the cost of war.

Speaker	Line
(didascalia)	SCENE — A Chamber in the [[house\
(didascalia)	COUNTESS TERTSKY, THEKLA, LADY NEUBRUNN (the two latter sit at the same table at work).
COUNTESS	So you have nothing, niece, to ask me? Nothing? I have been waiting for a word from you. And could you then endure in all this [[Time\
(didascalia)	[The COUNTESS rises and advances to her.
COUNTESS	Why, how comes this? Perhaps I am already grown superfluous, And other ways exist, besides through me? Confess it to me, Thekla! have you seen him?
THEKLA	To-day and yesterday I have not seen him.
COUNTESS	And not heard from him either? Come, be open!
THEKLA	No syllable.
COUNTESS	And still you are so calm?
THEKLA	I am.
COUNTESS	May’t please you, leave us, Lady Neubrunn!
(didascalia)	[Exit LADY NEUBRUNN.

Speaker	Line
(didascalia)	The COUNTESS, THEKLA.
COUNTESS	It does not please me, Princess! that he holds Himself so still, exactly at this [[Time\
THEKLA	Exactly at this [[Time\
COUNTESS	He now knows all. ‘Twere now the moment to declare himself.
THEKLA	If I’m to understand you, speak less darkly.
COUNTESS	’Twas for that purpose that I bade her leave us. Thekla, you are no more a [[Child\
THEKLA	Enough! no further preface, I entreat you. At once, out with it! Be it what it may, It is not possible that it should torture me More than this introduction. What have you To say to me? Tell me the whole and briefly!
COUNTESS	You’ll not be frightened —
THEKLA	Name it, I entreat you.
COUNTESS	It lies within your power to do your father A weighty service —
THEKLA	Lies within my power? Max Piccolomini loves you. You can link him Indissolubly to your father.
COUNTESS	I? What need of me for that? And is he not Already linked to him?
THEKLA	He was.
COUNTESS	And wherefore Should he not be so now — not be so always?
THEKLA	He cleaves to the Emperor too.
COUNTESS	Not more than duty And [[Honour\
THEKLA	We ask Proofs of his [[Love\
COUNTESS	How?
THEKLA	The Emperor or you must he renounce.
COUNTESS	He will accompany my father gladly In his retirement. From himself you heard, How much he wished to lay aside the [[Sword\
THEKLA	He must not lay the [[Sword\
COUNTESS	He’ll spend with gladness and alacrity His life, his heart’s [[Blood\
THEKLA	You will not understand me. Well, hear then! Your father has fallen off from the Emperor, And is about to join the enemy With the whole soldiery —
COUNTESS	Alas, my mother!
THEKLA	There needs a great example to draw on The army after him. The Piccolomini Possess the [[Love\
COUNTESS	Ah, My miserable mother! what a [[Death\
THEKLA	She will accommodate her [[Soul\
COUNTESS	O my fore-boding bosom! Even now, E’en now ‘tis here, that icy hand of horror! And my young [[Hope\
THEKLA	Calm yourself! Break not out in vain lamenting! Preserve you for your father the firm friend, And for yourself the [[Lover\
COUNTESS	Prove good? What good? Must we not part? Part ne’er to meet again?
THEKLA	He parts not from you! He can not part from you.
COUNTESS	Alas for his sore anguish! It will rend His heart asunder.
THEKLA	If indeed he loves you, His resolution will be speedily taken.
COUNTESS	His resolution will be speedily taken — O do not [[Doubt\
THEKLA	Hush! Collect yourself! I hear your mother coming.
COUNTESS	How shall I bear to see her?
THEKLA	Collect yourself.

Speaker	Line
(didascalia)	To them enter the DUCHESS.
DUCHESS (to the Countess)	Who was here, sister? I heard some one talking, And passionately too.
COUNTESS	Nay! There was no one.
DUCHESS	I am grown so timorous, every trifling noise Scatters my spirits, and announces to me The footstep of some messenger of evil. And can you tell me, sister, what the event is? Will he agree to do the Emperor’s pleasure, And send the [[Horse\
COUNTESS	No, he has not.
DUCHESS	Alas! then all is lost! I see it coming, The worst that can come! Yes, they will depose him; The accurséd business of the Regenspurg diet Will all be acted o’er again!
COUNTESS	No! never! Make your heart easy, sister, as to that.
(didascalia)	[THEKLA throws herself upon her mother, and enfolds her in her arms, weeping.
DUCHESS	Yes, my poor [[Child\
THEKLA	O let us supplicate him, dearest mother! Quick! quick! here’s no abiding-place for us. Here every coming hour broods into life Some new affrightful [[Monster\
DUCHESS	Thou wilt share An easier, calmer lot, my [[Child\
COUNTESS	You see it, sister! as your eyes permit you. But surely this is not the conversation To pass the [[Time\
DUCHESS	Come, my [[Child\
COUNTESS	That is he, sister!
THEKLA (to the Countess)	Aunt, you will excuse me?
(didascalia)	[Is going.
COUNTESS	But whither? See, your father comes.
THEKLA	I cannot see him now.
COUNTESS	Nay, but bethink you.
THEKLA	Believe me, I cannot sustain his presence.
COUNTESS	But he will miss you, will ask after you.
DUCHESS	What now? Why is she going?
COUNTESS	She’s not [[Well\
DUCHESS	What ails then my beloved [[Child\
(didascalia)	[Both follow the PRINCESS, and endeavour to detain her. During this WALLENSTEIN appears, engaged in conversation with ILLO.
(didascalia)	[Between 14, 15] [THEKLA, in extreme agitation, throws herself, &c. 1800, 1828, 1829.
(didascalia)	spirits). 1800, 1828, 1829.
(didascalia)	[Before 72] Duchess (anxiously). 1800, 1828, 1829.

Speaker	Line
(didascalia)	WALLENSTEIN, ILLO, COUNTESS, DUCHESS, THEKLA.
WALLENSTEIN	All quiet in the camp?
ILLO	It is all quiet.
WALLENSTEIN	In a few hours may couriers come from Prague With tidings, that this capital is ours. Then we may drop the mask, and to the troops Assembled in this town make known the measure And its result together. In such cases Example does the whole. Whoever is foremost Still leads the herd. An imitative creature Is man. The troops at Prague conceive no other, Than that the Pilsen army has gone through The forms of homage to us; and in Pilsen They shall swear fealty to us, because The example has been given them by Prague. Butler, you tell me, has declared himself.
ILLO	At his own bidding, unsolicited, He came to offer you himself and regiment.
WALLENSTEIN	I find we must not give implicit credence To every warning voice that makes itself Be listened to in the heart. To hold us back, Oft does the lying spirit counterfeit The voice of Truth and inward Revelation, Scattering false oracles. And thus have I To intreat [[Forgiveness\
ILLO	And [[Doubt\
WALLENSTEIN	Go and send Isolani hither. Send him immediately. He is under recent obligations to me. With him will I commence the trial. Go.
(didascalia)	[ILLO exit.
WALLENSTEIN	Lo, there the mother with the darling daughter! For once we’ll have an interval of rest — Come! my heart yearns to live a cloudless hour In the beloved circle of my family.
COUNTESS	’Tis long since we’ve been thus together, brother.
WALLENSTEIN (aside to Countess)	Can she sustain the news? Is she prepared?
COUNTESS	Not yet.
WALLENSTEIN	Come here, my sweet girl! Seat thee by me, For there is a good spirit on thy lips. Thy mother praised to me thy ready skill: She says a voice of melody dwells in thee, Which doth enchant the [[Soul\
DUCHESS	Where is thy lute, my daughter? Let thy father Hear some small trial of thy skill.
THEKLA	My mother! I —
DUCHESS	Trembling? Come, collect thyself. Go, cheer Thy father.
THEKLA	O my mother! I — I cannot.
COUNTESS	How, what is that, niece?
THEKLA (to the Countess)	O spare me — sing — now — in this sore anxiety, Of the o’erburthen’d [[Soul\
DUCHESS	How, Thekla? Humoursome? What! shall thy father have expressed a wish In vain?
COUNTESS	Here is the lute.
THEKLA	My God! how can I —
(didascalia)	[The orchestra plays. During the ritornello THEKLA expresses in her gestures and countenance the struggle of her feelings: and at the moment that she should begin to sing, contracts herself together, as one shuddering, throws the instrument down, and retires abruptly.
DUCHESS	My [[Child\
WALLENSTEIN	What ails the maiden? Say, is she often so?
COUNTESS	Since then herself Has now betrayed it, I too must no longer Conceal it.
WALLENSTEIN	What?
COUNTESS	She loves him!
WALLENSTEIN	Loves him! Whom?
COUNTESS	Max does she [[Love\
DUCHESS	Was it this that lay so heavy on her heart? God’s blessing on thee, my sweet [[Child\
COUNTESS	This [[Journey\
WALLENSTEIN	And does he know it?
COUNTESS	Yes, and he hopes to win her.
WALLENSTEIN	Hopes to win her! Is the boy mad?
COUNTESS	Well — hear it from themselves.
WALLENSTEIN	He thinks to carry off Duke Friedland’s daughter! Aye? — The thought pleases me. The young man has no grovelling spirit.
COUNTESS	Since Such and such constant favour you have shewn him —
WALLENSTEIN	He chooses finally to be my heir. And true it is, I [[Love\
DUCHESS	His noble disposition and his manners —
WALLENSTEIN	Win him my heart, but not my daughter.
DUCHESS	Then His rank, his ancestors —
WALLENSTEIN	Ancestors! What? He is a subject, and my son-in-law I will seek out upon the thrones of Europe.
DUCHESS	O dearest Albrecht! Climb we not too high. Lest we should fall too low.
WALLENSTEIN	What? have I paid A price so heavy to ascend this eminence, And jut out high above the common herd, Only to close the mighty part I play In Life’s great drama, with a common kinsman? Have I for this — [pause.] She is the only thing That will remain behind of me on earth; And I will see a [[Crown\
DUCHESS	O my husband! You’re ever building, building to the clouds, Still building higher, and still higher building, And ne’er reflect, that the poor narrow basis Cannot sustain the giddy tottering column.
WALLENSTEIN (to the Countess)	Have you announced the place of residence Which I have destined for her?
COUNTESS	No! not yet. ‘Twere better you yourself disclosed it to her.
DUCHESS	How? Do we not return to Karn then?
WALLENSTEIN	No.
DUCHESS	And to no other of your lands or seats?
WALLENSTEIN	You would not be secure there.
DUCHESS	Not secure In the Emperor’s realms, beneath the Emperor’s Protection?
WALLENSTEIN	Friedland’s wife may be permitted No longer to [[Hope\
DUCHESS	O God in heaven! And have you brought it even to this?
WALLENSTEIN	In Holland You’ll find protection.
DUCHESS	In a Lutheran country? What? And you send us into Lutheran countries?
WALLENSTEIN	Duke Franz of Lauenburg conducts you thither.
DUCHESS	Duke Franz of Lauenburg? The ally of Sweden, the Emperor’s enemy.
WALLENSTEIN	The Emperor’s enemies are mine no longer.
DUCHESS (casting a look of terror on the Duke and the Countess)	Is it then true? It is. You are degraded? Deposed from the command? O God in heaven!
COUNTESS (aside to the Duke)	Leave her in this belief. Thou seest she cannot Support the real [[Truth\
WALLENSTEIN	Have I for this —
(didascalia)	[Stops suddenly, repressing himself.

Speaker	Line
(didascalia)	To them enter COUNT TERTSKY.
COUNTESS	— Tertsky! What ails him? What an image of affright! He looks as he had seen a [[Ghost\
(didascalia)	Tertsky leading Wallenstein aside.
TERTSKY	Is it thy command that all the Croats —
WALLENSTEIN	Mine!
TERTSKY	We are betrayed.
WALLENSTEIN	What?
TERTSKY	They are off! This [[Night\
WALLENSTEIN	Isolani?
TERTSKY	Him thou hast sent away. Yes, surely.
WALLENSTEIN	I?
TERTSKY	No! Hast thou not sent him off? Nor Deodate? They are vanished both of them.

Speaker	Line
(didascalia)	To them enter ILLO.
ILLO	Has Tertsky told thee?
TERTSKY	He knows all.
ILLO	And likewise That Esterhatzy, Goetz, Maradas, Kaunitz, Kolatto, Palfi, have forsaken thee?
TERTSKY	Damnation!
WALLENSTEIN	(winks at them) Hush!
COUNTESS	(who has been watching them anxiously from the distance and now advances to them) Tertsky! Heaven! What is it? What has happened?
WALLENSTEIN	(scarcely suppressing his emotions) Nothing! let us be gone!
TERTSKY	(following him) Theresa, it is nothing.
COUNTESS	(holding him back) Nothing? Do I not see, that all the lifeblood Has left your cheeks — look you not like a [[Ghost\
(didascalia)	Page (enters). An Aid-de-Camp enquires for the Count Tertsky.
(didascalia)	[TERTSKY follows the Page.
WALLENSTEIN	Go, hear his business. (To ILLO.) This could not have happened So unsuspected without mutiny. Who was on guard at the gates?
ILLO	’Twas Tiefenbach.
WALLENSTEIN	Let Tiefenbach leave guard without delay, And Tertsky’s grenadiers relieve him. (ILLO is going.) Stop! Hast thou heard aught of Butler?
ILLO	Him I met. He will be here himself immediately. Butler remains unshaken.
(didascalia)	[ILLO exit. WALLENSTEIN is following him.
COUNTESS	Let him not leave thee, sister! go, detain him! There’s some misfortune.
DUCHESS	(clinging to him) Gracious heaven! What is it?
WALLENSTEIN	Be tranquil! leave me, sister! dearest wife! We are in camp, and this is nought unusual; Here [[Storm\
(didascalia)	[He is going: TERTSKY returns.
TERTSKY	Remain here. From this [[Window\
WALLENSTEIN	(to the Countess) Sister, retire!
COUNTESS	No — never.
WALLENSTEIN	’Tis my will.
TERTSKY	(leads the Countess aside, and drawing her attention to the Duchess) Theresa!
DUCHESS	Sister, come! since he commands it.

Speaker	Line
(didascalia)	WALLENSTEIN, TERTSKY.
WALLENSTEIN *(stepping to the [[Window\	window]])*
TERTSKY	There are strange movements among all the troops, And no one knows the cause. Mysteriously, With gloomy silentness, the several corps Marshal themselves, each under its own banners. Tiefenbach’s corps makes threatening movements; only The Pappenheimers still remain aloof In their own quarters, and let no one enter.
WALLENSTEIN	Does Piccolomini appear among them?
TERTSKY	We are seeking him: he is no where to be met with.
WALLENSTEIN	What did the Aid-de-Camp deliver to you?
TERTSKY	My regiments had dispatched him; yet once more They swear fidelity to thee, and wait The shout for onset, all prepared, and eager.
WALLENSTEIN	But whence arose this larum in the camp? It should have been kept secret from the army, Till fortune had decided for us at Prague.
TERTSKY	O that thou hadst believed me! Yester evening Did we conjure thee not to let that skulker, That fox, Octavio, pass the gates of Pilsen. Thou gav’st him thy own horses to flee from thee.
WALLENSTEIN	The old tune still! Now, once for all, no more Of this suspicion — it is doting folly.
TERTSKY	Thou did’st confide in Isolani too; And lo! he was the first that did [[Desert\
WALLENSTEIN	It was but yesterday I rescued him From abject wretchedness. Let that go by. I never reckon’d yet on gratitude. And wherein doth he wrong in going from me? He follows still the god whom all his life He has worshipped at the gaming table. With My Fortune, and my seeming destiny, He made the bond, and broke it not with me. I am but the [[Ship\
TERTSKY	Yet, would I rather Trust the smooth brow than that deep furrowed one.

Speaker	Line
(didascalia)	WALLENSTEIN, TERTSKY, ILLO.
ILLO	Treason and mutiny!
TERTSKY	And what further now?
ILLO	Tiefenbach’s soldiers, when I gave the orders To go off guard — Mutinous villains!
TERTSKY	Well!
WALLENSTEIN	What followed?
ILLO	They refused obedience to them.
TERTSKY	Fire on them instantly! Give out the order.
WALLENSTEIN	Gently! what cause did they assign?
ILLO	No other, They said, had right to issue orders but Lieutenant-General Piccolomini.
WALLENSTEIN	What? How is that?
ILLO	He takes that office on him by commission, Under sign-manual of the Emperor.
TERTSKY	From the Emperor — hear’st thou, Duke?
ILLO	At his incitement The Generals made that stealthy flight —
TERTSKY	Duke! hearest thou?
ILLO	Caraffa too, and Montecuculi, Are missing, with six other Generals, All whom he had induced to follow him. This plot he has long had in writing by him From the Emperor; but ‘twas finally concluded With all the detail of the operation Some days ago with the Envoy Questenberg.
(didascalia)	WALLENSTEIN sinks down into a chair and covers his face.
TERTSKY	O hadst thou but believed me!

Speaker	Line
(didascalia)	To them enter the COUNTESS.
COUNTESS	This suspense, This horrid [[Fear\
ILLO	The regiments are all falling off from us.
TERTSKY	Octavio Piccolomini is a traitor.
COUNTESS	O my foreboding!
(didascalia)	[Rushes out of the room.
TERTSKY	Hadst thou but believed me! Now seest thou how the [[Stars\
WALLENSTEIN	The [[Stars\

Speaker	Line
(didascalia)	To these enter BUTLER.
TERTSKY	O look there! Butler! Here we’ve still a friend!
WALLENSTEIN	Come to my heart, old comrade! Not the sun Looks out upon us more revivingly In the earliest month of spring, Than a friend’s countenance in such an hour.
BUTLER	My General: I come —
WALLENSTEIN	Know’st thou already? That old man has betrayed me to the Emperor. What say’st thou? Thirty years have we together Lived out, and held out, sharing joy and hardship. We have slept in one camp-bed, drunk from one glass, One morsel shared! I leaned myself on him, As now I lean me on thy faithful shoulder. And now in the very moment, when, all [[Love\
(didascalia)	He hides his face on BUTLER’S breast.
BUTLER	Forget the false one. What is your present purpose?
WALLENSTEIN	Well remembered! Courage my [[Soul\
(didascalia)	ILLO is going.
BUTLER	My General, whom expect you then?
WALLENSTEIN	The Courier Who brings me word of the event at Prague.
BUTLER	Hem!
WALLENSTEIN	And what now?
BUTLER	You do not know it?
WALLENSTEIN	Well?
BUTLER	From what that larum in the camp arose?
WALLENSTEIN	From what?
BUTLER	That Courier.
WALLENSTEIN	Well?
BUTLER	Is already here.
TERTSKY and ILLO	Already here?
WALLENSTEIN	My Courier?
BUTLER	For some hours.
WALLENSTEIN	And I not know it?
BUTLER	The centinels detain him In custody.
ILLO	Damnation!
BUTLER	And his letter Was broken open, and is circulated Through the whole camp.
WALLENSTEIN	You know what it contains?
BUTLER	Question me not.
TERTSKY	Illo! alas for us.
WALLENSTEIN	Hide nothing from me — I can hear the worst. Prague then is lost. It is. Confess it freely.
BUTLER	Yes! Prague is lost. And all the several regiments At Budweiss, Tabor, Brannau, Konigingratz, At Brun and Znaym, have forsaken you, And ta’en the oaths of fealty anew To the Emperor. Yourself, with Kinsky, Tertsky, And Illo have been sentenced.
(didascalia)	TERTSKY and ILLO express alarm and fury. WALLENSTEIN remains firm and collected.
WALLENSTEIN	’Tis decided! ’Tis [[Well\
(didascalia)	Exit WALLENSTEIN; the others follow him.

Speaker	Line
(didascalia)	Countess Tertsky (enters from a side room).
COUNTESS TERTSKY	I can endure no longer. No! [Looks around her. Where are they? No one is here. They leave me all [[Alone\

Speaker	Line
(didascalia)	COUNTESS, DUCHESS, THEKLA.
THEKLA	(endeavouring to hold back the Duchess) Dear mother, do stay here!
DUCHESS	No! Here is yet Some frightful mystery that is hidden from me. Why does my sister shun me? Don’t I see her Full of suspense and anguish roam about From room to room? — Art thou not full of terror? And what import these silent nods and gestures Which stealthwise thou exchangest with her?
THEKLA	Nothing: Nothing, dear Mother!
DUCHESS	(to the Countess) Sister, I will know.
COUNTESS	What boots it now to hide it from her? Sooner Or later she must learn to hear and bear it. ‘Tis not the [[Time\
THEKLA	(going to the Countess) What? do you wish to kill her?
COUNTESS	The Duke is ——
THEKLA	(throwing her arms round her mother) O stand firm! stand firm, my mother!
COUNTESS	Revolted is the Duke, he is preparing To join the enemy, the army leave him, And all has failed.
(didascalia)	During these words the DUCHESS totters, and falls in a fainting fit into the arms of her daughter. While THEKLA is calling for help, the curtain drops.

Speaker	Line
(didascalia)	SCENE — A spacious Room in the DUKE OF FRIEDLAND’S Palace.
WALLENSTEIN (in armour)	Thou hast gained thy point, Octavio! Once more am I Almost as friendless as at Regenspurg. There I had nothing left me, but myself — But what one man can do, you have now experience. The twigs have you hewed off, and here I stand A leafless trunk. But in the sap within Lives the creating power, and a new world May sprout forth from it. Once already have I Proved myself worth an army to you — I [[Alone\
(didascalia)	(ILLO and TERTSKY enter.)
WALLENSTEIN	Courage, friends! Courage! We are still unvanquished; I feel my footing firm; five regiments, Tertsky, Are still our own, and Butler’s gallant troops; And a host of sixteen thousand Swedes to-morrow. I was not stronger, when nine years ago I marched forth, with glad heart and high of [[Hope\

Speaker	Line
(didascalia)	WALLENSTEIN, ILLO, TERTSKY. (To them enter NEUMANN, who leads TERTSKY aside, and talks with him.)
TERTSKY	What do they want?
WALLENSTEIN	What now?
TERTSKY	Ten Cuirassiers From Pappenheim request leave to address you In the name of the regiment.
WALLENSTEIN	Let them enter. This May end in something. Mark you. They are still Doubtful, and may be won.
(didascalia)	[Exit NEUMANN.

Speaker	Line
(didascalia)	WALLENSTEIN, TERTSKY, ILLO, Ten Cuirassiers (led by an Anspessade, march up and arrange themselves, after the word of command, in one front before the DUKE, and make their obeisance. He takes his hat off, and immediately covers himself again).
ANSPESSADE	Halt! Front! Present!
(didascalia)	Wallenstein (after he has run through them with his eye, to the Anspessade).
WALLENSTEIN	I know thee [[Well\
ANSPESSADE	Henry Mercy.
WALLENSTEIN	Thou wert cut off on the march, surrounded by the Hessians, and didst fight thy way with a hundred and eighty men through their thousand.
ANSPESSADE	’Twas even so, General!
WALLENSTEIN	What reward hadst thou for this gallant exploit?
ANSPESSADE	That which I asked for: the [[Honour\
(didascalia)	Wallenstein (turning to a second).
WALLENSTEIN	Thou wert among the volunteers that seized and made booty of the Swedish battery at Altenburg.
SECOND CUIRASSIER	Yes, General!
WALLENSTEIN	I forget no one with whom I have exchanged words. (A pause). Who sends you?
ANSPESSADE	Your noble regiment, the Cuirassiers of Piccolomini.
WALLENSTEIN	Why does not your colonel deliver in your request, according to the custom of service?
ANSPESSADE	Because we would first know whom we serve.
WALLENSTEIN	Begin your address.
ANSPESSADE	(giving the word of command) Shoulder your arms!
(didascalia)	Wallenstein (turning to a third).
WALLENSTEIN	Thy name is Risbeck, Cologne is thy birthplace.
THIRD CUIRASSIER	Risbeck of Cologne.
WALLENSTEIN	It was thou that broughtest in the Swedish colonel, Diebald, prisoner, in the camp at Nuremberg.
THIRD CUIRASSIER	It was not I, General!
WALLENSTEIN	Perfectly right! It was thy elder brother: thou hadst a younger brother too: Where did he stay?
THIRD CUIRASSIER	He is stationed at Olmutz with the Imperial army.
WALLENSTEIN	Now then — begin.
ANSPESSADE	There came to hand a letter from the Emperor Commanding us ——
WALLENSTEIN	Who chose you?
ANSPESSADE	Every company Drew its own man by lot.
WALLENSTEIN	Now! to the business.
ANSPESSADE	There came to hand a letter from the Emperor Commanding us collectively, from thee All duties of obedience to withdraw, Because thou wert an enemy and traitor.
WALLENSTEIN	And what did you determine?
ANSPESSADE	All our comrades At Brannau, Budweiss, Prague and Olmutz, have Obeyed already, and the regiments here, Tiefenbach and Toscana, instantly Did follow their example. But — but we Do not believe that thou art an enemy And traitor to thy country, hold it merely For lie and trick, and a trumped-up Spanish story! Thyself shalt tell us what thy purpose is, For we have found thee still sincere and true: No mouth shall interpose itself betwixt The gallant General and the gallant troops.
WALLENSTEIN	Therein I recognize my Pappenheimers.
ANSPESSADE	And this proposal makes thy regiment to thee: Is it thy purpose merely to preserve In thy own hands this military sceptre, Which so becomes thee, which the Emperor Made over to thee by a covenant? Is it thy purpose merely to remain Supreme commander of the Austrian armies? — We will stand by thee, General! and guarantee Thy honest rights against all opposition. And should it chance, that all the other regiments Turn from thee, by ourselves will we stand forth Thy faithful soldiers, and, as is our duty, Far rather let ourselves be cut to pieces, Than suffer thee to fall. But if it be As the Emperor’s letter says, if it be true, That thou in traitorous wise wilt lead us over To the enemy, which God in heaven forbid! Then we too will forsake thee, and obey That letter ——
WALLENSTEIN	Hear me, children!
ANSPESSADE	Yes, or no! There needs no other answer.
WALLENSTEIN	Yield attention. You’re men of sense, examine for yourselves; Ye think, and do not follow with the herd: And therefore have I always shewn you [[Honour\
ANSPESSADE	Most fair and noble has thy conduct been To us, my General! With thy confidence Thou hast honoured us, and shewn us grace and favour Beyond all other regiments; and thou seest We follow not the common herd. We will Stand by thee faithfully. Speak but one word — Thy word shall satisfy us, that it is not A treason which thou meditatest — that Thou meanest not to lead the army over To the enemy; nor e’er betray thy country.
WALLENSTEIN	Me, me are they betraying. The Emperor Hath sacrificed me to my enemies, And I must fall, unless my gallant troops Will rescue me. See! I confide in you. And be your hearts my strong hold! At this breast The aim is taken, at this hoary head. This is your Spanish gratitude, this is our Requital for that murderous fight at Lutzen! For this we threw the naked breast against The halbert, made for this the frozen earth Our bed, and the hard stone our pillow! never stream Too rapid for us, nor wood too impervious: With cheerful spirit we pursued that Mansfield Through all the turns and windings of his flight; Yea, our whole life was but one restless march; And homeless, as the stirring [[Wind\
ANSPESSADE	That shall he not, while we can hinder it! No one, but thou, who hast conducted it With fame, shall end this war, this frightful war. Thou led’st us out into the bloody field Of [[Death\
WALLENSTEIN	What? Think you then at length in late old age To enjoy the fruits of toil? Believe it not. Never, no never, will you see the end Of the contest! you and me, and all of us, This war will [[Swallow\
(didascalia)	[The Cuirassiers express agitation by their gestures.
WALLENSTEIN	Ye’re moved — I see A noble rage flash from your eyes, ye warriors! Oh that my spirit might possess you now Daring as once it led you to the battle! Ye would stand by me with your veteran arms, Protect me in my rights; and this is noble! But think not that you can accomplish it, Your scanty number! to no purpose will you Have sacrificed you for your General. No! let us tread securely, seek for friends; The Swedes have proffered us assistance, let us Wear for a while the appearance of good will, And use them for your profit, till we both Carry the fate of Europe in our hands, And from our camp to the glad jubilant world Lead Peace forth with the garland on her head!
ANSPESSADE	’Tis then but mere appearances which thou Dost put on with the Swede? Thou’lt not betray The Emperor? Wilt not turn us into Swedes? This is the only thing which we [[Desire\
WALLENSTEIN	What care I for the Swedes? I hate them as I hate the pit of hell, And under Providence I trust right soon To chase them to their homes across their Baltic. My cares are only for the whole: I have A heart — it bleeds within me for the miseries And piteous groaning of my fellow-Germans. Ye are but common men, but yet ye think With minds not common; ye appear to me Worthy before all others, that I whisper ye A little word or two in confidence! See now! already for full fifteen years The war-torch has continued burning, yet No rest, no pause of conflict. Swede and German, Papist and Lutheran! neither will give way To the other, every hand’s against the other. Each one is party and no one a judge. Where shall this end? Where’s he that will unravel This tangle, ever tangling more and more. It must be cut asunder. I feel that I am the man of destiny, And trust, with your assistance, to accomplish it.

Speaker	Line
(didascalia)	To these enter BUTLER.
BUTLER	General! This is not right!
WALLENSTEIN	What is not right?
BUTLER	It must needs injure us with all honest men.
WALLENSTEIN	But what?
BUTLER	It is an open proclamation Of insurrection.
WALLENSTEIN	Well, [[Well\
BUTLER	Count Tertsky’s regiments tear the Imperial Eagle From off the banners, and instead of it, Have reared aloft thy arms.
ANSPESSADE	Right about! March!
WALLENSTEIN	Cursed be this counsel, and accursed who gave it!
(didascalia)	To the Cuirassiers, who are retiring.
WALLENSTEIN	Halt, children, halt! There’s some mistake in this; Hark! — I will punish it severely. Stop! They do not hear. (To ILLO.) Go after them, assure them, And bring them back to me, cost what it may.
(didascalia)	ILLO hurries out.
WALLENSTEIN	This hurls us headlong. Butler! Butler! You are my evil genius, wherefore must you Announce it in their presence? It was all In a fair way. They were half won, those madmen With their improvident over-readiness — A cruel game is fortune playing with me. The zeal of friends it is that razes me, And not the hate of enemies.

Speaker	Line
(didascalia)	To these enter the DUCHESS, who rushes into the Chamber. THEKLA and the COUNTESS follow her.
DUCHESS	O Albrecht! What hast thou done?
WALLENSTEIN	And now comes this beside.
COUNTESS	Forgive me, brother! It was not in my power. They know all.
DUCHESS	What hast thou done?
COUNTESS	Is there no [[Hope\
TERTSKY	All lost. No [[Hope\
COUNTESS	That lurking hypocrite. Octavio! Count Max is off too?
TERTSKY	Where can he be? He’s Gone over to the Emperor with his father.
(didascalia)	THEKLA rushes out into the arms of her mother, hiding her face in her bosom.
DUCHESS	Unhappy [[Child\
WALLENSTEIN	Quick! Let a carriage stand in readiness In the [[Court\
(didascalia)	To ILLO, who returns.
WALLENSTEIN	Thou hast not brought them back?
ILLO	Hear’st thou the uproar? The whole corps of the Pappenheimers is Drawn out: the younger Piccolomini, Their colonel, they require; for they affirm, That he is in the palace here, a prisoner; And if thou dost not instantly deliver him, They will find means to free him with the [[Sword\
TERTSKY	What shall we make of this?
WALLENSTEIN	Said I not so? O my prophetic heart! he is still here. He has not betrayed me — he could not betray me. I never doubted of it.
COUNTESS	If he be Still here, then all goes [[Well\
(didascalia)	Embracing THEKLA.
COUNTESS	Will keep him here for ever.
TERTSKY	It can’t be. His father has betrayed us, is gone over To the Emperor — the son could not have ventured To stay behind.
THEKLA	There he is!
(didascalia)	All stand amazed.

Speaker	Line
(didascalia)	To these enter MAX PICCOLOMINI.
MAX	Yes! here he is! I can endure no longer To creep on tiptoe round this house, and lurk In ambush for a favourable moment. This loitering, this suspense exceeds my powers.
(didascalia)	[Advancing to THEKLA.
MAX	Turn not thine eyes away. O look upon me! Confess it freely before all. Fear no one, Let who will hear that we both [[Love\
(didascalia)	[He observes the COUNTESS looking on THEKLA with expressions of triumph.
MAX	No, Lady! No! Expect not, [[Hope\
(didascalia)	[Grasps her hand.
MAX	O God! I cannot leave this spot — I cannot! Cannot let go this hand. O tell me, Thekla! That thou dost suffer with me, art convinced That I cannot act otherwise.
(didascalia)	[THEKLA, avoiding his look, points with her hand to her father. MAX turns round to the DUKE, whom he had not till then perceived.
MAX	Thou here? It was not thou, whom here I sought. I trusted never more to have beheld thee. My business is with her [[Alone\
WALLENSTEIN	Think’st thou, that [[Fool\
MAX	Thou wilt proceed with me, as thou hast power. Thou know’st, I neither brave nor [[Fear\
(didascalia)	[Taking THEKLA by the hand.
MAX	See, Duke! All — all would I have owed to thee, Would have received from thy paternal hand The lot of blessed spirits. This hast thou Laid waste for ever — that concerns not thee. Indifferent thou tramplest in the [[Dust\
WALLENSTEIN	Thou art describing thy own father’s heart. The adder! O, the charms of hell o’erpowered me. He dwelt within me, to my inmost [[Soul\
MAX	I will not Defend my father. Woe is me, I cannot! Hard deeds and luckless have ta’en place, one crime Drags after it the other in close link. But we are [[Innocent\
WALLENSTEIN	Max, remain with me. Go you not from me, Max! Hark! I will tell thee — How when at Prague, our [[Winter\
MAX	O my God!
WALLENSTEIN	I have Held and sustained thee from thy tottering [[Childhood\
MAX	O God! how can I Do otherwise? Am I not forced to do it? My oath — my duty — [[Honour\
WALLENSTEIN	How? Thy duty? Duty to whom? Who art thou? Max! bethink thee What duties may’st thou have? If I am acting A criminal part toward the Emperor, It is my crime, not thine. Dost thou belong To thine own [[Self\
(didascalia)	WALLENSTEIN. [German text / editorial note]
WALLENSTEIN	Du schilderst deines Vaters Herz. Wie Du’s Beschreibst, so ist’s in seinem Eingeweide, In dieser schwarzen Heuchlersbrust gestaltet. O mich hat Höllenkunst getäuscht. Mir sandte Der Abgrund den verstecktesten der Geister, Den Lügekundigsten herauf, und stellt’ ihn Als Freund an meine Seite. Wer vermag Der Hölle Macht zu widerstehn! Ich zog Den Basilisken auf an meinem Busen, Mit meinem Herzblut nährt’ ich ihn, er sog Sich schwelgend voll an meiner Liebe Brüsten. Ich hatte nimmer Arges gegen ihn, Weit offen Hess ich des Gedankens Thore, Und warf die Schlüssel weiser Vorsicht weg, Am Sternenhimmel, &c.
(didascalia)	LITERAL [[Translation\
(didascalia)	Alas! for those who place their confidence on thee, against thee lean the secure hut of their fortune, allured by thy hospitable form. Suddenly, unexpectedly, in a moment still as [[Night\
(didascalia)	simplicity of the original —
(didascalia)	Sie alle waren Fremdlinge, Du warst Das Kind des Hauses.
(didascalia)	Indeed the whole speech is in the best style of Massinger. O si sic omnia!
(didascalia)	[After 4] [Advancing to THEKLA, who has thrown herself into her mother’s arms. 1800, 1828, 1829.
(didascalia)	[Before 40] Max (calmly). 1800, 1828, 1829.

Speaker	Line
(didascalia)	To these enter NEUMANN.
WALLENSTEIN	What now?
NEUMANN	The Pappenheimers are dismounted, And are advancing now on foot, determined With [[Sword\
WALLENSTEIN	(to Tertsky). Have the cannon planted. I will receive them with chain-shot.
(didascalia)	[Exit TERTSKY.
WALLENSTEIN	Prescribe to me with [[Sword\
(didascalia)	[NEUMANN exit. ILLO steps to the [[Window\
COUNTESS	Let him go, I entreat thee, let him go.
ILLO	(at the [[Window\
WALLENSTEIN	What is it?
ILLO	They scale the council-house, the roof’s uncovered. They level at this house the cannon ——
MAX	Madmen!
ILLO	They are making preparations now to [[Fire\
DUCHESS AND COUNTESS	Merciful Heaven!
MAX	(to Wallenstein). Let me go to them!
WALLENSTEIN	Not a step!
MAX	(pointing to Thekla and the Duchess). But their life! Thine!
WALLENSTEIN	What tidings bring’st thou, Tertsky?

Speaker	Line
(didascalia)	To these TERTSKY (returning).
TERTSKY	Message and greeting from our faithful regiments. Their ardour may no longer be curbed in. They intreat permission to commence the attack, And if thou would’st but give the word of onset, They could now charge the enemy in rear, Into the [[City\
ILLO	O come! Let not their ardour cool. The soldiery Of Butler’s corps stand by us faithfully; We are the greater number. Let us charge them, And finish here in Pilsen the revolt.
WALLENSTEIN	What? shall this town become a field of slaughter, And brother-killing Discord, [[Fire\
(didascalia)	[Turns to MAX.
WALLENSTEIN	Well, how is it with thee? Wilt thou attempt a heat with me. Away! Thou art free to go. Oppose thyself to me, Front against front, and lead them to the battle; Thou’rt skilled in war, thou hast learned somewhat under me, I need not be ashamed of my opponent, And never had’st thou fairer opportunity To pay me for thy schooling.
COUNTESS	Is it then, Can it have come to this? — What! Cousin, Cousin! Have you the heart?
MAX	The regiments that are trusted to my care I have pledged my troth to bring away from Pilsen True to the Emperor, and this promise will I Make good, or perish. More than this no duty Requires of me. I will not fight against thee, Unless compelled; for though an enemy, Thy head is holy to me still.
(didascalia)	[Two reports of cannon. ILLO and TERTSKY hurry to the [[Window\
WALLENSTEIN	What’s that?
TERTSKY	He falls.
WALLENSTEIN	Falls! Who?
ILLO	Tiefenbach’s corps Discharged the ordnance.
WALLENSTEIN	Upon whom?
ILLO	On Neumann, Your messenger.
WALLENSTEIN	Ha! Death and hell! I will —
TERTSKY	Expose thyself to their blind frenzy?
DUCHESS AND COUNTESS	No! For God’s sake, no!
ILLO	Not yet, my General!
COUNTESS	O, hold him! hold him!
WALLENSTEIN	Leave me ——
MAX	Do it not Not yet! This rash and bloody deed has thrown them Into a frenzy-fit — allow them [[Time\
WALLENSTEIN	Away! too long already have I loitered. They are emboldened to these outrages, Beholding not my face. They shall behold My countenance, shall hear my voice —— Are they not my troops? Am I not their General, And their long-feared commander? Let me see, Whether indeed they do no longer know That countenance, which was their sun in battle! From the balcony (mark!) I shew myself To these rebellious forces, and at once Revolt is mounded, and the high-swoln current Shrinks back into the old bed of obedience.
(didascalia)	[Exit WALLENSTEIN; ILLO, TERTSKY, and BUTLER follow.

Speaker	Line
(didascalia)	COUNTESS, DUCHESS, MAX, and THEKLA.
COUNTESS	Let them but see him — there is [[Hope\
DUCHESS	Hope! I have none!
MAX	This can I not endure. With most determined [[Soul\
COUNTESS	What! you know not? Does not your own heart tell you? O! then I Will tell it you. Your father is a traitor, A frightful traitor to us — he has plotted Against our General’s life, has plunged us all In misery — and you’re his son! ‘Tis yours To make the amends — Make you the son’s fidelity Outweigh the father’s treason, that the name Of Piccolomini be not a proverb Of infamy, a common form of cursing To the posterity of Wallenstein.
MAX	Where is that voice of [[Truth\
(didascalia)	[His eyes glance on THEKLA.
MAX	What other angel seek I? To this heart, To this unerring heart, will I submit it, Will ask thy [[Love\
COUNTESS	Think, niece ——
MAX	Think nothing, Thekla! Speak what thou feelest.
COUNTESS	Think upon your father.
MAX	I did not question thee, as Friedland’s daughter. Thee, the beloved and the unerring god Within thy heart, I question. What’s at stake? Not whether diadem of royalty Be to be won or not — that might’st thou think on. Thy friend, and his [[Soul\
THEKLA	O! Max ——
MAX	Nay, not precipitately either, Thekla. I understand thee. To thy noble heart The hardest duty might appear the highest. The human, not the great part, would I act. Ev’n from my [[Childhood\
THEKLA	O, thy own Hath long ago decided. Follow thou Thy heart’s first feeling ——
COUNTESS	Oh! ill-fated woman!
THEKLA	Is it possible, that that can be the right, The which thy tender heart did not at first Detect and seize with instant impulse? Go, Fulfil thy duty! I should ever [[Love\
MAX	Then I Must leave thee, must part from thee!
THEKLA	Being faithful To thine own [[Self\
(didascalia)	[MAX clasps her in his arms. There is heard from behind the Scene a loud, wild, long continued cry, ‘Vivat Ferdinandus,’ accompanied by warlike instruments.
(didascalia)	[Before 3] Max (who … distance in a visible struggle of feelings, advances). 1800, 1828, 1829.
(didascalia)	[After 92] [MAX … in extreme emotion. There is … instruments. MAX and THEKLA remain without motion in each other’s embraces. 1800, 1828, 1829.

Speaker	Line
(didascalia)	To these enter TERTSKY.
COUNTESS	What meant that cry? What was it?
TERTSKY	All is lost!
COUNTESS	What! they regarded not his countenance?
TERTSKY	’Twas all in vain.
DUCHESS	They shouted Vivat!
TERTSKY	To the Emperor.
COUNTESS	The traitors!
TERTSKY	Nay! he was not once permitted Even to address them. Soon as he began, With deafening noise of warlike instruments They drowned his words. But here he comes.

Speaker	Line
(didascalia)	To these enter WALLENSTEIN, accompanied by ILLO and BUTLER.
WALLENSTEIN	Tertsky!
TERTSKY	My General?
WALLENSTEIN	Let our regiments hold themselves In readiness to march; for we shall leave Pilsen ere evening.
(didascalia)	[Exit TERTSKY.
WALLENSTEIN	Butler!
BUTLER	Yes, my General.
WALLENSTEIN	The Governor at Egra is your friend And countryman. Write to him instantly By a Post Courier. He must be advised, That we are with him early on the morrow. You follow us yourself, your regiment with you.
BUTLER	It shall be done, my General!
WALLENSTEIN	Part!
MAX	O God!
(didascalia)	[Cuirassiers enter with drawn swords, and assemble in the back-ground. At the same [[Time\
WALLENSTEIN	Here he is, he is at liberty: I keep him No longer.
(didascalia)	[He turns away, and stands so that MAX cannot pass by him nor approach the PRINCESS.
MAX	Thou know’st that I have not yet learnt to live Without thee! I go forth into a [[Desert\
(didascalia)	[MAX attempts to take his hand, but is repelled; he turns to the COUNTESS.
MAX	Is there no eye that has a look of pity for me?
(didascalia)	[The COUNTESS turns away from him; he turns to the DUCHESS.
MAX	My mother!
DUCHESS	Go where duty calls you. Haply The [[Time\
MAX	You give me [[Hope\
(didascalia)	[The military music begins again. The stage fills more and more with armed men. MAX sees BUTLER, and addresses him.
MAX	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 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\
(didascalia)	[Casting suspicious looks on ILLO and BUTLER.
ILLO	Go — seek for traitors In Galas’, in your father’s quarters. Here Is only one. Away! away! and free us From his detested sight! Away!
(didascalia)	[MAX attempts once more to approach THEKLA. WALLENSTEIN prevents him. MAX stands irresolute, and in apparent anguish. In the mean [[Time\
MAX	Blow, blow! O were it but the Swedish Trumpets, And all the naked swords, which I see here, 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!
(didascalia)	[The stage is entirely filled with armed men.
MAX	Yet more! weight upon weight to drag me down! Think what ye’re doing. It is not [[Well\
(didascalia)	[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.

Speaker	Line
(didascalia)	The Burgomaster’s [[house\
BUTLER	Here then he is, by his destiny conducted. Here, Friedland! and no farther! From Bohemia Thy meteor [[Rose\
(didascalia)	[Before 1] Butler (just arrived). 1800, 1828, 1829.

Speaker	Line
(didascalia)	BUTLER and GORDON.
GORDON	Is it you? How my heart sinks! The Duke a fugitive traitor! His princely head attainted! O my God!
BUTLER	You have received the letter which I sent you By a post-courier?
GORDON	Yes! and in obedience to it Opened the strong hold to him without scruple. For an imperial letter orders me To follow your commands implicitly. But yet forgive me; when even now I saw The Duke himself, my scruples recommenced. For truly, not like an attainted man, Into this town did Friedland make his entrance; His wonted majesty beamed from his brow, And calm, as in the days when all was right, Did he receive from me the accounts of office; ‘Tis said, that fallen [[Pride\
BUTLER	’Tis all precisely As I related in my letter. Friedland Has sold the army to the enemy, And pledged himself to give up Prague and Egra. On this report the regiments all forsook him, The five excepted that belong to Tertsky, And which have followed him, as thou hast seen. The sentence of attainder is passed on him, And every loyal subject is required To give him in to justice, dead or living.
GORDON	A traitor to the Emperor — Such a noble! Of such high talents! What is human [[Greatness\
BUTLER	Spare your laments Till he need sympathy; for at this present He is still mighty, and still formidable. The Swedes advance to Egra by forced marches, And quickly will the junction be accomplished. This must not be! The Duke must never leave This strong hold on free footing; for I have Pledged life and [[Honour\
GORDON	O that I had not lived to see this day! From his hand I received this dignity, He did himself entrust this strong hold to me, Which I am now required to make his dungeon. We subalterns have no will of our own: The free, the mighty man [[Alone\
BUTLER	Nay, let it not afflict you, that your power Is circumscribed. Much liberty, much error! The narrow path of duty is securest.
GORDON	And all then have deserted him, you say? He has built up the luck of many thousands; For kingly was his spirit: his full hand Was ever open! Many a one from [[Dust\
BUTLER	Here’s one, I see.
GORDON	I have enjoyed from him No grace or favour. I could almost [[Doubt\
BUTLER	Say, then, will you fulfil the attainder on him?
GORDON	If it be so — if all be as you say — If he’ve betrayed the Emperor, his master, Have sold the troops, have purposed to deliver The strong holds of the country to the enemy — Yea, truly! — there is no redemption for him! Yet it is hard, that me the lot should destine To be the instrument of his perdition; For we were pages at the [[Court\
BUTLER	I have heard so ——
GORDON	’Tis full thirty years since then. A youth who scarce had seen his twentieth year Was Wallenstein, when he and I were friends: Yet even then he had a daring [[Soul\
BUTLER	But was it where he fell two story high From a [[Window\
GORDON	He became Doubtless more [[Self\
BUTLER	No more, he comes.
(didascalia)	[With a sly glance on BUTLER. 1800, 1828, 1829.]
(didascalia)	Gordon (pauses reflecting — then as in deep dejection). 1800, 1828, 1829.

Speaker	Line
(didascalia)	To these enter WALLENSTEIN, in conversation with the Burgomaster of Egra.
WALLENSTEIN	You were at one [[Time\
BURGOMASTER	We were free, But for these last two hundred years has Egra Remained in pledge to the Bohemian [[Crown\
WALLENSTEIN	Ye merit [[Freedom\
BURGOMASTER	So heavy that We totter under them. The garrison Lives at our costs.
WALLENSTEIN	I will relieve you. Tell me, There are some Protestants among you still?
(didascalia)	[The Burgomaster hesitates.
WALLENSTEIN	Yes, yes; I know it. Many lie concealed Within these walls — Confess now — you yourself — Be not alarmed. I hate the Jesuits. Could my will have determined it, they had Been long ago expelled the empire. Trust me — Mass-book or Bible—‘tis all one to me. Of that the world has had sufficient proof. I built a church for the reformed in Glogan At my own instance. Hark’e, Burgomaster! What is your name?
BURGOMASTER	Pachhälbel, may it please you.
WALLENSTEIN	Hark’e! —— But let it go no further, what I now Disclose to you in confidence.
(didascalia)	[Laying his hand on the Burgomaster’s shoulder.
WALLENSTEIN	The times Draw near to their fulfilment, Burgomaster! The high will fall, the low will be exalted. Hark’e! But keep it to yourself! The end Approaches of the Spanish [[Double\
BURGOMASTER	With [[Wonder\
WALLENSTEIN	Whereof did two Strangely transform themselves to bloody daggers. And only one, the middle [[Moon\
BURGOMASTER	We applied it to the Turks.
WALLENSTEIN	The Turks! That all? — I tell you, that two empires Will set in [[Blood\
(didascalia)	[Observing GORDON and BUTLER.
WALLENSTEIN	I’[[Faith\
GORDON	Distinctly. The [[Wind\
BUTLER	It seemed to come from Weiden or from Neustadt.
WALLENSTEIN	Tis likely. That’s the route the Swedes are taking. How strong is the garrison?
GORDON	Not quite two hundred Competent men, the rest are invalids.
WALLENSTEIN	Good! And how many in the vale of Jochim?
GORDON	Two hundred arquebussiers have I sent thither To fortify the posts against the Swedes.
WALLENSTEIN	Good! I commend your foresight. At the works too You have done somewhat?
GORDON	Two additional batteries I caused to be run up. They were needless. The Rhinegrave presses hard upon us, General!
WALLENSTEIN	You have been watchful in your Emperor’s service. I am content with you, Lieutenant-Colonel.
(didascalia)	[To BUTLER.
WALLENSTEIN	Release the outposts in the vale of Jochim With all the stations in the enemy’s route.
(didascalia)	[To GORDON.
WALLENSTEIN	Governor, in your faithful hands I leave My wife, my daughter, and my sister. I Shall make no stay here, and wait but the arrival Of letters, to take leave of you, together With all the regiments.
(didascalia)	[After 16] [Fixes his eye on him. The Burgomaster alarmed. 1800, 1828, 1829. Disclose to you in confidence. [Laying … shoulder with a certain solemnity. 1800, 1828, 1829.

Speaker	Line
(didascalia)	To these enter COUNT TERTSKY.
TERTSKY	Joy, General; joy! I bring you welcome tidings.
WALLENSTEIN	And what may they be?
TERTSKY	There has been an engagement At Neustadt; the Swedes gained the victory.
WALLENSTEIN	From whence did you receive the intelligence?
TERTSKY	A countryman from Tirschenseil conveyed it. Soon after sunrise did the fight begin! A troop of the Imperialists from Fachau Had forced their way into the Swedish camp; The cannonade continued full two hours; There were left dead upon the field a thousand Imperialists, together with their Colonel; Further than this he did not know.
WALLENSTEIN	How came Imperial troops at Neustadt? Altringer, But yesterday, stood sixty miles from there. Count Galas’ force collects at Frauenberg, And have not the full complement. Is it possible, That Suys perchance had ventured so far onward? It cannot be.
TERTSKY	We shall soon know the whole, For here comes Illo, full of haste, and joyous.

Speaker	Line
(didascalia)	To these enter ILLO.
ILLO	A courier, Duke! he wishes to speak with thee.
TERTSKY	Does he bring confirmation of the victory?
WALLENSTEIN	What does he bring? Whence comes he?
ILLO	From the Rhinegrave. And what he brings I can announce to you Beforehand. Seven leagues distant are the Swedes; At Neustadt did Max Piccolomini Throw himself on them with the cavalry; A murderous fight took place! o’erpower’d by numbers The Pappenheimers all, with Max their leader, Were left dead on the field.
WALLENSTEIN	(after a pause) Where is the messenger? Conduct me to him.
(didascalia)	[WALLENSTEIN is going, when LADY NEUBRUNN rushes into the room. Some servants follow her and run across the stage.
NEUBRUNN	Help! Help!
ILLO and TERTSKY	*(at the same [[Time\
NEUBRUNN	The Princess!
WALLENSTEIN and TERTSKY	Does she know it?
NEUBRUNN	She is dying!
(didascalia)	[Hurries off the stage, when WALLENSTEIN and TERTSKY follow her.
(didascalia)	[Before 2] Tertsky (eagerly). 1800, 1828, 1829.
(didascalia)	[Before 3] Wallenstein *(at the same [[Time\
(didascalia)	[After 9] [WALLENSTEIN shudders and turns pale. 1800, 1828, 1829.
(didascalia)	[Before 11] Wallenstein (after a pause, in a low voice). 1800, 1828, 1829.

Speaker	Line
(didascalia)	BUTLER and GORDON.
GORDON	What’s this?
BUTLER	She has lost the man she lov’d — Young Piccolomini, who fell in the battle.
GORDON	Unfortunate Lady!
BUTLER	You have heard what Illo Reporteth, that the Swedes are conquerors, And marching hitherward.
GORDON	Too [[Well\
BUTLER	They are twelve regiments strong, and there are five Close by us to protect the Duke. We have Only my single regiment; and the garrison Is not two hundred strong.
GORDON	’Tis even so.
BUTLER	It is not possible with such small force To hold in custody a man like him.
GORDON	I grant it.
BUTLER	Soon the numbers would disarm us. And liberate him.
GORDON	It were to be feared.
BUTLER	Know, I am warranty for the event; With my head have I pledged myself for his, Must make my word good, cost it what it will, And if alive we cannot hold him prisoner, Why — [[Death\
GORDON	Butler! What? Do I understand you? Gracious God! You could —
BUTLER	He must not live.
GORDON	And you can do the deed!
BUTLER	Either you or I. This morning was his last.
GORDON	You would assassinate him.
BUTLER	’Tis my purpose.
GORDON	Who leans with his whole confidence upon you!
BUTLER	Such is his evil destiny!
GORDON	Your General! The sacred person of your General!
BUTLER	My General he has been.
GORDON	That ‘tis only A ‘has been’ washes out no villainy. And without judgment passed?
BUTLER	The execution Is here instead of judgment.
GORDON	This were murder, Not justice. The most guilty should be heard.
BUTLER	His [[Guilt\
GORDON	We should not Hurry to realize a bloody sentence. A word may be recalled, a life can never be.
BUTLER	Dispatch in service pleases sovereigns.
GORDON	No honest man’s ambitious to press forward To the hangman’s service.
BUTLER	And no brave man loses His colour at a daring enterprize.
GORDON	A brave man hazards life, but not his [[Conscience\
BUTLER	What then? Shall he go forth anew to kindle The unextinguishable flame of war?
GORDON	Seize him, and hold him prisoner — do not kill him.
BUTLER	Had not the Emperor’s army been defeated, I might have done so. — But ‘tis now past by.
GORDON	O, wherefore opened I the strong hold to him!
BUTLER	His destiny and not the place destroys him.
GORDON	Upon these ramparts, as beseemed a soldier, I had fallen, defending the Emperor’s citadel!
BUTLER	Yes! and a thousand gallant men have perished.
GORDON	Doing their duty — that adorns the man! But murder’s a black deed, and [[Nature\
BUTLER	Here is the manifesto which commands us To gain possession of his person. See — It is addressed to you as [[Well\
GORDON	I? — Gracious God!
BUTLER	Take it on yourself. Let come of it what may, on you I lay it.
GORDON	O God in heaven!
BUTLER	Can you advise aught else Wherewith to execute the Emperor’s purpose? Say if you can. For I [[Desire\
GORDON	Merciful heaven! what must be I see as clear as you. Yet still the heart Within my bosom beats with other feelings!
BUTLER	Mine is of harder stuff! Necessity In her rough school hath steeled me. And this Illo And Tertsky likewise, they must not survive him.
GORDON	I feel no pang for these. Their own bad hearts Impelled them, not the influence of the [[Stars\
BUTLER	And their [[Death\

Speaker	Line
(didascalia)	To these enter ILLO and TERTSKY.
TERTSKY	Our luck is on the turn. To-morrow come The Swedes — twelve thousand gallant warriors, Illo! Then straightways for Vienna. Cheerily, friend! What! meet such news with such a moody face?
ILLO	It lies with us at present to prescribe Laws, and take vengeance on those worthless traitors, Those skulking cowards that deserted us; One has already done his bitter penance The Piccolomini, be his the fate Of all who wish us evil! This flies sure To the old man’s heart; he has his whole life long Fretted and toiled to raise his ancient house From a Count’s title to the name of Prince; And now must seek a [[Grave\
BUTLER	’Twas pity though! A youth of such heroic And gentle temperament! The Duke himself, ‘Twas easily seen, how near it went to his heart.
ILLO	Hark’e, old friend! That is the very point That never pleased me in our General — He ever gave the preference to the Italians. Yea, at this very moment, by my [[Soul\
TERTSKY	Hush, hush! Let the dead rest! This evening’s business Is, who can fairly drink the other down — Your regiment, Illo! gives the entertainment. Come! we will keep a merry carnival — The [[Night\
ILLO	Yes, let us be of good cheer for to-day, For there’s hot work before us, friends! This [[Sword\
GORDON	Shame, shame! what talk is this, My Lord Field Marshal? Wherefore foam you so Against your Emperor?
BUTLER	Hope not too much From this first victory. Bethink you, sirs! How rapidly the [[Wheel\
ILLO	The Emperor has soldiers, no commander, For this King Ferdinand of Hungary 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.
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 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, 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.
(didascalia)	To GORDON.
ILLO	You will not be forgotten, Governor! 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.‘
ILLO	Here you have no more business for to-morrow; The Swedes will take possession of the citadel. Come, Tertsky, it is supper-[[Time\
TERTSKY	Nay! Nay! not that, it will not please the Duke —
ILLO	What! we are masters here; no [[Soul\
TERTSKY	You come though to the [[Castle\
BUTLER	At the right [[Time\
(didascalia)	Exeunt TERTSKY and ILLO.

Speaker	Line
(didascalia)	GORDON and BUTLER.
GORDON	(looking after them). Unhappy men! How free from all foreboding! They rush into the outspread net of murder, In the blind drunkenness of victory; I have no pity for their fate. This Illo, This overflowing and [[Fool\
BUTLER	Do as he ordered you. Send round patroles. Take measures for the citadel’s security; When they are within I close the [[Castle\
GORDON	Oh! haste not so! Nay, stop; first tell me ——
BUTLER	You have heard already, To-morrow to the Swedes belongs. This [[Night\
GORDON	Ah! your looks tell me nothing good. Nay, Butler, I pray you, promise me!
BUTLER	The sun has set; A fateful evening doth descend upon us, And brings on their long [[Night\
GORDON	O think not of his errors now; remember His [[Greatness\
BUTLER	It is too late. I suffer not myself to feel compassion, Dark thoughts and bloody are my duty now:
(didascalia)	[Grasping GORDON’S hand.
BUTLER	Gordon! ‘Tis not my hatred (I pretend not To [[Love\
GORDON	If your heart speak to you, Follow its impulse. ‘Tis the voice of God. Think you your fortunes will grow prosperous Bedewed with [[Blood\
BUTLER	You know not. Ask not! Wherefore should it happen, That the Swedes gained the victory, and hasten With such forced marches hitherward? Fain would I Have given him to the Emperor’s [[Mercy\
(didascalia)	[Passionately grasping GORDON’S hand.
BUTLER	Listen then, and know! I am dishonoured if the Duke escape us.
GORDON	O! to save such a man ——
BUTLER	What!
GORDON	It is worth A sacrifice. — Come, friend! Be noble-minded! Our own heart, and not other men’s opinions, Forms our true [[Honour\
BUTLER	He is a great Lord, This Duke — and I am but of mean importance. This is what you would say? Wherein concerns it The world at large, you mean to hint to me, Whether the man of low extraction keeps Or blemishes his [[Honour\
GORDON	I am endeavouring to move a rock. Thou hadst a mother, yet no human feelings. I cannot hinder you, but may some God Rescue him from you!
(didascalia)	[Exit GORDON.

Speaker	Line
(didascalia)	Butler ([[Alone\
BUTLER	I treasured my good name all my life long; The Duke has cheated me of life’s best [[Jewel\
(didascalia)	(The curtain drops.)

Speaker	Line
(didascalia)	BUTLER, and MAJOR GERALDIN.
BUTLER	Find me twelve strong dragoons, arm them with pikes, For there must be no firing —— Conceal them somewhere near the banquet-room, And soon as the dessert is served up, rush all in And cry — Who is loyal to the Emperor? I will overturn the table — while you attack Illo and Tertsky, and dispatch them both. The [[Castle\
GERALDIN	They’ll be here anon.
(didascalia)	[Exit GERALDIN.
BUTLER	Here’s no room for delay. The citizens Declare for him, a dizzy drunken spirit Possesses the whole town. They see in the Duke A Prince of peace, a founder of new ages And golden times. Arms too have been given out By the town-council, and a hundred citizens Have volunteered themselves to stand on guard. Dispatch then be the word. For enemies Threaten us from without and from within.

Speaker	Line
(didascalia)	BUTLER, CAPTAIN DEVEREUX, and MACDONALD.
MACDONALD	Here we are, General.
DEVEREUX	What’s to be the watchword?
BUTLER	Long live the Emperor!
BOTH	How?
BUTLER	Live the [[house\
DEVEREUX	Have we not sworn fidelity to Friedland?
MACDONALD	Have we not marched to this place to protect him?
BUTLER	Protect a traitor, and his country’s enemy!
DEVEREUX	Why, yes! in his name you administered Our oath.
MACDONALD	And followed him yourself to Egra.
BUTLER	I did it the more surely to destroy him.
DEVEREUX	So then!
MACDONALD	An altered case!
BUTLER	Thou wretched man! So easily leav’st thou thy oath and colours?
DEVEREUX	The devil! — I but followed your example, If you could prove a [[Villain\
MACDONALD	We’ve nought to do with thinking — that’s your business. You are our General, and give out the orders; We follow you, though the track lead to hell.
BUTLER	Good then! we know each other.
MACDONALD	I should [[Hope\
DEVEREUX	Soldiers of fortune are we — who bids most, He has us.
MACDONALD	’Tis e’en so!
BUTLER	Well, for the present Ye must remain honest and faithful soldiers.
DEVEREUX	We wish no other.
BUTLER	Ay, and make your fortunes.
MACDONALD	That is still better.
BUTLER	Listen!
BOTH	We attend.
BUTLER	It is the Emperor’s will and ordinance To seize the person of the Prince-Duke Friedland, Alive or dead.
DEVEREUX	It runs so in the letter.
MACDONALD	Alive or dead — these were the very words.
BUTLER	And he shall be rewarded from the State In land and gold, who proffers aid thereto.
DEVEREUX	Ay? That sounds [[Well\
MACDONALD	Yes, The Duke’s a splendid paymaster.
BUTLER	All over With that, my friends! His lucky [[Stars\
MACDONALD	And is that certain?
BUTLER	You have my word for it.
DEVEREUX	His lucky fortunes all past by?
BUTLER	For ever. He is as poor as we.
MACDONALD	As poor as we?
DEVEREUX	Macdonald, we’ll [[Desert\
BUTLER	We’ll [[Desert\
BOTH	Kill him!
BUTLER	Yes! must kill him. And for that purpose have I chosen you.
BOTH	Us!
BUTLER	You, Captain Devereux, and thee, Macdonald.
DEVEREUX	What? art dastardly? Thou, with full thirty lives to answer for — Thou conscientious of a sudden? Nay, To assassinate our Lord and General —
MACDONALD	To whom we’ve sworn a soldier’s oath —
BUTLER	The oath Is null, for Friedland is a traitor.
DEVEREUX	No, no! It is too bad!
MACDONALD	Yes, by my [[Soul\
DEVEREUX	If it were not our chieftain, who so long Has issued the commands, and claim’d our duty.
BUTLER	Is that the objection?
DEVEREUX	Were it my own father, And the Emperor’s service should demand it of me, It might be done perhaps — But we are soldiers, And to assassinate our chief commander, That is a sin, a foul abomination, From which no monk or confessor absolves us.
BUTLER	I am your Pope, and give you absolution. Determine quickly!
DEVEREUX	’Twill not do!
MACDONALD	’Twon’t do!
BUTLER	Well, off then! and — send Pestalutz to me.
DEVEREUX	The Pestalutz —
MACDONALD	What may you want with him?
BUTLER	If you reject it, we can find enough —
DEVEREUX	Nay, if he must fall, we may earn the bounty As [[Well\
MACDONALD	Why if he must fall, And will fall, and it can’t be otherwise, One would not give place to this Pestalutz.
DEVEREUX	When do you purpose he should fall?
BUTLER	This [[Night\
DEVEREUX	You take upon you all the consequences!
BUTLER	I take the whole upon me.
DEVEREUX	And it is The Emperor’s will, his express absolute will? For we have instances, that folks may like The murder, and yet hang the murderer.
BUTLER	The manifesto says — alive or dead. Alive—‘tis not possible — you see it is not.
DEVEREUX	Well, dead then! dead! But how can we come at him? The town is fill’d with Tertsky’s soldiery.
MACDONALD	Ay! and then Tertsky still remains, and Illo —
BUTLER	With these you shall begin — you understand me?
DEVEREUX	How? And must they too perish?
BUTLER	They the first.
MACDONALD	Hear, Devereux? A bloody evening this.
DEVEREUX	Have you a man for that? Commission me —
BUTLER	’Tis given in trust to Major Geraldin; This is a carnival [[Night\
DEVEREUX	Hear, General! It will be all one to you. Hark’e! let me exchange with Geraldin.
BUTLER	’Twill be the lesser danger with the Duke.
DEVEREUX	Danger! The devil! What do you think me, General? ‘Tis the Duke’s eye, and not his [[Sword\
BUTLER	What can his eye do to thee?
DEVEREUX	Death and hell! Thou know’st that I’m no milk-sop, General! But ‘tis not eight days since the Duke did send me Twenty gold pieces for this good warm coat Which I have on! and then for him to see me Standing before him with the pike, his murderer, That eye of his looking upon this coat — Why — why — the devil fetch me! I’m no milk-sop!
BUTLER	The Duke presented thee this good warm coat, And thou, a needy wight, hast pangs of [[Conscience\
DEVEREUX	That is true. The devil take Such thankers! I’ll dispatch him.
BUTLER	And would’st quiet Thy [[Conscience\
DEVEREUX	You are right. That did not strike me. I’ll pull off the coat — So there’s an end of it.
MACDONALD	Yes, but there’s another Point to be thought of.
BUTLER	And what’s that, Macdonald?
MACDONALD	What avails [[Sword\
BUTLER	What?
MACDONALD	Safe against shot, and stab and flash! Hard frozen, Secured, and warranted by the black art! His [[Body\
DEVEREUX	In Inglestadt there was just such another — His whole skin was the same as steel; at last We were obliged to beat him down with gunstocks.
MACDONALD	Hear what I’ll do.
DEVEREUX	Well?
MACDONALD	In the cloister here There’s a Dominican, my countryman. I’ll make him dip my [[Sword\
BUTLER	So do, Macdonald! But now go and select from out the regiment Twenty or thirty able-bodied fellows, And let them take the oaths to the Emperor. Then when it strikes eleven, when the first rounds Are passed, conduct them silently as may be To the house — I will myself be not far off.
DEVEREUX	But how do we get through Hartschier and Gordon, That stand on guard there in the inner chamber?
BUTLER	I have made myself acquainted with the place. I lead you through a back-door that’s defended By one man only. Me my rank and office Give access to the Duke at every hour. I’ll go before you — with one poniard-stroke Cut Hartschier’s [[Wind\
DEVEREUX	And when we are there, by what means shall we gain The Duke’s bed-chamber, without his alarming The servants of the Court; for he has here A numerous company of followers?
BUTLER	The attendants fill the right wing; he hates bustle, And lodges in the left wing quite [[Alone\
DEVEREUX	Were it [[Well\
MACDONALD	And I too. ‘Tis too great a personage. People will hold us for a brace of villains.
BUTLER	In plenty, [[Honour\
DEVEREUX	If the business Squares with one’s [[Honour\
BUTLER	Set your hearts quite at ease. Ye save for Ferdinand His Crown and Empire. The reward can be No small one.
DEVEREUX	And ‘tis his purpose to dethrone the Emperor?
BUTLER	Yes! — Yes! — to rob him of his [[Crown\
DEVEREUX	And he must fall by the executioner’s hands, Should we deliver him up to the Emperor Alive?
BUTLER	It were his certain destiny.
DEVEREUX	Well! Well! Come then, Macdonald, he shall not Lie long in [[Pain\
(didascalia)	[Exeunt BUTLER through one door, MACDONALD and DEVEREUX through the other.

Speaker	Line
(didascalia)	SCENE — A Gothic Apartment at the DUCHESS FRIEDLAND’S. THEKLA on a seat, pale, her eyes closed. The DUCHESS and LADY NEUBRUNN busied about her. WALLENSTEIN and the COUNTESS in conversation.
WALLENSTEIN	How knew she it so soon?
COUNTESS	She seems to have Foreboded some misfortune. The report Of an engagement, in the which had fallen A colonel of the Imperial army, frighten’d her. I saw it instantly. She flew to meet The Swedish Courier, and with sudden questioning, Soon wrested from him the disastrous secret. Too late we missed her, hastened after her, We found her lying in his arms, all pale And in a swoon.
WALLENSTEIN	A heavy, heavy blow! And she so unprepared! Poor [[Child\
(didascalia)	[Turning to the DUCHESS.
WALLENSTEIN	Is she coming to herself?
DUCHESS	Her eyes are opening.
COUNTESS	She lives.
THEKLA	(looking around her). Where am I?
WALLENSTEIN	(steps to her, raising her up in his arms). Come, cheerly, Thekla! be my own brave girl! See, there’s thy loving mother. Thou art in Thy father’s arms.
THEKLA	(standing up). Where is he? Is he gone?
DUCHESS	Who gone, my daughter?
THEKLA	He — the man who uttered That word of misery.
DUCHESS	O! think not of it, My Thekla!
WALLENSTEIN	Give her sorrow leave to talk! Let her complain — mingle your [[Tears\
THEKLA	I am not ill. See, I have power to stand. Why does my mother weep? Have I alarmed her? It is gone by — I recollect myself —
(didascalia)	[She casts her eyes round the room, as seeking some one.
THEKLA	Where is he? Please you, do not hide him from me. You see I have strength enough: now I will hear him.
DUCHESS	No, never shall this messenger of evil Enter again into thy presence, Thekla!
THEKLA	My father —
WALLENSTEIN	Dearest daughter!
THEKLA	I’m not weak — Shortly I shall be quite myself again. You’ll grant me one request?
WALLENSTEIN	Name it, my daughter.
THEKLA	Permit the stranger to be called to me, And grant me leave, that by myself I may Hear his report and question him.
DUCHESS	No, never!
COUNTESS	’Tis not advisable — assent not to it.
WALLENSTEIN	Hush! Wherefore would’st thou speak with him, my daughter?
THEKLA	Knowing the whole, I shall be more collected; I will not be deceived. My mother wishes Only to spare me. I will not be spared. The worst is said already: I can hear Nothing of deeper anguish!
COUNTESS AND DUCHESS	Do it not.
THEKLA	The horror overpowered me by surprise. My heart betrayed me in the stranger’s presence; He was a witness of my weakness, yea, I sank into his arms; and that has shamed me. I must replace myself in his esteem, And I must speak with him, perforce, that he, The stranger, may not think ungently of me.
WALLENSTEIN	I see she is in the right, and am inclined To grant her this request of hers. Go, call him.
(didascalia)	[LADY NEUBRUNN goes to call him.
DUCHESS	But I, thy mother, will be present —
THEKLA	’Twere More pleasing to me, if [[Alone\
WALLENSTEIN	Permit her her own will. Leave her [[Alone\
(didascalia)	[Going.
COUNTESS	(detaining him). Where art thou going? I heard Tertsky say That ‘tis thy purpose to depart from hence To-morrow early, but to leave us here.
WALLENSTEIN	Yes, ye stay here, placed under the protection Of gallant men.
COUNTESS	O take us with you, brother. Leave us not in this gloomy [[Solitude\
WALLENSTEIN	Who speaks of evil? I entreat you, sister, Use words of better omen.
COUNTESS	Then take us with you. O leave us not behind you in a place That forces us to such sad omens. Heavy And sick within me is my heart —— These walls breathe on me, like a church-yard vault. I cannot tell you, brother, how this place Doth go against my [[Nature\
WALLENSTEIN	The place’s evil omens will I change, Making it that which shields and shelters for me My best beloved.
LADY NEUBRUNN	(returning). The Swedish officer.
WALLENSTEIN	Leave her [[Alone\
(didascalia)	[Exit.
DUCHESS	(to Thekla who starts and shivers). There — pale as [[Death\
THEKLA	The Lady Neubrunn then may stay with me.
(didascalia)	[Exeunt DUCHESS and COUNTESS.
(didascalia)	SCENE — A Gothic and gloomy, &c. 1800, 1828, 1829.

Speaker	Line
(didascalia)	THEKLA, the Swedish Captain, LADY NEUBRUNN.
CAPTAIN	Princess — I must entreat your gentle pardon — My inconsiderate rash speech — How could I —
THEKLA	You did behold me in my agony. A most distressful accident occasioned You from a stranger to become at once My confidant.
CAPTAIN	I [[Fear\
THEKLA	The fault is mine. Myself did wrest it from you. The horror which came o’er me interrupted Your tale at its commencement. May it please you, Continue it to the end.
CAPTAIN	Princess, ‘twill Renew your anguish.
THEKLA	I am firm. —— I will be firm. Well — how began the engagement?
CAPTAIN	We lay, expecting no attack, at Neustadt, Entrenched but insecurely in our camp, When towards evening [[Rose\
(didascalia)	[THEKLA betrays agitation in her gestures. The officer pauses till she makes a sign to him to proceed.
CAPTAIN	Both in van and flanks With our whole cavalry we now received them; Back to the trenches drove them, where the foot Stretched out a solid ridge of pikes to meet them. They neither could advance, nor yet retreat; And as they stood on every side wedged in, The Rhinegrave to their leader called aloud, Inviting a surrender; but their leader, Young Piccolomini ——
(didascalia)	[THEKLA, as giddy, grasps a chair.
CAPTAIN	Known by his plume, And his long hair, gave signal for the trenches; Himself leapt first, the regiment all plunged after. His charger, by a halbert gored, reared up, Flung him with violence off, and over him The horses, now no longer to be curbed, ——
(didascalia)	[THEKLA, who has accompanied the last speech with all the marks of increasing agony, trembles through her whole frame, and is falling. The LADY NEUBRUNN runs to her, and receives her in her arms.
NEUBRUNN	My dearest lady ——
CAPTAIN	I retire.
THEKLA	’Tis over. Proceed to the conclusion.
CAPTAIN	Wild [[Despair\
THEKLA	And where —— Where is — You have not told me all.
CAPTAIN	This morning We buried him. Twelve youths of noblest birth Did bear him to interment; the whole army Followed the bier. A laurel decked his coffin; The [[Sword\
NEUBRUNN	Look up, my dearest lady ——
THEKLA	Where is his [[Grave\
CAPTAIN	At Neustadt, lady; in a cloister church Are his remains deposited, until We can receive directions from his father.
THEKLA	What is the cloister’s name?
CAPTAIN	Saint Catharine’s.
THEKLA	And how far is it thither?
CAPTAIN	Near twelve leagues.
THEKLA	And which the way?
CAPTAIN	You go by Tirschenreit And Falkenberg, through our advanced posts.
THEKLA	Who Is their commander?
CAPTAIN	Colonel Seckendorf.
(didascalia)	[THEKLA steps to the table, and takes a ring from a casket.
THEKLA	You have beheld me in my agony, And shewn a feeling heart. Please you, accept
(didascalia)	[Giving him the ring.
THEKLA	A small memorial of this hour. Now go!
CAPTAIN	Princess ——
(didascalia)	[THEKLA silently makes signs to him to go, and turns from him. The Captain lingers, and is about to speak. LADY NEUBRUNN repeats the signal, and he retires.

Speaker	Line
(didascalia)	THEKLA, LADY NEUBRUNN.
THEKLA	Now, gentle Neubrunn, shew me the affection Which thou hast ever promised — prove thyself My own true friend and faithful fellow-[[Pilgrim\
NEUBRUNN	Away! and whither?
THEKLA	Whither! There is but one place in the world. Thither where he lies buried! To his coffin!
NEUBRUNN	What would you do there?
THEKLA	What do there? That would’st thou not have asked, hadst thou e’er loved. There, there is all that still remains of him. That single spot is the whole earth to me.
NEUBRUNN	That place of [[Death\
THEKLA	Is now the only place, Where life yet dwells for me: detain me not! Come and make preparations: let us think Of means to fly from hence.
NEUBRUNN	Your father’s rage ——
THEKLA	That [[Time\
NEUBRUNN	The sentence of the world! The tongue of calumny!
THEKLA	Whom am I seeking? Him who is no more. Am I then hastening to the arms —— O God! I haste but to the [[Grave\
NEUBRUNN	And we [[Alone\
THEKLA	We will take weapons: my arms shall protect thee.
NEUBRUNN	In the dark [[Night\
THEKLA	Darkness will conceal us.
NEUBRUNN	This rough tempestuous [[Night\
THEKLA	Had he a soft bed Under the hoofs of his war-horses?
NEUBRUNN	Heaven! And then the many posts of the enemy! —
THEKLA	They are human beings. Misery travels free Through the whole earth.
NEUBRUNN	The [[Journey\
THEKLA	The [[Pilgrim\
NEUBRUNN	How can we pass the gates?
THEKLA	Gold opens them. Go, do but go.
NEUBRUNN	Should we be recognized —
THEKLA	In a despairing woman, a poor fugitive, Will no one seek the daughter of Duke Friedland.
NEUBRUNN	And where procure we horses for our flight?
THEKLA	My equerry procures them. Go and fetch him.
NEUBRUNN	Dares he, without the knowledge of his lord?
THEKLA	He will. Go, only go. Delay no longer.
NEUBRUNN	Dear lady! and your mother?
THEKLA	Oh! my mother!
NEUBRUNN	So much as she has suffered too already; Your tender mother — Ah! how ill prepared For this last anguish!
THEKLA	Woe is me! my mother!
(didascalia)	[Pauses.
THEKLA	Go instantly.
NEUBRUNN	But think what you are doing!
THEKLA	What can be thought, already has been thought.
NEUBRUNN	And being there, what purpose you to do?
THEKLA	There a divinity will prompt my [[Soul\
NEUBRUNN	Your heart, dear lady, is disquieted! And this is not the way that leads to quiet.
THEKLA	To a deep quiet, such as he has found. It draws me on, I know not what to name it, Resistless does it draw me to his [[Grave\
NEUBRUNN	You frighten me so, lady, that no longer I dare stay here myself. I go and call Rosenberg instantly.
(didascalia)	[Exit LADY NEUBRUNN.

Speaker	Line
THEKLA	His spirit ‘tis that calls me: ‘tis the troop Of his true followers, who offered up Themselves to avenge his [[Death\
(didascalia)	[Exit THEKLA. (The curtain drops.)]

Speaker	Line
(didascalia)	SCENE — A Saloon, terminated by a gallery which extends far into the back-ground. WALLENSTEIN sitting at a table. The Swedish Captain standing before him.
WALLENSTEIN	Commend me to your lord. I sympathize In his good fortune; and if you have seen me Deficient in the expressions of that joy Which such a victory might [[Well\
(didascalia)	[The Swedish Captain retires. WALLENSTEIN sits lost in thought, his eyes fixed vacantly, and his head sustained by his hand. The COUNTESS TERTSKY enters, stands before him awhile, unobserved by him; at length he starts, sees her, and recollects himself.
WALLENSTEIN	Com’st thou from her? Is she restored? How is she?
COUNTESS	My sister tells me, she was more collected After her conversation with the Swede. She has now retired to rest.
WALLENSTEIN	The pang will soften, She will shed [[Tears\
COUNTESS	I find thee altered too, My brother! After such a victory I had expected to have found in thee A cheerful spirit. O remain thou firm! Sustain, uphold us! For our light thou art, Our sun.
WALLENSTEIN	Be quiet. I ail nothing. Where’s Thy husband?
COUNTESS	At a banquet — he and Illo.
WALLENSTEIN	The [[Night\
COUNTESS	Bid me not go, O let me stay with thee!
WALLENSTEIN	There is a busy motion in the Heaven, The [[Wind\
(didascalia)	[He sinks into profound [[Melancholy\
COUNTESS	(looks on him mournfully, then grasps his hand). What art thou brooding on?
WALLENSTEIN	Methinks, If I but saw him, ‘twould be [[Well\
COUNTESS	Thou’lt see him again.
WALLENSTEIN	See him again? O never, never again.
COUNTESS	How?
WALLENSTEIN	He is gone — is [[Dust\
COUNTESS	Whom meanest thou then?
WALLENSTEIN	He, the more fortunate! yea, he hath finished! For him there is no longer any future, His life is bright — bright without spot it was, And cannot cease to be. No ominous hour Knocks at his door with tidings of mishap. Far off is he, above [[Desire\
COUNTESS	Thou speakest Of Piccolomini. What was his [[Death\
(didascalia)	[WALLENSTEIN by a motion of his hand makes signs to her to be silent.
COUNTESS	Turn not thine eyes upon the backward view, Let us look forward into sunny days, Welcome with joyous heart the victory, Forget what it has cost thee. Not to-day, For the first [[Time\
WALLENSTEIN	I shall grieve down this blow, of that I’m conscious. What does not man grieve down? From the highest, As from the vilest thing of every day He learns to wean himself: for the strong hours Conquer him. Yet I feel what I have lost In him. The bloom is vanished from my life. For O! he stood beside me, like my youth, Transformed for me the real to [[A Dream\
COUNTESS	O be not treacherous to thy own power. Thy heart is rich enough to vivify Itself. Thou lov’st and prizest virtues in him, The which thyself did’st plant, thyself unfold.
WALLENSTEIN	Who interrupts us now at this late hour? It is the Governor. He brings the keys Of the Citadel. ‘Tis midnight. Leave me, sister!
COUNTESS	O ‘tis so hard to me this [[Night\
WALLENSTEIN	Fear? Wherefore?
COUNTESS	Should’st thou depart this [[Night\
WALLENSTEIN	Fancies!
COUNTESS	O my [[Soul\
WALLENSTEIN	This was [[A Dream\
COUNTESS	To-day I dreamt that I was seeking thee In thy own chamber. As I entered, lo! It was no more a chamber; the Chartreuse At Gitschin ‘twas, which thou thyself hast founded, And where it is thy will that thou should’st be Interred.
WALLENSTEIN	Thy [[Soul\
COUNTESS	What dost thou not believe that oft in [[Dreams\
WALLENSTEIN	There is no [[Doubt\
COUNTESS	And to thee The voice within thy [[Soul\
WALLENSTEIN	Nothing. Be wholly tranquil.
COUNTESS	And another [[Time\
WALLENSTEIN	That is the crimson tapestry of my chamber.
COUNTESS	If it should come to that — if I should see thee, Who standest now before me in the fulness Of life —
(didascalia)	[She falls on his breast and weeps.
WALLENSTEIN	The Emperor’s proclamation weighs upon thee — Alphabets wound not — and he finds no hands.
COUNTESS	If he should find them, my resolve is taken — I bear about me my support and refuge.
(didascalia)	[Exit COUNTESS.
(didascalia)	NOTE. In 1834 the literal [[Translation\

Speaker	Line
(didascalia)	WALLENSTEIN, GORDON.
WALLENSTEIN	All quiet in the town?
GORDON	The town is quiet.
WALLENSTEIN	I hear a boisterous music! and the Castle Is lighted up. Who are the revellers?
GORDON	There is a banquet given at the Castle To the Count Tertsky, and Field Marshal Illo.
WALLENSTEIN	In [[Honour\
(didascalia)	[Rings. The Groom of the Chamber enters.
WALLENSTEIN	Unrobe me. I will lay me down to [[Sleep\
(didascalia)	[WALLENSTEIN takes the keys from GORDON.
WALLENSTEIN	So we are guarded from all enemies, And shut in with sure friends.
WALLENSTEIN	For all must cheat me, or a face like this
(didascalia)	[Fixing his eye on GORDON.
WALLENSTEIN	Was ne’er a hypocrite’s mask.
(didascalia)	[The Groom of the Chamber takes off his mantle, collar and scarf.
WALLENSTEIN	Take care — what is that?
GROOM OF THE CHAMBER	The golden chain is snapped in two.
WALLENSTEIN	Well, it has lasted long enough. Here — give it.
(didascalia)	[He takes and looks at the chain.
WALLENSTEIN	’Twas the first present of the Emperor. He hung it round me in the war of Friule, He being then Archduke; and I have worn it Till now from habit —— From superstition if you will. Belike, It was to be a talisman to me, And while I wore it on my neck in [[Faith\
(didascalia)	[Groom of the Chamber retires with the vestments. WALLENSTEIN rises, takes a stride across the room, and stands at last before GORDON in a posture of meditation.
WALLENSTEIN	How the old [[Time\
GORDON	My Prince! With light heart the poor fisher moors his boat, And watches from the shore the lofty [[Ship\
WALLENSTEIN	Art thou already In harbour then, old man? Well! I am not. The unconquered spirit drives me o’er life’s billows; My planks still firm, my canvas swelling proudly. Hope is my goddess still, and youth my inmate; And while we stand thus front to front almost, I might presume to say, that the swift years Have passed by powerless o’er my unblanched hair.
(didascalia)	[He moves with long strides across the saloon, and remains on the opposite side over against GORDON.
WALLENSTEIN	Who now persists in calling Fortune false? To me she has proved faithful, with fond [[Love\
GORDON	And yet remember I the good old proverb, ‘Let the [[Night\
(didascalia)	(smiling)
WALLENSTEIN	I hear the very Gordon that of old Was wont to preach to me, now once more preaching; I know [[Well\
(didascalia)	[After a pause, serious, and in a more subdued manner.
WALLENSTEIN	I too have sacrific’d to him — For me There fell the dearest friend, and through my fault He fell! No joy from favourable fortune Can overweigh the anguish of this stroke. The envy of my destiny is glutted: Life pays for life. On his pure head the [[Lightning\

Speaker	Line
(didascalia)	To these enter SENI.
WALLENSTEIN	Is not that Seni? and beside himself, If one may trust his looks! What brings thee hither At this late hour, Baptista?
SENI	Terror, Duke! On thy account.
WALLENSTEIN	What now?
SENI	Flee ere the day-break! Trust not thy person to the Swedes!
WALLENSTEIN	What now Is in thy thoughts?
SENI	Trust not thy person to these Swedes.
WALLENSTEIN	What is it then?
SENI	O wait not the arrival of these Swedes! An evil near at hand is threatening thee From false friends. All the signs stand full of horror! Near, near at hand the net-work of perdition — Yea, even now ‘tis being cast around thee!
WALLENSTEIN	Baptista, thou art dreaming! — Fear befools thee.
SENI	Believe not that an empty [[Fear\
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\
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 To wage a war against our holy church.
WALLENSTEIN	The oracle rails that way! Yes, yes! Now I recollect. This junction with the Swedes Did never please thee — lay thyself to [[Sleep\
(didascalia)	Gordon (who during the whole of this dialogue has shewn marks of extreme agitation, and now turns to Wallenstein).
GORDON	My Duke and General! May I dare presume?
WALLENSTEIN	Speak freely.
GORDON	What if ‘twere no mere creation Of [[Fear\
WALLENSTEIN	Ye’re both feverish! How can mishap come to me from the Swedes? They sought this junction with me—‘tis their interest.
(didascalia)	Gordon (with difficulty suppressing his emotion).
GORDON	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?
(didascalia)	[Flings himself at his feet.
GORDON	There is yet [[Time\
SENI	O hear him! hear him!
GORDON	The Rhinegrave’s still far off. Give but the orders, This citadel shall close its gates upon him. If then he will besiege us, let him try it. But this I say; he’ll find his own destruction With his whole force before these ramparts, sooner Than weary down the valour of our spirit. He shall experience what a band of heroes, Inspirited by an heroic leader, Is able to perform. And if indeed It be thy serious wish to make amends For that which thou hast done amiss, — this, this Will touch and reconcile the Emperor, Who gladly turns his heart to thoughts of [[Mercy\
(didascalia)	Wallenstein (contemplates him with surprise, remains silent awhile, betraying strong emotion).
WALLENSTEIN	Gordon — your zeal and fervour lead you far. Well, [[Well\
(didascalia)	[Stepping to the [[Window\
WALLENSTEIN	All dark and silent — at the [[Castle\
(didascalia)	[The Groom of the Chamber, who had entered during the last dialogue, and had been standing at a distance and listening to it with visible expressions of the deepest interest, advances in extreme agitation, and throws himself at the DUKE’S feet.
WALLENSTEIN	And thou too! But I know why thou dost wish My reconcilement with the Emperor. Poor man! he hath a small estate in Cärnthen, And fears it will be forfeited because He’s in my service. Am I then so poor, That I no longer can indemnify My servants? Well! To no one I employ Means of compulsion. If ‘tis thy belief That fortune has fled from me, go! Forsake me. This [[Night\
(didascalia)	[Exit WALLENSTEIN, the Groom of the Chamber lighting him. SENI follows. GORDON remains on the darkened stage, following the DUKE with his eye, till he disappears at the farther end of the gallery: then by his gestures the old man expresses the depth of his anguish, and stands leaning against a pillar.

Speaker	Line
(didascalia)	GORDON, BUTLER (at first behind the scenes).
BUTLER	Here stand in [[Silence\
GORDON	’Tis he, he has already brought the murderers.
BUTLER	The lights are out. All lies in profound [[Sleep\
GORDON	What shall I do, shall I attempt to save him? Shall I call up the house? Alarm the guards?
BUTLER	A light gleams hither from the corridor. It leads directly to the Duke’s bedchamber.
GORDON	But then I break my oath to the Emperor; If he escape and strengthen the enemy, Do I not hereby call down on my head All the dread consequences?
BUTLER	Hark! Who speaks there?
GORDON	’Tis better, I resign it to the hands Of [[Providence\
BUTLER	I should know that voice.
GORDON	Butler!
BUTLER	’Tis Gordon. What do you want here? Was it so late then, when the Duke dismissed you?
GORDON	Your hand bound up and in a scarf?
BUTLER	’Tis wounded. That Illo fought as he was frantic, till At last we threw him on the ground.
GORDON	Both dead?
BUTLER	Is he in bed?
GORDON	Ah, Butler!
BUTLER	Is he? speak.
GORDON	He shall not perish! Not through you! The Heaven Refuses your arm. See—‘tis wounded! —
BUTLER	There is no need of my arm.
GORDON	The most guilty Have perished, and enough is given to justice.
(didascalia)	The Groom of the Chamber advances from the gallery with his finger on his mouth, commanding [[Silence\
GORDON	He sleeps! O murder not the holy [[Sleep\
BUTLER	No! he shall die awake. (Is going.)
GORDON	His heart still cleaves To earthly things: he’s not prepared to step Into the presence of his God!
BUTLER	God’s merciful!
GORDON	Grant him but this [[Night\
BUTLER	The next moment May ruin all.
GORDON	One hour! ——
BUTLER	Unhold me! What Can that short respite profit him?
GORDON	O — Time Works miracles. In one hour many thousands Of grains of sand run out; and quick as they, Thought follows thought within the human [[Soul\
BUTLER	You but remind me, How precious every minute is!
(didascalia)	(He stamps on the floor.)

Speaker	Line
(didascalia)	To these enter MACDONALD and DEVEREUX, with the Halberdiers.
GORDON	No, [[Monster\
BUTLER	Weak-hearted dotard!
(didascalia)	[Trumpets are heard in the distance.
DEVEREUX AND MACDONALD	Hark! The Swedish trumpets! The Swedes before the ramparts! Let us hasten!
GORDON	O, God of Mercy!
(didascalia)	[rushes out]
BUTLER	Governor, to your post!
(didascalia)	[calling after him]
GROOM OF THE CHAMBER	Who dares make larum here? Hush! The Duke sleeps.
(didascalia)	[hurries in]
DEVEREUX	Friend, it is [[Time\
GROOM OF THE CHAMBER	Help! Murder!
BUTLER	Down with him!
(didascalia)	Groom of the Chamber run through the [[Body\
GROOM OF THE CHAMBER	Jesus Maria!
BUTLER	Burst the doors open!
(didascalia)	They rush over the [[Body\

Speaker	Line
COUNTESS TERTSKY	Her bed-chamber is empty; she herself Is no where to be found! The Neubrunn too, Who watched by her, is missing. If she should Be flown — But whither flown? We must call up Every [[Soul\

Speaker	Line
(didascalia)	COUNTESS, GORDON.
GORDON	’Tis a mistake, ‘Tis not the Swedes — Ye must proceed no further — Butler! O God! Where is he?
(didascalia)	[Then observing the COUNTESS.
GORDON	Countess! Say ——
COUNTESS	You are come then from the [[Castle\
GORDON	Your husband! — Ask not! — To the Duke ——
COUNTESS	Not till You have discovered to me ——
GORDON	On this moment Does the world hang. For God’s sake! to the Duke. While we are speaking ——
(didascalia)	[Calling loudly.
GORDON	Butler! Butler! God!
COUNTESS	Why, he is at the [[Castle\
(didascalia)	[BUTLER comes from the gallery.
GORDON	’Twas a mistake—‘Tis not the Swedes — it is The Imperialist’s Lieutenant-General Has sent me hither, will be here himself Instantly. — You must not proceed.
BUTLER	He comes Too late.
(didascalia)	[GORDON dashes himself against the wall.
GORDON	O God of [[Mercy\
COUNTESS	What too late? Who will be here himself? Octavio In Egra? Treason! Treason! Where’s the Duke?
(didascalia)	[She rushes to the gallery.
(didascalia)	[Before 5] Gordon (in an agony of affright). 1800, 1828, 1829.

Speaker	Line
(didascalia)	Servants run across the stage full of terror. The whole Scene must be spoken entirely without pauses.
SENI (from the gallery)	O bloody frightful deed!
COUNTESS	What is it, Seni?
PAGE (from the gallery)	O piteous sight!
(didascalia)	[Other Servants hasten in with torches.
COUNTESS	What is it? For God’s sake!
SENI	And do you ask? Within the Duke lies murder’d — and your husband Assassinated at the Castle.
(didascalia)	[The COUNTESS stands motionless.
FEMALE SERVANT (rushing across the stage)	Help! Help! the Duchess!
BURGOMASTER (enters)	What mean these confused Loud cries, that wake the sleepers of this house?
GORDON	Your house is cursed to all [[Eternity\
BURGOMASTER (rushing out)	Heaven forbid!
FIRST SERVANT	Fly! fly! they murder us all!
SECOND SERVANT (carrying silver plate)	That way! The lower Passages are blocked up.
VOICE (from behind the Scene)	Make room for the Lieutenant-General!
(didascalia)	[At these words the COUNTESS starts from her stupor, collects herself, and retires suddenly.
VOICE (from behind the Scene)	Keep back the people! Guard the door.

Speaker	Line
(didascalia)	To these enters OCTAVIO PICCOLOMINI with all his train. At the same [[Time\
OCTAVIO	It must not be! It is not possible! Butler! Gordon! I’ll not believe it. Say no!
(didascalia)	[GORDON without answering points with his hand to the [[Body\
DEVEREUX	Here is the golden fleece — the Duke’s [[Sword\
MACDONALD	Is it your order —
BUTLER	Here stands he who now Hath the sole power to issue orders.
(didascalia)	[DEVEREUX and MACDONALD retire with marks of obeisance. One drops away after the other, till only BUTLER, OCTAVIO, and GORDON remain on the stage.
OCTAVIO	Was that my purpose, Butler, when we parted? O God of Justice! To thee I lift my hand! I am not guilty Of this foul deed.
BUTLER	Your hand is pure. You have Availed yourself of mine.
OCTAVIO	Merciless man! Thus to abuse the orders of thy Lord — And stain thy Emperor’s holy name with murder, With bloody, most accursed assassination!
BUTLER	I’ve but fulfilled the Emperor’s own sentence.
OCTAVIO	O curse of Kings, Infusing a dread life into their words, And linking to the sudden transient thought The unchangeable irrevocable deed. Was there necessity for such an eager Despatch? Could’st thou not grant the merciful A [[Time\
BUTLER	For what Rail you against me? What is my offence? The Empire from a fearful enemy Have I delivered, and expect reward. The single difference betwixt you and me Is this: you placed the arrow in the bow; I pulled the string. You sowed [[Blood\
(didascalia)	[Exit BUTLER.
(didascalia)	[Before 15] Butler (calmly). 1800, 1828, 1829.

Speaker	Line
(didascalia)	To these enter the COUNTESS TERTSKY, pale and disordered. Her utterance is slow and feeble, and unimpassioned.
OCTAVIO	O Countess Tertsky! These are the results Of luckless unblest deeds.
COUNTESS	They are the fruits Of your contrivances. The Duke is dead, My husband too is dead, the Duchess struggles In the pangs of [[Death\
OCTAVIO	O Countess! my house too is desolate.
COUNTESS	Who next is to be murdered? Who is next To be maltreated? Lo! The Duke is dead. The Emperor’s vengeance may be pacified! Spare the old servants; let not their fidelity Be imputed to the faithful as a crime — The evil destiny surprised my brother Too suddenly; he could not think on them.
OCTAVIO	Speak not of vengeance! Speak not of maltreatment! The Emperor is appeased; the heavy fault Hath heavily been expiated — nothing Descended from the father to the daughter, Except his glory and his services. The Empress honours your adversity, Takes part in your afflictions, opens to you Her motherly arms! Therefore no farther fears! Yield yourself up in [[Hope\
COUNTESS	To the grace and [[Mercy\
OCTAVIO	Countess, you tremble, you turn pale!
COUNTESS	You think More worthily of me, than to believe I would survive the downfall of my house. We did not hold ourselves too mean to grasp After a monarch’s [[Crown\
OCTAVIO	Help! Help! Support her!
COUNTESS	Nay, it is too late. In a few moments is my fate accomplished.
(didascalia)	[Exit COUNTESS.]
GORDON	O house of [[Death\
(didascalia)	[An officer enters, and brings a letter with the great seal.]
GORDON	What is this? It is the Imperial Seal.
(didascalia)	[He reads the Address, and delivers the letter to OCTAVIO with a look of reproach, and with an emphasis on the word.]
GORDON	To the Prince Piccolomini.
(didascalia)	[OCTAVIO, with his whole frame expressive of sudden anguish, raises his eyes to heaven.]
(didascalia)	(The curtain drops.)