THE DEATH OF WALLENSTEIN

by Coleridge · Cluster: Blood · Verse Drama · Revenge

Abstract

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.

Capitoli / Chapters

Connections

Topoi: Fortune’s Wheel Archetypes: Tragic Hero, Avenger, Villain Motifs: Blood, Swords and Weapons, Stars Themes & Concepts: Ambition, Power and Corruption, Revenge, Fate and Free Will, War and its Cost, Deception, Kingship and Legitimacy Forms & Genres: Verse Drama, Tragedy, Blank Verse

Testo integrale / Full text

THE DEATH OF WALLENSTEIN A TRAGEDY IN FIVE ACTS CONTENTS PREFACE OF THE TRANSLATOR TO THE FIRST EDITION DRAMATIS PERSONAE ACT I SCENE I SCENE II SCENE III SCENE IV SCENE V SCENE VI SCENE VII SCENE IX SCENE X SCENE XI SCENE XII ACT II SCENE I SCENE II SCENE III SCENE IV SCENE V SCENE VI SCENE VII SCENE IX SCENE X SCENE XI ACT III SCENE I SCENE II SCENE III SCENE IV SCENE V SCENE VI SCENE VII SCENE IX ACT IV SCENE I SCENE II SCENE III SCENE IV SCENE V SCENE VI ACT V SCENE I SCENE II SCENE III SCENE IV SCENE V SCENE VI SCENE VII SCENE IX SCENE X

PREFACE OF THE TRANSLATOR TO THE FIRST EDITION The two Dramas, PICCOLOMINI, or the first part of WALLENSTEIN, and WALLENSTEIN, are introduced in the original manuscript by a Prelude in one Act, entitled WALLENSTEIN’S CAMP. This is written in rhyme, and in nine-syllable verse, in the same lilting metre (if that expression may be permitted) 5 with the second Eclogue of Spenser’s Shepherd’s Calendar. This Prelude possesses a sort of broad humour, and is not deficient in character; but to have translated it into prose, or into any other metre than that of the original, would have given a false notion both of its style and purport; to have 10 translated it into the same metre would have been incompatible with a faithful adherence to the sense of the German, from the comparative poverty of our language in rhymes; and it would have been unadvisable from the incongruity of those lax verses with the present taste of the English Public. Schiller’s intention 15 seems to have been merely to have prepared his reader for the Tragedies by a lively picture of the laxity of discipline, and the mutinous dispositions of Wallenstein’s soldiery. It is not necessary as a preliminary explanation. For these reasons it has been thought expedient not to translate it. 20 The admirers of Schiller, who have abstracted their conception of that author from the Robbers, and the Cabal and Love, plays in which the main interest is produced by the excitement of curiosity, and in which the curiosity is excited by terrible and extraordinary incident, will not have perused without some 25 portion of disappointment the Dramas, which it has been my employment to translate. They should, however, reflect that these are Historical Dramas, taken from a popular German History; that we must therefore judge of them in some measure with the feelings of Germans; or by analogy, with the interest 30 excited in us by similar Dramas in our own language. Few, I trust, would be rash or ignorant enough to compare Schiller with Shakspeare yet, merely as illustration, I would say that we should proceed to the perusal of Wallenstein, not from Lear or Othello, but from Richard the Second, or the 35 three parts of Henry the Sixth. We scarcely expect rapidity in an Historical Drama; and many prolix speeches are pardoned from characters, whose names and actions have formed the most amusing tales of our early life. On the other hand, there exist in these plays more individual beauties, 40 more passages the excellence of which will bear reflection, than in the former productions of Schiller. The description of the Astrological Tower, and the reflections of the Young Lover, which follow it, form in the original a fine poem; and my translation must have been wretched indeed, if it can have 45 wholly overclouded the beauties of the Scene in the first Act of the first Play between Questenberg, Max, and Octavio Piccolomini. If we except the Scene of the setting sun in the Robbers, I know of no part in Schiller’s Plays which equals the whole of the first Scene of the fifth Act of the concluding Play. It 50 would be unbecoming in me to be more diffuse on this subject. A Translator stands connected with the original Author by a certain law of subordination, which makes it more decorous to point out excellencies than defects: indeed he is not likely to be a fair judge of either. The pleasure or disgust from his 55 own labour will mingle with the feelings that arise from an afterview of the original. Even in the first perusal of a work in any foreign language which we understand, we are apt to attribute to it more excellence than it really possesses from our own pleasurable sense of difficulty overcome without effect. 60 Translation of poetry into poetry is difficult, because the Translator must give a brilliancy to his language without that warmth of original conception, from which such brilliancy would follow of its own accord. But the translator of a living Author is encumbered with additional inconveniences. If he render his 65 original faithfully, as to the sense of each passage, he must necessarily destroy a considerable portion of the spirit; if he endeavour to give a work executed according to laws of compensation, he subjects himself to imputations of vanity, or misrepresentation. I have thought it my duty to remain 70 bound by the sense of my original, with as few exceptions as the nature of the languages rendered possible. Title] Part Second. The Death of Wallenstein. A Tragedy. The Death of Wallenstein. Preface of the Translator. 1828, 1829. [After 72] S. T. Coleridge 1800, 1828, 1829.

DRAMATIS PERSONAE WALLENSTEIN, Duke of Friedland, Generalissimo of the Imperial Forces in the Thirty Years’ War. DUCHESS OF FRIEDLAND, Wife of Wallenstein. THEKLA, her Daughter, Princess of Friedland. THE COUNTESS TERTSKY, Sister of the Duchess. LADY NEUBRUNN. OCTAVIO PICCOLOMINI, Lieutenant-General. MAX PICCOLOMINI, his Son, Colonel of a Regiment of Cuirassiers. COUNT TERTSKY, the Commander of several Regiments, and Brother-in-law of Wallenstein. ILLO, Field Marshal, Wallenstein’s confidant. BUTLER, an Irishman, Commander of a Regiment of Dragoons. GORDON, Governor of Egra. MAJOR GERALDIN. CAPTAIN DEVEREUX. CAPTAIN MACDONALD. NEUMANN, Captain of Cavalry, Aide-de-Camp to Tertsky. SWEDISH CAPTAIN. SENI. BURGOMASTER of Egra. ANSPESSADE of the Cuirassiers. GROOM OF THE CHAMBER, } belonging to the Duke. A PAGE, } CUIRASSIERS, DRAGOONS, SERVANTS.

ACT I

SCENE I

Act I, Scene 1

Chi parla	Battuta
(didascalia)	SCENE — A Chamber in the House of the DUCHESS OF FRIEDLAND.
(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 Not once to speak his name?
(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.

Act I, Scene 2

Chi parla	Battuta
(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. Your heart Is now no more in nonage: for you love, And boldness dwells with love — that you have proved. Your nature moulds itself upon your father’s More than your mother’s spirit. Therefore may you Hear, what were too much for her fortitude.
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 may demand of him.
THEKLA	We ask Proofs of his love, and not proofs of his honour. Duty and honour! Those are ambiguous words with many meanings. You should interpret them for him: his love Should be the sole definer of his honour.
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 aside, we mean; He must unsheath it in your father’s cause.
COUNTESS	He’ll spend with gladness and alacrity His life, his heart’s blood in my father’s cause, If shame or injury be intended him.
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 and reverence of the troops; They govern all opinions, and wherever They lead the way, none hesitate to follow. The son secures the father to our interests — You’ve much in your hands at this moment.
COUNTESS	Ah, My miserable mother! what a death-stroke Awaits thee! — No! She never will survive it.
THEKLA	She will accommodate her soul to that Which is and must be. I do know your mother. The far-off future weights upon her heart With torture of anxiety; but is it Unalterably, actually present, She soon resigns herself, and bears it calmly.
COUNTESS	O my fore-boding bosom! Even now, E’en now ‘tis here, that icy hand of horror! And my young hope lies shuddering in its grasp; I knew it well — no sooner had I entered, A heavy ominous presentiment Revealed to me, that spirits of death were hovering Over my happy fortune. But why think I First of myself? My mother! O my mother!
THEKLA	Calm yourself! Break not out in vain lamenting! Preserve you for your father the firm friend, And for yourself the lover, all will yet Prove good and fortunate.
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 of that! A resolution! Does there remain one to be taken?
THEKLA	Hush! Collect yourself! I hear your mother coming.
COUNTESS	How shall I bear to see her?
THEKLA	Collect yourself.

Act I, Scene 3

Chi parla	Battuta
(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-regiments to the Cardinal? Tell me, has he dismissed Von Questenberg With a favourable answer?
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! Thou too hast lost a most affectionate godmother In the Empress. O that stern unbending man! In this unhappy marriage what have I Not suffered, not endured. For ev’n as if I had been linked on to some wheel of fire That restless, ceaseless, whirls impetuous onward, I have passed a life of frights and horrors with him, And ever to the brink of some abyss With dizzy headlong violence he whirls me. Nay, do not weep, my child! Let not my sufferings Presignify unhappiness to thee, Nor blacken with their shade the fate that waits thee. There lives no second Friedland: thou, my child, Hast not to fear thy mother’s destiny.
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! We too, I and thy father, witnessed happy days. Still think I with delight of those first years, When he was making progress with glad effort, When his ambition was a genial fire, Not that consuming flame which now it is. The Emperor loved him, trusted him: and all He undertook could not but be successful. But since that ill-starred day at Regenspurg, Which plunged him headlong from his dignity, A gloomy uncompanionable spirit, Unsteady and suspicious, has possessed him. His quiet mind forsook him, and no longer Did he yield up himself in joy and faith To his old luck, and individual power; But thenceforth turned his heart and best affections All to those cloudy sciences, which never Have yet made happy him who followed them.
COUNTESS	You see it, sister! as your eyes permit you. But surely this is not the conversation To pass the time in which we are waiting for him. You know he will be soon here. Would you have him Find her in this condition?
DUCHESS	Come, my child! Come, wipe away thy tears, and shew thy father A cheerful countenance. See, the tie-knot here Is off — this hair must not hang so dishevelled. Come, dearest! dry thy tears up. They deform Thy gentle eye — well now — what was I saying? Yes, in good truth, this Piccolomini Is a most noble and deserving gentleman.
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.

Act I, Scene 4

Chi parla	Battuta
(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, for that secretly I’ve wrong’d this honourable gallant man, This Butler: for a feeling, of the which I am not master (fear I would not call it), Creeps o’er me instantly, with sense of shuddering, At his approach, and stops love’s joyous motion. And this same man, against whom I am warned, This honest man is he, who reaches to me The first pledge of my fortune.
ILLO	And doubt not That his example will win over to you The best men in the army.
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. Now such a voice Will drive away from me the evil demon That beats his black wings close above my head.
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 — to sing to him, Who is thrusting, even now, my mother headlong Into her grave!
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! O she is ill —
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! Max Piccolomini. Hast thou ne’er noticed it? Nor yet my sister?
DUCHESS	Was it this that lay so heavy on her heart? God’s blessing on thee, my sweet child! Thou needest Never take shame upon thee for thy choice.
COUNTESS	This journey, if ‘twere not thy aim, ascribe it To thine own self. Thou shouldest have chosen another To have attended her.
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 the youth; yea, honour him. But must he therefore be my daughter’s husband! Is it daughters only? Is it only children That we must shew our favour by?
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 around her head, Or die in the attempt to place it there. I hazard all — all! and for this alone, To lift her into greatness — Yea, in this moment, in the which we are speaking — [pause. And I must now, like a soft-hearted father, Couple together in good peasant fashion The pair, that chance to suit each other’s liking — And I must do it now, even now, when I Am stretching out the wreath that is to twine My full accomplished work — no! she is the jewel, Which I have treasured long, my last, my noblest, And ‘tis my purpose not to let her from me For less than a king’s sceptre.
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 that.
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.

Act I, Scene 5

Chi parla	Battuta
(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 The Jägers likewise — all the villages In the whole round are empty.
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.

Act I, Scene 6

Chi parla	Battuta
(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? That even my brother but affects a calmness?
(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 and sunshine follow one another With rapid interchanges. These fierce spirits Champ the curb angrily, and never yet Did quiet bless the temples of the leader. If I am to stay, go you. The plaints of women Ill suit the scene where men must act.
(didascalia)	[He is going: TERTSKY returns.
TERTSKY	Remain here. From this window must we see it.
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.

Act I, Scene 7

Chi parla	Battuta
(didascalia)	WALLENSTEIN, TERTSKY.
WALLENSTEIN (stepping to the window)	What now, then?
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 thee.
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 in which his hopes were stowed, And with the which well-pleased and confident He traversed the open sea; now he beholds it In imminent jeopardy among the coast-rocks, And hurries to preserve his wares. As light As the free bird from the hospitable twig Where it had nested, he flies off from me: No human tie is snapped betwixt us two. Yea, he deserves to find himself deceived, Who seeks a heart in the unthinking man. Like shadows on a stream, the forms of life Impress their characters on the smooth forehead, Nought sinks into the bosom’s silent depth: Quick sensibility of pain and pleasure Moves the light fluids lightly; but no soul Warmeth the inner frame.
TERTSKY	Yet, would I rather Trust the smooth brow than that deep furrowed one.

Act I, Scene 8

Chi parla	Battuta
(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!

Act I, Scene 9

Chi parla	Battuta
(didascalia)	To them enter the COUNTESS.
COUNTESS	This suspense, This horrid fear — I can no longer bear it. For heaven’s sake, tell me, what has taken place.
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 have lied to thee.
WALLENSTEIN	The stars lie not; but we have here a work Wrought counter to the stars and destiny. The science is still honest: this false heart Forces a lie on the truth-telling heaven. On a divine law divination rests; Where nature deviates from that law, and stumbles Out of her limits, there all science errs. True, I did not suspect! Were it superstition Never by such suspicion t’ have affronted The human form, O may that time ne’er come In which I shame me of the infirmity. The wildest savage drinks not with the victim Into whose breast he means to plunge the sword. This, this, Octavio, was no hero’s deed: ‘Twas not thy prudence that did conquer mine; A bad heart triumphed o’er an honest one. No shield received the assassin stroke; thou plungest Thy weapon on an unprotected breast — Against such weapons I am but a child.

Act I, Scene 10

Chi parla	Battuta
(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, All confidence, my bosom beat to his, He sees and takes the advantage, stabs the knife Slowly into my heart.
(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! I am still rich in friends, Still loved by Destiny; for in the moment, That it unmasks the plotting hypocrite, It sends and proves to me one faithful heart. Of the hypocrite no more! Think not, his loss Was that which struck the pang: O no! his treason Is that which strikes this pang! No more of him! Dear to my heart, and honoured were they both, And the young man — yes — he did truly love me, He — he — has not deceived me. But enough, Enough of this — Swift counsel now beseems us. The Courier, whom Count Kinsky sent from Prague I expect him every moment: and whatever He may bring with him, we must take good care To keep it from the mutineers. Quick, then! Dispatch some messenger you can rely on To meet him, and conduct him to me.
(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! I have received a sudden cure From all the pangs of doubt: with steady stream Once more my life-blood flows! My soul’s secure! In the night only Friedland’s stars can beam. Lingering irresolute, with fitful fears I drew the sword—‘twas with an inward strife, While yet the choice was mine. The murderous knife Is lifted for my heart! Doubt disappears! I fight now for my head and for my life.
(didascalia)	Exit WALLENSTEIN; the others follow him.

Act I, Scene 11

Chi parla	Battuta
(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, Alone in this sore anguish of suspense. And I must wear the outward shew of calmness Before my sister, and shut in within me The pangs and agonies of my crowded bosom. It is not to be borne. — If all should fail; If — if he must go over to the Swedes, An empty-handed fugitive, and not As an ally, a covenanted equal, A proud commander with his army following; If we must wander on from land to land, Like the Count Palatine, of fallen greatness An ignominious monument — But no! That day I will not see! And could himself Endure to sink so low, I would not bear To see him so low sunken.

Chi parla

Battuta

(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,
Alone in this sore anguish of suspense.
And I must wear the outward shew of calmness
Before my sister, and shut in within me
The pangs and agonies of my crowded bosom.
It is not to be borne. — If all should fail;
If — if he must go over to the Swedes,
An empty-handed fugitive, and not
As an ally, a covenanted equal,
A proud commander with his army following;
If we must wander on from land to land,
Like the Count Palatine, of fallen greatness
An ignominious monument — But no!
That day I will not see! And could himself
Endure to sink so low, I would not bear
To see him so low sunken.

Act I, Scene 12

Chi parla	Battuta
(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 now to indulge infirmity, Courage beseems us now, a heart collected, And exercise and previous discipline Of fortitude. One word, and over with it! Sister, you are deluded. You believe, The Duke has been deposed — The Duke is not Deposed — he is ——
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.

Act II, Scene 1

Chi parla	Battuta
(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! Before the Swedish strength your troops had melted; Beside the Lech sank Tilly, your last hope; Into Bavaria, like a winter torrent, Did that Gustavus pour, and at Vienna In his own palace did the Emperor tremble. Soldiers were scarce, for still the multitude Follow the luck: all eyes were turned on me, Their helper in distress; the Emperor’s pride Bowed itself down before the man he had injured. ‘Twas I must rise, and with creative word Assemble forces in the desolate camps. I did it. Like a god of war, my name Went through the world. The drum was beat — and, lo! The plough, the work-shop is forsaken, all Swarm to the old familiar long-loved banners; And as the wood-choir rich in melody Assemble quick around the bird of wonder, When first his throat swells with his magic song, So did the warlike youth of Germany Crowd in around the image of my eagle. I feel myself the being that I was. It is the soul that builds itself a body, And Friedland’s camp will not remain unfilled. Lead then your thousands out to meet me — true! They are accustomed under me to conquer, But not against me. If the head and limbs Separate from each other, ‘twill be soon Made manifest, in which the soul abode.
(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, To conquer Germany for the Emperor.

Act II, Scene 2

Chi parla	Battuta
(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.

Act II, Scene 3

Chi parla	Battuta
(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. Thou art out of Brüggin in Flanders: Thy name is Mercy.
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 to serve in this corps.
(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 Above all others, suffered you to reason; Have treated you as free men, and my orders Were but the echoes of your prior suffrage. —
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, we travelled O’er the war-wasted earth. And now, even now, That we have well-nigh finished the hard toil, The unthankful, the curse-laden toil of weapons, With faithful indefatigable arm Have rolled the heavy war-load up the hill, Behold! this boy of the Emperor’s bears away The honours of the peace, an easy prize! He’ll weave, forsooth, into his flaxen locks The olive branch, the hard-earn’d ornament Of this grey head, grown grey beneath the helmet.
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, thou and no other shalt conduct us home, Rejoicing, to the lovely plains of peace — Shalt share with us the fruits of the long toil —
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 up! War, war, not peace, Is Austria’s wish; and therefore, because I Endeavoured after peace, therefore I fall. For what cares Austria, how long the war Wears out the armies and lays waste the world? She will but wax and grow amid the ruin, And still win new domains.
(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 To learn from thee.
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.

Act II, Scene 4

Chi parla	Battuta
(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 — but what is it?
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.

Act II, Scene 5

Chi parla	Battuta
(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? Is all lost utterly?
TERTSKY	All lost. No hope. Prague in the Emperor’s hands, The soldiery have ta’en their oaths anew.
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! and more unhappy mother!
WALLENSTEIN	Quick! Let a carriage stand in readiness In the court behind the palace. Scherfenberg Be their attendant; he is faithful to us; To Egra he’ll conduct them, and we follow.
(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; for I know what
(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.

Act II, Scene 6

Chi parla	Battuta
(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 each other. Wherefore continue to conceal it? Secrecy Is for the happy — misery, hopeless misery, Needeth no veil! Beneath a thousand suns It dares act openly.
(didascalia)	[He observes the COUNTESS looking on THEKLA with expressions of triumph.
MAX	No, Lady! No! Expect not, hope it not. I am not come To stay: to bid farewell, farewell for ever. For this I come! ‘Tis over! I must leave thee! Thekla, I must — must leave thee! Yet thy hatred Let me not take with me. I pray thee, grant me One look of sympathy, only one look. Say that thou dost not hate me. Say it to me, Thekla!
(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. Here will I Receive a full acquittal from this heart — For any other I am no more concerned.
WALLENSTEIN	Think’st thou, that fool-like, I shall let thee go, And act the mock-magnanimous with thee? Thy father is become a villain to me; I hold thee for his son, and nothing more: Nor to no purpose shalt thou have been given Into my power. Think not, that I will honour That ancient love, which so remorselessly He mangled. They are now past by, those hours Of friendship and forgiveness. Hate and vengeance Succeed—‘tis now their turn — I too can throw All feelings of the man aside — can prove Myself as much a monster as thy father!
MAX	Thou wilt proceed with me, as thou hast power. Thou know’st, I neither brave nor fear thy rage. What has detained me here, that too thou know’st.
(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 Their happiness, who most are thine. The god Whom thou dost serve, is no benignant deity. Like as the blind irreconcileable Fierce element, incapable of compact, Thy heart’s wild impulse only dost thou follow.
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 Still to and fro he passed, suspected never! On the wide ocean, in the starry heaven Did mine eyes seek the enemy, whom I In my heart’s heart had folded! Had I been To Ferdinand what Octavio was to me, War had I ne’er denounced against him. No, I never could have done it. The Emperor was My austere master only, not my friend. There was already war ‘twixt him and me When he delivered the Commander’s Staff Into my hands; for there’s a natural Unceasing war ‘twixt cunning and suspicion; Peace exists only betwixt confidence And faith. Who poisons confidence, he murders The future generations.
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: how have we fallen Into this circle of mishap and guilt? To whom have we been faithless? Wherefore must The evil deeds and guilt reciprocal Of our two fathers twine like serpents round us? Why must our fathers’ Unconquerable hate rend us asunder, Who love each other?
WALLENSTEIN	Max, remain with me. Go you not from me, Max! Hark! I will tell thee — How when at Prague, our winter quarters, thou Wert brought into my tent a tender boy, Not yet accustomed to the German winters; Thy hand was frozen to the heavy colours; Thou would’st not let them go. — At that time did I take thee in my arms, And with my mantle did I cover thee; I was thy nurse, no woman could have been A kinder to thee; I was not ashamed To do for thee all little offices, However strange to me; I tended thee Till life returned; and when thine eyes first opened, I had thee in my arms. Since then, when have I Altered my feelings towards thee? Many thousands Have I made rich, presented them with lands; Rewarded them with dignities and honours; Thee have I loved: my heart, my self, I gave To thee! They all were aliens: thou wert Our child and inmate. Max! Thou canst not leave me; It cannot be; I may not, will not think That Max can leave me.
MAX	O my God!
WALLENSTEIN	I have Held and sustained thee from thy tottering childhood. What holy bond is there of natural love? What human tie, that does not knit thee to me? I love thee, Max! What did thy father for thee, Which I too have not done, to the height of duty? Go hence, forsake me, serve thy Emperor; He will reward thee with a pretty chain Of gold; with his ram’s fleece will he reward thee; For that the friend, the father of thy youth, For that the holiest feeling of humanity, Was nothing worth to thee.
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? Art thou thine own commander? Stand’st thou, like me, a freeman in the world, That in thy actions thou should’st plead free agency? On me thou’rt planted, I am thy Emperor; To obey me, to belong to me, this is Thy honour, this a law of nature to thee! And if the planet, on the which thou liv’st And hast thy dwelling, from its orbit starts, It is not in thy choice, whether or no Thou’lt follow it. Unfelt it whirls thee onward Together with his ring and all his moons. With little guilt stepp’st thou into this contest, Thee will the world not censure, it will praise thee, For that thou heldst thy friend more worth to thee Than names and influences more removed. For justice is the virtue of the ruler, Affection and fidelity the subject’s. Not every one doth it beseem to question The far-off high Arcturus. Most securely Wilt thou pursue the nearest duty — let The pilot fix his eye upon the pole-star.
(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, there is a fermentation in the treacherous gulf of fire; it discharges itself with raging force, and away over all the plantations of men drives the wild stream in frightful devastation. WALLENSTEIN. Thou art portraying thy father’s heart; as thou describest, even so is it shaped in his entrails, in this black hypocrite’s breast. O, the art of hell has deceived me! The Abyss sent up to me the most spotted of the spirits, the most skilful in lies, and placed him as a friend by my side. Who may withstand the power of hell? I took the basilisk to my bosom, with my heart’s blood I nourished him; he sucked himself glutfull at the breasts of my love. I never harboured evil towards him; wide open did I leave the door of my thoughts; I threw away the key of wise foresight. In the starry heaven, &c. — We find a difficulty in believing this to have been written by Schiller. 1800, 1828, 1829. I have here ventured to omit a considerable number of lines, which it is difficult to believe that Schiller could have written. 1834.
(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.

Act II, Scene 7

Chi parla	Battuta
(didascalia)	To these enter NEUMANN.
WALLENSTEIN	What now?
NEUMANN	The Pappenheimers are dismounted, And are advancing now on foot, determined With sword in hand to storm the house, and free The Count, their colonel.
WALLENSTEIN	(to Tertsky). Have the cannon planted. I will receive them with chain-shot.
(didascalia)	[Exit TERTSKY.
WALLENSTEIN	Prescribe to me with sword in hand! Go, Neumann! ’Tis my command that they retreat this moment, And in their ranks in silence wait my pleasure.
(didascalia)	[NEUMANN exit. ILLO steps to the window.
COUNTESS	Let him go, I entreat thee, let him go.
ILLO	(at the window). Hell and perdition!
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 on us.
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?

Act II, Scene 8

Chi parla	Battuta
(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 wedge them, and with ease O’erpower them in the narrow streets.
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-eyed, Be let loose through its streets to roam and rage? Shall the decision be delivered over To deaf remorseless Rage, that hears no leader? Here is not room for battle, only for butchery. Well, let it be! I have long thought of it, So let it burst then!
(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.

Act II, Scene 9

Chi parla	Battuta
(didascalia)	COUNTESS, DUCHESS, MAX, and THEKLA.
COUNTESS	Let them but see him — there is hope still, sister.
DUCHESS	Hope! I have none!
MAX	This can I not endure. With most determined soul did I come hither, My purposed action seemed unblameable To my own conscience — and I must stand here Like one abhorred, a hard inhuman being; Yea, loaded with the curse of all I love! Must see all whom I love in this sore anguish, Whom I with one word can make happy — O! My heart revolts within me, and two voices Make themselves audible within my bosom. My soul’s benighted; I no longer can Distinguish the right track. O, well and truly Didst thou say, father, I relied too much On my own heart. My mind moves to and fro — I know not what to do.
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 which I dare follow? It speaks no longer in my heart. We all But utter what our passionate wishes dictate: O that an angel would descend from Heaven, And scoop for me the right, the uncorrupted, With a pure hand from the pure Fount of Light.
(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, which has the power to bless The happy man alone, averted ever From the disquieted and guilty — canst thou Still love me, if I stay? Say that thou canst, And I am the Duke’s ——
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’s quiet, are at stake; The fortune of a thousand gallant men, Who will all follow me; shall I forswear My oath and duty to the Emperor? Say, shall I send into Octavio’s camp The parricidal ball? For when the ball Has left its cannon, and is on its flight, It is no longer a dead instrument! It lives, a spirit passes into it, The avenging furies seize possession of it, And with sure malice guide it the worst way.
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 to this present hour, Think what the Duke has done for me, how loved me, And think too, how my father has repaid him. O likewise the free lovely impulses Of hospitality, the pious friend’s Faithful attachment, these too are a holy Religion to the heart; and heavily The shudderings of nature do avenge Themselves on the barbarian that insults them. Lay all upon the balance, all — then speak, And let thy heart decide it.
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 thee. Whate’er thou had’st chosen, thou would’st still have acted Nobly and worthy of thee — but repentance Shall ne’er disturb thy soul’s fair peace.
MAX	Then I Must leave thee, must part from thee!
THEKLA	Being faithful To thine own self, thou art faithful too to me: If our fates part, our hearts remain united. A bloody hatred will divide for ever The houses Piccolomini and Friedland; But we belong not to our houses — Go! Quick! quick! and separate thy righteous cause From our unholy and unblessed one! The curse of heaven lies upon our head: ‘Tis dedicate to ruin. Even me My father’s guilt drags with it to perdition. Mourn not for me: My destiny will quickly be decided.
(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.

Act II, Scene 10

Chi parla	Battuta
(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.

Act II, Scene 11

Chi parla	Battuta
(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 there are heard from below some spirited passages out of the Pappenheim March, which seem to address MAX.
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, Leaving my all behind me. O do not turn Thine eyes away from me! O once more shew me Thy ever dear and honoured countenance.
(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 may come, when you may prove to us A true friend, a good angel at the throne Of the Emperor.
MAX	You give me hope; you would not Suffer me wholly to despair. No! No! Mine is a certain misery — Thanks to heaven That offers me a means of ending it.
(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, And those whom here I see —
(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 the stage fills more and more; and the horns sound from below louder and louder, and each time after a shorter interval.
MAX	Blow, blow! O were it but the Swedish Trumpets, And all the naked swords, which I see here, 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 done To choose a man despairing for your leader; You tear me from my happiness. Well, then, I dedicate your souls to vengeance. Mark! For your own ruin you have chosen me: Who goes with me, must be prepared to perish.
(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.

Act III, Scene 1

Chi parla	Battuta
(didascalia)	The Burgomaster’s House at Egra.
BUTLER	Here then he is, by his destiny conducted. Here, Friedland! and no farther! From Bohemia Thy meteor rose, traversed the sky awhile, And here upon the borders of Bohemia Must sink. Thou hast forsworn the ancient colours, Blind man! yet trustest to thy ancient fortunes. Profaner of the altar and the hearth, Against thy Emperor and fellow-citizens Thou mean’st to wage the war. Friedland, beware — The evil spirit of revenge impels thee — Beware thou, that revenge destroy thee not!
(didascalia)	[Before 1] Butler (just arrived). 1800, 1828, 1829.

Act III, Scene 2

Chi parla	Battuta
(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 learns condescension: But sparing and with dignity the Duke Weighed every syllable of approbation, As masters praise a servant who has done His duty, and no more.
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! I often said, this can’t end happily. His might, his greatness, and this obscure power Are but a covered pit-fall. The human being May not be trusted to self-government. The clear and written law, the deep trod foot-marks Of ancient custom, are all necessary To keep him in the road of faith and duty. The authority entrusted to this man Was unexampled and unnatural It placed him on a level with his Emperor, Till the proud soul unlearned submission. Wo is me; I mourn for him! for where he fell, I deem Might none stand firm. Alas! dear General, We in our lucky mediocrity Have ne’er experienced, cannot calculate, What dangerous wishes such a height may breed In the heart of such a man.
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 here to hold him prisoner, And your assistance ‘tis on which I calculate.
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 may listen To the fair impulse of his human nature. Ah! we are but the poor tools of the law, Obedience the sole virtue we dare aim at!
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 Hath he selected, from the very dust Hath raised him into dignity and honour. And yet no friend, not one friend hath he purchased, Whose heart beats true to him in the evil hour.
BUTLER	Here’s one, I see.
GORDON	I have enjoyed from him No grace or favour. I could almost doubt, If ever in his greatness he once thought on An old friend of his youth. For still my office Kept me at distance from him; and when first He to this citadel appointed me, He was sincere and serious in his duty. I do not then abuse his confidence, If I preserve my fealty in that Which to my fealty was first delivered.
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 of Bergau At the same period; but I was the senior.
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: His frame of mind was serious and severe Beyond his years: his dreams were of great objects. He walked amidst us of a silent spirit, Communing with himself: yet I have known him Transported on a sudden into utterance Of strange conceptions; kindling into splendour His soul revealed itself, and he spake so That we looked round perplexed upon each other, Not knowing whether it were craziness, Or whether it were a god that spoke in him.
BUTLER	But was it where he fell two story high From a window-ledge, on which he had fallen asleep; And rose up free from injury? From this day (It is reported) he betrayed clear marks Of a distempered fancy.
GORDON	He became Doubtless more self-enwrapt and melancholy; He made himself a Catholic. Marvellously His marvellous preservation had transformed him. Thenceforth he held himself for an exempted And privileged being, and, as if he were Incapable of dizziness or fall, He ran along the unsteady rope of life. But now our destinies drove us asunder: He paced with rapid step the way of greatness, Was Count, and Prince, Duke-regent, and Dictator. And now is all, all this too little for him; He stretches forth his hands for a king’s crown, And plunges in unfathomable ruin.
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.

Act III, Scene 3

Chi parla	Battuta
(didascalia)	To these enter WALLENSTEIN, in conversation with the Burgomaster of Egra.
WALLENSTEIN	You were at one time a free town. I see, Ye bear the half eagle in your city arms. Why the half eagle only?
BURGOMASTER	We were free, But for these last two hundred years has Egra Remained in pledge to the Bohemian crown, Therefore we bear the half eagle, the other half Being cancelled till the empire ransom us, If ever that should be.
WALLENSTEIN	Ye merit freedom. Only be firm and dauntless. Lend your ears To no designing whispering court-minions. What may your imposts be?
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 monarchy — A new arrangement is at hand. You saw The three moons that appeared at once in the Heaven.
BURGOMASTER	With wonder and affright!
WALLENSTEIN	Whereof did two Strangely transform themselves to bloody daggers. And only one, the middle moon, remained Steady and clear.
BURGOMASTER	We applied it to the Turks.
WALLENSTEIN	The Turks! That all? — I tell you, that two empires Will set in blood, in the East and in the West, And Luth’ranism alone remain.
(didascalia)	[Observing GORDON and BUTLER.
WALLENSTEIN	I’faith, ‘Twas a smart cannonading that we heard This evening, as we journeyed hitherward; ‘Twas on our left hand. Did you hear it here?
GORDON	Distinctly. The wind brought it from the South.
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.

Act III, Scene 4

Chi parla	Battuta
(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.

Act III, Scene 5

Chi parla	Battuta
(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) What now?
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). 1800, 1828, 1829.
(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.

Act III, Scene 6

Chi parla	Battuta
(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 I heard it.
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 makes all things certain!
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 is clear, the Emperor has passed judgment, And we but execute his will.
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 curses it.
BUTLER	Here is the manifesto which commands us To gain possession of his person. See — It is addressed to you as well as me. Are you content to take the consequences, If through our fault he escape to the enemy?
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 his fall, Not his destruction.
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. ‘Twas they who strewed the seeds of evil passions In his calm breast, and with officious villainy Watered and nursed the pois’nous plants. May they Receive their earnests to the uttermost mite!
BUTLER	And their death shall precede his! We meant to have taken them alive this evening Amid the merry-making of a feast, And kept them prisoners in the citadels. But this makes shorter work. I go this instant To give the necessary orders.

Act III, Scene 7

Chi parla	Battuta
(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 for his only son.
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! He’d gladly see us all dead ten times over, Could he thereby recall his friend to life.
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 for once be day, and mid full glasses Will we expect the Swedish Avantgarde.
ILLO	Yes, let us be of good cheer for to-day, For there’s hot work before us, friends! This sword Shall have no rest, till it be bathed to the hilt In Austrian blood.
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 of Fortune turns; The Emperor still is formidably strong.
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. What think you? Say, shall we have the State illuminated In honour of the Swede? And who refuses To do it is a Spaniard and a traitor.
TERTSKY	Nay! Nay! not that, it will not please the Duke —
ILLO	What! we are masters here; no soul shall dare Avow himself imperial where we’ve rule. Gordon! Good night, and for the last time, take A fair leave of the place. Send out patroles To make secure, the watch-word may be altered At the stroke of ten; deliver in the keys To the Duke himself, and then you’re quit for ever Your wardship of the gates, for on to-morrow The Swedes will take possession of the citadel.
TERTSKY	You come though to the castle.
BUTLER	At the right time.
(didascalia)	Exeunt TERTSKY and ILLO.

Act III, Scene 8

Chi parla	Battuta
(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-hardy villain That would fain bathe himself in his Emperor’s blood.
BUTLER	Do as he ordered you. Send round patroles. Take measures for the citadel’s security; When they are within I close the castle gate That nothing may transpire.
GORDON	Oh! haste not so! Nay, stop; first tell me ——
BUTLER	You have heard already, To-morrow to the Swedes belongs. This night Alone is ours. They make good expedition. But we will make still greater. Fare you well.
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! Their evil stars Deliver them unarmed into our hands. And from their drunken dream of golden fortunes The dagger at their heart shall rouse them. Well, The Duke was ever a great calculator; His fellow-men were figures on his chess-board, To move and station, as his game required. Other men’s honour, dignity, good name, Did he shift like pawns, and made no conscience of it: Still calculating, calculating still; And yet at last his calculation proves Erroneous; the whole game is lost; and lo! His own life will be found among the forfeits.
GORDON	O think not of his errors now; remember His greatness, his munificence, think on all The lovely features of his character, On all the noble exploits of his life, And let them, like an angel’s arm, unseen Arrest the lifted sword.
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 the Duke, and have no cause to love him) Yet ‘tis not now my hatred that impels me To be his murderer. ‘Tis his evil fate. Hostile concurrences of many events Control and subjugate me to the office. In vain the human being meditates Free action. He is but the wire-worked puppet Of the blind power, which out of his own choice Creates for him a dread necessity. What too would it avail him, if there were A something pleading for him in my heart — Still I must kill him.
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 — his blood? Believe it not!
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. — Gordon! I do not wish his blood — But I must ransom The honour of my word — it lies in pledge — And he must die, or ——
(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 — So that the man of princely rank be saved. We all do stamp our value on ourselves. The price we challenge for ourselves is given us. There does not live on earth the man so stationed, That I despise myself compared with him. Man is made great or little by his own will; Because I am true to mine, therefore he dies.
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.

Act III, Scene 9

Chi parla	Battuta
(didascalia)	Butler (alone).
BUTLER	I treasured my good name all my life long; The Duke has cheated me of life’s best jewel, So that I blush before this poor weak Gordon! He prizes above all his fealty; His conscious soul accuses him of nothing; In opposition to his own soft heart He subjugates himself to an iron duty. Me in a weaker moment passion warped; I stand beside him, and must feel myself The worst man of the two. What though the world Is ignorant of my purposed treason, yet One man does know it, and can prove it too — High-minded Piccolomini! There lives the man who can dishonour me! This ignominy blood alone can cleanse! Duke Friedland, thou or I — Into my own hands Fortune delivers me — The dearest thing a man has is himself.
(didascalia)	(The curtain drops.)

Act IV, Scene 2

Chi parla	Battuta
(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-palace is well barred and guarded, That no intelligence of this proceeding May make its way to the Duke. — Go instantly; Have you yet sent for Captain Devereux And the Macdonald? ——
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.

Act IV, Scene 3

Chi parla	Battuta
(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 of Austria!
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, why not we?
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 so.
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. The words sound always well That travel hither from the Court. Yes! yes! We know already what Court-words import. A golden chain perhaps in sign of favour, Or an old charger, or a parchment patent, And such like. — The Prince-duke pays better.
MACDONALD	Yes, The Duke’s a splendid paymaster.
BUTLER	All over With that, my friends! His lucky stars are set.
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 him.
BUTLER	We’ll desert him? Full twenty thousand have done that already; We must do more, my countrymen! In short — We — we must kill him.
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! It is too bad. One has a conscience too —
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 as any other. What think you, Brother Macdonald?
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. To-morrow will the Swedes be at our gates.
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, and there’s a feast Given at the castle — there we shall surprise them, And hew them down. The Pestalutz and Lesley Have that commission — soon as that is finished —
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, I fear.
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 To run him through the body in return. A coat that is far better and far warmer Did the Emperor give to him, the Prince’s mantle. How doth he thank the Emperor? With revolt, And treason.
DEVEREUX	That is true. The devil take Such thankers! I’ll dispatch him.
BUTLER	And would’st quiet Thy conscience, thou hast nought to do but simply Pull off the coat; so canst thou do the deed With light heart and good spirits.
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 or dagger against him? He is not to be wounded — he is —
BUTLER	What?
MACDONALD	Safe against shot, and stab and flash! Hard frozen, Secured, and warranted by the black art! His body is impenetrable, I tell you.
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 and pike for me In holy water, and say over them One of his strongest blessings. That’s probatum! Nothing can stand ‘gainst that.
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-pipe, and make way for you.
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 over — hey, Macdonald? I Feel queerly on the occasion, devil knows!
MACDONALD	And I too. ‘Tis too great a personage. People will hold us for a brace of villains.
BUTLER	In plenty, honour, splendour — You may safely Laugh at the people’s babble.
DEVEREUX	If the business Squares with one’s honour — if that be quite certain —
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 and life.
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.

Act IV, Scene 4

Chi parla	Battuta
(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! How is it?
(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 with hers, For she hath suffered a deep anguish; but She’ll rise superior to it, for my Thekla Hath all her father’s unsubdued heart.
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 I saw him: Trust me, I shall behave myself the more Collectedly.
WALLENSTEIN	Permit her her own will. Leave her alone with him: for there are sorrows, Where of necessity the soul must be Its own support. A strong heart will rely On its own strength alone. In her own bosom, Not in her mother’s arms, must she collect The strength to rise superior to this blow. It is mine own brave girl. I’ll have her treated Not as the woman, but the heroine.
(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 To brood o’er anxious thoughts. The mists of doubt Magnify evils to a shape of horror.
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. Take us with you. Come, sister, join you your entreaty! — Niece, Yours too. We all entreat you, take us with you!
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 with him.
(didascalia)	[Exit.
DUCHESS	(to Thekla who starts and shivers). There — pale as death! — Child, ‘tis impossible That thou should’st speak with him. Follow thy mother.
THEKLA	The Lady Neubrunn then may stay with me.
(didascalia)	[Exeunt DUCHESS and COUNTESS.
(didascalia)	SCENE — A Gothic and gloomy, &c. 1800, 1828, 1829.

Act IV, Scene 5

Chi parla	Battuta
(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 you hate my presence, For my tongue spake a melancholy word.
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 a cloud of dust From the wood thitherward; our vanguard fled Into the camp, and sounded the alarm. Scarce had we mounted, ere the Pappenheimers, Their horses at full speed, broke through the lines, And leapt the trenches; but their heedless courage Had borne them onward far before the others — The infantry were still at distance, only The Pappenheimers followed daringly Their daring leader ——
(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 Inspired the troops with frenzy when they saw Their leader perish; every thought of rescue Was spurn’d; they fought like wounded tigers; their Frantic resistance rous’d our soldiery; A murderous fight took place, nor was the contest Finish’d before their last man fell.
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 of the deceased was placed upon it, In mark of honour, by the Rhinegrave’s self. Nor tears were wanting; for there are among us Many, who had themselves experienced The greatness of his mind, and gentle manners; All were affected at his fate. The Rhinegrave Would willingly have saved him; but himself Made vain the attempt—‘tis said he wished to die.
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.

Act IV, Scene 6

Chi parla	Battuta
(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. This night we must away!
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 is past —— And now I fear no human being’s rage.
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 of the beloved.
NEUBRUNN	And we alone, two helpless feeble women?
THEKLA	We will take weapons: my arms shall protect thee.
NEUBRUNN	In the dark night-time?
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’s weary length —
THEKLA	The pilgrim, travelling to a distant shrine Of hope and healing, doth not count the leagues.
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. There will my heart be eased, my tears will flow. O hasten, make no further questioning! There is no rest for me till I have left These walls — they fall in on me — A dim power Drives me from hence — Oh mercy! What a feeling! What pale and hollow forms are those! They fill, They crowd the place! I have no longer room here! Mercy! Still more! More still! The hideous swarm! They press on me; they chase me from these walls — Those hollow, bodiless forms of living men!
NEUBRUNN	You frighten me so, lady, that no longer I dare stay here myself. I go and call Rosenberg instantly.
(didascalia)	[Exit LADY NEUBRUNN.

Act IV, Scene 7

Chi parla	Battuta
THEKLA	His spirit ‘tis that calls me: ‘tis the troop Of his true followers, who offered up Themselves to avenge his death: and they accuse me Of an ignoble loitering — they would not Forsake their leader even in his death — they died for him! And shall I live? —— For me too was that laurel-garland twined That decks his bier. Life is an empty casket: I throw it from me. O! my only hope; — To die beneath the hoofs of trampling steeds — That is the lot of heroes upon earth!
(didascalia)	[Exit THEKLA. (The curtain drops.)]

Chi parla

Battuta

THEKLA

His spirit ‘tis that calls me: ‘tis the troop
Of his true followers, who offered up
Themselves to avenge his death: and they accuse me
Of an ignoble loitering — they would not
Forsake their leader even in his death — they died for him!
And shall I live? ——
For me too was that laurel-garland twined
That decks his bier. Life is an empty casket:
I throw it from me. O! my only hope; —
To die beneath the hoofs of trampling steeds —
That is the lot of heroes upon earth!

(didascalia)

[Exit THEKLA. (The curtain drops.)]

Act V, Scene 1

Chi parla	Battuta
(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 demand, Attribute it to no lack of good will, For henceforth are our fortunes one. Farewell, And for your trouble take my thanks. To-morrow The citadel shall be surrendered to you On your arrival.
(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’s far spent. Betake thee to thy chamber.
COUNTESS	Bid me not go, O let me stay with thee!
WALLENSTEIN	There is a busy motion in the Heaven, The wind doth chase the flag upon the tower, Fast sweep the clouds, the sickle of the moon, Struggling, darts snatches of uncertain light. No form of star is visible! That one White stain of light, that single glimmering yonder, Is from Cassiopeia, and therein Is Jupiter. (A pause.) But now The blackness of the troubled element hides him!
(didascalia)	[He sinks into profound melancholy, and looks vacantly into the distance.
COUNTESS	(looks on him mournfully, then grasps his hand). What art thou brooding on?
WALLENSTEIN	Methinks, If I but saw him, ‘twould be well with me. He, is the star of my nativity, And often marvellously hath his aspect Shot strength into my heart.
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 and fear; No more submitted to the change and chance Of the unsteady planets. O ‘tis well With him! but who knows what the coming hour Veil’d in thick darkness brings for us!
COUNTESS	Thou speakest Of Piccolomini. What was his death? The courier had just left thee as I came.
(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, thy friend was to thee dead; To thee he died, when first he parted from thee.
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, Clothing the palpable and familiar With golden exhalations of the dawn. Whatever fortunes wait my future toils, The beautiful is vanished — and returns not.
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 to leave thee — A boding fear possesses me!
WALLENSTEIN	Fear? Wherefore?
COUNTESS	Should’st thou depart this night, and we at waking Never more find thee!
WALLENSTEIN	Fancies!
COUNTESS	O my soul Has long been weighed down by these dark forebodings. And if I combat and repel them waking, They still rush down upon my heart in dreams, I saw thee yesternight with thy first wife Sit at a banquet gorgeously attired.
WALLENSTEIN	This was a dream of favourable omen, That marriage being the founder of my fortunes.
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 is busy with these thoughts.
COUNTESS	What dost thou not believe that oft in dreams A voice of warning speaks prophetic to us?
WALLENSTEIN	There is no doubt that there exist such voices. Yet I would not call them Voices of warning that announce to us Only the inevitable. As the sun, Ere it is risen, sometimes paints its image In the atmosphere, so often do the spirits Of great events stride on before the events, And in to-day already walks to-morrow. That which we read of the fourth Henry’s death Did ever vex and haunt me like a tale Of my own future destiny. The King Felt in his breast the phantom of the knife, Long ere Ravaillac arm’d himself therewith. His quiet mind forsook him: the phantasma Started him in his Louvre, chased him forth Into the open air: like funeral knells Sounded that coronation festival; And still with boding sense he heard the tread Of those feet that ev’n then were seeking him Throughout the streets of Paris.
COUNTESS	And to thee The voice within thy soul bodes nothing?
WALLENSTEIN	Nothing. Be wholly tranquil.
COUNTESS	And another time I hastened after thee, and thou ran’st from me Through a long suite, through many a spacious hall, There seemed no end of it: doors creaked and clapped; I followed panting, but could not o’ertake thee; When on a sudden did I feel myself Grasped from behind — the hand was cold that grasped me — ‘Twas thou, and thou did’st kiss me, and there seemed A crimson covering to envelop us.
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 of ll. 57, 58 was substituted for the text of the variant and the footnote was omitted.

Act V, Scene 2

Chi parla	Battuta
(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 of the victory. — This tribe Can shew their joy in nothing else but feasting.
(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, It was to chain to me all my life long The volatile fortune whose first pledge it was. Well, be it so! Henceforward a new fortune Must spring up for me; for the potency Of this charm is dissolved.
(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 returns upon me! I Behold myself once more at Burgau, where We two were pages of the Court together. We oftentimes disputed: thy intention Was ever good; but thou wert wont to play The moralist and preacher, and would’st rail at me That I strove after things too high for me, Giving my faith to bold unlawful dreams, And still extol to me the golden mean. — Thy wisdom hath been proved a thriftless friend To thy own self. See, it has made thee early A superannuated man, and (but That my munificent stars will intervene) Would let thee in some miserable corner Go out like an untended lamp.
GORDON	My Prince! With light heart the poor fisher moors his boat, And watches from the shore the lofty ship Stranded amid the storm.
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 Took me from out the common ranks of men, And like a mother goddess, with strong arm Carried me swiftly up the steps of life. Nothing is common in my destiny, Nor in the furrows of my hand. Who dares Interpret then my life for me as ‘twere One of the undistinguishable many? True in this present moment I appear Fallen low indeed; but I shall rise again. The high flood will soon follow on this ebb; The fountain of my fortune, which now stops Repressed and bound by some malicious star, Will soon in joy play forth from all its pipes.
GORDON	And yet remember I the good old proverb, ‘Let the night come before we praise the day.‘ I would be slow from long-continued fortune To gather hope: for hope is the companion Given to the unfortunate by pitying Heaven. Fear hovers round the head of prosperous men, For still unsteady are the scales of fate.
(didascalia)	(smiling)
WALLENSTEIN	I hear the very Gordon that of old Was wont to preach to me, now once more preaching; I know well, that all sublunary things Are still the vassals of vicissitude. The unpropitious gods demand their tribute. This long ago the ancient Pagans knew: And therefore of their own accord they offered To themselves injuries, so to atone The jealousy of their divinities: And human sacrifices bled to Typhon.
(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 Was drawn off which would else have shattered me.

Act V, Scene 3

Chi parla	Battuta
(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 deludes me. Come, read it in the planetary aspects; Read it thyself, that ruin threatens thee From false friends!
WALLENSTEIN	From the falseness of my friends Has risen the whole of my unprosperous fortunes. The warning should have come before! At present I need no revelation from the stars To know that.
SENI	Come and see! trust thine own eyes! A fearful sign stands in the house of life; An enemy, a fiend lurks close behind The radiance of thy planet — O be warned! Deliver not thyself up to these heathens 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, Baptista! Signs like these I do not fear.
(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, if God’s high providence vouchsaf’d To interpose its aid for your deliverance, And made that mouth its organ.
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, my Prince.
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, And Friedland, who returns repentant to him, Will stand yet higher in his Emperor’s favour, Than e’er he stood when he had never fallen.
(didascalia)	Wallenstein (contemplates him with surprise, remains silent awhile, betraying strong emotion).
WALLENSTEIN	Gordon — your zeal and fervour lead you far. Well, well — an old friend has a privilege. Blood, Gordon, has been flowing. Never, never Can the Emperor pardon me: and if he could, Yet I — I ne’er could let myself be pardoned. Had I foreknown what now has taken place, That he, my dearest friend, would fall for me, My first death-offering: and had the heart Spoken to me, as now it has done — Gordon, It may be, I might have bethought myself. It may be too, I might not. Might or might not, Is now an idle question. All too seriously Has it begun to end in nothing, Gordon! Let it then have its course.
(didascalia)	[Stepping to the window.
WALLENSTEIN	All dark and silent — at the castle too All is now hushed — Light me, Chamberlain!
(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 for the last time mayst thou unrobe me, And then go over to thy Emperor. Gordon, good night! I think to make a long Sleep of it: for the struggle and the turmoil Of this last day or two were great. May’t please you! Take care that they awake me not too early.
(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.

Act V, Scene 4

Chi parla	Battuta
(didascalia)	GORDON, BUTLER (at first behind the scenes).
BUTLER	Here stand in silence till I give the signal.
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. For what am I, that I Should take upon myself so great a deed? I have not murdered him, if he be murdered: But all his rescue were my act and deed; Mine — and whatever be the consequences, I must sustain them.
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’s respite.
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. Only one hour! Your heart may change its purpose, His heart may change its purpose — some new tidings May come; some fortunate event, decisive, May fall from Heaven and rescue him. O what May not one hour achieve!
BUTLER	You but remind me, How precious every minute is!
(didascalia)	(He stamps on the floor.)

Act V, Scene 5

Chi parla	Battuta
(didascalia)	To these enter MACDONALD and DEVEREUX, with the Halberdiers.
GORDON	No, monster! First over my dead body thou shalt tread. I will not live to see the accursed deed!
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 now to make larum.
GROOM OF THE CHAMBER	Help! Murder!
BUTLER	Down with him!
(didascalia)	Groom of the Chamber run through the body by Devereux, falls at the entrance of the gallery.
GROOM OF THE CHAMBER	Jesus Maria!
BUTLER	Burst the doors open!
(didascalia)	They rush over the body into the gallery — two doors are heard to crash one after the other — Voices deadened by the distance — Clash of arms — then all at once a profound silence.

Act V, Scene 6

Chi parla	Battuta
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 in the house. How will the Duke Bear up against these worst bad tidings? O If that my husband now were but returned Home from the banquet: Hark! I wonder whether The Duke is still awake! I thought I heard Voices and tread of feet here! I will go And listen at the door. Hark! What is that? ‘Tis hastening up the steps!

Chi parla

Battuta

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 in the house. How will the Duke
Bear up against these worst bad tidings? O
If that my husband now were but returned
Home from the banquet: Hark! I wonder whether
The Duke is still awake! I thought I heard
Voices and tread of feet here! I will go
And listen at the door. Hark! What is that?
‘Tis hastening up the steps!

Act V, Scene 7

Chi parla	Battuta
(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? Where’s my husband?
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 with my husband.
(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.

Act V, Scene 8

Chi parla	Battuta
(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. In your house doth the Duke lie murdered!
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.

Act V, Scene 9

Chi parla	Battuta
(didascalia)	To these enters OCTAVIO PICCOLOMINI with all his train. At the same time DEVEREUX and MACDONALD enter from out the Corridor with the Halberdiers. WALLENSTEIN’S dead body is carried over the back part of the stage, wrapped in a piece of crimson tapestry.
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 of WALLENSTEIN as it is carried over the back of the stage. OCTAVIO looks that way, and stands overpowered with horror.
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 for mercy? Time is man’s good Angel. To leave no interval between the sentence, And the fulfilment of it, doth beseem God only, the immutable!
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, and yet stand Astonished that blood is come up. I always Knew what I did, and therefore no result Hath power to frighten or surprise my spirit. Have you aught else to order? — for this instant I make my best speed to Vienna; place My bleeding sword before my Emperor’s throne, And hope to gain the applause which undelaying And punctual obedience may demand From a just judge.
(didascalia)	[Exit BUTLER.
(didascalia)	[Before 15] Butler (calmly). 1800, 1828, 1829.

Act V, Scene 10

Chi parla	Battuta
(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, my niece has disappeared. This house of splendour, and of princely glory, Doth now stand desolated: the affrighted servants Rush forth through all its doors. I am the last Therein; I shut it up, and here deliver The keys.
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 and confidence To the Imperial Grace!
COUNTESS	To the grace and mercy of a greater Master Do I yield up myself. Where shall the body Of the Duke have its place of final rest? In the Chartreuse, which he himself did found, At Gitschin rests the Countess Wallenstein; And by her side, to whom he was indebted For his first fortunes, gratefully he wished He might sometime repose in death! O let him Be buried there. And likewise, for my husband’s Remains, I ask the like grace. The Emperor Is now proprietor of all our castles. This sure may well be granted us — one sepulchre Beside the sepulchres of our forefathers!
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 — the crown did fate Deny, but not the feeling and the spirit That to the crown belong! We deem a Courageous death more worthy of our free station Than a dishonoured life. — I have taken poison.
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 and horrors!
(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.)

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THE DEATH OF WALLENSTEIN

Capitoli / Chapters

Connections

Testo integrale / Full text

Act I, Scene 1

Act I, Scene 2

Act I, Scene 3

Act I, Scene 4

Act I, Scene 5

Act I, Scene 6

Act I, Scene 7

Act I, Scene 8

Act I, Scene 9

Act I, Scene 10

Act I, Scene 11

Act I, Scene 12

Act II, Scene 1

Act II, Scene 2

Act II, Scene 3

Act II, Scene 4

Act II, Scene 5

Act II, Scene 6

Act II, Scene 7

Act II, Scene 8

Act II, Scene 9

Act II, Scene 10

Act II, Scene 11

Act III, Scene 1

Act III, Scene 2

Act III, Scene 3

Act III, Scene 4

Act III, Scene 5

Act III, Scene 6

Act III, Scene 7

Act III, Scene 8

Act III, Scene 9

Act IV, Scene 2

Act IV, Scene 3

Act IV, Scene 4

Act IV, Scene 5

Act IV, Scene 6

Act IV, Scene 7

Act V, Scene 1

Act V, Scene 2

Act V, Scene 3

Act V, Scene 4

Act V, Scene 5

Act V, Scene 6

Act V, Scene 7

Act V, Scene 8

Act V, Scene 9

Act V, Scene 10

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