The Death of Wallenstein, Friedrich Schiller [learn to read books txt] 📗

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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 splendor 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-enwrapped and melancholy; He made himself a Catholic. [7] 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.


SCENE III.

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?
[The BURGOMASTER hesitates. Yes, yes; I know it. Many lie concealed Within these walls. Confess now, you yourself - -
[Fixes, his eye on him. The BURGOMASTER alarmed. 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 Glogau At my own instance. Hark ye, burgomaster! What is your name?

BURGOMASTER.
Pachhalbel, my it please you.

WALLENSTEIN. Hark ye! But let it go no further, what I now Disclose to you in confidence.
[Laying his hand on the BURGOMASTER'S shoulder with a certain
solemnity.
The times Draw near to their fulfilment, burgomaster! The high will fall, the low will be exalted. Hark ye! 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 Lutherism alone remain.
[Observing GORDON and BUTLER.
I'faith, 'Twas a smart cannonading that we heard This evening, as we journeyed hitherward: 'Twas on our left hand. Did ye 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 arquebusiers 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.
[To BUTLER. Release the outposts in the vale of Jochim, With all the stations in the enemy's route.
[To GORDON. 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.


SCENE IV.

To these enter COUNT TERZKY.

TERZKY. Joy, general, joy! I bring you welcome tidings.

WALLENSTEIN. And what may they be?

TERZKY.
There has been an engagement At Neustadt; the Swedes gained the victory.

WALLENSTEIN. From whence did you receive the intelligence?

TERZKY. A countryman from Tirschenreut conveyed it. Soon after sunrise did the fight begin A troop of the imperialists from Tachau 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 Gallas' force collects at Frauenberg, And have not the full complement. Is it possible That Suys perchance had ventured so far onward? It cannot be.

TERZKY.
We shall soon know the whole, For here comes Illo, full of haste, and joyous.


SCENE V.

To these enter ILLO.

ILLO (to WALLENSTEIN). A courier, duke! he wishes to speak with thee.

TERZKY (eagerly). Does he bring confirmation of the victory?

WALLENSTEIN (at the same time). 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'erpowered by numbers The Pappenheimers all, with Max. their leader,
[WALLENSTEIN shudders and turns pale. Were left dead on the field.

WALLENSTEIN (after a pause, in a low voice). Where is the messenger? Conduct me to him.

[WALLENSTEIN is going, when LADY NEUBRUNN rushes into the room.
Some servants follow her and run across the stage.

NEUBRUNN. Help! Help!

ILLO and TERZKY (at the same time).
What now?

NEUBRUNN.
The princess!

WALLENSTEIN and TERZKY.
Does she know it?

NEUBRUNN (at the same time with them). She is dying!

[Hurries off the stage, when WALLENSTEIN and TERZKY follow her.


SCENE VI.

BUTLER and GORDON.

GORDON. What's this?

BUTLER. She has lost the man she loved - Young Piccolomini, who fell in the battle.

GORDON. Unfortunate lady!

BUTLER.
You have heard what Illo Reporteth, that the Swedes are conquerers, 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 (after a pause). 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.
Sutler! 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 An "has been" washes out no villany, 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.