BUTLER

BUTLER

GORDON.

GORDON.

BUTLER.

The Duke himself, my scruples recommenced.

GORDON.
For truly, not like an attainted man,

And all then have deserted him, you say?
Into this town did Friedland make his entrance ; He has built up the luck of many thousands ;
His wonted majesty beam'd from his brow,

For kingly was his spirit: his full hand
And calm, as in the days when all was right, Was ever open! Many a one from dust
Did he receive from me the accounts of office.

[With a sly glance on BUTLER. T'is said, that fallen pride learns condescension : Hath he selected, from the very dust But sparing and with dignity the Duke

Hath raised him into dignity and honor. Weigh'd every syllable of approbation,

And yet no friend, not one friend hath he purchased, As masters praise a servant who has done

Whose heart beats true to him in the evil hour. His duty, and no more.

Here's one, I see. 'Tis all precisely As I related in my letter. Friedland

I have enjoy'd from him Has sold the army to the enemy,

No grace or favor. I could almost doubt, And pledged himself to give up Prague and Egra.

If ever in his greatness he once thought on On this report the regiments all forsook him,

An old friend of his youth. For still my office The five excepted that belong to Tertsky,

Kept me at distance from him ; and when first And which have follow'd him, as thou hast seen. He to this citadel appointed me, The sentence of attainder is passid on him, He was sincere and serious in his duty. And every loyal subject is required

I do not then abuse his confidence, To give him in to justice, dead or living.

If I preserve my feally in that

Which to my feally was first deliver'd. A traitor to the Emperor-Such a noble! Of such high talents! What is human greatness ? Say, then, will you fulfil the attainder on hini ? I often said, this can't end happily.

GORDON (pauses reflecting—then as in deep dejection). His might, his greatness, and this obscure power

If it be so—if all be as you sayAre but a cover'd pit-fall. The human being

If he've betray'd the Emperor, his master, May not be trusted to self-government.

Have sold the troops, have purposed to deliver The clear and written law, the deep-trod foot-marks The strong-holds of the country to the enemyOf ancient custom, are all necessary

Yea, truly there is no redemption for him! To keep him in the road of faith and duty.

Yet it is hard, that me the lot should destine The authority intrusted to this man

To be the instrument of his perdition ; Was unesampled and unnatural.

For we were pages at the court of Bergau
It placed him on a level with his Emperor,

At the same period; but I was the senior.
Till the proud soul unlearn'd submission. Woe is me;
I moum for him! for where he fell, I deem

I have heard som
Might none stand firm. Alas! dear General,
We in our lucky mediocrity
Have ne’er experienced, cannot calculate,

"T is full thirty years since then. What dangerous wishes such a height may breed

A youth who scarce had seen his twentieth year In the heart of such a man.

Was Wallenstein, when he and I were friends :

Yet even then he had a daring soul :
BUTLER.

His frame of mind was serious and severe

Spare your laments Beyond his years: his dreams were of great objects. Till he need sympathy; for at this present

He walk'd amidst us of a silent spirit, He is still mighty, and still formidable.

Communing with himself; yet I have known him The Swedes advance to Egra by forced marches, Transported on a sudden into utterance And quickly will the junction be accomplish’d. Of strange conceptions; kindling into splendor This must not be! The Duke must never leave His soul reveal'd itself, and he spake so This strong-hold on free footing; for I have That we look'd round perplex'd upon each other, Pledged life and honor here to hold him prisoner, Not knowing whether it were craziness, And

your assistance 'tis on which I calculate. Or whether it were a god that spoke in him.

BUTLER

GORDON

GORDON.

() that I had not lived to see this day!
From his hand I received this dignity,
He did himself intrust this strong-hold to me,
Which I am now required to make his dungeon.
We subalters 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
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 betray'd clear marks
Of a distemper'd fancy.

GORDON

He became
Doubtless more self-enwrapt and melancholy;

He made himself a Catholic. Marvellously
His marvellous preservation had transform'd him.
Thenceforth he held himself for an exempted
And privileged being, and, as if he were
Incapable of dizziness or fall,

GORDON.

BUTLER.

He ran alone the unsteady rope of life.

BURGOMASTER. But now our destinies drove us asunder;

With wonder and affright! He paced with rapid step the way of greatness,

WALLENSTEIN. Was Count, and Prince, Duke-regent, and Dictator.

Whereof did two And now is all, all this too little for him;

Strangely transform themselves to bloody daggers,
He stretches forth his hands for a king's crown, And only one, the middle moon, remain'd
And plunges in unfathomable ruin.

Steady and clear.
BUTLER.

BURGOMASTER.
No more, he comes.

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,
SCENE III.

And Luth'ranism alone remain. To these enter WALLENSTEIN, in conversation with the

(Observing Gordox and BUTLER. BURGOMASTER of Egra.

l' faith,
'Twas a smart cannonading that we heard
WALLENSTEIN.

This evening, as we journey'd hitherward;
You were at one time a free town. I see,

'Twas on our left hand. Did you hear it here? Ye bear the half eagle in your city arms. Why the half eagle only ?

Distinctly. The wind brought it from the South.
BURGOMASTER.
We were free,

It seem'd to come from Weiden or from Neustadt But for these last two hundred years has Egra

WALLENSTEIN. Remain'd in pledge to the Bohemian crown; "Tis likely. That's the route the Swedes are taking. Therefore we bear the half eagle, the other half

How strong is the garrison ? Being cancell'd till the empire ransom us,

GORDON If ever that should be.

Not quite two hundred
WALLENSTEIN.

Competent men, the rest are invalids.
Ye merit freedom.

WALLENSTEIX.
Only be firm and dauntless. Lend your ears

Good! And how many in the vale of Jochim. To no designing whispering court-minions.

GORDON. What may your imposts be?

Two hundred arquebusiers have I sent thither,

To fortify the posts against the Swedes.
BURGOMASTER.
So heavy that

WALLENSTEIN.
We totter under them. The garrison

Good! I commend'your foresight. At the works too Lives at our costs.

You have done somewhat ?
WALLENSTEIN.

GORDON.
I will relieve you. Tell me,

Two additional batteries There are some Protestants among you still ?

I caused to be run up. They were needed. [The BURGOMASTER hesitales. The Rhinegrave presses hard upon us, General ! Yes, yes; I know it. Many lie conceal'd

WALLENSTEIN. Within these walls-Confess now-you yourself You have been watchful in your Emperor's service. [Fixes his eye on him. The BURGOMASTER alarmed. I am content with you, Lieutenant-Colonel

. Be not alarm'd. I hate the Jesuits.

[To BUTLER Could my will have determined it, they had Release the outposts in the vale of Jochim Been long ago expell’d the empire. Trust me With all the stations in the enemy's route. Mass-book or Bible--'tis all one to me.

(TO GORDON Of that the world has had sufficient proof.

Governor, in your faithful hands I leave I built a church for the reform'd in Glogau My wife, my daughter, and my sister. I At my own instance. Ilarkye, Burgomaster! Shall make no stay here, and wait but the arrival What is your name?

of letters to take leave of you, together

With all the regiments.
BURGOMASTER.

Pachhalbel, may it please you.

WALLENSTEIN.

TERTSKY.

WALLENSTEIN.

SCENE IV.
Harkye !
But let it go no further, what I now

To these enter COUNT TERTSKY. Disclose to you in confidence. (Laying his hand on the BURGOMASTER's shoulder Joy, General ; joy ! I bring you welcome tidings with a certain solemnity. The times

And what moy they be?
Draw near to their fulfilment, Burgomaster!
The high will fall, the low will be exalted.
Harkye ! But keep it to yourself! The end

There has been an engagement Approaches of the Spanish double monarchy

At Neustadt; the Swedes gaind the victory. A new arrangement is at hand. You saw The three moons that appear’d at once in the Heaven. From whence did you receive the intelligence !

TERTSKY

WALLENSTEIN.

GORDON

WALLENSTEIN.

TERTSKY
A countryman from Tirschenseil convey'd it. Unfortunate Lady!
Soon after sunrise did the fight begin!

BUTLER.
A troop of the Imperialists from Fachau

You have heard what Illo Had forced their way into the Swedish camp; Reporteth, that the Swedes are conquerors, The cannonade continued full two hours;

And marching hitherward. There were left dead upon the field a thousand

GORDON. Imperialists, together with their Colonel ;

Too well I heard it. Further than this he did not know.

BUTLER
They are twelve regiments strong, and there are five
How came

Close by us to protect the Duke. We have
Imperial troops at Neustadt? Altringer,

Only my single regiment; and the garrison
But yesterday, stood sixty miles from there. Is not iwo hundred strong.
Count Galas' force collects at Frauenberg,

GORDON
And have not the full complement. Is it possible,

"Tis even so. That Suys Perchance had ventured so far onward ?

BUTLER.
It cannot be.

It is not possible with such small force
TERTSKY.

To hold in custody a man like him.
We shall soon know the whole,

GORDON
For here comes Illo, full of haste, and joyous.

I grant it.

BUTLER.

Soon the numbers would disarm us,
SCENE V.

And liberate him.

GORDON.
To these enter ILLO.

It were to be fear'd.
ILLO (L0 WALLENSTEIN).

BUTLER (after a pause).
A courier, Duke! he wishes to speak with thee.

Know, I am warranty for the event;

? TERTSKY (eagerly).

With my head have I pledged myself for his, Does he bring confirmation of the victory? Must make my word good, cost it what it will, WALLENSTEIN (at the same time).

And if alive we cannot hold him prisoner,
What does he bring? Whence comes he?

Why-death makes all things certain !
ILLO.

GORDON.
From the Rhinegrave.

Butler! What? And what he brings I can announce to you Do I understand you? Gracious God! You couldBeforehand. Seven leagues distant are the Swedes;

BUTLER At Neustadt did Max. Piccolomini

He must not live. Throw himself on them with the cavalry ;

GORDON. A murderous fight took place!o'erpower'd by numbers

And you can do the deed!
The Pappenheimers all, with Max. their leader,

Wallenstein shudders and turns pale. Either you or I. This morning was his last.
Were left dead on the field.
WALLENSTEIN (after a pause, in a low voice).

You would assassinate him.
Where is the messenger? Conduct me to him.
(WALLENSTEIN is going, when LADY NEUBRUNN

"Tis my purpose.
rushes into the room. Some Servants follow
her, and run across the stage.

Who leans with his whole confidence upon you !
Help! Help!
ILLO and TERTSKY (at the same time).

Such is his evil destiny!
What now?

GORDON

Your General !
The Princess !

The sacred person of your General !
WALLENSTEIN and TERTSKY.

BUTLER.
Does she know it? My General he has been.
NEUBRUNN (at the same time with them).

GORDON,
She is dying! (Hurries off the stage, when WALLEN-

That 't is only
STEIN and TERTSKY follow her. An“ has been” washes out no villany.

And without judgment pass'd ?

BUTLER

GORDON.

BUTLER

GORDON.

NEUBRUNN.

BUTLER

NEUBRUNN.

BUTLER.

What's this?

BUTLER.

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

This were murder,
Not justice. The most guilty should be heard.

BUTLER.
His guilt is clear, the Emperor has pass'd judgment,
And we but execute his will.

GORDON

BUTLER

BUTLER

GORDON.

BUTLER.

GORDON.

Water'd and nurs'd the pois'nous plants. May they We should not

Receive their earnests to the uttermost mite!
Hurry to realize a bloody sentence.

BUTLER.
A word may be recallid, a life can never be. And their death shall precede his !
BUTLER

We meant to have taken them alive this evening Dispatch in service pleases sovereigns.

Amid the merry-making of a feast,
And keep them prisoners in the citadels.

But this makes shorter work. I go this instant No honest man's ambitious to press forward

To give the necessary orders.
To the hangman's service.

BUTLER
And no brave man loses

SCENE VII.
His color at a daring enterprise.
GORDON.

To these enter ILLO and TERTSKY.
A brave man hazards life, but not his conscience.

TERTSKY.
BUTLER

Our luck is on the turn. To-morrow come
What then? Shall he go forth, anew to kindle The Swedes—twelve thousand gallant warriors, [bo!
The unextinguishable flame of war?

Then straightways for Vienna. Cheerily, friend! GORDON.

What! meet such news with such a moody face! Seize him, and hold him prisoner-do not kill him!

ILLO.

It lies with us at present to prescribe Had not the Emperor's army been defeated,

Laws, and take vengeance on those worthless traitors, I might have done so —But 't is now past by.

Those skulking cowards that deserted us;

One has already done his bitter penance,
GORDON.

The Piccolomini : be his the fate
O, wherefore open'd I the strong-hold to him?

Of all who wish us evil! This flies sure

To the old man's heart; he has his whole life long His destiny and not the place destroys him.

Fretted and toil'd to raise his ancient house

From a Count's title to the name of Prince; Upon these ramparts, as beseem'd a soldier,

And now must seek a grave for his only son. I had fallen, defending the Emperor's citadel!

BUTLER

| 'Twas pity, though! A youth of such heroic Yes! and a thousand gallant men have perish'd !

And gentle temperament! The Duke himself, GORDON

"Twas easily seen, how near it went to his heart. Doing their duty—that adorns the man! But murder's a black deed, and nature curses it.

Hark

ye,

old friend! That is the very point BUTLER (brings out a paper).

That never pleased me in our GeneralHere is the manifesto which commands us

He ever gave the preference to the Italians. To gain possession of his person. See

Yea, at this very moment, by my soul!
It is address'd to you as well as me.

He'd gladly see us all dead ten times over,
Are you content to take the consequences, Could he thereby recall his friend to life.
If through our fault he escape to the enemy?
GORDON.

Hush, hush! Let the dead rest! This evening's I ? Gracious God!

business
BUTLER.

Is, who can fairly drink the other down
Take it on yourself.

Your regiment, Illo! gives the entertainment, Come of it what it may, on you I lay it.

Come! we will keep a merry carnival-
GORDON

The night for once be day, and 'mid full glasses O God in heaven!

Will we expect the Swedish avant-garde.
BUTLER.

ILLO.
Can you advise aught else Yes, let us be of good cheer for today,
Wherewith to execute the Emperor's purpose ? For there's hot work before us, friends! This sword
Say if you can. For I desire his fall,

Shall have no rest, till it be bathed to the hilt Not his destruction.

In Austrian blood.
GORDON.

GORDON.
Merciful heaven! what must be

Shame, shame! what talk is this I see as clear as you. Yet still the heart

My Lord Field Marshal ? Wherefore foam you so Within my bosom beats with other feelings ! Against your Emperor ? BUTLER

BUTLER Mine is of harder stuff! Necessity

Hope not too much In her rough school hath steeld me. And this Illo From this first victory. Beihink you, sirs! And Tertsky likewise, they must not survive him. How rapidly the wheel of Fortune turns;

The Emperor still is formidably strong.
I feel no pang for these. Their own bad hearts

ILLO.
Impelld them, not the influence of the stars, The Emperor has soldiers, no commander,
"T was they who strew'd the seeds of evil passions For this King Ferdinand of Hungary
In his calm breast, and with officious villany Is but a tymo. Galas ? Ile's no luck,

ILLO.

TERTSKY.

GORDON.

BUTLER

GORDON.

а

And was of old the ruiner of armies.

BUTLER. And then this viper, this Octavio,

Do as he order'd you. Send round patrols,
Is excellent at stabbing in the back,

Take measures for the citadel's security ;
But ne'er meets Friedland in the open field. When they are within, I close the castle-gate
TERTÁKY.

That nothing may transpire.
Trust me, my friends, it cannot but succeed;

GORDON (with earnesl anxiety). Fortune, we know, can ne'er forsake the Duke!

Oh! haste not so!
And only under Wallenstein can Austria

Nay, stop; first tell me
Be conqueror
ILLO.

You have heard already,
The Duke will soon assemble

Tomorrow to the Swedes belongs. This night A mighty army: all comes crowding, streaming

Alone is ours. They make good expedition. To banners, dedicate by destiny,

But we will make still greater. Fare you well. To fame, and prosperous fortune. I behold Old times come back again! he will become

Ah! your looks tell me nothing good. Nay, Butler, Once more the mighty Lord which he has been. How will the fools, who've now deserted him,

I pray you, promise me! Look then? I can't but laugh to think of them,

BUTLER. For lands will he present to all his friends,

The sun has set; And like a King and Emperor reward

A fateful evening doth descend upon us, True services; but we've the nearest claims. And brings on their long night! Their evil stars

[To Gordon. Deliver them unarm'd into our hands, You will not be forgotten, Governor!

And from their drunken dream of golden fortunes He'll take you from this nest, and bid you shine The dagger at their heart shall rouse them. Well, In higher station : your fidelity

The Duke was ever a great calculator; Well merits it.

His fellow-men were figures on his chess-board,
GORDON

To move and station, as his game required.
I am content already,

Other men's honor, dignity, good name,
And wish to climb no higher; where great height is, Did he shift like pawns, and made no conscience of it:
The fall must needs be great. “Great height, great Still calculating, calculating still ;
depth."

And yet at last his calculation proves
ILLO.

Erroneous; the whole game is lost; and lo!
Here you have no more business, for to-morrow His own life will be found among the forfeits.
'The Swedes will take possession of the citadel.
Conne, Tertsky, it is supper-time. What think you?
Nay, shall we have the State illuminated

O think not of his errors now; remember
In honor of the Swede? And who refuses

His greatness, bis munificence, think on all
To do it is a Spaniard and a traitor.

The lovely features of his character,
TERTSKY.

On all the noble exploits of his life,
Nay! Nay! not that, it will not please the Duke, And let them, like an angel's arm, unseen

Arrest the lifted sword.
What! we are masters here; no soul shall dare
Avow himself imperial where we've the rule.

It is too late.
Gordon! good night, and for the last time, take I suffer not myself to feel compassion,
A fair leave of the place. Send out patrols Dark thoughts and bloody are my duty now:
To make secure, the watch-word may be alter'd

[Grasping Gordon's hand. At the stroke of ten; deliver in the keys

Gordon! 'tis not my hatred (I pretend not To the Duke himself, and then you've quit for ever To love the Duke, and have no cause to love him), Your wardship of the gates, for on to-morrow Yet 't is not now my hatred that impels me The Swedes will take possession of the citadel. To be his murderer. "Tis his evil fate.

TEKTSKY (as he is going, lo BUTLER). Hostile concurrences of many events You come, though, to the castle?

Control and subjugate me to the office.

In vain the human being meditates At the right time. Free action. He is but the wire-work'd* puppet [Freunt TERTSKY and Illo. 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
SCENE VIJI.

A something pleading for him in my heart
GORDON and BUTLER.

Still I must kill him.
GORDON (looking after them).
Unhappy men! How free from all foreboding!

If your heart speak to you, They rush into the outspread net of murder,

Follow its impulse. "Tis the voice of God. In the blind drunkenness of victory;

Think you your fortunes will grow prosperous I have no pity for their fate. This Illo,

Bedew'd with blood-his blood ? Believe it not ! This overflowing and foolhardy villain, That would fain bathe himself in his Emperor's • We doubt the propriety of putting so blasphemous a sentiblood.

GORDON.

a

ILLO.

BUTLER

BUTLER.

GORDON.