A traitor to the Emperor-Such a noble! Of such high talents! What is human greatness? His might, his greatness, and this obscure power The clear and written law, the deep-trod foot-marks To keep him in the road of faith and duty. Was unexampled and unnatural. It placed him on a level with his Emperor, Till the proud soul unlearn'd submission. Woe is me; Have ne'er experienced, cannot calculate, 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 accomplish'd. This must not be! The Duke must never leave This strong-hold on free footing; for I have Pledged life and honor here to hold him prisoner, And your assistance 'tis on which I calculate. GORDON. O that I had not lived to see this day! BUTLER. Nay! let it not afflict you, that your power BUTLER. Say, then, will you fulfil the attainder on him? If he 've betray'd the Emperor, his master, I have heard so BUTLER. GORDON. "Tis full thirty years since then. His frame of mind was serious and severe BUTLER. But was it where he fell two story high From a window-ledge, on which he had fallen asleep GORDON. He became Doubtless more selfenwrapt and melancholy; I will relieve you. Tell me, There are some Protestants among you still? BURGOMASTER. Pachhalbel, may it please you. Two additional batteries I caused to be run up. They were needed. The Rhinegrave presses hard upon us, General! Harkye! WALLENSTEIN. SCENE IV. But let it go no further, what I now Disclose to you in confidence. To these enter COUNT TERTSKY. TERTSKY. [Laying his hand on the BURGOMASTER's shoulder Joy, General; joy! I bring you welcome tidings. with a certain solemnity. The times Draw near to their fulfilment, Burgomaster! The high will fall, the low will be exalted. Harkye! But keep it to yourself! The end Approaches of the Spanish double monarchyA new arrangement is at hand. You saw WALLENSTEIN. And what may they be? TERTSKY. There has been an engagement At Neustadt; the Swedes gain'd the victory. WALLENSTEIN. The three moons that appear'd at once in the Heaven. From whence did you receive the intelligence? From the Rhinegrave. BUTLER. Soon the numbers would disarm us, And liberate him. GORDON. It were to be fear'd. Know, I am warranty for the event; With my head have I pledged myself for his, GORDON. BUTLER. [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). 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. Help! Help! NEUBRUNN. ILLO and TERTSKY (at the same time). NEUBRUNN. The Princess! WALLENSTEIN and TERTSKY. 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. GORDON, Does she know it? My General he has been. Water'd and nurs'd 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 keep them prisoners in the citadels But this makes shorter work. I go this instant SCENE VII. To these enter ILLO and TERTSKY. Our luck is on the turn. To-morrow come ILLO. It lies with us at present to prescribe Laws, and take vengeance on those worthless traitors, Of all who wish us evil! This flies sure To the old man's heart; he has his whole life long BUTLER. "Twas pity, though! A youth of such heroic And gentle temperament! The Duke himself, 'Twas easily seen, how near it went to his hear ILLO. Hark ye, old friend! That is the very point TERTSKY. Hush, hush! Let the dead rest! This evening's business Is, who can fairly drink the other down- Come! we will keep a merry carnival— ILLO. Yes, let us be of good cheer for to-day, For there's hot work before us, friends! This sword GORDON. Shame, shame! what talk is this, My Lord Field Marshal? Wherefore foam you so Against your Emperor? BUTLER. Hope not too much From this first victory. Bethink you, sirs! How rapidly the wheel of Fortune turns; The Emperor still is formidably strong. ILLO. The Emperor has soldiers, no commander 1 And was of old the ruiner of armies. But ne'er meets Friedland in the open field. TERTSKY. Trust me, my friends, it cannot but succeed; ILLO. The Duke will soon assemble A mighty army: all comes crowding, streaming To fame, and prosperous fortune. I behold The sun has set; And from their drunken dream of golden fortunes Did he shift like pawns, and made no conscience of it GORDON. O think not of his errors now; remember Nay! Nay! not that, it will not please the Duke-And let them, like an angel's arm, unseen ILLO. What! we are masters here; no soul shall dare BUTLER. At the right time. [Exeunt TERTSKY and ILLO. SCENE VIII. GORDON and BUTLER. GORDON (looking after them). I have no pity for their fate. This Illo, That would fain bathe himself in his Emperor's blood. Arrest the lifted sword. BUTLER. It is too late. I suffer not myself to feel compassion, Free action. He is but the wire-work'd* puppet What too would it avail him, if there were GORDON. If your heart speak to you Follow its impulse. "Tis the voice of God. Think you your fortunes will grow prosperous Bedew'd with blood-his blood? Believe it not! * We doubt the propriety of putting so blasphemous a sentiment in the mouth of any character. T. |