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Kitabı oku: «The Death of Wallenstein», sayfa 10

Фридрих Шиллер

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SCENE V

To these enter SENI.

WALLENSTEIN

Is not that Seni! and beside himself,
If one can 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 (with louder voice)

Trust not thy person to the Swedes.

WALLENSTEIN

What is it, then?

SENI (still more urgently)

Oh, 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. Oh, be warned!
Deliver not up thyself to these heathens,
To wage a war against our holy church.

WALLENSTEIN (laughing gently)

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.

GORDON (who during the whole of this dialogue has shown marks of extreme agitation, and now turns to WALLENSTEIN)

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 vouchsafed
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.

GORDON (with difficulty suppressing his emotion)

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?
[Flings himself at his feet.
There is yet time, my prince.

SENI

Oh hear him! hear him!

GORDON (rises)

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 valor 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 amend
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 favor
Then e'er he stood when he had never fallen.

WALLENSTEIN (contemplates him with surprise, remains silent a while, betraying strong emotion)

Gordon – your zeal and fervor 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.
[Stepping to the window.
All dark and silent – at the castle too
All is now hushed. Light me, chamberlain?

[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.

And thou too! But I know why thou dost wish
My reconcilement with the emperor.
Poor man! he hath a small estate in Carinthia,
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 the 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 was great. May't please you
Take care that they awake me not too early.

[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 further end of the gallery:

then by his gestures the old man expresses the depth of his anguish, and stands leaning against a pillar.

SCENE VI

GORDON, BUTLER (at first behind the scenes).

BUTLER (not yet come into view of the stage)

Here stand in silence till I give the signal.

GORDON (starts up)

'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 (appears, but scarcely on the stage)

A light gleams hither from the corridor.
It leads directly to the duke's bed-chamber.

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 (stepping forward)

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 (advances)

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 were frantic, till
At last we threw him on the ground.

GORDON (shuddering)

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.

[The GROOM OF THE CHAMBER advances from the gallery with his finger on his mouth commanding silence.

GORDON

He sleeps! Oh, 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 (going)

God's merciful!

GORDON (holds him)

Grant him but this night's respite.

BUTLER (hurrying of)

The next moment
May ruin all.

GORDON (holds him still)

One hour!

BUTLER

Unhold me! What
Can that short respite profit him?

GORDON

Oh, 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. Oh, what
May not one hour achieve!

BUTLER

You but remind me
How precious every minute is!

[He stamps on the floor.

SCENE VII

To these enter MACDONALD and DEVEREUX, with the HALBERDIERS.

GORDON (throwing himself between him and them)

No, monster!
First over my dead body thou shalt tread. I will
Not live to see the accursed deed!

BUTLER (forcing him out of the way)

Weak-hearted dotard!
[Trumpets are heard in the distance.

DEVEREUX and MACDONALD

Hark! The Swedish trumpets!
The Swedes before the ramparts! Let us hasten!

GORDON (rushes out)

Oh, God of mercy!

BUTLER (calling after him)

Governor, to your post!

GROOM OF THE CHAMBER (hurries in)

Who dares make larum here? Hush! The duke sleeps.

DEVEREUX (with loud, harsh voice)

Friend, it is time now to make larum.
GROOM OF THE CHAMBER.
Help!
Murder!

BUTLER

Down with him!

GROOM OF THE CHAMBER (run through the body by DEVEREUX, falls at the entrance of the gallery)

Jesus Maria!

BUTLER

Burst the doors open.

[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:

SCENE VIII

COUNTESS TERZKY (with a light)

Her bedchamber is empty; she herself
Is nowhere 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? Oh,
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!

SCENE IX

COUNTESS, GORDON.

GORDON (rushes in out of breath)

'Tis a mistake!
'Tis not the Swedes; ye must proceed no further —
Butler! Oh, God! where is he?

[Observing the COUNTESS.

Countess! Say —

COUNTESS

You're come then from the castle? Where's my husband?

GORDON (in an agony of affright)

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 —

[Calling loudly.

Butler! Butler! God!

COUNTESS

Why, he is at the castle with my husband.

[BUTLER comes from the gallery.

GORDON

'Twas a mistake. 'Tis not the Swedes – it is
The imperialists' lieutenant-general
Has sent me hither – will be here himself
Instantly. You must not proceed.

BUTLER

He comes
Too late.

[GORDON dashes himself against the wall.

GORDON

Oh, God of mercy!

COUNTESS

What, too late?
Who will be here himself? Octavio
In Egra? Treason! Treason! Where's the duke?

[She rushes to the gallery.

SCENE X

Servants run across the stage full of terror. The whole scene must be spoken entirely without pauses.

SENI (from the gallery)

Oh, bloody, frightful deed!

COUNTESS

What is it, Seni?

PAGE (from the gallery)

Oh, piteous sight!
[Other servants hasten in with torches.

COUNTESS

What is it? For God's sake!

SENI

And do you ask?
Within the duke lies murdered – and your husband
Assassinated at the castle.

[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!

[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!

SCENE XI

To these enter 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 (entering abruptly)

It must not be! It is not possible!
Butler! Gordon!
I'll not believe it. Say no!

[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 (to BUTLER)

Here is the golden fleece – the duke's sword —

MACDONALD

Is it your order —

BUTLER (pointing to OCTAVIO)

Here stands he who now
Hath the sole power to issue orders.

[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 (turning to BUTLER)

Was that my purpose, Butler, when we parted?
Oh, 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 (calmly)

I've but fulfilled the emperor's own sentence.

OCTAVIO

Oh, curse of kings,
Infusing a dread life into their words,
And linking to the sudden, transient thought
The unchanging, irrevocable deed.
Was there necessity for such an eager
Despatch? Couldst 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.

[Exit BUTLER.

SCENE XII

To these enter the COUNTESS TERZKY, pale and disordered.
Her utterance is slow and feeble, and unimpassioned.

OCTAVIO (meeting her)

Oh, Countess Terzky! 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 splendor, 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 (with a deep anguish)

Oh, 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 honors your adversity,
Takes part in your afflictions, opens to you
Her motherly arms. Therefore no further fears.
Yield yourself up in hope and confidence
To the imperial grace!

COUNTESS (with her eye raised to heaven)

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! Oh, let him
Be buried there. And likewise, for my husband's
Remains I ask the like grace. The emperor
Is now the 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 (reassembles all her powers, and speaks with energy and dignity)

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 dishonored life. I have taken poison.