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ACT IV

SCENE I

The BURGOMASTER's house at Egra.

BUTLER (just arrived)

Here then he is by his destiny conducted.
Here, Friedland! and no further! From Bohemia
Thy meteor rose, traversed the sky awhile,
And here upon the borders of Bohemia
Must sink.
Thou hast forsworn the ancient colors,
Blind man! yet trustest to thy ancient fortunes.
Profaner of the altar and the hearth,
Against thy emperor and fellow-citizens
Thou meanest to wage the war. Friedland, beware —
The evil spirit of revenge impels thee —
Beware thou, that revenge destroy thee not!

SCENE II

BUTLER and GORDON.

GORDON

Is it you?
How my heart sinks! The duke a fugitive traitor!
His princely head attainted! Oh, my God!
Tell me, general, I implore thee, tell me
In full, of all these sad events at Pilsen.

BUTLER

You have received the letter which I sent you
By a post-courier?

GORDON

Yes: and in obedience to it
Opened the stronghold 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 Terzky,
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 pitfall. The human being
May not be trusted to self-government.
The clear and written law, the deep-trod footmarks
Of ancient custom, are all necessary
To keep him in the road of faith and duty.
The authority intrusted to this man
Was unexampled and unnatural,
It placed him on a level with his emperor,
Till the proud soul unlearned submission. Woe 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 stronghold 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!
From his hand I received this dignity,
He did himself intrust this stronghold 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.
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

[With a sly glance on BUTLER.

Hath he selected, from the very dust
Hath raised him into dignity and honor.
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 favor. 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,
And lend your aid to take him in arrest?
GORDON (pauses, reflecting – then as in deep dejection).
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 strongholds 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 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, may 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

We should not
Hurry to realize a bloody sentence.
A word may be recalled, a life never can be.

BUTLER

Despatch 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 color at a daring enterprise.

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 passed by.

GORDON

Oh, wherefore opened I the stronghold 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 (brings out a paper).
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.
Come of it what may, on you I lay it.

GORDON

Oh, 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 Terzky 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 villany
Watered and nursed the poisonous 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 merrymaking of a feast,
And keep them prisoners in the citadel,
But this makes shorter work. I go this instant
To give the necessary orders.

SCENE VII

To these enter ILLO and TERZKY.

TERZKY

Our luck is on the turn. To-morrow come
The Swedes – twelve thousand gallant warriors, Illo!
Then straightwise 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 ye, 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.

TERZKY

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 avant-garde.

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 is 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. Gallas? 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.

TERZKY

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 how 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.

[To GORDON.

You will not be forgotten, governor!
He'll take from you 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 needy 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, Terzky, it is supper-time. What think you?
Nay, shall we have the town illuminated
In honor of the Swede? And who refuses
To do it is a Spaniard and a traitor.

TERZKY

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 the rule.
Gordon! good-night, and for the last time take
A fair leave of the place. Send out patrols
To make secure, the watchword may be altered.
At the stroke of ten deliver in the keys
To the duke himself, and then you've quit forever
Your wardship of the gates, for on to-morrow
The Swedes will take possession of the citadel.