of my love. I never harboured evil towards him; wide open did I leave
the door of my thoughts; I threw away the key of wise foresight. In the
starry heaven, &c. — We find a difficulty in believing this to have been
written by Schiller. 1800, 1828, 1829. I have here ventured to
omit a considerable number of lines, which it is difficult to believe
that Schiller could have written. 1834.
simplicity of the original —
Sie alle waren Fremdlinge, Du warst
Das Kind des Hauses.
Indeed the whole speech is in the best style of Massinger. O si sic
omnia!
[After 4] [Advancing to THEKLA, who has thrown herself into her
mother’s arms. 1800, 1828, 1829.
[Before 40] Max (calmly). 1800, 1828, 1829.
SCENE VII
To these enter NEUMANN.
Wallenstein. What now?
Neumann. The Pappenheimers are dismounted,
And are advancing now on foot, determined
With sword in hand to storm the house, and free
The Count, their colonel.
Wallenstein (to Tertsky). Have the cannon planted.
I will receive them with chain-shot. [Exit TERTSKY. 5
Prescribe to me with sword in hand! Go, Neumann!
‘Tis my command that they retreat this moment,
And in their ranks in silence wait my pleasure.
[NEUMANN exit. ILLO steps to the window.
Countess. Let him go, I entreat thee, let him go.
Illo (at the window). Hell and perdition!
Wallenstein. What is it? 10
Illo. They scale the council-house, the roof’s uncovered.
They level at this house the cannon ——
Max. Madmen!
Illo. They are making preparations now to fire on us.
Duchess and Countess. Merciful Heaven!
Max (to Wallenstein). Let me go to them!
Wallenstein. Not a step!
Max (pointing to Thekla and the Duchess). But their life!
Thine! 15
Wallenstein. What tidings bring’st thou, Tertsky?
SCENE VIII
To these TERTSKY (returning).
Tertsky. Message and greeting from our faithful regiments.
Their ardour may no longer be curbed in.
They intreat permission to commence the attack,
And if thou would’st but give the word of onset,
They could now charge the enemy in rear, 5
Into the city wedge them, and with ease
O’erpower them in the narrow streets.
Illo. O come!
Let not their ardour cool. The soldiery
Of Butler’s corps stand by us faithfully;
We are the greater number. Let us charge them, 10
And finish here in Pilsen the revolt.
Wallenstein. What? shall this town become a field of slaughter,
And brother-killing Discord, fire-eyed,
Be let loose through its streets to roam and rage?
Shall the decision be delivered over 15
To deaf remorseless Rage, that hears no leader?
Here is not room for battle, only for butchery.
Well, let it be! I have long thought of it,
So let it burst then! [Turns to MAX.
Well, how is it with thee?
Wilt thou attempt a heat with me. Away! 20
Thou art free to go. Oppose thyself to me,
Front against front, and lead them to the battle;
Thou’rt skilled in war, thou hast learned somewhat under me,
I need not be ashamed of my opponent,
And never had’st thou fairer opportunity 25
To pay me for thy schooling.
Countess. Is it then,
Can it have come to this? — What! Cousin, Cousin!
Have you the heart?
Max. The regiments that are trusted to my care
I have pledged my troth to bring away from Pilsen 30
True to the Emperor, and this promise will I
Make good, or perish. More than this no duty
Requires of me. I will not fight against thee,
Unless compelled; for though an enemy,
Thy head is holy to me still. 35
[Two reports of cannon. ILLO and TERTSKY hurry to the
window.
Wallenstein. What’s that?
Tertsky. He falls.
Wallenstein. Falls! Who?
Illo. Tiefenbach’s corps
Discharged the ordnance.
Wallenstein. Upon whom?
Illo. On Neumann,
Your messenger.
Wallenstein (starting up). Ha! Death and hell! I will —
Tertsky. Expose thyself to their blind frenzy?
Duchess and Countess. No!
For God’s sake, no!
Illo. Not yet, my General! 40
Countess. O, hold him! hold him!
Wallenstein. Leave me ——
Max. Do it not
Not yet! This rash and bloody deed has thrown them
Into a frenzy-fit — allow them time ——
Wallenstein. Away! too long already have I loitered.
They are emboldened to these outrages, 45
Beholding not my face. They shall behold
My countenance, shall hear my voice ——
Are they not my troops? Am I not their General,
And their long-feared commander? Let me see,
Whether indeed they do no longer know 50
That countenance, which was their sun in battle!
From the balcony (mark!) I shew myself
To these rebellious forces, and at once