The German Classics of the Nineteenth and Twentieth Centuries Volume Iii Part 48

And if the planet, on the which thou livest And hast thy dwelling, from its...o...b..t starts, It is not in thy choice whether or no Thou'lt follow it. Unfelt it whirls thee onward Together with his ring, and all his moons.

With little guilt stepp'st thou into this contest, Thee will the world not censure, it will praise thee, For that thou held'st thy friend more worth to thee Than names and influences more removed; For justice is the virtue of the ruler, Affection and fidelity the subject's.

Not every one doth it beseem to question The far-off high Arcturus. Most securely Wilt thou pursue the nearest duty: let The pilot fix his eye upon the pole-star.

SCENE XIX

_To these enter_ NEUMANN

WALLENST.

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_ TERZKY).

Have the cannon planted.

I will receive them with chain-shot.

[_Exit_ TERZKY

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_).

h.e.l.l and perdition!

WALLENSTEIN.

What is it?

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.

d.u.c.h.eSS and COUNTESS.

Merciful heaven!

MAX (_to_ WALLENSTEIN).

Let me go to them!

WALLENSTEIN.

Not a step!

MAX (_pointing to_ THEKLA _and the_ d.u.c.h.eSS).

But their life! Thine!

WALLENSTEIN.

What tidings bring'st thou, Terzky?

SCENE XX

_To these_ TERZKY _returning_

TERZKY.

Message and greeting from our faithful regiments.

Their ardor may no longer be curb'd in.

They entreat permission to commence the attack; And if thou wouldst but give the word of onset, They could now charge the enemy in rear, Into the city wedge them, and with ease O'erpower them in the narrow streets.

ILLO.

O come!

Let not their ardor cool. The soldiery Of Butler's corps stand by us faithfully; We are the greater number. Let us charge them, And finish here in Pilsen the revolt.

WALLENST.

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 deliver'd over 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 them!

[_Turns to_ MAX.]

Well, how is it with thee?

Wilt thou attempt a heat with me? Away!

Thou art free to go. Oppose thyself to me, Front against front, and lead them to the battle; Thou'rt skill'd in war, thou hast learn'd somewhat under me, I need not be ashamed of my opponent, And never hadst thou fairer opportunity To pay me for thy schooling.