The Complete Poetical Works of Samuel Taylor Coleridge Volume II Part 52

_Tiefenbach (at the same time)._ What are we forced to hear?

That thou wilt leave us?

_Kolatto (at the same time)._ We will live with thee, we will die with thee.

_Wallenstein (pointing to Illo)._ There! the Field-Marshal knows our will. [_Exit._ 270

FOOTNOTES:

[634:1] The original is not translatable into English:

----Und sein _Sold_ Muss dem _Soldaten_ werden, darnach heisst er.

It might perhaps have been thus rendered:

'And that for which he sold his services, The soldier must receive.'

But a false or doubtful etymology is no more than a dull pun.

LINENOTES:

[Before 1] _WALLENSTEIN, TERTSKY, &c. . . . rank. There reigns a momentary silence._ 1800, 1828, 1829.

[56] _there_ 1800.

[79] _that_ 1800.

[83] _did_ 1800.

[91] Arn't] An't 1800, 1828, 1829.

[105] _pay . . . covenant_ 1800.

[135] _I_ 1800.

[Before 170] _Wallenstein (raising his voice, as all, but Illo, had remained silent, and seemingly scrupulous)._ 1800, 1828, 1829.

[171] _Max Piccolomini (after a long pause)._ 1800, 1828, 1829.

[176] _so . . . here_ 1800.

[182] _event_ 1800.

[206] _my_ 1800.

[244] _we_ 1800.

[270] _Wallenstein (with stateliness and, &c.)._ 1800, 1828, 1829.

[After 270] [_While all are going off the stage, the curtain drops._ 1800, 1828, 1829.

ACT II

SCENE I

SCENE--_A small Chamber._

_ILLO and TERTSKY._

_Tertsky._ Now for this evening's business! How intend you To manage with the generals at the banquet?

_Illo._ Attend! We frame a formal declaration, Wherein we to the Duke consign ourselves Collectively, to be and to remain 5 His both with life and limb, and not to spare The last drop of our blood for him, provided So doing we infringe no oath nor duty, We may be under to the Emperor.--Mark!

This reservation we expressly make 10 In a particular clause, and save the conscience.

Now hear! This formula so framed and worded Will be presented to them for perusal Before the banquet. No one will find in it Cause of offence or scruple. Hear now further! 15 After the feast, when now the vap'ring wine Opens the heart, and shuts the eyes, we let A counterfeited paper, in the which This one particular clause has been left out, Go round for signatures.

_Tertsky._ How? think you then 20 That they'll believe themselves bound by an oath, Which we had tricked them into by a juggle?

_Illo._ We shall have caught and caged them! Let them then Beat their wings bare against the wires, and rave Loud as they may against our treachery, 25 At court their signatures will be believed Far more than their most holy affirmations.

Traitors they are, and must be; therefore wisely Will make a virtue of necessity.

_Tertsky._ Well, well, it shall content me; let but something 30 Be done, let only some decisive blow Set us in motion.

_Illo._ Besides, 'tis of subordinate importance How, or how far, we may thereby propel The generals. 'Tis enough that we persuade 35 The Duke, that they are his--Let him but act In his determined mood, as if he had them, And he will have them. Where he plunges in, He makes a whirlpool, and all stream down to it.

_Tertsky._ His policy is such a labyrinth, 40 That many a time when I have thought myself Close at his side, he's gone at once, and left me Ignorant of the ground where I was standing.

He lends the enemy his ear, permits me To write to them, to Arnheim; to Sesina 45 Himself comes forward blank and undisguised; Talks with us by the hour about his plans, And when I think I have him--off at once---- He has slipped from me, and appears as if He had no scheme, but to retain his place. 50

_Illo._ He give up his old plans! I'll tell you, friend!

His soul is occupied with nothing else, Even in his sleep--They are his thoughts, his dreams, That day by day he questions for this purpose The motions of the planets----

_Tertsky._ Ay! you know 55 This night, that is now coming, he with Seni Shuts himself up in the astrological tower To make joint observations--for I hear, It is to be a night of weight and crisis; And something great, and of long expectation, 60 Is to make its procession in the heaven.

_Illo._ Come! be we bold and make dispatch. The work In this next day or two must thrive and grow More than it has for years. And let but only Things first turn up auspicious here below---- 65 Mark what I say--the right stars too will shew themselves.

Come, to the generals. All is in the glow, And must be beaten while 'tis malleable.

_Tertsky._ Do you go thither, Illo. I must stay And wait here for the Countess Tertsky. Know 70 That we too are not idle. Break one string, A second is in readiness.

_Illo._ Yes! Yes!

I saw your Lady smile with such sly meaning.

What's in the wind?

_Tertsky._ A secret. Hus.h.!.+ she comes. [_Exit ILLO._