The Death of Wallenstein Part 21

Let him not leave thee, sister! go, detain him!

There's some misfortune.

d.u.c.h.eSS (clinging to him).

Gracious Heaven! What is it?

WALLENSTEIN.

Be tranquil! leave me, sister! dearest wife!

We are in camp, and this is naught unusual; Here storm and suns.h.i.+ne follow one another With rapid interchanges. These fierce spirits Champ the curb angrily, and never yet Did quiet bless the temples of the leader; If I am to stay go you. The plaints of women Ill suit the scene where men must act.

[He is going: TERZKY returns.

TERZKY.

Remain here. From this window must we see it.

WALLENSTEIN (to the COUNTESS).

Sister, retire!

COUNTESS.

No--never!

WALLENSTEIN.

'Tis my will.

TERZKY (leads the COUNTESS aside, and drawing her attention to the d.u.c.h.eSS).

Theresa!

d.u.c.h.eSS.

Sister, come! since he commands it.

SCENE VII.

WALLENSTEIN, TERZKY.

WALLENSTEIN (stepping to the window).

What now, then?

TERZKY.

There are strange movements among all the troops, And no one knows the cause. Mysteriously, With gloomy silentness, the several corps Marshal themselves, each under its own banners; Tiefenbach's corps make threatening movements; only The Pappenheimers still remain aloof In their own quarters and let no one enter.

WALLENSTEIN.

Does Piccolomini appear among them?

TERZKY.

We are seeking him: he is nowhere to be met with.

WALLENSTEIN.

What did the aide-de-camp deliver to you?

TERZKY.

My regiments had despatched him; yet once more They swear fidelity to thee, and wait The shout for onset, all prepared, and eager.

WALLENSTEIN.

But whence arose this larum in the camp?

It should have been kept secret from the army Till fortune had decided for us at Prague.

TERZKY.

Oh, that thou hadst believed me! Yester-evening Did we conjure thee not to let that skulker, That fox, Octavio, pa.s.s the gates of Pilsen.

Thou gavest him thy own horses to flee from thee.

WALLENSTEIN.

The old tune still! Now, once for all, no more Of this suspicion--it is doting folly.

TERZKY.

Thou didst confide in Isolani too; And lo! he was the first that did desert thee.

WALLENSTEIN.

It was but yesterday I rescued him From abject wretchedness. Let that go by; I never reckoned yet on grat.i.tude.

And wherein doth he wrong in going from me?

He follows still the G.o.d whom all his life He has wors.h.i.+pped at the gaming-table. With My fortune and my seeming destiny He made the bond and broke it, not with me.

I am but the s.h.i.+p in which his hopes were stowed, And with the which, well-pleased and confident, He traversed the open sea; now he beholds it In eminent jeopardy among the coast-rocks, And hurries to preserve his wares. As light As the free bird from the hospitable twig Where it had nested he flies off from me: No human tie is snapped betwixt us two.

Yea, he deserves to find himself deceived Who seeks a heart in the unthinking man.

Like shadows on a stream, the forms of life Impress their characters on the smooth forehead, Naught sinks into the bosom's silent depth: Quick sensibility of pain and pleasure Moves the light fluids lightly; but no soul Warmeth the inner frame.

TERZKY.

Yet, would I rather Trust the smooth brow than that deep furrowed one.

SCENE VIII.

WALLENSTEIN, TERZKY, ILLO.

ILLO (who enters agitated with rage).

Treason and mutiny!

TERZKY.

And what further now?

ILLO.

Tiefenbach's soldiers, when I gave the orders.

To go off guard--mutinous villains!

TERZKY.

Well!

WALLENSTEIN.

What followed?