The Death of Wallenstein Part 24

SCENE XII.

COUNTESS, d.u.c.h.eSS, THEKLA.

THEKLA (endeavoring to hold back the d.u.c.h.eSS) Dear mother, do stay here!

d.u.c.h.eSS.

No! Here is yet Some frightful mystery that is hidden from me.

Why does my sister shun me? Don't I see her Full of suspense and anguish roam about From room to room? Art thou not full of terror?

And what import these silent nods and gestures Which stealthwise thou exchangest with her?

THEKLA.

Nothing Nothing, dear mother!

d.u.c.h.eSS (to the COUNTESS).

Sister, I will know.

COUNTESS.

What boots it now to hide it from her? Sooner Or later she must learn to hear and bear it.

'Tis not the time now to indulge infirmity; Courage beseems us now, a heart collect, And exercise and previous discipline Of fort.i.tude. One word, and over with it!

Sister, you are deluded. You believe The duke has been deposed--the duke is not Deposed--he is----

THEKLA (going to the COUNTESS), What? do you wish to kill her?

COUNTESS.

The duke is----

THEKLA (throwing her arms round her mother).

Oh, stand firm! stand firm, my mother!

COUNTESS.

Revolted is the duke; he is preparing To join the enemy; the army leave him, And all has failed.

SCENE XIII.

A s.p.a.cious room in the Duke of Friedland's palace.

WALLENSTEIN (in armor).

Thou hast gained thy point, Octavio! Once more am I Almost as friendless as at Regensburg.

There I had nothing left me but myself; But what one man can do you have now experience.

The twigs have you hewed off, and here I stand A leafless trunk. But in the sap within Lives the creating power, and a new world May sprout forth from it. Once already have I Proved myself worth an army to you--I alone!

Before the Swedish strength your troops had melted; Beside the Lech sank Tilly, your last hope; Into Bavaria, like a winter torrent, Did that Gustavus pour, and at Vienna In his own palace did the emperor tremble.

Soldiers were scarce, for still the mult.i.tude Follow the luck: all eyes were turned on me, Their helper in distress; the emperor's pride Bowed itself down before the man he had injured.

'Twas I must rise, and with creative word a.s.semble forces in the desolate camps.

I did it. Like a G.o.d of war my name Went through the world. The drum was beat; and, to The plough, the workshop is forsaken, all Swarm to the old familiar long loved banners; And as the wood-choir rich in melody a.s.semble quick around the bird of wonder, When first his throat swells with his magic song, So did the warlike youth of Germany Crowd in around the image of my eagle.

I feel myself the being that I was.

It is the soul that builds itself a body, And Friedland's camp will not remain unfilled.

Lead then your thousands out to meet me--true!

They are accustomed under me to conquer, But not against me. If the head and limbs Separate from each other, 'twill be soon Made manifest in which the soul abode.

(ILLO and TERZKY enter.)

Courage, friends! courage! we are still unvanquished; I feel my footing firm; five regiments, Terzky, Are still our own, and Butler's gallant troops; And an host of sixteen thousand Swedes to-morrow.

I was not stronger when, nine years ago, I marched forth, with glad heart and high of hope, To conquer Germany for the emperor.

SCENE XIV.

WALLENSTEIN, ILLO, TERZKY.

(To them enter NEUMANN, who leads TERZKY aside, and talks with him.)

TERZKY.

What do they want?

WALLENSTEIN.

What now?

TERZKY.

Ten cuira.s.siers From Pappenheim request leave to address you In the name of the regiment.

WALLENSTEIN (hastily to NEUMANN).

Let them enter.

[Exit NEUMANN.

This May end in something. Mark you. They are still Doubtful, and may be won.

SCENE XV.

WALLENSTEIN, TERZKY, ILLO, ten CUIRa.s.sIERS (led by an ANSPESSADE [4], march up and arrange themselves, after the word of command, in one front before the DUKE, and make their obeisance. He takes his hat off, and immediately covers himself again).

ANSPESSADE.

Halt! Front! Present!

WALLENSTEIN (after he has run through them with his eye, to the NSPESSADE).

I know thee well. Thou art out of Brueggen in Flanders: Thy name is Mercy.

ANSPESSADE.

Henry Mercy.

WALLENSTEIN. Thou were cut off on the march, surrounded by the Hessians, and didst fight thy way with an hundred and eighty men through their thousand.

ANSPESSADE. 'Twas even so, general!

WALLENSTEIN. What reward hadst thou for this gallant exploit?