The Death of Wallenstein by Friedrich Schiller (best time to read books txt) 📖

/> WALLENSTEIN.
What asks the chancellor?

WRANGEL (considerately). Twelve regiments, every man a Swede - my head The warranty - and all might prove at last Only false play - -

WALLENSTEIN (starting).
Sir Swede!

WRANGEL (calmly proceeding).
Am therefore forced To insist thereon, that he do formally, Irrevocably break with the emperor, Else not a Swede is trusted to Duke Friedland.

WALLENSTEIN. Come, brief and open! What is the demand?

WRANGEL. That he forthwith disarm the Spanish regiments Attached to the emperor, that he seize on Prague, And to the Swedes give up that city, with The strong pass Egra.

WALLENSTEIN.
That is much indeed! Prague! - Egra's granted - but - but Prague! 'Twon't do. I give you every security Which you may ask of me in common reason - But Prague - Bohemia - these, sir general, I can myself protect.

WRANGEL.
We doubt it not. But 'tis not the protection that is now Our sole concern. We want security, That we shall not expend our men and money All to no purpose.

WALLENSTEIN.
'Tis but reasonable.

WRANGEL. And till we are indemnified, so long Stays Prague in pledge.

WALLENSTEIN.
Then trust you us so little?

WRANGEL (rising). The Swede, if he would treat well with the German, Must keep a sharp lookout. We have been called Over the Baltic, we have saved the empire From ruin - with our best blood have we sealed The liberty of faith and gospel truth. But now already is the benefaction No longer felt, the load alone is felt. Ye look askance with evil eye upon us, As foreigners, intruders in the empire, And would fain send us with some paltry sum Of money, home again to our old forests. No, no! my lord duke! it never was For Judas' pay, for chinking gold and silver, That we did leave our king by the Great Stone. [1] No, not for gold and silver have there bled So many of our Swedish nobles - neither Will we, with empty laurels for our payment, Hoist sail for our own country. Citizens Will we remain upon the soil, the which Our monarch conquered for himself and died.

WALLENSTEIN. Help to keep down the common enemy, And the fair border land must needs be yours.

WRANGEL. But when the common enemy lies vanquished, Who knits together our new friendship then? We know, Duke Friedland! though perhaps the Swede Ought not to have known it, that you carry on Secret negotiations with the Saxons. Who is our warranty that we are not The sacrifices in those articles Which 'tis thought needful to conceal from us?

WALLENSTEIN (rises). Think you of something better, Gustave Wrangel! Of Prague no more.

WRANGEL.
Here my commission ends.

WALLENSTEIN. Surrender up to you my capital! Far liever would I force about, and step Back to my emperor.

WRANGEL.
If time yet permits - -

WALLENSTEIN. That lies with me, even now, at any hour.

WRANGEL. Some days ago, perhaps. To-day, no longer; No longer since Sesina's been a prisoner.
[WALLENSTEIN is struck, and silenced. My lord duke, hear me - we believe that you At present do mean honorably by us. Since yesterday we're sure of that - and now This paper warrants for the troops, there's nothing Stands in the way of our full confidence. Prague shall not part us. Hear! The chancellor Contents himself with Alstadt; to your grace He gives up Ratschin and the narrow side. But Egra above all must open to us, Ere we can think of any junction.

WALLENSTEIN.
You, You therefore must I trust, and not you me? I will consider of your proposition.

WRANGEL. I must entreat that your consideration Occupy not too long a time. Already Has this negotiation, my lord duke! Crept on into the second year. If nothing Is settled this time, will the chancellor Consider it as broken off forever?

WALLENSTEIN. Ye press me hard. A measure such as this Ought to be thought of.

WRANGEL.
Ay! but think of this too, That sudden action only can procure it. Success - think first of this, your highness.

[Exit WRANGEL.


SCENE VI.

WALLENSTEIN, TERZKY, and ILLO (re-enter).

ILLO. Is't all right?

TERZKY.
Are you compromised?

ILLO.
This Swede Went smiling from you. Yes! you're compromised.

WALLENSTEIN. As yet is nothing settled; and (well weighed) I feel myself inclined to leave it so.

TERZKY. How? What is that?

WALLENSTEIN.
Come on me what will come, The doing evil to avoid an evil Cannot be good!

TERZKY.
Nay, but bethink you, duke.

WALLENSTEIN. To live upon the mercy of these Swedes! Of these proud-hearted Swedes! - I could not bear it.

ILLO. Goest thou as fugitive, as mendicant? Bringest thou not more to them than thou receivest?

WALLENSTEIN. How fared it with the brave and royal Bourbon Who sold himself unto his country's foes, And pierced the bosom of his father-land? Curses were his reward, and men's abhorrence Avenged the unnatural and revolting deed.

ILLO. Is that thy case?

WALLENSTEIN.
True faith, I tell thee, Must ever be the dearest friend of man His nature prompts him to assert its rights. The enmity of sects, the rage of parties, Long-cherished envy, jealousy, unite;' And all the struggling elements of evil Suspend their conflict, and together league In one alliance 'gainst their common foe - The savage beast that breaks into the fold, Where men repose in confidence and peace. For vain were man's own prudence to protect him. 'Tis only in the forehead nature plants The watchful eye; the back, without defence, Must find its shield in man's fidelity.

TERZKY. Think not more meanly off thyself than do Thy foes, who stretch their hands with joy to greet thee. Less scrupulous far was the imperial Charles, The powerful head of this illustrious house; With open arms he gave the Bourbon welcome; For still by policy the world is ruled.


SCENE VII.

To these enter the COUNTESS TERZKY.

WALLENSTEIN. Who sent for you? There is no business here For women.

COUNTESS
I am come to bid you joy.

WALLENSTEIN. Use thy authority, Terzky; bid her go.

COUNTESS. Come I perhaps too early? I hope not.

WALLENSTEIN. Set not this tongue upon me, I entreat you: You know it is the weapon that destroys me. I am routed, if a woman but attack me: I cannot traffic in the trade of words With that unreasoning sex.

COUNTESS.
I had already Given the Bohemians a king.

WALLENSTEIN (sarcastically).
They have one, In consequence, no doubt.

COUNTESS (to the others).
Ha! what new scruple?

TERZKY. The duke will not.

COUNTESS.
He will not what he must!

ILLO. It lies with you now. Try. For I am silenced When folks begin to talk to me of conscience And of fidelity.

COUNTESS.
How? then, when all Lay in the far-off distance, when the road Stretched out before thine eyes interminably, Then hadst thou courage and resolve; and now, Now that the dream is being realized, The purpose ripe, the issue ascertained, Dost thou begin to play the dastard now? Planned merely, 'tis a common felony; Accomplished, an immortal undertaking: And with success comes pardon hand in hand, For all event is God's arbitrament.

SERVANT (enters). The Colonel Piccolomini.

COUNTESS (hastily).
- Must wait.

WALLENSTEIN. I cannot see him now. Another time.

SERVANT. But for two minutes he entreats an audience Of the most urgent nature is his business.

WALLENSTEIN. Who knows what he may bring us! I will hear him.

COUNTESS (laughs). Urgent for him, no doubt? but thou may'st wait.

WALLENSTEIN. What is it?

COUNTESS.
Thou shalt be informed hereafter. First let the Swede and thee be compromised.

[Exit SERVANT.

WALLENSTEIN. If there were yet a choice! if yet some milder Way of escape were possible - I still Will choose it, and avoid the last extreme.

COUNTESS. Desirest thou nothing further? Such a way Lies still before thee. Send this Wrangel off. Forget thou thy old hopes, cast far away All thy past life; determine to commence A new one. Virtue hath her heroes too, As well as fame and fortune. To Vienna Hence - to the emperor - kneel before the throne; Take a full coffer with thee - say aloud, Thou didst but wish to prove thy fealty; Thy whole intention but to dupe the Swede.

ILLO. For that too 'tis too late. They know too much; He would but bear his own head to the block.

COUNTESS. I fear not that. They have not evidence To attaint him legally, and they avoid The avowal of an arbitrary power. They'll let the duke resign without disturbance. I see how all will end. The King of Hungary Makes his appearance, and 'twill of itself Be understood, and then the duke retires. There will not want a formal declaration. The young king will administer the oath To the whole army; and so all returns To the old position. On some morrow morning The duke departs; and now 'tis stir and bustle Within his castles. He will hunt and build; Superintend his horses' pedigrees, Creates himself a court, gives golden keys, And introduceth strictest ceremony In fine proportions, and nice etiquette; Keeps open table with high cheer: in brief, Commenceth mighty king - in miniature. And while he prudently demeans himself, And gives himself no actual importance, He will be let appear whate'er he likes: And who dares doubt, that Friedland will appear A mighty prince to his last dying hour? Well now, what then? Duke Friedland is as others, A fire-new noble, whom the war hath raised To price and currency, a Jonah's