The Complete Poetical Works of Samuel Taylor Coleridge Volume II Part 51

_Wallenstein._ In this season?

And to what quarter wills the Emperor That we direct our course?

_Questenberg._ To the enemy.

His Majesty resolves, that Regenspurg 150 Be purified from the enemy, ere Easter, That Lutheranism may be no longer preached In that cathedral, nor heretical Defilement desecrate the celebration Of that pure festival.

_Wallenstein._ My generals, 155 Can this be realized?

_Illo._ 'Tis not possible.

_Butler._ It can't be realized.

_Questenberg._ The Emperor Already hath commanded Colonel Suys To advance toward Bavaria!

_Wallenstein._ What did Suys?

_Questenberg._ That which his duty prompted. He advanced! 160

_Wallenstein._ What? he advanced? And I, his general, Had given him orders, peremptory orders, Not to desert his station! Stands it thus With my authority? Is this the obedience Due to my office, which being thrown aside 165 No war can be conducted? Chieftains, speak!

You be the judges, generals! What deserves That officer, who of his oath neglectful Is guilty of contempt of orders?

_Illo._ Death.

_Wallenstein._ Count Piccolomini! what has he deserved? 170

_Max Piccolomini._ According to the letter of the law, Death.

_Isolani._ Death.

_Butler._ Death, by the laws of war.

[_QUESTENBERG rises from his seat, WALLENSTEIN follows; all the rest rise._

_Wallenstein._ To this the law condemns him, and not I.

And if I shew him favour, 'twill arise From the reverence that I owe my Emperor. 175

_Questenberg._ If so, I can say nothing further--here!

_Wallenstein._ I accepted the command but on conditions!

And this the first, that to the diminution Of my authority no human being, Not even the Emperor's self, should be ent.i.tled 180 To do aught, or to say aught, with the army.

If I stand warranter of the event, Placing my honour and my head in pledge, Needs must I have full mastery in all The means thereto. What rendered this Gustavus 185 Resistless, and unconquered upon earth?

This--that he was the monarch in his army!

A monarch, one who is indeed a monarch, Was never yet subdued but by his equal.

But to the point! The best is yet to come. 190 Attend now, generals!

_Questenberg._ The prince Cardinal Begins his route at the approach of spring From the Milanese; and leads a Spanish army Through Germany into the Netherlands.

That he may march secure and unimpeded, 195 'Tis the Emperor's will you grant him a detachment Of eight horse-regiments from the army here.

_Wallenstein._ Yes, yes! I understand!--Eight regiments! Well, Right well concerted, father Lamormain!

Eight thousand horse! Yes, yes! 'Tis as it should be! 200 I see it coming!

_Questenberg._ There is nothing coming.

All stands in front: the counsel of state-prudence, The dictate of necessity!----

_Wallenstein._ What then?

What, my Lord Envoy? May I not be suffered To understand, that folks are tired of seeing 205 The sword's hilt in my grasp: and that your court s.n.a.t.c.h eagerly at this pretence, and use The Spanish t.i.tle, to drain off my forces, To lead into the empire a new army Unsubjected to my control. To throw me 210 Plumply aside,--I am still too powerful for you To venture that. My stipulation runs, That all the Imperial forces shall obey me Where'er the German is the native language.

Of Spanish troops and of Prince Cardinals 215 That take their route, as visitors, through the empire, There stands no syllable in my stipulation.

No syllable! And so the politic court Steals in a-tiptoe, and creeps round behind it; First makes me weaker, then to be dispensed with, 220 Till it dares strike at length a bolder blow And make short work with me.

What need of all these crooked ways, Lord Envoy?

Straight-forward man! His compact with me pinches The Emperor. He would that I moved off!-- 225 Well!--I will gratify him!

[_Here there commences an agitation among the Generals which increases continually._

It grieves me for my n.o.ble officers' sakes!

I see not yet, by what means they will come at The moneys they have advanced, or how obtain The recompense their services demand. 230 Still a new leader brings new claimants forward, And prior merit superannuates quickly.

There serve here many foreigners in the army, And were the man in all else brave and gallant, I was not wont to make nice scrutiny 235 After his pedigree or catechism.

This will be otherwise, i'the time to come.

Well--me no longer it concerns. [_He seats himself._

_Max Piccolomini._ Forbid it. Heaven, that it should come to this!

Our troops will swell in dreadful fermentation-- 240 The Emperor is abused--it cannot be.

_Isolani._ It cannot be; all goes to instant wreck.

_Wallenstein._ Thou hast said truly, faithful Isolani!

What we with toil and foresight have built up, Will go to wreck--all go to instant wreck. 245 What then? another chieftain is soon found, Another army likewise (who dares doubt it?) Will flock from all sides to the Emperor At the first beat of his recruiting drum.

[_During this speech, ISOLANI, TERTSKY, ILLO and MARADAS talk confusedly with great agitation._

_Max Piccolomini (busily and pa.s.sionately going from one to another, and soothing them)._ Hear, my commander! Hear me, generals! 250 Let me conjure you, Duke! Determine nothing, Till we have met and represented to you Our joint remonstrances.--Nay, calmer! Friends!

I hope all may be yet set right again.

_Tertsky._ Away! let us away! in the antechamber 255 Find we the others. [_They go._

_Butler (to Questenberg)._ If good counsel gain Due audience from your wisdom, my Lord Envoy!

You will be cautious how you shew yourself In public for some hours to come--or hardly Will that gold key protect you from maltreatment. 260

[_Commotions heard from without._

_Wallenstein._ A salutary counsel----Thou, Octavio!

Wilt answer for the safety of our guest.

Farewell, Von Questenberg! [_QUESTENBERG is about to speak._ Nay, not a word.

Not one word more of that detested subject!

You have performed your duty--We know how 265 To separate the office from the man.

[_As QUESTENBERG is going off with OCTAVIO, GOETZ, TIEFENBACH, KOLATTO, press in; several other_ Generals _following them._

_Goetz._ Where's he who means to rob us of our general?