The Complete Poetical Works of Samuel Taylor Coleridge Volume II Part 72

_Wallenstein._ But yet?

_Wrangel._ But still the Chancellor thinks, It might yet be an easier thing from nothing 70 To call forth sixty thousand men of battle, Than to persuade one sixtieth part of them--

_Wallenstein._ What now? Out with it, friend!

_Wrangel._ To break their oaths.

_Wallenstein._ And he thinks so?--He judges like a Swede, And like a Protestant. You Lutherans 75 Fight for your Bible. You are interested About the cause; and with your hearts you follow Your banners.--Among you, whoe'er deserts To the enemy, hath broken covenant With two Lords at one time.--We've no such fancies. 80

_Wrangel._ Great G.o.d in Heaven! Have then the people here No house and home, no fire-side, no altar?

_Wallenstein._ I will explain that to you, how it stands-- The Austrian has a country, ay, and loves it, And has good cause to love it--but this army, 85 That calls itself the Imperial, this that houses Here in Bohemia, this has none--no country; This is an outcast of all foreign lands, Unclaimed by town or tribe, to whom belongs Nothing, except the universal sun. 90

_Wrangel._ But then the n.o.bles and the Officers?

Such a desertion, such a felony, It is without example, my Lord Duke, In the world's history.

_Wallenstein._ They are all mine-- Mine unconditionally--mine on all terms. 95 Not me, your own eyes you must trust.

[_He gives him the paper containing the written oath.

WRANGEL reads it through, and, having read it, lays it on the table, remaining silent._

So then?

Now comprehend you?

_Wrangel._ Comprehend who can!

My Lord Duke; I will let the mask drop--yes!

I've full powers for a final settlement.

The Rhinegrave stands but four days' march from here 100 With fifteen thousand men, and only waits For orders to proceed and join your army.

Those orders I give out, immediately We're compromised.

_Wallenstein._ What asks the Chancellor?

_Wrangel._ Twelve Regiments, every man a Swede--my head 105 The warranty--and all might prove at last Only false play----

_Wallenstein (starting)._ Sir Swede!

_Wrangel._ Am therefore forced T' insist thereon, that he do formally, Irrevocably break with the Emperor, Else not a Swede is trusted to Duke Friedland. 110

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

_Wrangel._ That he forthwith disarm the Spanish regiments Attached to the Emperor, that he seize Prague, And to the Swedes give up that city, with The strong pa.s.s Egra.

_Wallenstein._ That is much indeed! 115 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. 120 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 125 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 look-out. We have been called Over the Baltic, we have saved the empire From ruin--with our best blood have we seal'd 130 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, 135 And would fain send us, with some paltry sum Of money, home again to our old forests.

No, no! my Lord Duke! no!--it never was For Judas' pay, for c.h.i.n.king gold and silver, That we did leave our King by the Great Stone.[696:1] 140 No, not for gold and silver have there bled So many of our Swedish n.o.bles--neither Will we, with empty laurels for our payment, Hoist sail for our own country. Citizens Will we remain upon the soil, the which 145 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? 150 We know, Duke Friedland! though perhaps the Swede Ought not t' 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 155 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 face about, and step 160 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 is a prisoner.

My Lord Duke, hear me--We believe that you 165 At present do mean honourably 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 170 Contents himself with Albstadt, 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 you not me? 175 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 180 Is settled this time, will the Chancellor Consider it as broken off for ever.

_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 185 Success--think first of this, your Highness. [_Exit WRANGEL._

FOOTNOTES:

[696:1] A great stone near Lutzen, since called the Swede's Stone, the body of their great King having been found at the foot of it, after the battle in which he lost his life.

LINENOTES:

[Before 1] _Wallenstein (after having fixed a searching look on him)._ 1800, 1828, 1829.