The Complete Poetical Works of Samuel Taylor Coleridge Volume II Part 88

_Wallenstein._ Does Piccolomini appear among them?

_Tertsky._ We are seeking him: he is no where to be met with. 10

_Wallenstein._ What did the Aid-de-Camp deliver to you?

_Tertsky._ My regiments had dispatched 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? 15 It should have been kept secret from the army, Till fortune had decided for us at Prague.

_Tertsky._ O 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. 20 Thou gav'st 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.

_Tertsky._ Thou did'st confide in Isolani too; And lo! he was the first that did desert thee. 25

_Wallenstein._ It was but yesterday I rescued him From abject wretchedness. Let that go by.

I never reckon'd 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 30 He has worshipped 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 ship in which his hopes were stowed, And with the which well-pleased and confident 35 He traversed the open sea; now he beholds it In imminent 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: 40 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, 45 Nought 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.

_Tertsky._ Yet, would I rather Trust the smooth brow than that deep furrowed one. 50

LINENOTES:

[6] makes] make 1800, 1828, 1829.

[11] Aid-de-Camp] Aide-de-Camp 1800.

[32] FORTUNE 1800, 1828, 1829.

SCENE VIII

_WALLENSTEIN, TERTSKY, ILLO._

_Illo._ Treason and mutiny!

_Tertsky._ And what further now?

_Illo._ Tiefenbach's soldiers, when I gave the orders To go off guard--Mutinous villains!

_Tertsky._ Well!

_Wallenstein._ What followed?

_Illo._ They refused obedience to them. 5

_Tertsky._ Fire on them instantly! Give out the order.

_Wallenstein._ Gently! what cause did they a.s.sign?

_Illo._ No other, They said, had right to issue orders but Lieutenant-General Piccolomini.

_Wallenstein._ What? How is that? 10

_Illo._ He takes that office on him by commission, Under sign-manual of the Emperor.

_Tertsky._ From the Emperor--hear'st thou, Duke?

_Illo._ At his incitement The Generals made that stealthy flight--

_Tertsky._ Duke! hearest thou?

_Illo._ Caraffa too, and Montecuculi, 15 Are missing, with six other Generals, All whom he had induced to follow him.

This plot he has long had in writing by him From the Emperor; but 'twas finally concluded With all the detail of the operation 20 Some days ago with the Envoy Questenberg.

[_WALLENSTEIN sinks down into a chair and covers his face._

_Tertsky._ O hadst thou but believed me!

LINENOTES:

[Before 1] _Illo (who enters agitated with rage)._ 1800, 1828, 1829.

[9] _Piccolomini_ 1800, 1828, 1829.

[10] _Wallenstein (in a convulsion of agony)._ 1800, 1828, 1829.

SCENE IX

_To them enter the COUNTESS._

_Countess._ This suspense, This horrid fear--I can no longer bear it.

For heaven's sake, tell me, what has taken place.

_Illo._ The regiments are all falling off from us.

_Tertsky._ Octavio Piccolomini is a traitor. 5

_Countess._ O my foreboding! [_Rushes out of the room._

_Tertsky._ Hadst thou but believed me!

Now seest thou how the stars have lied to thee.