The Death of Wallenstein Part 4

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 pa.s.s 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 c.h.i.n.king 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 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 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!