The Death of Wallenstein Part 49

Ye're both feverish!

How can mishap come to me from the Swedes?

They sought this junction with me--'tis their interest.

GORDON (with difficulty suppressing his emotion).

But what if the arrival of these Swedes-- What if this were the very thing that winged The ruin that is flying to your temples?

[Flings himself at his feet.

There is yet time, my prince.

SENI.

Oh hear him! hear him!

GORDON (rises).

The Rhinegrave's still far off. Give but the orders, This citadel shall close its gates upon him.

If then he will besiege us, let him try it.

But this I say; he'll find his own destruction, With his whole force before these ramparts, sooner Than weary down the valor of our spirit.

He shall experience what a band of heroes, Inspirited by an heroic leader, Is able to perform. And if indeed It be thy serious wish to make amend For that which thou hast done amiss,--this, this Will touch and reconcile the emperor, Who gladly turns his heart to thoughts of mercy; And Friedland, who returns repentant to him, Will stand yet higher in his emperor's favor Then e'er he stood when he had never fallen.

WALLENSTEIN (contemplates him with surprise, remains silent a while, betraying strong emotion).

Gordon--your zeal and fervor lead you far.

Well, well--an old friend has a privilege.

Blood, Gordon, has been flowing. Never, never Can the emperor pardon me: and if he could, Yet I--I ne'er could let myself be pardoned.

Had I foreknown what now has taken place, That he, my dearest friend, would fall for me, My first death offering; and had the heart Spoken to me, as now it has done--Gordon, It may be, I might have bethought myself.

It may be too, I might not. Might or might not Is now an idle question. All too seriously Has it begun to end in nothing, Gordon!

Let it then have its course.

[Stepping to the window.

All dark and silent--at the castle too All is now hushed. Light me, chamberlain?

[The GROOM OF THE CHAMBER, who had entered during the last dialogue, and had been standing at a distance and listening to it with visible expressions of the deepest interest, advances in extreme agitation and throws himself at the DUKE's feet.

And thou too! But I know why thou dost wish My reconcilement with the emperor.

Poor man! he hath a small estate in Carinthia, And fears it will be forfeited because He's in my service. Am I then so poor That I no longer can indemnify My servants? Well! to no one I employ Means of compulsion. If 'tis thy belief That fortune has fled from me, go! forsake me.

This night for the last time mayst thou unrobe me, And then go over to the emperor.

Gordon, good-night! I think to make a long Sleep of it: for the struggle and the turmoil Of this last day or two was great. May't please you Take care that they awake me not too early.

[Exit WALLENSTEIN, the GROOM OF THE CHAMBER lighting him. SENI follows, GORDON remains on the darkened stage, following the DUKE with his eye, till he disappears at the further end of the gallery: then by his gestures the old man expresses the depth of his anguish, and stands leaning against a pillar.

SCENE VI.

GORDON, BUTLER (at first behind the scenes).

BUTLER (not yet come into view of the stage).

Here stand in silence till I give the signal.

GORDON (starts up).

'Tis he! he has already brought the murderers.

BUTLER.

The lights are out. All lies in profound sleep.

GORDON.

What shall I do, shall I attempt to save him?

Shall I call up the house? alarm the guards?

BUTLER (appears, but scarcely on the stage).

A light gleams. .h.i.ther from the corridor.

It leads directly to the duke's bed-chamber.

GORDON.

But then I break my oath to the emperor; If he escape and strengthen the enemy, Do I not hereby call down on my head All the dread consequences.

BUTLER (stepping forward).

Hark! Who speaks there?

GORDON.

'Tis better, I resign it to the hands Of Providence. For what am I, that I Should take upon myself so great a deed?

I have not murdered him, if he be murdered; But all his rescue were my act and deed; Mine--and whatever be the consequences I must sustain them.

BUTLER (advances).

I should know that voice.

GORDON.

Butler!

BUTLER.

'Tis Gordon. What do you want here?

Was it so late, then, when the duke dismissed you?

GORDON.

Your hand bound up and in a scarf?

BUTLER.

'Tis wounded.

That Illo fought as he were frantic, till At last we threw him on the ground.

GORDON (shuddering).

Both dead?

BUTLER.

Is he in bed?

GORDON.

Ah, Butler!

BUTLER.

Is he? speak.