The German Classics of the Nineteenth and Twentieth Centuries Volume Iii Part 39

Sister, retire!

COUNTESS.

No--never.

WALLENSTEIN.

'Tis my will.

TERZKY (_leads the_ COUNTESS _aside, and drawing her attention to the_ d.u.c.h.eSS).

Theresa?

d.u.c.h.eSS.

Sister, come! since he commands it.

SCENE VII

WALLENSTEIN, TERZKY

WALLENSTEIN (_stepping to the window_).

What now, then?

TERZKY.

There are strange movements among all the troops, And no one knows the cause. Mysteriously, With gloomy silentness, the several corps Marshal themselves, each under its own banners.

Tiefenbach's corps make threat'ning movements; only The Pappenheimers still remain aloof In their own quarters, and let no one enter.

WALLENST.

Does Piccolomini appear among them?

TERZKY.

We are seeking him: he is nowhere to be met with.

WALLENST.

What did the Aide-de-camp deliver to you?

TERZKY.

My regiments had dispatch'd him; yet once more They swear fidelity to thee, and wait The shout for onset, all prepared, and eager.

WALLENST.

But whence arose this larum in the camp?

It should have been kept secret from the army, Till fortune had decided for us at Prague.

TERZKY.

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.

Thou gavest him thy own horses to flee from thee.

WALLENST.

The old tune still! Now, once for all, no more Of this suspicion--it is doting folly.

TERZKY.

Thou didst confide in Isolani too; And lo! he was the first that did desert thee.

WALLENST.

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 He has worship'd 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 stow'd And with the which, well-pleased and confident, He traversed the open sea; now he beholds it In eminent 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: No human tie is snapp'd 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, 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.

TERZKY.

Yet, would I rather Trust the smooth brow than that deep furrow'd one.

SCENE VIII

WALLENSTEIN, TERZKY, ILLO

ILLO (_who enters agitated with rage_).

Treason and mutiny!

TERZKY.

And what further now?

ILLO.

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

TERZKY.