The German Classics of the Nineteenth and Twentieth Centuries Volume Iii Part 51

Nay! he was not permitted Even to address them. Soon as he began, With deafening noise of warlike instruments They drown'd his words. But here he comes.

SCENE XXIII

_To these enter_ WALLENSTEIN, _accompanied by_ ILLO _and_ BUTLER

WALLENSTEIN (_as he enters_).

Terzky!

TERZKY.

My General!

WALLENSTEIN.

Let our regiments hold themselves In readiness to march; for we shall leave Pilsen ere evening.

[_Exit_ TERZKY.]

Butler!

BUTLER.

Yes, my General.

WALLENST.

The Governor of Egra is your friend And countryman. Write to him instantly By a post-courier. He must be advised, That we are with him early on the morrow.

You follow us yourself, your regiment with you.

BUTLER.

It shall be done, my General!

WALLENSTEIN (_steps between_ MAX _and_ THEKLA, _who have remained during this time in each other's arms_).

Part!

MAX.

O G.o.d!

[Cuira.s.siers _enter with drawn swords, and a.s.semble in the background. At the same time there are heard from below some spirited pa.s.sages out of the Pappenheim March, which seem to address_ MAX.]

WALLENSTEIN (_to the Cuira.s.siers_).

Here he is, he is at liberty: I keep him No longer.

[_He turns away, and stands so that_ MAX _cannot pa.s.s by him nor approach the_ PRINCESS.]

MAX.

Thou know'st that I have not yet learnt to live Without thee! I go forth into a desert, Leaving my all behind me. O do not turn Thine eyes away from me! O once more show me Thy ever dear and honor'd countenance!

[MAX _attempts to take his hand, but is repelled; he turns to the_ COUNTESS.]

Is there no eye that has a look of pity for me?

[_The_ COUNTESS _turns away from him; he turns to the_ d.u.c.h.eSS.]

My mother!

d.u.c.h.eSS.

Go where duty calls you. Haply The time may come, when you may prove to us A true friend, a good angel at the throne Of the Emperor.

MAX.

You give me hope; you would not Suffer me wholly to despair. No! no!

Mine is a certain misery. Thanks to Heaven!

That offers me a means of ending it.

[_The military music begins again. The stage fills more and more with armed men_. MAX _sees_ BUTLER _and addresses him_.]

And you here, Colonel Butler--and will you Not follow me? Well, then! remain more faithful To your new lord than you have proved yourself To the Emperor. Come, Butler! promise me, Give me your hand upon it, that you'll be The guardian of his life, its shield, its watchman.

He is attainted, and his princely head Fair booty for each slave that trades in murder.

Now he doth need the faithful eye of friendship, And those whom here I see--

[_Casting suspicious looks on_ ILLO _and_ BUTLER.]

ILLO.

Go--seek for traitors In Gallas', in your father's quarters. Here Is only one. Away! away! and free us From his detested sight! Away!

[MAX _attempts once more to approach_ THEKLA. WALLENSTEIN _prevents him_. MAX _stands irresolute, and in apparent anguish. In the mean time the stage fills more and more; and the horns sound from below louder and louder, and each time after a shorter interval_.]

MAX.

Blow! blow! O were it but the Swedish trumpets, And all the naked swords, which I see here, Were plunged into my breast! What purpose you?

You come to tear me from this place! Beware, Ye drive me not to desperation. Do it not!

Ye may repent it!

[_The stage is entirely filled with armed men_.]

Yet more! weight upon weight to drag me down!

Think what ye're doing. It is not well done To choose a man despairing for your leader; You tear me from my happiness. Well, then, I dedicate your souls to vengeance. Mark!

For your own ruin you have chosen me: Who goes with me, must be prepared to perish.