The German Classics of the Nineteenth and Twentieth Centuries Volume Iii Part 52

[_He turns to the background, there ensues a sudden and violent movement among the Cuira.s.siers; they surround him, and carry him off in wild tumult_. WALLENSTEIN_ remains immovable_. THEKLA _sinks into her mother's arms. The curtain falls. The music becomes loud and overpowering, and pa.s.ses into a complete war march--the orchestra joins it and continues during the interval between the second and third Act_.]

ACT IV

SCENE I

_The Burgomaster's House at Egra_

BUTLER (_just arrived_).

Here then he is, by his destiny conducted.

Here, Friedland! and no farther! From Bohemia Thy meteor rose, traversed the sky awhile, And here upon the borders of Bohemia Must sink.

Thou hast foresworn the ancient colors, Blind man! yet trustest to thy ancient fortunes.

Profaner of the altar and the hearth, Against thy Emperor and fellow citizens Thou mean'st to wage the war. Friedland, beware-- The evil spirit of revenge impels thee-- Beware thou, that revenge destroy thee not!

SCENE II

BUTLER _and_ GORDON

GORDON.

Is it you?

How my heart sinks! The Duke a fugitive traitor!

His princely head attainted! O my G.o.d!

[Tell me, General, I implore thee, tell me In full, of all these sad events at Pilsen.]

BUTLER.

You have received the letter which I sent you By a post-courier?

GORDON.

Yes: and in obedience to it Open'd the stronghold to him without scruple, For an imperial letter orders me To follow your commands implicitly.

But yet forgive me! when even now I saw The Duke himself my scruples recommenced; For truly, not like an attainted man, Into this town did Friedland make his entrance; His wonted majesty beam'd from his brow, And calm, as in the days when all was right, Did he receive from me the accounts of office.

'Tis said that fallen pride learns condescension; But sparing and with dignity the Duke Weigh'd every syllable of approbation, As masters praise a servant who has done His duty and no more.

BUTLER.

'Tis all precisely As I related in my letter. Friedland Has sold the army to the enemy, And pledged himself to give up Prague and Egra.

On this report the regiments all forsook him, The five excepted that belong to Terzky, And which have follow'd him, as thou hast seen The sentence of attainder is pa.s.s'd on him, And every loyal subject is required To give him in to justice, dead or living.

GORDON.

A traitor to the Emperor! Such a n.o.ble!

Of such high talents! What is human greatness!

I often said, this can't end happily.

His might, his greatness, and his obscure power Are but a cover'd pit-fall. The human being May not be trusted to self-government.

The clear and written law, the deep trod foot-marks Of ancient custom, are all necessary To keep him in the road of faith and duty.

The authority intrusted to this man Was unexampled and unnatural, It placed him on a level with his Emperor, Till the proud soul unlearn'd submission. Woe is me!

I mourn for him! for where he fell, I deem Might none stand firm. Alas! dear General, We in our lucky mediocrity Have ne'er experienced, cannot calculate, What dangerous wishes such a height may breed In the heart of such a man.

BUTLER.

Spare your laments Till he need sympathy; for at this present He is still mighty, and still formidable.

The Swedes advance to Egra by forced marches, And quickly will the junction be accomplish'd.

This must not be! The Duke must never leave This stronghold on free footing; for I have Pledged life and honor here to hold him prisoner, And your a.s.sistance 'tis on which I calculate.

GORDON.

O that I had not lived to see this day!

From his hand I received this dignity; He did himself intrust this stronghold to me, Which I am now required to make his dungeon.

We subalterns have no will of our own: The free, the mighty man alone may listen To the fair impulse of his human nature.

Ah! we are but the poor tools of the law, Obedience the sole virtue we dare aim at!

BUTLER.

Nay! let it not afflict you, that your power Is circ.u.mscribed. Much liberty, much error!

The narrow path of duty is securest.

GORDON.

And all then have deserted him you say?

He has built up the luck of many thousands; For kingly was his spirit: his full hand Was ever open! Many a one from dust

[_With a sly glance on_ BUTLER.]

Hath he selected, from the very dust Hath raised him into dignity and honor, And yet no friend, not one friend hath he purchased, Whose heart beats true to him in the evil hour.

BUTLER.

Here's one, I see.

GORDON.

I have enjoy'd from him No grace or favor. I could almost doubt If ever in his greatness he once thought on An old friend of his youth. For still my office Kept me at a distance from him; and when first He to this citadel appointed me, He was sincere and serious in his duty.

I do not then abuse his confidence, If I preserve my fealty in that Which to my fealty was first delivered.

BUTLER.

Say, then, will you fulfil th' attainder on him, [And lend your aid to take him in arrest?]

GORDON (_pauses, reflecting--then as in deep dejection_).

If it be so--if all be as you say-- If he've betray'd the Emperor, his master, Have sold the troops, have purposed to deliver The strongholds of the country to the enemy-- Yea, truly!--there is no redemption for him Yet it is hard that me the lot should destine To be the instrument of his perdition; For we were pages at the court of Bergau At the same period; but I was the senior.