They have determined finally in Vienna, Have given me my successor already; It is the King of Hungary, Ferdinand, The Emperor's delicate son! he's now their savior, Of us They think themselves already fairly rid, And as we were deceased, the heir already Is entering on possession-Therefore-despatch! [As he turns round he observes Terisky, and gives him a letter. Count Altringer will have himself excused, And Galas too-I like not this! I must forthwith Is master of the Tyrole passes. Send some one to him, that he let not in The Spaniards on me from the Milanese. -Well, and the old Sesin, that ancient trader In contraband negotiations, he Has shown himself again of late. What brings he Ter. The Count communicates, He has found out the Swedish chancellor At Halberstadt, where the convention's held, Who says, you've tired him out, and that he'll have No further dealings with you. Ter. He says, you are never in earnest in your speeches, That you decoy the Swedes-to make fools of them, Will league yourself with Saxony against them, And at last make yourself a riddance of them Wal. An excellent scheme! No! no! They must be off, Ter. Nay, yield them up that dot, that speck of land— The game, what matters it to you who pays it? Wal. Off with them, off! Thou understand'st not this. My native land away, dismembered Germany, To come with stealthy tread, and filch away Shall they come in for. You will deal, however, Ter. Passes through me. I have not even your hand-writing. You must yourself acknowledge, that in all Your intercourses hitherto with the enemy You might have done with safety all you have done, For the Emperor's service. Wal. (after a pause during which he looks narrowly m That I'm not gulling him for the Emperor's service? Dost thou know me so well! When made I thee The intendant of my secret purposes? I am not conscious that I ever opened My inmost thoughts to thee. The Emperor, it is true, I could repay him with usurious interest For the evil he hath done me. It delights me To know my power; but whether I shall use it, Of that, I should have thought that thou couldst speak Ter. So hast thou always played thy game with us. [Enter Ilv SCENE XI.-Illo, Wallenstein, Tertsky. Wal. How stand affairs without? Are they prepared? They know about the Emperor's requisitions, And are tumultuous. Wal. Declared himself? Illo. How hath Isolan He's yours, both soul and body, Since you built up again his Faro-bank. Wal. And which way doth Kolatto bend? Hast thou Made sure of Tiefenbach and Deodate? Illo. What Piccolomini does, that they do too. Wal. You mean then I may venture somewhat with them? Wal. Not more assured of mine own self. I would you trusted not so much to Octavio, Wal. And yet Thou teachest me to know my man? Sixteen campaigns I have made with that old warrior. We both are born beneath like stars-in short [With an air of mystery. To this belongs its own particular aspect, If therefore thou canst warrant me the rest Illo. There is among them all but this one voice, You must not lay down the command. I hear They mean to send a deputation to you. Wal. If I'm in aught to bind myself to them, They too must bind themselves to me. Illo. Of course. Wal. Their words of honor they must give, their oaths, Give them in writing to me, promising Devotion to my service unconditional. Illo. Why not? Ter. Devotion unconditional? The exception of their duties towards Austria Wal. (shaking his head.) All unconditional! Illo. A thought has struck me. Does not Count Tertsky give us a set banquet Ter. Yes; and all the Generals Have been invited. Illo. (to Wallenstein.) Say, will you here fully Wal. Illo. And if I bring it to you, black on white, Make trial of your luck? Wal. Gain me the signatures. Illo. Ere it slips from you. The signatures! Seize, seize the hour Seldom comes the moment In life, which is indeed sublime and weighty. O many things, all transient and all rapid, Far, far too short a time for doubt and scruple! In the great stream of multitudes. Behold They are still here, here still! But soon the war Scatters their spirit, and the sympathy Of each man with the whole. He, who to-day Feel only his own weakness, and with speed Wal. The time is not yet come. Ter. But when will it be time? Wal. So you say always, When I shall say it. Illo. You'll wait upon the stars, and on their hours, Till the earthly hour escapes you. O, believe me, In your own bosom are your destiny's stars. Confidence in yourself, prompt resolution, This is your VENUS! and the sole malignant, The only one that harmeth you is DOUBT. Wal. Thou speakest as thou understand'st. How oft And many a time I've told thee, Jupiter, That lustrous god, was setting at thy birth. Thy visual power subdues no mysteries; Mole-eyed, thou may'st but burrow in the earth, Blind as that subterrestrial, who with wan |