The Death of Wallenstein (play)

SCENE X.

To these enter BUTLER.

TERZKY (meeting him).

Oh, look there, Butler! Here we've still a friend!

WALLENSTEIN (meets him with outspread arms and embraces him with warmth).

Come to my heart, old comrade! Not the sun

Looks out upon us more revivingly,

In the earliest month of spring,

Than a friend's countenance in such an hour.

BUTLER.

My general; I come--

WALLENSTEIN (leaning on BUTLER'S shoulder).

Knowest thou already

That old man has betrayed me to the emperor.

What sayest thou? Thirty years have we together

Lived out, and held out, sharing joy and hardship.

We have slept in one camp-bed, drank from one glass,

One morsel shared! I leaned myself on him,

As now I lean me on thy faithful shoulder,

And now in the very moment when, all love,

All confidence, my bosom beat to his

He sees and takes the advantage, stabs the knife

Slowly into my heart.

[He hides his face on BUTLER's breast.

BUTLER.

Forget the false one.

What is your present purpose?

WALLENSTEIN.

Well remembered!

Courage, my soul! I am still rich in friends,

Still loved by destiny; for in the moment

That it unmasks the plotting hypocrite

It sends and proves to me one faithful heart.

Of the hypocrite no more! Think not his loss

Was that which struck the pang: Oh, no! his treason

Is that which strikes the pang! No more of him!

Dear to my heart, and honored were they both,

And the young man-yes-he did truly love me,

He-he-has not deceived me. But enough,

Enough of this-swift counsel now beseems us.

The courier, whom Count Kinsky sent from Prague,

I expect him every moment: and whatever

He may bring with him we must take good care

To keep it from the mutineers. Quick then!

Despatch some messenger you can rely on

To meet him, and conduct him to me.

[ILLO is going.

BUTLER (detaining him).

My general, whom expect you then?

WALLENSTEIN.

The courier

Who brings me word of the event at Prague.

BUTLER (hesitating).

Hem!

WALLENSTEIN.

And what now?

BUTLER.

You do not know it?

WALLENSTEIN.

Well?

BUTLER.

From what that larum in the camp arose?

WALLENSTEIN.

From what?

BUTLER.

That courier--

WALLENSTEIN (with eager expectation).

Well?

BUTLER.

Is already here.

TERZKY and ILLO (at the same time).

Already here?

WALLENSTEIEN.

My courier?

BUTLER.

For some hours.

WALLENSTEIN.

And I not know it?

BUTLER.

The sentinels detain him

In custody.

ILLO (stamping with his foot).

Damnation!

BUTLER.

And his letter

Was broken open, and is circulated

Through the whole camp.

WALLENSTEIN.

You know what it contains?

BUTLER.

Question me not.

TERZKY.

Illo! Alas for us.

WALLENSTEIN.

Hide nothing from me-I can bear the worst.

Prague then is lost. It is. Confess it freely.

BUTLER.

Yes! Prague is lost. And all the several regiments

At Budweiss, Tabor, Braunau, Koenigingratz,

At Brunn, and Znaym, have forsaken you,

And taken the oaths of fealty anew

To the emperor. Yourself, with Kinsky, Terzky,

And Illo have been sentenced.

[TERZKY and ILLO express alarm and fury. WALLENSTEIN remains

firm and collected.

WALLENSTEIN.

'Tis decided! 'Tis well! I have received a sudden cure

From all the pangs of doubt: with steady stream

Once more my life-blood flows! My soul's secure!

In the night only Friedland stars can beam.

Lingering irresolute, with fitful fears

I drew the sword-'twas with an inward strife,

While yet the choice was mine. The murderous knife

Is lifted for my heart! Doubt disappears!

I fight now for my head and for my life.

[Exit WALLENSTEIN; the others follow him.