The Death of Wallenstein (play)

SCENE I.

Butler's Chamber.

BUTLER, and MAJOR GERALDIN.

BUTLER.

Find me twelve strong dragoons, arm them with pikes

For there must be no firing-

Conceal them somewhere near the banquet-room,

And soon as the dessert is served up, rush all in

And cry-"Who is loyal to the emperor?"

I will overturn the table-while you attack

Illo and Terzky, and despatch them both.

The castle-palace is well barred and guarded,

That no intelligence of this proceeding

May make its way to the duke. Go instantly;

Have you yet sent for Captain Devereux

And the Macdonald?

GERALDIN.

They'll be here anon.

[Exit GERALDIN.

BUTLER.

Here's no room for delay. The citizens

Declare for him-a dizzy drunken spirit

Possesses the whole town. They see in the duke

A prince of peace, a founder of new ages

And golden times. Arms, too, have been given out

By the town-council, and a hundred citizens

Have volunteered themselves to stand on guard.

Despatch! then, be the word; for enemies

Threaten us from without and from within.