The Death of Wallenstein (play)

SCENE XI.

To these enter OCTAVIO PICCOLOMINI with all his train. At the same

time DEVEREUX and MACDONALD enter from out the corridor with the

Halberdiers. WALLENSTEIN's dead body is carried over the back part

of the stage, wrapped in a piece of crimson tapestry.

OCTAVIO (entering abruptly).

It must not be! It is not possible!

Butler! Gordon!

I'll not believe it. Say no!

[GORDON, without answering, points with his hand to the body of

WALLENSTEIN as it is carried over the back of the stage. OCTAVIO

looks that way, and stands overpowered with horror.

DEVEREUX (to BUTLER).

Here is the golden fleece-the duke's sword--

MACDONALD.

Is it your order--

BUTLER (pointing to OCTAVIO).

Here stands he who now

Hath the sole power to issue orders.

[DEVEREUX and MACDONALD retire with marks of obeisance. One drops

away after the other, till only BUTLER, OCTAVIO, and GORDON remain

on the stage.

OCTAVIO (turning to BUTLER).

Was that my purpose, Butler, when we parted?

Oh, God of Justice!

To thee I lift my hand! I am not guilty

Of this foul deed.

BUTLER.

Your hand is pure. You have

Availed yourself of mine.

OCTAVIO.

Merciless man!

Thus to abuse the orders of thy lord-

And stain thy emperor's holy name with murder,

With bloody, most accursed assassination!

BUTLER (calmly).

I've but fulfilled the emperor's own sentence.

OCTAVIO.

Oh, curse of kings,

Infusing a dread life into their words,

And linking to the sudden, transient thought

The unchanging, irrevocable deed.

Was there necessity for such an eager

Despatch? Couldst thou not grant the merciful

A time for mercy? Time is man's good angel.

To leave no interval between the sentence,

And the fulfilment of it, doth beseem

God only, the immutable!

BUTLER.

For what

Rail you against me? What is my offence?

The empire from a fearful enemy

Have I delivered, and expect reward.

The single difference betwixt you and me

Is this: you placed the arrow in the bow;

I pulled the string. You sowed blood, and yet stand

Astonished that blood is come up. I always

Knew what I did, and therefore no result

Hath power to frighten or surprise my spirit.

Have you aught else to order; for this instant

I make my best speed to Vienna; place

My bleeding sword before my emperor's throne,

And hope to gain the applause which undelaying

And punctual obedience may demand

From a just judge.

[Exit BUTLER.