The Works of Frederick Schiller Part 161

TERZKY.

Now for this evening's business! How intend you To manage with the generals at the banquet?

ILLO.

Attend! We frame a formal declaration, Wherein we to the duke consign ourselves Collectively, to be and to remain His, both with life and limb, and not to spare The last drop of our blood for him, provided, So doing we infringe no oath or duty We may be under to the emperor. Mark!

This reservation we expressly make In a particular clause, and save the conscience.

Now hear! this formula so framed and worded Will be presented to them for perusal Before the banquet. No one will find in it Cause of offence or scruple. Hear now further!

After the feast, when now the vapering wine Opens the heart, and shuts the eyes, we let A counterfeited paper, in the which This one particular clause has been left out, Go round for signatures.

TERZKY.

How! think you then That they'll believe themselves bound by an oath, Which we have tricked them into by a juggle?

ILLO.

We shall have caught and caged them! Let them then Beat their wings bare against the wires, and rave Loud as they may against our treachery; At court their signatures will be believed Far more than their most holy affirmations.

Traitors they are, and must be; therefore wisely Will make a virtue of necessity.

TERZKY.

Well, well, it shall content me: let but something Be done, let only some decisive blow Set us in motion.

ILLO.

Besides, 'tis of subordinate importance How, or how far, we may thereby propel The generals. 'Tis enough that we persuade The duke that they are his. Let him but act In his determined mood, as if he had them, And he will have them. Where he plunges in, He makes a whirlpool, and all stream down to it.

TERZKY.

His policy is such a labyrinth, That many a time when I have thought myself Close at his side, he's gone at once, and left me Ignorant of the ground where I was standing.

He lends the enemy his ear, permits me To write to them, to Arnheim; to Sesina Himself comes forward blank and undisguised; Talks with us by the hour about his plans, And when I think I have him--off at once-- He has slipped from me, and appears as if He had no scheme, but to retain his place.

ILLO.

He give up his old plans! I'll tell you, friend!

His soul is occupied with nothing else, Even in his sleep--they are his thoughts, his dreams, That day by day he questions for this purpose The motions of the planets----

TERZKY.

Ah! you know This night, that is now coming, he with Seni, Shuts himself up in the astrological tower To make joint observations--for I hear It is to be a night of weight and crisis; And something great, and of long expectation, Takes place in heaven.

ILLO.

O that it might take place On earth! The generals are full of zeal, And would with ease be led to anything Rather than lose their chief. Observe, too, that We have at last a fair excuse before us To form a close alliance 'gainst the court, Yet innocent its t.i.tle, bearing simply That we support him only in command.

But in the ardor of pursuit thou knowest Men soon forget the goal from which they started.

The object I've in view is that the prince Shall either find them, or believe them ready For every hazard. Opportunity Will tempt him on. Be the great step once taken, Which at Vienna's court can ne'er be pardoned, The force of circ.u.mstances will lead him onward The farther still and farther. 'Tis the choice That makes him undecisive--come but need, And all his powers and wisdom will come with it.

TERZKY.

'Tis this alone the enemy awaits To change their chief and join their force with ours.

ILLO.

Come! be we bold and make despatch. The work In this next day or two must thrive and grow More than it has for years. And let but only Things first turn up auspicious here below-- Mark what I say--the right stars, too, will show themselves.

Come to the generals. All is in the glow, And must be beaten while 'tis malleable.

TERZKY.

Do you go thither, Illo? I must stay And wait here for the Countess Terzky. Know That we, too, are not idle. Break one string, A second is in readiness.

ILLO.

Yes! yes!

I saw your lady smile with such sly meaning.

What's in the wind?

TERZKY.

A secret. Hus.h.!.+ she comes.

[Exit ILLO.

SCENE II.

The COUNTESS steps out from a closet.

COUNT and COUNTESS TERZKY.

TERZKY.

Well--is she coming? I can keep him back No longer.

COUNTESS.

She will be here instantly, You only send him.

TERZKY.

I am not quite certain, I must confess it, countess, whether or not We are earning the duke's thanks hereby. You know No ray has broke out from him on this point.

You have o'erruled me, and yourself know best How far you dare proceed.

COUNTESS.

I take it on me.

[Talking to herself while she is advancing.

Here's no heed of full powers and commissions; My cloudy duke! we understand each other-- And without words. What could I not unriddle, Wherefore the daughter should be sent for hither, Why first he, and no other should be chosen To fetch her hither? This sham of betrothing her To a bridegroom [9], whom no one knows--No! no!

This may blind others! I see through thee, brother!

But it beseems thee not to draw a card At such a game. Not yet! It all remains Mutely delivered up to my finessing.

Well--thou shalt not have been deceived, Duke Friedland, In her who is thy sister.

SERVANT (enters).

The commanders!

[Exit.

TERZKY (to the COUNTESS).

Take care you heat his fancy and affections-- Possess him with a reverie, and send him, Absent and dreaming to the banquet; that He may not boggle at the signature.

COUNTESS.

Take care of your guests! Go, send him hither.

TERZKY.

All rests upon his undersigning.

COUNTESS (interrupting him).

Go to your guests! Go----