The German Classics of the Nineteenth and Twentieth Centuries Volume Iii Part 53

BUTLER.

I have heard so--

GORDON.

'Tis full thirty years since then, A youth who scarce had seen his twentieth year Was Wallenstein, when he and I were friends.

Yet even then he had a daring soul: His frame of mind was serious and severe Beyond his years: his dreams were of great objects, He walk'd amidst us of a silent spirit, Communing with himself; yet I have known him Transported on a sudden into utterance Of strange conceptions; kindling into splendor, His soul reveal'd itself, and he spake so That we look'd round perplex 'd upon each other, Not knowing whether it were craziness, Or whether it were a G.o.d that spoke in him.

BUTLER.

But was it where he fell two-story-high From a window-ledge, on which he had fallen asleep And rose up free from injury? From this day (It is reported) he betrayed clear marks Of a distemper'd fancy.

GORDON.

He became Doubtless more self-enwrapt and melancholy; He made himself a Catholic.[30] Marvelously His marvelous preservation had transform'd him.

Thenceforth he held himself for an exempted And privileged being, and, as if he were Incapable of dizziness or fall, He ran along the unsteady rope of life.

But now our destinies drove us asunder, He paced with rapid step the way of greatness, Was Count, and Prince, Duke-regent, and Dictator-- And now is all, all this too little for him; He stretches forth his hands for a king's crown, And plunges in unfathomable ruin.

BUTLER.

No more, he comes.

SCENE III

_To these enter_ WALLENSTEIN, _in conversation with the_ BURGOMASTER _of Egra_.

WALLENST.

You were at one time a free town. I see, Ye bear the half eagle in your city arms.

Why the _half_ eagle only?

BURGOMASTER.

We were free, But for these last two hundred years has Egra Remain'd in pledge to the Bohemian crown; Therefore we bear the half eagle, the other half Being cancell'd till the empire ransom us, If ever that should be.

WALLENSTEIN.

Ye merit freedom.

Only be firm and dauntless. Lend your ears To no designing whispering court-minions.

What may your imposts be?

BURGOMASTER.

So heavy that We totter under them. The garrison Lives at our costs.

WALLENSTEIN.

I will relieve you. Tell me, There are some Protestants among you still

[_The_ BURGOMASTER _hesitates_.]

Yes, yes; I know it. Many lie conceal'd Within these walls--confess now--you your self--

[_Fixes his eye on him. The_ BURGOMASTER _alarmed_.]

Be not alarm'd. I hate the Jesuits.

Could my will have determined it, they had Been long ago expell'd the empire. Trust me-- Ma.s.s-book or bible, 'tis all one to me.

Of that the world has had sufficient proof.

I built a church for the Reform'd in Glogau At my own instance. Harkye, Burgomaster!

What is your name?

BURGOMASTER.

Pachhalbel, may it please you.

WALLENST.

Harkye!-- But let it go no further, what I now Disclose to you in confidence.

[_Laying his hand on the_ BURGOMASTER'S _shoulder with a certain solemnity_.]

The times Draw near to their fulfilment, Burgomaster!

The high will fall, the low will be exalted.

Harkye! But keep it to yourself! The end Approaches of the Spanish double monarchy-- A new arrangement is at hand. You saw The three moons that appear'd at once in the Heaven.

BURGOM.

With wonder and affright!

WALLENSTEIN.

Whereof did two Strangely transform themselves to b.l.o.o.d.y daggers, And only one, the middle moon, remained Steady and clear.

BURGOMASTER.

We applied it to the Turks.

WALLENST.

The Turks! That all?--I tell you, that two empires Will set in blood, in the East and in the West, And Luth'ranism alone remain.

[_Observing_ GORDON _and_ BUTLER.]

I' faith, 'Twas a smart cannonading that we heard This evening, as we journey'd hitherward; 'Twas on our left hand. Did you hear it here?

GORDON.