The Death of Wallenstein Part 19

WALLENSTEIN.

Hopes to win her!

Is the boy mad?

COUNTESS.

Well--hear it from themselves.

WALLENSTEIN.

He thinks to carry off Duke Friedland's daughter!

Ay? The thought pleases me.

The young man has no groveling spirit.

COUNTESS.

Since Such and such constant favor you have shown him----

WALLENSTEIN.

He chooses finally to be my heir.

And true it is, I love the youth; yea, honor him.

But must he therefore be my daughter's husband?

Is it daughters only? Is it only children That we must show our favor by?

d.u.c.h.eSS.

His n.o.ble disposition and his manners----

WALLENSTEIN.

Win him my heart, but not my daughter.

d.u.c.h.eSS.

Then His rank, his ancestors----

WALLENSTEIN.

Ancestors! What?

He is a subject, and my son-in-law I will seek out upon the thrones of Europe.

d.u.c.h.eSS O dearest Albrecht! Climb we not too high Lest we should fall too low.

WALLENSTEIN.

What! have I paid A price so heavy to ascend this eminence, And jut out high above the common herd, Only to close the mighty part I play In life's great drama with a common kinsman?

Have I for this---- [Stops suddenly, repressing himself.

She is the only thing That will remain behind of me on earth; And I will see a crown around her head, Or die in the attempt to place it there.

I hazard all--all! and for this alone, To lift her into greatness.

Yea, in this moment, in the which we are speaking [He recollects himself.

And I must now, like a soft-hearted father, Couple together in good peasant fas.h.i.+on The pair that chance to suit each other's liking-- And I must do it now, even now, when I Am stretching out the wreath that is to twine My full accomplished work--no! she is the jewel, Which I have treasured long, my last, my n.o.blest, And 'tis my purpose not to let her from me For less than a king's sceptre.

d.u.c.h.eSS.

O my husband!

You're ever building, building to the clouds, Still building higher, and still higher building, And ne'er reflect, that the poor narrow basis Cannot sustain the giddy tottering column.

WALLENSTEIN (to the COUNTESS).

Have you announced the place of residence Which I have destined for her?

COUNTESS.

No! not yet, 'Twere better you yourself disclosed it to her.

d.u.c.h.eSS.

How? Do we not return to Carinthia then?

WALLENSTEIN.

No.

d.u.c.h.eSS.

And to no other of your lands or seats?

WALLENSTEIN.

You would not be secure there.

d.u.c.h.eSS.

Not secure.

In the emperor's realms, beneath the emperor's Protection?

WALLENSTEIN.

Friedland's wife may be permitted No longer to hope that.

d.u.c.h.eSS.

O G.o.d in heaven!

And have you brought it even to this!

WALLENSTEIN.

In Holland You'll find protection.

d.u.c.h.eSS In a Lutheran country?

What? And you send us into Lutheran countries?

WALLENSTEIN.

Duke Franz of Lauenburg conducts you thither.

d.u.c.h.eSS.

Duke Franz of Lauenburg?

The ally of Sweden, the emperor's enemy.

WALLENSTEIN.

The emperor's enemies are mine no longer.

d.u.c.h.eSS (casting a look of terror on the DUKE and the COUNTESS).

Is it then true? It is. You are degraded Deposed from the command? O G.o.d in heaven!

COUNTESS (aside to the DUKE).

Leave her in this belief. Thou seest she cannot Support the real truth.