The Death of Wallenstein Part 29

The regiments that are trusted to my care I have pledged my troth to bring away from Pilsen True to the emperor; and this promise will I Make good, or perish. More than this no duty Requires of me. I will not fight against thee, Unless compelled; for though an enemy, Thy head is holy to me still,

[Two reports of cannon. ILLO and TERZKY hurry to the window.

WALLENSTEIN.

What's that?

TERZBY.

He falls.

WALLENSTEIN.

Falls! Who?

ILLO.

Tiefenbach's corps Discharged the ordnance.

WALLENSTEIN.

Upon whom?

ILLO.

On--Neumann, Your messenger.

WALLENSTEIN (starting up).

Ha! Death and h.e.l.l! I will----

TERZKY.

Expose thyself to their blind frenzy?

d.u.c.h.eSS and COUNTESS.

No!

For G.o.d's sake, no!

ILLO.

Not yet, my general!

Oh, hold him! hold him!

WALLENSTEIN.

Leave me----

MAX.

Do it not; Not yet! This rash and b.l.o.o.d.y deed has thrown them Into a frenzy-fit--allow them time----

WALLENSTEIN.

Away! too long already have I loitered.

They are emboldened to these outrages, Beholding not my face. They shall behold My countenance, shall hear my voice-- Are they not my troops? Am I not their general, And their long-feared commander! Let me see, Whether indeed they do no longer know That countenance which was their sun in battle!

From the balcony (mark!) I show myself To these rebellious forces, and at once Revolt is mounded, and the high-swollen current Shrinks back into the old bed of obedience.

[Exit WALLENSTEIN; ILLO, TERZKY, and BUTLER follow.

SCENE XXI.

COUNTESS, d.u.c.h.eSS, MAX., and THEKLA.

COUNTESS (to the d.u.c.h.eSS).

Let them but see him--there is hope still, sister.

d.u.c.h.eSS.

Hope! I have none!

MAX. (who during the last scene has been standing at a distance, in a visible struggle of feelings advances).

This can I not endure.

With most determined soul did I come hither; My purposed action seemed unblamable To my own conscience--and I must stand here Like one abhorred, a hard, inhuman being: Yea, loaded with the curse of all I love!

Must see all whom I love in this sore anguish, Whom I with one word can make happy--O!

My heart revolts within me, and two voices Make themselves audible within my bosom.

My soul's benighted; I no longer can Distinguish the right track. Oh, well and truly Didst thou say, father, I relied too much On my own heart. My mind moves to and fro-- I know not what to do.

COUNTESS.

What! you know not?

Does not your own heart tell you? Oh! then I Will tell it you. Your father is a traitor, A frightful traitor to us--he has plotted Against our general's life, has plunged us all In misery--and you're his son! 'Tis yours To make the amends. Make you the son's fidelity Outweigh the father's treason, that the name Of Piccolomini be not a proverb Of infamy, a common form of cursing To the posterity of Wallenstein.

MAX.

Where is that voice of truth which I dare follow!

It speaks no longer in my heart. We all But utter what our pa.s.sionate wishes dictate: Oh that an angel would descend from heaven, And scoop for me the right, the uncorrupted, With a pure hand from the pure Fount of light.

[His eyes glance on THEKLA.

What other angel seek I? To this heart, To this unerring heart, will I submit it; Will ask thy love, which has the power to bless The happy man alone, averted ever From the disquieted and guilty--canst thou Still love me, if I stay? Say that thou canst, And I am the duke's----

COUNTESS.

Think, niece----

MAX.

Think nothing, Thekla!

Speak what thou feelest.

COUNTESS.

Think upon your father.

MAX.

I did not question thee, as Friedland's daughter.

Thee, the beloved and the unerring G.o.d Within thy heart, I question. What's at stake?

Not whether diadem of royalty Be to be won or not--that mightest thou think on.

Thy friend, and his soul's quiet are at stake: The fortune of a thousand gallant men, Who will all follow me; shall I forswear My oath and duty to the emperor?

Say, shall I send into Octavio's camp The parricidal ball? For when the ball Has left its cannon, and is on its flight, It is no longer a dead instrument!

It lives, a spirit pa.s.ses into it; The avenging furies seize possession of it, And with sure malice, guide it the worst way.

THEKLA.

Oh! Max.----

MAX. (interrupting her).