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Placing my honour and my head in pledge,
Needs must I have full mastery in all
The means thereto. What render'd this Gustavus
Resistless, and unconquer'd upon earth?
This—that he was the monarch in his army!
A monarch, one who is indeed a monarch,
Was never yet subdued but by his equal.
But to the point! The best is yet to come.
Attend now, generals!
QuestENBERG.
The Prince Cardinal
Begins his route at the approach of spring
From the Milanese; and leads a Spanish army
Through Germany into the Netherlands.
That he may march secure and unimpeded,
'T is the Emperor's will you grant him a detachment
Of eight horse-regiments from the army here.
wall Enstein.
Yes, yes! I understand!—Eight regiments! Well,
Right well concerted, father Lamormain'
Eight thousand horse! Yes, yes! T is as it should be!
I see it coming.
QUESTEN6Eng.
There is nothing coming.
All stands in front: the counsel of state-prudence,
The dictate of necessity!——
wallenstein.
What then 7
What, my Lord Envoy May I not be suffer'd
To understand, that folks are tired of seeing
The sword's hilt in my grasp: and that your court
Snatch eagerly at this pretence, and use
The Spanish title, to drain off my forces,
To lead into the empire a new army
Unsubjected to my control? To throw me
Plumply aside,-I am still too powerful for you
To venture that. My stipulation runs,
That all the Imperial forces shall obey me
where'er the German is the native language.
Of Spanish troops and of Prince Cardinals
That take their route, as visitors, through the empire,
There stands no syllable in my stipulation.
No syllable! And so the politic court
Steals in a tiptoe, and creeps round behind it;
First makes me weaker, then to he dispensed with,
Till it dares strike at length a bolder blow
And make short work with me.
what need of all these crooked ways, Lord Envoy!
Straight-forward, man! His compact with me pinches
The Eunperor. He would that I moved off!—
well!—I will gratify him!,
[tiere there commences an agitation among the
Generals, which increases continually.
It grieves me for my noble officers' sakes!
I see not yet, by what means they will come at
The moneys they have advanced, or how obtain
The recompence their services demand.
Still a new leader brings new claimants forward,
And prior merit superannuates quickly.
There serve here many foreigners in the army,
And were the man in all else brave and gallant,
i was not wont to make nice scrutiny
After I, is pedigree or catechism.
This will be otherwise, i' the time to come.

Max. Piccolonii NI.
Forbid it Heaven, that it should come to this!
Our troops will swell in dreadful fermentation—
The Emperor is abused—it cannot be.
isol. Ani.
It cannot be; all goes to instant wreck.
wAllenstein.
Thou hast said truly, faithful Isolani!
What we with toil and foresight have built up,
Will go to wreck—all go to instant wreck.
What then? another chieftain is soon found,
Another army likewise (who dares doubt it!)
Will flock from all sides to the Emperor,
At the first beat of his recruiting drum.
[During this speech, Isolani, Tkarsky, Illo, and
MARADAs talk confusedly with great agita-
tion.
Max. Piccolomini (busily and passionately going from
one to another, and soothing them).
Hear, my commander! Hear me, generals!
Let me conjure you, Duke! Determine nothing,
Till we have met and represented to you
Our joint remonstrances.—Nay, calmer: Friends!
I hope all may be yet set right again.
tentsky.
Away! let us away! in the antechamber
Find we the others.
Butler (to Questenberg).
If good counsel gain
Due audience from your wisdom, my Lord Envoy!
You will be cautious how you show yourself
In public for some hours to come—or hardly
Will that gold key protect you from mal-treatment.
[Commotions heard from without.
wallenstein.
A salutary counsel——Thou, Octavio!
Wilt answer for the safety of our guest.
Farewell, Won Questenberg
[Questenberg is about to speak.
Nay, not a word.
Not one word more of that detested subject!
You have perform'd your duty—We know how
To separate the office from the man.
[As Questenberg is going off with Octavio; Goerz,
Tiefenbach, Kolatro, press in; several other
Generals following them.
Goetz.
Where's he who means to robus of our general?
Tiefenbach (at the same time).
What are we forced to hear? That thou wilt leave us?
Kolarto (at the same time).
We will live with thee, we will die with thee.
wallenstein (with stateliness, and pointing to Illo).
There! the Field-Marshal knows our will. [Exit.
[h hile all are going off the stage, the curtain
drops.

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ACT II.
SCENE i.
Scene—A small Chamber.
Illo and TERTsky.

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

Weil–me no longer it concerns.

[He seats himself.
-

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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 vap'ring 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. teatsky. How? think you then That they'll believe themselves bound by an oath, Which we had trick'd them into by a juggle? il, t.o. 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. tearsky. Well, well, it shall content me; let but something Be done, let only some decisive blow Set us in motion. ILL0. Besides, "t is of subordinate importance How, or how far, we may thereby propel The generals. T is 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. Teatsky. 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 slipp'd from me, and appears as if He had no scheme, but to retain his place. I LLO. 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—— tentsky. Ay! 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,
Is to make its procession in the heaven.
ILL0.
Come! be we bold and make dispatch. 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 them-
selves.
Come, to the generals. All is in the glow,
And must be beaten while ’t is malleable.
tertsky.
Do you go thither, Illo. I must stay
And wait here for the Countess Tertsky. Know,
That we too are not idle. Break one string,
A second is in readiness.
ILL0.
Yes! Yes!
I saw your lady smile with such sly meaning.
What 's in the wind?

tentsky. A secret. Hush ' she comes. [Exit Illo. SCENE II.

(The Countess steps out from a closet.) Count and Countess Tearsky.

tentsky. Well—is she coming—I can keep him back No longer. countess. She will be there instantly, You only send him. TeRTsKY. 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'er-ruled 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 need 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," when 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 deliver'd up to my finessing—— Well-thou shalt not have been deceived, Duke Friedland! In her who is thy sister.—— senvant senters). The commanders! terrsky (to the Countess). Take care you heat his fancy and affections—

"In Germany, after honourable addresses have been paid and formally accepted, the lovers are called Bride and Bridegroom, even though the marriage should not take place till years afterwards.

Possess him with a reverie, and send him,
Absent and dreaming, to the banquet; that
He may not boggle at the signature.
countess.
Take you care of your guests!—Go, send him hither.
Teatsky.
All rests upon his undersigning.
countess (interrupting him).
Go to your guests! Go--
illo (comes back).
Where art staying, Tertskyi
The house is full, and all expecting you.
Tearsky.
Instantly! Instantly
[To the Countess.
And let him not
Stay here too long. It might awake suspicion
In the old man——
countess.
A truce with your precautions:
[Exeunt Tearsky and Illo.

SCENE III. Countess, Max. Piccolomini.

Max. (peeping in on the stage shily). Aunt Tertsky! may I venture? [Advances to the middle of the stage, and looks around him with uneasiness. She 's not here ! Where is she? count Ess. Look but somewhat narrowly In Yonder corner, lest perhaps she lie Couceal’d behind that screen. MAx. There lie her gloves! [**atches at them, but the Countess takes them herself. You unkind Lady! You refuse me this— You make it an amusement to torment me. Countess. And this the thank you give me for my trouble? Max. 0, if you felt the oppression at my heart! Since we've been here, so to constrain myself— With such poor stealth to hazard words and glances— These, these are not my habits! countess. You have still Many new habits to acquire, young friend! But on this proof of your obedient temper I must continue to insist; and only On this condition can I play the agent For your concerns. MAx. But wherefore comes she not? Where is she? countess. Into my hands you must place it whole and entire. Whom could you find, indeed, More zealously affected to your interest No soul on earth onust know it—not your father. He must not, above all. MAx. Alas! what danger? .

Here is no face on which I might concentre All the enraptured soul stirs up within me. 9 Lady' tell me. Is all changed around met Or is it only it I find myself, As among strangers! Not a trace is left Of all my former wishes, former joys. Where has it vanish'd to There was a time When even, methought, with such a world, as this, I was not discontented. Now how flat How stale! No life, no bloom, no flavour in it! My comrades are intolerable to me. My father—Even to him I can say nothing. My arms, my military duties—of They are such wearying toys! Countess. But, gentle friend! I must entreat it of your condescension, You would be pleased to sink your eye, and favour With one short glance or two this poor stale world, Where even now much, and of much moment, Is on the eve of its completion. Max. Something, I can't but know; is going forward round me. I see it gathering, crowding, driving on, In wild uncustomary movements. Well, In due time, doubtless, it will reach even me. Where think you I have been, dear lady Nay, No raillery. The turmoil of the camp, The spring-tide of acquaintance rolling in, The pointless jest, the empty conversation, Oppress'd and stiff'd me. I gasp'd for air– I could not breathe—I was constrain'd to fly, To seek a silence out for my full heart; And a pure spot wherein to feel my happiness. No smiling, Countess! In the church was I. There is a cloister here to the heaven's gate, Thither I went, there found myself alone. Over the altar hung a holy mother; A wretched painting 't was, yet 't was the friend That I was seeking in this moment. Ah, How oft have I beheld that glorious form In splendour, 'mid ecstatic worshippers; Yet, still it moved me not l and now at once Was my devotion cloudless as my love. countess. Enjoy your fortune and felicity: Forget the world around you. Meantime, friendship Shall keep strict vigils for you, anxious, active. Only be manageable when that friendship Points you the road to full accomplishment. How long may it be since you declared your passion? MAx. This morning did I hazard the first word. countess. This morning the first time in twenty days? MAx. "T was at that hunting-castle, betwixt here And Nepomuck, where you had join'd us, and— That was the last relay of the whole journey!

* I am doubtful whether this be the dedication of the cloister or the name of one of the city gates, near which it stood. I have translated it in the soriner sense; but fearful of having made some blunder, I add the original.–Es ist ein Kloster hier zur Himmels

pforte. 18

In a balcony we were standing mute,
And gazing out upon the dreary field :
Before us the dragoons were riding onward,
The safe-guard which the Duke had sent us—heavy
The inquietude of parting lay upon me,
And trembling ventured I at length these words:
This all reminds me, noble maiden, that
To-day I must take leave of my good fortune.
A few hours more, and you will find a father,
Will see yourself surrounded by new friends,
And I henceforth shall be but as a stranger,
Lost in the many—w Speak with my aunt Tertsky!"
With hurrying voice she interrupted me.
She falter'd. I beheld a glowing red
Possess her beautiful cheeks, and from the ground
Raised slowly up her eye met mine—no longer
Did I control myself.
[The Princess Therla appears at the door, and
remains standing, observed by the Countess,
but not by Piccolonini.
With instant bollness
I caught her in my arms, my mouth touch'd her's;
There was a rustling in the room close by;
It parted us—T was you. What since has happen'd,
You know.
countess (after a pause, with a stolen glance at Thekla).
And is it your excess of modesty;
Or are you so incurious, that you do not
Ask me too of my secret?
MAX.
Of your secret?
cou Ntless.
Why, yes! When in the instant after you
I stepp'd into the room, and found my niece there,
What she in this first moment of the heart
Ta'en with surprise—
MAx. (with eagerness).
Well?

SCENE i W.

Therla (hurries forward), Countess, Max.
Piccolomixi.

Therla (to the Countess).
Spare yourself the trouble:
That hears he better from myself.
Max. (stepping backward).
My Princess!
What have you let her hear me say, aunt Terisky?
The KLA (to the Countess).
Has he been here long?
cot-tess.
Yes; and soon must go.
Where have you stay’d so long :
TH+ KLA.
Alas! my mother
Wept so again! and I–I see her suffer,
Yet cannot keep myself from being happy.
MAx.
Now once again I have courage to look on you.
To-day at noon I could not.
The dazzle of the jewels that play'd round you
Hid the beloved from me.
Thfixl A.
Then you saw me
With your eye only—and not with your heart?

Max.
This morning, when I found von in the circle
i of all your kindred, in your father's arms,
Beheld myself an alien in this circle,
O! what an impulse felt I in that moment
To fall upon his neck, to call him father!
But his stern eye o'erpower'd the swelling passion—
it dared not but be silent. And those brilliants,
'That like a crown of stars enwreathed your brows,
They scared me too! O wherefore, wherefore should he
At the first meeting spread as 't were the ban
Of excommunication round vou, -wherefore
Dress up the angel as for sacrifice,
And cast upon the light and joyous heart
The mournful burthen of his station: Fitly
May love dare woo for love; but such a splendour
Might none but monarchs venture to approach.
Tri Ex L.A.
Hush! not a word more of this mummery;
You see how soon the burthen is thrown off.
[To the CotNTEss.
He is not in spirits. Wherefore is he not?
'T is you, aunt, that have made him all so gloomy:
He had quite another nature on the journey—
So calm, so bright, so joyous eloquent.
[To Max.
It was my wish to see you always so,
And never otherwise :
MAx.
You find yourself
In your great father's arms, beloved lady:
All in a new world, which does homage to you,
i And which, were 't only by its novelty,
Delights your eye.
Tri-Exl.--
Yes; I confess to you
That many things delight me here: this camp,
This motley stage of warriors, which renews
So manifold the image of my fancy,
| And binds to life, binds to reality,
What hitherto had but been present to me
As a sweet dream'
Max.
Alas! not so to me.
It makes a dream of my reality.
Upon some island in the ethereal heights
I've lived for these last days. This mass of men
Forces me down to earth. It is a bridge
That, reconducting to my former life,
Divides me and my heaven.
THEK L.A.
• The game of life
Looks cheerful, when one carries in one's heart
The unalienable treasure. 'T is a game,
which having once review'd, I turn more joyous
Back to my deeper and appropriate bliss.
[Breaking off, and in a sportire tone.
In this short time that I've been present here,
What new unheard-of things have I not seen
And yet they all must give place to the wonder
Which this mysterious castle guards.
countess (recollecting).
- And what
Can this be then? Methought I was acquainted
With all the dusky corners of this house.

therla (smiling). Ay, but the road thereto is watch'd by spirits, Two griffins still stand sentry at the door. countess (laughs). The astrological tower!—How happens it That this same sanctuary, whose access ls to all others so impracticable, Opeus before you even at your approach: th. Ekl, A. A dwarfish old man with a friendly face And snow-white hairs, whose gracious services Were mine at first sight, open'd me the doors. Max. That is the Duke's astrologer, old Seni. Thek L.A. He question'd me on many points; for instance, When I was born, what month, and on what day, Whether by day or in the night. countess. - He wish'd To erect a figure for your horoscope. The KLA. My hand too he examined, shook his head With much sad meaning, and the lines, methought, Did not square over truly with his wishes. countess. Well, Princess, and what found you in this tower? My highest privilege has been to snatch A side-glance, and away! Trifk L.A. It was a strange Sensation that came o'er me, when at first From the broad sunshine I stepp'd in; and now The narrowing line of day-light, that ran after The closing door, was gone; and all about me "T was pale and dusky night, with many shadows Fantastically cast. Here six or seven Colossal statues, and all kings, stood round me In a half-circle. Each one in his hand A sceptre bore, and on his head a star; And in the tower no other light was there But from these stars: all seem'd to come from them. • These are the planets,” said that low old man, • They govern worldly fates, and for that cause Are imaged here as kings. He farthest from you, Spiteful, and cold, an old man melancholy, With bent and yellow forehead, he is Saturn. He opposite, the king with the red light, An arm'd man for the battle, that is Mars: And both these bring but little luck to man." But at his side a lovely lady stood, The star upon her head was soft and bright, On that was Venus, the bright star of joy. And the left hand, lo! Mercury, with wings. Quite in the middle glitter'd silver bright A cheerful man, and with a monarch's mien ; And this was Jupiter, my father's star: And at his side I saw the Sun and Moon. M.A.X. o never rudely will 1 blame his faith In the might of stars and angels! T is not merely The human being's Pride that peoples space with life and mystical predominance; since likewise for the stricken heart of Love This visible nature, and this common world, is all too narrow: yea, a deeper import

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Lurks in the legend told my infant years
Than lies upon that truth, we live to learn.
For fable is Love's world, his home, his birth-place:
Delightedly dwells he 'mong fays and talismans,
And spirits; and delightedly believes
Divinities, being himself divine.
The intelligible forms of ancient poets,
The fair humanities of old religion,
The Power, the Beauty, and the Majesty,
That had her haunts in dale, or piny mountain,
Or forest by slow stream, or pebbly spring,
Or chasms and wat'ry depths; all these have vanish'd.
They live no longer in the faith of reason!
But still the heart doth need a language, still
Doth the old instinct bring back the old names,
And to yon starry world they now are gone,
Spirits or gods, that used to share this earth
With man as with their friend; " and to the lover
Yonder they move, from yonder visible sky
Shoot influence down: and even at this day
'T is Jupiter who brings whate'er is great,
And Venus who brings every thing that's fair!
theri.A.
And if this be the science of the stars,
I too, with glad and zealous industry,
Will learn acquaintance with this cheerful faith.
It is a gentle and affectionate thought,
That in immeasurable heights above us,
At our first birth, the wreath of love was woven,
With sparkling stars for flowers.

count Ess.

Not only roses,
But thorns too hath the heaven; and well for you
Leave they your wreath of love inviolate:
What Venus twined, the bearer of glad fortune,
The sullen orb of Mars soon tears to pieces.
• MAx.

Soon will his gloomy empire reach its close.
Blest be the General's zeal: into the laurel
will he inweave the olive-branch, presenting
Peace to the shouting nations. Then no wish
will have remain'd for his great heart! Enough
Ilas he perform'd for glory, and can now
Live for himself and his. To his domains
Will he retire; he has a stately seat
Of fairest view at Gitschin; Reichenberg,
And Friedland Castle, both lie pleasantly-
Even to the foot of the huge mountains here
Stretches the chase and covers of his forests:
His ruling passion, to create the splendid,
He can indulge without restraint; can give
A princely patronage to every art,
And to all worth a Sovereign's protection.
Can build, can plant, can watch the starry courses—

countess.
Yet I would have you look, and look again,
Before you lay aside your arms, young friend'
A gentle bride, as she is, is well worth it,
that you should woo and win her with the sword.

MAX.

o, that the sword could win her!

cous NTESs.

What was that?

* No more of talk, where god or angel guest with man, as with his friend familiar, used To sit indulgent. paradise Lost, fl. 1X

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