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-fashion The pair, that chance to suit each other's likingAnd I must do it now, even now, when I Am stretching out the wreath that is to twine My full accomplish'd work-no! she is the jewel, Which I have treasured long, my last, my noblest, And 't is my purpose not to let her from me For less than a king's sceptre. WALLENSTEIN. DUCHESS. No. SCENE VI. Let him not leave thee, sister! go, detain him! There's some misfortune. DUCHESS (clinging to him). It should have been kept secret from the army, Till fortune had decided for us at Prague. TERTSKY. O that thou hadst believed me! Yester evening WALLENSTEIN. The old tune still! Now, once for all, no more Of this suspicion-it is doting folly. TERTSKY. . Thou didst confide in Isolani too; And lo! he was the first that did desert thee. WALLENSTEIN. It was but yesterday I rescued him Gracious heaven! What is it? From abject wretchedness. Let that go by; WALLENSTEIN. Be tranquil! leave me, sister! dearest wife! [He is going: TERTSKY returns. And wherein doth he wrong in going from me? He made the bond, and broke it not with me. TERTSKY (leads the COUNTESS aside, and drawing her Nought sinks into the bosom's silent depth : WALLENSTEIN (in a convulsion of agony). What? How is that? ILLO. He takes that office on him by commission, TERTSKY. From the Emperor-hear'st thou, Duke? ILLO. At his incitement The Generals made that stealthy flight TERTSKY. Duke! hear'st thou? ILLO. Caraffa too, and Montecuculi, Are missing, with six other Generals, [WALLENSTEIN Sinks down into a chair and covers TERTSKY. O hadst thou but believed me! SCENE IX. To them enter the COUNTESS. COUNTESS. This suspense, This horrid fear-I can no longer bear it. WALLENSTEIN (leaning on BUTLER's shoulders). As now I lean me on thy faithful shoulder. He sees and takes the advantage, stabs the knife [He hides his face on BUTLER's breast. BUTLER. Forget the false one. What is your present purpose? WALLENSTEIN. Well remember'd! Courage, my soul! I am still rich in friends, It sends and proves to me one faithful heart. [Rushes out of the room. Enough of this-Swift counsel now beseems us. Hadst thou but believed me! Now seest thou how the stars have lied to thee. WALLENSTEIN. The stars lie not; but we have here a work Where nature deviates from that law, and stumbles 'T was not thy prudence that did conquer mine; Was broken BUTLER. The centinels detain him ILLO (stamping with his foot). Damnation! open, BUTLER. And his letter and is circulated Through the whole camp. SCENE XII. COUNTESS, DUCHESS, THEKLA. THEKLA (endeavouring to hold back the DUCHESS). Dear mother, do stay here! DUCHESS. No! Here is yet Some frightful mystery that is hidden from me. Why does my sister shun me? Don't I see her Full of suspense and anguish roam about From room to room?-Art thou not full of terror? And what import these silent nods and gestures You know what it contains? Which stealthwise thou exchangest with her? WALLENSTEIN. BUTLER. 'T is well! I have received a sudden cure From all the pangs of doubt: with steady stream I drew the sword-'t was with an inward strife, While yet the choice was mine. The murderous knife [Exit WALLENSTEIN; the others follow him. SCENE XI. COUNTESS TERTSKY (enters from a side-room).| I can endure no longer. No! [Looks around her. Thou hast gain'd thy point, Octavio! Once more am I Where are they! No one is here. They leave me all alone, Almost as friendless as at Regensburg. There I had nothing left me, but myself But what one man can do, you have now experience. A leafless trunk. But in the sap within |
