playIn Life’s great drama, with a common kinsman?
Have I for this — [pause.] She is the only thing 95
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 — 100
Yea, in this moment, in the which we are speaking — [pause.
And I must now, like a soft-hearted father,
Couple together in good peasant fashion
The pair, that chance to suit each other’s liking —
And I must do it now, even now, when I 105
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 noblest,
And ‘tis my purpose not to let her from me
For less than a king’s sceptre.
Duchess. O my husband! 110
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 115
Which I have destined for her?
Countess. No! not yet.
‘Twere better you yourself disclosed it to her.
Duchess. How? Do we not return to Karn then?
Wallenstein. No.
Duchess. And to no other of your lands or seats?
Wallenstein. You would not be secure there.
Duchess. Not secure 120
In the Emperor’s realms, beneath the Emperor’s
Protection?
Wallenstein. Friedland’s wife may be permitted
No longer to hope that.
Duchess. O God in heaven!
And have you brought it even to this?
Wallenstein. In Holland
You’ll find protection.
Duchess. In a Lutheran country? 125
What? And you send us into Lutheran countries?
Wallenstein. Duke Franz of Lauenburg conducts you thither.
Duchess. Duke Franz of Lauenburg?
The ally of Sweden, the Emperor’s enemy.
Wallenstein. The Emperor’s enemies are mine no longer. 130
Duchess (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 God in heaven!
Countess (aside to the Duke). Leave her in this belief. Thou seest
she cannot
Support the real truth.
Have I for this — [Stops suddenly, repressing himself.
1800, 1828, 1829.
[After 101] [He recollects himself. 1800, 1828, 1829.
SCENE V
To them enter COUNT TERTSKY.
Countess. — Tertsky!
What ails him? What an image of affright!
He looks as he had seen a ghost.
Tertsky (leading Wallenstein aside). Is it thy command that all
the Croats —
Wallenstein. Mine! 5
Tertsky. We are betrayed.
Wallenstein. What?
Tertsky. They are off! This night
The Jägers likewise — all the villages
In the whole round are empty.
Wallenstein. Isolani?
Tertsky. Him thou hast sent away. Yes, surely.
Wallenstein. I?
Tertsky. No! Hast thou not sent him off? Nor Deodate? 10
They are vanished both of them.
SCENE VI
To them enter ILLO.
Illo. Has Tertsky told thee?
Tertsky. He knows all.
Illo. And likewise
That Esterhatzy, Goetz, Maradas, Kaunitz,
Kolatto, Palfi, have forsaken thee?
Tertsky. Damnation!
Wallenstein (winks at them). Hush!
Countess (who has been watching them anxiously from the distance
and now advances to them). Tertsky! Heaven! What is it? What
has happened? 5
Wallenstein (scarcely suppressing his emotions). Nothing! let us
be gone!
Tertsky (following him). Theresa, it is nothing.
Countess
