Presented to the LIBRARY of the
UNIVERSITY OF TORONTO
by NORAH DE PENCTER
BOHN'S STANDARD LIBRARY.
SCHILLER'S DRAMATIC WORKS.
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DRAMATIC WORKS
OF
FRIEDRICH SCHILLER.
WALLENSTEIN AND WILHELM TELL
eCtanglatetJ in t\}t ©riginal fHttre.
BV
S, T. COLERIDGE, J. CHURCHILL,
AND
SIR THEODORE MARTIN, K.C.B., LL.D.
LONDON: GEORGE BELL & SONS, YORK STREET.
COVENT GARDEN.
1891.
VA.NNEVAR & C^
PT
W 2
LONDON .
REPRINTED FROM STEREO-PLATES BY WILLIAM CLOWES AND SONS, LIMITED,
STAMFORD STREET AND CHARING CROSS.
/TV
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NOV 15 1965
'SITY OF T0<
10 2 2 1 1 3
PREFACE.
Of the dramatic works contained in the following volume, the first — Wallenstein's Camp — was translated by ]Mr. James Churchill, and appeared originally in ' Fraser's Magazine.'
The I'lccoLOMiNi and Death of Wallenstein, which form the second and third parts of this great dramatic trilogy, are reprinted from the admirable rendering of S. T. Coleridge, completed by the addition of all those pasf^ages which he had omitted, and by a restoration of Schiller's own arrangement of the acts and scenes. It is said, in defence of tlie variations which exist between the German original and the veision given by Cokridge, that he translated from a prompter's copy in mannsciipt, before the drama had been printed, and that Schiller himself subsequently altered it, omitting some passiges, adding others, and even engrafting s veial of Coleridge's adaptations. However this may be, the publishers con- sider it advisable to give eveiy line of Coleridge's version, without the least alteration (especially as it contains more than one fine passage not to be found in the printed editions of Schiller), and to add, in brackets, all those portions (upwards of 250 lines) which have heretuf -re been omitted. These are chiefly translated hy Mr. G. F. Eichardson, the translator of the iioeuis of Korner. 'I'hey will be found at pages 52, 53, 59, 79, 80, 83, 85, 95, 100, 109, 161, 164, 169, 187, 188, 189, li51, 253, and 280.
The translation of Wiliielii Tell is by Sir Theodore Martin, and though executed many years earlier, it Mill not be found Tinworthy of the successful translator of ' Faust.'
CONTENTS.
PACK
WALLENSTELN'S CAMP ... ... 3
THE PICCOLOMINI 43
THE DEATH OF WALLENSTEIX 152
WILHELM TELL ... , , . . Jll<>
WALLENSTEIN'S CAMP,
TRANSLATED BY JAMES CHURCHILL.
THE PICCOLOMINI,
AND
THE DEATH OF WALLENSTEIN,
BY S. T. COLERIDGE. INCLUDING SCENES AND PASSAOES HITHERTO OMITTED.
" Upon the whole there can be no doubt that this trilogy forms, in its original tongue, one of the most splendid specimens of tragic art the world has witnessed ; and none at all, that the execution of the version from which we have quuted so largely, riaces Mr. Coleridge in the very first rank of poetical translators. He is, perhaps, the solitary example of a man of very great original genius submitting to all the labours, and reap- ing all the honours, of this species of literary ^xcttioxi."— Blackwood, 1823.
The Camp of Walleustein is an introduction to the cele- brated tragedy of that name ; and, by its vivid portraiture c* the state of the General's army, gives the best clue to the spell of his gigantic power. The blind belief entertained in the unfailing success of his ai-ms, and in the supernatural agencies hy which that success is secured to him ; the unre- strained indulgence of every passion, and utter disregard of all law, save that of the camp ; a hard oppression of the pea- santry and plunder of the country ; have all swollen the sol- diery \N'ith an idea of interminable sway. But, as we havo translated the whole, we shall leave these recldess marauders to speak for themselves.
Of Schiller's opinion concerning the Camp, as a necessary introduction to the tragedy, the following passage taken from the Prologue to the first representation, will give a just idea and may also serve as a motto to the work : —
"Not He it is, who on the tragic scene Will now appear — but in the fearless bands Whom his command alone could sway, and whom His spirit fired, you may his shadow see. Until the bashful Muse shall dare to bring Himself before you in a living form; For power it was that bore his heart astray— His Camp, alone, elucidates his crime."
THE CAMP OF WALLENSTEIN.
DRAMATIS PERSONS.
Sergeant-Major, \ of a regiment of RecruU.
Trumpeter, S Terzky's carabineers. Citizen.
Artilleryman. Peasant.
Sharpshooters. Peasant Boy.
Mounted Yagers, of Hoik's corps. Cajmchin.
Dragoons, of Butler's regiment. Regimental Schoolmaster.
Arquehusiers, of Tiefenbach's regiment. Sutler Woman.
Cuirassier, of a Walloon regiment. Senunt Girl.
Cuirassier, of a Lombard regiment. Soldiers Boys.
Croats. Musicians.
Hulans.
(Scene — Tlie camp before Pilsen, in Bohemia.)
Scene 1. Sutlers tents— in front, a Slop-shop.— Soldiers of oil colours arid uniforms thronging about.— Tables all filled.— Croats and Hulans cooking at a fire.—Sutler-ivoman serving out nine.— Soldier-boys throwing dice on a drum-head — Singing heard from the tent.
Enter a Peasant and his Son.
SON.
Father, I fear it ^vill come to barm, So let us be off from tbis soldier swarm ; But boist'rous mates will ye find in the shoal — Twere better to bolt while our skins are whole.
FATHER.
How now, boy ! the fellows won't eat us, tbo They may be a little unruly, or so. See, yonder, arriving a stranger train, I'resh comers are they from the Saal and Mayn. Much booty they bring of the rarest sort- Tis ours, if we cleverly drive our sport
4 wallenstktn's cAMi'. fsc. 1.
A captain, who fell by his comrade's sword. This pair of sure dice to me transferr'd ; To-day I'll just give them a trial, to see If their knack's as good as it used to be. You must play the part of a pitiful devil, For these roaring rogues, who so loosely revel, Are easily smooth'd, and trick'd, and flatter d, x\nd, free as it came, their gold is scatter'd. But ur— since by bushels our all is ta'en, By spoonfuls must ladle it back agam ; And, if with their swords they slash so highly. We must look shai-p, boy, and do them slyly.
[Singing and shouting in the tent Hark, how they shout ! God help the day ! 'Tis the peasants hide for their sport must pay. Eight months in our beds and stalls have they Been swarming here, until far around Not a bird or a beast is longer found. And the peasant, to quiet his craving maw. Has nothing now left but his bones to gnaw. Ne'er were we crush'd with a heavier hand. When the Saxon was lording it o'er the laud : And these are the Emperor's troops, they say !—
SON.
From the Idtchen a couple are coming this w^y, Not much shall we make by such blades as they
FATHER.
They're born Bohemian knaves— the two —
Belonging to Terzky's carabineers.
Who've lain in these quarters now for years
The worst are they of the worthless crew.
Strutting, swaggering, proud, and vain.
They seem to think they may well disdain
With the peasant a glass of his ^vine to dram
But, soft— to the left o' the fire I see
Three riflemen, who from the Tyrol should be
Emmerick, come, boy, to them will we—
Birds of this feather 'tis luck to find.
Whose trim's so spruce, and their purse well Imed.
They move towards the tent.
50, 11 ] waixenstein's camp. o
Scene II. Tho above — Sergeant-Major, Trumpeter, Hulan
TRUMPETER.
What would the boor ? — Out, rascal, away !
PEASANT
Some victuals and drink, worthy masters, I pray, For not a warm morsel we've tasted to day.
TRUMPETER.
Ay, guzzle and guttle — 'tis always the way
HULAN [with a glass). Not broken your fast !— there — drink, ye hound! He leads the peasant to the tent — the others come forward.
SER(}EANT {to the Trumpeter). Think ye, they've done it without good ground? Is it likely they double our pay to day, Merely that we may be jolly and gay?
TRUMPETER.
Why, the duchess arrives to-day, we know, And her daughter too —
SERGEANT.
Tush ! that's mere shew — Tis the troops collected from other lands Who here at Pilsen have joined our bands — We must do the best we can t' allure 'em. With plentiful rations, and thus secure 'em, Wliere such abundant fare they find, A closer league with us to bind
TRUMPETER.
Yes .'—there's something in the wind
SERGEANT.
The generals and commanders too —
TRUMPETER.
A rather ominous sight, 'tis tnie
SERGEANT.
Who're met together so thickly here —
TRUMPETER.
Have plenty of work on their hands, that's clear.
SERGEANT.
The whisp'ring and sending to and fro —
wallenstein's camp [tJC. III.
TRUMPETER.
Ay ! Ay !
SEKGEANT
The big-wig from Vienna, I trow, Who since yesterday's seen to prowl about In his golden chain of ollice there — Something's at bottom of this, I'll swear.
TRUMPETER.
A bloodhound is he, beyond a doubt, By whom the duke's to be hunted out
SERGEANT.
Mark ye well, man ! — they doubt us now. And they fear the duke's mysterious brow ; He hath clomb too high for tJioii, and fain Would they beat him down from his perch agaia
TRUMPETER.
But we A\-ill hold him still on high •- That all would think as you and 1 !
SERGEANT.
Our regiment, and the other four
WhicliTerzky leads— the bravest corps
Throughout the camp, are the General's own.
And have been trained to the trade by himself alone
The officers hold their command of him.
And are all his own, or for life, or limb
Scene III.
Enter Croat ivith a Necklace.— Sharpslwoter follounng him.
The above.
SHARPSHOOTER.
Croat, where stole you that necklace, say ? Get rid of it, man— for thee 'tis unmeet : Come, take these pistols in change, I pray.
CROAT.
Nay, nay, Master Shooter, you're trying to cheat.
SHARPSHOOTER.
Then I'll give you this line blue cap as woll, A Lottery prize which just I've won : Look at the cut of it — quite the swell !
gQ^ jy 1 wai.t.rnstein's camp
CROAT {tidrling the Necklace in the Sun). But tMs is of pearls and of garnets bright, See, how it plays in the sunny light !
SHAKPSHOOTER {tcildng the Necklace). Well, I'll give you to boot, my own canteen — I'm in love with this bauble's beautiful sheen
[Looks at it
TRUMPETER.
See, now !— how cleanly the Croat is done : Snacks ! Master Shooter, and mum's the word.
CROAT {^lavinrj flit on the cap). I think your cap is a smartish one.
SHARPSHOOTER {ivinkuifj to the Tnim}}eter). 'Tis a regular swop— as these gents have heard.
Scene IV. The above.— An Artilleryman. ARTILLERYMAN [to the Sergeant). How is it, I pray, brother Carabineer? Shall we longer stay here, our fingers warming, Wliile the foe in the field around is swarming ?
sergeant. Art thou, indeed, in such hasty fret ? Why the roads, as I think, are scarce passable yet.
ARTILLERYMAN.
For me they are not— I'm snug enough here— But a courier's come, our Avits to waken With the precious news that Eatisbon's taken.
TRUMPETER.
Ha ! then we soon shall have work in hand.
SERGEANT.
Indeed ! to protect the Bavarian's land, Who hates the Duke, as we midei-stand, We won't put ourselves in a violent sweat.
ARTILLERt>L\N.
Heyday '.—you'll find you're a wi-eacre yet.
8 wallensteik's camp [sc. v.
Scene V
The above. — Two Yf ^ers. — Afterwards Sutler-woman, Soldki
boy, Schoolmaster, Servant-girl.
FIRST YAGER
See ! see ! Here meet we a jovial company !
TRUMPETER.
Who can those green coats be, I wonder. That strut so gay and sprucely yonder ?
SERGEANT.
They're the Yagers of Hoik — and the lace they wear, 111 be sworn, was ne'er purchased at Leipzig fair
suTLER-wo}kL\.N {bringing xvine). Welcome, good sirs !
FIRST YAGEB.
Zounds, how now ? Gustel of Blasewitz here, I vow !
SUTLER-WOMAN
The same in sooth — and you, I know.
Are the lanky Peter of Itzeho :
Who at Gliicksta-lt n'-.ce, in a revellmg night,
With the wags of our regiment, put to flight
All his father's shiners — then crown 'd the fun —
FIRST YAGER.
By changing his pen for a rifle gun
SUTLER-WOMAN.
We're old acquaintance, then, 'tis clear
FIRST YAGER.
And to think we should meet in Bohemia hero!
SUTLER-WOMAN.
Oh, here to-day — to-morrow yonder — As the rude war-broom, in rcistless trace. Scatters and sweeps us from place to place. Meanwhile I've been doom'd far roimd to wander.
FIRST YAGER.
So one would think, by the look of your face
SUTLER-WOMAN.
Up the country I've rambled to Temsewor, Whither I went with the baggage car.
g(, v.] WAIXENSTKIN 8 CAMP
When Mansfeld before us we chased away;
With the Duke near Stralsund next we lay,
Where trade went all to pot, I may say.
1 jogged with the succours to Mantua ;
And back again came, under Feria
Then, joining a Spanish regiment, I took a short cut across to Ghent; And now to Bohemia I'm come to get Old scores paid off, that are standmg yet. If a helping hand by the Diike be lent— And yonder you see my sutler's tent,
FIRST YAGER.
Well, all things seem in a flourishing way,
But what have vou done witt the Seotchnian, say,
Who once in the camp was youi' constant flame .
SUTLER-WOiLvX.
A ^•illain, who trickd me clean, that same : He bolted, and took to himself, whate'er I'd managed to scrape together, or spare, Leaving me naught but the urchin there
soLmER-BOY (sprinriing foniard). Mother, is it my papa you name ?
FIRST YAGER.
Well, the Emperor now must father this elt For the army must ever recruit itself.
SCHOOLMASTER.
Forth to the school, ye rogue— d'ye hear ?
FIRST YAGER.
Ho, too, of a narrow room has fear.
SERVANT GIRL {entering). Aunt, they'll be off.
SUTLER-WOMAN.
I come apace.
FIRST YAGER.
What gj-psy is that with the roguish face ?
SUTLER-WOMAN.
Mv sister's child from the south, is she.
FIRST YAGER.
Ay, ay, a sweet little niece— I see.
10 WALLENSTEIn's camp [80. VI.
SECOND YAGER {holding the girl\ Softly, my pretty one ! stay with m«r
GIRL.
The customers wait, sir, and I must go.
[Disengages herself, and exit.
FIRST YAGER.
That maiden's a dainty morsel, I trow I And her aunt — by Heav'n ! I mind me well, "When the best of the regiment loved her so, To blows for her beautiful face they fell. What different folks one's doomed to Itnow ! How time glides off with a ceaseless flow ! And what sights as yet we may live to see !
{To the Sergeant and Trumpeter.) Your health, good sirs, may we be free, A seat beside you here to take ?
Scene VI The Yagers, Sergeant, and Trumpeter.
SERGEANT.
We thank ye — and room will gladly make To Bohemia welcome.
FIRST YAGER.
Snug enough here ! In the land of the foe our quai-ters were queer
TRUMPETER.
Tou hav'n't the look on't— you're spruce to view.
SERGEANT.
Ay, faith, on the Saal, and in Meissen too. Your praises are heard from the lips of few
SECOND YAGER.
Tush, man ! — why, what the plague d'ye mean i' The Croat had swept the fields so clean, There was little, or nothing, for us to glean
TRUMPETER.
Yet your pointed collar is clean and sightly, And, then, your hose, that sit so tightly ! Your linen so fine, with the hat and feather Make a show of the smartest altogether !
gg_ yj-] waixenstein's camp. 1^
(To Sergeant.) .
That fortune should upon younkers shme- While nothing in your way comes, or mi.e
SERGEANT.
But then Ave're the Friedlander's regiment, ?nd, thus, may honour and homage claim.
FIRST YAGER.
For US, no^v, that's no great compliment, We also, hear the Friedlanders name.
' SERGEANT.
True-you form part of the general mass.
FIRST YAGER.
And Tou, I suppose, are a sepai-ate class !
The difference lies m the coats ^.ejear
lid I have no wish to change mth you there!
SERGEANT.
Sir Yacer, I can't but with pity melt,
men I think how much among boors you ve dweit
The clever knack and the proper tone.
Are caught by the General s side alone.
FIRST YAGER.
Then the lesson is wofully t^^'^^J^;;^:- How he hawks and spits, indeed, I ma^ bay ?ou ve copied and caught in the cleverest way Rn^his spirit, his genius-oh, these I ween. On your g^^^^ P--de -e but seldom seen.
•' SECOND YAGER.
Why. zounds! ask for us wherever you will, Friedland's wild hunt is our title still ! Neve shaming the name all undaunted we go Alike thro' the field of a friend, or a foe : ^vonX the rising stalk, or the yellow coni, wTltw t^^^^^ the blast of Hoik's Yager horn In the flash of an eye, we are far or neai, Swift as the deluge, or there or here— t at midnight dark, when the flames outbreak In the silent dwelling where none awake , Vain is the hope in weapons or flight, Kor order nor discipline thwait its mighty Then stru-^'des the maid m our sinewy arms, But war la no pity, and scorns alarms.
1 2 WALLENSTEIN S CAMP. [SO. "H
Go ask — I speak not with boastful tongue — In Bareuth, Westphalia, Voigtland, where'er Our troop h-^a traversed — go, ask them there — Children anrt o-hildren's children long, When hundreds and hundreds of years are o'er Of Hoik will tell and his Yager corps.
SERGEANT.
Why, hark ! Must a soldier then be made By driving this riotous, roaring trade ! "Tis drilling that makes him. skill and sense- Perception— thought— intelligence,
FIRST YAGER,
'Tis liberty makes him ! — Here's a fuss !
That I should such twaddle as this discuss.
Was it for this, that I left the school?
That the scribbling desk, and the slavish rule,
And the narrow walls, that our spirits cramp,
Should be met with again in the midst of the camp ?
No ! — Idle and heedless. Ill take my way.
Hunting for novelty every day ;
Trust to the moment with dauntless mind.
And give not a glance or before or behind.
For this to the Emperor I sold my hide.
That no other care I might have to bide.
Through the foe's fierce firing bid me ride,
Through fiithomless Rhine, in his roaring flow,
Where ev'ry third man to the devil may go,
At no bar will you find me boggling there ;
But, farther than this, 'tis my special prayer.
That I may not be botlier'd with aught like caro
SERGEANT.
If this be your wish, you needn't lack it, Tis granted to all with the soldier's jacket.
FIRST YAGER.
What a fuss and a bother, forsooth, was made By that man-tormentor, Gustavus the Swede, Whose camp was a church, where prayers were said At morning reveille and evening tattoo ; And, whenever it chanced that we frisky grew, k Bermon himself from the saddle he'd read.
gCi VI. ' WAtLENSTEIS S CAMP.
SERGEANT.
Ay, that was a man vrith the fear of God.
FIRST YAGER.
Girls he detested ; and, what's rather odd,
If caught with a wench, you in wedlock were tucii d-
I could stand it no longer, so off I pack'd.
SERGEANT.
Their discipline now has a trifle slack'd.
FIRST TAGER.
Well, next to the League I rode over ; their men Were must'ring in haste against Magdeburg then. Ha ! that was another guess sort of a thing 1 — In frolic and fun we'd a glorious s\ving ; With gaming, and drinking, and girls at call, I'faith. sirs, our sport was by no means small. For Tilly knew how to command, that's plain ; He held himself in, but gave us the rein ; And, long as he hadn't the bother of paying. •' Live, and let live ! " was the General's sayiug. But fortune soon gave him the slip ; and ne'er, Since the day of that villanous Leipzig aJOfair, Would aught go aright. "Twas of little avail That we tried, for our plans were sure to fail. If now we drew nigh, and rapp'd at a door, Ko gi'eeting awaited, 'twas opened no more ; From place to place we went sneaking about, And found that their stock of respect was out Then touch'd I the Saxon bounty, and thought Their sorA-ice with fortune must needs be fraught
SERGEANT.
You join'd 'em then just in the nick to share Bohemia's plunder ?
FIRST YAGER.
I'd small luck there Strict discipline sternly i-uled the day, Nor dared we a foeman's force display They set us to guard the imperial forts And plagued us all with the farce of the comt.$ War they waged as a jest 'twere thought — _ And but half a heart to the business brougiit
13
14 wallenstein's camp [sc. vi.
They would break witli none ; and thus 'twas plain. Small honour 'mong them could a soldier gain. So heartily sick in the end grew I, That my mind was the desk again to try; When suddenly, rattlmg near and far, The Friedlander's drum was heard to war
SERGEANT.
And how long here may you mean to stay ?
FIRST YAGER.
You jest, man. — So long as he bears the sway,
By my soul ! not a thought of change have I
Where better than here could the soldier lie?
Here the true fashion of war is found,
And the cut of power's on all things round ;
While the spirit, whereby the movement's given^
Mightily stirs, like the winds of heaven,
The meanest trooper in all the throng.
With a hearty step shall I tramp along ;
On a burgher's neck as undaunted tread,
As our General does on the prince's head.
As 'twas in the times of old 'tis now.
The sword is the sceptre, and all must bow.
One crime alone can I understand.
And that's to oppose the word of command.
What's not forbidden, to do make bold.
And none will ask you what creed you hold.
Of just two things in this world I wot,
What belongs to the army, and what does not
To tlie banner alone is my seiwicc brought
SERGEANT
Thus, Yager, I like thee — thou speak'st, I vow, With the tone of a Friedland trooper now
FIRST YAGER
"lis not as an office he holds command. Or a power received from the Emperor's hand , For the Emperor's service what should he caro "t What better for liim does the Emperor fare ? With the mighty power, he wields at will, Has ever he shelter'd the land from ill ?
o_ _ T walle:?stein's camp IS
oU VI. I
No ; a soldier-ldngdom he seeks to raise, And for this -^ould set the world in a blaze, Daring to risk and to compass all
TRUMPETER.
Hush— who shall such words as these let fall?
FIRST TAGER.
Whatever I think may be said by me, For the General tells us, the word is free
SERGEA_ST.
True — that he said so I fully agi'ee, I was standing by. " The word is free— The deed is dumb— obedience blind !" His very words I can call to mind
FIRST TAGER.
I know not if these were his words or no, But he said the thing, and 'tis even so,
SECOND TAGER.
Victory ne'er will his flag forsake.
Though she's apt from others a turn to take :
Old Tilly outlived his fame's decline,
But, rmder the banner of Wallenstein,
There am I certain that ^^ctol7's mine !
Fortune is spell-bound to him, and must peld*
Whoe'er under Friedland shall take the field
Is sure of a supematural shield :
For, as all the world is aware full well,
The Duke has a devil in hire from hell
SERGEANT.
In truth that he's charm'd is past a doubt,_ "For we know how, at Lutzen's bloody affair, Where firing was thickest, he still was there, As coolly as might be, sirs, riding about The hat on his head was shot thro' and thro , In coat and boots the bullets that flew Left traces full clear to all men's ^'iew ; But none got so far as to scratch off his skin,^ For the ointment of hell was too well rubb'd ia
FIRST TAGER.
What wonder so strange can you all see there?
An elk-skin jacket he happens to wear.
And through it the bullets can make no way.
Id WAtXEKSTFINS CAMP [bO. Vll
SERGEANT
Tis an ointment of \vitches' herbs, I say, Kneaded and cook'd by unholy spell
TRUMPETER.
No doubt 'tis thu work of the powers of hell
SERGEANT.
That he reads in the stars, we also hear. WTiere the future he sees — distant or near — But I know better the tnith of the case • A little grey man, at the dead of night, Through bolted doors to him will pace — The sentinels oft have hailed the sight, And something great was sure to be nigh, When this little Grey Coat had glided by.
FIRST YAGER.
Ay, ay, he's sold himself to the devil, Wherefore, my lads, let's feast and revel.
Scene VII. T/ie above. — Recruit, Citizen, Dragoon. CTTw lieci'uit advances from the tent, wearing a tin cap on hu head, and carrying a wine flask.)
RECRUIT.
To father and uncle pray make my bow, And bid 'em good bye — I'm a soldier now.
FIRST YAGER.
See, yonder they're bringing us something new
CITIZEN.
O, Franz, remember, this day you'll rue RECRUIT {sings). The drum and the fife,
War's rattling throng, And a wandering life '
The world along ! Swift steed — and a hand To curb and command^ With a blade by the sidr We're off far and wido,
SC. VII.] WAIJiENSTEIN's CAMP. 17
As jolly and free, As the finch in its glee, On thiclset or tree, Under Heaven's wide hollow — Hurrah! for the Friedlander's banner 111 follow!
SECOND YAGER.
Forogad ! a jolly companion, though.
[They salute Jdni.
CITIZEN.
He comes of good Idn ; now pray let him go.
FIEST YAGER.
And ive weren't found in the streets you must Vncw
CITIZEN.
I tell you his wealth is a plentiful stock ;
Just feel the fine stuff that he wears for a frccx
TRUMPETER.
The Emperor's coat is the best he can wear.
CITIZEN.
To a cap manufactory he is the heir.
SECOND YAGER.
The will of a man is his fortune alone
CITIZEN.
His grandmother's shop will soon be his own.
FIRST YAGER.
Pish ! traflBc in matches ! who would do 't ?
CITIZEN.
A wine-shop his godfather leaves, to boot, A cellar with twenty casks of wine.
TRUMPETER.
These with his comrades he'll surely share
SECOND YAGER.
Hark ye, lad — be a camp-brother of mine
CITIZEN.
A bride he leaves sitting, in tears, apart
FIRST YAGER.
Good — that now's a proof of an iron heart
CITIZEN,
His grandmother's sure to die with sorrow
c
18 waixenstein's camp [bo Vll.
SFXOMD YAGER.
The better — for tbeu he "11 inherit to-moiTOW BERGEAKT (odvances gravely, and lays his hand on theB^cruWs tin caj}). The matter, no doubt, you have duly weighed, And here a new man of yourself have made; With hanger and helm, sir, you now belong To a nobler and more distinguished throng. Thus, a loftier spirit, 'twere well to uphold—
FIBST YAGER.
And, specially, never be sparing of gold.
SERGEANT.
In Fortune's ship, with an onward gale.
My friend, you have made up your mind to sail
The earth-ball is open before you— yet there
Nought's to be gained, but by those who dare.
Stupid and sluggish your citizen's found,
Like a dyer's dull jade, in his ceaseless round-
While tlie soldier can be whatever he ^\ill.
For war o'er the earth is the watchword still.
Just look now at me, and the coat I wear,
You see that the Emperor's baton I bear—
And all good government, over the earth,
You must know from the baton alone has birth ;
For the sceptre that's sway'd by the kingly banc?
Is nought but a baton, we understand.^
And he who has corporals rank obtain 'd.
Stands on the ladder where all's to be gained.
And you, like another, may momit to that height —
FIRST YAGER.
Provided you can but read and write.
SERGEANT.
Now, hark to an instance of this, from me, And one, which I've lived myself to see : There's Buttler, the chief of dragoons, why he, Whose rank was not higher a whit than miue. Some thirty years since, at Cologne on Rhine, [s a Major-General now — because He put himself fon^ard and gained applause ;
sc. VTi.] wallenstein's camp. 19
Filling the v.-orld -with liis martial fame, "V^Tiile slept my merits without a name. And ev'n the Friedlander's self — I've heard — Our General and all commanding Lord, Who now can do what he will at a word, Had at first but a private squire's degree ; In the goddess of war yet trusting free, He rear'd the greatness, which now you see. And, after the Emperor, next is he. Who knows what more he may mean or get ? Slily.) For all-day's eveniug isn't come yet.
FIEST TAGEE.
He was little at first, tho' now so great —
For, at Altorf, in student's go^ii, he play'd,
By your leave, the part of a roaring blade,
And rattled away at a queerish rate.
His fag he had well nigh kill'd by a blow.
And their Nur'mberg worships swore he should go
To jail for his pains, — if he liked it, or no.
'Twas a new-built nest to be christen'd by him,
Who first should be lodged. Well, what was his whim'^
Why, he sent his dog forward to lead the way,
And they call the jail from the dog to this day.
That was the game a brave fellow should play,
And of all the great deeds of the General, none
E'er ticlded my fancy, like this one.
[Ditring this speech, the Second Yarjer has begun toyiny with the G-irl, who has heen in u'aitingA DKAGOOK [stepping between them). Comrade — give over this sport, I pray
SECOND YAGER.
Why, who the &.evi\. shall say me nay?
DRAGOON.
I've only to tell you the girl's my own
FIRST YAGER.
Such a morsel as this, for himself alone ! — Dragoon, why say, art thou crazy grown ?
SECOND YAGER.
In the camp to be keeping a wench for one ! No', the light of a pretty girl's face must fall, Like the beams of the suu to gladden us all. (Kisses her.)
c 2
20 WALLEN8TEINS C^MP. [SC. VIII.
DRAGOON {tears her aivay). I tell you again, that it shan't be doue.
FIRST YAGER.
The pipers are coming, lads! now for fun!
SECOND YAGER [to Dragoon). I sha n't be far off, should you look for me.
SERGEANT.
Peace, my good fello^vs ! — a kiss goes free.
Scene VIII. Enter Miners, and play a Waltz— at first slowly, and after- uards quicker. — The First Yager dances tilth the Girl, tJie Sutler-woman tcith the Recruit.— The Girl S2)rings auay, and the Yager, pursuing her, seizes hold of a Capuchin Friar just entering.
CAPDCHIN.
Hurrah! halloo! tol, lol, de rol, le!
The fun's at its height! Ill not be away!
Is't an army of Christians that jom in such works?
Or are we all tura'd Anabaptists and Turks ?
Is the Sabbath a day for this sport in the land.
As tho' the great God had the gout in his hand,
And thus couldn't smite in the midst of your band ?
Say, is this a time for your revelling shouts,
For your banquetings, feasts, and holiday bouts?
Quid hie statis otiosi? declare
Why, folding your arms, sUand ye lazily there?
While the furies of war on the Danube now fare,
And Bavaria's bulwark is Ipng full low,
And Ratisbon's fast in the clutch of the foe.
Yet, the army lies here in Bohemia still,
And caring for nought, so their paunches they fill !
Bottles far rather than buttles you 11 get.
And your bills than your broad swords more readily wet ;
With the wenches, I ween is, your dearest concern,
And you'd rather roast o.ven than Oxenstiem.
In sackcloth and ashes while Christendom's grieving,
No thought has the soldier his guzzle of leaving.
Tis a time of misery, groans, and tears !
Portentous tho face of the heavens appears!
VIII.] wallexstein's camp 21
And forth from the clouds behold blood-red, The Lord's war-mantle is downward spread — While the comet is thinist as a threatening rod. From the window of Heaven by the hand of God- The world is but one vast house of woe, The Ark of the Church stems a bloody flow, The Holy Empire— God help the same! Has wretchedly sunk to a hollow name. The Rhines gay stream has a goiy gleam. The cloister's nests are robbed by roysters ; The church-lands now are changed to lurch-lands ; Abbacies, and all other holy foundations Now are but Robber-sees— rogues' habitations. And thus is each once- blest German state, Deep sunk in the doom of the desolate ! Whence comes all this? 0, that will I tell— It comes of your doings, of sin, and of hell ; Of the horrible, heathenish lives ye lead, Soldiers and oflacers, all of a breed. For sm is the magnet, on every hand, That draws your steel throughout the land . As the onion causes the tear to flow,^ So Vice must ever be followed by Woe — The W duly succeeds the V, This is the'order of A, B, C.
Ubl erit victoria sj^es. Si oifenditur Deus? which says. How, pray ye, shall ^ictoiy e'er come to pass, If thus vou play truant from sermon and mass, And do nothing but lazily loll o'er the glass? The woman, we're told in the Testament. Found the penny, in seai-ch whereof she went Saul met with his father's asses again, And Joseph his precious fraternal train, But he, who 'mong soldiers shall hope to see God's fear, or shame, or discipline — he From his toil, beyond doubt, will baflled return, Tho' a hu)idred lamps in the search he bum To the wilderness preacher, th' Evangelist says, The soldiers, too, throng'd to repent of their ways. And had themselves christen'd in former days.
2i wallenstein's camp ts<* viii.
Quid faciemus ncs ? they said :
Tow'rd Abraham's bosom what path must ^Ye tread?
Et ait illis, and, said he, Neminein concutiatis ;
From bother and wrongs leave your neighbours free. Neqne calumniam faciatis ; And deal nor in slander nor lies, dye see ? Contenti estate — content ye, pray, Stipendiis vestris — with your pay — And curse for ever each evil way.
There is a command — thou shalt not utter The name of the Lord thy God, in vain ; But, wliere is it men most blasphemies mutter ? Why here, m Duke Friedland's head quarters, "tis plaiu If for every thunder! — and every blast ! Which blazing ye from your tongue-points cast, The bells were but rung, in the countiy round. Not a bellman, I ween, would there soon be found ; And if for each and ev'ry unholy prayer Which to vent from your jabbering jaws you dare. From your noddles were pluck'd but the smallest hair, Ev'ry crop would be smooih'd ere the sun went down, Tho' at morn 'twere as bushy as Absalom's cro^vn. Now Joshua, methinks, was a soldier as well — By the arm of lung David the Philistine fell ; But where do we find it written, I pray, That they ever blasphemed in this villanous way? One would thhik ye need stretch your jaws no more, To ciy, " God help us ! " than " Zounds ! " to roar. But, by the liquor that's pour'd in the cask, we know With what it will bubble and overflow.
Again, it is Aviitten — thou shalt not steal, And this you follow, i'faith-! to the letter. For open faced robbeiy suits ye better. The gripe of your vulture claws you lix On all — and your wiles and rascally tricks Make the gold unhid in our coffers now. And the calf unsafe while yet in the cow — Ye take both the egg and the hen, I vow. Contenti estate — the preacher said ; Which means — be content with yo\u* army bread.
SC, Vlll.] WALLEXSTET^J'S CAMP 23
But how should the slaves not from duty swen-e The mischief begins with the lord they serve Just like the members so is the bead. I should like to know who can tell me his creed.
FIRST YAGER.
Sir Priest, 'gainst om'selves rail on as you will — Of the General we warn you to breathe no ill
CAPUCHIN.
Ne custodias gregem meam !
An Ahab is he, and a Jerobeam,
Who the people from faith's unerring way,
To the worship of idols would turn astray
TRUMPETER and RECRUIT
Let us not hear that again, we pray.
CAPUCHIN'.
Such a Bramarbas, whose iron tooth
Would seize all the strongholds of earth, forsooth !—
Did he not boast, with ungodly tongue.
That Stralsund must needs to his grasp be wrung,
Though to heaven itself with a chain 'twere strung?
TRUMPETER
Will none put a stop to his slanderous bawl ?
CAPUCHIN.
A wizard he is ! — and a sorcerer Saul ! —
Holofenies ! — a Jehu !— denying, we know,
Like St. Peter, his Master and Lord below ;
And hence must he quail when the cock doth crow —
BOTH YAGERS
Now, parson, prepare ; for thy doom is nigh.
CAPUCHIN.
A fox more cimnuig than Herod I trow —
TRUMPETER and both YAGERS {pressing against him). Silence, again,— if thou wouldst not die I
CROATS [interfering). Stick to it, father ; we'll shield you, ne'er fear, The close of your preachment now let's hear.
CAPUCHIN [still louder). A Nebuchadnezzar, in towering pride ! And a vile and heretic sinner beside I
24 wallenstein's camp, [sc. ix.
He calls himself rightly the stone of a wall ;
For, faith ! he's a stumbling-stone to us all.
And ne'er can the Emperor have peace indeed,
Till of Fried'and himself the land is freed.
[During the last passage, which he pronounces in an derated voice, he has been gradually retreat- ing, the Croats keeping the other Soldiers off
Scene IX. TJie above, without the Capuchin. FIRST TAGER {to the Sergeant). But, tell us, what meant he 'bout chanticleer, Whose crowing the General dares not hear? No doubt it was uttered in spite and scorn.
SERGEANT.
Listen — 'tis not so untrue as't appears ; For Friedland was rather mysteriously bom, And is 'specially troubled with ticklish ears He can never suffer the mew of a cat : And, when the cock crows, he starts thereat.
FIRST YAGER.
He's one and the same Anth the lion in that.
SERGEANT
Mouse-still must all arouud him creep. Strict -watch in this the sentinels keep. For he ponders on matters most grave and deep.
[Voices iji the Tent. A Tumult. Seize the rascal ! lay on ! lay on ! peasant's voice. Help 1 — mercy ! — help !
OTHERS.
Peace ! peace ! begone !
FIRST YAGER.
Deuce take me, but yonder the swords are out !
SECOND YAGER.
Then I must be off, and see what 'tis about.
[Yagers enter the TeiA SUTLER-WOMAN {comes foricard). k scandalous villain !--a scurvy thief!
SC. X.]
WALLESSTEINS CAMP
TRUMPETER.
Good hostess, the cause of this clamorous grief ?
SCTLER-WOMAK.
A cut-purse 1 — a scoundrel ! the villain I call. That the like in mv tent should ever hefall ! I'm disgraced and undone 'nith the officers all!
SERGEANT.
Well, coz, what is it?
SUTLER-WOMAN.
Why, what should it be ? But a peasant they've taken just now with me - A rogue with false dice, to favour his play.
TRUMPETER.
See : they're bringing the boor and his son this w&y
Scene X. Soldiers dragging in the Peasant, bound.
FIRST YAGER.
He must hang !
SHARPSHOOTERS and DRAGOONS
To the provost come on I
SERGEANT
Tis the latest order that forth has gone.
SUTLER-WOMAN.
In an hour I hope to behold him swinging!
SERGEANT.
Bad work bad wages will needs be biinging. FIRST ARQUEBUSiER {to the Others). This comes of their desperation. We First rum them out and out. d'ye see ; Which tempts them to steal, as it seems to me
TRUMPETER.
How now 1 the rascal's cause would you plead ? The cur ! — the devil is in you indeed '
FIRST ARQUEBUSIER.
The boor is a man— as a body may say.
FIRST YAGER (to the TrumpeUr). Let 'em go !— they're of Tiefenbach's corps, the nilere, A glorious train of glovers and tailors ! At Brieg, in garrison, long they lay ; What should they know about camps, I pray.'
26 WALLENSTEIN 8 CAMl'. [SC ^t.
Scene XI Tlie above. — Cuirassiets.
FIRST CUIRASSIEK.
peace ! what's amiss with the boor, may I crave?
FIRST SHARPSHOOTER.
He has cheated at play, the cozening knave !
FIRST CDIRASSIER.
But say, has he cheated rjou, man, of aught ?
FIRST SHARPSHOOTER.
Just clean'd me out— and not left me a groat
FIRST CUIRASSIER.
And can you, who've the rank of a Friedland man,
So shamefully cast yourself away,
As to try your luck with a boor at play ?
Let him run off, so that ran he can
[The Peasant escapes, the others throng together.
FIRST ARQUEBUSIER.
He makes short work — is of resolute mood— And that with such fellows as these is good. Who is he ?— not of Bohemia, that's clear.
SUTLER-WOMAN.
He's a Walloon— and respect, I trow, Is due to the Pappcnheim cuirassier ! FIRST DRAGOON [joining). Younf Piccoloraini leads them now, Whom they chose as Colonel, of their own free might, When Pappenheim fell in Lutzen's fi~ht.
FIRST ARQUEHUSIER.
Durst they, indeed, presume so far?
FIRST DRAGOON.
This regiment is something above the rest. ■■<-
It has e° er been foremost throughout the war. And may manage its laws, as it pleases best • Besides, 'tis by Friedland himself carest.
FIRST CUIRASSIER [to the Second) Is't so in truth, man? Who averr'd it?
SECOND CUIRASSIER.
From the lips of the Colonel himself I heard
j^c. xi.J waij.enstein's camp. -'
FIRST CUIRASSIER.
The devil ! we re not their dogs, I ween !
FIRST YAGER.
How now, what's wrong ? You're swoln with spleen .
SECOND YAGER.
Ts it anything, comrades, may us concern ?
FIRST CUIKASSIEK.
Tis what none need be wondrous glad to learn.
The Soldiers press round aim. To the Netherlands they would leud us now— Cuirassiers, Yagers, and Shooters away. Eight thousand, in all, must march, they say.
SUTLER- WOMAN.
What ! what ! again the old wandering way — I got back from Flanders but yesterday !
SECOND CUIRASSIER {to the Drogoons). You of Buttler s corps must tramp with the rest
FIRST CUIRASSIER.
And we, the Walloons, must doubtless be gone.
SUTLER-WOMAN.
Why of all om- squadrons these are the best.
FIRST CUIRASSIER.
To march where that Milanese fellow leads on.
FIRST YAGER.
The Infant ! that's queer enough in its way.
SECOND YAGER.
The Priest— then, egad ! there's the devil to pay
FIRST CUIRASSIER.
Shall we then leave the Friedlanders train, Who so nobly his soldiers doth entertain — And drag to the field with this fellow from Spain V A nifTtrard whom we in our souls disdain ! That'll never go down — I'm off, I swear.
TRUMPETER.
Why, what the devil should we do there ? We sold our blood to th' Emperor^ne'er For this Spanish red liat a drop well spare!
28 WALLENSTEIN'S CAMP. fsC. Xli
SECOND VAGKR.
On the Friedlander's word and credit alono We ranged ourselves in the trooper line, And, but for our love to Wallensteiu, Ferdinand ne'er had our service kno\vn.
FIRST DRAGOON.
Was it not Friedland that formed our force ? His fortune shall still be the star of our courso
SERG EAKT.
Silence, good comrades, to me give ear — Talking does little to help us here. Much farther in this I can see than you all, A nd a trap has been laid ni which we're to fall
FIRST YAGER.
List to the order-boolc ! hush — be still !
SERGEANT.
But first, cousin Gustel, I pray thee fill
A glass of IMelneck. as my stomach's but weak;
When I've tost it off, my mind I'll speak.
SUTLER-WOMAN.
Take it, good Sergeant. I quake for fear — Think you that mischief is hidden here ?
SKRGEANT.
Look ye, my friends, 'tis fit and clear That each should consider what's most near. But as the General says, say I, One should always the whole of a case descry. We call ourselves all the Friedlander's troops ; The Burgher, on whom we're biUeted, stoops Our wants to supply, and cooks our soups. His ox, or his horse, the Peasant must chain To our baggage car. and may grumble in vain. Just let a lancc-corp'ral with seven good men. Tow'rd a village from far but come within ken, Yourf! sure hell be prince of the place, and may Cut what capers he will, with unquestion'd sway. Why, zounds ! lads, they heartily hate us all— And would rather the devil should give them a cail. Than our yellow collars And why don't they fall
BC.
Xi.J WALLEKSTEINS CAMP. 29
On US fairly at once, and get rid of our lumber? They're more than our match in pomt of number, And carry the cudgel as Ave do the sword. Why can we laugh them to scorn ? By my word, Because we make up here a terrible horde.
FIRST YAGER.
Ay, ay, in the mass lies the spell of our might. And the Friedlauder judged the matter anght. When, some eight or nine years ago, he brought The Emperor's army together. They thought _ Twelve thousand enough for the Gen'ral. _ in vam— Said he— such a force I can never mamtam. Sixty thousand I'll bring ye into the plain, And they, I'll be sworn, wont of hunger die. And thus were we Wallenstein's men, say 1
SERGEAKT
For example— cut one of my fingers off— This little one, here, from my right hand dofl^ Is the taldng my finger, then, all you've done ? No, no, to the devil my hand is gone ! 'Tis a stump— no more— and use has none. ^ The eisht thousand horse they wisn to disbana. May be but a finger of our army's hand. But, when thej're once gone— may we miderstand We 'are but one-fifth the less ? Oh, no— By the Lord, the whole to the devil ^ylll go ! All terror, respect, and awe, will be o'er. And the Peasant will swell his crest once more ; And the Board of Vienna will order us where Our troops must be quartered, and how we must tare, As of old, in the days of their beggarly care. Yes— and how long it will be who can say Ere the General himself they may take away? For they don't much like him at court, I leant , And then it's all up with the whole concern! For who, to our pay, will be left to aid us ? And see that they keep the promise they made us. Who has the energy — who the mind— The flashing thought— and the fearless hand- Together to bring, and thus fastly bind The fragments that form our close-knit band
J^0 wallenstein'b oamt [so. XI.
For example, Dragoon— just answer us now, From which of the countries of earth art thou ?
DRAGOON.
From distant Erin came I here.
SERGEANT {to the two Cuirassiers^ You're a Walloon, my friend, that's clear ' And you, an Italian, as all may hear
FIRST CUIRASSIER.
Who I may be, faith ! I never could say • In my infant years they stole me away.
SERGEANT.
And you, from what far land may you be .
FIRST ARQUEBUSIER.
I come from Buchau — on the Feder Sea.
SERGEANT.
Neighbour, and you?
SECOND ARQUEBUSIER.
I am a Swiss. SERGEANT (to the Secoiid Yager) _ And Yager, let's hear where your country is?
SECOND YAGER.
Up above Wismar, my fathers dwell
SERGEANT {jwintuifi to the Trumpeter^ And he's from Eger— and I as well : And, now, my comrades, I ask you whether. Would any one think, when looking at us. That we, from the North and South, had thus- Been hitherward drifted and blown together? Do we not seem as hewi from one mass ? Stand we not close against the foe As tho' we were glued, or moulded so? Like mill-work don't we move, d'ye tlunk . _ 'Mong ourselves in the nick, at a word or wmk Who has thus cast us, here, all as one. Now to be sever'd again by none ? Who ? why, no other than Wallenstein :
FIRST YAGER.
In my life it ne'er was a thought of mine, Whether we suited each other or not, I let mvsclf go with the rest of the lot.
sc. XI.] wallenstein's camt. 31
FIRST CUIKASSIEK.
I quite agree in the Sergeant's opinion — ^ They'd fain have an end of our camp dominion. And trample the soklier down, that they May govern alone ui their ovw good way. 'Tis a conspiration — a plot, I say !
SUTLER-WOMAN.
A conspiration — God help the day !
Then my customers won't have cash to pay.
SERGEA^■T.
Wliy, faith, we shall all he bankrupts made : The"^ captams and generals, most of them, paid The costs of the regiments with private cash, And, wishing, "hove all, to cut a dash, Went a little beyond their means — but thought. No doubt, that they thus had a bargain bought. Now they'll be cheated, su's, one and all. Should our chief, our head, the General fall
SUTLER-WOMAN
Oh, Heav'n ! this ciu'se I never can brook 1 Why, half of the army stands in my hook. Two hundred dollars I've trusted madly, That Comit Isolani, who pays so badly.
FIRST CUIRASSIER.
Well, comrades, let's fix on what's to be doue— Of the ways to save us, I see but one ; If we hold together we needn't fear; So let us stand out as one man here ; And then they may order and send as they mil Fast planted we'll stick in Bohemia still. We'll never give in — no, nor march an inch, We stand on our honour, and must not flinch.
SECOND YAGER.
"We're not to be driven the country about, Let 'em come here, and they'll find it out
FIRST ARQUEBUSIER.
Good sirs, 'twere well to bethink ye still. That such is the Emperor's sovereign will.
TRUMPETER.
Oh, as to the Emperor, we needn't he nice^
32
WALLENSTEIU'S CAMP. [SC XI.
FIRST AIlQUEnUSIEB.
Let me not hear \ou say so tmce
TRUMPETKR.
Why 'tis even so — as 1 just have said
FIRST YAGKR.
True, man — I've always heard 'cm say, 'Tis Friedland, alone, you've licro to obey
SERGEANT.
Bv our bargain with him it should be so, Absolute power is his, you must know. We've war, or peace^ but as he may please, Or trold or goods he has power to seize. And hanging or pardon his \vill decrees. Captains and colonels he makes — and he, In short, by th' Imperial seal is free. To hold all tlie marks of sovereignty
FIRST ARQUEBUSIER.
The Duke is high and of mighty will, But yet must remain, for good or for ill, _ Like' us all, but the Emperor's servant still.
SERGEANT
Not like us all— I there disagree—
Friedland is quite independent and free,
The Bavarian is no more a Prince than he ;
For, was I not by myself to see,
When on duty at Brandeis, how th' Emperor said,
He wished him to cover his princely head
FIRST ARQUEBUSIER.
That was because of the I\Iecklenburgh land. Which he held in pawn from the Emperor's hai d.
FIRST YAGER {to the Sergeant). In the Emperor's presence, man! say you so? That, beyond doubt, was a wonderful go!
SERGEANT [fcch in his pocket). If you question my word in what I have told, I can give you something to grasp and hold.
[Showiny q coin Whose imago and stamp d'ye here beliold?
SUTLER-WOMAN.
Oh I that is a Wall i»'«, sure'.
gC. XI.] W'ALLENSTEIN S CAMP.
SERGEANT-MAJOR.
Well, there, you have it — what doubt can rest ?
Is he not Prince just as good as the best?
Coins he not nioney like Ferdinand ?
Hath he not his own subjects and land ?
Is he not called your Highness, I pray ?
A.nd why should he not have his soldiers in pay ?
FIRST ARQUEBUSIER.
That no one has ever meant to gainsay;
But wo're still at the Emperor's beck and call,
For his Majesty 'tis who pays us all.
TRUMPETER.
In your teeth I deny it— and will again — His Majesty 'tis who pays us not. For this forty weeks, say, what have we got But a promise to pay, believed in vain ?
FIRST ARQUEBUSIER.
What then ! 'tis kept in safe hands, I suppose
FIRST CUIRASSIER.
Peace, good sirs, will you come to blows? Have you a quarrel and squabble to know If the Emperor be our master or no ? 'Tis because of our rank, as his soldiers bravo, That we scorn the lot of the herded slave ; And will not be driven from place to place, As priests or puppies our patii may trace. And, tell me, is"t not the Sovereign's gain, If the soldiers their dignity well maintain ? Who but his soldiers give him the state Of a mighty, wide-ruling potentate ? Make and preserve for him, far and near. The voice which Christendom quakes to hear? Well enough theij may his yoke-chain bear, Who feast on his favours, and daily share, In golden chambers, his sumptuous fare. We— we of his splendours have no part. Nought but hard wearying toil and care. And the pride that lives in a soldier's heart.
SECOND YAGER.
All great tyrants and kings have shown Their wit, as I take it, in what they've done ;
D
34 wallexstein's camp [sc. xi.
They've trampled all others with stern commaud, But the soldier they've led with a gentle hand
FIRST CUIRASSIER.
The soldier his worth must understand ; Whoe'er doesn't nobly drive tho trade, 'Twere best from the business far he'd staid. If I cheerily set my life on a throw, Something still better than life I'll know ; O I'll stand to be slain for the paltry pelf, As the Croat still does— and scorn myself.
BOTH YAGERS.
Yes — honour is dearer than life itself.
FIRST CUIRASSIER.
The sword is no plough nor delving tool,
He, who would till with it, is but a fool.
For us, neither grass nor grain doth grow,
Houseless the soldier is doomed to go,
A changeful wanderer over the earth,
Ne'er knowing the warmth of a home-lit hearth.
The city glances— he halts — not there —
Nor in "village meadows, so green and fair ;
The vintage and haiTCst wreath are twined
He sees, but must leave them far behind.
Then, tell me, what hath the soldier left,
If he's once of his self-esteem bereft?
Something he must, have his own to call,
Or on slaughter and buniings at once he'll fail
FIRST ARQUEBUSIER.
God knows, 'tis a wretched life to live !
FIRST CUIRASSIER.
Yet one which I for no other would give Look ye — far round in the world I've beeu. And all of its diiTerent service seen. The Venetian Republic — the Kings of Spain And Naples I've served, and served in vain. Fortune still frowned — and merchant and knight Craftsman and Jesuit, have met my sight ; Yet, of all their jackets, not one have I known To please me like this steel coat of my own.
gC. XI.] WALLENSTEIN'S CAMP,
FIRST ARQUEBUSIER.
Well — tliat now is what I can scarcely say
FIRST CUIRASSIER.
In the world, a man who would make his way. Must plague and bestir himself night and day. To honour and place, if he choose the road, He must bend his back to the golden load. And if home-delights should his fancy please, With children and grandchildren round his knees, Let him follow an honest trade in peace. I've no taste for this kind of life — not 1 1 Free will I live, and as freely die. No man's spoiler nor heir will I be — But, throned on my nag, I will smile to see The coil of the crowd that is under me.
FIRST YAGER.
Bravo! — that's as I've always done.
FIRST ARQUEBUSIER.
In truth, sirs, it may be far better fun
To trample thus over your neighbour's crown
FIRST CUIRASSIER.
Comrade, the times are bad of late — The sword and the scales live separate. But do not then blame that I've preferr'd, Of the two, to lean, as I have, to the sword. For mercy in war I will yield to none, Tho' I never will stoop to be drumm'd upon
FIRST ARQUEBUSIER.
Who but the soldier the blame should bear That the labouring poor so hardly fare ? The war with its plagues, which all have blasted, Now sixteen years in the land hath lasted.
FIRST CUIRASSIER.
Why, brother, the blessed God above
Can't have from us all an equal love.
One prays for the sun, at which t'other will fret:
One is for dry weather — t'other for wet.
What you, now, regard as with misery rife,
la to me the unclouded sun of life.
d2
35
36 watxenstein's camp [so. xi.
If 'tis at the cost of the burgher and boor, I really am sorry that they must endure ; But how can I help it? Here, you must know. Tis just like a cavalry charge 'gainst the foe : The steeds loud snorting, and on they go ! Whoever may lie in the mid career — Be it my brother or son so dear, Should his dying groan my heart divide, Yet over his "body I needs must ride, ^or pitying stop to drag him aside.
FIRST YAGER.
True — who ever asks how another may bide?
FIRST CUIRASSIER.
Thus, my lads, 'tis my counsel, while
On the soldier dame Fortune deigns to smile,
That we \nth both hands lier bounty clasp.
For it mayn't be much longer left to our grasp.
Peace will be coming some over night,
And then there's an end of our martial might.
The soldier unhorsed, and fresh-mounted the boor.
Ere you can think it. 'twill be as before.
As yet we're together firm bound in the land,
The hilt is yet fast in the soldier's hand.
But let 'em* divide us, and soon we shall find
Short commons is all that remains behind.
FIRST YAGER.
No, nc, by the Lord ! that won't do for me. Come, come, lads, let's all now, as one, agree.
SECOND YAGER.
Yes, let us resolve on what 'tis to be
FIRST ARQUEBUSIER.
To the Snller-icovian, drawing out his leather purse.) Hostess, tell us how high you've scored.
SUTLER-WOMAN
Oh, 'tis unworthy a single word. [They settU
TRUMPETER.
You do well, sirs, to take a farther walk. Your company only disturbs our talk.
[Exeimt Arquehuiier*.
gc. XI.] wAllenstein's CAMI'.
FIRST CUIRASSIER
Plague take the felloes— they're brave, I know.
FIRST YAGER.
They hav'n't a soul 'bove a soapboiler's thoagh.
SECOND YAGER.
We're now alone, so teach us vrho can How best we may meet and mar their plan.
TRtlM PETER.
How ? Why, let's tell "em we will not go !
FIRST CUIRASSIER.
Despising all discipline ! no, my lads, no Rather his corps let each of us seek, And quietly then ^ith his comrades speak, That even' soldier may clearly know. It were not for his good so far to go ; For my Walloons to answer I'm free. Every man of 'em thinks and acts with me.
SERGEANT.
The Terzky regiments, both horse and foot. Will thus resolve, and will keep them to't.
SECOND CUIRASSIER {joining the first) The Walloons and the Lombards, one intent
FIRST YAGER
Freedom is Yagers' own element.
SECOND YAGER.
Freedom must ever with might entwine— I live and will die by Wallenstem.
FIRST SHARPSHOOTER.
The Lorrainers go on with the strongest tido^ Where spirits are light and courage tried.
DRAGOON
An Irishman follows his fortune s star,
SECOND SHARPSHOOTER.
The Tyrolese for their sovereign war.
FIRST CUIRASSIER.
Then, comrades, let each of our corps agrcd A pro memorid to sign — that we, la spite of all force or fraud, \\ill be
3S wallenstein's camp [sc. xi
To the fortunes of Friodland iirmly bound. For in him is the soldier's father found. This we will humbly present, when done, To Piccolomiui — I mean the son — Who understands these kind of affairs, And the Friedlander's highest favour shares ' Besides, with the Emperor's self, tliey say He holds a capital card to play.
SECOND YAGER.
Well, then, in this, let us all agi'ee. That the Colonel shall our spokesman bo !
ALL (fjoing). Good ! the Colonel shall our spokesman bo
SERGEANT
Hold, sirs — ^,iust toss off a glass with me To the health of Piccolomini.
SUTLER-WOMAN [hriufjs a flask). This shall not go to the list of scores, I gladly give it — success be yours !
CUIRASSIER
The soldier shall sway !
BOTH YAGERS
The peasant shall pay !
DRAGOONS an^ SIIAUPSIIOOTERG
The army shall nourishing stand !
TRUMPETER and SERGEANT.
And the Friedlander keep the command !
SECOND CUIRASSIER [sings).
Arouse ye, my comrades, to horse ! to hoi-sc !
To the field and to freedom wc guide I For there a man feels the pride of his force,
And there is the heart of him tried. No help to him there by another is shown, He stands for himself and himself alone.
[T/ie Soldiers from the back ground have comefoncari
during the siiujing of this verse, and form lite chorus Chorus. No help to him there by another is shown, He stands for himself and himself alono.
gc. SI.] wallensteik's cam? 39
DRAGOON.
Now fre.-jdom liatli fled from the world, we find
Bm lords and tlieir bondsmen vile : And nothing holds sway in the breast of mankind
Save falsehood and cowardly guile. Who looks in deaths face with a fearless brow The soldier, alone, is the freeman now
Chorus. Who looks in death's face with a fearless brow, The soldier, alone, is the freeman now.
FlKST YAGER.
With the troubles of life he ne"er bothers his pate,
And feels neither fear nor sorroAv ; Bat boldly lides onward to meet with his fate —
He may meet it to-day, or to-mon-ow ! And, if to-morrow 'twill come, then, I say, Dram we the cup of life's joy to-day !
Chorus. And, if to-morrow 'tAsill come, then, I say, Drain we the cup of life's joy to-day !
[The glasses are here refilled, and all dnnl:.
SERGEANT.
Tis from heaven his jovial lot has birth ;
Nor needs he to strive or toil. The peasant may grope in the bowels of eaith,
And for treasure may greedily moil : He digs and he delves through life for the pelf, And digs till he grubs out a grave for himself.
Chorus. He digs and he delves through life for the pelf, And digs till he gmbs out a grave for himsell
FIRST TAGER.
The rider and lightning steed— a pair
Of terrible guests. I ween ! From the bridal-hall as the torches glare,
Unbidden they join the scene : Nor gold, nor wooing, his passion prove ; By storm he carries the prize of love .
Chorus. Nor gold, nor wooing, his passion provo ; By storm he carries the prize of love I
40 WALLEN8TEIN 8 OAMP. [SC. Xl.
SECOND ODIRASSIEB.
Why mourns the wench with so sorrowful face ?
Away, pirl, the soldier must go ! No spot on the earth is his resting-place ;
And your tnie love he never can know. Still onward driven by fate's rude wind, He nowhere may leave his peace behind.
Chonis. Still onward driven by fate's rude Avind, He nowhere may leave his peace behind.
FIRST TAGER
He takes the two next to him by the hand — the others do tJie
same — arid form a large semicircle.
Then rouse ye, my comrades — to horse ! to horse !
In battle the breast doth swell ! Youth boils — the life cup foams in its force —
Up ! ere time can the dew dispel ! And deep be the stake, as the prize is high — Who life would win, he must dare to die !
Chorus. And deep be the stake, as the prize is high- Who life would win, he must dare to die !
[The Cui tain falls before the Chorus Juts finished.
THE PICCOLOMINI.
PREFACE.
The two Dramas.-PiccoLOMiNi, or the first part of WiJ. rEKs-mt- and the Dkath of Wai^lenstein, are introduced in trongmal manuscript by a Prel uie in one Act, entitled wLkJeins Cahp This is written - [^/-^'/^f J^^^ nine-svllable verse, in --he same Licimg metre (it that expres- In Say be permitted) with the second Eclogue of Spenser s
'"Str^l" sesses a sort of broad humour,, arid is not defident^n character: but to have translated it ^^to Prose or into any other metre than that of the original, wou d have given a false idea both of its style and purport, to have translated it into the same metre would have been meom patible with a faithful adherence to the sense of the Germaii C the comparative poverty of our language m rhymes and it would have been unadvisable, from the incongi-mty of hos lax verses with the present taste of the Enghsh pubhc^ Schiller's intention seems to have been merely to ha^e premi^d h^ reader for the Tragedies by a lively pic ure of Ldty of discipline, and the mutinous disp.>sitions of Wal- Sin's soldiery. It is not necessary as a preliminary explanation. For these reasons it has been thought expedient
""hVX^Ss ' f Schiller, who have absti-acjed their idea of that author from the Robbers, and the Caba and Lo_^ . plays in which the main interest is produced by the exci e St of curiosity, and in which the -J^-f ,;y/"^^f J> terrible and extraordinary incident, will not luue perused ^iout some portion of disappointment ^ - D-mas^ ^vh^l :t has been my employment to translate. Ihey should, ho%N- cve^ reflect that these are Historical Dramas, fen f..m I popular German History-, that we must, therefore, judge of^them m some measure with the feelmgs ot Germans; or by anaJogy, with the hiterest excited hi us by similar Dmmas in nnr owA kn^tua^o. Fow, I trust, would be rash or ignor- L enouTh Kmpare Schiller with Shakspeare ; yet mere^as^ illustration. I would say, that we should proceed
42 rBEFACfi.
to the perusal of Wallenstcin. not from Lcftr or Otliello, but from Richard the Second, or the three parts of Henry the Sixth. We scarcely expect rapidity in an Historical Drama, and many prolix speeches are pardoned from characters, whose names and acnons have formed the most amusing tales of our early life. On the other hand, there exist in these plays more' individual beauties, more passages whose excel- lence will bear reflection, than in the former productions of Schiller. The description of the Astrological Tower, and tlie reflections of the Young Lover, which follow it, form m the original a fine poem ; and my translation must have been wretched indeed, if it can have wholly overclouded the beau- ties of the scene in the first act of the first play, between Questenberg, Max. and Octavio Piccolomini. If we except the scene of the setting sun in the Robbers, I know of no part in Schiller's Plays which equals the first scene of the fifth act of the concluding play * . It would be unbecoming in me to be more diffuse on this subject. A translator stands connected with the original author by a certain law of sub ordination, which makes it more decorous to point out excel 'ences than defects : indeed he is not hkely to be a fair .iudge of either The pleasure or disgust from his own labour will mingle with the feelings that arise from an after view of the original Even in the first perusal of a work in any foreign language which we understand, we are apt to attribute to it more excellence than it really possesses, from our ONTO pleasurable sense of difficulty overcome witliout effort. Translation of poetry into poetry is difficult, because the translator must give a brilliancy to his language without that warmth of original conception, from which such bril- liancy would follow of its own accord. But the translator of a living author is encumbered with additional inconveniences. If he °ender his original faithfully, as to the sense of each passage, ho must, necessarily, destroy a considerable portion of the spirit ; if he endeavour to give a work executed ac- cording to laws of compensation, he subjects himself to imputations of vanity, or misrepresentiition. I have thougb*. it my duty to remain bound by the sense of my original with as few exceptions as the nature of the languages ren- dered possible. ^ *■' ^' * In this edition. Scene III. Act V.
THE PICCOLOMINI.
DRAMATIS
Wallenstein, Dulce of Friedland,
Generalissimo of the Imperial
Forces in ilie Tliirty Years' War. OcTAvio PiccoLOMiNi, Lieuicnant-
General. Max. Piccolomini, Ms Son, Coloiiel
of a Regimerd of Cidrassiers. CouKT Terzkt, tli^ Commander of
several Regiments, and Brotlicr-in-
law of Wallenstein. Ilw, Field-Marshal, Wallenstein' s
Confidant. IsoLANi, General of the Croats. BcTLER, an Irishman, Commander of
a Regiment of Dragoons,
TiEFENBACn, ~\
Don JIaradas, ( Generals under GoEiz, r Wallenstein.
KOLATTO, 3
Neumann, Captain of Cavalry, Aide- de-Camp to To-zhy.
PEKS0N5;.
Von Questenberg, the War
sioner, Imperial Envoy. ]3aptista Seni, an Astrologer. DucuEss OF Friedland, Wife oj
Wallenstein. Thekla, her Daughter, Princess oj
Friedland. The Countess Terzky, Sister of the
Duchess. A Cornet.
Colonels and Generals [several). Pages and Attendants belonging to
Wallenstein. Attendants and Hoboists belonging
to Terzky. Master op the Cellar to Count
Terzky. Valet de Chambre of Count Picc&
lomini.
ACT I.
Scene I
An old Gothic Chamber in the Council House at Fihen,
decorated ivith Colours and other War Insignia
Illo with Butler and Isolani
ILLO.
Ye have come too late— but ye are come ! The distar.cs Count Isolani, excuses your delay.
ISOLANI.
Add this too, that we come not empty-handed At Donauwerth * it was reported to us,
• A town about twelve German miles N.E. of Ulm.
44 THE PICCOLOMINI. [ACT 1.
A Swedish caravan was on its way, Transporting a rich cargo of provision, Almost six hundred waggons. This my Croats Plunged down upon and seized, this weighty prize :— We biing it hither
ILIO.
Just in time to banquet The illustrious company assembled here.
BUTI.ER.
Tis all alive ! a stirring scene liere !
ISOLANl.
Ay!
The very churches are all full of soldiers.
[Casts Jiis eijc round. And in the Council-house too, I observe. You're settled, quite at home ! Well, well ! we soldiers Must shift and suit us in what way we can.
I LLC.
We have the colonels here of thirty regiments. You'll find Count Terzky here, and Tiefenbach, Kolatto, Goetz, Maradas, Hinnersam,
The Piccolomini, both son and father
You'll meet with many an unexpected greeting From many an old friend and acquaintance Onlv Galas is wanting still, and Altringer
BUTLER.
Expect not Galas
ILLO (hesitating).
How so ? Do you know
ISOLANl (interruptiufj him). Max. Piccolomini here?— 0 bring me to hira. I see him yet, ('tis now ten years ago, We w.-re engaged witli Mansfeldt hard by Dessau. I see ilie youth, in my mind's eye I see him, Leap his black war-horse from the bridge adown, And t'ward his father, then in extreme peril. Beat up against the strong tide of tlie Elbe. The down was scarce upon his chin ! I hesir He has made good the promise of his youth And the full hero now is linish'd in him.
gQ J -I THE PICCOLOMISI. *^
IIXO.
You'll see him yet ere evening. He conducts The Duchess Fnedland hither, and the Prmcess* From Carathen f. We expect them here at noon.
BUTLER.
Both ^vife and daughter does the Duke call hither? He crowds in visitants from all sides
ISOLAKI.
Hm!
So much the better ! I had framed my mind To hear of nought but warhke circumstance. Of marches, and attacks, and batteries ; And lo : the Duke provides, and something too Of gender sort, and' lovely, should be present To feast our eyes. ILLO (who has been standlnr} in the attitude of meditaliori, to BUTLER, ichom he leads a little on one side). And how came you to know That the Count Galas joins us not?
BUTLER.
Because He importuned m« to remain behind-
ILLO [icith vannth). And vou?— You hold out firmly ! .
[Grasping his hand with afection Noble Builcr I
BUTLER.
After the obligation which the Duke Had laid so newly on me
ILLO.
I had forgotten A pleasant duty— Major-General, 1 wish you joy !
ISOLANI.
TVliat. you mean, of his regiment ? I hear, too. that to make the gift still sweeter, The Duke has given him the very same
• The Diikps in Germany being always reigning powers tbcii sons aud daughters are entitled Princes and Princesses.
♦ Carinthia.
4G THE PICCOLOMINI [aCT I.
[n which he first saw service, and since then,
Work'd himself, step by step, through each preferment,
From the ranks upwards. And verily, it gives
A precedent of hope, a spur of action
To the whole corps, if once in their remembrance
An old deserving soldier makes his way
BUTLER.
I am pei-plex'd and doubtful, Avhethcr or no
T dai-e accept this your congratulation.
The Emperor has not yet confirm'd the appointmeut.
ISOLANI.
Seize it, friend ! Seize it ! The hand which in that post Placed you, is strong enough to keep you there, Spite of the Emperor and his Ministers !
ILLO.
Ay, if we would but so consider it ! —
If wo would all of us consider it so !
The Emperor gives us nothing ; from the Duke
Comes all — whatc'cr we hope, whate'er we have
ISOLANI {to ILLo).
My noble brother ! did I tell you how The Duke will satisfy my creditors ? Will be himself my banker for the future, Make me once more a creditable man ! — And this is now the third time, think of that ! Tills kingly-minded man has rescued me From absolute ruin, and restored my honour
ILLO.
0 that his power but kept pace with his wishes ! Why, friend ! he'd give the whole world to his soldiere. But at Vienna, brother ! — bore's the grievance. — What politic schemes do they not lay to shorten
His arm, and where they can, to clip his pinions. Then these new dainty requisitions ! these, Which this same Questenberg brings hither ! —
BUTLER.
Ay! These requisitions of the Emperor, —
1 too have heard about them ; but I hope The Duke will not draw back a single inch!
gC ji ] THE PICCOLOMIKI. 47
ILLO.
Not from his right most surely, unless first .^From office !
BUTLER {shocked and confused). Know you aught then ? You alarm me. isoLAXi {at the same time with butler, atid in a
hurrying voice). We should be ruin'd, eveiy one of us !
ILLO
Xo more ! Yonder I see our icorthy friend * approaching With the Lieutenant-General, Piccolomini.
BUTLER {shaking his head significantly) 1 fear we shall not go hence as we came
SCEKE II. Enter Octavio, PiccoLOiUNi, and Questesbebo ocTAVio {still in the distance). Ay I ay ! more still I StUl more new \-isitors ! \ckno'wledge, friend ! that never was a camp, Which held at once so many heads of heroes
[questexberg. Let none appioach a camp of Friedland's troops \Mio dares to think unworthily of war ; E'en I mvself had nigh forgot its evils When I surveyed that lofty soul of order, By which wliiie it destroys the world,— itself ^Maintains the greatness which itself created.]
OCTAVIO [approaching nearer). Welcome, Count Isolani !
ISOLA>!i.
My noble brother ! Even now am I arnved ; it had been else my duty —
OCTAVIO.
And Colonel Butler— trust me, I rejoice Thus to renew acquaintance with a man Wliose worth and services I know and honour See, see, my friend !
• Spoken -.nth u sr.eer.
48
THE nCCOLOMINI [^CT I.
There might we place at once before our eyes The sum of wars whole trade and mystery—
[To QuESTENBERG, presenting Butleb and IsoLANi at the same time to him. Those two the total sum— Strength and Dispatch.
QUESTENBERG {tO OCTAVIo).
And lo : betwixt them both, experienced Prudence !
OCTAVIO (jn-esmting questenberg to butler and isolant)
The ("chamberlain and War-Commissioner Questenberg,
The bearer of the Emperor s behests,
The long-tried friend and patron of all soldiers,
We honour in this noble visitor. [Universal silence
ILLO [moving towards questekberg). *Tis not the first time^ noble ]\Iinister, You have shown our camp this honour. qdestekberg
Once before I stood beside these colours.
ILLO.
Perchance too you remember where that was
It was at Zniiim * in Moravia, where
You did present yourself upon the part
Of the Emperor, to supplicate our Duke
That he would straight assume the chief comraanoi
questenberg. To supplicate ? Nay, bold General ! So far extended neither my commission (At least to my own knowledge) nor my zeal
ILLO.
Well, well, then— to compel him, if you chooso I can remember me right well, Count Tilly Had suffer'd rotal rout upon the Lech. Bavaria lay all onen to the enemy, Whom there was' nothing to delay from pressing Onwards into the very heart of Austria At that time you and Werdenberg appear 'd Before our General, storming him with prayers, And menacing the Emperor's displeasure. Unless he took compassion on this wretchedness. » A town not *'ar frcra the Mine-mountainB, on the high road from Vienna to Prague.
j5C. II.] THE PICOOLOMINIi 49
isoLAXi (steps up to them). Yes, yes, 'tis comprehensible enough, Wlierefore with your commission of to-day You were not all too willing to remember Your former one.
QUESTEXBERG.
Why not, Corait Isolar.i ? No contradiction sure exists bet\^een them. It was the urgent business of that time To snatch Bavaria from her enemy's hand ; And my commission of to-day instructs me To free her from her good friends and protectors
ILLO.
A worthy office ! After with our blood
We have wrested this Bohemia from the Saxot
To be swept out of it is all our thanks,
The sole reward of all our hard-won victories.
QUESTENBERG.
Unless that wretched land be doomed to suffer
Only a change of evils, it must be
Freed from the scourge alike of friend or foe.
ILLO.
What ? 'Twas a favourable year ; the boors Can answer fresh demands already
QUESTEXBERG.
Nay, If you discourse of herds and meadow-grounds —
ISOLANI.
The war mamtains the war. Are the boors_ ruiu'J? The Emperor gains so many more now soldiers.
QUESTENBERG.
And is the poorer by even so many subjects
ISOEANI.
Pohl we are all his subjects
QUESTENBERO .
Yet with a difference, General ! The one fill
With profitable mdustry the purse,
The others are well skill'd to empty it.
The sword has made the Emperor poor ; the plough
Must reinvigorate his resources.
50 THE PICCOLOMIITL [aCT. 1.
ISOLANI.
Sure! Times are not yet so bad. Metliinks I see
[Examining ivith his eye the dress and oi'naments oj
QUESTENBERG.
Good store of gold that still remains uncoia'd.
QUESTENBERG.
Thank Heaven ! that means have been found out to hide Some little from the fingers of the Croats.
ILLO.
There ! The Stawata and the Martinitz,
On whom the Emperor heaps his gifts and graces,
To the heart-burning of all good Bohemians —
Those minions of court favour, those court harpies,
Who fatten on the wrecks of citizens
Driven from their house and home — who reap no harvests
Save in the general calamity —
Who now, with kingly pomp, insult and mock
The desolation of their country — these.
Let these, and such as these, support the war,
The fatal war, which they alone enkindled!
BUTLER.
And those state-parasites, who have their feet
So constantly beneath the Emperor's table.
Who cannot let a benefice fall, but they
?^nap at it with dogs' hunger — they, forsooth,
Would pare the soldier's bread and cross his reckoning 1
ISOLANI.
My life long ^\ill it anger me to think. How when I went to court seven years ago, To see about new horses for our regiment. How from one antechamber to another They dragg'd me on, and left me by the hour To kick my heels among a crowd of simpering Feast-fatten'd slaves, as if I had come thither A mendicant suitor for the crumbs of favour That fall beneath their tables. And, at last, Whom should they send me but a capuchin ! Straight I began to muster up my sins For absolution — but no such luck for me!
SC. n.] THE PICCOLOMINI. 51
This was Vtb man, this oapucliin, vnth. whom I was to treat concerning the army horses • And I was forced at last to quit the field, The business unaccomplish'd. Afterwards The Duke procured me in three days, what I Could not obtain in thirty at Vienna.
QUESTENBERG.
Yes, yes I your travelling bills soon found their way tc US ! Too well I know we have still accounts to settle.
ILLO
War is a violent trade : one cannot always
Finish one's work by soft means ; every trifle
Must not be blacken'd into sacrilege.
If we should wait till you, in solemn covmcil,
With due deliberation bad selected
The smallest out of foiur-and-twenty evils,
I' faith we should wait long —
" Dash ! and through with it ! " — That's the better watch ■
word. Then after come what may come. 'Tis man's nature To make the best of a bad thing once past. A bitter and perplex'd "what shall I do? ' Is worse to man than worst necessity.
QDESTENBERG
Ay, doubtless, it is true ; the Duke does spare us The troublesome task of choosing.
BUTLER.
Yes, the Duko Cares with a father's feelings for his troops ; But how the Emperor feels for us, we see
QUESTENBERG.
Bis cares and feelings all ranks share alike, Nor will he offer one up to another.
ISOLANI.
And therefore thrusts he us into the deserts As beasts of prey, that so he may preserve His dear sheep fattening in his fields at home
QUESTEKBERG {vdth a sufier). Count ! this comparison you make, not I
K 2
52 THE PICCOLOMINI. [aCT I;
ILLO.
Why, were we all the Court supposes us Twerc dangerous, sure, to give us liberty
QUESTENBERG (gravely). You have taken liberty — it was not given you And therefore it becomes an urgent duty To rein it in with curbs.
[iLLO.
Expect to find a restive steed in us.
QUESTENBERG.
A better rider may be found to rule it.
ILLO.
He only brooks the rider who has tamed him.
QUESTENBERG
Ay, tame him once, and then a child may lead him.
rLLO. The child, we know, is found for him already
QUESTENBERG.
Be duty, sir, your study, not a name BUTLER {wJio has stood aside ivith piccolomini, but ivith viaihh interest in the conversation, advances.) Sir President, the Emperor has in Germany A splendid host assembled ; in this kingdom Full twenty thousand soldiers are cantooned, "With sixteen thousand in Silesia ; Ten regiments are posted on the Weser, The Rhine, and Maine ; in Swabia there are six, And in Bavaria twelve, to face the Swedes ; Without including in th' account, the garrisons Who on the frontiers hold the fortresses. This vast and mighty host is all obedient To Friedland's captains ; and its brave commanders. Bred in one school, and nurtured with one milk, Are all excited by one heart and soul ; They are as strangers on the soil they tread, The service is their only house and home. No zeal inspires them for their country's cause, For thousands like myself were bom abroad ; Nor care they for the Emp'ror, for one half Deserting other service fled to ours,
g(, jj ■] THE PICCOLOMINI.
Indiff'rent what their banner, whether 'twere The Double Eagle, Lily, or the Lion. Yet one sole man can rein this fiery host By eiiual rule, by equal love and fear ; Blending the many-nationed whole m one ; And like the lightning's fires securely led Down the conducting rod, e'en thus his power Rules all the mass, from guarded post to post. From where the sentry hears the Baltic roar. Or views the fertile vales of the Adige, E'en to the body-guard, who holds his watch Within the precincts of th' Imperial palace !
QUESTKNT.EKG.
What's the short meaning of this long harangue?
BUTLER.
That the respect, the love, the confideuce,
Which makes us willing subjects of Duke Friedland.
Are not to be transferred to the first comer
That Austria's Court may please to send to us
We have not yet so readily forgotten
How the command came into I'riedland s handa
Was it, forsooth, the Emperor's majesty
That gave the army ready to his hand,
And only sought a leader for it? No.
The army then had no existence. He,
Friedland it was, who called it into being.
And gave it to his sovereign— but receiving
No army at his hand ;— nor did the Empero
Give W^allenstein to us as General.— No,
It was from Wallenstein we first received
The Emperor as our master and our sov reign ;
And he, he only, binds us to our banners !]
ocTAVio {interpowig and addressing QUESTENBERd, My noble friend. This is no more than a remembrancing That you are now in camp, and among warriors The soldier's boldness constitutes his freedom. Could he act daringly, unless he dai-ed Talk even so ? One runs into the other. The boldness of this worthy officer,
[Pointing to Butlbb,
54 THE PICCOI.OMIKI. [ACT I
Which now is but mistaken in its mark, PreseiTed, -when nought but bolcbiess could prescn'e it To the Emperor, his capital city, Prague, In a most formidable mutiny
Of the whole garrison. [Military music at a distance
Hah! here they come!
ILLO.
The sentries are saluting them : this signal Announces the arrival of the Duchess.
OCTAVTO [to QUESTENBERgV
Then my son Max. too has returned. 'Twas he Fetch 'd and attended them from Carnthen hither
ISOLANI (to ILLO).
Shall we not go in company to greet them ?
ILLO.
Well, let us go — Ho ! Colonel Butler, come. \To Octavio You'll not forget, that yet ere noon we meet The noble Envoy at the General's palace.
[Exeunt all hut Qdestenberg and Octavio
Scene III. Questenberg and Octavio. questenberg [ivith signs of aversion and astonishment). What have I not been forced to hear, Octavio ! What sentiments ! what fierce, uncurb'd defiance I And were this spirit universal —
OCTAVIO.
Hm!
You are now acquainted with three-fourths of the army
questenberg. Where must we seek then for a second host To have the custody of this ? That Illo Thinks worse, I fear me, than he speaks. And Ui'3U This Butler too— he cannot even conceal The passionate workings of his ill intentions.
OCTAVIO.
Quickness of temper — irritated pride ; 'Twas nothing more. I cannot give up Butler. I Ivuow a spell that will soon dispossess The evil spirit in him
gy III J THE PIOCOLOMINI '^'^
QUESTENBEEG(iraZ/ci«^ up and down in evident dhquieU Friend, friend ! O ! this is ^\'orse, far worse, than we had suffer'd Oui-selves to dream of at Vienna. There We saw it only with a courtier's eyes. Eves dazzled by the splendour of the throne. We had not seen the War-chief, the Commander, The man all-powerful in his camp. Here, here, 'Tis quite another thing. , . t-
Here is no Emperor more— the Duke is Emperor. Alas, my friend ! alas, my noble friend 1 This waik which you have ta'en me through tlie cam;. Strikes my hopes prostrate.
OCTAVIO.
Now you see yourseli Of what a perilous kind the office is, Which you deliver to me from the Com't. The least suspicion of the General Costs me mv freedom and my life, and would But hasten his most desperate enterprise
QTJESTENBERG.
Where was our reason sleeping when we trusted This madman with the sword, and placed such power In such a hiuid ? I tell you, hell refuse, Flatly refuse, to obey the Imperial orders. _ Friend, he can do't, and what he can, he will. And then the impunity of his defiance — Oh ! what a proclamation of our weakness !
OCTAVIO.
D'ye think too, he has brought his A\ife and daughter
Without a purpose hither ? Here in camp !
And at the very point of time, in which
We're arming for the war? That he has taken
These, the last pledges of his loyalty,
Away from out the Emperors domains —
This is no doubtl'ul token of the nearness
Of some eruption?
QUF.STENDERG.
How shall wc hold fc»otiug Bensath this tempest, which collects itself
56 THE PICCOLOMIUI. [aOT I.
And threats us from all quarters ? The enemy Of the empire on our borders, now already The master of the Danube, and still farther, And farther still, extending every hour ! In our interior the alamm-bells Of insurrection — peasantiy in arms — All orders discontented — and the army, Just in the moment of our expectation Of aidance from it — lo ! this very army Seduced, run wild, lost to all discipline. Loosen d, and rent asunder from the state And from their sovereign, the blind instnimeut Of the most daring of mankind, a weapon Of fearful power, which at his will he wields !
OCTAVIO
Nay, nay, friend ! let us not despair too soou Men's words are ever bolder than their deeds, And many a resolute, who now appears Made up to all extremes, will, on a sudden, Find in his breast a heart he wot not of. Let but a single honest man speak out The true name of his crime ! Remember too, We stand not yet so wholly unprotected. ^ Counts Altringer and Gallas have maintain'd Their little army faithful to its duty, And daily it becomes more numerous. Nor can he take us by surprise : you know I hold him all encompass'd by my listeners. Whate'cr he does, is mine, even while "tis doing- No step so small, but instantly I hear it ; Yea, his own mouth discloses it.
QUESTENBEKG
'Tis quite Incomprehensible, that he detects not The foe so near I
OCTAVIO.
Beware, you do not think, That I by lying arts, and complaisant Hypocrisy, have skulked into his graces, Or with the substance of smooth professions Nourish his all-coulidmg friendship ! No —
5/
SC, m.l THE PICCOLOMINl
Compell'd alike by prudence, and that duty ^ Which ^ve all owe our country, and our sovereitfti To hide ray genuine feeUngs from lum, yet ^ Ne'er liave 1 duped him with base counteriest- :
QUESTENBERG.
It is the visible ordinance of Heaven.
OCTAYIO.
I know not what it is that so attracts And links him both to me and to my son. Comrades and fiiends we always were— long habit. Adventurous deeds performed in company, And all those many and various incidents Which store a soldier's memory with affections, Had botmd us long and early to each other- Yet I can name the day, when all at once His heart rose on me, and his confidence Shot out into sudden growth. It was the mon^.mg Before the memorable fight at Liitzeu. Urged by an ugly di-eam, I sought him cut, To'press him to accept another charger. At a distance from the tents, beneath a tree, I found him in a sleep. When I had waked hipr And had related all my bodings to him. Long time he stared upon me, lilte a man Asto^mded : thereon fell upon my neck, And manifested to me an emotion That far outstripp'd the worth of that small service Since then his confidence has follow'd me With the same pace that mine has fled from him.
QUESTENBERG
You lead your son into the secret ?
OCTAVIO.
No!
QUESTENBERG.
What ! and not warn him either what bad hands His lot has placed him in ?
OCTAVIO.
I must perforce Leave him in -wardship to his innocence \Xid young and open soul — dissimnlatiou
jjg THE PICCOLOMINI. [ACT I.
1h foreigu to its habits? Ignorance Alone can keep alive the cheerful air. The iniembarrass'd sense and light free spirit, That make the Duke secure,
QL'ESTENBERG (anxiousIy). Aly houour'd friend ! most highly do I deem
Of Colonel Piccolomini — yet — if
Pieflect a little
OCTAVIO
I must venture it. Hush ! — There he comes !
Scene IV Max. Piccolomini, Octavio Piccolomini, Questenderg
MAX.
Ha! there he is himself Welcome, my father!
[He embraces Ids father As he turns round, he ob- serves Questenberg, and draws hack with a culd and reserved air.
You are engaged, I see. I'll not disturb you.
OCTAVIO.
How, Max. ] Look closer at this visitor. Attention, Max., an old friend merits— iieverence Belongs of right to the envoy of your sovereign.
MAX. (drill/). Von Questenberg !— Welcome— if you bring with you Aught good to our head quarters.
QUESTENBERG [seizing his hand).
Nay, draw not Your hand away, Count Piccolomini ! Not on mine own account alone I seized it. And nothing common will I say therewith.
\Takin(j the hands of hot,h Octavio — Max. Piccolomini ! 0 saviour names, and full of happy omen ! Ne'er will her prosperous genius turn from Austria, While two such stars, with blessed influences Beaming protection, shine above her hosts.
so. rv.] THE PICCOLOMINI.
MAX.
Heh ! — Noble minister ! You miss your part. You came not liere to act a panegyric. You're sent, I know, to find fault and to scold us — I must not be beforehand witli my comrades.
OCTAVIO {to MAX.).
He comes from court, where people are not quite So well contented with the Duke, as here.
MAX.
What now have they contrived to find out in him ' That he alone determines for himself What he himself alone doth understand ! _ , ^ Well, therem he does right, and will p-ersist in 't Heaven never meant him for that passive thing That can be struck and hammer'd out to suit Another's taste and fancy. He'll not dance To every tune of every minister • It goes agamst liis nature— he can't do it, He is possess'd by a commanding spirit, And his, too, is the station of command. And well for us it is so ! There exist Few fit to rule themselves, but few that usQ Their intellects intelligently. Then "VN ell for the whole, if there be found a man. Who makes himself what nature destined him, The pause, the central point, to thousand thousands- Stands fixed and stixtely, like a firm-built column. Where all may press with joy and confidence Now such a man is Wallenstein ; and if Another better suits the court— no other Ijut such a one as he can serve the army
QUESTENBERG
The army? Doubtless!
[max Wliat delight t'observo
How he incites and strengthens all around hnn, "Infusing life and vigour. Every power Seems as it were redoubled by his presence : Ee di-aws forth every latent energy, Showing to each his "own peculiar talant,
59
60 THE PICCOLOMINl. [ AOT I
Yet leaving all to be what nature made thenr, And watching only that they be nought else In the light place and time ; and he has skill To mould the powers of all to his o\m end.
QUESTENBERG.
But who denies his knowledge of mankind, And slull to use it? Our complaint is this : — That in the master he forgets the servant, As if he claimed by birth his present honours
MAX.
And does he not so ? Is he not endow'd With every gift and power to cany out The high intents of nature, and to win A rulers station by a ruler's talent?
QUESTEN'BERG.
So then it seems to rest with him alone What is the worth of all mankind beside !
MAX.
Uncommon men require no common trust ; Give him but scope, and he will set the bounds
QUESTENBERG
The proof is yet to come.
MAX.
Thus are ye ever. Ye shrink from every thing of depth, and think Yourselves are only safe while ye 're in shallows ]
OCTAVIO (to QUESTENBERG).
'Twere best to yield with a good grace, my friend. Of him tliero you'll make nothing.
MAX. (continuing).
In their fear They call a spirit up, and when he oomes, Straight their flesh creeps and quivers, and they dread him More than the ills for which they call'd him up- The uncommon, the sublime, must seem and be Like things of every day . But in the field. Ay, there the Present Being makes itself felty 'i'iie personal must command, the actual eye F^amine ^ If to be the chieftain asks
S(., j-^r j THE PIGCOLOMINI. "l
All tiiat is great in natui-e, let it be
Likewise bis privilege to move and act
In all tbe correspondences of greatness.
The oracle within him, that which lives.
He must invoke and question— not dead books,
Not ordinances, not mould-rotted papers.
OCTAVIO.
My son ! of those old naiTow ordinances
Let us not hold too lightly. They are weights
Of priceless value, which oppress'd mankind
Tied to the volatile will of their oppressors.
I'or always formidable was the league
And partnership of free power with free will.
The way of ancieut ordinance, though it winds.
Is yet no devious path. Straight forward goes
The lightnings path, and straight the feariul path
Of the cannon ball. Direct it flies, nid rapid ;
Shattering that it maij reach, and shattering what it reaches.
My son ! the road the human bemg travels.
That, on which blessing comes and goes, doth follow
The liver's course, the valley's playful windings,
Curves round the com field and the hill of vines,
Honouring the holy bounds of property !
And thus secm-e, though late, leads to its end
QUESTEN'BERG.
0 hear your father, noble youth ! hear him. Who is at once the hero and the man.
OCTAVIO.
My son, the nursling of the camp spoke in thee ! A war of fifteen years Hath been thy education and thy school. Peace hast thou never witness'd ! There exists A-n higher than the wanior's excellence. [n war itself wai- is no ultimate purpose. The vast and sudden deeds of violence. Adventures wild, and wonders of the moment, These are not they, my son, that generate .
Tbe Calm, the Bhssful, and the enduring Mighty J Lo there ! the soldier, rapid architect ! Builds his light town of canvas, and at once The whole scene moves and bixstles momently,
02 THE PICCOLOMIi<I. [AOT !•
"With arms, aiid neighing steeds, and mirth and quarrel
The motley market fills ; the roads, the streams /
Ai-e crowded -with new freights ; trade stirs and hurries
But on some morrow mom, all suddenly,
The tents drop down, the horde renews its march.
Dreary, and solitary as a church-yard
The meadow and down-trodden seed-plot lie,
A.nd the year's harvest is gone utterly
MAX.
0 let the Emperor make peace, my father ! Most gladly would I give the blood-stained laui'el For the first violet * of the leafless spring, Pluck 'd in those quiet fields where I have journey 'd
OCTAVIO.
What ails thee ? Wliat so moves thee all at once ?
MAX.
Peace have I ne'er beheld ? I have beheld it.
From thence am I come hither : 0 ! that sight,
It glimmers still before me, like some landscape
Left in the distance, — some delicious landscape I
jMy road conducted me through countries where
The war has not yet reach'd. Life, life, my father—
My venerable father, life has charms
Which u-e have ne'er experienced. We have bee»
But voyaging along its barren coasts,
Like some poor ever-roaming horde of pirates.
That, crowded in the rank and narrow ship,
House on the wild sea with wild usages,
Nor know aught of the main land, but the bays
Where safeliest they may venture a thieves' landing
Whate'er in the inland dales the land conceals
Of fair and exquisite, O ! nothing, nothing,
Do we behold of that in our rude voyage.
OCTAVIO {attentive, vntli an appearance of xmcaaUie&th And so your journey has revealed this to you "^
• In the original,
" Den blut'gen Lorbeer geb'ich hin mit Freuden Furs erste Vcilchen, das der Marz uns bringt, Das diirftige Pfand dor neuverjungten Erde."
go, lY.] THE PICCOLOMINI. G3
MAX
Twas the first leisure of my life. 0 tell mc,
What is the meed and purpose of the toil,
The painful toil ^vhich robb'd me of my youth,
Left me a heart unsoul'd and solitary,
A spirit uninform'd, unomamented !
For the camp's stir, and crowd, and ceaseless laram.
The neighing war-horse, the air-shattering trampet,
The unvaried, still retui-ning hour of duty,
Word of command, and exercise of arms —
There's nothing here, there's nothing in all this.
To satisfy the heart, the gasping heart !
Mere bustling nothingness, where the soul is not—
This cannot be the sole felicity.
These cannot be man's best and only pleasures I
OCTAYIO.
Much hast thou learnt, my son, in this short journey.
MAX.
0 ! day thrice lovely ! when at length the soldier Returns home into life ; when he becomes A. fellow-man among his fellow-men. The colours are unfurl'd, the cavalcade Marshals, and now the buzz is hush'd, and hark ! Now the soft peace-march beats, home, brothers, home Tlie caps and helmets are all garlanded With green boughs, the last plundering of the fields. The city gates ily open of themselves. They need no longer the petard to tear them. The ramparts are all filled ^ith men and women. With peaceful men and women, that send onwards Kisses and welcomings upon the air, Which they make breezy with affectionate gestures From all the towers rings out the merry peal, The joyous vespers of a bloody day. O happy man, 0 fortunate ! for whom The well-known door, the faithful arms are open, The faithful tender arms with mute embracing. QUKSTENBERG [apparetitlij muck affected). 0 that you should speak Of such a distant, distant time, and not Of the to-morrow, not of this to-day
(54 Tiir; piccolomiki [aot i,
MAX. [turning round to him quick and vehementj Where lies the fault but on you iu Vienna ! I will deal openly with you, Questeuberg. Just now, as first I saw you standing here, (I'll own it to you freely,) indignation Crowded and press 'd my mmost soul together. 'Tis ye that hinder peace, ye ! — and the warrior. It is the warrior that must force it from you. Ye fret the General's life out, blacken him, Hold him up as a rebel, and Heaven knows What else still worse, because he spares the Saxons, And tries to awaken confidence in the enemy; Which yet's the only why to peace : for if War intermit not during war, how then And u-hence can peace come ? Your own plagues fall on you ! Even as 1 love what's virtuous, hate I you. And here 1 make this vow, here pledge myself, My blood shall spurt out for this Wallenstein, And my heait drain off, drop by drop, ere ye Shall revel and dance jubilee o'er his ruin. [Exit
Scene V.
QUESTENBERG, OCTAVIO PiCCOLOMJXI QUESTENBEEG.
Alas, alas ! and stands it so ?
[Then in pressing and impatient tonus What friend ! and do we let him go away In this delusion— let him go away ? Not call him back immediately, not open His eyes upon the spot ?
OCTAVIO [recovering himself out of a deep study) He has now open'd mine, And 1 see more than pleases me
QUESTENBERG _.
What is ;t?
OCTAVIO.
Curse on this joumey I
QUESTENBERG.
But why so ? What is it ?
SC. v.] THE PICCOLOMINI. 65
0C7AVI0.
Corns, come along, friend ! I must follow up The ominous track immediately. Mine eyes Are open'd now, and I must use them. Come !
[Draivs Qdestenberg on uith him.
QDESTENBERG.
What now ? Where go you then ?
OCTAVIO.
To her herself.
QUES'PEJyBERG
To
OCTA'Vio {interrupl'mg him, and correctinrj himself) To the Duke. Come let us go — 'Tis done, 'tis done, I see the net that is thrown over liim. Oh ! he returns not to me as he went
QUESTENBERG.
Nay, hut explain yourself.
OCTAVIO.
And that i should not Foresee it, not prevent this journey ! Wherefore Did I keep it from him ? — You were in the right I should have warn'd him ! Now it is too late.
QUESTENBERG.
But what's too late ? Bethink yourself, my friend, That you are talldng absolute riddles to me.
OCTAVIO [more colUcted). Come ! to the Duke's. 'Tis close upon the horn Which he appointed you for audience. Come ! A curse, a threefold curse, upon tliis journey !
{He leads Questenberg off
ACT II,
Scene I. CJuinges to a spacious Chamber in the House of the Duke of Priedland. — Servants employed in puttin.j the tables and chairs in order — During this enters Sent, like an old Italian Doctor, in black, and clothed somewhat fantastic- ally. He carries a white staff, icith ichich he marks out the quarters of the heavens.
FIRST SERVANT.
Come — to it, lads, to it ! l\li\kc an end of it. I hear the
0(5 rHE pxccoLOMim. L^gt ii.
sentry call out. ' Stand to your ams!" They will be hero in a minute
SECOND SERVANT.
Why were we not told before that the audience would be held here? Nothing prepared— no orders— no instructions.
THIRD SERVANT.
Ay, and why was the balcony chamber countermanded, that with the great worked carpet? There one can look about ono
FIRST SERVANT.
Nay, that you must ask the mathematician there. He says it is an unlucky chamber.
SECOND SERVANT.
Poh : stuff and nonsense ! That's what I call a hiun. A chamber is a chamber ; what much can the place signify in the affair ?
SENi [ivlth gravity).
My son, there's notJuug insignificant,
Nothing .' But yet in every earthly thing
First and most principal is place and time.
FIRST SERVANT {tO the SCCOHcl).
Say nothing (o him, Nat. The Duke himself must let him have his own will
SENI ^counts the chairs, half in a loud, half in a low voice, till he comes to eleven, u-hich he repeats).
Eleven ! an evil number ! Set twelve chairs.
Twelve ! twelve signs hath the zodiac : five and seven,
The holy numbers, include themselves in twelve.
SECOND SERVANT.
And wnat may you have to object against eleven? I sliould like to know that now.
SENI.
Eleven is transgression ; eleven oversteps The ten commandments.
SECOND SERVANT.
That's good ! and why do you call five a holy number ?
SENI.
Five is the soul of man : for even as man Is mingled up of good and evil, so The five is the first number that's made up Of even and odd.
SC. n.] THE PICCOLOillSI 67
SECOND SERVANT.
The foolish old coxcomb I
FIBST SERVANT.
Ay! let him alone though I lilie to hear him; tlicre is more in his words than can be seen at first sight.
THIRD SERVANT
OIT, they come.
SECOND SERVANT
There ! Out at the side-door
{They hurry off. Seni follows slowly. A Page brings the staff of command on a red cushion, and places it on the table near the Dukes chair. They are announced from icithout, and the loings of the door fly open.
Scene II. Wallenstein, Duchess waxlenstein You went then through Vienna, were presented To the Queen of Huugaiy ?
duchess.
Yes ; and to the Empress too, And by both Majesties were we admitted To kiss the hand
wallenstein. And how was it received, That I had sent for wife and daughter hithei To tlie camp, in winter-time ?
DUCHESS.
I did even that Which you commission'd me to do. I told them, You had determined on our daughter's marriage, .And wish'd, ere yet you went into the field, To show the electedhusband his betrothed.
wallenstein. And did they guess the choice which I had made ?
duchess. They only hoped and wish'd it may have fallen Upon no foreign nor yet Lutheran noble.
f2
08 Tmc piccoLoiuKi. [act 11.
WALLENSTEIN.
And you — wliat do you wish, Elizabeth?
DUCHESS.
Your will, you know, was always mine.
W'ALLEKSTKiN [after a pause).
Well then — And in all else, of what kind and complexion Was your reception at the court ?
[The Duchess casts her eyes on the ground, and remains silent Hide nothing from me. How were you received ?
duchess. 0 ! my dear lord, all is not what it was. A canker-worm, my lord, a canker-worm Has stolen into the bud.
WALLEN3TEIX.
Ay ! is it so ! What, they were lax? they fail'd of the old respect?
duchess. Not of respect. No honours were omitted, No outward courtesy ; but in the place Of condescending, confidential kindness, Familiar and endearing, there were given me Only these honours and that solemn courtesy. Ah ! and the tenderness which was put on, It was the guise of pity not of favour. No ! Albrecht's wife, Duke Albrecht's princely wife, Count Harrach's noble daughter, should not so — Not wholly so should she have been received.
WALLENSTEIN.
Ves, yes ; 'Jiey have ta'cn offence. My latest conduct They rail'd at it, no doubt.
DUCHESS.
0 that they had! T have been long accustomed to defend you. To heal and pacify distemper'd spirits. No ; no one rail'd at you. They wrapp'd them up, O Heaven ! in such oppressive, solemn silence ! — Here is v.o evcrj'-day misunderstanding. No transient pique, no cloud that passes over;
gp^ jj T THE PICCOLOMDTx.
Something most luckless, most unliealable. Har takeo place. The Queen of Hungary Used formerly to call me her dear aunt. And ever at departure to embrace me—
VTALLENSTEIX-
Xow she omitted it?
DUCHESS [u-iplng aiiay her tears after a pausey She did embrace me, But then first when I had already taken My formal leave, and when tne door already Had closed upon me, then did she come out Tn haste, as she had suddenly bethought herself. And press'd me to her bosom, more with anguish Than tenderness.
-w ALLEN-STEIN {seizes her hand soothingly). Nay, now collect yourself. And what of Eggenberg and Lichtensteiu, And of our other friends there ?—
DOCHESS shaking her head).
I saw none.
WALLENSTEIN.
The Ambassador from Spain, who once was wont To plead so warmly for me ? —
DDCUESS.
Silent, silent!
WAiLENSTEIN.
These suns then are eclipsed for us. Hencefoi-ward Must we roll on, our own fire, our own light.
DUCHESS.
And were it — were it, my dear lord, ui that Which mov'd about the court in buzz and whisper, But in the country let itself be heard .\loud — in that which Father Lamormain
In sundry hints and
WA.IXENSTETN (eag(rhj).
Lamormain I what said hi
DUCHESS.
Tliat you're accused of having daringly O'erstepped the powers entrusted to you, cbarged
69
70 THE PICCOLOMINI, [ACT n
With trdtorous contempt of the Emperor
And his supreme behests. The proud Bavarian,
He and the Spaniards stand up your accusers —
That there's a storm collecting over you
Of far more fearful menace than that former one
Which whirl'd you headlong down at Regensburrt,
And people talk, said he, of Ah ! —
[Stifiing ext'^eme emotion
WALLEXSTEIN.
rrocccdl
DUCHESS
I cannot v tter It i
WALLEXSTEIN
Proceed !
DUCHESS.
They talk-
WALLEKSTEIN
We.l !
DUCHESS
Of a second {catches her voice and hesitrttes\
WALLENSTEIN
Second
DUCHESS
More disgraceful
— — Dismission
WALLENSTEIN
Talk they? [Strides across the Chamber in vehement agilation.
0 ! they force, they thrust me With violence, against my own will, onward !
DUCHESS {incsses near to him in entreaty). 0 ! if there yet be time, my husband ! if By giving way and by submission, this Can be averted— my dear lord, give way ! Win down your proud heart to it ! Tell that heart, It is your sovereign lord, your Emperor Before whom you retreat. 0 let no longer Low tricldng malice blacken your good meanmg With abhorr'd venomous glosses. Stand you up
gj. Uj.J THE nCCOLOMIXI. ' -<•
Shielded and helm'd and weapon'd witli the truth,
And drive before you into uttermost sliame
These slanderous liars ! Few firm friends have we—
You know it !— The swift growth of our good fortune,
It hath but set us up a mark for hatred.
What are we, if the sovereign's grace and favour
Stand not before us !
SCEKE III.
Enter the Countess Terzkt, leading in her hand the Princess
Thekla, richhj adorned icith Brilliants
Countess, Thekea, ^YALLE^•sTEI^^ Duchess
Countess
How, sister ! What, already upon business?
[Observing the countenance of the Duche5S And business of no pleasing land I see, Ere he has gladdend at his child. The first Moment belongs to joy Here, Friedland ! father !
This is thv daugliter , . -j • 7
[Thekla approaches with a shy and timid air. and bends herself as about to hiss his hand. He re- ceives her in his arms, and remains standing for some time lost in the feeling of her presence
WAELENSTEIN.
Yes ! pui-e and lovelv hath hope risen on me , I take her as the pledge of greater fortune
DUCHESS.
Twas but a little child when you departed To raise up that great army for the Emperor : And after, at the close of the campaign, \Yhen you returned home, out of Pomerania, Your daughter was already in the convent, Wherein she has remained till now
WALLEKSTEIN.
The while \Ye in the field here gave our cares and toils To make her great, and fight her a free way To the loftiest earthly good; lo ! mother Nature Withm the peaceful silent convent wails
73 THH PICCOLOMINI. [AOT H.
Has done her part, and out of her free grace Hath she bestow'd on the beloved child Tlie god-like ; and now leads her thus adorn'd To meet her splendid fortune, and my hope.
DUCHESS {to THEKLa).
Thou wouldst not now have recognised thy ftilher, Wouldst thou, my child ? She counted scarce eiglit years, When last she saw your face.
THEKLA.
0 yes, yes, mother ! At the first glance !— My father has not alter'd. The form that stands before me falsifies No feature of the image that hath lived So long within me !
WALLENSTEIN.
The voice of my child !
[Then after a pauss I was indignant at my destiny, That it denied me a man-child, to be Heir of my name and of my prosperous fortune, And re-illume my soou extinguished being In a proud line of princes. I wronfred my destiny. Here upon this head, So lovely in its maiden bloom will I Let fall the garland of a life of war. Nor deem it lost, if only I can wreath it. Transmuted to a regal ornament. Around these beauteous brows,
[He clasps her in his arms as PlccoLOMiNl enters
Scene IV.
Enter Max. Piccolomini, and some time after Count Teezkt,
the others remaining as before.
COUNTESS.
There comes the Paladin who protected us
WALLENSTEIN.
Max. ! Welcome, ever vclcome ! Always wert thou The morning star of my best joys !
MAX.
My General—-—
BC. lY.] THE PICCOLOMINI. 73
WALLENSTEIN.
Till now it was the Emperor who rewarded thee, I but the instrument This day thou hast bouua The father to thee, Max 1 the fortunate father, And this debt Friedhuid's self must pay.
MAX.
My prince ! You made no common hurry to transfer it. I come with shame : yea, not without a pang ! For scarce have I arrived here, scarce deliver d The mother and the daughter to your arms, But there is brought to me from your equeny * A splendid richly-plated hunting dress So to remunerate me for my troubles — Yes, yes, remunerate me ! Since a trouble It must be, a mere office, not a favour Which I leapt forward to receive, and which I came with grateful heart to thank you for. No ! 'twas not so intended, that my business Should be my highest best good fortune ! ^
[Terzkt enters, and delivers letters to the Duke. which he breaks open hurriedhj.
COUNTESS (to MAX.).
Remunerate your trouble ! For his joy
He makes you recompense.^ 'Tis not unfitting
For you, Count Piccolomini, to feel
So tenderly — my brother it beseems
To show himself for ever great and princely
THEKLA.
Then I too must have scruples of his love : For his munificent hands did oniament me Ere yet the fathers heart had spoken to me.
• A reviewer in the Literary/ Gazette observes that, in these Tnes, Mr. f;olend<-e has misapprehended the meaning of the word " zug," a team, trans- lating it as " anzug,- a suit of clothes. The following version, as a substituW,
" "When from your stables there is brought to me A team of four most richly harnessed horses. The term, however, is "jagd-zug," which may mean a "hunting equipage,^ „ a " hunting stud ; " although Hilpert gives only " a team four horses.
74 THE PICCOLOMINl. [KC'S 11.
MAX
Yes ; 'tis his nature ever to be giving And making happy.
[He gms2)s the hand of the Duchess mlh mill in creasing ivarmth.
How my heart pours out Its all of thanks to him ! O ! how I seem To utter all things in the dear name— Friedland. While I shall live, so long will I remain The captive of this name : in it shall bloom My every fortune, every lovely hepe. Inextricably as in some magic ring In this name hath my destiny charm-bound me !
COUNTESS {ivho during this time has been anxiously watching the PUKE, and remarks that lie is lost in thought over the letters).
My brother wishes us to leave him. Come.
WALLEXSTEiN (tums Mmself round quick, collects himself.
and speaks uilh cheerfxdness to the duchess). Once more I bid thee welcome to the camp, Thou art the hostess of this court. You, Max., Will now again administer your old office, ^Yhile we perform the sovereign's business here.
[Max. PiccoLOMiNi offers the Duchess his arm; the Countess accompanies the Peikcess
TERZKY {calling after him). Max , we depend on seeing you at the meeting
Scene V. Wallenstein. Count Terzky WALLENSTEii? [in dccp tkought, to himself^. She has seen all things as they are — It is so And squares completely with my other notices They have determined finally in Vienna, Have given me my successor already ; It is the King of Hungary, Ferdinand, 'I'lie Emperor's delicate son ! he's now their s:a'.iom, He's the new star that's rising now ! Of us They tbink themselves already fairly rid.
gQ_ y 1 THE PIOCOLOMINI. "^
And as we were deceased, the heir already Isenteringoupossession— Therefore— despatch! _
[As he turns round he observes Teezicv, and givc^ him a letter. Count Altrmger will have himself excused, And G alias too— I like not this!
TEKZKT
And if Thou loiterest longer, all will fall away, One following the other.
WALI-ENSTEIN
Altringer [s master of the Tyrol passes I must forthwith Send some one to him, that he let not m The Spaniards on me from the Milanese.
Well, and the old Sesin, that ancient trader
In contraband negociations, he , • i
Has shown himself again of late. What bni^gs ho From the Count Thur ?
TERZKY.
The Count communicates He has found out the Swedish Chancellor At Halberstadt, where the convention's held, Wlio says, you've tired him out, and that he'll iiave No further dealings with you.
WALLEKSTEIN'.
And why so ?
TERZKY.
He says, you are never in earnest in your speeches ; That you decoy the Swedes— to make fools of them ' Will league yourself with Saxony against them, .\nd at last make yourself a riddance of them ^Yith a paltry sum of money
WALEENSTEIN.
So then, doubtless, Yes, doubtless, this same modest Swede ex]^ccls That I shall yield him some fair German tract For his prey and booty, that ourselves at last On our own soil and native territory
76
THE PICCOLOMINr [ACT H-
May be to longer our own lords and masters ! An excellent scheme ! No, no ! They must be off, Off, off! away! ice want no such neighbours.
TERZKY.
Nay, yield them up that dot, that speck of land — It goes not from your portion. If you win ^ The game, what matters it to you who pays if;
WAIXENSTEIN.
Off with them, off! Thou understand'st not this
Never shall it be said of me, I parcell'd
My native land away, dismember'd Germany,
Betray 'd it to a foreigner, in order
To come with stealthy tread, and filch away
My own share of the plunder— Never ! never !
No foreign power shall strike root in the empire,
And least of all these Goths ! tliese hunger-wolves t
Who send such en\'ious, hot and greedy glances
Toward the rich blessings of our German lands!
I'll have their aid to cast and draw my nets,
But not a single fish of all the draught
Shall they come in for.
TERZKY.
You will deal, however, More fairly with the Saxons ? they lose patience While you shift round and make so many curves. Say, to wliat purpose all these masks ? Your frienda Are plunged in doubts, baffled, and led astray m you. There's Oxenstiern, there's Arnheim— neither knows What be should think of your procrastinations And in the end I prove the liar ; all Passes through me. I've not even your handwnling
WALLEXSTEIN
X never give handwriting ; and thou knowcst it.
TERZICY
But how can it be knoim that you are in earnest.
If the act follows not upon the word?
You must youi-self acknowledge, that in all
Your intercourses hitherto with the enemy,
You might have done with safety all you have done,
fet.A'I.] THE PiCCOLOMINl. ^'^
Had you meant nothing farther than to gull him For the Emperor's service.
WALLENSTEiN (after a pause, during which he looks narrowly on teezict). And from -whence dost thou imow That I'm not gulling him for the Emperor's service ? Whence luiowest thou that I'm not gullii r all of you? Dost thou know me so ^vell ? When maae I thee The intendant of my secret purposes ? I am not conscious that I ever open'd My inmost thoughts to thee. The Emperor, it is true, Hath dealt with me amiss ; and if I u:ould, i could repay him with usurious interest For the evil he hath done me. It delights me To know mv power; but whether I shall use it, Of that, I should have thought that thou couldst speak No wiser than thy fellows.
TERZKT.
So hast thou always played thy game vrith us.
[Enter Illo.
Scene VI. Illo, Wallensteix, Terzkt. walt.ekstein. How Stand affairs without ? Are they prepared^
ILLO.
You'll fmd them in the very mood you wish They know about the Emperor's requisitions, And are tumultuous.
WALLENSTEIX.
How hath Isolani Declared himself ?
ILLO.
He's yours both soul and body, . Since you built up again his Faro-bank.
WALLENSTEIN.
And which way doth Kolatto bend? Hast thou Made sure of Tiefenbach and Deodati ?
ILLO.
What riccolomini does, that they do too.
78 THE PICCOLOMIKI. [ACT IJ.
WALLEN STEIN.
You mean, then, I may venture some-wliat wiih them ?
ILLO.
— If you are assured of the Piccolomim.
WALLEN8TEIN.
Not more assured of mine own self.
TERZKY.
And yst I woald you trusted not so much to Octavio, The fox !
WALLENSTEIK.
Thou teachest me to know my man ? Sixteen campaigns I have made with that old warrior. Besides, I have his horoscope • We both are born beneath the like otars — in short,
[With an air of jiiyaten To this belongs its own peculiar aspect, If therefore thou canst waiTant me the rest
ILLO
There is among them all but this one voice, You must not lay down the command. I hear They mean to send a deputation to you.
WALLENSTEIN.
If I'm in aught to bind myself to them, They too must bind themselves to me
ILLO.
Of course.
WALLENSTEIN.
Their words of honour they must give, their oaths, Give them in writing to me, promising Devotion to my service unconditional,
ILLO
Why not ?
TERZr\'
Devotion unconditional? The exception of their duties towards Au?.Li-ia They'll always place among the premises. With this reser>-e
SC, Vl.J THE PICCOLOMINI, 79
WALLENSTEIN [shaking his head.) All unconditional No premises, r.o reserves.
ILLO
A thought has struck me Does not Coimt Terzky give us a set banquet This evening ?
TERZKY
Yes ; and all the Generals Have been invited.
ILLO {to WALLENSTEIn).
Say, -nill you here fully Commission mc to use my own discretion ? I'll c^ain for you the Generals' word of honour, Even as you wish.
WALI-EKSTEIN.
Gain me their signatures ! How you come by them, that is your concern.
ILLO.
And if I bring it to you, black on white. That all the leaders who are present here _ Give themselves up to you, without condition ; Say, will you then— then will you show yourself In earnest, and with some decisive action Try your fortune
WALLENSTEIN.
Get but the signatures !
[^ ILLO.
Think what thoa dcst, thou canst not execute
Tlie Emperor's orders, nor reduce thine army;
Kor send the regiments to the Spaniards' aid,
Unless thou wouldst resign thy power for ever.
Think on the other hand — thou canst not spurn
The Emperor's high commands and solemn orders,
Nor longer temporize, nor seek evasion.
Wouldst thou avoid a rupture with the court.
Resolve then ! "Wilt thou now by one bold a,-5t
Anticipate their ends, or doubting still, ^ ■ ^^^
Av/ait the extremity? ^ .,^ .1.^
80 THE PICCOLOMINI. [aOT IL
WALLENSTEIN.
There's time before The eAireinity arrives.]
ILLO.
Seize, seize the hour, Ere it slips from you. Seldom comes the moment In life, which is indeed sublime aud weighty. To make a great decision possible, O ! many things, all transient and all rapid. Must meet at once : and, liai^iy, they thus met May by that confluence bo enforced to pause Time long enough for wisdom, though too short. Far, far too short a time for doubt and scruple ! This is that moment. See, our army chieftains, Our best, our noblest, are assembled round you Their Idng like leader ! On your nod they wait. The single threads, wliich here your prosperous fortune Hath woven together in one potent web Instinct with destiny, O let them not _ Unravel of themselves. If you permit These chiefs to separate, so unanimous Bring you them not a second time together. 'Tis the high tide that heaves the stranded ship. And every individual's spirit waxes In the great stream of multitudes. Behold They ire still here, here still ! But soon the war Bursts them once more asunder, and in small Particular anxieties and -.nterests Scatters their spirit, and the sympathy Of each man with the whole. He, who to-day Forgets himself, forced onward with the stream, Will become sober, seeing but himself. Feel only his own weakness, and with speed Will face about, and march on in the old High road of duty, the old broad-trodden road, Aud seek but to make shelter in good plight.
WALLENSTEIN
The time is not yet come
TERZKY
So }-ou say always. But uhen will it be time?
60. V7.j I'llE PICCOLOMliNI. 81
WAfXENSTKlN
When I shall say it :llo Youll wail upon the stars, and on their hourd. Till the earthly hour escapes you. 0, believe me, In your own bosom are your destiny's stars. Confidence in yourself, prompt resolution, This is your Venus ! and the sole malignant, The only one that harmeth you, is Doubt.
WALLENSTEIX.
Thou speakest as thou understand'st. How oft And many a time I've told thee, Jupiter, That lustrous god, was setting at thy birth Thy visual power subdues no mysteries ; Mole-eyed, thou mayest but burrow in the earth. Blind as that subterrestrial, who with^wan Lead-colour 'd shine lighted thee into life. The common, the terrestrial, thou mayest see. With serviceable cunning knit together The nearest with the nearest ; and therein I trust thee and believe thee ! but whate'er Full of mysterious import Nature weaves, And fashions in the depths — the spirit's ladder, That from this gross and visible world of dust Even to the starry world, with thousand rounds. Builds itself up ; on which the unseen powers Move up and down on heavenly ministries — The circles in the circles, that approach The central sun with ever-narrowing orbit — These see the glance alone, the unsealed eye, Of Jupiter's glad children born in lustre.
[Heu-alks across the Chamber, then returns, and staudinrj still, jnoceeds The heavenly constellations make not merely The day and nights, summer and spring, not merely Signify to the husbandman the seasons of sowing and of harvest. Human action, That is the seed too of contingencies, Strew'd on the dark land of futurity In hopes to reconcile the powers of fate Whence it behoves us to seek out the seed-time.
g2 THE PICCOLOMINI. [ACT 11.
To Nvatch the stars, select tbeii proper hours, And trace ^Ith scarcbhig eye the heavenly houses, Whetner the enemy of growth and thrviug Hide liimself not. malignant, m his comer. Therefore permit me my cwi time Meanwhile Do you ycur part. As yet 1 cannot say What, /'shall do— only, give way I vr<A\ tot Depose roc too they shall not. On t'.ieso points You may reiy.
PAGE {entering). My Lords, the Generals
WAI-LEXSTEIN.
Let them come in
[ TERZKY.
Shall all the chiefs be prcscr.t ?
WALL EN STEIN.
'Twere needless. Both the Piccolomini Maradas, Butler, Forgoetsch, Deodati, Karaffa, Tsolani— these may come.
[Terzky goes oid ivUh ihe Tage
WALLEKSTEIN [tO TLLO).
Hast thou ta en heed that Qucstcnberg \Yas watched ? Had he no means of secret intercourse ?
ILLO
I have watched him closely— and he spoke with none But with Octavio. 3
Scene VTI. VV\LLENSTEiN, Terzky, I LLC. — To them enter Qdesten BERG, Octavio, and Max Piccolomini, Butler. Iso LANi, Maradas, and three other Generals. Wali .en- stein motions Questenberg, xvho in consequence taken the chair directly opposite to him; the others foiloio, arranging themselves according to their rank, I here reigns a momentai-y silence.
wallenstein.
I have understood, Tis true, the sum and import, Questenberg, Of your instructions. I have weighed them well, And formed my final, absolute resolve : x'
ar^ VTl T THE PICCOLOMINl
Yet it seems fitting, that the Generals Should hear the will of the Emperor from your mouth May't please you then to open your commission Before these noble Chieftains ?
QUESTENBERG
I am ready To obey you ; but ^^ill first entreat your Highness, And all these noble Chieftains, to consider, The Imperial dignity and sovereign right Speaks from my mouth, and not my ovrn presumption
■WALLENSTEIN.
We excuse all preface.
QUESTENBERG.
When his Majesty The Emperor to his courageous armies Presented in the person of Duke Friedland A most experienced and renown'd commandei', He did it in glad hope and confidence To gi\e thereby to the fortune of the vrar A rapid and auspicious change. The onset Was favourable to his royal v.-i3hes. Bohemia was delivered from the Saxons, The Swede's career of conquest check'd ! These lands Began to draw breath freely as Duke Friedland From all the streams of Gennany forced hither The scattered armies of the enemy ; _ Hither invoked as round on-i magic circle The Rhinegrave, Benihard, Banner, Oxenstiern, Yea, and that never-conquer'd King himself; Here finally, before the eye of Xiirnberg, The fearful game of battle to decide.
WALLENSTEIN. '
To the point, so please you.
\_ QUESrENBERG.
A new spirit At once proclaimed to us the new commander. No lonc'er strove blind rage with rage more blind ; But in°h' enlighten'd field of skill was shown How fortitude can triumph over boldness, And scientific art outweary courage.
g2
83
g^ THE PICCOLOMINI. ' l^^'"^ I'-
Tu vain tliey tempt liim to the fight, he only Entrenches' him still deeper in his hold, As if to build an everlasthig fortress. At length grown desperate, now, the kuig resolves To storm the camp and lead his wasted legions. Who daily fall by famine and by plague, To quicker deaths than hunger and disease. Through lines of barricades behind whose fence Deathlurks within a thousand mouths of fire, He yet unconquer'd strives to storm his way. There was attack, and there resistance, such As mortal eve had never seen before : llepulsed at last the lung withdrew bis troops From this so murd'rous field, and not a foot Of ground was gain'd by all that fearful slaughter.
WALLENSTEIN.
Pray spare us these recitals from gazettes, Which we ourselves beheld with deepest horror ]
QUESTEXBERG.
In Niiniberg's camp the Swedish monarch left
His fame — in Liitzen's plains his life. But who
Stood not astounded, when victorious Friedlaud
After this day of triumph, this proud day,
jNIarch'd toward Bohemia with the speed of flight,
And vanish'd from the theatre of war?
While the young Weimar hero * forced his way
Into Franconia, to the Danube, like
Some delving winter-stream, which, where it rushes.
Makes its own channel ; with such sudden speed
He marched, and now at once 'fore Ilegensliurg
Stood to the affright of all good Catholic Christians
Then did Bavaria's well-des3rving Prince
Entreat swift aidance in his extreme need ;
The Emperor sends seven horsemen to Duke FriedknuL
Seven horsemen couriers sends he with the eutrcaiy :
He superadds his own, and supplicates
Where as the sovereign lord he can command
In vain his supplication ! At this moment
The Duke hears only his old hate and grudge,
• BemharJ of Saxc-"^cimar, wlio succeeded GustoniB iu cmiuDAud.
SC. VII.] TUE nCCOLOMIM. 8^
Barters the general good to gratify Private revenge— and so falls Regensburg.
■W ALLEN STEIX.
Max., to what period of the war alludes he ? My recollection fails me here.
MAX.
He means When wo were in Silesia.
WALLESSTEIS
Ay ! is it so ! But what had we to do there ?
iUX.
To beat out The Swedes and Saxons from the province.
WALLENSTEIN
Time; In that description which the Minister gave, I seemed to have forgotten the whole --^^^^^^.^^^^
Well, but proceed a little.
QUESTENBERG.
f We hoped upon the Oder to regain
(\niat on the Danube shamefully was lost.
We looked for deeds of all-astounding grandeur
Upon a theatre of war. on which
A Frledland led in person to the field,
And the famed rival of the great Gustavus _
Had but a Thurn and Aniheim to oppose him .
Yet the encounter of their mighty hosts
Served but to feast and entertain each other.
Dur countrv groaned beneath the woes of war,
Vet nought but peace prevail'd in Fnedland s camp !
WALLEKSTEIN.
Full manv a bloody strife is fought in vahi. Because its vouthful general needs a vict ry. But 'tis the privilege of th' old commander To spare the cost of iightmg useless uaues Alerelv to show ihai lie knows how to concper. It would have little helpVl my fame to boast Of conquest o'er an Araheitn •, but far moro
SQ THE PICCOLOMIKI [ACT II.
Would my forbearance have avail'd my country, Had I succeeded to dissolve tli alliance Existing 'twixt the Saxon and the Swede
QUESTENBERG.
But you did not succeed, and so commenced
The fearful strife anew. And here at length^
]U5side the river Oder did the Duke
Assert his ancient fame Upon the fields
Of Steinau did the Swedes lay down their arms.
Subdued without a blow And here, with others,
The righteousness of Heaven to his avenger
Deliver'd that long-practised stirrer-up
Of insurrection, that curse-laden torch
And kindler of this war, Matthias Thurn
But he had fallen into magnanimous hands ;
Instead of punishment he found reward.
And with rich presents did the Duke dismiss
The arch-foe of his Emperor.
WALLENSTEIN [htur/hs).
I know, I know you had already in Vienna Your windows and your balconies forestall'd To see hi'm on the executioner's cart. I might have lost the battle, lost it too With infamy, and still retahi'd your graces — But, to have cheated them of a spectacle, Oh ! that the good folks of Vienna never, No, never can forgive me !
QUESTENBEUG
So Silesia Was freed, and all things loudly called the Duke Into Bavaria, now press'd hard on all sides. And he did put his troops in motion : slowly, Quite at his case, and by the longest road He traverses Bohemia ; but ere ever He hath once seen the enemy, faces round, Breaks up the march, and takes to winter qv.artjrs.
WAl.EEN'STEIJT.
The troops were pitiably destitute Of every necessary, every comfort.
SC.yil.] THE PICCOLOMINI. ^'
The ^vinter came. What thiuks his IMajesty
His troops are made of? Arn't ^ve men ? subjected
Like oilier men to wet, and cold, and all
The circumstances of necessity ?
O miserable lot of the poor soldier '.
Wherever he comes in, all flee before him,
And when he goes away, the general curse _
Follows him on his route. All must be seized.
Nothing is given liim. And compell d to seizo
From e°v ery man, he's every man's abhorrence.
Behold, here stand my Generals. Karafiii
Count Deodati ! Butler ! Tell this man
How long the soldier's pay is in arrears.
BUTLEE
Already a full year.
WALLENSTEIK.
And 'tis the hire That constitutes the hireling's name and duties, The soldier's i^i/ is the soldier's covenant *.
QUESTENBERG.
Ah ! this is a far other tone from that.
In which the Duke spoke eight, nine years ago
WALLENSTEIN.
Yes ! 'tis my fault, I know it : T myself Have spoilt^he Emperor by indulging him. Nine years ago, during the Danish war, I raised him up a force, a mighty force, _ Forty or fifty thousand men, that cost him Of h'is own purse no doit. Through Saxony The fury goddess of the war march 'd on, E'en to the surf-rocks of the Baltic, bearing The terrors of his name* That was a time ! In the wnolc Imperial realm no name like mmo
• The original is not translatable into English j
Und sein Sold
Muss dem SouJaien werden, darnach heisst er. It might perhaps have been thus rendered :
And that for which he sold his services, The soldier must receive — but a false or doubtful etymology is no more than a dull piin,
88 THE PICCOLOMINI [ACT II.
Honour 'd with festival and celebration-
And Albrecht Wallenstein, it was the title
Of the third jewel in his crown !
But at the Diet, when the Princes met
At llcgensburg, there, there the whole broke out.
There 'twas kid open, there it was made known.
Out of what money-bag I had paid tne host.
And what were now my thanks, what had 1 now.
That I, a fiiithful servant of the Sovereign,
Had loaded on myself the people s curses,
And let the Princes of the empire paf
The expenses of this war, that^ aggrandizes
The Emperor alone. What thanks had i !
What ? 1 was ofTer'd up to their complaints
Dismiss'd, degraded !
QUESTENBERCt.
But your Highness knowE What little freedom he possess'd of action In that disastrous diet.
W4LLENSTEIN.
Death and hell ! I had that which could have procured him freedom^ No ! since 'twas proved so inauspicious to me To serve the Emperor at the empire's cost, _ I have been taught far other trains of thinking Of the empire, and the diet of the empire. From the Emperor, doubtless, I received tnis staff. But now I hold it as the empire's general — For the common weal, the uuivprsal interest, And no more for that one man's aggrandizement ' But to the point. What is it that's dosired of mc ?
QUESTEN'BERG.
First, his Imperial Majesty hath will'd That without pretexts of delay the army Evacuate Bohemia.
WALLENSTEIN
In this season? And to what quarter wills the Emporor That wc direct our course ?
SC. VU.] THE prCCOLOill^'I.
QDESTENBERG
To the enemy ^is Majesty resolves, tliat Eegensburg Be purified from the enemy ere Easter, That Lutheranism may be no longer preach "d In that cathedral, nor heretical Defilement desecrate the celebration Of that pure festival .
VTALLENSTEIX.
'yiv generaU,
8'J
Can this be realized ?
ILLO.
'Tis not possible.
BUTLER.
It can't be realized.
QUESTENBERG
The Emperor Already hath commanded colonel Suys To advance towards Bavaria.
WALLESSTEIK
What did Suys?
QUESTENBERG
That which his duty prompted. He advanced
WAXLEXSTEIX.
What! he advanced? And I, his general. Had given him orders, peremptory orders. Not to desert his station ! Stands it thus With my authority ? Is this the obedience Due to my ofTice, which being thrown aside. Xo war can be conducted ? Chieftains, speiik . You be the judges, generals ! What desen'cs That officer who, of his oath neglectful, Is guilty of contempt of orders ?
ILLO.
Death. »Ar.T.ESSTEiN {rais'uirf his voice, as all hut illo had remained silent and seemingly scrupulous). Count Piccolomini ! what has he deserved ?
,jQ THE nCCOLOMlNL [act II.
lOAX. piccoLOMiNi {after a Jov'j pause). According to the letter of the law, Death.
TSOTANI.
Death.
BUTLER.
Death, by the laws cf war. [QuESTESBERG vises froiii his sertf, WAiXENSiEis/yJ/ctti aU the rest rise.
WALLEKSTEIN.
To this the law condemns him, and not I. And if I show him favour, 'twill ansa From the reverence that I owe my Emperor.
QUESTENBERG.
If SO, I can say nothing iaviher— here !
WALLEXSTEIN.
r acceijted the command but on conditions :
And this the first, that to the diminution
Of my authority no human being,
Not even the Emperor's self, should be entitlo-
To do aught, or to say aught, with the army
If I stand warranter of the event,
Placing my honour and my head in pledge,
Xeeds'must I have full mastery in all
The means thereto. What render'd this GuslavuB
Jlesistless, and unconquer'd upon earth?
Xhis — that he was the monarch in his army !
A monarch, one who is hideed a monarch.
Was never vet subdued but by his equal. But to the point ! Tb -. best is yet to come
Attend now, generals I
0-;estenberg.
The Prince Cardinal Begins his route at the approach of spring iM-om the ^lilancsc ; and leads a Spanish army Through Germany into the Netherlands. That he may march secure and unimpeded, 'Tis the Emperor's will you grant him a dciachment Of eight horse-regimeuts from the army here
SC. VII.1 THE PICCOLOMINl 91
WALLENSTEIN".
Yes, yes '. I understand 1— Eight regiments .' Well, Iligbt well concerted, father Lamormain ! Eight thousand horse 1 Yes, yes ! "tis as it should be ' I see it coming.
QUESTEXBEKG.
There is nothing coming. \11 stands in front : the counsel of state-prudence, The dictate of necessity !
WA.LLEN3TEI.S.
'nV hat then '? What, mv 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 draha off my forces, To lead into the empire a new army Unsubjected to my control? To throw me Plumply aside,—! am still too powerful for you To venture that. ]\Iy stipulation runs, That all the Imperial forces shall obey me Where'er the German is the native language. Of Spanish troops and of Prince fai-diuals 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 on tiptoe, and creeps round behind it ; First makes me weaker, then to be 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 nic pinches The Emperor. He would that I moved otT! — Well :— I will gratify mm !
[Here there commences an aijitalhn avion j the Oaieral<, which increases continually. It grieves me for my noble oUicerb' sokes ! I sec not yet, by what means they will cojne at The moneys thay have advanced, or how obtain llie recompense their services demand.
92 THE riccoLOMiNi. [act 11.
Still a new leader brings new claimants forward,
And prior merit superannuates quickly.
There sen-e 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 his pedigree or catechism.
This will be otherwise, i' the time to come.
Well— me no longer it concerns. [He seats liwiselj
MAX. inCCOLOMlKI.
Forbid it, Heaven, that it should come to this ! Our ti-oops will swell in dreadful fermentatioia — The Emperor is abused— it cannot be.
ISOLAXI.
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, Isou^ni, Terzky, Illo, and Maka- DAS talk confusedbj u-ith great agitation.
MAX. piccoLOJiiNi {busily and j^assionatehj going from one to another, and soothing thevi). 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! 1 hope all may yet be set right again.
TRBZKT-
Away ! let us away ! in the antechamber
Find we the otliera [2'%
BUTLER [to QUESTENBERG).
If good comisel giun Due audience from your wisdom, my Lord Envoy ? You will be cautious how you show yourself.
Q,3
SC. VII.] THE nccOLOMINI.
In DuLlic for some hours to come— or Imrdly
Win t nt cold key protect you from mal-treatment.
AVill that goia Ke) i ^^,^,„^,,^^jjo„s heard from ivUhout
'WATXE>' STEIN.
A salutary counsel Thou Octavio :
Wilt answer for the safety of our guest
Fare^Yell, Von Questenberg ! . ,
[QUESTENBERG tS al'OUt tO SpCUK
Nay, not a word. Not one word more of that detested subject ! You have perform'd your duty-We know ho^v To separate the office ii'om the man.
\As QuESTENBEKG IS goimj off with Octavio C^OETZ^ ^ TiEFENBACii, Kou^TTO, press in ; several other Generals j'oUowbuj them.
GOETZ.
Where's he who means to rob us of our general?
TiEFENBACH {at the same time,. What arc we forced to hear ? That thou mlt leave us ?
KOLATTO (at the same time). We ^vill live with thee, we will die with thee.
WALLEKSTEiN {icith stateliness, and pointing to illo). There ' the Field-Marshal knows our will. _ Lf-»«-
'[While all are going off the stage, the curtain drops
ACT III.
Scene I. A small Cliamher. Illo and Terzo.
TERZKY.
New for this Gvenhig's business ! How intend you To manage with the generals at the banquet?
IIXO.
Attend! We frame a formal declaration, Wherein we to the Duke consign ourselves Collectively, to be and to remain Sis both with life and limb, and not to spare The last drop of our blood for him, provided
04 THE PrCCOLOMINI. [aCT 111.
So doing we infringe no oath or duty
Wc may be under to the Emperor. — Mark !
This reservation wc expressly make
In a particular clause, and save the conscience.
Now bear! this formula so framed and worded
Will bo presented to them for perusal
Before the l)anquct. No one will find in it
Cause of offence or scruple. Hear now further I
After the feast, when now the vap'ring wine
Opens the heart, and shuts the eyes, wo let
A counterfeited paper, in the whieli
This one particular clause has been left out,
Go round for signatures.
TEEZKY.
How ! think you then That they'll believe themselves bound by an oath, Which we have trick'd them into by a juggle?
I LLC.
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
TF.RZKT.
Well, well, it shall content me ; let but something Be done, let only some decisive blow Set us in motion.
ILLO.
Besides, 'tis of subordinate importance How, or how far, we may thereby propel The generals. 'Tis enough that we persuade The Duke that they arc his. — Let him but act In his determined mood, as if he had them, And he xvill have them. Where he plunges in, He makes a whirlpool, and all stream down to it.
TERZKY.
His policy is such a labyrinth.
That many a lime when I have thought myself
SC. I.] THE P;CCOLOMI>iI.
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 _ Plimsclf comes forward blank and undisguised- Tall<.s with ns 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.
ILLO.
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
TERZKY.
Ay I 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, Takes place in heav'n.
I" ILLO.
0 that it might take place On earth ! The generals are full of zeal. And would with ease be led to any thing, Ptather than lose their chief. Observe, too, that We have at last a fair excuse before us. To form a close alliance 'gainst the court, Yet innocent its title, bearing simply That we support him only in command. But in the ardour of pursuit tliou know'st Men soon forget the goal from which diey started. The object I've in view is that the Pruice Shall either (ind them, or believe them ready For every hazard. Opportunity Will tempt him on. Be the great step once Uikeu, Which at Vienna's Court can ne'er be pardon'd, The force of circumstance will lead him onward The farther still and farther 'Tis the choicp
95
96 THE piccoioMiM. [act lit.
That makes him imdecisivc ; — come but need And all his powers and wisdom will come witt it.
TERZKT.
Tis this alone the enemy awaj^;s
To change their chief and join their force \nth ours. "]
ILLO.
Come ! be we bold and make despatch. 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 —
]\lark what I say — the right stars, too, will show diomselves.
Come to the generals. All is in the glow,
And must be beaten while 'tis malleable.
TERZKY.
Do you go thither, Illo. I must stay And wait here for the Countess Terzky. Know That wc. too, are not idle. Break one string, A second is in readiness
ILLO.
Yes ! yes ! 1 saw your lady smile with such sly meaning. What's in the wind?
TERZKT.
A secret. Hush ! she comes.
[Exit Illo
Scene II.
{The Countess steps out from a Closet.
CoDNT and Countess Terzky.
TERZKY.
Well — is she coming ? I can keep him back No longer.
COUNTESS.
Slie will be here instiintly, Yo^ only send him.
TERZKY.
1 am not quite certaiu 1 must confess it, Countess, whether or not We are earning the Duke's thanks hereby. You kaj\v> No ray has broke out from him on this point. You have o'eniiled mc, and yourself know best Ilow far you dare proceed.
SC. II.]
TEE PICCOI.OMINl
97
COUNTESS.
I take it on me. [Talking to herself ichile 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 *, whom no one knows — No ! no 1 — 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 delivered up to my finessing
Well— thou shaltjiot have been deceived, Duke Friedland^
In her who is thy sister.
SERVANT- (e?it^rs).
The Commanders! [Exit.
TEEZKY (to the countess). Take care you heat his fancy and affections — 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.
TEKZKY.
All rests upon his undersigning
COUNTESS [interrupting him).
Go to your guests ! Go
ILLO {comes back).
Where art staying, Terzky ? The house is full, and all expecting you.
TEUZKY
Instantly! instantly! [To </ie Countess.
And let liim not Stay here too long. It might awaive suspicion In the old man
* In Germany, after honounible addresses have been paid and formally accepted, the lovers are called Bride and Bridegroom, even tlicugh the uiar- ria/e should not take place till years after tt'ai-ds.
H
98
THE PICCOLOMINI. [ACT III.
COUNTESS
A truce with your precautions 1
[Exeunt Teuzky and Ili.o.
Scene III. Countess, Max. PiCGDLO;r.Ni. MAX ipeepbifj in on the stage d'dy). Aunt Terzlvy ! may I venture?
[Advances to the middle of the stage, and looks arouni him ivith uneasiness.
She's not hero !
Where '.s she ?
COUNTESS.
Look but somewhat narrowly In yonder ccnier, lest perhaps she lie Conceal'd beh'.nd that screen.
MAX.
There He her gloves ! [Snatches at them, hut the Countess takes them herself. You unkhid Lady ! You refuse me this— You make it an amusement to torment me.
countess. And this the thanks yoa 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, tliese are not my habits !
countess.
You have still Manv 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 ?
SC, III.] THE PICCOLOMINI.
COUXTF.SS
Into 7nji hands jou must place it Whole and entire. Whom could yoa find, indeed. More zealously affected to your interest'^ No soul on earth must know it — not your father He must not, above all.
MxVX.
Alas ! what dar.gev '' Here is no face on which I might concentre All the enraptured soul stirs up within me.
0 Lady ! tell me, is all changed around me ? Or is it only I ?
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 "\\n'ien even, methought, with such a world as this.
1 was not discontented. Now how flat !
How stale ! No life, no bloom, no flavour in it?
Mv comrades are intolerable to me.
My iiither — Even to him I can say nothing.
My arms, my military duties — 0 !
They are such weai'ving toys I
COUNTESS.
But. gentle friend ! I must entreat it of your condescensiou. You would be pleased to sink your eye, and favour Vvith one short glance or two this poor stale world. Where even now much, and of much moment, Is on the eve of its completioii.
■MiVX.
Something, C 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 riulleiy. The turmoil of tlie camp, The spring-tide of acquaintance rolling in, The nointlcss jest, the empty conversation,
u 2
99
100 THE nCCOLOMINI. [aCT lit.
Oppress'^ and stifled me. I gasp'd for air—
I could !iot breathe— I was constniin'd to liy,
To seek a silence out for my full heart ;
And a pure spot wherein to feel my happiness
Ko smilmg, Countess! In the church was I.
There is a cloister here " To the heaven's gite,"*
Thither I went, there found myself alone.
Over the altar hung a holy mother ;
A wretched painting 'twas, yet 'twas the friend
That T 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 ! 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.
But where abides she then ? Oh golden time Of travel, when each morning sun united And but the coming night divided us ; Then ran no sand, then struck no hour for us, And Time, in our excess of happiness. Seemed on its course eternal to stand still. Oh, he hath fallen from out his heaven of bliss Who can descend to count the changing hours, No clock strikes ever for the happy !]
COUN'TESS.
How long is it since you declared your passion ?
MAX.
This morning did I hazard the first word.
COUNTESS.
This morning the firsf, time in twenty days ?
• I am doubtful whether this be the dedication of the cloister, or the name of one of the citv gates, near which it stood. I have translated it in the former sense ; but fearful of having made some blundei^ I add the ongioal.— Ss ist ein Kloster hicr zur UimmdspforU.
9C. III.]
THE PICCOLOMt!!!.
101
MIX.
Twas at that hunting-castle, betwixt here
And Neporauck, where you had join'd us, and—
That was the last relay of the whole journey ;
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 — ^hca\y
Tlie 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,
AVill see yourself surrounded by new friends.
And I henceforth shall be but as a stranger,
Lost in the many — " Speak with my aunt Terzky!"
With hurrying voice she interrupted me.
She faher'd. I beheld a glowing red
Possess her beautiful cheeks, and from the ground
Eaised slowly up her eye met mine — no longer
Did I control myself.
[The Princess Thekla appears at the door, and re* mains standing, observed hi/ the Countess, i»Miof hy
PiCCOLOMINI.
With instant boldness I caught her in my arms, my lips touch'd hers ; There was a nistUng in the room close by ; It parted us — "Twas you. What since has happer'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?
COUNTESS.
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 vrith purprise —
Mi\x. {with eagerness). Well?
102 THE PICCOLOMIXI. [-^CT III.
Scene IV. T:ny.Ki.AiJinrrlcsforivard), Countess, Max. Piccolomini.
TiiEKLA {to the countess).
Spare yourself the trouble : That hears he Letter from myself.
-aXK.. [stcpinng haclavard).
]\Iy rrinccss ! What have you let her hear me say, aunt TcrzUy ?
THEKLA {to the countess).
Has lie been here long ?
COUNTESS.
Yes ; ar.d soon 'vU3t go. Where have you stay'd so long?
THEKLA.
Alas ! my molhor Wept so agam ! and I — I see her suffer, Yet cannot keep myself from bemg happy.
MAX.
Now once again T 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.
THEKLA.
Then you saw nic With your eye only— and not with your heart?
MAX.
This moniing, when I found you in the circle
Of all your kindred, in your father's arms,
Beheld myself an alien in this circle,
0 ! what an impulse felt I in that moment
To fall upon his neck, to call \\m\ father I
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 enwrcathed your brows.
They scared me too ! 0 wherefore, wherefore sheukl he
At the first meeting spread as 'twere the ban
Of excommunication round you,— wherefore
Dress up the angel as for sacrifice.
g(, j^-_ THE PICCOLOMIXI. ^^^
And cast upon the light and joyous heart The mouniful burthen of Jus station? Fitly May love dare woo for love ; but such a splendour Might none but monarchs venture to approaclu
THEKLA
Hush ! not a word more of this munimeiy ; You see how soon the burthen is thro-vMi off.
[To the Countess.
He is not in spirits. "Wherefore is he not?
'Tis you, aunt, that have made him all so gloomy !
He had quite another nature on the journey —
So calm, so bright, so joyous eloquent. L^'^ ^^-^
It was my wish to see you always so,
And never otherwise !
MAX.
You find yourself In your great father's arras, beloved lady ! AU in a new world, which does homage to yoa, And which, were't only by its novelty Delights your eye.
TTTFKTA.
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 mo. It makes a dream of my reality. Upon some island in the ethereal heights I've lived for these last days. This inass of men Forces me down to earth. It is a bridge That, reconducting to my former life, Divides me and my heaven.
THEKL\.
The game of life Looks cheerful, when one carries in one's heart
10-4 THE I'lCCOLOMINI. [ACT III.
1 he unalienable treasure. 'Tis a game, Which having once rcvicw'd, I turn more joyous Back to my deeper and appropriate bliss.
[Breaking off, and in a sportive tone. 1" this short time that I've been present here. AYhat new unheard-of things have I not seen i 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 comers of this house.
TiiEKLA {smiling). Ay, but the road thereto is watch'd by spirits, Two gi'iffins still stand sentry at the door.
COUNTESS ilaiujhs). The astrological tower !— How happens it That this same sanctuary, ■whose access Is to all others so impracticable, Opens before you even at your approach?
TIIEKLA.
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.
M.vx. That is the Duke's astrologer, old Seni.
THEKLA.
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.
TlIEKl.A
My hand too he examined, sliook his head
With much sad meaning, and the lines, methought,
Did not square o\er truly with his wishp^
gC. V.J THE riccoLonM. 105
COUNTESS.
Well, Princess, and ^\-liat found you in this tower? My highest privilege has been to snatch A side-glance, and away !
THEKLA.
It was a strange Sen&ation that came o'er me, when at first From the broad sunshine I stepp'd in; and now The narrowing line of daylight, that ran after The closing door, was gone ; and all about me 'Twas pale and dusky night, with many shadows Fantastically cast. Here si.x: 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 Ai-e 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 Mai-s ; 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. Oh that was Veims, the bright star of joy. And the left hand, lo ! Mercury, vdxh 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 1 saw the Sun and Moon.
MAX
0 never rudely will I blame his faith
In the might of stars and angels. 'Tis not merely
The human being's Pride that peoples space
With life and mystical predominance ;
Since likewise for the stricken heart of Love
lids visible nature, and this common world,
lOG
THE PICCOLOMIKI. t^^'T HI.
Is all too narrow ; yea. a deeper import
Lurks in the legend told my infant years
Than lies upon that truth, \vc ine to Icarr.
For fable is Love's world, his home, his birth-place ;
Delightedly dwells he 'mong fays and talismans,
And'spirits ; and delightedly believes
Divinities, behig himself divnu;
The intelligible forms of ancient poets,
The fair humanities of old religion.
The Power, the Beauty, and the jMajesty,
That had her haunts in dale, or piny inountam,
Or forest by slow stream, or pebbly spring, _
Or chasms, and wat'ry depths ; all these have viinishd.
Thev 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.
Snirits 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
Tis Jupiter who brings whate er is great, _ ^
And Venus who brings everythhig that s fair .
THEKLA
And if this be the science of the stars,
I too, with glad and zealous industry.
Will learn acquaintance with this clieeriul laitb.
It is a gentle and affectionate thought,
That iirimmeasurable heights above us,
At our first birth, the wreath of love was woveu,
With sparkling stars for flowers.
COUNTESS
Xot 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, rho sullen orb of Mars soon tears to pieces.
• No more of talk, where RoJ or ancrcl giiest With nwn. as with his friend familiar, used To sit indulgent. ParachseLost.Ti. IX.
107
gC y.] TEE nCCOLOMIM. • ■^"'
MAX.
Soon will his gloomv 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 ! l^nougti Has 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 ; Reichcnberg, And Friedland Castle, both lie pleasantly- Even tx) the foot of the huge mountams here Stretches the chase a^id covers of his forests : His ruling passion, to create the splendid, He can indulge without restraint ; can give A princelv 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 lav aside your arms, young friend . \ aentle bride, as she is, is well worth it. That vou should woo and win her with the sword.
MAX.
0, that the sword could win her !
COUNTESS.
What was that? Did you hear notliiug? Seem'd as if 1 heard Tumult and larum in the banquet-room.
\h,Xit (.yOUNTES
Scene V. Theki^ and Max. Piccolomini THEKLA (as soon as the Countess is out of s'vjht, in a quick hic
voice to PICCOLOMINT.
Don't trust them ! They are false !
MAX
Impossible !
TIIEKLA
Trust no one here but me. I saw at ouce. They had a^JM/^'Ose.
108 THE fICCOLOMINl [ACT Itl.
MAX.
Piu'pose ! but what purpose ? And how can we be instrumental to it ?
THEKLA.
I know no more than you ; but yet believe me : There's some design in this ! to make us hapoy. To realize our union — ti-ust me, love ! They but pretend to A\'ish it.
M.VX.
But these Tcrzkys— Why use we tliem at all ? Why not your mother? Excellent creature ! she deserves from us A full and filial confidence.
THEKIA.
She doth love you, Doth rate you high before all others — but — But such a secret — she would never have The courage to conceal it from my father. For her own peace of mind we must preserve it A secret from her too.
MAX.
Why any secret ? 1 love not secrets. Mark what I will do. I'll throw me at your father's feet — let him Decide upon my fortunes ! He is true, He wears no mask— he hates all crooked ways-— Ho is so good, so noble !
THEKLA {falls on Jiis "iieck). That are you !
MAX.
You knew him only since this morn ! but I Have lived ten years already in his presence. A.nd who knows whether in this very moment He is not merely waiting for us both To own our loves, in order to unite us ? You are silent ! —
You look at me ^\"ith such a hopelessness ! What have you to object against your father?
THEKLA.
I? Nothing. Only he's so occupied — He has no leisure time to think about
SC. VI. J THE PlCCOLOMINI. 109
The happiness of us two [Taking his hand tenderly
Follow me ! Let us not place too great a faith in men. These Tevzkys— we will still be grateful to them For every kindness, but not trust them further Than they deserve;— and in all else rely — Onj)ur o\\ti hearts !
MAX.
O ! shall we eer be happy ?
THEKLA.
Are we not happy now ? Art thou not mine ?
Am I not thine ? There lives within my soul
A lofty courage — 'tis love gives it me !
I ought to be less open— ought to hide
My heart more from thee — so decorum dictates :
But where in this place couldst thou seek for truth
If in my mouth thou didst not find it?
rWe no'w have met, then let us hold each other
Clasp'd in a lasting and a firm embrace.
Believe me this was more than their intent.
Then be om- loves like some blest relic kept
Within the deep recesses of the heart.
From Heav'n alone the love has been bestow'd.
To Heav'n alone our gratitude is due
It can work wonders for us still.]
^ScE^■E VI.
To them enters the Countess Terzkt.
C0UNTES8 {in a jiressing manner).
Come, ccnie I My husband sends me for you. — It is now The latest moment.
[They not appearing to attend to ichat she says., she sfq between tJicm.
Part you !
THEKLA.
0, not yet I It has been scarce a moment.
1^0 THE PICCOI.OMINI. {.^^'^ ^"»
COUNTESS.
Ay! Then tiroo Flies swiftly ^N-itli your Highness, Princess niece!
MAX
There is no hurry, aunt
COUNTESS
A-way! away! The folks begin to miss you. Twice already His father has ask'd for him.
TIIEKLA.
Ha ! his father ,'
COUNTESS.
You understand that, niece !
THEKLA.
Wiy needs he To go at all to that society? 'Tis not his proper company They may Be worthy men, but he's too young for them In brief, he suits not such society.
COUNTESS.
You mean, you'd rather keep him wholly here?
THEKLA {icith energy). Yes ' you have hit it, aunt ! That is my meaning. Leave him here wholly ! Tell the company
COUNTESS.
What! have you lost your senses, niece? Count, you remember the conditions. Come !
MAX. {to thekla). Lady, I must obey. Farewell, dear lady!
[Thekla turm away from him icith a quick motion What say'you then, dear lady?
THEKLA {icithout loolihuj at him).
Nothing. Go ;
MAX.
Can I, when you are angry •, ., ,
^He draws up to her, their eyes meet, she stands sUeJit "" a vioment, then throws herself into his arms; he presses her fast to his heart
9C. VII.] THE PICCOLOMINI. Ill
COUNTESS
OftM Heavens ! if any one should come !
Hoi-k ! ^^^lat's that noise ! It comes this way. — Ofif !
[Max. tears himself away out of her arms, and (joes The Countess accompanies him. Tiiekl.4. /o/Zoics him with her eyes at first, walks resucssly across the room, then stojjs, and remains standing, lost in thought. A guitar lies on the table, she seizes it as by a sudden emotion, and after she has played awhile an irregular and melancholy symphony, she falls gradually into the music and sings
Scene VII. THEKLA {plays and sings). The cloud doth gather, the greenwood roar, The damsel paces along the shore ; The billows, they tumble with might, with might ; And she (lings out her voice to the darksome night;
Her bosom is swelling with sorrow ; The world it is empty, the heart wLU die. There's nothing to wish for beneath the sky: Thou Holy One, call thy child away'. I've lived and loved, and that was to-day ;
Make ready my grave-clothes to-morrow*
• I found it not in my power to translate this soni: with iikral fidelitv, preserviiis r.t the same time the Alcaic movement, and have therefore added the original, v.-ith a prose tninslation. Some of my readers may be more for- tunate.
THr.Ki.A {spidlt und singt). Der EichwaUl brauset, die Wolken ziehn. Das JMiigdlein wandelt an Ufers GriJn; Es briclit sicli die Welle mit Macht, mit Mach Und sic siniit hinniis in die iinstre Xacht,
Das Auge Ton Wcinen getriibet : Das Herz is gostorben, die Welt ist leer, Und weiter giebt sie dem Wunsche nichts mehr. Du Heilige, nife dein Kind zuriick, Ich habe genossen das irdische Gluck, Ich habe gelebt und geliebet.
LITERAL TKAXSLATION.
niKRLA iplai/s and sinjs). Tlio oak -forest bellows, the clouds gather, the damsel walks to and fro 01 tiie green of the shore; the wave breaks with might, witii might, and she
;112 THF. riCOOLOMINI. [ACT Ul.
SCKN'E VIIL
Countess {returns), Thekla.
COUNTESS.
Fie, lad}' niece ! to throw yourself upon him Like a poor gift to one who cares not for it, And so must be tlung after him ! For you, Duke Friedland's only child, I sh.ould have thought. It had been more beseeming to have shown yourself 2iIorc chary of your person.
TiiEKLA {rising).
And \Yhat mean yon ?
COUXTESS.
1 mean, niece, that you should not have forgotten ■\Vho you are, and Adio he is. But perchance That never once occurrVl to you.
THEKLA.
Wliat then ?
COUNTESS.
That you're daughter of the Prince Duke Friedland.
THEKLA.
Well and what farther?
COUNTESS.
What ? a pretty question !
BinRS out into tlie d.irk night, her eye discoloured with weeping : the heart •8 dead the world is empty, and further gives it nothing more to the wish. Thou Holy One, call thy child home. I have enjoyed the happiness of this world, I have lived and have loved.
I cannot but add here an imitation of this song, with which my friend, Charles Lamb, has favoured me, and which appears to me to have caught tlie happiest manner of our old ballads.
The clouds are blackening, the storms threat'ning. The cavern doth mutter, the greenwood moan! Billows are breaking, the damsel's heart aching, Thus in the dark night she singeth alone. Her eye upward roving : The world is empty, the heart is dead sarely,
In this world plainly all seemeth amiss; To thy heaven, Holy One, take home thy little one, 1 have partaken of all earth's bliss, Uotb living and loving.
SC. VIU.] THE PICCOT-OMISl. 113
THEKLA.
He was bom that which we have but hecomt. He's of an ancient Lombard family, Sou of a reigning princess.
COUXTESS
Are you dreaming? Talking in sleep ? An excellent jest, forsooth ! We shall no doubt right courteously entreat him To honour ^^•ith his hand the richest heiress In Europe.
THEKLA.
That will not be uecessaiy.
COUNTESS.
Methinks 'twere well, though, not \o ruu the hazaid
THEKLA.
His father loves him ; Count Octavio Will interpose no difficulty
COUXTESS.
His ! His father ! His! But yours, niece, what of yours?
THEKLA.
Why I begin to think you fear his father. So anxiously you hide it from the man I His father, his, I mean.
COUNTESS {looks at her as scrutinising). Kiece, you axe false.
THEKLA.
Are you then wounded ? 0, be friends with me !
COUNTESS.
You hold your game for won already. Do not Triumph too soon !
THEKLA [interriq'tinrj her, and attonptimj to soothe htr). Nay now, be friends with me.
COUNTESS.
It is not yet so far gone.
THEKlJi..
I believe you.
COUNTESS.
Did you suppose your father had laid out His most important life in toils 'A war,
I
114 THE PIOCOI.OMINI. [act JJ3
Deoied himself each quiet earthly bliss,
Hail banish'd slumber from his tent, devoted
His noble head to care, and for this only,
To make a happier pair of you ? At length
To draw you from your convent, and conduct
In easv triumph to your arms the man
That chanced to please your eyes! All this, raetliiuks,
He might have purchased at a chenper rale
THEKT^V.
That which he did not plant for me might yet Bear me fair fruitage of its own accord. And if my friendly and affectionate fate. Out of his fearful and enormous being. Will but prepare the joys of life for me —
COUNTESS.
Thou sccst it with a lovelorn maiden's eyes
Cast thine eye round, bethink tlicc who thou all
Into no house of joyance hast thou stepp'd,
For no espousals dost thou find the walls
Deck'd out, no guests the nuptial garland wearing
Here is no splendour but of arms. Or thiuk'st thou
That all tliese thousands are here congregated
To lead up the long dances at thy wedding!
Thou seest thy father's forehead fiill of thought.
Thy mother's eye in tears : upon the balance
Lies the great destiny of all our house.
Leave now the puny wish, the girlish feeling.
0 thrust it far behind thee ! Give thou proof,
Thou'rt the daughter of the Mighty — his
Who where he moves creates the wonderful
Not to herself the woman must belong,
Aimcx'd and bound to alien destinies.
But she performs the best part, she the wisest
Who can transmute the alien into self.
Meet and disarm necessity by choice ;
And what must be, take freely to her heart,
And bear and foster it with mother's love.
THEKLA.
Such ever was my lesson in the convent. T had no loves, no wislies, knew myself
SC. VIIT J THE PICCOIOillNI.
115
Only as his— his (laughter— his, the Mighty ! His fame, the echo of whose blast drove to nxQ From the far distance, waken'd in my soul No other thought than this— I am appointed To offer myself up in passiveness to him.
COUNTESS.
That is thy fate. Mould thou thy wishes to it. .>-'■'
J and thy mother gave thee the example.
TREKLA.
My fate hath shown me him, to whom hehoves it That I should offer up myself. In gladness Him will I follow.
COUNTESS.
Not thy fate hath shown him * Thy heart, say rather- -'twas thy heart, my child !
THEKLA.
Fate hath no voice but the heart's impulses. I am all his ! His present — his alone. Is this new life, which lives in me ? He hath A right to his ovm creature. What was I Ere his fair love infused a soul into me?
COUNTESS.
Thou wouldst oppose thy father then, should he Have otherwise determined with thy person?
[Thekla remains silent. The Countess continues, Thou mean'st to force him to thy liking ?— Child, His name is Friedland.
THEKLA.
My name too is Friedland He shall have found a genuine daughter in me.
COUNTESS.
What! he has vanquish'd all impediment. And in the wilful mood of his own daughter Shall a new struggle rise for him ? Child! child ! As yet thou hast seen thy father's smiles alone ; The eye of his rage thou hast not seen. Dear elxili T will not frighten thee. To that extreme, 1 trust, it ne'er shall come. His will is yet "Unknown to me : 'tis possible his aims Ma-^ have the same direction as thy wish.
i2
110 THK PICCOLOMIMI [A'^T "^
But this can never, never be his wilJ, That thou, the daughter of his haughty fortmies, Shouldst e'er demean thee as a love-sick maiden ■ Aud like some poor cost-nothing, fling thyself Toward the man, who, if that high prize ever Be destined tn awmt him, yet, with sacrifices The highest love can bring, must pay for it.
[Exit Countess.
Scene IX. THEKLA {who duriufj the last speech had been standing evi- dently lost in her reflections). I thank thee for the hint. It turns My sad presentiment to certainty. And it is so !— Kot one friend have we here, Not one true heart! we've nothing but ourselves!
0 she said rightly — no auspicious signs Beam on this covenant of our affections. This is no theatre, where hope abides : The dull thick noise of war alone stirs here ; And Love himself, as he were arm'd in steel, Steps forth, and girds him for the strife of death.
{Music from the banquet-room is heard. There's a dark spirit walldng in our house, And swiftly will the Destiny close on us. It drove me hither from my calm asylum. It mocks my soul with charming witcheiy, It lures me forward in a seraph's shape,
1 see it near, I see it nearer floating,
It draws, it pulls me with a god-like power — And lo ! the abyss— and thither am 1 moving — I have no power within me not to move !
[The music from tlie banquet-room becomes louder O when a house is doom'd in fire to perisu. Many and dark Heaven diives his clouds together. Yea,"' shoots his lightnings down from sunny heights, Flames burst from out the subterraneous chasms,
* And fiends and angels, mingling in their fuiy,
Sling fire-brands at the bummg edifice. [Exit Thekla
• There are f«w wbo will not have taste enough to laugh at the two con-
117 ACT tV., SC. I.J THE PICCOLOmSl ^^'
ACT IV. Scene I. A larqe Saloon lighted vp ivith festal Splendour; in the midst of iV, and in the centre of the Stage, a Table richly set out, at u-hich eight Generals are sitting, among ichom arc Octavio PiccoLOMiNi, Teezkt, and Mae.ujas. Bight and left of this, hut farther hack, tuo other Tables, at each of xchich sio! jjersons are placed. The Middle Door, which is standing open, gives to the prospect a fourth Table tiith the same num- ber of persons. More foru-ard stands the sideboard. The whole front of the Stage is hept open for the Pages and Servants in tvaiting. All is in motion. The Band of Music belonging to Ter'zkt's Begiment march across the Stage, and draic up round the Tables. Before they are quite off from the front of the Stage, ]\L\x. Piccolomini appears, Teezkt advances towards him. with a paper, Isolani comes up to meet him xcith a Beaker or Service-cup.
Teezkt, Isolani, Max. Piccolomiki.
ISOLAN'I.
Here, brother, what we love ! Vfhj, where hast been ? Off to thy place— quick! Terzkv here has given The mother's holiday wine up to free booty. Here it goes on as at the Heidelberg castle. Already hast thou lost the best. They re giving At yonder table ducal crowns in shares ; There's Sternberg's lands and chattels are put up, With Eggenberg's, Stawata's, Lichtenstein's, And all the great Bohemian feodalities. I^e nimble, lad 1 and something may turn up For thee— who knows? off— to thy 'place ! quick ! march ! TTEFENBACH and GOETZ {call out from the second and third tables). Count Piccolomini !
TERZKT.
Stop, ye shall have him in an inst;int. — Read
chiding lines of this soliloquy ; and still fswer, I would fain hope, who woul not have been more disposed to shudder, had I given a faithful translation. For the readers of German I have added the original :
Blind-w'iithend schleudert selbst der Gott der Freud3
Den Techkrarz in das brennendc Gebaude.
118 THF, rlCCOLOMINT. L^CT IV,
This oatli here, whether as 'tis here set forth,
The wording satisfies you. They've all read it,
Each in his" turn, and each one will subscribe
His individual signature. :
MAX [reads). • . ,
" Tngratis servirc nciVis." j
ISOLANI.
That sounds to my ears very much like Latin, And being inrcrpreted, nray what may't mean?
TEEZKY.
No honest man will serve a thankless master
MAX.
" Inasmuch as our supreme Commander, the illustrious Duke of Fricdland, in consequence of the manifold affronts and grievances which he has received, had expressed his determination to quit the Emperor, but on our unanimous eii treaty has graciously consented to remain still with the army, and not to part from us without our approbation thereof, so we, collectively and each in particular, in the stead of an oath personally taken, do hereby oblige our- selves— likewise by him honoui-ably and faithfully to hold^ and in nowise whatsoever from him to part, and to be ready to shed for his interests the last drop of our blood, so far, namely, as our oath to the Emperor kUI permit it. {These last words are repeated hij Isolani.) In testimony of whicll we subscribe our names."
i:ekzky. Now! — arc you willing to subscribo this paper?
ISOI.ANr.
Why should he not? All officers of honour Can do it, oy, must do it — Pen and ink here !
I'EF.ZKt.
Nay, let it rest till after meal.
ISOLANI (draidntj Max. along).
Come, Max. {Both seat themselves at their table.
119
gQ j^^^j THH PICCOLOSriNl.
Scene II.
Teezkt, Nex;:ja>n'.
XKKZKY {beckons to NEUMANN, n7.o is icaiting at thcsidcudn,
and steps forward xcith him to the edge ojthe stage).
Have you the copy ^ith you. Neumann? (jive it
It may be changed for the other?
NEUilANN.
I have copied it Letter by letter, line hy line ; no eye Would e'er discover other difference, Save only the omission of that clause, According to your Excellency"s order.
TERZKY.
Ei"ht! lay it yonder, and away with this— It has performed its business-to the fire uitli n— ^ [Neumann lags the copg on the table, and stcp^ bac<t " again to the side-table.
Scene III. Illo {comes out from, the second Chamber], Terzki.
I LLC.
How goes it with young Piccolomini !
TERZKY.
All right, I think He has started no objectiou
ILLO.
He is the only one I fear about —
He and his father. Have an eye on both !
TERZKY.
How looks it at your table : you forget not To keep them warm and stirring ?
tLLO
0, quite cordia.'. They arc quite cordial in the scheme. ^Ye have thom And 'tis as I predicted too. Already It is the talk, not merely to maintain The Duke in station. " Since we're once for all Together and unanimous, why not," Says Montecuculi, "ay, wby noi onward. And make conditions with the Emperor
120 TnE nccoLOMim. L^ct iv.
Tliere in his o^vn Vienna?" Trust me, Count, Were it not for these said Piccolomini, AVe might have spared cm-selves the cheat.
TEUZKY.
And Butler?
How goes it there ? Hush !
Scene IV To them enter CuxLER/rom the second table.
BUTLER.
Don't disturb yourselves. Fiekl-Murslial, I have understood you perfectly. Good luck be to the scheme ; and as to me,
[With an air of mystery You may depend upon me.
ILLO [ivith vivacity).
May \ve, Butle: ?
BUTLER
Witli or without the clause, all one to me !
You understand me ? My fidelity
Tlie Duke may put to any proof — I'm with him !
Tell him so ! I'm the Emperor's officer,
As long as 'tis his pleasure to remain
The Emperor's general ! and Friedland's servant,
As soon as it shall please him to become
His own lord
TERZKY.
Y'ou would make a good exchange No stern economist, no Ferdinand, Is he to whom you plight your services.
BUTLER {with a haughty look). I do not put up my fidelity To sale, Count Terzky ! Half a year ago I would not have advised you to have made me An overture to that, to which I now OtFer myself of my own frno accord. — But that is past ! and to the Duke, Field Marshal, 1 bring myself together with my regiment. And mark you, 'tis my humour to believe. The example which I give will not remata "Without an influence.
^^ II I THE PICCOLOMINI
121
IT.LO.
Wlio is ignorant, That the whole army look to Colonel Butler, As to a light that moves before them ?
BUTLER.
Ey?
Tlien I repent me not of that fidelity Which for the length of forty years I held. If in my sixtieth year my good old name Can purchase for me a revenge so full Start not at what I say, sir Generals ! My real motives— they concern not you. And you yourselves, 1 trust, could not expect That this your game had crook'd vuj judgment-or That fickleness, quick blood, or such hke cause. Has driven the old man from the track of honour Which he so long had trodden. Come, my friends ! I'm not thereto determined ^vith less tirmness, Because 1 know and have looked steadily At that on which I have determined.
I LLC.
Say, And speak roundly, what are we to deem you?
BUTLER.
A friend ' I give you here my hand ! I'm yours
With all I have. Not only men, but money
Will the Duke want. — Go, tell him, sirs ! _
I've eam'd and laid up somewhat in his service,
I lend it him ; and is he my survivor,
It has been already long ago bequeathed him-
lie is my heir. For me, I stand alone
Here in the world ; nought knew I of the feeling
That binds the husband to a wife and children.
Tkly name dies with me, my existence ends.
irxo. Tis not your money that he needs— a heart Like yours weighs tons of gold down, weighs down millions !
BUTLER.
I came a simple soldier's boy from Ireland
To Prar^ue- and with a master, whom I buned.
122 "niK piccoLOMiNi. [act iv.
From lowest stable duty I climb VI up, Such was the fate of war, to this high rank. The plaything of a whimsical good fortune. And Walleustein too is a child of luck ; I love a fortune that is like my own.
I LLC.
All powcrfid souls liave kindred with civ:h other.
BUTLER.
This is an awful moment ! to the brave To the determined, an auspicious moment. The Prince of Weimar arms, upon the Maine, To found a mighty dukedom He of Halberstad*., That Mansfeldt, wanted but a longer life To have mark'd out with his good sword a lordship That should reward his courage. Wlio of these Equals our Friedland ? There is nothing, nothn.g So high, but he may set the ladder to it!
TERZKY
That's spoken like a man 1
BUTLER
Do you secure the Spaniard and Italian — I'll be your warrant for the Scotchman Lesly. Come, to the company I
TERZKY.
Where is the master of the cellar? Ho !
Let the best wines come up. Ho ! cheerly, boy !
Luck comes to-day, so give her hearty welcome.
[Exmiit, each to his LthU.
SctxE V.
The Master of the Cef.lar, advancing tvith Neumann,
Servants j^rtsstHT/ backwards and forwards.
MASTER OF THE CELLAR.
The best wine ! 0, if my old mistress, his lady mother, could but see these wild goings on, she would turn herseif round in her grave. Yes, yes, sir officer ! 'tis all down the liill with this noble house ! no end. no moderation ! And this marriage with the Dukes sistei a splendid connexion, a very splendid connexion! but I will tell you, sir officer, it looks no good.
SC. v.] THE PICCOLOMINI. 123
NEUMANN'.
Heaven forbid! Wliy, at this very moment the whrlc prospect is in hud and blossom !
HU.STER OF THE CELLAR.
You think so ? — Well, well ! much may be said on that head
FIRST SERVANT {comes).
Burgundy for the fourth table.
MASTER OK THE CELLAR.
Now, sir lieutenant, if this an"t the seventieth flask —
FIRST SERVANT.
Whv, the reason is, that German lord, Tiefenbach, sits at that table.
MASTER OF THE CELL.VR {coiitiuuinrj his iliscoursc to
NEUMANN).
They are soaring too high. They would rival kings and electors in their pomp and splendour ; and wherever the Duke leaps, not a minute does my gracious master, the Count, loiter on the brink— (fo the Servants).— What do you stand tliero listening for? I will let you know you have legs presently Oir ! see to the tables, see to the flasks 1 Look there ! Count Palfi has an empty glass before him ! RUNNER [comes).
The great service-cup is wanted, sir ; that rich gold cup with the'^Bohemian arms on it. The Count says you know which it is
MASTER OF THE CELLAR.
Ay ! that was made for Frederick's coronation by the art- ist William— there was not such another prize in the whole booty at Prague.
RUNNER.
The same 1 — a health is to go round in him MASTER OF THE CELLAR {shaking his head while hefetcJies
and rinses the cups). This will be something for the tale-bearers— this goes to V'ienna.
NEUMANN.
Permit me to look at it —Well, this is a cup indeed 1 How heavy ! as well it may be, being all gold. — And what neat thiu'Ts are embossed on it! how natural and elegant they look''!— There, on the first quarter, let me see. That proud
124 THE nccoLOMiNi. [act IV.
Amazon tlicre on horseback, she that is taking a leap over the crosier and mitres, and carries on a wand a hat together with a banner, on which there's a goblet represented. Can you tell me what all this signifies ?
MASTER OF THE CELLAR.
The woman you see there on horseback, is the Free Elec- tion of the Bohemian Crown. That is signified by the round hat, and by that fiery steed on which she is riding. The hat is the pride of man; for he who cannot keep his hat on before kings and emperors is no free man.
NEUMANN.
But what is the cup there on the banner ^
MASTER OF THE CELIAR.
The cup