PREFACE OF THE TRANSLATOR.

It was my intention to have prefixed a Life of Wallenstein to this translation; but I found that it must either have occupied a space wholly disproportionate to the nature of the publication, or have been merely a meagre catalogue of event's narrated not more fully than they already are in the Play itself. The recent translation, likewise, of Schiller's "History of the Thirty Years' War" diminished the motives thereto. In the translation I endeavoured to render my Author literally wherever I was not prevented by absolute differences of idiom; but I am conscious, that in two or three short passages I have been guilty of dilating the original; and, from anxiety to give the full meaning, have weakened the force. In the metre I have availed myself of no other liberties than those which Schiller had permitted to himself, except the occasional breaking-up of the line by the substitution of a trochee for an iambic; of which liberty, so frequent in our tragedies, I find no instance in these dramas.

S. T. COLERIDGE.

DRAMATIS PERSONÆ.

Wallenstein, Duke of Friedland, Generalissimo of the Imperial Forces in the thirty years war.

Octavio Piccolomini, Lieutenant General.

Max. Piccolomini, his Son, Colonel of a Regiment of Cuirassiers. Count Tertsky, the Commander of several regiments, and Brother in-law of Wallenstein.

Illo, Field Marshal, Wallenstein's Confidant.

Isolani, General of the Croats.

Butler, an Irishman, Commander of a Regiment of Dragoons.
Tiefenbach,

Don Maradas,

Goetz,

Kolatto,

Generals nnder Wallenstein.

Neumann, Captain of Cavalry, Aide-de-camp to Tertsky.
The War Commissioner Von Questenberg, Imperial Envoy.
General Wrangel, Swedish envoy.

Baptisia Seni, Astrologer.

Duchess of Friedland, Wife of Wallenstein,

Thekla, her daughter, Princess of Friedland.
The Countess Tertsky, sister of the Duchess.

A Cornet.

Several Colonels and Generals.

Pages and Attendants belonging to Wallenstein.
Attendants and Hoboists belonging to Tertsky.
The Master of the Cellar to Count Tertsky.
Valet de Chambre of Count Piccolomini.

THE PICCOLOMINI, &c.

ACT I.

SCENE I.-An old gothic chamber in the Council house at Pilsen, decorated with colours and other war insignia.

Illo, with Butler and Isolani.

Illo. YE have come late-but ye are come! The distance,

Count Isolan, excuses your delay.

Iso. Add this too, that we come not empty handed. At Donauwert it was reported to us,

A Swedish caravan was on it's way,

Transporting a rich cargo of provision,

Almost six hundred waggons. This my Croats

Plunged down upon and seized, this weighty prize!-
We bring it hither-

Illo.

Just in time to baquet

The illustrious company assembled here.

But. 'Tis all alive! a stirring scene here!

Iso.

The very churches are full of soldiers.

(Casts his eye round.)

And in the Council-house too, I observe,

Ay !

You're settled, quite at home! Well, well! we soldiers Must shift and suit us in what way we can.

* A town about twelve German miles N. E. of Ulm.

Illo. We have the Colonels here of thirty regiments. You'll find Count Tertsky 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. Only
Galas is wanting still, and Altringer.

But. Expect not Galas.

Illo. (hesitating). How so? Do you know-
Iso. (interrupting him)

Max. Piccolomini here ?-O bring me to him.
I see him yet, ('tis now ten years ago,

We were engaged with Mansfeld hard by Dessau)
I see the 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 the Elbe.
The down was scarce upon his chin! I hear
He has made good the promise of his youth,
And the full hero now is finish'd in him.

Illo. You'll see him yet ere evening. He conducts
The Duchess Friedland hither, and the Princess *
From Carnthen. We expect them here at noon.
But. Both wife and daughter does the Duke call
hither?

He crowds in visitants from all sides.

Iso.

Hm !

So much the better! I had fram'd my mind
To hear of naught but warlike circumstance,

Of marches, and attacks, and batteries:

And lo! the Duke provides, that something too

The Dukes in Germany being always reigning powers, their sons and daughters are entitled Princes and Princesses.