Then was the time to break thee in, to curb Thy haughty will, to teach thee ordinance. But no! the Emperor felt no touch of conscience, What serv'd him pleas'd him, and without a murmur He stamp'd his broad seal on these lawless deeds. What at that time was right, because thou didst it For him, to-day is all at once become Opprobrious, foul, because it is directed
Against him.-O most flimsy superstition!
Wal. (rising) I never saw it in this light before. 'Tis even so. The Emperor perpetrated Deeds through my arm, deeds most unorderly. And even this prince's mantle, which I wear,
I owe to what were services to him,
But most high misdemeanours 'gainst the empire.
Coun. Then betwixt thee and him (confess it, Fried
The point can be no more than right and duty,
Only of power and th' opportunity.
That opportunity, lo! it comes yonder,
Approaching with swift steeds; then with a swing Throw thyself up into the chariot seat,
Seize with firm hand the reins, ere thy opponent Anticipate thee, and himself make conquest Of the now empty seat. The moment comes, It is already here, when thou must write The absolute total of thy life's vast sum. The constellations stand victorious o'er thee, The planets shoot good fortune in fair junctions, And tell thee, 'Now's the time!' The starry courses Hast thou thy life long measur'd to no purpose? The quadrant and the circle, were they play-things? (pointing to the different objects in the room.)
The zodiacs, the rolling orbs of heaven,
Hast pictur'd on these walls, and all around thee, In dumb, foreboding symbols hast thou plac'd These seven presiding lords of destiny-
? Is all this preparation nothing?
Is there no marrow in this hollow art, That even to thyself it doth avail Nothing, and has no influence over thee
In the great moment of decision?
Wal. (during this last speech walks up and down with inward struggles, labouring with passions;
stops suddenly, stands still, then interrupting the Countess,)
Send Wrangel to me-I will instantly
Despatch three couriers
God in heaven be prais'd!
Wal. It is his evil genius and mine.
Our evil genius! It chastises him
Through me, the instrument of his ambition; And I expect no less than that revenge
E'en now is whetting for my breast the poniard. Who sows the serpent's teeth, let him not hope To reap a joyous harvest. Every crime Has, in the moment of its perpetration, Its own avenging angel-dark misgiving, An ominous sinking at the inmost heart. He can no longer trust me.-Then no longer Can I retreat-so come that which must come,- Still destiny preserves its due relations;
The heart within us is its absolute
Go, conduct you Gustave Wrangel To my state-cabinet.-Myself will speak to The couriers.—And despatch immediately
A servant for Octavio Piccolomini.
(to the Countess, who cannot conceal her triumph) No exultation!-woman, triumph not!
For jealous are the powers of destiny. Joy premature, and shouts ere victory, Encroach upon their rights and privileges. We sow the seed, and they the growth determine. [While he is making his exit, the curtain drops.]
Scene, as in the preceding Act.
Wallenstein, Octavio Piccolomini.
Wal. (coming forward in conversation,) He sends me word from Linz, that he lies sick;
But I have sure intelligence, that he
Secretes himself at Frauenberg with Galas. Secure them both, and send them to me hither. Remember, thou tak'st on thee the command Of those same Spanish regiments,-constantly Make preparation, and be never ready;
And if they urge thee to draw out against me, Still answer yes, and stand as thou wert fetter'd. I know, that it is doing thee a service To keep thee out of action in this business. Thou lov'st to linger on in fair appearances; Steps of extremity are not thy province, Therefore have I sought out this part for thee, Thou wilt this time be of most service to me By thy inertness. The mean time, if fortune Declare itself on my side, thou wilt know What is to do.
(Enter Max. Piccolomini.)
This night must thou be off, take my own horses : Him here I keep with me-make short farewell- Trust me. I think we all shall meet again In joy and thriving fortunes.
Wallenstein, Max. Piccolomini.
Max. (advances to him) My General!
Thou styl'st thyself the Emperor's officer.
Max. Then thou wilt leave the army General ?
Wal. I have renounc'd the service of the Emperor. Max. And thou wilt leave the army ?
Wal. To bind it nearer still and faster to me.
Yes Max., I have delay'd to open it to thee, Even till the hour of acting 'gins to strike. Youth's fortunate feeling doth seize easily The absolute right, yea, and a joy it is To exercise the single apprehension Where the sums square in proof;
But where it happens, that of two sure evils One must be taken, where the heart not wholly Brings itself back from out the strife of duties, There 'tis a blessing to have no election, And blank necessity is grace and favour. -This is now present: do not look behind thee- It can no more avail thee. Look thou forwards! Think not! judge not! prepare thyself to act! The Court-it hath determin'd on my ruin, Therefore I will to be beforehand with them.
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