Open'd the strong hold to him without scruple. For an imperial letter orders me To follow your commands implicitly. But yet forgive me: when even now I saw Into this town did Friedland make his entrance; But. 'Tis all precisely As I related in my letter. Friedland Has sold the army to the enemy, And pledg'd himself to give up Prague and Egra. And which have follow'd him, as thou hast seen. And every loyal subject is required To give him up to justice, dead or living. Gor. A traitor to the Emperor-Such a noble ! Of such high talents! What is human greatness? I often said, this can't end happily. His might, his greatness, and this obscure power Are but a cover'd pit-fall. The human being May not be trusted to self-government. The clear and written law, the deep trod foot-marks Of ancient custom, are all necessary To keep him in the road of faith and duty. The authority intrusted to this man Wo is me; It plac'd him on a level with his Emperor, Have ne'er experienc'd, cannot calculate, What dangerous wishes such a height may breed But. Gor. O that I had not liv'd to see this day! But. Nay, let it not afflict you, that your power Is circumscrib'd. Much liberty, much error ! The narrow path of duty is securest. Gor. And all, then, have deserted him, you say Was ever open. Many a one from dust (with a side glance at Butler:) Hath he selected, from the very dust Hath rais'd him into dignity and honour. And yet no friend, not one friend hath he purchas'd, Whose heart beats true to him in the evil hour. But. Here's one I see. Gor. He was sincere and serious in his duty. I do not then abuse his confidence, If I preserve my fealty in that, Which to my fealty was first deliver❜d. But. Say, then, will you fulfil th' attainder on him? Gor. (pauses reflecting-then as in deep dejection.) If it be so-if all be as you say If he've betray'd the Emperor, his master, Have sold the troops, have purpos'd to deliver Gor. 'Tis full thirty years since then. A youth who scarce had seen his twentieth year Was Wallenstein, when he and I were friends: Yet even then he had a daring soul: His frame of mind was serious and severe Beyond his years; his dreams were of great objects. Communing with himself: yet I have known him Of strange conceptions; kindling into splendour, Or whether 't were a god that spoke in him. But. But was it where he fell two story high From a window-ledge, on which he had fallen asleep, And rose up free from injury? From this day (It is reported) he betray'd clear marks Of a distemper'd fancy. Gor. He became, Doubtless, more self-enwrapt and melancholy; He made himself a Catholic. Marvellously Incapable of dizziness or fall, He ran along the unsteady rope of life. But now our destinies drove us asunder: He pac'd with rapid step the way of greatness, Was count, and prince, duke regent, and dictator. And now is all, all this too little for him; He stretches forth his hands for a king's crown, But. No more, he comes. SCENE III. To these enter Wallenstein, in conversation with the Burgomaster of Egra. Wal. You were at one time a free town. Ye bear the half eagle in your city arms. Why the half eagle only? Bur. We were free, I see, But for these last two hundred years has Egra If ever that should be. Wal. Ye merit freedom. Only be firm and dauntless. Lend your ears There are some Protestants among you still? (The Burgomaster hesitates.) Yes, yes; I know it. Many lie conceal'd Within these walls-Confess now-you yourself— (Fixes his eye on him. The Burgomaster alarmed.) Be not alarm'd. I hate the Jesuits. Could my will have determin'd it, they had Been long ago expell'd the empire. Trust me Mass-book or bible-'tis all one to me. Of that the world has had sufficient proof. |