I built a church for the reform'd in Glogan
At my own instance. Hark'e, Burgomaster!

What is your name.

Bur.

Wal. Hark'e!

Pachhälbel, may it please you.

But let it go no further, what I now

Disclose to you in confidence.

(Laying his head on the Burgomaster's shoulder with a certain solemnity.)

The times

Draw near to their fulfilment, Burgomaster!
The high will fall, the low will be exalted.
Hark'e! But keep it to yourself! The end
Approaches of the Spanish double monarchy-
A new arrangement is at hand. You saw

The three moons that appear'd at once in the heaven.
Bur. With wonder and affright!

Wal.

Whereof did two

Strangely transform themselves to bloody daggers,

And only one, the middle moon, remain'd

Steady and clear.

Bur.

We applied it to the Turks.

Wal. The Turks! That all?-I tell you, that two

empires

Will set in blood, in the east and in the west,

And Luth'ranism alone remain.

(observing Gordon and Butler.)

I'faith,

'Twas a smart cannonading that we heard

This evening, as we journey'd hitherward;
'Twas on our left hand. Did you hear it here?

Gor. Distinctly. The wind brought it from the south.
But. It seem'd to come from Weiden or from Neustadt.

Wal. 'Tis likely. That's the route the Swedes are

taking.

How strong is the garrison?

Gor.

Not quite two hundred

Competent men, the rest are invalids.

Wal. Good! and how many in the vale of Jochim. Gor. Two hundred arquebussiers have I sent thither To fortify the posts against the Swedes.

Wal. Good! I commend your foresight. At the works

too

You have done somewhat?

Gor.

Two additional batteries

I caused to be run up. They were needless.

The Rhinegrave presses hard upon us, General!

Wal. You have been watchful in your Emperor's

service.

I am content with you, Lieutenant-Colonel.

(to Butler.)

Release the outposts in the vale of Jochim With all the stations in the enemy's route. (to Gordon.)

Governor, in your faithful hands I leave

My wife, my daughter, and my sister. I

Shall make no stay here, and wait but the arrival
Of letters, to take leave of you, together

With all the regiments.

SCENE IV.

To these enter Count Tertsky.

Ter. Joy, General; joy! I bring you welcome tidings. Wal. And what may they be?

Ter.

There has been an engagement

At Neustadt; the Swedes gain'd the victory.

Wal. From whence did you receive the intelligence? Ter. A countryman from Tirschenseil convey'd it. Soon after sun rise did the fight begin!

A troop of the Imperialists from Fachau
Had forc'd their way into the Swedish camp!
The cannonade continued full two hours;
There were left dead upon the field a thousand
Imperialists together, with their colonel ;
Further than this he did not know.

Wal.

How came

Imperial troops at Neustadt? Altringer,

But yesterday, stood sixty miles from there.
Count Galas' force collects at Frauenberg,

And have not the full complement. Is it possible,
That Suys, perchance, had ventur'd so far onward?
It cannot be.

Ter.

We shall soon know the whole, For here comes Illo, full of haste, and joyous.

SCENE V.

To these enter Illo.

Illo. (to Wallenstein) A courier, Duke! he wishes to speak with thee.

Ter. (eagerly) Does he bring confirmation of the victory?

Wal. (at the same time) What does he bring? Whence comes he?

Illo.

From the Rhinegrave.

And what he brings I can announce to you

Before hand. Seven leagues distant are the Swedes;
At Neustadt did Max. Piccolomini

Throw himself on them with the cavalry;

A murd'rous fight took place; o'erpower'd by numbers The Pappenheimers all, with Max. their leader,

(Wallenstein shudders and turns pale.)

Were left dead on the field.

Wal. (after a pause in a low voice) Where is the messenger? Conduct me to him.

(Wallenstein is going, when Lady Neubrunn rushes

Neub. (at the same time with them) She is dying!

(hurries off the stage, and Wallenstein and Tertsky follow her.)

SCENE VI.

Butler and Gordon.

Gor. What's this?

But.

She has lost the man she lov'd

Young Piccolomini who fell in the battle.

Gor. Unfortunate lady!

But.

You have heard what Illo

Reporteth, that the Swedes are conquerors,

And marching hitherward.

Gor.

Too well I heard it.

But. They are twelve regiments strong, and there are

five

Close by us to protect the Duke. We have

Only my single regiment; and the garrison
Is not two hundred strong.

Gor.

"Tis even so.

But. It is not possible with such small force To hold in custody a man like him.

But. (after a pause) Know, I am warranty for the

event;

With my head have I pledg'd myself for his,

Must make my word good, cost it what it will,

And if alive we cannot hold him prisoner,

Why-death makes all things certain!

Gor.

Butler! What?

Do I understand you? Gracious God! You could