Far liever would I face about, and step

Back to my Emperor.

WRANGEL.

If time yet permits

WALLENSTEIN.

That lies with me, even now, at any

WRANGEL.

hour.

Some days ago, perhaps. To-day, no longer,
No longer since Sesina's been a prisoner.

(Wallenstein is struck, and silenced.) My Lord Duke hear me-We believe that you At present do mean honourably by us.

Since yesterday we're sure of that—and now

This paper warrants for the troops, there's nothing Stands in the way of our full confidence.

Prague shall not part us.

Hear! The Chancellor

Contents himself with Albstadt, to your Grace

He gives up Ratschin and the narrow side.

But Egra, above all, must open to us,

Ere we can think of any junction.

WALLENSTEIN.

You,

You therefore must I trust, and you not me?

I will consider of your proposition.

WRANGEL.

I must entreat, that your

consideration

Occupy not too long a time. Already
Has this negociation, my Lord Duke!
Crept on into the second year. If nothing
Is settled this time, will the Chancellor
Consider it as broken off for ever.

WALLENSTEIN.

Ye press me hard. A measure, such as this,

Ought to be thought of.

WRANGEL.

Ay! but think of this too,

That sudden action only can procure it

Success-think first of this, your Highness.

[Exit Wrangel.

SCENE VI.

WALLENSTEIN, TERTSKY, and ILLO. (re-enter.)

Is't all right?

ILLO.

TERTSKY.

Are you compromised?

ILLO.

This Swede

Went smiling from you, Yes! you're compromised.

WALLENSTEIN.

As yet is nothing settled: and (well weighed)
I feel myself inclined to leave it so.

Of these proud-hearted Swedes I could not bear it.

ILLO.

Goest thou as fugitive, as mendicant?

Bringest thou not more to them than thou receivest ?

SCENE VII.

To these enter the COUNTESS TERTSKY.

WALLENSTEIN.

Who sent for you? There is no business here

For women.

COUNTESS.

I am come to bid you joy.

WALLENSTEIN.

Use thy authority, Tertsky, bid her go.
COUNTESS.

Come I perhaps too early? I hope not.
WALLENSTEIN.

Set not this tongue upon me, I entreat you.
You know it is the weapon that destroys me.
I am routed, if a woman but attack me.
I cannot traffic in the trade of words
With that unreasoning sex.

COUNTESS.

I had already

Given the Bohemians a king.

WALLENSTEIN. (sarcastically.)

They have one,

In consequence, no doubt.

COUNTESS. (to the others.)

Ha! what new scruple?

TERTSKY.

The Duke will not.

COUNTESS.

He will not what he must!

ILLO.

It lies with you now. Try. For I am silenced,

When folks begin to talk to me of conscience,

And of fidelity.

COUNTESS.

How? then, when all

Lay in the far off distance, when the road
Stretched out before thine eyes interminably,
Then hadst thou courage and resolve; and now,
Now that the dream is being realized,
The purpose ripe, the issue ascertained,
Dost thou begin to play the dastard now?
Planned merely, 'tis a common felony;
Accomplished, an immortal undertaking;

And with success comes pardon hand in hand;
For all event is God's arbitrement.

SERVANT. (enlers.)

The Colonel Piccolomini.

COUNTESS. (hastily.)

-Must wait.

WALLENSTEIN.

I cannot see him now. Another time.

SERVANT.

But for two minutes he entreats an audience.

Of the most urgent nature is his business.

WALLENSTEIN.

Who knows what he may bring us? I will hear him.