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 dispatch 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,
Incroach 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.
WALLENSTEIN. (coming forward in conversation.) He sends me word from Linz, that he lies sick; But I have sure intelligence, that he
Secrets 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 fettered.
I know, that it is doing thee a service
To keep thee out of action in this business.
Thou lovest 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.)
Now go, Octavio.
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.
OCTAVIO. (to his son.)
WALLENSTEIN.
That am I no longer, if
Thou styl'st thyself the Emperor's officer.
I have renounced the service of the Emperor.
And thou wilt leave the army?
WALLENSTEIN.
To bind it nearer still and faster to me.
Yes, Max, I have delayed 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 determined on my ruin,
Therefore I will to be beforehand with them.
We'll join the Swedes-right gallant fellows are they,
And our good friends.
[He stops himself, expecting Piccolomini's answer.
I have ta'en thee by surprise. Answer me not.
I grant thee time to recollect thyself.
[He rises, and retires at the back of the stage. Max. remains for a long time motionless, in a trance of excessive anguish. At his first motion Wallenstein returns, and places himself before him.
My General, this day thou makest me
Of to speak in my own right and person,
For till this day I have been spared the trouble
To find out my own road. Thee have I followed
With most implicit unconditional faith,
Sure of the right path if I followed thee.
To day, for the first time, dost thou refer
Me to myself, and forcest me to make
Election between thee and my own heart.
WALLENSTEIN.
Soft cradled thee thy Fortune till to day;
Thy duties thou couldst exercise in sport,
Indulge all lovely instincts, act for ever
With undivided heart. It can remain
No longer thus. Like enemies, the roads
Start from each other. Duties strive with duties.
Thou must needs chuse thy party in the war
Which is now kindling 'twixt thy friend and him
Who is thy Emperor.
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