TERTSKY. There are strange movements among all the troops, Marshal themselves, each under its own banners. Tiefenbach's corps make threatening movements; only The Pappenheimers still remain aloof In their own quarters, and let no one enter. WALLENSTEIN. Does Piccolomini appear among them? TERTSKY. We are seeking him he is no where to be met with. : WALLENSTEIN. What did the Aid-de-Camp deliver to you? TERTSKY. My regiments had dispatched him; yet once more They swear fidelity to thee, and wait The shout for onset, all prepared, and eager. WALLENSTEIN. But whence arose this larum in the camp? It should have been kept secret from the army, TERTSKY. O that thou hadst believed me! Yester evening That fox, Octavio, pass the gates of Pilsen. Thou gav'st him thy own horses to flee from thee. WALLENSTEIN. The old tune still! Now, once for all, no more Of this suspicion-it is doting folly. TERTSKY. Thou did'st confide in Isolani too; And lo! he was the first that did desert thee. WALLENSTEIN. It was but yesterday I rescued him From abject wretchedness. Let that go by. And wherein doth he wrong in going from me? Who seeks a heart in the unthinking man. TERTSKY. Yet, would I rather Trust the smooth brow than that deep furrowed one. SCENE VIII. WALLENSTEIN. TERTSKY. ILLO. ILLO. (who enters agitated with rage.) Treason and mutiny! TERTSKY. And what further now? ILLO. Tiefenbach's soldiers, when I gave the orders To go off guard-Mutinous villains! TERTSKY, Well? What followed? WALLENSTEIN. ILLO. They refused obedience to them. TERTSKY. Fire on them instantly! Give out the order, WALLENSTEIN. Gently! what cause did they assign? ILLO. No other, They said, had right to issue orders but Lieutenant-General Piccolomini. WALLENSTEIN. (in a convulsion of agony.) What? How is that? ILLO. He takes that office on him by commission, TERTSKY. From the Emperor-hear'st thou, Duke? ILLO. At his incitement The Generals made that stealthy flight TERTSKY. Duke! hearest thou? ILLO. Caraffa too, and Montecuculi, Are missing, with six other Generals, All whom he had induced to follow him. This plot he has long had in writing by him Some days ago with the Envoy Questenberg. TERTSKY. O hadst thou but believed me! SCENE IX, To them enter the COUNTESS. COUNTESS. This suspense, This horrid fear-I can no longer bear it. For heaven's sake, tell me, what has taken place. ILLO. The regiments are all falling off from us. TERTSKY. Octavio Piccolomini is a traitor. COUNTESS. O my foreboding! (rushes out of the room.) |