No, not for gold and silver have there bled
So many of our Swedish Nobles-neither
Will we, with empty laurels for our payment,
Hoist sail for our own country. Citizens
Will we remain upon the soil, the which
Our Monarch conquered for himself, and died.
WALLENSTEIN.

Help to keep down the common enemy,
And the fair border land must needs be your's.
WRANGEL.

But when the common enemy lies vanquished,

Who knits together our new friendship then?
We know, Duke Friedland! though perhaps the
Swede

Ought not t' have known it, that you carry on

Secret negociations with the Saxons.

Who is our warranty, that we are not

The sacrifices in those articles

Which 'tis thought needful to conceal from us?
WALLENSTEIN (rises).

Think you of something better, Gustave Wrangel?

Of Prague no more.

WRANGEL.

Here my commission ends.

WALLENSTEIN.

Surrender up to you my capital!

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

hour.

WRANGEL.

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.

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.

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