The power of questioning his destiny :

And such a moment 'twas, when in the night
Before the action in the plains of Lützen,
Leaning against a tree, thoughts crowding thoughts,

I looked out far upon the ominous plain.

My whole life, past and future, in this moment
Before my mind's eye glided in procession,

And to the destiny of the next morning
The spirit, filled with anxious presentiment,
Did knit the most removed futurity.
Then said I also to myself," So many

Dost thou command. They follow all thy stars,
And as on some great number set their All
Upon thy single head, and only man

The vessel of thy fortune. Yet a day

Will come, when Destiny shall once more scatter
All these in many a several direction:

Few be they who will stand out faithful to thee."
I yearn'd to know which one was faithfullest
Of all, this camp included. Great Destiny,
Give me a sign! And he shall be the man,
Who, on the approaching morning, comes the first
To meet me with a token of his love:
And thinking this, I fell into a slumber.
Then midmost in the battle was I led

In spirit. Great the pressure and the tumult!

Then was my horse killed under me: I sank;
And over me away all unconcernedly,

Drove horse and rider—and thus trod to pieces
I lay, and panted like a dying man.

Then seized me suddenly a saviour arm.

It was Octavio's-I awoke at once,

'Twas broad day, and Octavio stood before me.

My brother," said he, "do not ride to-day

"The dapple, as you're wont; but mount the horse "Which I have chosen for thee. Do it, brother! "In love to me. A strong dream warned me so." It was the swiftness of this horse that snatched me From the hot pursuit of Bannier's dragoons.

My cousin rode the dapple on that day,

And never more saw I or horse or rider.

That was a chance.

ILLO.

WALLENSTEIN (significantly).

There's no such thing as chance.

In brief, 'tis signed and sealed that this Octavio
Is my good angel-and now no word more.

WALLENSTEIN (stops and turns himself round).
Are ye not like the women, who for ever
Only recur to their first word, although
One had been talking reason by the hour?
Know, that the human being's thoughts and deeds
Are not, like ocean billows, blindly moved.
The inner world, his microcosmus, is

The deep shaft, out of which they spring eternally.
They grow by certain laws, like the tree's fruit-
No juggling chance can metamorphose them.
Have I the human kernel first examined?
Then I know, too, the future will and action.

SCENE IV.

SCENE-A Chamber in Piccolomini's Dwelling-
House.

OCTAVIO PICCOLOMINI, ISOLANI, entering.

ISOLANI.

Here am I-Well! who comes yet of the others? OCTAVIO (with an air of mystery).

But, first, a word with you, Count Isolani.

ISOLNAI (assuming the same air of mystery.)

Will it explode, ha ?-Is the Duke about

To make the attempt? In me, friend, you may place Full confidence.-Nay, put me to the proof.

OCTAVIO.

That may happen.

ISOLANI.

Noble brother, I am

Not one of those men who in words are valiant,
And when it comes to action skulk away.
The Duke has acted towards me as a friend.
God knows it is so; and I owe him all-

He may rely on my fidelity.

OCTAVIO.

That will be seen hereafter.

ISOLANI.

Be on your guard,

All think not as I think; and there are many Who still hold with the Court-yes, and they say That those stolen signatures bind them to nothing. OCTAVIO.

I am rejoiced to hear it.

ISOLANI.

You rejoice!

OCTAVIO.

That the Emperor has yet such gallant servants,

And loving friends.

ISOLANI.

Nay, jeer not, I entreat you.

They are no such worthless fellows, I assure you.

OCTAVIO.

I am assured already. God forbid

That I should jest!-In very serious earnest

I am rejoiced to see an honest cause

So strong.

ISOLANI.

The Devil!-what !-why, what means this?
Are you not, then-For what, then, am I here?
OCTAVIO.

That you may make full declaration, whether

You will be called the friend or enemy

Of the Emperor.

ISOLANI (with an air of defiance).

That declaration, friend,

I'll make to him in whom a right is placed

To put that question to me.

OCTAVIO.

Whether Count,

That right is mine, this paper may instruct you.

ISOLANI (stammering).

Why,-why-what! this is the Emperor's hand and

seal!

"Whereas the officers collectively

[Reads.