The five excepted that belong to Tertsky, And which have follow'd him, as thou hast seen. And every loyal subject is required To give him up to justice, dead or living. Gor. A traitor to the Emperor-Such a noble ! His might, his greatness, and this obscure power The clear and written law, the deep-trod foot-marks To keep him in the road of faith and duty. Was unexampled and unnatural, It plac'd him on a level with his Emperor, Till the proud soul unlearn'd submission. Woe is me; Might none stand firm. Alas! dear General, Have ne'er experienc'd, cannot calculate, What dangerous wishes such a height may breed But. Spare your laments Till he need sympathy; for at this present Gor. O that I had not liv'd to see this day! He did himself intrust this strong hold to me, But. Nay, let it not afflict you, that your power Gor. And all, then, have deserted him, you say?" He has built up the luck of many thousands, For kingly was his spirit: his full hand Was ever open. Many a one from dust [With a side glance at Butler. Hath he selected, from the very dust Hath rais'd him into dignity and honour. And yet no friend, not one friend hath he purchas'd, Whose heart beats true to him in the evil hour. But. Here's one I see. Gor. No grace or favour. I have enjoy'd from him If ever, in his greatness, he once thought on He was sincere and serious in his duty. I do not then abuse his confidence, If I preserve my fealty in that, Which to my fealty was first deliver❜d. But. Say, then, will you fulfill th' attainder on him? Gor. (pauses reflecting-then as in deep dejection), If it be so-i -if all be as you say― If he've betrayed the Emperor, his master, Have sold the troops, have purpos'd to deliver The strong holds of the country to the enemy- For we were pages at the court of Bergau Gor. 'Tis full thirty years since then. A youth who scarce had seen his twentieth year Was Wallenstein, when he and I were friends: Yet even then he had a daring soul: His frame of mind was serious and severe Beyond his years; his dreams were of great objects. Of strange conceptions; kindling into splendour, Or whether 'twere a god that spoke in him. But. But was it where he fell two story high From a window-ledge, on which he had fallen asleep, And rose up free from injury? From this day (It is reported) he betray'd clear marks Of a distemper'd fancy. Gor. He became, Doubtless, more self-enwrapt and melancholy; And privileg'd being, and, as if he were He ran along the unsteady rope of life. But now our destinies drove us asunder: He pac'd with rapid step the way of greatness, He stretches forth his hands for a king's crown, But. No more, he comes. SCENE III. To these enter WALLENSTEIN, in conversation with the BURGOMASTER of Egra. Wal. You were at one time a free town. Ye bear the half eagle in your city arms. Why the half eagle only? We were free, I see, Bur. Wal. Ye merit freedom. Only be firm and dauntless. Lend your ears There are some Protestants among you still? [The Burgomaster hesitates. Yes, yes; I know it. Many lie conceal'd Within these walls-Confess now-you yourself[Fixes his eye on him. The Burgomaster alarmed. Be not alarm'd. I hate the Jesuits. Could my will have determin'd it, they had Been long ago expell'd the empire. Trust me Mass-book or bible-'tis all one to me. Bur Wal. Hark'e! Pachhälbel, mar it please you. But let it go no further, what I now Disclose to you in confidence. [Laying his head on the Burgomaster's shoulder with a certain solemnity. The times Draw near to their fulfilment, Burgomaster! Strangely transform themselves to bloody daggers, Steady and clear. Bur. We applied it to the Turks. Wal. The Turks! That all?-I tell you, that two empires Will set in blood, in the east and in the west, And Luth'ranism alone remain. [Observing Gordon and Butler. I'faith, 'Twas a smart cannonading that we heard This evening as we journey'd hitherward; |