The German Classics of the Nineteenth and Twentieth Centuries, Volume 03. Коллектив авторов

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СКАЧАТЬ Judas' pay, for chinking gold and silver,

      That we did leave our King by the Great Stone[24]

      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 conquer'd for himself, and died.

      WALLENST.

      Help to keep down the common enemy,

      And the fair border land must needs be yours.

      WRANGEL.

      But when the common enemy lies vanquish'd,

      Who knits together our new friendship then?

      We know, Duke Friedland! though perhaps the Swede

      Ought not to have known it, that you carry on

      Secret negotiations 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.

      WALLENST.

      Surrender up to you my capital!

      Far liever would I face about, and step

      Back to my Emperor.

      WRANGEL.

      If time yet permits—

      WALLENST.

      That lies with me, even now, at any hour.

      WRANGEL.

      Some days ago, perhaps. Today, 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 honorably 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 Altstadt; 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 not you me?

      I will consider of your proposition.

      WRANGEL.

      I must entreat that your consideration

      Occupy not too long a time. Already

      Has this negotiation, 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.

      WALLENST.

      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, TERZKY, and ILLO (re-enter)

      ILLO.

      It's all right?

      TERZKY.

      Are you compromised?

      ILLO.

                                  This Swede

      Went smiling from you. Yes! you're compromised.

      WALLENST.

      As yet is nothing settled: and (well weighed)

      I feel myself inclined to leave it so.

      TERZKY.

      How? What is that?

      WALLENSTEIN.

                     Come on me what will come,

      The doing evil to avoid an evil

      Cannot be good!

      TERZKY.

      Nay, but bethink you, Duke.

      WALLENST.

      To live upon the mercy of these Swedes!

      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?

      WALLENST.

      How fared it with the brave and royal Bourbon

      Who sold himself unto СКАЧАТЬ