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

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СКАЧАТЬ served him pleased him, and without a murmur

      He stamp'd his broad seal on these lawless deeds.

      What at that time was right, because thou didst it

      For him, today is all at once become

      Opprobrious, foul, because it is directed

      Against him.—O most flimsy superstition!

      WALLENSTEIN (rising).

      I never saw it in this light before;

      'Tis even so. The Emperor perpetrated

      Deeds through my arm, deeds most unorderly.

      And even this prince's mantle, which I wear,

      I owe to what were services to him,

      But most high misdemeanors 'gainst the empire.

      COUNTESS.

      Then betwixt thee and him (confess it Friedland!)

      The point can be no more of right and duty,

      Only of power and the opportunity.

      That opportunity, lo! it comes yonder

      Approaching with swift steeds; then with a swing

      Throw thyself up into the chariot-seat,

      Seize with firm hand the reins, ere thy opponent

      Anticipate thee, and himself make conquest

      Of the now empty seat. The moment comes;

      It is already here, when thou must write

      The absolute total of thy life's vast sum.

      The constellations stand victorious o'er thee,

      The planets shoot good fortune in fair junctions,

      And tell thee, "Now's the time!" The starry courses

      Hast thou thy life long measured to no purpose?

      The quadrant and the circle, were they play-things?

      [Pointing to the different objects in the room.]

      The zodiacs, the rolling orbs of heaven,

      Hast pictured on these walls, and all around thee

      In dumb, foreboding symbols hast thou placed

      These seven presiding Lords of Destiny—

      For toys? Is all this preparation nothing?

      Is there no marrow in this hollow art,

      That even to thyself it doth avail

      Nothing, and has no influence over thee

      In the great moment of decision?—

      WALLENSTEIN. (during this last speech walks up and down with inward struggles, laboring with passion; stops suddenly, stands still, then interrupting the COUNTESS).

      Send Wrangel to me—I will instantly

      Dispatch three couriers—

      ILLO (hurrying out).

      God in heaven be praised!

      WALLENST.

      It is his evil genius and mine.

      Our evil genius! It chastises him

      Through me, the instrument of his ambition;

      And I expect no less than that Revenge

      E'en now is whetting for my breast the poinard.

      Who sows the serpent's teeth, let him not hope

      To reap a joyous harvest. Every crime

      Has, in the moment of its perpetration,

      Its own avenging angel—dark misgiving,

      An ominous sinking at the inmost heart.

      He can no longer trust me. Then no longer

      Can I retreat—so come that which must come.

      Still destiny preserves its due relations,

      The heart within us is its absolute

      Vicegerent.

      [To TERZKY.]

                       Go, conduct you Gustave Wrangel

      To my state-cabinet.—Myself will speak to

      The couriers.—And dispatch immediately

      A servant for Octavio Piccolomini.

      [_To the _COUNTESS, who cannot conceal her triumph.]

      No exultation! woman, triumph not!

      For jealous are the Powers of Destiny.

      Joy premature, and shouts ere victory,

      Encroach upon their rights and privileges.

      We sow the seed, and they the growth determine.

      [While he is making his exit the curtain drops.]

* * * * *

      ACT II

      SCENE I

      Scene, as in the preceding Act

      WALLENSTEIN, OCTAVIO PICCOLOMINI

      WALLENSTEIN (coming forward in conversation).

      He sends me word from Linz that he lies sick;

      But I have sure intelligence that he

      Secretes himself at Frauenberg with Gallas.

      Secure them both, and send them to me hither.

      Remember, thou takest on thee the command

      Of those same Spanish regiments,—constantly

      Make preparation, and be never ready;

      And if they urge thee to draw out against me,

      Still answer YES, and stand as thou wert fetter'd;

      I know that it is doing thee a service

      To keep thee out of action in this business.

      Thou lovest to linger on in fair appearances;

      Steps СКАЧАТЬ