The Complete Works of Samuel Taylor Coleridge (Illustrated Edition). Samuel Taylor Coleridge

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СКАЧАТЬ My Lord Duke; I will let the mask drop — yes!

       I’ve full powers for a final settlement.

       The Rhinegrave stands but four days’ march from here 100

       With fifteen thousand men, and only waits

       For orders to proceed and join your army.

       Those orders I give out, immediately

       We’re compromised.

      Wallenstein. What asks the Chancellor?

      Wrangel. Twelve Regiments, every man a Swede — my head 105

       The warranty — and all might prove at last

       Only false play ——

      Wallenstein (starting). Sir Swede!

      Wrangel. Am therefore forced

       T’ insist thereon, that he do formally,

       Irrevocably break with the Emperor,

       Else not a Swede is trusted to Duke Friedland. 110

      Wallenstein. Come, brief and open! What is the demand?

      Wrangel. That he forthwith disarm the Spanish regiments

       Attached to the Emperor, that he seize Prague,

       And to the Swedes give up that city, with

       The strong pass Egra.

      Wallenstein. That is much indeed! 115

       Prague! — Egra’s granted — But — but Prague!—’Twon’t do.

       I give you every security

       Which you may ask of me in common reason —

       But Prague — Bohemia — these, Sir General,

       I can myself protect.

      Wrangel. We doubt it not. 120

       But ‘tis not the protection that is now

       Our sole concern. We want security,

       That we shall not expend our men and money

       All to no purpose.

      Wallenstein. ‘Tis but reasonable.

      Wrangel. And till we are indemnified, so long 125

       Stays Prague in pledge.

      Wallenstein. Then trust you us so little?

      Wrangel (rising). The Swede, if he would treat well with the

       German,

       Must keep a sharp look-out. We have been called

       Over the Baltic, we have saved the empire

       From ruin — with our best blood have we seal’d 130

       The liberty of faith, and gospel truth.

       But now already is the benefaction

       No longer felt, the load alone is felt. ——

       Ye look askance with evil eye upon us,

       As foreigners, intruders in the empire, 135

       And would fain send us, with some paltry sum

       Of money, home again to our old forests.

       No, no! my Lord Duke! no! — it never was

       For Judas’ pay, for chinking gold and silver,

       That we did leave our King by the Great Stone. 140

       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 145

       Our Monarch conquered for himself, and died.

      Wallenstein. Help to keep down the common enemy,

       And the fair border land must needs be yours.

      Wrangel. But when the common enemy lies vanquished,

       Who knits together our new friendship then? 150

       We know, Duke Friedland! though perhaps the Swede

       Ought not t’ 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 155

       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 160

       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 is a prisoner.

       My Lord Duke, hear me — We believe that you 165

       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 170

       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? 175

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