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

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       In Life’s great drama, with a common kinsman?

       Have I for this — [pause.] She is the only thing 95

       That will remain behind of me on earth;

       And I will see a crown around her head,

       Or die in the attempt to place it there.

       I hazard all — all! and for this alone,

       To lift her into greatness — 100

       Yea, in this moment, in the which we are speaking — [pause.

       And I must now, like a soft-hearted father,

       Couple together in good peasant fashion

       The pair, that chance to suit each other’s liking —

       And I must do it now, even now, when I 105

       Am stretching out the wreath that is to twine

       My full accomplished work — no! she is the jewel,

       Which I have treasured long, my last, my noblest,

       And ‘tis my purpose not to let her from me

       For less than a king’s sceptre.

      Duchess. O my husband! 110

       You’re ever building, building to the clouds,

       Still building higher, and still higher building,

       And ne’er reflect, that the poor narrow basis

       Cannot sustain the giddy tottering column.

      Wallenstein (to the Countess). Have you announced the place of

       residence 115

       Which I have destined for her?

      Countess. No! not yet.

       ‘Twere better you yourself disclosed it to her.

      Duchess. How? Do we not return to Karn then?

      Wallenstein. No.

      Duchess. And to no other of your lands or seats?

      Wallenstein. You would not be secure there.

      Duchess. Not secure 120

       In the Emperor’s realms, beneath the Emperor’s

       Protection?

      Wallenstein. Friedland’s wife may be permitted

       No longer to hope that.

      Duchess. O God in heaven!

       And have you brought it even to this?

      Wallenstein. In Holland

       You’ll find protection.

      Duchess. In a Lutheran country? 125

       What? And you send us into Lutheran countries?

      Wallenstein. Duke Franz of Lauenburg conducts you thither.

      Duchess. Duke Franz of Lauenburg?

       The ally of Sweden, the Emperor’s enemy.

      Wallenstein. The Emperor’s enemies are mine no longer. 130

      Duchess (casting a look of terror on the Duke and the Countess).

       Is it then true? It is. You are degraded?

       Deposed from the command? O God in heaven!

      Countess (aside to the Duke). Leave her in this belief. Thou seest

       she cannot

       Support the real truth.

      Have I for this — [Stops suddenly, repressing himself.

      1800, 1828, 1829.

      [After 101] [He recollects himself. 1800, 1828, 1829.

SCENE V

       Table of Contents

      To them enter COUNT TERTSKY.

      Countess. — Tertsky!

       What ails him? What an image of affright!

       He looks as he had seen a ghost.

      Tertsky (leading Wallenstein aside). Is it thy command that all

       the Croats —

      Wallenstein. Mine! 5

      Tertsky. We are betrayed.

      Wallenstein. What?

      Tertsky. They are off! This night

       The Jägers likewise — all the villages

       In the whole round are empty.

      Wallenstein. Isolani?

      Tertsky. Him thou hast sent away. Yes, surely.

      Wallenstein. I?

      Tertsky. No! Hast thou not sent him off? Nor Deodate? 10

       They are vanished both of them.

SCENE VI

       Table of Contents

      To them enter ILLO.

      Illo. Has Tertsky told thee?

      Tertsky. He knows all.

      Illo. And likewise

       That Esterhatzy, Goetz, Maradas, Kaunitz,

       Kolatto, Palfi, have forsaken thee?

      Tertsky. Damnation!

      Wallenstein (winks at them). Hush!

      Countess (who has been watching them anxiously from the distance

       and now advances to them). Tertsky! Heaven! What is it? What

       has happened? 5

      Wallenstein (scarcely suppressing his emotions). Nothing! let us

       be gone!

      Tertsky (following him). Theresa, it is nothing.

      Countess СКАЧАТЬ