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

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СКАЧАТЬ Soon as he began, 5

       With deafening noise of warlike instruments

       They drowned his words. But here he comes.

SCENE XI

       Table of Contents

      To these enter WALLENSTEIN, accompanied by ILLO and BUTLER.

      Wallenstein (as he enters). Tertsky!

      Tertsky. My General?

      Wallenstein. Let our regiments hold themselves

       In readiness to march; for we shall leave

       Pilsen ere evening. [Exit TERTSKY.

       Butler!

      Butler. Yes, my General.

      Wallenstein. The Governor at Egra is your friend 5

       And countryman. Write to him instantly

       By a Post Courier. He must be advised,

       That we are with him early on the morrow.

       You follow us yourself, your regiment with you.

      Butler. It shall be done, my General!

      Wallenstein (steps between Max and Thekla). Part!

      Max. O God! 10

      [Cuirassiers enter with drawn swords, and assemble in

       the background. At the same time there are heard

       from below some spirited passages out of the

       Pappenheim March, which seem to address MAX.

      Wallenstein (to the Cuirassiers). Here he is, he is at liberty: I

       keep him

       No longer.

      [He turns away, and stands so that MAX cannot pass by

       him nor approach the PRINCESS.

      Max. Thou know’st that I have not yet learnt to live

       Without thee! I go forth into a desert,

       Leaving my all behind me. O do not turn 15

       Thine eyes away from me! O once more shew me

       Thy ever dear and honoured countenance.

      [MAX attempts to take his hand, but is repelled; he

       turns to the COUNTESS.

      Is there no eye that has a look of pity for me?

      [The COUNTESS turns away from him; he turns to the

       DUCHESS.

      My mother!

      Duchess. Go where duty calls you. Haply

       The time may come, when you may prove to us 20

       A true friend, a good angel at the throne

       Of the Emperor.

      Max. You give me hope; you would not

       Suffer me wholly to despair. No! No!

       Mine is a certain misery — Thanks to heaven

       That offers me a means of ending it. 25

      [The military music begins again. The stage fills more

       and more with armed men. MAX sees BUTLER, and

       addresses him.

      And you here, Colonel Butler — and will you

       Not follow me? Well, then! remain more faithful

       To your new lord, than you have proved yourself

       To the Emperor. Come, Butler! promise me,

       Give me your hand upon it, that you’ll be 30

       The guardian of his life, its shield, its watchman.

       He is attainted, and his princely head

       Fair booty for each slave that trades in murder.

       Now he doth need the faithful eye of friendship,

       And those whom here I see —

      [Casting suspicious looks on ILLO and BUTLER.

      Illo. Go — seek for traitors 35

       In Galas’, in your father’s quarters. Here

       Is only one. Away! away! and free us

       From his detested sight! Away!

      [MAX attempts once more to approach THEKLA. WALLENSTEIN

       prevents him. MAX stands irresolute, and in

       apparent anguish. In the mean time the stage fills

       more and more; and the horns sound from below

       louder and louder, and each time after a shorter

       interval.

      Max. Blow, blow! O were it but the Swedish Trumpets,

       And all the naked swords, which I see here, 40

       Were plunged into my breast! What purpose you?

       You come to tear me from this place! Beware,

       Ye drive me not in desperation. — Do it not!

       Ye may repent it!

      [The stage is entirely filled with armed men.

      Yet more! weight upon weight to drag me down! 45

       Think what ye’re doing. It is not well done

       To choose a man despairing for your leader;

       You tear me from my happiness. Well, then,

       I dedicate your souls to vengeance. Mark!

       For your own ruin you have chosen me: 50

       Who goes with me, must be prepared to perish.

      [He turns to the background, there ensues a sudden and

       violent movement among the Cuirassiers; they

       surround him, and carry him off in wild tumult.

       WALLENSTEIN remains immovable. СКАЧАТЬ