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To these enter BUTLER.

Tertsky (meeting him). O look there! Butler! Here we’ve still a

friend!

Wallenstein (meets him with outspread arms, and embraces him with

warmth). Come to my heart, old comrade! Not the sun

Looks out upon us more revivingly

In the earliest month of spring,

Than a friend’s countenance in such an hour. 5

Butler. My General: I come —

Wallenstein (leaning on Butler’s shoulders). Know’st thou

already?

That old man has betrayed me to the Emperor.

What say’st thou? Thirty years have we together

Lived out, and held out, sharing joy and hardship.

We have slept in one camp-bed, drunk from one glass, 10

One morsel shared! I leaned myself on him,

As now I lean me on thy faithful shoulder.

And now in the very moment, when, all love,

All confidence, my bosom beat to his,

He sees and takes the advantage, stabs the knife 15

Slowly into my heart. [He hides his face on BUTLER’S breast.

Butler. Forget the false one.

What is your present purpose?

Wallenstein. Well remembered!

Courage my soul! I am still rich in friends,

Still loved by Destiny; for in the moment,

That it unmasks the plotting hypocrite, 20

It sends and proves to me one faithful heart.

Of the hypocrite no more! Think not, his loss

Was that which struck the pang: O no! his treason

Is that which strikes this pang! No more of him!

Dear to my heart, and honoured were they both, 25

And the young man — yes — he did truly love me,

He — he — has not deceived me. But enough,

Enough of this — Swift counsel now beseems us.

The Courier, whom Count Kinsky sent from Prague

I expect him every moment: and whatever 30

He may bring with him, we must take good care

To keep it from the mutineers. Quick, then!

Dispatch some messenger you can rely on

To meet him, and conduct him to me. [ILLO is going.

Butler (detaining him). My General, whom expect you then?

Wallenstein. The

Courier 35

Who brings me word of the event at Prague.

Butler (hesitating). Hem!

Wallenstein. And what now?

Butler. You do not know it?

Wallenstein. Well?

Butler. From what that larum in the camp arose?

Wallenstein. From what?

Butler. That Courier.

Wallenstein. Well?

Butler. Is already here.

Tertsky and Illo (at the same time). Already here?

Wallenstein. My Courier?

Butler. For some hours. 40

Wallenstein. And I not know it?

Butler. The centinels detain him

In custody.

Illo. Damnation!

Butler. And his letter

Was broken open, and is circulated

Through the whole camp.

Wallenstein. You know what it contains?

Butler. Question me not.

Tertsky. Illo! alas for us. 45

Wallenstein. Hide nothing from me — I can hear the worst.

Prague then is lost. It is. Confess it freely.

Butler. Yes! Prague is lost. And all the several regiments

At Budweiss, Tabor, Brannau, Konigingratz,

At Brun and Znaym, have forsaken you, 50

And ta’en the oaths of fealty anew

To the Emperor. Yourself, with Kinsky, Tertsky,

And Illo have been sentenced.

[TERTSKY and ILLO express alarm and fury. WALLENSTEIN

remains firm and collected.

Wallenstein. ‘Tis decided!

‘Tis well! I have received a sudden cure

From all the pangs of doubt: with steady stream 55

Once more my lifeblood flows! My soul’s secure!

In the night only Friedland’s stars can beam.

Lingering irresolute, with fitful fears

I drew the sword—’twas with an inward strife,

While yet the choice was mine. The murderous knife 60

Is lifted for my heart! Doubt disappears!

I fight now for my head and for my life.

[Exit WALLENSTEIN; the others follow him.