Читать книгу The Complete Works of Samuel Taylor Coleridge (Illustrated Edition) - Samuel Taylor Coleridge - Страница 265

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SCENE — A spacious Room in the DUKE OF FRIEDLAND’S Palace.

Wallenstein (in armour). Thou hast gained thy point, Octavio! Once

more am I

Almost as friendless as at Regenspurg.

There I had nothing left me, but myself —

But what one man can do, you have now experience.

The twigs have you hewed off, and here I stand 5

A leafless trunk. But in the sap within

Lives the creating power, and a new world

May sprout forth from it. Once already have I

Proved myself worth an army to you — I alone!

Before the Swedish strength your troops had melted; 10

Beside the Lech sank Tilly, your last hope;

Into Bavaria, like a winter torrent,

Did that Gustavus pour, and at Vienna

In his own palace did the Emperor tremble.

Soldiers were scarce, for still the multitude 15

Follow the luck: all eyes were turned on me,

Their helper in distress; the Emperor’s pride

Bowed itself down before the man he had injured.

‘Twas I must rise, and with creative word

Assemble forces in the desolate camps. 20

I did it. Like a god of war, my name

Went through the world. The drum was beat — and, lo!

The plough, the workshop is forsaken, all

Swarm to the old familiar long-loved banners;

And as the wood-choir rich in melody 25

Assemble quick around the bird of wonder,

When first his throat swells with his magic song,

So did the warlike youth of Germany

Crowd in around the image of my eagle.

I feel myself the being that I was. 30

It is the soul that builds itself a body,

And Friedland’s camp will not remain unfilled.

Lead then your thousands out to meet me — true!

They are accustomed under me to conquer,

But not against me. If the head and limbs 35

Separate from each other, ‘twill be soon

Made manifest, in which the soul abode.

(ILLO and TERTSKY enter.)

Courage, friends! Courage! We are still unvanquished;

I feel my footing firm; five regiments, Tertsky,

Are still our own, and Butler’s gallant troops; 40

And a host of sixteen thousand Swedes tomorrow.

I was not stronger, when nine years ago

I marched forth, with glad heart and high of hope,

To conquer Germany for the Emperor.