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SCENE XI

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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. THEKLA sinks into

her mother’s arms. The curtain falls. The music

becomes loud and overpowering, and passes into a

complete war-march — the orchestra joins it — and

continues during the interval between the second

and third Act.

during this time in each others arms). 1800, 1828, 1829.

The Complete Works of Samuel Taylor Coleridge (Illustrated Edition)

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