Читать книгу The Greatest German Classics (Vol. 1-14) - Various - Страница 1763

Whate'er is human, to the human being

Do I allow—and to the vehement

And striving spirit readily I pardon

The excess of action; but to thee, my General,

Above all others make I large concession. For thou must move a world, and be the master— He kills thee who condemns thee to inaction. So be it then! maintain thee in thy post By violence. Resist the Emperor, And, if it must be, force with force repel: I will not praise it, yet I can forgive it. But not—not to the traitor—yes!—the word Is spoken out— Not to the traitor can I yield a pardon. That is no mere excess! that is no error Of human nature—that is wholly different; O that is black, black as the pit of hell!

[WALLENSTEIN betrays a sudden agitation.]

Thou canst not hear it named, and wilt thou do it? O, turn back to thy duty! That thou canst I hold it certain. Send me to Vienna: I'll make thy peace for thee with the Emperor. He knows thee not. But I do know thee. He Shall see thee, Duke, with my unclouded eye, And I bring back his confidence to thee.