Wallenstein/The Death of Wallenstein/A2S01
ACT II.
Scene, a spacious Room in the Duke of Friedland's Palace.
SCENE I.
WALLENSTEIN. (in armour.) Thou hast gain'd 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 hew'd off, and here I stand 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 Prov'd myself worth an army to you—I alone! Before the Swedish strength your troops had melted; Beside the Lech sunk Tilly, your last hope; Into Bavaria, like a winter torrent, Did that Gustavus pour, and at ViennaIn his own palace did the Emperor tremble. Soldiers were scarce, for still the multitude Follow the luck: all eyes were turn'd on me, Their helper in distress: the Emperor's pride Bow'd itself down before the man he had injur'd. 'Twas I must rise, and with creative word Assemble forces in the desolate camps.I did it. Like a god of war, my nameWent thro' the world. The drum was beat—and, lo!The plough, the work-shop is forsaken, allSwarm to the old familiar long-lov'd banners;And as the wood-choir rich in melodyAssemble quick around the bird of wonder,When first his throat swells with his magic song,So did the warlike youth of GermanyCroud in around the image of my eagle.I feel myself the being that I was.It is the soul that builds itself a body,And Friedland's camp will not remain unfill'd.Lead then your thousands out to meet me—true!They are accustom'd under me to conquer,But not against me. If the head and limbsSeparate from each other, 'twill be soonMade manifest, in which the soul abode.(Illo and Tertsky enter.)Courage, friends! Courage! We are still unvanquish'd;I feel my footing firm; five regiments, Tertsky,Are still our own, and Butler's gallant troops;And an host of sixteen thousand Swedes to-morrow,I was not stronger, when nine years agoI march'd forth, with glad heart and high of hope,To conquer Germany for the Emperor.