Wallenstein/The Death of Wallenstein/A3S03
SCENE III.
To these enter Wallenstein, in conversationwith the Burgomaster of Egra.
WALLENSTEIN.You were at one time a free town. I see,Ye bear the half eagle in your city arms.Why the half eagle only?
BURGOMASTER.We were free,But for these last two hundred years has EgraRemain'd in pledge to the Bohemian crown,Therefore we bear the half eagle, the other halfBeing cancell'd till the empire ransom us,If ever that should be.
WALLENSTEIN.Ye merit freedom.Only be firm and dauntless. Lend your earsTo no designing whispering court-minions.What may your imposts be?
BURGOMASTER.So heavy that thatWe totter under them. The garrisonLives at our costs.
WALLENSTEIN.I will relieve you. Tell me,There are some Protestants among you still?(The Burgomaster hesitates.)Yes, yes; I know it. Many lie conceal'dWithin these walls—Confess now—you yourself—(Fixes his eye on him. The Burgomaster alarm'd.)Be not alarm'd. I hate the Jesuits.Could my will have determin'd it, they hadBeen long ago expell'd the empire. Trust me—Mass-book or bible—'tis all one to me.Of that the world has had sufficient proof.I built a church for the reform'd in GloganAt my own instance. Hark'e, Burgomaster!What is your name.
BURGOMASTER.Pachhälbel, may it please you.
WALLENSTEIN.Hark'e!But let it go no further, what I nowDisclose to you in confidence.(Laying his hand on the Burgomaster's shoulderwith a certain solemnity.)The timesDraw near to their fulfilment, Burgomaster!The high will fall, the low will be exalted.Hark'e! But keep it to yourself! The end Approaches of the Spanish double monarchy—A new arrangement is at hand. You sawThe three moons that appear'd at once in the Heaven.
BURGOMASTER.With wonder and affright!
WALLENSTEIN.Whereof did twoStrangely transform themselves to bloody daggers,And only one, the middle moon, remain'dSteady and clear.
BURGOMASTER.We applied it to the Turks.
WALLENSTEIN.The Turks! That all?—I tell you, that two empiresWill set in blood, in the East and in the West,And Luth'ranism alone remain.(observing Gordon and Butler.)I'faith,'Twas a smart cannonading that we heardThis evening, as we journey'd hitherward;'Twas on our left hand. Did you hear it here?
GORDON.Diftinctly. The wind brought it from the South.
BUTLER.It seem'd to come from Weiden or from Neustadt.
WALLENSTEIN.'Tis likely. That's the route the Swedes are taking.How strong is the garrison?
GORDON.Not quite two hundredCompetent men, the rest are invalids.
WALLENSTEIN.Good! And how many in the vale of Jochim.
GORDON.Two hundred Arquebussiers have I sent thitherTo fortify the posts against the Swedes.
WALLENSTEIN.Good! I commend your foresight. At the works tooYou have done somewhat?
GORDON.Two additional batteriesI caused to be run up. They were needless.The Rhine-Grave presses hard upon us, General !
WALLENSTEIN.You have been watchful in your Emperor's service.I am content with you, Lieutenant-Colonel.(to Butler.)Release the outposts in the vale of JochimWith all the stations in the enemy's route.(to Gordon.)Governor, in your faithful hands I leaveMy wife, my daughter, and my sister. IShall make no stay here, and wait but the arrivalOf letters, to take leave of you, togetherWith all the regiments.