Wallenstein/The Death of Wallenstein/A3S07
SCENE VII.
To these enter Illo and Tertsky.
TERTSKY.Our luck is on the turn. To-morrow comeThe Swedes—twelve thousand gallant warriors, Illo!Then straightways for Vienna. Cheerily, friend!What! meet such news with such a moody face?
ILLO.It lies with us at present to prescribeLaws, and take vengeance on those worthless traitors,Those skulking cowards that deserted us;One has already done his bitter penance,The Piccolomini, be his the fateOf all who wish us evil! This flies sureTo the old man's heart; he has his whole life longFretted and toil'd to raise his ancient houseFrom a Count's title to the name of Prince,And now must seek a grave for his only son.
BUTLER.'Twas pity tho'! A youth of such heroicAnd gentle temp'rament! The Duke himself,'Twas easily seen, how near it went to his heart.
ILLO.Hark'e, old friend! That is the very pointThat never pleas'd me in our General—He ever gave the preference to the Italians.Yea, at this very moment, by my soul!He'd gladly see us all dead ten times over,Could he thereby recal his friend to life.
TERTSKY.Hush, hush! Let the dead rest! This evening's businessIs, who can fairly drink the other down—Your regiment, Illo! gives the entertainment.Come! we will keep a merry carnival—The night for once be day, and mid full glassesWill we expect the Swedish Avantgarde.
ILLO.Yes, let us be of good chear for to-day,For there's hot work before us, friends! This swordShall have no rest, till it be bath'd to the hiltIn Austrian blood.
GORDON.Shame, shame! what talk is this,My Lord Field Marshal? Wherefore foam you soAgainst your Emperor?
BUTLER.Hope not too muchFrom this first victory. Bethink you, sirs! How rapidly the wheel of fortune turns.The Emperor still is formidably strong.
ILLO. The Emperor has soldiers, no commander,For this King Ferdinand of HungaryIs but a Tyro. Galas? He's no luck,And was of old the ruiner of armies.And then this Viper, this Octavio,Is excellent at stabbing in the back,But ne'er meets Friedland in the open field.
TERTSKY.Trust me, my friends, it cannot but succeed;Fortune, we know can ne'er forsake the Duke!And only under Wallenstein can AustriaBe conqueror.
ILLO.The Duke will soon assembleA mighty army, all comes crowding, streamingTo banners, dedicate by destiny,To fame, and prosperous fortune. I beholdOld times come back again, he will becomeOnce more the mighty Lord which he has been.How will the fools, who've now deserted him,Look then? I can't but laugh to think of them,For lands will he present to all his friends,And like a King and Emperor rewardTrue services; but we've the nearest claims.(To Gordon.)You will not be forgotten, Governor!He'll take you from this nest and bid you shine In higher station: your fidelityWell merits it.
GORDON.I am content already,And wish to climb no higher; where great height isThe fall must needs be great. "Great height,great depth."
ILLO.Here you have no more business for to-morrow;The Swedes will take possession of the citadel.Come, Tertsky, it is supper-time. What think you?Say, shall we have the State illuminatedIn honour of the Swede? And who refusesTo do it is a Spaniard and a traitor.
TERTSKY.Nay Nay! not that, it not will please the Duke—
ILLO.What we are masters here; no soul shall dareAvow himself imperial where we've the rule.Gordon! Good night, and, for the last time, takeA fair leave of the place. Send out patrolesTo make secure, the watch-word may be alter'dAt the stroke of ten; deliver in the keysTo the Duke himself, and then you're quit for everYour wardship of the gates, for on to-morrowThe Swedes will take possession of the citadel.
TERTSKY. (as he is going, to Butler.) You come though to the castle.
BUTLER.At the right time.(Exeunt Tertsky and Illo.)