PREFACE TO THE FIRST EDITION

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      It was my intention to have prefixed a Life of Wallenstein to this translation; but I found that it must either have occupied a space wholly disproportionate to the nature of the publication, or have been merely a meagre catalogue of events narrated not more fully than they already are in the Play itself. The recent translation, likewise, of Schiller’s History of the Thirty Years’ War diminished the motives thereto. In the translation I endeavoured to render my Author literally wherever I was not prevented by absolute differences of idiom; but I am conscious that in two or three short passages I have been guilty of dilating the original; and, from anxiety to give the full meaning, have weakened the force. In the metre I have availed myself of no other liberties than those which Schiller had permitted to himself, except the occasional breaking-up of the line by the substitution of a trochee for an iambus; of which liberty, so frequent in our tragedies, I find no instance in these dramas.

      S. T. COLERIDGE.

ACT I

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SCENE I

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      An old Gothic Chamber in the Council House at Pilsen, decorated with

       Colours and other War Insignia.

      ILLO with BUTLER and ISOLANI.

      Illo. Ye have come late — but ye are come! The distance,

       Count Isolan, excuses your delay.

      Isolani. Add this too, that we come not empty-handed.

       At Donauwert it was reported to us,

       A Swedish caravan was on its way 5

       Transporting a rich cargo of provision,

       Almost six hundred waggons. This my Croats

       Plunged down upon and seized, this weighty prize! ——

       We bring it hither ——

      Illo. Just in time to banquet

       The illustrious company assembled here. 10

      Butler. ‘Tis all alive! a stirring scene here!

      Isolani. Ay!

       The very churches are all full of soldiers.

       And in the Council-house, too, I observe,

       You’re settled, quite at home! Well, well! we soldiers

       Must shift and suit us in what way we can. 15

      Illo. We have the Colonels here of thirty regiments.

       You’ll find Count Tertsky here, and Tiefenbach,

       Kolatto, Goetz, Maradas, Hinnersam,

       The Piccolomini, both son and father ——

       You’ll meet with many an unexpected greeting 20

       From many an old friend and acquaintance. Only

       Galas is wanting still, and Altringer.

      Butler. Expect not Galas.

      Illo. How so? Do you know ——

      Isolani. Max Piccolomini here? — O bring me to him. 25

       I see him yet, (‘tis now ten years ago,

       We were engaged with Mansfeld hard by Dessau)

       I see the youth, in my mind’s eye I see him,

       Leap his black war-horse from the bridge adown,

       And t’ward his father, then in extreme peril, 30

       Beat up against the strong tide of the Elbe.

       The down was scarce upon his chin! I hear

       He has made good the promise of his youth,