The Complete Works of Samuel Taylor Coleridge (Illustrated Edition). Samuel Taylor Coleridge
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115
Prague! — Egra’s granted — But — but Prague!—’Twon’t do.
I give you every security
Which you may ask of me in common reason —
But Prague — Bohemia — these, Sir General,
I can myself protect.
Wrangel. We doubt it not. 120
But ‘tis not the protection that is now
Our sole concern. We want security,
That we shall not expend our men and money
All to no purpose.
Wallenstein. ‘Tis but reasonable.
Wrangel. And till we are indemnified, so long 125
Stays Prague in pledge.
Wallenstein. Then trust you us so little?
Wrangel (rising). The Swede, if he would treat well with the
German,
Must keep a sharp look-out. We have been called
Over the Baltic, we have saved the empire
From ruin — with our best blood have we seal’d 130
The liberty of faith, and gospel truth.
But now already is the benefaction
No longer felt, the load alone is felt. ——
Ye look askance with evil eye upon us,
As foreigners, intruders in the empire, 135
And would fain send us, with some paltry sum
Of money, home again to our old forests.
No, no! my Lord Duke! no! — it never was
For Judas’ pay, for chinking gold and silver,
That we did leave our King by the Great Stone. 140
No, not for gold and silver have there bled
So many of our Swedish Nobles — neither
Will we, with empty laurels for our payment,
Hoist sail for our own country. Citizens
Will we remain upon the soil, the which 145
Our Monarch conquered for himself, and died.
Wallenstein. Help to keep down the common enemy,
And the fair border land must needs be yours.
Wrangel. But when the common enemy lies vanquished,
Who knits together our new friendship then? 150
We know, Duke Friedland! though perhaps the Swede
Ought not t’ have known it, that you carry on
Secret negotiations with the Saxons.
Who is our warranty, that we are not
The sacrifices in those articles 155
Which ‘tis thought needful to conceal from us?
Wallenstein (rises). Think you of something better, Gustave
Wrangel!
Of Prague no more.
Wrangel. Here my commission ends.
Wallenstein. Surrender up to you my capital!
Far liever would I face about, and step 160
Back to my Emperor.
Wrangel. If time yet permits ——
Wallenstein. That lies with me, even now, at any hour.
Wrangel. Some days ago, perhaps. To-day, no longer,
No longer since Sesina is a prisoner.
My Lord Duke, hear me — We believe that you 165
At present do mean honourably by us.
Since yesterday we’re sure of that — and now
This paper warrants for the troops, there’s nothing
Stands in the way of our full confidence.
Prague shall not part us. Hear! The Chancellor 170
Contents himself with Albstadt, to your Grace
He gives up Ratschin and the narrow side,
But Egra above all must open to us,
Ere we can think of any junction.
Wallenstein. You,
You therefore must I trust, and you not me? 175
I will consider of your proposition.
Wrangel. I must entreat, that your consideration
Occupy not too long a time. Already
Has this negotiation, my Lord Duke!
Crept on into the second year. If nothing 180
Is settled this time, will the Chancellor
Consider it as broken off for ever.
Wallenstein. Ye press me hard. A measure, such as this,
Ought to be thought of.
Wrangel. Ay! but think of this too,
That sudden action only can procure it 185
Success — think first of this, your Highness. [Exit WRANGEL.
SCENE VI
WALLENSTEIN, TERTSKY, and ILLO (re-enter).
Illo. Is’t all right?
Tertsky. Are you compromised?
Illo. This Swede
Went smiling from you. Yes! you’re compromised.
Wallenstein. As yet is nothing settled: and (well weighed)
I feel myself inclined to leave it so.
Tertsky. How? What is that?
Wallenstein. Come on me what will come, 5
The doing evil to avoid an evil
Cannot be good!
Tertsky. Nay, but bethink you, Duke?
Wallenstein. To live upon the mercy of these Swedes!
Of these proud-hearted Swedes! I could not bear it.
Illo. Goest thou as fugitive, as mendicant? 10
Bringest thou not more to them than thou receivest?
SCENE VII
To these enter the COUNTESS TERTSKY.
Wallenstein. Who sent for you? There is no business here
For women.
Countess. I am come to bid you joy.
Wallenstein. Use thy authority, Tertsky, bid her go.
Countess. Come I perhaps too early? I hope not.
Wallenstein. Set not this tongue upon me, I entreat you. 5
You know it is the weapon that destroys me.
I am routed, if a woman but attack me.
I cannot traffic in the trade of words
With that unreasoning sex.
Countess. I had already
Given the Bohemians a king.
Wallenstein.