_Wallenstein._ And does he know it?
_Countess._ Yes, and he hopes to win her.
_Wallenstein._ Hopes to win her!
Is the boy mad?
_Countess._ Well--hear it from themselves.
_Wallenstein._ He thinks to carry off Duke Friedland"s daughter! 75
Aye?--The thought pleases me.
The young man has no grovelling spirit.
_Countess._ Since Such and such constant favour you have shewn him--
_Wallenstein._ He chooses finally to be my heir.
And true it is, I love the youth; yea, honour him. 80 But must he therefore be my daughter"s husband!
Is it daughters only? Is it only children That we must shew our favour by?
_d.u.c.h.ess._ His n.o.ble disposition and his manners--
_Wallenstein._ Win him my heart, but not my daughter.
_d.u.c.h.ess._ Then 85 His rank, his ancestors--
_Wallenstein._ Ancestors! What?
He is a subject, and my son-in-law I will seek out upon the thrones of Europe.
_d.u.c.h.ess._ O dearest Albrecht! Climb we not too high.
Lest we should fall too low.
_Wallenstein._ What? have I paid 90 A price so heavy to ascend this eminence, And jut out high above the common herd, Only to close the mighty part I play In Life"s great drama, with a common kinsman?
Have I for this-- [_pause._] She is the only thing 95 That will remain behind of me on earth; And I will see a crown around her head, Or die in the attempt to place it there.
I hazard all--all! and for this alone, To lift her into greatness-- 100 Yea, in this moment, in the which we are speaking-- [_pause._ And I must now, like a soft-hearted father, Couple together in good peasant fashion The pair, that chance to suit each other"s liking-- And I must do it now, even now, when I 105 Am stretching out the wreath that is to twine My full accomplished work--no! she is the jewel, Which I have treasured long, my last, my n.o.blest, And "tis my purpose not to let her from me For less than a king"s sceptre.
_d.u.c.h.ess._ O my husband! 110 You"re ever building, building to the clouds, Still building higher, and still higher building, And ne"er reflect, that the poor narrow basis Cannot sustain the giddy tottering column.
_Wallenstein (to the Countess)._ Have you announced the place of residence 115 Which I have destined for her?
_Countess._ No! not yet.
"Twere better you yourself disclosed it to her.
_d.u.c.h.ess._ How? Do we not return to Karn then?
_Wallenstein._ No.
_d.u.c.h.ess._ And to no other of your lands or seats?
_Wallenstein._ You would not be secure there.
_d.u.c.h.ess._ Not secure 120 In the Emperor"s realms, beneath the Emperor"s Protection?
_Wallenstein._ Friedland"s wife may be permitted No longer to hope that.
_d.u.c.h.ess._ O G.o.d in heaven!
And have you brought it even to this?
_Wallenstein._ In Holland You"ll find protection.
_d.u.c.h.ess._ In a Lutheran country? 125 What? And you send us into Lutheran countries?
_Wallenstein._ Duke Franz of Lauenburg conducts you thither.
_d.u.c.h.ess._ Duke Franz of Lauenburg?
The ally of Sweden, the Emperor"s enemy.
_Wallenstein._ The Emperor"s enemies are mine no longer. 130
_d.u.c.h.ess (casting a look of terror on the Duke and the Countess)._ Is it then true? It is. You are degraded?
Deposed from the command? O G.o.d in heaven!
_Countess (aside to the Duke)._ Leave her in this belief. Thou seest she cannot Support the real truth.
LINENOTES:
[26] _fear_ 1800, 1828, 1829.
[48] from] _for_ 1800, 1828, 1829.
[56] _him_ 1800, 1828, 1829.
[95]
Have I for this-- [_Stops suddenly, repressing himself._
1800, 1828, 1829.
[After 101] [_He recollects himself._ 1800, 1828, 1829.
[118] Karn 1800.
[123] _that_ 1800, 1828, 1829.
SCENE V
_To them enter COUNT TERTSKY._