Samuel Coleridge - The Complete Works of Samuel Taylor Coleridge

Esteem them, love them more than you and others,

E’en as they merit. Therefore are they eye-blights, 35

Thorns in your footpath. But your jealousies,

In what affect they me or my concerns?

Are they the worse to me because you hate them?

Love or hate one another as you will,

I leave to each man his own moods and likings; 40

Yet know the worth of each of you to me.

Illo. Von Questenberg, while he was here, was always

Lurking about with this Octavio.

Wallenstein. It happened with my knowledge and permission.

Illo. I know that secret messengers came to him 45

From Galas ——

Wallenstein. That’s not true.

Illo. O thou art blind

With thy deep-seeing eyes.

Wallenstein. Thou wilt not shake

My faith for me — my faith, which founds itself

On the profoundest science. If ‘tis false,

Then the whole science of the stars is false. 50

For know, I have a pledge from fate itself,

That he is the most faithful of my friends.

Illo. Hast thou a pledge, that this pledge is not false?

Wallenstein. There exist moments in the life of man,

When he is nearer the great soul of the world 55

Than is man’s custom, and possesses freely

The power of questioning his destiny:

And such a moment ‘twas, when in the night

Before the action in the plains of Lützen,

Leaning against a tree, thoughts crowding thoughts, 60

I looked out far upon the ominous plain.

My whole life, past and future, in this moment

Before my mind’s eye glided in procession,

And to the destiny of the next morning

The spirit, filled with anxious presentiment, 65

Did knit the most removed futurity.

Then said I also to myself, ‘So many

Dost thou command. They follow all thy stars,

And as on some great number set their All

Upon thy single head, and only man 70

The vessel of thy fortune. Yet a day

Will come, when destiny shall once more scatter

All these in many a several direction:

Few be they who will stand out faithful to thee.’

I yearn’d to know which one was faithfullest 75

Of all, this camp included. Great Destiny,

Give me a sign! And he shall be the man,

Who, on the approaching morning, comes the first

To meet me with a token of his love:

And thinking this, I fell into a slumber. 80

Then midmost in the battle was I led

In spirit. Great the pressure and the tumult!

Then was my horse killed under me: I sank:

And over me away, all unconcernedly,

Drove horse and rider — and thus trod to pieces 85

I lay, and panted like a dying man.

Then seized me suddenly a saviour arm;

It was Octavio’s — I awoke at once,

‘Twas broad day, and Octavio stood before me.

‘My brother,’ said he,’do not ride to-day 90

The dapple, as you’re wont; but mount the horse

Which I have chosen for thee. Do it, brother!

In love to me. A strong dream warned me so.’

It was the swiftness of this horse that snatched me

From the hot pursuit of Bannier’s dragoons. 95

My cousin rode the dapple on that day.

And never more saw I or horse or rider.

Illo. That was a chance.

Wallenstein. There’s no such thing as chance.

In brief, ‘tis signed and sealed that this Octavio

Is my good angel — and now no word more. [He is retiring.

Tertsky. This is my comfort — Max remains our hostage. 100

Illo. And he shall never stir from here alive.

Wallenstein (stops and turns himself round). Are ye not like the

women, who for ever

Only recur to their first word, although

One had been talking reason by the hour? 105

Know, that the human being’s thoughts and deeds

Are not, like ocean billows, blindly moved.

The inner world, his microcosmus, is

The deep shaft, out of which they spring eternally.

They grow by certain laws, like the tree’s fruit — 110

No juggling chance can metamorphose them.

Have I the human kernel first examined?

Then I know, too, the future will and action.

Table of Contents

SCENE — A Chamber in PICCOLOMINI’S Dwelling-House.

OCTAVIO PICCOLOMINI, ISOLANI (entering).

Isolani. Here am I — Well! who comes yet of the others?

Octavio. But, first, a word with you, Count Isolani.

Isolani. Will it explode, ha? — Is the Duke about

To make the attempt? In me, friend, you may place

Full confidence. — Nay, put me to the proof. 5

Octavio. That may happen.

Isolani. Noble brother, I am

Not one of those men who in words are valiant,

And when it comes to action skulk away.

The Duke has acted towards me as a friend.

God knows it is so; and I owe him all —— 10

He may rely on my fidelity.

Octavio. That will be seen hereafter.

Isolani. Be on your guard,

All think not as I think; and there are many

Who still hold with the Court — yes, and they say

That those stolen signatures bind them to nothing. 15

Octavio. I am rejoiced to hear it.

Isolani. You rejoice!

Octavio. That the Emperor has yet such gallant servants

And loving friends.

Isolani. Nay, jeer not, I entreat you.

They are no such worthless fellows, I assure you.

Octavio. I am assured already. God forbid 20

That I should jest! — In very serious earnest

I am rejoiced to see an honest cause

So strong.

Isolani. The Devil! — what! — why, what means this?

Are you not, then —— For what, then, am I here?

Octavio. That you may make full declaration, whether 25

You will be called the friend or enemy

Of the Emperor.

Isolani. That declaration, friend,

I’ll make to him in whom a right is placed

To put that question to me.

Octavio. Whether, Count, 30

That right is mine, this paper may instruct you.

Isolani. Why, — why — what! This is the Emperor’s hand and seal!

[Reads.

‘Whereas the officers collectively

Throughout our army will obey the orders

Of the Lieutenant-General Piccolomini 35

As from ourselves.’ —— Hem! — Yes! so! — Yes! yes! —

I — I give you joy, Lieutenant-General!

Octavio. And you submit you to the order?

Isolani. I ——

But you have taken me so by surprise —

Time for reflection one must have ——

Octavio. Two minutes. 40

Isolani. My God! But then the case is ——

Octavio. Plain and simple.

You must declare you, whether you determine

To act a treason ‘gainst your Lord and Sovereign,

Or whether you will serve him faithfully.

Isolani. Treason! — My God! — But who talks then of treason? 45

Octavio. That is the case. The Prince-Duke is a traitor —

Means to lead over to the enemy

The Emperor’s army. — Now, Count! — brief and full —

Say, will you break your oath to the Emperor?

Sell yourself to the enemy? — Say, will you? 50

Isolani. What mean you? I — I break my oath, d’ye say,

To his Imperial Majesty?

Did I say so? — When, when have I said that?

Octavio. You have not said it yet — not yet. This instant

I wait to hear, Count, whether you will say it. 55

Isolani. Aye! that delights me now, that you yourself

Bear witness for me that I never said so.

Octavio. And you renounce the Duke then?

Isolani. If he’s planning

Treason — why, treason breaks all bonds asunder.

Octavio. And are determined, too, to fight against him? 60

Isolani. He has done me service — but if he’s a villain,

Perdition seize him! — All scores are rubbed off.