Samuel Coleridge - The Complete Works of Samuel Taylor Coleridge

And rose up free from injury? From this day

(It is reported) he betrayed clear marks

Of a distempered fancy.

Gordon. He became 115

Doubtless more self-enwrapt and melancholy;

He made himself a Catholic. Marvellously

His marvellous preservation had transformed him.

Thenceforth he held himself for an exempted

And privileged being, and, as if he were 120

Incapable of dizziness or fall,

He ran along the unsteady rope of life.

But now our destinies drove us asunder:

He paced with rapid step the way of greatness,

Was Count, and Prince, Duke-regent, and Dictator. 125

And now is all, all this too little for him;

He stretches forth his hands for a king’s crown,

And plunges in unfathomable ruin.

Butler. No more, he comes.

[After 72] [With a sly glance on BUTLER. 1800, 1828, 1829.

[Before 88] Gordon (pauses reflecting — then as in deep dejection).

1800, 1828, 1829.

Table of Contents

To these enter WALLENSTEIN, in conversation with the Burgomaster of

Egra.

Wallenstein. You were at one time a free town. I see,

Ye bear the half eagle in your city arms.

Why the half eagle only?

Burgomaster. We were free,

But for these last two hundred years has Egra

Remained in pledge to the Bohemian crown, 5

Therefore we bear the half eagle, the other half

Being cancelled till the empire ransom us,

If ever that should be.

Wallenstein. Ye merit freedom.

Only be firm and dauntless. Lend your ears

To no designing whispering court-minions. 10

What may your imposts be?

Burgomaster. So heavy that

We totter under them. The garrison

Lives at our costs.

Wallenstein. I will relieve you. Tell me,

There are some Protestants among you still?

[The Burgomaster hesitates.

Yes, yes; I know it. Many lie concealed 15

Within these walls — Confess now — you yourself —

Be not alarmed. I hate the Jesuits.

Could my will have determined it, they had

Been long ago expelled the empire. Trust me —

Mass-book or Bible—’tis all one to me. 20

Of that the world has had sufficient proof.

I built a church for the reformed in Glogan

At my own instance. Hark’e, Burgomaster!

What is your name?

Burgomaster. Pachhälbel, may it please you.

Wallenstein. Hark’e! —— 25

But let it go no further, what I now

Disclose to you in confidence.

[Laying his hand on the Burgomaster’s shoulder.

The times

Draw near to their fulfilment, Burgomaster!

The high will fall, the low will be exalted.

Hark’e! But keep it to yourself! The end 30

Approaches of the Spanish double monarchy —

A new arrangement is at hand. You saw

The three moons that appeared at once in the Heaven.

Burgomaster. With wonder and affright!

Wallenstein. Whereof did two

Strangely transform themselves to bloody daggers. 35

And only one, the middle moon, remained

Steady and clear.

Burgomaster. We applied it to the Turks.

Wallenstein. The Turks! That all? — I tell you, that two empires

Will set in blood, in the East and in the West,

And Luth’ranism alone remain. [Observing GORDON and BUTLER.

I’faith, 40

‘Twas a smart cannonading that we heard

This evening, as we journeyed hitherward;

‘Twas on our left hand. Did you hear it here?

Gordon. Distinctly. The wind brought it from the South.

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