Part 160 (2/2)

What we with toil and foresight have built up Will go to wreck--all go to instant wreck.

What then? Another chieftain is soon found, Another army likewise (who dares doubt it?) Will flock from all sides to the emperor, At the first beat of his recruiting drum.

[During this speech, ISOLANI, TERZKY, ILLO, and MARADAS talk confusedly with great agitation.

MAX. PICCOLOMINI (busily and pa.s.sionately going from one to another, and soothing them).

Hear, my commander' Hear me, generals!

Let me conjure you, duke! Determine nothing, Till we have met and represented to you Our joint remonstrances! Nay, calmer! Friends!

I hope all may yet be set right again.

TERZKY.

Away! let us away! in the antechamber Find we the others.

[They go.

BUTLER (to QUESTENBERG).

If good counsel gain Due audience from your wisdom, my lord envoy, You will be cautious how you show yourself In public for some hours to come--or hardly Will that gold key protect you from maltreatment.

[Commotions heard from without.

WALLENSTEIN.

A salutary counsel--Thou, Octavio!

Wilt answer for the safety of our guest.

Farewell, von Questenberg!

[QUESTENBURG is about to speak.

Nay, not a word.

Not one word more of that detested subject!

You have performed your duty. We know now To separate the office from the man.

[AS QUESTENBERG is going off with OCTAVIO, GOETZ, TIEFENBACH, KOLATTO, press in, several other generals following them.

GOETZ.

Where's he who means to rob us of our general?

TIEFENBACH (at the same time).

What are we forced to bear? That thou wilt leave us?

KOLATTO (at the same time).

We will live with thee, we will die with thee.

WALLENSTEIN (with stateliness, and pointing to ILLO).

There! the field-marshal knows our will.

[Exit.

[While all are going off the stage, the curtain drops.

ACT III.

SCENE I.

A Small Chamber.

ILLO and TERZKY.

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