FIRST PART OF WALLENSTEIN.
171
The purpose ripe, the issue ascertained,
Dost thou begin to play the dastard now?
Plann'd merely, 'tis a common felony;
Accomplish'd, an immortal undertaking;
And with success comes pardon hand in hand;
For all event is God's arbitrement.
Dost thou begin to play the dastard now?
Plann'd merely, 'tis a common felony;
Accomplish'd, an immortal undertaking;
And with success comes pardon hand in hand;
For all event is God's arbitrement.
SERVANT. (enters.)
The Colonel Piccolomini.
The Colonel Piccolomini.
COUNTESS. (hastily.)
—Must wait.
—Must wait.
WALLENSTEIN.
I cannot fee him now. Another time.
I cannot fee him now. Another time.
SERVANT.
But for two minutes he entreats an audience,
Of the most urgent nature is his business.
But for two minutes he entreats an audience,
Of the most urgent nature is his business.
WALLENSTEIN.
Who knows what he may bring us? I will hear him.
Who knows what he may bring us? I will hear him.
COUNTESS. (laughs.)
Urgent for him, no doubt; but thou may'st wait.
Urgent for him, no doubt; but thou may'st wait.
WALLENSTEIN.
What is it?
What is it?
COUNTESS.
Thou shalt be inform'd hereafter.
First let the Swede and thee be compromised.
[Exit Servant.
Thou shalt be inform'd hereafter.
First let the Swede and thee be compromised.
[Exit Servant.
WALLENSTEIN.
If there were yet a choice; if yet some milder
Way of escape were possible—I still
Will chuse it, and avoid the last extreme.
If there were yet a choice; if yet some milder
Way of escape were possible—I still
Will chuse it, and avoid the last extreme.
COUNTESS.
