184
THE PICCOLOMINI, OR THE
Youth's fortunate feeling doth seize easily
The absolute right, yea, and a joy it is
To exercise the single apprehension
Where the sums square in proof;
But where it happens, that of two sure evils
One must be taken, where the heart not wholly
Brings itself back from out the strife of duties,
There 'tis a blessing to have no election,
And blank necessity is grace and favour.
—This is now present: do not look behind thee,—
It can no more avail thee. Look thou forwards!
Think not! judge not! prepare thyself to act!
The Court—it hath determin'd on my ruin,
Therefore I will to be beforehand with them.
We'll join the Swedes—right gallant fellows are they,
And our good friends.
(He stops himself, expecting Piccolomini's answer.)
I have ta'en thee by surprise. Answer me not.
I grant thee time to recollect thyself.
(He rises, and retires at the back of the stage.
Max. remains for a long time motionlees, in
a trance of excessive anguish. At his first motion
Wallenstein returns, and places himself before him.)
The absolute right, yea, and a joy it is
To exercise the single apprehension
Where the sums square in proof;
But where it happens, that of two sure evils
One must be taken, where the heart not wholly
Brings itself back from out the strife of duties,
There 'tis a blessing to have no election,
And blank necessity is grace and favour.
—This is now present: do not look behind thee,—
It can no more avail thee. Look thou forwards!
Think not! judge not! prepare thyself to act!
The Court—it hath determin'd on my ruin,
Therefore I will to be beforehand with them.
We'll join the Swedes—right gallant fellows are they,
And our good friends.
(He stops himself, expecting Piccolomini's answer.)
I have ta'en thee by surprise. Answer me not.
I grant thee time to recollect thyself.
(He rises, and retires at the back of the stage.
Max. remains for a long time motionlees, in
a trance of excessive anguish. At his first motion
Wallenstein returns, and places himself before him.)
MAX.
My General, this day thou makest me
Of age, to speak in my own right and person,
For till this day I have been spared the trouble
To find out my own road. Thee have I follow'd
My General, this day thou makest me
Of age, to speak in my own right and person,
For till this day I have been spared the trouble
To find out my own road. Thee have I follow'd
With
