WALLENSTEIN.
69
To your new lord, than you have prov'd yourself
To the Emperor. Come, Butler! promise me,
Give me your hand upon it, that you'll be
The guardian of his life, its shield, its watchman.
He is attainted, and his princely head
Fair booty for each slave that trades in murder.
Now he doth need the faithful eye of friendship,
And those whom here I see—
(casting suspicious looks on Illo and Butler)
To the Emperor. Come, Butler! promise me,
Give me your hand upon it, that you'll be
The guardian of his life, its shield, its watchman.
He is attainted, and his princely head
Fair booty for each slave that trades in murder.
Now he doth need the faithful eye of friendship,
And those whom here I see—
(casting suspicious looks on Illo and Butler)
ILLO.
Go—seek for traitors
In Galas', in your father's quarters. Here
Is only one. Away! away! and free us
From his detested sight! Away!
Go—seek for traitors
In Galas', in your father's quarters. Here
Is only one. Away! away! and free us
From his detested sight! Away!
(Max. attempts once more to approach Thekla.
Wallenstein prevents him. Max. stands irresolute,
and in apparent anguish. In the mean time
the stage fills more and more; and the horns
sound from below louder and louder, and each
time after a shorter interval.)
Wallenstein prevents him. Max. stands irresolute,
and in apparent anguish. In the mean time
the stage fills more and more; and the horns
sound from below louder and louder, and each
time after a shorter interval.)
MAX.
Blow, blow! O were it but the Swedish Trumpets,
And all the naked swords, which I see here,
Were plunged into my breast! What purpose you?
You come to tear me from this place! Beware,
Ye drive me not to desperation.—Do it not!
Ye may repent it!
(the stage is entirely fill 'd with armed men.)
Yet more! weight upon weight to drag me down!
Think what ye're doing. It is not well done
To choose a man despairing for your leader;
Blow, blow! O were it but the Swedish Trumpets,
And all the naked swords, which I see here,
Were plunged into my breast! What purpose you?
You come to tear me from this place! Beware,
Ye drive me not to desperation.—Do it not!
Ye may repent it!
(the stage is entirely fill 'd with armed men.)
Yet more! weight upon weight to drag me down!
Think what ye're doing. It is not well done
To choose a man despairing for your leader;
You
