ILLO (to Wallenstein.)
Commission me to use my own discretion?
I'll gain for you the Generals' words of honor,
Even as you wish.
WALLENSTEIN.
How you come by them, that is your concern.
ILLO.
That all the leaders who are present here
Give themselves up to you, without condition;
Say, will you then—then will you shew yourself
In earnest, and with some decisive action
Make trial of your luck?
WALLENSTEIN.
Gain me the signatures.
ILLO.
Ere it slips from you. Seldom comes the moment
In life, which is indeed sublime and weighty.
To make a great decision possible,
O! many things, all transient and all rapid,
Must meet at once: and, haply, they thus met
May by that confluence be enforc'd to pause
Time long enough for wisdom, though too short,
Far, far too short a time for doubt and scruple!
This is that moment. See, our army chieftains,
Our best, our noblest, are assembled round you,
