For that too 'tis too late. They know too much; He would but bear his own head to the block.
I fear not that. They have not evidence To attaint him legally, and they avoid The avowal of an arbitrary power. They'll let the Duke resign without disturbance. I see how all will end. The King of Hungary Makes his appearance, and 'twill of itself Be understood that then the Duke retires. There will not want a formal declaration; The young King will administer the oath To the whole army; and so all returns To the old position. On some morrow morning The Duke departs; and now 'tis stir and bustle Within his castles. He will hunt, and build, And superintend his horses' pedigrees; Creates himself a court, gives golden keys, And introduces strictest ceremony In fine proportions, and nice etiquette; Keeps open table with high cheer: in brief, Commences mighty King--in miniature. And while he prudently demeans himself, And gives himself no actual importance, He will be let appear whate'er he likes; And who dares doubt that Friedland will appear A mighty Prince to his last dying hour? Well now, what then? Duke Friedland is as others, A fire-new Noble, whom the war hath raised To price and currency, a Jonah's gourd, An over-night creation of court-favor, Which with an undistinguishable ease Makes Baron or makes Prince.
Take her away. Let in the young Count Piccolomini.
Art thou in earnest? I entreat thee! Canst thou Consent to bear thyself to thy own grave, So ignominiously to be dried up? Thy life, that arrogated such an height To end in such a nothing! To be nothing, When one was always nothing, is an evil That asks no stretch of patience, a light evil; But to become a nothing, having been--
WALLENSTEIN (_starts up in violent agitation_).
Show me a way out of this stifling crowd, Ye powers of Aidance! Show me such a way As _I_ am capable of going. I Am no tongue-hero, no fine virtue-prattler; I cannot warm by thinking; cannot say To the good luck that turns her back upon me, Magnanimously: "Go; I need thee not." Cease I to work, I am annihilated. Dangers nor sacrifices will I shun, If so I may avoid the last extreme; But ere I sink down into nothingness, Leave off so little, who began so great, Ere that the world confuses me with those Poor wretches whom a day creates and crumbles, This age and after ages[25] speak my name With hate and dread; and Friedland be redemption For each accursed deed.