Chapter 65

SCENE--_A spacious Room in the DUKE OF FRIEDLAND'S Palace._

_Wallenstein (in armour)._ Thou hast gained thy point, Octavio! Once more am I Almost as friendless as at Regenspurg. There I had nothing left me, but myself-- But what one man can do, you have now experience. The twigs have you hewed off, and here I stand 5 A leafless trunk. But in the sap within Lives the creating power, and a new world May sprout forth from it. Once already have I Proved myself worth an army to you--I alone! Before the Swedish strength your troops had melted; 10 Beside the Lech sank Tilly, your last hope; Into Bavaria, like a winter torrent, Did that Gustavus pour, and at Vienna In his own palace did the Emperor tremble. Soldiers were scarce, for still the multitude 15 Follow the luck: all eyes were turned on me, Their helper in distress; the Emperor's pride Bowed itself down before the man he had injured. 'Twas I must rise, and with creative word Assemble forces in the desolate camps. 20 I did it. Like a god of war, my name Went through the world. The drum was beat--and, lo! The plough, the work-shop is forsaken, all Swarm to the old familiar long-loved banners; And as the wood-choir rich in melody 25 Assemble quick around the bird of wonder, When first his throat swells with his magic song, So did the warlike youth of Germany Crowd in around the image of my eagle. I feel myself the being that I was. 30 It is the soul that builds itself a body, And Friedland's camp will not remain unfilled. Lead then your thousands out to meet me--true! They are accustomed under me to conquer, But not against me. If the head and limbs 35 Separate from each other, 'twill be soon Made manifest, in which the soul abode.

(_ILLO and TERTSKY enter._)

Courage, friends! Courage! We are still unvanquished; I feel my footing firm; five regiments, Tertsky, Are still our own, and Butler's gallant troops; 40 And a host of sixteen thousand Swedes to-morrow. I was not stronger, when nine years ago I marched forth, with glad heart and high of hope, To conquer Germany for the Emperor.

LINENOTES:

[11] sank] sunk 1800, 1828, 1829.