44
THE DEATH OF
With fame, shall end this war, this frightful war
Thou led'st us out into the bloody field
Of death, thou and no other shalt conduct us home,
Rejoicing to the lovely plains of peace—
Shalt share with us the fruits of the long toil.—
Thou led'st us out into the bloody field
Of death, thou and no other shalt conduct us home,
Rejoicing to the lovely plains of peace—
Shalt share with us the fruits of the long toil.—
WALLENSTEIN.
What? Think you then at length in late old age
To enjoy the fruits of toil? Believe it not.
Never, no never, will you see the end
Of the contest! you and me, and all of us,
This war will swallow up! War, war, not peace,
Is Austria's with; and therefore, because I
Endeavour'd after peace, therefore I fall.
For what cares Austria, how long the war
Wears out the armies and lays waste the world?
She will but wax and grow amid the ruin,
And still win new domains.
(the Cuirassiers express agitation by their gestures.)
Ye're mov'd—I see
A noble rage flash from your eyes, ye warriors !
Oh that my spirit might possess you now
Daring as once it led you to the battle!
Ye would stand by me with your veteran arms,
Protect me in my rights; and this is noble !
But think not that you can accomplish it,
Your scanty number! to no purpose will you
Have sacrificed you for your General.
(confidentially.)
No! let us tread securely, seek for friends,
The Swedes have proffer'd us assistance, let us
Wear for a while the appearance of good will,
What? Think you then at length in late old age
To enjoy the fruits of toil? Believe it not.
Never, no never, will you see the end
Of the contest! you and me, and all of us,
This war will swallow up! War, war, not peace,
Is Austria's with; and therefore, because I
Endeavour'd after peace, therefore I fall.
For what cares Austria, how long the war
Wears out the armies and lays waste the world?
She will but wax and grow amid the ruin,
And still win new domains.
(the Cuirassiers express agitation by their gestures.)
Ye're mov'd—I see
A noble rage flash from your eyes, ye warriors !
Oh that my spirit might possess you now
Daring as once it led you to the battle!
Ye would stand by me with your veteran arms,
Protect me in my rights; and this is noble !
But think not that you can accomplish it,
Your scanty number! to no purpose will you
Have sacrificed you for your General.
(confidentially.)
No! let us tread securely, seek for friends,
The Swedes have proffer'd us assistance, let us
Wear for a while the appearance of good will,
And
