University of Virginia Library

Scena tertia

Wallenstein solus.
Wallens.
To be diseas'd in mind, diseas'd past cure
Of Physicke or sage counsell, is a madnesse,
The active Souldiers, all whose ends are glory,
And that by vertue (cowards terme a sinne)
Ambition, should not be acquainted with.
Although my cares doe hang upon my soule,
Like mines of Lead, the greatnesse of my spirit,
Shall shake the sullen waight off; naturall rest,
(Is like a wholsome bath to limbes opprest
With gouts and aches) to a troubled minde,
A most excelling medicine, and I feele
A strong propension in my braine, to court
Sleepe for its mild Physitian: within there; boy.
Ent a Page.
Sirrah be sure that none disturbe my rest,
On no occasion, on your life I charge you.

Page.
Shall I sing Sir.

Wallens.
Yes, if the notes be heavy, apt to invite
The weary soule to slumbers.

Song.
Page.
Who's there? you must not enter.

Dutch.
Must not sirrah,
Ent. Dutch.
Where is your Lord?

Page.
Your pardon, gracious Madam, he's laid down
To rest, and has upon my life commanded
Me, none should wake him.

Dutch.
Thinkst thou he is
So much addicted to his ease, he will
Neglect his businesse, goe in and tell him,
The Governors of Egers, Colonell Gordon,
And Colonell Lesle are without upon
Affaires of consequence.

Page.
Would your Grace
Would pardon me, your selfe with greater safety
Might do it, Madam.

Dutch.
Foolish boy, goe in, I will be thy security.

Page.
I shall performe,
Though most unwillingly your command; my Lord,
Please you to rise, your Dutchesse.

Wallens.
Ha, where's my sword,
Thou art a Coward Ghost, and not my sonnes,
To take me in my sleepe unarm'd, my Poniard
Will still be faithfull to me, if thou beest not
Thin ayre, its point will graze on thee.

Stabs the Page.
Dutch.
O my Lord,
What has your fury acted? this your sudden
Murdring this innocent youth, doth adde new horrors
To your strange cruelties.

Wallens.
Ha, my Page! his death
Was but due justice for his breach of duty,
For thus disturbing of my rest.

Dutch.
My Lord,
Your hands are purpled so in innocent blood,
Teares cannot wash the tincture of: my selfe
Am as deepe guilty as you in the slaughter
Of Isabella, she was innocent,
The Jewell I accus'd her of, this morning,
Griefe to my soule, I've found, pray heaven, repentance
May expiate our offences.

Wallens.
I begin
To feele strange horrors here, my Marble soule,
Does strive to sweat it selfe into a teare,
At thought of these sad accidents. Noble Friends,
Ent. Gord. Butl. Lesle, Newm. Tert. Kint.
You'r opportunely welcome, I was opprest
With sudden melancholy, but your lov'd presence
Expells all thought of it, and I'm growne
As full of sprightly mirth, as when my hopes
Aime at a glorious victory.

Gordon.
Mighty Duke,
According to my duty, I am come
Here to present you with the keyes of Egers,
My place of Government, and with them my life,
To doe you service.

Wallens.
noble Gordon,
you doe so much indeare mee by your love,
I have no possibility to requite
Your overflow of Curtesies, have you not
Receiv'd new intelligence of businesse,
Which does concerne me.

Lesle.
New temptations Sir
Against your precious life, 'tis to be fear'd,
Lest seeing we doe slacke so in performance
Of what we've promis'd, he'l imploy new agents
To attempt your ruine, and should treason,
As 'tis a subtle serpent, stings unseen Sir,
Invade your life: to what a dire misfortune
Were we, whose lives have upon your dependance,
Betray'd, and therefore good my Lord beware,
Lest your owne courage, which contemns all dangers,
Doe undoe you.

Wallens.
Never feare; how farre
Is't hence to Egers.

Gordon.
Some three houres easie march.

Wallens.
Set forward thither;
It were in vaine my enemies swords to feare,
When I doe carry sharper poniards here.

Exeunt.