Soldiers were scarce, for still the multitude
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.

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
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.

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
Separate from each other, 'twill be soon.

Made manifest, in which the soul abode.

(Illo and Tertsky enter.)

Courage, friends! Courage! We are still unvan

quished;

I feel my footing firm; five regiments, Tertsky,
Are still our own, and Butler's gallant troops;
And an 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,
Το conquer Germany for the Emperor.

SCENE II.

WALLENSTEIN, ILLO, TERTSKY. (to them enter NEUMANN, who leads Tertsky aside, and talks with

him.)

TERTSKY.

What do they want?

WALLENSTEIN,

What now?

TERTSKY.

Ten Cuirassiers

From Pappenheim request leave to address you

In the name of the regiment.

WALLENSTEIN (hastily to Neumann).

Let them enter.

[Exit Neumann.

This

May end in something. Mark you. They are still

SCENE III.

WALLENSTEIN, TERTSKY, ILLO, TEN CUIRASSIERS (led by an Anspessade,* march_up and arrange themselves, after the word of command, in one front before the Duke, and make their obeisance. He takes his hat off, and immediately covers himself again).

ANSPESSADE.

Halt! Front! Present!

WALLENSTEIN (after he has run through them with his eye, to the Anspessade).

I know thee well.

ders:

Thy name is Mercy.

Thou art out of Brüggin in Flan

ANSPESSADE.

Henry Mercy.

WALLENSTEIN.

Thou wert cut off on the march, surrounded by the Hessians, and didst fight thy way with an hundred and eighty men through their thousand.

Anspessade, in German, Gefreiter, a soldier inferior to a corporal, but above the centinels. The German name implies that he is exempt from mounting guard.

ANSPESSADE.

'Twas even so, General!

WALLENSTEIN.

What reward hadst thou for this gallant exploit?

ANSPESSADE.

That which I asked for: the honour to serve in this corps.

WALLENSTEIN (turning to a second).

Thou wert among the volunteers that seized and made booty of the Swedish battery at Altenburg. SECOND CUIRASSIER.

Yes, General!

WALLENSTEIN.

I forget no one with whom I have exchanged words. (a pause.) Who sends you?

ANSPESSADE.

Your noble regiment, the Cuirassiers of Piccolomini.
WALLENSTEIN.

Why does not your colonel deliver in your request, according to the custom of service?

WALLENSTEIN (turning to a third).

Thy name is Risbeck, Cologne is thy birth-place. THIRD CUIRASSIER.

Risbeck of Cologne.

WALLENSTEIN.

It was thou that broughtest in the Swedish colonel, Diebald, prisoner, in the camp at Nuremberg.

THIRD CUIRASSIER.

It was not I, General!

WALLENSTEIN.

Perfectly right! It was thy elder brother: thou hadst a younger brother too: Where did he stay? THIRD CUIRASSIER.

He is stationed at Olmutz with the Imperial army.

WALLENSTEIN (to the Anspessade).

Now then-begin.