WALLENST.

Help to keep down the common enemy,
And the fair border land must needs be yours.

WRANGEL.

But when the common enemy lies vanquish’d,
Who knits together our new friendship then? 
We know, Duke Friedland! though perhaps the Swede
Ought not to have known it, that you carry on
Secret negotiations with the Saxons. 
Who is our warranty, that we are not
The sacrifices in those articles
Which ’tis thought needful to conceal from us?

WALLENSTEIN (rises).

Think you of something better, Gustave Wrangel! 
Of Prague no more.

WRANGEL.

Here my commission ends.

WALLENST.

Surrender up to you my capital! 
Far liever would I face about, and step
Back to my Emperor.

WRANGEL.

If time yet permits—­

WALLENST.

That lies with me, even now, at any hour.

WRANGEL.

Some days ago, perhaps.  Today, no longer;
No longer since Sesina’s been a prisoner.

[WALLENSTEIN is struck, and silenced.]

My Lord Duke, hear me—­We believe that you
At present do mean honorably by us. 
Since yesterday we’re sure of that—­and now
This paper warrants for the troops, there’s nothing
Stands in the way of our full confidence. 
Prague shall not part us.  Hear!  The Chancellor
Contents himself with Altstadt; to your Grace
He gives up Ratschin and the narrow side. 
But Egra above all must open to us,
Ere we can think of any junction.

WALLENSTEIN.

You,
You therefore must I trust, and not you me? 
I will consider of your proposition.

WRANGEL.

I must entreat that your consideration
Occupy not too long a time.  Already
Has this negotiation, my Lord Duke,
Crept on into the second year!  If nothing
Is settled this time, will the Chancellor
Consider it as broken off for ever.

WALLENST.

Ye press me hard.  A measure such as this,
Ought to be thought of.

WRANGEL.

Ay! but think of this too,
That sudden action only can procure it
Success—­think first of this, your Highness.

[Exit WRANGEL.]

SCENE VI

WALLENSTEIN, TERZKY, and ILLO (re-enter)

ILLO.

It’s all right?

TERZKY.

Are you compromised?

ILLO.

This Swede
Went smiling from you.  Yes! you’re compromised.

WALLENST.

As yet is nothing settled:  and (well weighed)
I feel myself inclined to leave it so.

TERZKY.

How?  What is that?

WALLENSTEIN.

Come on me what will come,
The doing evil to avoid an evil
Cannot be good!

TERZKY.