So heavy that
We totter under them.  The garrison
Lives at our costs.

WALLENSTEIN.

I will relieve you.  Tell me,
There are some Protestants among you still

[The BURGOMASTER hesitates.]

Yes, yes; I know it.  Many lie conceal’d
Within these walls—­confess now—­you your self—­

[Fixes his eye on him.  The BURGOMASTER alarmed.]

Be not alarm’d.  I hate the Jesuits. 
Could my will have determined it, they had
Been long ago expell’d the empire.  Trust me—­
Mass-book or bible, ’tis all one to me. 
Of that the world has had sufficient proof. 
I built a church for the Reform’d in Glogau
At my own instance.  Harkye, Burgomaster! 
What is your name?

BURGOMASTER.

Pachhalbel, may it please you.

WALLENST.

Harkye!—­
But let it go no further, what I now
Disclose to you in confidence.

[Laying his hand on the BURGOMASTER’S shoulder with a certain solemnity.]

The times
Draw near to their fulfilment, Burgomaster! 
The high will fall, the low will be exalted. 
Harkye!  But keep it to yourself!  The end
Approaches of the Spanish double monarchy—­
A new arrangement is at hand.  You saw
The three moons that appear’d at once in the Heaven.

BURGOM.

With wonder and affright!

WALLENSTEIN.

Whereof did two
Strangely transform themselves to bloody daggers,
And only one, the middle moon, remained
Steady and clear.

BURGOMASTER.

We applied it to the Turks.

WALLENST.

The Turks!  That all?—­I tell you, that two empires
Will set in blood, in the East and in the West,
And Luth’ranism alone remain.

[Observing GORDON and BUTLER.]

I’ faith,
’Twas a smart cannonading that we heard
This evening, as we journey’d hitherward;
’Twas on our left hand.  Did you hear it here?

GORDON.

Distinctly.  The wind brought it from the south.

BUTLER.

It seem’d to came from Weiden or from Neustadt.

WALLENST.

’Tis likely.  That’s the route the Swedes are taking. 
How strong is the garrison?

GORDON.

Not quite two hundred
Competent men, the rest are invalids.

WALLENST.

Good!  And how many in the vale of Jochim?

GORDON.

Two hundred harquebusiers have I sent thither
To fortify the posts against the Swedes.

WALLENST.

Good!  I commend your foresight.  At the works too
You have done somewhat?

GORDON.

Two additional batteries
I caused to be run up.  They were needless. 
The Rhinegrave presses hard upon us, General!

WALLENST.

You have been watchful in your Emperor’s service. 
I am content with you, Lieutenant-Colonel.