MACDON.

And I too.  ’Tis too great a personage. 
People will hold us for a brace of villains.

BUTLER.

In plenty, honor, splendor—­you may safely
Laugh at the people’s babble.

DEVEREUX.

If the business
Squares with one’s honor—­if that be quite certain—­

BUTLER.

Set your hearts quite at ease.  Ye save for Ferdinand
His crown and empire.  The reward can be
No small one.

DEVEREUX.

And ’tis his purpose to dethrone the Emperor?

BUTLER.

Yes!—­Yes!—­to rob him of his crown and life.

DEVEREUX.

And he must fall by the executioner’s hands,
Should we deliver him up to the Emperor
Alive?

BUTLER.

It were his certain destiny.

DEVEREUX.

Well!  Well!  Come then, Macdonald, he shall not
Lie long in pain.

[Exeunt BUTLER through one door, MACDONALD and DEVEREUX through the other.]

SCENE III

A Saloon, terminated by a Gallery which extends far into the background.

WALLENSTEIN Sitting at a table.  The SWEDISH CAPTAIN standing before him.

WALLENST.

Commend me to your lord.  I sympathize
In his good fortune; and if you have seen me
Deficient in the expressions; of that joy,
Which such a victory might well demand,
Attribute it to no lack of good will,
For henceforth are our fortunes one.  Farewell,
And for your trouble take my thanks.  Tomorrow
The citadel shall be surrendered to you
On your arrival.

[The SWEDISH CAPTAIN retires.  WALLENSTEIN sits lost in thought, his eyes fixed vacantly, and his head sustained by his hand.  The COUNTESS TERZKY enters, stands before him for awhile, unobserved by him; at length he starts, sees her and recollects himself.]

WALLENST.

Comest thou from her?  Is she restored?  How
is she?

COUNTESS.

My sister tells me, she was more collected
After her conversation with the Swede. 
She has now retired to rest.

WALLENSTEIN.

The pang will soften;
She will shed tears.

COUNTESS.

I find thee alter’d too,
My brother!  After such a victory
I had expected to have found in thee
A cheerful spirit.  O remain thou firm! 
Sustain, uphold us!  For our light thou art,
Our sun.

WALLENSTEIN.

Be quiet.  I ail nothing.  Where’s
Thy husband?

COUNTESS.

At a banquet—­he and Illo.

WALLENSTEIN (rises and strides across the saloon).

The night’s far spent.  Betake thee to thy
chamber.

COUNTESS.

Bid me not go, O let me stay with thee!

WALLENSTEIN (moves to the window).