[ILLO is going.]

BUTLER (detaining him).

My General, whom expect you then?

WALLENSTEIN.

The Courier
Who brings me word of the event at Prague.

BUTLER (hesitating).

Hem!

WALLENST.

And what now?

BUTLER.

You do not know it?

WALLENSTEIN.

Well?

BUTLER.

From what that larum in the camp arose?

WALLENST.

From what?

BUTLER.

That Courier—­

WALLENSTEIN (with eager expectation).

Well?

BUTLER.

Is already here.

TERZKY and ILLO (at the same time).

Already here?

WALLENSTEIN.

My Courier?

BUTLER.

For some hours.

WALLENST.

And I not know it?

BUTLER.

The sentinels detained him
In custody.

ILLO (stamping with his foot). 
            Damnation!

BUTLER.

And his letter
Was broken open, and is circulated
Through the whole camp.

WALLENSTEIN.

You know what it contains?

BUTLER.

Question me not!

TERZKY.

Illo, alas for us!

WALLENST.

Hide nothing from me—­I can hear the worst. 
Prague then is lost?  It is!  Confess it freely.

BUTLER.

Yes!  Prague is lost.  And all the several regiments
At Budweiss, Tabor, Braunau, Koenigingratz,
At Brunn and Zanaym, have forsaken you,
And ta’en oaths of fealty anew
To the Emperor.  Yourself, with Kinsky, Terzky,
And Illo have been sentenced.

[TERZKY and ILLO express alarm and fury.  WALLENSTEIN remains firm and collected.]

WALLENSTEIN.

’Tis decided! 
’Tis well!  I have received a sudden cure
From all the pangs of doubt:  with steady stream
Once more my life-blood flows!  My soul’s secure! 
In the night only Friedland’s stars can beam. 
Lingering irresolute, with fitful fears
I drew the sword—­’twas with an inward strife,
While yet the choice was mine.  The murderous knife
Is lifted for my heart!  Doubt disappears! 
I fight now for my head and for my life.

[Exit WALLENSTEIN; the others follow him.]

SCENE XI

COUNTESS TERZKY (enters from a side room).

I can endure no longer.  No!

[Looks around her.]