It grieves me for my noble officers' sakes! I see not yet, by what means they will come at The moneys they have advanced, or how obtain The recompense their services demand. 230 Still a new leader brings new claimants forward, And prior merit superannuates quickly. There serve here many foreigners in the army, And were the man in all else brave and gallant, I was not wont to make nice scrutiny 235 After his pedigree or catechism. This will be otherwise, i'the time to come. Well--me no longer it concerns. [_He seats himself._ _Max Piccolomini._ Forbid it. Heaven, that it should come to this! Our troops will swell in dreadful fermentation-- 240 The Emperor is abused--it cannot be. _Isolani._ It cannot be; all goes to instant wreck. _Wallenstein._ Thou hast said truly, faithful Isolani! What we with toil and foresight have built up, Will go to wreck--all go to instant wreck. 245 What then? another chieftain is soon found, Another army likewise (who dares doubt it?) Will flock from all sides to the Emperor At the first beat of his recruiting drum. [_During this speech, ISOLANI, TERTSKY, ILLO and MARADAS talk confusedly with great agitation._ _Max Piccolomini (busily and passionately going from one to another, and soothing them)._ Hear, my commander! Hear me, generals! 250 Let me conjure you, Duke! Determine nothing, Till we have met and represented to you Our joint remonstrances.--Nay, calmer! Friends! I hope all may be yet set right again. _Tertsky._ Away! let us away! in the antechamber 255 Find we the others. [_They go._ _Butler (to Questenberg)._ If good counsel gain Due audience from your wisdom, my Lord Envoy! You will be cautious how you shew yourself In public for some hours to come--or hardly Will that gold key protect you from maltreatment. 260 [_Commotions heard from without._ _Wallenstein._ A salutary counsel----Thou, Octavio! Wilt answer for the safety of our guest. Farewell, Von Questenberg! [_QUESTENBERG is about to speak._ Nay, not a word. Not one word more of that detested subject! You have performed your duty--We know how 265 To separate the office from the man. [_As QUESTENBERG is going off with OCTAVIO, GOETZ, TIEFENBACH, KOLATTO, press in; several other_ Generals _following them._ _Goetz._ Where's he who means to rob us of our general? _Tiefenbach (at the same time)._ What are we forced to hear? That thou wilt leave us? _Kolatto (at the same time)._ We will live with thee, we will die with thee.