_Wrangel._ I have here an office merely, no opinion. _Wallenstein._ The Emperor hath urged me to the uttermost. I can no longer honourably serve him. 45 For my security, in self-defence, I take this hard step, which my conscience blames. _Wrangel._ That I believe. So far would no one go Who was not forced to it. [_After a pause._ What may have impelled Your princely Highness in this wise to act 50 Toward your Sovereign Lord and Emperor, Beseems not us to expound or criticize. The Swede is fighting for his good old cause. With his good sword and conscience. This concurrence, This opportunity, is in our favour, 55 And all advantages in war are lawful. We take what offers without questioning; And if all have its due and just proportions---- _Wallenstein._ Of what then are ye doubting? Of my will? Or of my power? I pledged me to the Chancellor, 60 Would he trust me with sixteen thousand men, That I would instantly go over to them With eighteen thousand of the Emperor's troops. _Wrangel._ Your Grace is known to be a mighty war-chief, To be a second Attila and Pyrrhus. 65 'Tis talked of still with fresh astonishment, How some years past, beyond all human faith, You called an army forth, like a creation: But yet---- _Wallenstein._ But yet? _Wrangel._ But still the Chancellor thinks, It might yet be an easier thing from nothing 70 To call forth sixty thousand men of battle, Than to persuade one sixtieth part of them-- _Wallenstein._ What now? Out with it, friend! _Wrangel._ To break their oaths. _Wallenstein._ And he thinks so?--He judges like a Swede, And like a Protestant. You Lutherans 75 Fight for your Bible. You are interested About the cause; and with your hearts you follow Your banners.--Among you, whoe'er deserts To the enemy, hath broken covenant With two Lords at one time.--We've no such fancies. 80 _Wrangel._ Great God in Heaven! Have then the people here No house and home, no fire-side, no altar? _Wallenstein._ I will explain that to you, how it stands-- The Austrian has a country, ay, and loves it, And has good cause to love it--but this army, 85 That calls itself the Imperial, this that houses Here in Bohemia, this has none--no country; This is an outcast of all foreign lands, Unclaimed by town or tribe, to whom belongs Nothing, except the universal sun. 90 _Wrangel._ But then the Nobles and the Officers? Such a desertion, such a felony, It is without example, my Lord Duke, In the world's history.