_Wallenstein._ 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, Brannau, Konigingratz, At Brun and Znaym, have forsaken you, 50 And ta'en the oaths of fealty anew To the Emperor. Yourself, with Kinsky, Tertsky, And Illo have been sentenced. [_TERTSKY 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 55 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 60 Is lifted for my heart! Doubt disappears! I fight now for my head and for my life. [_Exit WALLENSTEIN; the others follow him._ LINENOTES: [11] _him_ 1800, 1828, 1829. [12] _thy_ 1800, 1828, 1829. [21] _faithful_ 1800. [26] _did_ 1800. [39] _Wallenstein (with eager expectation)._ Well? 1800, 1828, 1829. [42] _Illo (stamping with his foot)._ Damnation! 1800, 1828, 1829. [48] _is_ 1800, 1828, 1829. SCENE XI _Countess Tertsky (enters from a side room)._ I can endure no longer. No! [_Looks around her._ Where are they? No one is here. They leave me all alone, Alone in this sore anguish of suspense. And I must wear the outward shew of calmness Before my sister, and shut in within me 5 The pangs and agonies of my crowded bosom. It is not to be borne.--If all should fail; If--if he must go over to the Swedes, An empty-handed fugitive, and not As an ally, a covenanted equal, 10 A proud commander with his army following; If we must wander on from land to land, Like the Count Palatine, of fallen greatness An ignominious monument--But no! That day I will not see! And could himself 15 Endure to sink so low, I would not bear To see him so low sunken. SCENE XII _COUNTESS, DUCHESS, THEKLA._ _Thekla (endeavouring to hold back the Duchess)._ Dear mother, do stay here! _Duchess._ No! Here is yet Some frightful mystery that is hidden from me. Why does my sister shun me? Don't I see her Full of suspense and anguish roam about From room to room?--Art thou not full of terror? 5 And what import these silent nods and gestures Which stealthwise thou exchangest with her? _Thekla._ Nothing: Nothing, dear Mother! _Duchess (to the Countess)._ Sister, I will know.