_Third Cuirassier._ It was not I, General! _Wallenstein._ Perfectly right! It was thy elder brother: 30 thou hadst a younger brother too: Where did he stay? _Third Cuirassier._ He is stationed at Olmutz with the Imperial army. _Wallenstein (to the Anspessade)._ Now then--begin. _Anspessade._ There came to hand a letter from the Emperor 35 Commanding us---- _Wallenstein._ Who chose you? _Anspessade._ Every company Drew its own man by lot. _Wallenstein._ Now! to the business. _Anspessade._ There came to hand a letter from the Emperor Commanding us collectively, from thee All duties of obedience to withdraw, 40 Because thou wert an enemy and traitor. _Wallenstein._ And what did you determine? _Anspessade._ All our comrades At Brannau, Budweiss, Prague and Olmutz, have Obeyed already, and the regiments here, 45 Tiefenbach and Toscana, instantly Did follow their example. But--but we Do not believe that thou art an enemy And traitor to thy country, hold it merely For lie and trick, and a trumped-up Spanish story! 50 Thyself shalt tell us what thy purpose is, For we have found thee still sincere and true: No mouth shall interpose itself betwixt The gallant General and the gallant troops. _Wallenstein._ Therein I recognize my Pappenheimers. 55 _Anspessade._ And this proposal makes thy regiment to thee: Is it thy purpose merely to preserve In thy own hands this military sceptre, Which so becomes thee, which the Emperor Made over to thee by a covenant? 60 Is it thy purpose merely to remain Supreme commander of the Austrian armies?-- We will stand by thee, General! and guarantee Thy honest rights against all opposition. And should it chance, that all the other regiments 65 Turn from thee, by ourselves will we stand forth Thy faithful soldiers, and, as is our duty, Far rather let ourselves be cut to pieces, Than suffer thee to fall. But if it be As the Emperor's letter says, if it be true, 70 That thou in traitorous wise wilt lead us over To the enemy, which God in heaven forbid! Then we too will forsake thee, and obey That letter---- _Wallenstein._ Hear me, children! _Anspessade._ Yes, or no! There needs no other answer. _Wallenstein._ Yield attention. 75 You're men of sense, examine for yourselves; Ye think, and do not follow with the herd: And therefore have I always shewn you honour Above all others, suffered you to reason; Have treated you as free men, and my orders 80 Were but the echoes of your prior suffrage.--