_Wallenstein._ Well, well--but what is it? _Butler._ Count Tertsky's regiments tear the Imperial Eagle 5 From off the banners, and instead of it, Have reared aloft thy arms. _Anspessade (abruptly to the Cuirassiers)._ Right about! March! _Wallenstein._ Cursed be this counsel, and accursed who gave it! [_To the Cuirassiers, who are retiring._ Halt, children, halt! There's some mistake in this; Hark!--I will punish it severely. Stop! 10 They do not hear. (_To ILLO._) Go after them, assure them, And bring them back to me, cost what it may. [_ILLO hurries out._ This hurls us headlong. Butler! Butler! You are my evil genius, wherefore must you Announce it in their presence? It was all 15 In a fair way. They were half won, those madmen With their improvident over-readiness-- A cruel game is fortune playing with me. The zeal of friends it is that razes me, And not the hate of enemies. 20 SCENE V _To these enter the DUCHESS, who rushes into the Chamber. THEKLA and the COUNTESS follow her._ _Duchess._ O Albrecht! What hast thou done? _Wallenstein._ And now comes this beside. _Countess._ Forgive me, brother! It was not in my power. They know all. _Duchess._ What hast thou done? _Countess (to Tertsky)._ Is there no hope? Is all lost utterly? 5 _Tertsky._ All lost. No hope. Prague in the Emperor's hands, The soldiery have ta'en their oaths anew. _Countess._ That lurking hypocrite. Octavio! Count Max is off too? _Tertsky._ Where can he be? He's Gone over to the Emperor with his father. 10 [_THEKLA rushes out into the arms of her mother, hiding her face in her bosom._ _Duchess (enfolding her in her arms)._ Unhappy child! and more unhappy mother! _Wallenstein (aside to Tertsky)._ Quick! Let a carriage stand in readiness In the court behind the palace. Scherfenberg Be their attendant; he is faithful to us; To Egra he'll conduct them, and we follow. 15 [_To ILLO, who returns._ Thou hast not brought them back? _Illo._ Hear'st thou the uproar? The whole corps of the Pappenheimers is Drawn out: the younger Piccolomini, Their colonel, they require; for they affirm, That he is in the palace here, a prisoner; 20 And if thou dost not instantly deliver him, They will find means to free him with the sword. _Tertsky._ What shall we make of this? _Wallenstein._ Said I not so? O my prophetic heart! he is still here. He has not betrayed me--he could not betray me. 25 I never doubted of it.