_Seni._ Believe not that an empty fear deludes me. Come, read it in the planetary aspects; 15 Read it thyself, that ruin threatens thee From false friends! _Wallenstein._ From the falseness of my friends Has risen the whole of my unprosperous fortunes. The warning should have come before! At present I need no revelation from the stars 20 To know that. _Seni._ Come and see! trust thine own eyes! A fearful sign stands in the house of life; An enemy, a fiend lurks close behind The radiance of thy planet--O be warned! Deliver not thyself up to these heathens 25 To wage a war against our holy church. _Wallenstein (laughing gently)._ The oracle rails that way! Yes, yes! Now I recollect. This junction with the Swedes Did never please thee--lay thyself to sleep, Baptista! Signs like these I do not fear. 30 _Gordon (who during the whole of this dialogue has shewn marks of extreme agitation, and now turns to Wallenstein)._ My Duke and General! May I dare presume? _Wallenstein._ Speak freely. _Gordon._ What if 'twere no mere creation Of fear, if God's high providence vouchsaf'd To interpose its aid for your deliverance, And made that mouth its organ. _Wallenstein_. Ye're both feverish! 35 How can mishap come to me from the Swedes? They sought this junction with me--'tis their interest. _Gordon (with difficulty suppressing his emotion)._ But what if the arrival of these Swedes-- What if this were the very thing that winged The ruin that is flying to your temples? 40 [_Flings himself at his feet._ There is yet time, my Prince. _Seni._ O hear him! hear him! _Gordon (rises)._ The Rhinegrave's still far off. Give but the orders, This citadel shall close its gates upon him. If then he will besiege us, let him try it. But this I say; he'll find his own destruction 45 With his whole force before these ramparts, sooner Than weary down the valour of our spirit. He shall experience what a band of heroes, Inspirited by an heroic leader, Is able to perform. And if indeed 50 It be thy serious wish to make amends For that which thou hast done amiss,--this, this Will touch and reconcile the Emperor, Who gladly turns his heart to thoughts of mercy, And Friedland, who returns repentant to him, 55 Will stand yet higher in his Emperor's favour, Than e'er he stood when he had never fallen.