WALLENSTEIN (_lost in thought_). Their confidence is lost, irreparably! And I may act which way I will, I shall Be and remain forever in their thought A traitor to my country. How sincerely Soever I return back to my duty, It will no longer help me-- ILLO. Ruin thee, That it will do! Not thy fidelity, Thy weakness will be deemed the sole occasion-- WALLENSTEIN (_pacing up and down in extreme agitation_). What! I must realize it now in earnest, Because I toy'd too freely with the thought! Accursed he who dallies with a devil! And must I--I _must_ realize it now-- Now, while I have the power, it _must_ take place? ILLO. Now--now--ere they can ward and parry it! WALLENSTEIN (_looking at the paper of signatures_). I have the Generals' word--a written promise! Max Piccolomini stands not here--how's that? TERZKY. It was--he fancied-- ILLO. Mere self-willedness. There needed no such thing 'twixt him and you. WALLENST. He is quite right; there needed no such thing. The regiments, too, deny to march for Flanders-- Have sent me in a paper of remonstrance, And openly resist the Imperial orders. The first step to revolt's already taken. ILLO. Believe me, thou wilt find it far more easy To lead them over to the enemy Than to the Spaniard. WALLENSTEIN. I will hear, however, What the Swede has to say to me. ILLO (_eagerly to_ TERZKY). Go, call him He stands without the door in waiting. WALLENSTEIN. Stay! Stay but a little. It hath taken me All by surprise; it came too quick upon me; 'Tis wholly novel that an accident, With its dark lordship, and blind agency, Should force me on with it. ILLO. First hear him only, And after weigh it. [_Exeunt_ TERZKY _and_ ILLO.] SCENE IV. WALLENSTEIN (_in soliloquy_). Is it possible? Is't so! I _can_ no longer what I _would_? No longer draw back at my liking? I Must _do_ the deed, because I _thought_ of it? And fed this heart here with a dream? Because I did not scowl temptation from my presence, Dallied with thoughts of possible fulfilment, Commenced no movement, left all time uncertain, And only kept the road, the access open? By the great God of Heaven! it was not My serious meaning, it was ne'er resolved. I but amused myself with thinking of it. The free-will tempted me, the power to do Or not to do it--Was it criminal To make the fancy minister to hope, To fill the air with pretty toys of air, And clutch fantastic sceptres moving t'ward me! Was not the will kept free? Beheld I not The road of duty close beside me--but One little step, and once more I was in it! Where am I? Whither have I been transported? No road, no track behind me, but a wall Impenetrable, insurmountable, Rises obedient to the spells I muttered And meant not--my own doings tower behind me. [_Pauses and remains in deep thought._]