He sends me word from Linz that he lies sick; But I have sure intelligence that he Secretes himself at Frauenberg with Gallas. Secure them both, and send them to me hither. Remember, thou takest on thee the command Of those same Spanish regiments,--constantly Make preparation, and be never ready; And if they urge thee to draw out against me, Still answer YES, and stand as thou wert fetter'd; I know that it is doing thee a service To keep thee out of action in this business. Thou lovest to linger on in fair appearances; Steps of extremity are not thy province; Therefore have I sought out this part for thee. Thou wilt this time be of most service to me By thy inertness. The mean time, if fortune Declare itself on my side, thou wilt know What is to do. _Enter_ MAX PICCOLOMINI Now go, Octavio. This night must thou be off, take my own horses Him here I keep with me--make short farewell-- Trust me, I think, we all shall meet again In joy and thriving fortunes. OCTAVIO (_to his son_). I shall see you Yet ere I go. SCENE II WALLENSTEIN, MAX PICCOLOMINI MAX. (_advances to him_). My General? WALLENSTEIN. That I am no longer, if Thou stylest thyself the Emperor's officer. MAX. Then thou wilt leave the army, General? WALLENST. I have renounced the service of the Emperor. MAX. And thou wilt leave the army? WALLENSTEIN. Rather hope I To bind it nearer still and faster to me. [_He seats himself_.] Yes, Max, I have delay'd to open it to thee, Even till the hour of acting 'gins to strike. Youth's fortunate feeling doth seize easily The absolute right, yea, and a joy it is To exercise the single apprehension Where the sums square in proof; But where it happens that of two sure evils One must be taken, where the heart not wholly Brings itself back from out the strife of duties, There 'tis a blessing to have no election, And blank necessity is grace and favor. --This is now present: do not look behind thee,-- It can no more avail thee. Look thou forwards! Think not! judge not! prepare thyself to act! The Court--it hath determined on my ruin, Therefore I will be beforehand with them. We'll join the Swedes--right gallant fellows are they, And our good friends. [_He stops himself, expecting_ PICCOLOMINI's _answer_.] I have ta'en thee by surprise. Answer me not. I grant thee time to recollect thyself. [_He rises, retires at the back of the stage_. MAX _remains for a long time motionless, in a trance of excessive anguish. At his first motion_ WALLENSTEIN _returns, and places himself before him_.] MAX. My General, this day thou makest me Of age to speak in my own right and person, For till this day I have been spared the trouble To find out my own road. Thee have I follow'd With most implicit unconditional faith, Sure of the right path if I follow'd thee. Today, for the first time, dost thou refer Me to myself, and forcest me to make Election between thee and my own heart.