WALLENST. What? shall this town become a field of slaughter, And brother-killing Discord, fire-eyed, Be let loose through its streets to roam and rage? Shall the decision be deliver'd over To deaf remorseless Rage, that hears no leader? Here is not room for battle, only for butchery. Well, let it be! I have long thought of it, So let it burst them! [_Turns to_ MAX.] Well, how is it with thee? Wilt thou attempt a heat with me? Away! Thou art free to go. Oppose thyself to me, Front against front, and lead them to the battle; Thou'rt skill'd in war, thou hast learn'd somewhat under me, I need not be ashamed of my opponent, And never hadst thou fairer opportunity To pay me for thy schooling. COUNTESS. Is it then, Can it have come to this?--What! Cousin, cousin! Have you the heart? MAX. The regiments that are trusted to my care I have pledged my troth to bring away from Pilsen True to the Emperor; and this promise will I Make good, or perish. More than this no duty Requires of me. I will not fight against thee, Unless compell'd; for though an enemy, Thy head is holy to me still. [_Two reports of cannon_. ILLO _and_ TERZKY _hurry to the window_.] WALLENST. What's that? TERZKY. He falls. WALLENSTEIN. Falls! Who? ILLO. Tiefenbach's corps Discharged the ordnance. WALLENSTEIN. Upon whom? ILLO. On Neumann, Your messenger. WALLENSTEIN (_starting up_). Ha! Death and hell! I will-- TERZKY. Expose thyself to their blind frenzy? DUCHESS _and_ COUNTESS. No! For God's sake, no! ILLO. Not yet, my General O hold him! hold him! WALLENSTEIN. Leave me. MAX. Do it not; Not yet! This rash and bloody deed has thrown them Into a frenzy-fit--allow them time-- WALLENST. Away! too long already have I loiter'd. They are emboldened to these outrages, Beholding not my face. They shall behold My countenance, shall hear my voice-- Are they not _my_ troops? Am I not their General, And their long-fear'd commander? Let me see Whether indeed they do no longer know That countenance, which was their sun in battle! From the balcony (mark!) I show myself To these rebellious forces, and at once Revolt is mounded, and the high-swoln current Shrinks back into the old bed of obedience. [_Exit_ WALLENSTEIN; ILLO, TERZKY, _and_ BUTLER _follow_.] SCENE XXI COUNTESS, DUCHESS, MAX _and_ THEKLA COUNTESS (_to the_ DUCHESS). Let them but see him--there is hope still, sister. DUCHESS. Hope! I have none! MAX (_who during the last scene has been standing at a distance, in a visible struggle of feelings, advances_).