The Complete Poetical Works of Samuel Taylor Coleridge Volume II Part 94

The Complete Poetical Works of Samuel Taylor Coleridge Volume II Part 94

[753:1] I have here ventured to omit a considerable number of lines. I fear that I should not have done amiss, had I taken this liberty more frequently. It is, however, inc.u.mbent on me to give the original with a literal translation.

Weh denen die auf dich vertraun, an Dich Die sichre Hutte ihres Gluckes lehnen, Gelockt von deiner gastlichen Gestalt.

Schnell, unverhofft, bei nachtlich stiller Weile Gahrt's in dem tuckschen Feuerschlunde, ladet Sich aus mit tobender Gewalt, und weg Treibt uber alle Pflanzungen der Menschen Der wilde Strom in grausender Zerstorung.

WALLENSTEIN.

Du schilderst deines Vaters Herz. Wie Du's Beschreibst, so ist's in seinem Eingeweide, In dieser schwarzen Heuchlersbrust gestaltet.

O mich hat Hollenkunst getauscht. Mir sandte Der Abgrund den verstecktesten der Geister, Den Lugekundigsten herauf, und stellt' ihn Als Freund an meine Seite. Wer vermag Der Holle Macht zu widerstehn! Ich zog Den Basilisken auf an meinem Busen, Mit meinem Herzblut nahrt' ich ihn, er sog Sich schwelgend voll an meiner Liebe Brusten.

Ich hatte nimmer Arges gegen ihn, Weit offen Hess ich des Gedankens Th.o.r.e, Und warf die Schlussel weiser Vorsicht weg, Am Sternenhimmel, &c.

LITERAL TRANSLATION.

Alas! for those who place their confidence on thee, against thee lean the secure hut of their fortune, allured by thy hospitable form.

Suddenly, unexpectedly, in a moment still as night, there is a fermentation in the treacherous gulf of fire; it discharges itself with raging force, and away over all the plantations of men drives the wild stream in frightful devastation. WALLENSTEIN. Thou art portraying thy father's heart; as thou describest, even so is it shaped in his entrails, in this black hypocrite's breast. O, the art of h.e.l.l has deceived me! The Abyss sent up to me the most spotted of the spirits, the most skilful in lies, and placed him as a friend by my side. Who may withstand the power of h.e.l.l? I took the basilisk to my bosom, with my heart's blood I nourished him; he sucked himself glutfull at the b.r.e.a.s.t.s of my love. I never harboured evil towards him; wide open did I leave the door of my thoughts; I threw away the key of wise foresight. In the starry heaven, &c.--We find a difficulty in believing this to have been written by Schiller. _1800_, _1828_, _1829_. I have here ventured to omit a considerable number of lines, which it is difficult to believe that Schiller could have written. _1834_.

[755:1] This is a poor and inadequate translation of the affectionate simplicity of the original--

Sie alle waren Fremdlinge, _Du_ warst Das Kind des Hauses.

Indeed the whole speech is in the best style of Ma.s.singer. _O si sic omnia!_

LINENOTES:

[After 4] [_Advancing to THEKLA, who has thrown herself into her mother's arms._ 1800, 1828, 1829.

[14] _must_ leave 1800, 1828, 1829.

[Before 40] _Max (calmly)._ 1800, 1828, 1829.

[60] _Ferdinand . . . me_ 1800, 1828, 1829.

[98] _lov'd_ 1800, 1828, 1829.

[117] _thou_ 1800, 1828, 1829.

[124] _me . . . belong_ 1800, 1828, 1829.

SCENE VII

_To these enter NEUMANN._

_Wallenstein._ What now?

_Neumann._ The Pappenheimers are dismounted, And are advancing now on foot, determined With sword in hand to storm the house, and free The Count, their colonel.

_Wallenstein (to Tertsky)._ Have the cannon planted.

I will receive them with chain-shot. [_Exit TERTSKY._ 5 Prescribe to me with sword in hand! Go, Neumann!

'Tis my command that they retreat this moment, And in their ranks in silence wait my pleasure.

[_NEUMANN exit. ILLO steps to the window._

_Countess._ Let him go, I entreat thee, let him go.

_Illo (at the window)._ h.e.l.l and perdition!

_Wallenstein._ What is it? 10

_Illo._ They scale the council-house, the roof's uncovered.

They level at this house the cannon----

_Max._ Madmen!

_Illo._ They are making preparations now to fire on us.

_d.u.c.h.ess and Countess._ Merciful Heaven!

_Max (to Wallenstein)._ Let me go to them!

_Wallenstein._ Not a step!

_Max (pointing to Thekla and the d.u.c.h.ess)._ But their life!

Thine! 15

_Wallenstein._ What tidings bring'st thou, Tertsky?

SCENE VIII

_To these TERTSKY (returning)._

_Tertsky._ Message and greeting from our faithful regiments.

Their ardour may no longer be curbed in.

They intreat permission to commence the attack, And if thou would'st but give the word of onset, They could now charge the enemy in rear, 5 Into the city wedge them, and with ease O'erpower them in the narrow streets.

_Illo._ O come!

Let not their ardour cool. The soldiery Of Butler's corps stand by us faithfully; We are the greater number. Let us charge them, 10 And finish here in Pilsen the revolt.

_Wallenstein._ 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 delivered over 15 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 then! [_Turns to MAX._ Well, how is it with thee?

Wilt thou attempt a heat with me. Away! 20 Thou art free to go. Oppose thyself to me, Front against front, and lead them to the battle; Thou'rt skilled in war, thou hast learned somewhat under me, I need not be ashamed of my opponent, And never had'st thou fairer opportunity 25 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 30 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 compelled; for though an enemy, Thy head is holy to me still. 35