To these enter BUTLER. BUTLER (passionately). General! this is not right! WALLENSTEIN. What is not right? BUTLER. It must needs injure us with all honest men. WALLENSTEIN. But what? BUTLER. It is an open proclamation Of insurrection. WALLENSTEIN. Well, well—but what is it? BUTLER. Count Terzky's regiments tear the imperial eagle From off his banners, and instead of it Have reared aloft their arms. ANSPESSADE (abruptly to the CUIRASSIERS). Right about! March! WALLENSTEIN. Cursed be this counsel, and accursed who gave it! [To the CUIRASSIERS, who are retiring. Halt, children, halt! There's some mistake in this; Hark! I will punish it severely. Stop They do not hear. (To ILLO). Go after them, assure them, And bring them back to me, cost what it may. [ILLO hurries out. This hurls us headlong. Butler! Butler! You are my evil genius, wherefore must you Announce it in their presence? It was all In a fair way. They were half won! those madmen With their improvident over-readiness— A cruel game is Fortune playing with me. The zeal of friends it is that razes me, And not the hate of enemies. |