# Wallenstein/The Piccolomini/A1S01

THE
PICCOLOMINI, &c.
ACT I.
SCENE I.
An old Gothic Chamber in the Council House at Pilsen, decorated with Colours and other War Insignia.
Illo with Butler and Isolani.
ILLO.
Count Isolan, excuses your delay.
ISOLANI.
AtDonauwert it was reported to us, A Swedish caravan was on it's way Transporting a rich cargo of provision, Almost six hundred waggons. This my Croats
Plung'd down upon and seized, this weighty prize!——— We bring it hither———
ILLO.
The illustrious company assembled here.
BUTLER.
ISOLANI.
The very churches are full of soldiers.
(Casts his eye round)
You're settled quite at home! Well, well! we soldiers Must shift and suit us in what way we can.
ILLO.
You'll find Count Tertsky here, and Tiefenbach, Kolatto, Goetz, Maradas, Hinnersam, The Piccolomini, both son and father——— You'll meet with many an unexpected greeting From many an old friend and acquaintance. Only Gallas is wanting still, and Altringer.
BUTLER.
ILLO. (hesitating).
ISOLANI. (interrupting him).
I see him yet, ('tis now ten years ago,
We were engaged with Mansfeld hard by Dessau) I see the youth, in my mind's eye I see him, Leap his black war-horse from the bridge adown, And t'ward his father, then in extreme peril, Beat up against the strong tide of the Elbe. The down was scarce upon his chin! I hear He has made good the promise of his youth, And the full hero now is finish'd in him.
ILLO.
The Duchess Friedland hither, and thePrincess From Carnthen. We expect them here at noon.
BUTLER.
He crowds in visitants from all sides.
ISOLANI.
So much the better! I had fram'd my mind To hear of naught but warlike circumstance, Of marches, and attacks, and batteries: And lo! the Duke provides, and something too Of gentler sort, and lovely, should be present To feast our eyes.
ILLO. (who has been standing in the attitude of meditation, to Butler, whom he leads a little on one side). And how came you to know, That the Count Galas joins us not?
BUTLER.
He importun'd me to remain behind.
ILLO. (with warmth).
(Grasping his hand with affection.)
BUTLER.
Had laid so newly on me———
ILLO.
A pleasant duty—Major-General, I wish you joy!
ISOLANI.
I hear, too, that, to make the gift still sweeter, The Duke has given him the very same In which he first saw service, and since then, Work'd himself, step by step, thro' each preferment From the ranks upwards. And verily, it gives A precedent of hope, a spur of action To the whole corps, if once in their remembrance An old deserving soldier makes his way.
BUTLER.
I dare accept this your congratulation. The Emperor has not yet confirm'd th' appointment.
ISOLANI.
Plac'd you, is strong enough to keep you there, Spite of the Emperor and his Ministers!
ILLO.
If we would all of us consider it so! The Emperor gives us nothing; from the Duke Comes all—whate'er we hope, whate'er we have.
ISOLANI. (to Illo)
The Duke will satisfy my creditors? Will be himself my banker for the future, Make me once more a creditable man!——— And this is now the third time, think of that! This kingly-minded man has rescued me From absolute ruin, and restor'd my honour.
ILLO.
Why, friend! he'd give the whole world to his soldiers. But at Vienna, brother!—there's the grievance!— What politic schemes do they not lay to shorten His arm, and where they can, to clip his pinions. Then these new dainty requisitions! these, Which this same Questenberg brings hither!———
BUTLER.
Those requisitions of the Emperor,———
I too have heard about them; but I hope The Duke will not draw back a single inch!
ILLO.
—From office!
BUTLER. (shocked and confused)
ISOLANI. (at the same time with Butler, and in a hurrying voice).
ILLO.
Yonder I see our worthy friend approaching With the Lieutenant-General Piccolomini.
BUTLER. (shaking his head significantly)
* ↑ A town about 12 German miles N. E. of Ulm.
* ↑ The Dukes in Germany being always reigning powers, their sons and daughters are entitled Princes and Princesses.
* ↑ Spoken with a sneer.