to perish. [He turns

VEREUX. But how do we get through Hartschier and Gordon, That stand

on guard there in the inner chamber? BUTLER.
I have made myself acquainted with the place, I lead you through a
back door that's defended

By one man only. Me my rank and office Give access to the duke
at every hour. I'll go before

you--with one poinard-stroke

Cut Hartschier's windpipe, and make
way for you. DEVEREUX.
And when we are there, by what means shall we gain The duke's
bed-chamber, without
his alarming The servants of the court? for he has here A numerous

company of followers. BUTLER. The attendants fills the right wing: he
hates
bustle, And lodges
in the left wing quite alone. DEVEREUX. Were it well over--hey,
Macdonald! I Feel queerly on the occasion,
devil knows. MACDONALD. And I, too. 'Tis too great a personage.
People
will hold us for a brace of villains. BUTLER. In plenty, honor,
splendor--you may safely Laugh at the people's babble. DEVEREUX. If
the business Squares with one's honor--if that be quite certain.
BUTLER. Set your hearts quite at ease. Ye save for Ferdinand His
crown and empire. The reward can be No small one. DEVEREUX. And 'tis
his purpose to
dethrone the emperor? BUTLER. Yes! Yes! to rob him of his crown and
life. DEVEREUX. And must he

fall by the executioner's hands, Should we deliver him up to the
emperor Alive? BUTLER. It were his certain destiny. DEVEREUX. Well!
Well! Come then, Macdonald, he shall not Lie long in pain. [Exeunt
BUTLER through one door, MACDONALD and DEVEREUX
through the other. SCENE III. A saloon, terminated by a gallery,
which extends far into the background. WALLENSTIN sitting at a table.
The SWEDISH CAPTAIN standing

before him. WALLENSTEIN.
Commend me to your lord. I sympathize In his good
fortune; and if you have seen
me Deficient in the expressions of that joy, Which such a victory
might

well demand, Attribute it to no lack of good-will, For henceforth are
our fortunes one. Farewell, And for your trouble take my thanks.
To-morrow The

citadel shall be surrendered to you On your arrival. [The SWEDISH
CAPTAIN retires. WALLENSTEIN sits lost in thought, his eyes fixed
vacantly,
and his head sustained by his
hand. The COUNTESS TERZKY enter