WALLENSTEIN
I never give handwriting; and thou knowest it.
TERZKY
But how can it be known that you are in earnest,
If the act follows not upon the word?
You must yourself acknowledge, that in all
Your intercourses hitherto with the enemy,
You might have done with safety all you have done.
Had you meant nothing further than to gull him
For the emperor's service.
WALLENSTEIN (after a pause, during which he looks narrowly on TERZKY)
And from whence dost thou know
That I'm not gulling him for the emperor's service?
Whence knowest thou that I'm not gulling all of you?
Dost thou know me so well? When made I thee
The intendant of my secret purposes?
I am not conscious that I ever opened
My inmost thoughts to thee. The emperor, it is true,
Hath dealt with me amiss; and if I would
I could repay him with usurious interest
For the evil he hath done me. It delights me
To know my power; but whether I shall use it,
Of that I should have thought that thou couldst speak
No wiser than thy fellows.
TERZKY
So hast thou always played thy game with us.
[Enter ILLO.
SCENE VI
ILLO, WALLENSTEIN, TERZKY.
WALLENSTEIN
How stand affairs without? Are they prepared?
ILLO
You'll find them in the very mood you wish.
They know about the emperor's requisition,
And are tumultuous.
WALLENSTEIN
How hath Isolani
declared himself?
ILLO
He's yours, both soul and body,
Since you built up again his faro-bank.
WALLENSTEIN
And which way doth Kolatto bend? Hast thou
Made sure of Tiefenbach and Deodati?
ILLO
What Piccolomini does that they do too.
WALLENSTEIN
You mean, then, I may venture somewhat with them?
ILLO
If you are assured of the Piccolomini.
WALLENSTEIN
Not more assured of mine own self.
TERZKY
And yet
I would you trusted not so much to Octavio,
The fox!
WALLENSTEIN
Thou teachest me to know my man?
Sixteen campaigns I have made with that old warrior.
Besides, I have his horoscope;
We both are born beneath like stars – in short,
[With an air of mystery.
To this belongs its own peculiar aspect,
If therefore thou canst warrant me the rest —
ILLO