For here comes Illo, full of haste, and joyous.

SCENE V.

To these enter ILLO.

ILLO (to WALLENSTEIN).
A courier, duke! he wishes to speak with thee.

TERZKY (eagerly).
Does he bring confirmation of the victory?

WALLENSTEIN (at the same time).
What does he bring? Whence comes he?

ILLO.
From the Rhinegrave,
And what he brings I can announce to you
Beforehand. Seven leagues distant are the Swedes;
At Neustadt did Max. Piccolomini
Throw himself on them with the cavalry;
A murderous fight took place! o'erpowered by numbers
The Pappenheimers all, with Max. their leader,
[WALLENSTEIN shudders and turns pale.
Were left dead on the field.

WALLENSTEIN (after a pause, in a low voice).
Where is the messenger? Conduct me to him.

[WALLENSTEIN is going, when LADY NEUBRUNN rushes into the room.
Some servants follow her and run across the stage.

NEUBRUNN.
Help! Help!

ILLO and TERZKY (at the same time).
What now?

NEUBRUNN.
The princess!

WALLENSTEIN and TERZKY.
Does she know it?

NEUBRUNN (at the same time with them).
She is dying!

[Hurries off the stage, when WALLENSTEIN and TERZKY follow her.

SCENE VI.

BUTLER and GORDON.

GORDON.
What's this?

BUTLER.
She has lost the man she loved--
Young Piccolomini, who fell in the battle.

GORDON.
Unfortunate lady!

BUTLER.
You have heard what Illo
Reporteth, that the Swedes are conquerers,
And marching hitherward.

GORDON.
Too well I heard it.

BUTLER.
They are twelve regiments strong, and there are five
Close by us to protect the duke. We have
Only my single regiment; and the garrison
Is not two hundred strong.

GORDON.
'Tis even so.

BUTLER.
It is not possible with such small force
To hold in custody a man like him.

GORDON.
I grant it.

BUTLER.
Soon the numbers would disarm us,
And liberate him.

GORDON.
It were to be feared.

BUTLER (after a pause).
Know, I am warranty for the event;
With my head have I pledged myself for his,
Must make my word good, cost it what it will,
And if alive we cannot hold him prisoner,
Why--death makes all things certain!

GORDON.
Sutler! What?
Do I understand you? Gracious God! You could----

BUTLER.
He must not live.

GORDON.
And you can do the deed?

BUTLER.
Either you or I. This morning was his last.

GORDON