s and expectations; and, at last, they combine
in a profound deliberation on the state of their affairs. A vague
exaggerated outline of the coming events and personages is imaged to
us in their coarse conceptions. We dimly discover the precarious
position of Wallenstein; the plots which threaten him, which he is
meditating: we trace the leading qualities of the principal officers;
and form a high estimate of the potent spirit which, binds this fierce
discordant mass together, and seems to be the object of universal
reverence where nothing else is revered.

[Footnote 34: Said to be by Goethe; the materials faithfully
extracted from a real sermon (by the Jesuit Santa Clara) of
the period it refers to.--There were various Jesuits Santa
Clara, of that period: this is the _German_ one, Abraham by
name; specimens of whose Sermons, a fervent kind of
preaching-run-mad, have been reprinted in late years, for
dilettante purposes, (_Note of 1845._)]

In the _Two Piccolomini_, the next division of the work, the generals
for whom we have thus been prepared appear in person on the scene, and
spread out before us their plots and counterplots; Wallenstein,
through personal ambition and evil counsel, slowly resolving to
revolt; and Octavio Piccolomini, in secret, undermining his influence
among the leaders, and preparing for him that pit of ruin, into which,
in the third Part, _Wallenstein's Death_, we see him sink with all his
fortunes. The military spirit which pervades the former piece is here
well sustained. The ruling motives of these captains and colonels are
a little more refined, or more disguised, than those of the
Cuirassiers and Jaegers; but they are the same in substance; the love
of present or future pleasure, of action, reputation, money, power;
selfishness, but selfishness distinguished by a superficial external
propriety, and gilded over with the splendour of military honour, of
courage inflexible, yet light, cool and unassuming. These are not
imaginary heroes, but genuine hired men of war: we do not love them;
yet there is a pomp about their operations, which agreeably fills up
the scene. This din of war, this clash of tumultuous conflicting
interests, is felt as a suitable accompaniment to the affecting or
commanding movements of the chief characters whom it envelops or
obeys.

Of the individuals that figure in this world of war, Wallenstein
himself, the strong Atlas which supports it al