WALLENSTEIN.
What now?
NEUMANN.
The Pappenheimers are dismounted,
And are advancing now on foot, determin'd
With sword in hand to storm the house, and free
The Count, their colonel.
WALLENSTEIN. (to Tertsky,)
Have the cannon planted.
I will receive them with chain-shot.
[Exit Tertsky.
Prescribe to me with sword in hand! Go, Neumann!
'Tis my command that they retreat this moment,
And in their ranks in silence wait my pleasure.
[Neumann exit. Illo steps to the window.
COUNTESS.
Let him go, I entreat thee, let him go.
ILLO. (at the window.)
Hell and perdition!
WALLENSTEIN.
What is it?
ILLO.
They scale the council-house, the roof's uncover'd,
They level at this house the cannon———
MAX.
Madmen!
ILLO.
They are making preparations now to fire on us.
DUCHESS AND COUNTESS.
Merciful Heaven!
MAX. (to Wallenstein.)
Let me go to them!
WALLENSTEIN.
Not a step!
MAX. (pointing to Thekla and the Duchess.
But their life! Thine!
WALLENSTEIN.
What tidings bring'st thou, Tertsky?