第10章

TheSwedishbannerswerevictoriousinalmosteveryquarterofGermany；

andtheyearafterthedeathofGustavus，leftnotraceofthelosswhichhadbeensustainedinthepersonofthatgreatleader。

Inareviewoftheimportanteventswhichsignalizedthecampaignof1633，theinactivityofaman，ofwhomthehighestexpectationshadbeenformed，justlyexcitesastonishment。Amongallthegeneralswhodistinguishedthemselvesinthiscampaign，nonecouldbecomparedwithWallenstein，inexperience，talents，andreputation；

andyet，afterthebattleofLutzen，welosesightofhimentirely。

Thefallofhisgreatrivalhadleftthewholetheatreofgloryopentohim；

allEuropewasnowattentivelyawaitingthoseexploits，whichshouldeffacetheremembranceofhisdefeat，andstillprovetotheworldhismilitarysuperiority。Nevertheless，hecontinuedinactiveinBohemia，whiletheEmperor’slossesinBavaria，LowerSaxony，andtheRhine，pressinglycalledforhispresence——aconductequallyunintelligibletofriendandfoe——theterror，and，atthesametime，thelasthopeoftheEmperor。AfterthedefeatofLutzenhehadhastenedintoBohemia，whereheinstitutedthestrictestinquiryintotheconductofhisofficersinthatbattle。Thosewhomthecouncilofwardeclaredguiltyofmisconduct，wereputtodeathwithoutmercy，thosewhohadbehavedwithbravery，rewardedwithprincelymunificence，andthememoryofthedeadhonouredbysplendidmonuments。Duringthewinter，heoppressedtheimperialprovincesbyenormouscontributions，andexhaustedtheAustrianterritoriesbyhiswinterquarters，whichhepurposelyavoidedtakingupinanenemy’scountry。Andinthespringof1633，insteadofbeingthefirsttoopenthecampaign，withthiswell-chosenandwell-appointedarmy，andtomakeaworthydisplayofhisgreatabilities，hewasthelastwhoappearedinthefield；andeventhen，itwasanhereditaryprovinceofAustria，whichheselectedastheseatofwar。

OfalltheAustrianprovinces，Silesiawasmostexposedtodanger。

Threedifferentarmies，aSwedishunderCountThurn，aSaxonunderArnheimandtheDukeofLauenburg，andoneofBrandenburgunderBorgsdorf，hadatthesametimecarriedthewarintothiscountry；

theyhadalreadytakenpossessionofthemostimportantplaces，andevenBreslauhadembracedthecauseoftheallies。ButthiscrowdofcommandersandarmieswastheverymeansofsavingthisprovincetotheEmperor；forthejealousyofthegenerals，andthemutualhatredoftheSaxonsandtheSwedes，neverallowedthemtoactwithunanimity。

ArnheimandThurncontendedforthechiefcommand；thetroopsofBrandenburgandSaxonycombinedagainsttheSwedes，whomtheylookeduponastroublesomestrangerswhooughttobegotridofassoonaspossible。

TheSaxons，onthecontrary，livedonaveryintimatefootingwiththeImperialists，andtheofficersofboththesehostilearmiesoftenvisitedandentertainedeachother。TheImperialistswereallowedtoremovetheirpropertywithouthindrance，andmanydidnotaffecttoconcealthattheyhadreceivedlargesumsfromVienna。Amongsuchequivocalallies，theSwedessawthemselvessoldandbetrayed；andanygreatenterprisewasoutofthequestion，whilesobadanunderstandingprevailedbetweenthetroops。GeneralArnheim，too，wasabsentthegreaterpartofthetime；andwhenheatlastreturned，Wallensteinwasfastapproachingthefrontierswithaformidableforce。

Hisarmyamountedto40，000men，whiletoopposehimtheallieshadonly24，000。Theyneverthelessresolvedtogivehimbattle，andmarchedtoMunsterberg，wherehehadformedanintrenchedcamp。

ButWallensteinremainedinactiveforeightdays；hethenlefthisintrenchments，andmarchedslowlyandwithcomposuretotheenemy’scamp。

Butevenafterquittinghisposition，andwhentheenemy，emboldenedbyhispastdelay，manfullypreparedtoreceivehim，hedeclinedtheopportunityoffighting。Thecautionwithwhichheavoidedabattlewasimputedtofear；butthewell-establishedreputationofWallensteinenabledhimtodespisethissuspicion。Thevanityofthealliesallowedthemnottoseethathepurposelysavedthemadefeat，becauseavictoryatthattimewouldnothaveservedhisownends。

Toconvincethemofhissuperiorpower，andthathisinactivityproceedednotfromanyfearofthem，heputtodeaththecommanderofacastlethatfellintohishands，becausehehadrefusedatoncetosurrenderanuntenableplace。

Forninedays，didthetwoarmiesremainwithinmusket-shotofeachother，whenCountTerzky，fromthecampoftheImperialists，appearedwithatrumpeterinthatoftheallies，invitingGeneralArnheimtoaconference。

Thepurportwas，thatWallenstein，notwithstandinghissuperiority，waswillingtoagreetoacessationofarmsforsixweeks。

"Hewascome，"hesaid，"toconcludealastingpeacewiththeSwedes，andwiththeprincesoftheempire，topaythesoldiers，andtosatisfyeveryone。Allthiswasinhispower；

andiftheAustriancourthesitatedtoconfirmhisagreement，hewouldunitewiththeallies，and(asheprivatelywhisperedtoArnheim)

hunttheEmperortothedevil。"Atthesecondconference，heexpressedhimselfstillmoreplainlytoCountThurn。

"AlltheprivilegesoftheBohemians，"heengaged，"shouldbeconfirmedanew，theexilesrecalledandrestoredtotheirestates，andhehimselfwouldbethefirsttoresignhisshareofthem。TheJesuits，astheauthorsofallpastgrievances，shouldbebanished，theSwedishcrownindemnifiedbystatedpayments，andallthesuperfluoustroopsonbothsidesemployedagainsttheTurks。"Thelastarticleexplainedthewholemystery。

"If，"hecontinued，"HEshouldobtainthecrownofBohemia，alltheexileswouldhavereasontoapplaudhisgenerosity；

perfecttolerationofreligionsshouldbeestablishedwithinthekingdom，thePalatinefamilybereinstatedinitsrights，andhewouldaccepttheMargraviateofMoraviaasacompensationforMecklenburg。

Thealliedarmieswouldthen，underhiscommand，advanceuponVienna，andswordinhand，compeltheEmperortoratifythetreaty。"

Thuswastheveilatlastremovedfromtheschemes，overwhichhehadbroodedforyearsinmysterioussilence。Everycircumstancenowconvincedhimthatnotamomentwastobelostinitsexecution。

NothingbutablindconfidenceinthegoodfortuneandmilitarygeniusoftheDukeofFriedland，hadinducedtheEmperor，inthefaceoftheremonstrancesofBavariaandSpain，andattheexpenseofhisownreputation，toconferuponthisimperiousleadersuchanunlimitedcommand。ButthisbeliefinWallenstein’sbeinginvincible，hadbeenmuchweakenedbyhisinaction，andalmostentirelyoverthrownbythedefeatatLutzen。Hisenemiesattheimperialcourtnowrenewedtheirintrigues；andtheEmperor’sdisappointmentatthefailureofhishopes，procuredfortheirremonstrancesafavourablereception。Wallenstein’swholeconductwasnowreviewedwiththemostmaliciouscriticism；hisambitioushaughtiness，hisdisobediencetotheEmperor’sorders，wererecalledtotherecollectionofthatjealousprince，aswellasthecomplaintsoftheAustriansubjectsagainsthisboundlessoppression；hisfidelitywasquestioned，andalarminghintsthrownoutastohissecretviews。Theseinsinuations，whichtheconductofthedukeseemedbuttoowelltojustify，failednottomakeadeepimpressiononFerdinand；butthestephadbeentaken，andthegreatpowerwithwhichWallensteinhadbeeninvested，couldnotbetakenfromhimwithoutdanger。Insensiblytodiminishthatpower，wastheonlycoursethatnowremained，and，toeffectthis，itmustinthefirstplacebedivided；but，aboveall，theEmperor’spresentdependenceonthegoodwillofhisgeneralputanendto。

ButeventhisrighthadbeenresignedinhisengagementwithWallenstein，andtheEmperor’sownhandwritingsecuredhimagainsteveryattempttouniteanothergeneralwithhiminthecommand，ortoexerciseanyimmediateactofauthorityoverthetroops。Asthisdisadvantageouscontractcouldneitherbekeptnorbroken，recoursewashadtoartifice。

WallensteinwasImperialGeneralissimoinGermany，buthiscommandextendednofurther，andhecouldnotpresumetoexerciseanyauthorityoveraforeignarmy。ASpanisharmywasaccordinglyraisedinMilan，andmarchedintoGermanyunderaSpanishgeneral。Wallensteinnowceasedtobeindispensablebecausehewasnolongersupreme，andincaseofnecessity，theEmperorwasnowprovidedwiththemeansofsupportevenagainsthim。

Thedukequicklyanddeeplyfeltwhencethisblowcame，andwhitheritwasaimed。Invaindidheprotestagainstthisviolationofthecompact，totheCardinalInfante；theItalianarmycontinueditsmarch，andhewasforcedtodetachGeneralAltringertojoinitwithareinforcement。

Hetookcare，indeed，socloselytofetterthelatter，astopreventtheItalianarmyfromacquiringanygreatreputationinAlsaceandSwabia；

butthisboldstepofthecourtawakenedhimfromhissecurity，andwarnedhimoftheapproachofdanger。Thathemightnotasecondtimebedeprivedofhiscommand，andlosethefruitofallhislabours，hemustacceleratetheaccomplishmentofhislongmeditateddesigns。

Hesecuredtheattachmentofhistroopsbyremovingthedoubtfulofficers，andbyhisliberalitytotherest。Hehadsacrificedtothewelfareofthearmyeveryotherorderinthestate，everyconsiderationofjusticeandhumanity，andthereforehereckonedupontheirgratitude。

Attheverymomentwhenhemeditatedanunparalleledactofingratitudeagainsttheauthorofhisowngoodfortune，hefoundedallhishopesuponthegratitudewhichwasduetohimself。

TheleadersoftheSilesianarmieshadnoauthorityfromtheirprincipalstoconsent，ontheirowndiscretion，tosuchimportantproposalsasthoseofWallenstein，andtheydidnotevenfeelthemselveswarrantedingranting，formorethanafortnight，thecessationofhostilitieswhichhedemanded。

BeforethedukedisclosedhisdesignstoSwedenandSaxony，hehaddeemeditadvisabletosecurethesanctionofFrancetohisboldundertaking。Forthispurpose，asecretnegociationhadbeencarriedonwiththegreatestpossiblecautionanddistrust，byCountKinskywithFeuquieres，theFrenchambassadoratDresden，andhadterminatedaccordingtohiswishes。FeuquieresreceivedordersfromhiscourttopromiseeveryassistanceonthepartofFrance，andtoofferthedukeaconsiderablepecuniaryaidincaseofneed。

Butitwasthisexcessivecautiontosecurehimselfonallsides，thatledtohisruin。TheFrenchambassadorwithastonishmentdiscoveredthataplan，which，morethananyother，requiredsecrecy，hadbeencommunicatedtotheSwedesandtheSaxons。AndyetitwasgenerallyknownthattheSaxonministrywasintheinterestsoftheEmperor，andontheotherhand，theconditionsofferedtotheSwedesfelltoofarshortoftheirexpectationstobelikelytobeaccepted。

Feuquieres，therefore，couldnotbelievethatthedukecouldbeseriousincalculatingupontheaidofthelatter，andthesilenceoftheformer。

HecommunicatedaccordinglyhisdoubtsandanxietiestotheSwedishchancellor，whoequallydistrustedtheviewsofWallenstein，anddislikedhisplans。AlthoughitwasnosecrettoOxenstiern，thatthedukehadformerlyenteredintoasimilarnegociationwithGustavusAdolphus，hecouldnotcreditthepossibilityofinducingawholearmytorevolt，andofhisextravagantpromises。

Sodaringadesign，andsuchimprudentconduct，seemednottobeconsistentwiththeduke’sreservedandsuspicioustemper，andhewasthemoreinclinedtoconsiderthewholeastheresultofdissimulationandtreachery，becausehehadlessreasontodoubthisprudencethanhishonesty。

Oxenstiern’sdoubtsatlastaffectedArnheimhimself，who，infullconfidenceinWallenstein’ssincerity，hadrepairedtothechancelloratGelnhausen，topersuadehimtolendsomeofhisbestregimentstotheduke，toaidhimintheexecutionoftheplan。Theybegantosuspectthatthewholeproposalwasonlyasnaretodisarmtheallies，andtobetraythefloweroftheirtroopsintothehandsoftheEmperor。

Wallenstein’swell-knowncharacterdidnotcontradictthesuspicion，andtheinconsistenciesinwhichheafterwardsinvolvedhimself，entirelydestroyedallconfidenceinhissincerity。WhilehewasendeavouringtodrawtheSwedesintothisalliance，andrequiringthehelpoftheirbesttroops，hedeclaredtoArnheimthattheymustbeginwithexpellingtheSwedesfromtheempire；andwhiletheSaxonofficers，relyinguponthesecurityofthetruce，repairedingreatnumberstohiscamp，hemadeanunsuccessfulattempttoseizethem。Hewasthefirsttobreakthetruce，whichsomemonthsafterwardsherenewed，thoughnotwithoutgreatdifficulty。Allconfidenceinhissinceritywaslost；

hiswholeconductwasregardedasatissueofdeceitandlowcunning，devisedtoweakenthealliesandrepairhisownstrength。

Thisindeedheactuallydideffect，ashisownarmydailyaugmented，whilethatoftheallieswasreducednearlyonehalfbydesertionandbadprovisions。ButhedidnotmakethatuseofhissuperioritywhichViennaexpected。Whenallmenwerelookingforadecisiveblowtobestruck，hesuddenlyrenewedthenegociations；andwhenthetrucelulledthealliesintosecurity，heassuddenlyrecommencedhostilities。

AllthesecontradictionsaroseoutofthedoubleandirreconcileabledesignstoruinatoncetheEmperorandtheSwedes，andtoconcludeaseparatepeacewiththeSaxons。

Impatientattheillsuccessofhisnegociations，heatlastdeterminedtodisplayhisstrength；themoreso，asthepressingdistresswithintheempire，andthegrowingdissatisfactionoftheImperialcourt，admittednotofhismakinganylongerdelay。Beforethelastcessationofhostilities，GeneralHolk，fromBohemia，hadattackedthecircleofMeissen，laidwasteeverythingonhisroutewithfireandsword，driventheElectorintohisfortresses，andtakenthetownofLeipzig。

ButthetruceinSilesiaputaperiodtohisravages，andtheconsequencesofhisexcessesbroughthimtothegraveatAdorf。

Assoonashostilitieswererecommenced，Wallensteinmadeamovement，asifhedesignedtopenetratethroughLusatiaintoSaxony，andcirculatedthereportthatPiccolominihadalreadyinvadedthatcountry。

ArnheimimmediatelybrokeuphiscampinSilesia，tofollowhim，andhastenedtotheassistanceoftheElectorate。BythismeanstheSwedeswereleftexposed，whowereencampedinsmallforceunderCountThurn，atSteinau，ontheOder，andthiswasexactlywhatWallensteindesired。HeallowedtheSaxongeneraltoadvancesixteenmilestowardsMeissen，andthensuddenlyturningtowardstheOder，surprisedtheSwedisharmyinthemostcompletesecurity。TheircavalrywerefirstbeatenbyGeneralSchafgotsch，whowassentagainstthem，andtheinfantrycompletelysurroundedatSteinaubytheduke’sarmywhichfollowed。WallensteingaveCountThurnhalfanhourtodeliberatewhetherhewoulddefendhimselfwith2，500men，againstmorethan20，000，orsurrenderatdiscretion。Buttherewasnoroomfordeliberation。

Thearmysurrendered，andthemostcompletevictorywasobtainedwithoutbloodshed。Colours，baggage，andartilleryallfellintothehandsofthevictors，theofficersweretakenintocustody，theprivatesdraftedintothearmyofWallenstein。Andnowatlast，afterabanishmentoffourteenyears，afternumberlesschangesoffortune，theauthoroftheBohemianinsurrection，andtheremoteoriginofthisdestructivewar，thenotoriousCountThurn，wasinthepowerofhisenemies。Withblood-thirstyimpatience，thearrivalofthisgreatcriminalwaslookedforinVienna，wheretheyalreadyanticipatedthemalicioustriumphofsacrificingsodistinguishedavictimtopublicjustice。ButtodeprivetheJesuitsofthispleasure，wasastillsweetertriumphtoWallenstein，andThurnwassetatliberty。

Fortunatelyforhim，heknewmorethanitwasprudenttohavedivulgedinVienna，andhisenemieswerealsothoseofWallenstein。

AdefeatmighthavebeenforgiveninVienna，butthisdisappointmentoftheirhopestheycouldnotpardon。"WhatshouldIhavedonewiththismadman？"hewrites，withamalicioussneer，totheministerwhocalledhimtoaccountforthisunseasonablemagnanimity。

"WouldtoHeaventheenemyhadnogeneralsbutsuchashe。

AttheheadoftheSwedisharmy，hewillrenderusmuchbetterservicethaninprison。"

ThevictoryofSteinauwasfollowedbythecaptureofLiegnitz，Grossglogau，andevenofFrankfortontheOder。Schafgotsch，whoremainedinSilesiatocompletethesubjugationofthatprovince，blockadedBrieg，andthreatenedBreslau，thoughinvain，asthatfreetownwasjealousofitsprivileges，anddevotedtotheSwedes。ColonelsIlloandGoetzwereorderedbyWallensteintotheWarta，topushforwardsintoPomerania，andtothecoastsoftheBaltic，andactuallyobtainedpossessionofLandsberg，thekeyofPomerania。WhilethustheElectorofBrandenburgandtheDukeofPomeraniaweremadetotremblefortheirdominions，Wallensteinhimself，withtheremainderofhisarmy，burstsuddenlyintoLusatia，wherehetookGoerlitzbystorm，andforcedBautzentosurrender。ButhisobjectwasmerelytoalarmtheElectorofSaxony，nottofollowuptheadvantagesalreadyobtained；

andtherefore，evenwiththeswordinhishand，hecontinuedhisnegociationsforpeacewithBrandenburgandSaxony，butwithnobettersuccessthanbefore，astheinconsistenciesofhisconducthaddestroyedallconfidenceinhissincerity。HewasthereforeonthepointofturninghiswholeforceinearnestagainsttheunfortunateSaxons，andeffectinghisobjectbyforceofarms，whencircumstancescompelledhimtoleavetheseterritories。

TheconquestsofDukeBernardupontheDanube，whichthreatenedAustriaitselfwithimmediatedanger，urgentlydemandedhispresenceinBavaria；

andtheexpulsionoftheSaxonsandSwedesfromSilesia，deprivedhimofeverypretextforlongerresistingtheImperialorders，andleavingtheElectorofBavariawithoutassistance。Withhismainbody，therefore，heimmediatelysetoutfortheUpperPalatinate，andhisretreatfreedUpperSaxonyforeverofthisformidableenemy。

Solongaswaspossible，hehaddelayedtomovetotherescueofBavaria，andoneverypretextevadedthecommandsoftheEmperor。Hehad，indeed，afterreiteratedremonstrances，despatchedfromBohemiaareinforcementofsomeregimentstoCountAltringer，whowasdefendingtheLechandtheDanubeagainstHornandBernard，butundertheexpressconditionofhisactingmerelyonthedefensive。HereferredtheEmperorandtheElector，whenevertheyappliedtohimforaid，toAltringer，who，ashepubliclygaveout，hadreceivedunlimitedpowers；

secretly，however，hetieduphishandsbythestrictestinjunctions，andeventhreatenedhimwithdeath，ifheexceededhisorders。

WhenDukeBernardhadappearedbeforeRatisbon，andtheEmperoraswellastheElectorrepeatedstillmoreurgentlytheirdemandforsuccour，hepretendedhewasabouttodespatchGeneralGallaswithaconsiderablearmytotheDanube；butthismovementalsowasdelayed，andRatisbon，Straubing，andCham，aswellasthebishopricofEichstaedt，fellintothehandsoftheSwedes。WhenatlasthecouldnolongerneglecttheordersoftheCourt，hemarchedslowlytowardtheBavarianfrontier，whereheinvestedthetownofCham，whichhadbeentakenbytheSwedes。

ButnosoonerdidhelearnthatontheSwedishsideadiversionwascontemplated，byaninroadoftheSaxonsintoBohemia，thanheavailedhimselfofthereport，asapretextforimmediatelyretreatingintothatkingdom。Everyconsideration，heurged，mustbepostponedtothedefenceandpreservationofthehereditarydominionsoftheEmperor；

andonthisplea，heremainedfirmlyfixedinBohemia，whichheguardedasifithadbeenhisownproperty。AndwhentheEmperorlaiduponhimhiscommandstomovetowardstheDanube，andpreventtheDukeofWeimarfromestablishinghimselfinsodangerousapositiononthefrontiersofAustria，Wallensteinthoughtpropertoconcludethecampaignasecondtime，andquarteredhistroopsforthewinterinthisexhaustedkingdom。

SuchcontinuedinsolenceandunexampledcontemptoftheImperialorders，aswellasobviousneglectofthecommoncause，joinedtohisequivocalbehaviourtowardstheenemy，tendedatlasttoconvincetheEmperorofthetruthofthoseunfavourablereportswithregardtotheDuke，whichwerecurrentthroughGermany。

Thelatterhad，foralongtime，succeededinglozingoverhiscriminalcorrespondencewiththeenemy，andpersuadingtheEmperor，stillprepossessedinhisfavour，thatthesoleobjectofhissecretconferenceswastoobtainpeaceforGermany。Butimpenetrableashehimselfbelievedhisproceedingstobe，inthecourseofhisconduct，enoughtranspiredtojustifytheinsinuationswithwhichhisrivalsincessantlyloadedtheearoftheEmperor。Inordertosatisfyhimselfofthetruthorfalsehoodoftheserumours，Ferdinandhadalready，atdifferenttimes，sentspiesintoWallenstein’scamp；butastheDuketooktheprecautionnevertocommitanythingtowriting，theyreturnedwithnothingbutconjectures。Butwhen，atlast，thoseministerswhoformerlyhadbeenhischampionsatthecourt，inconsequenceoftheirestatesnotbeingexemptedbyWallensteinfromthegeneralexactions，joinedhisenemies；whentheElectorofBavariathreatened，incaseofWallensteinbeinganylongerretainedinthesupremecommand，tounitewiththeSwedes；whentheSpanishambassadorinsistedonhisdismissal，andthreatened，incaseofrefusal，towithdrawthesubsidiesfurnishedbyhisCrown，theEmperorfoundhimselfasecondtimecompelledtodeprivehimofthecommand。

TheEmperor’sauthoritativeanddirectinterferencewiththearmy，soonconvincedtheDukethatthecompactwithhimselfwasregardedasatanend，andthathisdismissalwasinevitable。

OneofhisinferiorgeneralsinAustria，whomhehadforbidden，underpainofdeath，toobeytheordersofthecourt，receivedthepositivecommandsoftheEmperortojointheElectorofBavaria；

andWallensteinhimselfwasimperiouslyorderedtosendsomeregimentstoreinforcethearmyoftheCardinalInfante，whowasonhismarchfromItaly。

Allthesemeasuresconvincedhimthattheplanwasfinallyarrangedtodisarmhimbydegrees，andatonce，whenhewasweakanddefenceless，tocompletehisruin。

Inself-defence，musthenowhastentocarryintoexecutiontheplanswhichhehadoriginallyformedonlywiththeviewtoaggrandizement。

Hehaddelayedtoolong，eitherbecausethefavourableconfigurationofthestarshadnotyetpresenteditself，or，asheusedtosay，tochecktheimpatienceofhisfriends，becauseTHETIMEWASNOTYETCOME。

Thetime，evennow，wasnotcome:butthepressureofcircumstancesnolongerallowedhimtoawaitthefavourofthestars。Thefirststepwastoassurehimselfofthesentimentsofhisprincipalofficers，andthentotrytheattachmentofthearmy，whichhehadsolongconfidentlyreckonedon。Threeofthem，ColonelsKinsky，Terzky，andIllo，hadlongbeeninhissecrets，andthetwofirstwerefurtherunitedtohisinterestsbythetiesofrelationship。Thesamewildambition，thesamebitterhatredofthegovernment，andthehopeofenormousrewards，boundthemintheclosestmannertoWallenstein，who，toincreasethenumberofhisadherents，couldstooptothelowestmeans。

HehadonceadvisedColonelIllotosolicit，inVienna，thetitleofCount，andhadpromisedtobackhisapplicationwithhispowerfulmediation。

Buthesecretlywrotetotheministry，advisingthemtorefusehisrequest，astograntitwouldgiverisetosimilardemandsfromothers，whoseservicesandclaimswereequaltohis。OnIllo’sreturntothecamp，Wallensteinimmediatelydemandedtoknowthesuccessofhismission；

andwheninformedbyIlloofitsfailure，hebrokeoutintothebitterestcomplaintsagainstthecourt。"Thus，"saidhe，"areourfaithfulservicesrewarded。Myrecommendationisdisregarded，andyourmeritdeniedsotriflingareward！Whowouldanylongerdevotehisservicestosoungratefulamaster？No，formypart，IamhenceforththedeterminedfoeofAustria。"Illoagreedwithhim，andaclosealliancewascementedbetweenthem。

Butwhatwasknowntothesethreeconfidantsoftheduke，waslonganimpenetrablesecrettotherest；andtheconfidencewithwhichWallensteinspokeofthedevotionofhisofficers，wasfoundedmerelyonthefavourshehadlavishedonthem，andontheirknowndissatisfactionwiththeCourt。Butthisvaguepresumptionmustbeconvertedintocertainty，beforehecouldventuretolayasidethemask，ortakeanyopenstepagainsttheEmperor。CountPiccolomini，whohaddistinguishedhimselfbyhisunparalleledbraveryatLutzen，wasthefirstwhosefidelityheputtotheproof。Hehad，hethought，gainedtheattachmentofthisgeneralbylargepresents，andpreferredhimtoallothers，becausebornunderthesameconstellationswithhimself。

Hedisclosedtohim，that，inconsequenceoftheEmperor’singratitude，andthenearapproachofhisowndanger，hehadirrevocablydeterminedentirelytoabandonthepartyofAustria，tojointheenemywiththebestpartofhisarmy，andtomakewarupontheHouseofAustria，onallsidesofitsdominions，tillhehadwhollyextirpatedit。

Intheexecutionofthisplan，heprincipallyreckonedontheservicesofPiccolomini，andhadbeforehandpromisedhimthegreatestrewards。

Whenthelatter，toconcealhisamazementatthisextraordinarycommunication，spokeofthedangersandobstacleswhichwouldopposesohazardousanenterprise，Wallensteinridiculedhisfears。"Insuchenterprises，"

hemaintained，"nothingwasdifficultbutthecommencement。Thestarswerepropitioustohim，theopportunitythebestthatcouldbewishedfor，andsomethingmustalwaysbetrustedtofortune。Hisresolutionwastaken，andifitcouldnotbeotherwise，hewouldencounterthehazardattheheadofathousandhorse。"PiccolominiwascarefulnottoexciteWallenstein’ssuspicionsbylongeropposition，andyieldedapparentlytotheforceofhisreasoning。SuchwastheinfatuationoftheDuke，thatnotwithstandingthewarningsofCountTerzky，heneverdoubtedthesincerityofthisman，wholostnotamomentincommunicatingtothecourtatViennathisimportantconversation。

Preparatorytotakingthelastdecisivestep，he，inJanuary1634，calledameetingofallthecommandersofthearmyatPilsen，whitherhehadmarchedafterhisretreatfromBavaria。TheEmperor’srecentorderstosparehishereditarydominionsfromwinterquarterings，torecoverRatisboninthemiddleofwinter，andtoreducethearmybyadetachmentofsixthousandhorsetotheCardinalInfante，werematterssufficientlygravetobelaidbeforeacouncilofwar；

andthisplausiblepretextservedtoconcealfromthecurioustherealobjectofthemeeting。SwedenandSaxonyreceivedinvitationstobepresent，inordertotreatwiththeDukeofFriedlandforapeace；totheleadersofmoredistantarmies，writtencommunicationsweremade。Ofthecommandersthussummoned，twentyappeared；butthreemostinfluential，Gallas，Colloredo，andAltringer，wereabsent。TheDukereiteratedhissummonstothem，andinthemeantime，inexpectationoftheirspeedyarrival，proceededtoexecutehisdesigns。

Itwasnolighttaskthathehadtoperform:anobleman，proud，brave，andjealousofhishonour，wastodeclarehimselfcapableofthebasesttreachery，intheverypresenceofthosewhohadbeenaccustomedtoregardhimastherepresentativeofmajesty，thejudgeoftheiractions，andthesupporteroftheirlaws，andtoshowhimselfsuddenlyasatraitor，acheat，andarebel。Itwasnoeasytask，either，toshaketoitsfoundationsalegitimatesovereignty，strengthenedbytimeandconsecratedbylawsandreligion；todissolveallthecharmsofthesensesandtheimagination，thoseformidableguardiansofanestablishedthrone，andtoattemptforciblytouprootthoseinvinciblefeelingsofduty，whichpleadsoloudlyandsopowerfullyinthebreastofthesubject，infavourofhissovereign。But，blindedbythesplendourofacrown，Wallensteinobservednottheprecipicethatyawnedbeneathhisfeet；andinfullrelianceonhisownstrength，thecommoncasewithenergeticanddaringminds，hestoppednottoconsiderthemagnitudeandthenumberofthedifficultiesthatopposedhim。

Wallensteinsawnothingbutanarmy，partlyindifferentandpartlyexasperatedagainstthecourt，accustomed，withablindsubmission，todohomagetohisgreatname，tobowtohimastheirlegislatorandjudge，andwithtremblingreverencetofollowhisordersasthedecreesoffate。

Intheextravagantflatterieswhichwerepaidtohisomnipotence，intheboldabuseofthecourtgovernment，inwhichalawlesssoldieryindulged，andwhichthewildlicenceofthecampexcused，hethoughthereadthesentimentsofthearmy；andtheboldnesswithwhichtheywerereadytocensurethemonarch’smeasures，passedwithhimforareadinesstorenouncetheirallegiancetoasovereignsolittlerespected。Butthatwhichhehadregardedasthelightestmatter，provedthemostformidableobstaclewithwhichhehadtocontend；

thesoldiers’feelingsofallegianceweretherockonwhichhishopeswerewrecked。Deceivedbytheprofoundrespectinwhichhewasheldbytheselawlessbands，heascribedthewholetohisownpersonalgreatness，withoutdistinguishinghowmuchheowedtohimself，andhowmuchtothedignitywithwhichhewasinvested。Alltrembledbeforehim，whileheexercisedalegitimateauthority，whileobediencetohimwasaduty，andwhilehisconsequencewassupportedbythemajestyofthesovereign。

Greatness，inandofitself，mayexciteterrorandadmiration；

butlegitimategreatnessalonecaninspirereverenceandsubmission；

andofthisdecisiveadvantagehedeprivedhimself，theinstantheavowedhimselfatraitor。

Field-MarshalIlloundertooktolearnthesentimentsoftheofficers，andtopreparethemforthestepwhichwasexpectedofthem。

Hebeganbylayingbeforethemthenewordersofthecourttothegeneralandthearmy；andbytheobnoxiousturnheskilfullygavetothem，hefounditeasytoexcitetheindignationoftheassembly。

Afterthiswellchosenintroduction，heexpatiatedwithmucheloquenceuponthemeritsofthearmyandthegeneral，andtheingratitudewithwhichtheEmperorwasaccustomedtorequitethem。"Spanishinfluence，"

hemaintained，"governedthecourt；theministrywereinthepayofSpain；

theDukeofFriedlandalonehadhithertoopposedthistyranny，andhadthusdrawndownuponhimselfthedeadlyenmityoftheSpaniards。

Toremovehimfromthecommand，ortomakeawaywithhimentirely，"

hecontinued，"hadlongbeentheendoftheirdesires；

and，untiltheycouldsucceedinoneorother，theyendeavouredtoabridgehispowerinthefield。ThecommandwastobeplacedinthehandsoftheKingofHungary，fornootherreasonthanthebettertopromotetheSpanishpowerinGermany；

becausethisprince，asthereadyinstrumentofforeigncounsels，mightbeledatpleasure。Itwasmerelywiththeviewofweakeningthearmy，thatthesixthousandtroopswererequiredfortheCardinalInfante；

itwassolelyforthepurposeofharassingitbyawintercampaign，thattheywerenowcalledon，inthisinhospitableseason，toundertaketherecoveryofRatisbon。Themeansofsubsistencewereeverywhererendereddifficult，whiletheJesuitsandtheministryenrichedthemselveswiththesweatoftheprovinces，andsquanderedthemoneyintendedforthepayofthetroops。Thegeneral，abandonedbythecourt，acknowledgeshisinabilitytokeephisengagementstothearmy。

Foralltheserviceswhich，fortwoandtwentyyears，hehadrenderedtheHouseofAustria；forallthedifficultieswithwhichhehadstruggled；forallthetreasuresofhisown，whichhehadexpendedintheimperialservice，aseconddisgracefuldismissalawaitedhim。Buthewasresolvedthemattershouldnotcometothis；

hewasdeterminedvoluntarilytoresignthecommand，beforeitshouldbewrestedfromhishands；andthis，"continuedtheorator，"iswhat，throughme，henowmakesknowntohisofficers。Itwasnowforthemtosaywhetheritwouldbeadvisabletolosesuchageneral。LeteachconsiderwhowastorefundhimthesumshehadexpendedintheEmperor’sservice，andwherehewasnowtoreaptherewardoftheirbravery，whenhewhowastheirevidenceremovedfromthescene。"

Auniversalcry，thattheywouldnotallowtheirgeneraltobetakenfromthem，interruptedthespeaker。Fouroftheprincipalofficersweredeputedtolaybeforehimthewishoftheassembly，andearnestlytorequestthathewouldnotleavethearmy。

Thedukemadeashowofresistance，andonlyyieldedaftertheseconddeputation。Thisconcessiononhisside，seemedtodemandareturnontheirs；asheengagednottoquittheservicewithouttheknowledgeandconsentofthegenerals，herequiredofthem，ontheotherhand，awrittenpromisetotrulyandfirmlyadheretohim，neithertoseparatenortoallowthemselvestobeseparatedfromhim，andtoshedtheirlastdropofbloodinhisdefence。Whoevershouldbreakthiscovenant，wastoberegardedasaperfidioustraitor，andtreatedbytherestasacommonenemy。Theexpressconditionwhichwasadded，"ASLONGASWALLENSTEINSHALLEMPLOYTHEARMY

INTHEEMPEROR’SSERVICE，"seemedtoexcludeallmisconception，andnoneoftheassembledgeneralshesitatedatoncetoaccedetoademand，apparentlysoinnocentandsoreasonable。

Thisdocumentwaspubliclyreadbeforeanentertainment，whichField-MarshalIllohadexpresslypreparedforthepurpose；

itwastobesigned，aftertheyrosefromtable。Thehostdidhisutmosttostupifyhisguestsbystrongpotations；anditwasnotuntilhesawthemaffectedwiththewine，thatheproducedthepaperforsignature。

Mostofthemwrotetheirnames，withoutknowingwhattheyweresubscribing；

afewonly，morecuriousormoredistrustful，readthepaperoveragain，anddiscoveredwithastonishmentthattheclause"aslongasWallensteinshallemploythearmyfortheEmperor’sservice"wasomitted。Illohad，infact，artfullycontrivedtosubstituteforthefirstanothercopy，inwhichthesewordswerewanting。Thetrickwasmanifest，andmanyrefusednowtosign。Piccolomini，whohadseenthroughthewholecheat，andhadbeenpresentatthisscenemerelywiththeviewofgivinginformationofthewholetothecourt，forgothimselfsofarinhiscupsastodrinktheEmperor’shealth。ButCountTerzkynowrose，anddeclaredthatallwereperjuredvillainswhoshouldrecedefromtheirengagement。Hismenaces，theideaoftheinevitabledangertowhichtheywhoresistedanylongerwouldbeexposed，theexampleoftherest，andIllo’srhetoric，atlastovercametheirscruples；

andthepaperwassignedbyallwithoutexception。

Wallensteinhadnoweffectedhispurpose；buttheunexpectedresistancehehadmetwithfromthecommandersrousedhimatlastfromthefondillusionsinwhichhehadhithertoindulged。Besides，mostofthenameswerescrawledsoillegibly，thatsomedeceitwasevidentlyintended。

Butinsteadofbeingrecalledtohisdiscretionbythiswarning，hegaveventtohisinjuredprideinundignifiedcomplaintsandreproaches。

Heassembledthegeneralsthenextday，andundertookpersonallytoconfirmthewholetenoroftheagreementwhichIllohadsubmittedtothemthedaybefore。Afterpouringoutthebitterestreproachesandabuseagainstthecourt，heremindedthemoftheiroppositiontothepropositionofthepreviousday，anddeclaredthatthiscircumstancehadinducedhimtoretracthisownpromise。Thegeneralswithdrewinsilenceandconfusion；

butafterashortconsultationintheantichamber，theyreturnedtoapologizefortheirlateconduct，andofferedtosignthepaperanew。

Nothingnowremained，buttoobtainasimilarassurancefromtheabsentgenerals，or，ontheirrefusal，toseizetheirpersons。

Wallensteinrenewedhisinvitationtothem，andearnestlyurgedthemtohastentheirarrival。ButarumourofthedoingsatPilsenreachedthemontheirjourney，andsuddenlystoppedtheirfurtherprogress。

Altringer，onpretenceofsickness，remainedinthestrongfortressofFrauenberg。Gallasmadehisappearance，butmerelywiththedesignofbetterqualifyinghimselfasaneyewitness，tokeeptheEmperorinformedofallWallenstein’sproceedings。TheintelligencewhichheandPiccolominigave，atonceconvertedthesuspicionsofthecourtintoanalarmingcertainty。Similardisclosures，whichwereatthesametimemadefromotherquarters，leftnoroomforfartherdoubt；

andthesuddenchangeofthecommandersinAustriaandSilesia，appearedtobethepreludetosomeimportantenterprise。

Thedangerwaspressing，andtheremedymustbespeedy，butthecourtwasunwillingtoproceedatoncetotheexecutionofthesentence，tilltheregularformsofjusticewerecompliedwith。Secretinstructionswerethereforeissuedtotheprincipalofficers，onwhosefidelityreliancecouldbeplaced，toseizethepersonsoftheDukeofFriedlandandofhistwoassociates，IlloandTerzky，andkeepthemincloseconfinement，tilltheyshouldhaveanopportunityofbeingheard，andofansweringfortheirconduct；butifthiscouldnotbeaccomplishedquietly，thepublicdangerrequiredthattheyshouldbetakendeadorlive。

Atthesametime，GeneralGallasreceivedapatentcommission，bywhichtheseordersoftheEmperorweremadeknowntothecolonelsandofficers，andthearmywasreleasedfromitsobediencetothetraitor，andplacedunderLieutenant-GeneralGallas，tillanewgeneralissimocouldbeappointed。Inordertobringbacktheseducedanddeludedtotheirduty，andnottodrivetheguiltytodespair，ageneralamnestywasproclaimed，inregardtoalloffencesagainsttheimperialmajestycommittedatPilsen。

GeneralGallaswasnotpleasedwiththehonourwhichwasdonehim。

HewasatPilsen，undertheeyeofthepersonwhosefatehewastodisposeof；

inthepowerofanenemy，whohadahundredeyestowatchhismotions。

IfWallensteinoncediscoveredthesecretofhiscommission，nothingcouldsavehimfromtheeffectsofhisvengeanceanddespair。

Butifitwasthusdangeroustobethesecretdepositaryofsuchacommission，howmuchmoresotoexecuteit？Thesentimentsofthegeneralswereuncertain；anditwasatleastdoubtfulwhether，afterthesteptheyhadtaken，theywouldbereadytotrusttheEmperor’spromises，andatoncetoabandonthebrilliantexpectationstheyhadbuiltuponWallenstein’senterprise。Itwasalsohazardoustoattempttolayhandsonthepersonofamanwho，tillnow，hadbeenconsideredinviolable；

whofromlongexerciseofsupremepower，andfromhabitualobedience，hadbecometheobjectofdeepestrespect；whowasinvestedwitheveryattributeofoutwardmajestyandinwardgreatness；whoseveryaspectinspiredterror，andwhobyanoddisposedoflifeanddeath！

Toseizesuchaman，likeacommoncriminal，inthemidstoftheguardsbywhomhewassurrounded，andinacityapparentlydevotedtohim；

toconverttheobjectofthisdeepandhabitualvenerationintoasubjectofcompassion，orofcontempt，wasacommissioncalculatedtomakeeventheboldesthesitate。Sodeeplywasfearandvenerationfortheirgeneralengraveninthebreastsofthesoldiers，thateventheatrociouscrimeofhightreasoncouldnotwhollyeradicatethesesentiments。

Gallasperceivedtheimpossibilityofexecutinghiscommissionundertheeyesoftheduke；andhismostanxiouswishwas，beforeventuringonanysteps，tohaveaninterviewwithAltringer。Asthelongabsenceofthelatterhadalreadybeguntoexcitetheduke’ssuspicions，GallasofferedtorepairinpersontoFrauenberg，andtoprevailonAltringer，hisrelation，toreturnwithhim。Wallensteinwassopleasedwiththisproofofhiszeal，thatheevenlenthimhisownequipageforthejourney。Rejoicingatthesuccessofhisstratagem，heleftPilsenwithoutdelay，leavingtoCountPiccolominithetaskofwatchingWallenstein’sfurthermovements。Hedidnotfail，ashewentalong，tomakeuseoftheimperialpatent，andthesentimentsofthetroopsprovedmorefavourablethanhehadexpected。

InsteadoftakingbackhisfriendtoPilsen，hedespatchedhimtoVienna，towarntheEmperoragainsttheintendedattack，whilehehimselfrepairedtoUpperAustria，ofwhichthesafetywasthreatenedbythenearapproachofDukeBernard。InBohemia，thetownsofBudweissandTaborwereagaingarrisonedfortheEmperor，andeveryprecautiontakentoopposewithenergythedesignsofthetraitor。

AsGallasdidnotappeardisposedtoreturn，PiccolominideterminedtoputWallenstein’scredulityoncemoretothetest。HebeggedtobesenttobringbackGallas，andWallensteinsufferedhimselfasecondtimetobeoverreached。Thisinconceivableblindnesscanonlybeaccountedforastheresultofhispride，whichneverretractedtheopinionithadonceformedofanyperson，andwouldnotacknowledge，eventoitself，thepossibilityofbeingdeceived。HeconveyedCountPiccolominiinhisowncarriagetoLintz，wherethelatterimmediatelyfollowedtheexampleofGallas，andevenwentastepfarther。Hehadpromisedtheduketoreturn。Hedidso，butitwasattheheadofanarmy，intendingtosurprisethedukeinPilsen。AnotherarmyunderGeneralSuyshastenedtoPrague，tosecurethatcapitalinitsallegiance，andtodefenditagainsttherebels。Gallas，atthesametime，announcedhimselftothedifferentimperialarmiesasthecommander-in-chief，fromwhomtheywerehenceforthtoreceiveorders。Placardswerecirculatedthroughalltheimperialcamps，denouncingthedukeandhisfourconfidants，andabsolvingthesoldiersfromallobediencetohim。

TheexamplewhichhadbeensetatLintz，wasuniversallyfollowed；

imprecationswereshoweredonthetraitor，andhewasforsakenbyallthearmies。Atlast，whenevenPiccolominireturnednomore，themistfellfromWallenstein’seyes，andinconsternationheawokefromhisdream。Yethisfaithinthetruthofastrology，andinthefidelityofthearmywasunshaken。ImmediatelyaftertheintelligenceofPiccolomini’sdefection，heissuedorders，thatinfuturenocommandsweretobeobeyed，whichdidnotproceeddirectlyfromhimself，orfromTerzky，orIllo。Heprepared，inallhaste，toadvanceuponPrague，whereheintendedtothrowoffthemask，andopenlytodeclareagainsttheEmperor。Allthetroopsweretoassemblebeforethatcity，andfromthencetopourdownwithrapidityuponAustria。

DukeBernard，whohadjoinedtheconspiracy，wastosupporttheoperationsoftheduke，withtheSwedishtroops，andtoeffectadiversionupontheDanube。

TerzkywasalreadyuponhismarchtowardsPrague；andnothing，butthewantofhorses，preventedthedukefromfollowinghimwiththeregimentswhostilladheredfaithfullytohim。Butwhen，withthemostanxiousexpectation，heawaitedtheintelligencefromPrague，hesuddenlyreceivedinformationofthelossofthattown，thedefectionofhisgenerals，thedesertionofhistroops，thediscoveryofhiswholeplot，andtherapidadvanceofPiccolomini，whowassworntohisdestruction。

Suddenlyandfearfullyhadallhisprojectsbeenruined——

allhishopesannihilated。Hestoodalone，abandonedbyalltowhomhehadbeenabenefactor，betrayedbyallonwhomhehaddepended。

Butitisundersuchcircumstancesthatgreatmindsrevealthemselves。

Thoughdeceivedinallhisexpectations，herefusedtoabandononeofhisdesigns；hedespairedofnothing，solongasliferemained。

Thetimewasnowcome，whenheabsolutelyrequiredthatassistance，whichhehadsooftensolicitedfromtheSwedesandtheSaxons，andwhenalldoubtsofthesincerityofhispurposesmustbedispelled。

Andnow，whenOxenstiernandArnheimwereconvincedofthesincerityofhisintentions，andwereawareofhisnecessities，theynolongerhesitatedtoembracethefavourableopportunity，andtoofferhimtheirprotection。

OnthepartofSaxony，theDukeFrancisAlbertofSaxeLauenbergwastojoinhimwith4，000men；andDukeBernard，andthePalatineChristianofBirkenfeld，with6，000fromSweden，allchosentroops。

WallensteinleftPilsen，withTerzky’sregiment，andthefewwhoeitherwere，orpretendedtobe，faithfultohim，andhastenedtoEgra，onthefrontiersofthekingdom，inordertobeneartheUpperPalatinate，andtofacilitatehisjunctionwithDukeBernard。Hewasnotyetinformedofthedecreebywhichhewasproclaimedapublicenemyandtraitor；

thisthunder-strokeawaitedhimatEgra。Hestillreckonedonthearmy，whichGeneralSchafgotschwaspreparingforhiminSilesia，andflatteredhimselfwiththehopethatmanyevenofthosewhohadforsakenhim，wouldreturnwiththefirstdawningofsuccess。

EvenduringhisflighttoEgra(solittlehumilityhadhelearnedfrommelancholyexperience)hewasstilloccupiedwiththecolossalschemeofdethroningtheEmperor。Itwasunderthesecircumstances，thatoneofhissuiteaskedleavetoofferhimhisadvice。

"UndertheEmperor，"saidhe，"yourhighnessiscertainofbeingagreatandrespectednoble；withtheenemy，youareatbestbutaprecariousking。Itisunwisetoriskcertaintyforuncertainty。

Theenemywillavailthemselvesofyourpersonalinfluence，whiletheopportunitylasts；butyouwilleverberegardedwithsuspicion，andtheywillalwaysbefearfullestyoushouldtreatthemasyouhavedonetheEmperor。Return，then，toyourallegiance，whilethereisyettime——"Andhowisthattobedone？"saidWallenstein，interruptinghim:"Youhave40，000men-at-arms，"rejoinedhe，(meaningducats，whichwerestampedwiththefigureofanarmedman，)

"takethemwithyou，andgostraighttotheImperialCourt；thendeclarethatthestepsyouhavehithertotakenweremerelydesignedtotestthefidelityoftheEmperor’sservants，andofdistinguishingtheloyalfromthedoubtful；andsincemosthaveshownadispositiontorevolt，sayyouarecometowarnhisImperialMajestyagainstthosedangerousmen。

Thusyouwillmakethoseappearastraitors，whoarelabouringtorepresentyouasafalsevillain。AttheImperialCourt，amanissuretobewelcomewith40，000ducats，andFriedlandwillbeagainashewasatthefirst。"——"Theadviceisgood，"saidWallenstein，afterapause，"butletthedeviltrusttoit。"

Whiletheduke，inhisretirementinEgra，wasenergeticallypushinghisnegociationswiththeenemy，consultingthestars，andindulginginnewhopes，thedaggerwhichwastoputanendtohisexistencewasunsheathedalmostunderhisveryeyes。Theimperialdecreewhichproclaimedhimanoutlaw，hadnotfailedofitseffect；

andanavengingNemesisordainedthattheungratefulshouldfallbeneaththeblowofingratitude。Amonghisofficers，WallensteinhadparticularlydistinguishedoneLeslie*，anIrishman，andhadmadehisfortune。

Thiswasthemanwhonowfelthimselfcalledontoexecutethesentenceagainsthim，andtoearnthepriceofblood。NosoonerhadhereachedEgra，inthesuiteoftheduke，thanhedisclosedtothecommandantofthetown，ColonelButtler，andtoLieutenant-ColonelGordon，twoProtestantScotchmen，thetreasonabledesignsoftheduke，whichthelatterhadimprudentlyenoughcommunicatedtohimduringthejourney。Inthesetwoindividuals，hehadfoundmencapableofadeterminedresolution。Theywerenowcalledontochoosebetweentreasonandduty，betweentheirlegitimatesovereignandafugitiveabandonedrebel；andthoughthelatterwastheircommonbenefactor，thechoicecouldnotremainforamomentdoubtful。TheyweresolemnlypledgedtotheallegianceoftheEmperor，andthisdutyrequiredthemtotakethemostrapidmeasuresagainstthepublicenemy。Theopportunitywasfavourable；hisevilgeniusseemedtohavedeliveredhimintothehandsofvengeance。Butnottoencroachontheprovinceofjustice，theyresolvedtodeliveruptheirvictimalive；andtheypartedwiththeboldresolvetotaketheirgeneralprisoner。Thisdarkplotwasburiedinthedeepestsilence；andWallenstein，farfromsuspectinghisimpendingruin，flatteredhimselfthatinthegarrisonofEgrahepossessedhisbravestandmostfaithfulchampions——

*Schillerismistakenastothispoint。LesliewasaScotchman，andButtleranIrishmanandapapist。HediedageneralintheEmperor’sservice，andfounded，atPrague，aconventofIrishFranciscanswhichstillexists——

Atthistime，hebecameacquaintedwiththeImperialproclamationscontaininghissentence，andwhichhadbeenpublishedinallthecamps。

Henowbecameawareofthefullextentofthedangerwhichencompassedhim，theutterimpossibilityofretracinghissteps，hisfearfullyforlorncondition，andtheabsolutenecessityofatoncetrustinghimselftothefaithandhonouroftheEmperor’senemies。ToLesliehepouredforthalltheanguishofhiswoundedspirit，andthevehemenceofhisagitationextractedfromhimhislastremainingsecret。HedisclosedtothisofficerhisintentiontodeliverupEgraandEllenbogen，thepassesofthekingdom，tothePalatineofBirkenfeld，andatthesametime，informedhimofthenearapproachofDukeBernard，ofwhosearrivalhehopedtoreceivetidingsthatverynight。Thesedisclosures，whichLeslieimmediatelycommunicatedtotheconspirators，madethemchangetheiroriginalplan。Theurgencyofthedangeradmittednotofhalfmeasures。

Egramightinamomentbeintheenemy’shands，andasuddenrevolutionsettheirprisoneratliberty。Toanticipatethismischance，theyresolvedtoassassinatehimandhisassociatesthefollowingnight。

Inordertoexecutethisdesignwithlessnoise，itwasarrangedthatthefearfuldeedshouldbeperpetratedatanentertainmentwhichColonelButtlershouldgiveintheCastleofEgra。

Alltheguests，exceptWallenstein，madetheirappearance，whobeingintoogreatanxietyofmindtoenjoycompanyexcusedhimself。

Withregardtohim，therefore，theirplanmustbeagainchanged；

buttheyresolvedtoexecutetheirdesignagainsttheothers。

ThethreeColonels，Illo，Terzky，andWilliamKinsky，cameinwithcarelessconfidence，andwiththemCaptainNeumann，anofficerofability，whoseadviceTerzkysoughtineveryintricateaffair。

Previoustotheirarrival，trustysoldiersofthegarrison，towhomtheplothadbeencommunicated，wereadmittedintotheCastle，alltheavenuesleadingfromitguarded，andsixofButtler’sdragoonsconcealedinanapartmentclosetothebanqueting-room，who，onaconcertedsignal，weretorushinandkillthetraitors。

Withoutsuspectingthedangerthathungoverthem，theguestsgailyabandonedthemselvestothepleasuresofthetable，andWallenstein’shealthwasdrunkinfullbumpers，notasaservantoftheEmperor，butasasovereignprince。Thewineopenedtheirhearts，andIllo，withexultation，boastedthatinthreedaysanarmywouldarrive，suchasWallensteinhadneverbeforebeenattheheadof。"Yes，"

criedNeumann，"andthenhehopestobathehishandsinAustrianblood。"

Duringthisconversation，thedessertwasbroughtin，andLesliegavetheconcertedsignaltoraisethedrawbridges，whilehehimselfreceivedthekeysofthegates。Inaninstant，thehallwasfilledwitharmedmen，who，withtheunexpectedgreetingof"LongliveFerdinand！"

placedthemselvesbehindthechairsofthemarkedguests。Surprised，andwithapresentimentoftheirfate，theysprangfromthetable。

KinskyandTerzkywerekilleduponthespot，andbeforetheycouldputthemselvesupontheirguard。Neumann，duringtheconfusioninthehall，escapedintothecourt，where，however，hewasinstantlyrecognisedandcutdown。Illoalonehadthepresenceofmindtodefendhimself。

Heplacedhisbackagainstawindow，fromwhencehepouredthebitterestreproachesuponGordon，andchallengedhimtofighthimfairlyandhonourably。Afteragallantresistance，inwhichheslewtwoofhisassailants，hefelltothegroundoverpoweredbynumbers，andpiercedwithtenwounds。Thedeedwasnosooneraccomplished，thanLesliehastenedintothetowntopreventatumult。

Thesentinelsatthecastlegate，seeinghimrunningandoutofbreath，andbelievinghebelongedtotherebels，firedtheirmusketsafterhim，butwithouteffect。Thefiring，however，arousedthetown-guard，andallLeslie’spresenceofmindwasrequisitetoallaythetumult。

HehastilydetailedtothemallthecircumstancesofWallenstein’sconspiracy，themeasureswhichhadbeenalreadytakentocounteractit，thefateofthefourrebels，aswellasthatwhichawaitedtheirchief。

Findingthetroopswelldisposed，heexactedfromthemanewoathoffidelitytotheEmperor，andtoliveanddieforthegoodcause。

AhundredofButtler’sdragoonsweresentfromtheCastleintothetowntopatrolthestreets，tooverawethepartisansoftheDuke，andtopreventtumult。AllthegatesofEgrawereatthesametimeseized，andeveryavenuetoWallenstein’sresidence，whichadjoinedthemarket-place，guardedbyanumerousandtrustybodyoftroops，sufficienttopreventeitherhisescapeorhisreceivinganyassistancefromwithout。

Butbeforetheyproceededfinallytoexecutethedeed，alongconferencewasheldamongtheconspiratorsintheCastle，whethertheyshouldkillhim，orcontentthemselveswithmakinghimprisoner。

Besprinkledastheywerewiththeblood，anddeliberatingalmostovertheverycorpsesofhismurderedassociates，eventhesefuriousmenyetshudderedatthehorroroftakingawaysoillustriousalife。

Theysawbeforetheirmind’seyehimtheirleaderinbattle，inthedaysofhisgoodfortune，surroundedbyhisvictoriousarmy，clothedwithallthepompofmilitarygreatness，andlong-accustomedaweagainseizedtheirminds。Butthistransitoryemotionwassooneffacedbythethoughtoftheimmediatedanger。TheyrememberedthehintswhichNeumannandIllohadthrownoutattable，thenearapproachofaformidablearmyofSwedesandSaxons，andtheyclearlysawthatthedeathofthetraitorwastheironlychanceofsafety。Theyadhered，therefore，totheirfirstresolution，andCaptainDeveroux，anIrishman，whohadalreadybeenretainedforthemurderouspurpose，receiveddecisiveorderstoact。

WhilethesethreeofficerswerethusdecidinguponhisfateinthecastleofEgra，WallensteinwasoccupiedinreadingthestarswithSeni。"Thedangerisnotyetover，"saidtheastrologerwithpropheticspirit。"ITIS，"repliedtheDuke，whowouldgivethelaweventoheaven。"But，"hecontinuedwithequallypropheticspirit，"thatthoufriendSenithyselfshallsoonbethrownintoprison，thatalsoiswritteninthestars。"Theastrologerhadtakenhisleave，andWallensteinhadretiredtobed，whenCaptainDeverouxappearedbeforehisresidencewithsixhalberdiers，andwasimmediatelyadmittedbytheguard，whowereaccustomedtoseehimvisitthegeneralatallhours。Apagewhomethimuponthestairs，andattemptedtoraiseanalarm，wasrunthroughthebodywithapike。Intheantichamber，theassassinsmetaservant，whohadjustcomeoutofthesleeping-roomofhismaster，andhadtakenwithhimthekey。Puttinghisfingeruponhismouth，theterrifieddomesticmadeasigntothemtomakenonoise，astheDukewasasleep。"Friend，"criedDeveroux，"itistimetoawakehim；"

andwiththesewordsherushedagainstthedoor，whichwasalsoboltedfromwithin，andburstitopen。

Wallensteinhadbeenrousedfromhisfirstsleep，bythereportofamusketwhichhadaccidentallygoneoff，andhadsprungtothewindowtocalltheguard。Atthesamemoment，heheard，fromtheadjoiningbuilding，theshrieksoftheCountessesTerzkyandKinsky，whohadjustlearnttheviolentfateoftheirhusbands。Erehehadtimetoreflectontheseterribleevents，Deveroux，withtheothermurderers，wasinhischamber。TheDukewasinhisshirt，ashehadleapedoutofbed，andleaningonatablenearthewindow。"Artthouthevillain，"

criedDeverouxtohim，"whointendstodeliveruptheEmperor’stroopstotheenemy，andtotearthecrownfromtheheadofhisMajesty？

Nowthoumustdie！"Hepausedforafewmoments，asifexpectingananswer；

butscornandastonishmentkeptWallensteinsilent。Throwinghisarmswideopen，hereceivedinhisbreast，thedeadlyblowofthehalberds，andwithoututteringagroan，fellwelteringinhisblood。

Thenextday，anexpressarrivedfromtheDukeofLauenburg，announcinghisapproach。Themessengerwassecured，andanotherinWallenstein’sliverydespatchedtotheDuke，todecoyhimintoEgra。

Thestratagemsucceeded，andFrancisAlbertfellintothehandsoftheenemy。

DukeBernardofWeimar，whowasonhismarchtowardsEgra，wasnearlysharingthesamefate。Fortunately，heheardofWallenstein’sdeathintimetosavehimselfbyaretreat。Ferdinandshedatearoverthefateofhisgeneral，andorderedthreethousandmassestobesaidforhissoulatVienna；but，atthesametime，hedidnotforgettorewardhisassassinswithgoldchains，chamberlains’keys，dignities，andestates。

ThusdidWallenstein，attheageoffifty，terminatehisactiveandextraordinarylife。Toambition，heowedbothhisgreatnessandhisruin；

withallhisfailings，hepossessedgreatandadmirablequalities，andhadhekepthimselfwithinduebounds，hewouldhavelivedanddiedwithoutanequal。Thevirtuesoftherulerandofthehero，prudence，justice，firmness，andcourage，arestrikinglyprominentfeaturesinhischaracter；buthewantedthegentlervirtuesoftheman，whichadornthehero，andmaketherulerbeloved。Terrorwasthetalismanwithwhichheworked；extremeinhispunishmentsasinhisrewards，heknewhowtokeepalivethezealofhisfollowers，whilenogeneralofancientormoderntimescouldboastofbeingobeyedwithequalalacrity。

Submissiontohiswillwasmoreprizedbyhimthanbravery；

for，ifthesoldiersworkbythelatter，itisontheformerthatthegeneraldepends。Hecontinuallykeptuptheobedienceofhistroopsbycapriciousorders，andprofuselyrewardedthereadinesstoobeyevenintrifles；becausehelookedrathertotheactitself，thanitsobject。

Heonceissuedadecree，withthepenaltyofdeathondisobedience，thatnonebutredsashesshouldbeworninthearmy。Acaptainofhorsenosoonerheardtheorder，thanpullingoffhisgold-embroideredsash，hetrampleditunderfoot；Wallenstein，onbeinginformedofthecircumstance，promotedhimonthespottotherankofColonel。Hiscomprehensiveglancewasalwaysdirectedtothewhole，andinallhisapparentcaprice，hesteadilykeptinviewsomegeneralscopeorbearing。

Therobberiescommittedbythesoldiersinafriendlycountry，hadledtotheseverestordersagainstmarauders；andallwhoshouldbecaughtthieving，werethreatenedwiththehalter。Wallensteinhimselfhavingmetastragglerintheopencountryuponthefield，commandedhimtobeseizedwithouttrial，asatransgressorofthelaw，andinhisusualvoiceofthunder，exclaimed，"Hangthefellow，"againstwhichnooppositioneveravailed。

Thesoldierpleadedandprovedhisinnocence，buttheirrevocablesentencehadgoneforth。"Hangtheninnocent，"criedtheinexorableWallenstein，"theguiltywillhavethenmorereasontotremble。"Preparationswerealreadymakingtoexecutethesentence，whenthesoldier，whogavehimselfupforlost，formedthedesperateresolutionofnotdyingwithoutrevenge。

Hefellfuriouslyuponhisjudge，butwasoverpoweredbynumbers，anddisarmedbeforehecouldfulfilhisdesign。"Nowlethimgo，"

saidtheDuke，"itwillexcitesufficientterror。"

Hismunificencewassupportedbyanimmenseincome，whichwasestimatedatthreemillionsofflorinsyearly，withoutreckoningtheenormoussumswhichheraisedunderthenameofcontributions。Hisliberalityandclearnessofunderstanding，raisedhimabovethereligiousprejudicesofhisage；

andtheJesuitsneverforgavehimforhavingseenthroughtheirsystem，andforregardingthepopeasnothingmorethanabishopofRome。

ButasnooneeveryetcametoafortunateendwhoquarrelledwiththeChurch，Wallensteinalsomustaugmentthenumberofitsvictims。

Throughtheintriguesofmonks，helostatRatisbonthecommandofthearmy，andatEgrahislife；bythesamearts，perhaps，helostwhatwasofmoreconsequence，hishonourablenameandgoodreputewithposterity。

Forinjusticeitmustbeadmitted，thatthepenswhichhavetracedthehistoryofthisextraordinarymanarenotuntingedwithpartiality，andthatthetreacheryoftheduke，andhisdesignsuponthethroneofBohemia，restnotsomuchuponprovenfacts，asuponprobableconjecture。Nodocumentshaveyetbeenbroughttolight，whichdisclosewithhistoricalcertaintythesecretmotivesofhisconduct；

andamongallhispublicandwellattestedactions，thereis，perhaps，notonewhichcouldnothavehadaninnocentend。

Manyofhismostobnoxiousmeasuresprovednothingbuttheearnestwishheentertainedforpeace；mostoftheothersareexplainedandjustifiedbythewell-foundeddistrustheentertainedoftheEmperor，andtheexcusablewishofmaintaininghisownimportance。Itistrue，thathisconducttowardstheElectorofBavarialookstoolikeanunworthyrevenge，andthedictatesofanimplacablespirit；

butstill，noneofhisactionsperhapswarrantusinholdinghistreasontobeproved。Ifnecessityanddespairatlastforcedhimtodeservethesentencewhichhadbeenpronouncedagainsthimwhileinnocent，stillthis，iftrue，willnotjustifythatsentence。ThusWallensteinfell，notbecausehewasarebel，buthebecamearebelbecausehefell。

Unfortunateinlifethathemadeavictoriouspartyhisenemy，andstillmoreunfortunateindeath，thatthesamepartysurvivedhimandwrotehishistory。

BookV。

Wallenstein’sdeathrenderednecessarytheappointmentofanewgeneralissimo；

andtheEmperoryieldedatlasttotheadviceoftheSpaniards，toraisehissonFerdinand，KingofHungary，tothatdignity。Underhim，CountGallascommanded，whoperformedthefunctionsofcommander-in-chief，whiletheprincebroughttothispostnothingbuthisnameanddignity。

AconsiderableforcewassoonassembledunderFerdinand；

theDukeofLorrainebroughtupaconsiderablebodyofauxiliariesinperson，andtheCardinalInfantejoinedhimfromItalywith10，000men。

InordertodrivetheenemyfromtheDanube，thenewgeneralundertooktheenterpriseinwhichhispredecessorhadfailed，thesiegeofRatisbon。

InvaindidDukeBernardofWeimarpenetrateintotheinteriorofBavaria，withaviewtodrawtheenemyfromthetown；Ferdinandcontinuedtopressthesiegewithvigour，andthecity，afteramostobstinateresistance，wasobligedtoopenitsgatestohim。Donauwerthsoonsharedthesamefate，andNordlingeninSwabiawasnowinvested。ThelossofsomanyoftheimperialcitieswasseverelyfeltbytheSwedishparty；

asthefriendshipofthesetownshadsolargelycontributedtothesuccessoftheirarms，indifferencetotheirfatewouldhavebeeninexcusable。

Itwouldhavebeenanindelibledisgrace，hadtheydesertedtheirconfederatesintheirneed，andabandonedthemtotherevengeofanimplacableconqueror。

Movedbytheseconsiderations，theSwedisharmy，underthecommandofHorn，andBernardofWeimar，advanceduponNordlingen，determinedtorelieveitevenattheexpenseofabattle。

Theundertakingwasadangerousone，forinnumberstheenemywasgreatlysuperiortothatoftheSwedes。Therewasalsoafurtherreasonforavoidingabattleatpresent；theenemy’sforcewaslikelysoontodivide，theItaliantroopsbeingdestinedfortheNetherlands。Inthemeantime，suchapositionmightbetakenup，astocoverNordlingen，andcutofftheirsupplies。AllthesegroundswerestronglyurgedbyGustavusHorn，intheSwedishcouncilofwar；buthisremonstrancesweredisregardedbymenwho，intoxicatedbyalongcareerofsuccess，mistookthesuggestionsofprudenceforthevoiceoftimidity。OverbornebythesuperiorinfluenceofDukeBernard，GustavusHornwascompelledtoriskacontest，whoseunfavourableissue，adarkforebodingseemedalreadytoannounce。

Thefateofthebattledependeduponthepossessionofaheightwhichcommandedtheimperialcamp。Anattempttooccupyitduringthenightfailed，asthetedioustransportoftheartillerythroughwoodsandhollowwaysdelayedthearrivalofthetroops。WhentheSwedesarrivedaboutmidnight，theyfoundtheheightsinpossessionoftheenemy，stronglyentrenched。

Theywaited，therefore，fordaybreak，tocarrythembystorm。

Theirimpetuouscouragesurmountedeveryobstacle；theentrenchments，whichwereintheformofacrescent，weresuccessfullyscaledbyeachofthetwobrigadesappointedtotheservice；butastheyenteredatthesamemomentfromoppositesides，theymetandthreweachotherintoconfusion。Atthisunfortunatemoment，abarrelofpowderblewup，andcreatedthegreatestdisorderamongtheSwedes。Theimperialcavalrychargedupontheirbrokenranks，andtheflightbecameuniversal。

Nopersuasiononthepartoftheirgeneralcouldinducethefugitivestorenewtheassault。

Heresolved，therefore，inordertocarrythisimportantpost，toleadfreshtroopstotheattack。Butintheinterim，someSpanishregimentshadmarchedin，andeveryattempttogainitwasrepulsedbytheirheroicintrepidity。Oneoftheduke’sownregimentsadvancedseventimes，andwasasoftendrivenback。Thedisadvantageofnotoccupyingthispostintime，wasquicklyandsensiblyfelt。

Thefireoftheenemy’sartilleryfromtheheights，causedsuchslaughterintheadjacentwingoftheSwedes，thatHorn，whocommandedthere，wasforcedtogiveorderstoretire。Insteadofbeingabletocovertheretreatofhiscolleague，andtocheckthepursuitoftheenemy，DukeBernard，overpoweredbynumbers，washimselfdrivenintotheplain，wherehisroutedcavalryspreadconfusionamongHorn’sbrigade，andrenderedthedefeatcomplete。Almosttheentireinfantrywerekilledortakenprisoners。Morethan12，000menremaineddeaduponthefieldofbattle；80fieldpieces，about4，000waggons，and300standardsandcoloursfellintothehandsoftheImperialists。

Hornhimself，withthreeothergenerals，weretakenprisoners。

DukeBernardwithdifficultysavedafeebleremnantofhisarmy，whichjoinedhimatFrankfort。

ThedefeatatNordlingen，costtheSwedishChancellorthesecondsleeplessnighthehadpassedinGermany*。Theconsequencesofthisdisasterwereterrible。TheSwedeshadlostbyitatoncetheirsuperiorityinthefield，andwithittheconfidenceoftheirconfederates，whichtheyhadgainedsolelybytheirpreviousmilitarysuccess。

AdangerousdivisionthreatenedtheProtestantConfederationwithruin。

Consternationandterrorseizeduponthewholeparty；whilethePapistsarosewithexultingtriumphfromthedeephumiliationintowhichtheyhadsunk。

SwabiaandtheadjacentcirclesfirstfelttheconsequencesofthedefeatofNordlingen；andWirtemberg，inparticular，wasoverrunbytheconqueringarmy。AllthemembersoftheLeagueofHeilbronntrembledattheprospectoftheEmperor’srevenge；thosewhocould，fledtoStrasburg，whilethehelplessfreecitiesawaitedtheirfatewithalarm。Alittlemoreofmoderationtowardstheconquered，wouldhavequicklyreducedalltheweakerstatesundertheEmperor’sauthority；

buttheseveritywhichwaspractised，evenagainstthosewhovoluntarilysurrendered，drovetheresttodespair，androusedthemtoavigorousresistance。