PREFACE TO THE FIRST EDITION. Ir was my intention to have prefixed a Life of Wallenstein to this translation; but I found that it must either have occupied a space wholly disproportionate to the nature of the publication, or have been merely a meagre catalogue of events narrated not more fully than they already are in the Play itself. The recent translation, likewise, of Schiller's History of the Thirty Years' War diminished the motives thereto. In the translation I endeavoured to render my Author literally wherever I was not prevented by absolute differences of idiom; but I am conscious, that in two or three short passages I have been guilty of dilating the original; and from anxiety to give the full meaning, have weakened the force. In the metre I have availed myself of no other liberties than those which Schiller had permitted to himself, except the occasional breaking-up of the line by the substitution of a trochee for an iambus; of which liberty, so frequent in our tragedies, I find no instance in these dramas. THE PICCOLOMINI. ACT I. SCENE I.-An old gothic chamber in the Council house at Pilsen, decorated with colours and other war insignia. Illo with Butler and Isolani. Illo. YE have come late---but ye are come! The distance, Count Isolan, excuses your delay. Iso. Add this too, that we come not empty handed. At Donauwert' it was reported to us, A Swedish caravan was on its way Almost six hundred waggons. This my Croats Plunged down upon and seized, this weighty prize! We bring it hither Illo. Just in time to banquet The illustrious company assembled here. 1 A town about twelve German miles N. E. of Ulm. But. 'Tis all alive! a stirring scene here! The very churches are all full of soldiers. Ay ! You're settled, quite at home! Well, well! we soldiers Must shift and suit us in what way we can. Illo. We have the Colonels here of thirty regi ments. You'll find Count Tertsky here, and Tiefenbach, Kolatto, Goetz, Maradas, Hinnersam, The Piccolomini, both son and father You'll meet with many an unexpected greeting From many an old friend and acquaintance. Only Galas is wanting still, and Altringer. But. Expect not Galas. Illo. How so? Do you know Iso. Max, Piccolomini here ?---O bring me to him. I see him yet, ('tis now ten years ago, We were engaged with Mansfeld hard by Dessau) Illo. You'll see him yet ere evening. He conducts |