_ WALLENSTEIN, _in conversation with the_
BURGOMASTER _of Egra_.

WALLENST.

You were at one time a free town. I see,
Ye bear the half eagle in your city arms.
Why the _half_ eagle only?

BURGOMASTER.

We were free,
But for these last two hundred years has Egra
Remain'd in pledge to the Bohemian crown;
Therefore we bear the half eagle, the other half
Being cancell'd till the empire ransom us,
If ever that should be.

WALLENSTEIN.

Ye merit freedom.
Only be firm and dauntless. Lend your ears
To no designing whispering court-minions.
What may your imposts be?

BURGOMASTER.

So heavy that
We totter under them. The garrison
Lives at our costs.

WALLENSTEIN.

I will relieve you. Tell me,
There are some Protestants among you still

[_The_ BURGOMASTER _hesitates_.]

Yes, yes; I know it. Many lie conceal'd
Within these walls--confess now--you your self--

[_Fixes his eye on him. The_ BURGOMASTER
_alarmed_.]

Be not alarm'd. I hate the Jesuits.
Could my will have determined it, they had
Been long ago expell'd the empire. Trust me--
Mass-book or bible, 'tis all one to me.
Of that the world has had sufficient proof.
I built a church for the Reform'd in Glogau
At my own instance. Harkye, Burgomaster!
What is your name?

BURGOMASTER.

Pachhalbel, may it please you.

WALLENST.

Harkye!--
But let it go no further, what I now
Disclose to you in confidence.

[_Laying his hand on the_ BURGOMASTER'S _shoulder with a
certain solemnity_.]

The times
Draw near to their fulfilment, Burgomaster!
The high will fall, the low will be exalted.
Harkye! But keep it to yourself! The end
Approaches of the Spanish double monarchy--
A new arrangement is at hand. You saw
The three moons that appear'd at once in the Heaven.

BURGOM.

With wonder and affright!

WALLENSTEIN.

Whereof did two
Strangely transform themselves to bloody daggers,
And only one, the middle moon, remained
Steady and clear.

BURGOMASTER.

We applied it to the Turks.

WALLENST.

The Turks! That all?--I tell you, that two empires
Will set in blood, in the East and in the West,
And Luth'ranism alone remain.

[_Observing_ GORDON _and_ BUTLER.]

I' faith,
'Twas a smart cannonading that we heard
This evening, as we journey'd hith