The Complete Poetical Works of Samuel Taylor Coleridge
Chapter 245 : Who sows the serpent's teeth, let him not hope 250 To reap a joyous harvest. Ever

Who sows the serpent's teeth, let him not hope 250 To reap a joyous harvest. Every crime Has, in the moment of its perpetration, Its own avenging angel--dark misgiving, An ominous sinking at the inmost heart.

He can no longer trust me--Then no longer 255 Can I retreat--so come that which must come.-- Still destiny preserves its due relations, The heart within us is its absolute Vicegerent. [_To TERTSKY._ Go, conduct you Gustave Wrangel To my state-cabinet. Myself will speak to 260 The couriers.--And dispatch immediately A servant for Octavio Piccolomini. [_To the COUNTESS._ No exultation--woman, triumph not!

For jealous are the Powers of Destiny.

Joy premature, and shouts ere victory, 265 Incroach upon their rights and privileges.

We sow the seed, and they the growth determine.

[_While he is making his exit the curtain drops._

FOOTNOTES:

[701:1] Could I have hazarded such a Germanism as the use of the word 'after-world' for _posterity_, 'Es spreche Welt und _Nachwelt_ meinen Nahmen' might have been rendered with more literal fidelity:

'Let world and after-world speak out my name,' &c.

1800, 1828, 1829.

[701:2] I have not ventured to affront the fastidious delicacy of our age with a literal translation of this line:

'werth Die Eingeweide schaudernd aufzuregen.'

1800, 1828, 1829.

LINENOTES:

[12] _will not . . . must_ 1800, 1828, 1829.

[26] _Countess (hastily)._ 1800, 1828, 1829.

[Before 31] _Countess (laughs)._ 1800, 1828, 1829.

[78] _Wallenstein (in extreme agitation)._ 1800, 1828, 1829.

[Before 88] _Wallenstein (starts up in violent agitation)._ 1800, 1828, 1829.

[90] _As I_ 1800, 1828, 1829.

[110] _were_ 1800, 1828, 1829.

[118] _Duke_ 1800, 1828, 1829.

[137] _thee_ 1800, 1828, 1829.

[149] Hath] Has 1800, 1828, 1829.

[157] _needed_ 1800, 1828, 1829.

[163] _him_ 1800, 1828, 1829.

[187] _thou_ 1800, 1828, 1829.

[189] _they_ 1800, 1828, 1829.

[209] _For him_ 1800, 1828, 1829.

[211] _Against him_ 1800, 1828, 1829.

[220] and opportunity] and th' opportunity 1800, 1828, 1829.

[After 242] _Wallenstein (during this last speech walks up and down with inward struggles, labouring with pa.s.sions; stops suddenly, stands still, then, &c._ 1800, 1828, 1829.

[245] _his . . . mine_ 1800, 1828, 1829.

[246] _him_ 1800, 1828, 1829.

[249] _my_ 1800, 1828, 1829.

[After 262] [_To the COUNTESS, who cannot conceal her triumph._ 1800, 1828, 1829.

ACT V

SCENE I

SCENE--_As in the preceding Act._

_WALLENSTEIN, OCTAVIO PICCOLOMINI._

_Wallenstein (coming forward in conversation)._ He sends me word from Linz, that he lies sick; But I have sure intelligence, that he Secretes himself at Frauenberg with Galas.

Secure them both, and send them to me hither.

Remember, thou tak'st on thee the command 5 Of those same Spanish regiments,--constantly Make preparation, and be never ready; And if they urge thee to draw out against me, Still answer yes, and stand as thou wert fettered.

I know, that it is doing thee a service 10 To keep thee out of action in this business.

Thou lovest to linger on in fair appearances; Steps of extremity are not thy province, Therefore have I sought out this part for thee.

Thou wilt this time be of most service to me 15 By thy inertness. The mean time, if fortune Declare itself on my side, thou wilt know What is to do.

_Enter MAX PICCOLOMINI._

Now go, Octavio.

This night must thou be off, take my own horses: Him here I keep with me--make short farewell-- 20 Trust me, I think we all shall meet again In joy and thriving fortunes.

_Octavio (to his son)._ I shall see you Yet ere I go.

LINENOTES:

[3] Secretes] Secrets 1828, 1829, 1893.