Page:Wallenstein, a drama in 2 parts - Schiller (tr. Coleridge) (1800).djvu/66

44 I'll have their aid to cast and draw my nets, But not a single fish of all the draught Shall they come in for.

You will deal, however, More fairly with the Saxons? They lose patience While you shift ground and make so many curves. Say, to what purpose all these masks? Your friends Are plung'd in doubts, baffled, and led astray in you. There's Oxenstein, there's Arnheim—neither knows What he should think of your procrastinations. And in the end I prove the liar; all Passes through me. I've not even your hand-writing.

I never give hand-writing; and thou know'st it.

But how can it be known that you're in earnest, If the act follows not upon the word? You must yourself acknowledge, that in all Your intercourses hitherto with th' enemy, You might have done with safety all you have done, Had you meant nothing further than to gull him For th' Emperor's service.

And from whence dost thou know That I'm not gulling him for th' Emperor's service? Whence