Play on Words

full length · drama

The Death of Wallenstein

by Friedrich Schiller · translated by Samuel Taylor Coleridge

24 roles (0M / 0F / 24 any) · approx 203–281 minutes · 5 acts

Royalty-free Public domain — free to read, perform, and adapt. No licence needed.

Characters

Wallenstein lead 259 speeches
Butler supporting 161 speeches
Countess supporting 120 speeches
Thekla supporting 85 speeches
Octavio supporting 77 speeches
Gordon supporting 76 speeches
Terzky supporting 70 speeches
Illo supporting 64 speeches
Max minor 44 speeches
Duchess minor 42 speeches
Devereux minor 41 speeches
Neubrunn minor 28 speeches
Macdonald minor 26 speeches
Wrangel minor 26 speeches
Isolani minor 20 speeches
Anspessade minor 17 speeches
Captain minor 14 speeches
Seni minor 12 speeches
Burgomaster minor 6 speeches
Rosenberg minor 6 speeches
Groom Of The Chamber minor 4 speeches
Third Cuirassier minor 3 speeches
Both minor 3 speeches
Servant minor 3 speeches

Read the play

To these enter OCTAVIO PICCOLOMINI with all his train. At the same time DEVEREUX and MACDONALD enter from out the corridor with the Halberdiers. WALLENSTEIN's dead body is carried over the back part of the stage, wrapped in a piece of crimson tapestry.

Octavio. (entering abruptly) It must not be! It is not possible! Butler! Gordon! I'll not believe it. Say no!

[GORDON, without answering, points with his hand to the body of WALLENSTEIN as it is carried over the back of the stage. OCTAVIO looks that way, and stands overpowered with horror.

Devereux. (to BUTLER) Here is the golden fleece--the duke's sword----

Macdonald. Is it your order----

Butler. (pointing to OCTAVIO) Here stands he who now Hath the sole power to issue orders.

[DEVEREUX and MACDONALD retire with marks of obeisance. One drops away after the other, till only BUTLER, OCTAVIO, and GORDON remain on the stage.

Octavio. (turning to BUTLER) Was that my purpose, Butler, when we parted? Oh, God of Justice! To thee I lift my hand! I am not guilty Of this foul deed.

Butler. Your hand is pure. You have Availed yourself of mine.

Octavio. Merciless man! Thus to abuse the orders of thy lord-- And stain thy emperor's holy name with murder, With bloody, most accursed assassination!

Butler. (calmly) I've but fulfilled the emperor's own sentence.

Octavio. Oh, curse of kings, Infusing a dread life into their words, And linking to the sudden, transient thought The unchanging, irrevocable deed. Was there necessity for such an eager Despatch? Couldst thou not grant the merciful A time for mercy? Time is man's good angel. To leave no interval between the sentence, And the fulfilment of it, doth beseem God only, the immutable!

Butler. For what Rail you against me? What is my offence? The empire from a fearful enemy Have I delivered, and expect reward. The single difference betwixt you and me Is this: you placed the arrow in the bow; I pulled the string. You sowed blood, and yet stand Astonished that blood is come up. I always Knew what I did, and therefore no result Hath power to frighten or surprise my spirit. Have you aught else to order; for this instant I make my best speed to Vienna; place My bleeding sword before my emperor's throne, And hope to gain the applause which undelaying And punctual obedience may demand From a just judge.

[Exit BUTLER.

Monologues from this play