A traitor to my country. How sincerely
Soever I return back to my duty,
It will no longer help me----

ILLO.
Ruin thee,
That it will do! Not thy fidelity,
Thy weakness will be deemed the sole occasion----

WALLENSTEIN (pacing up and down in extreme agitation).
What! I must realize it now in earnest,
Because I toyed too freely with the thought!
Accursed he who dallies with a devil!
And must I--I must realize it now--
Now, while I have the power, it must take place!

ILLO.
Now--now--ere they can ward and parry it!

WALLENSTEIN (looking at the paper of Signatures).
I have the generals' word--a written promise!
Max. Piccolomini stands not here--how's that?

TERZRY.
It was--be fancied----

ILLO.
Mere self-willedness.
There needed no such thing 'twixt him and you.