When the speaker concluded a loud cry broke from all the officers
that they would not permit Wallenstein to be taken from them. Then
a babel of talk arose, and after much discussion four of the officers
were appointed as a deputation to wait upon the duke to assure him
of the devotion of the army, and to beg him not to withdraw himself
from them. The four officers intrusted with the commission left
the room and repaired to the private chamber of the general. They
returned in a short time, saying that the duke refused to yield.
Another deputation was sent to pray him in even stronger terms to
remain with them. These returned with the news that Wallenstein had
reluctantly yielded to their request; but upon the condition that
each of them should give a written promise to truly and firmly adhere
to him, neither to separate or to allow himself to be separated from
him, and to shed his last drop of blood in his defence. Whoever
should break this covenant, so long as Wallenstein should employ the
army in the emperor's service, was to be regarded as a perfidious
traitor and to be treated by the rest as a common enemy.
As these last words appeared to indicate clearly that Wallenstein
had no thought of assuming a position hostile to the emperor,
or of defying his authority, save in the point of refusing to be
separated from his army, all present agreed with acclamations to
sign the documents required.
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