The
duke leaped from his bed, but before he could snatch up a sword he
was pierced through and through by the murderers' halberts.
So fell one of the greatest men of his age. Even to the present day
there are differences of opinion as to the extent of his guilt, but
none as to the treachery with which he was murdered by his most
trusted officers. That Wallenstein owed much gratitude to the
emperor is unquestionable, but upon the other hand he had even a
greater title to the gratitude of Ferdinand, whose crown and empire
he had repeatedly saved. Wallenstein was no bigot, his views were
broad and enlightened, and he was therefore viewed with the greatest
hostility by the violent Catholics around the king, by Maximilian
of Bavaria, by the Spaniards, and by the Jesuits, who were all
powerful at court. These had once before brought about his dismissal
from the command, after he had rendered supreme services, and their
intrigues against him were again at the point of success when
Wallenstein determined to defy and dethrone the emperor. The coldness
with which he was treated at court, the marked inattention to all
his requests, the consciousness that while he was winning victories
in the field his enemies were successfully plotting at court, angered
the proud and haughty spirit of Wallenstein almost to madness,
and it may truly be said that he was goaded into rebellion.
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