Book excerpt: "The Death of Wallenstein" by Friedrich Schiller is the final installment of the author's beloved Wallenstein trilogy. Having learned that the negotiators he has sent to bargain with the Swedes have been intercepted by imperial troops, Wallenstein supposes that the emperor now has damning evidence of his treason. After some hesitation and intense pressure exerted by Illo, Terzky, and especially the latter's spouse, Countess Terzky, Wallenstein decides to burn his bridges: he will enter into an official alliance with the Swedes.