LITMIR.BIZ

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Count,

      That right is mine, this paper may, instruct you.

      ISOLANI (stammering).

      Why,—why—what! this is the Emperor's hand and seal! [Reads.]

      "Whereas, the officers collectively

      Throughout our army will obey the orders

      Of the Lieutenant-General Piccolomini.

      As from ourselves."—Hem—Yes! so I—

      Yes! yes!—

      I—I give you joy, Lieutenant-General!

      OCTAVIO.

      And you submit you to the order?

      ISOLANI.

                                     I—

      But you have taken me so by surprise—

      Time for reflection one must have—

      OCTAVIO.

      Two minutes.

      ISOLANI.

      My God! But then the case is—

      OCTAVIO.

                             Plain and simple

      You must declare you, whether you determine

      To act a treason 'gainst your Lord and Sovereign,

      Or whether you will serve him faithfully.

      ISOLANI.

      Treason!—My God!—But who talks then of treason?

      OCTAVIO.

      That is the case. The Prince-duke is a traitor—

      Means to lead over to the enemy

      The Emperor's army.—Now, Count!—brief

      and full—

      Say, will you break your oath to the Emperor?

      Sell yourself to the enemy?—Say, will you?

      ISOLANI.

      What mean you? I—I break my oath, d'ye say,

      To his Imperial Majesty?

      Did I say so!—When, when have I said that?

      OCTAVIO.

      You have not said it yet—not yet. This instant

      I wait to hear, Count, whether you will say it.

      ISOLANI.

      Ay! that delights me now, that you yourself

      Bear witness for me that I never said so.

      OCTAVIO.

      And you renounce the Duke then?

      ISOLANI.

      If he's planning Treason—why, treason breaks all bonds asunder.

      OCTAVIO.

      And are determined, too, to fight against him?

      ISOLANI.

      He has done me service—but if he's a villain,

      Perdition seize him!—All scores are rubb'd off.

      OCTAVIO.

      I am rejoiced that you are so well disposed.

      This night, break off in the utmost secrecy

      With all the light-arm'd troops—it must appear

      As came the order from the Duke himself.

      At Frauenburg's the place of rendezvous;

      There will Count Gallas give you further orders.

      ISOLANI.

      It shall be done.-But you'll remember me With the Emperor—how well-disposed you found me.

      OCTAVIO.

      I will not fail to mention it honorably.

      [Exit ISOLANI. A Servant enters.]

      What, Colonel Butler!—Show him up.

      ISOLANI (returning).

      Forgive me too my bearish ways, old father!

      Lord God! how should I know, then, what a great

      Person I had before me.

      OCTAVIO.

                              No excuses!

      ISOLANI.

      I am a merry lad, and if at time

      A rash word might escape me 'gainst the Court

      Amidst my wine—You know no harm was

      meant.

      [Exit.]

      OCTAVIO.

      You need not be uneasy on that score

      That has succeeded. Fortune favor us

      With all the others only but as much!

      SCENE VI

      OCTAVIO PICCOLOMINI, BUTLER

      BUTLER.

      At your command, Lieutenant-General.

      OCTAVIO.

      Welcome, as honor'd friend and visitor.

      BUTLER.

      You do me too much honor.

      OCTAVIO (after both have seated themselves).

                                       You have not

      Return'd the advances which I made you yesterday—

      Misunderstood them as mere empty forms.

      That wish proceeded from my heart—I was

      In earnest with you—for 'tis now a time

      In which the honest should unite most closely.

      BUTLER.

      'Tis only the like-minded can unite.

      OCTAVIO.

      True! and I name all honest men like-minded.

      I never charge a man but with those acts

      To which his character deliberately

      Impels him; for alas! the violence

      Of blind misunderstandings often thrusts

      The very best of us from the right track.

      You came through Frauenburg. Did the Count Gallas

      Say nothing to you? Tell me. He's my friend.

      BUTLER.

      His words were lost on me.

      OCTAVIO.

                         It grieves me sorely,

      To hear it: for his counsel was most wise.

      I had myself the like to offer.

      BUTLER.

                                    Spare

      Yourself the trouble—me th' embarrassment,

      To have

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