LITMIR.BIZ

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time is precious—let us talk openly.

      You know how matters stand here. Wallenstein

      Meditates treason—I can tell you further,

      He has committed treason; but few hours

      Have past since he a covenant concluded

      With the enemy. The messengers are now

      Full on their way to Egra and to Prague.

      Tomorrow he intends to lead us over

      To the enemy. But he deceives himself;

      For Prudence wakes—The Emperor has still

      Many and faithful friends here, and they stand

      In closest union, mighty though unseen.

      This manifesto sentences the Duke—

      Recalls the obedience of the army from him,

      And summons all the loyal, all the honest,

      To join and recognize in me their leader.

      Choose—will you share with us an honest cause?

      Or with the evil share an evil lot?

      BUTLER (rises).

      His lot is mine.

      OCTAVIO.

      Is that your last resolve?

      BUTLER.

      It is.

      OCTAVIO.

                 Nay, but bethink you, Colonel Butler!

      As yet you have time. Within my faithful breast

      That rashly utter'd word remains interr'd.

      Recall it, Butler! choose a better party;

      You have not chosen the right one.

      BUTLER (going).

                                Any other

      Commands for me, Lieutenant-General?

      OCTAVIO.

      See your white hairs: recall that word!

      BUTLER.

      Farewell!

      OCTAVIO.

      What! Would you draw this good and gallant sword

      In such a cause? Into a curse would you

      Transform the gratitude which you have earn'd

      By forty years' fidelity from Austria?

      BUTLER (laughing with bitterness).

      Gratitude from the House of Austria!

      [He is going.]

      OCTAVIO (permits him to go as far as the door, then calls after him).

      Butler!

      BUTLER.

      What wish you?

      OCTAVIO.

      How was't with the Count?

      BUTLER.

      Count? what?

      OCTAVIO (coldly).

      The title that you wish'd, I mean.

      BUTLER (starts in sudden passion).

      Hell and damnation!

      OCTAVIO (coldly).

                            You petition'd for it—

      And your petition was repelled—Was it so?

      BUTLER.

      Your insolent scoff shall not go by unpunish'd.

      Draw!

      OCTAVIO.

      Nay! your sword to 'ts sheath! and tell me calmly,

      How all that happen'd. I will not refuse you

      Your satisfaction afterward. Calmly, Butler!

      BUTLER.

      Be the whole world acquainted with the weakness

      For which I never can forgive myself.

      Lieutenant-General! Yes; I have ambition.

      Ne'er was I able to endure contempt.

      It stung me to the quick, that birth and title

      Should have more weight than merit has in the army.

      I would fain not be meaner than my equal,

      So in an evil hour I let myself

      Be tempted to that measure. It was folly!

      But yet so hard a penance it deserved not.

      It might have been refused; but wherefore barb

      And venom the refusal with contempt?

      Why dash to earth and crush with heaviest scorn

      The gray-hair'd man, the faithful veteran?

      Why to the baseness of his parentage

      Refer him with such cruel roughness, only

      Because he had a weak hour and forgot himself?

      But nature gives a sting e'en to the worm

      Which wanton Power treads on in sport and

      insult.

      OCTAVIO.

      You must have been calumniated. Guess you

      The enemy who did you this ill service?

      BUTLER.

      Be't who it will—a most low-hearted scoundrel!

      Some vile court-minion must it be, some Spaniard,

      Some young squire of some ancient family,

      In whose light I may stand; some envious knave,

      Stung to his soul by my fair self-earn'd honors!

      OCTAVIO.

      But tell me, did the Duke approve that measure?

      BUTLER.

      Himself impell'd me to it, used his interest

      In my behalf with all the warmth of friendship.

      OCTAVIO.

      Ay? are you sure of that?

      BUTLER.

      I read the letter.

      OCTAVIO.

      And so did I—but the contents were different.

      [BUTLER is suddenly struck.]

      By chance I'm in possession of that letter—

      Can leave it to your own eyes to convince you.

      [He gives him the letter.]

      BUTLER.

      Ha! what is this?

      OCTAVIO.

                           I fear me, Colonel Butler,

      An infamous game have they been playing with you.

      The Duke, you say, impell'd you to this measure?

      Now, in this letter, talks he in contempt

      Concerning you; counsels the minister

      To give sound chastisement to your conceit,

      For so he calls it.

      [BUTLER

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