Of gentler sort, and lovely, should be present To feast our eyes. Illo. (who has been standing in the attitude of meditation, to Butler, whom he leads a little on one side.) And how came you to know That the Count Galas joins us not? But. He importun'd me to remain behind. Because Illo. (with warmth) And you ?—You hold out firmly? (Grasping his hand with affection.) But. After the obligation which the Duke Had lay'd so newly on me Illo. A pleasant duty-Major General, I wish you joy! Iso. What, you mean, of his regiment? Noble Butler ! I had forgotten I hear, too, that, to make the gift still sweeter, In which he first saw service, and since then, To the whole corps, if once in their remembrance An old deserving soldier makes his way. But. I am perplexed and doubtful, whether or no I dare accept this your congratulation. The Emperor has not yet confirm'd th' appointment. that post Plac'd you, is strong enough to keep you there, Spite of the Emperor and his Ministers ! Illo. Ay, if we would but so consider it! If we would all of us consider it so! The Emperor gives us nothing; from the Duke Iso. (to Illo) My noble brother! did I tell you how The Duke will satisfy my creditors? Will be himself my banker for the future, Make me once more a creditable man! And this is now the third time, think of that! From absolute ruin, and restor'd my honour. Illo. O that his power but kept pace with his wishes! Why, friend! he'd give the whole world to his soldiers. But at Vienna, brother!-there's the grievance !— What politic schemes do they not lay to shorten His arm, and, where they can, to clip his pinions. Then these new dainty requisitions! these, Which this same Questenberg brings hither! But. These requisitions of the Emperor I too have heard about them; but I hope The Duke will not draw back a single inch! Illo. Not from his right most surely, unless first -From office! Ay, But. (shocked and confused) Know you aught then? You alarm me. Iso. (at the same time with Butler, and in a hurrying Illo With the Lieutenant-General, Piccolomini. But. (shaking his head significantly) I fear we shall not go hence as we came. Spoken with a sneer. SCENE II. Enter Octavio Piccolomini, and Questenberg. Oct. (still in the distance) Ay, ay! more still! still more new visitors ! Acknowledge, friend! that never was a camp, Which held at once so many heads of heroes. (Approaching nearer.) Welcome, Count Isolani ! Iso. My noble brother, Even now am I arriv'd; it had been else my duty- There might we place at once before our eyes (To Questenberg, presenting Butler and Isolani at These two the total sum-Strength and Despatch. Ques. (to Octavio.) And lo! betwixt them both experienc'd Prudence! Oct. (presenting Questenberg to Butler and Isolani.) The Chamberlain and War-commissioner Questenberg, The bearer of the Emperor's behests, The long-tried friend and patron of all soldiers, We honour in this noble visitor. (Universal silence.) Illo. (moving towards Questenberg.) 'Tis not the first time, noble Minister, You have shown our camp this honour. Ques. Once before I stood before these colours. Illo. Perchance, too, you remember where that was. It was at Znäim* in Moravia, where You did present yourself upon the part Of th' Emperor, to supplicate our Duke That he would straight assume the chief command. So far extended neither my commission (At least to my own knowledge) nor my zeal. Illo. Well, well then-to compel him, if you choose. Whom there was nothing to delay from pressing Unless he took compassion on this wretchedness. Iso. (steps up to them.) Yes, yes, 'tis comprehensible enough, Wherefore with your commission of to-day You were not all too willing to remember Ques. Why not, Count Isolan? * A town not far from the Mine-mountains, on the high road from Vienna to Prague. To be swept out of it is all our thanks, The sole reward of all our hard-won victories. Ques. Unless that wretched land be doom'd to suffer Only a change of evils, it must be Freed from the scourge alike of friend and foe. Illo. What? 'Twas a favourable year; the Boors Can answer fresh demands already. If you discourse of herds and meadow-grounds— Iso. The war maintains the war. Are the Boors ruin'd, The Emperor gains so many more new soldiers. Ques. And is the poorer by even so many subjects. Iso. Poh! We are all his subjects. Ques. Yet with a difference, General! The one fill With profitable industry the purse, The others are well skill'd to empty it. The sword has made the Emperor poor; the plough Times are not yet so bad. Methinks I see (examining with his eye the dress and ornaments of Questenberg) Good store of gold that still remains uncoin'd. Ques. Thank Heaven! that means have been found out to hide Some little from the fingers of the Croats. Illo. There! The Stawata and the Martinitz, On whom the Emperor heaps his gifts and graces, To the heart-burning of all good Bohemians Those minions of court favour, those court harpies, Who fatten on the wrecks of citizens Driven from their house and home-who reap no harvests Save in the general calamity— Who now, with kingly pomp, insult and mock |