The desolation of their country—these, Let these, and such as these, support the war, The fatal war, which they alone enkindled! But. And those state-parasites, who have their feet Snap at it with dog's hunger-they, forsooth, Would pare the soldier's bread, and cross his reckoning! Could not obtain in thirty at Vienna. Ques. Yes, yes! your travelling bills soon found their way to us: Too well I know we have still accounts to settle. Illo. War is a violent trade; one cannot always If we should wait till you, in solemn council, The smallest out of four-and-twenty evils, I' faith we should wait long. "Dash! and through with it!"-That's the better watch word. Then after come what may come. 'Tis man's nature To make the best of a bad thing once past. A bitter and perplexed "What shall I do?" Is worse to man than worst necessity. Ques. Ay, doubtless, it is true; the Duke does spare us The troublesome task of choosing. But. Yes, the Duke Cares with a father's feelings for his troops; But how the Emperor feels for us, we see. Ques. His cares and feelings all ranks share alike, Nor will he offer one up to another. Iso. And therefore thrusts he us into the deserts, As beasts of prey, that so he may preserve His dear sheep fattening in his fields at home. Ques. (with a sneer) Count, this comparison you make, not I. But. Why, were we all the Court supposes us, 'Twere dangerous, sure, to give us liberty. Ques. You have taken liberty-it was not given you. And therefore it becomes an urgent duty To rein it in with curbs. Oct. (interposing and addressing Questenberg.) My noble friend, This is no more than a remembrancing That you are now in camp, and among warriors. The soldier's boldness constitutes his freedom. Could he act daringly, unless he dar'd Talk even so? One runs into the other. The boldness of this worthy officer, (pointing to Butler.) Which now has but mistaken in its mark, N Preserv'd, when nought but boldness could preserve it, To the Emperor his capital city, Prague, In a most formidable mutiny Of the whole garrison. Hah! here they come! (Military music at a distance.) Illo. The sentries are saluting them: this signal Announces the arrival of the Duchess. Oct. (to Questenberg.) Then my son Max. too has return'd. 'Twas he Fetch'd and attended them from Carnthen hither. Iso. (to Illo). Shall we not go in company to greet them ? Illo. Well, let us go.-Ho! Colonel Butler, come. (To Octavio.) You'll not forget, that yet ere noon we meet The noble Envoy at the General's palace. [Exeunt all but Questenberg and Octavio. SCENE III. Questenberg and Octavio. Ques. (with signs of aversion and astonishment). What have I not been forc'd to hear, Octavio ! What sentiments! what fierce, uncurb'd defiance! Oct. Hm ! You are now acquainted with three fourths of the army. Ques. Where must we seek then for a second host To have the custody of this? That Illo Thinks worse, I fear me, than he speaks. And then This Butler too-he cannot even conceal The passionate workings of his ill intentions. The evil spirit in him. Que. (walking up and down in evident disquiet.) O! this is worse, far worse, than we had suffer'd We saw it only with the courtier's eyes, Here is no Emperor more-the Duke is Emperor. This walk which you have ta'en me through the camp Oct. Now you see yourself Of what a perilous kind the office is, Which you deliver to me from the Court. The least suspicion of the General Costs me my freedom and my life, and would But hasten his most desperate enterprise. Ques. Where was our reason sleeping when we trusted This madman with the sword, and plac'd such power In such a hand? I tell you, he'll refuse, Flatly refuse, t'obey the Imperial orders. Friend, he can do't, and what he can, he will. And then th' impunity of his defiance O! what a proclamation of our weakness! Oct. D'ye think, too, he has brought his wife and daughter Without a purpose hither? Here in camp! And at the very point of time, in which We're arming for the war? That he has taken Ques. How shall we hold footing Oct. Nay, nay, friend! let us not despair too soon. Men's words are ever bolder than their deeds: And many a resolute, who now appears |