I hold him all encompass'd by my list'ners. Whate'er he does, is mine, even while 'tis doingNo step so small, but instantly I hear it; Yea, his own mouth discloses it. That I by lying arts, and complaisant To press him to accept another charger. I found him in a sleep. When I had wak'd him, Long time he star'd upon me, lake a man Astounded; thereon fell upon my neck, And manifested to me an emotion That far outstripp'd the worth of that small service. With the same pace that mine has fled from him. Ques. You led your son into the secret? Oct. No! Ques. What? and not warn him either what bad hands His lot has plac'd him in? Oct. The unembarrass'd sense and light free spirit, Ques. (anxiously) My honour'd friend! most highly do Of Colonel Piccolomini-yet-if Max. Ha! there he is himself. Welcome, my father! (He embraces his father. As he turns round, he observes Questenberg, and draws back with a cold and reserved air.) You are engag'd, I see. I'll not disturb you. Oct. How, Max.? Look closer at this visitor, Attention, Max. an old friend merits-Rev'rence Belongs of right to the envoy of your sov'reign. Max. (drily) Von Questenberg!-Welcome-if you bring with you Aught good to our head quarters. Ques. (seizing his hand) Nay, draw not Your hand away, Count Piccolomini ! Not on mine own account alone I seiz'd it, And nothing common will I say therewith. (taking the hands of both) Octavio-Max. Piccolomini! O saviour names, and full of happy omen! Max. Heh-Noble minister! You miss your part. You came not here to act a panegyric. You're sent, I know, to find fault and to scold us I must not be beforehand with my comrades. Oct. (to Max) He comes from court, where people are not quite So well contented with the duke, as here. Max. What now have they contriv'd to find out in him? That he alone determines for himself What he himself alone doth understand? Well, therein he does right, and will persist in't. It goes against his nature-he can't do it. And well for us it is so! There exist Few fit to rule themselves, but few that use Well for the whole, if there be found a man, The pause, the central point of thousand thousands- Oct. (to Questenberg) Hush! Suppress it friend! Unless some end were answer'd by the utterance.— Of him there you'll make nothing. Max. (continuing) In their distress They call a spirit up, and when he comes, Straight their flesh creeps and quivers, and they dread him Th' uncommon, the sublime, must seem and be Oct. My son of those old narrow ordinances For always formidable was the league My son! the road, the human being travels, That, on which Blessing comes and goes, doth follow Ques. O hear your father, noble youth! hear him, Oct. My son, the nursling of the camp spoke in thee! A war of fifteen years Hath been thy education and thy school. Peace hast thou never witness'd! There exists A higher than the warrior's excellence. In war itself war is no ultimate purpose. Builds his light town of canvass, and at once The whole scene moves and bustles momently, With arms, and neighing steeds, and mirth and quarrel! The motley market fills; the roads, the streams Are crowded with new freights; trade stirs and hurries! But on some morrow morn, all suddenly, The tents drop down, the horde renews its march. |