SCENE VIII.

A large saloon lighted up with festal splendour; in the midst of it, and in the centre of the stage, a table richly set out, at which eight generals are sitting, among whom are Octavio Piccolomini, Tertsky, and Maradas. Right and left of this, but further back, two other tables, at each of which six persons are placed. The middle door, which is standing open, gives to the prospect a fourth table, with the same number of persons. More forward stands the sideboard. The whole front of the stage is kept open for the pages and servants in waiting. All is in motion. The band of music belonging to Tertsky's regiment march across the stage, and draw up round the tables. Before they are quite off from the front of the stage, Max. Piccolomini appears; Tertsky advances towards him with a paper, Isolani comes up to meet him with a beaker or service-cup.

Tertsky, Isolani, Max. Piccolomini.

Iso. Here brother, what we love! Why, where hast been?

Off, to thy place-quick! Tertsky here has given
The mother's holiday wine up to free booty.

Here it goes on as at the Heideberg castle.

Already hast thou lost the best. They're giving

At yonder table ducal crowns in shares ;

There's Sternberg's lands and chattels are put up,
With Eggenberg's, Stawata's, Lichtenstein's,

And all the great Bohemian feodalities.

Be nimble, lad! and something may turn up

For thee-who knows? Off-to thy place! quick! march!

Tief. and Goetz (call out from the second and third

tables.)

Count Piccolomini !

Ter. Stop, ye shall have him in an instant.—Read This oath here, whether as 'tis here set forth,

The wording satisfies you.

They've all read it, Each in his turn, and each one will subscribe

His individual signature.

Max. (reads,) "Ingratis servire nefas.”

Iso. That sounds to my ears very much like Latin, And being interpreted, pray what may't mean?

Ter. No honest man will serve a thankless master. Max. Inasmuch as our supreme commander, the illustrious Duke of Friedland, in consequence of the manifold affronts and grievances which he has received, had expressed his determination to quit the Emperor, but on our unanimous entreaty has graciously consented to remain still with the army, and not to part from us without our approbation thereof, so we, collectively and each in particular, in the stead of an oath personally taken, do hereby oblige ourselves-likewise by him honourably and faithfully to hold, and in no wise whatsoever from him to part, and to be ready to shed for his interests the last drop of our blood, so far, namely, as our oath to the Emperor will permit it. (These last words are repeated by Isolani.) In testimony of which we subscribe our names.” Ter. Now!—are you willing to subscribe this paper? Iso. Why should he not? All officers of honour Can do it, ay must do it.-Pen and ink here!

Ter. Nay, let it rest till after meal.

Iso. (drawing Max. along,) Come, Max.

(Both seat themselves at their table.)

SCENE IX.

Tertsky, Neumann.

Ter. (beckons to Neumann who is waiting at the sidetable, and steps forward with him to the edge of

Have

the stage.)

you the copy with you, Neumann? Give it. It may be chang'd for the other?

Neu.

I have copied it

Letter by letter, line by line; no eye
Would e'er discover other difference,
Save only the omission of that clause,
According to your Excellency's order.

Ter. Right! Lay it yonder, and away with thisIt has perform'd its business-to the fire with it(Neumann lays the copy on the table, and steps back again to the side table.)

SCENE X.

Illo (comes out from the second chamber,) Tertsky.

Illo. How goes it with young Piccolomini ?

Ter. All right, I think. He has started no objection. Illo. He is the only one I fear about—

He and his father. Have an eye on both!

Ter. How looks it at your table? You forget not To keep them warm and stirring?

Illo.

O, quite cordial,

They are quite cordial in the scheme. We have them.

And 'tis as I predicted too. Already
It is the talk, not merely to maintain
The Duke in station.

"Since we're once for all

Together and unanimous, why not,"

Says Montecuculi, "Ay, why not onward?
And make conditions with the Emperor

There in his own Vienna ?" Trust me, Count,
Were it not for these said Piccolomini,

We might have spar'd ourselves the cheat.

Field Marshal, I have understood you perfectly,

Good luck be to the scheme; and as to me,

(with an air of mystery.)

May we, Butler?

You may depend upon me.

Illo. (with vivacity)

But. With or without the clause, all one to me !

You understand me? My fidelity

The Duke may put to any proof-I'm with him!

Tell him so! I'm the Emperor's officer,

As long as 'tis his pleasure to remain

The Emperor's general! and Friedland's servant, As soon as it shall please him to become

His own lord.

Ter.

You would make a good exchange;

No stern economist, no Ferdinand

Is he to whom you plight your services.

But. (with a haughty look) I do not put up my fidelity To sale, Count Tertsky! Half a year ago

I would not have advis'd you to have made me

An overture to that, to which I now

Offer myself of my own free accord.

But that is past! and to the Duke, Field Marshal,
I bring myself together with my regiment.
And mark you, 'tis my humour to believe,

The example which I give will not remain
Without an influence.

Illo.

Who is ignorant,

That the whole army look to Colonel Butler,
As to a light that moves before them?

But.

Ey?

Then I repent me not of that fidelity
Which for the length of forty years I held,
If in my sixtieth year my old good name
Can purchase for me a revenge so full.
Start not at what I say, sir generals!
My real motives-they concern not you.
And you yourselves, I trust, could not expect
That this your game had crook'd my judgment-or
That fickleness, quick blood, or such light cause,
Has driven the old man from the track of honour,
Which he so long had trodden.-Come, my friends!
I'm not thereto determin'd with less firmness,
Because I know and have look'd steadily

At that on which I have determin'd.

Illo.

Say,

And speak roundly, what are we to deem you?

But. A friend! I give you here my hand! I'm your's

With all I have. Not only men, but money

Will the Duke want.- -Go, tell him, sirs!