What I, 'tis true, had long before discover'd Compel the Emperor Max. He is passionate. The court has stung him-he is sore all over Forgot himself? He's an impetuous man. Oct. Nay, in cold blood he did confess this to me; And having constructed my astonishment Into a scruple of his power, he show'd me Max. It cannot be !-can not be !-can not be ! Dost thou not see, it cannot ! Thou wouldest of necessity have shown him Thou stood'st not now a living man before me→ Of my whole heart--that I have still kept sacred Мах. And thou hast been So treacherous? That looks not like my father! I trusted not thy words, when thou didst tell me Evil of him; much less can I now do it, That thou calumniatest thy own self. Oct. I did not thrust myself into his secresy. Oct. He was no longer worthy of sincerity. Max. Dissimulation, sure, was still less worthy Of thee, Octavio ! Oct. Gave I him a cause To entertain a scruple of my honour? Max. That he did not, evinc'd his confidence. Oct. Dear son, it is not always possible Still to preserve that infant purity Which the voice teaches in our inmost heart. Still in alarm, for ever on the watch Against the wiles of wicked men, e'en Virtue This is the curse of every evil deed, That, propagating still, it brings forth evil. Far better were it, doubtless, if we all Max. It seems a thing appointed, that to-day Oct. (suppressing resentment,) As yet thou know'st not all, my son. I have Yet somewhat to disclose to thee. (After a pause) Duke Friedland Hath made his preparations. He relies Max. O nothing rash, my sire. By all that's good Oct. With light tread stole he on his evil way, Мах. Oct. (seizes the patent,) May I know it? Max ! (A pause.) -In this disclosure place I in thy hands The Empire's welfare and thy father's life. A powerful tie of love, of veneration, Hath knit thee too him from thy earliest youth. Anticipate thy loitering confidence! The hope thou nourishest to knit thyself Yet closer to him Мах. Oct. Father I trust thy heart undoubtingly. But am I Wilt thou be able, with calm countenance, Мах. According As thou dost trust me, father, with his crime. (Octavio takes a paper out of his escrutoire, and gives it to him.) Max. What? how?-a full imperial patent! Oct. Read it. Max. (just glances on it,) Duke Friedland sentenc'd and condemn'd! Oct. Even so. Max. (throws down the paper,) O this is too much!— O unhappy error ! Oct. Read on. Collect thyself. Max. (after he has read further, with a look of affright and astonishment on his father,) How!-what!-Thou!-thou ! Oct. But for the present moment, till the King Of Hungary may safely join the army, Is the command assign'd to me. Мах. And think'st thou, Dost thou believe, that thou wilt tear it from him? O never hope it!-Father! father! father! An inauspicious office is enjoin'd thee. This paper here-this! and wilt thou enforce it? The mighty, in the middle of his host, Surrounded by his thousands, him would'st thou Oct. What hazard I incur thereby, I know. Мах. Immediately? Oct. What! on suspicion? The Emperor is no tyrant. Will be a benefaction to him rather Than punishment. But the first open step Max. What call'st thou such a step? A wicked step Ne'er will he take; but thou might'st easily, Yea, thou hast done it, misinterpret him. Oct. Nay, howsoever punishable were Duke Friedland's purposes, yet still the steps Which he hath taken openly, permit A mild construction. It is my intention To leave this paper wholly unenforc'd Till some act is committed which convicts him Of a high-treason, without doubt or plea, And that shall sentence him. Мах. Oct. Thyself. But who the judge? |