How, when, and where, could no one tell me. A human creature could not so at once Illo. (enters) Octavio? Ter. Nay, Is it true that thou wilt send How, Octavio! Whither send him? Wal. He goes to Frauenberg, and will lead hither The Spanish and Italian regiments. Illo. Nay, Heaven forbid ! Wal. No! And why should Heaven forbid ? Illo. Him!-that deceiver! Would'st thou trust to him The soldiery? Him wilt thou let slip from thee, Now, in the very instant that decides us Ter. Thou wilt not do this!-No! I pray thee, no! Illo. O but for this time, Duke, Yield to our warning! Let him not depart. Wal. And why should I not trust him only this time, Who have always trusted him? What, then, has happen'd That I should lose my good opinion of him? In complaisance to your whims, not my own, I must, forsooth, give up a rooted judgment. Think not I am a woman. Having trusted him E'en 'till to-day, to-day too will I trust him. Ter. Must it be he-he only? Send another. Wal. It must be he, whom I myself have chosen ; He is well fitted for the business. Therefore I gave it him. Illo. Because he's an Italian Therefore is he well fitted for the business. Wal. I know you love them not-nor sire nor son Because that I esteem them, love them-visibly Are they the worse to me because you hate them? I leave to each man his own moods and likings; Illo. Von Questenberg, while he was here, was always Lurking about with this Octavio. Wal. It happen'd with my knowledge and permission. Illo. I know that secret messengers came to him My faith for me-my faith, which founds itself On the profoundest science. If 'tis false, That he is the most faithful of my friends. Illo. Hast thou a pledge, that this pledge is not false? Wal. There exist moments in the life of man, When he is nearer the great Soul of the world The power of questioning his destiny: Leaning against a tree, thoughts crowding thoughts, I look'd out far upon the ominous plain. My whole life, past and future, in this moment And to the destiny of the next morning Then said I also to myself, So many Dost thou command. They follow all thy stars, And as on some great number set their all Upon thy single head, and only man The vessel of thy fortune. Yet a day Will come, when Destiny shall once more scatter Few be they who will stand out faithful to thee.' In spirit. Great the pressure and the tumult! Drove horse and rider-and thus trod to pieces It was Octavio's-I awoke at once. 'Twas broad day, and Octavio stood before me. Illo. That was a chance. Wal. (significantly) There's no such thing as chance. In brief, 'tis sign'd and seal'd that this Octavio Is my good angel-and now no word more. (He is retiring.) Ter. This is my comfort-Max. remains our hostage. Illo. And he shall never stir from here alive. Wal. (stops, and turns himself round) Are ye not like the women, who, for ever Only recur to their first word, altho' One had been talking reason by the hour? The inner world, his microcosmus, is The deep shaft, out of which they spring eternally, SCENE IV. Scene-a chamber in Piccolomini's dwelling-house. Octavio Piccolomini, Isolani, entering. Iso. Here am I-Well! who comes yet of the others? Oct. (with an air of mystery) But, first, a word with you, Count Isolani. Iso. (assuming the same air of mystery) Will it explode, ha? Is the Duke about To make th' attempt? In me, friend, you may place Oct. That may happen. Iso. Noble brother, I am Not one of those men who in words are valiant, And when it comes to action skulk away. He may rely on my fidelity. Oct. That will be seen hereafter. Iso. Be on your guard. All think not as I think; and there are many Iso. You rejoice! Oct. That the Emperor has yet such gallant servants And loving friends. Iso. Nay, jeer not, I entreat you. They are no such worthless fellows, I assure you. Oct. I am assur'd already. God forbid That I should jest!-In very serious earnest I am rejoic'd to see an honest cause So strong. Iso. The devil!-what!-why, what means this? Are you not, then-For what, then, am I here? Of th' Emperor. Iso. (with an air of defiance) That declaration, friend, I'll make to him in whom a right is plac'd To put that question to me. Oct. Whether, Count, That right is mine, this paper may instruct you. |