Iso. (stammering) Why—why—what! this is the Em

peror's hand and seal!

'Whereas the officers collectively

(Reads.)

Throughout our army will obey the orders

Of the Lieutenant-General Piccolomini,

As from ourselves.'

-Hem!-Yes! so!-Yes! yes!—

I-I give you joy, Lieutenant General!
Oct. And you, submit you to the order?
Iso.
But you have taken me so by surprize-
Time for reflection one must have-

I

You must declare you, whether you determine

To act a treason 'gainst your Lord and Sovereign,

Or whether you will serve him faithfully.

Iso. Treason!-My God!-But who talks then of trea

son?

Oct. That is the case.

The Prince-duke is a traitor

Means to lead over to the enemy

The Emperor's army.-Now, Count!-brief and fullSay, will you break your oath to th' Emperor?

Sell yourself to the enemy ?-Say, will you?

Iso. What mean you? I-I break my oath, d'ye say, To his Imperial Majesty ?

Did I say so?-When, when have I said that?

Oct. You have not said it yet-not yet. This instant I wait to hear, Count, whether you will say it.

Iso. Aye! that delights me now, that you yourself

Bear witness for me that I never said so.

Oct. And you renounce the Duke then?
Iso.
If he's planning

Treason-why, treason breaks all bonds asunder.

Oct. And are determin'd, too, to fight against him? Iso. He has done me service-but if he's a villain, Perdition seize him!-All scores are rubb'd off.

Oct. I am rejoic'd that you're so well dispos'd.
This night break off in th' utmost secresy
With all the light-arm'd troops-it must appear
As came the order from the Duke himself.
At Frauenberg's the place of rendezvous;
There will Count Galas give you further orders.
Iso. It shall be done. But you'll remember me
With th' Emperor-how well-dispos'd you found me.
Oct. I will not fail to mention it honourably.

[Exit Isolani. A Servant enters.

What, Colonel Butler !-Show him up.

Iso. (returning) Forgive me, too, my

father!

bearish ways,

Lord God! how should I know, then, what a great
Person I had before me.

Iso. I am a merry lad, and if at time

A rash word might escape me 'gainst the court
Amidst my wine-you know no harm was meant.

Oct. You need not be uneasy on that score. That has succeded. Fortune favour us

With all the others only but as much!

old

[Exit.

SCENE V.

Octavio Piccolomini, Butler.

But. At your command, Lieutenant-General.
Oct. Welcome, as honour'd friend and visitor.
But. You do me too much honour.

Oct. (after both have seated themselves) You have not
Return'd the advances which I made you yesterday-
Misunderstood them, as mere empty forms.
That wish proceeded from my heart—I was
In earnest with you-for 'tis now a time
In which the honest should unite most closely.

But. 'Tis only the like-minded can unite.

Oct. True! and I name all honest men like-minded.

I never charge a man but with those acts
To which his character deliberately
Impels him; for alas! the violence

Of blind misunderstandings often thrusts
The very best of us from the right track.

You came thro' Frauenberg. Did the Count Galas
Say nothing to you? Tell me.

He's my friend.
But. His words were lost on me.

Oct.

It grieves me sorely

To hear it, for his counsel was most wise.

I had myself the like to offer.

But.

Spare

Yourself the trouble-me th' embarrassment,

To have deserv'd so ill your good opinion.

Oct. The time is precious-let us talk openly. You know how matters stand here. Wallenstein Meditates treason-I can tell you further

He has committed treason; but few hours
Have past, since he a covenant concluded
With th' enemy. The messengers are now
Full on their way to Egra and to Prague.
To-morrow he intends to lead us over
To th' enemy. But he deceives himself;
For prudence wakes-the Emperor has still
Many and faithful friends here, and they stand
In closest union, mighty tho' unseen.

This manifesto sentences the Duke

Recals the obedience of the army from him,
And summons all the loyal, all the honest,
To join and recognize in me their leader.
Choose-will you share with us an honest cause?
Or with the evil share an evil lot.

But. (rises) His lot is mine.

Oct.

But. It is.

Is that your last resolve?

Oct. Nay, but bethink you, Colonel Butler!

As yet you have time. Within my faithful breast
That rashly utter'd word remains interr'd.

Recal it, Butler! choose a better party.

You have not chosen the right one.

But. (going)

Any other

Commands for me, Lieutenant-General ?

Oct. See your white hairs! Recal that word!

Oct. What would you draw this good and gallant sword

In such a cause? Into a curse would you

Transform the gratitude which you have earn'd

By forty years' fidelity from Austria ?

But. (laughing with bitterness) Gratitude from the (He is going.)

house of Austria.

Oct. (permits him to go as far as the door, then calls

Oct. (coldly)

But. (starts in sudden passion) Hell and damnation !
Oct. (coldly)
You petition'd for it-

And your petition was repell'd-Was it so?

But. Your insolent scoff shall not go by unpunish'd. Draw!

Oct. Nay! your sword to 'ts sheath! and tell me calmly How all that happen'd. I will not refuse you

Your satisfaction afterwards.-Calmly Butler!

But. Be the whole world acquainted with the weakness For which I never can forgive myself.

Lieutenant General! Yes-I have ambition.

Ne'er was I able to endure contempt.

It stung me to the quick, that birth and title
Should have more weight than merit has in th' army.
I would fain not be meaner than my equal,

So in an evil hour I let myself

Be tempted to that measure-It was folly !
But yet so hard a penance it deserv'd not.

It might have been refus'd; but wherefore barb
And venom the refusal with contempt ?

Why dash to earth and crush with heaviest scorn
The grey-hair'd man, the faithful veteran?

Why to the baseness of his parentage

Refer him with such cruel roughness, only
Because he had a weak hour and forgot himself?
But nature gives a sting e'en to the worm

Which wanton power treads on in sport and insult.