style="font-size:15px;"> To act a treason ‘gainst your Lord and Sovereign,Or whether you will serve him faithfully.
Isolani. Treason! — My God! — But who talks then of treason? 45
Octavio. 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 full —
Say, will you break your oath to the Emperor?
Sell yourself to the enemy? — Say, will you? 50
Isolani. 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?
Octavio. You have not said it yet — not yet. This instant
I wait to hear, Count, whether you will say it. 55
Isolani. Aye! that delights me now, that you yourself
Bear witness for me that I never said so.
Octavio. And you renounce the Duke then?
Isolani. If he’s planning
Treason — why, treason breaks all bonds asunder.
Octavio. And are determined, too, to fight against him? 60
Isolani. He has done me service — but if he’s a villain,
Perdition seize him! — All scores are rubbed off.
Octavio. I am rejoiced that you’re so well disposed.
This night break off in the utmost secrecy
With all the light-armed troops — it must appear 65
As came the order from the Duke himself.
At Frauenberg’s the place of rendezvous;
There will Count Galas give you further orders.
Isolani. It shall be done. But you’ll remember me
With the Emperor — how well disposed you found me. 70
Octavio. I will not fail to mention it honourably.
[Exit ISOLANI. A Servant enters.
What, Colonel Butler! — Shew him up.
Isolani (returning). Forgive me too my bearish ways, old father!
Lord God! how should I know, then, what a great
Person I had before me.
Octavio. No excuses! 75
Isolani. 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. [Exit.
Octavio. You need not be uneasy on that score.
That has succeeded. Fortune favour us 80
With all the others only but as much!
[Before 2] Octavio (with an air of mystery). 1800, 1828, 1829.
[Before 3] Isolani (assuming the same air of mystery). 1800, 1828,
1829.
[Before 32] Isolani (stammering). 1800, 1828, 1829.
SCENE V
OCTAVIO PICCOLOMINI, BUTLER.
Butler. At your command, Lieutenant-General.
Octavio. Welcome, as honoured friend and visitor.
Butler. You do me too much honour.
Octavio (after both have seated themselves). You have not
Returned the advances which I made you yesterday —
Misunderstood them, as mere empty forms. 5
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.
Butler. ‘Tis only the like-minded can unite.
Octavio. True! and I name all honest men like-minded. 10
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. 15
You came through Frauenberg. Did the Count Galas
Say nothing to you? Tell me. He’s my friend.
Butler. His words were lost on me.
Octavio. It grieves me sorely
To hear it: for his counsel was most wise.
I had myself the like to offer.
Butler. Spare 20
Yourself the trouble — me th’ embarrassment,
To have deserved so ill your good opinion.
Octavio. The time is precious — let us talk openly.
You know how matters stand here. Wallenstein
Meditates treason — I can tell you further — 25
He has committed treason; but few hours
Have past, since he a covenant concluded
With the enemy. The messengers are now
Full on their way to Egra and to Prague.
Tomorrow he intends to lead us over 30
To the enemy. But he deceives himself;
For prudence wakes — the Emperor has still
Many and faithful friends here, and they stand
In closest union, mighty though
