The German Classics of the Nineteenth and Twentieth Centuries, Volume 03. Коллектив авторов

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СКАЧАТЬ grieves me sorely,

      To hear it: for his counsel was most wise.

      I had myself the like to offer.

      BUTLER.

                                    Spare

      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,

      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

      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 unseen.

      This manifesto sentences the Duke—

      Recalls 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?

      BUTLER (rises).

      His lot is mine.

      OCTAVIO.

      Is that your last resolve?

      BUTLER.

      It is.

      OCTAVIO.

                 Nay, but bethink you, Colonel Butler!

      As yet you have time. Within my faithful breast

      That rashly utter'd word remains interr'd.

      Recall it, Butler! choose a better party;

      You have not chosen the right one.

      BUTLER (going).

                                Any other

      Commands for me, Lieutenant-General?

      OCTAVIO.

      See your white hairs: recall that word!

      BUTLER.

      Farewell!

      OCTAVIO.

      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?

      BUTLER (laughing with bitterness).

      Gratitude from the House of Austria!

      [He is going.]

      OCTAVIO (permits him to go as far as the door, then calls after him).

      Butler!

      BUTLER.

      What wish you?

      OCTAVIO.

      How was't with the Count?

      BUTLER.

      Count? what?

      OCTAVIO (coldly).

      The title that you wish'd, I mean.

      BUTLER (starts in sudden passion).

      Hell and damnation!

      OCTAVIO (coldly).

                            You petition'd for it—

      And your petition was repelled—Was it so?

      BUTLER.

      Your insolent scoff shall not go by unpunish'd.

      Draw!

      OCTAVIO.

      Nay! your sword to 'ts sheath! and tell me calmly,

      How all that happen'd. I will not refuse you

      Your satisfaction afterward. Calmly, Butler!

      BUTLER.

      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 the 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 deserved not.

      It might have been refused; but wherefore barb

      And venom the refusal with contempt?

      Why dash to earth and crush with heaviest scorn

      The gray-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 СКАЧАТЬ