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

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СКАЧАТЬ style="font-size:15px;">      He, who repents so deeply of it, dares.

      BUTLER.

      Then leave me here upon my word of honor!

      OCTAVIO.

      What's your design?

      BUTLER.

      Leave me and my regiment.

      OCTAVIO.

      I have full confidence in you. But tell me

      What are you brooding?

      BUTLER.

      That the deed will tell you.

      Ask me no more at present. Trust to me.

      Ye may trust safely. By the living God

      Ye give him over, not to his good angel!

      Farewell.

      [Exit BUTLER.]

      SERVANT (enters with a billet).

                  A stranger left it, and is gone.

      The Prince Duke's horses wait for you below.

      [Exit SERVANT.]

      OCTAVIO (reads).

      "Be sure make haste! Your faithful Isolan."

      –O that I had but left this town behind me.

      To split upon a rock so near the haven!—Away!

      This is no longer a safe place

      For me! Where can my son be tarrying!

      SCENE VII

      OCTAVIO and MAX PICCOLOWINI

      [MAX enters almost in a state of derangement, from extreme agitation; his eyes roll wildly, his walk is unsteady, and he appears not to observe his father, who stands at a distance, and gazes at him with a countenance expressive of compassion. He paces with long strides through the chamber, then stands still again, and at last throws himself into a chair, staring vacantly at the object directly before him.]

      OCTAVIO (advances to him).

      I am going off, my son.

      [Receiving no answer, he takes his hand.]

      My son, farewell.

      MAX.

      Farewell.

      OCTAVIO.

      Thou wilt soon follow me?

      MAX.

                             I follow thee?

      Thy way is crooked—it is not my way.

      [OCTAVIO drops his hand, and starts back.]

      O, hadst thou been but simple and sincere,

      Ne'er had it come to this—all had stood otherwise.

      He had not done that foul and horrible deed,

      The virtuous had retain'd their influence o'er him:

      He had not fallen into the snares of villains.

      Wherefore so like a thief, and thief's accomplice

      Didst creep behind him, lurking for thy prey!

      O, unblest falsehood! Mother of all evil!

      Thou misery-making demon, it is thou

      That sink'st us in perdition. Simple truth,

      Sustainer of the world, have saved us all!

      Father, I will not, I cannot excuse thee!

      Wallenstein has deceived me—O, most foully!

      But thou hast acted not much better.

      OCTAVIO.

                             Son!

      My son, ah! I forgive thy agony!

      MAX. (rises and contemplates his father with looks of suspicion).

      Was't possible? hadst thou the heart, my father,

      Hadst thou the heart to drive it to such lengths,

      With cold premeditated purpose? Thou—

      Hadst thou the heart to wish to see him guilty

      Rather than saved? Thou risest by his fall.

      Octavio, 'twill not please me.

      OCTAVIO.

      God in heaven!

      MAX.

      O, woe is me! sure I have changed my nature.

      How comes suspicion here—in the free soul?

      Hope, confidence, belief, are gone; for all

      Lied to me, all that I e'er loved or honored.

      No, no! not all! She—she yet lives for me,

      And she is true, and open as the heavens!

      Deceit is everywhere, hypocrisy,

      Murder, and poisoning, treason, perjury:

      The single holy spot is our love,

      The only unprofaned in human nature.

      OCTAVIO.

      Max!—we will go together. 'Twill be better.

      MAX.

      What? ere I've taken a last parting leave,

      The very last—no, never!

      OCTAVIO.

                              Spare thyself

      The pang of necessary separation.

      Come with me! Come, my son!

      [Attempts to take him with him.]

      MAX.

      No! as sure as God lives, no!

      OCTAVIO СКАЧАТЬ