The Complete Works of Samuel Taylor Coleridge (Illustrated Edition). Samuel Taylor Coleridge

Чтение книги онлайн.

СКАЧАТЬ and move back the forms.

      [They rise at all the tables, the Servants hurry off

       the front of the stage to the tables; part of the

       guests come forward.

SCENE XIII

       Table of Contents

      OCTAVIO PICCOLOMINI enters in conversation with MARADAS, and both place

       themselves quite on the edge of the stage on one side of the proscenium.

       On the side directly opposite, MAX PICCOLOMINI, by himself, lost in

       thought, and taking no part in any thing that is going forward. The

       middle space between both, but rather more distant from the edge of the

       stage, is filled up by BUTLER, ISOLANI, GOETZ, TIEFENBACH, and KOLATTO.

      Isolani (while the company is coming forward). Good night,

       good night, Kolatto! Good night, Lieutenant-General! — I should

       rather say, good morning.

      Goetz (to Tiefenbach). Noble brother!

      Tiefenbach. Ay! ‘twas a royal feast indeed. 5

      Goetz. Yes, my Lady Countess understands these matters.

       Her motherin-law, heaven rest her soul, taught her! — Ah!

       that was a housewife for you!

      Tiefenbach. There was not her like in all Bohemia for setting

       out a table. 10

      Octavio (aside to Maradas). Do me the favour to talk to

       me — talk of what you will — or of nothing. Only preserve the

       appearance at least of talking. I would not wish to stand by

       myself, and yet I conjecture that there will be goings on here

       worthy of our attentive observation. 15

      Isolani (on the point of going). Lights! lights!

      Tertsky (advances with the paper to Isolani). Noble brother!

       two minutes longer! — Here is something to subscribe.

      Isolani. Subscribe as much as you like — but you must excuse

       me from reading it. 20

      Tertsky. There is no need. It is the oath which you have

       already read. — Only a few marks of your pen!

      [ISOLANI hands over the paper to OCTAVIO respectfully.

      Tertsky. Nay, nay, first come first served. There is no

       precedence here.

      [OCTAVIO runs over the paper with apparent indifference.

       TERTSKY watches him at some distance.

      Goetz (to Tertsky). Noble Count! with your 25

       permission — Good night.

      Tertsky. Where’s the hurry? Come, one other composing

       draught. (To the Servants) — Ho!

      Goetz. Excuse me — an’t able.

      Tertsky. A thimble-full! 30

      Goetz. Excuse me.

      Tiefenbach (sits down). Pardon me, nobles! — This standing

       does not agree with me.

      Tertsky. Consult only your own convenience, General!

      Tiefenbach. Clear at head, sound in stomach — only my legs 35

       won’t carry me any longer.

      Isolani. Poor legs! how should they? Such an unmerciful

       load!

      [OCTAVIO subscribes his name, and reaches over the paper

       to TERTSKY, who gives it to ISOLANI; and he goes to

       the table to sign his name.

      Tiefenbach. ‘Twas that war in Pomerania that first brought

       it on. Out in all weathers — ice and snow — no help for it. — I 40

       shall never get the better of it all the days of my life.

      Goetz. Why, in simple verity, your Swede makes no nice

       enquiries about the season.

      Tertsky (observing Isolani, whose hand trembles excessively, so

       that he can scarce direct his pen). Have you had that ugly

       complaint long, noble brother? — Dispatch it. 45

      Isolani. The sins of youth! I have already tried the

       Chalybeate waters. Well — I must bear it.

      [TERTSKY gives the paper to MARADAS; he steps to the

       table to subscribe.

      Octavio (advancing to Butler). You are not over fond of the

       orgies of Bacchus, Colonel! I have observed it. You would, I

       think, find yourself more to your liking in the uproar of a

       battle, 50

       than of a feast.

      Butler. I must confess, ‘tis not in my way.

      Octavio. Nor in mine either, I can assure you; and I am not

       a little glad, my much honoured Colonel Butler, that we agree

       so well in our opinions. A half dozen good friends at most, 55

       at a small round table, a glass of genuine Tokay, open hearts,

       and a rational conversation — that’s my taste!

      Butler. And mine too, when it can be had.

      [The paper comes to TIEFENBACH, who glances over it at

       the same time with GOETZ and KOLATTO. MARADAS in

       the mean time returns to OCTAVIO, all this takes

       СКАЧАТЬ