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

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СКАЧАТЬ 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

       Table of Contents

      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 СКАЧАТЬ