The Works of Frederick Schiller - LightNovelsOnl.com
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CORNET.
We have him.
OCTAVIO.
Whom?
CORNET.
Sesina, The old negotiator.
OCTAVIO (eagerly).
And you have him?
CORNET.
In the Bohemian Forest Captain Mohrbrand Found and secured him yester-morning early.
He was proceeding then to Regensburg, And on him were despatches for the Swede.
OCTAVIO.
And the despatches----
CORNET.
The lieutenant-general Sent them that instant to Vienna, and The prisoner with them.
OCTAVIO.
This is, indeed, a tiding!
That fellow is a precious casket to us, Enclosing weighty things. Was much found on him?
CORNET.
I think, six packets, with Count Terzky's arms.
OCTAVIO.
None in the duke's own hand?
CORNET.
Not that I know.
OCTAVIO.
And old Sesina.
CORNET.
He was sorely frightened.
When it was told him he must to Vienna; But the Count Altringer bade him take heart, Would he but make a full and free confession.
OCTAVIO.
Is Altringer then with your lord? I heard That he lay sick at Linz.
CORNET.
These three days past He's with my master, the lieutenant-general, At Frauenburg. Already have they sixty Small companies together, chosen men; Respectfully they greet you with a.s.surances, That they are only waiting your commands.
OCTAVIO.
In a few days may great events take place.
And when must you return?
CORNET.
I wait your orders.
OCTAVIO.
Remain till evening.
[CORNET signifies his a.s.sent and obeisance, and is going.
No one saw you--ha?
CORNET.
No living creature. Through the cloister wicket The capuchins, as usual, let me in.
OCTAVIO.
Go, rest your limbs, and keep yourself concealed.
I hold it probable that yet ere evening I shall despatch you. The development Of this affair approaches: ere the day, That even now is dawning in the heaven, Ere this eventful day hath set, the lot That must decide our fortunes will be drawn.
[Exit CORNET.
SCENE III.
OCTAVIO and MAX. PICCOLOMINI.
OCTAVIO.
Well--and what now, son? All will soon be clear; For all, I'm certain, went through that Sesina.
MAX. (who through the whole of the foregoing scene has been in a violent and visible struggle of feelings, at length starts as one resolved).
I will procure me light a shorter way.
Farewell.
OCTAVIO.
Where now? Remain here.
MAX.
To the Duke.
OCTAVIO (alarmed).
What----
MAX. (returning).
If thou hast believed that I shall act A part in this thy play, thou hast Miscalculated on me grievously.
My way must be straight on. True with the tongue, False with the heart--I may not, cannot be Nor can I suffer that a man should trust me-- As his friend trust me--and then lull my conscience With such low pleas as these: "I ask him not-- He did it all at his own hazard--and My mouth has never lied to him." No, no!
What a friend takes me for, that I must be.
I'll to the duke; ere yet this day is ended Will I demand of him that he do save His good name from the world, and with one stride Break through and rend this fine-spun web of yours.
He can, he will! I still am his believer, Yet I'll not pledge myself, but that those letters May furnish you, perchance, with proofs against him.
How far may not this Terzky have proceeded-- What may not he himself too have permitted Himself to do, to snare the enemy, The laws of war excusing? Nothing, save His own mouth shall convict him--nothing less!
And face to face will I go question him.
