The German Classics of the Nineteenth and Twentieth Centuries - LightNovelsOnl.com
You're reading novel online at LightNovelsOnl.com. Please use the follow button to get notifications about your favorite novels and its latest chapters so you can come back anytime and won't miss anything.
OCTAVIO.
Receive it then anew, from my hands--and Wear it with honor for the right cause ever.
BUTLER.
Perjure myself to such a gracious Sovereign!
OCTAVIO.
You'll make amends. Quick! break off from the Duke!
BUTLER.
Break off from him!
OCTAVIO.
What now? Bethink thyself.
BUTLER (_no longer governing his emotion_).
Only break off from him? He dies! he dies!
OCTAVIO.
Come after me to Frauenburg, where now All who are loyal are a.s.sembling under Counts Altringer and Gallas. Many others I've brought to a remembrance of their duty: This night be sure that you escape from Pilsen.
BUTLER (_strides up and down in excessive agitation, then steps up to_ OCTAVIO _with resolved countenance_).
Count Piccolomini! dare that man speak Of honor to you, who once broke his troth.
OCTAVIO.
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 G.o.d 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 compa.s.sion. 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?
