I was to treat concerning the army horses: And I was forced at last to quit the field, The business unaccomplished. wards After The Duke procured me in three days, what I Could not obtain in thirty at Vienna. Questenberg. Yes, yes! your travelling bills soon found their way to us : Too well I know we have still accounts to settle. Illo. War is a violent trade; one cannot always Finish one's work by soft means; every Must not be blackened into sacrilege. 110 council, With due deliberation had selected Then after come what may come. Questenberg. His cares and feelings all ranks share alike, Nor will he offer one up to another. Isolani. And therefore thrusts he us into the deserts As beasts of prey, that so he may pre serve His dear sheep fattening in his fields at home. Questenberg (with a sneer). Count, this comparison you make, not I. Butler. Why, were we all the Court supposes us, 130 "Twere dangerous, sure, to give us Questenberg. You have taken liberty Octavio (interposing and addressing Questenberg). My noble friend, This is no more than a remembrancing That you are now in camp, and among warriors. The soldier's boldness constitutes his Could he act daringly, unless he dared To the Emperor his capital city, Prague, To make the best of a bad thing once past. A bitter and perplexed 'what shall I [Military music at a distance. Hah! here they come ! Illo. The sentries are saluting them : this signal Announces the arrival of the Duchess. Octavio (to Questenberg). Then my son Max too has returned. 'Twas he Fetched and attended them from Carnthen hither. 150 Isolani (to Illo). Shall we not go in company to greet them? Illo. Well, let us go.-Ho! Colonel Butler, come. All orders discontented-and the army, Just in the moment of our expectation Of aidance from it-lo! this very army Seduced, run wild, lost to all discipline, Loosened, and rent asunder from the state And from their sovereign, the blind instrument To hide my genuine feelings from him, yet Ne'er have I duped him with base. counterfeits! Questenberg. It is the visible ordinance of heaven. Octavio. I know not what it is that so attracts Of the most daring of mankind, a weapon And links him both to me and to my Of fearful power, which at his will he wields ! Octavio. Nay, nay, friend! let us not despair too soon, Men's words are ever bolder than their deeds: And many a resolute, who now appears Made up to all extremes, will, on a sudden Find in his breast a heart he wot not of, Let but a single honest man speak out The true name of his crime! Remember, too, We stand not yet so wholly unprotected. Counts Altringer and Galas have maintained Their little army faithful to its duty, I hold him all-encompassed by my lis teners. Whate'er he does, is mine, even while 'tis doing son. Comrades and friends we always werelong habit, Adventurous deeds performed in com No step so small, but instantly I hear it; Astounded; thereon fell upon my neck, 'Tis quite Questenberg. Octavio. Beware, you do not think, 80 Compelled alike by prudence, and that duty Which we all owe our country, and our sovereign, 1 His young and open soul-dissimulation Beaming protection, shine above her you. Octavio. How, Max? Look closer at this visitor; Attention, Max, an old friend meritsReverence Belongs of right to the envoy of your sovereign. Max (drily). Von Questenberg !Welcome-if you bring with you Aught good to our head quarters. Their intellects intelligently.-Then Well for the whole, if there be found a man, Questenberg (seizing his hand). Nay, Who makes himself what nature destined |