TERTSKY. Consult only your own convenience, General! Clear at head, sound in stomach-only my legs won't carry me any longer. ISOLANI (pointing at his corpulence). 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.) on. TIEFENBACH. "Twas that war in Pomerania that first brought it Out in all weathers-ice and snow-no help for it. I 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 Have you had that ugly complaint his pen). long, noble brother? Dispatch it. 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, than of a feast. BUTLER. I must confess, 'tis not in my way. OCTAVIO (stepping nearer to him friendlily). 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, 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 place, the conversation with Butler proceeding uninterrupted. OCTAVIO (introducing Maradas to Butler). Don Balthasar Maradas! likewise a man of our stamp, and long ago your admirer. [Butler bows. OCTAVIO (continuing). You are a stranger here-'twas but yesterday you arrived-you are ignorant of the ways and means here. 'Tis a wretched place-I know, at our age, one loves to be snug and quiet-What if you moved your lodgings ?-Come, be my visitor. (Butler makes a low bow.) Nay without compliment!-For a friend like you, I have still a corner remaining. BUTLER (coldly). Your obliged humble servant my Lord Lieutenant-General ! [The paper comes to Butler, who goes to the table to subscribe it. The front of the stage is va-, cant, so that both the Piccolominis, each on the side where he had been from the commencement of the scene, remain alone. OCTAVIO (after having some time watched his son in silence, advances somewhat nearer to him). You were long absent from us, friend! MAX. I-urgent business detained me. OCTAVIO. And, I observe, you are still absent! MAX. You know this crowd and bustle always makes me silent. OCTAVIO (advancing still nearer). May I be permitted to ask what the business was that detained you? Tertsky knows it without asking! MAX. What does Tertsky know? OCTAVIO. He was the only one who did not miss you. ISOLANI (who has been attending to them from some distance, steps up). Well done, father! Rout out his baggage! Beat up his quarters! there is something there that should not be. TERTSKY (with the paper). Is there none wanting? Have the whole subscribed? He cannot write; but his cross is a good cross, and is honoured by Jews as well as Christians. OCTAVIO (presses on to Max.). Come, general! let us go. It is late, TERTSKY. One Piccolomini only has signed. ISOLANI (pointing to Max.) Look! that is your man, that statue there, who has had neither eye, ear, nor tongue for us the whole evening. (Max. receives the paper from Tertsky, which he looks upon vacantly.) SCENE XIV. (To these enter ILLO from the inner room. He has in his hand the golden service-cup, and is extremely distempered with drinking: GOETZ and BUTLER follow him, endeavouring to keep him back). ILLO. What do you want? Let me go. GOETZ and BUTLER. Drink no more, Illo! For heaven's sake, drink no more. ILLO (goes up to Octavio, and shakes him cor dially by the hand, and then drinks). Octavio! I bring this to you! Let all grudge be drowned in this friendly bowl! I know well enough, ye never loved me- -Devil take me!-and I never loved you! I am always even with people in that way! Let what's past be past-that is, you understand-forgotten! I esteem you infinitely. (em |