But. Both wife and daughter does the Duke call hither?

He crowds in visitants from all sides.

Hm!

Iso. So much the better! I had framed my mind To hear of nought but warlike circumstance, Of marches, and attacks, and batteries: And lo! the Duke provides, that something too Of gentler sort, and lovely, should be present To feast our eyes.

Illo. [who has been standing in the attitude of meditation, to BUTLER, whom he leads a little on one side.] And how came you to know That the Count Galas joins us not?

But.

Because

He importuned me to remain behind.

Illo. [with warmth.] And you?—You hold out

firmly?

[Grasping his hand with affection.] Noble Butler!

But. After the obligation which the Duke Had laid so newly on me

Illo.

I had forgotten

A pleasant duty-MAJOR GENERAL,
I wish you joy!

Iso.

What, you mean, of his regiment? I hear, too, that to make the gift still sweeter, The Duke has given him the very same

In which he first saw service, and since then, Worked himself, step by step, through each preferment,

From the ranks upwards. And verily, it gives A precedent of hope, a spur of action.

To the whole corps, if once in their remembrance An old deserving soldier makes his way.

But. I am perplexed and doubtful, whether

or no

I dare accept this your congratulation.

The Emperor has not yet confirmed the appoint

ment.

Iso. Seize it, friend! Seize it! The hand which in that post

Placed you, is strong enough to keep you there, Spite of the Emperor and his Ministers.

Illo. Ay, if we would but so consider it!If we would all of us consider it so!

The Emperor gives us nothing; from the Duke Comes all-whate'er we hope, whate'er we have. Iso, [to ILLO.] My noble brother! did I tell you

how

The Duke will satisfy my creditors?

Will be himself my banker for the future,
Make me once more a creditable man !—
And this is now the third time, think of that!
This kingly-minded man has rescued me
From absolute ruin, and restored my honour.
Illo. O that his power but kept pace with his

wishes!

Why, friend! he'd give the whole world to his soldiers.

But at Vienna, brother!-here's the grievance !

What politic schemes do they not lay to shorten His arm, and, where they can, to clip his pinions. Then these new dainty requisitions! these, Which this same Questenberg brings hither!— But.

These requisitions of the Emperor,

I too have heard about them; but I hope

Ay,

The Duke will not draw back a single inch!
Illo. Not from his right most surely, unless first
From office!

But. [shocked and confused.] Know you aught then? You alarm me.

Iso. [at the same time with BUTLER, and in a hurried voice.] We should be ruined, every one of us!

Yonder I see our worthy friend * approaching
With the Lieutenant-General, Piccolomini.
But. [shaking his head significantly.] I fear we
shall not go hence as we came.

SCENE II.-Enter OCTAVIO PICCOLOMINI and QUESTEN

BERG.

Oct. [still in the distance.] Ay, ay! more still
Still more new visitors!

Acknowledge, friend! that never was a camp,
Which held at once so many heads of heroes.

[Approaching nearer.

Welcome, Count Isolani!

Spoken with a sneer.

Iso.

My noble brother,

Even now am I arrived; it had been else my

duty

Oct. And Colonel Butler-trust me I re

joice

Thus to renew acquaintance with a man

Whose worth and services I know and honour. See, see, my friend!

There might we place at once before our eyes The sum of war's whole trade and mystery[To QUESTENBERG, presenting BUTLER and ISOLANI at the same time to him.

These two the total sum-STRENGTH and Dis

PATCH.

Ques. [to OCTAVIO.] And lo! betwixt them both experienced PRUDENCE!

Oct. [presenting QUESTENBERG to BUTLER and ISOLANI.] The Chamberlain and war-commissioner Questenberg,

The bearer of the Emperor's behests,

The long-tried friend and patron of all soldiers, We honour in this noble visitor.

[Universal silence.

Illo. [moving towards QUESTENBERG.] 'Tis not the first time, noble Minister,

You have shown our camp this honour.

Ques.

I stood before these colours.

Once before

Illo. Perchance, too, you remember where that

was.

It was at Znäim* in Moravia, where You did present yourself on the part

Of the Emperor, to supplicate our Duke

That he would straight assume the chief command.
Ques. To supplicate? Nay, noble General!
So far extended neither my commission
(At least to my own knowledge) nor my zeal.
Illo. Well, well, then-to compel him, if you
choose.

I can remember me right well, Count Tilly
Had suffered total rout upon the Lech.
Bavaria lay all open to the enemy,

Whom there was nothing to delay from pressing
Onwards into the very heart of Austria.

At that time you and Werdenberg appeared
Before our General, storming him with prayers,
And menacing the Emperor's displeasure,
Unless he took compassion on this wretchedness.
Iso. [steps up to them.] Yes, yes, 'tis compre-
hensible enough,

Wherefore with your commission of to-day
You were not all too willing to remember
Your former one.

Ques.

Why not, Count Isolan?

No contradiction sure exists between them.

It was the urgent business of that time

To snatch Bavaria from her enemy's hand;

* A town not far from the Mine-mountains, on the high road from Vienna to Prague.