The Works of Frederick Schiller Part 176

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.