calmly,
How all that happened. I will not refuse you 60
Your satisfaction afterwards. — Calmly, Butler!
Butler. Be the whole world acquainted with the weakness
For which I never can forgive myself.
Lieutenant-General! Yes — I have ambition.
Ne’er was I able to endure contempt. 65
It stung me to the quick, that birth and title
Should have more weight than merit has in the army.
I would fain not be meaner than my equal,
So in an evil hour I let myself
Be tempted to that measure — It was folly! 70
But yet so hard a penance it deserved not.
It might have been refused; but wherefore barb
And venom the refusal with contempt?
Why dash to earth and crush with heaviest scorn
The grey-haired man, the faithful veteran? 75
Why to the baseness of his parentage
Refer him with such cruel roughness, only
Because he had a weak hour and forgot himself?
But nature gives a sting e’en to the worm
Which wanton power treads on in sport and insult. 80
Octavio. You must have been calumniated. Guess you
The enemy, who did you this ill service?
Butler. Be’t who it will — a most low-hearted scoundrel,
Some vile court-minion must it be, some Spaniard,
Some young squire of some ancient family, 85
In whose light I may stand, some envious knave,
Stung to his soul by my fair self-earned honours!
Octavio. But tell me! Did the Duke approve that measure?
Butler. Himself impelled me to it, used his interest
In my behalf with all the warmth of friendship. 90
Octavio. Ay? Are you sure of that?
Butler. I read the letter.
Octavio. And so did I — but the contents were different.
By chance I’m in possession of that letter —
Can leave it to your own eyes to convince you.
[He gives him the letter.
Butler. Ha! what is this?
Octavio. I fear me, Colonel Butler, 95
An infamous game have they been playing with you.
The Duke, you say, impelled you to this measure?
Now, in this letter talks he in contempt
Concerning you, counsels the Minister
To give sound chastisement to your conceit, 100
For so he calls it.
[BUTLER reads through the letter, his knees tremble, he
seizes a chair, and sinks down in it.
You have no enemy, no persecutor;
There’s no one wishes ill to you. Ascribe
The insult you received to the Duke only.
His aim is clear and palpable. He wished 105
To tear you from your Emperor — he hoped
To gain from your revenge what he well knew
(What your long-tried fidelity convinced him)
He ne’er could dare expect from your calm reason.
A blind tool would he make you, in contempt 110
Use you, as means of most abandoned ends.
He has gained his point. Too well has he succeeded
In luring you away from that good path
On which you had been journeying forty years!
Butler. Can e’er the Emperor’s Majesty forgive me? 115
Octavio. More than forgive you. He would fain compensate
For that affront, and most unmerited grievance
Sustained by a deserving, gallant veteran.
From his free impulse he confirms the present,
Which the Duke made you for a wicked purpose. 120
The regiment, which you now command, is yours.
[BUTLER attempts to rise, sinks down again. He labours
inwardly with violent emotions; tries to speak,
and cannot. At length he takes his sword from the
belt, and offers it to PICCOLOMINI.
Octavio. What wish you? Recollect yourself, friend.
Butler. Take it.
Octavio. But to what purpose? Calm yourself.
Butler. O take it!
I am no longer worthy of this sword.
Octavio. Receive it then anew from my hands — and 125
Wear it with honour 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! 130
Octavio. Come after me to Frauenberg, where now
All who are loyal are assembling under
Counts Altringer and Galas. Many others
I’ve brought to a remembrance of their duty.
This night be sure that you escape from Pilsen. 135
Butler. Count Piccolomini! Dare that man speak
Of honour 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 honour!
Octavio. What’s your design?
Butler. Leave me and my regiment. 140
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 God
Ye give him over, not to his good angel! 145
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! — 150
Away! This is no longer a safe place for me!
Where can my son be tarrying?