The Complete Poetical Works of Samuel Taylor Coleridge Volume II Part 43

_Questenberg._ Where must we seek then for a second host 5 To have the custody of this? That Illo Thinks worse, I fear me, than he speaks. And then This Butler too--he cannot even conceal The pa.s.sionate workings of his ill intentions.

_Octavio._ Quickness of temper--irritated pride; 10 'Twas nothing more. I cannot give up Butler.

I know a spell that will soon dispossess The evil spirit in him.

_Questenberg._ Friend, friend!

O! this is worse, far worse, than we had suffered Ourselves to dream of at Vienna. There 15 We saw it only with a courtier's eyes, Eyes dazzled by the splendour of the throne.

We had not seen the War-Chief, the Commander, The man all-powerful in his camp. Here, here, 'Tis quite another thing. 20 Here is no Emperor more--the Duke is Emperor.

Alas, my friend! alas, my n.o.ble friend!

This walk which you have ta'en me through the camp Strikes my hopes prostrate.

_Octavio._ Now you see yourself Of what a perilous kind the office is, 25 Which you deliver to me from the Court.

The least suspicion of the General Costs me my freedom and my life, and would But hasten his most desperate enterprise.

_Questenberg._ Where was our reason sleeping when we trusted 30 This madman with the sword, and placed such power In such a hand? I tell you, he'll refuse, Flatly refuse, to obey the Imperial orders.

Friend, he can do 't, and what he can, he will.

And then the impunity of his defiance-- 35 O! what a proclamation of our weakness!

_Octavio._ D'ye think too, he has brought his wife and daughter Without a purpose hither? Here in camp!

And at the very point of time, in which We're arming for the war? That he has taken 40 These, the last pledges of his loyalty, Away from out the Emperor's domains-- This is no doubtful token of the nearness Of some eruption!

_Questenberg._ How shall we hold footing Beneath this tempest, which collects itself 45 And threats us from all quarters? The enemy Of the empire on our borders, now already The master of the Danube, and still farther, And farther still, extending every hour!

In our interior the alarum-bells 50 Of insurrection--peasantry in arms---- 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, 55 Loosened, and rent asunder from the state And from their sovereign, the blind instrument Of the most daring of mankind, a weapon Of fearful power, which at his will he wields!

_Octavio._ Nay, nay, friend! let us not despair too soon, 60 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 knew not of, Let but a single honest man speak out 65 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, And daily it becomes more numerous. 70 Nor can he take us by surprise: you know, I hold him all-encompa.s.sed by my listeners.

Whate'er he does, is mine, even while 'tis doing-- No step so small, but instantly I hear it; Yea, his own mouth discloses it.

_Questenberg._ 'Tis quite 75 Incomprehensible, that he detects not The foe so near!

_Octavio._ Beware, you do not think, That I by lying arts, and complaisant Hypocrisy, have skulked into his graces: Or with the sustenance of smooth professions 80 Nourish his all-confiding friendship! No-- Compelled alike by prudence, and that duty Which we all owe our country, and our sovereign, To hide my genuine feelings from him, yet Ne'er have I duped him with base counterfeits! 85

_Questenberg._ It is the visible ordinance of heaven.

_Octavio._ I know not what it is that so attracts And links him both to me and to my son.

Comrades and friends we always were--long habit, Adventurous deeds performed in company, 90 And all those many and various incidents Which store a soldier's memory with affections, Had bound us long and early to each other-- Yet I can name the day, when all at once His heart rose on me, and his confidence 95 Shot out in sudden growth. It was the morning Before the memorable fight at Lutzner.

Urged by an ugly dream, I sought him out, To press him to accept another charger.

At distance from the tents, beneath a tree, 100 I found him in a sleep. When I had waked him, And had related all my bodings to him, Long time he stared upon me, like a man Astounded; thereon fell upon my neck, And manifested to me an emotion 105 That far outstripped the worth of that small service.

Since then his confidence has followed me With the same pace that mine has fled from him.

_Questenberg._ You lead your son into the secret?

_Octavio._ No!

_Questenberg._ What? and not warn him either what bad hands 110 His lot has placed him in?

_Octavio._ I must perforce Leave him in wardship to his innocence.

His young and open soul--dissimulation Is foreign to its habits! Ignorance Alone can keep alive the cheerful air, 115 The unembarra.s.sed sense and light free spirit, That make the Duke secure.

_Questenberg._ My honoured friend! most highly do I deem Of Colonel Piccolomini--yet--if---- Reflect a little----

_Octavio._ I must venture it. 120 Hush!--There he comes!

LINENOTES:

[Before 1] _Questenberg (with signs of aversion and astonishment)._ 1817, 1828, 1829.

[13] _him_ 1800, 1828, 1829.

_Questenberg (walking up and down in evident disquiet)._ Friend, &c.

1817, 1828, 1829.

[34] _can_ 1800, 1828, 1829.

[59] _he_ 1800, 1828, 1829.

[64] knew] wot 1800, 1828, 1829.

[84] _genuine_ 1800.

[95] _rose_ 1800, 1828, 1829.

[118] _Questenberg (anxiously)._ My honoured, &c. 1800, 1828, 1829.

SCENE IV

_MAX PICCOLOMINI, OCTAVIO PICCOLOMINI, QUESTENBERG._

_Max._ Ha! there he is himself. Welcome, my father!

You are engaged, I see. I'll not disturb you.

_Octavio._ How, Max? Look closer at this visitor; Attention, Max, an old friend merits--Reverence Belongs of right to the envoy of your sovereign. 5

_Max._ Von Questenberg!--Welcome--if you bring with you Aught good to our head quarters.

_Questenberg (seizing his hand)._ Nay, draw not Your hand away, Count Piccolomini!

Not on mine own account alone I seized it, And nothing common will I say therewith. 10

[_Taking the hands of both._

Octavio--Max Piccolomini!

O saviour names, and full of happy omen!

Ne'er will her prosperous genius turn from Austria, While two such stars, with blessed influences Beaming protection, shine above her hosts. 15

_Max._ Heh!--n.o.ble minister! You miss your part.

You came not here to act a panegyric.

You're sent, I know, to find fault and to scold us-- I must not be beforehand with my comrades.