The Complete Poetical Works of Samuel Taylor Coleridge Volume II Part 66

_Octavio._ I have laid open my objections to him, 190 Dissuaded him with pressing earnestness; But my abhorrence, the full sentiment Of my whole heart--that I have still kept sacred To my own consciousness.

_Max._ And thou hast been So treacherous? That looks not like my father! 195 I trusted not thy words, when thou didst tell me Evil of him; much less can I now do it, That thou calumniatest thy own self.

_Octavio._ I did not thrust myself into his secrecy.

_Max._ Uprightness merited his confidence. 200

_Octavio._ He was no longer worthy of sincerity.

_Max._ Dissimulation, sure, was still less worthy Of thee, Octavio!

_Octavio._ Gave I him a cause To entertain a scruple of my honour?

_Max._ That he did not, evinced his confidence. 205

_Octavio._ Dear son, it is not always possible Still to preserve that infant purity Which the voice teaches in our inmost heart.

Still in alarm, for ever on the watch Against the wiles of wicked men, e'en Virtue 210 Will sometimes bear away her outward robes Soiled in the wrestle with Iniquity.

This is the curse of every evil deed, That, propagating still, it brings forth evil.

I do not cheat my better soul with sophisms: 215 I but perform my orders; the Emperor Prescribes my conduct to me. Dearest boy, Far better were it, doubtless, if we all Obeyed the heart at all times; but so doing, In this our present sojourn with bad men, 220 We must abandon many an honest object.

'Tis now our call to serve the Emperor, By what means he can best be served--the heart May whisper what it will--this is our call!

_Max._ It seems a thing appointed, that to-day 225 I should not comprehend, not understand thee.

The Duke thou say'st did honestly pour out His heart to thee, but for an evil purpose; And thou dishonestly hast cheated him For a good purpose! Silence, I entreat thee-- 230 My friend thou stealest not from me-- Let me not lose my father!

_Octavio._ As yet thou know'st not all, my son. I have Yet somewhat to disclose to thee. [_After a pause._ Duke Friedland Hath made his preparations. He relies 235 Upon his stars. He deems us unprovided, And thinks to fall upon us by surprise.

Yea, in his dream of hope, he grasps already The golden circle in his hand. He errs.

We too have been in action--he but grasps 240 His evil fate, most evil, most mysterious!

_Max._ O nothing rash, my sire! By all that's good Let me invoke thee--no precipitation!

_Octavio._ With light tread stole he on his evil way, With light tread hath Vengeance stole on after him. 245 Unseen she stands already, dark behind him-- But one step more--he shudders in her grasp!

Thou hast seen Questenberg with me. As yet Thou know'st but his ostensible commission; He brought with him a private one, my son! 250 And that was for me only.

_Max._ May I know it?

_Octavio (seizes the patent)._ Max! [_A pause._ ----In this disclosure place I in thy hands The Empire's welfare and thy father's life.

Dear to thy inmost heart is Wallenstein: A powerful tie of love, of veneration, 255 Hath knit thee to him from thy earliest youth.

Thou nourishest the wish.--O let me still Antic.i.p.ate thy loitering confidence!

The hope thou nourishest to knit thyself Yet closer to him----

_Max._ Father----

_Octavio._ O my son! 260 I trust thy heart undoubtingly. But am I Equally sure of thy collectedness?

Wilt thou be able, with calm countenance, To enter this man's presence, when that I Have trusted to thee his whole fate?

_Max._ According 265 As thou dost trust me, father, with his crime.

[_OCTAVIO takes a paper out of his escrutoire, and gives it to him._

_Max._ What? how? a full Imperial patent!

_Octavio._ Read it.

_Max (just glances on it)._ Duke Friedland sentenced and condemned!

_Octavio._ Even so.

_Max (throws down the paper)._ O this is too much! O unhappy error! 270

_Octavio._ Read on. Collect thyself.

_Max (after he has read further, with a look of affright and astonishment on his father)._ How! what! Thou! thou!

_Octavio._ But for the present moment, till the King Of Hungary may safely join the army, Is the command a.s.signed to me.

_Max._ And think'st thou, Dost thou believe, that thou wilt tear it from him? 275 O never hope it!--Father! father! father!

An inauspicious office is enjoined thee.

This paper here--this! and wilt thou enforce it?

The mighty in the middle of his host, Surrounded by his thousands, him would'st thou 280 Disarm--degrade! Thou art lost, both thou and all of us.

_Octavio._ What hazard I incur thereby, I know.

In the great hand of G.o.d I stand. The Almighty Will cover with his shield the Imperial house, And shatter, in his wrath, the work of darkness. 285 The Emperor hath true servants still; and even Here in the camp, there are enough brave men, Who for the good cause will fight gallantly.

The faithful have been warned--the dangerous Are closely watched. I wait but the first step, 290 And then immediately----

_Max._ What! on suspicion?

Immediately?

_Octavio._ The Emperor is no tyrant.

The deed alone he'll punish, not the wish.

The Duke hath yet his destiny in his power.

Let him but leave the treason uncompleted, 295 He will be silently displaced from office, And make way to his Emperor's royal son.

An honourable exile to his castles Will be a benefaction to him rather Than punishment. But the first open step---- 300

_Max._ What callest thou such a step? A wicked step Ne'er will he take; but thou mightest easily, Yea, thou hast done it, misinterpret him.

_Octavio._ Nay, howsoever punishable were Duke Friedland's purposes, yet still the steps 305 Which he hath taken openly, permit A mild construction. It is my intention To leave this paper wholly uninforced Till some act is committed which convicts him Of a high-treason, without doubt or plea, 310 And that shall sentence him.

_Max._ But who the judge?

_Octavio._ Thyself.

_Max._ For ever, then, this paper will lie idle.

_Octavio._ Too soon, I fear, its powers must all be proved.

After the counter-promise of this evening, 315 It cannot be but he must deem himself Secure of the majority with us; And of the army's general sentiment He hath a pleasing proof in that pet.i.tion Which thou delivered'st to him from the regiments. 320 Add this too--I have letters that the Rhinegrave Hath changed his route, and travels by forced marches To the Bohemian Forest. What this purports, Remains unknown; and, to confirm suspicion, This night a Swedish n.o.bleman arrived here. 325

_Max._ I have thy word. Thou'lt not proceed to action Before thou hast convinced me--me myself.

_Octavio._ Is it possible? Still, after all thou know'st, Canst thou believe still in his innocence?