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OCTAVIO PICCOLOMINI enters in conversation with MARADAS, and both place

themselves quite on the edge of the stage on one side of the proscenium.

On the side directly opposite, MAX PICCOLOMINI, by himself, lost in

thought, and taking no part in any thing that is going forward. The

middle space between both, but rather more distant from the edge of the

stage, is filled up by BUTLER, ISOLANI, GOETZ, TIEFENBACH, and KOLATTO.

Isolani (while the company is coming forward). Good night,

good night, Kolatto! Good night, Lieutenant-General! — I should

rather say, good morning.

Goetz (to Tiefenbach). Noble brother!

Tiefenbach. Ay! ‘twas a royal feast indeed. 5

Goetz. Yes, my Lady Countess understands these matters.

Her motherin-law, heaven rest her soul, taught her! — Ah!

that was a housewife for you!

Tiefenbach. There was not her like in all Bohemia for setting

out a table. 10

Octavio (aside to Maradas). Do me the favour to talk to

me — talk of what you will — or of nothing. Only preserve the

appearance at least of talking. I would not wish to stand by

myself, and yet I conjecture that there will be goings on here

worthy of our attentive observation. 15

Isolani (on the point of going). Lights! lights!

Tertsky (advances with the paper to Isolani). Noble brother!

two minutes longer! — Here is something to subscribe.

Isolani. Subscribe as much as you like — but you must excuse

me from reading it. 20

Tertsky. There is no need. It is the oath which you have

already read. — Only a few marks of your pen!

[ISOLANI hands over the paper to OCTAVIO respectfully.

Tertsky. Nay, nay, first come first served. There is no

precedence here.

[OCTAVIO runs over the paper with apparent indifference.

TERTSKY watches him at some distance.

Goetz (to Tertsky). Noble Count! with your 25

permission — Good night.

Tertsky. Where’s the hurry? Come, one other composing

draught. (To the Servants) — Ho!

Goetz. Excuse me — an’t able.

Tertsky. A thimble-full! 30

Goetz. Excuse me.

Tiefenbach (sits down). Pardon me, nobles! — This standing

does not agree with me.

Tertsky. Consult only your own convenience, General!

Tiefenbach. Clear at head, sound in stomach — only my legs 35

won’t carry me any longer.

Isolani. Poor legs! how should they? Such an unmerciful

load!

[OCTAVIO subscribes his name, and reaches over the paper

to TERTSKY, who gives it to ISOLANI; and he goes to

the table to sign his name.

Tiefenbach. ‘Twas that war in Pomerania that first brought

it on. Out in all weathers — ice and snow — no help for it. — I 40

shall never get the better of it all the days of my life.

Goetz. Why, in simple verity, your Swede makes no nice

enquiries about the season.

Tertsky (observing Isolani, whose hand trembles excessively, so

that he can scarce direct his pen). Have you had that ugly

complaint long, noble brother? — Dispatch it. 45

Isolani. The sins of youth! I have already tried the

Chalybeate waters. Well — I must bear it.

[TERTSKY gives the paper to MARADAS; he steps to the

table to subscribe.

Octavio (advancing to Butler). You are not over fond of the

orgies of Bacchus, Colonel! I have observed it. You would, I

think, find yourself more to your liking in the uproar of a

battle, 50

than of a feast.

Butler. I must confess, ‘tis not in my way.

Octavio. Nor in mine either, I can assure you; and I am not

a little glad, my much honoured Colonel Butler, that we agree

so well in our opinions. A half dozen good friends at most, 55

at a small round table, a glass of genuine Tokay, open hearts,

and a rational conversation — that’s my taste!

Butler. And mine too, when it can be had.

[The paper comes to TIEFENBACH, who glances over it at

the same time with GOETZ and KOLATTO. MARADAS in

the mean time returns to OCTAVIO, all this takes

place, the conversation with BUTLER proceeding

uninterrupted.

Octavio (introducing Maradas to Butler). Don Balthasar

Maradas! likewise a man of our stamp, and long ago your admirer. 60

[BUTLER bows.

Octavio (continuing). You are a stranger here—’twas but

yesterday you arrived — you are ignorant of the ways and means

here. ‘Tis a wretched place — I know, at our age, one loves to

be snug and quiet — What if you moved your lodgings? — Come,

be my visitor. (BUTLER makes a low bow.) Nay, without 65

compliment! — For a friend like you, I have still a corner

remaining.

Butler. Your obliged humble servant, my Lord

Lieutenant-General!

[The paper comes to BUTLER, who goes to the table to

subscribe it. The front of the stage is vacant,

so that both the PICCOLOMINIS, each on the side

where he had been from the commencement of the

scene, remain alone.

Octavio (after having some time watched his son in silence, advances

somewhat nearer to him). You were long absent from us,

friend! 70

Max. I —— urgent business detained me.

Octavio. And, I observe, you are still absent!

Max. You know this crowd and bustle always makes me

silent. 75

Octavio. May I be permitted to ask what business ‘twas that

detained you? Tertsky knows it without asking!

Max. What does Tertsky know?

Octavio. He was the only one who did not miss you.

Isolani. Well done, father! Rout out his baggage! Beat 80

up his quarters! there is something there that should not be.

Tertsky (with the paper). Is there none wanting? Have the

whole subscribed?

Octavio. All.

Tertsky (calling aloud). Ho! Who subscribes? 85

Butler (to Tertsky). Count the names. There ought to be

just thirty.

Tertsky. Here is a cross.

Tiefenbach. That’s my mark.

Isolani. He cannot write; but his cross is a good cross, and 90

is honoured by Jews as well as Christians.

Octavio (presses on to Max). Come, general! let us go. It is late.

Tertsky. One Piccolomini only has signed.

Isolani (pointing to Max). Look! that is your man, that statue

there, who has had neither eye, ear, nor tongue for us the 95

whole evening.

[MAX receives the paper from TERTSKY, which he looks

upon vacantly.

[After 4] (making the usual compliment after meals) 1800, 1828, 1829.

[After 15] [He continues to fix his eye on the whole following scene.

1800, 1828, 1829.

should 1800, 1828, 1829.

[Before 53] Octavio (stepping nearer to him friendlily). 1800, 1828,

1829.

[Before 68] Butler (coldly). 1800, 1828, 1829.

[Before 76] Octavio (advancing still nearer). 1800, 1828, 1829.

[Before 80] Isolani (who has been attending to them from some distance,

steps up). 1800, 1828, 1829.