The Piccolomini: A Play

An old Gothic Chamber in the Council-House at Pilsen, decorated with Colors and other War Insignia.

ILLO, with BUTLER and ISOLANI.

Illo. Ye have come too late-but ye are come! The distance, Count Isolani, excuses your delay.

Isolani. Add this too, that we come not empty-handed. At Donauwerth [1] it was reported to us, A Swedish caravan was on its way, Transporting a rich cargo of provision, Almost six hundreds wagons. This my Croats Plunged down upon and seized, this weighty prize!-- We bring it hither----

Illo. Just in time to banquet The illustrious company assembled here.

Butler. 'Tis all alive! a stirring scene here!

Isolani. Ay! The very churches are full of soldiers. [Casts his eye round. And in the council-house, too, I observe, You're settled quite at home! Well, well! we soldiers Must shift and suit us in what way we can.

Illo. We have the colonels here of thirty regiments. You'll find Count Terzky here, and Tiefenbach, Kolatto, Goetz, Maradas, Hinnersam, The Piccolomini, both son and father-- You'll meet with many an unexpected greeting From many an old friend and acquaintance. Only Gallas is wanting still, and Altringer.

Butler. Expect not Gallas.

Illo. (hesitating) How so? Do you know----

Isolani. (interrupting him) Max. Piccolomini here? O bring me to him. I see him yet ('tis now ten years ago, We were engaged with Mansfeldt hard by Dessau), I see the youth, in my mind's eye I see him, Leap his black war-horse from the bridge adown, And t'ward his father, then in extreme peril, Beat up against the strong tide of the Elbe. The down was scarce upon his chin! I hear He has made good the promise of his youth, And the full hero now is finished in him.

Illo. You'll see him yet ere evening. He conducts The Duchess Friedland hither, and the princess [2] From Caernthen [3]. We expect them here at noon.

Butler. Both wife and daughter does the duke call hither? He crowds in visitants from all sides.

Isolani. Hm! So much the better! I had framed my mind To hear of naught but warlike circumstance, Of marches and attacks, and batteries; And lo! the duke provides, and something too Of gentler sort and lovely, should be present To feast our eyes.

Illo. (who has been standing in the attitude of meditation, to BUTLER, whom he leads a little on one side) And how came you to know That the Count Gallas joins us not?

Butler. Because He importuned me to remain behind.

Illo. (with warmth) And you? You hold out firmly! [Grasping his hand with affection. Noble Butler!

Butler. After the obligation which the duke Had laid so newly on me----

Illo. I had forgotten A pleasant duty--major-general, I wish you joy!

Isolani. What, you mean, of this regiment? I hear, too, that to make the gift still sweeter, The duke has given him the very same In which he first saw service, and since then Worked himself step by step, through each preferment, From the ranks upwards. And verily, it gives A precedent of hope, a spur of action To the whole corps, if once in their remembrance An old deserving soldier makes his way.

Butler. I am perplexed and doubtful whether or no I dare accept this your congratulation. The emperor has not yet confirmed the appointment.

Isolani. Seize it, friend, seize it! The hand which in that post Placed you is strong enough to keep you there, Spite of the emperor and his ministers!

Illo. Ay, if we would but so consider it!-- If we would all of us consider it so! The emperor gives us nothing; from the duke Comes all--whate'er we hope, whate'er we have.

Isolani. (to ILLO) My noble brother! did I tell you how The duke will satisfy my creditors? Will be himself my bankers for the future, Make me once more a creditable man! And this is now the third time, think of that! This kingly-minded man has rescued me From absolute ruin and restored my honor.

Illo. Oh that his power but kept pace with his wishes! Why, friend! he'd give the whole world to his soldiers. But at Vienna, brother!--here's the grievance,-- What politic schemes do they not lay to shorten His arm, and where they can to clip his pinions. Then these new dainty requisitions! these Which this same Questenberg brings hither!

Butler. Ay! Those requisitions of the emperor-- I too have heard about them; but I hope The duke will not draw back a single inch!

Illo. Not from his right most surely, unless first From office!

Butler. (shocked and confused) Know you aught then? You alarm me.

Isolani. (at the same time with BUTLER, and in a hurrying voice) We should be ruined, every one of us!

Illo. Yonder I see our worthy friend [spoken with a sneer] approaching With the Lieutenant-General Piccolomini.

Butler. (shaking his head significantly) I fear we shall not go hence as we came.