The Piccolomini: A Play

Changes to a spacious chamber in the house of the Duke of Friedland. Servants employed in putting the tables and chairs in order. During this enters SENI, like an old Italian doctor, in black, and clothed somewhat fantastically. He carries a white staff, with which he marks out the quarters of the heavens.

First Servant. Come--to it, lads, to it! Make an end of it. I hear the sentry call out, "Stand to your arms!" They will be here in a minute.

Second Servant. Why were we not told before that the audience would be held here? Nothing prepared--no orders--no instructions.

Third Servant. Ay, and why was the balcony chamber countermanded, that with the great worked carpet? There one can look about one.

First Servant. Nay, that you must ask the mathematician there. He says it is an unlucky chamber.

Second Servant. Poh! stuff and nonsense! that's what I call a hum. A chamber is a chamber; what much can the place signify in the affair?

Seni. (with gravity) My son, there's nothing insignificant, Nothing! But yet in every earthly thing, First and most principal is place and time.

First Servant. (to the second) Say nothing to him, Nat. The duke himself must let him have his own will.

Seni. (counts the chairs, half in a loud, half in a low voice, till he comes to eleven, which he repeats) Eleven! an evil number! Set twelve chairs. Twelve! twelve signs hath the zodiac: five and seven, The holy numbers, include themselves in twelve.

Second Servant. And what may you have to object against eleven? I should like to know that now.

Seni. Eleven is transgression; eleven oversteps The ten commandments.

Second Servant. That's good? and why do you call five a holy number?

Seni. Five is the soul of man: for even as man Is mingled up of good and evil, so The five is the first number that's made up Of even and odd.

Second Servant. The foolish old coxcomb!

First Servant. Ay! let him alone though. I like to hear him; there is more in his words than can be seen at first sight.

Third Servant. Off, they come.

Second Servant. There! Out at the side-door.

[They hurry off: SENI follows slowly. A page brings the staff of command on a red cushion, and places it on the table, near the duke's chair. They are announced from without, and the wings of the door fly open.