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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,

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