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, than of a feast.

BUTLER.

I must confess, 'tis not in my way.

OCTAVIO. (stepping nearer to him friendlily,) 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, 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. (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 compliment!-For a friend like you, I have still a corner remaining.

BUTLER. (coldly.)

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!

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.

OCTAVIO, (advancing still nearer.)

May I be permitted to ask what the business was 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. (who has been attending to them from some distance, steps up.) Well done, father! Rout out his baggage! Beat up his quarters! there is something there that should not be.

TERTSKY. (with the paper.)

Is there none wanting? Have the whole subscribed?

All.

OCTAVIO.

TERTSKY. (calling aloud.)

Ho! Who subscribes ?

He cannot write; but his cross is a good cross,

and 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 whole evening. (Max, receives the paper from Tertsky, which he looks upon vacantly.)

SCENE XIV.

(To these enter ILLO from the inner room.

He has in

his hand the golden service-cup, and is extremely distempered with drinking: GOETZ and BUTLER follow him, endeavouring to keep him back.)

What do

you

ILLO.

want? Let me go.

GOETZ and BUTLER.

Drink no more, Illo! For heaven's sake, drink

no more.

ILLO. (goes up to Octavio, and shakes him cordially by the hand, and then drinks.)

Octavio! I bring this to you! Let all grudge be drowned in this friendly bowl! I know well enough, ye never loved me-Devil take me!-and I never loved you! I am always even with people in that way!-Let what's past be past-that is, you understand-forgotten! I esteem you infinitely. (em

bracing him repeatedly.) You have not a dearer friend on earth than I-but that you know. The fellow that cries rogue to you calls me villain-and I'll strangle him!-my dear friend!

TERTSKY. (whispering to him.)

Art in thy senses? For heaven's sake, Illo! think where you are.

ILLO. (aloud.)

What do you mean?—There are none but friends here, are there! (looks round the whole circle with a jolly and triumphant air.) Not a sneaker among us thank heaven!

TERTSKY. (to Butler, eagerly.)

Take him off with you, force him off, I entreat you, Butler !

BUTLER. (to Illo.)

Field Marshal! a word with you. (leads him to the side-board.)

ILLO. (cordially.)

A thousand for one; Fill-Fill it once more up to the brim.-To this gallant man's health!

ISOLANI. (to Max. who all the while has been

staring on the paper with fixed but vacant eyes.) Slow and sure, my noble brother?-Hast parsed it all yet?-Some words yet to go through ?-Ha? MAX. (waking as from a dream.)

What am I to do?