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 prefer

ment,

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 banker 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 honour.
ILLO.

O 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.

These requisitions of the Emperor,—

Ay !

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.

No more!

Yonder I see our worthy friend* approaching
With the Lieutenant-General, Piccolomini.

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

SCENE II.

Enter OCTAVIO PICCOLOMINI and QUESTENBERG.
OCTAVIO (still in the distance).

Ay, ay! more still! Still more new visitors!
Acknowledge, friend! that never was a camp,
Which held at once so many heads of heroes.

[Approaching nearer.

Welcome, Count Isolani!

ISOLANI.

My noble brother,

Even now am I arrived; it had been else my duty

OCTAVIO.

And Colonel Butler-trust me, I rejoice

Spoken with a sneer.

Thus to renew acquaintance with a man
Whose worth and services I know and honour.
See, see, my friend!

There might we place at once before our eyes
The sum of war's whole trade and mystery-

[To Questenberg, presenting Butler and Isolani
at the same time to him.

These two the total sum-Strength and Dispatch. QUESTENBERG (to Octavio).

And lo! betwixt them both experienced Prudence! OCTAVIO (presenting Questenberg to Butler and Isolani).

The Chamberlain and War-commissioner Questenberg,

The bearer of the Emperor's behests,

The long-tried friend and patron of all soldiers,

We honour in this noble visitor.

[Universal silence.

ILLO (moving towards Questenberg).

"Tis not the first time, noble Minister,

You have shewn our camp this honour.

QUESTENBERG.

Once before

I stood before these colours.

ILLO.

Perchance too you remember where that was.

It was at Znäim* in Moravia, where

You did present yourself upon the part
Of the Emperor, to supplicate our Duke

That he would straight assume the chief command.
QUESTENBERG.

To supplicate? Nay, noble General !

So far extended neither my commission

(At least to my own knowledge) nor my zeal.
ILLO.

Well, well, then-to compel him, if you chuse.
I can remember me right well, Count Tilly
Had suffered total rout upon the Lech.
Bavaria lay all open to the enemy,

Whom there was nothing to delay from pressing
Onwards into the very heart of Austria.
At that time you and Werdenberg appeared
Before our General, storming him with prayers,
And menacing the Emperor's displeasure,
Unless he took compassion on this wretchedness.
ISOLANI (steps up to them).

Yes, yes, 'tis comprehensible enough,
Wherefore with your commission of to-day
You were not all too willing to remember
Your former one.

* A town not far from the Mine-mountains, on the high road from Vienna to Prague.