MAX. (rushes on him suddenly and disarms him, then to Count Tertsky). Take him off to bed. [Max. leaves the stage. Illo cursing and raving is held back by some of the officers, and amidst a universal confusion the curtain drops, ACT. III.-SCENE I. SCENE.-A Chamber in Piccolomini's Mansion.It is Night. OCTAVIO PICCOLOMINI. A Valet de Chambre, with Lights. OCTAVIO. -And when my son comes in, conduct him hither. What is the hour? VALET. 'Tis on the point of morning. OCTAVIO. Set down the light. We mean not to undress. You may retire to sleep. [Exit Valet. Octavio paces, musing, across the chamber; Max. Piccolomini enters unobserved, and looks at his father for some moments in silence. VOL. III. Ꮮ MAX. Art thou offended with me? Heaven knows That odious business was no fault of mine. 'Tis true, indeed, I saw thy signature. What thou hadst sanctioned, should not, it might seem, Have come amiss to me. But 'tis my nature— OCTAVIO (goes up to him and embraces him). O follow it still further, my best son! To night, dear boy! it hath more faithfully MAX. Declare thyself less darkly. OCTAVIO. I will do so. For after what has taken place this night, [Both seat themselves. Max. Piccolomini! what thinkest thou of The oath that was sent round for signatures? I hold it for a thing of harmless import, Although I love not these set declarations. OCTAVIO. And on no other ground hast thou refused The signature they fain had wrested from thee? It was a serious business- -I was absent- Be open, Max. Thou hadst then no suspicion? MAX. Suspicion! what suspicion? Not the least. OCTAVIO. Thank thy good angel, Piccolomini : He drew thee back unconscious from the abyss. MAX. I know not what thou meanest. OCTAVIO. I will tell thee. Fain would they have extorted from thee, son, The sanction of thy name to villainy; Yea, with a single flourish of thy pen, Made thee renounce thy duty and thy honour! Octavio ! MAX. (rises). OCTAVIO. Patience! Seat yourself. Much yet Hast thou to hear from me, friend!-hast for years Lived in incomprehensible illusion. Before thine eyes is Treason drawing out No longer see thee wandering on in darkness, Nor pluck the bandage from thine eyes. Yet, ere thou speakest, a moment's pause of thought! If your disclosures should appear to be Conjectures only-and almost I fear They will be nothing further-spare them! I That I could listen to them quietly. OCTAVIO. The deeper cause thou hast to hate this light, To force it on thee. To the innocence And wisdom of thy heart I could have trusted thee With calm assurance-but I see the net Preparing and it is thy heart itself Alarms me for thine innocence-that secret, [fixing his eye steadfastly on his son's face. Which thou concealest, forces mine from me, [Max. attempts to answer but hesitates, and casts his eyes to the ground embarrassed. |