The Complete Poetical Works of Samuel Taylor Coleridge
Chapter 229 : [22] _His . . . his_ 1800, 1828, 1829.[25] _His . . . his_ 1800, 1828, 1829. _Countess

[22] _His . . . his_ 1800, 1828, 1829.

[25] _His . . . his_ 1800, 1828, 1829. _Countess (looks at her, as scrutinizing)._ 1800, 1828, 1829. _false_ 1800, 1828, 1829.

[28] _Thekla (interrupting her, and attempting to soothe her)._ 1800, 1828, 1829.

[58] _his_ 1800, 1828, 1829.

[74] _is_ 1800, 1828, 1829.

[76] _him_ 1800, 1828, 1829.

[78] _Him_ 1800, 1828, 1829.

[81] _His_ Present--_his_ 1800, 1828, 1829.

[88] _My_ 1800, 1828, 1829.

[103] _if_ 1800, 1828, 1829.

[Before 106] _Thekla (who during the last speech had been standing evidently lost in her reflections)._ 1800, 1828, 1829.

[111] covenant] couvenant 1800.

[126] a] and 1800, 1828, 1829.

SCENE VIII

_A large Saloon lighted up with festal Splendour; in the midst of it, and in the Centre of the Stage, a Table richly set out, at which eight_ Generals _are sitting, among whom are OCTAVIO PICCOLOMINI, TERTSKY, and MARADAS. Right and left of this, but farther back, two other Tables, at each of which six Persons are placed. The Middle Door, which is standing open, gives to the Prospect a Fourth Table, with the same Number of Persons. More forward stands the sideboard. The whole front of the Stage is kept open for the Pages and Servants in waiting. All is in Motion.

The Band of Music belonging to Tertsky's Regiment march across the Stage, and draw up round the Tables. Before they are quite off from the Front of the Stage, MAX PICCOLOMINI appears, TERTSKY advances towards him with a Paper, ISOLANI comes up to meet him with a Beaker or Service-cup._

_TERTSKY, ISOLANI, MAX PICCOLOMINI._

_Isolani._ Here brother, what we love! Why, where hast been?

Off to thy place--quick! Tertsky here has given The mother's holiday wine up to free booty.

Here it goes on as at the Heidelberg castle.

Already hast thou lost the best. They're giving 5 At yonder table ducal crowns in shares; There's Sternberg's lands and chattels are put up, With Egenberg's, Stawata's, Lichtenstein's, And all the great Bohemian feodalities.

Be nimble, lad! and something may turn up 10 For thee--who knows? off--to thy place! quick! march!

_Tiefenbach and Goetz (call out from the second and third tables)._ Count Piccolomini!

_Tertsky._ Stop, ye shall have him in an instant.--Read This oath here, whether as 'tis here set forth, The wording satisfies you. They've all read it, 15 Each in his turn, and each one will subscribe His individual signature.

_Max (reads)._ 'Ingratis servire nefas.'

_Isolani._ That sounds to my ears very much like Latin, And being interpreted, pray what may't mean?

_Tertsky._ No honest man will serve a thankless master. 20

_Max._ 'Inasmuch as our supreme Commander, the ill.u.s.trious Duke of Friedland, in consequence of the manifold affronts and grievances which he has received, had expressed his determination to quit the Emperor, but on our unanimous entreaty has graciously consented to remain still with the army, and not to 25 part from us without our approbation thereof, so we, collectively and _each in particular_, in the stead of an oath personally taken, do hereby oblige ourselves--likewise by him honourably and faithfully to hold, and in nowise whatsoever from him to part, and to be ready to shed for his interests the last drop of 30 our blood, so far, namely, as _our oath to the Emperor will permit it_. (_These last words are repeated by ISOLANI._) In testimony of which we subscribe our names.'

_Tertsky._ Now!--are you willing to subscribe this paper?

_Isolani._ Why should he not? All officers of honour 35 Can do it, aye, must do it.--Pen and ink here!

_Tertsky._ Nay, let it rest till after meal.

_Isolani (drawing Max along)._ Come, Max.

[_Both seat themselves at their table._

LINENOTES:

[9] feodalities] feodalties 1800.

SCENE IX

_TERTSKY, NEUMANN._

_Tertsky (beckons to Neumann who is waiting at the side-table, and steps forward with him to the edge of the stage)._ Have you the copy with you, Neumann? Give it.

It may be changed for the other?

_Neumann._ I have copied it Letter by letter, line by line; no eye Would e'er discover other difference, Save only the omission of that clause, 5 According to your Excellency's order.

_Tertsky._ Right! lay it yonder, and away with this-- It has performed its business--to the fire with it--

_NEUMANN lays the copy on the table and steps back again to the side-table._

SCENE X

_ILLO (comes out from the second chamber), TERTSKY._

_Illo._ How goes it with young Piccolomini?

_Tertsky._ All right, I think. He has started no objection.

_Illo._ He is the only one I fear about-- He and his father. Have an eye on both!

_Tertsky._ How looks it at your table: you forget not 5 To keep them warm and stirring?

_Illo._ O, quite cordial, They are quite cordial in the scheme. We have them.

And 'tis as I predicted too. Already It is the talk, not merely to maintain The Duke in station. 'Since we're once for all 10 Together and unanimous, why not,'

Says Montecuculi, 'aye, why not onward, And make conditions with the Emperor There in his own Vienna?' Trust me, Count, Were it not for these said Piccolomini, 15 We might have spared ourselves the cheat.

_Tertsky._ And Butler?