OCTAVIO.

Whether, Count,
That right is mine, this paper may, instruct you.

ISOLANI (stammering).

Why,—­why—­what! this is the Emperor’s hand and seal! [Reads.]
“Whereas, the officers collectively
Throughout our army will obey the orders
Of the Lieutenant-General Piccolomini. 
As from ourselves.”—­Hem—­Yes! so I—­
Yes! yes!—­
I—­I give you joy, Lieutenant-General!

OCTAVIO.

And you submit you to the order?

ISOLANI.

I—­
But you have taken me so by surprise—­
Time for reflection one must have—­

OCTAVIO.

Two minutes.

ISOLANI.

My God!  But then the case is—­

OCTAVIO.

Plain and simple
You must declare you, whether you determine
To act a treason ’gainst your Lord and Sovereign,
Or whether you will serve him faithfully.

ISOLANI.

Treason!—­My God!—­But who talks then of
treason?

OCTAVIO.

That is the case.  The Prince-duke is a traitor—­
Means to lead over to the enemy
The Emperor’s army.—­Now, Count!—­brief
and full—­
Say, will you break your oath to the Emperor? 
Sell yourself to the enemy?—­Say, will you?

ISOLANI.

What mean you?  I—­I break my oath, d’ye say,
To his Imperial Majesty? 
Did I say so!—­When, when have I said that?

OCTAVIO.

You have not said it yet—­not yet.  This instant
I wait to hear, Count, whether you will say it.

ISOLANI.

Ay! that delights me now, that you yourself
Bear witness for me that I never said so.

OCTAVIO.

And you renounce the Duke then?

ISOLANI.

If he’s planning
Treason—­why, treason breaks all bonds
asunder.

OCTAVIO.

And are determined, too, to fight against him?

ISOLANI.

He has done me service—­but if he’s a villain,
Perdition seize him!—­All scores are rubb’d off.

OCTAVIO.

I am rejoiced that you are so well disposed. 
This night, break off in the utmost secrecy
With all the light-arm’d troops—­it must appear
As came the order from the Duke himself. 
At Frauenburg’s the place of rendezvous;
There will Count Gallas give you further orders.

ISOLANI.

It shall be done.-But you’ll remember me
With the Emperor—­how well-disposed you
found me.

OCTAVIO.

I will not fail to mention it honorably.

[Exit ISOLANI. A Servant enters.]

What, Colonel Butler!—­Show him up.

ISOLANI (returning).

Forgive me too my bearish ways, old father! 
Lord God! how should I know, then, what a great
Person I had before me.

OCTAVIO. 
                        No excuses!