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The Piccolomini

Год написания книги
2017
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Adventurous deeds performed in company,
And all those many and various incidents
Which stores a soldier's memory with affections,
Had bound us long and early to each other —
Yet I can name the day, when all at once
His heart rose on me, and his confidence
Shot out into sudden growth. It was the morning
Before the memorable fight at Luetzen.
Urged by an ugly dream, I sought him out,
To press him to accept another charger.
At a distance from the tents, beneath a tree,
I found him in a sleep. When I had waked him
And had related all my bodings to him,
Long time he stared upon me, like a man
Astounded: thereon fell upon my neck,
And manifested to me an emotion
That far outstripped the worth of that small service.
Since then his confidence has followed me
With the same pace that mine has fled from him.

QUESTENBERG

You lead your son into the secret?

OCTAVIO

No!

QUESTENBERG

What! and not warn him either, what bad hands
His lot has placed him in?

OCTAVIO

I must perforce
Leave him in wardship to his innocence.
His young and open soul – dissimulation
Is foreign to its habits! Ignorance
Alone can keep alive the cheerful air,
The unembarrassed sense and light free spirit,
That makes the duke secure.

QUESTENBERG (anxiously)

My honored friend! most highly do I deem
Of Colonel Piccolomini – yet – if —
Reflect a little —

OCTAVIO

I must venture it.
Hush! There he comes!

SCENE IV

MAX. PICCOLOMINI, OCTAVIO PICCOLOMINI, QUESTENBERG.

MAX

Ha! there he is himself. Welcome, my father!

[He embraces his father. As he turns round, he observes

QUESTENBERG, and draws back with a cold and reserved air.
You are engaged, I see. I'll not disturb you.

OCTAVIO

How, Max.? Look closer at this visitor.
Attention, Max., an old friend merits – reverence
Belongs of right to the envoy of your sovereign.

MAX. (drily)

Von Questenberg! – welcome – if you bring with you
Aught good to our headquarters.

QUESTENBERG (seizing his hand)

Nay, draw not
Your hand away, Count Piccolimini!
Not on my own account alone I seized it,
And nothing common will I say therewith.

[Taking the hands of both.

Octavio – Max. Piccolomini!
O savior names, and full of happy omen!
Ne'er will her prosperous genius turn from Austria,
While two such stars, with blessed influences
Beaming protection, shine above her hosts.

MAX

Heh! Noble minister! You miss your part.
You come not here to act a panegyric.
You're sent, I know, to find fault and to scold us —
I must not be beforehand with my comrades.

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