MACDONALD.
We"ve naught to do with thinking--that"s your business.
You are our general, and give out the orders; We follow you, though the track lead to h.e.l.l.
BUTLER (appeased).
Good, then! we know each other.
MACDONALD.
I should hope so.
DEVEREUX.
Soldiers of fortune are we--who bids most He has us.
MACDONALD.
"Tis e"en so!
BUTLER.
Well, for the present You must remain honest and faithful soldiers.
DEVEREUX.
We wish no other.
BUTLER.
Ay, and make your fortunes.
MACDONALD.
That is still better.
BUTLER.
Listen!
BOTH.
We attend.
BUTLER.
It is the emperor"s will and ordinance To seize the person of the Prince-Duke Friedland Alive or dead.
DEVEREUX.
It runs so in the letter.
MACDONALD.
Alive or dead--these were the very words.
BUTLER.
And he shall be rewarded from the state In land and gold who proffers aid thereto.
DEVEREUX.
Ay! that sounds well. The words sound always well That travel hither from the court. Yes! yes!
We know already what court-words import.
A golden chain perhaps in sign of favor, Or an old charger, or a parchment-patent, And such like. The prince-duke pays better.
MACDONALD.
Yes, The duke"s a splendid paymaster.
BUTLER.
All over With that, my friends. His lucky stars are set.
MACDONALD.
And is that certain?
BUTLER.
You have my word for it.
DEVEREUX.
His lucky fortune"s all pa.s.sed by?
BUTLER.
Forever.
He is as poor as we.
MACDONALD.
As poor as we?
DEVEREUX.
Macdonald, we"ll desert him.
BUTLER.
We"ll desert him?
Full twenty thousand have done that already; We must do more, my countrymen! In short-- We--we must kill him.
BOTH (starting back) Kill him!
BUTLER.
Yes, must kill him; And for that purpose have I chosen you.
BOTH.
Us!
BUTLER.
You, Captain Devereux, and thee, Macdonald.
DEVEREUX (after a pause).
Choose you some other.
BUTLER.
What! art dastardly?
Thou, with full thirty lives to answer for-- Thou conscientious of a sudden?
DEVEREUX.
Nay To a.s.sa.s.sinate our lord and general----