ILLO (who has been standing in the att.i.tude of meditation, to BUTLER, whom he leads a little on one side).
And how came you to know That the Count Gallas joins us not?
BUTLER.
Because He importuned me to remain behind.
ILLO (with warmth).
And you? You hold out firmly!
[Grasping his hand with affection.
n.o.ble Butler!
BUTLER.
After the obligation which the duke Had laid so newly on me----
ILLO.
I had forgotten A pleasant duty--major-general, I wish you joy!
ISOLANI.
What, you mean, of this regiment?
I hear, too, that to make the gift still sweeter, The duke has given him the very same In which he first saw service, and since then Worked himself step by step, through each preferment, From the ranks upwards. And verily, it gives A precedent of hope, a spur of action To the whole corps, if once in their remembrance An old deserving soldier makes his way.
BUTLER.
I am perplexed and doubtful whether or no I dare accept this your congratulation.
The emperor has not yet confirmed the appointment.
ISOLANI.
Seize it, friend, seize it! The hand which in that post Placed you is strong enough to keep you there, Spite of the emperor and his ministers!
ILLO.
Ay, if we would but so consider it!-- If we would all of us consider it so!
The emperor gives us nothing; from the duke Comes all--whate"er we hope, whate"er we have.
ISOLANI (to ILLO).
My n.o.ble brother! did I tell you how The duke will satisfy my creditors?
Will be himself my bankers for the future, Make me once more a creditable man!
And this is now the third time, think of that!
This kingly-minded man has rescued me From absolute ruin and restored my honor.
ILLO.
Oh that his power but kept pace with his wishes!
Why, friend! he"d give the whole world to his soldiers.
But at Vienna, brother!--here"s the grievance,-- What politic schemes do they not lay to shorten His arm, and where they can to clip his pinions.
Then these new dainty requisitions! these Which this same Questenberg brings. .h.i.ther!
BUTLER.
Ay!
Those requisitions of the emperor-- I too have heard about them; but I hope The duke will not draw back a single inch!
ILLO.
Not from his right most surely, unless first From office!
BUTLER (shocked and confused).
Know you aught then? You alarm me.
ISOLANI (at the same time with BUTLER, and in a hurrying voice).
We should be ruined, every one of us!
ILLO.
Yonder I see our worthy friend [spoken with a sneer] approaching With the Lieutenant-General Piccolomini.
BUTLER (shaking his head significantly).
I fear we shall not go hence as we came.
SCENE II.
Enter OCTAVIO PICCOLOMINI and QUESTENBERG.
OCTAVIO (still in the distance).
Ay! ah! more still! Still more new visitors!
Acknowledge, friend! that never was a camp, Which held at once so many heads of heroes.
QUESTENBERG.
Let none approach a camp of Friedland"s troops Who dares to think unworthily of war; E"en I myself had nigh forgot its evils When I surveyed that lofty soul of order, By which, while it destroys the world--itself Maintains the greatness which itself created.
OCTAVIO (approaching nearer).
Welcome, Count Isolani!
ISOLANI.
My n.o.ble brother!
Even now am I arrived; it has been else my duty----
OCTAVIO.
And Colonel Butler--trust me, I rejoice Thus to renew acquaintance with a man Whose worth and services I know and honor.
See, see, my friend!
There might we place at once before our eyes The sum of war"s whole trade and mystery--
[To QUESTENBERG, presenting BUTLER and ISOLANI at the same time to him.
These two the total sum--strength and despatch.
QUESTENBERG (to OCTAVIO).
And lo! betwixt them both, experienced prudence!
OCTAVIO (presenting QUESTENBERG to BUTLER and ISOLANI).
The Chamberlain and War-Commissioner Questenberg.
The bearer of the emperor"s behests,-- The long-tried friend and patron of all soldiers, We honor in this n.o.ble visitor.
[Universal silence.