To whom we swore a soldier"s oath----
BUTLER.
The oath Is null, for Friedland is a traitor.
DEVEREUX.
No, no! it is too bad!
MACDONALD.
Yes, by my soul!
It is too bad. One has a conscience too----
DEVEREUX.
If it were not our chieftain, who so long Has issued the commands, and claimed our duty----
BUTLER.
Is that the objection?
DEVEREUX.
Were it my own father, And the emperor"s service should demand it of me, It might be done perhaps--but we are soldiers, And to a.s.sa.s.sinate our chief commander, That is a sin, a foul abomination, From which no monk or confessor absolves us.
BUTLER.
I am your pope, and give you absolution.
Determine quickly!
DEVEREUX.
"Twill not do.
MACDONALD.
"Twont do!
BUTLER.
Well, off then! and--send Pestalutz to me.
DEVEREUX (hesitates).
The Pestalutz----
MACDONALD.
What may you want with him?
BUTLER.
If you reject it, we can find enough----
DEVEREUX.
Nay, if he must fall, we may earn the bounty As well as any other. What think you, Brother Macdonald?
MACDONALD.
Why, if he must fall, And will fall, and it can"t be otherwise, One would not give place to this Pestalutz.
DEVEREUX (after some reflection).
When do you purpose he should fall?
BUTLER.
This night.
To-morrow will the Swedes be at our gates.
DEVEREUX.
You take upon you all the consequences?
BUTLER.
I take the whole upon me.
DEVEREUX.
And it is The emperor"s will, his express absolute will?
For we have instances that folks may like The murder, and yet hang the murderer.
BUTLER.
The manifesto says--"alive or dead."
Alive--"tis not possible--you see it is not.
DEVEREUX.
Well, dead then! dead! But bow can we come at him.
The town is filled with Terzky"s soldiery.
MACDONALD.
Ay! and then Terzky still remains, and Illo----
BUTLER.
With these you shall begin--you understand me?
DEVEREUX.
How! And must they too perish?
BUTLER.
They the first.
MACDONALD.
Hear, Devereux! A b.l.o.o.d.y evening this.
DEVEREUX.
Have you a man for that? Commission me----
BUTLER.
"Tis given in trust to Major Geraldin; This is a carnival night, and there"s a feast Given at the castle--there we shall surprise them, And hew them down. The Pestalutz and Lesley Have that commission. Soon as that is finished----
DEVEREUX.
Hear, general! It will be all one to you-- Hark ye, let me exchange with Geraldin.
BUTLER.
"Twill be the lesser danger with the duke.