'Tis true, indeed, I saw thy signature.
What thou hast sanction'd, should not, it might seem,
Have come amiss to me. But—'tis my nature—
Thou know'st that in such matters I must follow
My own light, not another's.
OCTAVIO. (goes up to him and embraces him.)
O follow it still further, my best son!
To night, dear boy! it hath more faithfully
Guided thee than th' example of thy father.
MAX.
OCTAVIO.
For after what has taken place this night,
There must remain no secrets 'twixt us two.
(Both seat themselves.)
Max. Piccolomini! what think'st thou of
The oath that was sent round for signatures?
MAX.
Altho' I love not these set declarations.
OCTAVIO.
The signature they fain had wrested from thee?
MAX.
The affair itself seem'd not so urgent to me.
OCTAVIO.
MAX.