206
THE PICCOLOMINI, OR THE
To give sound chastisement to your conceit,
For so he calls it.
(Butler reads through the letter, his knees
tremble, he seizes a chair, and sinks down
in it.)
You have no enemy, no persecutor;
There's no one wishes ill to you. Ascribe
The insult you receiv'd to the Duke only.
His aim is clear and palpable. He wish'd
To tear you from your Emperor—he hop'd
To gain from your revenge what he well knew
(What your long-tried fidelity convinc'd him)
He n'er could dare expect from your calm reason.
A blind tool would he make you, in contempt
Use you, as means of most abandon'd ends.
He has gain'd his point. Too well has he succeeded
In luring you away from that good path
On which you had been journeying forty years!
For so he calls it.
(Butler reads through the letter, his knees
tremble, he seizes a chair, and sinks down
in it.)
You have no enemy, no persecutor;
There's no one wishes ill to you. Ascribe
The insult you receiv'd to the Duke only.
His aim is clear and palpable. He wish'd
To tear you from your Emperor—he hop'd
To gain from your revenge what he well knew
(What your long-tried fidelity convinc'd him)
He n'er could dare expect from your calm reason.
A blind tool would he make you, in contempt
Use you, as means of most abandon'd ends.
He has gain'd his point. Too well has he succeeded
In luring you away from that good path
On which you had been journeying forty years!
BUTLER. (his voice trembling)
Can e'er the Emperor's Majesty forgive me?
Can e'er the Emperor's Majesty forgive me?
OCTAVIO.
More than forgive you. He would fain compensate
For that affront, and most unmerited grievance
Sustain'd by a deserving, gallant veteran.
From his free impulse he confirms the present,
Which the Duke made you for a wicked purpose.
The regiment, which you now command, is your's.
{Butler attempts to rise, sinks down again. He
labours inwardly with violent emotions; tries
More than forgive you. He would fain compensate
For that affront, and most unmerited grievance
Sustain'd by a deserving, gallant veteran.
From his free impulse he confirms the present,
Which the Duke made you for a wicked purpose.
The regiment, which you now command, is your's.
{Butler attempts to rise, sinks down again. He
labours inwardly with violent emotions; tries
to
