The Prince-duke's horses wait for you below. [Exit Servant. Oct. [reads.] "Be sure, make haste! Your faithful Isolan." -O that I had but left this town behind me. To split upon a rock so near the haven!— Away! this is no longer a safe place for me! Where can my son be tarrying? his SCENE VI.-OCTAVIO and MAX PICCOLOMINI.-MAX enters in a state of derangement from extreme agitation, eyes roll wildly, his walk is unsteady, he appears not to observe his father, who stands at a distance, and gazes at him with a countenance expressive of compassion. He paces with long strides through the chamber, then stands still again, and at last throws himself into a chair, staring vacantly at the object directly before him. Oct. [advances to MAX.] I am going off, my son. [Receiving no answer, he takes his hand. Thy way is crooked-it is not my way. [OCTAVIO drops his hand, and starts back. O, hadst thou been but simple and sincere, Ne'er had it come to this-all had stood otherwise. He had not done that foul and horrible deed: The virtuous had retained their influence o'er him : He had not fallen into the snares of villains. Wherefore so like a thief, and thief's accomplice Did'st creep behind him-lurking for thy prey? Oct. My son, ah! I forgive thy agony ! Son! Max. [rises and contemplates his father with looks of suspicion.] Was't possible? had'st thou the heart, my father, Had'st thou the heart to drive it to such lengths, With cold premeditated purpose? ThouHad'st thou the heart, to wish to see him guilty, Rather than saved? Thou risest by his fall. Octavio, 'twill not please me. Oct. God in heaven! Max. O woe is me! sure I have changed my nature. How comes suspicion here-in the free soul? Oct. Max.!-we will go together. "Twill be better. Max. What? ere I've taken a last parting leave, The very last-no, never! Oct. Spare thyself The pang of necessary separation. Come with me! Come, my son! [Attempts to take him with him. Max. No! as sure as God lives, no! Oct. [more urgently.] Come with me, I command thee! I, thy father. Max. Command me what is human. I stay here. Oct. Max! in the Emperor's name I bid thee come. Max. No Emperor has power to prescribe Laws to the heart! and would'st thou wish to rob me Of the sole blessing which my fate has left me, Be done with cruelty? The unalterable With stealthy coward flight forsake her? No! VOL. III. Oct. Thou will not tear thyself away; thou canst not. O, come, my son! I bid thee save thy virtue. Max. Squander not thou thy words in vain. The heart I follow, for I dare trust to it. Oct. [trembling and losing all self-command.] Max! Max! if that most damned thing could be, If thou-my son-my own blood-(dare I think it?) Do sell thyself to him, the infamous, Do stamp this brand upon our noble house, Then shall the world behold the horrible deed, And in unnatural combat shall the steel Of the son trickle with the father's blood. Max. O hadst thou always better thought of men, Thou hadst then acted better. Curst suspicion! Unholy miserable doubt! To him Nothing on earth remains unwrenched and firm, Who has no faith. Oct. And if I trust thy heart, Will it be always in thy power to follow it? Max. The heart's voice thou hast not o'erpower'd-as little Will Wallenstein be able to o'erpower it. Oct. O, Max! I see thee never more again! Max. Unworthy of thee wilt thou never see me. Oct. I go to Frauenberg-the Pappenheimers I leave thee here, the Lothrings too; Toscana And Tiefenbach remain here to protect thee. They love thee, and are faithful to their oath, Мах. Oct. Farewell! How? not one look Of filial love? No grasp of th' hand at parting? [MAX falls into his arms; they hold each other for a long The Curtain drops. |