Page:Wallenstein, a drama in 2 parts - Schiller (tr. Coleridge) (1800).djvu/42

OCTAVIO.

How, Max.? Look closer at this visitor

Attention, Max. an old friend merits—Rev'rence
Belongs of right to the envoy of your sov'reign.

MAX. (drily)

Von Questenberg!—Welcome—if you bring with you

Aught good to our head quarters.

QUESTENBERG. (seizing his hand)

Nay, draw not

Your hand away, Count Piccolimini!
Not on my own account alone I seiz'd it,
And nothing common will I say therewith.
(taking the hands of both)
Octavio—Max. Piccolomini!
O saviour names, and full of happy omen!
Ne'er will her prosperous genius turn from Austria,
While two such stars, with blessed influences
Beaming protection, shine above her hosts.

MAX.

Heh!—Noble minister! You miss your part.

You come not here to act a panegyric.
You're sent, I know, to find fault and to scold us—
I must not be beforehand with my comrades.

OCTAVIO. (to Max.)

He comes from court, where people are not quite

So well contented with the duke, as here.

MAX.

What now have they contriv'd to find out in him?

That he alone determines for himself

What