Page:Wallenstein, a drama in 2 parts - Schiller (tr. Coleridge) (1800).djvu/120

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98
THE PICCOLOMINI, OR THE

Already hast thou lost the best. They're giving
At yonder table ducal crowns in shares;
There's Sternberg's lands and chattels are put up,
With Eggenberg's, Stawata's, Lichtenstein's,
And all the great Bohemian feodalities.
Be nimble, lad! and something may turn up
For thee,—who knows? Off—to thy place! quick! march!

Tiefenbach and Goetz (call out from the
second and third tables
.)

Count Piccolomini!


TERTSKY.

Stop, ye shall have him in an instant.—Read

This oath here, whether as 'tis here set forth,
The wording satisfies you. They've all read it,
Each in his turn, and each one will subscribe
His individual signature.

MAX.(reads)

"Ingratis servire nefas."


ISOLANI.

That sounds to my ears very much like Latin,

And being interpreted, pray what may it mean?

TERTSKY.

No honest man will serve a thankless master.


MAX.

"Inasmuch as our supreme commander, the
illustrious Duke of Friedland, in consequence of
the manifold affronts and grievances which he has
received, had expressed his determination to quit
the Emperor, but on our unanimous entreaty has
graciously