Page:Wallenstein, a drama in 2 parts - Schiller (tr. Coleridge) (1800).djvu/148

MAX.

Suspicion! what suspicion? Not the least.

OCTAVIO.

Thank thy good angel, Piccolomini;

He drew thee back unconscious from the abyss.

MAX.

I know not what thou meanest.

OCTAVIO.

I will tell thee.

Fain would they have extorted from thee, son,
The sanction of thy name to villainy;
Yes, with a single flourish of thy pen,
Made thee renounce thy duty and thy honour!

MAX.(rises)

Octavio!

OCTAVIO.

Patience!—Seat yourself. Much yet

Hast thou to hear from me, friend!—hast for years
Liv'd in incomprehensible illusion.
Before thine eyes is Treason drawing out
As black a web as e'er was spun for venom:
A power of hell o'erclouds thy understanding.
I dare no longer stand in silence—dare
No longer see thee wandering on in darkness,
Nor pluck the bandage from thine eyes.

MAX.

My father!

Yet, ere thou speak'st, a moment's pause of thought!
If your disclosures should appear to be
Conjectures only—and almost I fear

They