Chapter 113

_To these enter ILLO and TERTSKY._

_Tertsky._ Our luck is on the turn. To-morrow come The Swedes--twelve thousand gallant warriors, Illo! Then straightways for Vienna. Cheerily, friend! What! meet such news with such a moody face?

_Illo._ It lies with us at present to prescribe 5 Laws, and take vengeance on those worthless traitors, Those skulking cowards that deserted us; One has already done his bitter penance The Piccolomini, be his the fate Of all who wish us evil! This flies sure 10 To the old man's heart; he has his whole life long Fretted and toiled to raise his ancient house From a Count's title to the name of Prince; And now must seek a grave for his only son.

_Butler._ 'Twas pity though! A youth of such heroic 15 And gentle temperament! The Duke himself, 'Twas easily seen, how near it went to his heart.

_Illo._ Hark'e, old friend! That is the very point That never pleased me in our General-- He ever gave the preference to the Italians. 20 Yea, at this very moment, by my soul! He'd gladly see us all dead ten times over, Could he thereby recall his friend to life.

_Tertsky._ Hush, hush! Let the dead rest! This evening's business Is, who can fairly drink the other down-- 25 Your regiment, Illo! gives the entertainment. Come! we will keep a merry carnival-- The night for once be day, and mid full glasses Will we expect the Swedish Avantgarde.

_Illo._ Yes, let us be of good cheer for to-day, 30 For there's hot work before us, friends! This sword Shall have no rest, till it be bathed to the hilt In Austrian blood.

_Gordon._ Shame, shame! what talk is this, My Lord Field Marshal? Wherefore foam you so Against your Emperor?

_Butler._ Hope not too much 35 From this first victory. Bethink you, sirs! How rapidly the wheel of Fortune turns; The Emperor still is formidably strong.

_Illo._ The Emperor has soldiers, no commander, For this King Ferdinand of Hungary 40 Is but a tyro. Galas? He's no luck, And was of old the ruiner of armies. And then this viper, this Octavio, Is excellent at stabbing in the back, But ne'er meets Friedland in the open field. 45

_Tertsky._ Trust me, my friends, it cannot but succeed; Fortune, we know, can ne'er forsake the Duke! And only under Wallenstein can Austria Be conqueror.

_Illo._ The Duke will soon assemble A mighty army, all come crowding, streaming 50 To banners dedicate by destiny To fame and prosperous fortune. I behold Old times come back again, he will become Once more the mighty Lord which he has been. How will the fools, who've now deserted him, 55 Look then? I can't but laugh to think of them, For lands will he present to all his friends, And like a King and Emperor reward True services; but we've the nearest claims. [_To GORDON._ You will not be forgotten, Governor! 60 He'll take you from this nest and bid you shine In higher station: your fidelity Well merits it.

_Gordon._ I am content already, And wish to climb no higher; where great height is The fall must needs be great. 'Great height, great depth.' 65

_Illo._ Here you have no more business for to-morrow; The Swedes will take possession of the citadel. Come, Tertsky, it is supper-time. What think you? Say, shall we have the State illuminated In honour of the Swede? And who refuses 70 To do it is a Spaniard and a traitor.

_Tertsky._ Nay! Nay! not that, it will not please the Duke--

_Illo._ What! we are masters here; no soul shall dare Avow himself imperial where we've rule. Gordon! Good night, and for the last time, take 75 A fair leave of the place. Send out patroles To make secure, the watch-word may be altered At the stroke of ten; deliver in the keys To the Duke himself, and then you're quit for ever Your wardship of the gates, for on to-morrow 80 The Swedes will take possession of the citadel.

_Tertsky (as he is going, to Butler)._ You come though to the castle.

_Butler._ At the right time. [_Exeunt TERTSKY and ILLO._

LINENOTES:

[50] come] comes 1800, 1828, 1829.

[74] Avow himself imperial where we've the rule. 1800, 1828, 1829.