Chapter 53

SCENE--_A small Chamber._

_ILLO and TERTSKY._

_Tertsky._ Now for this evening's business! How intend you To manage with the generals at the banquet?

_Illo._ Attend! We frame a formal declaration, Wherein we to the Duke consign ourselves Collectively, to be and to remain 5 His both with life and limb, and not to spare The last drop of our blood for him, provided So doing we infringe no oath nor duty, We may be under to the Emperor.--Mark! This reservation we expressly make 10 In a particular clause, and save the conscience. Now hear! This formula so framed and worded Will be presented to them for perusal Before the banquet. No one will find in it Cause of offence or scruple. Hear now further! 15 After the feast, when now the vap'ring wine Opens the heart, and shuts the eyes, we let A counterfeited paper, in the which This one particular clause has been left out, Go round for signatures.

_Tertsky._ How? think you then 20 That they'll believe themselves bound by an oath, Which we had tricked them into by a juggle?

_Illo._ We shall have caught and caged them! Let them then Beat their wings bare against the wires, and rave Loud as they may against our treachery, 25 At court their signatures will be believed Far more than their most holy affirmations. Traitors they are, and must be; therefore wisely Will make a virtue of necessity.

_Tertsky._ Well, well, it shall content me; let but something 30 Be done, let only some decisive blow Set us in motion.

_Illo._ Besides, 'tis of subordinate importance How, or how far, we may thereby propel The generals. 'Tis enough that we persuade 35 The Duke, that they are his--Let him but act In his determined mood, as if he had them, And he will have them. Where he plunges in, He makes a whirlpool, and all stream down to it.

_Tertsky._ His policy is such a labyrinth, 40 That many a time when I have thought myself Close at his side, he's gone at once, and left me Ignorant of the ground where I was standing. He lends the enemy his ear, permits me To write to them, to Arnheim; to Sesina 45 Himself comes forward blank and undisguised; Talks with us by the hour about his plans, And when I think I have him--off at once---- He has slipped from me, and appears as if He had no scheme, but to retain his place. 50

_Illo._ He give up his old plans! I'll tell you, friend! His soul is occupied with nothing else, Even in his sleep--They are his thoughts, his dreams, That day by day he questions for this purpose The motions of the planets----

_Tertsky._ Ay! you know 55 This night, that is now coming, he with Seni Shuts himself up in the astrological tower To make joint observations--for I hear, It is to be a night of weight and crisis; And something great, and of long expectation, 60 Is to make its procession in the heaven.

_Illo._ Come! be we bold and make dispatch. The work In this next day or two must thrive and grow More than it has for years. And let but only Things first turn up auspicious here below---- 65 Mark what I say--the right stars too will shew themselves. Come, to the generals. All is in the glow, And must be beaten while 'tis malleable.

_Tertsky._ Do you go thither, Illo. I must stay And wait here for the Countess Tertsky. Know 70 That we too are not idle. Break one string, A second is in readiness.

_Illo._ Yes! Yes! I saw your Lady smile with such sly meaning. What's in the wind?

_Tertsky._ A secret. Hush! she comes. [_Exit ILLO._

LINENOTES:

[6] _His_ 1800.

[7] _him_ 1800.

[8] nor] or 1800, 1828, 1829.

[31] _done_ 1800, 1828, 1829.

[38] _will_ 1800.

[70] _wait_ 1800.