The Complete Poetical Works of Samuel Taylor Coleridge Volume II Part 80

_Octavio._ You pet.i.tioned for it-- And your pet.i.tion was repelled--Was it so?

_Butler._ Your insolent scoff shall not go by unpunished.

Draw!

_Octavio._ Nay! your sword to 'ts sheath![718:1] and tell me calmly, How all that happened. I will not refuse you 60 Your satisfaction afterwards.--Calmly, Butler!

_Butler._ Be the whole world acquainted with the weakness For which I never can forgive myself.

Lieutenant-General! Yes--I have ambition.

Ne'er was I able to endure contempt. 65 It stung me to the quick, that birth and t.i.tle Should have more weight than merit has in the army.

I would fain not be meaner than my equal, So in an evil hour I let myself Be tempted to that measure--It was folly! 70 But yet so hard a penance it deserved not.

It might have been refused; but wherefore barb And venom the refusal with contempt?

Why dash to earth and crush with heaviest scorn The grey-haired man, the faithful veteran? 75 Why to the baseness of his parentage Refer him with such cruel roughness, only Because he had a weak hour and forgot himself?

But nature gives a sting e'en to the worm Which wanton power treads on in sport and insult. 80

_Octavio._ You must have been calumniated. Guess you The enemy, who did you this ill service?

_Butler._ Be't who it will--a most low-hearted scoundrel, Some vile court-minion must it be, some Spaniard, Some young squire of some ancient family, 85 In whose light I may stand, some envious knave, Stung to his soul by my fair self-earned honours!

_Octavio._ But tell me! Did the Duke approve that measure?

_Butler._ Himself impelled me to it, used his interest In my behalf with all the warmth of friends.h.i.+p. 90

_Octavio._ Ay? Are you sure of that?

_Butler._ I read the letter.

_Octavio._ And so did I--but the contents were different.

By chance I'm in possession of that letter-- Can leave it to your own eyes to convince you.

[_He gives him the letter._

_Butler._ Ha! what is this?

_Octavio._ I fear me, Colonel Butler, 95 An infamous game have they been playing with you.

The Duke, you say, impelled you to this measure?

Now, in this letter talks he in contempt Concerning you, counsels the Minister To give sound chastis.e.m.e.nt to your conceit, 100 For so he calls it.

[_BUTLER reads through the letter, his knees tremble, he seizes a chair, and sinks down in it._

You have no enemy, no persecutor; There's no one wishes ill to you. Ascribe The insult you received to the Duke only.

His aim is clear and palpable. He wished 105 To tear you from your Emperor--he hoped To gain from your revenge what he well knew (What your long-tried fidelity convinced him) He ne'er could dare expect from your calm reason.

A blind tool would he make you, in contempt 110 Use you, as means of most abandoned ends.

He has gained his point. Too well has he succeeded In luring you away from that good path On which you had been journeying forty years!

_Butler._ Can e'er the Emperor's Majesty forgive me? 115

_Octavio._ More than forgive you. He would fain compensate For that affront, and most unmerited grievance Sustained by a deserving, gallant veteran.

From his free impulse he confirms the present, Which the Duke made you for a wicked purpose. 120 The regiment, which you now command, is yours.

[_BUTLER attempts to rise, sinks down again. He labours inwardly with violent emotions; tries to speak, and cannot. At length he takes his sword from the belt, and offers it to PICCOLOMINI._

_Octavio._ What wish you? Recollect yourself, friend.

_Butler._ Take it.

_Octavio._ But to what purpose? Calm yourself.

_Butler._ O take it!

I am no longer worthy of this sword.

_Octavio._ Receive it then anew from my hands--and 125 Wear it with honour for the right cause ever.

_Butler._----Perjure myself to such a gracious Sovereign!

_Octavio._ You'll make amends. Quick! break off from the Duke!

_Butler._ Break off from him!

_Octavio._ What now? Bethink thyself.

_Butler (no longer governing his emotion)._ Only break off from him?--He dies!--he dies! 130

_Octavio._ Come after me to Frauenberg, where now All who are loyal are a.s.sembling under Counts Altringer and Galas. Many others I've brought to a remembrance of their duty.

This night be sure that you escape from Pilsen. 135

_Butler._ Count Piccolomini! Dare that man speak Of honour to you, who once broke his troth?

_Octavio._ He, who repents so deeply of it, dares.

_Butler._ Then leave me here, upon my word of honour!

_Octavio._ What's your design?

_Butler._ Leave me and my regiment. 140

_Octavio._ I have full confidence in you. But tell me What are you brooding?

_Butler._ That the deed will tell you.

Ask me no more at present. Trust to me.

Ye may trust safely. By the living G.o.d Ye give him over, not to his good angel! 145 Farewell. [_Exit BUTLER._

_Servant (enters with a billet)._ A stranger left it, and is gone.

The Prince-Duke's horses wait for you below.

[_Exit_ Servant.

_Octavio (reads)._ 'Be sure, make haste! Your faithful Isolan.'

--O that I had but left this town behind me.

To split upon a rock so near the haven!-- 150 Away! This is no longer a safe place for me!