Part 149 (1/2)

ILLO (moving towards QUESTENBERG).

'Tis not the first time, n.o.ble minister, You've shown our camp this honor.

QUESTENBERG.

Once before I stood beside these colors.

ILLO.

Perchance too you remember where that was; It was at Znaeim [4] in Moravia, where You did present yourself upon the part Of the emperor to supplicate our duke That he would straight a.s.sume the chief command.

QUESTENBURG.

To supplicate? Nay, bold general!

So far extended neither my commission (At least to my own knowledge) nor my zeal.

ILLO.

Well, well, then--to compel him, if you choose, I can remember me right well, Count Tilly Had suffered total rout upon the Lech.

Bavaria lay all open to the enemy, Whom there was nothing to delay from pressing Onwards into the very heart of Austria.

At that time you and Werdenberg appeared Before our general, storming him with prayers, And menacing the emperor's displeasure, Unless he took compa.s.sion on this wretchedness.

ISOLANI (steps up to them).

Yes, yes, 'tis comprehensible enough, Wherefore with your commission of to-day, You were not all too willing to remember Your former one.

QUESTENBERG.

Why not, Count Isolani?

No contradiction sure exists between them.

It was the urgent business of that time To s.n.a.t.c.h Bavaria from her enemy's hand; And my commission of to-day instructs me To free her from her good friends and protectors.

ILLO.

A worthy office! After with our blood We have wrested this Bohemia from the Saxon, To be swept out of it is all our thanks, The sole reward of all our hard-won victories.

QUESTENBERG.

Unless that wretched land be doomed to suffer Only a change of evils, it must be Freed from the scourge alike of friend or foe.

ILLO.

What? 'Twas a favorable year; the boors Can answer fresh demands already.

QUESTENBERG.

Nay, If you discourse of herds and meadow-grounds----

ISOLANI.

The war maintains the war. Are the boors ruined The emperor gains so many more new soldiers.

QUESTENBERG.

And is the poorer by even so many subjects.

ISOLANI.

Poh! we are all his subjects.

QUESTENBERG.

Yet with a difference, general! The one fill With profitable industry the purse, The others are well skilled to empty it.

The sword has made the emperor poor; the plough Must reinvigorate his resources.

ISOLANI.