3rd Ser. (aside to the First). Be on the hark, Jack! that we may have right plenty to tell to Father Quivoga-He will give us right plenty of absolution in return for it.

1st Ser. For that very purpose I am always having something to do behind Illo's chair.-He is the man for speeches to make you stare with!

Mast. of the Cel. (to NEUMANN). Who, pray, may that swarthy man be, he with the cross, that is chatting so confidentially with Esterhats?

Neu. Ay! he too is one of those to whom they confide too much. He calls himself Maradas, a Spaniard is he.

Mast. of the Cel. (impatiently). Spaniard! Spaniard !—I tell you, friend; nothing good comes of those Spaniards. All these outlandish fellows are little better than rogues.

Neu. Fy, fy! you should not say so, friend. There are among them our very best generals, and those on whom the Duke at this moment relies the most.

Mast. of the Cel. (taking the flask out of the Runner's pocket). My son, it will be broken to pieces in your pocket.

(TERTSKY hurries in, fetches away the paper, and calls to a Servant for pen and ink, and goes to the back of the stage.) Mast. of the Cel. (to the Servants). The Lieutenant-General stands up.-Be on the watch.-Now! They break up.-Off, and move back the forms.

(They rise at all the tables, the Servants hurry off the front of the stage to the tables; part of the Guests come forward.)

SCENE XIII.

OCTAVIO PICCOLOMINI enters in conversation with MARADAS, and both place themselves quite on the edge of the stage on one side of the proscenium. On the side directly opposite, MAX. PICCOLOMINI, by himself, lost in thought, and taking no part in any thing that is going forward. The middle space between both, but rather more distant from the edge of the stage, is filled up by BUTLER, ISOLANI, GOETZ, TIEFENBACH, and KOLATTO.

Iso. (while the company is coming forward). Good night, good night, Kolatto! Good night, Lieutenant-General!--I should rather say, good morning.

*There is a humour in the original which cannot be given in the translation, Die welschen alle," &c. which word in classical German means the Italians alone; but in its first sense, and at present in the vulgar use of the word, signifies foreigners in general. Our word wall-nuts, I suppose, means outlandish nuts-Walla auces, in German" Welsch-nüsse."

Goetz. (to TIEFENBACH, making the usual compliment after meals) Noble brother!

Tief. Ay! 'twas a royal feast indeed.

Goetz. Yes, my Lady Countess understands these matters. Her mother-in-law, heaven rest her soul, taught her!-Ah! that was a housewife for you!

Tief. There was not her like in all Bohemia for setting out a table. Oct. (aside to MARADAS). Do me the favour to talk to metalk of what you will-or of nothing. Only preserve the appear ance of talking. I would not wish to stand by myself, and yet I conjecture that there will be goings on here worthy of our attentive observation.

(He continues to fix his eye on the whole following scene.)

Iso. (on the point of going). Lights! lights!

Ter. (advances with the paper to ISOLANI). Noble brother! two minutes longer!-Here is something to subscribe.

Iso, Subscribe as much as you like-but you must excuse mc from reading it.

Ter. There is no need. It is the oath which you have already read. Only a few marks of your pen.

(ISOLANI hands over the paper to OCTAVIO respectfully.) Ter. Nay, nay, first come first served. There is no precedence here.

(OCTAVIO runs over the paper with apparent indifference. TERTSKY watches him at some distance.)

Goetz. (to TERTSKY). Noble Count! with your permission-Good night.

Ter. Where's the hurry? Come, one other composing draught. (To the Servants.)-Ho!

Tief. (sits down). Pardon me, nobles!-This standing does not agree with me.

Ter. Consult only your own convenience, General!

Tief. Clear at head, sound in stomach-only my legs won't carry me any longer.

Iso. (pointing at his corpulence). Poor legs! how should they? Such an unmerciful load!

(OCTAVIO subscribes his name and reaches over the paper to TERTSKY, who gives it to ISOLANI; and he goes to the table to sign his name.)

Tief. "Twas that war in Pomerania that first brought it on. Out in all weathers-ice and snow-no help for it.--I shall never get the better of it all the days of my life.

Goetz. Why, in simple verity, your Swede makes no nice inquiries about the season.

Ter. (observing ISOLANI, whose hand trembles excessively, so that he can scarce direct his pen). Have you had that ugly complaint long, noble brother?-Dispatch it.

Iso. The sins of youth! I have already tried the Chalybeate waters. Well-I must bear it.

(TERTSKY gives the paper to MARADAS; he steps to the table to subscribe.)

Oct. (advancing to BUTLER). You are not over fond of the orgies of Bacchus, Colonel! I have observed it. You would, 1 think, find yourself more to your liking in the uproar of a battle, than of a feast.

But. I must confess, 'tis not in my way.

Oct. (stepping nearer to him friendlily). Nor in mine either, I can assure you; and I am not a little glad, my much honoured Colonel Butler, that we agree so well in opinions. A half dozen good friends at most, at a small round table, a glass of genuine Tokay, open hearts, and a rational conversation-that's my taste!

But.

And mine too, when it can be had.

(The paper comes to TIEFENBACH, who glances over it at the same time with GOETZ and KOLATTO. MARADAS in the meantime returns to OCTAVIO; all this takes place, the conversation with BUTLER proceeding uninterrupted.) Oct. (introducing MARADAS to BUTLER). Don Balthasar Maradas! likewise a man of our stamp, and long ago your admirer. (BUTLER bows.)

Oct. (continuing). You are a stranger here-'twas but yesterday you arrived—you are ignorant of the ways and means here. "Tis a wretched place-I know, at our age, one loves to be snug and quiet-What if you moved your lodgings?-Come, be my visitor. (BUTLER makes a low bow.) Nay, without compliment!-For a friend like you, I have still a corner remaining.

But. (coldly). Your obliged humble servant, My Lord Lieutenant-General!

(The paper comes to BUTLER, who goes to the table to subscribe it. The front of the stage is vacant, so that both the PICCOLOMINIS, each on the side where he had been from the commencement of the scene, remain alone.)

Oct. (after having some time watched his son in silence, advances somewhat nearer to him). You were long absent from us, friend! Mac. I-urgent business detained me.

Oct. And, I observe, you are still absent!

Max. You know this crowd and bustle always makes me silent.

Oct. (to Max.) Came General! let us go. It is late.

Ter One Piccolomini only has signed.

Isol. (pointing to Max) Look! that is your man, that statue
there, who has had neither eye, ear nor tongue for us, the
whole evening.
(Enter To in his hand a golden service Cup.)
Illo. Octavio' I bring this to you. Let all grudge be drowned

in this friendly bowl.

Piccolomim P 88.