Octavio Piccolomini. A Valet de Chambre, with Lights.
Octavio.——And when my son comes in, conduct him hither.
What is the hour?
Valet. 'Tis on the point of morning.
Octavio. Set down the light. We mean not to undress.
You may retire to sleep.
[Exit Valet. Octavio paces, musing, across the chamber; Max Piccolomini enters unobserved, and looks at his father for some moments in silence.
Max. Art thou offended with me? Heaven knows [5]
That odious business was no fault of mine.
'Tis true, indeed, I saw thy signature.
What thou hadst sanctioned, should not, it might seem,
Have come amiss to me. But—'tis my nature—
Thou know'st that in such matters I must follow [10]
My own light, not another's.
Octavio (embraces him). Follow it,
O follow it still further, my best son!
To-night, dear boy! it hath more faithfully
Guided thee than the example of thy father.
Max. Declare thyself less darkly.
Octavio. I will do so. 15
For after what has taken place this night,
There must remain no secrets 'twixt us two. [Both seat themselves.
Max Piccolomini! what thinkest thou of
The oath that was sent round for signatures?
Max. I hold it for a thing of harmless import, 20
Although I love not these set declarations.