[Octavio takes a paper out of his escrutoire, and gives it to him.

Max. What? how? a full Imperial patent!

Octavio. Read it.

Max (just glances on it). Duke Friedland sentenced and condemned!

Octavio. Even so.

Max (throws down the paper). O this is too much! O unhappy error! 270

Octavio. Read on. Collect thyself.

Max (after he has read further, with a look of affright and astonishment on his father). How! what! Thou! thou!

Octavio. But for the present moment, till the King
Of Hungary may safely join the army,
Is the command assigned to me.

Max. And think'st thou,
Dost thou believe, that thou wilt tear it from him? 275
O never hope it!—Father! father! father!
An inauspicious office is enjoined thee.
This paper here—this! and wilt thou enforce it?
[[680]] The mighty in the middle of his host,
Surrounded by his thousands, him would'st thou 280
Disarm—degrade! Thou art lost, both thou and all of us.