Octavio and Max Piccolomini.

Octavio (advances to Max). I am going off, my son. [Receiving no answer he takes his hand.
My son, farewell.

Max. Farewell.

Octavio. Thou wilt soon follow me?

Max. I follow thee?
Thy way is crooked—it is not my way. [Octavio drops his hand, and starts back.
O, hadst thou been but simple and sincere,
Ne'er had it come to this—all had stood otherwise. 5
He had not done that foul and horrible deed,
The virtuous had retained their influence o'er him:
He had not fallen into the snares of villains.
Wherefore so like a thief, and thief's accomplice
Did'st creep behind him—lurking for thy prey? 10
O, unblest falsehood! Mother of all evil!
Thou misery-making demon, it is thou
That sink'st us in perdition. Simple truth,
Sustainer of the world, had saved us all!
Father, I will not, I cannot excuse thee! [15]
Wallenstein has deceived me—O, most foully!
But thou hast acted not much better.

Octavio. Son!
My son, ah! I forgive thy agony!

Max. Was't possible? had'st thou the heart, my father,
Had'st thou the heart to drive it to such lengths, 20
With cold premeditated purpose? Thou—
Had'st thou the heart, to wish to see him guilty,
Rather than saved? Thou risest by his fall.
Octavio, 'twill not please me.

Octavio. God in Heaven!

Max. O, woe is me! sure I have changed my nature. [25]
[[722]] How comes suspicion here—in the free soul?
Hope, confidence, belief, are gone; for all
Lied to me, all what I e'er loved or honoured.
No! No! Not all! She—she yet lives for me,
And she is true, and open as the Heavens! [30]
Deceit is every where, hypocrisy,
Murder, and poisoning, treason, perjury:
The single holy spot is now our love,
The only unprofaned in human nature.

Octavio. Max!—we will go together. 'Twill be better. 35