Scene IX
Butler (alone). I treasured my good name all my life long;
The Duke has cheated me of life's best jewel,
So that I blush before this poor weak Gordon!
He prizes above all his fealty;
His conscious soul accuses him of nothing; 5
In opposition to his own soft heart
He subjugates himself to an iron duty.
Me in a weaker moment passion warped;
I stand beside him, and must feel myself
The worst man of the two. What though the world [10]
Is ignorant of my purposed treason, yet
One man does know it, and can prove it too—
High-minded Piccolomini!
There lives the man who can dishonour me!
This ignominy blood alone can cleanse! 15
Duke Friedland, thou or I—Into my own hands
Fortune delivers me—The dearest thing a man has is himself.
(The curtain drops.)
LINENOTES:
[[12]]
One 1800, 1828, 1829.