Scene XI

To them enter Butler from the second table.

Butler. Don't disturb yourselves.
Field Marshal, I have understood you perfectly.
Good luck be to the scheme; and as to me,
You may depend upon me.

Illo. May we, Butler?

Butler. With or without the clause, all one to me! 5
You understand me? My fidelity
The Duke may put to any proof—I'm with him!
Tell him so! I'm the Emperor's officer,
As long as 'tis his pleasure to remain
[[661]]The Emperor's general! and Friedland's servant, 10
As soon as it shall please him to become
His own lord.

Tertsky. You would make a good exchange.
No stern economist, no Ferdinand,
Is he to whom you plight your services.

Butler. I do not put up my fidelity [15]
To sale, Count Tertsky! Half a year ago
I would not have advised you to have made me
An overture to that, to which I now
Offer myself of my own free accord.—
But that is past! and to the Duke, Field Marshal, 20
I bring myself together with my regiment.
And mark you, 'tis my humour to believe,
The example which I give will not remain
Without an influence.

Illo. Who is ignorant,
That the whole army look to Colonel Butler, 25
As to a light that moves before them?

Butler. Ey?
Then I repent me not of that fidelity
Which for the length of forty years I held,
If in my sixtieth year my old good name
Can purchase for me a revenge so full. [30]
Start not at what I say, sir Generals!
My real motives—they concern not you.
And you yourselves, I trust, could not expect
That this your game had crooked my judgment—or
That fickleness, quick blood, or such light cause, [35]
Had driven the old man from the track of honour,
Which he so long had trodden.—Come, my friends!
I'm not thereto determined with less firmness,
Because I know and have looked steadily
At that on which I have determined.