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.

Octavio. What hazard I incur thereby, I know.
In the great hand of God I stand. The Almighty
Will cover with his shield the Imperial house,
And shatter, in his wrath, the work of darkness. 285
The Emperor hath true servants still; and even
Here in the camp, there are enough brave men,
Who for the good cause will fight gallantly.
The faithful have been warned—the dangerous
Are closely watched. I wait but the first step, 290
And then immediately——

Max. What! on suspicion?
Immediately?

Octavio. The Emperor is no tyrant.
The deed alone he'll punish, not the wish.
The Duke hath yet his destiny in his power.
Let him but leave the treason uncompleted, 295
He will be silently displaced from office,
And make way to his Emperor's royal son.
An honourable exile to his castles
Will be a benefaction to him rather
Than punishment. But the first open step—— 300