_Isolani (while the company is coming forward)._ Good night, good night, Kolatto! Good night, Lieutenant-General!--I should rather say, good morning. _Goetz (to Tiefenbach)._ Noble brother! _Tiefenbach._ Ay! 'twas a royal feast indeed. 5 _Goetz._ Yes, my Lady Countess understands these matters. Her mother-in-law, heaven rest her soul, taught her!--Ah! that was a housewife for you! _Tiefenbach._ There was not her like in all Bohemia for setting out a table. 10 _Octavio (aside to Maradas)._ Do me the favour to talk to me--talk of what you will--or of nothing. Only preserve the appearance at least of talking. I would not wish to stand by myself, and yet I conjecture that there will be goings on here worthy of our attentive observation. 15 _Isolani (on the point of going)._ Lights! lights! _Tertsky (advances with the paper to Isolani)._ Noble brother! two minutes longer!--Here is something to subscribe. _Isolani._ Subscribe as much as you like--but you must excuse me from reading it. 20 _Tertsky._ There is no need. It is the oath which you have already read.--Only a few marks of your pen! [_ISOLANI hands over the paper to OCTAVIO respectfully._ _Tertsky._ Nay, nay, first come first served. There is no precedence here. [_OCTAVIO runs over the paper with apparent indifference. TERTSKY watches him at some distance._ _Goetz (to Tertsky)._ Noble Count! with your 25 permission--Good night. _Tertsky._ Where's the hurry? Come, one other composing draught. (_To the Servants_)--Ho! _Goetz._ Excuse me--an't able. _Tertsky._ A thimble-full! 30 _Goetz._ Excuse me. _Tiefenbach (sits down)._ Pardon me, nobles!--This standing does not agree with me. _Tertsky._ Consult only your own convenience, General! _Tiefenbach._ Clear at head, sound in stomach--only my legs 35 won't carry me any longer. _Isolani._ Poor legs! how should they? Such an unmerciful load! [_OCTAVIO subscribes his name, and reaches over the paper to TERTSKY, who gives it to ISOLANI; and he goes to the table to sign his name._ _Tiefenbach._ 'Twas that war in Pomerania that first brought it on. Out in all weathers--ice and snow--no help for it.--I 40 shall never get the better of it all the days of my life. _Goetz._ Why, in simple verity, your Swede makes no nice enquiries about the season. _Tertsky (observing Isolani, whose hand trembles excessively, so that he can scarce direct his pen)._ Have you had that ugly complaint long, noble brother?--Dispatch it. 45 _Isolani._ The sins of youth! I have already tried the Chalybeate waters. Well--I must bear it.