_Max._ Art thou offended with me? Heaven knows 5 That odious business was no fault of mine. 'Tis true, indeed, I saw thy signature. What thou hadst sanctioned, should not, it might seem, Have come amiss to me. But--'tis my nature-- Thou know'st that in such matters I must follow 10 My own light, not another's. _Octavio (embraces him)._ Follow it, O follow it still further, my best son! To-night, dear boy! it hath more faithfully Guided thee than the example of thy father. _Max._ Declare thyself less darkly. _Octavio._ I will do so. 15 For after what has taken place this night, There must remain no secrets 'twixt us two. [_Both seat themselves._ Max Piccolomini! what thinkest thou of The oath that was sent round for signatures? _Max._ I hold it for a thing of harmless import, 20 Although I love not these set declarations. _Octavio._ And on no other ground hast thou refused The signature they fain had wrested from thee? _Max._ It was a serious business----I was absent-- The affair itself seemed not so urgent to me. 25 _Octavio._ Be open, Max. Thou hadst then no suspicion? _Max._ Suspicion! what suspicion? Not the least. _Octavio._ Thank thy good angel, Piccolomini: He drew thee back unconscious from the abyss. _Max._ I know not what thou meanest. _Octavio._ I will tell thee. 30 Fain would they have extorted from thee, son, The sanction of thy name to villainy; Yea, with a single flourish of thy pen, Made thee renounce thy duty and thy honour! _Max (rises)._ Octavio! _Octavio._ Patience! Seat yourself. Much yet 35 Hast thou to hear from me, friend!--hast for years Lived in incomprehensible illusion. Before thine eyes is Treason drawing out As black a web as e'er was spun for venom: A power of hell o'erclouds thy understanding. 40 I dare no longer stand in silence--dare No longer see thee wandering on in darkness, Nor pluck the bandage from thine eyes. _Max._ My father! Yet, ere thou speak'st, a moment's pause of thought! If your disclosures should appear to be 45 Conjectures only--and almost I fear They will be nothing further--spare them! I Am not in that collected mood at present, That I could listen to them quietly.