_Octavio (seizes the patent)._ Max! [_A pause._ ----In this disclosure place I in thy hands The Empire's welfare and thy father's life. Dear to thy inmost heart is Wallenstein: A powerful tie of love, of veneration, 255 Hath knit thee to him from thy earliest youth. Thou nourishest the wish.--O let me still Anticipate thy loitering confidence! The hope thou nourishest to knit thyself Yet closer to him---- _Max._ Father---- _Octavio._ O my son! 260 I trust thy heart undoubtingly. But am I Equally sure of thy collectedness? Wilt thou be able, with calm countenance, To enter this man's presence, when that I Have trusted to thee his whole fate? _Max._ According 265 As thou dost trust me, father, with his crime. [_OCTAVIO takes a paper out of his escrutoire, and gives it to him._ _Max._ What? how? a full Imperial patent! _Octavio._ Read it. _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? 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?