_Butler._ You know not. Ask not! Wherefore should it happen, 55 That the Swedes gained the victory, and hasten With such forced marches hitherward? Fain would I Have given him to the Emperor's mercy.--Gordon! I do not wish his blood--But I must ransom The honour of my word--it lies in pledge-- 60 And he must die, or---- [_Passionately grasping GORDON'S hand._ Listen then, and know! I am dishonoured if the Duke escape us. _Gordon._ O! to save such a man---- _Butler._ What! _Gordon._ It is worth A sacrifice.--Come, friend! Be noble-minded! Our own heart, and not other men's opinions, 65 Forms our true honour. _Butler._ He is a great Lord, This Duke--and I am but of mean importance. This is what you would say? Wherein concerns it The world at large, you mean to hint to me, Whether the man of low extraction keeps 70 Or blemishes his honour-- So that the man of princely rank be saved. We all do stamp our value on ourselves. The price we challenge for ourselves is given us. There does not live on earth the man so stationed, 75 That I despise myself compared with him. Man is made great or little by his own will; Because I am true to mine, therefore he dies. _Gordon._ I am endeavouring to move a rock. Thou hadst a mother, yet no human feelings. 80 I cannot hinder you, but may some God Rescue him from you! [_Exit GORDON._ FOOTNOTES: [777:1] We doubt the propriety of putting so blasphemous a sentiment in the mouth of any character.--T[RANSLATOR]. _1800_, _1828_, _1829_. LINENOTES: [10] _Gordon (with earnest anxiety)._ Oh! &c. 1800, 1828, 1829. [38] _duty_ 1800, 1828, 1829. [62] _dishonour'd_ 1800, 1828, 1829. [66] _Butler (with a cold and haughty air)._ He is, &c. 1800, 1828, 1829. SCENE IX _Butler (alone)._ I treasured my good name all my life long; The Duke has cheated me of life's best jewel, So that I blush before this poor weak Gordon! He prizes above all his fealty; His conscious soul accuses him of nothing; 5 In opposition to his own soft heart He subjugates himself to an iron duty. Me in a weaker moment passion warped; I stand beside him, and must feel myself The worst man of the two. What though the world 10 Is ignorant of my purposed treason, yet One man does know it, and can prove it too-- High-minded Piccolomini! There lives the man who can dishonour me! This ignominy blood alone can cleanse! 15 Duke Friedland, thou or I--Into my own hands Fortune delivers me--The dearest thing a man has is himself. (_The curtain drops._) LINENOTES: [12] _One_ 1800, 1828, 1829. ACT IV SCENE I