_Butler._ It is the Emperor's will and ordinance To seize the person of the Prince-Duke Friedland, Alive or dead. _Devereux._ It runs so in the letter. _Macdonald._ Alive or dead--these were the very words. 25 _Butler._ And he shall be rewarded from the State In land and gold, who proffers aid thereto. _Devereux._ Ay? That sounds well. The words sound always well That travel hither from the Court. Yes! yes! We know already what Court-words import. 30 A golden chain perhaps in sign of favour, Or an old charger, or a parchment patent, And such like.--The Prince-duke pays better. _Macdonald._ Yes, The Duke's a splendid paymaster. _Butler._ All over With that, my friends! His lucky stars are set. 35 _Macdonald._ And is that certain? _Butler._ You have my word for it. _Devereux._ His lucky fortunes all past by? _Butler._ For ever. He is as poor as we. _Macdonald._ As poor as we? _Devereux._ Macdonald, we'll desert him. _Butler._ We'll desert him? Full twenty thousand have done that already; 40 We must do more, my countrymen! In short-- We--we must kill him. _Both._ Kill him! _Butler._ Yes! must kill him. And for that purpose have I chosen you. _Both._ Us! _Butler._ You, Captain Devereux, and thee, Macdonald. 45 _Devereux (after a pause)._ Choose you some other. _Butler._ What? art dastardly? Thou, with full thirty lives to answer for-- Thou conscientious of a sudden? _Devereux._ Nay, To assassinate our Lord and General-- _Macdonald._ To whom we've sworn a soldier's oath-- _Butler._ The oath 50 Is null, for Friedland is a traitor. _Devereux._ No, no! It is too bad! _Macdonald._ Yes, by my soul! It is too bad. One has a conscience too-- _Devereux._ If it were not our chieftain, who so long Has issued the commands, and claim'd our duty. 55 _Butler._ Is that the objection? _Devereux._ Were it my own father, And the Emperor's service should demand it of me, It might be done perhaps--But we are soldiers, And to assassinate our chief commander, That is a sin, a foul abomination, 60 From which no monk or confessor absolves us. _Butler._ I am your Pope, and give you absolution. Determine quickly! _Devereux._ 'Twill not do! _Macdonald._ 'Twon't do! _Butler._ Well, off then! and--send Pestalutz to me. _Devereux._ The Pestalutz--