_ILLO with BUTLER and ISOLANI._ _Illo._ Ye have come late--but ye are come! The distance, Count Isolan, excuses your delay. _Isolani._ Add this too, that we come not empty-handed. At Donauwert[600:2] it was reported to us, A Swedish caravan was on its way 5 Transporting a rich cargo of provision, Almost six hundred waggons. This my Croats Plunged down upon and seized, this weighty prize!---- We bring it hither---- _Illo._ Just in time to banquet The illustrious company assembled here. 10 _Butler._ 'Tis all alive! a stirring scene here! _Isolani._ Ay! The very churches are all full of soldiers. And in the Council-house, too, I observe, You're settled, quite at home! Well, well! we soldiers Must shift and suit us in what way we can. 15 _Illo._ We have the Colonels here of thirty regiments. You'll find Count Tertsky here, and Tiefenbach, Kolatto, Goetz, Maradas, Hinnersam, The Piccolomini, both son and father---- You'll meet with many an unexpected greeting 20 From many an old friend and acquaintance. Only Galas is wanting still, and Altringer. _Butler._ Expect not Galas. _Illo._ How so? Do you know---- _Isolani._ Max Piccolomini here?--O bring me to him. 25 I see him yet, ('tis now ten years ago, We were engaged with Mansfeld hard by Dessau) I see the youth, in my mind's eye I see him, Leap his black war-horse from the bridge adown, And t'ward his father, then in extreme peril, 30 Beat up against the strong tide of the Elbe. The down was scarce upon his chin! I hear He has made good the promise of his youth, And the full hero now is finished in him. _Illo._ You'll see him yet ere evening. He conducts 35 The Duchess Friedland hither, and the Princess[601:1] From Carnthen. We expect them here at noon. _Butler._ Both wife and daughter does the Duke call hither? He crowds in visitants from all sides. _Isolani._ Hm! So much the better! I had framed my mind 40 To hear of nought but warlike circumstance, Of marches, and attacks, and batteries: And lo! the Duke provides, that something too Of gentler sort, and lovely, should be present To feast our eyes. 45 _Illo (aside to Butler)._ And how came you to know That the Count Galas joins us not? _Butler._ Because He importuned me to remain behind. _Illo._ And you?--You hold out firmly? Noble Butler! _Butler._ After the obligation which the Duke 50 Had laid so newly on me---- _Illo._ I had forgotten A pleasant duty--Major-General, I wish you joy!