_Illo._ War is a violent trade; one cannot always Finish one's work by soft means; every trifle Must not be blackened into sacrilege. 110 If we should wait till you, in solemn council, With due deliberation had selected The smallest out of four-and-twenty evils, I'faith, we should wait long.-- 'Dash! and through with it!'--That's the better watch-word. 115 Then after come what may come. 'Tis man's nature To make the best of a bad thing once past. A bitter and perplexed 'what shall I do?' Is worse to man than worst necessity. _Questenberg._ Ay, doubtless, it is true: the Duke does spare us 120 The troublesome task of choosing. _Butler._ Yes, the Duke Cares with a father's feelings for his troops; But how the Emperor feels for us, we see. _Questenberg._ His cares and feelings all ranks share alike, Nor will he offer one up to another. 125 _Isolani._ And therefore thrusts he us into the deserts As beasts of prey, that so he may preserve His dear sheep fattening in his fields at home. _Questenberg._ Count, this comparison you make, not I. _Butler._ Why, were we all the Court supposes us, 130 'Twere dangerous, sure, to give us liberty. _Questenberg._ You have taken liberty--it was not given you. And therefore it becomes an urgent duty To rein it in with curbs. _Octavio._ My noble friend, This is no more than a remembrancing 135 That you are now in camp, and among warriors. The soldier's boldness constitutes his freedom. Could he act daringly, unless he dared Talk even so? One runs into the other. The boldness of this worthy officer, [_pointing to BUTLER._ 140 Which now has but mistaken in its mark, Preserved, when nought but boldness could preserve it, To the Emperor his capital city, Prague, In a most formidable mutiny Of the whole garrison. [_Military music at a distance._ 145 Hah! here they come! _Illo._ The sentries are saluting them: this signal Announces the arrival of the Duchess. _Octavio._ Then my son Max too has returned. 'Twas he Fetched and attended them from Carnthen hither. 150 _Isolani (to Illo)._ Shall we not go in company to greet them? _Illo._ Well, let us go.--Ho! Colonel Butler, come. [_To OCTAVIO._ You'll not forget, that yet ere noon we meet The noble Envoy at the General's palace. [_Exeunt all but QUESTENBERG and OCTAVIO._ FOOTNOTES: [604:1] A town not far from the Mine-mountains, on the high road from Vienna to Prague. LINENOTES: [Before 1] _Octavio (still in the distance)._ 1817, 1828, 1829. [After 4] [_Approaching nearer._ 1817, 1828, 1829. [17] We honour in this noble visitor. [_Universal silence._