ILLO. Yonder I see our worthy friend [spoken with a sneer] approaching With the Lieutenant-General Piccolomini. BUTLER (shaking his head significantly). I fear we shall not go hence as we came. SCENE II. Enter OCTAVIO PICCOLOMINI and QUESTENBERG. OCTAVIO (still in the distance). Ay! ah! more still! Still more new visitors! Acknowledge, friend! that never was a camp, Which held at once so many heads of heroes. QUESTENBERG. Let none approach a camp of Friedland's troops Who dares to think unworthily of war; E'en I myself had nigh forgot its evils When I surveyed that lofty soul of order, By which, while it destroys the world--itself Maintains the greatness which itself created. OCTAVIO (approaching nearer). Welcome, Count Isolani! ISOLANI. My noble brother! Even now am I arrived; it has been else my duty---- OCTAVIO. And Colonel Butler--trust me, I rejoice Thus to renew acquaintance with a man Whose worth and services I know and honor. See, see, my friend! There might we place at once before our eyes The sum of war's whole trade and mystery-- [To QUESTENBERG, presenting BUTLER and ISOLANI at the same time to him. These two the total sum--strength and despatch. QUESTENBERG (to OCTAVIO). And lo! betwixt them both, experienced prudence! OCTAVIO (presenting QUESTENBERG to BUTLER and ISOLANI). The Chamberlain and War-Commissioner Questenberg. The bearer of the emperor's behests,-- The long-tried friend and patron of all soldiers, We honor in this noble visitor. [Universal silence. ILLO (moving towards QUESTENBERG). 'Tis not the first time, noble minister, You've shown our camp this honor. QUESTENBERG. Once before I stood beside these colors. ILLO. Perchance too you remember where that was; It was at Znaeim [4] in Moravia, where You did present yourself upon the part Of the emperor to supplicate our duke That he would straight assume the chief command. QUESTENBURG. To supplicate? Nay, bold general! So far extended neither my commission (At least to my own knowledge) nor my zeal. ILLO. Well, well, then--to compel him, if you choose, I can remember me right well, Count Tilly Had suffered total rout upon the Lech. Bavaria lay all open to the enemy, Whom there was nothing to delay from pressing Onwards into the very heart of Austria. At that time you and Werdenberg appeared Before our general, storming him with prayers, And menacing the emperor's displeasure, Unless he took compassion on this wretchedness. ISOLANI (steps up to them). Yes, yes, 'tis comprehensible enough, Wherefore with your commission of to-day, You were not all too willing to remember Your former one. QUESTENBERG. Why not, Count Isolani? No contradiction sure exists between them. It was the urgent business of that time To snatch Bavaria from her enemy's hand; And my commission of to-day instructs me To free her from her good friends and protectors.