University of Virginia Library

Scene X

Illo (comes out from the second chamber), Tertsky.
Illo.
How goes it with young Piccolomini?

Tertsky.
All right, I think. He has started no objection.

Illo.
He is the only one I fear about—
He and his father. Have an eye on both!

Tertsky.
How looks it at your table: you forget not
To keep them warm and stirring?

Illo.
O, quite cordial,
They are quite cordial in the scheme. We have them.
And 'tis as I predicted too. Already
It is the talk, not merely to maintain
The Duke in station. ‘Since we're once for all
Together and unanimous, why not,’
Says Montecuculi, ‘aye, why not onward,
And make conditions with the Emperor
There in his own Vienna?’ Trust me, Count,
Were it not for these said Piccolomini,
We might have spared ourselves the cheat.

Tertsky.
And Butler?
How goes it there? Hush!