The Piccolomini: A Play

SCENE III.

      ILLO (comes out from the second chamber), TERZKY.

   ILLO.
   How goes it with young Piccolomini!

   TERZKY.
   All right, I think. He has started no object.

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

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

   ILLO.
                    Oh, 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, "ay, why not onward,
   And make conditions with the emperor
   There in his own Venice?" Trust me, count,
   Were it not for these said Piccolomini,
   We might have spared ourselves the cheat.

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