No, no! it is too bad!

MACDONALD.

Yes, by my soul!

It is too bad. One has a conscience too--

DEVEREUX.

If it were not our Chieftain, who so long Has issued the commands, and claim'd our duty--

BUTLER.

Is that the objection?

DEVEREUX.

Were it my own father, And the Emperor's service should demand it of me, It might be done perhaps--But we are soldiers, And to a.s.sa.s.sinate our Chief Commander-- That is a sin, a foul abomination, From which no monk or confessor absolves us.

BUTLER.

I am your Pope, and give you absolution.

Determine quickly!

DEVEREUX.

'Twill not do.

MACDONALD.

'Twont do!

BUTLER.

Well, off then! and--send Pestalutz to me.

DEVEREUX _(hesitates)._

The Pestalutz--

MACDONALD.

What may you want with him?

BUTLER.

If you reject it, we can find enough--

DEVEREUX.

Nay, if he must fall, we may earn the bounty As well as any other. What think you, Brother Macdonald?

MACDONALD.

Why, if he must fall, And will fall, and it can't be otherwise, One would not give place to this Pestalutz.

DEVEREUX _(after some reflection)_.

When do you purpose he should fall?

BUTLER.

This night.

Tomorrow will the Swedes be at our gates.

DEVEREUX.

You take upon you all the consequences

BUTLER.

I take the whole upon me.

DEVEREUX.

And it is The Emperor's will, his express absolute will?

For we have instances, that folks may like The murder, and yet hang the murderer.

BUTLER.

The manifesto says--"alive or dead."

Alive--'tis not possible--you see it is not.

DEVEREUX.

Well, dead then! dead! But how can we come at him?

The town is filled with Terzky's soldiery.

MACDON.

Ay! and then Terzky still remains, and Illo--

BUTLER.

With these you shall begin--you understand me?

DEVEREUX.

How! And must they too perish?