Octavio

“ He now charges all his little faults to those of love, and hearing that old Clarinau was dead of the wound Octavio had given him by mistake, which increased in him new hope of Calista, could she be retrieved from the monastery, he resolved, in order to this, to make Octavio a visit, to beg his pardon, and beg his friendship, and his continuation in the world. He came accordingly to the monastery, and was extremely civilly received by Octavio, who yet had not the habit on. ”

“ Brilliard knew each division, and which way they were inclined; he knew Octavio was not so well with the States as not to be easily rendered worse; for he was so entirely a creature and favourite of the Prince, that they conceived abundance of jealousies of him which they durst not own. ”

“ Don Octavio approaches Porcia.
Don O. My dearest Porcia, how is't possible
To find you in this place, my friend Antonio
Having so generously undertaken
Your protection?
Por. Did he not yours so too? and yet I find
Octavio here, where he is more expos'd
Than I to certain ruin. I am loth
To say 'tis he who has betray'd us both.
Don O. Antonio false? It is impossible.
Diego. 'Tis but too evident.
Don O. Peace, slave! he is my noble friend, of noble blood,
Whose fame's above the level of those tongues
That bark by custom at the brightest virtues,
As dogs do at the moon. ”

“ Questenberg. You lead your son into the secret?
Octavio. No!
Questenberg. What? and not warn him either what bad hands 110
His lot has placed him in?
Octavio. I must perforce
Leave him in wardship to his innocence.
His young and open soul—dissimulation
Is foreign to its habits! Ignorance
Alone can keep alive the cheerful air, 115
The unembarrassed sense and light free spirit,
That make the Duke secure.
Questenberg. My honoured friend! most highly do I deem
Of Colonel Piccolomini—yet—if——
Reflect a little——
Octavio. ”

“ And that you may believe that all the arts of gallantry, and graces of good management were more peculiarly his than another's, his race was illustrious, being descended from that of the Princes of Orange, and great birth will shine through, and shew itself in spite of education and obscurity: but Octavio had all those additions that render a man truly great and brave ”

“ It was this Order that Octavio had chosen, as too delicate to undertake the austerity of any other; and in my opinion, it is here a man may hope to become a saint sooner than in any other, more perplexed with want, cold, and all the necessaries of life, which takes the thought too much from heaven, and afflicts it with the cares of this world, with pain and too much abstinence: and I rather think it is necessity than choice, that makes a man a Cordelier, that may be a Jesuit, or Bernardine, to the best of the Holy Orders. ”

“ Who has no faith.
Octavio. And if I trust thy heart,
Will it be always in thy power to follow it?
Max. The heart's voice thou hast not o'erpower'd—as little 75
Will Wallenstein be able to o'erpower it.
Octavio. O, Max! I see thee never more again!
Max. Unworthy of thee wilt thou never see me.
Octavio. I go to Frauenberg—the Pappenheimers
I leave thee here, the Lothrings too; Toskana 80
And Tiefenbach remain here to protect thee.
They love thee, and are faithful to their oath,
And will far rather fall in gallant contest
Than leave their rightful leader, and their honour.
Max. ”

“ Enter Don Henrique, Don Carlos, Leonido, and Geraldo, with their swords drawn.
Don H. What's this! Antonio fighting with Octavio?
This bravery is excessive, gallant friend,
Not to allow a share in your revenge
To him who's most concern'd: he must not fall
Without some marks of mine.
[Don Henrique makes at Don Octavio, and Don Antonio turns to Don Octavio's side.
Don A. Nay, then my honour you invade anew,
[Pg 309] And, by assaulting him, revive in me
My pre-engagements to protect and serve him
Against all others. ”

“ Por. I will die too, Octavio, to maintain
That different causes form the same effects:
'Tis courage in you men, love in our sex.
Don O. Though souls no sexes have, when w' are above,
If we can know each other, we may love.
Por. I'll meet you there above: here take my word.
[Don Octavio takes her hand and kisses it.
This Porcia knows the way of joining souls,
[Pg 302] As well as th' other, when she swallow'd coals. ”

“ Rich, noble, and, as they say, beautiful.
And so you have me here, come to consummate
Those nuptial rites to which my interest,
And the importunity of trusty friends,
O'errule my judgment, though against my heart.
Don O. A wonderful adventure! but pray, sir,
May I not take the liberty to ask you,
Who may this noble lady be, to whom
The fates have destin'd so much happiness?
Don A. I have no reserves for you, Octavio,
'Tis the sister of——
Enter Ernesto, and Don Octavio retires hastily, and covers his face with his cloak.
Don A. [Nodding to Octavio.] It is my servant, sir. ”

“ He labours inwardly with violent emotions; tries to speak, and [720] cannot. At length he takes his sword from the belt, and offers it to Piccolomini.
Octavio. What wish you? Recollect yourself, friend.
Butler. Take it.
Octavio. But to what purpose? Calm yourself.
Butler. O take it!
I am no longer worthy of this sword.
Octavio. Receive it then anew from my hands—and 125
Wear it with honour for the right cause ever.
Butler.——Perjure myself to such a gracious Sovereign!
Octavio. You'll make amends. Quick! break off from the Duke!
Butler. Break off from him!
Octavio. What now? ”

“ Thou risest by his fall.
Octavio, 'twill not please me.
Octavio. God in Heaven!
Max. O, woe is me! sure I have changed my nature. 25
[722] How comes suspicion here—in the free soul?
Hope, confidence, belief, are gone; for all
Lied to me, all what I e'er loved or honoured.
No! No! Not all! She—she yet lives for me,
And she is true, and open as the Heavens! 30
Deceit is every where, hypocrisy,
Murder, and poisoning, treason, perjury:
The single holy spot is now our love,
The only unprofaned in human nature.
Octavio. Max!—we will go together. 'Twill be better. 35
Max. ”

“ From his own mouth—from the Duke's mouth I had it.
MAX. (in excessive agitation)
No!—no!—never!
OCTAVIO.
Himself confided to me
What I, 'tis true, had long before discovered
By other means—himself confided to me,
That 'twas his settl'd plan to join the Swedes;
And, at the head of the united armies,
Compel the Emperor———
MAX.
He is passionate,
The Court has stung him—he is sore all over
With injuries and affronts; and in a moment
Of irritation, what if he, for once,
Forgot himself? He's an impetuous man. ”

“ Octavio 1800, 1828, 1829.
[98]
Wallenstein (significantly) . 1800, 1828, 1829.
[112]
kernel 1800, 1828, 1829.
[714]
Scene IV Scene—A Chamber in Piccolomini's Dwelling-House.
Octavio Piccolomini, Isolani (entering) .
Isolani. Here am I—Well! who comes yet of the others?
Octavio. But, first, a word with you, Count Isolani.
Isolani. Will it explode, ha?—Is the Duke about
To make the attempt? In me, friend, you may place
Full confidence.—Nay, put me to the proof. 5
Octavio. ”

“ For, for the sake of business and of visiting me, Octavius had hastened to Rome, having left his home, his wife, his children, and that which is most attractive in children, while yet their innocent years are attempting only half-uttered words,—a language all the sweeter for the very imperfection of the faltering tongue. And at this his arrival I cannot express in words with how great and with how impatient a joy I exulted, since the unexpected presence of a man so very dear to me greatly enhanced my gladness. ”

“ If you are found out there is no saying what will happen to you. You see Octavius is a very good chap; makes a god of what he calls honour, and so on, and that makes him a bit of a fanatic in some things. I really don’t know where this would land you if you were found out. I’ve lied about it already; I am absolutely up to the neck in lies. I dare say he half suspects me; and in any case I am quite likely to lose my billet. But one thing he can’t do, Luney, he can’t bring it home to me. ”

“ Octavia.—You did for husbands who loved yon, and were the most virtuous men of the ages they lived in—who trusted you with their lives, their fame, their honour. To outlive such husbands is, in my judgment, a harder effort of virtue than to die for them or with them. But Mark Antony, to whom my brother Octavius, for reasons of state, gave my hand, was indifferent to me, and loved another. Yet he has told me himself I was handsomer than his mistress p. 78Cleopatra. Younger I certainly was, and to men that is generally a charm sufficient to turn the scale in one’s favour. ”

“ When I consider and mentally review my remembrance of Octavius, my excellent and most faithful companion, the sweetness and charm of the man so clings to me, that I appear to myself in some sort as if I were returning to past times, and not merely recalling in my recollection things which have long since happened and gone by. ”

“ She soon fascinated the most powerful man in the empire, who, forgetting his ambition, resigned himself to love. Octavius, master of himself, and of Italy, confiscated lands for the benefit of the soldiership prepared for future contingencies. Though Antonius married Octavia, the sister of Octavius, he was full of intrigues against him and Octavius, on his part, proved more than a match in duplicity and concealed hostilities. ”

“ OCTAVIA.
O, my good lord,
Believe not all, or if you must believe,
Stomach not all. A more unhappy lady,
If this division chance, ne’er stood between,
Praying for both parts.
The good gods will mock me presently
When I shall pray “O, bless my lord and husband!”
Undo that prayer by crying out as loud
“O, bless my brother!” Husband win, win brother,
Prays and destroys the prayer; no midway
’Twixt these extremes at all.
ANTONY.
Gentle Octavia,
Let your best love draw to that point which seeks
Best to preserve it. If I lose mine honour,
I lose myself ”

“ It is true that Octavius had done all you have said; but it is no less true that, in our circumstances, he was the best master Rome could choose. His mind was fitted by nature for empire. His understanding was clear and strong. His passions were cool, and under the absolute command of his reason. His name gave him an authority over the troops and the people which no other Roman could possess in an equal degree. He used that authority to restrain the excesses of both, which it was no longer in the power of the Senate to repress, nor of any other general or magistrate in the state. ”

“ When Octavius had brought his speech to a close, for some time we were struck into silence, and held our countenances fixed in attention and as for me, I was lost in the greatness of my admiration, that he had so adorned those things which it is easier to feel than to say, both by arguments and by examples, and by authorities derived from reading; and that he had repelled the malevolent objectors with the very weapons of the philosophers with which they are armed, and had moreover shown the truth not only as easy, but also as agreeable. ”

“ To gain all she wanted it was necessary to rouse in Antony a passionate hatred, and as this would not have been possible against the tender, loving wife who had been so faithful to him, she brought up the name of Octavius to awaken all the fierce animosity in his soul. To a man of his temperament, impressionable, weak, but devoured with ambition, she held up the poltroon Octavius as the man who was seizing the supreme power. ”

“ The more Octavie displayed her wit, the cooler grew the royal lover. At last Octavie discovered the cause of her decline; her power was threatened by the novelty and piquancy of a correspondence between the august scribe and the wife of his Keeper of the Seals. That excellent woman was believed to be incapable of writing a note; she was simply and solely godmother to the efforts of audacious ambition. ”

“ When his personal feelings are stirred and his affections warmly engaged he is ready to face any danger or difficulty; but he has no sense of moral obligation whatever.
Octavius is his foil—as cold and calm and stubborn as Antony is fiery and impulsive; as remorseless, as unscrupulous, as unflinching—we feel here, as we feel with treble force in Antony and Cleopatra, that he is resistless, unvanquishable, the chosen instrument of Fate that will not be denied. ”

“ One party urged Octavius to go to the army in Macedonia, appeal to its attachment to Cæsar, and call on the legions to follow him to Rome to avenge the murdered Dictator. [1] Those who thus advised trusted to the impression likely to be made by Octavius's personal charm and the pity which his position would excite. Others thought this too great an undertaking for so young a man. They argued that the many friends whom Cæsar had raised to positions of honour and profit might be trusted to avenge his murder. ”

“ Octavius may indeed call him Father Cicero, refer every thing to his counsel, sooth him with praises, and shew great gratitude and fondness towards him, while he loses nothing by all this, which is only a fair outside and fine words. Facts speak the plainest truth, and they effectually contradict the above appearances. For, can there be a greater insult upon common-sense, than for Octavius to take for a father that man who is no longer in the number of freemen? ”

“ Octavius, young as he was, possessed a character that was marked with great intelligence, spirit, and resolution. He soon made many powerful friends in the city of Rome and among the Roman Senate. It became a serious question whether he or Antony would gain the greatest ascendency in the party of Caesar's friends. The contest for this ascendency was, in fact, protracted for two or three years, and led to a vast complication of intrigues, and maneuvers, and civil wars, which can not, however, be here particularly detailed. ”

“ The victory of Octavius at Actium. The rise of the Empire. The battles of Philippi, which delivered the whole Roman world to Antony, Octavius and Lepidus (the Triumvirs) , were fought in the summer of 42 B. C. The battle of Actium, which made Octavius—soon to be named Augustus—the single master of a now fully founded Empire, was fought on the 2d of September, B. C. 31. In the interval of eleven years, Octavius, governing Rome, Italy, and the provinces of the West, had steadily consolidated and increased his power, gaining the confidence, the favor and the fear of his subject people. ”