Page:Wallenstein, a drama in 2 parts - Schiller (tr. Coleridge) (1800).djvu/147

 'Tis true, indeed, I saw thy signature. What thou hast sanction'd, should not, it might seem, Have come amiss to me. But—'tis my nature— Thou know'st that in such matters I must follow My own light, not another's.

Follow it, O follow it still further, my best son! To night, dear boy! it hath more faithfully Guided thee than th' example of thy father.

Declare thyself less darkly.

I will do so. For after what has taken place this night, There must remain no secrets 'twixt us two. (Both seat themselves.) Max. Piccolomini! what think'st thou of The oath that was sent round for signatures?

I hold it for a thing of harmless import, Altho' I love not these set declarations.

And on no other ground hadst thou refus'd The signature they fain had wrested from thee?

It was a serious businessI was absent— The affair itself seem'd not so urgent to me.

Be open, Max. Thou hadst then no suspicion? MAX.