Volume 3 / Act 2 — SCENE IV
Reading edition
Chamber in the residence of Piccolomini
OCTAVIO PICCOLOMINI (attired for traveling), AN ADJUTANT
OCTAVIO.
Is the detachment here?
ADJUT.
It awaits below.
OCTAVIO.
And are the soldiers trusty, Adjutant? Say, from what regiment hast thou chosen them?
ADJUT. From Tiefenbach's.
OCTAVIO.
That regiment is loyal; Keep them in silence in the inner court, Unseen by all, and when the signal peals Then close the doors; keep watch upon the house, And all ye meet be instantly arrested.
[Exit Adjutant.]
I hope indeed I shall not need their service, So certain feel I of my well laid plans; But when an empire's safety is at stake 'Twere better too much caution than too little.