He was no longer worthy of sincerity. (MAX: Dissimulation, sure, was still less worthy Of thee, Octavio!) Gave I him a cause To entertain a scruple of my honor? (MAX: That he did not evince his confidence.) Dear son, it is not always possible Still to preserve that infant purity Which the voice teaches in our inmost heart, Still in alarm, forever on the watch Against the wiles of wicked men: e'en virtue Will sometimes bear away her outward robes Soiled in the wrestle with iniquity. This is the curse of every evil deed That, propagating still, it brings forth evil. I do not cheat my better soul with sophisms; I but perform my orders; the emperor Prescribes my conduct to me. Dearest boy, Far better were it, doubtless, if we all Obeyed the heart at all times; but so doing, In this our present sojourn with bad men, We must abandon many an honest object. 'Tis now our call to serve the emperor; By what means he can best be served--the heart May whisper what it will--this is our call!

Octavio Piccolomini Monologue from The Piccolomini: A Play

Rehearse Octavio Piccolomini's monologue