Werner; or, the Inheritance

ACT I.

SCENE I.--The Hall of a decayed Palace near a small Town on the Northern Frontier of Silesia--the Night tempestuous.

WERNER and JOSEPHINE, his Wife.

Jos. My love, be calmer!

Wer. I am calm.

Jos. To me-- Yes, but not to thyself: thy pace is hurried, And no one walks a chamber like to ours, With steps like thine, when his heart is at rest. Were it a garden, I should deem thee happy, And stepping with the bee from flower to flower; But here!

Wer. 'Tis chill; the tapestry lets through The wind to which it waves: my blood is frozen.

Jos. Ah, no!

Wer. (smiling). Why! wouldst thou have it so?

Jos. I would Have it a healthful current.

Wer. Let it flow Until 'tis spilt or checked--how soon, I care not.

Jos. And am I nothing in thy heart?

Wer. All--all.

Jos. Then canst thou wish for that which must break mine?

Wer. (approaching her slowly). But for thee I had been--no matter what-- But much of good and evil; what I am, Thou knowest; what I might or should have been, Thou knowest not: but still I love thee, nor Shall aught divide us. [WERNER walks on abruptly, and then approaches JOSEPHINE. The storm of the night, Perhaps affects me; I'm a thing of feelings, And have of late been sickly, as, alas! Thou know'st by sufferings more than mine, my Love! In watching me.

Jos. To see thee well is much-- To see thee happy----

Wer. Where hast thou seen such? Let me be wretched with the rest!

Jos. But think How many in this hour of tempest shiver Beneath the biting wind and heavy rain, Whose every drop bows them down nearer earth, Which hath no chamber for them save beneath Her surface.

Wer. And that's not the worst: who cares For chambers? rest is all. The wretches whom Thou namest--aye, the wind howls round them, and The dull and dropping rain saps in their bones The creeping marrow. I have been a soldier, A hunter, and a traveller, and am A beggar, and should know the thing thou talk'st of.

Jos. And art thou not now sheltered from them all? Wer. Yes. And from these alone.

Jos. And that is something.

Wer. True--to a peasant.

Jos. Should the nobly born Be thankless for that refuge which their habits Of early delicacy render more Needful than to the peasant, when the ebb Of fortune leaves them on the shoals of life?

Wer. It is not that, thou know'st it is not: we Have borne all this, I'll not say patiently, Except in thee--but we have borne it.

Jos. Well?

Wer. Something beyond our outward sufferings (though These were enough to gnaw into our souls) Hath stung me oft, and, more than ever, now. When, but for this untoward sickness, which Seized me upon this desolate frontier, and Hath wasted, not alone my strength, but means, And leaves us--no! this is beyond me!--but For this I had been happy--thou been happy-- The splendour of my rank sustained--my name-- My father's name--been still upheld; and, more Than those----

Jos. (abruptly). My son--our son--our Ulric, Been clasped again in these long-empty arms, And all a mother's hunger satisfied. Twelve years! he was but eight then:--beautiful He was, and beautiful he must be now, My Ulric! my adored!

Wer. I have been full oft The chase of Fortune; now she hath o'ertaken My spirit where it cannot turn at bay,-- Sick, poor, and lonely.

Jos. Lonely! my dear husband?

Wer. Or worse--involving all I love, in this Far worse than solitude. Alone, I had died, And all been over in a nameless grave.

Jos. And I had not outlived thee; but pray take Comfort! We have struggled long; and they who strive With Fortune win or weary her at last, So that they find the goal or cease to feel Further. Take comfort,--we shall find our boy.

Wer. We were in sight of him, of every thing Which could bring compensation for past sorrow-- And to be baffled thus!

Jos. We are not baffled.

Wer. Are we not penniless?

Jos. We ne'er were wealthy.

Wer. But I was born to wealth, and rank, and power; Enjoyed them, loved them, and, alas! abused them, And forfeited them by my father's wrath, In my o'er-fervent youth: but for the abuse Long-sufferings have atoned. My father's death Left the path open, yet not without snares. This cold and creeping kinsman, who so long Kept his eye on me, as the snake upon The fluttering bird, hath ere this time outstept me, Become the master of my rights, and lord Of that which lifts him up to princes in Dominion and domain.

Jos. Who knows? our son May have returned back to his grandsire, and Even now uphold thy rights for thee?

Wer. 'Tis hopeless. Since his strange disappearance from my father's, Entailing, as it were, my sins upon Himself, no tidings have revealed his course. I parted with him to his grandsire, on The promise that his anger would stop short Of the third generation; but Heaven seems To claim her stern prerogative, and visit Upon my boy his father's faults and follies.

Jos. I must hope better still,--at least we have yet Baffled the long pursuit of Stralenheim.

Wer. We should have done, but for this fatal sickness;-- More fatal than a mortal malady, Because it takes not life, but life's sole solace: Even now I feel my spirit girt about By the snares of this avaricious fiend:-- How do I know he hath not tracked us here?

Jos. He does not know thy person; and his spies, Who so long watched thee, have been left at Hamburgh. Our unexpected journey, and this change Of name, leaves all discovery far behind: None hold us here for aught save what we seem.

Wer. Save what we seem! save what we are--sick beggars, Even to our very hopes.--Ha! ha!

Jos. Alas! That bitter laugh!

Wer. Who would read in this form The high soul of the son of a long line? Who, in this garb, the heir of princely lands? Who, in this sunken, sickly eye, the pride Of rank and ancestry? In this worn cheek And famine-hollowed brow, the Lord of halls Which daily feast a thousand vassals?

Jos. You Pondered not thus upon these worldly things, My Werner! when you deigned to choose for bride The foreign daughter of a wandering exile.

Wer. An exile's daughter with an outcast son, Were a fit marriage: but I still had hopes To lift thee to the state we both were born for. Your father's house was noble, though decayed; And worthy by its birth to match with ours.

Jos. Your father did not think so, though 'twas noble; But had my birth been all my claim to match With thee, I should have deemed it what it is.

Wer. And what is that in thine eyes?

Jos. All which it Has done in our behalf,--nothing.

Wer. How,--nothing?

Jos. Or worse; for it has been a canker in Thy heart from the beginning: but for this, We had not felt our poverty but as Millions of myriads feel it--cheerfully; But for these phantoms of thy feudal fathers, Thou mightst have earned thy bread, as thousands earn it; Or, if that seem too humble, tried by commerce, Or other civic means, to amend thy fortunes.

Wer. (ironically). And been an Hanseatic burgher? Excellent!

Jos. Whate'er thou mightest have been, to me thou art What no state high or low can ever change, My heart's first choice;--which chose thee, knowing neither Thy birth, thy hopes, thy pride; nought, save thy sorrows: While they last, let me comfort or divide them: When they end--let mine end with them, or thee!

Wer. My better angel! Such I have ever found thee; This rashness, or this weakness of my temper, Ne'er raised a thought to injure thee or thine. Thou didst not mar my fortunes: my own nature In youth was such as to unmake an empire, Had such been my inheritance; but now, Chastened, subdued, out-worn, and taught to know Myself,--to lose this for our son and thee! Trust me, when, in my two-and-twentieth spring, My father barred me from my father's house, The last sole scion of a thousand sires (For I was then the last), it hurt me less Than to behold my boy and my boy's mother Excluded in their innocence from what My faults deserved-exclusion; although then My passions were all living serpents, and Twined like the Gorgon's round me. [A loud knocking is heard.

Jos. Hark!

Wer. A knocking!

Jos. Who can it be at this lone hour? We have Few visitors.

Wer. And poverty hath none, Save those who come to make it poorer still. Well--I am prepared.

[WERNER puts his hand into his bosom, as if to search for some weapon.

Jos. Oh! do not look so. I Will to the door. It cannot be of import In this lone spot of wintry desolation:-- The very desert saves man from mankind. [She goes to the door.

Enter IDENSTEIN.

Iden. A fair good evening to my fair hostess And worthy----What's your name, my friend?

Wer. Are you Not afraid to demand it?

Iden. Not afraid? Egad! I am afraid. You look as if I asked for something better than your name, By the face you put on it.

Wer. Better, sir!

Iden. Better or worse, like matrimony: what Shall I say more? You have been a guest this month Here in the prince's palace--(to be sure, His Highness had resigned it to the ghosts And rats these twelve years--but 'tis still a palace)-- I say you have been our lodger, and as yet We do not know your name.

Wer. My name is Werner.

Iden. A goodly name, a very worthy name, As e'er was gilt upon a trader's board: I have a cousin in the lazaretto Of Hamburgh, who has got a wife who bore The same. He is an officer of trust, Surgeon's assistant (hoping to be surgeon), And has done miracles i' the way of business. Perhaps you are related to my relative?

Wer. To yours?

Jos. Oh, yes; we are, but distantly. (Aside to WERNER.) Cannot you humour the dull gossip till We learn his purpose?

Iden. Well, I'm glad of that; I thought so all along, such natural yearnings Played round my heart:--blood is not water, cousin; And so let's have some wine, and drink unto Our better acquaintance: relatives should be Friends.

Wer. You appear to have drunk enough already; And if you have not, I've no wine to offer, Else it were yours: but this you know, or should know: You see I am poor, and sick, and will not see That I would be alone; but to your business! What brings you here?

Iden. Why, what should bring me here?

Wer. I know not, though I think that I could guess That which will send you hence.

Jos. (aside). Patience, dear Werner!

Iden. You don't know what has happened, then?

Jos. How should we?

Iden. The river has o'erflowed.

Jos. Alas! we have known That to our sorrow for these five days; since It keeps us here.

Iden. But what you don't know is, That a great personage, who fain would cross Against the stream and three postilions' wishes, Is drowned below the ford, with five post-horses, A monkey, and a mastiff--and a valet.

Jos. Poor creatures! are you sure?

Iden. Yes, of the monkey, And the valet, and the cattle; but as yet We know not if his Excellency's dead Or no; your noblemen are hard to drown, As it is fit that men in office should be; But what is certain is, that he has swallowed Enough of the Oder to have burst two peasants; And now a Saxon and Hungarian traveller, Who, at their proper peril, snatched him from The whirling river, have sent on to crave A lodging, or a grave, according as It may turn out with the live or dead body.

Jos. And where will you receive him? here, I hope, If we can be of service--say the word.

Iden. Here? no; but in the Prince's own apartment, As fits a noble guest:--'tis damp, no doubt, Not having been inhabited these twelve years; But then he comes from a much damper place, So scarcely will catch cold in't, if he be Still liable to cold--and if not, why He'll be worse lodged to-morrow: ne'ertheless, I have ordered fire and all appliances To be got ready for the worst--that is, In case he should survive.

Jos. Poor gentleman! I hope he will, with all my heart.

Wer. Intendant, Have you not learned his name? (Aside to his wife.) My Josephine, Retire: I'll sift this fool. [Exit JOSEPHINE.

Iden. His name? oh Lord! Who knows if he hath now a name or no? 'Tis time enough to ask it when he's able To give an answer; or if not, to put His heir's upon his epitaph. Methought Just now you chid me for demanding names?

Wer. True, true, I did so: you say well and wisely.

Enter GABOR.

Gab. If I intrude, I crave----

Iden. Oh, no intrusion! This is the palace; this a stranger like Yourself; I pray you make yourself at home: But where's his Excellency? and how fares he?

Gab. Wetly and wearily, but out of peril: He paused to change his garments in a cottage (Where I doffed mine for these, and came on hither), And has almost recovered from his drenching. He will be here anon.

Iden. What ho, there! bustle! Without there, Herman, Weilburg, Peter, Conrad! [Gives directions to different servants who enter. A nobleman sleeps here to-night--see that All is in order in the damask chamber-- Keep up the stove--I will myself to the cellar-- And Madame Idenstein (my consort, stranger,) Shall furnish forth the bed-apparel; for, To say the truth, they are marvellous scant of this Within the palace precincts, since his Highness Left it some dozen years ago. And then His Excellency will sup, doubtless?

Gab. Faith! I cannot tell; but I should think the pillow Would please him better than the table, after His soaking in your river: but for fear Your viands should be thrown away, I mean To sup myself, and have a friend without Who will do honour to your good cheer with A traveller's appetite.

Iden. But are you sure His Excellency----But his name: what is it?

Gab. I do not know.

Iden. And yet you saved his life.

Gab. I helped my friend to do so.

Iden. Well, that's strange, To save a man's life whom you do not know.

Gab. Not so; for there are some I know so well, I scarce should give myself the trouble.

Iden. Pray, Good friend, and who may you be?

Gab. By my family, Hungarian.

Iden. Which is called?

Gab. It matters little.

Iden. (aside). I think that all the world are grown anonymous, Since no one cares to tell me what he's called! Pray, has his Excellency a large suite?

Gab. Sufficient.

Iden. How many?

Gab. I did not count them. We came up by mere accident, and just In time to drag him through his carriage window.

Iden. Well, what would I give to save a great man! No doubt you'll have a swingeing sum as recompense.

Gab. Perhaps.

Iden. Now, how much do you reckon on?

Gab. I have not yet put up myself to sale: In the mean time, my best reward would be A glass of your Hockcheimer--a green glass, Wreathed with rich grapes and Bacchanal devices, O'erflowing with the oldest of your vintage: For which I promise you, in case you e'er Run hazard of being drowned, (although I own It seems, of all deaths, the least likely for you,) I'll pull you out for nothing. Quick, my friend, And think, for every bumper I shall quaff, A wave the less may roll above your head.

Iden. (aside). I don't much like this fellow--close and dry He seems,--two things which suit me not; however, Wine he shall have; if that unlocks him not, I shall not sleep to-night for curiosity. [Exit IDENSTEIN.

Gab. (to WERNER). This master of the ceremonies is The intendant of the palace, I presume: 'Tis a fine building, but decayed.

Wer. The apartment Designed for him you rescued will be found In fitter order for a sickly guest.

Gab. I wonder then you occupied it not, For you seem delicate in health.

Wer. (quickly). Sir!

Gab. Pray Excuse me: have I said aught to offend you?

Wer. Nothing: but we are strangers to each other.

Gab. And that's the reason I would have us less so: I thought our bustling guest without had said You were a chance and passing guest, the counterpart Of me and my companions.

Wer. Very true.

Gab. Then, as we never met before, and never, It may be, may again encounter, why, I thought to cheer up this old dungeon here (At least to me) by asking you to share The fare of my companions and myself.

Wer. Pray, pardon me; my health----

Gab. Even as you please. I have been a soldier, and perhaps am blunt In bearing.

Wer. I have also served, and can Requite a soldier's greeting.

Gab. In what service? The Imperial?

Wer. (quickly, and then interrupting himself). I commanded--no--I mean I served; but it is many years ago, When first Bohemia raised her banner 'gainst The Austrian.

Gab. Well, that's over now, and peace Has turned some thousand gallant hearts adrift To live as they best may: and, to say truth, Some take the shortest.

Wer. What is that?

Gab. Whate'er They lay their hands on. All Silesia and Lusatia's woods are tenanted by bands Of the late troops, who levy on the country Their maintenance: the Chatelains must keep Their castle walls--beyond them 'tis but doubtful Travel for your rich Count or full-blown Baron. My comfort is that, wander where I may, I've little left to lose now.

Wer. And I--nothing.

Gab. That's harder still. You say you were a soldier.

Wer. I was.

Gab. You look one still. All soldiers are Or should be comrades, even though enemies. Our swords when drawn must cross, our engines aim (While levelled) at each other's hearts; but when A truce, a peace, or what you will, remits The steel into its scabbard, and lets sleep The spark which lights the matchlock, we are brethren. You are poor and sickly--I am not rich, but healthy; I want for nothing which I cannot want; You seem devoid of this--wilt share it? [GABOR pulls out his purse.

Wer. Who Told you I was a beggar?

Gab. You yourself, In saying you were a soldier during peace-time.

Wer. (looking at him with suspicion). You know me not.

Gab. I know no man, not even Myself: how should I then know one I ne'er Beheld till half an hour since?

Wer. Sir, I thank you. Your offer's noble were it to a friend, And not unkind as to an unknown stranger, Though scarcely prudent; but no less I thank you. I am a beggar in all save his trade; And when I beg of any one, it shall be Of him who was the first to offer what Few can obtain by asking. Pardon me. [Exit WERNER.

Gab. (solus). A goodly fellow by his looks, though worn As most good fellows are, by pain or pleasure, Which tear life out of us before our time; I scarce know which most quickly: but he seems To have seen better days, as who has not Who has seen yesterday?--But here approaches Our sage intendant, with the wine: however, For the cup's sake I'll bear the cupbearer.

Enter IDENSTEIN.

Iden. 'Tis here! the supernaculum! twenty years Of age, if 'tis a day.

Gab. Which epoch makes Young women and old wine; and 'tis great pity, Of two such excellent things, increase of years, Which still improves the one, should spoil the other. Fill full--Here's to our hostess!--your fair wife! [Takes the glass.

Iden. Fair!--Well, I trust your taste in wine is equal To that you show for beauty; but I pledge you Nevertheless.

Gab. Is not the lovely woman I met in the adjacent hall, who, with An air, and port, and eye, which would have better Beseemed this palace in its brightest days (Though in a garb adapted to its present Abandonment), returned my salutation-- Is not the same your spouse?

Iden. I would she were! But you're mistaken:--that's the stranger's wife.

Gab. And by her aspect she might be a Prince's; Though time hath touched her too, she still retains Much beauty, and more majesty.

Iden. And that Is more than I can say for Madame Idenstein, At least in beauty: as for majesty, She has some of its properties which might Be spared--but never mind!

Gab. I don't. But who May be this stranger? He too hath a bearing Above his outward fortunes.

Iden. There I differ. He's poor as Job, and not so patient; but Who he may be, or what, or aught of him, Except his name (and that I only learned To-night), I know not.

Gab. But how came he here?

Iden. In a most miserable old caleche, About a month since, and immediately Fell sick, almost to death. He should have died.

Gab. Tender and true!--but why?

Iden. Why, what is life Without a living? He has not a stiver.

Gab. In that case, I much wonder that a person Of your apparent prudence should admit Guests so forlorn into this noble mansion.

Iden. That's true: but pity, as you know, does make One's heart commit these follies; and besides, They had some valuables left at that time, Which paid their way up to the present hour; And so I thought they might as well be lodged Here as at the small tavern, and I gave them The run of some of the oldest palace rooms. They served to air them, at the least as long As they could pay for firewood.

Gab. Poor souls!

Iden. Aye, Exceeding poor.

Gab. And yet unused to poverty, If I mistake not. Whither were they going?

Iden. Oh! Heaven knows where, unless to Heaven itself. Some days ago that looked the likeliest journey For Werner.

Gab. Werner! I have heard the name. But it may be a feigned one.

Iden. Like enough! But hark! a noise of wheels and voices, and A blaze of torches from without. As sure As destiny, his Excellency's come. I must be at my post; will you not join me, To help him from his carriage, and present Your humble duty at the door?

Gab. I dragged him From out that carriage when he would have given His barony or county to repel The rushing river from his gurgling throat. He has valets now enough: they stood aloof then, Shaking their dripping ears upon the shore, All roaring "Help!" but offering none; and as For duty (as you call it)--I did mine then, Now do yours. Hence, and bow and cringe him here!

Iden. I cringe!--but I shall lose the opportunity-- Plague take it! he'll be here, and I not there! [Exit IDENSTEIN hastily.

Re-enter WERNER.

Wer. (to himself). I heard a noise of wheels and voices. How All sounds now jar me! [Perceiving GABOR. Still here! Is he not A spy of my pursuer's? His frank offer So suddenly, and to a stranger, wore The aspect of a secret enemy; For friends are slow at such.

Gab. Sir, you seem rapt; And yet the time is not akin to thought. These old walls will be noisy soon. The baron, Or count (or whatsoe'er this half drowned noble May be), for whom this desolate village and Its lone inhabitants show more respect Than did the elements, is come.

Iden. (without). This way-- This way, your Excellency:--have a care, The staircase is a little gloomy, and Somewhat decayed; but if we had expected So high a guest--Pray take my arm, my Lord!

Enter STRALENHEIM, IDENSTEIN, and Attendants--partly his own, and partly Retainers of the Domain of which IDENSTEIN is Intendant.

Stral. I'll rest here a moment.

Iden. (to the servants). Ho! a chair! Instantly, knaves. [STRALENHEIM sits down.

Wer. (aside). Tis he!

Stral. I'm better now. Who are these strangers?

Iden. Please you, my good Lord, One says he is no stranger.

Wer. (aloud and hastily). Who says that? [They look at him with surprise.

Iden. Why, no one spoke of you, or to you!--but Here's one his Excellency may be pleased To recognise. [Pointing to GABOR.

Gab. I seek not to disturb His noble memory.

Stral. I apprehend This is one of the strangers to whose aid I owe my rescue. Is not that the other? [Pointing to WERNER. My state when I was succoured must excuse My uncertainty to whom I owe so much.

Iden. He!--no, my Lord! he rather wants for rescue Than can afford it. 'Tis a poor sick man, Travel-tired, and lately risen from a bed From whence he never dreamed to rise.

Stral. Methought That there were two.

Gab. There were, in company; But, in the service rendered to your Lordship, I needs must say but one, and he is absent. The chief part of whatever aid was rendered Was his: it was his fortune to be first. My will was not inferior, but his strength And youth outstripped me; therefore do not waste Your thanks on me. I was but a glad second Unto a nobler principal.

Stral. Where is he?

An Atten. My Lord, he tarried in the cottage where Your Excellency rested for an hour, And said he would be here to-morrow.

Stral. Till That hour arrives, I can but offer thanks, And then----

Gab. I seek no more, and scarce deserve So much. My comrade may speak for himself.

Stral. (fixing his eyes upon WERNER: then aside). It cannot be! and yet he must be looked to. 'Tis twenty years since I beheld him with These eyes; and, though my agents still have kept Theirs on him, policy has held aloof My own from his, not to alarm him into Suspicion of my plan. Why did I leave At Hamburgh those who would have made assurance If this be he or no? I thought, ere now, To have been lord of Siegendorf, and parted In haste, though even the elements appear To fight against me, and this sudden flood May keep me prisoner here till---- [He pauses and looks at WERNER: then resumes. This man must Be watched. If it is he, he is so changed, His father, rising from his grave again, Would pass by him unknown. I must be wary: An error would spoil all.

Iden. Your Lordship seems Pensive. Will it not please you to pass on?

Stral. 'Tis past fatigue, which gives my weighed-down spirit An outward show of thought. I will to rest.

Iden. The Prince's chamber is prepared, with all The very furniture the Prince used when Last here, in its full splendour. (Aside). Somewhat tattered, And devilish damp, but fine enough by torch-light; And that's enough for your right noble blood Of twenty quarterings upon a hatchment; So let their bearer sleep 'neath something like one Now, as he one day will for ever lie.

Stral. (rising and turning to GABOR). Good night, good people! Sir, I trust to-morrow Will find me apter to requite your service. In the meantime I crave your company A moment in my chamber.

Gab. I attend you.

Stral, (after a few steps, pauses, and calls WERNER). Friend!

Wer. Sir!

Iden. Sir! Lord--oh Lord! Why don't you say His Lordship, or his Excellency? Pray, My Lord, excuse this poor man's want of breeding: He hath not been accustomed to admission To such a presence.

Stral. (to IDENSTEIN). Peace, intendant!

Iden. Oh! I am dumb.

Stral. (to WERNER). Have you been long here?

Wer. Long?

Stral. I sought An answer, not an echo.

Wer. You may seek Both from the walls. I am not used to answer Those whom I know not.

Stral. Indeed! Ne'er the less, You might reply with courtesy to what Is asked in kindness.

Wer. When I know it such I will requite--that is, reply--in unison.

Stral. The intendant said, you had been detained by sickness-- If I could aid you--journeying the same way?

Wer. (quickly). I am not journeying the same way!

Stral. How know ye That, ere you know my route?

Wer. Because there is But one way that the rich and poor must tread Together. You diverged from that dread path Some hours ago, and I some days: henceforth Our roads must lie asunder, though they tend All to one home.

Stral. Your language is above Your station.

Wer. (bitterly). Is it?

Stral. Or, at least, beyond Your garb.

Wer. 'Tis well that it is not beneath it, As sometimes happens to the better clad. But, in a word, what would you with me?

Stral. (startled). I?

Wer. Yes--you! You know me not, and question me, And wonder that I answer not--not knowing My inquisitor. Explain what you would have, And then I'll satisfy yourself, or me.

Stral. I knew not that you had reasons for reserve.

Wer. Many have such:--Have you none?

Stral. None which can Interest a mere stranger.

Wer. Then forgive The same unknown and humble stranger, if He wishes to remain so to the man Who can have nought in common with him.

Stral. Sir, I will not balk your humour, though untoward: I only meant you service--but good night! Intendant, show the way! (To GABOR.) Sir, you will with me? [Exeunt STRALENHEIM and Attendants; IDENSTEIN and GABOR.

Wer. (solus). 'Tis he! I am taken in the toils. Before I quitted Hamburg, Giulio, his late steward, Informed me, that he had obtained an order From Brandenburg's elector, for the arrest Of Kruitzner (such the name I then bore) when I came upon the frontier; the free city Alone preserved my freedom--till I left Its walls--fool that I was to quit them! But I deemed this humble garb, and route obscure, Had baffled the slow hounds in their pursuit. What's to be done? He knows me not by person; Nor could aught, save the eye of apprehension, Have recognised him, after twenty years-- We met so rarely and so coldly in Our youth. But those about him! Now I can Divine the frankness of the Hungarian, who No doubt is a mere tool and spy of Stralenheim's, To sound and to secure me. Without means! Sick, poor--begirt too with the flooding rivers, Impassable even to the wealthy, with All the appliances which purchase modes Of overpowering peril, with men's lives,-- How can I hope! An hour ago methought My state beyond despair; and now, 'tis such, The past seems paradise. Another day, And I'm detected,--on the very eve Of honours, rights, and my inheritance, When a few drops of gold might save me still In favouring an escape.

Enter IDENSTEIN and FRITZ in conversation.

Fritz. Immediately.

Iden. I tell you, 'tis impossible.

Fritz. It must Be tried, however; and if one express Fail, you must send on others, till the answer Arrives from Frankfort, from the commandant.

Iden. I will do what I can.

Fritz. And recollect To spare no trouble; you will be repaid Tenfold.

Iden. The Baron is retired to rest?

Fritz. He hath thrown himself into an easy chair Beside the fire, and slumbers; and has ordered He may not be disturbed until eleven, When he will take himself to bed.

Iden. Before An hour is past I'll do my best to serve him.

Fritz. Remember! [Exit FRITZ.

Iden. The devil take these great men! they Think all things made for them. Now here must I Rouse up some half a dozen shivering vassals From their scant pallets, and, at peril of Their lives, despatch them o'er the river towards Frankfort. Methinks the Baron's own experience Some hours ago might teach him fellow-feeling: But no, "it must" and there's an end. How now? Are you there, Mynheer Werner?

Wer. You have left Your noble guest right quickly.

Iden. Yes--he's dozing, And seems to like that none should sleep besides. Here is a packet for the Commandant Of Frankfort, at all risks and all expenses; But I must not lose time: Good night! [Exit IDEN.

Wer. "To Frankfort!" So, so, it thickens! Aye, "the Commandant!" This tallies well with all the prior steps Of this cool, calculating fiend, who walks Between me and my father's house. No doubt He writes for a detachment to convey me Into some secret fortress.--Sooner than This---- [WERNER looks around, and snatches up a knife lying on a table in a recess. Now I am master of myself at least. Hark,--footsteps! How do I know that Stralenheim Will wait for even the show of that authority Which is to overshadow usurpation? That he suspects me 's certain. I'm alone-- He with a numerous train: I weak--he strong In gold, in numbers, rank, authority. I nameless, or involving in my name Destruction, till I reach my own domain; He full-blown with his titles, which impose Still further on these obscure petty burghers Than they could do elsewhere. Hark! nearer still! I'll to the secret passage, which communicates With the----No! all is silent--'twas my fancy!-- Still as the breathless interval between The flash and thunder:--I must hush my soul Amidst its perils. Yet I will retire, To see if still be unexplored the passage I wot of: it will serve me as a den Of secrecy for some hours, at the worst. [WERNER draws a panel, and exit, closing it after him.

Enter GABOR and JOSEPHINE.

Gab. Where is your husband?

Jos. Here, I thought: I left him Not long since in his chamber. But these rooms Have many outlets, and he may be gone To accompany the Intendant.

Gab. Baron Stralenheim Put many questions to the Intendant on The subject of your lord, and, to be plain, I have my doubts if he means well.

Jos. Alas! What can there be in common with the proud And wealthy Baron, and the unknown Werner?

Gab. That you know best.

Jos. Or, if it were so, how Come you to stir yourself in his behalf, Rather than that of him whose life you saved?

Gab. I helped to save him, as in peril; but I did not pledge myself to serve him in Oppression. I know well these nobles, and Their thousand modes of trampling on the poor. I have proved them; and my spirit boils up when I find them practising against the weak:-- This is my only motive.

Jos. It would be Not easy to persuade my consort of Your good intentions.

Gab. Is he so suspicious?

Jos. He was not once; but time and troubles have Made him what you beheld.

Gab. I'm sorry for it. Suspicion is a heavy armour, and With its own weight impedes more than protects. Good night! I trust to meet with him at day-break. [Exit GABOR.

Re-enter IDENSTEIN and some Peasants. JOSEPHINE retires up the Hall.

First Peasant. But if I'm drowned?

Iden. Why, you will be well paid for 't, And have risked more than drowning for as much, I doubt not.

Second Peasant. But our wives and families?

Iden. Cannot be worse off than they are, and may Be better.

Third Peasant. I have neither, and will venture.

Iden. That's right. A gallant carle, and fit to be A soldier. I'll promote you to the ranks In the Prince's body-guard--if you succeed: And you shall have besides, in sparkling coin, Two thalers.

Third Peasant. No more!

Iden. Out upon your avarice! Can that low vice alloy so much ambition? I tell thee, fellow, that two thalers in Small change will subdivide into a treasure. Do not five hundred thousand heroes daily Risk lives and souls for the tithe of one thaler? When had you half the sum?

Third Peasant. Never--but ne'er The less I must have three.

Iden. Have you forgot Whose vassal you were born, knave?

Third Peasant. No--the Prince's, And not the stranger's.

Iden. Sirrah! in the Prince's Absence, I am sovereign; and the Baron is My intimate connection;--"Cousin Idenstein! (Quoth he) you'll order out a dozen villains." And so, you villains! troop--march--march, I say; And if a single dog's ear of this packet Be sprinkled by the Oder--look to it! For every page of paper, shall a hide Of yours be stretched as parchment on a drum, Like Ziska's skin, to beat alarm to all Refractory vassals, who can not effect Impossibilities.--Away, ye earth-worms! [Exit, driving them out.

Jos. (coming forward). I fain would shun these scenes, too oft repeated, Of feudal tyranny o'er petty victims; I cannot aid, and will not witness such. Even here, in this remote, unnamed, dull spot, The dimmest in the district's map, exist The insolence of wealth in poverty O'er something poorer still--the pride of rank In servitude, o'er something still more servile; And vice in misery affecting still A tattered splendour. What a state of being! In Tuscany, my own dear sunny land, Our nobles were but citizens and merchants, Like Cosmo. We had evils, but not such As these; and our all-ripe and gushing valleys Made poverty more cheerful, where each herb Was in itself a meal, and every vine Rained, as it were, the beverage which makes glad The heart of man; and the ne'er unfelt sun (But rarely clouded, and when clouded, leaving His warmth behind in memory of his beams) Makes the worn mantle, and the thin robe, less Oppressive than an emperor's jewelled purple. But, here! the despots of the north appear To imitate the ice-wind of their clime, Searching the shivering vassal through his rags, To wring his soul--as the bleak elements His form. And 'tis to be amongst these sovereigns My husband pants! and such his pride of birth-- That twenty years of usage, such as no Father born in a humble state could nerve His soul to persecute a son withal, Hath changed no atom of his early nature; But I, born nobly also, from my father's Kindness was taught a different lesson. Father! May thy long-tried and now rewarded spirit Look down on us and our so long desired Ulric! I love my son, as thou didst me! What's that? Thou, Werner! can it be? and thus?

Enter WERNER hastily, with the knife in his hand, by the secret panel, which he closes hurriedly after him.

Wer. (not at first recognising her). Discovered! then I'll stab--(recognising her). Ah! Josephine Why art thou not at rest?

Jos. What rest? My God! What doth this mean?

Wer. (showing a rouleau). Here's gold--gold, Josephine, Will rescue us from this detested dungeon.

Jos. And how obtained?--that knife!

Wer. 'Tis bloodless--yet. Away--we must to our chamber.

Jos. But whence comest thou?

Wer. Ask not! but let us think where we shall go-- This--this will make us way--(showing the gold)--I'll fit them now.

Jos. I dare not think thee guilty of dishonour.

Wer. Dishonour!

Jos. I have said it.

Wer. Let us hence: 'Tis the last night, I trust, that we need pass here.

Jos. And not the worst, I hope.

Wer. Hope! I make sure. But let us to our chamber.

Jos. Yet one question-- What hast thou done?

Wer. (fiercely). Left one thing undone, which Had made all well: let me not think of it! Away!

Jos. Alas that I should doubt of thee! [Exeunt.

ACT II.

SCENE I.--A Hall in the same Palace.

Enter IDENSTEIN and Others.

Iden. Fine doings! goodly doings! honest doings! A Baron pillaged in a Prince's palace! Where, till this hour, such a sin ne'er was heard of.

Fritz. It hardly could, unless the rats despoiled The mice of a few shreds of tapestry.

Iden. Oh! that I e'er should live to see this day! The honour of our city's gone for ever.

Fritz. Well, but now to discover the delinquent: The Baron is determined not to lose This sum without a search.

Iden. And so am I.

Fritz. But whom do you suspect?

Iden. Suspect! all people Without--within--above--below--Heaven help me!

Fritz. Is there no other entrance to the chamber?

Iden. None whatsoever.

Fritz. Are you sure of that?

Iden. Certain. I have lived and served here since my birth, And if there were such, must have heard of such, Or seen it.

Fritz. Then it must be some one who Had access to the antechamber.

Iden. Doubtless.

Fritz. The man called Werner's poor!

Iden. Poor as a miser. But lodged so far off, in the other wing, By which there's no communication with The baron's chamber, that it can't be he. Besides, I bade him "good night" in the hall, Almost a mile off, and which only leads To his own apartment, about the same time When this burglarious, larcenous felony Appears to have been committed.

Fritz. There's another, The stranger----

Iden. The Hungarian?

Fritz. He who helped To fish the baron from the Oder.

Iden. Not Unlikely. But, hold--might it not have been One of the suite?

Fritz. How? We, sir!

Iden. No--not you, But some of the inferior knaves. You say The Baron was asleep in the great chair-- The velvet chair--in his embroidered night-gown; His toilet spread before him, and upon it A cabinet with letters, papers, and Several rouleaux of gold; of which one only Has disappeared:--the door unbolted, with No difficult access to any.

Fritz. Good sir, Be not so quick; the honour of the corps Which forms the Baron's household's unimpeached From steward to scullion, save in the fair way Of peculation; such as in accompts, Weights, measures, larder, cellar, buttery, Where all men take their prey; as also in Postage of letters, gathering of rents, Purveying feasts, and understanding with The honest trades who furnish noble masters; But for your petty, picking, downright thievery, We scorn it as we do board wages. Then Had one of our folks done it, he would not Have been so poor a spirit as to hazard His neck for one rouleau, but have swooped all; Also the cabinet, if portable.

Iden. There is some sense in that----

Fritz. No, Sir, be sure 'Twas none of our corps; but some petty, trivial Picker and stealer, without art or genius. The only question is--Who else could have Access, save the Hungarian and yourself?

Iden. You don't mean me?

Fritz. No, sir; I honour more Your talents----

Iden. And my principles, I hope.

Fritz. Of course. But to the point: What's to be done?

Iden. Nothing--but there's a good deal to be said. We'll offer a reward; move heaven and earth, And the police (though there's none nearer than Frankfort); post notices in manuscript (For we've no printer); and set by my clerk To read them (for few can, save he and I). We'll send out villains to strip beggars, and Search empty pockets; also, to arrest All gipsies, and ill-clothed and sallow people. Prisoners we'll have at least, if not the culprit; And for the Baron's gold--if 'tis not found, At least he shall have the full satisfaction Of melting twice its substance in the raising The ghost of this rouleau. Here's alchemy For your Lord's losses!

Fritz. He hath found a better.

Iden. Where?

Fritz. In a most immense inheritance. The late Count Siegendorf, his distant kinsman, Is dead near Prague, in his castle, and my Lord Is on his way to take possession.

Iden. Was there No heir?

Fritz. Oh, yes; but he has disappeared Long from the world's eye, and, perhaps, the world. A prodigal son, beneath his father's ban For the last twenty years; for whom his sire Refused to kill the fatted calf; and, therefore, If living, he must chew the husks still. But The Baron would find means to silence him, Were he to re-appear: he's politic, And has much influence with a certain court.

Iden. He's fortunate.

Fritz. 'Tis true, there is a grandson, Whom the late Count reclaimed from his son's hands, And educated as his heir; but, then, His birth is doubtful.

Iden. How so?

Fritz. His sire made A left-hand, love, imprudent sort of marriage, With an Italian exile's dark-eyed daughter: Noble, they say, too; but no match for such A house as Siegendorf's. The grandsire ill Could brook the alliance; and could ne'er be brought To see the parents, though he took the son.

Iden. If he's a lad of mettle, he may yet Dispute your claim, and weave a web that may Puzzle your Baron to unravel.

Fritz. Why, For mettle, he has quite enough: they say, He forms a happy mixture of his sire And grandsire's qualities,--impetuous as The former, and deep as the latter; but The strangest is, that he too disappeared Some months ago.

Iden. The devil he did!

Fritz. Why, yes: It must have been at his suggestion, at An hour so critical as was the eve Of the old man's death, whose heart was broken by it.

Iden. Was there no cause assigned?

Fritz. Plenty, no doubt, And none, perhaps, the true one. Some averred It was to seek his parents; some because The old man held his spirit in so strictly (But that could scarce be, for he doted on him); A third believed he wished to serve in war, But, peace being made soon after his departure, He might have since returned, were that the motive; A fourth set charitably have surmised, As there was something strange and mystic in him, That in the wild exuberance of his nature He had joined the black bands, who lay waste Lusatia, The mountains of Bohemia and Silesia, Since the last years of war had dwindled into A kind of general condottiero system Of bandit-warfare; each troop with its chief, And all against mankind.

Iden. That cannot be. A young heir, bred to wealth and luxury, To risk his life and honours with disbanded Soldiers and desperadoes!

Fritz. Heaven best knows! But there are human natures so allied Unto the savage love of enterprise, That they will seek for peril as a pleasure. I've heard that nothing can reclaim your Indian, Or tame the tiger, though their infancy Were fed on milk and honey. After all, Your Wallenstein, your Tilly and Gustavus, Your Bannier, and your Torstenson and Weimar, Were but the same thing upon a grand scale; And now that they are gone, and peace proclaimed, They who would follow the same pastime must Pursue it on their own account. Here comes The Baron, and the Saxon stranger, who Was his chief aid in yesterday's escape, But did not leave the cottage by the Oder Until this morning.

Enter STRALENHEIM and ULRIC.

Stral. Since you have refused All compensation, gentle stranger, save Inadequate thanks, you almost check even them, Making me feel the worthlessness of words, And blush at my own barren gratitude, They seem so niggardly, compared with what Your courteous courage did in my behalf----

Ulr. I pray you press the theme no further.

Stral. But Can I not serve you? You are young, and of That mould which throws out heroes; fair in favour; Brave, I know, by my living now to say so; And, doubtlessly, with such a form and heart, Would look into the fiery eyes of War, As ardently for glory as you dared An obscure death to save an unknown stranger, In an as perilous, but opposite, element. You are made for the service: I have served; Have rank by birth and soldiership, and friends, Who shall be yours. 'Tis true this pause of peace Favours such views at present scantily; But 'twill not last, men's spirits are too stirring; And, after thirty years of conflict, peace Is but a petty war, as the time shows us In every forest, or a mere armed truce. War will reclaim his own; and, in the meantime, You might obtain a post, which would ensure A higher soon, and, by my influence, fail not To rise. I speak of Brandenburgh, wherein I stand well with the Elector; in Bohemia, Like you, I am a stranger, and we are now Upon its frontier.

Ulr. You perceive my garb Is Saxon, and, of course, my service due To my own Sovereign. If I must decline Your offer, 'tis with the same feeling which Induced it.

Stral. Why, this is mere usury! I owe my life to you, and you refuse The acquittance of the interest of the debt, To heap more obligations on me, till I bow beneath them.

Ulr. You shall say so when I claim the payment.

Stral. Well, sir, since you will not-- You are nobly born?

Ulr. I have heard my kinsmen say so.

Stral. Your actions show it. Might I ask your name?

Ulr. Ulric.

Stral. Your house's?

Ulr. When I'm worthy of it, I'll answer you.

Stral. (aside). Most probably an Austrian, Whom these unsettled times forbid to boast His lineage on these wild and dangerous frontiers, Where the name of his country is abhorred. [Aloud to FRITZ and IDENSTEIN. So, sirs! how have ye sped in your researches?

Iden. Indifferent well, your Excellency.

Stral. Then I am to deem the plunderer is caught?

Iden. Humph!--not exactly.

Stral. Or, at least, suspected?

Iden. Oh! for that matter, very much suspected.

Stral. Who may he be?

Iden. Why, don't you know, my Lord?

Stral. How should I? I was fast asleep.

Iden. And so Was I--and that's the cause I know no more Than does your Excellency.

Stral. Dolt!

Iden. Why, if Your Lordship, being robbed, don't recognise The rogue; how should I, not being robbed, identify The thief among so many? In the crowd, May it please your Excellency, your thief looks Exactly like the rest, or rather better: 'Tis only at the bar and in the dungeon, That wise men know your felon by his features; But I'll engage, that if seen there but once, Whether he be found criminal or no, His face shall be so.

Stral. (to FRITZ). Prithee, Fritz, inform me What hath been done to trace the fellow?

Fritz. Faith! My Lord, not much as yet, except conjecture.

Stral. Besides the loss (which, I must own, affects me Just now materially), I needs would find The villain out of public motives; for So dexterous a spoiler, who could creep Through my attendants, and so many peopled And lighted chambers, on my rest, and snatch The gold before my scarce-closed eyes, would soon Leave bare your borough, Sir Intendant!

Iden. True; If there were aught to carry off, my Lord.

Ulr. What is all this?

Stral. You joined us but this morning, And have not heard that I was robbed last night.

Ulr. Some rumour of it reached me as I passed The outer chambers of the palace, but I know no further.

Stral. It is a strange business: The Intendant can inform you of the facts.

Iden. Most willingly. You see----

Stral. (impatiently). Defer your tale, Till certain of the hearer's patience.

Iden. That Can only be approved by proofs. You see----

Stral. (again interrupting him, and addressing ULRIC). In short, I was asleep upon my chair, My cabinet before me, with some gold Upon it (more than I much like to lose, Though in part only): some ingenious person Contrived to glide through all my own attendants, Besides those of the place, and bore away A hundred golden ducats, which to find I would be fain, and there's an end. Perhaps You (as I still am rather faint) would add To yesterday's great obligation, this, Though slighter, yet not slight, to aid these men (Who seem but lukewarm) in recovering it?

Ulr. Most willingly, and without loss of time-- (To IDENSTEIN.) Come hither, mynheer!

Iden. But so much haste bodes Right little speed, and----

Ulr. Standing motionless None; so let's march: we'll talk as we go on.

Iden. But----

Ulr. Show the spot, and then I'll answer you.

Fritz. I will, sir, with his Excellency's leave.

Stral. Do so, and take yon old ass with you.

Fritz. Hence!

Ulr. Come on, old oracle, expound thy riddle! [Exit with IDENSTEIN and FRITZ.

Stral. (solus). A stalwart, active, soldier-looking stripling, Handsome as Hercules ere his first labour, And with a brow of thought beyond his years When in repose, till his eye kindles up In answering yours. I wish I could engage him: I have need of some such spirits near me now, For this inheritance is worth a struggle. And though I am not the man to yield without one, Neither are they who now rise up between me And my desire. The boy, they say, 's a bold one; But he hath played the truant in some hour Of freakish folly, leaving fortune to Champion his claims. That's well. The father, whom For years I've tracked, as does the blood-hound, never In sight, but constantly in scent, had put me To fault; but here I have him, and that's better. It must be he! All circumstance proclaims it; And careless voices, knowing not the cause Of my enquiries, still confirm it.--Yes! The man, his bearing, and the mystery Of his arrival, and the time; the account, too, The Intendant gave (for I have not beheld her) Of his wife's dignified but foreign aspect; Besides the antipathy with which we met, As snakes and lions shrink back from each other By secret instinct that both must be foes Deadly, without being natural prey to either; All--all--confirm it to my mind. However, We'll grapple, ne'ertheless. In a few hours The order comes from Frankfort, if these waters Rise not the higher (and the weather favours Their quick abatement), and I'll have him safe Within a dungeon, where he may avouch His real estate and name; and there's no harm done, Should he prove other than I deem. This robbery (Save for the actual loss) is lucky also; He's poor, and that's suspicious--he's unknown, And that's defenceless.--True, we have no proofs Of guilt--but what hath he of innocence? Were he a man indifferent to my prospects, In other bearings, I should rather lay The inculpation on the Hungarian, who Hath something which I like not; and alone Of all around, except the Intendant, and The Prince's household and my own, had ingress Familiar to the chamber.

Enter GABOR.

Friend, how fare you?

Gab. As those who fare well everywhere, when they Have supped and slumbered, no great matter how-- And you, my Lord?

Stral. Better in rest than purse: Mine inn is like to cost me dear.

Gab. I heard Of your late loss; but 'tis a trifle to One of your order.

Stral. You would hardly think so, Were the loss yours.

Gab. I never had so much (At once) in my whole life, and therefore am not Fit to decide. But I came here to seek you. Your couriers are turned back--I have outstripped them, In my return.

Stral. You!--Why?

Gab. I went at daybreak, To watch for the abatement of the river, As being anxious to resume my journey. Your messengers were all checked like myself; And, seeing the case hopeless, I await The current's pleasure.

Stral. Would the dogs were in it! Why did they not, at least, attempt the passage? I ordered this at all risks.

Gab. Could you order The Oder to divide, as Moses did The Red Sea (scarcely redder than the flood Of the swoln stream), and be obeyed, perhaps They might have ventured.

Stral. I must see to it: The knaves! the slaves!--but they shall smart for this. [Exit STRALENHEIM.

Gab. (solus). There goes my noble, feudal, self-willed Baron! Epitome of what brave chivalry The preux Chevaliers of the good old times Have left us. Yesterday he would have given His lands (if he hath any), and, still dearer, His sixteen quarterings, for as much fresh air As would have filled a bladder, while he lay Gurgling and foaming half way through the window Of his o'erset and water-logged conveyance; And now he storms at half a dozen wretches Because they love their lives too! Yet, he's right: 'Tis strange they should, when such as he may put them To hazard at his pleasure. Oh, thou world! Thou art indeed a melancholy jest! [Exit GABOR.

SCENE II.--The Apartment of WERNER, in the Palace.

Enter JOSEPHINE and ULRIC.

Jos. Stand back, and let me look on thee again! My Ulric!--my belovéd!--can it be-- After twelve years?

Ulr. My dearest mother!

Jos. Yes! My dream is realised--how beautiful!-- How more than all I sighed for! Heaven receive A mother's thanks! a mother's tears of joy! This is indeed thy work!--At such an hour, too, He comes not only as a son, but saviour.

Ulr. If such a joy await me, it must double What I now feel, and lighten from my heart A part of the long debt of duty, not Of love (for that was ne'er withheld)--forgive me! This long delay was not my fault.

Jos. I know it, But cannot think of sorrow now, and doubt If I e'er felt it, 'tis so dazzled from My memory by this oblivious transport!-- My son!

Enter WERNER.

Wer. What have we here,--more strangers?--

Jos. No! Look upon him! What do you see?

Wer. A stripling, For the first time--

Ulr. (kneeling). For twelve long years, my father!

Wer. Oh, God!

Jos. He faints!

Wer. No--I am better now-- Ulric! (Embraces him.)

Ulr. My father, Siegendorf!

Wer. (starting). Hush! boy-- The walls may hear that name!

Ulr. What then?

Wer. Why, then-- But we will talk of that anon. Remember, I must be known here but as Werner. Come! Come to my arms again! Why, thou look'st all I should have been, and was not. Josephine! Sure 'tis no father's fondness dazzles me; But, had I seen that form amid ten thousand Youth of the choicest, my heart would have chosen This for my son!

Ulr. And yet you knew me not!

Wer. Alas! I have had that upon my soul Which makes me look on all men with an eye That only knows the evil at first glance.

Ulr. My memory served me far more fondly: I Have not forgotten aught; and oft-times in The proud and princely halls of--(I'll not name them, As you say that 'tis perilous)--but i' the pomp Of your sire's feudal mansion, I looked back To the Bohemian mountains many a sunset, And wept to see another day go down O'er thee and me, with those huge hills between us. They shall not part us more.

Wer. I know not that. Are you aware my father is no more?

Ulr. Oh, Heavens! I left him in a green old age, And looking like the oak, worn, but still steady Amidst the elements, whilst younger trees Fell fast around him. 'Twas scarce three months since.

Wer. Why did you leave him?

Jos. (embracing ULRIC). Can you ask that question? Is he not here?

Wer. True; he hath sought his parents, And found them; but, oh! how, and in what state!

Ulr. All shall be bettered. What we have to do Is to proceed, and to assert our rights, Or rather yours; for I waive all, unless Your father has disposed in such a sort Of his broad lands as to make mine the foremost, So that I must prefer my claim for form: But I trust better, and that all is yours.

Wer. Have you not heard of Stralenheim?

Ulr. I saved His life but yesterday: he's here.

Wer. You saved The serpent who will sting us all!

Ulr. You speak Riddles: what is this Stralenheim to us?

Wer. Every thing. One who claims our father's lands: Our distant kinsman, and our nearest foe.

Ulr. I never heard his name till now. The Count, Indeed, spoke sometimes of a kinsman, who, If his own line should fail, might be remotely Involved in the succession; but his titles Were never named before me--and what then? His right must yield to ours.

Wer. Aye, if at Prague: But here he is all-powerful; and has spread Snares for thy father, which, if hitherto He hath escaped them, is by fortune, not By favour.

Ulr. Doth he personally know you?

Wer. No; but he guesses shrewdly at my person, As he betrayed last night; and I, perhaps, But owe my temporary liberty To his uncertainty.

Ulr. I think you wrong him (Excuse me for the phrase); but Stralenheim Is not what you prejudge him, or, if so, He owes me something both for past and present. I saved his life, he therefore trusts in me. He hath been plundered too, since he came hither: Is sick, a stranger, and as such not now Able to trace the villain who hath robbed him: I have pledged myself to do so; and the business Which brought me here was chiefly that: but I Have found, in searching for another's dross, My own whole treasure--you, my parents!

Wer. (agitatedly). Who Taught you to mouth that name of "villain?"

Ulr. What More noble name belongs to common thieves?

Wer. Who taught you thus to brand an unknown being With an infernal stigma?

Ulr. My own feelings Taught me to name a ruffian from his deeds.

Wer. Who taught you, long-sought and ill-found boy! that It would be safe for my own son to insult me?

Ulr. I named a villain. What is there in common With such a being and my father?

Wer. Every thing! That ruffian is thy father!

Jos. Oh, my son! Believe him not--and yet!--(her voice falters.)

Ulr. (starts, looks earnestly at WERNER and then says slowly) And you avow it?

Wer. Ulric, before you dare despise your father, Learn to divine and judge his actions. Young, Rash, new to life, and reared in Luxury's lap, Is it for you to measure Passion's force, Or Misery's temptation? Wait--(not long, It cometh like the night, and quickly)--Wait!-- Wait till, like me, your hopes are blighted till Sorrow and Shame are handmaids of your cabin-- Famine and Poverty your guests at table; Despair your bed-fellow--then rise, but not From sleep, and judge! Should that day e'er arrive-- Should you see then the Serpent, who hath coiled Himself around all that is dear and noble Of you and yours, lie slumbering in your path, With but his folds between your steps and happiness, When he, who lives but to tear from you name, Lands, life itself, lies at your mercy, with Chance your conductor--midnight for your mantle-- The bare knife in your hand, and earth asleep, Even to your deadliest foe; and he as 'twere Inviting death, by looking like it, while His death alone can save you:--Thank your God! If then, like me, content with petty plunder, You turn aside----I did so.

Ulr. But----

Wer. (abruptly). Hear me! I will not brook a human voice--scarce dare Listen to my own (if that be human still)-- Hear me! you do not know this man--I do. He's mean, deceitful, avaricious. You Deem yourself safe, as young and brave; but learn None are secure from desperation, few From subtilty. My worst foe, Stralenheim, Housed in a Prince's palace, couched within A Prince's chamber, lay below my knife! An instant--a mere motion--the least impulse-- Had swept him and all fears of mine from earth. He was within my power--my knife was raised-- Withdrawn--and I'm in his:--are you not so? Who tells you that he knows you not? Who says He hath not lured you here to end you? or To plunge you, with your parents, in a dungeon? [He pauses.

Ulr. Proceed--proceed!

Wer. Me he hath ever known, And hunted through each change of time--name--fortune-- And why not you? Are you more versed in men? He wound snares round me; flung along my path Reptiles, whom, in my youth, I would have spurned Even from my presence; but, in spurning now, Fill only with fresh venom. Will you be More patient? Ulric!--Ulric!--there are crimes Made venial by the occasion, and temptations Which nature cannot master or forbear.

Ulr. (who looks first at him and then at JOSEPHINE). My mother!

Wer. Ah! I thought so: you have now Only one parent. I have lost alike Father and son, and stand alone.

Ulr. But stay! [WERNER rushes out of the chamber.

Jos. (to ULRIC). Follow him not, until this storm of passion Abates. Think'st thou, that were it well for him, I had not followed?

Ulr. I obey you, mother, Although reluctantly. My first act shall not Be one of disobedience.

Jos. Oh! he is good! Condemn him not from his own mouth, but trust To me, who have borne so much with him, and for him, That this is but the surface of his soul, And that the depth is rich in better things.

Ulr. These then are but my father's principles? My mother thinks not with him?

Jos. Nor doth he Think as he speaks. Alas! long years of grief Have made him sometimes thus.

Ulr. Explain to me More clearly, then, these claims of Stralenheim, That, when I see the subject in its bearings, I may prepare to face him, or at least To extricate you from your present perils. I pledge myself to accomplish this--but would I had arrived a few hours sooner!

Jos. Aye! Hadst thou but done so!

Enter GABOR and IDENSTEIN, with Attendants.

Gab. (to ULRIC). I have sought you, comrade. So this is my reward!

Ulr. What do you mean?

Gab. 'Sdeath! have I lived to these years, and for this! (To IDENSTEIN.) But for your age and folly, I would----

Iden. Help! Hands off! Touch an Intendant!

Gab. Do not think I'll honour you so much as save your throat From the Ravenstone by choking you myself.

Iden. I thank you for the respite: but there are Those who have greater need of it than me.

Ulr. Unriddle this vile wrangling, or----

Gab. At once, then, The Baron has been robbed, and upon me This worthy personage has deigned to fix His kind suspicions--me! whom he ne'er saw Till yester evening.

Iden. Wouldst have me suspect My own acquaintances? You have to learn That I keep better company.

Gab. You shall Keep the best shortly, and the last for all men, The worms! You hound of malice! [GABOR seizes on him.

Ulr. (interfering). Nay, no violence: He's old, unarmed--be temperate, Gabor!

Gab. (letting go IDENSTEIN). True: I am a fool to lose myself because Fools deem me knave: it is their homage.

Ulr. (to IDENSTEIN). How Fare you?

Iden. Help!

Ulr. I have helped you.

Iden. Kill him! then I'll say so.

Gab. I am calm--live on!

Iden. That's more Than you shall do, if there be judge or judgment In Germany. The Baron shall decide!

Gab. Does he abet you in your accusation?

Iden. Does he not?

Gab. Then next time let him go sink Ere I go hang for snatching him from drowning. But here he comes!

Enter STRALENHEIM.

Gab. (goes up to him). My noble Lord, I'm here!

Stral. Well, sir!

Gab. Have you aught with me?

Stral. What should I Have with you?

Gab. You know best, if yesterday's Flood has not washed away your memory; But that's a trifle. I stand here accused, In phrases not equivocal, by yon Intendant, of the pillage of your person Or chamber:--is the charge your own or his?

Stral. I accuse no man.

Gab. Then you acquit me, Baron?

Stral. I know not whom to accuse, or to acquit, Or scarcely to suspect.

Gab. But you at least Should know whom not to suspect. I am insulted-- Oppressed here by these menials, and I look To you for remedy--teach them their duty! To look for thieves at home were part of it, If duly taught; but, in one word, if I Have an accuser, let it be a man Worthy to be so of a man like me. I am your equal.

Stral. You!

Gab. Aye, sir; and, for Aught that you know, superior; but proceed-- I do not ask for hints, and surmises, And circumstance, and proof: I know enough Of what I have done for you, and what you owe me, To have at least waited your payment rather Than paid myself, had I been eager of Your gold. I also know, that were I even The villain I am deemed, the service rendered So recently would not permit you to Pursue me to the death, except through shame, Such as would leave your scutcheon but a blank. But this is nothing: I demand of you Justice upon your unjust servants, and From your own lips a disavowal of All sanction of their insolence: thus much You owe to the unknown, who asks no more, And never thought to have asked so much.

Stral. This tone May be of innocence.

Gab. 'Sdeath! who dare doubt it, Except such villains as ne'er had it?

Stral. You Are hot, sir.

Gab. Must I turn an icicle Before the breath of menials, and their master?

Stral. Ulric! you know this man; I found him in Your company.

Gab. We found you in the Oder; Would we had left you there!

Stral. I give you thanks, sir.

Gab. I've earned them; but might have earned more from others, Perchance, if I had left you to your fate.

Stral. Ulric! you know this man?

Gab. No more than you do If he avouches not my honour.

Ulr. I Can vouch your courage, and, as far as my Own brief connection led me, honour.

Stral. Then I'm satisfied.

Gab. (ironically). Right easily, methinks. What is the spell in his asseveration More than in mine?

Stral. I merely said that I Was satisfied--not that you are absolved.

Gab. Again! Am I accused or no?

Stral. Go to! You wax too insolent. If circumstance And general suspicion be against you, Is the fault mine? Is't not enough that I Decline all question of your guilt or innocence?

Gab. My Lord, my Lord, this is mere cozenage, A vile equivocation; you well know Your doubts are certainties to all around you-- Your looks a voice--your frowns a sentence; you Are practising your power on me--because You have it; but beware! you know not whom You strive to tread on.

Stral. Threat'st thou?

Gab. Not so much As you accuse. You hint the basest injury, And I retort it with an open warning.

Stral. As you have said, 'tis true I owe you something, For which you seem disposed to pay yourself.

Gab. Not with your gold.

Stral. With bootless insolence. [To his Attendants and IDENSTEIN. You need not further to molest this man, But let him go his way. Ulric, good morrow! [Exit STRALENHEIM, IDENSTEIN, and Attendants.

Gab. (following). I'll after him and----

Ulr. (stopping him). Not a step.

Gab. Who shall Oppose me?

Ulr. Your own reason, with a moment's Thought.

Gab. Must I bear this?

Ulr. Pshaw! we all must bear The arrogance of something higher than Ourselves--the highest cannot temper Satan, Nor the lowest his vicegerents upon earth. I've seen you brave the elements, and bear Things which had made this silkworm cast his skin-- And shrink you from a few sharp sneers and words?

Gab. Must I bear to be deemed a thief? If 'twere A bandit of the woods, I could have borne it-- There's something daring in it:--but to steal The moneys of a slumbering man!--

Ulr. It seems, then, You are not guilty.

Gab. Do I hear aright? You too!

Ulr. I merely asked a simple question.

Gab. If the judge asked me, I would answer "No"-- To you I answer thus. [He draws.

Ulr. (drawing). With all my heart!

Jos. Without there! Ho! help! help!--Oh, God! here's murder! [Exit JOSEPHINE, shrieking.

GABOR and ULRIC fight. GABOR is disarmed just as STRALENHEIM, JOSEPHINE, IDENSTEIN, etc., re-enter.

Jos. Oh! glorious Heaven! He's safe!

Stral. (to JOSEPHINE). Who's safe!

Jos. My----

Ulr. (interrupting her with a stern look, and turning afterwards to STRALENHEIM). Both! Here's no great harm done.

Stral. What hath caused all this?

Ulr. You, Baron, I believe; but as the effect Is harmless, let it not disturb you.--Gabor! There is your sword; and when you bare it next, Let it not be against your friends.

[ULRIC pronounces the last words slowly and emphatically in a low voice to GABOR.

Gab. I thank you Less for my life than for your counsel.

Stral. These Brawls must end here.

Gab. (taking his sword). They shall. You've wronged me, Ulric, More with your unkind thoughts than sword: I would The last were in my bosom rather than The first in yours. I could have borne yon noble's Absurd insinuations--ignorance And dull suspicion are a part of his Entail will last him longer than his lands-- But I may fit him yet:--you have vanquished me. I was the fool of passion to conceive That I could cope with you, whom I had seen Already proved by greater perils than Rest in this arm. We may meet by and by, However--but in friendship. [Exit GABOR.

Stral. I will brook No more! This outrage following upon his insults, Perhaps his guilt, has cancelled all the little I owed him heretofore for the so-vaunted Aid which he added to your abler succour. Ulric, you are not hurt?--

Ulr. Not even by a scratch.

Stral. (to IDENSTEIN). Intendant! take your measures to secure Yon fellow: I revoke my former lenity. He shall be sent to Frankfort with an escort, The instant that the waters have abated.

Iden. Secure him! He hath got his sword again---- And seems to know the use on't; 'tis his trade, Belike;--I'm a civilian.

Stral. Fool! are not Yon score of vassals dogging at your heels Enough to seize a dozen such? Hence! after him!

Ulr. Baron, I do beseech you!

Stral. I must be Obeyed. No words!

Iden. Well, if it must be so-- March, vassals! I'm your leader, and will bring The rear up: a wise general never should Expose his precious life--on which all rests. I like that article of war. [Exit IDENSTEIN and Attendants.

Stral. Come hither, Ulric; what does that woman here? Oh! now I recognise her, 'tis the stranger's wife Whom they name "Werner."

Ulr. 'Tis his name.

Stral. Indeed! Is not your husband visible, fair dame?--

Jos. Who seeks him?

Stral. No one--for the present: but I fain would parley, Ulric, with yourself Alone.

Ulr. I will retire with you.

Jos. Not so: You are the latest stranger, and command All places here. (Aside to ULRIC, as she goes out.) O Ulric! have a care-- Remember what depends on a rash word!

Ulr. (to JOSEPHINE). Fear not!-- [Exit JOSEPHINE.

Stral. Ulric, I think that I may trust you; You saved my life--and acts like these beget Unbounded confidence.

Ulr. Say on.

Stral. Mysterious And long-engendered circumstances (not To be now fully entered on) have made This man obnoxious--perhaps fatal to me.

Ulr. Who? Gabor, the Hungarian?

Stral. No--this "Werner"-- With the false name and habit.

Ulr. How can this be? He is the poorest of the poor--and yellow Sickness sits caverned in his hollow eye: The man is helpless.

Stral. He is--'tis no matter;-- But if he be the man I deem (and that He is so, all around us here--and much That is not here--confirm my apprehension) He must be made secure ere twelve hours further.

Ulr. And what have I to do with this?

Stral. I have sent To Frankfort, to the Governor, my friend, (I have the authority to do so by An order of the house of Brandenburgh), For a fit escort--but this curséd flood Bars all access, and may do for some hours.

Ulr. It is abating.

Stral. That is well.

Ulr. But how Am I concerned?

Stral. As one who did so much For me, you cannot be indifferent to That which is of more import to me than The life you rescued.--Keep your eye on him! The man avoids me, knows that I now know him.-- Watch him!--as you would watch the wild boar when He makes against you in the hunter's gap-- Like him he must be speared.

Ulr. Why so?

Stral. He stands Between me and a brave inheritance! Oh! could you see it! But you shall.

Ulr. I hope so.

Stral. It is the richest of the rich Bohemia, Unscathed by scorching war. It lies so near The strongest city, Prague, that fire and sword Have skimmed it lightly: so that now, besides Its own exuberance, it bears double value Confronted with whole realms far and near Made deserts.

Ulr. You describe it faithfully.

Stral. Aye--could you see it, you would say so--but, As I have said, you shall.

Ulr. I accept the omen.

Stral. Then claim a recompense from it and me, Such as both may make worthy your acceptance And services to me and mine for ever.

Ulr. And this sole, sick, and miserable wretch-- This way-worn stranger--stands between you and This Paradise?--(As Adam did between The devil and his)--.

Stral. He doth.

Ulr. Hath he no right?

Stral. Right! none. A disinherited prodigal, Who for these twenty years disgraced his lineage In all his acts--but chiefly by his marriage, And living amidst commerce-fetching burghers, And dabbling merchants, in a mart of Jews.

Ulr. He has a wife, then?

Stral. You'd be sorry to Call such your mother. You have seen the woman He calls his wife.

Ulr. Is she not so?

Stral. No more Than he's your father:--an Italian girl, The daughter of a banished man, who lives On love and poverty with this same Werner.

Ulr. They are childless, then?

Stral. There is or was a bastard, Whom the old man--the grandsire (as old age Is ever doting) took to warm his bosom, As it went chilly downward to the grave: But the imp stands not in my path--he has fled, No one knows whither; and if he had not, His claims alone were too contemptible To stand.--Why do you smile?

Ulr. At your vain fears: A poor man almost in his grasp--a child Of doubtful birth--can startle a grandee!

Stral. All's to be feared, where all is to be gained.

Ulr. True; and aught done to save or to obtain it.

Stral. You have harped the very string next to my heart. I may depend upon you?

Ulr. 'Twere too late To doubt it.

Stral. Let no foolish pity shake Your bosom (for the appearance of the man Is pitiful)--he is a wretch, as likely To have robbed me as the fellow more suspected, Except that circumstance is less against him; He being lodged far off, and in a chamber Without approach to mine; and, to say truth, I think too well of blood allied to mine, To deem he would descend to such an act: Besides, he was a soldier, and a brave one Once--though too rash.

Ulr. And they, my Lord, we know By our experience, never plunder till They knock the brains out first--which makes them heirs, Not thieves. The dead, who feel nought, can lose nothing, Nor e'er be robbed: their spoils are a bequest-- No more.

Stral. Go to! you are a wag. But say I may be sure you'll keep an eye on this man, And let me know his slightest movement towards Concealment or escape.

Ulr. You may be sure You yourself could not watch him more than I Will be his sentinel.

Stral. By this you make me Yours, and for ever.

Ulr. Such is my intention. [Exeunt.

ACT III.

SCENE I.--A Hall in the same Palace, from whence the secret Passage leads.

Enter WERNER and GABOR.

Gab. Sir, I have told my tale: if it so please you To give me refuge for a few hours, well-- If not, I'll try my fortune elsewhere.

Wer. How Can I, so wretched, give to Misery A shelter?--wanting such myself as much As e'er the hunted deer a covert----

Gab. Or The wounded lion his cool cave. Methinks You rather look like one would turn at bay, And rip the hunter's entrails.

Wer. Ah!

Gab. I care not If it be so, being much disposed to do The same myself. But will you shelter me? I am oppressed like you--and poor like you-- Disgraced----

Wer. (abruptly). Who told you that I was disgraced?

Gab. No one; nor did I say you were so: with Your poverty my likeness ended; but I said I was so--and would add, with truth, As undeservedly as you.

Wer. Again! As I?

Gab. Or any other honest man. What the devil would you have? You don't believe me Guilty of this base theft?

Wer. No, no--I cannot.

Gab. Why that's my heart of honour! yon young gallant-- Your miserly Intendant and dense noble-- All--all suspected me; and why? because I am the worst clothed, and least named amongst them; Although, were Momus' lattice in your breasts, My soul might brook to open it more widely Than theirs: but thus it is--you poor and helpless-- Both still more than myself.

Wer. How know you that?

Gab. You're right: I ask for shelter at the hand Which I call helpless; if you now deny it, I were well paid. But you, who seem to have proved The wholesome bitterness of life, know well, By sympathy, that all the outspread gold Of the New World the Spaniard boasts about Could never tempt the man who knows its worth, Weighed at its proper value in the balance, Save in such guise (and there I grant its power, Because I feel it,) as may leave no nightmare Upon his heart o' nights.

Wer. What do you mean?

Gab. Just what I say; I thought my speech was plain: You are no thief--nor I--and, as true men, Should aid each other.

Wer. It is a damned world, sir.

Gab. So is the nearest of the two next, as The priests say (and no doubt they should know best), Therefore I'll stick by this--as being both To suffer martyrdom, at least with such An epitaph as larceny upon my tomb. It is but a night's lodging which I crave; To-morrow I will try the waters, as The dove did--trusting that they have abated.

Wer. Abated? Is there hope of that?

Gab. There was At noontide.

Wer. Then we may be safe.

Gab. Are you In peril?

Wer. Poverty is ever so.

Gab. That I know by long practice. Will you not Promise to make mine less?

Wer. Your poverty?

Gab. No--you don't look a leech for that disorder; I meant my peril only: you've a roof, And I have none; I merely seek a covert.

Wer. Rightly; for how should such a wretch as I Have gold?

Gab. Scarce honestly, to say the truth on't, Although I almost wish you had the Baron's.

Wer. Dare you insinuate?

Gab. What?

Wer. Are you aware To whom you speak?

Gab. No; and I am not used Greatly to care. (A noise heard without.) But hark! they come!

Wer. Who come?

Gab. The Intendant and his man-hounds after me: I'd face them--but it were in vain to expect Justice at hands like theirs. Where shall I go? But show me any place. I do assure you, If there be faith in man, I am most guiltless: Think if it were your own case!

Wer. (aside). Oh, just God! Thy hell is not hereafter! Am I dust still?

Gab. I see you're moved; and it shows well in you: I may live to requite it.

Wer. Are you not A spy of Stralenheim's?

Gab. Not I! and if I were, what is there to espy in you? Although, I recollect, his frequent question About you and your spouse might lead to some Suspicion; but you best know--what--and why. I am his deadliest foe.

Wer. You?

Gab. After such A treatment for the service which in part I rendered him, I am his enemy: If you are not his friend you will assist me.

Wer. I will.

Gab. But how?

Wer. (showing the panel). There is a secret spring: Remember, I discovered it by chance, And used it but for safety.

Gab. Open it, And I will use it for the same.

Wer. I found it, As I have said: it leads through winding walls, (So thick as to bear paths within their ribs, Yet lose no jot of strength or stateliness,) And hollow cells, and obscure niches, to I know not whither; you must not advance: Give me your word.

Gab. It is unecessary: How should I make my way in darkness through A Gothic labyrinth of unknown windings?

Wer. Yes, but who knows to what place it may lead? I know not--(mark you!)--but who knows it might not Lead even into the chamber of your foe? So strangely were contrived these galleries By our Teutonic fathers in old days, When man built less against the elements Than his next neighbour. You must not advance Beyond the two first windings; if you do (Albeit I never passed them,) I'll not answer For what you may be led to.

Gab. But I will. A thousand thanks!

Wer. You'll find the spring more obvious On the other side; and, when you would return, It yields to the least touch.

Gab. I'll in--farewell! [GABOR goes in by the secret panel.

Wer. (solus). What have I done? Alas! what had I done Before to make this fearful? Let it be Still some atonement that I save the man, Whose sacrifice had saved perhaps my own-- They come! to seek elsewhere what is before them!

Enter IDENSTEIN and Others.

Iden. Is he not here? He must have vanished then Through the dim Gothic glass by pious aid Of pictured saints upon the red and yellow Casements, through which the sunset streams like sunrise On long pearl-coloured beards and crimson crosses. And gilded crosiers, and crossed arms, and cowls, And helms, and twisted armour, and long swords, All the fantastic furniture of windows Dim with brave knights and holy hermits, whose Likeness and fame alike rest in some panes Of crystal, which each rattling wind proclaims As frail as any other life or glory. He's gone, however.

Wer. Whom do you seek?

Iden. A villain.

Wer. Why need you come so far, then?

Iden. In the search Of him who robbed the Baron.

Wer. Are you sure You have divined the man?

Iden. As sure as you Stand there: but where's he gone?

Wer. Who?

Iden. He we sought.

Wer. You see he is not here.

Iden. And yet we traced him Up to this hall. Are you accomplices? Or deal you in the black art?

Wer. I deal plainly, To many men the blackest.

Iden. It may be I have a question or two for yourself Hereafter; but we must continue now Our search for t'other.

Wer. You had best begin Your inquisition now: I may not be So patient always.

Iden. I should like to know, In good sooth, if you really are the man That Stralenheim's in quest of.

Wer. Insolent! Said you not that he was not here?

Iden. Yes, one; But there's another whom he tracks more keenly, And soon, it may be, with authority Both paramount to his and mine. But come! Bustle, my boys! we are at fault. [Exit IDENSTEIN and Attendants.

Wer. In what A maze hath my dim destiny involved me! And one base sin hath done me less ill than The leaving undone one far greater. Down, Thou busy devil, rising in my heart! Thou art too late! I'll nought to do with blood.

Enter ULRIC.

Ulr. I sought you, father.

Wer. Is't not dangerous?

Ulr. No; Stralenheim is ignorant of all Or any of the ties between us: more-- He sends me here a spy upon your actions, Deeming me wholly his.

Wer. I cannot think it: 'Tis but a snare he winds about us both, To swoop the sire and son at once.

Ulr. I cannot Pause in each petty fear, and stumble at The doubts that rise like briers in our path, But must break through them, as an unarmed carle Would, though with naked limbs, were the wolf rustling In the same thicket where he hewed for bread. Nets are for thrushes, eagles are not caught so: We'll overfly or rend them.

Wer. Show me how?

Ulr. Can you not guess?

Wer. I cannot.

Ulr. That is strange. Came the thought ne'er into your mind last night?

Wer. I understand you not.

Ulr. Then we shall never More understand each other. But to change The topic----

Wer. You mean to pursue it, as 'Tis of our safety.

Ulr. Right; I stand corrected. I see the subject now more clearly, and Our general situation in its bearings. The waters are abating; a few hours Will bring his summoned myrmidons from Frankfort, When you will be a prisoner, perhaps worse, And I an outcast, bastardised by practice Of this same Baron to make way for him.

Wer. And now your remedy! I thought to escape By means of this accurséd gold; but now I dare not use it, show it, scarce look on it. Methinks it wears upon its face my guilt For motto, not the mintage of the state; And, for the sovereign's head, my own begirt With hissing snakes, which curl around my temples, And cry to all beholders, Lo! a villain!

Ulr. You must not use it, at least now; but take This ring. [He gives WERNER a jewel.

Wer. A gem! It was my father's!

Ulr. And As such is now your own. With this you must Bribe the Intendant for his old caleche And horses to pursue your route at sunrise, Together with my mother.

Wer. And leave you, So lately found, in peril too?

Ulr. Fear nothing! The only fear were if we fled together, For that would make our ties beyond all doubt. The waters only lie in flood between This burgh and Frankfort: so far's in our favour The route on to Bohemia, though encumbered, Is not impassable; and when you gain A few hours' start, the difficulties will be The same to your pursuers. Once beyond The frontier, and you're safe.

Wer. My noble boy!

Ulr. Hush! hush! no transports: we'll indulge in them In Castle Siegendorf! Display no gold: Show Idenstein the gem (I know the man, And have looked through him): it will answer thus A double purpose. Stralenheim lost gold-- No jewel: therefore it could not be his; And then the man who was possest of this Can hardly be suspected of abstracting The Baron's coin, when he could thus convert This ring to more than Stralenheim has lost By his last night's slumber. Be not over timid In your address, nor yet too arrogant, And Idenstein will serve you.

Wer. I will follow In all things your direction.

Ulr. I would have Spared you the trouble; but had I appeared To take an interest in you, and still more By dabbling with a jewel in your favour, All had been known at once.

Wer. My guardian angel! This overpays the past. But how wilt thou Fare in our absence?

Ulr. Stralenheim knows nothing Of me as aught of kindred with yourself. I will but wait a day or two with him To lull all doubts, and then rejoin my father.

Wer. To part no more!

Ulr. I know not that; but at The least we'll meet again once more.

Wer. My boy! My friend! my only child, and sole preserver! Oh, do not hate me!

Ulr. Hate my father!

Wer. Aye, My father hated me. Why not my son?

Ulr. Your father knew you not as I do.

Wer. Scorpions Are in thy words! Thou know me? in this guise Thou canst not know me, I am not myself; Yet (hate me not) I will be soon.

Ulr. I'll wait! In the mean time be sure that all a son Can do for parents shall be done for mine.

Wer. I see it, and I feel it; yet I feel Further--that you despise me.

Ulr. Wherefore should I?

Wer. Must I repeat my humiliation?

Ulr. No! I have fathomed it and you. But let us talk Of this no more. Or, if it must be ever, Not now. Your error has redoubled all The present difficulties of our house At secret war with that of Stralenheim: All we have now to think of is to baffle HIM. I have shown one way.

Wer. The only one, And I embrace it, as I did my son, Who showed himself and father's safety in One day.

Ulr. You shall be safe; let that suffice. Would Stralenheim's appearance in Bohemia Disturb your right, or mine, if once we were Admitted to our lands?

Wer. Assuredly, Situate as we are now; although the first Possessor might, as usual, prove the strongest-- Especially the next in blood.

Ulr. Blood! 'tis A word of many meanings; in the veins, And out of them, it is a different thing-- And so it should be, when the same in blood (As it is called) are aliens to each other, Like Theban brethren: when a part is bad, A few spilt ounces purify the rest.

Wer. I do not apprehend you.

Ulr. That may be-- And should, perhaps--and yet--but get ye ready; You and my mother must away to-night. Here comes the Intendant: sound him with the gem; 'Twill sink into his venal soul like lead Into the deep, and bring up slime and mud, And ooze, too, from the bottom, as the lead doth With its greased understratum; but no less Will serve to warn our vessels through these shoals. The freight is rich, so heave the line in time! Farewell! I scarce have time, but yet your hand, My father!----

Wer. Let me embrace thee!

Ulr. We may be Observed: subdue your nature to the hour! Keep off from me as from your foe!

Wer. Accursed Be he who is the stifling cause which smothers The best and sweetest feeling of our hearts; At such an hour too!

Ulr. Yes, curse--it will ease you! Here is the Intendant.

Enter IDENSTEIN.

Ulr. Master Idenstein, How fare you in your purpose? Have you caught The rogue?

Iden. No, faith!

Ulr. Well, there are plenty more: You may have better luck another chase. Where is the Baron?

Iden. Gone back to his chamber: And now I think on't, asking after you With nobly-born impatience.

Ulr. Your great men Must be answered on the instant, as the bound Of the stung steed replies unto the spur: 'Tis well they have horses, too; for if they had not, I fear that men must draw their chariots, as They say kings did Sesostris.

Iden. Who was he?

Ulr. An old Bohemian--an imperial gipsy.

Iden. A gipsy or Bohemian, 'tis the same, For they pass by both names. And was he one?

Ulr. I've heard so; but I must take leave. Intendant, Your servant!--Werner (to WERNER slightly), if that be your name, Yours. [Exit ULRIC.

Iden. A well-spoken, pretty-faced young man! And prettily behaved! He knows his station, You see, sir: how he gave to each his due Precedence!

Wer. I perceived it, and applaud His just discernment and your own.

Iden. That's well-- That's very well. You also know your place, too; And yet I don't know that I know your place.

Wer. (showing the ring). Would this assist your knowledge?

Iden. How!--What!--Eh! A jewel!

Wer. 'Tis your own on one condition.

Iden. Mine!--Name it!

Wer. That hereafter you permit me At thrice its value to redeem it: 'tis A family ring.

Iden. A family!--yours!--a gem! I'm breathless!

Wer. You must also furnish me, An hour ere daybreak, with all means to quit This place.

Iden. But is it real? Let me look on it: Diamond, by all that's glorious!

Wer. Come, I'll trust you: You have guessed, no doubt, that I was born above My present seeming.

Iden. I can't say I did, Though this looks like it: this is the true breeding Of gentle blood!

Wer. I have important reasons For wishing to continue privily My journey hence.

Iden. So then you are the man Whom Stralenheim's in quest of?

Wer. I am not; But being taken for him might conduct So much embarrassment to me just now, And to the Baron's self hereafter--'tis To spare both that I would avoid all bustle.

Iden. Be you the man or no, 'tis not my business; Besides, I never could obtain the half From this proud, niggardly noble, who would raise The country for some missing bits of coin, And never offer a precise reward-- But this!--another look!

Wer. Gaze on it freely; At day-dawn it is yours.

Iden. Oh, thou sweet sparkler! Thou more than stone of the philosopher! Thou touch-stone of Philosophy herself! Thou bright eye of the Mine! thou loadstar of The soul! the true magnetic Pole to which All hearts point duly north, like trembling needles! Thou flaming Spirit of the Earth! which, sitting High on the Monarch's Diadem, attractest More worship than the majesty who sweats Beneath the crown which makes his head ache, like Millions of hearts which bleed to lend it lustre! Shalt thou be mine? I am, methinks, already A little king, a lucky alchymist!-- A wise magician, who has bound the devil Without the forfeit of his soul. But come, Werner, or what else?

Wer. Call me Werner still; You may yet know me by a loftier title.

Iden. I do believe in thee! thou art the spirit Of whom I long have dreamed in a low garb.-- But come, I'll serve thee; thou shalt be as free As air, despite the waters; let us hence: I'll show thee I am honest--(oh, thou jewel!) Thou shalt be furnished, Werner, with such means Of flight, that if thou wert a snail, not birds Should overtake thee.--Let me gaze again! I have a foster-brother in the mart Of Hamburgh skilled in precious stones. How many Carats may it weigh?--Come, Werner, I will wing thee. [Exeunt.

SCENE II.--STRALENHEIM'S Chamber.

STRALENHEIM and FRITZ.

Fritz. All's ready, my good Lord!

Stral. I am not sleepy, And yet I must to bed: I fain would say To rest, but something heavy on my spirit, Too dull for wakefulness, too quick for slumber, Sits on me as a cloud along the sky, Which will not let the sunbeams through, nor yet Descend in rain and end, but spreads itself 'Twixt earth and heaven, like envy between man And man, an everlasting mist:--I will Unto my pillow.

Fritz. May you rest there well!

Stral. I feel, and fear, I shall.

Fritz. And wherefore fear?

Stral. I know not why, and therefore do fear more, Because an undescribable----but 'tis All folly. Were the locks as I desired Changed, to-day, of this chamber? for last night's Adventure makes it needful.

Fritz. Certainly, According to your order, and beneath The inspection of myself and the young Saxon Who saved your life. I think they call him "Ulric."

Stral. You think! you supercilious slave! what right Have you to tax your memory, which should be Quick, proud, and happy to retain the name Of him who saved your master, as a litany Whose daily repetition marks your duty.-- Get hence; "You think" indeed! you, who stood still Howling and dripping on the bank, whilst I Lay dying, and the stranger dashed aside The roaring torrent, and restored me to Thank him--and despise you. "You think!" and scarce Can recollect his name! I will not waste More words on you. Call me betimes.

Fritz. Good night! I trust to-morrow will restore your Lordship To renovated strength and temper. [The scene closes.

SCENE III.--The secret Passage.

Gab. (solus). Four-- Five--six hours have I counted, like the guard Of outposts, on the never-merry clock, That hollow tongue of time, which, even when It sounds for joy, takes something from enjoyment With every clang. 'Tis a perpetual knell, Though for a marriage-feast it rings: each stroke Peals for a hope the less; the funeral note Of Love deep-buried, without resurrection, In the grave of Possession; while the knoll Of long-lived parents finds a jovial echo To triple time in the son's ear. I'm cold-- I'm dark;--I've blown my fingers--numbered o'er And o'er my steps--and knocked my head against Some fifty buttresses--and roused the rats And bats in general insurrection, till Their curséd pattering feet and whirling wings Leave me scarce hearing for another sound. A light! It is at distance (if I can Measure in darkness distance): but it blinks As through a crevice or a key-hole, in The inhibited direction: I must on, Nevertheless, from curiosity. A distant lamp-light is an incident In such a den as this. Pray Heaven it lead me To nothing that may tempt me! Else--Heaven aid me To obtain or to escape it! Shining still! Were it the star of Lucifer himself, Or he himself girt with its beams, I could Contain no longer. Softly: mighty well! That corner's turned--so--ah! no;--right! it draws Nearer. Here is a darksome angle--so, That's weathered.--Let me pause.--Suppose it leads Into some greater danger than that which I have escaped--no matter, 'tis a new one; And novel perils, like fresh mistresses, Wear more magnetic aspects:--I will on, And be it where it may--I have my dagger Which may protect me at a pinch.--Burn still, Thou little light! Thou art my ignis fatuus! My stationary Will-o'-the-wisp!--So! so! He hears my invocation, and fails not. [The scene closes.

SCENE IV.--A Garden.

Enter WERNER.

Wer. I could not sleep--and now the hour's at hand! All's ready. Idenstein has kept his word; And stationed in the outskirts of the town, Upon the forest's edge, the vehicle Awaits us. Now the dwindling stars begin To pale in heaven; and for the last time I Look on these horrible walls. Oh! never, never Shall I forget them. Here I came most poor, But not dishonoured: and I leave them with A stain,--if not upon my name, yet in My heart!--a never-dying canker-worm, Which all the coming splendour of the lands, And rights, and sovereignty of Siegendorf Can scarcely lull a moment. I must find Some means of restitution, which would ease My soul in part: but how, without discovery?-- It must be done, however; and I'll pause Upon the method the first hour of safety. The madness of my misery led to this Base infamy; repentance must retrieve it: I will have nought of Stralenheim's upon My spirit, though he would grasp all of mine; Lands, freedom, life,--and yet he sleeps as soundly Perhaps, as infancy, with gorgeous curtains Spread for his canopy, o'er silken pillows, Such as when----Hark! what noise is that? Again! The branches shake; and some loose stones have fallen From yonder terrace. [ULRIC leaps down from the terrace. Ulric! ever welcome! Thrice welcome now! this filial----

Ulr. Stop! before We approach, tell me----

Wer. Why look you so?

Ulr. Do I Behold my father, or----

Wer. What?

Ulr. An assassin?

Wer. Insane or insolent!

Ulr. Reply, sir, as You prize your life, or mine!

Wer. To what must I Answer?

Ulr. Are you or are you not the assassin Of Stralenheim?

Wer. I never was as yet The murderer of any man. What mean you?

Ulr. Did not you this night (as the night before) Retrace the secret passage? Did you not Again revisit Stralenheim's chamber? and---- [ULRIC pauses.

Wer. Proceed.

Ulr. Died he not by your hand?

Wer. Great God!

Ulr. You are innocent, then! my father's innocent! Embrace me! Yes,--your tone--your look--yes, yes,-- Yet say so.

Wer. If I e'er, in heart or mind, Conceived deliberately such a thought, But rather strove to trample back to hell Such thoughts--if e'er they glared a moment through The irritation of my oppressed spirit-- May Heaven be shut for ever from my hopes, As from mine eyes!

Ulr. But Stralenheim is dead.

Wer. 'Tis horrible! 'tis hideous, as 'tis hateful!-- But what have I to do with this?

Ulr. No bolt Is forced; no violence can be detected, Save on his body. Part of his own household Have been alarmed; but as the Intendant is Absent, I took upon myself the care Of mustering the police. His chamber has, Past doubt, been entered secretly. Excuse me, If nature----

Wer. Oh, my boy! what unknown woes Of dark fatality, like clouds, are gathering Above our house!

Ulr. My father! I acquit you! But will the world do so? will even the judge, If--but you must away this instant.

Wer. No! I'll face it. Who shall dare suspect me?

Ulr. Yet You had no guests--no visitors--no life Breathing around you, save my mother's?

Wer. Ah! The Hungarian?

Ulr. He is gone! he disappeared Ere sunset.

Wer. No; I hid him in that very Concealed and fatal gallery.

Ulr. There I'll find him. [ULRIC is going.

Wer. It is too late: he had left the palace ere I quitted it. I found the secret panel Open, and the doors which lead from that hall Which masks it: I but thought he had snatched the silent And favourable moment to escape The myrmidons of Idenstein, who were Dogging him yester-even.

Ulr. You reclosed The panel?

Wer. Yes; and not without reproach (And inner trembling for the avoided peril) At his dull heedlessness, in leaving thus His shelterer's asylum to the risk Of a discovery.

Ulr. You are sure you closed it?

Wer. Certain.

Ulr. That's well; but had been better, if You ne'er had turned it to a den for---- [He pauses.

Wer. Thieves! Thou wouldst say: I must bear it, and deserve it; But not----

Ulr. No, father; do not speak of this: This is no hour to think of petty crimes, But to prevent the consequence of great ones. Why would you shelter this man?

Wer. Could I shun it? A man pursued by my chief foe; disgraced For my own crime: a victim to my safety, Imploring a few hours' concealment from The very wretch who was the cause he needed Such refuge. Had he been a wolf, I could not Have in such circumstances thrust him forth.

Ulr. And like the wolf he hath repaid you. But It is too late to ponder thus:--you must Set out ere dawn. I will remain here to Trace the murderer, if 'tis possible.

Wer. But this my sudden flight will give the Moloch Suspicion: two new victims in the lieu Of one, if I remain. The fled Hungarian, Who seems the culprit, and----

Ulr. Who seems? Who else Can be so?

Wer. Not I, though just now you doubted-- You, my son!--doubted----

Ulr. And do you doubt of him The fugitive?

Wer. Boy! since I fell into The abyss of crime (though not of such crime), I, Having seen the innocent oppressed for me, May doubt even of the guilty's guilt. Your heart Is free, and quick with virtuous wrath to accuse Appearances; and views a criminal In Innocence's shadow, it may be, Because 'tis dusky.

Ulr. And if I do so, What will mankind, who know you not, or knew But to oppress? You must not stand the hazard. Away!--I'll make all easy. Idenstein Will for his own sake and his jewel's hold His peace--he also is a partner in Your flight--moreover----

Wer. Fly! and leave my name Linked with the Hungarian's, or, preferred as poorest, To bear the brand of bloodshed?

Ulr. Pshaw! leave any thing Except our fathers' sovereignty and castles, For which you have so long panted, and in vain! What name? You have no name, since that you bear Is feigned.

Wer. Most true: but still I would not have it Engraved in crimson in men's memories, Though in this most obscure abode of men---- Besides, the search----

Ulr. I will provide against Aught that can touch you. No one knows you here As heir of Siegendorf: if Idenstein Suspects, 'tis but suspicion, and he is A fool: his folly shall have such employment, Too, that the unknown Werner shall give way To nearer thoughts of self. The laws (if e'er Laws reached this village) are all in abeyance With the late general war of thirty years, Or crushed, or rising slowly from the dust, To which the march of armies trampled them. Stralenheim, although noble, is unheeded Here, save as such--without lands, influence, Save what hath perished with him. Few prolong A week beyond their funeral rites their sway O'er men, unless by relatives, whose interest Is roused: such is not here the case; he died Alone, unknown,--a solitary grave, Obscure as his deserts, without a scutcheon, Is all he'll have, or wants. If I discover The assassin, 'twill be well--if not, believe me, None else; though all the full-fed train of menials May howl above his ashes (as they did Around him in his danger on the Oder), Will no more stir a finger now than then. Hence! hence! I must not hear your answer.--Look! The stars are almost faded, and the grey Begins to grizzle the black hair of night. You shall not answer:--Pardon me that I Am peremptory: 'tis your son that speaks, Your long-lost, late-found son.--Let's call my mother! Softly and swiftly step, and leave the rest To me: I'll answer for the event as far As regards you, and that is the chief point, As my first duty, which shall be observed. We'll meet in Castle Siegendorf--once more Our banners shall be glorious! Think of that Alone, and leave all other thoughts to me, Whose youth may better battle with them--Hence! And may your age be happy!--I will kiss My mother once more, then Heaven's speed be with you!

Wer. This counsel's safe--but is it honourable?

Ulr. To save a father is a child's chief honour. [Exeunt.

ACT IV.

SCENE I.--A Gothic Hall in the Castle of Siegendorf, near Prague.

Enter ERIC and HENRICK, Retainers of the Count.

Eric. So, better times are come at last; to these Old walls new masters and high wassail--both A long desideratum.

Hen. Yes, for masters, It might be unto those who long for novelty, Though made by a new grave: but, as for wassail, Methinks the old Count Siegendorf maintained His feudal hospitality as high As e'er another Prince of the empire.

Eric. Why For the mere cup and trencher, we no doubt Fared passing well; but as for merriment And sport, without which salt and sauces season The cheer but scantily, our sizings were Even of the narrowest.

Hen. The old count loved not The roar of revel; are you sure that this does?

Eric. As yet he hath been courteous as he's bounteous, And we all love him.

Hen. His reign is as yet Hardly a year o'erpast its honeymoon, And the first year of sovereigns is bridal: Anon, we shall perceive his real sway And moods of mind.

Eric. Pray Heaven he keep the present! Then his brave son, Count Ulric--there's a knight! Pity the wars are o'er!

Hen. Why so?

Eric. Look on him! And answer that yourself.

Hen. He's very youthful, And strong and beautiful as a young tiger.

Eric. That's not a faithful vassal's likeness.

Hen. But Perhaps a true one.

Eric. Pity, as I said, The wars are over: in the hall, who like Count Ulric for a well-supported pride, Which awes, but yet offends not? in the field, Who like him with his spear in hand, when gnashing His tusks, and ripping up, from right to left, The howling hounds, the boar makes for the thicket? Who backs a horse, or bears a hawk, or wears A sword like him? Whose plume nods knightlier?

Hen. No one's, I grant you. Do not fear, if war Be long in coming, he is of that kind Will make it for himself, if he hath not Already done as much.

Eric. What do you mean?

Hen. You can't deny his train of followers (But few our native fellow-vassals born On the domain) are such a sort of knaves As---- [Pauses.

Eric. What?

Hen. The war (you love so much) leaves living. Like other parents, she spoils her worst children.

Eric. Nonsense! they are all brave iron-visaged fellows, Such as old Tilly loved.

Hen. And who loved Tilly? Ask that at Magdebourg--or, for that matter, Wallenstein either;--they are gone to----

Eric. Rest! But what beyond 'tis not ours to pronounce.

Hen. I wish they had left us something of their rest: The country (nominally now at peace) Is over-run with--God knows who: they fly By night, and disappear with sunrise; but Leave us no less desolation, nay, even more, Than the most open warfare.

Eric. But Count Ulric-- What has all this to do with him?

Hen. With him! He----might prevent it. As you say he's fond Of war, why makes he it not on those marauders?

Eric. You'd better ask himself.

Hen. I would as soon Ask the lion why he laps not milk.

Eric. And here he comes!

Hen. The devil! you'll hold your tongue?

Eric. Why do you turn so pale?

Hen. 'Tis nothing--but Be silent.

Eric. I will, upon what you have said.

Hen. I assure you I meant nothing,--a mere sport Of words, no more; besides, had it been otherwise, He is to espouse the gentle Baroness Ida of Stralenheim, the late Baron's heiress; And she, no doubt, will soften whatsoever Of fierceness the late long intestine wars Have given all natures, and most unto those Who were born in them, and bred up upon The knees of Homicide; sprinkled, as it were, With blood even at their baptism. Prithee, peace On all that I have said!

Enter ULRIC and RODOLPH.

Good morrow, count.

Ulr. Good morrow, worthy Henrick. Eric, is All ready for the chase?

Eric. The dogs are ordered Down to the forest, and the vassals out To beat the bushes, and the day looks promising. Shall I call forth your Excellency's suite? What courser will you please to mount?

Ulr. The dun, Walstein.

Eric. I fear he scarcely has recovered The toils of Monday: 'twas a noble chase: You speared four with your own hand.

Ulr. True, good Eric; I had forgotten--let it be the grey, then, Old Ziska: he has not been out this fortnight.

Eric. He shall be straight caparisoned. How many Of your immediate retainers shall Escort you?

Ulr. I leave that to Weilburgh, our Master of the horse. [Exit ERIC. Rodolph!

Rod. My Lord!

Ulr. The news Is awkward from the---- [RODOLPH points to HENRICK. How now, Henrick? why Loiter you here?

Hen. For your commands, my Lord.

Ulr. Go to my father, and present my duty, And learn if he would aught with me before I mount. [Exit HENRICK. Rodolph, our friends have had a check Upon the frontiers of Franconia, and 'Tis rumoured that the column sent against them Is to be strengthened. I must join them soon.

Rod. Best wait for further and more sure advices.

Ulr. I mean it--and indeed it could not well Have fallen out at a time more opposite To all my plans.

Rod. It will be difficult To excuse your absence to the Count your father.

Ulr. Yes, but the unsettled state of our domain In high Silesia will permit and cover My journey. In the mean time, when we are Engaged in the chase, draw off the eighty men Whom Wolffe leads--keep the forests on your route: You know it well?

Rod. As well as on that night When we----

Ulr. We will not speak of that until We can repeat the same with like success: And when you have joined, give Rosenberg this letter. [Gives a letter. Add further, that I have sent this slight addition To our force with you and Wolffe, as herald of My coming, though I could but spare them ill At this time, as my father loves to keep Full numbers of retainers round the castle, Until this marriage, and its feasts and fooleries, Are rung out with its peal of nuptial nonsense.

Rod. I thought you loved the lady Ida?

Ulr. Why, I do so--but it follows not from that I would bind in my youth and glorious years, So brief and burning, with a lady's zone, Although 'twere that of Venus:--but I love her, As woman should be loved--fairly and solely.

Rod. And constantly?

Ulr. I think so; for I love Nought else.--But I have not the time to pause Upon these gewgaws of the heart. Great things We have to do ere long. Speed! speed! good Rodolph!

Rod. On my return, however, I shall find The Baroness Ida lost in Countess Siegendorf?

Ulr. Perhaps: my father wishes it, and, sooth, 'Tis no bad policy: this union with The last bud of the rival branch at once Unites the future and destroys the past.

Rod. Adieu.

Ulr. Yet hold--we had better keep together Until the chase begins; then draw thou off, And do as I have said.

Rod. I will. But to Return--'twas a most kind act in the count Your father to send up to Konigsberg For this fair orphan of the Baron, and To hail her as his daughter.

Ulr. Wondrous kind! Especially as little kindness till Then grew between them.

Rod. The late Baron died Of a fever, did he not?

Ulr. How should I know?

Rod. I have heard it whispered there was something strange About his death--and even the place of it Is scarcely known.

Ulr. Some obscure village on The Saxon or Silesian frontier.

Rod. He Has left no testament--no farewell words?

Ulr. I am neither confessor nor notary, So cannot say.

Rod. Ah! here's the lady Ida.

Enter IDA STRALENHEIM.

Ulr. You are early, my sweet cousin!

Ida. Not too early, Dear Ulric, if I do not interrupt you. Why do you call me "Cousin?"

Ulr. (smiling). Are we not so?

Ida. Yes, but I do not like the name; methinks It sounds so cold, as if you thought upon Our pedigree, and only weighed our blood.

Ulr. (starting). Blood!

Ida. Why does yours start from your cheeks?

Ulr. Aye! doth it?

Ida. It doth--but no! it rushes like a torrent Even to your brow again.

Ulr. (recovering himself). And if it fled, It only was because your presence sent it Back to my heart, which beats for you, sweet Cousin!

Ida. "Cousin" again.

Ulr. Nay, then, I'll call you sister.

Ida. I like that name still worse.--Would we had ne'er Been aught of kindred!

Ulr. (gloomily). Would we never had!

Ida. Oh, heavens! and can you wish that?

Ulr. Dearest Ida! Did I not echo your own wish?

Ida. Yes, Ulric, But then I wished it not with such a glance, And scarce knew what I said; but let me be Sister, or cousin, what you will, so that I still to you am something.

Ulr. You shall be All--all----

Ida. And you to me are so already; But I can wait.

Ulr. Dear Ida!

Ida. Call me Ida, Your Ida, for I would be yours, none else's-- Indeed I have none else left, since my poor father-- [She pauses.

Ulr. You have mine--you have me.

Ida. Dear Ulric, how I wish My father could but view my happiness, Which wants but this!

Ulr. Indeed!

Ida. You would have loved him, He you; for the brave ever love each other: His manner was a little cold, his spirit Proud (as is birth's prerogative); but under This grave exterior----Would you had known each other! Had such as you been near him on his journey, He had not died without a friend to soothe His last and lonely moments.

Ulr. Who says that?

Ida. What?

Ulr. That he died alone.

Ida. The general rumour, And disappearance of his servants, who Have ne'er returned: that fever was most deadly Which swept them all away.

Ulr. If they were near him, He could not die neglected or alone.

Ida. Alas! what is a menial to a death-bed, When the dim eye rolls vainly round for what It loves?--They say he died of a fever.

Ulr. Say! It was so.

Ida. I sometimes dream otherwise.

Ulr. All dreams are false.

Ida. And yet I see him as I see you.

Ulr. Where?

Ida. In sleep--I see him lie Pale, bleeding, and a man with a raised knife Beside him.

Ulr. But you do not see his face?

Ida (looking at him). No! Oh, my God! do you?

Ulr. Why do you ask?

Ida. Because you look as if you saw a murderer!

Ulr. (agitatedly). Ida, this is mere childishness; your weakness Infects me, to my shame: but as all feelings Of yours are common to me, it affects me. Prithee, sweet child, change----

Ida. Child, indeed! I have Full fifteen summers! [A bugle sounds.

Rod. Hark, my Lord, the bugle!

Ida (peevishly to RODOLPH). Why need you tell him that? Can he not hear it Without your echo?

Rod. Pardon me, fair Baroness!

Ida. I will not pardon you, unless you earn it By aiding me in my dissuasion of Count Ulric from the chase to-day.

Rod. You will not, Lady, need aid of mine.

Ulr. I must not now Forgo it.

Ida. But you shall!

Ulr. Shall!

Ida. Yes, or be No true knight.--Come, dear Ulric! yield to me In this, for this one day: the day looks heavy, And you are turned so pale and ill.

Ulr. You jest.

Ida. Indeed I do not:--ask of Rodolph.

Rod. Truly, My Lord, within this quarter of an hour You have changed more than e'er I saw you change In years.

Ulr. 'Tis nothing; but if 'twere, the air Would soon restore me. I'm the true cameleon, And live but on the atmosphere; your feasts In castle halls, and social banquets, nurse not My spirit--I'm a forester and breather Of the steep mountain-tops, where I love all The eagle loves.

Ida. Except his prey, I hope.

Ulr. Sweet Ida, wish me a fair chase, and I Will bring you six boars' heads for trophies home.

Ida. And will you not stay, then? You shall not go! Come! I will sing to you.

Ulr. Ida, you scarcely Will make a soldier's wife.

Ida. I do not wish To be so; for I trust these wars are over, And you will live in peace on your domains.

Enter WERNER as COUNT SIEGENDORF.

Ulr. My father, I salute you, and it grieves me With such brief greeting.--You have heard our bugle; The vassals wait.

Sieg. So let them.--You forget To-morrow is the appointed festival In Prague for peace restored. You are apt to follow The chase with such an ardour as will scarce Permit you to return to-day, or if Returned, too much fatigued to join to-morrow The nobles in our marshalled ranks.

Ulr. You, Count, Will well supply the place of both--I am not A lover of these pageantries.

Sieg. No, Ulric; It were not well that you alone of all Our young nobility----

Ida. And far the noblest In aspect and demeanour.

Sieg. (to IDA). True, dear child, Though somewhat frankly said for a fair damsel.-- But, Ulric, recollect too our position, So lately reinstated in our honours. Believe me, 'twould be marked in any house, But most in ours, that ONE should be found wanting At such a time and place. Besides, the Heaven Which gave us back our own, in the same moment It spread its peace o'er all, hath double claims On us for thanksgiving: first, for our country; And next, that we are here to share its blessings.

Ulr. (aside). Devout, too! Well, sir, I obey at once. (Then aloud to a servant.) Ludwig, dismiss the train without! [Exit LUDWIG. Ida. And so You yield, at once, to him what I for hours Might supplicate in vain.

Sieg. (smiling). You are not jealous Of me, I trust, my pretty rebel! who Would sanction disobedience against all Except thyself? But fear not; thou shalt rule him Hereafter with a fonder sway and firmer.

Ida. But I should like to govern now.

Sieg. You shall, Your harp, which by the way awaits you with The Countess in her chamber. She complains That you are a sad truant to your music: She attends you.

Ida. Then good morrow, my kind kinsmen! Ulric, you'll come and hear me?

Ulr. By and by.

Ida. Be sure I'll sound it better than your bugles; Then pray you be as punctual to its notes: I'll play you King Gustavus' march.

Ulr. And why not Old Tilly's?

Ida. Not that monster's! I should think My harp-strings rang with groans, and not with music, Could aught of his sound on it:--but come quickly; Your mother will be eager to receive you. [Exit IDA.

Sieg. Ulric, I wish to speak with you alone.

Ulr. My time's your vassal.-- (Aside to RODOLPH.) Rodolph, hence! and do As I directed: and by his best speed And readiest means let Rosenberg reply.

Rod. Count Siegendorf, command you aught? I am bound Upon a journey past the frontier.

Sieg. (starts). Ah!-- Where? on what frontier?

Rod. The Silesian, on My way--(Aside to ULRIC.)--Where shall I say?

Ulr. (aside to RODOLPH). To Hamburgh. (Aside to himself). That Word will, I think, put a firm padlock on His further inquisition.

Rod. Count, to Hamburgh.

Sieg. (agitated). Hamburgh! No, I have nought to do there, nor Am aught connected with that city. Then God speed you!

Rod. Fare ye well, Count Siegendorf! [Exit RODOLPH.

Sieg. Ulric, this man, who has just departed, is One of those strange companions whom I fain Would reason with you on.

Ulr. My Lord, he is Noble by birth, of one of the first houses In Saxony.

Sieg. I talk not of his birth, But of his bearing. Men speak lightly of him.

Ulr. So they will do of most men. Even the monarch Is not fenced from his chamberlain's slander, or The sneer of the last courtier whom he has made Great and ungrateful.

Sieg. If I must be plain, The world speaks more than lightly of this Rodolph: They say he is leagued with the "black bands" who still Ravage the frontier.

Ulr. And will you believe The world?

Sieg. In this case--yes.

Ulr. In any case, I thought you knew it better than to take An accusation for a sentence.

Sieg. Son! I understand you: you refer to----but My destiny has so involved about me Her spider web, that I can only flutter Like the poor fly, but break it not. Take heed, Ulric; you have seen to what the passions led me: Twenty long years of misery and famine Quenched them not--twenty thousand more, perchance, Hereafter (or even here in moments which Might date for years, did Anguish make the dial), May not obliterate or expiate The madness and dishonour of an instant. Ulric, be warned by a father!--I was not By mine, and you behold me!

Ulr. I behold The prosperous and belovéd Siegendorf, Lord of a Prince's appanage, and honoured By those he rules and those he ranks with.

Sieg. Ah! Why wilt thou call me prosperous, while I fear For thee? Belovéd, when thou lovest me not! All hearts but one may beat in kindness for me-- But if my son's is cold!----

Ulr. Who dare say that?

Sieg. None else but I, who see it--feel it--keener Than would your adversary, who dared say so, Your sabre in his heart! But mine survives The wound.

Ulr. You err. My nature is not given To outward fondling: how should it be so, After twelve years' divorcement from my parents?

Sieg. And did not I too pass those twelve torn years In a like absence? But 'tis vain to urge you-- Nature was never called back by remonstrance. Let's change the theme. I wish you to consider That these young violent nobles of high name, But dark deeds (aye, the darkest, if all Rumour Reports be true), with whom thou consortest, Will lead thee----

Ulr. (impatiently). I'll be led by no man.

Sieg. Nor Be leader of such, I would hope: at once To wean thee from the perils of thy youth And haughty spirit, I have thought it well That thou shouldst wed the lady Ida--more As thou appear'st to love her.

Ulr. I have said I will obey your orders, were they to Unite with Hecate--can a son say more?

Sieg. He says too much in saying this. It is not The nature of thine age, nor of thy blood, Nor of thy temperament, to talk so coolly, Or act so carelessly, in that which is The bloom or blight of all men's happiness, (For Glory's pillow is but restless, if Love lay not down his cheek there): some strong bias, Some master fiend is in thy service, to Misrule the mortal who believes him slave, And makes his every thought subservient; else Thou'dst say at once--"I love young Ida, and Will wed her;" or, "I love her not, and all The powers on earth shall never make me."--So Would I have answered.

Ulr. Sir, you wed for love.

Sieg. I did, and it has been my only refuge In many miseries.

Ulr. Which miseries Had never been but for this love-match.

Sieg. Still Against your age and nature! Who at twenty E'er answered thus till now?

Ulr. Did you not warn me Against your own example?

Sieg. Boyish sophist! In a word, do you love, or love not, Ida?

Ulr. What matters it, if I am ready to Obey you in espousing her?

Sieg. As far As you feel, nothing--but all life for her. She's young--all-beautiful--adores you--is Endowed with qualities to give happiness, Such as rounds common life into a dream Of something which your poets cannot paint, And (if it were not wisdom to love virtue), For which Philosophy might barter Wisdom; And giving so much happiness, deserves A little in return. I would not have her Break her heart with a man who has none to break! Or wither on her stalk like some pale rose Deserted by the bird she thought a nightingale, According to the Orient tale. She is----

Ulr. The daughter of dead Stralenheim, your foe: I'll wed her, ne'ertheless; though, to say truth, Just now I am not violently transported In favour of such unions.

Sieg. But she loves you.

Ulr. And I love her, and therefore would think twice.

Sieg. Alas! Love never did so.

Ulr. Then 'tis time He should begin, and take the bandage from His eyes, and look before he leaps; till now He hath ta'en a jump i' the dark.

Sieg. But you consent?

Ulr. I did, and do.

Sieg. Then fix the day.

Ulr. Tis usual, And, certes, courteous, to leave that to the lady.

Sieg. I will engage for her.

Ulr. So will not I For any woman: and as what I fix, I fain would see unshaken, when she gives Her answer, I'll give mine.

Sieg. But 'tis your office To woo.

Ulr. Count, 'tis a marriage of your making, So be it of your wooing; but to please you, I will now pay my duty to my mother, With whom, you know, the lady Ida is.-- What would you have? You have forbid my stirring For manly sports beyond the castle walls, And I obey; you bid me turn a chamberer, To pick up gloves, and fans, and knitting-needles, And list to songs and tunes, and watch for smiles, And smile at pretty prattle, and look into The eyes of feminine, as though they were The stars receding early to our wish Upon the dawn of a world-winning battle-- What can a son or man do more? [Exit ULRIC.

Sieg. (solus). Too much!-- Too much of duty, and too little love! He pays me in the coin he owes me not: For such hath been my wayward fate, I could not Fulfil a parent's duties by his side Till now; but love he owes me, for my thoughts Ne'er left him, nor my eyes longed without tears To see my child again,--and now I have found him! But how! obedient, but with coldness; duteous In my sight, but with carelessness; mysterious-- Abstracted--distant--much given to long absence, And where--none know--in league with the most riotous Of our young nobles; though, to do him justice, He never stoops down to their vulgar pleasures; Yet there's some tie between them which I can not Unravel. They look up to him--consult him-- Throng round him as a leader: but with me He hath no confidence! Ah! can I hope it After--what! doth my father's curse descend Even to my child? Or is the Hungarian near To shed more blood? or--Oh! if it should be! Spirit of Stralenheim, dost thou walk these walls To wither him and his--who, though they slew not, Unlatched the door of Death for thee? 'Twas not Our fault, nor is our sin: thou wert our foe, And yet I spared thee when my own destruction Slept with thee, to awake with thine awakening! And only took--Accurséd gold! thou liest Like poison in my hands; I dare not use thee, Nor part from thee; thou camest in such a guise, Methinks thou wouldst contaminate all hands Like mine. Yet I have done, to atone for thee, Thou villanous gold! and thy dead master's doom, Though he died not by me or mine, as much As if he were my brother! I have ta'en His orphan Ida--cherished her as one Who will be mine.

Enter an ATTENDANT.

Atten. The abbot, if it please Your Excellency, whom you sent for, waits Upon you. [Exit ATTENDANT.

Enter the PRIOR ALBERT.

Prior. Peace be with these walls, and all Within them!

Sieg. Welcome, welcome, holy father! And may thy prayer be heard!--all men have need Of such, and I----

Prior. Have the first claim to all The prayers of our community. Our convent, Erected by your ancestors, is still Protected by their children.

Sieg. Yes, good father; Continue daily orisons for us In these dim days of heresies and blood, Though the schismatic Swede, Gustavus, is Gone home.

Prior. To the endless home of unbelievers, Where there is everlasting wail and woe, Gnashing of teeth, and tears of blood, and fire Eternal and the worm which dieth not!

Sieg. True, father: and to avert those pangs from one, Who, though of our most faultless holy Church, Yet died without its last and dearest offices, Which smooth the soul through purgatorial pains, I have to offer humbly this donation In masses for his spirit. [SIEGENDORF offers the gold which he had taken from STRALENHEIM.

Prior. Count, if I Receive it, 'tis because I know too well Refusal would offend you. Be assured The largess shall be only dealt in alms, And every mass no less sung for the dead. Our House needs no donations, thanks to yours, Which has of old endowed it; but from you And yours in all meet things 'tis fit we obey. For whom shall mass be said?

Sieg. (faltering). For--for--the dead.

Prior. His name?

Sieg. 'Tis from a soul, and not a name, I would avert perdition.

Prior. I meant not To pry into your secret. We will pray For one unknown, the same as for the proudest.

Sieg. Secret! I have none: but, father, he who's gone Might have one; or, in short, he did bequeath-- No, not bequeath--but I bestow this sum For pious purposes.

Prior. A proper deed In the behalf of our departed friends.

Sieg. But he who's gone was not my friend, but foe, The deadliest and the stanchest.

Prior. Better still! To employ our means to obtain Heaven for the souls Of our dead enemies is worthy those Who can forgive them living.

Sieg. But I did not Forgive this man. I loathed him to the last, As he did me. I do not love him now, But----

Prior. Best of all! for this is pure religion! You fain would rescue him you hate from hell-- An evangelical compassion--with Your own gold too!

Sieg. Father, 'tis not my gold.

Prior. Whose, then? You said it was no legacy.

Sieg. No matter whose--of this be sure, that he Who owned it never more will need it, save In that which it may purchase from your altars: 'Tis yours, or theirs.

Prior. Is there no blood upon it?

Sieg. No; but there's worse than blood--eternal shame!

Prior. Did he who owned it die in his bed?

Sieg. Alas! He did.

Prior. Son! you relapse into revenge, If you regret your enemy's bloodless death.

Sieg. His death was fathomlessly deep in blood.

Prior. You said he died in his bed, not battle.

Sieg. He Died, I scarce know--but--he was stabbed i' the dark, And now you have it--perished on his pillow By a cut-throat!--Aye!--you may look upon me! I am not the man. I'll meet your eye on that point, As I can one day God's.

Prior. Nor did he die By means, or men, or instrument of yours?

Sieg. No! by the God who sees and strikes!

Prior. Nor know you Who slew him?

Sieg. I could only guess at one, And he to me a stranger, unconnected, As unemployed. Except by one day's knowledge, I never saw the man who was suspected.

Prior. Then you are free from guilt.

Sieg. (eagerly). Oh! am I?--say!

Prior. You have said so, and know best.

Sieg. Father! I have spoken The truth, and nought but truth, if not the whole; Yet say I am not guilty! for the blood Of this man weighs on me, as if I shed it, Though, by the Power who abhorreth human blood, I did not!--nay, once spared it, when I might And could--aye, perhaps, should (if our self-safety Be e'er excusable in such defences Against the attacks of over-potent foes): But pray for him, for me, and all my house; For, as I said, though I be innocent, I know not why, a like remorse is on me, As if he had fallen by me or mine. Pray for me, Father! I have prayed myself in vain.

Prior. I will. Be comforted! You are innocent, and should Be calm as innocence.

Sieg. But calmness is not Always the attribute of innocence. I feel it is not.

Prior. But it will be so, When the mind gathers up its truth within it. Remember the great festival to-morrow, In which you rank amidst our chiefest nobles, As well as your brave son; and smooth your aspect, Nor in the general orison of thanks For bloodshed stopt, let blood you shed not rise, A cloud, upon your thoughts. This were to be Too sensitive. Take comfort, and forget Such things, and leave remorse unto the guilty. [Exeunt.

ACT V.

SCENE I.--A large and magnificent Gothic Hall in the Castle of Siegendorf, decorated with Trophies, Banners, and Arms of that Family.

Enter ARNHEIM and MEISTER, attendants of COUNT SIEGENDORF.

Arn. Be quick! the Count will soon return: the ladies Already are at the portal. Have you sent The messengers in search of him he seeks for?

Meis. I have, in all directions, over Prague, As far as the man's dress and figure could By your description track him. The devil take These revels and processions! All the pleasure (If such there be) must fall to the spectators,-- I'm sure none doth to us who make the show.

Arn. Go to! my Lady Countess comes.

Meis. I'd rather Ride a day's hunting on an outworn jade, Than follow in the train of a great man, In these dull pageantries.

Arn. Begone! and rail Within. [Exeunt.

Enter the COUNTESS JOSEPHINE SIEGENDORF and IDA STRALENHEIM.

Jos. Well, Heaven be praised! the show is over.

Ida. How can you say so? Never have I dreamt Of aught so beautiful. The flowers, the boughs, The banners, and the nobles, and the knights, The gems, the robes, the plumes, the happy faces, The coursers, and the incense, and the sun Streaming through the stained windows, even the tombs, Which looked so calm, and the celestial hymns, Which seemed as if they rather came from Heaven Than mounted there--the bursting organ's peal Rolling on high like an harmonious thunder; The white robes and the lifted eyes; the world At peace! and all at peace with one another! Oh, my sweet mother! [Embracing JOSEPHINE.

Jos. My belovéd child! For such, I trust, thou shalt be shortly.

Ida. Oh! I am so already. Feel how my heart beats!

Jos. It does, my love; and never may it throb With aught more bitter.

Ida. Never shall it do so! How should it? What should make us grieve? I hate To hear of sorrow: how can we be sad, Who love each other so entirely? You, The Count, and Ulric, and your daughter Ida.

Jos. Poor child!

Ida. Do you pity me?

Jos. No: I but envy, And that in sorrow, not in the world's sense Of the universal vice, if one vice be More general than another.

Ida. I'll not hear A word against a world which still contains You and my Ulric. Did you ever see Aught like him? How he towered amongst them all! How all eyes followed him! The flowers fell faster-- Rained from each lattice at his feet, methought, Than before all the rest; and where he trod I dare be sworn that they grow still, nor e'er Will wither.

Jos. You will spoil him, little flatterer, If he should hear you.

Ida. But he never will. I dare not say so much to him--I fear him.

Jos. Why so? he loves you well.

Ida. But I can never Shape my thoughts of him into words to him: Besides, he sometimes frightens me.

Jos. How so? Ida. A cloud comes o'er his blue eyes suddenly, Yet he says nothing.

Jos. It is nothing: all men, Especially in these dark troublous times, Have much to think of.

Ida. But I cannot think Of aught save him.

Jos. Yet there are other men, In the world's eye, as goodly. There's, for instance, The young Count Waldorf, who scarce once withdrew His eyes from yours to-day.

Ida. I did not see him, But Ulric. Did you not see at the moment When all knelt, and I wept? and yet, methought, Through my fast tears, though they were thick and warm, I saw him smiling on me.

Jos. I could not See aught save Heaven, to which my eyes were raised, Together with the people's.

Ida. I thought too Of Heaven, although I looked on Ulric.

Jos. Come, Let us retire! they will be here anon, Expectant of the banquet. We will lay Aside these nodding plumes and dragging trains.

Ida. And, above all, these stiff and heavy jewels, Which make my head and heart ache, as both throb Beneath their glitter o'er my brow and zone. Dear mother, I am with you.

Enter COUNT SIEGENDORF, in full dress, from the solemnity, and LUDWIG.

Sieg. Is he not found?

Lud. Strict search is making every where; and if The man be in Prague, be sure he will be found.

Sieg. Where's Ulric?

Lud. He rode round the other way With some young nobles; but he left them soon; And, if I err not, not a minute since I heard his Excellency, with his train, Gallop o'er the west drawbridge.

Enter ULRIC, splendidly dressed.

Sieg. (to LUDWIG). See they cease not Their quest of him I have described. [Exit LUDWIG. Oh, Ulric! How have I longed for thee!

Ulr. Your wish is granted-- Behold me!

Sieg. I have seen the murderer.

Ulr. Whom? Where?

Sieg. The Hungarian, who slew Stralenheim.

Ulr. You dream.

Sieg. I live! and as I live, I saw him-- Heard him! he dared to utter even my name.

Ulr. What name?

Sieg. Werner! 'twas mine.

Ulr. It must be so No more: forget it.

Sieg. Never! never! all My destinies were woven in that name: It will not be engraved upon my tomb, But it may lead me there.

Ulr. To the point----the Hungarian?

Sieg. Listen!--The church was thronged: the hymn was raised; "Te Deum" pealed from nations rather than From choirs, in one great cry of "God be praised" For one day's peace, after thrice ten dread years, Each bloodier than the former: I arose, With all the nobles, and as I looked down Along the lines of lifted faces,--from Our bannered and escutcheoned gallery, I Saw, like a flash of lightning (for I saw A moment and no more), what struck me sightless To all else--the Hungarian's face! I grew Sick; and when I recovered from the mist Which curled about my senses, and again Looked down, I saw him not. The thanksgiving Was over, and we marched back in procession.

Ulr. Continue.

Sieg. When we reached the Muldau's bridge, The joyous crowd above, the numberless Barks manned with revellers in their best garbs, Which shot along the glancing tide below, The decorated street, the long array, The clashing music, and the thundering Of far artillery, which seemed to bid A long and loud farewell to its great doings, The standards o'er me, and the tramplings round, The roar of rushing thousands,--all--all could not Chase this man from my mind, although my senses No longer held him palpable.

Ulr. You saw him No more, then?

Sieg. I looked, as a dying soldier Looks at a draught of water, for this man; But still I saw him not; but in his stead----

Ulr. What in his stead?

Sieg. My eye for ever fell Upon your dancing crest; the loftiest. As on the loftiest and the loveliest head, It rose the highest of the stream of plumes, Which overflowed the glittering streets of Prague.

Ulr. What's this to the Hungarian?

Sieg. Much! for I Had almost then forgot him in my son; When just as the artillery ceased, and paused The music, and the crowd embraced in lieu Of shouting, I heard in a deep, low voice, Distinct and keener far upon my ear Than the late cannon's volume, this word--"Werner!"

Ulr. Uttered by----

Sieg. HIM! I turned--and saw--and fell.

Ulr. And wherefore? Were you seen?

Sieg. The officious care Of those around me dragged me from the spot, Seeing my faintness, ignorant of the cause: You, too, were too remote in the procession (The old nobles being divided from their children) To aid me.

Ulr. But I'll aid you now.

Sieg. In what?

Ulr. In searching for this man, or----When he's found, What shall we do with him?

Sieg. I know not that.

Ulr. Then wherefore seek?

Sieg. Because I cannot rest Till he is found. His fate, and Stralenheim's, And ours, seem intertwisted! nor can be Unravelled, till----

Enter an ATTENDANT.

Atten. A stranger to wait on Your Excellency.

Sieg. Who?

Atten. He gave no name.

Sieg. Admit him, ne'ertheless. [The ATTENDANT introduces GABOR, and afterwards exit. Ah!

Gab. 'Tis then Werner!

Sieg. (haughtily). The same you knew, sir, by that name; and you!

Gab. (looking round). I recognise you both: father and son, It seems. Count, I have heard that you, or yours, Have lately been in search of me: I am here.

Sieg. I have sought you, and have found you: you are charged (Your own heart may inform you why) with such A crime as---- [He pauses.

Gab. Give it utterance, and then I'll meet the consequences.

Sieg. You shall do so-- Unless----

Gab. First, who accuses me?

Sieg. All things, If not all men: the universal rumour-- My own presence on the spot--the place--the time-- And every speck of circumstance unite To fix the blot on you.

Gab. And on me only? Pause ere you answer: is no other name, Save mine, stained in this business?

Sieg. Trifling villain! Who play'st with thine own guilt! Of all that breathe Thou best dost know the innocence of him 'Gainst whom thy breath would blow thy bloody slander. But I will talk no further with a wretch, Further than justice asks. Answer at once, And without quibbling, to my charge.

Gab. 'Tis false!

Sieg. Who says so?

Gab. I.

Sieg. And how disprove it?

Gab. By The presence of the murderer.

Sieg. Name him.

Gab. He May have more names than one. Your Lordship had so Once on a time.

Sieg. If you mean me, I dare Your utmost.

Gab. You may do so, and in safety; I know the assassin.

Sieg. Where is he?

Gab. (pointing to ULRIC). Beside you! [ULRIC rushes forward to attack GABOR; SIEGENDORF interposes.

Sieg. Liar and fiend! but you shall not be slain; These walls are mine, and you are safe within them. Ulric, repel this calumny, as I [He turns to ULRIC. Will do. I avow it is a growth so monstrous, I could not deem it earth-born: but be calm; It will refute itself. But touch him not. [ULRIC endeavours to compose himself.

Gab. Look at him, Count, and then hear me.

Sieg. (first to GABOR, and then looking at ULRIC). I hear thee. My God! you look----

Ulr. How?

Sieg. As on that dread night, When we met in the garden.

Ulr. (composing himself). It is nothing.

Gab. Count, you are bound to hear me. I came hither Not seeking you, but sought. When I knelt down Amidst the people in the church, I dreamed not To find the beggared Werner in the seat Of Senators and Princes; but you have called me, And we have met.

Sieg. Go on, sir.

Gab. Ere I do so, Allow me to inquire, who profited By Stralenheim's death? Was't I--as poor as ever; And poorer by suspicion on my name! The Baron lost in that last outrage neither Jewels nor gold; his life alone was sought.-- A life which stood between the claims of others To honours and estates scarce less than princely.

Sieg. These hints, as vague as vain, attach no less To me than to my son.

Gab. I can't help that. But let the consequence alight on him Who feels himself the guilty one amongst us. I speak to you, Count Siegendorf, because I know you innocent, and deem you just. But ere I can proceed--dare you protect me? Dare you command me?

[SIEGENDORF first looks at the Hungarian, and then at ULRIC, who has unbuckled his sabre, and is drawing lines with it on the floor--still in its sheath.

Ulr. (looks at his father, and says,) Let the man go on!

Gab. I am unarmed, Count, bid your son lay down His sabre.

Ulr. (offers it to him contemptuously). Take it.

Gab. No, sir, 'tis enough That we are both unarmed--I would not choose To wear a steel which may be stained with more Blood than came there in battle.

Ulr. (casts the sabre from him in contempt). It--or some Such other weapon in my hand--spared yours Once, when disarmed and at my mercy.

Gab. True-- I have not forgotten it: you spared me for Your own especial purpose--to sustain An ignominy not my own.

Ulr. Proceed. The tale is doubtless worthy the relater. But is it of my father to hear further? [To SIEGENDORF.

Sieg. (takes his son by the hand). My son, I know my own innocence, and doubt not Of yours--but I have promised this man patience; Let him continue.

Gab. I will not detain you, By speaking of myself much: I began Life early--and am what the world has made me. At Frankfort on the Oder, where I passed A winter in obscurity, it was My chance at several places of resort (Which I frequented sometimes, but not often) To hear related a strange circumstance In February last. A martial force, Sent by the state, had, after strong resistance, Secured a band of desperate men, supposed Marauders from the hostile camp.--They proved, However, not to be so--but banditti, Whom either accident or enterprise Had carried from their usual haunt--the forests Which skirt Bohemia--even into Lusatia. Many amongst them were reported of High rank--and martial law slept for a time. At last they were escorted o'er the frontiers, And placed beneath the civil jurisdiction Of the free town of Frankfort. Of their fate I know no more.

Sieg. And what is this to Ulric?

Gab. Amongst them there was said to be one man Of wonderful endowments:--birth and fortune, Youth, strength, and beauty, almost superhuman, And courage as unrivalled, were proclaimed His by the public rumour; and his sway, Not only over his associates, but His judges, was attributed to witchcraft, Such was his influence:--I have no great faith In any magic save that of the mine-- I therefore deemed him wealthy.--But my soul Was roused with various feelings to seek out This prodigy, if only to behold him.

Sieg. And did you so?

Gab. You'll hear. Chance favoured me: A popular affray in the public square Drew crowds together--it was one of those Occasions where men's souls look out of them, And show them as they are--even in their faces: The moment my eye met his, I exclaimed, "This is the man!" though he was then, as since, With the nobles of the city. I felt sure I had not erred, and watched him long and nearly; I noted down his form--his gesture--features, Stature, and bearing--and amidst them all, 'Midst every natural and acquired distinction, I could discern, methought, the assassin's eye And gladiator's heart.

Ulr. (smiling). The tale sounds well.

Gab. And may sound better.--He appeared to me One of those beings to whom Fortune bends, As she doth to the daring--and on whom The fates of others oft depend; besides, An indescribable sensation drew me Near to this man, as if my point of fortune Was to be fixed by him.--There I was wrong.

Sieg. And may not be right now.

Gab. I followed him, Solicited his notice--and obtained it-- Though not his friendship:--it was his intention To leave the city privately--we left it Together--and together we arrived In the poor town where Werner was concealed, And Stralenheim was succoured----Now we are on The verge--dare you hear further?

Sieg. I must do so-- Or I have heard too much.

Gab. I saw in you A man above his station--and if not So high, as now I find you, in my then Conceptions, 'twas that I had rarely seen Men such as you appeared in height of mind, In the most high of worldly rank; you were Poor, even to all save rags: I would have shared My purse, though slender, with you--you refused it.

Sieg. Doth my refusal make a debt to you, That thus you urge it?

Gab. Still you owe me something, Though not for that; and I owed you my safety, At least my seeming safety, when the slaves Of Stralenheim pursued me on the grounds That I had robbed him.

Sieg. I concealed you--I, Whom and whose house you arraign, reviving viper!

Gab. I accuse no man--save in my defence. You, Count, have made yourself accuser--judge: Your hall's my court, your heart is my tribunal. Be just, and I'll be merciful!

Sieg. You merciful?-- You! Base calumniator!

Gab. I. 'Twill rest With me at last to be so. You concealed me-- In secret passages known to yourself, You said, and to none else. At dead of night, Weary with watching in the dark, and dubious Of tracing back my way, I saw a glimmer, Through distant crannies, of a twinkling light: I followed it, and reached a door--a secret Portal--which opened to the chamber, where, With cautious hand and slow, having first undone As much as made a crevice of the fastening, I looked through and beheld a purple bed, And on it Stralenheim!--

Sieg. Asleep! And yet You slew him!--Wretch!

Gab. He was already slain, And bleeding like a sacrifice. My own Blood became ice.

Sieg. But he was all alone! You saw none else? You did not see the---- [He pauses from agitation.

Gab. No, He, whom you dare not name, nor even I Scarce dare to recollect, was not then in The chamber.

Sieg. (to ULRIC). Then, my boy! thou art guiltless still-- Thou bad'st me say I was so once.--Oh! now Do thou as much.

Gab. Be patient! I can not Recede now, though it shake the very walls Which frown above us. You remember,--or If not, your son does,--that the locks were changed Beneath his chief inspection on the morn Which led to this same night: how he had entered He best knows--but within an antechamber, The door of which was half ajar, I saw A man who washed his bloody hands, and oft With stern and anxious glance gazed back upon-- The bleeding body--but it moved no more.

Sieg. Oh! God of fathers!

Gab. I beheld his features As I see yours--but yours they were not, though Resembling them--behold them in Count Ulric's! Distinct as I beheld them, though the expression Is not now what it then was!--but it was so When I first charged him with the crime--so lately.

Sieg. This is so--

Gab. (interrupting him). Nay--but hear me to the end! Now you must do so.--I conceived myself Betrayed by you and him (for now I saw There was some tie between you) into this Pretended den of refuge, to become The victim of your guilt; and my first thought Was vengeance: but though armed with a short poniard (Having left my sword without), I was no match For him at any time, as had been proved That morning--either in address or force. I turned and fled--i' the dark: chance rather than Skill made me gain the secret door of the hall, And thence the chamber where you slept: if I Had found you waking, Heaven alone can tell What vengeance and suspicion might have prompted; But ne'er slept guilt as Werner slept that night.

Sieg. And yet I had horrid dreams! and such brief sleep, The stars had not gone down when I awoke. Why didst thou spare me? I dreamt of my father-- And now my dream is out!

Gab. 'Tis not my fault, If I have read it.--Well! I fled and hid me-- Chance led me here after so many moons-- And showed me Werner in Count Siegendorf! Werner, whom I had sought in huts in vain, Inhabited the palace of a sovereign! You sought me and have found me--now you know My secret, and may weigh its worth.

Sieg. (after a pause). Indeed!

Gab. Is it revenge or justice which inspires Your meditation?

Sieg. Neither--I was weighing The value of your secret.

Gab. You shall know it At once:--When you were poor, and I, though poor, Rich enough to relieve such poverty As might have envied mine, I offered you My purse--you would not share it:--I'll be franker With you: you are wealthy, noble, trusted by The imperial powers--you understand me?

Sieg. Yes.

Gab. Not quite. You think me venal, and scarce true: 'Tis no less true, however, that my fortunes Have made me both at present. You shall aid me: I would have aided you--and also have Been somewhat damaged in my name to save Yours and your son's. Weigh well what I have said.

Sieg. Dare you await the event of a few minutes' Deliberation?

Gab. (casts his eyes on ULRIC, who is leaning against a pillar). If I should do so?

Sieg. I pledge my life for yours. Withdraw into This tower. [Opens a turret-door.

Gab. (hesitatingly). This is the second safe asylum You have offered me.

Sieg. And was not the first so?

Gab. I know not that even now--but will approve The second. I have still a further shield.-- I did not enter Prague alone; and should I Be put to rest with Stralenheim, there are Some tongues without will wag in my behalf. Be brief in your decision!

Sieg. I will be so.-- My word is sacred and irrevocable Within these walls, but it extends no further.

Gab. I'll take it for so much.

Sieg. (points to ULRIC'S sabre, still upon the ground). Take also that-- I saw you eye it eagerly, and him Distrustfully.

Gab. (takes up the sabre). I will; and so provide To sell my life--not cheaply. [GABOR goes into the turret, which SIEGENDORF closes.

Sieg. (advances to ULRIC). Now, Count Ulric! For son I dare not call thee--What say'st thou?

Ulr. His tale is true.

Sieg. True, monster!

Ulr. Most true, father! And you did well to listen to it: what We know, we can provide against. He must Be silenced.

Sieg. Aye, with half of my domains; And with the other half, could he and thou Unsay this villany.

Ulr. It is no time For trifling or dissembling. I have said His story's true; and he too must be silenced.

Sieg. How so?

Ulr. As Stralenheim is. Are you so dull As never to have hit on this before? When we met in the garden, what except Discovery in the act could make me know His death? Or had the Prince's household been Then summoned, would the cry for the police Been left to such a stranger? Or should I Have loitered on the way? Or could you, Werner, The object of the Baron's hate and fears, Have fled, unless by many an hour before Suspicion woke? I sought and fathomed you, Doubting if you were false or feeble: I Perceived you were the latter: and yet so Confiding have I found you, that I doubted At times your weakness.

Sieg. Parricide! no less Than common stabber! What deed of my life, Or thought of mine, could make you deem me fit For your accomplice?

Ulr. Father, do not raise The devil you cannot lay between us. This Is time for union and for action, not For family disputes. While you were tortured, Could I be calm? Think you that I have heard This fellow's tale without some feeling?--You Have taught me feeling for you and myself; For whom or what else did you ever teach it?

Sieg. Oh! my dead father's curse! 'tis working now.

Ulr. Let it work on! the grave will keep it down! Ashes are feeble foes: it is more easy To baffle such, than countermine a mole, Which winds its blind but living path beneath you. Yet hear me still!--If you condemn me, yet, Remember who hath taught me once too often To listen to him! Who proclaimed to me That there were crimes made venial by the occasion? That passion was our nature? that the goods Of Heaven waited on the goods of fortune? Who showed me his humanity secured By his nerves only? Who deprived me of All power to vindicate myself and race In open day? By his disgrace which stamped (It might be) bastardy on me, and on Himself--a felon's brand! The man who is At once both warm and weak invites to deeds He longs to do, but dare not. Is it strange That I should act what you could think? We have done With right and wrong; and now must only ponder Upon effects, not causes. Stralenheim, Whose life I saved from impulse, as unknown, I would have saved a peasant's or a dog's, I slew Known as our foe--but not from vengeance. He Was a rock in our way which I cut through, As doth the bolt, because it stood between us And our true destination--but not idly. As stranger I preserved him, and he owed me His life: when due, I but resumed the debt. He, you, and I stood o'er a gulf wherein I have plunged our enemy. You kindled first The torch--you showed the path; now trace me that Of safety--or let me!

Sieg. I have done with life!

Ulr. Let us have done with that which cankers life-- Familiar feuds and vain recriminations Of things which cannot be undone. We have No more to learn or hide: I know no fear, And have within these very walls men who (Although you know them not) dare venture all things. You stand high with the state; what passes here Will not excite her too great curiosity: Keep your own secret, keep a steady eye, Stir not, and speak not;--leave the rest to me: We must have no third babblers thrust between us. [Exit ULRIC.

Sieg. (solus). Am I awake? are these my father's halls? And you--my son? My son! mine! I who have ever Abhorred both mystery and blood, and yet Am plunged into the deepest hell of both! I must be speedy, or more will be shed-- The Hungarian's!--Ulric--he hath partisans, It seems: I might have guessed as much. Oh fool! Wolves prowl in company. He hath the key (As I too) of the opposite door which leads Into the turret. Now then! or once more To be the father of fresh crimes, no less Than of the criminal! Ho! Gabor! Gabor! [Exit into the turret, closing the door after him.

SCENE II.--The Interior of the Turret.

GABOR and SIEGENDORF.

Gab. Who calls?

Sieg. I--Siegendorf! Take these and fly! Lose not a moment!

[Tears off a diamond star and other jewels, and thrusts them into GABOR'S hand.

Gab. What am I to do With these?

Sieg. Whate'er you will: sell them, or hoard, And prosper; but delay not, or you are lost!

Gab. You pledged your honour for my safety!

Sieg. And Must thus redeem it. Fly! I am not master, It seems, of my own castle--of my own Retainers--nay, even of these very walls, Or I would bid them fall and crush me! Fly! Or you will be slain by----

Gab. Is it even so? Farewell, then! Recollect, however, Count, You sought this fatal interview!

Sieg. I did: Let it not be more fatal still!--Begone!

Gab. By the same path I entered?

Sieg. Yes; that's safe still; But loiter not in Prague;--you do not know With whom you have to deal.

Gab. I know too well-- And knew it ere yourself, unhappy Sire! Farewell! [Exit GABOR.

Sieg. (solus and listening). He hath cleared the staircase. Ah! I hear The door sound loud behind him! He is safe! Safe!--Oh, my father's spirit!--I am faint--

[He leans down upon a stone seat, near the wall of the tower, in a drooping posture.

Enter ULRIC with others armed, and with weapons drawn.

Ulr. Despatch!--he's there!

Lud. The Count, my Lord!

Ulr. (recognizing SIEGENDORF). You here, sir!

Sieg. Yes: if you want another victim, strike!

Ulr. (seeing him stript of his jewels). Where is the ruffian who hath plundered you? Vassals, despatch in search of him! You see 'Twas as I said--the wretch hath stript my father Of jewels which might form a Prince's heir-loom! Away! I'll follow you forthwith. [Exeunt all but SIEGENDORF and ULRIC. What's this? Where is the villain?

Sieg. There are two, sir: which Are you in quest of?

Ulr. Let us hear no more Of this: he must be found. You have not let him Escape?

Sieg. He's gone.

Ulr. With your connivance?

Sieg. With My fullest, freest aid.

Ulr. Then fare you well! [ULRIC is going.

Sieg. Stop! I command--entreat--implore! Oh, Ulric! Will you then leave me?

Ulr. What! remain to be Denounced--dragged, it may be, in chains; and all By your inherent weakness, half-humanity, Selfish remorse, and temporizing pity, That sacrifices your whole race to save A wretch to profit by our ruin! No, Count, Henceforth you have no son!

Sieg. I never had one; And would you ne'er had borne the useless name! Where will you go? I would not send you forth Without protection.

Ulr. Leave that unto me. I am not alone; nor merely the vain heir Of your domains; a thousand, aye, ten thousand Swords, hearts, and hands are mine.

Sieg. The foresters! With whom the Hungarian found you first at Frankfort!

Ulr. Yes--men--who are worthy of the name! Go tell Your Senators that they look well to Prague; Their Feast of Peace was early for the times; There are more spirits abroad than have been laid With Wallenstein!

Enter JOSEPHINE and IDA.

Jos. What is't we hear? My Siegendorf! Thank Heaven, I see you safe!

Sieg. Safe!

Ida. Yes, dear father!

Sieg. No, no; I have no children: never more Call me by that worst name of parent.

Jos. What Means my good Lord?

Sieg. That you have given birth To a demon!

Ida (taking ULRIC'S hand). Who shall dare say this of Ulric?

Sieg. Ida, beware! there's blood upon that hand.

Ida (stooping to kiss it). I'd kiss it off, though it were mine.

Sieg. It is so!

Ulr. Away! it is your father's! [Exit ULRIC.

Ida. Oh, great God! And I have loved this man! [IDA falls senseless--JOSEPHINE stands speechless with horror.

Sieg. The wretch hath slain Them both!--My Josephine! we are now alone! Would we had ever been so!--All is over For me!--Now open wide, my sire, thy grave; Thy curse hath dug it deeper for thy son In mine!--The race of Siegendorf is past.

The end of the fifth act and the Drama.