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 Of the new world the Spaniard boasts about, Wer. 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. Wer. To whom you speak? Gab. What? Are you aware No; and I am not used Greatly to care. (A noise heard without.) But hark! Wer. they come ! 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! Gab. I'll in-farewell! [GABOR goes in by the secret panel. Wer. (solus). What have I done? Alas! what had Before to make this fearful? Let it be Enter IDENSTEIN and Others. Iden. Is he not here? He must have vanish'd then Dim with brave knights and holy hermits, whose A maze hath my dim destiny involved me! Thou art too late! I'll nought to do with blood. Ulr. I sought you, father. Is't not dangerous? 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 unarm'd carle Would, though with naked limbs, were the wolf Wer. Whom do you seek? Wer. You mean to pursue it, as In the search 'Tis of our safety. Are you sure As sure as you Who? I see the subject now more clearly, and Our general situation in its bearings. The waters are abating; a few hours Will bring his summon'd myrmidons from Frankfort, Wer. And now your remedy! I thought to escape [in them Ulr. Hush! hush! no transports: we'll indulge In Castle Siegendorf! Display no gold: Show Idenstein the gem (I know the man, And have look'd through him): it will answer thus A double purpose. Stralenheim lost goldNo 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. In all things your direction. Ulr. I will follow I would have And I embrace it, as I did my son, 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? That may be but get ye ready; And should, perhaps—and yet - Into the deep, and bring up slime and mud, Observed subdue your nature to the hour! Accursed Be he who is the stifling cause which smothers I know not that; but at Yes, curse-it will ease you! Here is the intendant. My boy! Enter IDENSTEIN. Oh, do not hate me ! Master Idenstein, Ulr. Hate my father! How fare you in your purpose? The rogue? Have you caught My father hated me. Scorpions Why not my son ? Are in thy words! Thou know me? in this guise Ulr. I'll wait! In the mean time be sure that all a son Can do for parents shall be done for mine. Iden. No, faith! Ulr. Well, there are plenty more: Iden. Gone back to his chamber: Call me Werner still; You may yet know me by a loftier title. How many Come, Werner, I will wing [Exeunt. The inspection of myself and the young Saxon Fritz. [scarce Good night! I trust to-morrow will restore your lordship To renovated strength and temper. [The scene closes. Five-six hours have I counted, like the guard Wer. I could not sleep—and now the hour's at hand; All's ready. Idenstein has kept his word; And station'd 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 dishonour'd: 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 Such as when ——— Hark! what noise is that? Again ! [ULRIC leaps down from the terrace. Ulric ever welcome! Wer. Answer? Ulr. To what must I Are you or are you not the assassin 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 Wer. Proceed. [ULRIC pauses. Died he not by your hand? Great God ! Ulr. You are innocent, then! my father's innocent ! Embrace me! Yes, your tone—your look—yes, yes, Yet say so. May heaven be shut for ever from my hopes As from mine eyes! Wer. 'Tis horrible! 'tis hideous, as 't is hateful!But what have I to do with this? Ulr. Of mustering the police. His chamber has, |