Gabor. You shall |Than paid myself, had I been eager of Keep the best shortly, and the last for all Your gold. I also know that were I even Gabor (goes up to him). My noble Lord, I'm here! Stralenh. Well, Sir! Gabor. Have you aught with me? Gabor. You know best, if yesterday's Flood has not wash'd 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? Stralenh. I accuse no man. Gabor. Then you acquit me, Baron? Stralenh. I know not whom to accuse, or to acquit, Or scarcely to suspect. Gabor. But you at least Should know whom not to suspect. I am insulted Oppress'd here by these menials, and I look Gabor. Ay, Sir; and for Aught that you know,superior; but proceed I do not ask for hints, and surmises, And circumstance, and proofs; I know enough Of what I have done for you, and what you owe me, The villain I am deem'd, the service render'd 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 May be of innocence. Gabor. 'Sdeath! who dare doubt it, Except such villains as ne'er had it? Stralenh. You Can vouch your courage, and, as far as my Own brief connexion led me, honour. Stralenh. Then I'm satisfied. Gabor (ironically). Right easily,methinks. What is the spell in his asseveration More than in mine? Stralenh. I merely said that I You wax too insolent: if circumstance Gabor. My Lord, my Lord, this is mere To have at least waited your payment rather | As you accuse. You hint the basest injury, And I retort it with an open warning. For which you seem disposed to pay yourself. Stralenh. 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! [Exeunt Stralenheim, Idenstein, and Attendants. Gabor (following). I'll after him and— Oppose me? Gabor. I thank you Less for my life than for your counsel. The last were in my bosom rather than Absurd insinuations—Ignorance Ulric. Your own reason, with a moment's I was the fool of passion to conceive Thought. Gabor. Must I bear this? Ulric. Pshaw! we all must bear And shrink you from a few sharp sneers Gabor. Must I bear to be deem'd a thief? A bandit of the woods, I could have borne it_ Ulric. It seems, then, You are not guilty? Gabor. Do I hear aright? You, too! That I could cope with you whom I had seen Already proved by greater perils than No more! This outrage following up his Perhaps his guilt, has cancell'd all the little Ulric. Not even by a scratch. Ulric. I merely ask’d a simple question. | And seems to know the use on't; 'tis his trade, To you I answer thus. [He draws. Ulric (drawing). With all my heart! Josephine. Without there! Ho! help! help!-Oh, God! here's murder! [Exit Josephine, shrieking. GABOR and ULRIC fight. GABOR is disarmed just as STRALENHEIM, JOSEPHINE, and IDEN STEIN re-enter. Josephine. Oh! glorious Heaven! He's safe! Ulric (interrupting her with a stern look, Stralenh. What hath caused all this? Ulric. You, Baron, I believe; but as the effect Is harmless, let it not disturb you.—Gabor! Let it not be against your friends. Belike:-I'm a civilian. Stralenh. Fool! are not Yon score of vassals dogging at your heels Ulric. Baron, I do beseech you! Idenst. Well, if it must be so- The rear up: a wise general never should [Exeunt Idenstein and Attendants. Stralenh. Come hither, Ulric: what does that woman here? I recognise her, 'tis the stranger's wife Is not your husband visible, fair dame? Stralenh. No one-for the present: but Ulric. I will retire with you. Will wait for even the show of that authority In gold, in numbers, 1ank, authority; I'll to the secret passage, which communi cates 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 Enter GABOR and JOSEPHINE. rooms Have many outlets, and he may be gone Gabor. Baron Stralenheim What can there be in common with the And wealthy Baron and the unknown Gabor. That you know best. saved? Gabor. I help'd to save him, as in peril; I did not pledge myself to serve him in I have proved them; and my spirit boils I find them practising against the weak :- Josephine. It would be Not easy to persuade my consort of Gabor. Is he so suspicious? Be better. Third Peasant. I have neither, and will venture. Idenst. That's right. A gallant carle, A soldier. I'll promote you to the ranks Third Peasant. No more? Idenst. Out upon your avarice! When had you half the sum? Third Peasant. Never-but ne'er Idenst. Sirrah! in the Prince's And if a single dog's ear of this packet Like Ziska's skin, to beat alarm to all [Exit, driving them out. spot, The dimmest in the district's map, exist In servitude, o'er something still more servile; And vice in misery affecting still Made poverty more cheerful, where each herb 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 purple. an emperor's jewell'd 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 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 pannel, which he closes hurriedly after him. Werner (not at first recognising her). Discovered! then I'll stab - (recognising her) Ah! Josephine, Why art thou not at rest? Werner (showing a rouleau). gold-gold, Josephine, Here's SCENE 1.-A Hall in the same Palace, Enter IDENSTEIN and Others. Idenst. 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 despoil'd The mice of a few shreds of tapestry. Idenst. 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 Idenst. And so am I. Fritz. But whom do you suspect? Idenst. Suspect! all people Without-within-above-below-Heaven Fritz. help me! Is there no other entrance to the chamber? Idenst. None whatsoever. Idenst. 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. Idenst. Doubtless. Fritz. The man call'd Werner 's poor! Idenst. 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 Werner. Rightly; for how should such | I know not—(mark you!)—but who knows Werner. Dare you insinuate? Gabor. What? Werner. Are you aware To whom you speak? Gabor. No; and I am not used Greatly to care. (A noise heard without.) But hark! they come! Werner. Who come? Gabor. The intendant and his manhounds 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! Werner (aside). Oh, just God! Thy hell is not hereafter! Am I dust still? Gabor. I see you're moved; and it shows well in you: I may live to requite it. Werner. Are you not A spy of Stralenheim's? Gabor. 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 it might not And gilded crosiers, and cross'd 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 on some panes Of crystal, which each rattling wind proclaims As frail as any other life or glory. Werner. Whom do you seek? Werner. Why need you come so far, then? Werner. Are you sure Idenst. As sure as you Idenst. He we sought. Werner. You see he is not here. |