For which you have so long panted and in

vain!

ACT IV.

Is feign'd

not have it

Engraved in crimson in men's memories, Though in this most obscure abode of menBesides, the search—

Ulric. 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 reach'd this village) are all in abeyance

With the late general war of thirty years, Or crush'd, 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 perish'd 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 gray
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!

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

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

Count.

Henrick. 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?

Henrick. 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?

Henrick. You can't deny his train of followers

(But few our fellow-native vassals born On the domain) are such a sort of knaves As-(pauses)

Eric. What?

Henrick. The War (yon love so much) leaves living:

Like other parents, She spoils her worst children.

Eric. Nonsense! they are all brave ironvisaged fellows,

Such as old Tilly loved.

Henrick. And who loved Tilly? Ask that at Magdeburgh_or for that matter Wallenstein either-they are gone to― Eric. Rest;

But what beyond, 'tis not ours to pronounce. Henrick. I wish they had left us something of their rest:

The country (nominally now at peace)
Isoverrun with-God knows who-they fly
By night, and dissappear with sunrise; but
Leave no less desolation, nay, even more
Than the most open warfare,

Eric. But Count Ulric-
What has all this to do with him?
Henrick. 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.
Henrick. I would as soon

Ask of the lion why he laps not milk.
Eric. And here he comes!

Henrick The devil! you'll hold your tongue?

Eric. Why do you turn so pale?
Henrick. Tis nothing-but

Be silent!

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 rumour'd that the column sent against them

Is to be strengthen'd. I must join them soon. Rodolph. Best wait for further and more sure advices,

Ulric. I mean it - and indeed it could not well

Have fallen out at a time more opposite To all my plans.

Rodolph. It will be difficult

To excuse your absence to the Count, your father.

Ulric. 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?

Rodolph. As well as on that night
When we-

Ulric. We will not speak of that until We can repeat the same with like success; And when you have join'd, 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

Return 'twas a most kind act in the Count,
Your father, to send up to Königsberg
For this fair orphan of the Baron, and
To hail her as his daughter.

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

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

Ulric. How should I know? Rodolph. I have heard it whisper'd there was something strange About his death — and even the place of it Is scarcely known.

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

Ida. Yes, but I do not like the name; methinks

It sounds so cold, as if you thought upon Our pedigree, and only weigh'd our blood. Ulric (starting). Blood!

Ida. Why does yours start from your cheeks?

Ulric. Ay! doth it?

Ida. It doth but no! it rushes like a torrent

Even to your brow again.

Ulric (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.

Ulric. Nay, then I'll call you sister. Ida. I like that name still worse-would we had ne'er Been aught of kindred!

Ulric (gloomily). Would we never had! Ida. Oh heaven! and can you wish that? Ulric. Dearest Ida!

Did I not echo your own wish?

Ida. Yes, Ulric,

But then I wish'd 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.

Ulric. You shall be

Ida. You would have loved him, He yon; 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.

Ulric. Who says that?

Ida. What?

Ulric. That he died alone.

Ida. The general rumour,

And disappearance of his servants, who Have ne'er return'd: that fever was most deadly

Which swept them all away.

Ulric. If they were near him,

He could not die neglected or alone.

Ida. Alas! what is a menial to a death

bed,

Ulric. But you do not see his face? Ida (looking at him). No! oh, my God! do you?

Ulric. Why do you ask?

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

Ulric (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 nie. Prithec, sweet child, change

Ida. Child. indeed! I have Full fifteen summers! [A bugle sounds. Rodolph. Hark, my Lord, the bugle! Ida (peevishly to Rodolph). Why need you tell him that? Can he not hear it Without your echo?

Rodolph. 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.
Rodolph. You will not,

Lady, need aid of mine.

Ulric. I must not now forego it.
Ida. But you shall!

Ulric. Shall!

Ida. Yes, or be

Ulric. 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.

Ulric. 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. Siegend. Ulric, I wish to speak with you alone. Ulric. 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. Rodolph. Count Siegendorf, command you aught? I am bound

Upon a journey past the frontier.
Siegend. (starts). Ah!-
Where? on what frontier?
Rodolph. The Silesian, on

My way-(aside to Ulric.) Where shall I say?
Ulric (aside to Rodolph). To Hamburgh.
(Aside to himself.) That
Word will I think put a firm padlock on
His further inquisition.

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

Rodolph. Fare ye well, Count Siegendorf! [Exit Rodolph. Siegend. Ulric, this man, who has just departed, is

One of those strange companions, whom I fain Would reason with you on.

Ulric. My Lord, he is

Noble by birth, of one of the first houses In Saxony.

Siegend. I talk not of his birth, But of his bearing. Men speak lightly of him. Ulric. So they will do of most men. Even the monarch

Is not fenced from his chamberlain's

slander, or

They say he is leagued with the "black bands" who still

Ravage the frontier,
Ulric. And will you believe
The world?

Siegend. In this case-yes.
Ulric. In any case,

I thought you knew it better than to take
An accusation for a sentence.

Siegend. 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 Quench'd 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 warn'd by a father!-I was not
By mine, and you behold me!

Ulric. I behold.

The prosperous and beloved Siegendorf, Lord of a prince's appanage, and honour'd By those he rules, and those he ranks with. Siegend. Ah!

Why wilt thou call me prosperous, while I fear

For thee? Beloved, when thou lovest me not? All hearts but one may beat in kindness for me

But if my son's is cold!

Ulric. Who dare say that?

Siegend. None else but I, who see itfeel it-keener

Than would your adversary, who dared say so,

Your sabre in his heart! But mine survives The wound.

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

Siegend. And did not I too pass those twelve torn years

In a like absence? But 'tis vain to urge youNature was never call'd back by remon

strance.

Let's change the theme. I wish you to consider

That these young violent nobles of high

name,

has made

Great and ungrateful.

Siegend. If I must be plain,

Will lead thee

Ulric (impatiently). I'll be led by no man. Siegend. Nor

Rodolph;