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, Wer. But I was born to wealth, and rank, and power; Enjoy'd them, loved them, and, alas! abused them, The fluttering bird, hath ere this time outstept me, Of that which lifts him up to princes in "Tis hopeless. May have return'd back to his grandsire, and Since his strange disappearance from my father's, The promise that his anger would stop short Jos. I must hope better still, at least we have yet Baffled the long pursuit of Stralenheim. [ness; Ponder'd not thus upon these worldly things, Wer. An exile's daughter with an outcast son Has done in our behalf,-nothing. All which it How,-nothing? Jos. Or worse; for it has been a canker in Or, if that seem too humble, tried by commerce, Wer. (ironically). And been an Hanseatic burgher? Excellent! [art This rashness, or this weakness of my temper, Added by myself; but in the rest the First read this tale, which made a deep impression Nor is there a line in these so lame and halting, but we could point out many in the drama as bad. CAMPBELL.] And if you had not, I've no wine to offer, Iden. Jos. (aside). A knocking! Jos. We have Iden. The river has o'erflow'd. Jos. 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 Oh, yes; we are, but distantly. Iden. Well, I'm glad of that; I thought so all along, such natural yearnings Play'd 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; [The most amusing fellow in the drama is Monsieur Idenstein; who makes the finest speech, too, beyond comparison, of any of the personages. The only wonder is, where he got it.-Ecl. Rev.] 2 [Gabor is a most inexplicable personage: he is always on the point of turning out something more than he proves to 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, Jos. Poor creatures! are you sure? Yes, of the monkey, And the valet, and the cattle; but as yet Enough of the Oder to have burst two peasants; A lodging, or a grave, according as It may turn out with the live or dead body. Iden. Here? no; but in the prince's own apartment, To be got ready for the worst—that is, In case he should survive. Iden. How many? Gab. Sufficient. 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 Hockcheimera green glass, Wreath'd 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 drown'd (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. Lusatia's woods are tenanted by bands You say you were a Wer. You look one still. All soldiers are healthy; Gab. Werner! I have heard the name: Iden. I must be at my post: will you not join me, Gab. The rushing river from his gurgling throat. He has valets now enough: they stood aloof then, All roaring "Help!" but offering none; and as For duty (as you call it)—I did mine then, The staircase is a little gloomy, and Somewhat decay'd; but if we had expected So high a guest-Pray take my arm, my lord! I must be wary: His father, rising from his grave again, Iden. Stral. Enter STRALENHEIM, IDENSTEIN, and Attendants-Pensive. Ho! a chair! [STRALENHEIM sits down. "Tis he! Who are these strangers? Iden. One says he is no stranger. Wer. (aloud and hastily). I'm better now. Your lordship scems Will it not please you to pass on? An outward show of thought. I will to rest. (Aside.) Somewhat tatter'd, And devilish damp, but fine enough by torch-light; Please you, my good lord, And that's enough for your right noble blood Who says that? Iden. Why, no one spoke of you, or to you! - but To recognise. Gab. [Pointing to Gabor. I seek not to disturb I seek no more, and scarce deserve My own from his, not to alarm him into 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 watch'd. If it is he, he is so changed, |