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Denounced-dragg'd, it may be, in chains; and all
By your inherent weakness, half-humanity,
Selfish remorse, and temporising pity,
That sacrifices your whole race to save
A wretch to profit by our ruin! No, count,
Henceforth, you have no son!

SIEGENDORF.

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.

ULRIC.

Leave that unto me.

I am not alone; nor merely the vain heir

Of your domains: a thousand, ay, ten thousand
Swords, hearts, and hands, are mine.

SIEGENDORF.

The foresters!

With whom the Hungarian found you first at Frankfort?

ULRIC.

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.

JOSEPHINE.

What is 't we hear? My Siegendorf!

Thank Heaven, I see you safe!

SIEGENDORF.

Safe!

IDA.

Yes, dear father!

SIEGENDORF.

No, no;

I have no children: : never more

Call me by that worst name of parent.

[blocks in formation]

IDA (Stooping to kiss it.)

I'd kiss it off, though it were mine!

[blocks in formation]

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!

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NOTE TO WERNER.

Note 1, page 217, line 4.

From the Ravenstone, etc.

The Ravenstone, «Ravenstein,» is the stone gibbet of Germany, and

so called from the ravens perching on it.

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