for last night's
Adventure makes it needful.
Adventure makes it needful.
Byron
Once beyond 200
The frontier, and you're safe.
_Wer. _ My noble boy!
_Ulr. _ Hush! hush! no transports: we'll indulge in them
In Castle Siegendorf! Display no gold:
Show Idenstein the gem (I know the man,
And have looked through him): it will answer thus
A double purpose. Stralenheim lost _gold_--
_No_ 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 210
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. _ I will follow
In all things your direction.
_Ulr. _ I would have
Spared you the trouble; but had I appeared
To take an interest in you, and still more
By dabbling with a jewel in your favour,
All had been known at once.
_Wer. _ My guardian angel!
This overpays the past. But how wilt thou 220
Fare in our absence?
_Ulr. _ Stralenheim knows nothing
Of me as aught of kindred with yourself.
I will but wait a day or two with him
To lull all doubts, and then rejoin my father.
_Wer. _ To part no more!
_Ulr. _ I know not that; but at
The least we'll meet again once more.
_Wer. _ My boy!
My friend! my only child, and sole preserver!
Oh, do not hate me!
_Ulr. _ Hate my father!
_Wer. _ Aye,
My father hated me. Why not my son?
_Ulr. _ Your father knew you not as I do.
_Wer. _ Scorpions 230
Are in thy words! Thou know me? in this guise
Thou canst not know me, I am not myself;
Yet (hate me not) I will be soon.
_Ulr. _ I'll _wait! _
In the mean time be sure that all a son
Can do for parents shall be done for mine.
_Wer. _ I see it, and I feel it; yet I feel
Further--that you despise me.
_Ulr. _ Wherefore should I?
_Wer. _ Must I repeat my humiliation?
_Ulr. _ No!
I have fathomed it and you. But let us talk
Of this no more. Or, if it must be ever, 240
Not _now_. Your error has redoubled all
The present difficulties of our house
At secret war with that of Stralenheim:
All we have now to think of is to baffle
HIM. I have shown _one_ way.
_Wer. _ The only one,
And I embrace it, as I did my son,
Who showed _himself_ and father's _safety_ in
One day.
_Ulr. _ You _shall_ be safe; let that suffice.
Would Stralenheim's appearance in Bohemia
Disturb your right, or mine, if once we were 250
Admitted to our lands?
_Wer. _ Assuredly,
Situate as we are now; although the first
Possessor might, as usual, prove the strongest--
Especially the next in blood.
_Ulr. _ _Blood_! 'tis
A word of many meanings; in the veins,
And out of them, it is a different thing--
And so it should be, when the same in blood
(As it is called) are aliens to each other,
Like Theban brethren:[187] when a part is bad,
A few spilt ounces purify the rest. 260
_Wer. _ I do not apprehend you.
_Ulr. _ That may be--
And should, perhaps--and yet--but get ye ready;
You and my mother must away to-night.
Here comes the Intendant: sound him with the gem;
'Twill sink into his venal soul like lead
Into the deep, and bring up slime and mud,
And ooze, too, from the bottom, as the lead doth
With its greased understratum;[188] but no less
Will serve to warn our vessels through these shoals.
The freight is rich, so heave the line in time! 270
Farewell! I scarce have time, but yet your _hand_,
My father! ----
_Wer. _ Let me embrace thee!
_Ulr. _ We may be
Observed: subdue your nature to the hour!
Keep off from me as from your foe!
_Wer. _ Accursed
Be he who is the stifling cause which smothers
The best and sweetest feeling of our hearts;
At such an hour too!
_Ulr. _ Yes, curse--it will ease you!
Here is the Intendant.
_Enter_ IDENSTEIN.
_Ulr. _ Master Idenstein,
How fare you in your purpose? Have you caught
The rogue?
_Iden. _ No, faith!
_Ulr. _ Well, there are plenty more: 280
You may have better luck another chase.
Where is the Baron?
_Iden. _ Gone back to his chamber:
And now I think on't, asking after you
With nobly-born impatience.
_Ulr. _ Your great men
Must be answered on the instant, as the bound
Of the stung steed replies unto the spur:
'Tis well they have horses, too; for if they had not,
I fear that men must draw their chariots, as
They say kings did Sesostris[189].
_Iden. _ Who was he?
_Ulr. _ An old Bohemian--an imperial gipsy. 290
_Iden. _ A gipsy or Bohemian, 'tis the same,
For they pass by both names. And was he one?
_Ulr. _ I've heard so; but I must take leave. Intendant,
Your servant! --Werner (_to_ WERNER _slightly_), if that be your name,
Yours. [_Exit_ ULRIC.
_Iden. _ A well-spoken, pretty-faced young man!
And prettily behaved! He knows his station,
You see, sir: how he gave to each his due
Precedence!
_Wer. _ I perceived it, and applaud
His just discernment and your own.
_Iden. _ That's well--
That's very well. You also know your place, too; 300
And yet I don't know that _I_ know your place.
_Wer. _ (_showing the ring_).
Would this assist your knowledge?
_Iden. _ How! --What! --Eh!
A jewel!
_Wer. _ 'Tis your own on one condition.
_Iden. _ Mine! --Name it!
_Wer. _ That hereafter you permit me
At thrice its value to redeem it: 'tis
A family ring.
_Iden. _ A family! --_yours! _--a gem!
I'm breathless!
_Wer. _ You must also furnish me,
An hour ere daybreak, with all means to quit
This place.
_Iden. _ But is it real? Let me look on it:
_Diamond_, by all that's glorious!
_Wer. _ Come, I'll trust you: 310
You have guessed, no doubt, that I was born above
My present seeming.
_Iden. _ I can't say I did,
Though this looks like it: this is the true breeding
Of gentle blood!
_Wer. _ I have important reasons
For wishing to continue privily
My journey hence.
_Iden. _ So then _you are_ the man
Whom Stralenheim's in quest of?
_Wer. _ I am not;
But being taken for him might conduct
So much embarrassment to me just now,
And to the Baron's self hereafter--'tis 320
To spare both that I would avoid all bustle.
_Iden. _ Be you the man or no, 'tis not my business;
Besides, I never could obtain the half
From this proud, niggardly noble, who would raise
The country for some missing bits of coin,
And never offer a precise reward--[ct]
But _this! _--another look!
_Wer. _ Gaze on it freely;
At day-dawn it is yours.
_Iden. _ Oh, thou sweet sparkler!
Thou more than stone of the philosopher!
Thou touch-stone of Philosophy herself! 330
Thou bright eye of the Mine! thou loadstar of
The soul! the true magnetic Pole to which
All hearts point duly north, like trembling needles!
Thou flaming Spirit of the Earth! which, sitting
High on the Monarch's Diadem, attractest
More worship than the majesty who sweats
Beneath the crown which makes his head ache, like
Millions of hearts which bleed to lend it lustre!
Shalt thou be mine? I am, methinks, already
A little king, a lucky alchymist! -- 340
A wise magician, who has bound the devil
Without the forfeit of his soul. But come,
Werner, or what else?
_Wer. _ Call me Werner still;
You may yet know me by a loftier title.
_Iden. _ I do believe in thee! thou art the spirit
Of whom I long have dreamed in a low garb. --
But come, I'll serve thee; thou shalt be as free
As air, despite the waters; let us hence:
I'll show thee I am honest--(oh, thou jewel! )
Thou shalt be furnished, Werner, with such means 350
Of flight, that if thou wert a snail, not birds[cu]
Should overtake thee. --Let me gaze again!
I have a foster-brother in the mart
Of Hamburgh skilled in precious stones. How many
Carats may it weigh? --Come, Werner, I will wing thee.
[_Exeunt_.
SCENE II. --STRALENHEIM'S _Chamber_.
STRALENHEIM _and_ FRITZ.
_Fritz_. All's ready, my good Lord!
_Stral. _ I am not sleepy,
And yet I must to bed: I fain would say
To rest, but something heavy on my spirit,
Too dull for wakefulness, too quick for slumber,
Sits on me as a cloud along the sky,
Which will not let the sunbeams through, nor yet
Descend in rain and end, but spreads itself
'Twixt earth and heaven, like envy between man
And man, an everlasting mist:--I will
Unto my pillow.
_Fritz_. May you rest there well! 10
_Stral. _ I feel, and fear, I shall.
_Fritz_. And wherefore fear?
_Stral. _ I know not why, and therefore do fear more,
Because an undescribable----but 'tis
All folly. Were the locks as I desired
Changed, to-day, of this chamber?
for last night's
Adventure makes it needful.
_Fritz_. Certainly,
According to your order, and beneath
The inspection of myself and the young Saxon
Who saved your life. I think they call him "Ulric. "
_Stral. _ You _think! _ you supercilious slave! what right 20
Have you to _tax your_ memory, which should be
Quick, proud, and happy to retain the _name_
Of him who saved your master, as a litany
Whose daily repetition marks your duty. --
Get hence; "_You think_" indeed! you, who stood still
Howling and dripping on the bank, whilst I
Lay dying, and the stranger dashed aside
The roaring torrent, and restored me to
Thank him--and despise you. "_You think! _" and scarce
Can recollect his name! I will not waste 30
More words on you. Call me betimes.
_Fritz_. Good night!
I trust to-morrow will restore your Lordship
To renovated strength and temper. [_The scene closes_.
SCENE III. --_The secret Passage_.
_Gab. _ (_solus_). Four--
Five--six hours have I counted, like the guard
Of outposts, on the never-merry clock,
That hollow tongue[190] of time, which, even when
It sounds for joy, takes something from enjoyment
With every clang. 'Tis a perpetual knell,
Though for a marriage-feast it rings: each stroke
Peals for a hope the less; the funeral note
Of Love deep-buried, without resurrection,
In the grave of Possession; while the knoll[191] 10
Of long-lived parents finds a jovial echo
To triple time in the son's ear.
I'm cold--
I'm dark;--I've blown my fingers--numbered o'er
And o'er my steps--and knocked my head against
Some fifty buttresses--and roused the rats
And bats in general insurrection, till
Their cursed pattering feet and whirling wings
Leave me scarce hearing for another sound.
A light! It is at distance (if I can
Measure in darkness distance): but it blinks 20
As through a crevice or a key-hole, in
The inhibited direction: I must on,
Nevertheless, from curiosity.
A distant lamp-light is an incident
In such a den as this. Pray Heaven it lead me
To nothing that may tempt me! Else--Heaven aid me
To obtain or to escape it! Shining still!
Were it the star of Lucifer himself,
Or he himself girt with its beams, I could
Contain no longer. Softly: mighty well! 30
That corner's turned--so--ah! no;--right! it draws
Nearer. Here is a darksome angle--so,
That's weathered. --Let me pause. --Suppose it leads
Into some greater danger than that which
I have escaped--no matter, 'tis a new one;
And novel perils, like fresh mistresses,
Wear more magnetic aspects:--I will on,
And be it where it may--I have my dagger
Which may protect me at a pinch. --Burn still,
Thou little light! Thou art my _ignis fatuus! _ 40
My stationary Will-o'-the-wisp! [192]--So! so!
He hears my invocation, and fails not. [_The scene closes_.
SCENE IV. --_A Garden_.
_Enter_ WERNER.
_Wer. _ I could not sleep--and now the hour's at hand!
All's ready. Idenstein has kept his word;
And stationed 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 dishonoured: and I leave them with
A stain,--if not upon my name, yet in 10
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
My soul in part: but how, without discovery? --
It must be done, however; and I'll pause
Upon the method the first hour of safety.
The madness of my misery led to this
Base infamy; repentance must retrieve it: 20
I will have nought of Stralenheim's upon
My spirit, though he would grasp all of mine;
Lands, freedom, life,--and yet he sleeps as soundly
Perhaps, as infancy[193], with gorgeous curtains
Spread for his canopy, o'er silken pillows,
Such as when----Hark! what noise is that? Again!
The branches shake; and some loose stones have fallen
From yonder terrace.
[ULRIC _leaps down from the terrace_.
Ulric! ever welcome!
Thrice welcome now! this filial----
_Ulr. _ Stop! before
We approach, tell me----
_Wer. _ Why look you so?
_Ulr. _ Do I 30
Behold my father, or----
_Wer. _ What?
_Ulr. _ An assassin?
_Wer. _ Insane or insolent!
_Ulr. _ Reply, sir, as
You prize your life, or mine!
_Wer. _ To what must I
Answer?
_Ulr. _ Are you or are you not the assassin
Of Stralenheim?
_Wer. _ I never was as yet
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----
[ULRIC _pauses_.
_Wer. _ Proceed.
_Ulr. _ _Died_ he not by your hand?
_Wer. _ Great God! 40
_Ulr. _ You are innocent, then! my father's innocent!
Embrace me! Yes,--your tone--your look--yes, yes,--
Yet _say_ so.
_Wer. _ If I e'er, in heart or mind,
Conceived deliberately such a thought,
But rather strove to trample back to hell
Such thoughts--if e'er they glared a moment through
The irritation of my oppressed spirit--
May Heaven be shut for ever from my hopes,
As from mine eyes!
_Ulr. _ But Stralenheim is dead.
_Wer. _ 'Tis horrible! 'tis hideous, as 'tis hateful! -- 50
But what have I to do with this?
_Ulr. _ No bolt
Is forced; no violence can be detected,
Save on his body. Part of his own household
Have been alarmed; but as the Intendant is
Absent, I took upon myself the care
Of mustering the police. His chamber has,
Past doubt, been entered secretly. Excuse me,
If nature----
_Wer. _ Oh, my boy! what unknown woes
Of dark fatality, like clouds, are gathering
Above our house!
_Ulr. _ My father! I acquit you! 60
But will the world do so? will even the judge,
If--but you must away this instant.
_Wer. _ No!
I'll face it. Who shall dare suspect me?
_Ulr. _ Yet
You had _no_ guests--_no_ visitors--no life
Breathing around you, save my mother's?
_Wer. _ Ah!
The Hungarian?
_Ulr. _ He is gone! he disappeared
Ere sunset.
_Wer. _ No; I hid him in that very
Concealed and fatal gallery.
_Ulr. _ _There_ I'll find him.
[ULRIC _is going_.
_Wer. _ It is too late: he had left the palace ere
I quitted it. I found the secret panel 70
Open, and the doors which lead from that hall
Which masks it: I but thought he had snatched the silent
And favourable moment to escape
The myrmidons of Idenstein, who were
Dogging him yester-even.
_Ulr. _ You reclosed
The panel?
_Wer. _ Yes; and not without reproach
(And inner trembling for the avoided peril)
At his dull heedlessness, in leaving thus
His shelterer's asylum to the risk
Of a discovery.
_Ulr. _ You are sure you closed it? 80
_Wer. _ Certain.
_Ulr. _ That's well; but had been better, if
You ne'er had turned it to a den for---- [_He pauses_.
_Wer. _ Thieves!
Thou wouldst say: I must bear it, and deserve it;
But not----
_Ulr. _ No, father; do not speak of this:
This is no hour to think of petty crimes,
But to prevent the consequence of great ones.
Why would you shelter this man?
_Wer. _ Could I shun it?
A man pursued by my chief foe; disgraced
For my own crime: a victim to _my_ safety,
Imploring a few hours' concealment from 90
The very wretch who was the cause he needed
Such refuge. Had he been a wolf, I could not
Have in such circumstances thrust him forth.
_Ulr. _ And like the wolf he hath repaid you. But
It is too late to ponder thus:--you must
Set out ere dawn. I will remain here to
Trace the murderer, if 'tis possible.
_Wer. _ But this my sudden flight will give the Moloch
Suspicion: two new victims in the lieu
Of one, if I remain. The fled Hungarian, 100
Who seems the culprit, and----
_Ulr. _ Who _seems? _ _Who_ else
Can be so?
_Wer. _ Not _I_, though just now you doubted--
You, my _son! _--doubted----
_Ulr. _ And do you doubt of him
The fugitive?
_Wer. _ Boy! since I fell into
The abyss of crime (though not of _such_ crime), I,
Having seen the innocent oppressed for me,
May doubt even of the guilty's guilt. Your heart
Is free, and quick with virtuous wrath to accuse
Appearances; and views a criminal
In Innocence's shadow, it may be, 110
Because 'tis dusky.
_Ulr. _ And if I do so,
What will mankind, who know you not, or knew
But to oppress? You must not stand the hazard.
Away! --I'll make all easy. Idenstein
Will for his own sake and his jewel's hold
His peace--he also is a partner in
Your flight--moreover----
_Wer. _ Fly! and leave my name
Linked with the Hungarian's, or, preferred as poorest,
To bear the brand of bloodshed?
_Ulr. _ Pshaw! leave any thing
Except our fathers' sovereignty and castles, 120
For which you have so long panted, and in vain!
What _name? _ You have _no name_, since that you bear
Is feigned.
_Wer. _ Most true: but still I would not have it
Engraved in crimson in men's memories,
Though in this most obscure abode of men----
Besides, the search----
_Ulr. _ 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, 130
Too, that the unknown Werner shall give way
To nearer thoughts of self. The laws (if e'er
Laws reached this village) are all in abeyance
With the late general war of thirty years,
Or crushed, 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 perished with him. Few prolong
A week beyond their funeral rites their sway 140
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_. 150
Hence!
The frontier, and you're safe.
_Wer. _ My noble boy!
_Ulr. _ Hush! hush! no transports: we'll indulge in them
In Castle Siegendorf! Display no gold:
Show Idenstein the gem (I know the man,
And have looked through him): it will answer thus
A double purpose. Stralenheim lost _gold_--
_No_ 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 210
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. _ I will follow
In all things your direction.
_Ulr. _ I would have
Spared you the trouble; but had I appeared
To take an interest in you, and still more
By dabbling with a jewel in your favour,
All had been known at once.
_Wer. _ My guardian angel!
This overpays the past. But how wilt thou 220
Fare in our absence?
_Ulr. _ Stralenheim knows nothing
Of me as aught of kindred with yourself.
I will but wait a day or two with him
To lull all doubts, and then rejoin my father.
_Wer. _ To part no more!
_Ulr. _ I know not that; but at
The least we'll meet again once more.
_Wer. _ My boy!
My friend! my only child, and sole preserver!
Oh, do not hate me!
_Ulr. _ Hate my father!
_Wer. _ Aye,
My father hated me. Why not my son?
_Ulr. _ Your father knew you not as I do.
_Wer. _ Scorpions 230
Are in thy words! Thou know me? in this guise
Thou canst not know me, I am not myself;
Yet (hate me not) I will be soon.
_Ulr. _ I'll _wait! _
In the mean time be sure that all a son
Can do for parents shall be done for mine.
_Wer. _ I see it, and I feel it; yet I feel
Further--that you despise me.
_Ulr. _ Wherefore should I?
_Wer. _ Must I repeat my humiliation?
_Ulr. _ No!
I have fathomed it and you. But let us talk
Of this no more. Or, if it must be ever, 240
Not _now_. Your error has redoubled all
The present difficulties of our house
At secret war with that of Stralenheim:
All we have now to think of is to baffle
HIM. I have shown _one_ way.
_Wer. _ The only one,
And I embrace it, as I did my son,
Who showed _himself_ and father's _safety_ in
One day.
_Ulr. _ You _shall_ be safe; let that suffice.
Would Stralenheim's appearance in Bohemia
Disturb your right, or mine, if once we were 250
Admitted to our lands?
_Wer. _ Assuredly,
Situate as we are now; although the first
Possessor might, as usual, prove the strongest--
Especially the next in blood.
_Ulr. _ _Blood_! 'tis
A word of many meanings; in the veins,
And out of them, it is a different thing--
And so it should be, when the same in blood
(As it is called) are aliens to each other,
Like Theban brethren:[187] when a part is bad,
A few spilt ounces purify the rest. 260
_Wer. _ I do not apprehend you.
_Ulr. _ That may be--
And should, perhaps--and yet--but get ye ready;
You and my mother must away to-night.
Here comes the Intendant: sound him with the gem;
'Twill sink into his venal soul like lead
Into the deep, and bring up slime and mud,
And ooze, too, from the bottom, as the lead doth
With its greased understratum;[188] but no less
Will serve to warn our vessels through these shoals.
The freight is rich, so heave the line in time! 270
Farewell! I scarce have time, but yet your _hand_,
My father! ----
_Wer. _ Let me embrace thee!
_Ulr. _ We may be
Observed: subdue your nature to the hour!
Keep off from me as from your foe!
_Wer. _ Accursed
Be he who is the stifling cause which smothers
The best and sweetest feeling of our hearts;
At such an hour too!
_Ulr. _ Yes, curse--it will ease you!
Here is the Intendant.
_Enter_ IDENSTEIN.
_Ulr. _ Master Idenstein,
How fare you in your purpose? Have you caught
The rogue?
_Iden. _ No, faith!
_Ulr. _ Well, there are plenty more: 280
You may have better luck another chase.
Where is the Baron?
_Iden. _ Gone back to his chamber:
And now I think on't, asking after you
With nobly-born impatience.
_Ulr. _ Your great men
Must be answered on the instant, as the bound
Of the stung steed replies unto the spur:
'Tis well they have horses, too; for if they had not,
I fear that men must draw their chariots, as
They say kings did Sesostris[189].
_Iden. _ Who was he?
_Ulr. _ An old Bohemian--an imperial gipsy. 290
_Iden. _ A gipsy or Bohemian, 'tis the same,
For they pass by both names. And was he one?
_Ulr. _ I've heard so; but I must take leave. Intendant,
Your servant! --Werner (_to_ WERNER _slightly_), if that be your name,
Yours. [_Exit_ ULRIC.
_Iden. _ A well-spoken, pretty-faced young man!
And prettily behaved! He knows his station,
You see, sir: how he gave to each his due
Precedence!
_Wer. _ I perceived it, and applaud
His just discernment and your own.
_Iden. _ That's well--
That's very well. You also know your place, too; 300
And yet I don't know that _I_ know your place.
_Wer. _ (_showing the ring_).
Would this assist your knowledge?
_Iden. _ How! --What! --Eh!
A jewel!
_Wer. _ 'Tis your own on one condition.
_Iden. _ Mine! --Name it!
_Wer. _ That hereafter you permit me
At thrice its value to redeem it: 'tis
A family ring.
_Iden. _ A family! --_yours! _--a gem!
I'm breathless!
_Wer. _ You must also furnish me,
An hour ere daybreak, with all means to quit
This place.
_Iden. _ But is it real? Let me look on it:
_Diamond_, by all that's glorious!
_Wer. _ Come, I'll trust you: 310
You have guessed, no doubt, that I was born above
My present seeming.
_Iden. _ I can't say I did,
Though this looks like it: this is the true breeding
Of gentle blood!
_Wer. _ I have important reasons
For wishing to continue privily
My journey hence.
_Iden. _ So then _you are_ the man
Whom Stralenheim's in quest of?
_Wer. _ I am not;
But being taken for him might conduct
So much embarrassment to me just now,
And to the Baron's self hereafter--'tis 320
To spare both that I would avoid all bustle.
_Iden. _ Be you the man or no, 'tis not my business;
Besides, I never could obtain the half
From this proud, niggardly noble, who would raise
The country for some missing bits of coin,
And never offer a precise reward--[ct]
But _this! _--another look!
_Wer. _ Gaze on it freely;
At day-dawn it is yours.
_Iden. _ Oh, thou sweet sparkler!
Thou more than stone of the philosopher!
Thou touch-stone of Philosophy herself! 330
Thou bright eye of the Mine! thou loadstar of
The soul! the true magnetic Pole to which
All hearts point duly north, like trembling needles!
Thou flaming Spirit of the Earth! which, sitting
High on the Monarch's Diadem, attractest
More worship than the majesty who sweats
Beneath the crown which makes his head ache, like
Millions of hearts which bleed to lend it lustre!
Shalt thou be mine? I am, methinks, already
A little king, a lucky alchymist! -- 340
A wise magician, who has bound the devil
Without the forfeit of his soul. But come,
Werner, or what else?
_Wer. _ Call me Werner still;
You may yet know me by a loftier title.
_Iden. _ I do believe in thee! thou art the spirit
Of whom I long have dreamed in a low garb. --
But come, I'll serve thee; thou shalt be as free
As air, despite the waters; let us hence:
I'll show thee I am honest--(oh, thou jewel! )
Thou shalt be furnished, Werner, with such means 350
Of flight, that if thou wert a snail, not birds[cu]
Should overtake thee. --Let me gaze again!
I have a foster-brother in the mart
Of Hamburgh skilled in precious stones. How many
Carats may it weigh? --Come, Werner, I will wing thee.
[_Exeunt_.
SCENE II. --STRALENHEIM'S _Chamber_.
STRALENHEIM _and_ FRITZ.
_Fritz_. All's ready, my good Lord!
_Stral. _ I am not sleepy,
And yet I must to bed: I fain would say
To rest, but something heavy on my spirit,
Too dull for wakefulness, too quick for slumber,
Sits on me as a cloud along the sky,
Which will not let the sunbeams through, nor yet
Descend in rain and end, but spreads itself
'Twixt earth and heaven, like envy between man
And man, an everlasting mist:--I will
Unto my pillow.
_Fritz_. May you rest there well! 10
_Stral. _ I feel, and fear, I shall.
_Fritz_. And wherefore fear?
_Stral. _ I know not why, and therefore do fear more,
Because an undescribable----but 'tis
All folly. Were the locks as I desired
Changed, to-day, of this chamber?
for last night's
Adventure makes it needful.
_Fritz_. Certainly,
According to your order, and beneath
The inspection of myself and the young Saxon
Who saved your life. I think they call him "Ulric. "
_Stral. _ You _think! _ you supercilious slave! what right 20
Have you to _tax your_ memory, which should be
Quick, proud, and happy to retain the _name_
Of him who saved your master, as a litany
Whose daily repetition marks your duty. --
Get hence; "_You think_" indeed! you, who stood still
Howling and dripping on the bank, whilst I
Lay dying, and the stranger dashed aside
The roaring torrent, and restored me to
Thank him--and despise you. "_You think! _" and scarce
Can recollect his name! I will not waste 30
More words on you. Call me betimes.
_Fritz_. Good night!
I trust to-morrow will restore your Lordship
To renovated strength and temper. [_The scene closes_.
SCENE III. --_The secret Passage_.
_Gab. _ (_solus_). Four--
Five--six hours have I counted, like the guard
Of outposts, on the never-merry clock,
That hollow tongue[190] of time, which, even when
It sounds for joy, takes something from enjoyment
With every clang. 'Tis a perpetual knell,
Though for a marriage-feast it rings: each stroke
Peals for a hope the less; the funeral note
Of Love deep-buried, without resurrection,
In the grave of Possession; while the knoll[191] 10
Of long-lived parents finds a jovial echo
To triple time in the son's ear.
I'm cold--
I'm dark;--I've blown my fingers--numbered o'er
And o'er my steps--and knocked my head against
Some fifty buttresses--and roused the rats
And bats in general insurrection, till
Their cursed pattering feet and whirling wings
Leave me scarce hearing for another sound.
A light! It is at distance (if I can
Measure in darkness distance): but it blinks 20
As through a crevice or a key-hole, in
The inhibited direction: I must on,
Nevertheless, from curiosity.
A distant lamp-light is an incident
In such a den as this. Pray Heaven it lead me
To nothing that may tempt me! Else--Heaven aid me
To obtain or to escape it! Shining still!
Were it the star of Lucifer himself,
Or he himself girt with its beams, I could
Contain no longer. Softly: mighty well! 30
That corner's turned--so--ah! no;--right! it draws
Nearer. Here is a darksome angle--so,
That's weathered. --Let me pause. --Suppose it leads
Into some greater danger than that which
I have escaped--no matter, 'tis a new one;
And novel perils, like fresh mistresses,
Wear more magnetic aspects:--I will on,
And be it where it may--I have my dagger
Which may protect me at a pinch. --Burn still,
Thou little light! Thou art my _ignis fatuus! _ 40
My stationary Will-o'-the-wisp! [192]--So! so!
He hears my invocation, and fails not. [_The scene closes_.
SCENE IV. --_A Garden_.
_Enter_ WERNER.
_Wer. _ I could not sleep--and now the hour's at hand!
All's ready. Idenstein has kept his word;
And stationed 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 dishonoured: and I leave them with
A stain,--if not upon my name, yet in 10
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
My soul in part: but how, without discovery? --
It must be done, however; and I'll pause
Upon the method the first hour of safety.
The madness of my misery led to this
Base infamy; repentance must retrieve it: 20
I will have nought of Stralenheim's upon
My spirit, though he would grasp all of mine;
Lands, freedom, life,--and yet he sleeps as soundly
Perhaps, as infancy[193], with gorgeous curtains
Spread for his canopy, o'er silken pillows,
Such as when----Hark! what noise is that? Again!
The branches shake; and some loose stones have fallen
From yonder terrace.
[ULRIC _leaps down from the terrace_.
Ulric! ever welcome!
Thrice welcome now! this filial----
_Ulr. _ Stop! before
We approach, tell me----
_Wer. _ Why look you so?
_Ulr. _ Do I 30
Behold my father, or----
_Wer. _ What?
_Ulr. _ An assassin?
_Wer. _ Insane or insolent!
_Ulr. _ Reply, sir, as
You prize your life, or mine!
_Wer. _ To what must I
Answer?
_Ulr. _ Are you or are you not the assassin
Of Stralenheim?
_Wer. _ I never was as yet
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----
[ULRIC _pauses_.
_Wer. _ Proceed.
_Ulr. _ _Died_ he not by your hand?
_Wer. _ Great God! 40
_Ulr. _ You are innocent, then! my father's innocent!
Embrace me! Yes,--your tone--your look--yes, yes,--
Yet _say_ so.
_Wer. _ If I e'er, in heart or mind,
Conceived deliberately such a thought,
But rather strove to trample back to hell
Such thoughts--if e'er they glared a moment through
The irritation of my oppressed spirit--
May Heaven be shut for ever from my hopes,
As from mine eyes!
_Ulr. _ But Stralenheim is dead.
_Wer. _ 'Tis horrible! 'tis hideous, as 'tis hateful! -- 50
But what have I to do with this?
_Ulr. _ No bolt
Is forced; no violence can be detected,
Save on his body. Part of his own household
Have been alarmed; but as the Intendant is
Absent, I took upon myself the care
Of mustering the police. His chamber has,
Past doubt, been entered secretly. Excuse me,
If nature----
_Wer. _ Oh, my boy! what unknown woes
Of dark fatality, like clouds, are gathering
Above our house!
_Ulr. _ My father! I acquit you! 60
But will the world do so? will even the judge,
If--but you must away this instant.
_Wer. _ No!
I'll face it. Who shall dare suspect me?
_Ulr. _ Yet
You had _no_ guests--_no_ visitors--no life
Breathing around you, save my mother's?
_Wer. _ Ah!
The Hungarian?
_Ulr. _ He is gone! he disappeared
Ere sunset.
_Wer. _ No; I hid him in that very
Concealed and fatal gallery.
_Ulr. _ _There_ I'll find him.
[ULRIC _is going_.
_Wer. _ It is too late: he had left the palace ere
I quitted it. I found the secret panel 70
Open, and the doors which lead from that hall
Which masks it: I but thought he had snatched the silent
And favourable moment to escape
The myrmidons of Idenstein, who were
Dogging him yester-even.
_Ulr. _ You reclosed
The panel?
_Wer. _ Yes; and not without reproach
(And inner trembling for the avoided peril)
At his dull heedlessness, in leaving thus
His shelterer's asylum to the risk
Of a discovery.
_Ulr. _ You are sure you closed it? 80
_Wer. _ Certain.
_Ulr. _ That's well; but had been better, if
You ne'er had turned it to a den for---- [_He pauses_.
_Wer. _ Thieves!
Thou wouldst say: I must bear it, and deserve it;
But not----
_Ulr. _ No, father; do not speak of this:
This is no hour to think of petty crimes,
But to prevent the consequence of great ones.
Why would you shelter this man?
_Wer. _ Could I shun it?
A man pursued by my chief foe; disgraced
For my own crime: a victim to _my_ safety,
Imploring a few hours' concealment from 90
The very wretch who was the cause he needed
Such refuge. Had he been a wolf, I could not
Have in such circumstances thrust him forth.
_Ulr. _ And like the wolf he hath repaid you. But
It is too late to ponder thus:--you must
Set out ere dawn. I will remain here to
Trace the murderer, if 'tis possible.
_Wer. _ But this my sudden flight will give the Moloch
Suspicion: two new victims in the lieu
Of one, if I remain. The fled Hungarian, 100
Who seems the culprit, and----
_Ulr. _ Who _seems? _ _Who_ else
Can be so?
_Wer. _ Not _I_, though just now you doubted--
You, my _son! _--doubted----
_Ulr. _ And do you doubt of him
The fugitive?
_Wer. _ Boy! since I fell into
The abyss of crime (though not of _such_ crime), I,
Having seen the innocent oppressed for me,
May doubt even of the guilty's guilt. Your heart
Is free, and quick with virtuous wrath to accuse
Appearances; and views a criminal
In Innocence's shadow, it may be, 110
Because 'tis dusky.
_Ulr. _ And if I do so,
What will mankind, who know you not, or knew
But to oppress? You must not stand the hazard.
Away! --I'll make all easy. Idenstein
Will for his own sake and his jewel's hold
His peace--he also is a partner in
Your flight--moreover----
_Wer. _ Fly! and leave my name
Linked with the Hungarian's, or, preferred as poorest,
To bear the brand of bloodshed?
_Ulr. _ Pshaw! leave any thing
Except our fathers' sovereignty and castles, 120
For which you have so long panted, and in vain!
What _name? _ You have _no name_, since that you bear
Is feigned.
_Wer. _ Most true: but still I would not have it
Engraved in crimson in men's memories,
Though in this most obscure abode of men----
Besides, the search----
_Ulr. _ 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, 130
Too, that the unknown Werner shall give way
To nearer thoughts of self. The laws (if e'er
Laws reached this village) are all in abeyance
With the late general war of thirty years,
Or crushed, 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 perished with him. Few prolong
A week beyond their funeral rites their sway 140
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_. 150
Hence!
