JOSEPHINE.

IDA.

IDA.

JOSEPITINE.

ULRIC.

Aside these nodding plumes and dragging trains.
Poor child!

And, above all, these stiff and heavy jewels,
Do you pity me?

Which make my head and heart ache, as both throb

Bencath their glitter o'er my brow and zone.
No; I but envy, Dear mother, I am with you.

[Ereure And that in sorrow, not in the world's sense Of the universal vice, if one vice be

Enter Count SIEGENDORF in full dress, from the More general than another.

solemnity, and LUDWIG.
IDA.

SIEGENDORF.
I'll not hear

Is he not found ?
A word against a world which still contains

LUDWIG You and my Ulric. Did you ever see

Strict search is making every where; and if
Augh: like hiin? How he tower'd amongst them all! The man be in Prague, be sure he will be found.
How all eyes follow'd him! The flowers fell faster-

SIEGENDORF.
Rain'd from each lattice at his feet, methought, Where's Ulric?
Than before all the rest, and where he lrod

LUDWIG.
I dare be sworn that they grow still, nor e'er

He rode round the other way, Will wither.

With some young nobles; but he left them soon;
JOSEPHINE

And, if I err not, not a minute since
You will spoil him, little flatterer,
If he should hear you.

I heard his excellency, with his train,

Gallop o'er the west drawbridge.
IDA.
But he never will.

Enter Ulric, splendidly dressed.
I dare not say so much to him-1 sear him.

SIEGENDORF (to LUDWIG).
JOSEPHINE.

See they ccasi not Why so ? he loves you well.

Their quest of him I have described. [Erit LU. FIG.
IDA.

Oh! Ulric,
But I can never

How have I long'd for thee !
Shape my thoughts of him into words to him.
Besides, he sometimes frightens me.

Your wish is granted
JOSEPHINE.

Behold me!
How so?

SIEGENDORF.

I have seen the murderer.
A cloud comes o'er his blue eyes suddenly,
Yet he says nothing.

Whom? Where?
JOSEPHINE.

SIEGENDORF.
It is nothing: all men,

The Hungarian, who slew Stralenheim. Especially in these dark troublous times,

ULRIC.
Have much to think of.

You dream.
IDA.

SIEGEN DORF.
But I cannot think

I live! and as I live, I saw him-
Of aught save him.

Heard him! He dared to utter even my name.
JOSEPHINE.

ULRIC.
Yet there are other men,

What name?
In the world's eye, as goodly. There's, for instance,

SIEGENDORF.
The young Count Waldorf, who scarce once withdrew

Werner! 'twas mine.
from
yours to-day.

ULRIC.
IDA.

It must be so
I did not see him, No more: forget it.
Kut Uric. Did you not see at the moment

SIEGENDORF When all knelt, and l.wept ? and yet methought

Never! never! all Through my fast tears, though they were thick and My destinies were woven in that name. warın,

It will not be engraved upon my tomb,
I saw him smiling on me.

But it may lead me there.
JOSEPHINE.

ULRIC.
I could not

To the point-the Hungarian? See aught save heaven, to which my eyes were raised

SIEGEN DORF. Together with the people's.

Listen!—The church was throng'd; the hymn was raised!

" Te Deum” peai'd from nations, rather than I thought too

From choirs, in one great cry of “God be praised" Ur heaven, although I look'd on Ulric.

For one day's peace after thrice ten dread years, JOSEPHINE.

Each bloodier than the former; I arose,

Come, With all the nobles, and as I look'd down Let us retire; they will be here anon,

Along the lines of lifted faces,-from Expectant of the banquet. We will lay

Our banner'd and escutcheon'd gallery, I

IDA.

ULRIC.

llis eyes

IDA.

ULRIC.

SIEGENDORF.

SIEGENDORF.

ULRIC.

SIEGENDORF.

Saw, like a flash of lightning (for I saw

What shall we do with him? A moment, and no more), what struck me sightless

SIEGENDORF. To all else—the Hungarian's face; I grew

I know not that. Sick; and when I recover'd from the mist

ULRIC. Which curl'd about my senses, and again

Then wherefore seek ? Look'd down, I saw him not. The thanksgiving

SIEGEN DORF. Was over, and we march'd back in procession.

Because I cannot rest

Till he is found. His fate, and Stralenheim's, Continue.

And ours, seem intertwisted; nor can be

Unravell’d, till
When we reach'd the Muldau's bridge,

Enter an Attendant,
The joyous crowd above, the numberless
Barks mann'd with revellers in their best garbs,

ATTENDANT.
Which shot along the glancir:g tide below,

A stranger, to wait on The decorated street, the long array,

Your Excellency.

SIEGENDORF. The clashing music, and the thundering

Who?
Of far artillery, which seem'd to bid

ATTENDANT.
A long and loud farewell to its great doings,
The standards o'er me, and the tramplings round,

He gave no name.

SIEGENDORF
The roar of rushing thousands, all-all could not

Admit him, ne'ertheless.
Chase this man from my mind; although my senses
No longer held him palpable.

(The ATTENDANT introduces GABGR, and af

terwards exit.
ULRIC.

Ah!
You saw him

GABOR.
No more, then?

"T is, then, Werner !

SIEGENDORF (haughtily).
I look'd, as a dying soldier
Looks at a draught of water, for this man;

The same you knew, sir, by that name; and you ? But still I saw him not; but in his stead

GABOR (looking round).

I recognise you both ; father and son, What in his stead?

It seems. Count, I have heard that you, or yours,

Have laiely been in search of me: I am here.
My eye for ever fell

SIEGENDORF.
Upon your dancing crest; the loftiest,

I have sought you, and have found you; you are charged As on the loftiest and the loveliest head

(Your own heart may inform you why) with such It rose the luighest of the stream of plumes, A crime as

(He pauses. Which overflow'd the glittering streets of Prague.

GABOR.

Give it utterance, and then
What's this to the Hungarian ?

I'll meet the consequences.
SIEGEN DORF.

SIEGENDORF.
Much, for I

You shall do so
Had almost then forgot himn in my son,

Unless

GABOR
When just as the artillery ceased, and paused
The music, and the crowd embraced in lieu

First, who accuses me?
Of shouting, I heard in a deep, low voice,
Distinct and keener far upon my ear

All things,
Than the late cannon's volume, this word—“Werner !" If not all men: the universal rumour
ULRIC.

My own presence on the spot-the place—the time

And every speck of circumstance, unite
SIEGEN DORF.

To fix the blot on you.
Him! I turn'd-and saw-and fell.

GABOR.
ULRIC.

And on me only ?
And wherefore ? Were you seen?

Pause ere you answer: is no other name,
SIEGEN DORF.

Save mine, stain'd in this business?
The officious care

SIEGEN DORF. of those around me dragg’d me from the spot,

Trifling villain ! Secing my faininess, ignorant of the cause;

Who play'st with thine own guilt ? of all that breathe You, tow, were too reniote in the procession

Thou best dost know the innocence of him (The old nobles being divided from their children)

'Gains! whom thy breath would blow thy bloody slander,

But I will talk no further with a wretch,
ULRIC.

Further than justice asks. Answer at once,
But I'N aid you now.

And without quibbling, to my charge.

GABOR
In what?

'Tis (also !

SIZGEN DORT. lo searching for this man, or—when he's found, Who says so ?

ULRIC.

SIEGENDORF.

Ulter'd by—

To aid me.

SIEGEN DORF.

ULRIC.

GABOR.

GABOK.

GABOR.

GABOR.

GABOR.

GABOR.

SIEGENDORF.
I.

These hints, as vague as vain, attach no less
SIEGEN DORF.

To me than to my son.
And how disprove it?

I can't help that.
GABOR
By

But let the consequence alight on him
The presence of the murderer.

Who feels himself the guilty one amongst us.
SIEGENDORF.

I speak to you, Count Siegendorf, because
Name him!

I know you innocent, and deem you just.

But ere I can proceed-Dare you protect me ?He

Dare you command me? May have more names than one. Your lordship had 60

[SIEGENDORF first looks at the Hungarian, an! Once on a time.

then at Ulric, who has unbuckled his sabre, and SIEGEN DORF.

is drawing lines with it on the floor-still in its If you mean me, I dare

sheath. Your utmost.

ULRIC (looks at his father, and says)

Let the man go on! You may do so, and in safety:

GABOR.
I know the assassin.

I am unarm'd, count-bid your son lay down
SIEGENDORF.

His sabre.
Where is he?

ULRIC (effers it to him contemptuously).
GABOR (pointing to ULRIC).

Take it.
Beside you!
(ULRIC rushes forward to attack GABOR;

No, sir ; 't is enough
SIEGENDORF interposes.

That we are both unarm’d-I would not choose

To wear a steel which may be stain'd with more SIEGENDORF.

Blood than came there in battle. Liar and fiend! but you shall not be slain;

ULRIC (casts the sabre from him in contempl). These walls are mine, and you are safe within them.

It-or some (He turns to ULRIC.

Such other weapon, in my hands-spared yours Ulric, repel this calumny, as

Once, when disarm'd and at my mercy.
Will do. I avow it is a growth so monstrous,
I could not deem it earth-born: but, be calm;

True It will refute itself. But touch him not.

I have not forgotten it: you spared me for (ULRIC endeavours to compose himself. Your own especial purpose—to sustain

An ignominy not mine own. Look at him, and then hear me.

ULRIC.

Proceed. (First to GABOR, and then looking at ULRIC). The tale is doubtless worthy the relater.

I hear thee.

But is it of my father to hear further ? My God! you look

(T. SIEGENDORF

SIEGENDORF (takes his son by the hand). How?

My son! I know mine own innocence and doubt not SIEGEN DORF.

of yours—but I have promised this man patience;

As on that dread night Let him continue.
When we met in the garden.

GABOR.
ULRIC (composes himself ).

I will not detain you
It is nothing.

By speaking of myself much; I began

Life early—and am what the world has made me. Count, you are bound to hear me. I came hither At Frankfort, on the Oder, where I pass'd Not seeking you, but sought. When I knelt down A winter in obscurity, it was Amidst the people in the church, I dream'd not My chance at several places of resort To find the beggar'd Werner in the seat

(Which I frequented sometimes, but not often)
Of senators and princes; but you have callid me, To hear related a strange circumstance,
And we have met.

In February last. A martial force,
SIEGEN DORY.

Sent by the state, had, after strong resistance,
Go on, sir.

Secured a band of desperate men, supposed

Marauders from the hostile camp.—They proved, Ere I do so,

However, not to be so-but banditti, Allow me to inquire who profited

Whom either accident or enterprise By Stralenheim's death ? Was 't I-as poor as ever; Had carried from their usual haunt—the furests And poorer by suspicion on my name.

Which skirt Bohemia-even into Lusatia. 'The baron lost in that last outrage neither

Many amongst them were reported of Jewels nor gold; his life alone was sought- High rank-and martial law slept for a time. A life which stood between the claims of others At last they were escorted o'er the frontiers, To honours and estates, scarce less than princely. And placed beneath the civil jurisdiction

GABOR

SIEGENDORF.

ULRIC.

GABOR.

GABOR.

SIEGENDORF.

SIEGENDORF.

SIEGEN DORF.

GABOR.

Of the free town of Frankfort. Of their fate, My purse, though slender, with you—you refused it.
I know no more.
SIEGENDORF.

Doth my

refusal make a debt to you, And what is this to Ulric?

That thus you urge

it ? GABOR.

GABOR. Amongst them there was said to be one man

Still you owe me something. of wonderful endowments :-birth and fortune, Though not for that—and I owed you my safely, Youth, strength, and bearity, almost superhuman, At least my seeming safety–when the slaves Anu courage as unrivall'd, were proclaim'd

or Stralenheim pursued me on the gro'inds His by the public rumour; and his sway,

That I had robb'd him.
Not only over his associates but
His judges, was attributed to witchcraft.

I conceal'd you—I,
Such was his influence:-I have no great faith Whom, and whose house, you arraign, reviving viper'
In any magic save that of the mine-

GABOR.
I therefore deem'd him wealthy.-But my soul I accuse no man-save in my defence.
Was roused with various feelings to seek out You, count! have made yourself accuser-judge
This prodigy, if only to behold him.

Your hall's my court, your heart is my tribunal.
SIEGENDORF.

Be just, and I'll be merciful.
And did you so ?
GABOR

You merciful!
You'll hear. Chance favour'd me: You ! base calumniator!
A popular affray in the public square
Drew crowds together-it was one of those

I. 'T will rest
Occasions, where men's souls look out of them, With me at last to be so. You conceal'd me-
And show them as they are—even in their faces : In secret passages known to yourself,
The moment my eye met his-I exclaim'd

You said, and to none else. At dead of night, " This is the man!” though he was then, as since, Weary with watching in the dark, and dubious With the nobles of the city. I felt sure

Of tracing back my way—I saw a glimmer
I had not err'd, and watch'd him long and nearly: Through distant crannies of a twinkling light.
I noted down his form—his gesture-features, I follow'd it, and reach'd a door-a secret
Stature and bearing-and amidst them all,

Portal—which open'd to the chamber, where,
'Midst every natural and acquired distinction, With cautious hand and slow, having first undone
I could discern, methought, the assassin's eye As much as made a crevice of the fastening,
And gladiator's heart.

I look'd through, and beheld a purple bed,
ULRIC (smiling).

And on it Stralenheim !
The tale sounds well.
GABOR.

Asleep! And yet
And may sound better.--He appear'd to me

You slew him—wretch! One of those beings to whom Fortune bends

GABOR. As she doth to the daring-and on whom

He was already slain, The faies of others oft depend; besides,

And bleeding like a sacrifice. My own
An indescribable sensation drew me

Blood became ice.
Near to this man, as if my point of fortune
Was to be fix'd by him—There I was wrong.

But he was all alone!
SIEGEN DORF.

You saw none else! You did not see the
And may not be right now.

(He pauses froni agitutun. GABOR.

I follow'd himSolicited his notice—and obtain'd it

He, whom you dare not name—nor even I Though not his friendship :-it was his intention Scarce dare to recollect-was not then in To leave the city privaiely-wc left it

The chamber. Together-and together we arrived

SLEG ENDORF (to ULRIC). In the poor town where Werner was concealed,

Then, my boy! thou art guiltless stillAnd Stralenheim was succour'd

-Now we are on

Thou bad'st me say I was so once-Oh! now
The verge-dare you hear further ?

Do thou as much!
SIEGENDORF.

GABOR
I must do so-

Be patient! I can not
Or I have heard too much.

Recede now, though it shake the very walls
GABOR.

Which frown above us. You remember, or
I saw in you

If not, your son does, - that the locks were changeo A man above his station--and if not

Beneath his chief inspection-on the morn So high, as now I find you, in my then

Which led to this same night: how he had enter'd Conceptions—'t was that I had rarely seen

He best knows—but within an antechamber,
Men such as you appear'd in height of mind, The door of which was half ajar-I saw
In the most high of worldly rank; you were

A man who wash'd his bloody hands, and oft Poor-tren to all save rags- I would have shared With stern and anxious glance gazed back upon

SIEGENDORF.

SIEGEN DORF.

GABOR.

No;

SIEGEN DORF.

GADOR.

The bleeding body--but it moved no more.

Been somewhat damaged in my name to save
SIEGEXDORF.

Yours and your sor's. Weigh well what I have said. Oh! God of fathers !

SIEGENDORF.
GABOR

Dare you await the event of a few minutes'
I bel.eld his features

Deliberation ?
As I see yours—but yours they were not, though GABOR (casts his eye on Ulric, who is leaning against
Resembling them-behold them in Count Ulric's !

a pillar). Distinci-as I beheld them—though the expression

If I should do so?
Is not now what it then was ;-but it was so
When I first charged him with the crime :—so lately. I pledge my life for yours. Withdraw into
SIEGEN DORF.
This tower.

(Opens a lurret door, This is so

GABOR (hesitatingly).
GABOR (interrupting him).

This is the second safe asylum
Nay—but hear me to the end!

You have offer'd me.
Now
you must do so. I conceived myself

SIEGEN DORF.
Betray'd by you and him (for now I saw

And was not the first so?
There was some tie between you) into this
Pretended den of refuge, to become

I know not that even now but will approve
The victim of your guilt; and my first thought The second. I have still a further shield.-
Was vengeance : but though arm’d with a short poniard I did not enter Prague alone--and should I
(Having left my sword without), I was no match Be put to rest with Stralenheim--there are
For him at any time, as had been proved

Some tongues without will wag in my behalf.
That morning-either in addess or force.

Be brief in your decision ! I turn'd, and Aled-i' the dark: chance, rather than

SIEGENDORF.
Skill, made me gain the secret door of the hall,

I will be so
And thence the chamber where you slept—if I My word is sacred and irrevocable
Had found you waking, Heaven alone can tell Within these walls, but it extends no further.
What vengeance and suspicion might have prompted;

GABOR.
But ne'er slept guilt as Werner slept that night. I'll take it for so much.

SIEGENDORF (points to Ulric's sabre, still upon And yet I had horrid dreams! and such brief sleep

the ground). The stars had not gone down when I awoke

Take also that
Why didst thou spare mo? I dreamt of my father- I saw you eye it eagerly, and him
And now my dream is out!

Distrustfully.
GABOR.

GABOR (takes up the sabre).
"T is not my fault,

I will; and so provide If I have read it.-Well! I ted and hid me- To sell my life—not cheaply. Chance led me here after so many moons

(Gabor goes into the turret, which SIEGENDORF closes And show'd me Werner in Count Siegendorf!

SIEGEN DORF (advances to ULRIC). Werner, whom I had sought in huts in vain,

Now, Count Ulric! Inhabited the palace of a sovereign !

For son I dare not call thee-What say'st thou? You sought me, and have found me—now you know

His tale is true.
My secret, and may weigh its worth.
SIEGENDORF (after a pause).

SIEGEN DORF.
Indeed!

True, monster!

SIEGENDORF.

ULRIC.

GABOR

ULRIC.

18 it revenge or justice which inspires Your meditation ?

SIEGENDORF.

Neither-I was weighing The value of your secret.

GABOR.

You shall know it
At once—when you were poor, and I, though poor,
Rich enough to relieve such poverty
As might have envied mine, I offer'd you
My purse-you would not share it :-I'll be franker
With you; you are wealthy, noble, trusted by
The inperial powers-you understand mc ?
SIEGEN DORF,

Yes.

GABOR. Nou quite. You think me venal, and scarce true : 'T is nu less true, however, that my fortunes llave made me both at present ; you shall aid me; I would have aided you, and also have

Most true, father;
And you did well to listen to it: what
We know, we can provide against. He must
Be silenced.

SIEGEN DORF.

Ay, with half of my domains;
And with the other half, could he and thout
Unsay this villany.

ULRIC.

It is no time
For trifling or dissembling. I have said
His story's true; and he too must be silenced.

SIEGEN DORF.
How so?