Ida. I thought too Of Heaven, although I look'd on Ulric. Let us retire; they will be here anon Ida. And, above all, these stiff and heavy jewels, Which make my head and heart ache,as both throb Beneath their glitter o'er my brow and zone. Dear mother, I am with you. [Exeunt. Enter COUNT SIEGENDORF, in full dress, from the solemnity, and LUDWIG. Siegend. Is he not found? Ludwig. Strict search is making every where; and if The man be in Prague, be sure he will be found. Siegend. Where's Ulric ? Ludwig. He rode round the other way With some young nobles; but he left them Siegend. I live! and as I live, I saw himHeard him! He dared to utter even my name. Ulric. What name? Siegend. Werner! 'twas mine. Siegend. Never! never! all Ulric. To the point-the Hungarian? Siegend. Listen! - The church was throng'd; the hymn was raised; "Te Deum" peal'd from Nations, rather than From Choirs, in one great cry of “God be praised" For one day's peace, after thrice ten dread See aught save Heaven, to which my eyes Along the lines of lifted faces, - from were raised Together with the people's. Our banner'd and escutcheon'd gallery. I Saw, like a flash of lightning, (for I saw A moment, and no more) what struck me sightless To all else - the Hungarian's face; I grew Sick; and when I recover'd from the mist Which curl'd about my senses, and again Look'd down, I saw him not. The thanksgiving Was over, and we march'd back in procession. Ulric. Continue. Siegend. When we reach'd the Muldau's bridge, The joyous crowd above, the numberless Barks mann'd with revellers in their best garbs, Which shot along the glancing tide below, A long and loud farewell to its great doings, The standards o'er me, and the tramplings round, The roar of rushing thousands, all all could not Chase this man from my mind; although my senses No longer held him palpable. Ulric. You saw him No more, then? Siegend. I look'd, as a dying soldier Looks at a draught of water, for this man; But still I saw him not; but in his steadUlric. What in his stead? Siegend. My eye for ever fell Upon your dancing crest; the loftiest, As on the loftiest and the loveliest head, It rose the highest of the stream of plumes, Which overflow'd the glittering streets of Prague. Ulric. What's this to the Hungarian? Had almost then forgot him in my son, Ulric. Uttered by- Ulric. And wherefore? Were you seen? Siegend. The officious care Of those around me dragg'd me from the spot, Seeing my faintness, ignorant of the cause; You, too, were too remote in the procession (The old nobles being divided from their children) To aid me. Ulric. But I'll aid you now. Ulric. In searching for this man, or— When he's found, What shall we do with him? Siegend. I know not that. A crime as [He pauses. Gabor. Give it utterance, and then I'll meet the consequences. Siegend. You shall do so— Gabor. First, who accuses me? If not all men: the universal rumourMy own presence on the spot -- the place — the time And every speck of circumstance unite Gabor. And on me only? Who play'st with thine own guilt! Of all that breathe Thou best dost know the innocence of him 'Gainst whom thy breath would blow thy bloody slander. But I will talk no further with a wretch, Siegend. Who says so? Siegend. And how disprove it? The presence of the murderer. Gabor. You may do so, and in safety; I know the assasin. Siegend. Where is he? Gabor (pointing to Ulric). Beside you! [Ulric rushes forward to attack Gabor; Sicgendorf interposes. Siegend. Liar and fiend! but you shall not be slain; These walls are mine, and you are safe within them. [lle turns to Ulric. Ulric, repel this calumny, as I Will do. Tavow it is a growth so monstrous, I could not deem it earth-born : but,be calm; It will refute itself. But touch him not. [Ulric endeavours to compose himself. Gabor. Look at him, Count, and then And poorer by suspicion on my name. To honours and estates, scarce less than princely. Siegend. These hints, as vague as vain, attach no less To me than to my son. Gabor. I can't help that. But let the consequence alight on him Who feels himself the guilty one amongst us. I speak to you, Count Siegendorf, because I know you innocent, and deem you just. But ere I can proceed — Dare you protect me! Dare you command me? [Siegendorf first looks at the Hungarian, and then at Ulric, who has unbuckled his sabre and is drawing lines with it on the floor -still in its sheath. Ulric. (looks at his father and says) Let the man go on! Blood than came there in battle Ulric (casts the sabre from him in contempt). It-or some Such other weapon, in my hands—spared yours Once, when disarm'd and at my mercy. I have not forgotten it: you spared me for The tale is doubtless worthy the relater. Of yours but I have promised this man patience; Let him continue. Gabor. I will not detain you By speaking of myself much; I began Life carly- and am what the world has made me. At Frankfort, on the Oder, where I pass'd To hear related a strange circumstance, However, not to be so-but banditti, His judges, was attributed to witchcraft. Such was his influence :-I have no great faith In any Magic save that of the MinoI therefore deem'd him wealthy.-But my soul Was roused with various feelings to seek out This Prodigy, if only to behold him. Siegend. And did you so? Gabor. You'll hear. Chance favour'd me: A popular affray in the public square Drew crowds together-it was one of those Occasions, where men's souls look out of them, And show them as they are-even in their faces: The moment my eye met his-I exclaim'd "This is the man!” though he was then, as since, With the nobles of the city. I felt sure I had not err'd, and watch'd him long and nearly: Gabor. Still you owe me something, Though not for that-and I owed you my safety, At least my seeming safety when the slaves Of Stralenheim pursued me on the grounds That I had robb'd him. Siegend. I conceal'd you-1, Whom, and whose house, you arraign, reviving viper! Gabor. I accuse no man-save in my defence. You, Count! have made yourself accuser— judge Your hall's my court, your heart is my tribunal. Be just, and I'll be merciful. Gabor. I. "Twill rest With me at last to be so. You conceal'd me- I noted down his form-his gesture-fea-Weary with watching in the dark, and tures, Stature and bearing-and amidst them all, 'Midst every natural and acquired distinction, I could discern, methought, the assassin's eye And gladiator's heart. Ulric (smiling). The tale sounds well. Gabor. And may sound better. He appear'd to me One of those beings to whom Fortune bends To leave the city privately-we left it In the poor town where Werner was conceal'd, And Stralenheim was succour'd Now we With you; you are wealthy, noble, trusted by The Imperial powers-You understand me? Siegend. Yes.- Gabor. Not quite. You think me venal, and scarce truc: "Tis no less true, however, that my fortunes Have made me both at present; you shall aid me, I would have aided you - and also have Been somewhat damaged in my name to save Yours and your son's. Weigh well what i have said. Siegend. Dare you await the event of a few minutes' Deliberation? Gabor (casts his eyes on Ulric, who is The second. I have still a further shield. I did not enter Prague alone- and should I Be put to rest with Stralenheim - there are Some tongues without will wag in my behalf Be brief in your decision! Siegend. I will be so.— My word is sacred and irrevocable Take also thatsaw you eye it eagerly, and him The stars had not gone down when I awoke-I father And now my dream is out! Gabor. 'Tis not my fault, If I have read it. Well! I fled and hid me- My secret, and may weigh its worth. Gabor. Is it Revenge or Justice which Your meditation? Siegend. 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 |