Sieg. How so?

410

Ulr. As Stralenheim is. Are you so dull As never to have hit on this before? When we met in the garden, what except Discovery in the act could make me know His death? Or had the prince's household been

Then summon'd, would the cry for the police

Been left to such a stranger? Or should I Have loiter'd on the way? Or could you, Werner,

The object of the baron's hate and fears, Have fled, unless by many an hour before Suspicion woke? I sought and fathom'd

Ulr. Despatch! he's there!
Lud.
The count, my lord!
Ulr. (recognising SIEGENDORF). You
here, sir!

Sieg. Yes: if you want another victim, strike!

Ulr. (seeing him stript of his jewels). Where is the ruffian who hath plunder'd you ?

Vassals, despatch in search of him! You see 'Twas as I said - the wretch hath stript my father

Of jewels which might form a prince's heirloom!

Away! I'll follow you forthwith.

[Exeunt all but SIEGENDORF and ULRIC. What's this?

Will you then leave me?

Ulr. What! remain to be 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!

Sieg. And would you ne'er

name!

Where will you go? forth

Without protection. Ulr.

I never had one; 530 had borne the useless

I would not send you

Leave that unto me.

I am not alone; nor merely the vain heir Of your domains; a thousand, ay, ten thou

sand

Swords, hearts, and hands, are mine.
Sieg.

The foresters ! With whom the Hungarian found you first at Frankfort!

Ulr. 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;

540

Call me by that worst name of parent.

Jos.

What

That you have given birth

Means my good lord! Sieg.

To a demon!

[As he rushes to throw himself upon the knife, his eye is suddenly caught by the fountain, which seems in motion.

The fountain moves without a wind: but shall

The ripple of a spring change my resolve? No. Yet it moves again! The waters stir, Not as with air, but by some subterrane And rocking power of the internal world. 80 What's here? A mist! No more?.

[A cloud comes from the fountain. He stands gazing upon it; it is dispelled, and a tall black man comes towards him.