Iden. He !—no, my lord! he rather wants for rescue

Than can afford it. 'T is a poor sick man,
Travel-tired, and lately risen from a bed
From whence he never dream'd to rise.

Stral.

Methought

That there were two.
Gab.
There were, in company;
But, in the service render'd to your lordship,
I needs must say but one, and he is absent.
The chief part of whatever aid was render'd
Was his it was his fortune to be first.

My will was not inferior, but his strength
And youth outstripp'd me; therefore do not

waste

Your thanks on me. I was but a glad second Unto a nobler principal.

Stral.

Where is he?

An Atten. My lord, he tarried in the cottage

where

Your excellency rested for an hour,

And said he would be here to-morrow.

Stral. Till That hour arrives, I can but offer thanks, And then

Gab. I seek no more, and scarce deserve So much. My comrade may speak for himself. Stral. (fixing his eyes upon WERNER: then aside).

It cannot be ! and yet he must be look'd to.
'T is twenty years since I beheld him with
These eyes; and, though my agents still have kept
Theirs on him, policy has held aloof
My own from his, not to alarm him into
Suspicion of my plan. Why did I leave

At Hamburgh those who would have made

assurance

If this be he or no? I thought, ere now,
To have been lord of Siegendorf, and parted
In haste, though even the elements appear
To fight against me, and this sudden flood
May keep me prisoner here till-

[He pauses and looks at WERNER; then

resumes.

This man must

Be watch'd. If it is he, he is so changed,
His father, rising from his grave again,

Would pass him by unknown. I must be wary:
An error would spoil all.

Iden. Your lordship seems Pensive. Will it not please you to pass on? Stral. 'T is past fatigue, which gives my weigh'd-down spirit

An outward show of thought. I will to rest. Iden. The prince's chamber is prepared, with all

The very furniture the prince used when
Last here, in its full splendour.

(Aside). Somewhat tatter'd, And devilish damp, but fine enough by torch

light;

And that's enough for your right noble blood
Of twenty quarterings upon a hatchment;
So let their bearer sleep 'neath something like one
Now, as he one day will for ever lie.

Stral. (rising and turning to GABOR). Good
night, good people! Sir, I trust to-morrow
Will find me apter to requite your service.
In the meantime I crave your company
A moment in my chamber.

Gab.

I attend you.

Stral. (after a few steps, pauses, and calls WERNER). Friend!

Wer.

Iden.

Sir !

Sir! Lord-oh Lord! Why

don't you say

His lordship, or his excellency? Pray,

My lord, excuse this poor man's want of breeding:
He hath not been accustom'd to admission
To such a presence.

Stral. (to IDENSTEIN). Peace, intendant !
Iden.

I am dumb.

Oh !

Stral. (toWERNER). Have you been long here?

Long?

I sought

You may seek

Both from the walls. I am not used to answer

Those whom I know not.

Stral.

You might reply with
Is ask'd in kindness.

Wer.

Indeed! Ne'er the less,

courtesy to what

When I know it such,

I will requite-that is, reply-in unison. Stral. The intendant said, you had been detain'd by sickness

If I could aid you-journeying the same way? Wer. (quickly). I am not journeying the same

But one way that the rich and poor must tread Together. You diverged from that dread path

Some hours ago, and I some days: henceforth Our roads must lie asunder, though they tend All to one home.

Your garb.

Wer.

'T is well that it is not beneath it, As sometimes happens to the better clad. But, in a word, what would you with me? Stral. (startled).

I?

Wer. Yes-you! You know me not, and question me,

And wonder that I answer not-not knowing My inquisitor. Explain what you would have, And then I'll satisfy yourself, or me.

Stral. I knew not that you had reasons for

reserve.

Wer. Many have such:--Have you none?

Stral.

Interest a mere stranger.

Wer.

None which can

Then forgive

The same unknown and humble stranger, if He wishes to remain so to the man.

Who can have nought in common with him. Stral.

Sir, I will not balk your humour, though untoward : I only meant you service-but good night! Intendant, show the way! (to GABOR). Sir, you will with me?

[Exeunt STRALENHEIM and Attendants; IDENSTEIN and GABOR.

Wer. (solus). 'T is he! I am taken in the toils. Before

I quitted Hamburgh, Giulio, his late steward,
Inform'd me, that he had obtain❜d an order
From Bradenburg's elector, for the arrest
Of Kruitzner (such the name I then bore) when
I came upon the frontier; the free city
Alone preserved my freedom-till I left
Its walls-fool that I was to quit them! But
I deem'd this humble garb, and route obscure,
Had baffled the slow hounds in their pursuit.
What's to be done? He knows me not by person;
Nor could aught, save the eye of apprehension,
Have recognised him, after twenty years,
We met so rarely and so coldly in

Our youth. But those about him! Now I can
Divine the frankness of the Hungarian, who
No doubt is a mere tool and spy of Stralenheim's,
To sound and to secure me. Without means!
Sick, poor-begirt too with the flooding rivers,
Impassable even to the wealthy, with

All the appliances which purchase modes
Of overpowering perils, with men's lives,-
How can I hope! An hour ago methought
My state beyond despair; and now, 't is such,
The past seems paradise. Another day,
And I'm detected,- -on the very eve
Of honours, rights, and my inheritance,
When a few drops of gold might save me still
In favouring an escape.

Enter IDENSTEIN and FRITZ in conversation.

Fritz.

Immediately.

It must

Iden. I tell you, 't is impossible.
Fritz.

Be tried, however; and if one express