Gab. I know too well And knew it ere yourself, unhappy sire! Farewell! [Exit GABOR. Sieg. (solus and listening). He hath clear'd the staircase. Ah! I hear The door sound loud behind him! He is safe! Safe!-Oh, my father's spirit!—I am faint [He leans down upon a stone seat, near the wall of the tower, in a drooping posture. Enter ULRIC, with others armed, and with weapons drawn. Ulr. Despatch!--he's there! Lud. Vassals, despatch in search of him! You see [Exeunt all but SIEGENDORF and ULRIC. Of this he must be found. You have not let him Escape? Sieg. He's gone. Ulr. With your connivance? Denounced-dragg'd, it may be, in chains; and all By your inherent weakness, half-humanity, A wretch to profit by our ruin! No, count, . Sieg. I never had one; And would you ne'er had borne the useless name! Where will you go? I would not send you forth Without protection. Ulr Leave that unto me. I am not alone; nor merely the vain heir Of your domains; a thousand, ay, ten thousand The foresters! Sieg. With whom the Hungarian found you first at Frank fort! [Go tell Ulr. Yes-men-who are worthy of the name! Your senators that they look well to Prague; Their feast of peace was early for the times; There are more spirits abroad than have been laid With Wallenstein! Sieg. No, no; I have no children: never more Call me by that worst name of parent. Jos. Means my good lord! Sieg. To a demon! What That you have given birth Ida. (taking ULRIC's hand). Who shall dare say this of Ulric? Sieg. Ida, beware! there's blood upon that hand. Ida. (stooping to kiss it). I'd kiss it off, though it were mine. And I have loved this man! [IDA falls senseless-JOSEPHINE stands speech Sieg. less with horror. The wretch hath slain Them both! My Josephine! we are now alone! Would we had ever been so!-All is over For me!-Now open wide, my sire, thy grave; THE AGE OF BRONZE; OR, CARMEN SECULARE ET ANNUS HAUD MIRABILIS (1) Impar Congressus Achilli." (1) [This poem was written by Lord Byron at Genoa, in the early part of the year 1823; and published in London, by Mr. John Hunt. Its authenticity was much disputed at the time.- -E] |