So suddenly, and to a stranger, wore
The aspect of a secret enemy;

For friends are slow at such.

Gab.

Sir, you seem rapt;
And yet the time is not akin to thought.
These old walls will be noisy soon. The baron,
Or count (or whatsoe'er this half-drown'd noble
May be), for whom this desolate village and
Its lone inhabitants show more respect

Than did the elements, is come.
Iden. (without).

This way

This way, your excellency :-have a care,
The staircase is a little gloomy, and

Somewhat decay'd; but if we had expected
So high a guest-Pray take my arm, my lord!

Enter STRALENheim, IdensteIN, and Attendants partly his own, and partly Retainers of the Domain of which IDENSTEIN is Intendant.

Stral. I'll rest me here a moment.
Iden. (to the servants).

Instantly, knaves!

Ho! a chair!

[STRALENHEIM sits down.

One says he is no stranger.

Wer. (aloud and hastily). Who says that?

[They look at him with surprise.

Iden. Why, no one spoke of you, or to you!—but

Here's one his excellency may be pleased

To recognise.

[Pointing to GABOR.

My state when I was succour'd must excuse

My uncertainty to whom I owe so much.

Iden. He!-no, my lord! he rather wants for rescue Than can afford it. 'Tis a poor sick man, Travel-tired, and lately risen from a bed From whence he never dream'd to rise.

Stral.

That there were two.

Methought

There were, in

company;

Gab.
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.

That hour arrives, I can but offer thanks,
And then

Till

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.

'Tis 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. 'Tis past fatigue which gives my weigh'ddown 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!

Iden. 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. (to WERNER). Have you been long here? Wer. Long?

Both from the walls. I am not used to answer

Those whom I know not.

Stral.

Indeed! Ne'er the less,

You might reply with courtesy to what

Is ask'd in kindness.

Wer.
I will requite

When I know it such,

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.

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:
Stral.

Interest a mere stranger.

Wer.

Have you none?

None which can

Then forgive