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.

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

This is one of the strangers to whose aid

I owe my rescue. Is not that the other?

[Pointing to WErner.

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.

GAB.

Methought

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. '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'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 (after a few steps, pauses, and calls

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 accustomed to admission

To such a presence.

STRAL. (to IDENSTEIN). Peace, intendant!

IDEN.

I am dumb.

Oh !

STRAL. (to WERNER). Have you been long here?

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 courtsey, to what

Is asked in kindness.

WER.

When I know it such,

I will requite—that is, reply-in unison.

STRAL. The intendant said, you had been detained

by sickness

If I could aid you-journeying the same way?

WER. (quickly). I am not journeying the same way! STRAL.

That, e'er you know my route?

WER.

How know ye

Because there is