The Works of Lord Byron Volume V Part 89

_Stral._ I apprehend This is one of the strangers to whose aid[cp]

I owe my rescue. Is not that the other?

[_Pointing to_ WERNER.

My state when I was succoured must excuse 470 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 dreamed to rise.

_Stral._ Methought That there were two.

_Gab._ There were, in company; But, in the service rendered to your Lords.h.i.+p, I needs must say but _one_, and he is absent.

The chief part of whatever aid was rendered Was _his_: it was his fortune to be first. 480 My will was not inferior, but his strength And youth outstripped me; therefore do not waste Your thanks on me. I was but a glad second Unto a n.o.bler princ.i.p.al.

_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. 490

_Stral._ (_fixing his eyes upon_ WERNER: _then aside_).

It cannot be! and yet he must be looked 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 a.s.surance 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 500 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 watched. If it is he, he is so changed, His father, rising from his grave again, Would pa.s.s by him unknown. I must be wary: An error would spoil all.

_Iden._ Your Lords.h.i.+p seems Pensive. Will it not please you to pa.s.s on?

_Stral._ 'Tis past fatigue, which gives my weighed-down spirit An outward show of thought. I will to rest.

_Iden._ The Prince's chamber is prepared, with all 510 The very furniture the Prince used when Last here, in its full splendour.

(_Aside_). Somewhat tattered, And devilish damp, but fine enough by torch-light; And that's enough for your right n.o.ble 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 520 A moment in my chamber.

_Gab._ I attend you.

_Stral_, (_after a few steps, pauses, and calls_ WERNER).

Friend!

_Wer._ Sir!

_Iden._ _Sir!_ Lord--oh Lord! Why don't you say His Lords.h.i.+p, 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._ Oh!

I am dumb.

_Stral._ (_to_ WERNER). Have you been long here?

_Wer._ Long?

_Stral._ I sought An answer, not an echo.

_Wer._ You may seek Both from the walls. I am not used to answer Those whom I know not.

_Stral._ Indeed! Ne'er the less, 530 You might reply with courtesy 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._ How know ye That, ere you know my route?

_Wer._ Because there is 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 540 Our roads must lie asunder, though they tend All to one home.

_Stral._ Your language is above Your station.

_Wer._ (_bitterly_). Is it?

_Stral._ Or, at least, beyond Your garb.

_Wer._ 'Tis 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. 550

_Stral._ I knew not that you had reasons for reserve.

_Wer._ Many have such:--Have you none?

_Stral._ None which can Interest a mere stranger.

_Wer._ 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_). 'Tis he! I am taken in the toils. Before 560 I quitted Hamburg, Giulio, his late steward, Informed me, that he had obtained an order From Brandenburg'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 deemed 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; 570 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, Impa.s.sable even to the wealthy, with All the appliances which purchase modes 580 Of overpowering peril, with men's lives,-- How can I hope! An hour ago methought My state beyond despair; and now, 'tis 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.