The Works of Lord Byron Volume V Part 100

_Wer._ You see he is not here.

_Iden._ And yet we traced him 130 Up to this hall. Are you accomplices?

Or deal you in the black art?

_Wer._ I deal plainly, To many men the blackest.

_Iden._ It may be I have a question or two for yourself Hereafter; but we must continue now Our search for t'other.

_Wer._ You had best begin Your inquisition now: I may not be So patient always.

_Iden._ I should like to know, In good sooth, if you really are the man That Stralenheim's in quest of.

_Wer._ Insolent! 140 Said you not that he was not here?

_Iden._ Yes, _one_; But there's another whom he tracks more keenly, And soon, it may be, with authority Both paramount to his and mine. But come!

Bustle, my boys! we are at fault.

[_Exit_ IDENSTEIN _and Attendants_.

_Wer._ In what A maze hath my dim destiny involved me!

And one base sin hath done me less ill than The leaving undone one far greater. Down, Thou busy devil, rising in my heart!

Thou art too late! I'll nought to do with blood. 150

_Enter_ ULRIC.

_Ulr._ I sought you, father.

_Wer._ Is't not dangerous?

_Ulr._ No; Stralenheim is ignorant of all Or any of the ties between us: more-- He sends me here a spy upon your actions, Deeming me wholly his.

_Wer._ I cannot think it: 'Tis but a snare he winds about us both, To swoop the sire and son at once.

_Ulr._ I cannot Pause in each petty fear, and stumble at The doubts that rise like briers in our path, But must break through them, as an unarmed carle 160 Would, though with naked limbs, were the wolf rustling In the same thicket where he hewed for bread.

Nets are for thrushes, eagles are not caught so: We'll overfly or rend them.

_Wer._ Show me _how?_

_Ulr._ Can you not guess?

_Wer._ I cannot.

_Ulr._ That is strange.

Came the thought ne'er into your mind _last night_?

_Wer._ I understand you not.

_Ulr._ Then we shall never More understand each other. But to change The topic----

_Wer._ You mean to _pursue_ it, as 'Tis of our safety.

_Ulr._ Right; I stand corrected. 170 I see the subject now more clearly, and Our general situation in its bearings.

The waters are abating; a few hours Will bring his summoned myrmidons from Frankfort, When you will be a prisoner, perhaps worse, And I an outcast, b.a.s.t.a.r.dised by practice Of this same Baron to make way for him.

_Wer._ And now your remedy! I thought to escape By means of this accursed gold; but now I dare not use it, show it, scarce look on it. 180 Methinks it wears upon its face my guilt For motto, not the mintage of the state; And, for the sovereign's head, my own begirt With hissing snakes, which curl around my temples, And cry to all beholders, Lo! a villain!

_Ulr._ You must not use it, at least now; but take This ring. [_He gives_ WERNER _a jewel_.

_Wer._ A gem! It was my father's!

_Ulr._ And As such is now your own. With this you must Bribe the Intendant for his old caleche And horses to pursue your route at sunrise, 190 Together with my mother.

_Wer._ And leave you, So lately found, in peril too?

_Ulr._ Fear nothing!

The only fear were if we fled together, For that would make our ties beyond all doubt.

The waters only lie in flood between This burgh and Frankfort: so far's in our favour The route on to Bohemia, though enc.u.mbered, Is not impa.s.sable; and when you gain A few hours' start, the difficulties will be The same to your pursuers. Once beyond 200 The frontier, and you're safe.

_Wer._ My n.o.ble boy!

_Ulr._ Hus.h.!.+ hus.h.!.+ no transports: we'll indulge in them In Castle Siegendorf! Display no gold: Show Idenstein the gem (I know the man, And have looked through him): it will answer thus A double purpose. Stralenheim lost _gold_-- _No_ jewel: therefore it could _not_ be his; And then the man who was possest of this Can hardly be suspected of abstracting The Baron's coin, when he could thus convert 210 This ring to more than Stralenheim has lost By his last night's slumber. Be not over timid In your address, nor yet too arrogant, And Idenstein will serve you.

_Wer._ I will follow In all things your direction.

_Ulr._ I would have Spared you the trouble; but had I appeared To take an interest in you, and still more By dabbling with a jewel in your favour, All had been known at once.

_Wer._ My guardian angel!

This overpays the past. But how wilt thou 220 Fare in our absence?

_Ulr._ Stralenheim knows nothing Of me as aught of kindred with yourself.

I will but wait a day or two with him To lull all doubts, and then rejoin my father.

_Wer._ To part no more!

_Ulr._ I know not that; but at The least we'll meet again once more.

_Wer._ My boy!

My friend! my only child, and sole preserver!

Oh, do not hate me!

_Ulr._ Hate my father!

_Wer._ Aye, My father hated me. Why not my son?

_Ulr._ Your father knew you not as I do.

_Wer._ Scorpions 230 Are in thy words! Thou know me? in this guise Thou canst not know me, I am not myself; Yet (hate me not) I will be soon.

_Ulr._ I'll _wait!_ In the mean time be sure that all a son Can do for parents shall be done for mine.