The Works of Lord Byron Volume V Part 101

_Wer._ I see it, and I feel it; yet I feel Further--that you despise me.

_Ulr._ Wherefore should I?

_Wer._ Must I repeat my humiliation?

_Ulr._ No!

I have fathomed it and you. But let us talk Of this no more. Or, if it must be ever, 240 Not _now_. Your error has redoubled all The present difficulties of our house At secret war with that of Stralenheim: All we have now to think of is to baffle HIM. I have shown _one_ way.

_Wer._ The only one, And I embrace it, as I did my son, Who showed _himself_ and father's _safety_ in One day.

_Ulr._ You _shall_ be safe; let that suffice.

Would Stralenheim's appearance in Bohemia Disturb your right, or mine, if once we were 250 Admitted to our lands?

_Wer._ a.s.suredly, Situate as we are now; although the first Possessor might, as usual, prove the strongest-- Especially the next in blood.

_Ulr._ _Blood_! 'tis A word of many meanings; in the veins, And out of them, it is a different thing-- And so it should be, when the same in blood (As it is called) are aliens to each other, Like Theban brethren:[187] when a part is bad, A few spilt ounces purify the rest. 260

_Wer._ I do not apprehend you.

_Ulr._ That may be-- And should, perhaps--and yet--but get ye ready; You and my mother must away to-night.

Here comes the Intendant: sound him with the gem; 'Twill sink into his venal soul like lead Into the deep, and bring up slime and mud, And ooze, too, from the bottom, as the lead doth With its greased understratum;[188] but no less Will serve to warn our vessels through these shoals.

The freight is rich, so heave the line in time! 270 Farewell! I scarce have time, but yet your _hand_, My father!----

_Wer._ Let me embrace thee!

_Ulr._ We may be Observed: subdue your nature to the hour!

Keep off from me as from your foe!

_Wer._ Accursed Be he who is the stifling cause which smothers The best and sweetest feeling of our hearts; At such an hour too!

_Ulr._ Yes, curse--it will ease you!

Here is the Intendant.

_Enter_ IDENSTEIN.

_Ulr._ Master Idenstein, How fare you in your purpose? Have you caught The rogue?

_Iden._ No, faith!

_Ulr._ Well, there are plenty more: 280 You may have better luck another chase.

Where is the Baron?

_Iden._ Gone back to his chamber: And now I think on't, asking after you With n.o.bly-born impatience.

_Ulr._ Your great men Must be answered on the instant, as the bound Of the stung steed replies unto the spur: 'Tis well they have horses, too; for if they had not, I fear that men must draw their chariots, as They say kings did Sesostris[189].

_Iden._ Who was he?

_Ulr._ An old Bohemian--an imperial gipsy. 290

_Iden._ A gipsy or Bohemian, 'tis the same, For they pa.s.s by both names. And was he one?

_Ulr._ I've heard so; but I must take leave. Intendant, Your servant!--Werner (_to_ WERNER _slightly_), if that be your name, Yours. [_Exit_ ULRIC.

_Iden._ A well-spoken, pretty-faced young man!

And prettily behaved! He knows his station, You see, sir: how he gave to each his due Precedence!

_Wer._ I perceived it, and applaud His just discernment and your own.

_Iden._ That's well-- That's very well. You also know your place, too; 300 And yet I don't know that _I_ know your place.

_Wer._ (_showing the ring_).

Would this a.s.sist your knowledge?

_Iden._ How!--What!--Eh!

A jewel!

_Wer._ 'Tis your own on one condition.

_Iden._ Mine!--Name it!

_Wer._ That hereafter you permit me At thrice its value to redeem it: 'tis A family ring.

_Iden._ A family!--_yours!_--a gem!

I'm breathless!

_Wer._ You must also furnish me, An hour ere daybreak, with all means to quit This place.

_Iden._ But is it real? Let me look on it: _Diamond_, by all that's glorious!

_Wer._ Come, I'll trust you: 310 You have guessed, no doubt, that I was born above My present seeming.

_Iden._ I can't say I did, Though this looks like it: this is the true breeding Of gentle blood!

_Wer._ I have important reasons For wis.h.i.+ng to continue privily My journey hence.

_Iden._ So then _you are_ the man Whom Stralenheim's in quest of?

_Wer._ I am not; But being taken for him might conduct So much embarra.s.sment to me just now, And to the Baron's self hereafter--'tis 320 To spare both that I would avoid all bustle.

_Iden._ Be you the man or no, 'tis not my business; Besides, I never could obtain the half From this proud, n.i.g.g.ardly n.o.ble, who would raise The country for some missing bits of coin, And never offer a precise reward--[ct]

But _this!_--another look!

_Wer._ Gaze on it freely; At day-dawn it is yours.

_Iden._ Oh, thou sweet sparkler!

Thou more than stone of the philosopher!

Thou touch-stone of Philosophy herself! 330 Thou bright eye of the Mine! thou loadstar of The soul! the true magnetic Pole to which All hearts point duly north, like trembling needles!

Thou flaming Spirit of the Earth! which, sitting High on the Monarch's Diadem, attractest More wors.h.i.+p than the majesty who sweats Beneath the crown which makes his head ache, like Millions of hearts which bleed to lend it l.u.s.tre!