The Works of Lord Byron Volume V Part 104

_Eric_. That's not a faithful va.s.sal's likeness.

_Hen._ But Perhaps a true one.

_Eric_. Pity, as I said, The wars are over: in the hall, who like Count Ulric for a well-supported pride, Which awes, but yet offends not? in the field, Who like him with his spear in hand, when gnas.h.i.+ng 30 His tusks, and ripping up, from right to left, The howling hounds, the boar makes for the thicket?

Who backs a horse, or bears a hawk, or wears A sword like him? Whose plume nods knightlier?

_Hen._ No one's, I grant you. Do not fear, if war Be long in coming, he is of that kind Will make it for himself, if he hath not Already done as much.

_Eric_. What do you mean?

_Hen._ You can't deny his train of followers (But few our native fellow-va.s.sals born 40 On the domain) are such a sort of knaves As---- [_Pauses_.

_Eric_. What?

_Hen._ The war (you love so much) leaves living.

Like other parents, she spoils her worst children.

_Eric_. Nonsense! they are all brave iron-visaged fellows, Such as old Tilly loved.

_Hen._ And who loved Tilly?

Ask that at Magdebourg[194]--or, for that matter, Wallenstein either;--they are gone to----

_Eric_. Rest!

But what beyond 'tis not ours to p.r.o.nounce.

_Hen._ I wish they had left us something of their rest: The country (nominally now at peace) 50 Is over-run with--G.o.d knows who: they fly By night, and disappear with sunrise; but Leave us no less desolation, nay, even more, Than the most open warfare.

_Eric_. But Count Ulric-- What has all this to do with him?

_Hen._ With him!

He----might prevent it. As you say he's fond Of war, why makes he it not on those marauders?

_Eric_. You'd better ask himself.

_Hen._ I would as soon Ask the lion why he laps not milk.

_Eric_. And here he comes!

_Hen._ The devil! you'll hold your tongue? 60

_Eric_. Why do you turn so pale?

_Hen._ 'Tis nothing--but Be silent.

_Eric_. I will, upon what you have said.

_Hen._ I a.s.sure you I meant nothing,--a mere sport Of words, no more; besides, had it been otherwise, He is to espouse the gentle Baroness Ida of Stralenheim, the late Baron's heiress; And she, no doubt, will soften whatsoever Of fierceness the late long intestine wars Have given all natures, and most unto those Who were born in them, and bred up upon 70 The knees of Homicide; sprinkled, as it were, With blood even at their baptism. Prithee, peace On all that I have said!

_Enter_ ULRIC _and_ RODOLPH.

Good morrow, count.

_Ulr._ Good morrow, worthy Henrick. Eric, is All ready for the chase?

_Eric_. The dogs are ordered Down to the forest, and the va.s.sals out To beat the bushes, and the day looks promising.

Shall I call forth your Excellency's suite?

What courser will you please to mount?

_Ulr._ The dun, Walstein.

_Eric_. I fear he scarcely has recovered 80 The toils of Monday: 'twas a n.o.ble chase: You speared _four_ with your own hand.

_Ulr._ True, good Eric; I had forgotten--let it be the grey, then, Old Ziska: he has not been out this fortnight.

_Eric_. He shall be straight caparisoned. How many Of your immediate retainers shall Escort you?

_Ulr._ I leave that to Weilburgh, our Master of the horse. [_Exit_ ERIC.

Rodolph!

_Rod._ My Lord!

_Ulr._ The news Is awkward from the---- [RODOLPH _points to_ HENRICK.

How now, Henrick? why Loiter you here?

_Hen._ For your commands, my Lord. 90

_Ulr._ Go to my father, and present my duty, And learn if he would aught with me before I mount. [_Exit_ HENRICK.

Rodolph, our friends have had a check Upon the frontiers of Franconia[195], and 'Tis rumoured that the column sent against them Is to be strengthened. I must join them soon.

_Rod._ Best wait for further and more sure advices.

_Ulr._ I mean it--and indeed it could not well Have fallen out at a time more opposite To all my plans.

_Rod._ It will be difficult 100 To excuse your absence to the Count your father.

_Ulr._ Yes, but the unsettled state of our domain In high Silesia will permit and cover My journey. In the mean time, when we are Engaged in the chase, draw off the eighty men Whom Wolffe leads--keep the forests on your route: You know it well?

_Rod._ As well as on that night When we----

_Ulr._ We will not speak of that until We can repeat the same with like success: And when you have joined, give Rosenberg this letter. 110 [_Gives a letter_.

Add further, that I have sent this slight addition To our force with you and Wolffe, as herald of My coming, though I could but spare them ill At this time, as my father loves to keep Full numbers of retainers round the castle, Until this marriage, and its feasts and fooleries, Are rung out with its peal of nuptial nonsense.

_Rod._ I thought you loved the lady Ida?

_Ulr._ Why, I do so--but it follows not from that I would bind in my youth and glorious years, 120 So brief and burning, with a lady's zone, Although 'twere that of Venus:--but I love her, As woman should be loved--fairly and solely.

_Rod._ And constantly?