The Works of Lord Byron Volume V Part 113

He, you, and I stood o'er a gulf wherein I have plunged our enemy. _You_ kindled first The torch--_you_ showed the path; now trace me that Of safety--or let me!

_Sieg._ I have done with life!

_Ulr._ Let us have done with that which cankers life-- Familiar feuds and vain recriminations Of things which cannot be undone. We have 470 No more to learn or hide: I know no fear, And have within these very walls men who (Although you know them not) dare venture all things.

You stand high with the state; what pa.s.ses here Will not excite her too great curiosity: Keep your own secret, keep a steady eye, Stir not, and speak not;--leave the rest to me: We must have no _third_ babblers thrust between us.

[_Exit_ ULRIC.

_Sieg._ (_solus_). Am I awake? are these my father's halls?

And _you_--my son? _My_ son! _mine!_ I who have ever 480 Abhorred both mystery and blood, and yet Am plunged into the deepest h.e.l.l of both!

I must be speedy, or more will be shed-- The Hungarian's!--Ulric--he hath partisans, It seems: I might have guessed as much. Oh fool!

Wolves prowl in company. He hath the key (As I too) of the opposite door which leads Into the turret. Now then! or once more To be the father of fresh crimes, no less Than of the criminal! Ho! Gabor! Gabor! 490 [_Exit into the turret, closing the door after him_.

SCENE II.--_The Interior of the Turret_.

GABOR _and_ SIEGENDORF.

_Gab._ Who calls?

_Sieg._ I--Siegendorf! Take these and fly!

Lose not a moment!

[_Tears off a diamond star and other jewels, and thrusts them into_ GABOR'S _hand_.

_Gab._ What am I to do With these?

_Sieg._ Whate'er you will: sell them, or h.o.a.rd, And prosper; but delay not, or you are lost!

_Gab._ You pledged your honour for my safety!

_Sieg._ And Must thus redeem it. Fly! I am not master, It seems, of my own castle--of my own Retainers--nay, even of these very walls, Or I would bid them fall and crush me! Fly!

Or you will be slain by----

_Gab._ Is it even so? 10 Farewell, then! Recollect, however, Count, You sought this fatal interview!

_Sieg._ I did: Let it not be more fatal still!--Begone!

_Gab._ By the same path I entered?

_Sieg._ Yes; that's safe still; But loiter not in Prague;--you do not know With whom you have to deal.

_Gab._ I know too well-- And knew it ere yourself, unhappy Sire!

Farewell! [_Exit_ GABOR.

_Sieg._ (_solus and listening_).

He hath cleared the staircase. Ah! I hear The door sound loud behind him! He is safe!

Safe!--Oh, my father's spirit!--I am faint-- 20

[_He leans down upon a stone seat, near the wall of the tower, in a drooping posture_.

_Enter_ ULRIC _with others armed, and with weapons drawn_.

_Ulr._ Despatch!--he's there!

_Lud._ The Count, my Lord!

_Ulr._ (_recognizing_ SIEGENDORF). _You_ here, sir!

_Sieg._ Yes: if you want another victim, strike!

_Ulr._ (_seeing him stript of his jewels_).

Where is the ruffian who hath plundered you?

Va.s.sals, despatch in search of him! You see 'Twas as I said--the wretch hath stript my father Of jewels which might form a Prince's heir-loom!

Away! I'll follow you forthwith.

[_Exeunt all but_ SIEGENDORF _and_ ULRIC.

What's this?

Where is the villain?

_Sieg._ There are _two_, sir: which Are you in quest of?

_Ulr._ Let us hear no more Of this: he must be found. You have not let him 30 Escape?

_Sieg._ He's gone.

_Ulr._ With your connivance?

_Sieg._ With My fullest, freest aid.

_Ulr._ Then fare you well!

[ULRIC _is going_.

_Sieg._ Stop! I command--entreat--implore! Oh, Ulric!

Will you then leave me?

_Ulr._ What! remain to be Denounced--dragged, it may be, in chains; and all By your inherent weakness, half-humanity, Selfish remorse, and temporizing pity, That sacrifices your whole race to save A wretch to profit by our ruin! No, Count, Henceforth you have no son!

_Sieg._ I never had one; 40 And would you ne'er had borne the useless name!

Where will you go? I would not send you forth Without protection.

_Ulr._ Leave that unto me.

I am not alone; nor merely the vain heir Of your domains; a thousand, aye, ten thousand Swords, hearts, and hands are mine.

_Sieg._ The foresters!

With whom the Hungarian found you first at Frankfort!

_Ulr._ Yes--men--who are worthy of the name! Go tell Your Senators that they look well to Prague; Their Feast of Peace was early for the times; 50 There are more spirits abroad than have been laid With Wallenstein!

_Enter_ JOSEPHINE _and_ IDA.