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 hoard,
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?
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—
[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 drams.
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?
Vassals, 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
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;
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;
There are more spirits abroad than have been laid
With Wallenstein!
Enter Josephine and Ida.
Jos.
What is't we hear? My Siegendorf!
Thank Heaven, I see you safe!
Sieg.
Safe!
Ida.
Yes, dear father!
Sieg.
No, no; I have no children: never more
Call me by that worst name of parent.
Jos.
What
Means my good Lord?
Sieg.
That you have given birth
To a demon!
Ida
(taking Ulric's hand).
Who shall dare say this of Ulric?
Sieg.
Ida, beware! there's blood upon that hand.
Ida
(stooping to kiss it).
I'd kiss it off, though it were mine.
Sieg.
It is so!
Ulr.
Away! it is your father's!
[Exit Ulric.
Ida.
Oh, great God!
And I have loved this man!
[Ida falls senseless—Josephine stands speechless with horror.
Sieg.
The wretch hath slain
Them both!—My Josephine! we are now alone!
Would we had ever been so!—All is over
For me!—Now open wide, my sire, thy grave;
Thy curse hath dug it deeper for thy son
In mine!—The race of Siegendorf is past.
