University of Virginia Library

SCENE VI.

Ante-room to Ellen's Chamber.
Screitch and Ursula.
URSULA.
She will not hear thee, Screitch; she lacks the patience.

SCREITCH.
Then tell her that I come to make it more.

URSULA.
Thou ever dost diminish mine.

SCREITCH.
Because
I turn my cares to Barbara, art aggrieved?
Beware of jealousy!

URSULA.
Is Barbara meek?

SCREITCH.
By blood and nature, no—she was as thou—
But is reclaimed by precept.

(Enter Barbara.)
BARBARA.
Lost! all lost!

SCREITCH.
What ails thee, Barbara?

BARBARA.
Canst not ring the bell?
Goat, buzzard, owl!

URSULA.
Thy scholar brings thee grace!—
Art crazed?

BARBARA.
All lost!

URSULA.
What else beside thy wits?
Is this a time for jests and fooleries?
Bethink thee where we are!

BARBARA.
He was a man!
He fought an hour upon his hands and knees!
He would not live a coward!

SCREITCH.
What has chanced?
Who is it?

BARBARA.
Rudestein!

SCREITCH.
What of Rudestein?

BARBARA.
Killed!

SCREITCH.
Be patient, child—no matter!

URSULA.
Who has killed him?

BARBARA.
Count Albert!

URSULA.
Where?

BARBARA.
Between the gate and bridge.

URSULA.
Count Albert at the gate?—Shame on thee, Barbara!
Wouldst fright thy mistress now?

BARBARA.
Then let her hide!
The Count is in the castle!

SCREITCH.
Who is with him?

BARBARA.
Ten thousand thousand murderers!—Wilt believe?

[Enter Count, Hubert, and Soldiers.
BARBARA.
Screitch, what dost wear thy sword for?

SCREITCH.
Get behind!
I too will fight an hour upon my knees—
They shall not harm thee, Barbara!

COUNT.
Take his sword.
We cannot spare the leisure, Screitch.—Be mute!
Hold thou thy tongue—thy mother's tongue—dost hear!
One word of latin hangs thee—Where is Ellen?

URSULA.
Your highness would not fright her now?

COUNT.
Where is she?

URSULA.
Let her not learn these cruelties!

COUNT.
I am loath
To part a second time without adieu.—
Is Hubert here? O, wait till I shall call.
Lady, I had no choice—she gave me none.
Dost think to pelt me back again with words?
That ere I came, I did not count the cost?
We scarce shall yield to Ursula's eloquence.
It is a cruel time—so use it gently.
She stands between her father and myself—
Tell her she has the power to heal unkindness—
And make all whole.

URSULA.
To-night, my lord?

COUNT.
Ay now.

URSULA.
Your highness will have patience!

COUNT.
She is wise:
The baron's ease requires it more than mine:
For his sake, she will shorten what offends him.
Go, bear my services. Now, where is Hubert?
Take Screitch for conduct with thee to the isle.
Say that I sent thee to the baron there,
In early quittance of his courtesies—
But shall be better pleased with gentler dealings:
He may regain his peace by healing mine.
Go with him, Seneschal!

SCREITCH.
And Barbara too?
Release me, Barbara.

COUNT.
Lady, wilt be gone? (to Ursula.)

Or must I spare thy toil, and go myself? (Exit Ursula.)

What need of Barbara? She remains with us.
Thou shalt be free to tarry or return.

SCREITCH.
Be patient, Bab!