The Works of Lord Byron Volume V Part 90

_Enter_ IDENSTEIN _and_ FRITZ _in conversation_.

_Fritz_. Immediately.

_Iden._ I tell you, 'tis impossible.

_Fritz_. It must Be tried, however; and if one express 590 Fail, you must send on others, till the answer Arrives from Frankfort, from the commandant.

_Iden._ I will do what I can.

_Fritz_. And recollect To spare no trouble; you will be repaid Tenfold.

_Iden._ The Baron is retired to rest?

_Fritz_. He hath thrown himself into an easy chair Beside the fire, and slumbers; and has ordered He may not be disturbed until eleven, When he will take himself to bed.

_Iden._ Before An hour is past I'll do my best to serve him. 600

_Fritz_. Remember! [_Exit_ FRITZ.

_Iden._ The devil take these great men! they Think all things made for them. Now here must I Rouse up some half a dozen shivering va.s.sals From their scant pallets, and, at peril of Their lives, despatch them o'er the river towards Frankfort. Methinks the Baron's own experience Some hours ago might teach him fellow-feeling: But no, "it _must_" and there's an end. How now?

Are you there, Mynheer Werner?

_Wer._ You have left Your n.o.ble guest right quickly.

_Iden._ Yes--he's dozing, 610 And seems to like that none should sleep besides.

Here is a packet for the Commandant Of Frankfort, at all risks and all expenses; But I must not lose time: Good night! [_Exit_ IDEN.

_Wer._ "To Frankfort!"

So, so, it thickens! Aye, "the Commandant!"

This tallies well with all the prior steps Of this cool, calculating fiend, who walks Between me and my father's house. No doubt He writes for a detachment to convey me Into some secret fortress.--Sooner than 620 This---- [WERNER _looks around, and s.n.a.t.c.hes up a knife lying on a table in a recess_.

Now I am master of myself at least.

Hark,--footsteps! How do I know that Stralenheim Will wait for even the show of that authority Which is to overshadow usurpation?

That he suspects me 's certain. I'm alone-- He with a numerous train: I weak--he strong In gold, in numbers, rank, authority.

I nameless, or involving in my name Destruction, till I reach my own domain; He full-blown with his t.i.tles, which impose 630 Still further on these obscure petty burghers Than they could do elsewhere. Hark! nearer still!

I'll to the secret pa.s.sage, which communicates With the----No! all is silent--'twas my fancy!-- Still as the breathless interval between The flash and thunder:--I must hush my soul Amidst its perils. Yet I will retire, To see if still be unexplored the pa.s.sage I wot of: it will serve me as a den Of secrecy for some hours, at the worst. 640 [WERNER _draws a panel, and exit, closing it after him_.

_Enter_ GABOR _and_ JOSEPHINE.

_Gab._ Where is your husband?

_Jos._ _Here_, I thought: I left him Not long since in his chamber. But these rooms Have many outlets, and he may be gone To accompany the Intendant.

_Gab._ Baron Stralenheim Put many questions to the Intendant on The subject of your lord, and, to be plain, I have my doubts if he means well.

_Jos._ Alas!

What can there be in common with the proud And wealthy Baron, and the unknown Werner?

_Gab._ That you know best.

_Jos._ Or, if it were so, how 650 Come you to stir yourself in his behalf, Rather than that of him whose life you saved?

_Gab._ I helped to save him, as in peril; but I did not pledge myself to serve him in Oppression. I know well these n.o.bles, and Their thousand modes of trampling on the poor.

I have proved them; and my spirit boils up when I find them practising against the weak:-- This is my only motive.

_Jos._ It would be Not easy to persuade my consort of 660 Your good intentions.

_Gab._ Is he so suspicious?

_Jos._ He was not once; but time and troubles have Made him what you beheld.

_Gab._ I'm sorry for it.

Suspicion is a heavy armour, and With its own weight impedes more than protects.

Good night! I trust to meet with him at day-break.

[_Exit_ GABOR.

_Re-enter_ IDENSTEIN _and some Peasants_.

JOSEPHINE _retires up the Hall_.

_First Peasant_. But if I'm drowned?

_Iden._ Why, you will be well paid for 't, And have risked more than drowning for as much, I doubt not.

_Second Peasant_. But our wives and families?

_Iden._ Cannot be worse off than they are, and may 670 Be better.

_Third Peasant_. I have neither, and will venture.

_Iden._ That's right. A gallant carle, and fit to be A soldier. I'll promote you to the ranks In the Prince's body-guard--if you succeed: And you shall have besides, in sparkling coin, Two thalers.

_Third Peasant_. No more!

_Iden._ Out upon your avarice!

Can that low vice alloy so much ambition?

I tell thee, fellow, that two thalers in Small change will subdivide into a treasure.

Do not five hundred thousand heroes daily 680 Risk lives and souls for the t.i.the of one thaler?

When had you half the sum?

_Third Peasant_. Never--but ne'er The less I must have three.

_Iden._ Have you forgot Whose va.s.sal you were born, knave?

_Third Peasant_. No--the Prince's, And not the stranger's.

_Iden._ Sirrah! in the Prince's Absence, I am sovereign; and the Baron is My intimate connection;--"Cousin Idenstein!

(Quoth he) you'll order out a dozen villains."

And so, you villains! troop--march--march, I say; And if a single dog's ear of this packet 690 Be sprinkled by the Oder--look to it!

For every page of paper, shall a hide Of yours be stretched as parchment on a drum, Like Ziska's skin,[169] to beat alarm to all Refractory va.s.sals, who can not effect Impossibilities.--Away, ye earth-worms!

[_Exit, driving them out_.