The Works of Lord Byron Volume V Part 95

_Ulr._ I named a villain. What is there in common With such a being and my father?

_Wer._ Every thing!

That ruffian is thy father![177]

_Jos._ Oh, my son!

Believe him not--and yet!--(_her voice falters_.)

_Ulr._ (_starts, looks earnestly at_ WERNER _and then says slowly_) And you avow it?

_Wer._ Ulric, before you dare despise your father, 100 Learn to divine and judge his actions. Young, Rash, new to life, and reared in Luxury's lap, Is it for you to measure Pa.s.sion's force, Or Misery's temptation? Wait--(not long, It cometh like the night, and quickly)--Wait!-- Wait till, like me, your hopes are blighted[178] till Sorrow and Shame are handmaids of your cabin-- Famine and Poverty your guests at table; Despair your bed-fellow--then rise, but not From sleep, and judge! Should that day e'er arrive-- 110 Should you see then the Serpent, who hath coiled Himself around all that is dear and n.o.ble Of you and yours, lie slumbering in your path, With but _his_ folds between your steps and happiness, When _he_, who lives but to tear from you name, Lands, life itself, lies at your mercy, with Chance your conductor--midnight for your mantle-- The bare knife in your hand, and earth asleep, Even to your deadliest foe; and he as 'twere Inviting death, by looking like it, while 120 His death alone can save you:--Thank your G.o.d!

If then, like me, content with petty plunder, You turn aside----I did so.

_Ulr._ But----

_Wer._ (_abruptly_). Hear me!

I will not brook a human voice--scarce dare Listen to my own (if that be human still)-- Hear me! you do not know this man--I do.[179]

He's mean, deceitful, avaricious. You Deem yourself safe, as young and brave; but learn None are secure from desperation, few From subtilty. My worst foe, Stralenheim, 130 Housed in a Prince's palace, couched within A Prince's chamber, lay below my knife!

An instant--a mere motion--the least impulse-- Had swept him and all fears of mine from earth.

He was within my power--my knife was raised-- Withdrawn--and I'm in his:--are you not so?

Who tells you that he knows you _not?_ Who says He hath not lured you here to end you? or To plunge you, with your parents, in a dungeon?

[_He pauses_.

_Ulr._ Proceed--proceed!

_Wer._ _Me_ he hath ever known, 140 And hunted through each change of time--name--fortune-- And why not _you?_ Are you more versed in men?

He wound snares round me; flung along my path Reptiles, whom, in my youth, I would have spurned Even from my presence; but, in spurning now, Fill only with fresh venom. Will you be More patient? Ulric!--Ulric!--there are crimes Made venial by the occasion, and temptations Which nature cannot master or forbear.[180]

_Ulr._ (_who looks first at him and then at_ JOSEPHINE).

My mother!

_Wer._ Ah! I thought so: you have now 150 Only one parent. I have lost alike Father and son, and stand alone.

_Ulr._ But stay!

[WERNER _rushes out of the chamber_.

_Jos._ (_to_ ULRIC). Follow him not, until this storm of pa.s.sion Abates. Think'st thou, that were it well for him, I had not followed?

_Ulr._ I obey you, mother, Although reluctantly. My first act shall not Be one of disobedience.

_Jos._ Oh! he is good!

Condemn him not from his own mouth, but trust To me, who have borne so much with him, and for him, That this is but the surface of his soul, 160 And that the depth is rich in better things.

_Ulr._ These then are but my father's principles[181]?

My mother thinks not with him?

_Jos._ Nor doth he Think as he speaks. Alas! long years of grief Have made him sometimes thus.

_Ulr._ Explain to me More clearly, then, these claims of Stralenheim, That, when I see the subject in its bearings, I may prepare to face him, or at least To extricate you from your present perils.

I pledge myself to accomplish this--but would 170 I had arrived a few hours sooner!

_Jos._ Aye!

Hadst thou but done so!

_Enter_ GABOR _and_ IDENSTEIN, _with Attendants_.

_Gab._ (_to_ ULRIC). I have sought you, comrade.

So this is my reward!

_Ulr._ What do you mean?

_Gab._ 'Sdeath! have I lived to these years, and for this!

(_To_ IDENSTEIN.) But for your age and folly, I would----

_Iden._ Help!

Hands off! Touch an Intendant!

_Gab._ Do not think I'll honour you so much as save your throat From the Ravenstone[182] by choking you myself.

_Iden._ I thank you for the respite: but there are Those who have greater need of it than me. 180

_Ulr._ Unriddle this vile wrangling, or----

_Gab._ At once, then, The Baron has been robbed, and upon me This worthy personage has deigned to fix His kind suspicions--me! whom he ne'er saw Till yester evening.

_Iden._ Wouldst have me suspect My own acquaintances? You have to learn That I keep better company.

_Gab._ You shall Keep the best shortly, and the last for all men, The worms! You hound of malice!

[GABOR _seizes on him_.

_Ulr._ (_interfering_). Nay, no violence: He's old, unarmed--be temperate, Gabor!

_Gab._ (_letting go_ IDENSTEIN). True: 190 I am a fool to lose myself because Fools deem me knave: it is their homage.

_Ulr._ (_to_ IDENSTEIN). How Fare you?

_Iden._ Help!

_Ulr._ I _have_ helped you.

_Iden._ Kill him! then I'll say so.

_Gab._ I am calm--live on!

_Iden._ That's more Than you shall do, if there be judge or judgment In Germany. The Baron shall decide!

_Gab._ Does _he_ abet you in your accusation?

_Iden._ Does he not?