The Works of Lord Byron Volume V Part 102

Shalt thou be mine? I am, methinks, already A little king, a lucky alchymist!-- 340 A wise magician, who has bound the devil Without the forfeit of his soul. But come, Werner, or what else?

_Wer._ Call me Werner still; You may yet know me by a loftier t.i.tle.

_Iden._ I do believe in thee! thou art the spirit Of whom I long have dreamed in a low garb.-- But come, I'll serve thee; thou shalt be as free As air, despite the waters; let us hence: I'll show thee I am honest--(oh, thou jewel!) Thou shalt be furnished, Werner, with such means 350 Of flight, that if thou wert a snail, not birds[cu]

Should overtake thee.--Let me gaze again!

I have a foster-brother in the mart Of Hamburgh skilled in precious stones. How many Carats may it weigh?--Come, Werner, I will wing thee.

[_Exeunt_.

SCENE II.--STRALENHEIM'S _Chamber_.

STRALENHEIM _and_ FRITZ.

_Fritz_. All's ready, my good Lord!

_Stral._ I am not sleepy, And yet I must to bed: I fain would say To rest, but something heavy on my spirit, Too dull for wakefulness, too quick for slumber, Sits on me as a cloud along the sky, Which will not let the sunbeams through, nor yet Descend in rain and end, but spreads itself 'Twixt earth and heaven, like envy between man And man, an everlasting mist:--I will Unto my pillow.

_Fritz_. May you rest there well! 10

_Stral._ I feel, and fear, I shall.

_Fritz_. And wherefore fear?

_Stral._ I know not why, and therefore do fear more, Because an undescribable----but 'tis All folly. Were the locks as I desired Changed, to-day, of this chamber? for last night's Adventure makes it needful.

_Fritz_. Certainly, According to your order, and beneath The inspection of myself and the young Saxon Who saved your life. I think they call him "Ulric."

_Stral._ You _think!_ you supercilious slave! what right 20 Have you to _tax your_ memory, which should be Quick, proud, and happy to retain the _name_ Of him who saved your master, as a litany Whose daily repet.i.tion marks your duty.-- Get hence; "_You think_" indeed! you, who stood still Howling and dripping on the bank, whilst I Lay dying, and the stranger dashed aside The roaring torrent, and restored me to Thank him--and despise you. "_You think!_" and scarce Can recollect his name! I will not waste 30 More words on you. Call me betimes.

_Fritz_. Good night!

I trust to-morrow will restore your Lordship To renovated strength and temper. [_The scene closes_.

SCENE III.--_The secret Pa.s.sage_.

_Gab._ (_solus_). Four-- Five--six hours have I counted, like the guard Of outposts, on the never-merry clock, That hollow tongue[190] of time, which, even when It sounds for joy, takes something from enjoyment With every clang. 'Tis a perpetual knell, Though for a marriage-feast it rings: each stroke Peals for a hope the less; the funeral note Of Love deep-buried, without resurrection, In the grave of Possession; while the knoll[191] 10 Of long-lived parents finds a jovial echo To triple time in the son's ear.

I'm cold-- I'm dark;--I've blown my fingers--numbered o'er And o'er my steps--and knocked my head against Some fifty b.u.t.tresses--and roused the rats And bats in general insurrection, till Their cursed pattering feet and whirling wings Leave me scarce hearing for another sound.

A light! It is at distance (if I can Measure in darkness distance): but it blinks 20 As through a crevice or a key-hole, in The inhibited direction: I must on, Nevertheless, from curiosity.

A distant lamp-light is an incident In such a den as this. Pray Heaven it lead me To nothing that may tempt me! Else--Heaven aid me To obtain or to escape it! Shining still!

Were it the star of Lucifer himself, Or he himself girt with its beams, I could Contain no longer. Softly: mighty well! 30 That corner's turned--so--ah! no;--right! it draws Nearer. Here is a darksome angle--so, That's weathered.--Let me pause.--Suppose it leads Into some greater danger than that which I have escaped--no matter, 'tis a new one; And novel perils, like fresh mistresses, Wear more magnetic aspects:--I will on, And be it where it may--I have my dagger Which may protect me at a pinch.--Burn still, Thou little light! Thou art my _ignis fatuus!_ 40 My stationary Will-o'-the-wisp![192]--So! so!

He hears my invocation, and fails not. [_The scene closes_.

SCENE IV.--_A Garden_.

_Enter_ WERNER.

_Wer._ I could not sleep--and now the hour's at hand!

All's ready. Idenstein has kept his word; And stationed in the outskirts of the town, Upon the forest's edge, the vehicle Awaits us. Now the dwindling stars begin To pale in heaven; and for the last time I Look on these horrible walls. Oh! never, never Shall I forget them. Here I came most poor, But not dishonoured: and I leave them with A stain,--if not upon my name, yet in 10 My heart!--a never-dying canker-worm, Which all the coming splendour of the lands, And rights, and sovereignty of Siegendorf Can scarcely lull a moment. I must find Some means of rest.i.tution, which would ease My soul in part: but how, without discovery?-- It must be done, however; and I'll pause Upon the method the first hour of safety.

The madness of my misery led to this Base infamy; repentance must retrieve it: 20 I will have nought of Stralenheim's upon My spirit, though he would grasp all of mine; Lands, freedom, life,--and yet he sleeps as soundly Perhaps, as infancy[193], with gorgeous curtains Spread for his canopy, o'er silken pillows, Such as when----Hark! what noise is that? Again!

The branches shake; and some loose stones have fallen From yonder terrace.

[ULRIC _leaps down from the terrace_.

Ulric! ever welcome!

Thrice welcome now! this filial----

_Ulr._ Stop! before We approach, tell me----

_Wer._ Why look you so?

_Ulr._ Do I 30 Behold my father, or----

_Wer._ What?

_Ulr._ An a.s.sa.s.sin?

_Wer._ Insane or insolent!

_Ulr._ Reply, sir, as You prize your life, or mine!

_Wer._ To what must I Answer?

_Ulr._ Are you or are you not the a.s.sa.s.sin Of Stralenheim?

_Wer._ I never was as yet The murderer of any man. What mean you?

_Ulr._ Did not you _this_ night (as the night before) Retrace the secret pa.s.sage? Did you not _Again_ revisit Stralenheim's chamber? and---- [ULRIC _pauses_.

_Wer._ Proceed.

_Ulr._ _Died_ he not by your hand?

_Wer._ Great G.o.d! 40

_Ulr._ You are innocent, then! my father's innocent!

Embrace me! Yes,--your tone--your look--yes, yes,-- Yet _say_ so.

_Wer._ If I e'er, in heart or mind, Conceived deliberately such a thought, But rather strove to trample back to h.e.l.l Such thoughts--if e'er they glared a moment through The irritation of my oppressed spirit-- May Heaven be shut for ever from my hopes, As from mine eyes!

_Ulr._ But Stralenheim is dead.

_Wer._ 'Tis horrible! 'tis hideous, as 'tis hateful!-- 50 But what have I to do with this?

_Ulr._ No bolt Is forced; no violence can be detected, Save on his body. Part of his own household Have been alarmed; but as the Intendant is Absent, I took upon myself the care Of mustering the police. His chamber has, Past doubt, been entered secretly. Excuse me, If nature----

_Wer._ Oh, my boy! what unknown woes Of dark fatality, like clouds, are gathering Above our house!

_Ulr._ My father! I acquit you! 60 But will the world do so? will even the judge, If--but you must away this instant.

_Wer._ No!