The Works of Lord Byron Volume V Part 111

_Sieg._ Name him.

_Gab._ He May have more names than one. Your Lordship had so Once on a time.

_Sieg._ If you mean me, I dare Your utmost.

_Gab._ You may do so, and in safety; I know the a.s.sa.s.sin.

_Sieg._ Where is he?

_Gab._ (_pointing to_ ULRIC). Beside you!

[ULRIC _rushes forward to attack_ GABOR; SIEGENDORF _interposes_.

_Sieg._ Liar and fiend! but you shall not be slain; These walls are mine, and you are safe within them.

Ulric, repel this calumny, as I [_He turns to_ ULRIC.

Will do. I avow it is a growth so monstrous, 180 I could not deem it earth-born: but be calm; It will refute itself. But touch him not.

[ULRIC _endeavours to compose himself_.

_Gab._ Look at _him_, Count, and then _hear me_.

_Sieg._ (_first to_ GABOR, _and then looking at_ ULRIC).

I hear thee.

My G.o.d! you look----

_Ulr._ How?

_Sieg._ As on that dread night, When we met in the garden.

_Ulr._ (_composing himself_). It is nothing.

_Gab._ Count, you are bound to hear me. I came hither Not seeking you, but sought. When I knelt down Amidst the people in the church, I dreamed not To find the beggared Werner in the seat Of Senators and Princes; but you have called me, 190 And we have met.

_Sieg._ Go on, sir.

_Gab._ Ere I do so, Allow me to inquire, who profited By Stralenheim's death? Was't I--as poor as ever; And poorer by suspicion on my name!

The Baron lost in that last outrage neither Jewels nor gold; his life alone was sought.-- A life which stood between the claims of others To honours and estates scarce less than princely.

_Sieg._ These hints, as vague as vain, attach no less To me than to my son.

_Gab._ I can't help that. 200 But let the consequence alight on him Who feels himself the guilty one amongst us.

I speak to you, Count Siegendorf, because I know you innocent, and deem you just.

But ere I can proceed--_dare_ you protect me?

_Dare_ you command me?

[SIEGENDORF _first looks at the Hungarian, and then at_ ULRIC, _who has unbuckled his sabre, and is drawing lines with it on the floor--still in its sheath_.

_Ulr._ (_looks at his father, and says_,) Let the man go on!

_Gab._ I am unarmed, Count, bid your son lay down His sabre.

_Ulr._ (_offers it to him contemptuously_). Take it.

_Gab._ No, sir, 'tis enough That we are both unarmed--I would not choose To wear a steel which may be stained with more 210 Blood than came there in battle.

_Ulr._ (_casts the sabre from him in contempt_). It--or some Such other weapon in my hand--spared yours Once, when disarmed and at my mercy.

_Gab._ True-- I have not forgotten it: you spared me for Your own especial purpose--to sustain An ignominy not my own.

_Ulr._ Proceed.

The tale is doubtless worthy the relater.

But is it of my father to hear further? [_To_ SIEGENDORF.

_Sieg._ (_takes his son by the hand_).

My son, I know my own innocence, and doubt not Of yours--but I have promised this man patience; 220 Let him continue.

_Gab._ I will not detain you, By speaking of myself much: I began Life early--and am what the world has made me.

At Frankfort on the Oder, where I pa.s.sed A winter in obscurity, it was My chance at several places of resort (Which I frequented sometimes, but not often) To hear related a strange circ.u.mstance In February last. A martial force, Sent by the state, had, after strong resistance, 230 Secured a band of desperate men, supposed Marauders from the hostile camp.--They proved, However, not to be so--but banditti, Whom either accident or enterprise Had carried from their usual haunt--the forests Which skirt Bohemia--even into Lusatia.

Many amongst them were reported of High rank--and martial law slept for a time.

At last they were escorted o'er the frontiers, And placed beneath the civil jurisdiction 240 Of the free town of Frankfort. Of _their_ fate I know no more.

_Sieg._ And what is this to Ulric?

_Gab._ Amongst them there was said to be one man Of wonderful endowments:--birth and fortune, Youth, strength, and beauty, almost superhuman, And courage as unrivalled, were proclaimed His by the public rumour; and his sway, Not only over his a.s.sociates, but His judges, was attributed to witchcraft, Such was his influence:--I have no great faith 250 In any magic save that of the mine-- I therefore deemed him wealthy.--But my soul Was roused with various feelings to seek out This prodigy, if only to behold him.

_Sieg._ And did you so?

_Gab._ You'll hear. Chance favoured me: A popular affray in the public square Drew crowds together--it was one of those Occasions where men's souls look out of them, And show them as they are--even in their faces: The moment my eye met his, I exclaimed, 260 "This is the man!" though he was then, as since, With the n.o.bles of the city. I felt sure I had not erred, and watched him long and nearly; I noted down his form--his gesture--features, Stature, and bearing--and amidst them all, 'Midst every natural and acquired distinction, I could discern, methought, the a.s.sa.s.sin's eye And gladiator's heart.

_Ulr._ (_smiling_). The tale sounds well.

_Gab._ And may sound better.--He appeared to me One of those beings to whom Fortune bends, 270 As she doth to the daring--and on whom The fates of others oft depend; besides, An indescribable sensation drew me Near to this man, as if my point of fortune Was to be fixed by him.--There I was wrong.

_Sieg._ And may not be right now.

_Gab._ I followed him, Solicited his notice--and obtained it-- Though not his friendship:--it was his intention To leave the city privately--we left it Together--and together we arrived 280 In the poor town where Werner was concealed, And Stralenheim was succoured----Now we are on The verge--_dare_ you hear further?

_Sieg._ I must do so-- Or I have heard too much.

_Gab._ I saw in you A man above his station--and if not So high, as now I find you, in my then Conceptions, 'twas that I had rarely seen Men such as you appeared in height of mind, In the most high of worldly rank; you were Poor, even to all save rags: I would have shared 290 My purse, though slender, with you--you refused it.

_Sieg._ Doth my refusal make a debt to you, That thus you urge it?

_Gab._ Still you owe me something, Though not for that; and I owed you my safety, At least my seeming safety, when the slaves Of Stralenheim pursued me on the grounds That _I_ had robbed him.

_Sieg._ _I_ concealed you--I, Whom and whose house you arraign, reviving viper!

_Gab._ I accuse no man--save in my defence.

You, Count, have made yourself accuser--judge: 300 Your hall's my court, your heart is my tribunal.

Be just, and _I'll_ be merciful!