Familiar feuds and vain recriminations

Of things which cannot be undone. We have
No more to learn or hide: I know no fear,

And have within these very walls men who

(Although you know them not) dare venture all things.
You stand high with the state; what passes here
Will not excite her too great curiosity :

Keep your own secret, keep a steady eye,

Stir not, and speak not :-leave the rest to me:

We must have no third babblers thrust between us.

[Exit ULRIC.
Siegen. (solus). Am I awake? are these my father's halls?
And yon-my son? My son! mine! who have ever
Abhorr'd both mystery and blood, and yet
Am plunged into the deepest hell of both!
I must be speedy, or more will be shed—
The Hungarian's!-Ulric-he hath partisans,

It seems I might have guess'd as much. Oh fool!
Wolves prowl in company. He hath the key
(As I too) of the opposite door which leads
Into the turret. Now then! or once more
To be the father of fresh crimes no less
Than of the criminal! Ho! Gabor! Gabor!

[Exit into the turret, closing the door after him.

SCENE II.-THE INTERIOR OF THE TURRET.

GABOR and SIEGENDORF.

Gabor. Who calls?

Siegen.

Lose not a moment!

I-Siegendorf! Take these, and fly!

[Tears off a diamond star and other jewels, and thrusts them into GABOR's hand.

Siegen. Whate'er you will: sell them, or hoard,
And prosper; but delay not or you are lost!
Gabor. You pledged your honour for my safety!
Siegen.

Must thus redeem it. Fly! I am not master,
It seems,
of my own castle-of my own
Retainers-nay, even of these very walls,
Or I would bid them fall and crush me! Fly!
you will be slain by

Or

Gabor.

Is it even so?

Farewell, then! Recollect, however, count,
You sought this fatal interview!

And

III.

29

Siegen. (solus and listening). He hath clear'd the staircase. Ah!

I hear

The door sound loud behind him! He is safe!

Safe!-Oh, my father's spirit !—I am faint

[He leans down upon a stone seat, near the wall of the tower, in a drooping posture.

Enter ULRIC, with others armed, and with weapons drawn.

Ulric. Dispatch!--he's there!
Ludwig.

The count, my

lord!

You here, sir!

Ulric (recognising Siegendorf).

Siegen. Yes if you want another victim, strike!

Ulric (seeing him stript of his jewels). Where is the ruffian who hath

plunder'd you?

Vassals, dispatch in search of him! You see

"T was as I said—the wretch hath stript my father Of jewels which might form a prince's heirloom! Away! I'll follow you forthwith.

Of this he must be found. You have not let him

[ULRIC is going.

Oh, Ulric!

Siegen. Stop! I command-entreat—implore! Will you then leave me?

Denounced-dragg'd, it may be, in chains, and all
By your inherent weakness, half-humanity,
Selfish remorse, and temporising pity,

That sacrifices your whole race to save

A wretch to profit by our ruin!
Henceforth you have no son!

Siegen.

No, count,

I never had one;

And would you ne'er had borne the useless name!
Where will you go? I would not send you forth
Without protection.

I am not alone; nor merely the vain heir

Of your domains: a thousand, ay, ten thousand
Swords, hearts, and hands, are mine.

Siegen.
The foresters!
With whom the Hungarian found you first at Frankfort!

Ulric. Yes-men-who are worthy of the name!
Your senators that they look well to Prague ;
Their feast of peace was early for the times;

There are more spirits abroad than have been laid
With Wallenstein !

Enter JOSEPHINE and IDA.

Go tell

Siegen. No, no; I have no children: never more

Call me by that worst name of parent.

Ida (taking Ulric's hand). Who shall dare say this of Ulric?
Siegen. Ida, beware! there's blood upon that hand.

Ida (stooping to kiss it). I 'd kiss it off, though it were mine!
Siegen.

Ulric. Away! it is your father's!

Ida.

And I have loved this man!

It is so!

[Exit ULRIC.

Oh, great God!

[Ida falls senseless.—Josephine stands speechless with horror. Siegen.

The wretch hath slain

Them both!-my Josephine! we are now alone!

Would we had ever been so !-All is over

For me!-Now open wide, my sire, thy grave;
Thy curse hath dug it deeper for thy son
In mine! The race of Siegendorf is past!

HEAVEN AND EARTH;

A MYSTERY.

FOUNDED ON THE FOLLOWING PASSAGE IN GENESIS, CHAP. VI.

nd it came to pass..... that the sons of God saw the daughters of men that they were fair, and they took them wives of all which they chose.

And woman wailing for her demon lover.-COLERIDGE.