Jaff. [Rising.] All, all, and more,- much more, my faults are numberless. Pie. And wouldst thou have me live on terms like thine? Base, as thou'rt false Jaff. [Returning.] No, 'tis to me that's granted; The safety of thy life was all I aimed at, In recompense for faith and trust so broken. Pie. I scorn it more, because preserved by thee; All I received, in surety for thy truth, Were unregarded oaths, and this, this dagger, Given with a worthless pledge, thou since hast stolen : Swearing by all those powers which thou hast violated, Take it. [Throws down the dagger.] Farewell, for now I owe thee nothing. Jaff. Say thou wilt live, then. Pie. For my life, dispose it Just as thou wilt, because 'tis what I'm tired with. Jaff. O Pierre ! Pie. No more. [Going. Jaff. My eyes wont lose the sight of thee, [Following. But languish after thine, and ache with gazing. Pie. Leave me. Nay, then, thus, thus I throw thee from me; And curses, great as is thy falsehood, catch thee! WERNER. OTWAY. Enter COUNT SIEGENDORF, ULRIC his son, and Attendant. Atten. A stranger to wait on Your excellency. Sieg. Who? Atten. He gave no name. Sieg. Admit him, ne'ertheless. Ah ! [The attendant introduces GABOR, afterwards exit. Gabor. "T is, then, Werner! Sieg. [Haughtily.] The same you knew, sir, by that name; and you! Gabor. [Looking round.] I recognise you both: father and son, It seems. Count, I have heard that you, or yours, Have lately been in search of me: I am here. Sieg. I have sought you, and have found you: you are charged, (Your own heart may inform you why), with such A crime as Gabor. Give it utterance, and then I'll meet the consequences. Sieg. You shall do so Unless Gabor. First, who accuses me? Sieg. All things If not all men: the universal rumour [He pauses. My own presence on the spot-the place—the time— To fix the blot on you. Gabor. And on me only? Pause ere you answer: is no other name Sieg. Trifling villain ! Who play'st with thine own guilt! Of all that breathe Thou best dost know the innocence of him 'Gainst whom thy breath would blow thy bloody slander; But I will talk no further with a wretch, Further than justice asks. Answer at once, Gabor. 'T is false ! Sieg. Who says so Gabor. I. ? Sieg. And how disprove it? Gabor. By the presence of the murderer. Sieg. Name him! Gabor. He may have more names than one. ship had so Once on a time. Sieg. If you mean me, I dare Your utmost. Gabor. You may do so, and in safety! I know the assassin. Sieg. Where is he? Gabor. [Pointing to ULRIC.] Beside you! Your lord 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, [ULRIC endeavours to compose himself. Gabor. Look at him, Count, and then hear me. Sieg. [First to GABOR, and then looking at ULRIC.] 1 hear thee. Heavens! you look— Ulric. How? Sieg. As on that dread night When we met in the garden. Ulric. [Composes himself.] It is nothing. Gabor. 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, Sieg. Go on, sir. Gabor. 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,- Gabor. I can't help that. But let the consequence alight on him 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. Ulric. [Looks at his father and says] Let the man go on! Gabor. I am unarmed, count-bid your son lay down His sabre. Ulric. [Offers it to him contemptuously.] Take it. That we are both unarmed.-I would not choose Ulric. [Casts the sabre from him in contempt.] Such other weapon, in my hands-spared yours Gabor. True I have not forgotten it: you spared me for Ulric. 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; Gabor. I accuse no man-save in my defence. Your hall 's my court, your heart is my tribunal. You concealed me- In secret passages known to Sieg. Asleep. And yet You slew him!-Wretch ! Gabor. He was already slain, And bleeding like a sacrifice. My own Sieg. But he was all alone! You saw none else? You did not see the Gabor. No, [He pauses from agitation. He, whom you dare not name, nor even I Scarce dare to recollect, was not then in Sieg. [To ULRIC.] Then, my boy! thou art guiltless still Thou bad'st me say I was so once—oh, now Do thou as much! Gabor. Be patient! I can not Recede now, though it shake the very walls A man who washed his bloody hands, and oft |