SCENE III. But how now! What is this? Oh, but to stand Seven days afterwards-the same apartment-Ida re- Ah! what a stirring sight! Yonder is Philip, clines on a couch. The name of Ida Kronberg will go down Enter BERTHA, and COUNT FABIAN. Bertha. Ha! traitor, did he say? Believe me The tumult of the hour hath mazed his brain- Heaven knows if we shall take those sports again! orders, For he most strangely worded his command, - mazed. He does not mean that she and I are traitors. Known by the bloody hand upon the banner; Bertha. Count Fabian, let me hear thee read the I scarce can see Of this unhappy morn! An assault Made from the tower of the Cathedral church. Fab. Again it shakes the castle as 't would fall! [He looks out again. Between the calm and beautiful repose [The sounds of assault become yet louder Bertha. Heavens! what terrific power have human voices In their ferocious triumph thus sent forth! Fab. "Tis vain to look. The strife is close within Ida. [aside.] Oh, most unkind, to still believe me The very walls, and this small tower gives nought traitor To shut his heart in such a time as this! - But 't is not meet Count Fabian see me weep – Save quiet fields, and the green, waving tree-tops! the dead! Fab. To those cooped up, the strife is more appalling [They go into the inner room. Than in the open air, amid the contest. Fab. She's a noble lady! I'd sooner die than she should be his prisoner; [A loud clamour of assault and defence is A small room in the upper tower. Enter the LORD OF KRONBERG, COUNT NICHOLAS and SEGBERT. Seg. My lord, the foe hath got entire possession! Why left you it unguarded? Curse on ye all! Good, my lord, And but that 't is an hour we may not spare fifty years I've been your soldier, And never was dishonoured till this hour! Nich. Nay, my good lord of Kronberg, 't is unjust, Shame on myself! I am a veteran soldier My Lord Kronberg, Will see them die of famine, ere I yield it! [They make a general attempt to carry off spoil; the soldiers drive them back. Plunderers, lay it downYe shall not hence, save ye go empty-handed! Many voices. We will not out then! we will tarry here! We will defend our own! We will defend it! I swear 't is mine! Ye are a herd of robbers, seeking outrage! Mother S. Mother S. We will not hear thee! Thou'dst be a tyrant - be another Kronberg! [They make a fresh attempt to carry off their spoil; the soldiers oppose them; a violent contest ensues, and many are wounded. Mother S. [aside.] Let us appear to yield. There is a force Outside will take our part! We'll have revenge! Man. Give us free egress, Philip, and we'll yield! Soldiers, give place, and see that all go hence; [He withdraws into an inner room. Many voices. Hang him! we'll have a reckoning with him yet! Woman. [taking a body] My son, my son! he's dead! Soldiers. Out with ye! Out! [The people are forced out, uttering threats and curses. Re-enter PHILIP. One enemy is crushed, or well nigh crushed, [They all go out. Cooped in a little tower, and scarce a hundred — Meantime another rises, like the head "Tis the strong arm must crush them as they rise; Wherefore the great must keep the low subjected. Enter GASTON. Gast. Dost fold thine arms as thou might'st take thine ease? Thou art not lord of this dominion yet! Phil. Speak plain, what is thy meaning? Gast. The rude concourse, Whom thou hast driven from the gates e'en now, Strengthened with a gigantic force, return, And claim access, mad with some fancied wrong. Thou art no longer "noble, gracious Philip;" But" tyrant," "bloody and injurious tyrant!" Phil. I'll cut them into mouthfuls for the dogs! Gast. Thou madman! These are they who gave thee power! Phil. Wouldst give the fair reward of seven days' strife To them for plunder? Gast. Give them for plunder those Who have adhered to Kronberg- not a few; And all rich merchants who as princes lived,Fear not but they will fight like angry eagles For their nest-eggs; thus wilt thou arm thy foes Against each other, and be rid of bothThe merchants' names are here, their houses marked. Phil. A goodly list! and only pity 't is To give from our own hands such noble spoil. Gast. There are a thousand ways to get it back! Phil. An excellent friend! Thou hast untired resources! And, easy-conscienced, could cut down a hundred; To stab i' the dark; and put the subtle poison As a blood-thirsty tyrant, worse than Kronberg! 4th Sol. If it be so, I will return on th' morrow first soldier-oath! To my 2d Sol. And so will Ì? Attend. Tush, tush! you all are fools! 2d Attend. [running in.] All, all give place,— Here come the lords o' th' night; Enter men, bearing dishes. Now to your boards! This is the topmost table, and my lord Hath ordered every man his belly full. This is above the salt-all ye must lower, The burghers clamour at the gates for help SCENE II. A small room of the upper tower-the Lord of Kron berg alone. Lord of K. When great misfortune threats a noble house, 'Tis a great sacrifice that must be made Phil. Damnation on them! Bid the burghers fight For its retrieve- and 't is the part of greatness Phil. -- Misfortune to defy by nobly yielding! Peace, peace, my lord, But here she comes One is dispatched even now will see to it. Lord of M. It is thy cause, my son! Up, arm All is one scene of tumult, blood, and frenzy - Enter SOLDIER. My daughter, banish these dejected looks! Lord of K. Some harsh words I spoke to thee at parting, I rememberForgive thy father, Ida; he was wroth, More with the woe that pressed him, than with thee! Ida. Nay, ask not my forgiveness! Lord of K. Thou, dear child, Sweet image of thy mother, the most true, Here for protection. They demand your presence- The patientest, the fairest of all women -The city is on fire in every quarter! Soldier. My lord, the burghers bring their wives and daughters Phil. Confusion seize them! I shall not go forth And do their bidding, as they choose to dictate! Lord of M. Then I will buckle harness on, and forth! What gentlemen will up, and come with me? Gast. [aside.] If that old man go forth, he ruins Stay, brave old sir, we will not tax your arm Thou art my only hope! Ida. The fortunes of our house, and give again That this land is in anarchy for thee- In the cold arms of death! Jest not! What is the tenor of thy words? Lord of K. Philip of Maine did ask thy hand in marriage, Which I refused; thence rose this civil contest. Nobler than now! His name had not a stain! Hath shown himself a fierce, revengeful man, And is thy deadly, cruel enemy! I loved him with a first, true maiden's love- I cast him forth from my sincerest heart Lord of K. Ida. Father, if I have ever warmed thy heart — If I have ever been delight unto thee By whate'er love thou borest to my mother- Thou lovedst that most beggarly, vile man! Then consent "T is a small thing thy father asks of thee- Then begone And never call me father- I'll be lord [Ida retires, and he goes out by another SCENE III. Ida's apartment Enter PHILIP. And here she dwelt! Here passed her beautiful life! vengeance, Lord of K. I would retain my power by winning Have here no entrance: did I then believe him. Ida. Is it to such a man thou'dst wed thy daughter? Philip of Maine when he was low and needy! Lord of K. Could I think it, That hate had conquered love, and hot ambition |