_Gab._ Then next time let him go sink Ere I go hang for snatching him from drowning.
But here he comes!
_Enter_ STRALENHEIM.
_Gab._ (_goes up to him_). My noble Lord, I'm here! 200
_Stral._ Well, sir!
_Gab._ Have you aught with me?
_Stral._ What should I Have with you?
_Gab._ You know best, if yesterday's Flood has not washed away your memory; But that's a trifle. I stand here accused, In phrases not equivocal, by yon Intendant, of the pillage of your person Or chamber:--is the charge your own or his?
_Stral._ I accuse no man.
_Gab._ Then you acquit me, Baron?
_Stral._ I know not whom to accuse, or to acquit, Or scarcely to suspect.
_Gab._ But you at least 210 Should know whom _not_ to suspect. I am insulted-- Oppressed here by these menials, and I look To you for remedy--teach them their duty!
To look for thieves at home were part of it, If duly taught; but, in one word, if I Have an accuser, let it be a man Worthy to be so of a man like me.
I am your equal.
_Stral._ You!
_Gab._ Aye, sir; and, for Aught that you know, superior; but proceed-- I do not ask for hints, and surmises, 220 And circumstance, and proof: I know enough Of what I have done for you, and what you owe me, To have at least waited your payment rather Than paid myself, had I been eager of Your gold. I also know, that were I even The villain I am deemed, the service rendered So recently would not permit you to Pursue me to the death, except through shame, Such as would leave your scutcheon but a blank.
But this is nothing: I demand of you 230 Justice upon your unjust servants, and From your own lips a disavowal of All sanction of their insolence: thus much You owe to the unknown, who asks no more, And never thought to have asked so much.
_Stral._ This tone May be of innocence.
_Gab._ 'Sdeath! who dare doubt it, Except such villains as ne'er had it?
_Stral._ You Are hot, sir.
_Gab._ Must I turn an icicle Before the breath of menials, and their master[cr]?
_Stral._ Ulric! you know this man; I found him in 240 _Your_ company.
_Gab._ We found _you_ in the Oder; Would we had left you there!
_Stral._ I give you thanks, sir.
_Gab._ I've earned them; but might have earned more from others, Perchance, if I had left you to your fate.
_Stral._ Ulric! you know this man?
_Gab._ No more than you do If he avouches not my honour.
_Ulr._ I Can vouch your courage, and, as far as my Own brief connection led me, honour.
_Stral._ Then I'm satisfied.
_Gab._ (_ironically_). Right easily, methinks.
What is the spell in his asseveration 250 More than in mine?
_Stral._ I merely said that _I_ Was satisfied--not that you are absolved.
_Gab._ Again! Am I accused or no?
_Stral._ Go to!
You wax too insolent. If circumstance And general suspicion be against you, Is the fault mine? Is't not enough that I Decline all question of your guilt or innocence?
_Gab._ My Lord, my Lord, this is mere cozenage[183], A vile equivocation; you well know Your doubts are certainties to all around you-- 260 Your looks a voice--your frowns a sentence; you Are practising your power on me--because You have it; but beware! you know not whom You strive to tread on.
_Stral._ Threat'st thou?
_Gab._ Not so much As you accuse. You hint the basest injury, And I retort it with an open warning.
_Stral._ As you have said, 'tis true I owe you something, For which you seem disposed to pay yourself.
_Gab._ Not with your gold.
_Stral._ With bootless insolence.
[_To his Attendants and_ IDENSTEIN.
You need not further to molest this man, 270 But let him go his way. Ulric, good morrow!
[_Exit_ STRALENHEIM, IDENSTEIN, _and Attendants_.
_Gab._ (_following_). I'll after him and----
_Ulr._ (_stopping him_). Not a step.
_Gab._ Who shall Oppose me?
_Ulr._ Your own reason, with a moment's Thought.
_Gab._ Must I bear this?
_Ulr._ Pshaw! we all must bear The arrogance of something higher than Ourselves--the highest cannot temper Satan, Nor the lowest his vicegerents upon earth.
I've seen you brave the elements, and bear Things which had made this silkworm[184] cast his skin-- And shrink you from a few sharp sneers and words? 280
_Gab._ Must I bear to be deemed a thief? If 'twere A bandit of the woods, I could have borne it-- There's something daring in it:--but to steal The moneys of a slumbering man!--
_Ulr._ It seems, then, You are _not_ guilty.
_Gab._ Do I hear aright?
_You_ too!