Page:The Works of Lord Byron (ed. Coleridge, Prothero) - Volume 5.djvu/477

SCENE I.] WERNER. 441 A life which stood between the claims of others To honours and estates scarce less than princely. SUg, 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 Imow you iimocent, and deem you just. But ere I can proceed — dare you protect me ? Dare you command me ? [Siegendorf ^rx/ looks at the Hungarian, and then at Ulric, w?u> 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 itof 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 passed