With Fortune win or weary her at last, 70
So that they find the goal or cease to feel
Further. Take comfort,--we shall find our boy.

_Wer._ We were in sight of him, of every thing
Which could bring compensation for past sorrow--
And to be baffled thus!

_Jos._ We are not baffled.

_Wer._ Are we not penniless?

_Jos._ We ne'er were wealthy.

_Wer._ But I was born to wealth, and rank, and power;
Enjoyed them, loved them, and, alas! abused them,
And forfeited them by my father's wrath,
In my o'er-fervent youth: but for the abuse 80
Long-sufferings have atoned. My father's death
Left the path open, yet not without snares.
This cold and creeping kinsman, who so long
Kept his eye on me, as the snake upon
The fluttering bird, hath ere this time outstept me,
Become the master of my rights, and lord
Of that which lifts him up to princes in
Dominion and domain.

_Jos._ Who knows? our son
May have returned back to his grandsire, and
Even now uphold thy rights for thee?

_Wer._ 'Tis hopeless. 90
Since his strange disappearance from my father's,
Entailing, as it were, my sins upon
Himself, no tidings have revealed his course.
I parted with him to his grandsire, on
The promise that his anger would stop short
Of the third generation; but Heaven seems
To claim her stern prerogative, and visit
Upon my boy his father's faults and follies.

_Jos._ I must hope better still,--at least we have yet
Baffled the long pursuit of Stralenheim. 100

_Wer._ We should have done, but for this fatal sickness;--
More fatal than a mortal malady,
Because it takes not life, but life's sole solace:
Even now I feel my spirit girt about
By the snares of this avaricious fiend:--
How do I know he hath not tracked us here?

_Jos._ He does not know thy person; and his spies,
Who so long watched thee, have been left at Hamburgh.
Our unexpected journey, and this change
Of name, leaves all discovery far behind: 110
None hold us here for aught save what we seem.

_Wer._ Save what we seem! save what we _are_--sick beggars,
Even to our very hopes.--Ha! ha!