but for fear
Your viands should be thrown away, I mean
To sup myself, and have a friend without
Who will do honour to your good cheer with
A traveller's appetite.

_Iden._ But are you sure
His Excellency----But his name: what is it?

_Gab._ I do not know.

_Iden._ And yet you saved his life.

_Gab._ I helped my friend to do so.

_Iden._ Well, that's strange,
To save a man's life whom you do not know.

_Gab._ Not so; for there are some I know so well, 280
I scarce should give myself the trouble.

_Iden._ Pray,
Good friend, and who may you be?

_Gab._ By my family,
Hungarian.

_Iden._ Which is called?

_Gab._ It matters little.

_Iden._ (_aside_). I think that all the world are grown anonymous,
Since no one cares to tell me what he's called!
Pray, has his Excellency a large suite?

_Gab._ Sufficient.

_Iden._ How many?

_Gab._ I did not count them.
We came up by mere accident, and just
In time to drag him through his carriage window.

_Iden._ Well, what would I give to save a great man! 290
No doubt you'll have a swingeing sum as recompense.

_Gab._ Perhaps.

_Iden._ Now, how much do you reckon on?

_Gab._ I have not yet put up myself to sale:
In the mean time, my best reward would be
A glass of your[166] Hockcheimer--a _green_ glass,
Wreathed with rich grapes and Bacchanal devices,
O'erflowing with the oldest of your vintage:
For which I promise you, in case you e'er
Run hazard of being drowned, (although I own
It seems, of all deaths, the least likely for you,) 300
I'll pull you out for nothing. Quick, my friend,
And think, for every bumper I shall quaff,
A wave the less may roll above your head.

_Iden._ (_aside_). I don't much like this fellow--close and dry
He seems,--two things which suit me not; however,
Wine he shall have; if that unlocks him not,
I shall not sleep to-night for curiosity. [_Exit_ IDENSTEIN.

_Gab._ (_to_ WERNER). This master of the ceremonies is
The intendant of the palace, I presume:
'Tis a fine building, but decayed.

_Wer._