ed chambers, on my rest, and snatch
The gold before my scarce-closed eyes, would soon
Leave bare your borough, Sir Intendant!

_Iden._ True;
If there were aught to carry off, my Lord.

_Ulr._ What is all this?

_Stral._ You joined us but this morning,
And have not heard that I was robbed last night.

_Ulr._ Some rumour of it reached me as I passed
The outer chambers of the palace, but
I know no further.

_Stral._ It is a strange business:
The Intendant can inform you of the facts. 230

_Iden._ Most willingly. You see----

_Stral._ (_impatiently_). Defer your tale,
Till certain of the hearer's patience.

_Iden._ That
Can only be approved by proofs. You see----

_Stral._ (_again interrupting him, and addressing_ ULRIC).
In short, I was asleep upon my chair,
My cabinet before me, with some gold
Upon it (more than I much like to lose,
Though in part only): some ingenious person
Contrived to glide through all my own attendants,
Besides those of the place, and bore away
A hundred golden ducats, which to find 240
I would be fain, and there's an end. Perhaps
You (as I still am rather faint) would add
To yesterday's great obligation, this,
Though slighter, yet not slight, to aid these men
(Who seem but lukewarm) in recovering it?

_Ulr._ Most willingly, and without loss of time--
(_To_ IDENSTEIN.) Come hither, mynheer!

_Iden._ But so much haste bodes
Right little speed, and----

_Ulr._ Standing motionless
None; so let's march: we'll talk as we go on.

_Iden._ But----

_Ulr._ Show the spot, and then I'll answer you. 250

_Fritz_. I will, sir, with his Excellency's leave.

_Stral._ Do so, and take yon old ass with you.

_Fritz_. Hence!

_Ulr._ Come on, old oracle, expound thy riddle!
[_Exit with_ IDENSTEIN _and_ FRITZ.

_Stral._ (_solus_). A stalwart, active, soldier-looking stripling,
Handsome as Hercules ere his first labour,
And with a brow of thought beyond his years
When in repose, till his eye kindles up
In answering yo