e dear.

_Gab._ I heard
Of your late loss; but 'tis a trifle to
One of your order.

_Stral._ You would hardly think so,
Were the loss yours.

_Gab._ I never had so much
(At once) in my whole life, and therefore am not
Fit to decide. But I came here to seek you.
Your couriers are turned back--I have outstripped them,
In my return.

_Stral._ You!--Why?

_Gab._ I went at daybreak, 310
To watch for the abatement of the river,
As being anxious to resume my journey.
Your messengers were all checked like myself;
And, seeing the case hopeless, I await
The current's pleasure.

_Stral._ Would the dogs were in it!
Why did they not, at least, attempt the passage?
I ordered this at all risks.

_Gab._ Could you order
The Oder to divide, as Moses did
The Red Sea (scarcely redder than the flood
Of the swoln stream), and be obeyed, perhaps 320
They might have ventured.

_Stral._ I must see to it:
The knaves! the slaves!--but they shall smart for this.
[_Exit_ STRALENHEIM.

_Gab._ (_solus_). There goes my noble, feudal, self-willed Baron!
Epitome of what brave chivalry
The preux Chevaliers of the good old times
Have left us. Yesterday he would have given
His lands[175] (if he hath any), and, still dearer,
His sixteen quarterings, for as much fresh air
As would have filled a bladder, while he lay
Gurgling and foaming half way through the window 330
Of his o'erset and water-logged conveyance;
And now he storms at half a dozen wretches
Because they love their lives too! Yet, he's right:
'Tis strange they should, when such as he may put them
To hazard at his pleasure. Oh, thou world!
Thou art indeed a melancholy jest! [_Exit_ GABOR.

SCENE II.--_The Apartment of_ WERNER, _in the Palace_.

_Enter_ JOSEPHINE _and_ ULRIC.

_Jos._ Stand back, and let me look on thee again!
My Ulric!--my beloved!--can it be--
After twelve years?

_Ulr._ My dearest mother!

_Jos._ Yes!
My dream is realised--how beautif