him?

_Jos._ Nor doth he
Think as he speaks. Alas! long years of grief
Have made him sometimes thus.

_Ulr._ Explain to me
More clearly, then, these claims of Stralenheim,
That, when I see the subject in its bearings,
I may prepare to face him, or at least
To extricate you from your present perils.
I pledge myself to accomplish this--but would 170
I had arrived a few hours sooner!

_Jos._ Aye!
Hadst thou but done so!

_Enter_ GABOR _and_ IDENSTEIN, _with Attendants_.

_Gab._ (_to_ ULRIC). I have sought you, comrade.
So this is my reward!

_Ulr._ What do you mean?

_Gab._ 'Sdeath! have I lived to these years, and for this!
(_To_ IDENSTEIN.) But for your age and folly, I would----

_Iden._ Help!
Hands off! Touch an Intendant!

_Gab._ Do not think
I'll honour you so much as save your throat
From the Ravenstone[182] by choking you myself.

_Iden._ I thank you for the respite: but there are
Those who have greater need of it than me. 180

_Ulr._ Unriddle this vile wrangling, or----

_Gab._ At once, then,
The Baron has been robbed, and upon me
This worthy personage has deigned to fix
His kind suspicions--me! whom he ne'er saw
Till yester evening.

_Iden._ Wouldst have me suspect
My own acquaintances? You have to learn
That I keep better company.

_Gab._ You shall
Keep the best shortly, and the last for all men,
The worms! You hound of malice!
[GABOR _seizes on him_.

_Ulr._ (_interfering_). Nay, no violence:
He's old, unarmed--be temperate, Gabor!

_Gab._ (_letting go_ IDENSTEIN). True: 190
I am a fool to lose myself because
Fools deem me knave: it is their homage.

_Ulr._ (_to_ IDENSTEIN). How
Fare you?

_Iden._ Help!

_Ulr._ I _have_ helped you.

_Iden._ Kill him! then
I'll say so.

_Gab._ I am calm--live on!

_Iden._ That's more
Than