130
Up to this hall. Are you accomplices?
Or deal you in the black art?

_Wer._ I deal plainly,
To many men the blackest.

_Iden._ It may be
I have a question or two for yourself
Hereafter; but we must continue now
Our search for t'other.

_Wer._ You had best begin
Your inquisition now: I may not be
So patient always.

_Iden._ I should like to know,
In good sooth, if you really are the man
That Stralenheim's in quest of.

_Wer._ Insolent! 140
Said you not that he was not here?

_Iden._ Yes, _one_;
But there's another whom he tracks more keenly,
And soon, it may be, with authority
Both paramount to his and mine. But come!
Bustle, my boys! we are at fault.
[_Exit_ IDENSTEIN _and Attendants_.

_Wer._ In what
A maze hath my dim destiny involved me!
And one base sin hath done me less ill than
The leaving undone one far greater. Down,
Thou busy devil, rising in my heart!
Thou art too late! I'll nought to do with blood. 150

_Enter_ ULRIC.

_Ulr._ I sought you, father.

_Wer._ Is't not dangerous?

_Ulr._ No; Stralenheim is ignorant of all
Or any of the ties between us: more--
He sends me here a spy upon your actions,
Deeming me wholly his.

_Wer._ I cannot think it:
'Tis but a snare he winds about us both,
To swoop the sire and son at once.

_Ulr._ I cannot
Pause in each petty fear, and stumble at
The doubts that rise like briers in our path,
But must break through them, as an unarmed carle 160
Would, though with naked limbs, were the wolf rustling
In the same thicket where he hewed for bread.
Nets are for thrushes, eagles are not caught so:
We'll overfly or rend them.

_Wer._ Show me _how?_

_Ulr._ Can you not guess?

_Wer._ I cannot.

_Ulr._ That is strange.
Came the thought ne'er into your mind _last night_?

_Wer._ I understand you not.

_Ulr._ Then we shall