never
More understand each other. But to change
The topic----

_Wer._ You mean to _pursue_ it, as
'Tis of our safety.

_Ulr._ Right; I stand corrected. 170
I see the subject now more clearly, and
Our general situation in its bearings.
The waters are abating; a few hours
Will bring his summoned myrmidons from Frankfort,
When you will be a prisoner, perhaps worse,
And I an outcast, bastardised by practice
Of this same Baron to make way for him.

_Wer._ And now your remedy! I thought to escape
By means of this accursed gold; but now
I dare not use it, show it, scarce look on it. 180
Methinks it wears upon its face my guilt
For motto, not the mintage of the state;
And, for the sovereign's head, my own begirt
With hissing snakes, which curl around my temples,
And cry to all beholders, Lo! a villain!

_Ulr._ You must not use it, at least now; but take
This ring. [_He gives_ WERNER _a jewel_.

_Wer._ A gem! It was my father's!

_Ulr._ And
As such is now your own. With this you must
Bribe the Intendant for his old caleche
And horses to pursue your route at sunrise, 190
Together with my mother.

_Wer._ And leave you,
So lately found, in peril too?

_Ulr._ Fear nothing!
The only fear were if we fled together,
For that would make our ties beyond all doubt.
The waters only lie in flood between
This burgh and Frankfort: so far's in our favour
The route on to Bohemia, though encumbered,
Is not impassable; and when you gain
A few hours' start, the difficulties will be
The same to your pursuers. Once beyond 200
The frontier, and you're safe.

_Wer._ My noble boy!

_Ulr._ Hush! hush! no transports: we'll indulge in them
In Castle Siegendorf! Display no gold:
Show Idenstein the gem (I know the man,
And have looked through him): it will answer thus
A double purpose. Stralenheim lost _gold_--
_No_ jewel: therefore it could _not_ be his;
And then the man who was possest of this
Can hardly be suspected of abstracting
The Baron's coin, when he could thus convert 21