e, if once we were 250
Admitted to our lands?

_Wer._ Assuredly,
Situate as we are now; although the first
Possessor might, as usual, prove the strongest--
Especially the next in blood.

_Ulr._ _Blood_! 'tis
A word of many meanings; in the veins,
And out of them, it is a different thing--
And so it should be, when the same in blood
(As it is called) are aliens to each other,
Like Theban brethren:[187] when a part is bad,
A few spilt ounces purify the rest. 260

_Wer._ I do not apprehend you.

_Ulr._ That may be--
And should, perhaps--and yet--but get ye ready;
You and my mother must away to-night.
Here comes the Intendant: sound him with the gem;
'Twill sink into his venal soul like lead
Into the deep, and bring up slime and mud,
And ooze, too, from the bottom, as the lead doth
With its greased understratum;[188] but no less
Will serve to warn our vessels through these shoals.
The freight is rich, so heave the line in time! 270
Farewell! I scarce have time, but yet your _hand_,
My father!----

_Wer._ Let me embrace thee!

_Ulr._ We may be
Observed: subdue your nature to the hour!
Keep off from me as from your foe!

_Wer._ Accursed
Be he who is the stifling cause which smothers
The best and sweetest feeling of our hearts;
At such an hour too!

_Ulr._ Yes, curse--it will ease you!
Here is the Intendant.

_Enter_ IDENSTEIN.

_Ulr._ Master Idenstein,
How fare you in your purpose? Have you caught
The rogue?

_Iden._ No, faith!

_Ulr._ Well, there are plenty more: 280
You may have better luck another chase.
Where is the Baron?

_Iden._ Gone back to his chamber:
And now I think on't, asking after you
With nobly-born impatience.

_Ulr._ Your great men
Must be answered on the instant, as the bound
Of the stung steed replies unto the spur:
'Tis well they have horses, too; for if they had not,
I fear that men must draw their chariots, as
They say kings did Sesostris[189].

_Iden.