R _as_ COUNT SIEGENDORF.

_Ulr._ My father, I salute you, and it grieves me
With such brief greeting.--You have heard our bugle;
The vassals wait.

_Sieg._ So let them.--You forget
To-morrow is the appointed festival
In Prague[198] for peace restored. You are apt to follow
The chase with such an ardour as will scarce
Permit you to return to-day, or if
Returned, too much fatigued to join to-morrow
The nobles in our marshalled ranks.

_Ulr._ You, Count, 240
Will well supply the place of both--I am not
A lover of these pageantries.

_Sieg._ No, Ulric;
It were not well that you alone of all
Our young nobility----

_Ida._ And far the noblest
In aspect and demeanour.

_Sieg._ (_to_ IDA). True, dear child,
Though somewhat frankly said for a fair damsel.--
But, Ulric, recollect too our position,
So lately reinstated in our honours.
Believe me, 'twould be marked in any house,
But most in _ours_, that ONE should be found wanting 250
At such a time and place. Besides, the Heaven
Which gave us back our own, in the same moment
It spread its peace o'er all, hath double claims
On us for thanksgiving: first, for our country;
And next, that we are here to share its blessings.

_Ulr._ (_aside_). Devout, too! Well, sir, I obey at once.
(_Then aloud to a servant_.)
Ludwig, dismiss the train without!
[_Exit_ LUDWIG.
_Ida._ And so
You yield, at once, to him what I for hours
Might supplicate in vain.

_Sieg._ (_smiling_). You are not jealous
Of me, I trust, my pretty rebel! who 260
Would sanction disobedience against all
Except thyself? But fear not; thou shalt rule him
Hereafter with a fonder sway and firmer.

_Ida._ But I should like to govern _now_.

_Sieg._ You shall,
Your _harp_, which by the way awaits you with
The Countess in her chamber. She complains
That you are a sad truant to your music:
She attends you.

_Ida._ Then good morrow, my kind kinsmen!
Ulric, you'll come and hear me?

_Ulr._ By and by.

_Ida._ Be s