_I_ am _not_ the man. I'll meet your eye on that point,
As I can one day God's.

_Prior_. Nor did he die
By means, or men, or instrument of yours?

_Sieg._ No! by the God who sees and strikes!

_Prior_. Nor know you
Who slew him?

_Sieg._ I could only guess at _one_,
And he to me a stranger, unconnected,
As unemployed. Except by one day's knowledge,
I never saw the man who was suspected.

_Prior_. Then you are free from guilt.

_Sieg._ (_eagerly_). Oh! _am_ I?--say!

_Prior_. You have said so, and know best.

_Sieg._ Father! I have spoken 520
The truth, and nought but truth, if _not_ the _whole_;
Yet say I am _not_ guilty! for the blood
Of this man weighs on me, as if I shed it,
Though, by the Power who abhorreth human blood,
I did not!--nay, once spared it, when I might
And _could_--aye, perhaps, _should_ (if our self-safety
Be e'er excusable in such defences
Against the attacks of over-potent foes):
But pray for him, for me, and all my house;
For, as I said, though I be innocent,
I know not why, a like remorse is on me,
As if he had fallen by me or mine. Pray for me,
Father! I have prayed myself in vain.

_Prior_. I will.
Be comforted! You are innocent, and should
Be calm as innocence.

_Sieg._ But calmness is not
Always the attribute of innocence.
I feel it is not.

_Prior_. But it will be so,
When the mind gathers up its truth within it.
Remember the great festival to-morrow,
In which you rank amidst our chiefest nobles,
As well as your brave son; and smooth your aspect,
Nor in the general orison of thanks
For bloodshed stopt, let blood you shed not rise,
A cloud, upon your thoughts. This were to be
Too sensitive. Take comfort, and forget
Such things, and leave remorse unto the guilty. [_Exeunt_.

ACT V.

SCENE I.--_A large and magnificent Gothic Hall in the
Castle of Siegendorf, decorated with Trophies, Banners,
and Arms of that Family_.

_Enter_ ARNHEIM _and_ MEISTER, _attendants of_ COUNT SIEGENDORF.

_Arn._ Be quick! the Count will soon return: the