et his, I exclaimed, 260
"This is the man!" though he was then, as since,
With the nobles of the city. I felt sure
I had not erred, and watched him long and nearly;
I noted down his form--his gesture--features,
Stature, and bearing--and amidst them all,
'Midst every natural and acquired distinction,
I could discern, methought, the assassin's eye
And gladiator's heart.

_Ulr._ (_smiling_). The tale sounds well.

_Gab._ And may sound better.--He appeared to me
One of those beings to whom Fortune bends, 270
As she doth to the daring--and on whom
The fates of others oft depend; besides,
An indescribable sensation drew me
Near to this man, as if my point of fortune
Was to be fixed by him.--There I was wrong.

_Sieg._ And may not be right now.

_Gab._ I followed him,
Solicited his notice--and obtained it--
Though not his friendship:--it was his intention
To leave the city privately--we left it
Together--and together we arrived 280
In the poor town where Werner was concealed,
And Stralenheim was succoured----Now we are on
The verge--_dare_ you hear further?

_Sieg._ I must do so--
Or I have heard too much.

_Gab._ I saw in you
A man above his station--and if not
So high, as now I find you, in my then
Conceptions, 'twas that I had rarely seen
Men such as you appeared in height of mind,
In the most high of worldly rank; you were
Poor, even to all save rags: I would have shared 290
My purse, though slender, with you--you refused it.

_Sieg._ Doth my refusal make a debt to you,
That thus you urge it?

_Gab._ Still you owe me something,
Though not for that; and I owed you my safety,
At least my seeming safety, when the slaves
Of Stralenheim pursued me on the grounds
That _I_ had robbed him.

_Sieg._ _I_ concealed you--I,
Whom and whose house you arraign, reviving viper!

_Gab._ I accuse no man--save in my defence.
You, Count, have made yourself accuser--judge: 300
Your hall's my court, your heart is my tribunal.
Be just, and _I'll_ be merciful!

_Sieg._ You merciful?--