The tale is
doubtless
worthy the relater.
Byron
_ (_looks at his father, and says_,) Let the man go on!
_Gab. _ I am unarmed, Count, bid your son lay down
His sabre.
_Ulr. _ (_offers it to him contemptuously_). Take it.
_Gab. _ No, sir, 'tis enough
That we are both unarmed--I would not choose
To wear a steel which may be stained with more 210
Blood than came there in battle.
_Ulr. _ (_casts the sabre from him in contempt_). It--or some
Such other weapon in my hand--spared yours
Once, when disarmed and at my mercy.
_Gab. _ True--
I have not forgotten it: you spared me for
Your own especial purpose--to sustain
An ignominy not my own.
_Ulr. _ Proceed.
The tale is doubtless worthy the relater.
But is it of my father to hear further? [_To_ SIEGENDORF.
_Sieg. _ (_takes his son by the hand_).
My son, I know my own innocence, and doubt not
Of yours--but I have promised this man patience; 220
Let him continue.
_Gab. _ I will not detain you,
By speaking of myself much: I began
Life early--and am what the world has made me.
At Frankfort on the Oder, where I passed
A winter in obscurity, it was
My chance at several places of resort
(Which I frequented sometimes, but not often)
To hear related a strange circumstance
In February last. A martial force,
Sent by the state, had, after strong resistance, 230
Secured a band of desperate men, supposed
Marauders from the hostile camp. --They proved,
However, not to be so--but banditti,
Whom either accident or enterprise
Had carried from their usual haunt--the forests
Which skirt Bohemia--even into Lusatia.
Many amongst them were reported of
High rank--and martial law slept for a time.
At last they were escorted o'er the frontiers,
And placed beneath the civil jurisdiction 240
Of the free town of Frankfort. Of _their_ fate
I know no more.
_Sieg. _ And what is this to Ulric?
_Gab. _ I am unarmed, Count, bid your son lay down
His sabre.
_Ulr. _ (_offers it to him contemptuously_). Take it.
_Gab. _ No, sir, 'tis enough
That we are both unarmed--I would not choose
To wear a steel which may be stained with more 210
Blood than came there in battle.
_Ulr. _ (_casts the sabre from him in contempt_). It--or some
Such other weapon in my hand--spared yours
Once, when disarmed and at my mercy.
_Gab. _ True--
I have not forgotten it: you spared me for
Your own especial purpose--to sustain
An ignominy not my own.
_Ulr. _ Proceed.
The tale is doubtless worthy the relater.
But is it of my father to hear further? [_To_ SIEGENDORF.
_Sieg. _ (_takes his son by the hand_).
My son, I know my own innocence, and doubt not
Of yours--but I have promised this man patience; 220
Let him continue.
_Gab. _ I will not detain you,
By speaking of myself much: I began
Life early--and am what the world has made me.
At Frankfort on the Oder, where I passed
A winter in obscurity, it was
My chance at several places of resort
(Which I frequented sometimes, but not often)
To hear related a strange circumstance
In February last. A martial force,
Sent by the state, had, after strong resistance, 230
Secured a band of desperate men, supposed
Marauders from the hostile camp. --They proved,
However, not to be so--but banditti,
Whom either accident or enterprise
Had carried from their usual haunt--the forests
Which skirt Bohemia--even into Lusatia.
Many amongst them were reported of
High rank--and martial law slept for a time.
At last they were escorted o'er the frontiers,
And placed beneath the civil jurisdiction 240
Of the free town of Frankfort. Of _their_ fate
I know no more.
_Sieg. _ And what is this to Ulric?
