Thou touch-stone of
Philosophy
herself!
Byron
_ I can't say I did,
Though this looks like it: this is the true breeding
Of gentle blood!
_Wer. _ I have important reasons
For wishing to continue privily
My journey hence.
_Iden. _ So then _you are_ the man
Whom Stralenheim's in quest of?
_Wer. _ I am not;
But being taken for him might conduct
So much embarrassment to me just now,
And to the Baron's self hereafter--'tis 320
To spare both that I would avoid all bustle.
_Iden. _ Be you the man or no, 'tis not my business;
Besides, I never could obtain the half
From this proud, niggardly noble, who would raise
The country for some missing bits of coin,
And never offer a precise reward--[ct]
But _this! _--another look!
_Wer. _ Gaze on it freely;
At day-dawn it is yours.
_Iden. _ Oh, thou sweet sparkler!
Thou more than stone of the philosopher!
Thou touch-stone of Philosophy herself! 330
Thou bright eye of the Mine! thou loadstar of
The soul! the true magnetic Pole to which
All hearts point duly north, like trembling needles!
Thou flaming Spirit of the Earth! which, sitting
High on the Monarch's Diadem, attractest
More worship than the majesty who sweats
Beneath the crown which makes his head ache, like
Millions of hearts which bleed to lend it lustre!
Shalt thou be mine? I am, methinks, already
A little king, a lucky alchymist! -- 340
A wise magician, who has bound the devil
Without the forfeit of his soul. But come,
Werner, or what else?
_Wer. _ Call me Werner still;
You may yet know me by a loftier title.
_Iden. _ I do believe in thee! thou art the spirit
Of whom I long have dreamed in a low garb. --
But come, I'll serve thee; thou shalt be as free
As air, despite the waters; let us hence:
I'll show thee I am honest--(oh, thou jewel!
Though this looks like it: this is the true breeding
Of gentle blood!
_Wer. _ I have important reasons
For wishing to continue privily
My journey hence.
_Iden. _ So then _you are_ the man
Whom Stralenheim's in quest of?
_Wer. _ I am not;
But being taken for him might conduct
So much embarrassment to me just now,
And to the Baron's self hereafter--'tis 320
To spare both that I would avoid all bustle.
_Iden. _ Be you the man or no, 'tis not my business;
Besides, I never could obtain the half
From this proud, niggardly noble, who would raise
The country for some missing bits of coin,
And never offer a precise reward--[ct]
But _this! _--another look!
_Wer. _ Gaze on it freely;
At day-dawn it is yours.
_Iden. _ Oh, thou sweet sparkler!
Thou more than stone of the philosopher!
Thou touch-stone of Philosophy herself! 330
Thou bright eye of the Mine! thou loadstar of
The soul! the true magnetic Pole to which
All hearts point duly north, like trembling needles!
Thou flaming Spirit of the Earth! which, sitting
High on the Monarch's Diadem, attractest
More worship than the majesty who sweats
Beneath the crown which makes his head ache, like
Millions of hearts which bleed to lend it lustre!
Shalt thou be mine? I am, methinks, already
A little king, a lucky alchymist! -- 340
A wise magician, who has bound the devil
Without the forfeit of his soul. But come,
Werner, or what else?
_Wer. _ Call me Werner still;
You may yet know me by a loftier title.
_Iden. _ I do believe in thee! thou art the spirit
Of whom I long have dreamed in a low garb. --
But come, I'll serve thee; thou shalt be as free
As air, despite the waters; let us hence:
I'll show thee I am honest--(oh, thou jewel!
