_ If I e'er, in heart or mind, Conceived
deliberately such a thought,
But rather strove to trample back to hell
Such thoughts--if e'er they glared a moment through
The irritation of my oppressed spirit--
May Heaven be shut for ever from my hopes,
As from mine eyes!
Byron
_ Did not you _this_ night (as the night before)
Retrace the secret passage? Did you not
_Again_ revisit Stralenheim's chamber? and----
[ULRIC _pauses_.
_Wer._ Proceed.
_Ulr._ _Died_ he not by your hand?
_Wer._ Great God! 40
_Ulr._ You are innocent, then! my father's innocent!
Embrace me! Yes,--your tone--your look--yes, yes,--
Yet _say_ so.
_Wer.
_ If I e'er, in heart or mind, Conceived
deliberately such a thought,
But rather strove to trample back to hell
Such thoughts--if e'er they glared a moment through
The irritation of my oppressed spirit--
May Heaven be shut for ever from my hopes,
As from mine eyes!
_Ulr._ But Stralenheim is dead.
_Wer._ 'Tis horrible! 'tis hideous, as 'tis hateful!-- 50
But what have I to do with this?
_Ulr._ No bolt
Is forced; no violence can be detected,
Save on his body. Part of his own household
Have been alarmed; but as the Intendant is
Absent, I took upon myself the care
Of mustering the police. His chamber has,
Past doubt, been entered secretly. Excuse me,
If nature----
_Wer._ Oh, my boy! what unknown woes
Of dark fatality, like clouds, are gathering
Above our house!
