No More Learning

[_She goes to the door_.

_Enter_ IDENSTEIN.

_Iden. _ A fair good evening to my fair hostess
And worthy----What's your name, my friend?

_Wer. _ Are you
Not afraid to demand it?

_Iden. _ Not afraid?
Egad! I am afraid. You look as if
I asked for something better than your name,
By the face you put on it.

_Wer. _ Better, sir!

_Iden. _ Better or worse, like matrimony: what
Shall I say more?
You have been a guest this month 180
Here in the prince's palace--(to be sure,
His Highness had resigned it to the ghosts
And rats these twelve years--but 'tis still a palace)--
I say you have been our lodger, and as yet
We do not know your name.

_Wer. _ My name is Werner[162].

_Iden. _ A goodly name, a very worthy name,
As e'er was gilt upon a trader's board:
I have a cousin in the lazaretto
Of Hamburgh, who has got a wife who bore
The same. He is an officer of trust, 190
Surgeon's assistant (hoping to be surgeon),
And has done miracles i' the way of business.
Perhaps you are related to my relative?

_Wer. _ To yours?

_Jos. _ Oh, yes; we are, but distantly.
(_Aside to_ WERNER. ) Cannot you humour the dull gossip till
We learn his purpose?

_Iden. _ Well, I'm glad of that;
I thought so all along, such natural yearnings
Played round my heart:--blood is not water, cousin;
And so let's have some wine, and drink unto
Our better acquaintance: relatives should be 200
Friends.

_Wer.