No More Learning

They staid in hope the damaged Cabriole
Might, with the dawn of day, have such repairs,
As circumstance admits of.

_Carl_. Nay--that's hopeless. 140
They must not only mend but draw it too.
The mules are drowned--a murrain on them both!
One kicked me as I would have helped him on.

_Stralenheim_. It is most irksome to me--this delay.
I was for Prague on business of great moment.

_Werner_. For Prague--Sir--Say you? --

_Stralenheim_. Yes, my host! for Prague.
And these vile floods and villainous cross roads
Steal my time from it's uses--but--my people?
Where do they shelter?

_Ulric_. In the boatman's shed,
Near to the ferry: you mistook the ford-- 150
Tis higher to the right:--their entertainment
Will be but rough--but 'tis a single night,
And they had best be guardians of the baggage.
The shed will hold the weather from their sleep,
The woodfire warm them--and, for beds, a cloak
Is swansdown to a seasoned traveller:
It has been mine for many a moon, and may
Tonight, for aught it recks me.

_Stralenheim_. And tomorrow
I must be on my journey--and betimes.
It is not more than three days travel, hence, 160
To Mansfeldt Castle.

_Werner and Ulric_. Mansfeldt Castle! --

_Stralenheim_. Aye!
For thither tends my progress--so, betimes,
Mine host I would be stirring--think of that!
And let me find my couch of rest at present.

_Werner_. You shall Sir--but--to Mansfeldt! --
[ULRIC _stops his father and says aside to him_,
_Silence--father--_
Whate'er it be that shakes you thus--_tread down_--
(_To Stralenheim_) My father, Sir, was born not far from Prague,
And knows it's environs--and, when he hears,
The name endeared to him by native thoughts,
He would ask of it, and it's habitants-- 170
You will excuse his plain blunt mode of question.