No More Learning

_Gab. _ But how?

_Wer. _ (_showing the panel_). There is a secret spring:
Remember, I discovered it by chance,
And used it but for safety.

_Gab. _ Open it,
And I will use it for the same.

_Wer. _ I found it,
As I have said: it leads through winding walls,
(So thick as to bear paths within their ribs,
Yet lose no jot of strength or stateliness,)
And hollow cells, and obscure niches, to 90
I know not whither; you must not advance:
Give me your word.

_Gab. _ It is unecessary:
How should I make my way in darkness through
A Gothic labyrinth of unknown windings?

_Wer. _ Yes, but who knows to what place it may lead?
_I_ know not--(mark you! )--but who knows it might not
Lead even into the chamber of your foe?
So strangely were contrived these galleries
By our Teutonic fathers in old days,
When man built less against the elements 100
Than his next neighbour. You must not advance
Beyond the two first windings; if you do
(Albeit I never passed them,) I'll not answer
For what you may be led to.

_Gab. _ But I will.
A thousand thanks!

_Wer. _ You'll find the spring more obvious
On the other side; and, when you would return,
It yields to the least touch.

_Gab. _ I'll in--farewell!
[GABOR _goes in by the secret panel_.

_Wer. _ (_solus_). What have I done? Alas! what _had_ I done
Before to make this fearful? Let it be
Still some atonement that I save the man, 110
Whose sacrifice had saved perhaps my own--
They come!