No More Learning

_Gab. _ True--
I have not forgotten it: you spared me for
Your own especial purpose--to sustain
An ignominy not my own.

_Ulr. _ Proceed.
The tale is doubtless worthy the relater.
But is it of my father to hear further? [_To_ SIEGENDORF.

_Sieg. _ (_takes his son by the hand_).
My son, I know my own innocence, and doubt not
Of yours--but I have promised this man patience; 220
Let him continue.

_Gab. _ I will not detain you,
By speaking of myself much: I began
Life early--and am what the world has made me.
At Frankfort on the Oder, where I passed
A winter in obscurity, it was
My chance at several places of resort
(Which I frequented sometimes, but not often)
To hear related a strange circumstance
In February last. A martial force,
Sent by the state, had, after strong resistance, 230
Secured a band of desperate men, supposed
Marauders from the hostile camp. --They proved,
However, not to be so--but banditti,
Whom either accident or enterprise
Had carried from their usual haunt--the forests
Which skirt Bohemia--even into Lusatia.
Many amongst them were reported of
High rank--and martial law slept for a time.
At last they were escorted o'er the frontiers,
And placed beneath the civil jurisdiction 240
Of the free town of Frankfort. Of _their_ fate
I know no more.

_Sieg. _ And what is this to Ulric?

_Gab. _ Amongst them there was said to be one man
Of wonderful endowments:--birth and fortune,
Youth, strength, and beauty, almost superhuman,
And courage as unrivalled, were proclaimed
His by the public rumour; and his sway,
Not only over his associates, but
His judges, was attributed to witchcraft,
Such was his influence:--I have no great faith 250
In any magic save that of the mine--
I therefore deemed him wealthy. --But my soul
Was roused with various feelings to seek out
This prodigy, if only to behold him.

_Sieg. _ And did you so?

_Gab. _ You'll hear. Chance favoured me:
A popular affray in the public square
Drew crowds together--it was one of those
Occasions where men's souls look out of them,
And show them as they are--even in their faces:
The moment my eye met his, I exclaimed, 260
"This is the man! " though he was then, as since,
With the nobles of the city. I felt sure
I had not erred, and watched him long and nearly;
I noted down his form--his gesture--features,
Stature, and bearing--and amidst them all,
'Midst every natural and acquired distinction,
I could discern, methought, the assassin's eye
And gladiator's heart.

_Ulr.