Enter ARNFeld.

ARNFELD.

Still here, and uncompanioned! I perceive

Some thought disturbs you.

HEINRICH.

Not so far beneath

The surface, but your tongue may safely launch

Its lightest word upon me.

ARNFELD.

I had rather

It sank to your heart's deep than idly floated.

HEINRICH.

Have you fresh tidings, then?

ARNFELD.

Nay, all is told.

We are ready for worse crops of dragon-teeth

Than yon rough soil can ripen ; but one doubt I have that craves your counsel.

HEINRICH.

What is that?

ARNFELD.

Whether 'tis safe to keep this treason locked
In our own minds, or wiser to divulge it,

At least to the Princess.

HEINRICH.

Divulge it not.

Let her first learn this peril was to pass

When past and over.

ARNFELD.

There the lover spoke,

And not the statesman.

Nay, sir, pardon me;

We are all lovers here of the Princess,

With your good leave; so let not that affront you. How if we fail through sheer self-confidence? Unwarned, what hinders that they tempt not death Outside the circuit of our sentinels,

While we lie ambushed idly?

HEINRICH.

Nay, the thieves

Have set their trap, and will abide their time, Nor for one victim risk the main revenge. Assume some danger, we may well forestall it. The Duke and Duchess seldom stir abroad; And, for their gracious daughter, if she stray Beyond our safeguard, as the time draws near, We must contrive some charm to lure her back.

ARNFELD.

Well, be it so.

HEINRICH.

It is the smaller peril ;

Else love, more strong than prudence in her heart,
Might wake her sire's suspicion, who would then,
With torrents of wild speech or violent act,
Blow to the wind both plot and counterplot,
And so drive back to dangerous despair
Whom secure hope had else made impotent.

ARNFELD.

Be it your charge, then, from to-morrow's dawn
To mark the steps of our fair prisoner;

I will attend upon their Highnesses.

Now, if your leisure serve, we will together

Draw from the range of o'er-observant eyes,
And in my private chamber more at length
Discourse the matter.

HEINRICH (moving off with Arnfeld).

Gladly; let us go.

Nine days from hence, he said? And you are sure The spy spake truth?

ARNFELD.

Nine days, and I am sure. [Exeunt.

Enter HELENE, CLARISSA, and CORCILIUS.

HELENE (to CORCILIUS).

Doubtless, but all this he has risked for me—
For me, you say, lost all.

CORCILIUS.

Madam, 'tis true.

HELENE.

True! Then I most in all the world, methinks,

Were graceless to upbraid him.

CORCILIUS.

You alone

In all the world can win him back to honour.

HELENE.

Tush, sir! I have no gift to plead with men

Upon assumed devotion to myself.

Hear what I have to say. We three ride hence
This very hour for Traumberg.

With your aid

I mean to win this dukedom back again.
Traitors are often cowards; it may be

At sight of you he will disgorge his lie
With what it purchased.

You have friends, you say.

Summon them; raise the city; let them know
Heinrich is living. I myself will lead

Their wives and sisters with what arms are ours—
Tears, prayers, reproaches—to uphold his cause.
Triumph is certain. Oh, that we were there!

CORCILIUS.

Brave lady, I am with you.

CLARISSA.

And I too.