Egad! I am afraid. You look as if I ask'd 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 Here in the prince's palace-(to be sure, His highness had resign'd 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. 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 WER. To yours? Jos. Oh, yes; we are, but distantly. Cannot you humour the dull gossip till [Aside to WER. We learn his purpose? IDEN. Well, I'm glad of that; I thought so all along, such natural yearnings Play'd round my heart-blood is not water, cousin ; And so let's have some wine, and drink unto Our better acquaintance: relatives should be WER. You appear to have drank enough already, And if you had not, I've no wine to offer, Else it were yours; but this you know, or should know: You see I am poor, and sick, and will not see That I would be alone; but to your business! What brings you here? IDEN. Why, what should bring me here? WER. I know not, though I think that I could guess That which will send you hence. Jos. (aside). Patience, dear Werner! How should we? IDEN. You don't know what has happen'd, then? Jos. IDEN. The river has o'erflowed. Jos. Alas! we have known That to our sorrow, for these five days; since It keeps us here. IDEN. But what you don't know is, That a great personage, who fain would cross Jos. Poor creatures! are you sure? Yes, of the monkey, And the valet, and the cattle; but as yet Who, at their proper peril, snatch'd him from The whirling river, have sent on to crave A lodging, or a grave, according as It may turn out with the live or dead body. Jos. And where will you receive him? here, I hope, If we can be of service-say the word. IDEN. Here? no; but in the prince's own apartment, As fits a noble guest:-'tis damp, no doubt, But then he comes from a much damper place, So scarcely will catch cold in't, if he be Still liable to cold-and if not, why He'll be worse lodged to-morrow: ne'ertheless, I have order'd fire and all appliances To be got ready for the worst-that is, In case he should survive. Jos. Poor gentleman! Intendant, I hope he will with all my heart. WER. Have you not learn'd his name? My Josephine, [Aside to his wife. Retire, I'll sift this fool. [Exit JOSEPHINE. IDEN. His name? oh Lord! Who knows if he hath now a name or no; 'Tis time enough to ask it when he's able To give an answer, or if not, to put His heir's upon his epitaph. Methought Just now you chid me for demanding names? WER. True, true, I did so; you say well and wisely. Enter GABOR. Oh, no intrusion! GAB. If I intrude, I crave IDEN. This is the palace; this a stranger like andr tras Yourself; I pray you make yourself at home: But where's his excellency, and how fares he? GAB. Wetly and wearily, but out of peril; He paused to change his garments in a cottage, (Where I doff'd mine for these, and came on hither) And has almost recover'd from his drenching. He will be here anon. IDEN. What ho, there! bustle! Without there, Herman, Weilburg, Peter, Conrad! [Gives directions to different servants who enter. A nobleman sleeps here to-night-see that All is in order in the damask chamber Keep up the stove-I will myself to the cellar- To say the truth, they are marvellous scant of this Left it some dozen years ago. And then His excellency will sup, doubtless? GAB. Faith! I cannot tell; but I should think the pillow |