THE MAN. If necessary, open the cellars of our counts and princes. Exit Jacob. THE MAN (_mounting some feet higher, and standing wider the banner upon a small terrace_). With the whole power of my eyes I trace your plans; with the concentrated hatred of my soul I surround you, my enemies! No longer with a single voice, or with a vain enthusiasm, am I to meet you; but with the sharp swords and strength of men governed by my will I seek our last encounter! It is a noble thing to be the leader in this contest; to look even from the bed of death, if so it must be, upon the strange power added to my own single arm through the many wills subjected to my rule; and glorious to gaze thus down upon you, my enemies, lying far below in the abyss and crying up to me from the depths, as the damned cry up to heaven! Yet a few hours more of time, and then I, with thousands of the miserable wretches who have forgotten and renounced their God, will be no more forever--but come what will, one day of life at least is left me--I will enjoy it to the utmost--I will rule--combat--live! Is this my last song? The sun sets behind the cliffs; sinks in a long, dark shroud of vapor--on every side his rays pour blood into the valley. Foreshadow of my bloody death, I greet thee with a more sincere and faithful heart than I was wont to salute the allurements of pleasure, deception, enchantment, love, in the past days of my youth! Not through low intrigue, through cunning skill, through laborious effort, have I attained the fulfilment of my wishes; but suddenly and unlocked for, as I have ever dreamed I would! Ruler over those who were but yesterday my equals, I have reached the aim of my ambition: I stand on the very threshold of the eternal sleep! * * * * * A hall in the castle lighted with torches; George reclining upon a bed; the Man enters, and places his weapons upon a table. THE MAN. Let a hundred men keep guard upon the bulwarks, the remainder may repose after our long and exhausting combat! VOICE (_without_). So help me God the Lord! THE MAN. You must have been frightened, George, with the noise of our attack, the firing of musketry, the cries of the soldiers! But keep up your courage, my child; we shall not be taken to-day, nor to-morrow. GEORGE. I have indeed heard it all distinctly, but it is not that which strikes terror to my heart; the thunder of the cannon flies on and is here no longer--it is something else that haunts me, that appals me, father! THE MAN. You fear for me, George? GEORGE. No. I know your hour has not yet struck. THE MAN. A heavy weight has fallen from my heart to-day, for in the plain below, scattered like autumn leaves, lie the corpses of our foes, foiled in their fierce attack. Come, George, we are alone, come! tell me all thy thronging thoughts; I will listen to thee once more as of old in our own home!