PRINCE WILLIAM. Save her, save her! If any promise, vow, or oath can serve. Oh trusting, tranquil Susskind, who estopped Your ears forewarned, bandaged your visioned eyes, To woo destruction! Stay! did he not speak Of amulet or talisman? These horrors Have crowded out my wits. Yea, the gold casket! What fixed serenity beamed from his brow, Laying the precious box within my hands! [He brings from the shelf the casket, and hands it to the Prior.] Deliver this unto the Prince my father, Nor lose one vital moment. What it holds, I guess not--but my light heart whispers me The jewel safety's locked beneath its lid. PRIOR. First I must foil such devil's tricks as lurk In its gem-crusted cabinet. PRINCE WILLIAM. Away! Deliverance posts on your return. I feel it. For your much comfort thanks. Good-night. PRIOR. Good-night. [Exit.] ACT III. A cell in the Wartburg Monastery. Enter PRIOR PEPPERCORN with the casket. PRIOR. So! Glittering shell where doubtless shines concealed An orient treasure fit to bribe a king, Ransom a prince and buy him for a son. I have baptized thee now before the altar, Effaced the Jew's contaminating touch, And I am free to claim the Church's tithe From thy receptacle. [He is about to unlock the casket, when enters Lay-Brother, and he hastily conceals it.] LAY-BROTHER. Peace be thine, father! PRIOR. Amen! and thine. What's new? LAY-BROTHER. A strange Flagellant Fresh come to Wartburg craves a word with thee. PRIOR. Bid him within. [Exit Lay-Brother. PRIOR places the casket in a Cabinet.] Patience! No hour of the day Brings freedom to the priest. Reenter Lay-Brother ushering in NORDMANN, and exit. Brother, all hail! Blessed be thou who comest in God's name! NORDMANN. May the Lord grant thee thine own prayer fourfold! PRIOR. What is thine errand? NORDMANN. Look at me, my father. Long since you called me friend. [The PRIOR looks at him attentively, while an expression of wonder and terror gradually overspreads his face.] PRIOR. Almighty God! The grave gives up her dead. Thou canst not be-- NORDMANN. Nordmann of Nordmannstein, the Knight of Treffurt. PRIOR. He was beheaded years agone. NORDMANN. His death Had been decreed, but in his stead a squire Clad in his garb and masked, paid bloody forfeit. A loyal wretch on whom the Prince wreaked vengeance, Rather than publish the true bird had flown. PRIOR. Does Frederick know thou art in Eisenach?