_Jos._ Hark! _Wer._ A knocking! _Jos._ Who can it be at this lone hour? We have Few visitors. _Wer._ And poverty hath none, Save those who come to make it poorer still. Well--I am prepared. [WERNER _puts his hand into his bosom, as if to search for some weapon_. _Jos._ Oh! do not look so. I Will to the door. It cannot be of import 170 In this lone spot of wintry desolation:-- The very desert saves man from mankind. [_She goes to the door_. _Enter_ IDENSTEIN. _Iden._ A fair good evening to my fair hostess And worthy----What's your name, my friend? _Wer._ Are you Not afraid to demand it? _Iden._ Not afraid? Egad! I am afraid. You look as if I asked 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 180 Here in the prince's palace--(to be sure, His Highness had resigned 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[162]. _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 The same. He is an officer of trust, 190 Surgeon's assistant (hoping to be surgeon), And has done miracles i' the way of business. Perhaps you are related to my relative? _Wer._ To yours? _Jos._ Oh, yes; we are, but distantly. (_Aside to_ WERNER.) Cannot you humour the dull gossip till We learn his purpose? _Iden._ Well, I'm glad of that; I thought so all along, such natural yearnings Played round my heart:--blood is not water, cousin; And so let's have some wine, and drink unto Our better acquaintance: relatives should be 200 Friends. _Wer._ You appear to have drunk enough already; And if you have 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! _Iden._ You don't know what has happened, then?