_Jos._ It would be Not easy to persuade my consort of 660 Your good intentions. _Gab._ Is he so suspicious? _Jos._ He was not once; but time and troubles have Made him what you beheld. _Gab._ I'm sorry for it. Suspicion is a heavy armour, and With its own weight impedes more than protects. Good night! I trust to meet with him at day-break. [_Exit_ GABOR. _Re-enter_ IDENSTEIN _and some Peasants_. JOSEPHINE _retires up the Hall_. _First Peasant_. But if I'm drowned? _Iden._ Why, you will be well paid for 't, And have risked more than drowning for as much, I doubt not. _Second Peasant_. But our wives and families? _Iden._ Cannot be worse off than they are, and may 670 Be better. _Third Peasant_. I have neither, and will venture. _Iden._ That's right. A gallant carle, and fit to be A soldier. I'll promote you to the ranks In the Prince's body-guard--if you succeed: And you shall have besides, in sparkling coin, Two thalers. _Third Peasant_. No more! _Iden._ Out upon your avarice! Can that low vice alloy so much ambition? I tell thee, fellow, that two thalers in Small change will subdivide into a treasure. Do not five hundred thousand heroes daily 680 Risk lives and souls for the tithe of one thaler? When had you half the sum? _Third Peasant_. Never--but ne'er The less I must have three. _Iden._ Have you forgot Whose vassal you were born, knave? _Third Peasant_. No--the Prince's, And not the stranger's. _Iden._ Sirrah! in the Prince's Absence, I am sovereign; and the Baron is My intimate connection;--"Cousin Idenstein! (Quoth he) you'll order out a dozen villains." And so, you villains! troop--march--march, I say; And if a single dog's ear of this packet 690 Be sprinkled by the Oder--look to it! For every page of paper, shall a hide Of yours be stretched as parchment on a drum, Like Ziska's skin,[169] to beat alarm to all Refractory vassals, who can not effect Impossibilities.--Away, ye earth-worms! [_Exit, driving them out_.