_Jos._ No! Look upon him! What do you see? _Wer._ A stripling, For the first time-- _Ulr._ (_kneeling_). For twelve long years, my father! _Wer._ Oh, God! _Jos._ He faints! _Wer._ No--I am better now-- 20 Ulric! (_Embraces him_.) _Ulr._ My father, Siegendorf! _Wer._ (_starting_). Hush! boy-- The walls may hear that name! _Ulr._ What then? _Wer._ Why, then-- But we will talk of that anon. Remember, I must be known here but as Werner. Come! Come to my arms again! Why, thou look'st all I should have been, and was not. Josephine! Sure 'tis no father's fondness dazzles me; But, had I seen that form amid ten thousand Youth of the choicest, my heart would have chosen This for my son! _Ulr._ And yet you knew me not! 30 _Wer._ Alas! I have had that upon my soul Which makes me look on all men with an eye That only knows the evil at first glance. _Ulr._ My memory served me far more fondly: I Have not forgotten aught; and oft-times in The proud and princely halls of--(I'll not name them, As you say that 'tis perilous)--but i' the pomp Of your sire's feudal mansion, I looked back To the Bohemian mountains many a sunset, And wept to see another day go down 40 O'er thee and me, with those huge hills between us. They shall not part us more. _Wer._ I know not that. Are you aware my father is no more? _Ulr._ Oh, Heavens! I left him in a green old age, And looking like the oak, worn, but still steady Amidst the elements, whilst younger trees Fell fast around him. 'Twas scarce three months since. _Wer._ Why did you leave him? _Jos._ (_embracing_ ULRIC). Can you ask that question? Is he not _here_? _Wer._ True; he hath sought his parents, And found them; but, oh! _how_, and in what state! 50 _Ulr._ All shall be bettered. What we have to do Is to proceed, and to assert our rights, Or rather yours; for I waive all, unless Your father has disposed in such a sort Of his broad lands as to make mine the foremost, So that I must prefer my claim for form: But I trust better, and that all is yours. _Wer._ Have you not heard of Stralenheim? _Ulr._ I saved His life but yesterday: he's here. _Wer._ You saved The serpent who will sting us all! _Ulr._ You speak 60 Riddles: what is this Stralenheim to us? _Wer._ Every thing. One who claims our father's lands: Our distant kinsman, and our nearest foe.