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Stand'st thou so far behind? Speak to him, Lady; For in that battle he right nobly fought, And may, belike, wot of the friend you mention'd.

Aur. (going up eagerly to the young Knight.) Did'st thou there fight?—then surely thou did'st know The noble Ermingard, who from this isle With valiant Conrad went: What fate had he upon that dismal day?

Young Kt. Whate'er his fate in that fell fight might be, He now is as the dead.

Aur. Is as the dead! ha! then he is not dead: He's living still. O tell me—tell me this! Say he is still alive; and tho' he breathe In the foul pest-house; tho' a wretched wand'rer, Wounded and maim'd; yea, tho' his noble form With chains and stripes and slav'ry be disgraced, Say he is living still, and I will bless thee. Thou know'st—full well thou know'st, but wilt not speak. What means that heavy groan? For love of God, speak to me! My Ermingard! My blessed Ermingard! Thy very living self restored again! Why turn from me?

Er.Ah! call'st thou this restored?

Aur. Do I not grasp thy real living hand? Dear, dear!—so dear! most dear!—my lost, my found!