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8

No, Rudolph, Hartman, woo the maid thyself, If thou hast courage for it.

Hart. Yes, Theobald of Falkenstein, I will, And win her too; but all for thy behoof. And when I do present, as thou hast said, Those simple limbs, girt in their soldier's geer, Adding thy barren hills and ruin'd tower, With some few items more of gen'rous worth And native sense and manly fortitude, I'll give her in return for all that she Or any maid can in such barter yield, Its fair and ample worth.

Theo. So dost thou reckon.

Hart. And so will Orra. Do not shake thy head. I know the maid: for still she has received me As one who knew her noble father well, And in the bloody field in which he died Fought by his side with kind familiarity: And her stern guardian, viewing these grey hairs And this rough visage with no jealous eye, Hath still admitted it.I'll woo her for thee.

Theo. I do in truth believe thou mean'st me well.

Hart. And this is all thou say'st? Cold frozen words! What has bewitch'd thee, man? Is she not fair?

Theo. O fair indeed as woman need be form'd To please and be belov'd! Tho', to speak honestly, I've fairer seen; yet such a form as Orra's