SPIEGEL. (With bitterness). What is that incubus preaching about? Was not the head already there before a single limb began to move? Follow me, comrades!     

       ROLLER. Gently, I say! even liberty must have its master. Rome and Sparta perished for want of a chief.     

       SPIEGEL. (in a wheedling manner). Yes,—stay—Roller is right. And he must have an enlightened head. Do you understand? A keen, politic head. Yes! when I think what you were only an hour ago, and what you are now, and that it is all owing to one happy thought. Yes, of course, you       must have a chief, and you'll own that he who struck out this idea may claim to have an enlightened and politic head?     

       ROLLER. If one could hope, if one could dream, but I fear he will not consent.     

       SPIEGEL. Why not? Speak out boldly, friend! Difficult as it may be to steer a laboring vessel against wind and tide, oppressive as may be the weight of a crown, speak your thought without hesitation, Roller! Perhaps he may be prevailed upon after all!     

       ROLLER. And if he does not the whole vessel will be crazy enough. Without Moor we are a "body without a soul."     

       SPIEGEL. (turning angrily from him). Dolt! blockhead!     

    (Enter CHARLES VON MOOR in violent agitation, stalking backwards and forwards, and speaking to himself.) 

       CHARLES VON M. Man—man! false, perfidious crocodile-brood! Your eyes are all tears, but your hearts steel! Kisses on your lips, but daggers couched in your bosoms! Even lions and tigers nourish their young. Ravens feast their brood on carrion, and he—he Malice I have learned to bear; and I can smile when my fellest enemy drinks to me in my own heart's blood; but when kindred turn traitors, when a father's love becomes a fury's hate; oh, then, let manly resignation give place to raging fire! the gentle lamb become a tiger! and every nerve strain itself to vengeance and destruction!     

       ROLLER. Hark ye, Moor! What think ye of it? A robber's life is pleasanter, after all, than to lie rotting on bread and water in the lowest dungeon of the castle?     

       CHARLES VON M. Why was not this spirit implanted in a 

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