Hear as they pass the corner tower these words:
“Thou art Konrad! Heaven! Fate is now fulfilled!
Thou shalt be Master, that thou mayest destroy them!
Will they not recognise?—Thou hid’st in vain.
Though like the serpent’s were thy body changed,
Yet of the past would in thy soul remain
Many things still,—truly they cleave to me.
Though after burial thou shouldst return,
Then, even then, would the Crusaders know thee!”
The knights attend,—’tis the recluse’s voice;