Enter ETHELBERT and six Monks. Ethelbert. The benison of heaven on your head, Imperial Otho! Otho. Who stays me? Speak! Quick! Ethelbert. Pause but one moment, mighty conqueror Upon the threshold of this house of joy. Otho. Pray, do not prose, good Ethelbert, but speak What is your purpose. 190 Ethelbert. The restoration of some captive maids, Devoted to Heaven's pious ministries, Who, being driven from their religious cells, Conrad. Ho! let the music sound! 199 [Music. ETHELBERT raises his hands, as in benediction of ОTно. Exeunt severally. The scene closes on them. SCENE III.-The Country, with the Castle in the distance. Enter LUDOLPH and SIGIFRED. Ludolph. You have my secret; let it not be breath'd. Sigifred. Still give me leave to wonder that the Prince Ludolph and the swift Arab are the same; Still to rejoice that 'twas a German arm Death doing in a turban'd masquerade. Ludolph. The Emperor must not know it, Sigifred. Sigifred. I prythee, why? What happier hour of time Could thy pleas'd star point down upon from heaven With silver index, bidding thee make peace? Ludolph. Still it must not be known, good Sigifred; 193 Who, driven forth from their religious cells, Houghton. 11 The star may point oblique. Sigifred. Ludolph. Long toil'd in foreign wars, and whose high deeds Known only to his troop, hath greater plea 20 29 Sigifred. My lord, forgive me that I cannot see How this proud temper with clear reason squares. What made you then, with such an anxious love, Hover around that life, whose bitter days You vext with bad revolt? Was 't opium, Or the mad-fumed wine? Nay, do not frown, I rather would grieve with you than upbraid. Ludolph. I do believe you. No, 'twas not to make A father his son's debtor, or to heal His deep heart-sickness for a rebel child. 'Twas done in memory of my boyish days, Poor cancel for his kindness to my youth, For all his calming of my childish griefs, And all his smiles upon my merriment. No, not a thousand foughten fields could sponge Those days paternal from my memory, 40 Though now upon my head he heaps disgrace. 44-5 Ever will those bright days live in my heart Hath he not gall'd my spirit to the quick? Pour'd out a phial of wrath upon my faults? 50 Sigifred. Remember how he spar'd the rebel lords. Ludolph. Yes, yes, I know he hath a noble nature That cannot trample on the fallen. But his Is not the only proud heart in his realm. He hath wrong'd me, and I have done him wrong; He hath lov'd me, and I have shown him kindness; We should be almost equal. Sigifred. Yet, for all this, I would you had appear'd among those lords, And ta'en his favour. Ludolph. Ha! till now I thought My friend had held poor Ludolph's honour dear. What! would you have me sue before his throne And kiss the courtier's missal, its silk steps? Or hug the golden housings of his steed, Amid a camp, whose steeled swarms I dar'd But yesterday? And, at the trumpet sound, Bow like some unknown mercenary's flag, And lick the soiled grass? No, no, my friend, I would not, I, be pardon'd in the heap, And bless indemnity with all that scum,Those men I mean, who on my shoulders propp'd Their weak rebellion, winning me with lies, And pitying forsooth my many wrongs; Poor self-deceived wretches, who must think Each one himself a king in embryo, Because some dozen vassals cry'd-my lord! Cowards, who never knew their little hearts, Till flurried danger held the mirror up, And then they own'd themselves without a blush, 55 He hath a noble nature, well I know. MS., rejected. 66 steed] horse MS., cancelled. 60 70 80 And will be, for I love such fair disgrace. Sigifred. I know the clear truth; so would Otho see, For he is just and noble. Fain would I Be pleader for you Ludolph. I will encounter his thwart spleen myself, There will I be, a most unwelcome guest, Sigifred. Be not so rash; wait till his wrath shall Ludolph. She should be paler for my troublous days- 90 100 pass, 110 Have sworn divorcement 'twixt me and my right. Sigifred (aside). Auranthe! I had hop'd this whim had pass'd. Ludolph. And, Sigifred, with all his love of justice, When will he take that grandchild in his arms, That, by my love I swear, shall soon be his? 101 From mutual benefits MS., rejected. 112-13 Auranthe 'tis I mean, the Duke's fair sister 120 MS., cancelled. This reconcilement is impossible, For see-but who are these? Sigifred. They are messengers From our great emperor; to you, I doubt not, For couriers are abroad to seek you out. Enter THEODORE and Gonfred. Theodore. Seeing so many vigilant eyes explore The province to invite your highness back To your high dignities, we are too happy. Gonfred. We have no eloquence to colour justly The emperor's anxious wishes. Go. I follow you. Ludolph. [Exeunt THEODORE and GONFred. I play the prude: it is but venturing Why should he be so earnest? Come, my friend, Let us to Friedburg castle. 130 ACT II. SCENE I.-An Ante-chamber in the Castle. Enter LUDOLPH and SIGIFRED. Ludolph. No more advices, no more cautioning: I leave it all to fate-to any thing! I cannot square my conduct to time, place, Sigifred. 10 |