1st Knight. There, sir, In the next room; have you remark'd those two Stout soldiers posted at the door? Gonfred. For what? [They whisper. 1st Lady. How ghast a train! 2nd Lady. Sure this should be some splendid burial. 1st Lady. What fearful whispering! See, see, Gersa there! Enter GERSA. Gersa. Put on your brightest looks; smile if you can; Behave as all were happy; keep your eyes Without surprise, his questions, howe'er strange. Enter LUDOLPH, followed by SIGIFRED and Page. here! I should have Orphean lips, and Plato's fancy, Or the deep key of Jove's sonorous mouth, And panting fountains quivering with deep glows! Sigifred. My Lord, "Tis late; the lights of festival are ever Quench'd in the morn. We did not tilt each other, that's a blessing,- Ludolph. There should be three more here: For two of them, they stay away perhaps, Being gloomy-minded, haters of fair revels, They know their own thoughts best. As for the third, Deep blue eyes, semi-shaded in white lids, Finish'd with lashes fine for more soft shade, She is the world's chief jewel, and, by heaven, A summoner, she will obey my call, To herald and receive her; let me hear! Sigifred. Bid the musicians soothe him tenderly. [A soft strain of Music. Ludolph. Ye have none better? content; No, I am 'Tis a rich sobbing melody, with reliefs from me, Most piteous indeed! Ludolph. She shall be brought before this company, And then-then 1st Lady. He muses. Gersa. O, Fortune, where will this end? Sigifred. I guess his purpose! Indeed he must not have That pestilence brought in,-that cannot be, There we must stop him. Gersa. He is about to rave again. I am lost! Hush, hush! Ludolph. A barrier of guilt! I was the fool, She was the cheater! Who 's the cheater now, And who the fool? The entrapp'd, the caged fool, The bird-limed raven? She shall croak to death Secure! Methinks I have her in my fist, To crush her with my heel! Wait, wait! I marvel My father keeps away. Good friend-ah! Sigifred? Do bring him to me,-and Erminia, I fain would see before I sleep-and Ethelbert, That he may bless me, as I know he will, Though I have cursed him. Sigifred. To lead you to them. Ludolph. Rather suffer me No, excuse me,-no! The day is not quite done. Go, bring them hither. [Exit SIGIFRED. |