Gersa. If I break not Too much upon your thoughtful mood, I will Ludolph. Soe'er, I shall be honor❜d. Gersa. For what cause I not less. Ludolph. What may it be? No trifle can take place Of such deliberate prologue, serious 'havior. But, be it what it may, I cannot fail To listen with no common interest; Gersa. As thus:-for, pardon me, I cannot, in plain terms, grossly assault Ludolph. I attend. Gersa. Your generous father, most illustrious Otho, His wine is bitter, for you are not there; And ev'ry passer in he frowns upon, Ludolph. I do neglect. Gersa. And for your absence may I guess the cause? Ludolph. Stay there! No-guess? More princely you must be Than to make guesses at me. I'm sorry I can hear no more. Gersa. "Tis enough. And I As grieved to force it on you so abrupt; Yet, one day, you must know a grief, whose sting Will sharpen more the longer 'tis conceal'd. Ludolph. Say it at once, sir! dead-dead—is she dead? Gersa. Mine is a cruel task: she is not dead, And would, for your sake, she were innocent. Ludolph. Hungarian! Thou amazest me beyond No wrinkles, where all vices nestle in Like crannied vermin-no! but fresh and young, Why shouldst join Confess-confess Gersa. Lie!-but begone all ceremonious points Of honor battailous! I could not turn My wrath against thee for the orbed world. Ludolph. Your wrath, weak boy? Tremble at mine, unless Retraction follow close upon the heels Of that late stounding insult! Why has my sword Not done already a sheer judgment on thee? Erminia, sir, was hidden in your tent,― Thou mak'st me boil as hot as thou canst flame! And in thy teeth I give thee back the lie! Thou liest! Thou, Auranthe's fool! A wittol! But shall indulge itself about thine heart! Draw! but remember thou must cower thy plumes, As yesterday the Arab made thee stoop. Gersa. Patience! Not here; I would not spill thy blood Here, underneath this roof where Otho breathes,Thy father, almost mine. Ludolph. O faltering coward! [Enter Page. Stay, stay; here is one I have half a word with. Well? What ails thee, child? I hasten'd back, your grieving messenger, I thought her dead, and on the lowest step Ludolph. Thy life answers the truth! The chamber's empty! Ludolph. As I will be of mercy! So, at last, This nail is in my temples! Gersa. Be calm in this. Ludolph. I am. Gersa. And Albert too has disappear'd; Ere I met you, I sought him every where; You would not hearken. Ludolph. Which way went they, boy? Gersa. I'll hunt with you. Ludolph. No, no, no. My senses are Still whole. I have survived. My arm is strong,— My appetite sharp-for revenge! I'll no sharer In my feast; my injury is all my own, And so is my revenge, my lawful chattels! Trace me their footsteps! Burn-burn the witch! [Exeunt. ACT V. SCENE I.-A part of the Forest. Enter CONRAD and AURANTHE. Auranthe. Go no further; not a step more. Conrad. Ay, and the man. Auranthe. Yes, he is there! Thou art Go, go,―no blood! no blood!-go, gentle Conrad! Conrad. Farewell! Auranthe. Farewell! For this Heaven pardon you! [Exit AURANTHE. then may I die Conrad. If he survive one hour, Enter LUDOLPH and Page. [Exit CONRAD. Ludolph. Miss'd the way, boy? Say not that on your peril! Page. Indeed, indeed I cannot trace them further. Stifled beneath the thick oppressive shade Of these dull boughs,—this oven of dark thickets,— A gnawing-silent-deadly, quiet death! She's gone! I cannot clutch her! no revenge! Enter ALBERT (wounded). Albert. Oh! for enough life to support me on The sword has done its worst; not without worst I see you know it all! Ludolph. Where is his sister? Enter AURANTHE. Auranthe. Albert! Ludolph. Ha! There! there!—He is the paramour !— There—hug him-dying! O, thou innocence, Shrine him and comfort him at his last gasp, Kiss down his eyelids! Was he not thy love? Wilt thou forsake him at his latest hour? |