A brace of toads, than league with them t' oppress

An innocent lady, gull an Emperor,
More generous to me than autumn sun
To ripening harvests.

Auranthe.
No more insult, sir!
Albert. Ay, clutch your scabbard; but,

for prudence sake,

Draw not the sword; 't would make an uproar, Duke,

You would not hear the end of. At nightfall

Your lady sister, if I guess aright,

170

Will leave this busy castle. You had best Take farewell too of worldly vanities. Conrad. Vassal!

Albert. To-morrow, when the Emperor sends

For loving Conrad, see you fawn on him. Good even!

Auranthe. You'll be seen! Albert. See the coast clear then. Auranthe (as he goes). Remorseless Albert! Cruel, cruel wretch! [She lets him out. Conrad. So, we must lick the dust? Auranthe. I follow him. Conrad. How? Where? The plan of your escape?

Page.

When anxiously

I hasten'd back, your grieving messenger, I found the stairs all dark, the lamps extinct,

And not a foot or whisper to be heard. 120 I thought her dead, and on the lowest step Sat listening; when presently came by Two muffled up, -one sighing heavily, The other cursing low, whose voice I knew For the Duke Conrad's. Close I follow'd them

Thro' the dark ways they chose to the open air;

And, as I follow'd, heard my lady speak.
Ludolph. Thy life answers the truth!
Page.
The chamber's empty!
Ludolph. As I will be of mercy! So, at

last,

This nail is in my temples!

Gersa.

Ludolph. I am.

129

Be calm in this.