The Eagle Otho to beat off assault. Fie! Fie! But I will be her guard myself; Herself, and all her sisterhood. She false ! Gersa. Peace! peace, old man! I cannot think she is. Ethelbert. Whom I have known from her first infancy, Baptised her in the bosom of the Church, Watch'd her, as anxious husbandmen the grain, You cannot credit such a monstrous tale. Gersa. I cannot. Take her. Fair Erminia, I follow you to Friedburg,-is 't not so? Erminia. Ay, so we purpose. Ethelbert. How's this? I marvel! Yet you look not mad. Daughter, do you so? Erminia. I have good news to tell you, Ethel bert. Gersa. Ho! ho, there! Guards! Your blessing, father! Sweet Erminia, Believe me, I am well nigh sure— Erminia. Short time will show. Farewell! [Enter Chiefs. Yes, father Ethelbert, I have news precious as we pass along. Ethelbert. Dear daughter, you shall guide me. Erminia. To no ill. Gersa. Command an escort to the Friedburg lines. [Exeunt Chiefs. Pray let me lead. Fair lady, forget not [Exeunt. ACT III. SCENE I.-The Country. Enter ALBERT. Albert. O that the earth were empty, as when Cain Had no perplexity to hide his head! Or that the sword of some brave enemy This the end Of an aspiring life! My boyhood past In feud with wolves and bears, when no eye saw Of honour 'mid the growling wilderness. The menial of Mars, and held a spear Put to the torture for confessional? Then the damn'd crime of blurting to the world I must confess, and cut my throat,-to-day? Enter SIGIFRED. Sigifred. A fine humour Albert. Who goes there? Count Sigifred? Ha! ha! Sigifred. What, man, do you mistake the hollow sky For a throng'd tavern,—and these stubbed trees For old serge hangings,-me, your humble friend, For a poor waiter? Why, man, how you stare! What gipsies have you been carousing with? No, no more wine; methinks you've had enough. Albert. You well may laugh and banter. What a fool An injury may make of a staid man ! You shall know all anon. Sigifred. Some tavern brawl? Albert. 'Twas with some people out of common reach; Revenge is difficult. Sigifred. I am your friend; We meet again to-day, and can confer Albert. Whither? Sigifred. To fetch King Gersa to the feast. The Emperor on this marriage is so hot, The very porters, as I pass'd the doors, Heard his loud laugh, and answer'd in full choir. From these bright revelries; go, show yourself, Albert. Ay, very like: Pray, what day has his Highness fix'd upon? Sigifred. For what? Albert. I mean? The marriage. What else can Sigifred. To-day. O, I forgot, you could not know; The news is scarce a minute old with me. Albert. Married to-day! To-day! You did not say so? [Exit. We'll meet upon our subject. Farewell, count! Sigifred. To this clear-headed Albert? He brain turn'd! 'Tis as portentous as a meteor. [Exit. SCENE II.-An Apartment in the Castle. [Enter as from the Marriage, OTHO, LUDOLPH, Auranthe, CONRAD, Nobles, Knights, Ladies, &c., &c., &c. Music. Otho. Now, Ludolph! Now, Auranthe! Daughter fair! What can I find to grace your nuptial day More than my love, and these wide realms in fee? |