Gonfred. After the page's story of the death Of Albert and Duke Conrad ? Sigifred. Of Ludolph with the Princess. Gonfred. And the return No more, save Prince Gersa's freeing Abbot Ethelbert, And the sweet lady, fair Erminia, From prison. 1st Knight. Where are they now? heard? Hast yet Gonfred. With the sad Emperor they are closeted ; I saw the three pass slowly up the stairs, The lady weeping, the old abbot cowl'd. Sigifred. What next? 1st Knight. Gonfred. I ache to think on't. "Tis with fate. 1st Knight. One while these proud towers are hush'd as death. Gonfred. The next our poor Prince fills the arched rooms With ghastly ravings. Sigifred. I do fear his brain. Gonfred. I will see more. Bear you so stout a heart? [Exeunt into the Castle. SCENE IV.-A Cabinet, opening towards a Terrace. OTHO, ERMINIA, ETHELBERT, and a Physician, discovered. Otho. O, my poor boy! My son! My son! My Ludolph! Have ye no comfort for me, ye physicians Of the weak body and soul? Ethelbert. 'Tis not in medicine, Either of heaven or earth, to cure, unless Fit time be chosen to administer. Otho. A kind forbearance, holy abbot. Come, Erminia; here, sit by me, gentle girl; Give me thy hand; hast thou forgiven me ? for you! Otho. Why will ye keep me from my darling child? Physician. Forgive me, but he must not see thy face. Otho. Is then a father's countenance a Gorgon? Hath it not comfort in it? Would it not Console my poor boy, cheer him, heal his spirits? He is so full of grief and passionate wrath; Ethelbert. Sage advice; We must endeavour how to ease and slacken The tight-wound energies of his despair, Not make them tenser. Otho. Enough! I hear, I hear. Yet you were about to advise more,-I listen. Ethelbert. This learned doctor will agree with me, That not in the smallest point should he be thwarted, Or gainsaid by one word; his very motions, Nods, becks, and hints, should be obey'd with care, Even on the moment; so his troubled mind May cure itself. Physician. There are no other means. Otho. Open the door; let's hear if all is quiet. Erminia. Otho. Do, do. I command! Open it straight;-hush!—quiet!—my lost boy! My miserable child! Ludolph (indistinctly without). Fill, fill my goblet, -here's a health! Erminia. O, close the door! Otho. Let, let me hear his voice; this cannot last; And fain would I catch up his dying words, Though my own knell they be! This cannot last! O let me catch his voice-for lo! I hear A whisper in this silence that he 's dead! It is so! Gersa? Enter GERSA. Say, how fares the prince? Physician. Gersa. More calm; his features are less wild and flush'd; Once he complain'd of weariness. Physician. Indeed! "Tis good,-'tis good; let him but fall asleep, That saves him. Otho. Gersa, watch him like a child; Ward him from harm,—and bring me better news! Physician. Humour him to the height. I fear to go; For should he catch a glimpse of my dull garb, Physician. This should cheer up your Highness; weariness Is a good symptom, and most favourable; It gives me pleasant hopes. Please you, walk forth Upon the terrace; the refreshing air Will blow one half of your sad doubts away. [Exeunt. SCENE V.-A Banqueting Hall, brilliantly illuminated, and set forth with all costly magnificence, with Supper-tables, laden with services of Gold and Silver. A door in the back scene, guarded by two Soldiers. Lords, Ladies, Knights, Gentlemen, &c., whispering sadly, and ranging themselves; part entering and part discovered. 1st Knight. Grievously are we tantalised, one and all; Sway'd here and there, commanded to and fro, As though we were the shadows of a sleep, And link'd to a dreaming fancy. What do we here? Gonfred. I am no seer; you know we must obey The prince from A to Z, though it should be To set the place in flames. I pray, hast heard |