Yes, father Ethelbert, I have news precious as we pass along. Ethelbert. Dear daughter, you shall guide me. To no ill. Gersa. Command an escort to the Friedburg lines. Pray let me lead. Fair lady, forget not I follow you to Friedburg with all speed. [Exeunt Chiefs. [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 Had put a sudden stop to my hot breath, In feud with wolves and bears, when no eye saw Of honor 'mid the growling wilderness. Of shields upon the pavement, when bright mail'd Sway'd by command, as corn is by the wind? Is it for this, I now am lifed up My love of fame, my prided honesty Put to the torture for confessional ? Then the damn'd crime of blurting to the world Enter SIGIFRed. Sigifred. A fine humor 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. An injury may make of a staid man! You shall know all anon. Sigifred. Some tavern brawl? What a fool 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, Pray Heaven it end not in apoplexy! The very porters, as I pass'd the doors, Heard his loud laugh, and answer'd in full choir. I marvel, Albert, you delay so long From these bright revelries; go, show yourself, Albert. Ay, very like: Pray, what day has his Highness fix'd upon? Albert. The marriage. What else can I mean? 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? Sigifred. Now, while I speak to you, their comely heads Are bowed before the mitre. Albert. Sigifred. What is this? Albert. O! monstrous! Nothing, Sigifred. Farewell! [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? Ludolph. I have too much. Auranthe. And I, my liege, by far. Ludolph. Auranthe! I have! O, my bride, my love! Not all the gaze upon us can restrain My eyes, too long poor exiles from thy face, Auranthe. Spare, spare me, my Lord; I swoon else. Ludolph. Soft beauty! by to-morrow I should die, Wert thou not mine. 1st Lady. [They talk apart. How deep she has bewitch'd him! Auranthe. Nay, my Lord, I do not know. Good Franconia, You heard what oath I sware, as the sun rose, The cool wine, kiss'd off with a soldier's smack; Seems poverty. The heralds have prepared a royal lists; Your knights, found war-proof in the bloody field, Speed to the game. Otho. Ludolph. My lord! Well, Ludolph, what say you? And sing for my delight, I'd stop my ears! This earth, this palace, this room, Auranthe! I shall believe in wizard-woven loves Conrad. He'll be calm, anon. Yes, yes, yes, I offend. You call'd! You must forgive me: Not being quite recover'd from the stun Of your large bounties. A tourney, is it not? Conrad. The trumpets reach us. Ethelbert (without). Detain us! [A senet heard faintly. On your peril, sirs, No, 1st Voice (without). Let not the abbot pass. 2nd Voice (without). On your lives! 1st Voice (without). Holy father, you must not. Ethelbert (without). Otho! Otho. Ethelbert (without). Who calls on Otho ? Ethelbert! Otho. Let him come in. [Enter ETHELBERT leading in ERMINIA. Thou cursed abbot, why Hast brought pollution to our holy rites? Hast thou no fear of hangman, or the faggot? Ludolph. What portent-what strange prodigy is this? Albert has surely fail'd me! Away, thou guilty thing! Look at the Emperor's brow upon me bent! Ethelbert. A sad delay! Conrad. |