His most uneasy moments, when cold death Stands with the door ajar to let him in? Albert. O that that door with hollow slam would close Upon me sudden! for I cannot meet, In all the unknown chambers of the dead, Such horrors! Ludolph. Auranthe! what can he mean? What horrors? Is it not a joyous time? "Of personal beauty and untainted soul ?" Albert. Alas! poor Prince, I would you knew my heart! "Tis not so guilty Ludolph. Hear, he pleads not guilty! You are not? or, if so, what matters it? I cannot catch you! You should laugh at me, I have you! Whither wander those fair eyes Albert: Sometimes the counsel of a dying man Are equal shared, and mercy is When one can compass it. Auranthe, try [ALBERT dies. There goes a spotted soul Howling in vain along the hollow night! Hear him! He calls you-sweet Auranthe, come! Ludolph. No! What? Upon our marriage-night? The earth would shudder at so foul a deed! A fair bride! A sweet bride! An innocent bride! In times of delicate brilliant ceremony: Come, let me lead you to our halls again! Nay, linger not; make no resistance, sweet ;- [Exeunt. SCENE III.-An inner Court of the Castle. Enter SIGIFRED, GONFRED, and THEODORE, meeting. 1st Knight. Was ever such a night? Sigifred. What horrors more? Things unbelieved one hour, so strange they are, 1st Knight. Gonfred. After the page's story of the death Of Albert and Duke Conrad ? 1st Knight. Where are they now? Hast yet heard? 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 hushed as death. Gonfred. The next our poor Prince fills the arched rooms With ghastly ravings. 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 ? Erminia. Would I were with the saints to pray 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, help his spirits ? I will! Who hinders me? Who's Emperor? Physician. You may not, Sire; 'twould overwhelm him quite, He is so full of grief and passionate wrath; Too heavy a sigh would kill him, or do worse. He must be saved by fine contrivances; And, most especially, we must keep clear We must endeavor how to ease and slacken Otho. Enough! I hear, I hear. Ethelbert. This learned doctor will agree with me, Physician. There are no other means. 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! Otho. Let, let me hear his voice; this cannot last : Though my own knell they be! This cannot last! A whisper in this silence that he's dead! It is so! Gersa? Enter GERSA. Physician. Say, how fares the prince? 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! [Exit GERSA. Physician. This should cheer up your Highness; weari ness Is a good symptom, and most favorable; It gives me pleasant hopes. Please you, walk forth 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 tantalized, 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? The prince from A to Z, though it should be To set the place in flames. I pray, hast heard 1st Knight. There, sir, In the next room; have you remark'd those two Stout soldiers posted at the door? Gonfred. For what? [They whisper. 2nd Lady. Sure this should be some splendid burial. 1st Lady. How ghast a train! 1st Lady. What fearful whispering! See, see,-Gersa there! |