Erminia. Aye, so we purpose. Ethelbert. Daughter, do you so? How's this? I marvel! Yet you look not mad. Your blessing, father! Sweet Erminia, 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. O ACT III. SCENE I.- The Country. Enter ALBERT. Albert. 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, And hurl'd me down the illimitable gulf In feud with wolves and bears, when no eye saw Of honour 'mid the growling wilderness; Of shields upon the pavement, when bright-mail'd 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 VOL. III. 19 For a throng'd tavern, and these stubbed trees An injury may make of a staid man! You shall know all anon. Sigifred. Some tavern brawl? Albert. 'T was with some people out of common reach; Revenge is difficult. Sigifred. I am your friend; We meet again to-day, and can confer 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, You may be made a duke. Albert. Pray, what day has his Ay, very like. What else can I mean? Albert. The marriage. 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 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! We'll meet upon our subject. Farewell, Count! [Exit. 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. 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. Auranthe. Nay, my lord, I do not know. Good Franconia, You heard what oath I sware, as the sun rose, That unless Heaven would send me back my son, My Arab,-no soft music should enrich The cool wine, kiss'd off with a soldier's smack; Now all my empire, barter'd for one feast, Seems poverty. Conrad. Upon the neighbour plain The heralds have prepared a royal lists; Your knights, found war-proof in the bloody field, |