The courtliest inviter to a feast; The subtlest excuser of small faults; And a nice judge in the age and smack of wine. Enter, from the Castle, AURANTHE, followed by Pages, holding up her robes, and a train of Women. She kneels. Hail my sweet hostess! I do thank the stars, I strove against thee and my hot-blood son, Auranthe. My lord, I was a vassal to your frown, But this so sudden kindness makes me dumb. Otho. What need of this? Enough, if you will be A potent tutoress to my wayward boy, And teach him, what it seems his nurse could not, To say, for once, I thank you. Sigifred! Albert. He has not yet returned, my gracious liege. Othe. What then! No tidings of my friendly Arab? Conrad. None, mighty Otho. [To one of his Knights, who goes out. An hundred horsemen from my honoured gates, A full-heaped helmet of the purest gold. Otho. More thanks, good Conrad; for, except my son's, There is no face I rather would behold Than that same quick-eyed pagan's. By the saints, Albert. Mighty monarch, I wonder not this stranger's victor-deeds So hang upon your spirit. Twice in the fight It was my chance to meet his olive brow, Triumphant in the enemy's shatter'd rhomb; And, to say truth, in any Christian arm I never saw such prowess. Otho. Did you ever? O, 'tis a noble boy!-tut!-what do I say? When in the glorious scuffle they met mine, Conrad. Pity he's not here. Otho. And my son too, pity he is not here, 16 Lady Auranthe, I would not make you blush, Auranthe. Indeed, my liege, no secretOtho. Nay, nay, without more words, dost know of him? Auranthe. I would I were so over-fortunate, Both for his sake and mine, and to make glad A father's ears with tidings of his son. Otho. I see 'tis like to be a tedious day. Were Theodore and Gonfrid and the rest Sent forth with my commands? Albert. Aye, my lord. Otho. And no news! No news! 'Faith! 'tis very strange He thus avoids us. Lady, is 't not strange? Will he be truant to you too? It is a shame. Conrad. Wilt please your highness enter, and accept The unworthy welcome of your servant's house? Emperor! Other voices. Fall back! Away there! Otho. Say, what noise is that? [ALBERT, advancing from the back of the Stage, whither he had hastened on hearing the cheers of the soldiery. Albert. It is young Gersa, the Hungarian prince, Pick'd like a red stag from the fallow herd Of prisoners. Poor prince, forlorn he steps, Enter GERSA, in chains, and guarded. Not a word of greeting? No welcome to a princely visitor, Most mighty Otho? Will not my great host His gentlemen conduct me with all care To some securest lodging-cold perhaps! Otho. What mood is this? Hath fortune touch'd thy brain ? Gersa. O kings and princes of this fev'rous world, What abject things, what mockeries must ye be, What nerveless minions of safe palaces, When here, a monarch, whose proud foot is used Otho. Gersa, I think you wrong me: I think I have a better fame abroad. Gersa. I prythee mock me not with gentle speech, But, as a favour, bid me from thy presence; Let me no longer be the wondering food Of all these eyes; prythee command me hence ! Otho. Do not mistake me, Gersa. That you may not, Come, fair Auranthe, try if your soft hands Auranthe (sets him free). Welcome task! Gersa. I am wound up in deep astonishment! Otho! emperor! Thank you, fair lady. You rob me of myself; my dignity Is now your infant; I am a weak child. Gersa. In mine it will. I blush to think of my unchasten'd tongue; Othe. Enough, most noble Gersa. You are free Who eas'd the crownet from your infant brows, Bloody Taraxa, is among the dead. Gersa. Then I retire, so generous Otho please, Bearing with me a weight of benefits Too heavy to be borne. Otho. It is not so; Still understand me, King of Hungary, For your self's sake, I do not personate |