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 hear?

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
Where the most wicked Princess is?

1st Knight.

There, sir,

In the next room; have you remark'd those two Stout soldiers posted at the door?

Gonfred.

1st Lady. How ghast a train!

For what?

[They whisper.

2nd Lady. Sure this should be some splendid burial. 1st Lady. What fearful whispering! See, see,Gersa there!

Enter GERSA.

Gersa. Put on your brightest looks; smile if

you can;

Behave as all were happy; keep your eyes

From the least watch upon him; if he speaks

To any one, answer, collectedly,

Without surprise, his questions, howe'er strange. Do this to the utmost,-though, alas! with me The remedy grows hopeless! Here he comes,— Observe what I have said,-show no surprise.

Enter LUDOLPH, followed by SIGIFRED and Page.

Ludolph. A splendid company! rare beauties here! I should have Orphean lips, and Plato's fancy, Amphion's utterance, toned with his lyre, Or the deep key of Jove's sonorous mouth, To give fit salutation. Methought I heard, As I came in, some whispers,-what of that? 'Tis natural men should whisper; at the kiss Of Psyche given by Love, there was a buzz Among the gods! - and silence is as natural. These draperies are fine, and, being a mortal, I should desire no better; yet, in truth, There must be some superior costliness, Some wider-domed high magnificence! I would have, as a mortal I may not, Hangings of heaven's clouds, purple and gold, Slung from the spheres; gauzes of silver mist, Loop'd up with cords of twisted wreathed light, And tassell'd round with weeping meteors! These pendent lamps and chandeliers are bright As earthly fires from dull dross can be cleansed; Yet could my eyes drink up intenser beams Undazzled; this is darkness,-when I close These lids, I see far fiercer brilliances,

Skies full of splendid moons, and shooting stars, And spouting exhalations, diamond fires,

And panting fountains quivering with deep glows. Yes this is dark—is it not dark?

My lord,

Sigifred. 'Tis late; the lights of festival are ever

Quench'd in the morn.

Ludolph.

'Tis not to-morrow then?

Sigifred. 'Tis early dawn.
Gersa.

Say you so, Prince?

Indeed full time we slept;

Ludolph. I say I quarrell'd with you; We did not tilt each other, that's a blessing,Good gods! no innocent blood upon my head! Sigifred. Retire, Gersa!

Ludolph. There should be three more here: For two of them, they stay away perhaps, Being gloomy-minded, haters of fair revels,They know their own thoughts best.

As for the third,

Deep blue eyes, semi-shaded in white lids,
Finish'd with lashes fine for more soft shade,
Completed by her twin-arch'd ebon-brows;
White temples, of exactest elegance,
Of even mould, felicitous and smooth;
Cheeks fashion'd tenderly on either side,
So perfect, so divine, that our poor eyes
Are dazzled with the sweet proportioning,
And wonder that 'tis so,- the magic chance!
Her nostrils, small, fragrant, fairy-delicate;
Her lips-I swear no human bones e'er wore
So taking a disguise;-you shall behold her!
We'll have her presently; ay, you shall see her,
And wonder at her, friends, she is so fair;
She is the world's chief jewel, and, by heaven!

She's mine by right of marriage!-she is mine!
Patience, good people, in fit time I send

A summoner, she will obey my call,
Being a wife most mild and dutiful.
First I would hear what music is prepared
To herald and receive her; let me hear!
Sigifred. Bid the musicians soothe him tenderly.
[A soft strain of Music.

Ludolph. Ye have none better? No, I am con

tent;

'Tis a rich sobbing melody, with reliefs

Full and majestic; it is well enough,

And will be sweeter, when ye see her pace
Sweeping into this presence, glisten'd o'er
With emptied caskets, and her train upheld
By ladies habited in robes of lawn,
Sprinkled with golden crescents, others bright
In silks, with spangles shower'd, and bow'd to
By Duchesses and pearled Margravines!
Sad! that the fairest creature of the earth-
I pray you mind me not-'tis sad, I say,
That the extremest beauty of the world
Should so entrench herself away from me,
Behind a barrier of engender'd guilt!

2nd Lady. Ah! what a moan!
Ist Knight.

Most piteous indeed!

Ludolph. She shall be brought before this com

pany,

And then-then

1st Lady. He muses.

Gersa.

O, Fortune! where will this end? Sigifred. I guess his purpose! Indeed he must

not have

.

That pestilence brought in,-that cannot be,
There we must stop him.

Gersa.

I am lost! Hush, hush!

He is about to rave again.

Ludolph. A barrier of guilt! I was the fool, She was the cheater! Who's the cheater now, And who the fool? The entrapp'd, the caged fool, The bird-limed raven? She shall croak to death Secure! Methinks I have her in my fist,

To crush her with my heel! Wait, wait! I marvel My father keeps away. Good friend-ah! Sigifred? Do bring him to me,-and Erminia,

I fain would see before I sleep-and Ethelbert

That he may bless me, as I know he will,

Though I have cursed him.

Sigifred.

To lead you to them.

Ludolph.

Rather suffer me

No, excuse me,—no!

The day is not quite done. Go, bring them hither.

[Exit SIGIFRED. Certes, a father's smile should, like sunlight, Slant on my sheaved harvest of ripe bliss. Besides, I thirst to pledge my lovely bride In a deep goblet: let me see—what wine? The strong Iberian juice, or mellow Greek? Or pale Calabrian? Or the Tuscan grape? Or of old Ætna's pulpy wine-presses, Black stain'd with the fat vintage, as it were The purple slaughter-house, where Bacchus' self Prick'd his own swollen veins! Where is my page ? Page. Here, here!

Ludolph. Be ready to obey me; anon thou shalt Bear a soft message for me; for the hour