Fire of Hell! Auranthe-lewd demon! Where got you this? Where? When? ERMINIA. I found it in the tent, among some spoils Come in, and see. 65 [They go in and return. ALBERT. Conrad's sword, his corslet, and his helm, And his letter. Caitiff, he shall feel ERMINIA. I see you are thunderstruck. Haste, haste away! ALBERT. O I am tortured by this villainy. ERMINIA. You needs must be. Carry it swift to Otho; Here in this camp, where all the sisterhood, I am gone. ALBERT. ERMINIA. Swift be your steed! Within this hour The Emperor will see it. 70 75 GERSA. What means this, fair one? Why in such alarm? It seem'd you were in deep discourse together; ERMINIA. I grieve, my Lord, 90 To hear you condescend to ribald-phrase. GERSA. This is too much! Hearken, my lady pure! ERMINIA. Silence! and hear the magic of a name— Erminia! I am she,-the Emperor's niece! GERSA. Erminia! Indeed! I've heard of her. Prythee, fair lady, what chance brought you here ? Ask your own soldiers. ERMINIA. 95 GERSA. And you dare own your name, For loveliness you may-and for the rest My vein is not censorious. 'Tis false indeed. ERMINIA. Alas! poor me! 100 GERSA. Indeed you are too fair: The swan, soft leaning on her fledgy breast, When to the stream she launches, looks not back So white as your soul is, if that but be ERMINIA. Trust me one day more, Generously, without more certain guarantee, I think, nay I am sure, you will grieve much GERSA. Poor lady! Enter ETHELBERT. ERMINIA. Gentle Prince, 'tis false indeed. Good morrow, holy father! I have had Your prayers, though I look'd for you in vain. ETHELBERT. Blessings upon you, daughter! Sure you look Peace! peace, old man! I cannot think she is. 120 125 130 ETHELBERT. Whom I have known from her first infancy, I cannot. Take her. Fair Erminia, I follow you to Friedburg,-is't not so? Aye, so we purpose. ERMINIA ETHELBERT. Daughter, do you so? How's this? I marvel! Yet you look not mad. I have good news to tell you, Ethelbert. Your blessing, father! Sweet Erminia, Believe me, I am well nigh sure— ERMINIA. Farewell! Short time will show. [Enter Chiefs. Yes, father Ethelbert, I have news precious as we pass along. ETHELBERT. Pray let me lead. Fair lady, forget not [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 The white limbs of a wanton. This the end 5 In feud with wolves and bears, when no eye saw ΤΟ Of honour 'mid the growling wilderness. My sturdier youth, maturing to the sword, Of shields upon the pavement, when bright-mail'd 15 Henry the Fowler pass'd the streets of Prague. Sway'd by command, as corn is by the wind? |