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 tassel'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?
We did not tilt each other-that's a blessing,-. Good gods! no innocent blood upon my head! Sigifred. Retire, Gersa!
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.
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.
Ludolph. Ye have none better? No, I am content; 'Tis a rich sobbing melody, with reliefs
Full and majestic; it is well enough,
And will be sweeter, when you see her pace Sweeping into this presence, glistened 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! 1st Knight.
Ludolph. She shall be brought before this company,
And then-then
1st Lady. He muses.
O, Fortune, where will this end?
Sigifred. I guess his purpose! Indeed he must not have That pestilence brought in,-that cannot be,
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.
The day is not quite done. Go, bring them hither.
[Exit SIGIFRED. Certes, a father's smile should, like sun light, 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 Etna'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 Draws near when I must make a winding up Of bridal mysteries-a fine-spun vengeance! Carve it on my tomb, that, when I rest beneath, Men shall confess this Prince was gull'd and cheated, But from the ashes of disgrace he rose More than a fiery dragon, and did burn His ignominy up in purging fires! Did I not send, sir, but a moment past, For my father?
Enter OTHO, ERMINIA, ETHELBERT, SIGIFRED, and Physician.
Ludolph. Oh! thou good man, against whose sacred head I was a mad conspirator, chiefly, too, For the sake of my fair newly wedded wife, Now to be punished!—do not look so sad! Those charitable eyes will thaw my heart, Those tears will wash away a just resolve, A verdict ten times sworn! Awake-awake
Put on a judge's brow, and use a tongue Made iron-stern by habit! Thou shalt see A deed to be applauded, 'scribed in gold! Join a loud voice to mine, and so denounce What I alone will execute!
Otho. What is it? By your father's love, I sue That it be nothing merciless!
Not so! No! She is in temple-stall Being garnish'd for the sacrifice, and I, The Priest of Justice, will immolate her
Upon the altar of wrath! She stings me through !— Even as the worm doth feed upon the nut, So she, a scorpion, preys upon my brain! I feel her gnawing here! Let her but vanish, Then, father, I will lead your legions forth, Compact in steeled squares, and speared files, And bid our trumpets speak a fell rebuke To nations drowsed in peace!
Be your word law; forget to day
When I have finish'd it! Now,-now, I'm pight. Tight-footed for the deed!
Ludolph. What angel's voice is that? Erminia ! Ah! gentlest creature, whose sweet innocence Was almost murder'd; I am penitent, Wilt thou forgive me? And thou, holy man, Good Ethelbert, shall I die in peace with you? Erminia. Die, my lord!
Physician. I fear me he is past my skill.
Ludolph. I see it—I see it—I have been wandering! Half mad—not right here I forget my purpose.
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