SCENE I. An Ante-chamber in the Castle.

Enter LUDOLPH and SIGIFRED.

Ludolph. No more advices, no more cautioning:

I leave it all to fate to any thing!

I cannot square my conduct to time, place,

Or circumstances; to me ’tis all a mist!

Sigifred. I say no more.

Ludolph. It seems I am to wait

Here in the ante-room; that may be a trifle.

You see now how I dance attendance here,

Without that tyrant temper, you so blame,

Snapping the rein. You have medicin’d me

With good advices; and I here remain,

In this most honourable ante-room,

Your patient scholar.

Sigifred. Do not wrong me, Prince.

By Heavens, I’d rather kiss Duke Conrad’s slipper,

When in the morning he doth yawn with pride,

Than see you humbled but a half-degree!

Truth is, the Emperor would fain dismiss

The nobles ere he sees you.

Enter GONFRED from the Council-room.

Ludolph. Well, sir! What?

Gonfred. Great honour to the Prince! The Emperor,

Hearing that his brave son had re-appeared,

Instant dismiss ‘d the Council from his sight,

As Jove fans off the clouds. Even now they pass.

[Exit.

Enter the Nobles from the Council-room. They cross the stage,

bowing unth respect to LUDOLPH, he frowning on them.

CONRAD follows. Exeunt Nobles.

Ludolph. Not the discoloured poisons of a fen,

Which he who breathes feels warning of his death,

Could taste so nauseous to the bodily sense,

As these prodigious sycophants disgust

The soul’s fine palate.

Conrad. Princely Ludolph, hail!

Welcome, thou younger sceptre to the realm!

Strength to thy virgin crownet’s golden buds,

That they, against the winter of thy sire,

May burst, and swell, and flourish round thy brows,

Maturing to a weighty diadem!

Yet be that hour far off; and may he live,

Who waits for thee, as the chapp’d earth for rain.

Set my life’s star! I have lived long enough,

Since under my glad roof, propitiously,

Father and son each other re-possess.

Ludolph. Fine wording, Duke! but words could never yet

Forestall the fates; have you not learnt that yet?

Let me look well: your features are the same;

Your gait the same; your hair of the same shade;

As one I knew some passed weeks ago,

Who sung far different notes into mine ears.

I have mine own particular comments on ‘t;

You have your own, perhaps.

Conrad. My gracious Prince,

All men may err. In truth I was deceived

In your great father’s nature, as you were.

Had I known that of him I have since known,

And what you soon will learn, I would have turned

My sword to my own throat, rather than held

Its threatening edge against a good King’s quiet:

Or with one word fever’d you, gentle Prince,

Who seem’d to me, as rugged times then went,

Indeed too much oppress’d. May I be bold

To tell the Emperor you will haste to him?

Ludolph. Your Dukedom’s privilege will grant so much.

[Exit CONRAD

He’s very close to Otho, a tight leech!

Your hand I go. Ha! here the thunder comes

Sullen against the wind! If in two angry brows

My safety lies, then Sigifred, I’m safe.

Enter OTHO and CONRAD.

Otho. Will you make Titan play the lackey-page &

To chattering pigmies? I would have you know

That such neglect of our high Majesty

Annuls all feel of kindred. What is son,

Or friend, or brother, or all ties of blood,

When the whole kingdom, centred in ourself,

Is rudely slighted ? Who am I to wait ?

By Peter’s chair! I have upon my tongue

A word to fright the proudest spirit here!

Death! and slow tortures to the hardy fool,

Who dares take such large charter from our smiles!

Conrad, we would be private. Sigifred!

Off! And none pass this way on pain of death!

[Exeunt CONRAD and SIGIFRED,

Ludolph. This was but half expected, my good sire,

Yet I am griev’d at it, to the full height,

As though my hopes of favour had been whole.

Otho. How you indulge yourself! What can you hope for?

Ludolph. Nothing, my liege ; I have to hope for nothing.

I come to greet you as a loving son,

And then depart, if I may be so free,

Seeing that blood of yours in my warm veins

Has not yet mitigated into milk.

Otho. What would you, sir?

Ludolph. A lenient banishment;

So please you let me unmolested pass

This Conrad’s gates, to the wide air again.

I want no more. A rebel wants no more.

Otho. And shall I let a rebel loose again

To muster kites and eagles ‘gainst my head?

No, obstinate boy, you shall be kept cag’d up,

Serv’d with harsh food, with scum for Sunday-drink.

Ludolph. Indeed!

Otho. And chains too heavy for your life:

I’ll choose a gaoler, whose swart monstrous face

Shall be a hell to look upon, and she

Ludolph. Ha!

Otho. Shall be your fair Auranthe.

Ludolph. Amaze! Amaze!

Otho. To-day you marry her.

Ludolph. This is a sharp jest!

Otho. No. None at all. When have I said a lie?

Ludolph. If I sleep not, I am a waking wretch.

Otho. Not a word more. Let me embrace my child.

Ludolph. I dare not. ‘Twould pollute so good a father!

heavy crime! that your son’s blinded eyes

Could not see all his parent’s love aright,

As now I see it. Be not kind to me

Punish me not with favour.

Otho. Are you sure,

Ludolph, you have no saving plea in store?

Ludolph. My father, none!

Otho. Then you astonish me.

Ludolph. No, I have no plea. Disobedience,

Rebellion, obstinacy, blasphemy,

Are all my counsellors. If they can make

My crooked deeds show good and plausible,

Then grant me loving pardon, but not else,

Good Gods! not else, in any way, my liege!

Otho. You are a most perplexing, noble boy.

Ludolph. You not less a perplexing noble father.

Otho. Well, you shall have free passport through the gates.

Farewell!

Ludolph. Farewell! and by these tears believe,

And still remember, I repent in pain

All my misdeeds!

Otho. Ludolph, I will! I will!

But, Ludolph, ere you go, I would enquire

If you, in all your wandering, ever met

A certain Arab haunting in these parts.

Ludolph. No, my good lord, I cannot say I did.

Otho. Make not your father blind before his time;

Nor let these arms paternal hunger more

For an embrace, to dull the appetite

Of my great love for thee, my supreme child!

Come close, and let me breathe into thine ear.

knew you through disguise. You are the Arab!

You can’t deny it. [Embracing him.

Ludolph. Happiest of days!

Otho. We’ll make it so.

Ludolph. ‘Stead of one fatted calf

Ten hecatombs shall bellow out their last,

Smote ‘twixt the horns by the death-stunning mace

Of Mars, and all the soldiery shall feast

Nobly as Nimrod’s masons, when the towers

Of Nineveh new kiss’d the parted clouds!

Otho. Large as a God speak out, where all is thine.

Ludolph. Aye, father, but the fire in my sad breast

Is quench ‘d with inward tears! I must rejoice

For you, whose wings so shadow over me

In tender victory, but for myself

I still must mourn. The fair Auranthe mine!

Too great a boon! I prythee let me ask I

What more than I know of could so have changed

Your purpose touching her?

Otho. At a word, this:

In no deed did you give me more offense

Than your rejection of Erminia.

To my appalling, I saw too good proof

Of your keen-eyed suspicion, she is naught!

Ludolph. You are convinced?

Otho. Aye, spite of her sweet looks.

O, that my brother’s daughter should so fall!

Her fame has pass’d into the grosser lips

Of soldiers in their cups.

Lndolph. ‘Tis very sad.

Otho. No more of her. Auranthe Ludolph, come!

This marriage be the bond of endless peace! [Exeunt.

SCENE II. The Entrance of GERSA’S Tent in the Hungarian Camp.

Enter ERMINIA.

Erminia. Where! where! where shall I find a messenger?

A trusty soul? A good man in the camp?

Shall I go myself? Monstrous wickedness!

O cursed Conraddevilish Auranthe!

Here is proof palpable as the bright sun!

O for a voice to reach the Emperor’s ears!

[Shouts in the Camp.

Enter an HUNGARIAN CAPTAIN.

Captain. Fair prisoner, hear you those joyous shouts?

The king aye, now our king, but still your slave,

Young Gersa, from a short captivity

Has just return’d. He bids me say, bright Dame,

That even the homage of his ranged chiefs

Cures not his keen impatience to behold

Such beauty once again. What ails you, lady?

Erminia. Say, is not that a German, yonder? There!

Captain. Methinks by his stout bearing he should be

Yes ’tis one Albert; a brave German knight,

And much in the emperor’s favour.

Erminia. I would fain

Enquire of friends and kinsfolk; how they fared

In these rough times. Brave soldier, as you pass

To royal Gersa with my humble thanks,

Will you send yonder knight to me?

Captain. I will. [Exit.

Ermina. Yes, he was ever known to be a man

Frank, open, generous; Albert I may trust.

proof! proof! proof! Albert’s an honest man;

Not Ethelbert the monk, if he were here,

Would I hold more trustworthy. Now!

Enter ALBERT.

Albert. Good Gods!

Lady Erminia! are you prisoner

In this beleaguer ‘d camp? Or are you here

Of your own will? You pleas’d to send for me.

By Venus, ’tis a pity I knew not

Your plight before, and, by her Son, I swear

To do you every service you can ask.

What would the fairest?

Erminia. Albert, will you swear?

Albert. I have. Well?

Erminia. Albert, you have fame to lose.

If men, in court and camp, lie not outright,

You should be, from a thousand, chosen forth

To do an honest deed. Shall I confide?

Albert. Aye, anything to me, fair creature. Do;

Dictate my task. Sweet woman,

Erminia. Truce with that.

You understand me not; and, in your speech,

see how far the slander is abroad.

Without proof could you think me innocent?

Albert. Lady, I should rejoice to know you so.

Erminia. If you have any pity for a maid,

Suffering a daily death from evil tongues;

Any compassion for that Emperor’s niece,

Who, for your bright sword and clear honesty,

Lifted you from the crowd of common men

Into the lap of honour; save me, knight!

Albert. How? Make it clear; if it be possible,

I, by the banner of Saint Maurice, swear

To right you.

Erminia. Possible! Easy. O my heart!

This letter’s not so soil’d but you may read it;

Possible! There that letter! Read read it,

[Gives him a letter.

Albert (reading). “To the Duke Conrad. Forget the threat you

made at parting, and I will forget to send the Emperor letters and

papers of your’s I have become possessed of. His life is no trifle to

me; his death you shall find none to yourself.” (Speaks to himself

‘Tis me my life that’s pleaded for! (Reads.) “He, for his

own sake, will be dumb as the grave. Erminia has my shame fix’d

upon her, sure as a wen. We are safe.

AURANTHE.”A she-devil! A dragon! I her imp!

Fire of Hell! Auranthe lewd demon!

Where got you this? Where? When?

Erminia. I found it in the tent, among some spoils

Which, being noble, fell to Gersa’s lot.

Come in, and see. [They go in and return.

Albert. Villainy! Villainy!

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;

Tell him, moreover, I am prisoner

Here in this camp, where all the sisterhood,

Forc’d from their quiet cells, are parcell’d out

For slaves among these Huns. Away! Away!

Albert. I am gone.

Erminia. Swift be your steed! Within this hour

The Emperor will see it.

Albert. Ere I sleep:

That I can swear. [Hurries out.

Gersa (without). Brave captains! thanks. Enough

Of loyal homage now!

Enter GERSA.

Erminia. Hail, royal Hun!

Gersa. What means this, fair one? Why in such alarm?

Who was it hurried by me so distract?

It seem’d you were in deep discourse together;

Your doctrine has not been so harsh to him

As to my poor deserts. Come, come, be plain.

I am no jealous fool to kill you both,

Or, for such trifles, rob the adorned world

Of such a beauteous vestal.

Erminia. I grieve, my Lord,

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!

Prais’d be the Heavens, I now dare own myself!

Gersa. Erminia! Indeed! I’ve heard of her.

Prythee, fair lady, what chance brought you here?

Erminia. Ask your own soldiers.

Gersa. And you dare own your name.

For loveliness you may and for the rest

My vein is not censorious.

Erminia. Alas! poor me!

‘Tis false indeed.

Gersa. Indeed you are too fair:

the swan, soft leaning on her fledgy breast,

When to the stream she launches, looks not back

With such a tender grace ; nor are her wings

So white as your soul is, if that but be

Twin-picture to your face. Erminia!

To-day, for the first day, I am a king,

Yet would I give my unworn crown away

To know you spotless.

Erminia. Trust me one day more,

Generously, without more certain guarantee,

Than this poor face you deign to praise so much;

After that, say and do whate’er you please.

If I have any knowledge of you, sir,

I think, nay I am sure, you will grieve much

To hear my story. O be gentle to me,

For I am sick and faint with many wrongs,

Tir’d out, and weary-worn with contumelies.

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

Too cheerful for these foul pernicious days.

Young man, you heard this virgin say ’twas false,

‘Tis false, I say. What! can you not employ

Your temper elsewhere, ‘mong these burly tents,

But you must taunt this dove, for she hath lost

The Eagle Otho to beat off assault?

Fie! fie! But I will be her guard myself;

In the Emperor’s name. I here demand of you

Herself, and all her sisterhood. She false!

Gersa. Peace! peace, old man! I cannot think she is.

Ethelbert. Whom I have known from her first infancy,

Baptized her in the bosom of the Church,

Watch’d her, as anxious husbandmen the grain,

From the first shoot till the unripe mid-May,

Then to the tender ear of her June days,

Which, lifting sweet abroad its timid green,

Is blighted by the touch of calumny;

You cannot credit such a monstrous tale.

Gersa. I cannot. Take her. Fair Erminia,

I follow you to Friedburg, is’t not so?

Erminia. Aye, so we purpose.

Ethelbert. Daughter, do you so?

How’s this? I marvel! Yet you look not mad.

Erminia. I have good news to tell you, Ethelbert.

Gersa. Ho! ho, there! Guards!

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. 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

Gersa, how he believ’d you innocent.

I follow you to Friedburg with all speed. [Exeunt.

 

***

John Keats

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