OTHO.
And my son too, pity he is not here.
Lady Auranthe, I would not make you blush,
But can you give a guess where Ludolph is ?
Know you not of him ?
AURANTHE.
Indeed, my liege, no secret
OTHO.
Nay, nay, without more words, dost know of him?
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.
Отно. .
I see 'tis like to be a tedious day.
Were Theodore and Gonfrid and the rest
Sent forth with my commands?
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.
Wil't please your highness enter, and accept
The unworthy welcome of your servant's house?
(73) It is possible that some such word as good before lord has dropped out accidentally.
Leaving your cares to one whose diligence
May in few hours make pleasures of them all.
OTHO.
Not so tedious, Conrad. No, no, no,-
I must see Ludolph or the-What's that shout?
VOICES WITHOUT. Huzza ! huzza ! Long live the 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,
85
Pick'd like a red stag from the fallow herd
Of prisoners. Poor prince, forlorn he steps,
Slow, and demure, and proud in his despair.
If I may judge by his so tragic bearing,
His eye not downcast, and his folded arm,
He doth this moment wish himself asleep
Among his fallen captains on yon plains.
Enter GERSA, in chains, and guarded.
OTHO. Well said, Sir Albert.
GERSA.
Not a word of greeting, No welcome to a princely visitor,
Most mighty Otho? Will not my great host
Vouchsafe a syllable, before he bids
His gentlemen conduct me with all care
To some securest lodging—cold perhaps !
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
To fallen princes' necks, as to his stirrup,
Must needs exclaim that I am mad forsooth,
Because I cannot flatter with bent knees
My conqueror !
Отно.
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 !
Отно.
Do not mistake me, Gersa. That you may not,
Come, fair Auranthe, try if your soft hands
Can manage those hard rivets to set free
So brave a prince and soldier.
AURANTHE (sets him free).
Welcome task!
I am wound up in deep astonishment !
Thank you, fair lady. Otho! emperor !
You rob me of myself; my dignity
Is now your infant; I am a weak child.
Give me your hand, and let this kindly grasp
Live in our memories.
GERSA.
In mine it will.
I blush to think of my unchasten'd tongue ;
But I was haunted by the monstrous ghost
Of all our slain battalions. Sire, reflect,
And pardon you will grant, that, at this hour,
The bruised remnants of our stricken camp
Are huddling undistinguish'd my dear friends,
With common thousands, into shallow graves.
OTHO.
Enough, most noble Gersa. You are free
To cheer the brave remainder of your host
By your own healing presence, and that too,
Not as their leader merely, but their king;
For, as I hear, the wily enemy,
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,
Отно. .
It is not so;
Still understand me, King of Hungary,
Nor judge my open purposes awry.
Though I did hold you high in my esteem
For your self's sake, I do not personate
The stage-play emperor to entrap applause,
To set the silly sort o' the world agape,
And make the politic smile; no, I have heard
How in the Council you condemn'd this war,
Urging the perfidy of broken faith,-
For that I am your friend.
If ever, sire, You are my enemy, I dare here swear 'Twill not be Gersa's fault. Otho, farewell!
OTHO.
Will you return, Prince, to our banqueting?
GERSA.
As to my father's board I will return.
Отно.
Conrad, with all due ceremony, give
The prince a regal escort to his camp;
Albert, go thou and bear him company.
Gersa, farewell !
GERSA.
All happiness attend you!
Отно. .
Return with what good speed you may; for soon
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