Bring forth once more my bullion, treasured deep, Enter AURANTHE. Auranthe Conrad! what tidings? Good, if I may guess From your alert eyes and high-lifted brows. What tidings of the battle? Albert? Ludolph ? Otho ? Conrad. You guess aright. And, sister, slur. ring o'er Our by-gone quarrels, I confess my heart To make our golden fortune known to you. Conrad. Yes, so serious, that before I utter even the shadow of a hint Concerning what will make that sin-worn cheek Blush joyous blood through every lineament, You must make here a solemn vow to me. Auranthe. I pr'y thee, Conrad, do not overact The hypocrite. What vow would you impose? Conrad. Trust me for once. That you may be assured 'Tis not confiding in a broken reed, So thrived I as a rebel,—and, behold! Now I am Otho's favourite, his dear friend, Auranthe. I confess You have intrigued with these unsteady times The Hungarians, Conrad. I saw my moment. Collected silently in holes and corners, Appear'd, a sudden host, in the open day. I should have perish'd in our empire's wreck, But, calling interest loyalty, swore faith To most believing Otho; and so help'd His blood-stain'd ensigns to the victory In yesterday's hard fight, that it has turn'd The edge of his sharp wrath to eager kindness. Auranthe. So far yourself. But what is this to me More than that I am glad? I gratulate you. Conrad. Yes, sister, but it does regard you greatly, Nearly, momentously,―aye, painfully! Make me this vow Auranthe. Conrad. Albert ! Concerning whom or what? Auranthe. I would inquire somewhat of him. You had a letter from me touching him ? No treason 'gainst his head in deed or word! Surely you spared him at my earnest prayer? Give me the letter-it should not exist! Conrad. At one pernicious charge of the enemy I, for a moment-whiles, was prisoner ta'en And rifled,-stuff! the horses' hoofs have mir ced it! Auranthe. He is alive? Conrad. He is! but here make oath To alienate him from your scheming brain, And cloud him in such utter banishment, Conrad. No, nor great, nor mighty; You would not wear a crown, or rule a kingdom. To you it is indifferent? Auranthe. What means this? Conrad. You'll not be perjured! Go to Albert then, That camp-mushroom-dishonour of our house. crown With a queen's awful lips I doubly thank you! Conrad. I know not When, lackeying my counsel at a beck, In such a sickly longing for his son. We shall soon see him; for the Emperor Auranthe. That I heard Among the midnight rumours from the camp. Conrad. You give up Albert to me? Auranthe. Harm him not! E'en for his highness Ludolph's sceptry hand, I would not Albert suffer any wrong. Conrad. Have I not laboured, plotted—? Auranthe. See you spare him : Nor be pathetic, my kind benefactor! Of my poor secrets, and so hold a rod Conrad. Let not this slave-this villain- Be cause of feud between us. Enter ALBERT. Albert. Fair on your graces fall this early morrow! So it is like to do, without my prayers, For your right noble names, like favorite tunes, Have fallen full frequent from our Emperor's lips, High commented with smiles. Auranthe. Conrad (aside). Noble! Noble Albert! Auranthe. Such salutation argues a glad heart In our prosperity. We thank you, sir. Albert. Lady O, would to Heaven your poor servant Conrad. To me! What of me, ha ? Albert. What pleased your grace to say? Conrad. Albert. You mean not this to me? Your message, sir! Sister, this way; Conrad. For there shall be no "gentle Alberts" now, [Aside. No "sweet Auranthes!" [Exeunt CONRAD and AURANTHE. Albert (solus). The duke is out of temper; if he knows More than a brother of a sister ought I bicker not with her,-bid her farewell; Can smother from myself the wrong I've done him,- Without design, indeed,-yet it is so, And opiate for the conscience have I none ! Exit |