DRAMAS OTHO THE GREAT A TRAGEDY IN FIVE ACTS DRAMATIS PERSONE OTHO THE GREAT, Emperor of Germany. CONRAD, Duke of Franconid. ALBERT, a Knight, favoured by Otho. Physician. Page. Nobles, Knights, Attendants, and Soldiers. AURANTHE, Conrad's Sister. Ladies and Attendants. SCENE. The Castle of Friedburg, its vicinity, and the Hun garian Camp. TIME.-One Day. ACT I SCENE I. An Apartment in the Castle Enter CONRAD Conrad. So, I am safe emerged from these broils! Amid the wreck of thousands I am whole; Let her glide on! This danger'd neck is saved, By dexterous policy, from the rebel's axe; Is bruised by the Hungarian petards. Toil hard, ye slaves, and from the miser-earth Enter AURANTHE ΤΟ 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, slurring o'er Our by-gone quarrels, I confess my heart Is beating with a child's anxiety. To make our golden fortune known to you. Conrad. 20 Yes, so serious, that before I utter even the shadow of a hint Concerning what will make that sin-worn cheek Auranthe. I pr'ythee, Conrad, do not overact "T is not confiding to a broken reed, A poor court-bankrupt, outwitted and lost, 30 Drawn off his nobles to revolt, and shown Fresh hatched in my ambition's eagle-nest; Auranthe. 40 I confess You have intrigued with these unsteady times To admiration; but to be a favourite Conrad. I saw my moment. The Hungarians, 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. 50 Conrad. Yes, sister, but it does regard you greatly, Nearly, momentously, — aye, painfully! Make me this vow Auranthe. Concerning whom or what? Conrad. Albert! 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? Conrad. At one pernicious charge of the enemy, I, for a moment-whiles, was prisoner ta'en And rifled, it! 60 stuff! the horses' hoofs have minced Auranthe. He is alive? Conrad. He is! but here make oath To alienate him from your scheming brain, Divorce him from your solitary thoughts, Conrad. 70 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. Furbish his jingling baldric while he sleeps, 80 Yet stay, perhaps a charm may call you back, Auranthe. Can it be, brother? For a golden crown With a queen's awful lips I doubly thank you! Thou clod of yesterday—'t was not myself! My spirit's faculties! I'll flatter you Conrad. 90 I know not: When, lackying my counsel at a beck, 100 Yet, for all this, I never saw a father Auranthe. That I heard Among the midnight rumours from the camp. Harm him not! 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- 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 favourite tunes, Have fallen full frequent from our Emperor's lips, High commented with smiles. Auranthe. Conrad (aside). Noble! Auranthe. Noble Albert! Such salutation argues a glad heart In our prosperity. We thank you, sir. Albert. Lady! |