Page:Keats - Poetical Works, DeWolfe, 1884.djvu/367

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OTHO THE GREAT.
351

Sigifred. Be not so rash; wait till his wrath shall pass,
Until his royal spirit softly ebbs
Self-influenced; then, in his morning dreams
He will forgive thee, and awake in grief
To have not thy good-morrow.

Ludolph.Yes, to-day
I must be there, while her young pulses beat
Among the new-plumed minions of the war.
Have you seen her of late? No? Auranthe,
Franconia's fair sister, 'tis I mean.
She should be paler for my troublous days—
And there it is—my father's iron lips
Have sworn divorcement 'twixt me and my right.

Sigifred (aside). Auranthe! I had hoped this whim had pass'd.

Ludolph. And, Sigifred, with all his love of justice,
When will he take that grandchild in his arms,
That, by my love I swear, shall soon be his?
This reconcilement is impossible,
For see—but who are these?

Sigifred.They are messengers
From our great emperor; to you I doubt not,
For couriers are abroad to seek you out.

Enter Theodore and Gonfred.

Theodore. Seeing so many vigilant eyes explore
The province to invite your highness back
To your high dignities, we are too happy.

Gonfred. We have no eloquence to color justly
The emperor's anxious wishes.

Ludolph.Go. I follow you.
[Exeunt Theodore and Gonfred.