Page:Keats - Poetical Works, DeWolfe, 1884.djvu/373

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OTHO THE GREAT.
357

Of my great love for thee, my supreme child!
Come close, and let me breathe into thine ear.
I knew you through disguise. You are the Arab
[Embracing him.You can't deny it.

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. Ay, 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 pr'ythee let me ask
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 offence
Than your rejection of Erminia.
To my appalling, I saw too good proof
Of your keen-eyed suspicion, she is naught!

Ludolph. You are convinc'd?

Otho.Ay, spite of her sweet looks.
O, that my brother's daughter should so fall!
Her fame has pass'd in to the grosser lips
Of soldiers in their cups.

Ludolph.'Tis very sad.