384
OTHO THE GREAT.
Of unachievable tasks; small rivulets
Then seem impassable.
Then seem impassable.
Albert.Do not cheat yourself
With hope that gloss of words, or suppliant action,
Or tears, or ravings, or self-threaten’d death,
Can alter my resolve.
With hope that gloss of words, or suppliant action,
Or tears, or ravings, or self-threaten’d death,
Can alter my resolve.
Auranthe.You make me tremble;
Not so much at your threats, as at your voice,
Untun’d, and harsh, and barren of all love.
Not so much at your threats, as at your voice,
Untun’d, and harsh, and barren of all love.
Albert. You suffocate me Stop this devil’s parley,
And listen to me; know me once for all.
And listen to me; know me once for all.
Auranthe. I thought I did. Alas! I am deceived.
Albert. No, you are not deceived. You took me for
A man detesting all inhuman crime;
And therefore kept from me your demon’s plot
Against Erminia. Silent? Be so still;
For ever! Speak no more; but hear my words,
Thy fate. Your safety I have bought to-day
By blazoning a lie, which in the dawn
I’ll expiate with truth.
A man detesting all inhuman crime;
And therefore kept from me your demon’s plot
Against Erminia. Silent? Be so still;
For ever! Speak no more; but hear my words,
Thy fate. Your safety I have bought to-day
By blazoning a lie, which in the dawn
I’ll expiate with truth.
Auranthe.O cruel traitor!
For I would not set eyes upon thy shame;
For I would not set eyes upon thy shame;
Albert. I would not see thee dragg’d to death by the hair,
Penanced, and taunted on a scaffolding!
To-night, upon the skirts of the blind wood
That blackens northward of these horrid towers,
I wait for you with horses. Choose your fate.
Farewell!
Penanced, and taunted on a scaffolding!
To-night, upon the skirts of the blind wood
That blackens northward of these horrid towers,
I wait for you with horses. Choose your fate.
Farewell!
Auranthe. Albert, you jest; I’m sure you must.
You, an ambitious soldier! I, a queen,
One who could say,—here, rule these provinces!
Take tribute from those cities for thyself!
You, an ambitious soldier! I, a queen,
One who could say,—here, rule these provinces!
Take tribute from those cities for thyself!
