OTHO THE GREAT.
391
Here, underneath this roof where Otho breathes,—
Thy father,—almost mine.
Thy father,—almost mine.
Ludolph.O faltering coward!
[Enter Page.
Stay, stay; here is one I have half a word with.
Well? What ails thee, child?
[Enter Page.
Stay, stay; here is one I have half a word with.
Well? What ails thee, child?
Page.My lord!
Ludolph.What wouldst say?
Page. They are fled!
Ludolph.They! Who?
Page.When anxiously
I hasten'd back, your grieving messenger,
I found the stairs al) dark, the lamps extinct,
And not a foot or whisper to be heard.
I thought her dead, and on the lowest step
Sat listening; when presently came by
Two muffled up,—one sighing heavily,
The other cursing low, whose voice I knew
For the Duke Conrad's. Close I follow'd them
Thro' the dark ways they chose to the open air;
And, as I follow'd, heard my lady speak.
I hasten'd back, your grieving messenger,
I found the stairs al) dark, the lamps extinct,
And not a foot or whisper to be heard.
I thought her dead, and on the lowest step
Sat listening; when presently came by
Two muffled up,—one sighing heavily,
The other cursing low, whose voice I knew
For the Duke Conrad's. Close I follow'd them
Thro' the dark ways they chose to the open air;
And, as I follow'd, heard my lady speak.
Ludolph. Thy life answers the truth!
Page.The chamber's empty!
Ludolph. As I will be of mercy! So, at last,
This nail is in my temples!
This nail is in my temples!
Gersa.Be calm in this.
Ludolph. I am.
Gersa.And Albert too has disappear'd;
Ere I met you, I sought him everywhere;
You would not hearken.
Ere I met you, I sought him everywhere;
You would not hearken.
Ludolph.Which way went they, boy?
Gersa. I'll hunt with you.
