OTHO THE GREAT.
399
Otho.I command!
Open it straight;—hush!—quiet!—my lost boy!
My miserable child!
Open it straight;—hush!—quiet!—my lost boy!
My miserable child!
Ludolph (indistinctly without). Fill, fill my goblet,—here's a health!
Erminia.O, close the door!
Otho. Let, let me hear his voice; this cannot last;
And fain would I catch up his dying words,
Though my own knell they be! This cannot last!
O let me catch his voice—for lo! I hear
A whisper in this silence that he's dead!
It is so! Gersa?
And fain would I catch up his dying words,
Though my own knell they be! This cannot last!
O let me catch his voice—for lo! I hear
A whisper in this silence that he's dead!
It is so! Gersa?
Enter Gersa.
Physician.Say, how fares the prince?
Gersa. More calm; his features are less wild and flush'd;
Once he complain'd of weariness.
Once he complain'd of weariness.
Physician.Indeed!
'Tis good,—'tis good; let him but fall asleep,
That saves him.
'Tis good,—'tis good; let him but fall asleep,
That saves him.
Otho.Gersa, watch him like a child;
Ward him from harm,—and bring me better news!
Ward him from harm,—and bring me better news!
Physician. Humor him to the height. I fear to go;
For should he catch a glimpse of my dull garb,
It might affright him, fill him with suspicion
That we believe him sick, which must not be.
For should he catch a glimpse of my dull garb,
It might affright him, fill him with suspicion
That we believe him sick, which must not be.
Gersa. I will invent what soothing means I can.
[Exit Gersa.
[Exit Gersa.
Physician. This should cheer up your Highness; weariness
Is a good symptom, and most favorable;
Is a good symptom, and most favorable;
