OTHO THE GREAT.
407
Otho.Not so!
Ludolph. I see it—I see it—I have been wandering!
Half mad—not right here—I forget my purpose.
Bestir—bestir—Auranthe! Ha! ha! ha!
Youngster! Page! go bid them drag her to me!
[Draws a dagger.Obey! This shall finish it!
Half mad—not right here—I forget my purpose.
Bestir—bestir—Auranthe! Ha! ha! ha!
Youngster! Page! go bid them drag her to me!
[Draws a dagger.Obey! This shall finish it!
Otho.Oh, my son! my son!
Sigifred. This must not be—stop there!
Ludolph.Am I obey'd?
A little talk with her—no harm—haste! haste!
[Exit Page.
Set her before me—never fear I can strike.
A little talk with her—no harm—haste! haste!
[Exit Page.
Set her before me—never fear I can strike.
Several Voices. My Lord! My Lord!
Gersa.Good Prince!
Ludolph. Why do you trouble me? out—out—away!
There she is! take that! and that! no, no,
That's not well done.—where is she?
There she is! take that! and that! no, no,
That's not well done.—where is she?
[The doors open. Enter Page. Several women are seen grouped
about Auranthe in the inner-room.
about Auranthe in the inner-room.
Page. Alas! My Lord, my Lord! they cannot move her!
Her arms stiff,—her fingers clench'd and cold!
Her arms stiff,—her fingers clench'd and cold!
Ludolph. She's dead
[Staggers and falls into their arms.
[Staggers and falls into their arms.
Ethelbert. Take away the dagger.
Gersa.Softly; so!
Otho. Thank God for that!
Sigifred.It could not harm him now.
Gersa. No!—brief be his anguish!
Ludolph. She's gone! I am content—Nobles, good-night!
We are all weary—faint—set ope the doors—
[Dies.I will to bed!—To-morrow—
We are all weary—faint—set ope the doors—
[Dies.I will to bed!—To-morrow—
THE CURTAIN FALLS.
