ACT IV. SCENE I.-AURANTHE'S Apartment. AURANTHE and CONRAD discovered. W Conrad. ELL, well, I know what ugly jeopardy Into my ears. Prythee, let me be spared You cannot doubt but 'tis in Albert's power Auranthe. No, I cannot doubt. He has, assure yourself, by some strange means, My secret; which I ever hid from him, Knowing his mawkish honesty. Conrad. Cursed slave! Auranthe. Ay, I could almost curse him now myself. Wretched impediment! Evil genius! A glue upon my wings, that cannot spread, When they should span the provinces! A snake, A scorpion, sprawling on the first gold step, Conducting to the throne high canopied. Conrad. You would not hear my counsel, when his life Might have been trodden out, all sure and hush'd; Now the dull animal forsooth must be Intreated, managed! When can you contrive Auranthe. As speedily It must be done as my bribed woman can Conrad. Nonsense! Child! See him immediately; why not now? Auranthe. Do you forget that even the senseless door-posts Are on the watch and gape through all the house? How many whisperers there are about, Hungry for evidence to ruin me.— Men I have spurn'd, and women I have taunted? Besides, the foolish prince sends, minute whiles, His pages- so they tell me -to inquire After my health, entreating, if I please, To see me. Conrad. Well, suppose this Albert here; What is your power with him ? He should be Auranthe. He will be cur enough to bark at me; Have his own say; read me some silly creed 'Bout shame and pity. Conrad. What will you do then? Auranthe. What I shall do, I know not: what I would Cannot be done; for see, this chamber-floor Will not yield to the pick-axe and the spade,— Here is no quiet depth of hollow ground. Conrad. Sister, you have grown sensible and wise, Seconding, ere I speak it, what is now, I hope, resolved between us. Auranthe. Say, what is't? Conrad. You need not be his sexton too: a man May carry that with him shall make him die Elsewhere, give that to him; pretend the while You will to-morrow succumb to his wishes, Be what they may, and send him from the Castle On some fool's errand; let his latest groan Frighten the wolves! Auranthe. Alas! he must not die! Conrad. Would you were both hearsed up in stifling lead! Detested. Auranthe. Conrad, hold! I would not bear And you could free me; but remember, sir, So keep your wits at work, for your own sake, Conrad. Thou wasp! If my domains were emptied of these folk, Auranthe. -- O, marvellous! But Conrad, now be gone; the host is look'd for; Condoling with Prince Ludolph. In fit time Conrad. I leave you to your thoughts. [Exit. Auranthe (sola). Down, down, proud temper! down, Auranthe's pride! Why do I anger him when I should kneel? Of a wide empire, like a glowing moon; Ere, by one grasp, this common hand is made When I have wept for sorrow; but methinks Cut off these curls, and brand this lily hand, I am safe! Coward! why am I in fear? Who knocks? [Goes to the door, listens, and opens it. Enter ALBERT. Albert, I have been waiting for you here Auranthe. You look not so, alas! But pale, as if you brought some heavy news. Albert. You know full well what makes me look so pale. Auranthe. No! Do I? Surely I am still to learn Some horror; all I know, this present, is I am near hustled to a dangerous gulf, Albert. It doth make me freeze. Auranthe. Why should it, love? You should not ask me that, When simplest things put on a sombre cast; Until most easy matters take the shape |