Enter SIGIFRED.

A fine humour

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to

Albert. Who goes there? Count Sigifred? Ha! ha!

Sigifred. What, man, do you mistake the hollow sky

For a throng'd tavern, and these stubbed trees

For old serge hangings, — me, your humble

friend,

For a poor waiter? Why, man, how you stare!

What gipsies have you been carousing with ?

No, no more wine; methinks you've had enough.

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Albert. You well may laugh and banter.

What a fool

An injury may make of a staid man ! You shall know all anon.

Albert. 'Twas with some people out of common reach; Revenge is difficult.

Sigifred.
I am your friend;
We meet again to-day, and can confer
Upon it. For the present I'm in haste.
Albert. Whither?

Sigifred. To fetch King Gersa to the feast.

The Emperor on this marriage is so hot,
Pray Heaven it end not in apoplexy!

The very porters, as I pass'd the doors, 50 Heard his loud laugh, and answer'd in full choir.

I marvel, Albert, you delay so long
From these bright revelries; go, show your-

self,

You may be made a duke.

Albert.

Pray, what day has his

upon?
Sigifred. For what ?

Ay, very like: Highness fix'd

SCENE II.

An Apartment in the Castle

Enter as from the Marriage, Отно, Lu-
DOLPH, AURANTHE, CONRAD, Nobles,
Knights, Ladies, etc. Music.

Otho. Now Ludolph! Now, Auranthe!
Daughter fair!

What can I find to grace your nuptial day

More than my love, and these wide realms in fee?

Ludolph. I have too much.
Auranthe.

And I, my liege, by far. Ludolph. Auranthe! I have! O, my bride, my love!

Not all the gaze upon us can restrain
My eyes, too long poor exiles from thy

face,

From adoration, and my foolish tongue
From uttering soft responses to the love
I see in thy mute beauty beaming forth! 10
Fair creature, bless me with a single word !
All mine!

Auranthe. Spare, spare me, my Lord; I swoon else.

Ludolph. Soft beauty! by to-morrow I should die, Wert thou not mine.

[They talk apart.

My Arab, no soft music should enrich The cool wine, kiss'd off with a soldier's smack;

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