More of this brawling. That the Emperor Had placed you in some other custody! Bring them away.

[Exeunt all but ALBERT. Albert. Though my name perish from the book of honour,

Almost before the recent ink is dry,
And be no more remember'd after death,
Than any drummer's in the muster-roll;
Yet shall I season high my sudden fall 269
With triumph o'er that evil-witted duke!
He shall feel what it is to have the hand
Of a man drowning, on his hateful throat

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, intreating, if I please,
To see me.

Conrad. Well, suppose this Albert here; What is your power with him?

Auranthe.
He should be
My echo, my taught parrot! but I fear 40
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 chamberfloor

Will not yield to the pick-axe and the spade,

Here is no quiet depth of hollow ground.