OTHO, ERMINIA, ETHELBERT, and a Physician,discovered.

Отно.

O, my poor Boy! my Son! my Son! my Ludolph!
Have ye no comfort for me, ye Physicians

Of the weak Body and Soul?

Would I were with the saints to pray for you!

Отно.

Why will ye keep me from my darling child?

PHYSICIAN.

Forgive me, but he must not see thy face

OTHO.

Is then a father's countenance a Gorgon?
Hath it not comfort in it? Would it not
Console my poor Boy, cheer him, heal his spirits?
Let me embrace him, let me speak to him -

I will

who hinders me?

(3-4) In previous editions

Who's Emperor?

1Ο

15

You may not Sire

PHYSICIAN.

'twould overwhelm him quite,

He is so full of grief and passionate wrath,
Too heavy a sigh would kill him—or do worse.
He must be sav'd by fine contrivances —
And most especially we must keep clear
Out of his sight a Father whom he loves
His heart is full, it can contain no more,
And do its ruddy office.

Enough! I hear, I hear.

Yet you were about to advise more I listen.

ETHELBERT.

This learned doctor will agree with me,

20

25

That not in the smallest point should he be thwarted
Or gainsaid by one word—his very motions,
Nods, becks and hints, should be obey'd with care,
Even on the moment: so his troubled mind

30

(26) In the manuscript, hot soul is struck out in favour of despair.

35

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
This silence whisper me that he is 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 —

PHYSICIAN.

Indeed!

40

45

'Tis good-'tis good-let him but fall asleep,

Ludolph's distant raving, fill, full my Goblet—here a health.

(43-4) There is a cancelled reading, hear for catch; and the line given in previ ous editions,

A whisper in this silence that he's dead!

is deliberately struck out for the line given in the text.

Humour 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 -

GERSA.

I will invent what soothing means I can.

PHYSICIAN.

This should cheer up your Highness — weariness
Is a good symptom, and most favourable-

It gives me pleasant hopes. Please you walk forth
Onto the Terrace; the refreshing air

Will blow one half of your sad doubts away.

(51) Originally, Gersa was made to strike in here after height —

It shall be done

But for myself I keep me from his sight.

(55) Cancelled reading

I will not be remiss - obey your wishes.

exit-scene changes.

(56) In the manuscript, this weariness; and of the next line there is a rejected reading

Is a most gentle symptom, of the best...

(59) In previous editions Upon the terrace. The long stage direction opening the next scene is wanting in the manuscript; and the first two speakers are 1st Lord and 2nd Lord.

SCENE V.. A Banqueting Hall, brilliantly illuminated, and set forth with all costly magnificence, with Supper-tables, laden with services of Gold and Silver. A door in the back scene, guarded by two Soldiers. Lords, Ladies, Knights, Gentlemen, &c., whispering sadly, and ranging themselves; part entering and part discovered.

FIRST KNIGHT.

Grievously are we tantaliz'd, one and all

Sway'd here and there, commanded to and fro

As though we were the shadows of a dream

And link'd to a sleeping fancy. What do we here?

There, Sir,

In the next room have you remark'd those two
Stout soldiers posted at the door?

(3-4) In former editions

the shadows of a sleep, And link'd to a dreaming fancy.

(8) This third speech is assigned to 1st Lord in the manuscript.

(10) There are two rejected readings here, pacing and standing, for posted; and the stage direction enter Gerza follows the next question of Gonfred in the manuscript, where there is no trace of the 1st and 2nd Ladies' speeches now intervening.