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OTHO THE GREAT.
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Slow, and demure, and proud in his despair.
If I may judge by his so tragic bearing,
His eye not downcast, and his folded arm,
He doth this moment wish himself asleep
Among his fallen captains on yon plains.
If I may judge by his so tragic bearing,
His eye not downcast, and his folded arm,
He doth this moment wish himself asleep
Among his fallen captains on yon plains.
Enter Gersa in chains, and guarded,
Otho. Well said, Sir Albert.
Gersa.Not a word of greeting,
No welcome to a princely visitor,
Most mighty Otho? Will not my great host
Vouchsafe a syllable, before he bids
His gentlemen conduct me with all care
To some securest lodging—cold perhaps!
No welcome to a princely visitor,
Most mighty Otho? Will not my great host
Vouchsafe a syllable, before he bids
His gentlemen conduct me with all care
To some securest lodging—cold perhaps!
Otho. What a mood is this? Hath fortune touch'd thy brain?
Gersa. O kings and princes of this fev'rous world,
What abject things, what mockeries must ye be,
What nerveless minions of safe palaces!
When here, a monarch, whose proud foot is used
To fallen princes' necks, as to his stirrup,
Must needs exclaim that I am mad forsooth,
Because I cannot flatter with bent knees
My conqueror!
What abject things, what mockeries must ye be,
What nerveless minions of safe palaces!
When here, a monarch, whose proud foot is used
To fallen princes' necks, as to his stirrup,
Must needs exclaim that I am mad forsooth,
Because I cannot flatter with bent knees
My conqueror!
Otho.Gersa, I think you wrong me:
I think I have a better fame abroad.
I think I have a better fame abroad.
Gersa. I pr'ythee mock me not with gentle speech,
But, as a favor, bid me from thy presence;
Let me no longer be the wondering food
Of all these eyes; pr'ythee command me hence!
But, as a favor, bid me from thy presence;
Let me no longer be the wondering food
Of all these eyes; pr'ythee command me hence!
Otho. Do not mistake me, Gersa. That you may not.
