Page:Keats - Poetical Works, DeWolfe, 1884.djvu/372

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OTHO THE GREAT.
 Ludolph. I dare not. 'Twould pollute so good a father!O heavy crime! that your son's blinded eyesCould not see all his parent's love aright,As now I see it. Be not kind to me—Punish me not with favor.
 Otho.Are you sure,Ludolph, you have no saving plea in store?
 Ludolph. My father, none!
 Otho.Then you astonish me.
 Ludolph. No, I have no plea. Disobedience,Rebellion, obstinacy, blasphemy,Are all my counsellors. If they can makeMy crooked deeds show good and plausible,Then grant me loving pardon, but not else,Good Gods! not else, in any way, my liege!
 Otho. You are a most perplexing, noble boy.
 Ludolph. You not less a perplexing noble father.
 Otho. Well, you shall have free passport through the gates,Farewell!
 Ludolph.Farewell! and by these tears believeAnd still remember I repent in painAll my misdeeds!
 Otho.Ludolph, I will! I willBut, Ludolph, ere you go, I would inquireIf you, in all your wandering, ever metA certain Arab haunting in these parts.
 Ludolph. No, my good lord, I cannot say I did.
 Otho. Make not your father blind before his time;Nor let these arms paternal hunger moreFor an embrace, to dull the appetite
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