Page:Keats - Poetical Works, DeWolfe, 1884.djvu/388

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OTHO THE GREAT
 Otho. Ludolph, old Ethelbert, be sure, comes not To beard us for no cause; he's not the man To cry himself up an ambassador Without credentials.
 Ludolph.I'll chain up myself.
 Otho. Old abbot, stand here forth. Lady Erminia, Sit. And now, abbot! what have you to say? Our ear is open. First we here denounce Hard penalties against thee, if't be found The cause for which you have disturb'd us here, Making our bright hours muddy, be a thing Of little moment.
 Ethelbert.See this innocent! Otho! thou father of the people call'd, Is her life nothing? Her fair honor nothing? Her tears from matins until even-song Nothing? Her burst heart nothing? Emperor! Is this your gentle niece—the simplest flower Of the world's herbal—this fair lily blanch'd Still with the dews of piety, this meek lady Here sitting like an angel newly-shent, Who veils its snowy wings and grows all pale,—Is she nothing?
 Otho.What more to the purpose, abbot?
 Ludolph. Whither is he winding?
 Conrad.No clue yet!
 Ethelbert. You have heard, my Liege, and so, no doubt, all here, Foul, poisonous, malignant whisperings; Nay open speech, rude mockery grown common, Against the spotless nature and clear fame Of the princess Erminia, your niece.
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