Page:Keats - Poetical Works, DeWolfe, 1884.djvu/391

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OTHO THE GREAT.
375
Painful, clog up and stagnate. Weigh this matter Even as a miser balances his coin; And in the name of mercy, give command That your knight Albert be brought here before you. He will expound this riddle; he will show A noon-day proof of bad Auranthe's guilt.
 Otho. Let Albert straight be summon'd. [Exit one of the Nobles.  
 Ludolph.Impossible! I cannot doubt—I will not—no—to doubt Is to be ashes!—wither'd up to death!
 Otho. My gentle Ludolph, harbor not a fear; You do yourself much wrong.
 Ludolph.O, wretched dolt! Now, when my foot is almost on thy neck, Wilt thou infuriate me? Proof! Thou fool! Why wilt thou tease impossibility With such a thick-skull'd persevering suit? Fanatic obstinacy! Prodigy! Monster of folly! Ghost of a turn'd brain! You puzzle me,—you haunt me,—when I dream Of you my brain will split! Bold sorcerer! Juggler! May I come near you? On my soul I know not whether to pity, curse, or laugh.
Enter Albert, and the Nobleman.
Here, Albert, this old phantom wants a proof! Give him his proof! A camel's load of proofs!
 Otho. Albert, I speak to you as to a man Whose words once utter'd pass like current gold; And therefore fit to calmly put a close To this brief tempest. Do you stand possess'd
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