Page:Keats - Poetical Works, DeWolfe, 1884.djvu/421

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OTHO THE GREAT.
405
The purple slaughter-house, where Bacchus' selfPrick'd his own swollen veins! Where is my page?
 Page. Here, here!
 Ludolph. Be ready to obey me; anon thou shaltBear a soft message for me; for the hourDraws near when I must make a winding upOf bridal mysteries—a fine-spun vengeance!Carve it on my tomb, that, when I rest beneath,Men shall confess, this Prince was gull'd and cheated,But from the ashes of disgrace he roseMore than a fiery dragon, and did burnHis ignominy up in purging fires!Did I not send, sir, but a moment past,For my father?
 Gersa.You did.
 Ludolph.Perhaps twould beMuch better he came not.
 Gersa.He enters now!
Enter Otho, Erminia, Ethelbert, Sigifred, and Physician.
 Ludolph. Oh! thou good man, against whose sacred headI was a mad conspirator, chiefly tooFor the sake of my fair newly wedded wife,Now to be punish'd!—do not look so sad!Those charitable eyes will thaw my heart,Those tears will wash away a just resolve,A verdict ten times sworn! Awake—awake—Put on a judge's brow, and use a tongueMade iron-stern by habit! Thou shalt seeA deed to be applauded, 'scribed in gold!
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