SCENE V. — A Banqueting Hall, brilliantly illuminated, and set forth with all costly magnificence, with suppertables laden with services of gold and silver. A door in the back scene, guarded by two Soldiers. Lords, Ladies, Knights, Gentlemen, etc., whispering sadly, and ranging themselves; part entering and part discovered. 20 comes, Enter LUDOLPH, followed by SIGIFRED and Ludolph. A splendid company! rare I should have Orphean lips, and Plato's fancy, 1st Knight. Grievously are we tantalized, Amphion's utterance, toned with his lyre, Loop'd up with cords of twisted wreathed Her nostrils, small, fragrant, fairy-delicate; Her lips-I swear no human bones e'er light, To lead you to them. Ludolph. The day is not quite done. hither. Certes, a father's smile should, like sun light, No, excuse me, - no! Go, bring them [Exit SIGIFRED. Slant on my sheafed harvest of ripe bliss. Besides, I thirst to pledge my lovely bride In a deep goblet: let me see- what wine? The strong Iberian juice, or mellow Greek? Or pale Calabrian? Or the Tuscan grape ? Or of old Ætna's pulpy wine-presses, Black stain'd with the fat vintage, as it were 122 The purple slaughter-house, where Bacchus' self Prick'd his own swollen veins? Where is my page ? Page. Here, here! Ludolph. Be ready to obey me; anon thou shalt Bear a soft message for me; for the hour Draws near when I must make a winding up Carve it on my tomb, that, when I rest beneath, 130 Men shall confess this Prince was gull'd and cheated, But from the ashes of disgrace he rose You did. Perhaps 't would be He enters now! Much better he came not. Gersa. Enter OTHO, ERMINIA, ETHELBERT, SIGIFRED, and Physician. Ludolph. O thou good man, against whose sacred head 139 I was a mad conspirator, chiefly too, |