Otho. No more of her. Auranthe—Ludolph, come! This marriage be the bond of endless peace!

[Exeunt.

SCENE II.—The entrance of Gersa’s Tent in the Hungarian Camp.

Enter Erminia

Erminia. Where—where—where shall I find a messenger?
A trusty soul—a good man, in the camp?
Shall I go myself? Monstrous wickedness!
O cursed Conrad! devilish Auranthe!
Here is proof palpable as the bright sun!
O for a voice to reach the Emperor’s ears!

[Shouts in the Camp.

Enter an Hungarian Captain

Captain. Fair prisoner, you hear these joyous shouts?
The King—aye, now our King—but still your slave,
Young Gersa, from a short captivity
Has just returned. He bids me say, bright dame,
That even the homage of his ranged chiefs
Cures not his keen impatience to behold
Such beauty once again. What ails you, lady?

Erminia. Say, is not that a German, yonder? There!

Captain. Methinks by his stout bearing he should be;
Yes—it is Albert; a brave German Knight,
And much in the Emperor’s favour.

Erminia. I would fain
Inquire of friends and kinsfolk,—how they fared
In these rough times. Brave soldier, as you pass
To royal Gersa with my humble thanks.
Will you send yonder knight to me?

Captain. I will

[Exit.

Erminia. Yes, he was ever known to be a man
Frank, open, generous; Albert, I may trust.
O proof! proof! proof! Albert’s an honest man;

Enter Albert

Albert. Good gods!
Lady Erminia! are you prisoner
In this beleaguered camp? or are you here
Of your own will? You pleased to send for me.
By Venus, ’tis a pity I knew not
Your plight before, and, by her son, I swear
To do you every service you can ask.
What would the fairest—?

Erminia. Albert, will you swear?

Albert. I have. Well?

Erminia. Albert, you have fame to lose.
If men, in court and camp, lie not outright,
You should be, from a thousand, chosen forth
To do an honest deed. Shall I confide—?

Albert. Aye, anything to me, fair creature. Do;
Dictate my task. Sweet woman,—

Erminia. Truce with that
You understand me not; and, in your speech,
I see how far the slander is abroad.
Without proof could you think me innocent?

Albert. Lady, I should rejoice to know you so.