John Keats

The Complete Works: Poetry, Plays, Letters and Extensive Biographies


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Indeed!

      ’Tis good ’tis good let him but fall asleep,

      That saves him.

      Otho.

      Gersa, watch him like a child

      Ward him from harm and bring me better news

      Physician. Humour him to the height. I fear to go;

      For should he catch a glimpse of my dull garb,

      It might affright him fill him with suspicion

      That we believe him sick, which must not be

      Gersa. I will invent what soothing means I can.

[Exit GERSA

      Physician.

      This should cheer up your Highness weariness

      Is a good symptom, and most favourable

      It gives me pleasant hopes. Please you walk forth

      Onto the Terrace; the refreshing air

      Will blow one half of your sad doubts away.

      [Exeunt.

      Scene V

      A Banqueting Hall, brilliantly illuminated, and set forth with all costly magnificence, with Supper-tables, laden with services of Gold and Silver. A door in the back scene, guarded by two Soldiers. Lords, Ladies, Knights, Gentlemen, &c., whispering sadly, and ranging themselves; part entering and part discovered.

      First Knight. Grievously are we tantaliz’d, one and all

      Sway’d here and there, commanded to and fro

      As though we were the shadows of a dream

      And link’d to a sleeping fancy. What do we here?

      Gonfred.

      I am no Seer you know we must obey

      The prince from A to Z though it should be

      To set the place in flames. I pray hast heard

      Where the most wicked Princess is?

      First Knight. There, Sir,

      In the next room have you remark’d those two

      Stout soldiers posted at the door?

      Gonfred.

      For what?

      [They whisper.

      First Lady. How ghast a train!

      Second Lady. Sure this should be some splendid burial.

      First Lady. What fearful whispering! See, see, Gersa there.

Enter GERSA

      Gersa.

      Put on your brightest looks; smile if you can;

      Behave as all were happy; keep your eyes

      From the least watch upon him ;

      if he speaks

      To any one, answer collectedly,

      Without surprise, his questions, howe’er strange.

      Do this to the utmost, though, alas! with me

      The remedy grows hopeless! Here he comes,

      Observe what I have said, show no surprise.

Enter LUDOLPH, followed by SIGIFRED and Page

      Ludolph.

      A splendid company! rare beauties here!

      I should have Orphean lips, and Plato’s fancy,

      Amphion’s utterance, toned with his lyre,

      Or the deep key of Jove’s sonorous mouth,

      To give fit salutation. Methought I heard,

      As I came in, some whispers, what of that?

      ’Tis natural men should whisper; at the kiss

      Of Psyche given by Love, there was a buzz

      Among the gods! and silence is as natural.

      These draperies are fine, and, being a mortal,

      I should desire no better; yet, in truth,

      There must be some superiour costliness,

      Some wider-domed high magnificence!

      I would have, as a mortal I may not,

      Hanging of heaven’s clouds, purple and gold,

      Slung from the spheres; gauzes of silver mist,

      Loop’d up with cords of twisted wreathed light,

      And tassell’d round with weeping meteors!

      These pendent lamps and chandeliers are bright

      As earthly fires from dull dross can be cleansed;

      Yet could my eyes drink up intenser beams

      Undazzled, this is darkness, when I close

      These lids, I see far fiercer brilliances,

      Skies full of splendid moons, and shooting stars,

      And spouting exhalations, diamond fires,

      And panting fountains quivering with deep glows!

      Yes this is dark is it not dark?

      Sigifred.

      My Lord,

      ’Tis late; the lights of festival are ever

      Quench’d in the morn.

      Ludolph.

      ’Tis not tomorrow then?

      Sigifred. ’Tis early dawn.

      Gersa.

      Indeed full time we slept;

      Say you so, Prince?

      Ludolph.

      I say I quarreled with you ; We did not tilt each other, that’s a blessing,

      Good gods! no innocent blood upon my head!

      Sigifred.

      Retire, Gersa!

      Ludolph.

      There should be three more here:

      For two of them, they stay away perhaps,

      Being gloomy-minded, haters of fair revels,

      They know their own thoughts best.

      As for the third,

      Deep blue eyes semi-shaded in white lids,

      Finished with lashes fine for more soft shade,

      Completed by her twin-arch’d ebon brows

      White temples of exactest elegance,

      Of even mould felicitous and smooth

      Cheeks fashioned tenderly on either side,

      So perfect, so divine that our poor eyes

      Are dazzled with the sweet proportioning,

      And wonder that ’tis so, the magic chance!

      Her nostrils, small, fragrant, faery-delicate;

      Her lips -I swear no human bones e’er wore

      So taking a disguise you shall behold her!

      We’ll have her presently; aye, you shall see her,

      And wonder at her, friends, she is so fair

      She is the world’s chief Jewel, and by heaven

      She’s mine by right of marriage she is mine!

      Patience, good people, in