Has he been seen by any whom we know,
Any of our vassals, chiefs, or friends?

Ulrick. I have met

With none of these have seen him.
Coun. [Abstractedly.] Happy woman!
Ulrick. Madam?

Coun. The Empress is a happy woman.
She can reward desert, ennoble it.

Ulrick. So in this instance hath her highness done,
With such profusion of munificence,

There are not wanting those who think she sees
Less with an empress' than a woman's eyes,

And means her bounties but as costly heralds,
Poor to the costlier comer they forerun.
Coun. What means she to espouse him?
Ulrick. 'Tis surmised.

Matter to wonder at, yet justified.

For they report him of a presence noble,
As e'er bespoke a man to challenge honour.
Coun. I never dreamt of an abyss so hideous
And to be standing on the very brink of it!

Ulrick. [Alarmed at her vehemence.] Madam!

Coun. Ay! what's the matter? [Aside.] I am frightened
At myself? [Aloud.[ My lord, my spirits are so dreamy,
Things which are not, I see- -which are, see not!
Pray do not heed me. For this tournament,

Thus near without obstruction on my part
Hath it approached; but pray you, keep in mind
On what condition: that at any time.

The husband it awards, revolting to me,

1 am at liberty to make a choice

Between a husband and the cloister.

I'll read the will again.

So!

[Sits down and reads.

Enter STEPHEN, hastily, L.

Stephen. News! news! my lord.

Ulrick. What is it?

Stephen. Huon!

Coun. Ha!

Well, what of Huon-is he found?

Stephen. He is.

Coun. Propitious Heaven, at what a time! where

Stephen. In the suite of the Empress.

Coun. Well,-go on!

Stephen. I saw him! More. That sun of chivalry Hath suddenly blazed forth in the brief war

So late gone by, and dazzled friends and foes--
The fav'rite of the Empress

Coun. Well? Go on!

Stephen. Huon and he are one.

Coun. I was sure of it.

Send him away.

[She staggers to a seat, Ulrick supports her.

Ulrick. Hence, sir.

Coun. Don't wonder at me!

[Exit Stephen, L.

Don't!

Nor question me, whate'er I say or do!
Listen, and do my bidding. I prepare
To give reception to the Empress,-thou

See Huon. Tell him I would speak with him
Soon as occasion serves; or let him make
Occasion, and at once-at once, my lord!

[Aside.] Where shall we meet? In the garden? No; the garden

Is overlooked. In the library? No;

We may be subject to intrusion there.

What should prevent his coming to my closet?

What place so fit? Why think of any other?

[Aloud.] My lord, bring Huon to my closet. Huon!

The favourite of the Empress I should say.

[Exeunt, Countess, R., Ulrick, L.

SCENE II.-The Garden of the Castle.

Enter SIR RUPERT and SIR CONRAD, R.

Sir Rup. Time is the same. 'Tis our condition's changed.

The hours hang weary-heavy on our hands:

We scarce could catch when Catherine was here,

They went so fleetly by us. Then the death

Of the duke hath left a blank, which, while he lived,
Light offices with grateful tasks filled up,

Forbade our spirits flag.

Sir Con. Eventful day,

The day he died! Eventful day to us!

Huon. I'll keep my word,

And so do both. [Takes paper to table and

Enter STEPHEN, L.

peruses it.

Coun. [To Stephen.] Is Catherine in the castle? If not, go to her house, and bring her hither. Stephen. She is in the castle. Now she entered it. Coun. Conduct her to my chamber. Stay. My chaplain

Tell him, and do it straight, to wait me in

The chapel. Tarry. See that the chapel else
Is clear make sure of it. That ascertained,
Take post the door, and mind that none do enter,
Except the serf and the two ladies that

Shall follow him. I shall be one. A mouse
Besides, thou diest!

[Exit Stephen, L. Huon. [Signs paper.] It is signed-Farewell! [Going. Coun. Stay!-To the full thou must redeem thy pledge. Unless thou marriest, it is not signed.

The paper is but air, the ink but water,
Without fulfilling of the written deed;
And thou dost juggle with me shamefully,
Saying thou lovest me, and for thy oath
Staking thy love, and leaving all undone,
As thou hadst sworn by nothing.
To marry Catherine, which, doing not,
Thou dost not love me,-thou art not a man!

Thou art bound

Huon. I am indifferent to what I do :

All things of earth are now the same to me;

Good, bad, love, hate, wrong, kindness, life, or death.
What hour you please, I'll marry Catherine. [Going, B.
Coun. [Stopping him.] Now!

This very moment! She will meet thee in
The chapel, whither thou must straight repair.
Thou wilt?

Huon. I will.

Coun. The chaplain thou wilt find

Expecting thee-and, if he be not come
Already, still he will be sure to come

Thou wilt not juggle with me?

Huon. No.

Coun. Thou darest not

I mean, thou darest not but respect thine oath! Huon. I'll keep it, madam.-[Aside.] Then, farewell forever! [Exit, R.- -Countess sinks into a chair.

Enter DUKE, L., with a parchment and seal.

Duke. Where's Huon?

Coun. Gone to do thy will.

Duke. Who worked this miracle? I never dreamed He would comform to it! Who worked it?

Coun. I.

Duke. Thou?

Coun. [Giving him the paper.] There.

Duke. My child!

Thou art thy father's child,

My proud child still! Where is he?

Coun. In the chapel,

By this. The chaplain waits upon him there.
Catherine is in my room, expecting me.

So please you, sir, since I have helped the match
Thus far, I'll e'en o'erlook the ceremony.

Duke. Do so.

My barque no more is fit for sea;

A ripple threatens it with foundering,

Almost 'tis foundered now. Did Huon tell thee
How he withstood me ?

Coun. All is known to me.

But pray you, for the sake of Catherine,

Grant him his freedom. 'Tis not meet her husband
Should drag the chain hath been unloosed from her.
Duke. This document accomplishes your wish,
E'en now prepared to win him to my purpose.
I give it freely, for I love the boy;

Ay, now entirely love him!

See him married;
And may he plight a happy, happy troth
To her he weds! My child, I am failing fast.
'Tis time-don't heed!-go to the chapel-and
My blessing on the errand takes thee thither.

Enter ULRICK, L.

Ha!-you are come in time, sir! I shall need
Your help to my chamber. Tell the boy, I bless him!
Come hither-bless thee, too! And bless the work
Thou goest to do! While I remember it,

Regard Count Ulrick as thy father's friend,
One of his household now, with sanction of
The Prince of Milan. I am very feeble!
'Must to my chamber!

Coun. [Rushing towards him, and kneeling.] Bless me, again! my father!

Duke. Again, my child?-Again?

[Blessing her.

Heaven bless thee! It is wiser-better knows
Thy good-can better help thee to't-ay!

Better than thy father! May it bless thee, then,
And be its will, before thy father's dower!

[Exit, L.

Coun. Now. fail not Catherine, and the die is cast!

SCENE II.-The Corridor of the Castle.

Enter SIR Conrad, L.

[Exit, R.

Sir Con. What calls the chaplain to his sacred post,
And why this privacy? About to pass
The porch, I was admonished 'twas forbid
To all to enter! 'Tis no day of fast,

No hour of customary rites! 'Tis naught
To me.
I only wonder at its strangeness.

Enter SIR Rupert, r.

Sir Rup. Where is the Prince of Milan?
Sir Con. In the court-yard-

Unless departed thence this moment.

Sir Rup. Find him,

And bring him to the chamber of the duke,
If, on your way, you meet the duke's physician,
In search of whom I go, he, too, is summoned,
And tell him so.

Sir Con. Why, what's the matter?

Sir Rup. Woe!

The duke!-the duke!-No question, but away!

[Exeunt, Sir Rupert, L., Sir Conrad, R.

SCENE III.-Chamber of the Countess.

Enter CHRISTINA and the COUNTESS'S MAID, r.

Chris. My mistress marry Huon ?

Maid. Even so!