[A knocking at the door.]
That's some petitioner.
Go to--I will not hear them: why should I work,
When he is dead? Alas! was that my sin?
Was he, not Christ, my lodestar? Why not warn me?
Too late! What's this foul dream? Dead at Otranto--
Parched by Italian suns--no woman by him--
He was too chaste! Nought but rude men to nurse!--
If I had been there, I should have watched by him--
Guessed every fancy--God! I might have saved him!
[A servant-man bursts in.]
Servant. Madam, the Landgrave gave me strict commands--
Isen. The Landgrave, dolt?
Eliz. I might have saved him!
Servant [to Isen.] Ay, saucy madam!--
The Landgrave Henry, lord and master,
Freer than the last, and yet no waster,
Who will not stint a poor knave's beer,
Or spin out Lent through half the year.
Why--I see double!
Eliz. Who spoke there of the Landgrave? What's this drunkard?
Give him his answer--'Tis no time for mumming--
Serv. The Landgrave Henry bade me see you out
Safe through his gates, and that at once, my Lady.
Come!
Eliz. Why--that's hasty--I must take my children
Ah! I forgot--they would not let me see them.
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