ALMACHILDES. I pledge thee, king. ROSAMUND. My lord, I am weary at heart, and fain would sleep. Forgive me That I can sit no more. ALBOVINE. What ails thee? ROSAMUND. Nought. The hot and heavy time of year has bound About my brows a band of iron. Sire, Thou wouldst not see me sink aswoon, and mar The raptures of thy revel. ALBOVINE. Get thee hence. Go. God be with thee. ROSAMUND. God abide with thee. [_Exit with attendants_. ALBOVINE. This is no feast: I will no more of it. Boy, Take note, and tempt not so thy bride, albeit She tempt thee to the trial. ALMACHILDES. I shall not, king, ALBOVINE. She will not. Sirs, good night—if night may be Good. Hardly may the day be, here. And yet For you it may be—Hildegard and thee. God give you joy. ALMACHILDES. God give thee comfort, king. [_Exeunt_. ACT II. _A room in the Queen’s apartments_. _Enter_ ROSAMUND. ROSAMUND. I am yet alive to question if I live And wonder what may ever bid me die. But live I will, being yet not dead with thee, Father. Thou knowest in Paradise my heart. I feel thy kisses breathing on my lips, Whereto the dead cold relic of thy face Was pressed at bidding of thy slayer last night, And yet they were not withered: nay, they are red As blood is—blood but newly spilt—not thine. How good thou wast and sweet of spirit—how dear, Father! None lives that knew thee now save one, And none loves me but thou nor thee but I, That was till yesternight thy daughter: now That very name is tainted, and my tongue Tastes poison as I speak it. There is nought Left in the range and record of the world For me that is not poisoned: even my heart Is all envenomed in me. Death is life, Or priesthood lies that swears it: then I give The man my husband and thy homicide Life, if I slay him—the life he gave thee. _Enter_ HILDEGARD.