ACT IV

[5]I1817,1828,1829.

I1817,1828,1829.

[34]common-talk1817,1828,1829.

common-talk1817,1828,1829.

[35]My1817,1828,1829.

My1817,1828,1829.

[37-9]'Was not the . . . Majesty.'1817,1828,1829.

'Was not the . . . Majesty.'1817,1828,1829.

[40]thy1817,1828,1829.

thy1817,1828,1829.

[51]him1817,1828,1829.

him1817,1828,1829.

[52]me1817,1828,1829.

me1817,1828,1829.

[56]Emerick (with a slight start, as one who had been talking aloud to himself: then with scorn).1817,1828,1829.

Emerick (with a slight start, as one who had been talking aloud to himself: then with scorn).1817,1828,1829.

[63]thee1817,1828,1829.

thee1817,1828,1829.

[68-9]'This way . . . safe lodged.'1817,1828,1829.

'This way . . . safe lodged.'1817,1828,1829.

[73]'I'm . . . fortunes.'1817,1828,1829.

'I'm . . . fortunes.'1817,1828,1829.

[95-102]'Ask not my son,' said she, 'our . . . in silence!'1817,1828,1829.

'Ask not my son,' said she, 'our . . . in silence!'1817,1828,1829.

[112]Laska (recovering himself).Good now.1817,1828,1829.

Laska (recovering himself).Good now.1817,1828,1829.

Before115Bethlen (holding up his hand as if to strike him).1817,1828,1829.

[116]should1817,1828,1829.

should1817,1828,1829.

Before118Laska (still more recovering).1817,1828,1829.

[121]You1817,1828,1829.

You1817,1828,1829.

[128]'Bethlen! O poor Bethlen!'1817,1828,1829.

'Bethlen! O poor Bethlen!'1817,1828,1829.

[151]may1817,1828,1829.

may1817,1828,1829.

Before161[Then very pompously.1817,1828,1829.

[174]brave1817,1828,1829.

brave1817,1828,1829.

[181-7]'Say thou . . . cudgel'1817,1828,1829.

'Say thou . . . cudgel'1817,1828,1829.

[212]Bathory.Go! Go![Bethlenbreaks off and exit.Bathorylooks affectionately after him.1817,1828,1829.

Bathory.Go! Go![Bethlenbreaks off and exit.Bathorylooks affectionately after him.

1817,1828,1829.

After213Scene changes . . . tapestry.Saroltain an elegant Night Dress, and anAttendant.1817,1828,1829.

After213

Scene changes . . . tapestry.

Saroltain an elegant Night Dress, and anAttendant.

1817,1828,1829.

[223-6]'You'll be sure,' said he, 'To meet withpart. . . pray you!'1817,1828,1829.

'You'll be sure,' said he, 'To meet withpart. . . pray you!'1817,1828,1829.

[228-9]'It is . . . backwards.'1817,1828,1829.

'It is . . . backwards.'1817,1828,1829.

[234]they1817,1828,1829.

they1817,1828,1829.

[257]soul1817,1828,1829.

soul1817,1828,1829.

[272]villain] ingrate1817,1828,1829.

villain] ingrate1817,1828,1829.

[300]me1817.

me1817.

[311]Stained with adulterous blood, and—[Then to Sarolta.1817,1828,1829.

Stained with adulterous blood, and—[Then to Sarolta.

1817,1828,1829.

After322[Emerickpoints his hand haughtily towardsBethlen, who catching a sight of the signet, seizes his hand and eagerly observes the signet, then flings the hand back with indignant joy.1817,1828,1829.

[339]now1817,1828,1829.

now1817,1828,1829.

[341]half1817,1828,1829.

half1817,1828,1829.

[342]that1817,1828,1829.

that1817,1828,1829.

After353[Pointing to the sword whichBethlenhad been disarmed of by theAttendants.1817,1828,1829.

[357]Casimir.Hush! Hush![In an under voice.1817,1828,1829.

Casimir.Hush! Hush![In an under voice.

1817,1828,1829.

After362[Embracing her.1817,1828,1829.

After365[Exeunt consulting.1817,1828,1829.End of Act III.1817.

After365[Exeunt consulting.1817,1828,1829.

End of Act III.1817.

A glade in a wood. EnterCasimirlooking anxiously around.

Casimir.This needs must be the spot! O, here he comes!

EnterLord Rudolph.

Well met, Lord Rudolph!——Your whisper was not lost upon my ear,And I dare trust—Lord Rudolph.Enough! the time is precious!You left Temeswar late on yester-eve?5And sojourned there some hours?Casimir.I did so!Lord Rudolph.Heard youAught of a hunt preparing?Casimir.Yes; and metThe assembled huntsmen!Lord Rudolph.Was there no word given?Casimir.The word for me was this:—The royal LeopardChases thy milk-white dedicated Hind.10Lord Rudolph.Your answer?Casimir.As the word proves false or trueWill Casimir cross the hunt, or join the huntsmen!Lord Rudolph.The event redeemed their pledge?Casimir.It did, and thereforeHave I sent back both pledge and invitation.The spotless Hind hath fled to them for shelter,15And bears with her my seal of fellowship![They take hands.

Well met, Lord Rudolph!——Your whisper was not lost upon my ear,And I dare trust—

Lord Rudolph.Enough! the time is precious!You left Temeswar late on yester-eve?5And sojourned there some hours?

Casimir.I did so!

Lord Rudolph.Heard youAught of a hunt preparing?

Casimir.Yes; and metThe assembled huntsmen!

Lord Rudolph.Was there no word given?

Casimir.The word for me was this:—The royal LeopardChases thy milk-white dedicated Hind.10

Lord Rudolph.Your answer?

Casimir.As the word proves false or trueWill Casimir cross the hunt, or join the huntsmen!

Lord Rudolph.The event redeemed their pledge?

Casimir.It did, and thereforeHave I sent back both pledge and invitation.The spotless Hind hath fled to them for shelter,15And bears with her my seal of fellowship![They take hands.

Lord Rudolph.But Emerick! how when you reported to himSarolta's disappearance, and the flightOf Bethlen with his guards?Casimir.O he received itAs evidence of their mutual guilt. In fine,20With cozening warmth condoled with, and dismissed me.Lord Rudolph.I entered as the door was closing on you:His eye was fixed, yet seemed to follow you,—With such a look of hate, and scorn and triumph,As if he had you in the toils already,25And were then choosing where to stab you first.But hush! draw back!Casimir.This nook is at the furthestFrom any beaten track.Lord Rudolph.There! mark them!

Lord Rudolph.But Emerick! how when you reported to himSarolta's disappearance, and the flightOf Bethlen with his guards?

Casimir.O he received itAs evidence of their mutual guilt. In fine,20With cozening warmth condoled with, and dismissed me.

Lord Rudolph.I entered as the door was closing on you:His eye was fixed, yet seemed to follow you,—With such a look of hate, and scorn and triumph,As if he had you in the toils already,25And were then choosing where to stab you first.But hush! draw back!

Casimir.This nook is at the furthestFrom any beaten track.

Lord Rudolph.There! mark them!

[Points to whereLaskaandPestalutzcross the Stage.

Casimir.Laska!Lord Rudolph.One of the two I recognized this morning;His name is Pestalutz: a trusty ruffian30Whose face is prologue still to some dark murder.Beware no stratagem, no trick of message,Dispart you from your servants.Casimir (aside).I deserve it.The comrade of that ruffian is my servant:The one I trusted most and most preferred.35But we must part. What makes the king so late?It was his wont to be an early stirrer.Lord Rudolph.And his main policy.To enthral the sluggard nature in ourselvesIs, in good truth, the better half of the secretTo enthral the world: for the will governs all.40See, the sky lowers! the cross-winds waywardlyChase the fantastic masses of the cloudsWith a wild mockery of the coming hunt!Casimir.Mark yonder mass! I make it wear the shapeOf a huge ram that butts with head depressed.45

Casimir.Laska!

Lord Rudolph.One of the two I recognized this morning;His name is Pestalutz: a trusty ruffian30Whose face is prologue still to some dark murder.Beware no stratagem, no trick of message,Dispart you from your servants.

Casimir (aside).I deserve it.The comrade of that ruffian is my servant:The one I trusted most and most preferred.35But we must part. What makes the king so late?It was his wont to be an early stirrer.

Lord Rudolph.And his main policy.To enthral the sluggard nature in ourselvesIs, in good truth, the better half of the secretTo enthral the world: for the will governs all.40See, the sky lowers! the cross-winds waywardlyChase the fantastic masses of the cloudsWith a wild mockery of the coming hunt!

Casimir.Mark yonder mass! I make it wear the shapeOf a huge ram that butts with head depressed.45

Lord Rudolph (smiling).Belike, some stray sheep of the oozy flock,Which, if bards lie not, the Sea-shepherds tend,Glaucus or Proteus. But my fancy shapes itA monster couchant on a rocky shelf.Casimir.Mark too the edges of the lurid mass—50Restless, as if some idly-vexing Sprite,On swift wing coasting by, with tetchy handPluck'd at the ringlets of the vaporous Fleece.These are sure signs of conflict nigh at hand,And elemental war![A single trumpet heard at some distance.Lord Rudolph.That single blast55Announces that the tyrant's pawing courserNeighs at the gate.[Trumpets.Hark! now the king comes forth!For ever 'midst this crash of horns and clarionsHe mounts his steed, which proudly rears an-endWhile he looks round at ease, and scans the crowd,60Vain of his stately form and horsemanship!I must away! my absence may be noticed.Casimir.Oft as thou canst, essay to lead the huntHard by the forest-skirts; and ere high noonExpect our sworn confederates from Temeswar.65I trust, ere yet this clouded sun slopes westward,That Emerick's death, or Casimir's, will appeaseThe manes of Zapolya and Kiuprili![ExitRudolph.The traitor, Laska!——And yet Sarolta, simple, inexperienced,70Could see him as he was, and often warned me.Whence learned she this?—O she was innocent!And to be innocent is Nature's wisdom!The fledge-dove knows the prowlers of the air,Feared soon as seen, and flutters back to shelter.75And the young steed recoils upon his haunches,The never-yet-seen adder's hiss first heard.O surer than Suspicion's hundred eyesIs that fine sense, which to the pure in heart,By mere oppugnancy of their own goodness,80Reveals the approach of evil. Casimir!O fool! O parricide! through yon wood did'st thou,[940]With fire and sword, pursue a patriot father,A widow and an orphan. Dar'st thou then(Curse-laden wretch) put forth these hands to raise85The ark, all sacred, of thy country's cause?Look down in pity on thy son, Kiuprili!And let this deep abhorrence of his crime,Unstained with selfish fears, be his atonement!O strengthen him to nobler compensation90In the deliverance of his bleeding country![ExitCasimir.

Lord Rudolph (smiling).Belike, some stray sheep of the oozy flock,Which, if bards lie not, the Sea-shepherds tend,Glaucus or Proteus. But my fancy shapes itA monster couchant on a rocky shelf.

Casimir.Mark too the edges of the lurid mass—50Restless, as if some idly-vexing Sprite,On swift wing coasting by, with tetchy handPluck'd at the ringlets of the vaporous Fleece.These are sure signs of conflict nigh at hand,And elemental war![A single trumpet heard at some distance.

Lord Rudolph.That single blast55Announces that the tyrant's pawing courserNeighs at the gate.[Trumpets.Hark! now the king comes forth!For ever 'midst this crash of horns and clarionsHe mounts his steed, which proudly rears an-endWhile he looks round at ease, and scans the crowd,60Vain of his stately form and horsemanship!I must away! my absence may be noticed.

Casimir.Oft as thou canst, essay to lead the huntHard by the forest-skirts; and ere high noonExpect our sworn confederates from Temeswar.65I trust, ere yet this clouded sun slopes westward,That Emerick's death, or Casimir's, will appeaseThe manes of Zapolya and Kiuprili![ExitRudolph.The traitor, Laska!——And yet Sarolta, simple, inexperienced,70Could see him as he was, and often warned me.Whence learned she this?—O she was innocent!And to be innocent is Nature's wisdom!The fledge-dove knows the prowlers of the air,Feared soon as seen, and flutters back to shelter.75And the young steed recoils upon his haunches,The never-yet-seen adder's hiss first heard.O surer than Suspicion's hundred eyesIs that fine sense, which to the pure in heart,By mere oppugnancy of their own goodness,80Reveals the approach of evil. Casimir!O fool! O parricide! through yon wood did'st thou,[940]With fire and sword, pursue a patriot father,A widow and an orphan. Dar'st thou then(Curse-laden wretch) put forth these hands to raise85The ark, all sacred, of thy country's cause?Look down in pity on thy son, Kiuprili!And let this deep abhorrence of his crime,Unstained with selfish fears, be his atonement!O strengthen him to nobler compensation90In the deliverance of his bleeding country![ExitCasimir.

Scene changes to the mouth of a Cavern, as in Act II.ZapolyaandGlycinediscovered.

Zapolya.Our friend is gone to seek some safer cave:Do not then leave me long alone, Glycine!Having enjoyed thy commune, loneliness,That but oppressed me hitherto, now scares.95Glycine.I shall know Bethlen at the furthest distance,And the same moment I descry him, lady,I will return to you.[ExitGlycine.

Zapolya.Our friend is gone to seek some safer cave:Do not then leave me long alone, Glycine!Having enjoyed thy commune, loneliness,That but oppressed me hitherto, now scares.95

Glycine.I shall know Bethlen at the furthest distance,And the same moment I descry him, lady,I will return to you.[ExitGlycine.

[EnterOld Bathory, speaking as he enters.

Old Bathory.Who hears? A friend!A messenger from him who bears the signet!Zapolya.He hath the watch-word!—Art thou not Bathory?100Old Bathory.O noble lady! greetings from your son![Bathorykneels.Zapolya.Rise! rise! Or shall I rather kneel beside thee,And call down blessings from the wealth of HeavenUpon thy honoured head? When thou last saw'st meI would full fain have knelt to thee, and could not,105Thou dear old man! How oft since then in dreamsHave I done worship to thee, as an angelBearing my helpless babe upon thy wings!Old Bathory.O he was born to honour! Gallant deedsAnd perilous hath he wrought since yester-eve.110[941]Now from Temeswar (for to him was trustedA life, save thine, the dearest) he hastes hither—Zapolya.Lady Sarolta mean'st thou?Old Bathory.She is safe.The royal brute hath overleapt his prey,And when he turned, a sworded Virtue faced him.115My own brave boy—O pardon, noble lady!Your son——Zapolya.Hark! Is it he?Old Bathory.I hear a voiceToo hoarse for Bethlen's! 'Twas his scheme and hope,Long ere the hunters could approach the forest,To have led you hence.—Retire.Zapolya.O life of terrors!120Old Bathory.In the cave's mouth we have such 'vantage groundThat even this old arm—[ExeuntZapolyaandBathoryinto the cave.

Old Bathory.Who hears? A friend!A messenger from him who bears the signet!

Zapolya.He hath the watch-word!—Art thou not Bathory?100

Old Bathory.O noble lady! greetings from your son![Bathorykneels.

Zapolya.Rise! rise! Or shall I rather kneel beside thee,And call down blessings from the wealth of HeavenUpon thy honoured head? When thou last saw'st meI would full fain have knelt to thee, and could not,105Thou dear old man! How oft since then in dreamsHave I done worship to thee, as an angelBearing my helpless babe upon thy wings!

Old Bathory.O he was born to honour! Gallant deedsAnd perilous hath he wrought since yester-eve.110[941]Now from Temeswar (for to him was trustedA life, save thine, the dearest) he hastes hither—

Zapolya.Lady Sarolta mean'st thou?

Old Bathory.She is safe.The royal brute hath overleapt his prey,And when he turned, a sworded Virtue faced him.115My own brave boy—O pardon, noble lady!Your son——

Zapolya.Hark! Is it he?

Old Bathory.I hear a voiceToo hoarse for Bethlen's! 'Twas his scheme and hope,Long ere the hunters could approach the forest,To have led you hence.—Retire.

Zapolya.O life of terrors!120

Old Bathory.In the cave's mouth we have such 'vantage groundThat even this old arm—[ExeuntZapolyaandBathoryinto the cave.

EnterLaskaandPestalutz.

Laska.Not a step further!Pestalutz.Dastard! was this your promise to the king?Laska.I have fulfilled his orders. Have walked with youAs with a friend: have pointed out Lord Casimir:125And now I leave you to take care of him.For the king's purposes are doubtless friendly.Pestalutz.Be on your guard, man!Laska.Ha! what now?Pestalutz.Behind you!'Twas one of Satan's imps, that grinned and threatened youFor your most impudent hope to cheat his master!130Laska.Pshaw! What! you think 'tis fear that makes me leave you?Pestalutz.Is't not enough to play the knave to others,But thou must lie to thine own heart?Laska.Friend! Laska will be found at his own post,Watching elsewhere for the king's interest.135There's a rank plot that Laska must hunt down,'Twixt Bethlen and Glycine!Pestalutz.What! the girl[942]Whom Laska saw the war-wolf tear in pieces?Laska.Well! Take my arms! Hark! should your javelin fail you,These points are tipt with venom.[SeeingGlycinewithout.By Heaven! Glycine!140Now as you love the king, help me to seize her!

Laska.Not a step further!

Pestalutz.Dastard! was this your promise to the king?

Laska.I have fulfilled his orders. Have walked with youAs with a friend: have pointed out Lord Casimir:125And now I leave you to take care of him.For the king's purposes are doubtless friendly.

Pestalutz.Be on your guard, man!

Laska.Ha! what now?

Pestalutz.Behind you!'Twas one of Satan's imps, that grinned and threatened youFor your most impudent hope to cheat his master!130

Laska.Pshaw! What! you think 'tis fear that makes me leave you?

Pestalutz.Is't not enough to play the knave to others,But thou must lie to thine own heart?

Laska.Friend! Laska will be found at his own post,Watching elsewhere for the king's interest.135There's a rank plot that Laska must hunt down,'Twixt Bethlen and Glycine!

Pestalutz.What! the girl[942]Whom Laska saw the war-wolf tear in pieces?

Laska.Well! Take my arms! Hark! should your javelin fail you,These points are tipt with venom.[SeeingGlycinewithout.By Heaven! Glycine!140Now as you love the king, help me to seize her!

[They run out afterGlycine. EnterBathoryfrom the cavern.

Old Bathory.Rest, lady, rest! I feel in every sinewA young man's strength returning! Which way went they?The shriek came thence.[EnterGlycine.Glycine.Ha! weapons here? Then, Bethlen, thy Glycine145Will die with thee or save thee!

Old Bathory.Rest, lady, rest! I feel in every sinewA young man's strength returning! Which way went they?The shriek came thence.[EnterGlycine.

Glycine.Ha! weapons here? Then, Bethlen, thy Glycine145Will die with thee or save thee!

[She seizes them and rushes out.Bathoryfollowing. Music, andPeasantswith hunting spears cross the stage, singing chorally.

CHORAL SONGUp, up! ye dames, ye lasses gay!To the meadows trip away.'Tis you must tend the flocks this morn,And scare the small birds from the corn.150Not a soul at home may stay:For the shepherds must goWith lance and bowTo hunt the wolf in the woods to-day.Leave the hearth and leave the house155To the cricket and the mouse:Find grannam out a sunny seat,With babe and lambkin at her feet.Not a soul at home may stay:For the shepherds must go160With lance and bowTo hunt the wolf in the woods to-day.[ExeuntHuntsmen.

CHORAL SONG

Up, up! ye dames, ye lasses gay!To the meadows trip away.'Tis you must tend the flocks this morn,And scare the small birds from the corn.150Not a soul at home may stay:For the shepherds must goWith lance and bowTo hunt the wolf in the woods to-day.

Leave the hearth and leave the house155To the cricket and the mouse:Find grannam out a sunny seat,With babe and lambkin at her feet.Not a soul at home may stay:For the shepherds must go160With lance and bowTo hunt the wolf in the woods to-day.[ExeuntHuntsmen.

Re-enterBathory, Bethlen, andGlycine.

Glycine.And now once more a woman——Bethlen.Was it thenThat timid eye, was it those maiden handsThat sped the shaft, which saved me and avenged me?165Old Bathory.'Twas as a vision blazoned on a cloudBy lightning, shaped into a passionate schemeOf life and death! I saw the traitor, Laska,Stoop and snatch up the javelin of his comrade;The point was at your back, when her shaft reached him.170The coward turned, and at the self-same instantThe braver villain fell beneath your sword.

Glycine.And now once more a woman——

Bethlen.Was it thenThat timid eye, was it those maiden handsThat sped the shaft, which saved me and avenged me?165

Old Bathory.'Twas as a vision blazoned on a cloudBy lightning, shaped into a passionate schemeOf life and death! I saw the traitor, Laska,Stoop and snatch up the javelin of his comrade;The point was at your back, when her shaft reached him.170The coward turned, and at the self-same instantThe braver villain fell beneath your sword.

[EnterZapolya.

Zapolya.Bethlen! my child! and safe too!Bethlen.Mother! Queen.Royal Zapolya! name me Andreas!Nor blame thy son, if being a king, he yet175Hath made his own arm minister of his justice.So do the gods who launch the thunderbolt!Zapolya.O Raab Kiuprili! Friend! Protector! Guide!In vain we trenched the altar round with waters,A flash from Heaven hath touched the hidden incense—180Bethlen.And that majestic form that stood beside theeWas Raab Kiuprili!Zapolya.It was Raab Kiuprili;As sure as thou art Andreas, and the king.Old Bathory.Hail Andreas! hail my king!Andreas.Stop, thou revered one,Lest we offend the jealous destinies185By shouts ere victory. Deem it then thy dutyTo pay this homage, when 'tis mine to claim it.Glycine.Accept thine hand-maid's service![Kneeling.Zapolya.Raise her, son!O raise her to thine arms! she saved thy life,And through her love for thee, she saved thy mother's!190Hereafter thou shalt know, that this dear maidHath other and hereditary claimsUpon thy heart, and with Heaven guarded instinct[944]But carried on the work her sire began!Andreas.Dear maid! more dear thou canst not be! the rest195Shall make my love religion. Haste we hence:For as I reached the skirts of this high forest,I heard the noise and uproar of the chase,Doubling its echoes from the mountain foot.Glycine.Hark! sure the hunt approaches.

Zapolya.Bethlen! my child! and safe too!

Bethlen.Mother! Queen.Royal Zapolya! name me Andreas!Nor blame thy son, if being a king, he yet175Hath made his own arm minister of his justice.So do the gods who launch the thunderbolt!

Zapolya.O Raab Kiuprili! Friend! Protector! Guide!In vain we trenched the altar round with waters,A flash from Heaven hath touched the hidden incense—180

Bethlen.And that majestic form that stood beside theeWas Raab Kiuprili!

Zapolya.It was Raab Kiuprili;As sure as thou art Andreas, and the king.

Old Bathory.Hail Andreas! hail my king!

Andreas.Stop, thou revered one,Lest we offend the jealous destinies185By shouts ere victory. Deem it then thy dutyTo pay this homage, when 'tis mine to claim it.

Glycine.Accept thine hand-maid's service![Kneeling.

Zapolya.Raise her, son!O raise her to thine arms! she saved thy life,And through her love for thee, she saved thy mother's!190Hereafter thou shalt know, that this dear maidHath other and hereditary claimsUpon thy heart, and with Heaven guarded instinct[944]But carried on the work her sire began!

Andreas.Dear maid! more dear thou canst not be! the rest195Shall make my love religion. Haste we hence:For as I reached the skirts of this high forest,I heard the noise and uproar of the chase,Doubling its echoes from the mountain foot.

Glycine.Hark! sure the hunt approaches.

[Horn without, and afterwards distant thunder.

Zapolya.O Kiuprili!200Old Bathory.The demon-hunters of the middle airAre in full cry, and scare with arrowy fireThe guilty! Hark! now here, now there, a hornSwells singly with irregular blast! the tempestHas scattered them![Horns at a distance.Zapolya.O Heavens! where stays Kiuprili?205Old Bathory.The wood will be surrounded! leave me here.Andreas.My mother! let me see thee once in safety.I too will hasten back, with lightning's speed,To seek the hero!Old Bathory.Haste! my life upon itI'll guide him safe.Andreas (thunder).Ha! what a crash was there!210Heaven seems to claim a mightier criminalThan yon vile subaltern.Zapolya.Your behest, High powers,Lo, I obey! To the appointed spirit,That hath so long kept watch round this drear cavern,In fervent faith, Kiuprili, I entrust thee!215[ExeuntZapolya, Andreas, andGlycine.Old Bathory.Yon bleeding corse may work us mischief still:Once seen, 'twill rouse alarm and crowd the huntFrom all parts towards this spot. Stript of its armour,I'll drag it hither.[ExitBathory. SeveralHunterscross the Stage. EnterKiuprili.

Zapolya.O Kiuprili!200

Old Bathory.The demon-hunters of the middle airAre in full cry, and scare with arrowy fireThe guilty! Hark! now here, now there, a hornSwells singly with irregular blast! the tempestHas scattered them![Horns at a distance.

Zapolya.O Heavens! where stays Kiuprili?205

Old Bathory.The wood will be surrounded! leave me here.

Andreas.My mother! let me see thee once in safety.I too will hasten back, with lightning's speed,To seek the hero!

Old Bathory.Haste! my life upon itI'll guide him safe.

Andreas (thunder).Ha! what a crash was there!210Heaven seems to claim a mightier criminalThan yon vile subaltern.

Zapolya.Your behest, High powers,Lo, I obey! To the appointed spirit,That hath so long kept watch round this drear cavern,In fervent faith, Kiuprili, I entrust thee!215[ExeuntZapolya, Andreas, andGlycine.

Old Bathory.Yon bleeding corse may work us mischief still:Once seen, 'twill rouse alarm and crowd the huntFrom all parts towards this spot. Stript of its armour,I'll drag it hither.[ExitBathory. SeveralHunterscross the Stage. EnterKiuprili.

Raab Kiuprili (throwing off his disguise).Since Heaven alone can save me, Heaven alone220Shall be my trust.Haste! haste! Zapolya, flee!Gone! Seized perhaps? Oh no, let me not perishDespairing of Heaven's justice! Faint, disarmed,Each sinew powerless; senseless rock, sustain me!Thou art parcel of my native land!A sword!225Ha! and my sword! Zapolya hath escaped,The murderers are baffled, and there livesAn Andreas to avenge Kiuprili's fall!—There was a time, when this dear sword did flashAs dreadful as the storm-fire from mine arm—230I can scarce raise it now—yet come, fell tyrant!And bring with thee my shame and bitter anguish,To end his work and thine! Kiuprili nowCan take the death-blow as a soldier should.

[Re-enterBathory, with the dead body ofPestalutz.

Old Bathory.Poor tool and victim of another's guilt!235Thou follow'st heavily: a reluctant weight!Good truth, it is an undeservéd honourThat in Zapolya and Kiuprili's caveA wretch like thee should find a burial-place.'Tis he!—In Andreas' and Zapolya's name240Follow me, reverend form! Thou need'st not speak,For thou canst be no other than Kiuprili.Kiuprili.And are they safe?[Noise without.Old Bathory.Conceal yourself, my lord!I will mislead them!Kiuprili.Is Zapolya safe?Old Bathory.I doubt it not; but haste, haste, I conjure you!245

Kiuprili.And are they safe?[Noise without.

Old Bathory.Conceal yourself, my lord!I will mislead them!

Kiuprili.Is Zapolya safe?

Old Bathory.I doubt it not; but haste, haste, I conjure you!245

[EnterCasimir.

Casimir.Monster!Thou shalt not now escape me!Old Bathory.Stop, lord Casimir!It is no monster.

Casimir.Monster!Thou shalt not now escape me!

Old Bathory.Stop, lord Casimir!It is no monster.

Casimir.Art thou too a traitor?Is this the place where Emerick's murderers lurk?Say where is he that, tricked in this disguise,250First lured me on, then scared my dastard followers?Thou must have seen him. Say where is th' assassin?Old Bathory.There lies the assassin! slain by that same swordThat was descending on his curst employer,When entering thou beheld'st Sarolta rescued!255Casimir.Strange providence! what then was he who fled me?Thy looks speak fearful things! Whither, old man!Would thy hand point me?Old Bathory.Casimir, to thy father.Casimir.The curse! the curse! Open and swallow me,Unsteady earth! Fall, dizzy rocks! and hide me!260Old Bathory.Speak, speak, my lord!Kiuprili.Bid him fulfil his work!Casimir.Thou art Heaven's immediate minister, dread spirit!O for sweet mercy, take some other form,And save me from perdition and despair!Old Bathory.He lives!Casimir.Lives! A father's curse can never die!265Kiuprili.O Casimir! Casimir!Old Bathory.Look! he doth forgive you!Hark! 'tis the tyrant's voice.[Emerick'svoice without.Casimir.I kneel, I kneel!Retract thy curse! O, by my mother's ashes,Have pity on thy self-abhorring child!If not for me, yet for my innocent wife,270Yet for my country's sake, give my arm strength,Permitting me again to call thee father!Kiuprili.Son, I forgive thee! Take thy father's sword;When thou shalt lift it in thy country's cause,In that same instant doth thy father bless thee!275

Old Bathory.There lies the assassin! slain by that same swordThat was descending on his curst employer,When entering thou beheld'st Sarolta rescued!255

Casimir.Strange providence! what then was he who fled me?Thy looks speak fearful things! Whither, old man!Would thy hand point me?

Old Bathory.Casimir, to thy father.

Casimir.The curse! the curse! Open and swallow me,Unsteady earth! Fall, dizzy rocks! and hide me!260

Old Bathory.Speak, speak, my lord!

Kiuprili.Bid him fulfil his work!

Casimir.Thou art Heaven's immediate minister, dread spirit!O for sweet mercy, take some other form,And save me from perdition and despair!

Old Bathory.He lives!

Casimir.Lives! A father's curse can never die!265

Kiuprili.O Casimir! Casimir!

Old Bathory.Look! he doth forgive you!Hark! 'tis the tyrant's voice.[Emerick'svoice without.

Casimir.I kneel, I kneel!Retract thy curse! O, by my mother's ashes,Have pity on thy self-abhorring child!If not for me, yet for my innocent wife,270Yet for my country's sake, give my arm strength,Permitting me again to call thee father!

Kiuprili.Son, I forgive thee! Take thy father's sword;When thou shalt lift it in thy country's cause,In that same instant doth thy father bless thee!275

[EnterEmerick.

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