The Complete Works of Samuel Taylor Coleridge (Illustrated Edition). Samuel Taylor Coleridge
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1828, 1829.
After 234 and stage directions. END OF ACT II. 1817.
ACT III
SCENE I
A stately room in LORD CASIMIR’S castle. Enter EMERICK and LASKA.
Emerick. I do perceive thou hast a tender conscience,
Laska, in all things that concern thine own
Interest or safety.
Laska. In this sovereign presence
I can fear nothing, but your dread displeasure.
Emerick. Perchance, thou think’st it strange, that I of all men 5
Should covet thus the love of fair Sarolta,
Dishonouring Casimir?
Laska. Far be it from me!
Your Majesty’s love and choice bring honour with them.
Emerick. Perchance, thou hast heard that Casimir is my friend,
Fought for me, yea, for my sake, set at nought 10
A parent’s blessing; braved a father’s curse?
Laska (aside). Would I but knew now, what his Majesty meant!
Oh yes, Sire! ‘tis our common talk, how Lord
Kiuprili, my Lord’s father —
Emerick. ‘Tis your talk,
Is it, good statesman Laska?
Laska. No, not mine, 15
Not mine, an please your Majesty! There are
Some insolent malcontents indeed that talk thus —
Nay worse, mere treason. As Bathory’s son,
The fool that ran into the monster’s jaws.
Emerick. Well, ‘tis a loyal monster if he rids us 20
Of traitors! But art sure the youth’s devoured?
Laska. Not a limb left, an please your Majesty!
And that unhappy girl —
Emerick. Thou followed’st her
Into the wood? [LASKA bows assent.
Henceforth then I’ll believe
That jealousy can make a hare a lion. 25
Laska. Scarce had I got the first glimpse of her veil,
When, with a horrid roar that made the leaves
Of the wood shake —
Emerick. Made thee shake like a leaf!
Laska. The war-wolf leapt; at the first plunge he seized her;
Forward I rushed!
Emerick. Most marvellous!
Laska. Hurled my javelin; 30
Which from his dragon-scales recoiling —
Emerick. Enough!
And take, friend, this advice. When next thou tonguest it,
Hold constant to thy exploit with this monster,
And leave untouched your common talk aforesaid,
What your Lord did, or should have done.
Laska. My talk? 35
The saints forbid! I always said, for my part,
‘Was not the king Lord Casimir’s dearest friend?
Was not that friend a king? Whate’er he did
‘Twas all from pure love to his Majesty.’
Emerick. And this then was thy talk? While knave and coward, 40
Both strong within thee, wrestle for the uppermost,
In slips the fool and takes the place of both.
Babbler! Lord Casimir did, as thou and all men.
He loved himself, loved honours, wealth, dominion.
All these were set upon a father’s head: 45
Good truth! a most unlucky accident!
For he but wished to hit the prize; not graze
The head that bore it: so with steady eye
Off flew the parricidal arrow. — Even
As Casimir loved Emerick, Emerick 50
Loves Casimir, intends him no dishonour.
He winked not then, for love of me forsooth!
For love of me now let him wink! Or if
The dame prove half as wise as she is fair,
He may still pass his hand, and find all smooth. 55
[Passing his hand across his brow.
Laska. Your Majesty’s reasoning has convinced me.
Emerick. Thee!
‘Tis well! and more than meant. For by my faith
I had half forgotten thee. — Thou hast the key? [LASKA bows.
And in your lady’s chamber there’s full space?
Laska. Between the wall and arras to conceal you. 60
Emerick. Here! This purse is but an earnest of thy fortune,
If thou prov’st faithful. But if thou betrayest me,
Hark you! — the wolf that shall drag thee to his den
Shall be no fiction.
[Exit EMERICK. LASKA manet with a key in one hand, and a
purse in the other.
Laska. Well then! here I stand,
Like Hercules, on either side a goddess. 65
Call this (looking at the purse)
Preferment; this (holding up the key) Fidelity!
And first my golden goddess: what bids she?
Only:—’This way, your Majesty! hush! The household
Are all safe lodged.’ — Then, put Fidelity
Within her proper wards, just turn her round — 70
So — the door opens — and for all the rest,
‘Tis the king’s deed, not Laska’s. Do but this
And—’I’m the mere earnest of your future fortunes.’
But what says the other? — Whisper on! I hear you!
[Putting the key to his ear.
All very true! — but, good Fidelity! 75
If I refuse King Emerick, will you promise,
And swear now, to unlock the dungeon door,
And save me from the hangman? Aye! you’re silent!
What, not a word in answer? A clear nonsuit!
Now for one look to see that all are lodged 80
At the due distance — then — yonder lies the road
For Laska and his royal friend, King Emerick!
[Exit LASKA. Then enter BATHORY and BETHLEN.
Bethlen. He looked as if he were some God disguised
In