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single blast 55

       Announces that the tyrant’s pawing courser

       Neighs at the gate. [Trumpets.

       Hark! now the king comes forth!

       For ever ‘midst this crash of horns and clarions

       He mounts his steed, which proudly rears an-end

       While he looks round at ease, and scans the crowd, 60

       Vain of his stately form and horsemanship!

       I must away! my absence may be noticed.

      Casimir. Oft as thou canst, essay to lead the hunt

       Hard by the forest-skirts; and ere high noon

       Expect our sworn confederates from Temeswar. 65

       I trust, ere yet this clouded sun slopes westward,

       That Emerick’s death, or Casimir’s, will appease

       The manes of Zapolya and Kiuprili! [Exit RUDOLPH.

       The traitor, Laska! ——

       And yet Sarolta, simple, inexperienced, 70

       Could 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. 75

       And the young steed recoils upon his haunches,

       The never-yet-seen adder’s hiss first heard.

       O surer than Suspicion’s hundred eyes

       Is that fine sense, which to the pure in heart,

       By mere oppugnancy of their own goodness, 80

       Reveals the approach of evil. Casimir!

       O fool! O parricide! through yon wood did’st thou,

       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 raise 85

       The 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 compensation 90

       In the deliverance of his bleeding country! [Exit CASIMIR.

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

      GLYCINE discovered.

      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. [Exit GLYCINE.

      [Enter OLD BATHORY, speaking as he enters.

      Old Bathory. Who hears? A friend!

       A messenger from him who bears the signet!

      Zapolya. He hath the watchword! — Art thou not Bathory? 100

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

      [BATHORY kneels.

      Zapolya. Rise! rise! Or shall I rather kneel beside thee,

       And call down blessings from the wealth of Heaven

       Upon thy honoured head? When thou last saw’st me

       I would full fain have knelt to thee, and could not, 105

       Thou dear old man! How oft since then in dreams

       Have I done worship to thee, as an angel

       Bearing my helpless babe upon thy wings!

      Old Bathory. O he was born to honour! Gallant deeds

       And perilous hath he wrought since yester-eve. 110

       Now from Temeswar (for to him was trusted

       A 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. 115

       My own brave boy — O pardon, noble lady!

       Your son ——

      Zapolya. Hark! Is it he?

      Old Bathory. I hear a voice

       Too 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 ground

       That even this old arm —

      [Exeunt ZAPOLYA and BATHORY into the cave.

      Enter LASKA and PESTALUTZ.

      Laska. Not a step further!

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

      Laska. I have fulfilled his orders. Have walked with you

       As with a friend: have pointed out Lord Casimir: 125

       And 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 you

       For 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. 135

       There’s a rank plot that Laska must hunt down,

       ‘Twixt Bethlen and Glycine!

      Pestalutz. What! the girl

       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. [Seeing GLYCINE without.

       By Heaven! Glycine! 140

       Now as you love the king, help me to seize her!

      [They run out after GLYCINE. Enter BATHORY from the

       cavern.

      Old Bathory. Rest, lady, rest! I feel in every sinew

       A young man’s strength returning! Which way went they?

       The shriek came thence. [Enter GLYCINE.

      Glycine. Ha! weapons here? Then, Bethlen, thy Glycine 145

       Will die with thee or save thee!

      [She seizes them and rushes out. BATHORY following.

      

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