CASIMIR.

KAAB KIUPRILI.

Hero or natural coward, shall have guidance Wouldst thou have pilfer'd from our school-boys' Of a free people's destiny; should fall out

themes In the mere lottery of a reckless nature,

These shallow sophisms of a popular choice? Where few the prizes and the blanks are countless ? What people ? How convened? or, if convened, Or haply that a nation's fate should hang

Must not the magic power that charms together On the bald accident of a midwife's handling Millions of men in council, needs have power The unclosed sutures of an infant's skull ?

To win or wield them? Better, O far better

Shout forth thy titles to yon circling mountains, What better claim can sovereign wish or need,

And with a thousand-fold reverberation Than the free voice of men who love their country? Make the rocks flatter thee, and the volleying air, Those chiefly who have fought for 't? Who, by right, Unbribed, shout back to thee, King Emerick! Claim for their monarch one, who having obey'd

By wholesome laws to embank the sovereign power, So hath best learnt to govern; who, having suffer'd, To deepen by restraint, and by prevention Can feel for each brave sufferer and reward him ?

Of lawless will to amass and guide the flood Whence sprang the name of Emperor ? Was it not

In its majestic channel, is man's task By Nature's fiat? In the storm of triumph,

And the true patriot's glory! In all else 'Mid warriors' shouts, did her oracular voice

Men safelier trust to Heaven, than to themselves Make itself heard: Let the commanding spirit

When least themselves in the mad whirl of crowds Possess the station of command !

Where folly is contagious, and too oft

Even wise men leave their better sense at home,

To chide and wonder at them when return'd.

Prince Emerick,
Your cause will prosper best in your own pleading.

EMERICK (aloud).
EMERICK (aside to CASIMIR).

Is’t thus, thou scoff'st the people! most of all,

The soldiers, the defenders of the people?
Ragozzi was thy school-mate-a bold spirit!
Bind him to us!—Thy father thaws apace!

RAAB KIUPRILI (aloud).

[Then aloud. O most of all, most miserable nation, Leave us awhile, my Lord!—Your friend, Ragozzi, For whom th' Imperial power, enormous bubble! Whom you have not yet seen since his return,

Is blown and kept aloft, or burst and shatter'd Commands the guard to-day.

By the bribed breath of a lewd soldiery!
[CASIMIR retires to the Guard-House; and after a Chiefly of such, as from the frontiers far
time appears before it with Chef Ragozzi. (Which is the noblest station of true warriors),
We are alone.

In rank licentious idleness beleaguer
What further pledge or proof desires Kiuprili ? City and court, a venom'd thorn i' the side
Then, with your assent-

of virtuous kings, the tyrant's slave and tyrant,

Still ravening for fresh largess! but with such
Mistake not for assent

What title claim'st thou, save thy birth? What meriis The unquiet silence of a stern Resolve,

Which many a liegeman may not plead as well, Throttling the impatient voice. I have heard thee, Brave though I grant thee? If a life outlabor'd

Head, heart, and fortunate arm, in watch and war, Prince! And I have watch'd thee, too; but have small faith in For the land's fame and weal; if large acquests, A plausible tale told with a fitting eye.

Made honest by th' aggression of the foe

And whose best praise is, that they bring us safety ; [EMERICK turns as about to call for the Guard. If victory, doubly-wreathed, whose under-garland In the next moment I am in thy power,

of laurel-leaves looks greener and more sparkling In this thou art in mine. Stir but a step,

Through the gray olive-branch; if these, Prince Eme Or make one sign-I swear by this good sword,

rick! Thou diest that instant.

Give the true title to the throne, not thou-
EMERICK

No! (let Illyria, let the infidel enemy
Ha, ha !-Well, Sir!-Conclude your homily.

Be judge and arbiter between us !) I,

I were the rightful sovereign!
RAAB KIUPRILI (in a somewhat suppressed voice.)
A tale which, whether true or false, comes guarded

I have faith
Against all means of proof, detects itself.

That thou both think'st and hopest it. Fair Zapolya, The Queen mew'd up--this too from anxious care

A provident lady-
And love brought forth of a sudden, a twin birth
With the discovery of her plot to rob thee
Of a rightful throne !—Mark how the scorpion, False-

Wretch, beneath all answer! hood,

EMERICK
Coils round in its own perplexity, and fixes Offers at once the royal bed and throne !
Its sting in its own head!

To be a kingdom's bulwark, a king's glory,
Ay! to the mark!

Yet loved by both, and trusted, and trust-worthy, RAAB KIUPRILI (aloud): (he and EMERICK stand- Is more than to be king; but see! thy rage

ing at equi-distance from the Palace and Fights with thy fear. I will relieve thee! Ho!

the Guard-House.
Hadst thou believed thine own tale, hadst thou fancied

EMERICK
Thyself the rightful successor of Andreas, Not for thy sword, but to entrap thee, ruffian!

RAAB KIUPRILI.

EMERICK

RAAB KIUPRILI.

RAAB KIUPRILI.

EMERICK.

[To the Guard.

CHEF RAGOZZI.

EMERICK

CUEF RAGOZZI.

ZAPOLYA.

Thus long I have listen'd-Guard-ho! from the And let this darkness-
Palace.

Be as the shadow of thy outspread wings
The Guard post from the Guard-House with To hide and shield us! Start'st thou in thy slumbers?

CHEF Ragozz at their head, and then a Thou canst not dream of savage Emerick. Hush!
number from the Palace-Chef Ragozzi de- Betray not thy poor mother! For if they seize thee,
mands KIUPRILI's sword, and apprehends him. I shall grow mad indeed, and they'll believe

Thy wicked uncle's lie. Ha! what? A soldier ? CASIMIR. O agony! (To EMERICK). Sire, hear me!

[She starts back—and enter Chef Ragozzi.
[To KIUPRILI, who turns from him.
Hear me, Father!

Sure Heaven befriends us. Well! he hath escaped !
O rare tune of a tyrant's promises

That can enchant the serpent treachery
Take in arrest that traitor and assassin!
Who pleads for his life, strikes at mine, his sovereign's. " O brave Ragozzi! Count! Commander! What not?”

From forth its lurking-hole in the heart. " Ragozzi! RAAB KIUPRILI.

And all this too for nothing! a poor nothing ! As the co-regent of the realm, 1 stand

Merely to play the underling in the murder Amenable to none save to the States,

Of my best friend Kiuprili! Ilis own son—monstrous! Met in due course of law. But ye are bond-slaves, Tyrant ! I owe thee thanks, and in good hour Yet witness ye that before God and man

Will I repay thee, for that thou thought'st me too
I here impeach Lord Emerick of foul treason, A serviceable villain. Could I now
And on strong grounds attaint him with suspicion But gain some sure intelligence of the queen:
Of murder

Heaven bless and guard her!
EMERICK

ZAPOLYA (coming fearfully forward).
Hence with the madman!

Art thou not Ragozzi!
RAAB KIUPRILI.

Your Queen's murder, The Queen! Now then the miracle is full! The royal orphan's murder: and to the death I see Heaven's wisdom in an over-match Defy him, as a tyrant and usurper.

For the devil's cunning. This way, madam, haste ! [Hurried off by Ragozzi and the Guard. EMERICK.

Stay! Oh, no! Forgive me if I wrong thee ! Ere twice the sun hath risen, by my sceptro

This is thy sovereign's child : Oh, pity us, This insolence shall be avenged.

And be not treacherous!

[Kneeling CASIMIR.

CHEF RAGOZZI (raising her).

O banish him! Madam! For mercy's sake! This infamy will crush me. O for my sake,

ZAPOLYA
Banish him, my liege lord !

But tyrants have a hundred eyes and arms!
EMERICK (scornfully).

CHEF RAGOZZI.
What! to the army? Take courage, madam! "Twere too horrible,
Be calm, young friend! Nought shall be done in anger.|(I can not do 't) to swear I'm not a monster!
The child o'erpowers the man. In this emergence Scarce had I barr'd the door on Raab Kiuprili—
I must take counsel for us both. Retire.

ZAPOLYA.
[Exit Casimir in agitation. Kiuprili! how?
EMERICK (alone, looks at a Calendar).

CHEF RAGOZZI.
The changeful planet, now in her decay,

There is not time to tell it. Dips down at midnight, to be seen no more.

The tyrant call'd me to him, praised my zeal With her shall sink the enemies of Emerick,

|(And be assured I overtopt his cunning Cursed by the last look of the waning moon ;

And seem'd right zealous). But time wastes: in fine, And my bright destiny, with sharpen'd horns,

Bids me dispatch my trustiest friends, as couriers Shall greet me fearless in the new-born crescent.

With letters to the army. The thought at onco [Exit.

Flash'd on me. I disguised my prisoner--
Scene changes to another view, namely, the back of the
Palace-a Wooded Park, and Mountains.

What! Raab Kiuprili?
Enter ZAPOLYA, with an Infant in her arms.
ZAPOLYA.

Yes! my noble general ! Hush, dear one! hush! My trembling arm disturbs I sent him off, with Emerick's own packet, thee!

Haste, and post haste-Prepared to follow himThou, the Protector of the helpless! thou,

ZAPOLYA. The widow's Husband and the orphan's Father,

Ah, how? Is it joy or sear? My limbs seem sinking! Direct my steps ! Ah whither? O send down Thy angel to a houseless babe and mother,

CHEF RAGOZZI (supporting her). Driven forth into the cruel widerness!

Heaven still befriends us. I have left my charger, Hush, sweet one! Thou art no Hagar's offspring: A gentle beast and feet, and my boy's mule, thou art

One that can shoot a precipice like a bird, The rightful heir of an anointed king!

Just where the wood begins to climb the mountains. What sounds are those? It is the vesper chant The course we'll thread will mock the tyrant's guesses, Of laboring men returning to their home!

Or scare the followers. Ere we reach the main road, Their queen has no home! Hear me, heavenly Father! The Lord Kiuprili will have sent a troop

ZAPOLYA.

CHEF RAGOZZI.

To escort me. Oh, thrice happy when he finds
The treasure which I convoy!

PART II.

ADDITIONAL CHARACTERS.

ZAPOLYA.

One brief moment, THE SEQUEL, ENTITLED “THE USURPER'S That, praying for strength I may have strength. This

FATE."
babe,
Heaven's eye is on it, and its innocence
Is, as a prophet's prayer, strong and prevailing!
Through thee, dear babe! the inspiring thought

MEN.
possess'd me,
When the loud elamor rose, and all the palace OLD BATHORY, a Mountaineer.
Emptied itself—(They sought my life, Ragozzi !) BETHLEN Bathory, the Young Prince Andreas, sup
Like a swift shadow gliding, I made way

posed Son of ow Bathory. To the deserted chamber of my Lord.

LORD RUDOLPH, a Courtier, but friend to the Queen's [Then to the infant.

party.
And thou didst kiss thy father's lifeless lips, Laska, Steward to Casimir, betrothed to Glycine.
And in thy helpless hand, sweet slumberer! PESTALUTZ, an Assassin, in Emerick's employ.
Still clasp'st the signet of thy royalty.

WOMEN.
As I removed the seal, the heavy arm

LADY SAROLTA, Wife of Lord Casimir.
Dropt from the couch aslant, and the stiff finger

GLYCINE, Orphan Daughter of Chef Ragozzi.
Seem'd pointing at my feet. Provident Heaven!
Lo, I was standing on the secret door,

Between the flight of the Queen, and the civil war Which, through a long descent where all sound which immediately followed, and in which Emerick perishes,

remained the victor, a space of twenty years is sup Let out beyond the palace. Well I knew it- posed to have elapsed. But Andreas framed it not! He was no tyrant!

ZAPOLYA.

GLYCINE.

tion:

CHEF RAGOZZI.

ACT I. Haste, madam! Let me take this precious burden!

SCENE I. [He kneels as he takes the child.

A Mountainous Country. BATHORY'S Dwelling at

the end of the Stage. Take him! And if we be pursued, I charge thee,

Enter LADY SAROLTA and GLYCINE. Flee thou and leave me! Flee and save thy king !

[Then as going off, she looks back on the palace. Well, then! our round of charity is finish’d. Thou tyrant's den, be callid no more a palace! The orphan's angel at the throne of Heaven

Rest, Madam! You breathe quick. Stands up against thee, and there hover o'er thee

SAROLTA. A Queen's, a Mother's, and a Widow's curse.

What! tired, Glycine ! Henceforth a dragon's haunt, fear and suspicion.

No delicate court dame, but a mountaineer Stand sentry at thy portals! Faith and honor, By choice no less than birth, I gladly use Driven from the throne, shall leave the attainted na- The good strength Nature gave me.

GLYCINE. And, for the iniquity that houses in thee,

That last cottage False glory, thirst of blood, and lust of rapine Is built as if an eagle or a raven (Fateful conjunction of malignant planets),

Had chosen it for her nest. Shall shoot their blastments on the land. The fathers

SAROLTA. Henceforth shall have no joy in their young men,

So many are And when they cry: Lo! a male child is born!

The sufferings which no human aid can reach, The mother shall make answer with a groan. It needs must be a duty doubly sweet For bloody usurpation, like a vulture,

To heal the few we can. Well! let us rest. Shall clog its beak within Illyria's heart.

GLYCINE. Remorseless slaves of a remorseless tyrant !

There? (Pointing to BATHORY's dwelling SAROLTA They shall be mock'd with sounds of liberty,

answering, points to where she then sands. And liberty shall be proclaim'd alone

SAROLTA. To thee, O Fire! O Pestilence! O Sword ! Till Vengeance hath her fill. -- And thou, snatch'd Took his last leave. On yonder mountain ridge

Here! For on this spot Lord Casimir hence, (Again to the infant.) poor friendless fugitive! with I lost the misty image which so long Mother's wailing,

Linger'd or seem'd at least to linger on it. Offspring of Royal Andreas, shalt return

GLYCYNE.
With trump and timbrel clang, and popular shout And what if even now, on that same ridge,
In triumph to the palace of thy fathers! (Exeunt. A speck should rise, and still enlarging, lengthening,

As it clomb downwards, shape itself at last
To a numerous cavalcade, and spurring foremost,
Who but Sarolta's own dear Lord return'd
From his high embassy?

a

SAROLTA

GLYCINE.

SAROLTA.

way!

SAROLTA.

GLYCINE.

SAROLTA.

Yea, e'en in thy simplicity, Glycine, Thou hast hit my thought! A fine and feminine grace, that makes me feel All the long day, from yester-morn to evening, More as a mother than a mistress to thee! The restless hope flutter'd about my heart. Thou art a soldier's orphan! that—the courage, Oh, we are querulous creatures! Little less Which rising in thine eye, seems oft to give Than all things can suffice to make us happy; A new soul 10'its gentleness, doth prove thee! And little more than nothing is enough

Thou art sprung too of no ignoble blood, To discontent us.—Were he come, then should I Or there's no faith in instinct ! Repine he had not arrived just one day earlier [Angry voices and clamor within, re-enter GLYCINE. To keep his birth-day here, in his own birth-place.

GLYCINE.

Oh, madam! there's a party of your servants, But our best sports belike, and gay processions

And my Lord's steward, Laska, at their head, Would to my Lord have seem'd but work-day sights Have come to search for old Bathory's son, Compared with those the royal court affords.

Bethlen, that brave young man! 'I was he, my lady,

That took our parts, and beat off the intruders; I have small wish to see them. A spring morning, And in mere spite and malice, now they charge him With its wild gladsome minstrelsy of birds, With bad words of Lord Casimir and the king. And its bright jewelry of flowers and dew-drops Pray don't believe them, madam! This way! This (Each orbed drop an orb of glory in it), Would put them all in eclipse. This sweet retirement Lady Sarolta's here.

(Calling without Lord Casiınir's wish alone would have made sacred : But in good truth, his loving jealousy

Be calm, Glycine. Did but command, what I had else entreated.

Enter Laska and Servants with OLD BATHORY. GLYCINE. And yet had I been born Lady Sarolta,

LASKA (to BATHORY). Been wedded to the noblest of the realm.

We have no concern with you! What needs your So beautiful besides, and yet so stately

presence ?

OLD BATHORY.
SAROLTA.
Hush! innocent flatterer!

What! Do you think I'll suffer my brave boy
To be slander'd by a set of coward-ruffians,

And leave it to their malice,-yes, mere malice!
Nay! to my poor fancy To tell its own tale ?
The royal court would seem an earthly heaven,

(Laska and Servants bow to LADY SAROLTA. Made for such stars to shine in, and be gracious.

Laska! What may this mean? So doth the ignorant distance still delude us !

LASKA (pompously, as commencing a set speech). Thy fancied heaven, dear girl, like that above thee, Madam! and may it please your ladyship! In its mere self, a cold, drear, colorless void, This old man's son, by name Bethlen Bathory, Seen from below and in the large, becomes Stands charged, on weighty evidence, that he, The bright blue ether, and the seat of gods! On yester-eve, being his lordship's birth-day, Well! but this broil that scared you from the dance ? Did traitorously defame Lord Casimir: And was not Laska there: he, your betroth d ? The lord high-steward of the realm, moreover

SAPOLTA. Yes, madam! he was there. So was the maypole, Be brief! We know his titles ! For we danced round it.

LASKA.

And moreover Ah, Glycine! why, Raved like a traitor at our liege King Emerick. Why did you then betroth yourself?

And furthermore, said witnesses make oath,

Led on the assault upon his lordship's servants; Because

Yea, insolently tore, from this, your huntsman. My own dear lady wish'd it! 't was you ask'd me!

His badge of livery of your noble house,

And trampled it in scorn. Yes , at my Lord's request, but never wish'd,

SAROLTA (lo the Servants who offer to speak). My poor affectionate girl, to see thee wretched.

You have had your spokesman ! Thou know'st not yet the duties of a wife.

Where is the young man thus accused ?

OJ.D BATHORY.
GLYCINE.
Oh, yes! It is a wife's chief duty, madam,

I know not: To stand in awe of her husband, and obey him ;

But if no ill betide him on the mountains,
And, I am sure, I never shall see Laska

He will not long be absent !
But I shall tremble.
SAROLTA.

Thou art his father? Not with fear, I think, For you still mock him. Bring a seat from the cottage. None ever with more reason prized a son : (Exit GLYCINE into the cottage, SAROLTA continues Yet I hate falsehood more than I love him. her speech, looking after her.

But more than one, now in my lady's presence, Something above thy rank there hangs about thee, Witness'd the affray, besides these men of malice; And in thy countenance, thy voice, and motion, And if I swerve from truth

SAROLTA.

GLYCINE

SAROLTA.

GLYCINE.

SAROLTA.

SAROLTA.

OLD BATHORY.

GLYCINE.

GLYCINE.

LASKA (aside).
Yes! good old man!

Yes, now 'tis coming.
My lady! pray believe him!

SÁROLTA.
SAROLTA.

Brutal aggressors first, then baffled dastards,

Hush, Glycine! That they have sought to piece out their revenge Be silent, I command you. [Then to BATHORY. With a tale of words lured from the lips of anger,

Speak! we hear you! Stamps them most dangerous; and till I want
OLD BATHORY.

Fit means for wicked ends, we shall not need
My tale is brief. During our festive dance, Their services. Discharge them! You, Bathory!
Your servants, the accusers of my son,

Are henceforth of my household! I shall place you Offer'd gross insults, in unmanly sort,

Near my own person. When your son returns, To our village maidens. He (could he do less ?) Present him to us. Rose in defence of outraged modesty,

OLD BATHORY. And so persuasive did his cudgel prove

Ha! what, strangers* here!
(Your hectoring sparks so over brave to women What business have they in an old man's eye?
Are always cowards), that they soon took flight, Your goodness, lady-and it came so sudden-
And now in mere revenge, like baffled boasters, I cannot-must not-let you be deceived.
Have framed this tale, out of some hasty words I have yet another tale, but-[Then to SAROLTA aside.
Which their own threats provoked.

Not for all ears!
SAROLTA.

SAROLTA.
Old man! you talk I oft have pass'd your cottage, and still praised
Too bluntly! Did your son owe no respect Its beauty, and that trim orchard-plot, whose blossoms
To the livery of our house ?

The gusts of April shower'd aslant its thatch.
OLD BATHORY.

Come, you shall show it'me! And while you bid it
Even such respect

Farewell, be not ashamed that I should witness As the sheep's skin should gain for the hot wolf

The oil of gladness glittering on the water That hath begun to worry the poor lambs!

Of an ebbing grief.

(BATHORY bowing, shows her into his cottage. LASKA. Old insolent ruffian!

LASKA (alone).

Vexation! baffled! school'd! Pardon! pardon, madam!

Ho! Laska! wake! why? what can all this mean? I saw the whole affray. The good old man

She sent away that cockatrice in anger! Means no offence, sweet lady-You, yourself,

Oh the false witch! It is too plain, she loves him. Laska ! know well, that these men were the ruffians ! And now, the old man near my lady's person, Shame on you!

She'll see this Bethlen hourly!

GLYCINE SAROLTA (speaks with affected anger).

[Laska flings himself into the seat. What! Glycine ! Go, retire!

peeps in timidly. [Exit GLYCINE, mournfully.

GLYCINE. Be it then that these men faulted. Yet yourself,

Laska! Laska! Or better still belike the maidens' parents, Is my lady gone ? Might have complain’d to us. Was ever access

LASKA (surlily). Denied you? Or free audience ? Or are we

Gone. Weak and unfit to punish our own servants?

Have you yet seen him? So then! So then! Heaven grant an old man patience!

Is he return'd ? And must the gardener leave his seedling plants,

(LASKA starts up from his seal Leave his young roses to the rooting swine, .

Has the seat stung you, Laska ?
While he goes ask their master, if perchance.
His leisure serve to scourge them from their ravage ? No! serpent! no; 'tis you that sting me; you!

What! you would cling to him again!
LASKA,
Ho! Take the rude clown from your lady's presence!
I will report her further will!

Whom?

LASKA.
SAROLTA.

Bethlen! Bethlen!
Wait, then,
Till thou hast learnt it! Fervent, good old man !

Yes ; gaze as if your very eyes embraced him! Forgive me that, to try thee, I put on

Ha! you forget the scene of yesterday!

Mute ere he came, but then-Out on your screams, A face of sternness, alien to my meaning!

[Then speaks to the Servants. And your pretended fears! Hence! leave my presence! and you, Laska! mark me!

Your fears, at least, Those rioters are no longer of my household !

Were real, Laska! or your trembling limbs If we but shake a dew-drop from a rose,

And white cheeks play'd the hypocrites most vilely! In vain would we replace it, and as vainly Restore the tear of wounded modesty To a maiden's eye familiarized to license.

• Refers to the lear, which he feels starting in his eye. The

GLYCINE.

OLD BATHORY.

LASKA.

GLYCINE.

GLYCINE.