[5]
I 1817, 1828, 1829.
[34]
common-talk 1817, 1828, 1829.
[35]
My 1817, 1828, 1829.
[37-9]
'Was not the . . . Majesty.' 1817, 1828, 1829.
[40]
thy 1817, 1828, 1829.
[51]
him 1817, 1828, 1829.
[52]
me 1817, 1828, 1829.
[56]
Emerick (with a slight start, as one who had been talking aloud to himself: then with scorn). 1817, 1828, 1829.
[63]
thee 1817, 1828, 1829.
[68-9]
'This way . . . safe lodged.' 1817, 1828, 1829.
[73]
'I'm . . . fortunes.' 1817, 1828, 1829.
[95-102]
'Ask not my son,' said she, 'our . . . in silence!' 1817, 1828, 1829.
[112]
Laska (recovering himself). Good now. 1817, 1828, 1829.
Before 115 Bethlen (holding up his hand as if to strike him). 1817, 1828, 1829.
[116]
should 1817, 1828, 1829.
Before 118 Laska (still more recovering). 1817, 1828, 1829.
[121]
You 1817, 1828, 1829.
[128]
'Bethlen! O poor Bethlen!' 1817, 1828, 1829.
[151]
may 1817, 1828, 1829.
Before 161 [Then very pompously. 1817, 1828, 1829.
[174]
brave 1817, 1828, 1829.
[181-7]
'Say thou . . . cudgel' 1817, 1828, 1829.
[212]
Bathory. Go! Go!
[Bethlen breaks off and exit. Bathory looks affectionately
after him.
1817, 1828, 1829.
After 213
Scene changes . . . tapestry.
Sarolta in an elegant Night Dress, and an Attendant.
1817, 1828, 1829.
[223-6]
'You'll be sure,' said he, 'To meet with part . . . pray you!' 1817, 1828, 1829.
[228-9]
'It is . . . backwards.' 1817, 1828, 1829.
[234]
they 1817, 1828, 1829.
[257]
soul 1817, 1828, 1829.
[272]
villain] ingrate 1817, 1828, 1829.
[300]
me 1817.
After 322 [Emerick points his hand haughtily towards Bethlen, 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]
now 1817, 1828, 1829.
[341]
half 1817, 1828, 1829.
[342]
that 1817, 1828, 1829.
After 353 [Pointing to the sword which Bethlen had been disarmed of by the Attendants. 1817, 1828, 1829.
After 362 [Embracing her. 1817, 1828, 1829.
After 365 [Exeunt consulting. 1817, 1828, 1829.
End of Act III. 1817.
ACT IV
Scene I
A glade in a wood. Enter Casimir looking anxiously around.
Casimir. This needs must be the spot! O, here he comes!
Enter Lord Rudolph.
Well met, Lord Rudolph!——
Your whisper was not lost upon my ear,
And I dare trust—
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? 5
And sojourned there some hours?
You left Temeswar late on yester-eve? 5
And sojourned there some hours?
Casimir. I did so!
Lord Rudolph. Heard you
Aught of a hunt preparing?
Aught of a hunt preparing?
Casimir. Yes; and met
The assembled huntsmen!
The assembled huntsmen!
Lord Rudolph. Was there no word given?
Casimir. The word for me was this:—The royal Leopard
Chases thy milk-white dedicated Hind. 10
Chases thy milk-white dedicated Hind. 10
Lord Rudolph. Your answer?
Casimir. As the word proves false or true
Will Casimir cross the hunt, or join the huntsmen!
Will Casimir cross the hunt, or join the huntsmen!
Lord Rudolph. The event redeemed their pledge?
Casimir. It did, and therefore
Have I sent back both pledge and invitation.
The spotless Hind hath fled to them for shelter, 15
And bears with her my seal of fellowship! [They take hands.
Have I sent back both pledge and invitation.
The spotless Hind hath fled to them for shelter, 15
And bears with her my seal of fellowship! [They take hands.
Lord Rudolph. But Emerick! how when you reported to him
Sarolta's disappearance, and the flight
Of Bethlen with his guards?
Sarolta's disappearance, and the flight
Of Bethlen with his guards?
Casimir. O he received it
As evidence of their mutual guilt. In fine, 20
With cozening warmth condoled with, and dismissed me.
As evidence of their mutual guilt. In fine, 20
With 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, 25
And were then choosing where to stab you first.
But hush! draw back!
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, 25
And were then choosing where to stab you first.
But hush! draw back!
Casimir. This nook is at the furthest
From any beaten track.
From any beaten track.
Lord Rudolph. There! mark them!
[Points to where Laska and Pestalutz cross the Stage.
Casimir. Laska!
Lord Rudolph. One of the two I recognized this morning;
His name is Pestalutz: a trusty ruffian 30
Whose face is prologue still to some dark murder.
Beware no stratagem, no trick of message,
Dispart you from your servants.
His name is Pestalutz: a trusty ruffian 30
Whose 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. 35
But we must part. What makes the king so late?
It was his wont to be an early stirrer.
The comrade of that ruffian is my servant:
The one I trusted most and most preferred. 35
But 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 ourselves
Is, in good truth, the better half of the secret
To enthral the world: for the will governs all. 40
See, the sky lowers! the cross-winds waywardly
Chase the fantastic masses of the clouds
With a wild mockery of the coming hunt!
To enthral the sluggard nature in ourselves
Is, in good truth, the better half of the secret
To enthral the world: for the will governs all. 40
See, the sky lowers! the cross-winds waywardly
Chase the fantastic masses of the clouds
With a wild mockery of the coming hunt!
Casimir. Mark yonder mass! I make it wear the shape
Of a huge ram that butts with head depressed. 45
Of 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 it
A monster couchant on a rocky shelf.
Which, if bards lie not, the Sea-shepherds tend,
Glaucus or Proteus. But my fancy shapes it
A monster couchant on a rocky shelf.
Casimir. Mark too the edges of the lurid mass— 50
Restless, as if some idly-vexing Sprite,
On swift wing coasting by, with tetchy hand
Pluck'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.
Restless, as if some idly-vexing Sprite,
On swift wing coasting by, with tetchy hand
Pluck'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 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.
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,
[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 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.
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,
[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 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
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.
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!
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!
[Bathory kneels.
[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!
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
[941] Now from Temeswar (for to him was trusted
A life, save thine, the dearest) he hastes hither—
And perilous hath he wrought since yester-eve. 110
[941] 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——
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.
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.
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.
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
'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?
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!
Watching elsewhere for the king's interest. 135
There's a rank plot that Laska must hunt down,
'Twixt Bethlen and Glycine!
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!
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.
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!
Will die with thee or save thee!
[She seizes them and rushes out. Bathory following. Music, and Peasants with hunting spears cross the stage, singing chorally.
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. 150
Not a soul at home may stay:
For the shepherds must go
With lance and bow
To hunt the wolf in the woods to-day.
To the meadows trip away.
'Tis you must tend the flocks this morn,
And scare the small birds from the corn. 150
Not a soul at home may stay:
For the shepherds must go
With lance and bow
To hunt the wolf in the woods to-day.
Leave the hearth and leave the house 155
To 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 go 160
With lance and bow
To hunt the wolf in the woods to-day.
[Exeunt Huntsmen.
To 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 go 160
With lance and bow
To hunt the wolf in the woods to-day.
[Exeunt Huntsmen.
Re-enter Bathory, Bethlen, and Glycine.
Glycine. And now once more a woman——
Bethlen. Was it then
That timid eye, was it those maiden hands
That sped the shaft, which saved me and avenged me? 165
That timid eye, was it those maiden hands
That sped the shaft, which saved me and avenged me? 165
Old Bathory. 'Twas as a vision blazoned on a cloud
By lightning, shaped into a passionate scheme
Of 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. 170
The coward turned, and at the self-same instant
The braver villain fell beneath your sword.
By lightning, shaped into a passionate scheme
Of 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. 170
The coward turned, and at the self-same instant
The braver villain fell beneath your sword.
[Enter Zapolya.
Zapolya. Bethlen! my child! and safe too!
Bethlen. Mother! Queen.
Royal Zapolya! name me Andreas!
Nor blame thy son, if being a king, he yet 175
Hath made his own arm minister of his justice.
So do the gods who launch the thunderbolt!
Royal Zapolya! name me Andreas!
Nor blame thy son, if being a king, he yet 175
Hath 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
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 thee
Was Raab Kiuprili!
Was Raab Kiuprili!
Zapolya. It was Raab Kiuprili;
As sure as thou art Andreas, and the king.
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 destinies 185
By shouts ere victory. Deem it then thy duty
To pay this homage, when 'tis mine to claim it.
Lest we offend the jealous destinies 185
By shouts ere victory. Deem it then thy duty
To 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! 190
Hereafter thou shalt know, that this dear maid
Hath other and hereditary claims
Upon thy heart, and with Heaven guarded instinct
[944] But carried on the work her sire began!
O raise her to thine arms! she saved thy life,
And through her love for thee, she saved thy mother's! 190
Hereafter thou shalt know, that this dear maid
Hath other and hereditary claims
Upon 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 rest 195
Shall 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.
Shall 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! 200
Old Bathory. The demon-hunters of the middle air
Are in full cry, and scare with arrowy fire
The guilty! Hark! now here, now there, a horn
Swells singly with irregular blast! the tempest
Has scattered them! [Horns at a distance.
Are in full cry, and scare with arrowy fire
The guilty! Hark! now here, now there, a horn
Swells singly with irregular blast! the tempest
Has 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!
I too will hasten back, with lightning's speed,
To seek the hero!
Old Bathory. Haste! my life upon it
I'll guide him safe.
I'll guide him safe.
Andreas (thunder). Ha! what a crash was there! 210
Heaven seems to claim a mightier criminal
Than yon vile subaltern.
Heaven seems to claim a mightier criminal
Than 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
[Exeunt Zapolya, Andreas, and Glycine.
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
[Exeunt Zapolya, Andreas, and Glycine.
Old Bathory. Yon bleeding corse may work us mischief still:
Once seen, 'twill rouse alarm and crowd the hunt
From all parts towards this spot. Stript of its armour,
I'll drag it hither.
[Exit Bathory. Several Hunters cross the Stage. Enter Kiuprili.
Once seen, 'twill rouse alarm and crowd the hunt
From all parts towards this spot. Stript of its armour,
I'll drag it hither.
[Exit Bathory. Several Hunters cross the Stage. Enter Kiuprili.
Raab Kiuprili (throwing off his disguise). Since Heaven alone can save me, Heaven alone 220
Shall be my trust.
Haste! haste! Zapolya, flee!
Gone! Seized perhaps? Oh no, let me not perish
Despairing of Heaven's justice! Faint, disarmed,
Each sinew powerless; senseless rock, sustain me!
Thou art parcel of my native land!
A sword! 225
Ha! and my sword! Zapolya hath escaped,
The murderers are baffled, and there lives
An Andreas to avenge Kiuprili's fall!—
There was a time, when this dear sword did flash
As dreadful as the storm-fire from mine arm— 230
I 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 now
Can take the death-blow as a soldier should.
Shall be my trust.
Haste! haste! Zapolya, flee!
Gone! Seized perhaps? Oh no, let me not perish
Despairing of Heaven's justice! Faint, disarmed,
Each sinew powerless; senseless rock, sustain me!
Thou art parcel of my native land!
A sword! 225
Ha! and my sword! Zapolya hath escaped,
The murderers are baffled, and there lives
An Andreas to avenge Kiuprili's fall!—
There was a time, when this dear sword did flash
As dreadful as the storm-fire from mine arm— 230
I 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 now
Can take the death-blow as a soldier should.
[Re-enter Bathory, with the dead body of Pestalutz.
Old Bathory. Poor tool and victim of another's guilt! 235
Thou follow'st heavily: a reluctant weight!
Good truth, it is an undeservéd honour
That in Zapolya and Kiuprili's cave
A wretch like thee should find a burial-place.
'Tis he!—In Andreas' and Zapolya's name 240
Follow me, reverend form! Thou need'st not speak,
For thou canst be no other than Kiuprili.
Thou follow'st heavily: a reluctant weight!
Good truth, it is an undeservéd honour
That in Zapolya and Kiuprili's cave
A wretch like thee should find a burial-place.
'Tis he!—In Andreas' and Zapolya's name 240
Follow 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!
I will mislead them!
Kiuprili. Is Zapolya safe?
Old Bathory. I doubt it not; but haste, haste, I conjure you! 245
[Enter Casimir.
Casimir. Monster!
Thou shalt not now escape me!
Thou shalt not now escape me!
Old Bathory. Stop, lord Casimir!
It is no monster.
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, 250
First lured me on, then scared my dastard followers?
Thou must have seen him. Say where is th' assassin?
Is this the place where Emerick's murderers lurk?
Say where is he that, tricked in this disguise, 250
First 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 sword
That was descending on his curst employer,
When entering thou beheld'st Sarolta rescued! 255
That 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?
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
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!
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's voice without.
Hark! 'tis the tyrant's voice. [Emerick's voice 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, 270
Yet for my country's sake, give my arm strength,
Permitting me again to call thee father!
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, 270
Yet 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
When thou shalt lift it in thy country's cause,
In that same instant doth thy father bless thee! 275
[Enter Emerick.