Is he returned? [_LASKA starts up._
Has the seat stung you, Laska?
_Laska._ No, serpent! no; 'tis you that sting me; you!
What! you would cling to him again?
_Glycine._ Whom?
_Laska._ Bethlen! Bethlen!
Yes; gaze as if your very eyes embraced him! 185
Ha! you forget the scene of yesterday!
Mute ere he came, but then--Out on your screams,
And your pretended fears!
_Glycine._ Your fears, at least,
Were real, Laska! or your trembling limbs
And white cheeks played the hypocrites most vilely! 190
_Laska._ I fear! whom? what?
_Glycine._ I know what I should fear,
Were I in Laska's place.
_Laska._ What?
_Glycine._ My own conscience,
For having fed my jealousy and envy
With a plot, made out of other men's revenges,
Against a brave and innocent young man's life! 195
Yet, yet, pray tell me!
_Laska._ You will know too soon.
_Glycine._ Would I could find my lady! though she chid me--
Yet this suspense-- [_Going._
_Laska._ Stop! stop! one question only--
I am quite calm--
_Glycine._ Ay, as the old song says,
Calm as a tiger, valiant as a dove. 200
Nay now, I have marred the verse: well! this one question--
_Laska._ Are you not bound to me by your own promise?
And is it not as plain--
_Glycine._ Halt! that's two questions.
_Laska._ Pshaw! Is it not as plain as impudence,
That you're in love with this young swaggering beggar, 205
Bethlen Bathory? When he was accused,
Why pressed you forward? Why did you defend him?
_Glycine._ Question meet question: that's a woman's privilege,
Why, Laska, did you urge Lord Casimir
To make my lady force that promise from me? 210
_Laska._ So then, you say, Lady Sarolta, forced you?
_Glycine._ Could I look up to her dear countenance,
And say her nay? As far back as I wot of
All her commands were gracious, sweet requests.
How could it be then, but that her requests 215
Must needs have sounded to me as commands?
And as for love, had I a score of loves,
I'd keep them all for my dear, kind, good mistress.
_Laska._ Not one for Bethlen?
_Glycine._ Oh! that's a different thing.
To be sure he's brave, and handsome, and so pious 220
To his good old father. But for loving him--
Nay, there, indeed you are mistaken, Laska!
Poor youth! I rather think I grieve for him;
For I sigh so deeply when I think of him!
And if I see him, the tears come in my eyes, 225
And my heart beats; and all because I dreamt
That the war-wolf[908:1] had gored him as he hunted
In the haunted forest!
_Laska._ You dare own all this?
Your lady will not warrant promise-breach.
Mine, pampered Miss! you shall be; and I'll make you 230
Grieve for him with a vengeance. Odd's, my fingers
Tingle already! [_Makes threatening signs._
_Glycine (aside)._ Ha! Bethlen coming this way!
[_GLYCINE then cries out._
Oh, save me! save me! Pray don't kill me, Laska!
_Enter BETHLEN in a Hunting Dress._
_Bethlen._ What, beat a woman!
_Laska (to Glycine)._ O you cockatrice!
_Bethlen._ Unmanly dastard, hold!
_Laska._ Do you chance to know 235
Who--I--am, Sir?--('Sdeath! how black he looks!)
_Bethlen._ I have started many strange beasts in my time,
But none less like a man, than this before me
That lifts his hand against a timid female.
_Laska._ Bold youth! she's mine.
_Glycine._ No, not my master yet, 240
But only is to be; and all, because
Two years ago my lady asked me, and
I promised her, not him; and if she'll let me,
I'll hate you, my lord's steward.
_Bethlen._ Hush, Glycine!
_Glycine._ Yes, I do, Bethlen; for he just now brought 245
False witnesses to swear away your life:
Your life, and old Bathory's too.
_Bethlen._ Bathory's!
Where is my father? Answer, or----Ha! gone!
[_LASKA during this time retires from the Stage._
_Glycine._ Oh, heed not him! I saw you pressing onward,
And did but feign alarm. Dear gallant youth, 250
It is your life they seek!
_Bethlen._ My life?
_Glycine._ Alas,
Lady Sarolta even--
_Bethlen._ She does not know me!
_Glycine._ Oh that she did! she could not then have spoken
With such stern countenance. But though she spurn me,
I will kneel, Bethlen--
_Bethlen._ Not for me, Glycine! 255
What have I done? or whom have I offended?
_Glycine._ Rash words, 'tis said, and treasonous of the king.
[_BETHLEN mutters to himself._
_Glycine (aside)._ So looks the statue, in our hall, o' the god,
The shaft just flown that killed the serpent!
_Bethlen._ King!
_Glycine._ Ah, often have I wished you were a king. 260
You would protect the helpless every where,
As you did us. And I, too, should not then
Grieve for you, Bethlen, as I do; nor have
The tears come in my eyes; nor dream bad dreams
That you were killed in the forest; and then Laska 265
Would have no right to rail at me, nor say
(Yes, the base man, he says,) that I--I love you.
_Bethlen._ Pretty Glycine! wert thou not betrothed--
But in good truth I know not what I speak.
This luckless morning I have been so haunted 270
With my own fancies, starting up like omens,
That I feel like one, who waking from a dream
Both asks and answers wildly.--But Bathory?
_Glycine._ Hist! 'tis my lady's step! She must not see you!
[_BETHLEN retires._
_Enter from the Cottage SAROLTA and BATHORY._
_Sarolta._ Go, seek your son! I need not add, be speedy-- 275
You here, Glycine? [_Exit BATHORY._
_Glycine._ Pardon, pardon, Madam!
If you but saw the old man's son, you would not,
You could not have him harmed.
_Sarolta._ Be calm, Glycine!
_Glycine._ No, I shall break my heart.
_Sarolta._ Ha! is it so?
O strange and hidden power of sympathy, 280
That of--like fates, though all unknown to each,
Dost make blind instincts, orphan's heart to orphan's
Drawing by dim disquiet!
_Glycine._ Old Bathory--
_Sarolta._ Seeks his brave son. Come, wipe away thy tears.
Yes, in good truth, Glycine, this same Bethlen 285
Seems a most noble and deserving youth.
_Glycine._ My lady does not mock me?
_Sarolta._ Where is Laska?
Has he not told thee?
_Glycine._ Nothing. In his fear--
Anger, I mean--stole off--I am so fluttered--
Left me abruptly--
_Sarolta._ His shame excuses him! 290
He is somewhat hardly tasked; and in discharging
His own tools, cons a lesson for himself.
Bathory and the youth henceforward live
Safe in my lord's protection.
_Glycine._ The saints bless you!
Shame on my graceless heart! How dared I fear, 295
Lady Sarolta could be cruel?
_Sarolta._ Come,
Be yourself, girl!
_Glycine._ O, 'tis so full here!
And now it can not harm him if I tell you,
That the old man's son--
_Sarolta._ Is not that old man's son!
A destiny, not unlike thine own, is his. 300
For all I know of thee is, that thou art
A soldier's orphan: left when rage intestine[911:1]
Shook and engulphed the pillars of Illyria.
This other fragment, thrown back by that same earthquake,
This, so mysteriously inscribed by nature, 305
Perchance may piece out and interpret thine.
Command thyself! Be secret! His true father----
Hear'st thou?
_Glycine._ O tell--
_Bethlen (rushing out)._ Yes, tell me, Shape from heaven!
Who is my father?
_Sarolta (gazing with surprise)._ Thine? Thy father? Rise!
_Glycine._ Alas! He hath alarmed you, my dear lady! 310
_Sarolta._ His countenance, not his act!
_Glycine._ Rise, Bethlen! Rise!
_Bethlen._ No; kneel thou too! and with thy orphan's tongue
Plead for me! I am rooted to the earth
And have no power to rise! Give me a father!
There is a prayer in those uplifted eyes 315
That seeks high Heaven! But I will overtake it,
And bring it back, and make it plead for me
In thine own heart! Speak! Speak! Restore to me
A name in the world!
_Sarolta._ By that blest Heaven I gazed at,
I know not who thou art. And if I knew, 320
Dared I--But rise!
_Bethlen._ Blest spirits of my parents,
Ye hover o'er me now! Ye shine upon me!
And like a flower that coils forth from a ruin,
I feel and seek the light I can not see!
_Sarolta._ Thou see'st yon dim spot on the mountain's ridge, 325
But what it is thou know'st not. Even such
Is all I know of thee--haply, brave youth,
Is all Fate makes it safe for thee to know!
_Bethlen._ Safe? Safe? O let me then inherit danger,
And it shall be my birth-right!
_Sarolta (aside)._ That look again!-- 330
The wood which first incloses, and then skirts
The highest track that leads across the mountains--
Thou know'st it, Bethlen?
_Bethlen._ Lady, 'twas my wont
To roam there in my childhood oft alone
And mutter to myself the name of father. 335
For still Bathory (why, till now I guessed not)
Would never hear it from my lips, but sighing
Gazed upward. Yet of late an idle terror----
_Glycine._ Madam, that wood is haunted by the war-wolves,
Vampires, and monstrous----
_Sarolta._ Moon-calves, credulous girl! 340
Haply some o'ergrown savage of the forest
Hath his lair there, and fear hath framed the rest.
After that last great battle, (O young man!
Thou wakest anew my life's sole anguish) that
Which fixed Lord Emerick on his throne, Bathory 345
Led by a cry, far inward from the track,
In the hollow of an oak, as in a nest,
Did find thee, Bethlen, then a helpless babe.
The robe that wrapt thee was a widow's mantle.
_Bethlen._ An infant's weakness doth relax my frame. 350
O say--I fear to ask----
_Sarolta._ And I to tell thee.
_Bethlen._ Strike! O strike quickly! See, I do not shrink.
I am stone, cold stone.
_Sarolta._ Hid in a brake hard by,
Scarce by both palms supported from the earth,
A wounded lady lay, whose life fast waning 355
Seemed to survive itself in her fixt eyes,
That strained towards the babe. At length one arm
Painfully from her own weight disengaging,
She pointed first to heaven, then from her bosom
Drew forth a golden casket. Thus entreated 360
Thy foster-father took thee in his arms,
And kneeling spake: 'If aught of this world's comfort
Can reach thy heart, receive a poor man's troth,
That at my life's risk I will save thy child!'
Her countenance worked, as one that seemed preparing 365
A loud voice, but it died upon her lips
In a faint whisper, 'Fly! Save him! Hide--hide all!'
_Bethlen._ And did he leave her? What! had I a mother?
And left her bleeding, dying? Bought I vile life
With the desertion of a dying mother? 370
Oh agony!
_Glycine._ Alas! thou art bewildered,
And dost forget thou wert a helpless infant!
_Bethlen._ What else can I remember, but a mother
Mangled and left to perish?
_Sarolta._ Hush, Glycine!
It is the ground-swell of a teeming instinct: 375
Let it but lift itself to air and sunshine,
And it will find a mirror in the waters
It now makes boil above it. Check him not!
_Bethlen._ O that I were diffused among the waters
That pierce into the secret depths of earth, 380
And find their way in darkness! Would that I
Could spread myself upon the homeless winds!
And I would seek her! for she is not dead!
She can not die! O pardon, gracious lady!
You were about to say, that he returned-- 385
_Sarolta._ Deep Love, the godlike in us, still believes
Its objects as immortal as itself!
_Bethlen._ And found her still--
_Sarolta._ Alas! he did return,
He left no spot unsearched in all the forest,
But she (I trust me by some friendly hand) 390
Had been borne off.
_Bethlen._ O whither?
_Glycine._ Dearest Bethlen!
I would that you could weep like me! O do not
Gaze so upon the air!
_Sarolta._ While he was absent,
A friendly troop, 'tis certain, scoured the wood,
Hotly pursued indeed by Emerick.
_Bethlen._ Emerick. 395
Oh hell!
_Glycine._ Bethlen!
_Bethlen._ Hist! I'll curse him in a whisper!
This gracious lady must hear blessings only.
She hath not yet the glory round her head,
Nor those strong eagle wings, which make swift way
To that appointed place, which I must seek; 400
Or else she were my mother!
_Sarolta._ Noble youth!
From me fear nothing! Long time have I owed
Offerings of expiation for misdeeds
Long past that weigh me down, though innocent!
Thy foster-father hid the secret from thee, 405
For he perceived thy thoughts as they expanded,
Proud, restless, and ill-sorting with thy state!
Vain was his care! Thou'st made thyself suspected
E'en where suspicion reigns, and asks no proof
But its own fears! Great Nature hath endowed thee 410
With her best gifts! From me thou shalt receive
All honourable aidance! But haste hence!
Travel will ripen thee, and enterprise
Beseems thy years! Be thou henceforth my soldier!
And whatsoe'er betide thee, still believe 415
That in each noble deed, achieved or suffered,
Thou solvest best the riddle of thy birth!
And may the light that streams from thine own honour
Guide thee to that thou seekest!
_Glycine._ Must he leave us?
_Bethlen._ And for such goodness can I return nothing 420
But some hot tears that sting mine eyes? Some sighs
That if not breathed would swell my heart to stifling?
May heaven and thine own virtues, high-born lady,
Be as a shield of fire, far, far aloof
To scare all evil from thee! Yet, if fate 425
Hath destined thee one doubtful hour of danger,
From the uttermost region of the earth, methinks,
Swift as a spirit invoked, I should be with thee!
And then, perchance, I might have power to unbosom
These thanks that struggle here. Eyes fair as thine 430
Have gazed on me with tears of love and anguish,
Which these eyes saw not, or beheld unconscious;
And tones of anxious fondness, passionate prayers,
Have been talked to me! But this tongue ne'er soothed
A mother's ear, lisping a mother's name! 435
O, at how dear a price have I been loved
And no love could return! One boon then, lady!
Where'er thou bidd'st, I go thy faithful soldier,
But first must trace the spot, where she lay bleeding
Who gave me life. No more shall beast of ravine 440
Affront with baser spoil that sacred forest!
Or if avengers more than human haunt there,
Take they what shape they list, savage or heavenly,
They shall make answer to me, though my heart's blood
Should be the spell to bind them. Blood calls for blood! 445
[_Exit Bethlen._
_Sarolta._ Ah! it was this I feared. To ward off this
Did I withhold from him that old Bathory
Returning hid beneath the self-same oak,
Where the babe lay, the mantle, and some jewel
Bound on his infant arm.
_Glycine._ Oh, let me fly 450
And stop him! Mangled limbs do there lie scattered
Till the lured eagle bears them to her nest.
And voices have been heard! And there the plant grows
That being eaten gives the inhuman wizard
Power to put on the fell hyæna's shape. 455
_Sarolta._ What idle tongue hath bewitched thee, Glycine?
I hoped that thou had'st learnt a nobler faith.
_Glycine._ O chide me not, dear lady; question Laska,
Or the old man.
_Sarolta._ Forgive me, I spake harshly.
It is indeed a mighty sorcery 460
That doth enthral thy young heart, my poor girl,
And what hath Laska told thee?
_Glycine._ Three days past
A courier from the king did cross that wood;
A wilful man, that armed himself on purpose:
And never hath been heard of from that time! 465
[_Sound of horns without._
_Sarolta._ Hark! dost thou hear it!
_Glycine._ 'Tis the sound of horns!
Our huntsmen are not out!
_Sarolta._ Lord Casimir
Would not come thus! [_Horns again._
_Glycine._ Still louder!
_Sarolta._ Haste we hence!
For I believe in part thy tale of terror!
But, trust me, 'tis the inner man transformed: 470
Beasts in the shape of men are worse than war-wolves.
[_SAROLTA and GLYCINE exeunt. Trumpets, &c. louder. Enter
EMERICK, LORD RUDOLPH, LASKA, and_ Huntsmen _and_
Attendants.
_Rudolph._ A gallant chase, sire.
_Emerick._ Aye, but this new quarry
That we last started seems worth all the rest.
[_then to Laska._
And you--excuse me--what's your name?
_Laska._ Whatever
Your majesty may please.
_Emerick._ Nay, that's too late, man. 475
Say, what thy mother and thy godfather
Were pleased to call thee.
_Laska._ Laska, my liege sovereign.
_Emerick._ Well, my liege subject, Laska! And you are
Lord Casimir's steward?
_Laska._ And your majesty's creature.
_Emerick._ Two gentle dames made off at our approach. 480
Which was your lady?
_Laska_ My liege lord, the taller.
The other, please your grace, is her poor handmaid,
Long since betrothed to me. But the maid's froward--
Yet would your grace but speak--
_Emerick._ Hum, master steward!
I am honoured with this sudden confidence. 485
Lead on. [_to Laska, then to Rudolph._
Lord Rudolph, you'll announce our coming.
Greet fair Sarolta from me, and entreat her
To be our gentle hostess. Mark, you add
How much we grieve, that business of the state
Hath forced us to delay her lord's return. 490
_Lord Rudolph (aside)._ Lewd, ingrate tyrant! Yes, I will announce
thee.
_Emerick._ Now onward all. [_Exeunt attendants._
A fair one, by my faith!
If her face rival but her gait and stature,
My good friend Casimir had his reasons too.
'Her tender health, her vow of strict retirement, 495
Made early in the convent--His word pledged--'
All fictions, all! fictions of jealousy.
Well! If the mountain move not to the prophet,
The prophet must to the mountain! In this Laska
There's somewhat of the knave mixed up with dolt. 500
Through the transparence of the fool, methought,
I saw (as I could lay my finger on it)
The crocodile's eye, that peered up from the bottom.
This knave may do us service. Hot ambition
Won me the husband. Now let vanity 505
And the resentment for a forced seclusion
Decoy the wife! Let him be deemed the aggressor
Whose cunning and distrust began the game! [_Exit._
FOOTNOTES:
[906:1] This line was borrowed unconsciously from the Excursion. ['Why
should a tear be in an old man's eye?' _Excursion_, Bk. I, l. 598
(1814).]
Refers (i. e. 'strangers' in l. 163) to the tears which he feels
starting in his eye. The following line was borrowed from Mr.
Wordsworth's Excursion. _1817_, _1828_, _1829_.
[908:1] For the best account of the War-wolf or Lycanthropus, see
Drayton's _Moon-calf_, Chalmers' English Poets, vol. iv, p. 133.
[911:1]
In the English dramatic Iambic pentameter, a [macron] and
hypera-catalectic, [_sic_] the arsis strengthened by the emphasis (in
which our blank verse differs from the Greek Prosody, which
acknowledges no influence from emphasis) and assisted by the following
caesura, permits the licence of an amphimacer [macron breve macron]
for a spondee [macron macron]: the intermediate [breve] being sucked
-- [u] --
up. Thus, orphan: left:--and still more easily an amphibrach for a
spondee. This oth | er fragment | thrown back, &c.
[u] -- |[u] -- [u] | [u] --
[MS. note by S. T. C. in copy of first Edition to lines 302 and 304. In
the text 'órphan' and 'frágment' are marked with an accent.]
LINENOTES:
[11] [_Pointing to BATHORY'S dwelling. SAROLTA answering, points to
where she then stands._
[56] _you_ 1817, 1828, 1829.
[After 74] [_Angry voices and clamour without._ 1817.
[Before 89] _Laska (pompously, as commencing a set speech)._ 1817, 1828,
1829.
[132] _Sarolta (speaks with affected anger)._ 1817, 1828, 1829.
[After 132] [_Exit GLYCINE, mournfully._ 1817, 1828, 1829.
[135] _us_ 1817, 1828, 1829.
[174]
Of an ebbing grief. [_BATHORY bowing, shows, &c._
1817, 1828, 1829.
[179]
She'll see . . . hourly. [_LASKA . . . peeps in timidly._
1817, 1828, 1829.
[180] _Laska (surlily)._ Gone. 1817, 1828, 1829.
[181]
Is he returned? [_LASKA starts up from his seat._
1817, 1828, 1829.
[188] _Your_ 1817, 1828, 1829.
[191] I should] _I_ should 1817, 1828, 1829.
[196] _Laska (malignantly)._ You, &c. 1817, 1828, 1829.
[207] _you_: _you_ 1817, 1828, 1829.
[209] _you_ 1817, 1828, 1829.
[211] _forced_ 1817, 1828, 1829.
[221] _loving_ 1817, 1828, 1829.
[222] _there_ 1817, 1828, 1829.
[223] _grieve_ 1817, 1828, 1829.
[Before 233] [_GLYCINE then cries out as if afraid of being beaten._
1817, 1828, 1829.
[235] _Laska (pompously)._ Do you, &c. 1817, 1828, 1829.
[241] _is_ 1817, 1828, 1829.
[243] _her_: _him_: _she'll_ 1817, 1828, 1829.
[After 248] [_LASKA during this time slinks off the Stage, using
threatening gestures to GLYCINE._ 1817, 1828, 1829.
[249] _him_ 1817, 1828, 1829.
[251] _your_ 1817, 1828, 1829.
[After 257] [_BETHLEN mutters to himself indignantly._ 1817, 1828, 1829.
[Before 259] _Bethlen (muttering aside)._ 1817, 1828, 1829.
[279]
_Glycine._ No . . . heart. [_Sobbing._
_Sarolta (taking her hand)._ Ha! &c.
1817, 1828, 1829.
[297]
O, 'tis so full _here_. [_At her heart._
1817, 1828, 1829.
[299] _not_ 1817, 1828, 1829.
[301] _thee_ 1817, 1828, 1829.
[308]
_Glycine (eagerly)._ O tell--
_Bethlen (who had overheard the last few words, now rushes out)._ Yes,
&c.
1817, 1828, 1829.
[309] _Thy_ 1817, 1828, 1829.
[340] _Sarolta (with a smile)._ Moon-calves, &c. 1817, 1828, 1829.
[After 342] [_Then speaking again to BETHLEN._ 1817, 1828, 1829.
[After 352] [_Striking his breast._ 1817, 1828, 1829.
[384] _can not_ 1817, 1828, 1829.
[393] _Sarolta (continuing the story)._ While, &c. 1817, 1828, 1829.
[396] _Glycine (to silence him)._ Bethlen! 1817, 1828, 1829.
[401] _she_ 1817, 1828, 1829.
[414] _my_ 1817, 1828, 1829.
[456] _thee_ 1817, 1828, 1847.
[467] _Our_ 1817, 1828, 1829.
[480] _Two_ 1817, 1828, 1829.
[492] _Emerick (solus)._ A fair, &c. 1817, 1828, 1829.
[494] _his_ 1817, 1828, 1829.
[495-6] '_Her tender . . . pledged_--' 1817, 1828, 1829.
[After 508] END OF ACT I 1817.
ACT II
SCENE I
_A savage wood. At one side a cavern, overhung with ivy. ZAPOLYA and
RAAB KIUPRILI discovered: both, but especially the latter, in rude and
savage garments._
_Raab Kiuprili._ Heard you then aught while I was slumbering?
_Zapolya._ Nothing.
Only your face became convulsed. We miserable!
Is heaven's last mercy fled? Is sleep grown treacherous?
_Raab Kiuprili._ O for a sleep, for sleep itself to rest in!
I dream'd I had met with food beneath a tree, 5
And I was seeking you, when all at once
My feet became entangled in a net:
Still more entangled as in rage I tore it.
At length I freed myself, had sight of you,
But as I hastened eagerly, again 10
I found my frame encumbered: a huge serpent
Twined round my chest, but tightest round my throat.
_Zapolya._ Alas! 'twas lack of food: for hunger chokes!
_Raab Kiuprili._ And now I saw you by a shrivelled child
Strangely pursued. You did not fly, yet neither 15
Touched you the ground, methought, but close above it
Did seem to shoot yourself along the air,
And as you passed me, turned your face and shrieked.
_Zapolya._ I did in truth send forth a feeble shriek,
Scarce knowing why. Perhaps the mock'd sense craved 20
To hear the scream, which you but seemed to utter.
For your whole face looked like a mask of torture!
Yet a child's image doth indeed pursue me
Shrivelled with toil and penury!
_Raab Kiuprili._ Nay! what ails you?
_Zapolya._ A wondrous faintness there comes stealing o'er me. 25
Is it Death's lengthening shadow, who comes onward,
Life's setting sun behind him?
_Raab Kiuprili._ Cheerly! The dusk
Will quickly shroud us. Ere the moon be up,
Trust me I'll bring thee food!
_Zapolya._ Hunger's tooth has
Gnawn itself blunt. O, I could queen it well 30
O'er my own sorrows as my rightful subjects.
But wherefore, O revered Kiuprili! wherefore
Did my importunate prayers, my hopes and fancies,
Force thee from thy secure though sad retreat?
Would that my tongue had then cloven to my mouth! 35
But Heaven is just! With tears I conquered thee,
And not a tear is left me to repent with!
Had'st thou not done already--had'st thou not
Suffered--oh, more than e'er man feigned of friendship?
_Raab Kiuprili._ Yet be thou comforted! What! had'st thou faith 40
When I turned back incredulous? 'Twas thy light
That kindled mine. And shall it now go out,
And leave thy soul in darkness? Yet look up,
And think thou see'st thy sainted lord commissioned
And on his way to aid us! Whence those late dreams, 45
Which after such long interval of hopeless
And silent resignation all at once
Night after night commanded thy return
Hither? and still presented in clear vision
This wood as in a scene? this very cavern? 50
Thou darest not doubt that Heaven's especial hand
Worked in those signs. The hour of thy deliverance
Is on the stroke:--for misery can not add
Grief to thy griefs, or patience to thy sufferance!
_Zapolya._ Can not! Oh, what if thou wert taken from me? 55
Nay, thou said'st well: for that and death were one.
Life's grief is at its height indeed; the hard
Necessity of this inhuman state
Hath made our deeds inhuman as our vestments.
Housed in this wild wood, with wild usages, 60
Danger our guest, and famine at our portal--
Wolf-like to prowl in the shepherd's fold by night!
At once for food and safety to affrighten
The traveller from his road--
[_GLYCINE is heard singing without._
_Raab Kiuprili._ Hark! heard you not
A distant chaunt? 65
SONG
_By GLYCINE_
A sunny shaft did I behold,
From sky to earth it slanted:
And poised therein a bird so bold--
Sweet bird, thou wert enchanted!
He sank, he rose, he twinkled, he trolled 70
Within that shaft of sunny mist;
His eyes of fire, his beak of gold,
All else of amethyst!
And thus he sang: 'Adieu! adieu!
Love's dreams prove seldom true. 75
The blossoms, they make no delay:
The sparkling dew-drops will not stay.
Sweet month of May,
We must away;
Far, far away! 80
To-day! to-day!'
_Zapolya._ Sure 'tis some blest spirit!
For since thou slew'st the usurper's emissary
That plunged upon us, a more than mortal fear
Is as a wall, that wards off the beleaguerer 85
And starves the poor besieged. [_Song again._
_Raab Kiuprili._ It is a maiden's voice! quick to the cave!
_Zapolya._ Hark! her voice falters! [_Exit ZAPOLYA._
_Raab Kiuprili._ She must not enter
The cavern, else I will remain unseen!
[_KIUPRILI retires to one side of the stage. GLYCINE
enters singing._
_Glycine._ A savage place! saints shield me! Bethlen! Bethlen! 90
Not here?--There's no one here! I'll sing again!
[_Sings again._
If I do not hear my own voice, I shall fancy
Voices in all chance sounds! [_Starts._
'Twas some dry branch
Dropt of itself! Oh, he went forth so rashly,
Took no food with him--only his arms and boar-spear! 95
What if I leave these cakes, this cruse of wine,
Here by this cave, and seek him with the rest?
_Raab Kiuprili (unseen)._ Leave them and flee!
_Glycine (shrieks, then recovering.)_ Where are you?
_Raab Kiuprili (still unseen.)_ Leave them!
_Glycine._ 'Tis Glycine!
Speak to me, Bethlen! speak in your own voice! 100
All silent!--If this were the war-wolf's den!
'Twas not his voice!--
[_GLYCINE leaves the provisions, and exit. KIUPRILI comes
forward, seizes them and carries them into the
cavern. GLYCINE returns._
_Glycine._ Shame! Nothing hurt me!
If some fierce beast have gored him, he must needs
Speak with a strange voice. Wounds cause thirst and hoarseness!
Speak, Bethlen! or but moan. St--St----No--Bethlen! 105
If I turn back and he should be found dead here,
[_She creeps nearer and nearer to the cavern._
I should go mad!--Again!--'Twas my own heart!
Hush, coward heart! better beat loud with fear,
Than break with shame and anguish!
[_As she approaches to enter the cavern, KIUPRILI stops
her. GLYCINE shrieks._
Saints protect me!
_Raab Kiuprili._ Swear then by all thy hopes, by all thy fears-- 110
_Glycine._ Save me!
_Raab Kiuprili._ Swear secrecy and silence!
_Glycine._ I swear!
_Raab Kiuprili._ Tell what thou art, and what thou seekest?
_Glycine._ Only
A harmless orphan youth, to bring him food--
_Raab Kiuprili._ Wherefore in this wood?
_Glycine._ Alas! it was his purpose--
_Raab Kiuprili._ With what intention came he? Would'st thou save
him, 115
Hide nothing!
_Glycine._ Save him! O forgive his rashness!
He is good, and did not know that thou wert human!
_Raab Kiuprili._ Human?
With what design?
_Glycine._ To kill thee, or
If that thou wert a spirit, to compel thee
By prayers, and with the shedding of his blood, 120
To make disclosure of his parentage.
But most of all--
_Zapolya (rushing out from the cavern)._ Heaven's blessing on thee!
Speak!
_Glycine._ Whether his mother live, or perished here!
_Zapolya._ Angel of mercy, I was perishing
And thou did'st bring me food: and now thou bring'st 125
The sweet, sweet food of hope and consolation
To a mother's famished heart! His name, sweet maiden!
_Glycine._ E'en till this morning we were wont to name him
Bethlen Bathory!
_Zapolya._ Even till this morning?
This morning? when my weak faith failed me wholly! 130
Pardon, O thou that portion'st out our sufferance,
And fill'st again the widow's empty cruse!
Say on!
_Glycine._ The false ones charged the valiant youth
With treasonous words of Emerick--
_Zapolya._ Ha! my son!
_Glycine._ And of Lord Casimir--
_Raab Kiuprili (aside)._ O agony! my son! 135
_Glycine._ But my dear lady--
_Zapolya and Raab Kiuprili._ Who?
_Glycine._ Lady Sarolta
Frowned and discharged these bad men.
_Raab Kiuprili (to himself)._ Righteous Heaven
Sent me a daughter once, and I repined
That it was not a son. A son was given me.
My daughter died, and I scarce shed a tear: 140
And lo! that son became my curse and infamy.
_Zapolya (embraces Glycine)._ Sweet innocent! and you came here to
seek him,
And bring him food. Alas! thou fear'st?
_Glycine._ Not much!
My own dear lady, when I was a child,
Embraced me oft, but her heart never beat so. 145
For I too am an orphan, motherless!
_Raab Kiuprili (to Zapolya)._ O yet beware, lest hope's brief flash
but deepen
The after gloom, and make the darkness stormy!
In that last conflict, following our escape,
The usurper's cruelty had clogged our flight 150
With many a babe and many a childing mother.
This maid herself is one of numberless
Planks from the same vast wreck. [_Then to GLYCINE again._
Well! Casimir's wife--
_Glycine._ She is always gracious, and so praised the old man
That his heart o'erflowed, and made discovery 155
That in this wood--
_Zapolya._ O speak!
_Glycine._ A wounded lady--
[_ZAPOLYA faints--they both support her._
_Glycine._ Is this his mother?
_Raab Kiuprili._ She would fain believe it,
Weak though the proofs be. Hope draws towards itself
The flame with which it kindles. [_Horn heard without._
To the cavern!
Quick! quick!
_Glycine._ Perchance some huntsmen of the king's. 160
_Raab Kiuprili._ Emerick?
_Glycine._ He came this morning--
[_They retire to the cavern, bearing ZAPOLYA. Then enter
BETHLEN, armed with a boar-spear._
_Bethlen._ I had a glimpse
Of some fierce shape; and but that Fancy often
Is Nature's intermeddler, and cries halves
With the outward sight, I should believe I saw it
Bear off some human prey. O my preserver! 165
Bathory! Father! Yes, thou deserv'st that name!
Thou did'st not mock me! These are blessed findings!
The secret cypher of my destiny [_Looking at his signet._
Stands here inscribed: it is the seal of fate!
Ha!--Had ever monster fitting lair, 'tis yonder! 170
Thou yawning den, I well remember thee!
Mine eyes deceived me not. Heaven leads me on!
Now for a blast, loud as a king's defiance,
To rouse the monster couchant o'er his ravine!
[_Blows the horn--then a pause._
Another blast! and with another swell 175
To you, ye charméd watchers of this wood!
If haply I have come, the rightful heir
Of vengeance: if in me survive the spirits
Of those, whose guiltless blood flowed streaming here!
[_Blows again louder._
Still silent? Is the monster gorged? Heaven shield me! 180
Thou, faithful spear! be both my torch and guide.
[_As BETHLEN is about to enter, KIUPRILI speaks from the
cavern unseen._
_Raab Kiuprili_. Withdraw thy foot! Retract thine idle spear,
And wait obedient!
_Bethlen._ Ha! What art thou? speak!
_Raab Kiuprili (still unseen)._ Avengers!
_Bethlen._ By a dying mother's pangs
E'en such am I. Receive me!
_Raab Kiuprili (still unseen)._ Wait! Beware! 185
At thy first step, thou treadest upon the light,
Thenceforth must darkling flow, and sink in darkness!
_Bethlen._ Ha! see my boar-spear trembles like a reed!--
Oh, fool! mine eyes are duped by my own shuddering.--
Those piléd thoughts, built up in solitude, 190
Year following year, that pressed upon my heart
As on the altar of some unknown God,
Then, as if touched by fire from heaven descending.
Blazed up within me at a father's name--
Do they desert me now?--at my last trial? 195
Voice of command! and thou, O hidden Light!
I have obeyed! Declare ye by what name
I dare invoke you! Tell what sacrifice
Will make you gracious.
_Raab Kiuprili (still unseen)._ Patience! Truth! Obedience!
Be thy whole soul transparent! so the Light, 200
Thou seekest, may enshrine itself within thee!
Thy name?
_Bethlen._ Ask rather the poor roaming savage,
Whose infancy no holy rite had blest,
To him, perchance, rude spoil or ghastly trophy,
In chase or battle won, have given a name. 205
I have none--but like a dog have answered
To the chance sound which he that fed me, called me.
_Raab Kiuprili (still unseen)._ Thy birth-place?
_Bethlen._ Deluding spirits!
Do ye mock me?
Question the Night! Bid Darkness tell its birth-place?
Yet hear! Within yon old oak's hollow trunk, 210
Where the bats cling, have I surveyed my cradle!
The mother-falcon hath her nest above it,
And in it the wolf litters!----I invoke you,
Tell me, ye secret ones! if ye beheld me
As I stood there, like one who having delved 215
For hidden gold hath found a talisman,
O tell! what rights, what offices of duty
This signet doth command? What rebel spirits
Owe homage to its Lord?
_Raab Kiuprili (still unseen)._ More, guiltier, mightier,
Than thou mayest summon! Wait the destined hour! 220
_Bethlen._ O yet again, and with more clamorous prayer,
I importune ye! Mock me no more with shadows!
This sable mantle--tell, dread voice! did this
Enwrap one fatherless!
_Zapolya (unseen)._ One fatherless!
_Bethlen._ A sweeter voice!--A voice of love and pity! 225
Was it the softened echo of mine own?
Sad echo! but the hope it kill'd was sickly,
And ere it died it had been mourned as dead!
One other hope yet lives within my soul:
Quick let me ask!--while yet this stifling fear, 230
This stop of the heart, leaves utterance!--Are--are these
The sole remains of her that gave me life?
Have I a mother? [_ZAPOLYA rushes out to embrace him._
Ha!
_Zapolya._ My son! my son!
A wretched--Oh no, no! a blest--a happy mother!
[_They embrace. KIUPRILI and GLYCINE come forward and the
curtain drops._
LINENOTES:
[21] _hear_ 1817, 1828, 1829.
[57] _Life's_ 1817, 1828, 1829.
[59] _Hath_ 1817, 1828, 1829.
[70] sank] _sank_ 1817, 1828, 1829.
[75-6] om. 1817.
[Before 90] _Glycine (fearfully)._ 1817, 1828, 1829.
[102] [_GLYCINE leaves the provisions, and exit fearfully. . . . GLYCINE
returns, having recovered herself._ 1817, 1828, 1829.
[Before 118] _Raab Kiuprili (repeats the word)._ 1817, 1828, 1829.
[118]
Human? [_Then sternly._
1817, 1828, 1829.
[135] _my_ 1817, 1828, 1829.
_Glycine._ And of Lord Casimir--
_Raab Kiuprili (aside)._ O agony! _my_ son.
Erased [? by S. T. C. in copy of 1817.]
[137] _Raab Kiuprili (turning off and to himself)._ 1817, 1828, 1839.
[137-41] _Raab Kiuprili_ (_turning off_, &c.) . . . infamy. Erased [? by
S. T. C. in copy of 1817].
[156] _Zapolya (in agitation)._ O speak. 1817, 1838, 1829.
[170] Ha!-- (_observing the cave_). 1817, 1828, 1829.
[183] _Bethlen (in amazement)._ 1817, 1828, 1829.
[196] VOICE: LIGHT 1817, 1828, 1829.
[Before 225] _Bethlen (starting)._ 1817, 1828, 1829.
[233]
[_ZAPOLYA . . . him._
_BETHLEN starts._ Ha!
_Zapolya (embracing him)._ My son, &c.
1817, 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 an old warrior's venerable shape
To guard and guide my mother. Is there not 85
Chapel or oratory in this mansion?
_Old Bathory._ Even so.
_Bethlen._ From that place then am I to take
A helm and breast-plate, both inlaid with gold,
And the good sword that once was Raab Kiuprili's.
_Old Bathory._ Those very arms this day Sarolta show'd me-- 90
With wistful look. I'm lost in wild conjectures!
_Bethlen._ O tempt me not, e'en with a wandering guess,
To break the first command a mother's will
Imposed, a mother's voice made known to me!
'Ask not, my son,' said she, 'our names or thine. 95
The shadow of the eclipse is passing off
The full orb of thy destiny! Already
The victor Crescent glitters forth and sheds
O'er the yet lingering haze a phantom light.
Thou canst not hasten it! Leave then to Heaven 100
The work of Heaven: and with a silent spirit
Sympathize with the powers that work in silence!'
Thus spake she, and she looked as she were then
Fresh from some heavenly vision!
[_Re-enter LASKA, not perceiving them._
_Laska._ All asleep!
[_Then observing BETHLEN, stands in idiot-affright._
I must speak to it first--Put--put the question! 105
I'll confess all! [_Stammering with fear._
_Old Bathory._ Laska! what ails thee, man?
_Laska (pointing to Bethlen)._ There!
_Old Bathory._ I see nothing! where?
_Laska._ He does
not see it!
Bethlen, torment me not!
_Bethlen._ Soft! Rouse him gently!
He hath outwatched his hour, and half asleep,
With eyes half open, mingles sight with dreams. 110
_Old Bathory._ Ho! Laska! Don't you know us! 'tis Bathory
And Bethlen!
_Laska._ Good now! Ha! ha! An excellent trick.
Afraid? Nay, no offence! But I must laugh.
But are you sure now, that 'tis you, yourself?
_Bethlen._ Would'st be convinced?
_Laska._ No nearer, pray! consider! 115
If it should prove his ghost, the touch would freeze me
To a tombstone. No nearer!
_Bethlen._ The fool is drunk!
_Laska._ Well now! I love a brave man to my heart.
I myself braved the monster, and would fain
Have saved the false one from the fate she tempted. 120
_Old Bathory._ You, Laska?
_Bethlen (to Bathory)._ Mark! Heaven grant it may be so!
Glycine?
_Laska._ She! I traced her by the voice.
You'll scarce believe me, when I say I heard
The close of a song: the poor wretch had been singing:
As if she wished to compliment the war-wolf 125
At once with music and a meal!
_Bethlen (to Bathory)._ Mark that!
_Laska._ At the next moment I beheld her running,
Wringing her hands with, 'Bethlen! O poor Bethlen!'
I almost fear, the sudden noise I made,
Rushing impetuous through the brake, alarmed her. 130
She stopt, then mad with fear, turned round and ran
Into the monster's gripe. One piteous scream
I heard. There was no second--I--
_Bethlen._ Stop there!
We'll spare your modesty! Who dares not honour
Laska's brave tongue, and high heroic fancy? 135
_Laska._ You too, Sir Knight, have come back safe and sound!
You played the hero at a cautious distance!
Or was it that you sent the poor girl forward
To stay the monster's stomach? Dainties quickly
Pall on the taste and cloy the appetite! 140
_Old Bathory._ Laska, beware! Forget not what thou art!
Should'st thou but dream thou'rt valiant, cross thyself!
And ache all over at the dangerous fancy!
_Laska._ What then! you swell upon my lady's favour,
High Lords and perilous of one day's growth! 145
But other judges now sit on the bench!
And haply, Laska hath found audience there,
Where to defend the treason of a son
Might end in lifting up both son and father
Still higher; to a height from which indeed 150
You both may drop, but, spite of fate and fortune,
Will be secured from falling to the ground.
'Tis possible too, young man! that royal Emerick,
At Laska's rightful suit, may make inquiry
By whom seduced, the maid so strangely missing-- 155
_Bethlen._ Soft! my good Laska! might it not suffice,
If to yourself, being Lord Casimir's steward,
I should make record of Glycine's fate?
_Laska._ 'Tis well! it shall content me! though your fear
Has all the credit of these lowered tones. 160
First we demand the manner of her death?
_Bethlen._ Nay! that's superfluous! Have you not just told us,
That you yourself, led by impetuous valour,
Witnessed the whole? My tale's of later date.
After the fate, from which your valour strove 165
In vain to rescue the rash maid, I saw her!
_Laska._ Glycine?
_Bethlen._ Nay! Dare I accuse wise Laska,
Whose words find access to a monarch's ear,
Of a base, braggart lie? It must have been
Her spirit that appeared to me. But haply 170
I come too late? It has itself delivered
Its own commission to you?
_Old Bathory._ 'Tis most likely!
And the ghost doubtless vanished, when we entered
And found brave Laska staring wide--at nothing!
_Laska._ 'Tis well! You've ready wits! I shall report them, 175
With all due honour, to his Majesty!
Treasure them up, I pray! A certain person,
Whom the king flatters with his confidence,
Tells you, his royal friend asks startling questions!
'Tis but a hint! And now what says the ghost! 180
_Bethlen._ Listen! for thus it spake: 'Say thou to Laska,
Glycine, knowing all thy thoughts engrossed
In thy new office of king's fool and knave,
Foreseeing thou'lt forget with thine own hand
To make due penance for the wrongs thou'st caused her, 185
For thy soul's safety, doth consent to take it
From Bethlen's cudgel'--thus. [_Beats him off._
Off! scoundrel! off!
[_LASKA runs away._
_Old Bathory._ The sudden swelling of this shallow dastard
Tells of a recent storm: the first disruption
Of the black cloud that hangs and threatens o'er us. 190
_Bethlen._ E'en this reproves my loitering. Say where lies
The oratory?
_Old Bathory._ Ascend yon flight of stairs!
Midway the corridor a silver lamp
Hangs o'er the entrance of Sarolta's chamber,
And facing it, the low arched oratory! 195
Me thou'lt find watching at the outward gate:
For a petard might burst the bars, unheard
By the drenched porter, and Sarolta hourly
Expects Lord Casimir, spite of Emerick's message!
_Bethlen._ There I will meet you! And till then good-night! 200
Dear good old man, good-night!
_Old Bathory._ O yet one moment!
What I repelled, when it did seem my own,
I cling to, now 'tis parting--call me father!
It can not now mislead thee. O my son,
Ere yet our tongues have learnt another name, 205
Bethlen!--say 'Father' to me!
_Bethlen._ Now, and for ever
My father! other sire than thou, on earth
I never had, a dearer could not have!
From the base earth you raised me to your arms,
And I would leap from off a throne, and kneeling, 210
Ask Heaven's blessing from thy lips. My father!
_Bathory._ Go! Go! [_Exit BETHLEN._
May every star now shining over us,
Be as an angel's eye, to watch and guard him! [_Exit BATHORY._
_Scene changes to a splendid Bed-chamber, hung with tapestry._
_SAROLTA and an_ Attendant.
_Attendant._ We all did love her, madam!
_Sarolta._ She deserved it!
Luckless Glycine! rash, unhappy girl! 215
'Twas the first time she e'er deceived me.
_Attendant._ She was in love, and had she not died thus,
With grief for Bethlen's loss, and fear of Laska,
She would have pined herself to death at home.
_Sarolta._ Has the youth's father come back from his search? 220
_Attendant._ He never will, I fear me. O dear lady!
That Laska did so triumph o'er the old man--
It was quite cruel--'You'll be sure,' said he,
'To meet with part at least of your son Bethlen,
Or the war-wolf must have a quick digestion! 225
Go! Search the wood by all means! Go! I pray you!'
_Sarolta._ Inhuman wretch!
_Attendant._ And old Bathory answered
With a sad smile, 'It is a witch's prayer,
And may Heaven read it backwards.' Though she was rash,
'Twas a small fault for such a punishment! 230
_Sarolta._ Nay! 'twas my grief, and not my anger spoke.
Small fault indeed! but leave me, my poor girl!
I feel a weight that only prayer can lighten.
[_Exit_ Attendant.
O they were innocent, and yet have perished
In their May of life; and Vice grows old in triumph. 235
Is it Mercy's hand, that for the bad man holds
Life's closing gate?----
Still passing thence petitionary Hours
To woo the obdurate spirit to repentance?
Or would this dullness tell me, that there is 240
Guilt too enormous to be duly punished,
Save by increase of guilt? The Powers of Evil
Are jealous claimants. Guilt too hath its ordeal,
And Hell its own probation!--Merciful Heaven,
Rather than this, pour down upon thy suppliant 245
Disease, and agony, and comfortless want!
O send us forth to wander on, unsheltered!
Make our food bitter with despiséd tears!
Let viperous scorn hiss at us as we pass!
Yea, let us sink down at our enemy's gate, 250
And beg forgiveness and a morsel of bread!
With all the heaviest worldly visitations
Let the dire father's curse that hovers o'er us
Work out its dread fulfilment, and the spirit
Of wronged Kiuprili be appeased. But only, 255
Only, O merciful in vengeance! let not
That plague turn inward on my Casimir's soul!
Scare thence the fiend Ambition, and restore him
To his own heart! O save him! Save my husband!
[_During the latter part of this speech EMERICK comes
forward from his hiding-place. SAROLTA seeing
him, without recognising him._
In such a shape a father's curse should come. 260
_Emerick (advancing)._ Fear not.
_Sarolta._ Who art thou? Robber? Traitor?
_Emerick._ Friend!
Who in good hour hath startled these dark fancies,
Rapacious traitors, that would fain depose
Joy, love, and beauty, from their natural thrones:
Those lips, those angel eyes, that regal forehead. 265
_Sarolta_. Strengthen me, Heaven! I must not seem afraid!
[_Aside._
The king to-night then deigns to play the masker.
What seeks your Majesty?
_Emerick._ Sarolta's love;
And Emerick's power lies prostrate at her feet.
_Sarolta._ Heaven guard the sovereign's power from such
debasement! 270
Far rather, Sire, let it descend in vengeance
On the base villain, on the faithless slave
Who dared unbar the doors of these retirements!
For whom? Has Casimir deserved this insult?
O my misgiving heart! If--if--from Heaven 275
Yet not from you, Lord Emerick!
_Emerick._ Chiefly from me.
Has he not like an ingrate robbed my court
Of Beauty's star, and kept my heart in darkness?
First then on him I will administer justice--
If not in mercy, yet in love and rapture. 280
[_Seizes her._
_Sarolta._ Help! Treason! Help!
_Emerick._ Call louder! Scream again!
Here's none can hear you!
_Sarolta._ Hear me, hear me, Heaven!
_Emerick._ Nay, why this rage? Who best deserves you? Casimir,
Emerick's bought implement, the jealous slave
That mews you up with bolts and bars? or Emerick 285
Who proffers you a throne? Nay, mine you shall be.
Hence with this fond resistance! Yield; then live
This month a widow, and the next a queen!
_Sarolta._ Yet, yet for one brief moment [_Struggling._
Unhand me, I conjure you.
[_She throws him off, and rushes towards a toilet.
EMERICK follows, and as she takes a dagger,
he grasps it in her hand._
_Emerick._ Ha! Ha! a dagger; 290
A seemly ornament for a lady's casket!
'Tis held, devotion is akin to love,
But yours is tragic! Love in war! It charms me,
And makes your beauty worth a king's embraces!
[_During this speech BETHLEN enters armed._
_Bethlen._ Ruffian, forbear! Turn, turn and front my sword! 295
_Emerick._ Pish! who is this?
_Sarolta._ O sleepless eye of Heaven!
A blest, a blessed spirit! Whence camest thou?
May I still call thee Bethlen?
_Bethlen._ Ever, lady,
Your faithful soldier!
_Emerick._ Insolent slave! Depart
Know'st thou not me?
_Bethlen._ I know thou art a villain 300
And coward! That thy devilish purpose marks thee!
What else, this lady must instruct my sword!
_Sarolta._ Monster, retire! O touch him not, thou blest one!
This is the hour that fiends and damnéd spirits
Do walk the earth, and take what form they list! 305
Yon devil hath assumed a king's!
_Bethlen._ Usurped it!
_Emerick._ The king will play the devil with thee indeed!
But that I mean to hear thee howl on the rack,
I would debase this sword, and lay thee prostrate
At this thy paramour's feet; then drag her forth 310
Stained with adulterous blood, and--
--mark you, traitress!
Strumpeted first, then turned adrift to beggary!
Thou prayed'st for't too.
_Sarolta._ Thou art so fiendish wicked,
That in thy blasphemies I scarce hear thy threats!
_Bethlen._ Lady, be calm! fear not this king of the buskin! 315
A king? Oh laughter! A king Bajazet!
That from some vagrant actor's tiring-room,
Hath stolen at once his speech and crown!
_Emerick._ Ah! treason!
Thou hast been lessoned and tricked up for this!
As surely as the wax on thy death-warrant 320
Shall take the impression of this royal signet,
So plain thy face hath ta'en the mask of rebel!
[_BETHLEN seizes EMERICK'S hand and eagerly observes the
signet._
_Bethlen._ It must be so! 'Tis e'en the counterpart!
But with a foul usurping cypher on it!
The light hath flashed from Heaven, and I must follow it! 325
O curst usurper! O thou brother-murderer!
That mad'st a star-bright queen a fugitive widow!
Who fill'st the land with curses, being thyself
All curses in one tyrant! see and tremble!
This is Kiuprili's sword that now hangs o'er thee! 330
Kiuprili's blasting curse, that from its point
Shoots lightnings at thee. Hark! in Andreas' name,
Heir of his vengeance, hell-hound! I defy thee.
[_They fight, and just as EMERICK is disarmed, in rush
CASIMIR, OLD BATHORY, and_ Attendants. _CASIMIR
runs in between the combatants, and parts them;
in the struggle BETHLEN'S sword is thrown down._
_Casimir._ The king! disarmed too by a stranger! Speak!
What may this mean?
_Emerick._ Deceived, dishonored lord! 335
Ask thou yon fair adultress! She will tell thee
A tale, which would'st thou be both dupe and traitor,
Thou wilt believe against thy friend and sovereign!
Thou art present now, and a friend's duty ceases:
To thine own justice leave I thine own wrongs. 340
Of half thy vengeance I perforce must rob thee,
For that the sovereign claims. To thy allegiance
I now commit this traitor and assassin.
[_Then to the_ Attendants.
Hence with him to the dungeon! and to-morrow,
Ere the sun rises,--Hark! your heads or his! 345
_Bethlen._ Can Hell work miracles to mock Heaven's justice?
_Emerick._ Who speaks to him dies! The traitor that has menaced
His king, must not pollute the breathing air,
Even with a word!
_Casimir (to Bathory)._ Hence with him to the dungeon!
[_Exit BETHLEN, hurried off by BATHORY and_ Attendants.
_Emerick._ We hunt to-morrow in your upland forest: 350
Thou (_to Casimir_) wilt attend us: and wilt then explain
This sudden and most fortunate arrival.
[_Exit EMERICK; Manent CASIMIR and SAROLTA._
_Sarolta._ My lord! my husband! look whose sword lies yonder!
It is Kiuprili's, Casimir; 'tis thy father's!
And wielded by a stripling's arm, it baffled, 355
Yea, fell like Heaven's own lightnings on that Tarquin.
_Casimir._ Hush! hush!
I had detected ere I left the city
The tyrant's curst intent. Lewd, damnéd ingrate!
For him did I bring down a father's curse! 360
Swift, swift must be our means! To-morrow's sun
Sets on his fate or mine! O blest Sarolta!
No other prayer, late penitent, dare I offer,
But that thy spotless virtues may prevail
O'er Casimir's crimes, and dread Kiuprili's curse! 365
[_Exeunt._
LINENOTES:
[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.
[311]
Stained with adulterous blood, and-- [_Then to Sarolta._
1817, 1828, 1829.
[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.
[357]
_Casimir._ Hush! Hush! [_In an under voice._
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--
_Lord Rudolph._ Enough! the time is precious!
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?
_Casimir._ Yes; and met
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
_Lord Rudolph._ Your answer?
_Casimir._ As the word proves false or true
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._
_Lord Rudolph._ But Emerick! how when you reported to him
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.
_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!
_Casimir._ This nook is at the furthest
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.
_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.
_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!
_Casimir._ Mark yonder mass! I make it wear the shape
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.
_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._
_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.
_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 watch-word!--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.
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.
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.
_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
_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.
[_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!
_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 thee
Was 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 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
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.
_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._
_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 it
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.
_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._
_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._
_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.
[_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.
_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! [_Enter CASIMIR._ 245
_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, 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
_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'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!
_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
[_Enter EMERICK._
_Emerick._ Fools! Cowards! follow--or by Hell I'll make you
Find reason to fear Emerick, more than all
The mummer-fiends that ever masqueraded
As gods or wood-nymphs!--
Ha! 'tis done then!
Our necessary villain hath proved faithful, 280
And there lies Casimir, and our last fears!
Well!--Aye, well!----
And is it not well? For though grafted on us,
And filled too with our sap, the deadly power
Of the parent poison-tree lurked in its fibres: 285
There was too much of Raab Kiuprili in him:
The old enemy looked at me in his face,
E'en when his words did flatter me with duty.
_Enter CASIMIR and BATHORY._
_Old Bathory (aside)._ This way they come!
_Casimir (aside)._ Hold them in check
awhile,
The path is narrow! Rudolph will assist thee. 290
_Emerick (aside)._ And ere I ring the alarum of my sorrow,
I'll scan that face once more, and murmur--Here
Lies Casimir, the last of the Kiuprilis!
Hell! 'tis Pestalutz!
_Casimir (coming forward)._ Yes, thou ingrate Emerick!
'Tis Pestalutz! 'tis thy trusty murderer! 295
To quell thee more, see Raab Kiuprili's sword!
_Emerick._ Curses on it and thee! Think'st thou that petty omen
Dare whisper fear to Emerick's destiny?
Ho! Treason! Treason!
_Casimir._ Then have at thee, tyrant!
[_They fight. EMERICK falls._
_Emerick._ Betrayed and baffled 300
By mine own tool!----Oh! [_Dies._
_Casimir._ Hear, hear, my Father!
Thou should'st have witnessed thine own deed. O Father,
Wake from that envious swoon! The tyrant's fallen!
Thy sword hath conquered! As I lifted it
Thy blessing did indeed descend upon me; 305
Dislodging the dread curse. It flew forth from me
And lighted on the tyrant!
_Enter RUDOLPH, BATHORY, and_ Attendants.
_Rudolph and Bathory._ Friends! friends to Casimir!
_Casimir._ Rejoice, Illyrians! the usurper's fallen.
_Rudolph._ So perish tyrants! so end usurpation! 310
_Casimir._ Bear hence the body, and move slowly on!
One moment----
Devoted to a joy, that bears no witness,
I follow you, and we will greet our countrymen
With the two best and fullest gifts of heaven-- 315
A tyrant fallen, a patriot chief restored!
[_CASIMIR enters the Cavern._
SCENE.--_Chamber in CASIMIR'S Castle._ Confederates _discovered._
_First Confederate._ It cannot but succeed, friends. From this palace
E'en to the wood, our messengers are posted
With such short interspace, that fast as sound
Can travel to us, we shall learn the event! 320
_Enter another Confederate._
What tidings from Temeswar?
_Second Confederate._ With one voice
Th' assembled chieftains have deposed the tyrant:
He is proclaimed the public enemy,
And the protection of the law withdrawn.
_First Confederate._ Just doom for him, who governs without law! 325
Is it known on whom the sov'reignty will fall?
_Second Confederate._ Nothing is yet decided: but report
Points to Lord Casimir. The grateful memory
Of his renownéd father----
_Enter SAROLTA._
Hail to Sarolta!
_Sarolta._ Confederate friends! I bring to you a joy 330
Worthy your noble cause! Kiuprili lives,
And from his obscure exile, hath returned
To bless our country. More and greater tidings
Might I disclose; but that a woman's voice
Would mar the wondrous tale. Wait we for him, 335
The partner of the glory--Raab Kiuprili;
For he alone is worthy to announce it.
[_Shouts of_ 'Kiuprili, Kiuprili,' _and_ 'The Tyrant's
fallen,' _without. Enter KIUPRILI, CASIMIR,
RUDOLPH, BATHORY, and_ Attendants.
_Raab Kiuprili._ Spare yet your joy, my friends! A higher waits you:
Behold, your Queen!
[_Enter ZAPOLYA and ANDREAS royally attired, with
GLYCINE._
_Confederate._ Comes she from heaven to bless us?
_Other Confederates._ It is! it is!
_Zapolya._ Heaven's work of grace is
full! 340
Kiuprili, thou art safe!
_Raab Kiuprili._ Royal Zapolya!
To the heavenly powers, pay we our duty first;
Who not alone preserved thee, but for thee
And for our country, the one precious branch
Of Andreas' royal house. O countrymen, 345
Behold your King! And thank our country's genius,
That the same means which have preserved our sovereign,
Have likewise reared him worthier of the throne
By virtue than by birth. The undoubted proofs
Pledged by his royal mother, and this old man, 350
(Whose name henceforth be dear to all Illyrians)
We haste to lay before the assembled council.
_All._ Hail, Andreas! Hail, Illyria's rightful king!
_Andreas._ Supported thus, O friends! 'twere cowardice
Unworthy of a royal birth, to shrink 355
From the appointed charge. Yet, while we wait
The awful sanction of convened Illyria,
In this brief while, O let me feel myself
The child, the friend, the debtor!--Heroic mother!--
But what can breath add to that sacred name? 360
Kiuprili! gift of Providence, to teach us
That loyalty is but the public form
Of the sublimest friendship, let my youth
Climb round thee, as the vine around its elm:
Thou my support and I thy faithful fruitage. 365
My heart is full, and these poor words express not,
They are but an art to check its over-swelling.
Bathory! shrink not from my filial arms!
Now, and from henceforth thou shalt not forbid me
To call thee father! And dare I forget 370
The powerful intercession of thy virtue,
Lady Sarolta? Still acknowledge me
Thy faithful soldier!--But what invocation
Shall my full soul address to thee, Glycine?
Thou sword that leap'dst forth from a bed of roses: 375
Thou falcon-hearted dove?
_Zapolya._ Hear that from me, son!
For ere she lived, her father saved thy life,
Thine, and thy fugitive mother's!
_Casimir._ Chef Ragozzi!
O shame upon my head! I would have given her
To a base slave!
_Zapolya._ Heaven overruled thy purpose, 380
And sent an angel to thy house to guard her!
Thou precious bark! freighted with all our treasures!
The sports of tempests, and yet ne'er the victim,
How many may claim salvage in thee! Take her, son!
A queen that brings with her a richer dowry 385
Than orient kings can give!
_Sarolta._ A banquet waits!--
On this auspicious day, for some few hours
I claim to be your hostess. Scenes so awful
With flashing light, force wisdom on us all!
E'en women at the distaff hence may see, 390
That bad men may rebel, but ne'er be free;
May whisper, when the waves of faction foam,
None love their country, but who love their home:
For freedom can with those alone abide,
Who wear the golden chain, with honest pride, 395
Of love and duty, at their own fire-side:
While mad ambition ever doth caress
Its own sure fate, in its own restlessness!
END OF ZAPOLYA.
LINENOTES:
[After 16] [_They take hands, &c._ 1817, 1828, 1829.
[37] _Lord Rudolph._ And his main policy too. 1817.
[44-55]
_Casimir._ Mark too, the edges of yon lurid mass!
Restless and vext, as if some angering hand,
With fitful, tetchy snatch, unrolled and pluck'd
The jetting ringlets of the vaporous fleece!
These are sure signs of conflict nigh at hand,
And elemental war!
1817-1851.
[Note.--The text of 1829, 1831 is inscribed in Notebook 20 (1808-1825).]
[47] Which, as Poets tell us, the Sea-Shepherds tend, Notebook 20.
[48] _my_ 1828, 1829.
[57]
Neighs at the gate. [_A volley of Trumpets._
1817, 1828, 1829.
[After 68: [_Exit RUDOLPH and manet CASIMIR._
[95-6]
That but oppressed me hitherto, now scares me.
You will ken Bethlen?
_Glycine._ O at farthest distance,
Yea, oft where Light's own courier-beam exhausted
Drops at the threshold, and forgets its message,
A something round me of a wider reach
Feels his approach, and trembles back to tell me.
MS. correction (in the margin of Zapolya 1817) inserted in text of P.
and D. W. 1877, iv. pp. 270-71.
[After 99] [_ZAPOLYA, who had been gazing affectionately after GLYCINE,
starts at BATHORY'S voice._ 1817, 1828, 1829.
[Before 128] _Pestalutz (affecting to start)._ 1817, 1828, 1829.
[128] _Laska (in affright)._ Ha, &c. 1817, 1828, 1829.
[Before 134] _Laska (pompously)._ 1817, 1828, 1829.
[137] _Pestalutz (with a sneer)._ What! &c. 1817, 1828, 1829.
[Before 139] _Laska (throwing down a bow and arrows)._ 1817, 1828, 1829.
[139] Take] there's 1817, 1828, 1829.
[140]
These points are tipt with venom.
[_Starts and sees GLYCINE without._
1817, 1828, 1829.
[After 141] [_They run . . . GLYCINE, and she shrieks without: then
enter, &c._ 1817, 1828, 1829.
[144]
The shriek came thence. [_Clash of swords, and BETHLEN'S voice heard
from behind the scenes; GLYCINE enters
alarmed; then, as seeing LASKA'S bow
and arrows._
1817, 1828, 1829.
[After 146] [_She seizes . . . following her. Lively and irregular
music, and_ Peasants _with hunting spears, &c._ 1817, 1828, 1829.]
[After 162] _Re-enter, as the_ Huntsmen _pass off, BATHORY, &c._ 1817,
1828, 1829.
[Before 163] _Glycine (leaning on Bethlen)._ 1817, 1828, 1829.
[Before 166] _Bathory (to Bethlen exultingly)._ 1817, 1828, 1829.
[Linenote _Before_ 181: _Bethlen (hastily)._ 1817, 1828, 1829.
[184]
_Bathory._ Hail . . . my king! [_Triumphantly._
1817, 1828, 1829.
[205]
Has scattered them! [_Horns heard as from different places at a
distance._
1817, 1828, 1829.
[207] _thee_ 1817, 1828, 1829.
[After 209] [_Thunder again._ 1817, 1828, 1829.
[After 211] [_Pointing without to the body of PESTALUTZ._ 1817, 1828,
1829.
[213] Lo] Low _1828_, _1829_.]
[After 215] [_Exeunt . . . GLYCINE, ANDREAS, having in haste dropt his
sword. Manet BATHORY._ 1817, 1828, 1829.
[216] Yon bleeding corse (_pointing to Pestalutz's body_) 1817, 1828,
1829.
[219]
I'll drag it hither. [_Exit BATHORY. After awhile several_ Hunters
_cross the stage as scattered. Some time
after, enter KIUPRILI in his disguise,
fainting with fatigue, and as pursued._
1817, 1828, 1829.
[221]
Shall be my trust. [_Then speaking as to ZAPOLYA in the Cavern._
Haste! . . . flee!
[_He enters the Cavern, and then returns in alarm._
1817, 1828, 1829.
[225]
_Thou_ art parcel of my native land. [_Then observing the sword._
1817, 1828, 1829.
[226] _my_ 1817, 1828, 1829.
[230] arm] arms 1817, 1828, 1829.
[232] bitter] bitterer 1817.
[233] _his_ 1817, 1828, 1829.
[After 239] [_Then observing KIUPRILI._ 1817, 1828, 1829.
[After 245] [_As he retires, in rushes CASIMIR._ 1817, 1828, 1829.
[246] _Casimir (entering)._ Monster! 1817, 1828, 1829.
[253] _Bathory._ There (_pointing to the body of PESTALUTZ_) 1817, 1828,
1829.
[After 256] [_BATHORY points to the Cavern, whence KIUPRILI advances._
1817, 1828, 1829.
[Before 259] _Casimir (discovering Kiuprili)._ 1817, 1828, 1829.
[Before_ 261] _Bathory (to Kiuprili)._ 1817, 1828, 1829.
[261] _Kiuprili (holds out the sword to Bathory)._ Bid him, &c. 1817,
1828, 1829.
[Before 266] _Kiuprili (in a tone of pity)._ 1817, 1828, 1829.
[After 275] [_KIUPRILI and CASIMIR embrace; they all retire to the
Cavern supporting KIUPRILI. CASIMIR as by accident drops his robe, and
BATHORY throws it over the body of PESTALUTZ._ 1817, 1828, 1829.
[Before 276] _Emerick (entering)._ 1817, 1828, 1829.
[279]
As gods or wood-nymphs!-- [_Then sees the body of PESTALUTZ,
covered by CASIMIR'S cloak._
1817, 1828, 1829.
[281] _last_ 1817, 1828, 1829.
[283] _not_ 1817, 1828, 1829.
[After 288] [_As EMERICK moves towards the body, enter from the Cavern
CASIMIR and BATHORY._ 1817, 1828, 1829.
[Before 289] _Bathory (pointing to where the noise is, and aside to
Casimir)._ 1817, 1828, 1829.
[289] _Casimir (aside to Bathory)._ Hold, &c. 1817, 1828, 1829.
[Before 291] _Emerick (aside, not perceiving Casimir and Bathory, and
looking at the dead body)._ 1817, 1828, 1829.
[After 293] [_Uncovers the face, and starts._ 1817, 1828, 1829.
[301] _Casimir (triumphantly)._ Hear, &c. 1817, 1828, 1829.
[Before 308] _Rudolph and Bathory (entering)._ 1817, 1828, 1829.
[After 316] [_Exeunt CASIMIR into the Cavern. The rest on the opposite
side._ 1817, 1828, 1829.
[Before 317] _Scene changes to a splendid Chamber, &c._ 1817, 1828,
1829.
[After 337] [_Shouts . . . without. Then enter KIUPRILI . . ._
Attendants, _after the clamour has subsided._ 1817, 1828, 1829.
[339]
Behold, your Queen! [_Enter from opposite side, ZAPOLYA, &c._
1817, 1828, 1829.
[365] _my . . . I_ 1817, 1828, 1829.
[377] _thy_ 1817, 1828, 1829.
[381] And sent an angel (_pointing to SAROLTA_) to thy, &c. 1817, 1828,
1829.
[After 382] [_To ANDREAS._ 1817, 1828, 1829.
[384] How many may claim salvage in thee! (_Pointing to GLYCINE._) Take,
&c. 1817, 1828, 1829.
[After 398] FINIS. 1817.
EPIGRAMS[951:1]
1
EPIGRAM
AN APOLOGY FOR SPENCERS
Said William to Edmund I can't guess the reason
Why Spencers abound in this bleak wintry season.
Quoth Edmund to William, I perceive you're no Solon--
Men may purchase a half-coat when they cannot a whole-one.
BRISTOLIENSIS.
March 21, 1796. First published in _The Watchman_, No. IV. March 25,
1796. First collected _Poems_, 1907.
2
EPIGRAM
ON A LATE MARRIAGE BETWEEN AN OLD MAID AND FRENCH PETIT MAÎTRE
Tho' Miss ----'s match is a subject of mirth,
She considered the matter full well,
And wisely preferred leading one ape on earth
To perhaps a whole dozen in hell.
First published in _The Watchman_, No. V, April 2, 1796. Included in
_Literary Remains_, 1836, i. 45. First collected _P. and D. W._, 1877,
ii. 368.
3
EPIGRAM
ON AN AMOROUS DOCTOR
From Rufa's eye sly Cupid shot his dart
And left it sticking in Sangrado's heart.
No quiet from that moment has he known,
And peaceful sleep has from his eyelids flown.
And opium's force, and what is more, alack!
His own orations cannot bring it back.
In short, unless she pities his afflictions,
Despair will make him take his _own prescriptions_.
First published in _The Watchman_, No. V, April 2, 1796. Included in
_Lit. Rem._, i. 45. First collected _P. and D. W._, 1877, ii. 368.
4
EPIGRAM
Of smart pretty Fellows in Bristol are numbers, some
Who so modish are grown, that they think plain sense cumbersome;
And lest they should seem to be queer or ridiculous,
They affect to believe neither God or _old Nicholas_!
First published in article 'To Caius Gracchus' (signed S. T. Coleridge)
in _The Watchman_, No. V, p. 159. Reprinted in _Essays on His Own
Times_, 1850, i. 164. First collected _P. and D. W._, 1877, ii. 368.
5
ON DEPUTY ----
By many a booby's vengeance bit
I leave your haunts, ye sons of wit!
And swear, by Heaven's blessed light,
That Epigrams no more I'll write.
Now hang that ***** for an ass,
Thus to thrust in his idiot face,
Which spite of oaths, if e'er I spy,
I'll write an Epigram--or die.
LABERIUS.
First published in _Morning Post_, Jan. 2, 1798. First collected, _P.
and D. W._, 1877, ii. 369.
6
[EPIGRAM]
To be ruled like a Frenchman the Briton is loth,
Yet in truth a _direct-tory_ governs them both.
1798. First collected _P. and D. W._, 1877, ii. 166.
7
ON MR. ROSS, USUALLY COGNOMINATED _NOSY_[953:1]
I fancy whenever I spy Nosy
Ross,
More great than a Lion is Rhy nose
ros.
1799. Now first published from an MS.
8
[EPIGRAM]
Bob now resolves on marriage schemes to trample,
And now he'll have a wife all in a trice.
Must I advise--Pursue thy dad's example
And marry not.--There, heed now my advice.
Imitated from Lessing's 'Bald willst du, Trill, und bald willst du dich
nicht beweiben.' _Sinngedicht_ No. 93. Now first published from an MS.
9
[EPIGRAM]
Say what you will, Ingenious Youth!
You'll find me neither Dupe nor Dunce:
Once you deceived me--only once,
'Twas then when you told me the Truth.
1799. First published from an MS. in 1893. Adapted from Lessing's
_Sinngedicht_ No. 45. _An einen Lügner._ 'Du magst so oft, so fein, als
dir nur möglich, lügen.'
10
[ANOTHER VERSION]
If the guilt of all lying consists in deceit,
Lie on--'tis your duty, sweet youth!
For believe me, then only we find you a cheat
When you cunningly tell us the truth.
1800. First published in _Annual Anthology_, 1800. First collected _P.
and D. W._, 1877, ii. 163.
11
ON AN INSIGNIFICANT[954:1]
No doleful faces here, no sighing--
Here rots a thing that _won_ by dying:
'Tis Cypher lies beneath this crust--
Whom Death _created_ into dust.
1799. First published from an MS. in 1893. The two last lines were
printed for the first time in 1834. Adapted from Lessing's _Sinngedicht_
No. 52. _Grabschrift des Nitulus._
'Hier modert Nitulus, jungfräuliches Gesichts,
Der durch den Tod gewann: er wurde Staub aus Nichts.'
12
[EPIGRAM]
There comes from old Avaro's grave
A deadly stench--why, sure they have
Immured his _soul_ within his grave?
1799. First published in _Keepsake_, 1829, p. 122. Included in _Lit.
Rem._, i. 46. Adapted from Lessing's _Sinngedicht_ No. 27. _Auf Lukrins
Grab._ 'Welch tötender Gestank hier, wo Lukrin begraben.'
13
ON A SLANDERER
From yonder tomb of recent date,
There comes a strange mephitic blast.
Here lies--Ha! Backbite, you at last--
'Tis he indeed: and sure as fate,
They buried him in overhaste--
Into the earth he has been cast,
And in this grave,
Before the man had breathed his last.
1799. First published from an MS. in 1893. An expansion of [Epigram] No.
12.
14
LINES IN A GERMAN STUDENT'S ALBUM
We both attended the same College,
Where sheets of paper we did blur many,
And now we're going to sport our knowledge,
In England I, and you in Germany.
First published in Carlyon's _Early Years, &c._, 1856, i. 68. First
collected _P. and D. W._, ii. 374.
15
[HIPPONA]
Hippona lets no silly flush
Disturb her cheek, nought makes her blush.
Whate'er obscenities you say,
She nods and titters frank and gay.
Oh Shame, awake one honest flush
For this,--that nothing makes her blush.
First published in _Morning Post_, (?) Aug. 29, 1799. Included in _An.
Anth._, 1800, and in _Essays, &c._, iii. 971. First collected _P. and D.
W._, ii. 164. Adapted from Lessing's _Sinngedicht_ No. 10. _Auf
Lucinden._ 'Sie hat viel Welt, die muntere Lucinde.'
16
ON A READER OF HIS OWN VERSES
Hoarse Mævius reads his hobbling verse
To all and at all times,
And deems them both divinely smooth,
His voice as well as rhymes.
But folks say, Mævius is no ass!
But Mævius makes it clear
That he's a monster of an ass,
An ass without an ear.
First published in _Morning Post_, Sept. 7, 1799. Included in _An.
Anth._, 1800; _Keepsake_, 1829, p. 122; _Lit. Rem._, i. 49. First
collected _P. and D. W._, 1877, ii. 162. Adapted from Wernicke's
_Epigrams_, Bk. IX, No. 42. _An einen gewissen Pritschmeister._ 'Umsonst
dass jedermann, dieweil du manches Blatt.'
17
ON A REPORT OF A MINISTER'S DEATH WRITTEN IN GERMANY
Last Monday all the Papers said
That Mr. ---- was dead;
Why, then, what said the City?
The tenth part sadly shook their head,
And shaking sigh'd and sighing said,
'Pity, indeed, 'tis pity!'
But when the said report was found
A rumour wholly without ground,
Why, then, what said the city?
The other _nine_ parts shook their head,
Repeating what the tenth had said,
'Pity, indeed, 'tis pity!'
First published in _Morning Post_, Sept. 18, 1799. Included in
_Keepsake_, 1829, p. 122; _Lit. Rem._, i. 46. First collected _P. and D.
W._, 1877, ii. 166. Adapted from Lessing's _Sinngedicht_ No. 29. _Auf
den falschen Ruf von Nigrins Tode._ 'Es sagte, sonder alle Gnade, die
ganze Stadt Nigrinen tot.'
LINENOTES:
[2] That Mr. ---- was surely dead M. P.
[3] Why] Ah M. P.
[4] their] the M. P.
[9] Why] Ah M. P.
[10] their] the M. P.
18
[DEAR BROTHER JEM]
Jem writes his verses with more speed
Than the printer's boy can set 'em;
Quite as fast as we can read,
And only not so fast as we forget 'em.
First published in _Morning Post_, Sept. 23, 1799. Included in _An.
Anth._, 1800; _Essays, &c._, 1850, iii. 974. First collected _P. and D.
W._, 1877, ii. 164.
19
JOB'S LUCK
Sly Beelzebub took all occasions
To try Job's constancy and patience;
He took his honours, took his health,
He took his children, took his wealth,
His camels, horses, asses, cows--
And the _sly_ Devil did not take his spouse.
But Heaven that brings out good from evil,
And loves to disappoint the Devil,
Had predetermined to restore
_Twofold_ all Job had before,
His children, camels, horses, cows,--
_Short-sighted_ Devil, not to take his _spouse_!
1799. First published in _Morning Post_, Sept. 26, 1801. Included in
_Annual Register_, 1827, and _Keepsake_, 1829. First collected 1834.
The first stanza of 'Job's Luck' is adapted from Fr. v. Logan's
_Sinngedicht_, _Hiob's Weib_. Lessing's edition, Bk. III, No. 90:--
'Als der Satan ging von Hiob, ist sein Anwalt dennoch blieben,
Hiobs Weib; er hätte nimmer einen bessern aufgetrieben.'
The second stanza is adapted from Fr. v. Logan's _Sinngedicht_, _Auf den
Hornutus_, _ibid._ Bk. I, No. 68:--
'Hornutus las, was Gott Job habe weggenommen,
Sei doppelt ihm hernach zu Hause wiederkommen:
Wie gut, sprach er, war dies, dass Gott sein Weib nicht nahm,
Auf dass Job ihrer zwei für eine nicht bekam!'
The original source is a Latin epigram by John Owen (_Audoenus
Oxoniensis_), Bk. III, No. 198. See _N. and Q._, 1st Series, ii. 516.
LINENOTES:
Title] The Devil Outwitted M. P.
[3] honours] honour M. P.
20
ON THE SICKNESS OF A GREAT MINISTER
Pluto commanded death to take away
Billy--Death made pretences to obey,
And only made pretences, for he shot
A headless dart that struck nor wounded not.
The ghaunt Economist who (tho' my grandam
Thinks otherwise) ne'er shoots his darts at random
Mutter'd, 'What? put my Billy in arrest?
Upon my life that were a pretty jest!
So flat a thing of Death shall ne'er be said or sung--
No! Ministers and Quacks, them take I not so young.'
First, published in _Morning Post_, Oct. 1, 1799. Now reprinted for the
first time. Adapted from Lessing's _Sinngedicht_ No. 119. _Auf die
Genesung einer Buhlerin._ 'Dem Tode wurde jüngst von Pluto anbefohlen.'
21
[TO A VIRTUOUS OECONOMIST]
WERNICKE
You're careful o'er your wealth 'tis true:
Yet so that of your plenteous store
The needy takes and blesses you,
For you hate Poverty, but not the Poor.
First published in _Morning Post_, Oct. 28, 1799. Now reprinted for the
first time. Adapted from Wernicke's _Epigrams_ (Bk. I, No. 49). _An den
sparsamen Celidon._
'Du liebst zwar Geld und Gut, doch so dass dein Erbarmen
Der Arme fühlt.'
22
[L'ENFANT PRODIGUE]
Jack drinks fine wines, wears modish clothing,
But prithee where lies Jack's estate?
In Algebra for there I found of late
A quantity call'd less than nothing.
First published in _Morning Post_, Nov. 16, 1799. Included in An. Anth.,
1800. First collected _P. and D. W._, 1877, ii. 163.
23
ON SIR RUBICUND NASO
A COURT ALDERMAN AND WHISPERER OF SECRETS
Speak out, Sir! you're safe, for so ruddy your nose
That, talk where you will, 'tis all _under the Rose_.
First published in _Morning Post_, Dec. 7, 1799. Included in _Essays,
&c._, iii. 975. First collected _Poems_, 1907. Compare Lessing's
_Sinngedicht_ No. 35. _Auf eine lange Nase._
24
TO MR. PYE
On his _Carmen Seculare_ (a title which has by various persons who have
heard it, been thus translated, 'A Poem _an age long_').
Your poem must _eternal_ be,
_Eternal!_ it can't fail,
For 'tis _incomprehensible_,
And without head or tail!
First published in _Morning Post_, Jan. 24, 1800. Included in
_Keepsake_, 1829, p. 277. First collected _P. and D. W._, ii. 161.
25
[NINETY-EIGHT]
O would the Baptist come again
And preach aloud with might and main
Repentance to our viperous race!
But should this miracle take place,
I hope, ere Irish ground he treads,
He'll lay in a good stock of heads!
First published in _An. Anth._, 1800. First collected _P. and D. W._,
1877, ii. 162. Adapted from Friedrich von Logau's _Sinngedicht_,
_Johannes der Täufer_, Lessing's edition, Bk. I, No. 30:--
'Nicht recht! nicht recht! würd' immer schrein
Johannes, sollt' er wieder sein.
Doch käm er, riet' ich, dass er dächte,
Wie viel er Köpf' in Vorrat brächte.'
26
OCCASIONED BY THE FORMER
I hold of all our viperous race
The greedy creeping things in place
Most vile, most venomous; and then
The United Irishmen!
To come on earth should John determine,
Imprimis, we'll excuse his sermon.
Without a word the good old Dervis
Might work incalculable service,
At once from tyranny and riot
Save laws, lives, liberties and moneys,
If sticking to his ancient diet
He'd but eat up our locusts and _wild honeys_!
First published in _An. Anth._, 1800. First collected _P. and D. W._,
1877, ii. 162.
LINENOTES:
[After 4] Now by miraculous deeds to stir them MS.
27
[A LIAR BY PROFESSION]
As Dick and I at Charing Cross were walking,
Whom should we see on t'other side pass by
But Informator with a stranger talking,
So I exclaim'd, 'Lord, what a lie!'
Quoth Dick--'What, can you hear him?'
'Hear him! stuff!
I saw him open his mouth--an't that enough?'
First published in _An. Anth._, 1800. First collected _P. and D. W._,
ii. 163. Adapted from Lessing's _Sinngedicht_ No. 142. _Auf den Ley._
'Der gute Mann, den Ley beiseite dort gezogen!'
28
TO A PROUD PARENT
Thy babes ne'er greet thee with the father's name;
'My Lud!' they lisp. Now whence can this arise?
Perhaps their mother feels an honest shame
And will not teach her infant to tell lies.
First published in _An. Anth._, 1800, included in _Essays, &c._, ii.
997. First collected _P. and D. W._, 1877, ii. 164. Adapted from
Lessing's _Sinngedicht_ No. 17. _An den Doktor Sp * *._ 'Dein Söhnchen
lässt dich nie den Namen Vater hören.'
29
RUFA
Thy lap-dog, Rufa, is a dainty beast,
It don't surprise me in the least
To see thee lick so dainty clean a beast.
But that so dainty clean a beast licks thee,
Yes--that surprises me.
First published in _An. Anth._, 1800. First collected _P. and D. W._,
1877, ii. 164. Adapted from Lessing's _Sinngedicht_ No. 66. _An die
Dorilis._ 'Dein Hündchen, Dorilis, ist zärtlich, tändelnd, rein.'
30
ON A VOLUNTEER SINGER
Swans sing before they die--'twere no bad thing
Should certain persons die before they sing.
First published in _An. Anth._, 1800. Included in _Keepsake_, 1829, p.
277; _Essays, &c._, 1850, ii. 988. First collected in 1834.
31
OCCASIONED BY THE LAST
A JOKE (cries Jack) without a sting--
_Post obitum_ can no man sing.
And true, if Jack don't mend his manners
And quit the atheistic banners,
_Post obitum_ will Jack run foul
Of such _folks_ as can only _howl_.
First published in _An. Anth._, 1800. Included in _Essays, &c._, iii.
988. First collected _P. and D. W._, 1877, ii, 165.
LINENOTES:
[1] joke] jest Essays, &c.
[5] _folks_] sparks Essays, &c.
32
EPITAPH ON MAJOR DIEMAN
Know thou who walks't by, Man! that wrapp'd up in lead, man,
What once was a Dieman, now lies here a dead man.
Alive a proud MAJOR! but ah me! of our poor all,
The soul having gone, he is now merely Corporal.
? 1800. Now first published from MS.
33
ON THE ABOVE
As long as ere the life-blood's running,
Say, what can stop a Punster's punning?
He dares bepun even thee, O Death!
To _pun_ish him, Stop thou his breath.
? 1800. Now first published from MS.
34
EPITAPH
ON A BAD MAN
Of him that in this gorgeous tomb doth lie,
This sad brief tale is all that Truth can give--
He lived like one who never thought to die,
He died like one who dared not hope to live![961:1]
First published in _Morning Post_, Sept. 22, 1801. First collected _P.
and D. W._, 1877, ii. 168.
ANOTHER VERSION
Under this stone does Walter Harcourt lie,
Who valued nought that God or man could give;
He lived as if he never thought to die;
He died as if he dared not hope to live![962:1]
[The name Walter Harcourt has been supplied by the editor.--S. C.]
_OBIIT_ SATURDAY, SEPT. 10, 1830.
W. H. _EHEU_!
Beneath this stone does William Hazlitt lie,
Thankless of all that God or man could give.
He lived like one who never thought to die,
He died like one who dared not hope to live.
35
TO A CERTAIN MODERN NARCISSUS
Do call, dear Jess, whene'er my way you come;
My looking-glass will always be at home.
First published in _Morning Post_, Dec. 16, 1801. Included in _Essays,
&c._, iii. 978. First collected in 1893.
36
TO A CRITIC
WHO EXTRACTED A PASSAGE FROM A POEM WITHOUT ADDING A WORD RESPECTING THE
CONTEXT, AND THEN DERIDED IT AS UNINTELLIGIBLE.
Most candid critic, what if I,
By way of joke, pull out your eye,
And holding up the fragment, cry,
'Ha! ha! that men such fools should be!
Behold this shapeless Dab!--and he
Who own'd it, fancied it could _see_!'
The joke were mighty analytic,
But should you like it, candid critic?
First published in _Morning Post_, Dec. 16, 1801: included in
_Keepsake_, 1829, and in _Essays, &c._, iii. 977-8. First collected in
_P. and D. W._, 1877, ii. 167.
37
ALWAYS AUDIBLE
Pass under Jack's window at twelve at night
You'll hear him still--he's roaring!
Pass under Jack's window at twelve at noon,
You'll hear him still--he's snoring!
First published in _Morning Post_, Dec. 19, 1801. First collected 1893.
38
PONDERE NON NUMERO
Friends should be _weigh'd_, not _told_; who boasts to have won
A _multitude_ of friends, he ne'er had _one_.
First published in _Morning Post_, Dec. 26, 1801. Included in _Essays,
&c._, iii. 978. First collected in 1893. Adapted from Friedrich von
Logan's _Sinngedicht_ (Lessing's edition, Bk. II, No. 65).
'Freunde muss man sich erwählen
Nur nach Wägen, nicht nach Zählen.'
Cf. also Logan, Book II, No. 30.
39
THE COMPLIMENT QUALIFIED
To wed a fool, I really cannot see
Why thou, Eliza, art so very loth;
Still on a par with other pairs you'd be,
Since thou hast wit and sense enough for both.
First published in _Morning Post_, Dec. 26, 1801. First collected 1893.
The title referred to an epigram published in _M. P._ Dec. 24, 1801.
40
[The twenty-one 'Original Epigrams' following were printed in the
_Morning Post_, in September and October, 1802, over the signature
'+ESTÊSE+'. They were included in _Essays, &c._, iii. 978-86, and were
first collected in _P. and D. W._, 1877, ii. 171-8.]
What is an Epigram? a dwarfish whole,
Its body brevity, and wit its soul.
First published in _Morning Post_, Sept. 23, 1802. Included in _Poetical
Register_, 1802 (1803), ii. 253; and in _The Friend_, No. 12, Nov. 9,
1809. Cf. Wernicke's _Beschaffenheit der Überschriften_ (i. e. The
Nature of the epigram), Bk. I, No. 1.
'Dann lässt die Überschrift kein Leser aus der Acht,
_Wenn in der Kürz' ihr Leib, die Seel' in Witz bestehet_.'
41
Charles, grave or merry, at no lie would stick,
And taught at length his memory the same trick.
Believing thus what he so oft repeats,
He's brought the thing to such a pass, poor youth,
That now himself and no one else he cheats,
Save when unluckily he tells the truth.
First published in _Morning Post_, Sept. 23, 1802. Included in _P. R._
1802, ii. 317, and _The Friend_, No. 12, Nov. 9, 1809.
42