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Zapolya;

A CHRISTMAS TALE.

IN TWO PARTS.

Πὰρ πυρὶ χρὴ τοιαῦτα λέγειν χειμῶνος ἐν ὥρᾳ.
Apud ATHENEUM.

ADVERTISEMENT.

But Raab Kiuprili moves with such a gait?
Lo! e'en this eager and unwonted haste
But agitates, not quells, its majesty.
My patron! my commander! yes, 't is he!
Call out the guards. The Lord Kiuprili comes.

KIUPRILI.

RAAB KIUPRILI (making a signal to stop the drums, etc.)
Silence! enough! This is no time, young friend!
For ceremonious dues. This summoning drum,
Th' air-shattering trumpet, and the horseman's clatter,
Are insults to a dying sovereign's ear.
Soldiers, 'tis well! Retire! your general greets you,
His loyal fellow-warriors.
[Guards retire.

THE form of the following dramatic poem is in humble imitation of the Winter's Tale of Shakspeare, except that I have called the first part a Prelude instead of a first Act, as a somewhat nearer resem-Drums beat, etc. the Guard turns out. Enter RAAB blance to the plan of the ancients, of which one specimen is left us in the Eschylian Trilogy of the Agamemnon, the Orestes, and the Eumenides. Though a matter of form merely, yet two plays, on different periods of the same tale, might seem less bold, than an interval of twenty years between the first and second act. This is, however, in mere obedience to custom. The effect does not, in reality, at all depend on the Time of the interval; but on a very different principle. There are cases in which an interval of twenty hours between the acts would have a Thus sudden from the camp, and unattended! worse effect (i. e. render the imagination less disposed What may these wonders prophesy? to take the position required) than twenty years in other cases. For the rest, I shall be well content if

CHEF RAGOZZI.

Pardon my surprise.

RAAB KIUPRILI.

Tell me first,

my readers will take it up, read and judge it, as a How fares the king? His majesty still lives? Christmas tale.

CHARACTERS.

MEN.

EMERICK, usurping King of Illyria.
RAAB KIUPRILI, an Illyrian Chieftain.
CASIMIR, Son of Kiuprili.

CHEF RAGOZZI, a Military Commander
WOMAN.

ZAPOLYA, Queen of Illyria.

ZAPOLYA.

PART I.

THE PRELUDE, ENTITLED, “THE USURP-
ER'S FORTUNE.”

SCENE I.

Front of the Palace with a magnificent Colonnade. On one side a military Guard-House. Sentries pacing backward and forward before the Palace. CHEF RAGOZZI, at the door of the Guard-House, as looking forwards at some object in the distance.

CHEF RAGOZZI

My eyes deceive me not, it must be he!
Who but our chief, my more than father, who

CHEF RAGOZZI.

We know no otherwise; but Emerick's friends
(And none but they approach him) scoff at hope.

RAAB KIUPRILI.

Ragozzi! I have rear'd thee from a child,

And as a child I have rear'd thee. Whence this air
Of mystery? That face was wont to open
Clear as the morning to me, showing all things.
Hide nothing from me.

CHEF RAGOZZI.

O most loved, most honor'd,

The mystery that struggles in my looks,
Betray'd my whole tale to thee, if it told thee
That I am ignorant; but fear the worst.
And mystery is contagious. All things here

Are full of motion: and yet all is silent:

And bad men's hopes infect the good with fears.
RAAB KIUPRILI (his hand to his heart).

I have trembling proof within, how true thou speakest.

CHEF RAGOZZI.

That the prince Emerick feasts the soldiery,
Gives splendid arms, pays the commanders' debts,
And (it is whisper'd) by sworn promises
Makes himself debtor-hearing this, thou hast heard
All-
(Then in a subdued and saddened voice.)
But what my Lord will learn too soon himself.

RAAB KIUPRILI.

Ha-Well then, let it come! Worse scarce can

come.

This letter, written by the trembling hand
Of royal Andreas, calls me from the camp

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This life of mine, O take it, Lord Kiuprili!
I give it as a weapon to thy hands,
Mine own no longer. Guardian of Illyria,
Useless to thee, 'tis worthless to myself.
Thou art the framer of my nobler being:
Nor does there live one virtue in my soul,
One honorable hope, but calls thee father.
Yet ere thou dost resolve, know that yon palace
Is guarded from within, that each access

Is throng'd by arm'd conspirators, watch'd by ruffians
Pamper'd with gifts, and hot upon the spoil
Which that false promiser still trails before them.
I ask but this one boon-reserve my life
Till I can lose it for the realm and thee!

RAAB KIUPRILI.

My heart is rent asunder. O my country, O fallen Illyria! stand I here spell-bound?

Did my King love me? Did I earn his love?
Have we embraced as brothers would embrace?
Was I his arm, his thunder-bolt? And now
Must I, hag-ridden, pant as in a dream?
Or, like an eagle, whose strong wings press up
Against a coiling serpent's folds, can I

Strike but for mockery, and with restless beak Gore my own,breast ?-Ragozzi, thou art faithful!

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Bought like themselves!

[During this conversation music is heard, at first solemn and funereal, and then changing to spirited and triumphal.

Being equal all in crime,

Do you press on, ye spotted parricides!
For the one sole pre-eminence yet doubtful,
The prize of foremost impudence in guilt?

RAAB KIUPRILI.

The bad man's cunning still prepares the way
For its own outwitting. I applaud, Ragozzi!
[Musing to himself—then-
Raguzzi! I applaud,

In thee, the virtuous hope that dares look onward
And keeps the life-spark warm of future action
Beneath the cloak of patient sufferance.
Act and appear as time and prudence prompt thee;
I shall not misconceive the part thou playest.
Mine is an easier part-to brave the Usurper.

[Enter a procession of EMERICK's Adherents,
Nobles, Chieftains, and Soldiers, with Music.
They advance toward the front of the Stage,
KIUPRILI makes the signal for them to stop.―
The Music ceases.

107

LEADER OF THE PROCESSION.

The Lord Kiuprili!-Welcome from the camp.

RAAB KIUPRILI.

Grave magistrates and chieftains of Illyria!
In good time come ye hither, if ye come
As loyal men with honorable purpose

To mourn what can alone be mourn'd; but chiefly
To enforce the last commands of royal Andreas,
And shield the queen, Zapolya: haply making
The mother's joy light up the widow's tears.

LEADER.

Our purpose demands speed. Grace our procession;
A warrior best will greet a warlike king.

RAAB KIUPRILI.

This patent, written by your lawful king
(Lo! his own seal and signature attesting)
Appoints as guardians of his realm and offspring,
The Queen, and the Prince Emerick, and myself.
[Voices of Live King Emerick! an Emerick! an
Emerick!

What means this clamor? Are these madmen's voices?
Or is some knot of riotous slanderers leagued
To infamize the name of the king's brother
With a lie black as Hell? unmanly cruelty,
Ingratitude, and most unnatural treason! [Murmurs.
What mean these murmurs? Dare then any here
Proclaim Prince Emerick a spotted traitor?
One that has taken from you your sworn faith,
And given you in return a Judas' bribe,
Infamy now, oppression in reversion,
And Heaven's inevitable curse hereafter?

[Loud murmurs, followed by cries-Emerick! No
Baby Prince! No Changelings!

Yet bear with me awhile! Have I for this
Bled for your safety, conquer'd for your honor!
Was it for this, Illyrians! that I forded
Your thaw-swoln torrents, when the shouldering ice
Fought with the foe, and stain'd its jagged points
With gore from wounds, I felt not? Did the blast
Beat on this body, frost-and-famine-numb'd,
Till my hard flesh distinguish'd not itself
From the insensate mail, its fellow-warrior?
And have I brought home with me Victory,
And with her, hand in hand, firm-footed Peace,
Her countenance twice lighted up with glory,
As if I had charm'd a goddess down from Heaven?
But these will flee abhorrent from the throne
Of usurpation!

[Murmurs increase-and cries of Onward! onward!
Have you then thrown off shame,

And shall not a dear friend, a loyal subject,
Throw off all fear? I tell ye, the fair trophies
Valiantly wrested from a valiant foe,
Love's natural offerings to a rightful king,
Will hang as ill on this usurping traitor,
This brother-blight, this Emerick, as robes
Of gold pluck'd from the images of gods
Upon a sacrilegious robber's back.

[During the last four lines, enter LORD CASIMIR,
with expressions of anger and alarm.

CASIMIR.

Who is this factious insolent, that dares brand
The elected King, our chosen Emerick?

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RAAB KIUPRILI.
Hear me,

Hear, and avenge me! Twice ten years have I
Assembled lords and warriors of Illyria,
Stood in your presence, honor'd by the king,
Beloved and trusted. Is there one among you,
Accuses Raab Kiuprili of a bribe?

Or one false whisper in his sovereign's ear?
Who here dare charge me with an orphan's rights
Outfaced, or widow's plea left undefended?
And shall I now be branded by a traitor,

A bought bribed wretch, who, being called my son
Doth libel a chaste matron's name, and plant
Hensbane and aconite on a mother's grave?
The underling accomplice of a robber,
That from a widow and a widow's offspring
Would steal their heritage? To God a rebel,
And to the common father of his country
A recreant ingrate!

CASIMIR.

Sire! your words grow dangerous. High-flown romantic fancies ill-beseem

[Starts then approaching with timid respect. Your age and wisdom. "Tis a statesman's virtue, To guard his country's safety by what means

My father!

It best may be protected-come what will
Of these monks' morals!

RAAB KIUPRILI (aside).

Ha! the elder Brutus Made his soul iron, though his sons repented. They boasted not their baseness.

ZAPOLYA.

EMERICK.

A sovereign's ear ill brooks a subject's questioning!
Yet for thy past well-doing-and because
"Tis hard to erase at once the fond belief
Long cherish'd, that Illyria had in thee

No dreaming priest's slave, but a Roman lover
Of her true weal and freedom-and for this, too,

[Starts, and draws his sword. That, hoping to call forth to the broad day-light
Infamous changeling! And fostering breeze of glory, all deservings,
I still had placed thee foremost.

Recant this instant, and swear loyalty,
And strict obedience to thy sovereign's will;
Or, by the spirit of departed Andreas,
Thou diest-

[Chiefs, etc. rush to interpose; during the tumult
enter EMERICK, alarmed.

EMERICK.

Call out the guard! Ragozzi! seize the assassin.

RAAB KIUPRILI.

Prince! I listen.

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CASIMIR.

Kiuprili? Ha![With lowered voice, at the same Sire! speak the whole truth! Say, her frauds detected! time with one hand making signs to the guard to retire.

Pass on, friends! to the palace. [Music recommences.-The Procession passes into the Palace.-During which time EMERICK and KIUPRILI regard each other stedfastly.

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This is my thanks, then, that I have commenced
A reign to which the free voice of the nobles
Hath call'd me, and the people, by regards
Of love and grace to Raab Kiuprili's house?

RAAB KIUPRILI.

EMERICK.

According to the sworn attests in council
Of her physician-

RAAB KIUPRILI (aside).

Yes! the Jew, Barzoni

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Receive my pledge, Lord General. It shall stand

What right hadst thou, Prince Emerick, to bestow In her own will to appear and voice her claims;

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RAAB KIUPRILI.

A fugitive, who, with victory for his comrade,
Ran, open-eyed, upon the face of death!
A fugitive, with no other fear, than bodements
To be belated in a loyal purpose—
At the command, Prince! of my king and thine,
Hither I came; and now again require
Audience of Queen Zapolya; and (the States
Forthwith convened) that thou dost show at large,
On what ground of defect thou'st dared annul
This thy King's last and solemn act-hast dared
Ascend the throne, of which the law had named,
And conscience should have made thee, a protector.

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Hero or natural coward, shall have guidance
Of a free people's destiny; should fall out
In the mere lottery of a reckless nature,
Where few the prizes and the blanks are countless?
Or haply that a nation's fate should hang

On the bald accident of a midwife's handling
The unclosed sutures of an infant's skull?

CASIMIR.

What better claim can sovereign wish or need,
Than the free voice of men who love their country?
Those chiefly who have fought for't? Who, by right,
Claim for their monarch one, who having obey'd
So hath best learnt to govern; who, having suffer'd,
Can feel for each brave sufferer and reward him?
Whence sprang the name of Emperor? Was it not
By Nature's fiat? In the storm of triumph,
'Mid warriors' shouts, did her oracular voice
Make itself heard: Let the commanding spirit
Possess the station of command!

KAAB KIUPRILI.

Prince Emerick,

Your cause will prosper best in your own pleading.
EMERICK (aside to CASIMIR).

Ragozzi was thy school-mate-a bold spirit!
Bind him to us!-Thy father thaws apace!

[Then aloud.
Leave us awhile, my Lord!-Your friend, Ragozzi,
Whom you have not yet seen since his return,
Commands the guard to-day.

CASIMIR retires to the Guard-House; and after a
time appears before it with CHEF RAGOZZI.
We are alone.

What further pledge or proof desires Kiuprili?
Then, with your assent-

RAAB KIUPRILI.

Mistake not for assent
The unquiet silence of a stern Resolve,
Throttling the impatient voice. I have heard thee,

Prince!

And I have watch'd thee, too; but have small faith in
A plausible tale told with a flitting eye.

Wouldst thou have pilfer'd from our school-boys
themes

These shallow sophisms of a popular choice?
What people? How convened? or, if convened,
Must not the magic power that charms together
Millions of men in council, needs have power
To win or wield them? Better, O far better
Shout forth thy titles to yon circling mountains,
And with a thousand-fold reverberation
Make the rocks flatter thee, and the volleying air,
Unbribed, shout back to thee, King Emerick!
By wholesome laws to embank the sovereign power
To deepen by restraint, and by prevention
Of lawless will to amass and guide the flood
In its majestic channel, is man's task
And the true patriot's glory! In all else
Men safelier trust to Heaven, than to themselves
When least themselves in the mad whirl of crowds
Where folly is contagious, and too oft
Even wise men leave their better sense at home,
To chide and wonder at them when return'd.
EMERICK (aloud).

Is 't thus, thou scoff'st the people! most of all,
The soldiers, the defenders of the people?

RAAB KIUPRILI (aloud).

O most of all, most miserable nation,
For whom th' Imperial power, enormous bubble!
Is blown and kept aloft, or burst and shatter'd
By the bribed breath of a lewd soldiery!
Chiefly of such, as from the frontiers far
(Which is the noblest station of true warriors),
In rank licentious idleness beleaguer
City and court, a venom'd thorn i' the side
Of virtuous kings, the tyrant's slave and tyrant,
Still ravening for fresh largess! but with such
What title claim'st thou, save thy birth? What merits
Which many a liegeman may not plead as well,
Brave though I grant thee? If a life outlabor'd
Head, heart, and fortunate arm, in watch and war,
For the land's fame and weal; if large acquests,
Made honest by th' aggression of the foe
And whose best praise is, that they bring us safety;

[EMERICK turns as about to call for the Guard. If victory, doubly-wreathed, whose under-garland

In the next moment I am in thy power,
In this thou art in mine. Stir but a step,
Or make one sign-I swear by this good sword,
Thou diest that instant.

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Of laurel-leaves looks greener and more sparkling Through the gray olive-branch; if these, Prince Emerick!

Give the true title to the throne, not thou

No! (let Illyria, let the infidel enemy

Be judge and arbiter between us!) I,

I were the rightful sovereign!

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