ZA POLYA.

To escort me. Oh, thrice happy when he finds

PART II. The treasure which I convoy!

ZAPOLYA.

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

FATE.»
babe,
Heaven's eye is on it, and its innocence

ADDITIONAL CHARACTERS.
Is, as a prophet's prayer, strong and prevailing!
Through thee, dear babe! the inspiring thought possess'd

MEN
me,

OLD BATHORY, a Mountaineer. When the loud clamour rose, and all the palace Bethlen BATHORY, the Young Prince Andreas, supEmptied itself-(They sought my life, Ragozzi!)

posed Son of old Buthory. Like a swift shadow gliding, I made way

Lord Rudolph, a Courtier, but friend to the Queen's To the deserted chamber of

my
lord.-

party

[Then to the infant. LASKA, Steward to Casimir, betrothed to Glycine. And thou didst kiss thy father's lifeless lips,

PESTALUTZ, an Assassin, in Emerick's employ.
And in thy helpless hand, sweet slumberer!

WOMEN.
Still clasp'st the signet of thy royalty.
As I removed the seal, the heavy arm

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

GLYCINE, Orphan Daughter of Chef Ragozzi. Seem'd pointing at my feet. Provident Heaven!

Between the flight of the Queen, and the civil war Lo, I was standing on the secret door,

which immediately followed, and in which Emerick reWhich, through a long descent where all sound perishes, mained the victor, a space of twenty years is supposed Let out beyond the palace. Well I knew it-

to have elapsed. But Andreas framed it not! He was no tyrant! CHEF RAGOZZI.

ACT I. Haste, madam! Let me take this precious burden! (He kneels as he takes the child.

SCENE J.

A Mountainous Country. BATAORY's Dwelling at the Take him! And if we be pursued, I charge thee,

end of the Stage. Flee thou and leave me! Flee and save thy king!

Enter LADY SAROLTA and GLYCINE.
[Then as going off, she looks back on the palace.
Thou tyrant's den, be call'd no more a palace!
The orphan's angel at the throne of heaven

Well, then! our round of charity is finish'd.

Rest, Madam! You breathe quick.
Stands up against thee, and there hover o'er thee
A Queen's, a Mother's, and a Widow's curse.

What! tired, Glycine? Henceforth a dragon's baunt, fear and suspicion

No delicate court dame, but a mountaineer
Stand sentry at thy portals! Faith and honour,
Driven from the throne, shall leave the attainted nation : By choice no less than birth, I gladly use

The good strength nature gave me.
And, for the iniquity that houses in thee,
False glory, thirst of blood, and lust of rapine

That last cottage (Fateful conjunction of malignant planets), Shall shoot their blastments on the land. The fathers

Is built as if an eagle or a raven Henceforti shall have no joy in their young men,

Had chosen it for her nest. And when they cry: Lo! a male child is born!

SAROLTA. The mother shall make answer with a groan.

So many are For bloody usurpation, like a vulture,

The sufferings which no human aid can reach, Shall clog its beak within Illyria's heart.

It needs must be a duty doubly sweet
Remorseless slaves of a remorseless tyrant!

To heal the few we can. Well! let us rest.
They shall be mock'd with sounds of liberty,
And liberty shall be proclaim'd alone

There? (Pointing to BATHORY's dwelling. Sarolta anTo thee, O Fire! O Pestilence! O Sword !

swering, points to where she then stands, Till Vengeance hath her fill.— And thou, snatch'd hence,

SAROLTA. (Again to the infant.) poor friendless fugitive! with

Here! For on this spot Lord Casimir mother's wailing,

Took his last leave. On yonder mountain-ridge Offspring of Royal Andreas, shalt return

I lost the misty image which so long With trump and timbrel clang, and popular shout

Linger'd, or seein'd at least to linger on it,
In triumph to the palace of thy fathers! [Exeunt.

And what if even now, on that same ridge,
A speck should rise, and still enlarging, lengthening,
As it clomb downwards, shape itself at last
To a numerous cavalcade, and spurring foremost,
Who but Sarolta's own dear lord return'd
From his high embassy ?

GLYCINE.

SAROLTA.

GLYCINE.

GLYCINE.

GLYCINE.

GLYCINE.

SAROLTA.

SAROLTA.

SAROLTA.

Yea, e'en in thy simplicity, Glycine,
Thou hast hit my thought! A fine and feminine grace, that makes me feel
All the long day, from yester-morn to evening,

More as a mother than a mistress to thee!
The restless hope flutter'd about my heart.

Thou art a soldier's orphan! that-the courage, Oh, we are querulous creatures! Little less

Which rising in thine eye, seems oft to give
Than all things can suffice to make us happy; A new soul to its gentleness, doth prove thee!
And little more than nothing is enough

Thou art sprung too of no ignoble blood,
To discontent us. - Were he come, then should I Or there's no faith in instinct!
Repine he had not arrived just one day earlier

[Angry voices and clamour within, re-enter GLYCINE. To keep his birth-day here, in his own birth-place.

GLYCINE.

Oh, madam! there's a party of your servants, But our best sports belike, and gay processions And my lord's steward, Laska, at their head, Would to my lord have seem'd but work-day sights Have come to search for old Bathory's son, Compared with those the royal court affords.

Bethlen, that brave young man! 't was he, my lady,

That took our parts, and beat off the intruders; I have small wish to see them. A spring morning, And in mere spite and malice, now they charge him With its wild gladsome minstrelsy of birds,

With bad words of Lord Casimir and the king. And its bright jewelry of flowers and dew-drops

Pray don't believe them, madam! This way! This way! (Each orbed drop an orb of glory in it),

Lady Sarolta 's here.

(Calling without Would put them all'in eclipse. This sweet retirement Lord Casimir's wish alone would have made sacred :

Be calm, Glycine. But in good truth, his loving jealousy

Enter LASKA und Servants with OLD BATHORY. Did but command, what I had else entreated. GLYCINE.

LASKA (to BATHORY). And yet had I been born Lady Sarolta,

We have no concern with you! What needs your preBeen wedded to the noblest of the realm,

sence ? So beautiful besides, and yet so stately-

OLD BATRORY.
SAROLTA.

What! Do you think I 'll suffer my brave boy
Hush! innocent flatterer!

To be slander'd by a set of coward-ruffians,
GLYCINE.

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

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

SAROLTA.
SAROLTA.

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

LASKA (pompously, as commencing a set speech). Thy fancied heaven, dear girl, like that above thee, Madam! and may it please your ladyship! In its mere self a cold, drear, colourless void,

This old man's son, by name Bethlen Bathory, Seen from below and in the large, becomes

Stands charged, on weighty evidence, that he, The bright blue ether, and the seat of gods !

On yester-eve, being his lordship's birth-day,
Well ! but this broil that scared you from the dance? Did traitorously defame Lord Casimir :
And was not Laska there : he, your betrothed ? The lord high-steward of the realm, moreover--

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

And moreover
Ah, Glycine! why,

Raved like a traitor at our liege King Emerick.
Why did you then betroth yourself?

And furthermore, said witnesses make oath,
GLYCINE.

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

Yea, insolently tore, from this, your huntsman,
My own dear lady wished it! ’t was you asked me! His badge of livery of your noble house,
SAROLTA.

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

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

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

Where is the young man thus accused ?
GLYCINE,

OLD BATHORY.
Oh, yes ! It is a wife's chief duty, madam,

I know not: To stand in awe of her husband, and obey him; But if no ill betide him on the mountains, And, I am sure, I never shall see Laska

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

SAROLTA.
SAROLTA.

Thou art his father?
Not with fear, I think,

OLD BATHORY. For you still mock him. Bring a seat from the cottage. None ever with more reason prized a son ; [Exit Glycine into the cottage, SAROLTA continues Yet I hate falsehood more than I love him. her speech looking after her.

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

a

GLYCINE

LASKA.

GLYCINE

SAROLTA.

OLD BATHORY.

LASKA (aside).
Yes! good old man !

Yes, now 't is coming.
My lady! pray believe him!

SAROLTA.

Brutal aggressors first, then baffled dastards,
Hush, Glycine !

That they have sought to piece out their revenge Be silent, I command you. [ Then to BATHORY. With a tale of words lured from the lips of anger Speak! we hear you! Stamps them most dangerous; and till I want

Fit means for wicked ends, we shall not need My tale is brief. During our festive dance,

Their services. Discharge them! You, Bathory! Your servants,

the accusers

of
my son,

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

Near my own person.

When your son returns, To our village maidens. He could he do less ?)

Present him to us! Rose in defence of outraged modesty,

OLD BATHORY. And so persuasive did his cudgel prove

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

Not for all ears!

SAROLTA.

SAROLTA.

GLYCINE.

GLYCINE.

GLYCINE.

Old man! you talk 1 oft have pass'd your cottage, and still praised Too bluntly! Did your son owe no respect

Its beauty, and that trim orchard-plot, whose blossoms To the livery of our house?

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

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

Farewell, be not ashamed that I should witness
As the sheep's skin should gain for the hot wolf The oil of gladness glittering on the water
That hath began to worry the poor lambs!

Of an ebbing crief.
LASKA.

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

LASKA (alone).

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

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

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

Oh the false witch! It is too plain, she loves him. Laska! know well, that these men were the ruffians !

And now, the old man near my lady's person, Shame on you!

She 'll see this Bethlen hourly!

GLYCINE SAROLTA (speaks with affected anger).

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

peeps in timidly. (Exit GLYCINE, mournfully. Be it then that these men faulted. Yet yourself,

Laska! Laska! Or better still belike the maidens' parents,

Is my lady gone? Might have complain'd to us. Was ever access

LASKA (surlily).

Gone.
Denied you ? Or free audience? Or are we
Weak and unfit to punish our own servants?

Have you yet seen him?
OLD BATHORY.

Is he return'd?
So then! So then! Heaven grant an old man patience!
And must the gardener leave his seedling plants,

[LASKA starts up from his seat.

Has the seat stung you, Laska?
Leave his young roses to the rooting swine,
While he goes ask their master, if perchance

LASKA.
His leisure serve to scourge them from their ravage ?

No, serpent! no; 't is you that sting me; you!
What! you would cling to him again!

GLYCINE.
Ho! Take the rude clown from your lady's presence!

Whom?
I will report her further will!
SAROLTA.

Bethlen ! Bethlen!
Wait then,

Yes; gaze as

if Till thou hast learnt it! Fervent good old man !

your very eyes embraced him!

Ha! you forget the scene of yesterday! Forgive me that, to try thee, I put on

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

And

your pretended fears!
[Then speaks to the Servants.

GLYCINE.
Hence! leave my presence! and you, Laska! mark me!
Those rioters are no longer of my household !

Your fears, at least,
If we but shake a dew-drop from a rose

Were real, Laska! or your trembling limbs In vain would we replace it, and as vainly

And white cheeks played the hypocrites most vilely! Restore the tear of wounded modesty

LASKA.

LASKA.

LASKA.

LASKÁ.

GLYCINE

BETULEN

GLYCINE.

LASKA.

LASKA.

Are

BETHLEN.

LASKA.
I fear! whom? What?

You dare own all this?
GLYCINE.

Your lady will not warrant promise-breach.
I know, what I should fear, Mine, pampered Miss! you shall be; and I'll make you
Were I in Laska's place.

Grieve for him with a vengeance. Ouds, my fingers
Tingle already!

(Makes threatening signs, What?

GLYCINE (aside).

Ha! Bethlen coming this way! My own conscience, [GLYCINE then cries out as if afraid of being beaten. For having fed my jealousy and envy

Oh, save me! save me! Pray don't kill me,

Laska! With a plot, made out of other men's revenges,

Enter Betalen in a Hunting Dress. Against a brave and innocent young man's life!

BETHLEN.

What, beat a woman'
Yet, yet, pray tell me!
LASKA (malignantly).

LASKA (to Glycine).
You will know too soon.

O you cockatrice!
GLYCINE.

BETALEN.
Would I could find my lady! though she chid me-.

Unmanly dastard, hold! Yet this suspense

(Going.

LASKA (pompously).
LASKA.

Do you chance to know Stop! Stop! one question only – Who-l-am, Sir?—(S'death! how black he looks !) I am quite calm

I have started many strange beasts in my time,
Ay, as the old song says,

But none less like a man, than this before me
Calm as a tiger, valiant as a dove.

That lifts his hand against a timid female. Nay now, I have marr’d the verse : well! this one question

Bold youth! she's mine.

GLYCINE you not bound to me by your own promise?

No, not my master yet, And is it not as plain

But only is to be; and all because
GLYCINE.

Two years ago my lady ask'd me, and
Halt! that's two questions. I promised her, not him; and if she 'll let me,
LASKA.

I'll hate you, my lord's steward.
Pshaw! Is it not as plain as impudence,
That you 're in love with®this young swaggering beggar,

Hush, Glycine! Bethlen Bathory? When he was accused,

Yes, I do, Bethlen; for he just now brought Why press'd you forward ? Why did you defend him?

False witnesses to swear away your life: Question meet question : that's a woman's privilege.

Your life, and old Bathory's 100.

BETHLEN. Why, Laska, did you urge Lord Casimir

Bathory's! To make my lady force that promise from me?

Where is my father? Answer, or--Ha! gone!

[Laska during this time slinks off the Stage, using So then, you say, Lady Sarolta forced you?

threatening gestures to GLYCINE.

GLYCINE. Could I look up to her dear countenance,

Oh, heed not him! I saw you pressing onward, And say her nay? As far back as I wot of

And did but feign alarm. Dear gallant youth, All her commands were gracious, sweet requests.

It is your life they seek! How could it be then, but that her requests

BETHLEN. Must needs have sounded to me as commands ?

My life? And as for love, had I a score of loves,

GLYCINE. I'd keep them all for my dear, kind, good rnistress.

Alas!

Lady Sarolta evenNot one for Bethlen?

BETALEN.

She does not know me!
Oh! that's a different thing.

GLYCINE.
To be sure he's brave, and handsome, and so pious

Oh that she did! she could not then have spoken To his good old father. But for loving him

With such stern countenance. But though she spurn me Nay, there, indeed you are mistaken, Laska!

I will kneel, Bethlen-
Poor youth! I rather think I grieve for him;
For I sigb so deeply when I think of bim!

Not for me, Glycine !
And if I see him, the tears come in my eyes,

What have I done? or whom have I offended !

GLYCINE. And my heart beats; and all because I dreamt That the war-wolf had gored him as be hunted Rash words, 't is said, and treasonous, of the king. In the haunted forest!

(Betulen mutters to himself indignantly.

GLYCINE (aside). For the best account of the War-wolf er Lycanibropns, see

So looks the statue, in our ball, o' the god, Drayton's Moon-calf, CHALMERS' English Poets, vol. iv, p. 13 0.

The shaft just tlown that killed the serpent!

GLYCINE,

GLYCINE.

LASKA.

GLYCINE.

LASKA.

GLYCINE.

BETHLEN.