Kiuprili’s blasting curse, that from its pointShoots 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 tomorrow,
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 tomorrow 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! Tomorrow’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.
himself: then with scorn). 1817, 1828, 1829.
1828, 1829.
[Before 115] Bethlen (holding up his hand as if to strike him). 1817,
1828, 1829.
[Before 118] Laska (still more recovering). 1817, 1828, 1829.
[Before 161] [Then very pompously. 1817, 1828, 1829.
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.
you!’ 1817, 1828, 1829.
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.
[After 353] [Pointing to the sword which BETHLEN had been disarmed of
by the Attendants. 1817, 1828, 1829.
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?
