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 watchword! — 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.
