And then, perchance, I might have power to unbosom
These thanks that struggle here. Eyes fair as thine
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 talk'd to me! But this tongue ne'er
soothed

A mother's ear, lisping a mother's name!
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
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

SAROLTA.

Hark! dost thou hear it?

GLYCINE.

"Tis the sound of horns!

Our huntsmen are not out!

SAROLTA.

Would not come thus!

Lord Casimir

GLYCINE.
Still louder
SAROLTA.

[Horns again.

Nay, that's too late, man
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.
Which was your lady?

Her tender health, her vow of strict retirement,
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 mix'd up with dolt
Through the transparence of the fool, methought
I saw (as I could lay my finger on it)
The crocodile's eye, that peer'd up from the bottom
This knave may do us service. Hot ambition
Won me the husband. Now let vanity

Haste we hence! And the resentment for a forced seclusion

For I believe in part thy tale of terror!
But, trust me, 't is the inner man transform'd :
Beasts in the shape of men are worse than war-
wolves.

Decoy the wife! Let him be deem'd the aggressor
Whose cunning and distrust began the game!
[Exil

Did my importunate prayers, my hopes and fancies, It is a maiden's voice! quick to the cave!

Would that my tongue had then cloven to my mouth! Hark! her voice falters!

But Heaven is just! With tears I conquer'd thee,
And not a tear is left me to repent with!
Hadst thou not done already-hadst thou not
Suffer'd-oh, more than e'er man feign'd of friend-
ship?

The false ones charged the valiant youth If some fierce beast have gored him, he must needs With treasonous words of EmerickSpeak with a strange voice. Wounds cause thirst

With what intention came he? Wouldst thou save him, The after gloom, and make the darkness stormy! Hide nothing!

ZAPOLYA.

ZAPOLYA (in agitation).
O speak!

GLYCINE.

Those piled thoughts, built up in solitude,

A wounded lady-Year following year, that press'd upon my heart [ZAPOLYA faints—they both support her. As on the altar of some unknown God,

Is this his mother?

GLYCINE.

RAAB KIUPRILI.

She would fain believe it,

Then, as if touch'd by fire from heaven descending,
Blazed up within me at a father's name→

Do they desert me now!—at my last trial?
Voice of command! and thou, O hidden Light!
I have obey'd! Declare ye by what name

Weak though the proofs be. Hope draws towards I dare invoke you! Tell what sacrifice

itself

The flame with which it kindles.

Quick! quick!

Emerick?

Will make you gracious.

[Horn heard without.
To the cavern!

GLYCINE.

RAAB KIUPRILI (still unseen).
Patience! Truth! Obedience
Be thy whole soul transparent! so the Light
Thou seekest may enshrine itself within thee!

Perchance some huntsmen of the king's. Thy name?

RAAB KIUPRILI.

GLYCINE.

He came this morning

[They retire to the cavern, bearing ZAPOLYA. enter BETHLEN armed with a boar-spear.

Then

BETHLEN.

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.
I have none-but like a dog have answer'd

To the chance sound which he that fed me call'd me.
RAAB KIUPRILI (still unseen).

I had a glimpse Thy birth-place?
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!
Bathory! Father! Yes, thou deservest that name!
Thou didst not mock me! These are blessed findings!
The secret cipher of my destiny

[Looking at his signet. Stands here inscribed: it is the seal of fate!

Ha—(Observing the cave). Had ever monster fitting

lair, 'tis yonder!

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
To you, ye charmed 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!
Thou, faithful spear! be both my torch and guide.
[As BETHLEN is about to enter, KIUPRILI speaks
from the cavern unseen.'

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,
Where the bats cling, have I survey'd 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
For hidden gold hath found a talisman,
O tell! what rites, what offices of duty
This cygnet 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!

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 (starting).

A sweeter voice!-A voice of love and pity!
Was it the soften'd echo of mine own?
Sad echo! but the hope it kill'd was sickly,
And ere it died it had been mourn'd as dead'
One other hope yet lives within my soul;
Quick let me ask!-while yet this stifling fear,
This stop of the heart, leaves utterance!-Are-are

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.

And this then was thy talk? While knave and coward,
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.

Perchance, thou think'st it strange, that I of all men He loved himself, loved honors, wealth, dominion.
Should covet thus the love of fair Soralta,

Dishonoring Casimir ?

LASKA.

Far be it from me!

All these were set upon a father's head:
Good truth! a most unlucky accident!
For he but wish'd to hit the prize; not graze
The head that bore it: so with steady eye

Your Majesty's love and choice bring honor with them. Off flew the parricidal arrow.-Even

EMERICK.

As Casimir loved Emerick, Emerick
Loves Casimir, intends him no dishonor.

Perchance, thou hast heard, that Casimir is my friend, He wink'd not then, for love of me forsooth!

Fought for me, yea, for my sake, set at nought
A parent's blessing; braved a father's curse?

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.
[Passing his hand across his brow

Are all safe lodged."-Then, put Fidelity
Within her proper wards, just turn her round-
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

Hurl'd my javelin; All very true!-but, good Fidelity!

Which from his dragon-scales recoiling

EMERICK.

If I refuse king Emerick, will you promise, And swear, now, to unlock the dungeon-door, Enough! And save me from the hangman? Ay! you're silent' And take, friend, this advice. When next thou What! not a word in answer? A clear nonsuit! tonguest it, Now for one look to see that all are lodged