Chapter 120

_A savage wood. At one side a cavern, overhung with ivy. ZAPOLYA and RAAB KIUPRILI discovered: both, but especially the latter, in rude and savage garments._

_Raab Kiuprili._ Heard you then aught while I was slumbering?

_Zapolya._ Nothing. Only your face became convulsed. We miserable! Is heaven's last mercy fled? Is sleep grown treacherous?

_Raab Kiuprili._ O for a sleep, for sleep itself to rest in! I dream'd I had met with food beneath a tree, 5 And I was seeking you, when all at once My feet became entangled in a net: Still more entangled as in rage I tore it. At length I freed myself, had sight of you, But as I hastened eagerly, again 10 I found my frame encumbered: a huge serpent Twined round my chest, but tightest round my throat.

_Zapolya._ Alas! 'twas lack of food: for hunger chokes!

_Raab Kiuprili._ And now I saw you by a shrivelled child Strangely pursued. You did not fly, yet neither 15 Touched you the ground, methought, but close above it Did seem to shoot yourself along the air, And as you passed me, turned your face and shrieked.

_Zapolya._ I did in truth send forth a feeble shriek, Scarce knowing why. Perhaps the mock'd sense craved 20 To hear the scream, which you but seemed to utter. For your whole face looked like a mask of torture! Yet a child's image doth indeed pursue me Shrivelled with toil and penury!

_Raab Kiuprili._ Nay! what ails you?

_Zapolya._ A wondrous faintness there comes stealing o'er me. 25 Is it Death's lengthening shadow, who comes onward, Life's setting sun behind him?

_Raab Kiuprili._ Cheerly! The dusk Will quickly shroud us. Ere the moon be up, Trust me I'll bring thee food!

_Zapolya._ Hunger's tooth has Gnawn itself blunt. O, I could queen it well 30 O'er my own sorrows as my rightful subjects. But wherefore, O revered Kiuprili! wherefore Did my importunate prayers, my hopes and fancies, Force thee from thy secure though sad retreat? Would that my tongue had then cloven to my mouth! 35 But Heaven is just! With tears I conquered thee, And not a tear is left me to repent with! Had'st thou not done already--had'st thou not Suffered--oh, more than e'er man feigned of friendship?

_Raab Kiuprili._ Yet be thou comforted! What! had'st thou faith 40 When I turned back incredulous? 'Twas thy light That kindled mine. And shall it now go out, And leave thy soul in darkness? Yet look up, And think thou see'st thy sainted lord commissioned And on his way to aid us! Whence those late dreams, 45 Which after such long interval of hopeless And silent resignation all at once Night after night commanded thy return Hither? and still presented in clear vision This wood as in a scene? this very cavern? 50 Thou darest not doubt that Heaven's especial hand Worked in those signs. The hour of thy deliverance Is on the stroke:--for misery can not add Grief to thy griefs, or patience to thy sufferance!

_Zapolya._ Can not! Oh, what if thou wert taken from me? 55 Nay, thou said'st well: for that and death were one. Life's grief is at its height indeed; the hard Necessity of this inhuman state Hath made our deeds inhuman as our vestments. Housed in this wild wood, with wild usages, 60 Danger our guest, and famine at our portal-- Wolf-like to prowl in the shepherd's fold by night! At once for food and safety to affrighten The traveller from his road--

[_GLYCINE is heard singing without._

_Raab Kiuprili._ Hark! heard you not A distant chaunt? 65

SONG

_By GLYCINE_

A sunny shaft did I behold, From sky to earth it slanted: And poised therein a bird so bold-- Sweet bird, thou wert enchanted! He sank, he rose, he twinkled, he trolled 70 Within that shaft of sunny mist; His eyes of fire, his beak of gold, All else of amethyst! And thus he sang: 'Adieu! adieu! Love's dreams prove seldom true. 75 The blossoms, they make no delay: The sparkling dew-drops will not stay. Sweet month of May, We must away; Far, far away! 80 To-day! to-day!'

_Zapolya._ Sure 'tis some blest spirit! For since thou slew'st the usurper's emissary That plunged upon us, a more than mortal fear Is as a wall, that wards off the beleaguerer 85 And starves the poor besieged. [_Song again._

_Raab Kiuprili._ It is a maiden's voice! quick to the cave!

_Zapolya._ Hark! her voice falters! [_Exit ZAPOLYA._

_Raab Kiuprili._ She must not enter The cavern, else I will remain unseen!

[_KIUPRILI retires to one side of the stage. GLYCINE enters singing._

_Glycine._ A savage place! saints shield me! Bethlen! Bethlen! 90 Not here?--There's no one here! I'll sing again!

[_Sings again._

If I do not hear my own voice, I shall fancy Voices in all chance sounds! [_Starts._ 'Twas some dry branch Dropt of itself! Oh, he went forth so rashly, Took no food with him--only his arms and boar-spear! 95 What if I leave these cakes, this cruse of wine, Here by this cave, and seek him with the rest?

_Raab Kiuprili (unseen)._ Leave them and flee!

_Glycine (shrieks, then recovering.)_ Where are you?

_Raab Kiuprili (still unseen.)_ Leave them!

_Glycine._ 'Tis Glycine! Speak to me, Bethlen! speak in your own voice! 100 All silent!--If this were the war-wolf's den! 'Twas not his voice!--

[_GLYCINE leaves the provisions, and exit. KIUPRILI comes forward, seizes them and carries them into the cavern. GLYCINE returns._

_Glycine._ Shame! Nothing hurt me! If some fierce beast have gored him, he must needs Speak with a strange voice. Wounds cause thirst and hoarseness! Speak, Bethlen! or but moan. St--St----No--Bethlen! 105 If I turn back and he should be found dead here,

[_She creeps nearer and nearer to the cavern._

I should go mad!--Again!--'Twas my own heart! Hush, coward heart! better beat loud with fear, Than break with shame and anguish!

[_As she approaches to enter the cavern, KIUPRILI stops her. GLYCINE shrieks._

Saints protect me!

_Raab Kiuprili._ Swear then by all thy hopes, by all thy fears-- 110

_Glycine._ Save me!

_Raab Kiuprili._ Swear secrecy and silence!

_Glycine._ I swear!

_Raab Kiuprili._ Tell what thou art, and what thou seekest?

_Glycine._ Only A harmless orphan youth, to bring him food--

_Raab Kiuprili._ Wherefore in this wood?

_Glycine._ Alas! it was his purpose--

_Raab Kiuprili._ With what intention came he? Would'st thou save him, 115 Hide nothing!

_Glycine._ Save him! O forgive his rashness! He is good, and did not know that thou wert human!

_Raab Kiuprili._ Human? With what design?

_Glycine._ To kill thee, or If that thou wert a spirit, to compel thee By prayers, and with the shedding of his blood, 120 To make disclosure of his parentage. But most of all--

_Zapolya (rushing out from the cavern)._ Heaven's blessing on thee! Speak!

_Glycine._ Whether his mother live, or perished here!

_Zapolya._ Angel of mercy, I was perishing And thou did'st bring me food: and now thou bring'st 125 The sweet, sweet food of hope and consolation To a mother's famished heart! His name, sweet maiden!

_Glycine._ E'en till this morning we were wont to name him Bethlen Bathory!

_Zapolya._ Even till this morning? This morning? when my weak faith failed me wholly! 130 Pardon, O thou that portion'st out our sufferance, And fill'st again the widow's empty cruse! Say on!

_Glycine._ The false ones charged the valiant youth With treasonous words of Emerick--

_Zapolya._ Ha! my son!

_Glycine._ And of Lord Casimir--

_Raab Kiuprili (aside)._ O agony! my son! 135

_Glycine._ But my dear lady--

_Zapolya and Raab Kiuprili._ Who?

_Glycine._ Lady Sarolta Frowned and discharged these bad men.

_Raab Kiuprili (to himself)._ Righteous Heaven Sent me a daughter once, and I repined That it was not a son. A son was given me. My daughter died, and I scarce shed a tear: 140 And lo! that son became my curse and infamy.

_Zapolya (embraces Glycine)._ Sweet innocent! and you came here to seek him, And bring him food. Alas! thou fear'st?

_Glycine._ Not much! My own dear lady, when I was a child, Embraced me oft, but her heart never beat so. 145 For I too am an orphan, motherless!

_Raab Kiuprili (to Zapolya)._ O yet beware, lest hope's brief flash but deepen The after gloom, and make the darkness stormy! In that last conflict, following our escape, The usurper's cruelty had clogged our flight 150 With many a babe and many a childing mother. This maid herself is one of numberless Planks from the same vast wreck. [_Then to GLYCINE again._ Well! Casimir's wife--

_Glycine._ She is always gracious, and so praised the old man That his heart o'erflowed, and made discovery 155 That in this wood--

_Zapolya._ O speak!

_Glycine._ A wounded lady--

[_ZAPOLYA faints--they both support her._

_Glycine._ Is this his mother?

_Raab Kiuprili._ She would fain believe it, Weak though the proofs be. Hope draws towards itself The flame with which it kindles. [_Horn heard without._ To the cavern! Quick! quick!

_Glycine._ Perchance some huntsmen of the king's. 160

_Raab Kiuprili._ Emerick?

_Glycine._ He came this morning--

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

_Bethlen._ I had a glimpse 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! 165 Bathory! Father! Yes, thou deserv'st that name! Thou did'st not mock me! These are blessed findings! The secret cypher of my destiny [_Looking at his signet._ Stands here inscribed: it is the seal of fate! Ha!--Had ever monster fitting lair, 'tis yonder! 170 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 175 To you, ye charméd 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! 180 Thou, faithful spear! be both my torch and guide.

[_As BETHLEN is about to enter, KIUPRILI speaks from the cavern unseen._

_Raab Kiuprili_. Withdraw thy foot! Retract thine idle spear, And wait obedient!

_Bethlen._ Ha! What art thou? speak!

_Raab Kiuprili (still unseen)._ Avengers!

_Bethlen._ By a dying mother's pangs E'en such am I. Receive me!

_Raab Kiuprili (still unseen)._ Wait! Beware! 185 At thy first step, thou treadest upon the light, Thenceforth must darkling flow, and sink in darkness!

_Bethlen._ Ha! see my boar-spear trembles like a reed!-- Oh, fool! mine eyes are duped by my own shuddering.-- Those piléd thoughts, built up in solitude, 190 Year following year, that pressed upon my heart As on the altar of some unknown God, Then, as if touched by fire from heaven descending. Blazed up within me at a father's name-- Do they desert me now?--at my last trial? 195 Voice of command! and thou, O hidden Light! I have obeyed! Declare ye by what name I dare invoke you! Tell what sacrifice Will make you gracious.

_Raab Kiuprili (still unseen)._ Patience! Truth! Obedience! Be thy whole soul transparent! so the Light, 200 Thou seekest, may enshrine itself within thee! Thy name?

_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. 205 I have none--but like a dog have answered To the chance sound which he that fed me, called me.

_Raab Kiuprili (still unseen)._ Thy birth-place?

_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, 210 Where the bats cling, have I surveyed 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 215 For hidden gold hath found a talisman, O tell! what rights, what offices of duty This signet 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! 220

_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._ A sweeter voice!--A voice of love and pity! 225 Was it the softened echo of mine own? Sad echo! but the hope it kill'd was sickly, And ere it died it had been mourned as dead! One other hope yet lives within my soul: Quick let me ask!--while yet this stifling fear, 230 This stop of the heart, leaves utterance!--Are--are these The sole remains of her that gave me life? Have I a mother? [_ZAPOLYA rushes out to embrace him._ Ha!

_Zapolya._ My son! my son! A wretched--Oh no, no! a blest--a happy mother!

[_They embrace. KIUPRILI and GLYCINE come forward and the curtain drops._

LINENOTES:

[21] _hear_ 1817, 1828, 1829.

[57] _Life's_ 1817, 1828, 1829.

[59] _Hath_ 1817, 1828, 1829.

[70] sank] _sank_ 1817, 1828, 1829.

[75-6] om. 1817.

[Before 90] _Glycine (fearfully)._ 1817, 1828, 1829.

[102] [_GLYCINE leaves the provisions, and exit fearfully. . . . GLYCINE returns, having recovered herself._ 1817, 1828, 1829.

[Before 118] _Raab Kiuprili (repeats the word)._ 1817, 1828, 1829.

[118]

Human? [_Then sternly._

1817, 1828, 1829.

[135] _my_ 1817, 1828, 1829.

_Glycine._ And of Lord Casimir--

_Raab Kiuprili (aside)._ O agony! _my_ son.

Erased [? by S. T. C. in copy of 1817.]

[137] _Raab Kiuprili (turning off and to himself)._ 1817, 1828, 1839.

[137-41] _Raab Kiuprili_ (_turning off_, &c.) . . . infamy. Erased [? by S. T. C. in copy of 1817].

[156] _Zapolya (in agitation)._ O speak. 1817, 1838, 1829.

[170] Ha!-- (_observing the cave_). 1817, 1828, 1829.

[183] _Bethlen (in amazement)._ 1817, 1828, 1829.

[196] VOICE: LIGHT 1817, 1828, 1829.

[Before 225] _Bethlen (starting)._ 1817, 1828, 1829.

[233]

[_ZAPOLYA . . . him._

_BETHLEN starts._ Ha!

_Zapolya (embracing him)._ My son, &c.

1817, 1828, 1829.

After 234 and stage directions. END OF ACT II. 1817.