And the same moment I descry him, Long ere the hunters could approach the Bearing my helpless babe upon thy For your most impudent hope to cheat A life, save thine, the dearest) he hastes Zapolya. Lady Sarolta mean'st thou? The royal brute hath overleapt his There's a rank plot that Laska must hunt down, And when he turned, a sworded Virtue 'Twixt Bethlen and Glycine ! Old Bathory. Rest, lady, rest! I feel By lightning, shaped into a passionate in every sinew scheme A young man's strength returning! Of life and death! I saw the traitor, The shriek came thence. Which way went they? [Clash of swords, and BETHLEN'S voice heard from behind the scenes; GLYCINE enters Laska, Stoop and snatch up the javelin of his comrade; The point was at your back, when her shaft reached him alarmed; then, as seeing The coward turned, and at the self-same LASKA's bow and arrows. instant 80 Glycine. Ha! weapons here? Then, The braver villain fell beneath your Hereafter thou shalt know, that this dear That hath so long kept watch round this For as I reached the skirts of this high Once seen, 'twill rouse alarm and crowd The murderers are baffled, and there lives As dreadful as the storm-fire from mine arms I can scarce raise it now-yet come, fell tyrant ! 140 And bring with thee my shame and bitter anguish, To end his work and thine! Kiuprili now Can take the death-blow as a soldier should. Old Bathory (pointing to the body of PESTALUTZ). There lies the assassin slain by that same sword That was descending on his curst employer, When entering thou beheld'st Sarolta rescued ! Casimir. Strange providence! what then was he who fled me? [BATHORY points to the Cavern, whence KIUPRILI advances. Thy looks speak fearful things! Whither, old man! Re-enter BATHORY, with the dead body of Would thy hand point me? PESTALUTZ. Old Bathory. Casimir, to thy father. curse! the curse! Open and Unsteady earth! Fall, dizzy rocks! and hide me! Old Bathory (to Kiuprili). Speak, Kiuprili (holds out the sword to Casimir. Thou art Heaven's immediate minister, dread spirit! 170 O for sweet mercy, take some other Say where is he that, tricked in this dis- If not for me, yet for my innocent wife, guise, First lured me on, then scared my dastard followers? Yet for my country's sake, give my arm strength, Permitting me again to call thee father! In that same instant doth thy father I'll scan that face once more, and murbless thee! mur-Here [KIUPRILI and CASIMIR embrace; Lies Casimir, the last of the Kiuprilis ! they all retire to the Cavern supporting KIUPRILI. CASIMIR as by accident drops his robe, and BATHORY throws it over the body of PESTA LUTZ. Emerick (entering). Fools! Cowards! follow-or by Hell I'll make you Find reason to fear Emerick, more than all The mummer-fiends that ever masqueraded As gods or wood-nymphs ! [Then sees the body of PESTALUTZ, covered by CASIMIR'S cloak. Ha! 'tis done then! Our necessary villain hath proved faith ful, [Uncovers the face, and starts. Hell! 'tis Pestalutz! Casimir (coming forward). Yes, thou ingrate Emerick ! 'Tis Pestalutz! 'tis thy trusty murderer! To quell thee more, see Raab Kiuprili's sword! Emerick. Curses on it and thee! Think'st thou that petty omen Dare whisper fear to Emerick's destiny? Ho! Treason! Treason! Casimir. Then have at thee, tyrant! [They fight. EMERICK falls. Emerick. Betrayed and baffled By mine own tool!--Oh! [Dies. Casimir (triumphantly). Hear, hear, my Father! 210 Thou should'st have witnessed thine own deed. O Father, And there lies Casimir, and our last Wake from that envious swoon! The |
