The Complete Poetical Works of Samuel Taylor Coleridge Volume II Part 156

[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.

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._ Perchance, thou think'st it strange, that I of all men 5 Should covet thus the love of fair Sarolta, Dishonouring Casimir?

_Laska._ Far be it from me!

Your Majesty's love and choice bring honour with them.

_Emerick._ Perchance, thou hast heard that Casimir is my friend, Fought for me, yea, for my sake, set at nought 10 A parent's blessing; braved a father's curse?

_Laska (aside)._ Would I but knew now, what his Majesty meant!

Oh yes, Sire! 'tis our common talk, how Lord Kiuprili, my Lord's father--

_Emerick._ 'Tis your talk, Is it, good statesman Laska?

_Laska._ No, not mine, 15 Not mine, an please your Majesty! There are Some insolent malcontents indeed that talk thus-- Nay worse, mere treason. As Bathory's son, The fool that ran into the monster's jaws.

_Emerick._ Well, 'tis a loyal monster if he rids us 20 Of traitors! But art sure the youth's devoured?

_Laska._ Not a limb left, an please your Majesty!

And that unhappy girl--

_Emerick._ Thou followed'st her Into the wood? [_LASKA bows a.s.sent._ Henceforth then I'll believe That jealousy can make a hare a lion. 25

_Laska._ Scarce had I got the first glimpse of her veil, When, with a horrid roar that made the leaves Of the wood shake--

_Emerick._ Made thee shake like a leaf!

_Laska._ The war-wolf leapt; at the first plunge he seized her; Forward I rushed!

_Emerick._ Most marvellous!

_Laska._ Hurled my javelin; 30 Which from his dragon-scales recoiling--

_Emerick._ Enough!

And take, friend, this advice. When next thou tonguest it, Hold constant to thy exploit with this monster, And leave untouched your common talk aforesaid, What your Lord did, or should have done.

_Laska._ My talk? 35 The saints forbid! I always said, for my part, 'Was not the king Lord Casimir's dearest friend?

Was not that friend a king? Whate'er he did 'Twas all from pure love to his Majesty.'

_Emerick._ And this then was thy talk? While knave and coward, 40 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.

He loved himself, loved honours, wealth, dominion.

All these were set upon a father's head: 45 Good truth! a most unlucky accident!

For he but wished to hit the prize; not graze The head that bore it: so with steady eye Off flew the parricidal arrow.--Even As Casimir loved Emerick, Emerick 50 Loves Casimir, intends him no dishonour.

He winked not then, for love of me forsooth!

For love of me now let him wink! Or if The dame prove half as wise as she is fair, He may still pa.s.s his hand, and find all smooth. 55

[_Pa.s.sing his hand across his brow._

_Laska._ Your Majesty's reasoning has convinced me.

_Emerick._ Thee!

'Tis well! and more than meant. For by my faith I had half forgotten thee.--Thou hast the key? [_LASKA bows._ And in your lady's chamber there's full s.p.a.ce?

_Laska._ Between the wall and arras to conceal you. 60

_Emerick._ Here! This purse is but an earnest of thy fortune, If thou prov'st faithful. But if thou betrayest me, Hark you!--the wolf that shall drag thee to his den Shall be no fiction.

[_Exit EMERICK. LASKA manet with a key in one hand, and a purse in the other._

_Laska._ Well then! here I stand, Like Hercules, on either side a G.o.ddess. 65 Call this (_looking at the purse_) Preferment; this (_holding up the key_) Fidelity!

And first my golden G.o.ddess: what bids she?

Only:--'This way, your Majesty! hush! The household Are all safe lodged.'--Then, put Fidelity Within her proper wards, just turn her round-- 70 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!