Swift as a spirit invoked, I should be with thee!
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!
0 at how dear a price have I been loved,
And no love could return! One boon then, lady!
Where'er thou bid'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
blood
Should be the spell to bind them. Blood calls for blood!
[Exit Bethlex.
SAROLTA.
Ah! it was this I fear'd. To ward off this
Did I withhold from him that old Bathory
Returning, hid beneath the self same oak,
Where the babe lay, the mantle, and some jewel
Bound on his infant arm.
GLY cine.
Oh, let me fly
And stop him! Mangled limbs do there lie scatter'd
Till the lured eagle bears them to her nest.
And voices have been heard! And there the plant grows
That being eaten gives the inhuman wizard
Power to put on the fell hyaena's shape.
SAno LTA.
What idle tongue hath witch'd thee, Glycine?
I hoped that thou hadst learnt a nobler faith.
GLY cine.
O chide me not, dear lady! question Laska,
Or the old man.
SAnolta.
Forgive me, I spake harshly.
It is indeed a mighty sorcery
That doth enthral thy young heart, my poor girl:
And what hath Laska told thee?
GLY cine.
Three days past
A courier from the king did cross that wood;
A wilful man, that arm'd himself on purpose:
And never hath been heard of from that time !
[Sound of horns without.
SAftolt A.
Hark! dost thou hear it?
GLY cine.
T is the sound of horns!
Our huntsmen are not out!
8AROLTA.
Lord Casimir
Would not come thus ! [Horns again.
GLYctine.
Still louder'
SA foolta.
Haste we hence
For I believe in part thy tale of terror!
But, trust me, ’tis the inner man transform'd :
Beasts in the shape of men are worse than war-wolves.
[Sanolta and Glycine exeunt. Trumpet, etc. louder.

Enter EMeRick, Lond Rudolph, LAskA and Huntsmen and Attendants.

Rudol, Ph. A gallant chace, Sire. emerick, Aye, but this new quarry That we last started seens worth all the rest. [Then to LAsk A. And you—excuse me—what's your name? LASKA. - Whatever Your Majesty may please. EM Ettick. Nay, that's too late, man. Say, what thy mother and thy godfather Were pleased to call thee? LASKA. Laska, my liege Sovereign. EMFraick. Well, my liege subject Laska! Lord Casimir's steward? LASKA. And your majesty's creature. EM. F. Rick. Two gentle dames made off at our approach. Which was your lady ? LA's K.A. My liege lord, the taller. The other, please your grace, is her poor handmaid, Long since betrothed to me. But the maid's froward— Yet would your grace but speak— EM epick.

And you are

Hum, master steward I am honoured with this sudden considence. Lead on. [To LAskA, then to Runolph. Lord Rudolph, you'll announce our coming. Greet fair Sarolta from me, and entreat her To be our gentle hostess. Mark, you add How much we grieve, that business of the state Hath forced us to delay her lord's return. Lond Rudolph (aside). Lewd, ingrate tyrant! Yes, I will announce thee. emienick.

Now onward all. [Exetent attendants.

EMEmick (solus).
A fair one, by my faith"
If her face rival but her gait and stature,
My good friend Casimir had his reasons too.
“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 botton,
This knave may do us service. Hot ambition
Wom me the husband. Now let vanity
And the resentment for a forced seclusion
Decoy the wife! Let him be deem'd the aggressor
Whose cunning and distrust began the game!

[Exit.

ACT II. SCENE i.

A savage wood. At one side a cavern, overhung with ivy. ZApolyA and RAAB Kiu Prill discovered : both, but especially the latter, in rude and savage garments. RAAb ki Up to ill. Heard you then aught while I was slumbering? zAPdLY A. Nothing. Only vour face became convulsed. We miserable! Is heaven's last mercy fled? Is sleep grown treacherous? rta AB Ki upril Li. 0 for a sleep, for sleep itself to rest in I dreamt I had met with food beneath a tree, 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 hasten’d eagerly, again I found my frame encumber'd : a huge serpent Twined round my chest, but tightest round my throat. z Apo LY.A. Alas!'t was lack of food : for hunger chokes' haab Ki up a lit. And now I saw you by a shrivell'd child Strangely pursued. You did not fly, yet neither Touch'd you the ground methought, but close above it Did seem to shoot yourself along the air, And as you pass'd me, turn'd your face and shriek'd. zA poi, Y.A. I did in truth send forth a feeble shriek, Scarce knowing why. Perhaps the mock'd sense craved To hear the scream, which you but seen'd to utter. For your whole face look'd like a mask of torture! Yet a child's image doth indeed pursue me Shrivell d with toil and penury! rt A.A.d riu prail,i. Nay! what ails you? zA polya. A wonderous faintness there comes stealing o'er me. Is it Death's lengthening shadow, who comes onward, Life's setting sun behind him : fo A A B Ki UPR i Li. Cheerly! The dusk Will quickly shroud us. Ere the moon be up, Trust me I'll bring thee food | zApol, Y.A. Hunger's tooth has Gnawn itself blunt. O, I could queen it well 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 ! 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 friendship? rt A.A. o ki up for Li. Yet be thou comforted ' What! hadst thou faith when I turn'd back incredulous? 'Twas thy light That kindled mine. And shall it now to out, | And leave thy soul in darkness? Yet look up,

And think thou see'st thy sainted lord commission'd
And on his way to aid us! Whence those late dreams,
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?
Thou darest not doubt that Heaven's especial hand
Work'd 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!
zA polyA.
Can not! Oh, what if thou were taken from me?
Nay, thou saidst well: for that and death were one.
Life's grief is at its height indeed; the hard
Necessity of this inhuman state
[Has made our deeds in human as our vestments.
Housed in this wild wood, with wild usages,
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.
R.A.A. B. Kiu Pf is...i.

Ilark! heard you not

A distant chaunt

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 sunk, he rose, he twinkled, he troll'd
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.
The blossoms, they make no delay:
The sparkling dew-drops will not stay.
Sweet month of May,
We must away;
Far, far away!
To-day! to-day!”

z Apot. Y.A. Sure 'tis some blest spirit! For since thou slewest the usurper's emissary That plunged upon us, a more than mortal fear Is as a wall, that wards off the beleaguerer And starves the poor besieged. [Song again. R.A.A.B Ki uprili. It is a maiden's voice! quick to the cave! z Apol, Y.A. liark' her voice faulters! P.A.A.B. Ki U Prailt. She must not enter The cavern, else I will remain unseen [Kiu Prill retires to one side of the stage. Glycine enters singing. Glycine (fearfully.) A savage place! saints shield me! Bethlen! Bethlen! Not here?—There's no one here! I'll sing again. [Sings again.

By prayers, and with the shedding of his blood,
To make disclosure of his parentage.
But most of all—
zApolya (rushing out from the cavern).
Heaven's blessing on thee! Speak!

GLY cine.
Whether his Mother live, or perish'd here!

z Apo LY.A.
Angel of Mercy, I was perishing
And thou didst bring me food: and now thou bringst
The sweet, sweet food of hope and consolation
To a mother's famish'd heart! His name, sweet maiden!

GLY cine.
Een till this morning we were wont to name him
Bethlen Bathory!

zapotra.

Even till this morning?

This morning” when my weak faith fail'd me wholly!
Pardon, O thou that portion'st out our sufferance,
And fill'st again the widow's empty cruse!
Say on 1

glycine.

The false ones charged the valiant youth

with treasonous words of Emerick

zApolTA.

za poly A (in agitation). O speak! Gl.Y.cine. - A wounded lady— [ZApolyA faints—they both support her. | GLY cine. | Is this his mother? . as ab knu Pai Li. 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. Raab kitupai Li. Emerick at, Yet NE. He came this morning— [They retire to the cavern, bearing ZApolyA. Then enter Bernlen armed with a boar-spear. betn len. 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! Bathory ! Father! Yes, thou deservest that name! Thou didst 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!—(Observing the cave). Had ever monster fitting lair, "t is yonder! Thou yawning Den, I well remember thee! Mine eyes deceived me not. Heaven leads me on 1 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 annther 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 Batalan is about to enter, Kiu phill speaks from the cavern unseen. RAAb kit, PRI L I. Withdraw thy foot." Itetract thine idle spear, And wait obedient! be the EN (in amazement). Ha! What art thou? speak! *AAA kiupalli (still unseen). Avengers' bet in Lex. By a dying mother's pangs, Een such am I. Receive ine! RAAB kiuraili (still unseen). Wait Beware! At thy first step, thou treadest upon the light Thenceforth must darkling slow, and sink in darkness! north Len. Ha! see my boar-spear trembles like a reed!—

Oh, fool! mine eyes are duped by my own shuddering.—
Those piled thoughts, built up in solitude,
Year following year, that press'd upon my heart
As on the altar of some unknown God,
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
I dare invoke you! Tell what sacrifice
Will make you gracious.

RAAB kiupalli (still unseen).

Patience' Truth ! Obedience:

Be thy whole soul transparent! so the Light
Thou seekest may enshrine itself within thee!
Thy name?

is et a Le N. * 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. na Ad kiuphill (still unseen). Thy birth-place? pertilex. 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 rights, what offices of duty This signet doth command 1 What rebel spirits Owe homage to its Lord na Ab kiupnili (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? zA polyA (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 these The sole remains of her that gave me lie? Have I a mother 7 [ZApolyA rushes out to embrace him. Bethlen starts. Ha! zApolyA (embracing him). My son' my son' A wretched—Oh no, no! a blest—a happy mother! [They embrace. K1 upnili and Glycine come forward, and the curtain drops.

Glycine. Yes! good old man My lady! pray believe him sAro LTA. Hush, Glycine ! [Then to Bathony. Speak! we hear you! ot. D bath on Y. My tale is brief. During our festive dance, Your servants, the accusers of my son, Offer'd gross insults, in unmanly sort, To our village maidens. He (could he do less?) Rose in defence of outraged modesty, And so persuasive did his cudgel prove (Your hectoring sparks so over brave to women Are always cowards), that they soon took flight, And now in mere revenge, like baffled boasters, Have framed this tale, out of some hasty words Which their own threats provoked. SAR olt A.

Be silent, I command you.

Old man! you talk Too bluntly! Did your son owe no respect To the livery of our house? old B.Atti ott Y. Even such respect As the sheep's skin should gain for the hot wolf That hath began to worry the poor lambs' LAskA. Old insolent ruffian' Glycine. Pardon pardon, madam I saw the whole affray. The good old man Means no offence, sweet lady!—You, yourself, Laska' know well, that these men were the ruffians! Shame on you ! sanolta (speaks with affected anger). What! Glycine? Go, retire [Exit Glycine, mournfully. Be it then that these men faulted. Yet yourself, Or better still belike the maidens' parents, Might have complain'd to us. Was ever access Denied you? Or free audience? Or are we Weak and unfit to punish our own servants? old bath on Y. So then | So then Heaven grant an old man patience! And must the gardener leave his seedling plants, Leave his young roses to the rooting swine, While he goes ask their master, if perchance His leisure serve to scourge them from their ravage - LASKA. Ho! Take the rude clown from your lady's presence! I will report her further will SAROLTA. Wait then, Till thou hast learnt it! Fervent good old man : Forgive me that, to try thee, I put on A face of sternness, alien to my meaning !

[Then speaks to the Servants.

Hence! leave my presence! and you, Laska! mark me!
Those rioters are no longer of my household !
If we but shake a dew-drop from a rose
In vain would we replace it, and as vainly
Restore the tear of wounded modesty
To a maiden's eye familiarized to licence.—
But these men, Laska–

laska (aside). Yes, now 'tis coming. sanolt A. Brutal aggressors first, then baffled dastards, That they have sought to piece out their revenge With a tale of words lured from the lips of anger Stamps them most dangerous; and till I want Fit means for wicked ends, we shall not need Their services. Discharge them You, Bathory ! Are henceforth of my household I shall place you Near my own person. When your son returns, Present him to us! old Bath of Y. Ha! what, strangers' here ! What business have they in an old man's eye Your goodness, lady—and it came so sudden– I can not—must not—let you be deceived. I have yet another tale, but— [Then to Sanolta aside. Not for all cars' sArtolta. I oft have pass'd your cottage, and still praised Its beauty, and that trim orchard-plot, whose blossoms The gusts of April shower'd aslant its thatch. Come, you shall show it me! And while you bid it Farewell, be not ashamed that I should witness The oil of gladness glittering on the water Of an ebbing grief. [BAT hoax bowing, shows her into his cottage. LAsk A (alone). Wexation baffled! school'd Ho! Laska' wake! why? what can all this mean? She sent away that cockatrice in anger! Oh the false witch! It is too plain, she loves him. And now, the old man near my lady's person, She'll see this Bethlen hourly! [Laska flings himself into the seat. Glycine peeps in timidly. GLY cine. Laska' Laska! Is my lady gone? lAsKA (surlily). Gone. Giw cine. Have you yet seen him? Is he return'd? [LAsKA starts up from his seat. Has the seat stung you, Laska? LASKA. No, serpent' no; "t is you that sting me; you! What! you would cling to him again! GLY cine. Whorn ? LASKA.

Bethlen Bethlen'

Yes; gaze as if your very eyes embraced him!
Ha! you forget the scene of yesterday !
Mute ere he came, but then—Out on your screams,
And your pretended fears!

GLY cine.

Your fears, at least,

Were real, Laska! or your trembling limbs
And white cheeks played the hypocrites most vilely!

* Refers to the tear, which he feels starting in his eye. The sollowing line was borrowed unconsciously from Mr Wordsworth's Ercursion.