The ark, all sacred, of thy country's cause? [Exit Casimir. Scene changes to the mouth of a cavern as in Act II. ZA POLYA and GLYCINE discovered. ZAPOLYA. Our friend is gone to seek some safer cave: I shall know Bethlen at the furthest distance, I will return to you. [Exit Glycine. Enter OLD BATHORY, speaking as he enters. OLD BATHORY. Who hears? A friend! A messenger from him who bears the signet! [Zapolya, who had been gazing affectionately after Glycine, starts at Bathory's voice. ZAPOLYA. He hath the watch word!-Art thou not Bathory? OLD BATHORY. O noble lady! greetings from your son! ZAPOLYA. [Bathory kneels. Rise! rise! Or shall I rather kneel beside thee, O he was born to honour! Gallant deeds Lady Sarolta mean'st thou ? OLD BATHORY, She is safe. The royal brute hath overleapt his prey, And when he turned, a sworded Virtue faced him. My own brave boy-O pardon, noble lady! Your son ZA POLYA. Hark! Is it he? OLD BATHORY. I hear a voice Too hoarse for Bethlen's! 'Twas his scheme and hope, Long ere the hunters could approach the forest In the cave's mouth we have such 'vantage ground That even this old arm [Exeunt Zapolya and Bathory into the Cave. Enter LASKA aud PESTALUtz. LASKA. Not a step further! PESTALUTZ. Dastard! was this your promise to the king? LASKA. I have fulfilled his orders. Have walked with you As with a friend: have pointed out Lord Casimir: And now I leave you to take care of him. For the king's purposes are doubtless friendly. PESTALUTZ. (affecting to start.) Be on your guard, man! LASKA. (in affright.) Ha! what now ? PESTALUTZ. Behind you! "Twas one of Satan's imps, that grinned and threat ened you For your most impudent hope to cheat his master! LASKA. Pshaw! What you think 'tis fear that makes me leave you? PESTALUTZ. Is't not enough to play the knave to others, LASKA. (pompously.) Friend! Laska will be found at his own post, PESTALUTZ. (with a sneer.) What! the girl Whom Laska saw the war-wolf tear in pieces? LASKA. (throwing down a bow and arrows.) Well! There's my arms! Hark! should your javelin fail you, These points are tipt with venom. [starts and sees Glycine without. By Heaven! Glycine! Now as you love the king, help me to seize her! [They run out after Glycine, and she shrieks without : then enter BATHORY from the cavern. VOL. II. A A OLD BATHORY. Rest, lady, rest! I feel in every sinew A young man's strength returning! Which way went they? The shriek came thence. [Clash of swords, and Bethlen's voice heard from behind the scenes; GLYCINE enters alarmed; then, as seeing Laska's bow and arrows. GLYCINE. Ha! weapons here? Then, Bethlen, thy Glycine [She seizes them and rushes out. Bathory following her. Lively and irregular music, and Peasants with hunting spears cross the stage, singing chorally. CHORAL SONG. Up, up! ye dames, ye lasses gay! "Tis you must tend the flocks this morn, And scare the small birds from the corn. Not a soul at home may stay: For the shepherds must go With lance and bow To hunt the wolf in the woods to day. |