Raab Kiuprili. A fugitive, who, with victory for his comrade,
Ran, open-eyed, upon the face of death!
A fugitive, with no other fear, than bodements [250]
To be belated in a loyal purpose—
At the command, Prince! of my king and thine,
Hither I came; and now again require
Audience of Queen Zapolya; and (the States
Forthwith convened) that thou dost shew at large, 255
On what ground of defect thou'st dared annul
This thy King's last and solemn act—hast dared
Ascend the throne, of which the law had named,
And conscience should have made thee, a protector.
Emerick. A sovereign's ear ill brooks a subject's questioning! 260
Yet for thy past well-doing—and because
'Tis hard to erase at once the fond belief
Long cherished, that Illyria had in thee
No dreaming priest's slave, but a Roman lover
Of her true weal and freedom—and for this, too, [265]
That, hoping to call forth to the broad day-light
And fostering breeze of glory all deservings,
I still had placed thee foremost.
Raab Kiuprili. Prince! I listen.
Emerick. Unwillingly I tell thee, that Zapolya,
Maddened with grief, her erring hopes proved idle— [270]
Casimir. Sire! speak the whole truth! Say, her fraud detected!
Emerick. According to the sworn attests in council
Of her physician——
Raab Kiuprili (aside). Yes! the Jew, Barzoni!
Emerick. Under the imminent risk of death she lies,
Or irrecoverable loss of reason, 275
If known friend's face or voice renew the frenzy.
Casimir (to Kiuprili). Trust me, my lord! a woman's trick has duped you—
Us too—but most of all, the sainted Andreas.
Even for his own fair fame, his grace prays hourly
For her recovery, that (the States convened) 280
She may take counsel of her friends.
