Emerick. Ere twice the sun hath risen, by my sceptre [420]
This insolence shall be avenged.
Casimir. O banish him!
This infamy will crush me. O for my sake,
Banish him, my liege lord!
Emerick. What? to the army?
Be calm, young friend! Nought shall be done in anger.
The child o'erpowers the man. In this emergence [425]
I must take counsel for us both. Retire. [Exit Casimir.
Emerick (alone, looks at a Calendar). The changeful planet, now in her decay,
Dips down at midnight, to be seen no more.
With her shall sink the enemies of Emerick,
Cursed by the last look of the waning moon: [430]
And my bright destiny, with sharpened horns,
Shall greet me fearless in the new-born crescent. [Exit.
Scene changes to the back of the Palace—a Wooded Park, and Mountains. Enter Zapolya, with an infant in arms.
Zapolya. Hush, dear one! hush! My trembling arm disturbs thee!
Thou, the protector of the helpless! Thou,
The widow's husband and the orphan's father, 435
Direct my steps! Ah whither? O send down
Thy angel to a houseless babe and mother,
Driven forth into the cruel wilderness!
Hush, sweet one! Thou art no Hagar's offspring: thou art
The rightful heir of an anointed king! 440
What sounds are those? It is the vesper chaunt
Of labouring men returning to their home!
Their queen has no home! Hear me, heavenly Father!
And let this darkness——
Be as the shadow of thy outspread wings [445]
To hide and shield us! Start'st thou in thy slumbers?
Thou canst not dream of savage Emerick. Hush!
Betray not thy poor mother! For if they seize thee
I shall grow mad indeed, and they'll believe
Thy wicked uncle's lie. Ha! what? A soldier? [450]
Chef Ragozzi. Sure Heaven befriends us. Well! he hath escaped!
O rare tune of a tyrant's promises
That can enchant the serpent treachery
From forth its lurking hole in the heart. 'Ragozzi!
O brave Ragozzi! Count! Commander! What not?' 455
And all this too for nothing! a poor nothing!
Merely to play the underling in the murder
Of my best friend Kiuprili! His own son—monstrous!
Tyrant! I owe thee thanks, and in good hour
Will I repay thee, for that thou thought'st me too [460]
A serviceable villain. Could I now
But gain some sure intelligence of the queen:
Heaven bless and guard her!
Zapolya (coming forward). Art thou not Ragozzi?
Chef Ragozzi. The Queen! Now then the miracle is full! 465
I see heaven's wisdom is an over-match
For the devil's cunning. This way, madam, haste!