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 goddess. [65]
Call this (looking at the purse)
Preferment; this (holding up the key) Fidelity!
And first my golden goddess: what bids she?
[[928]] 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! [Putting the key to his ear.
All very true!—but, good Fidelity! 75
If I refuse King Emerick, will you promise,
And swear now, to unlock the dungeon door,
And save me from the hangman? Aye! you're silent!
What, not a word in answer? A clear nonsuit!
Now for one look to see that all are lodged 80
At the due distance—then—yonder lies the road
For Laska and his royal friend, King Emerick!

[Exit Laska. Then enter Bathory and Bethlen.

Bethlen. He looked as if he were some God disguised
In an old warrior's venerable shape
To guard and guide my mother. Is there not 85
Chapel or oratory in this mansion?

Old Bathory. Even so.

Bethlen. From that place then am I to take
A helm and breast-plate, both inlaid with gold,
And the good sword that once was Raab Kiuprili's.

Old Bathory. Those very arms this day Sarolta show'd me— 90
With wistful look. I'm lost in wild conjectures!

Bethlen. O tempt me not, e'en with a wandering guess,
To break the first command a mother's will
Imposed, a mother's voice made known to me!
'Ask not, my son,' said she, 'our names or thine. [95]
The shadow of the eclipse is passing off
The full orb of thy destiny! Already
The victor Crescent glitters forth and sheds
O'er the yet lingering haze a phantom light.
Thou canst not hasten it! Leave then to Heaven 100
The work of Heaven: and with a silent spirit
Sympathize with the powers that work in silence!'
Thus spake she, and she looked as she were then
[[929]] Fresh from some heavenly vision!