[They fight, and just as Emerick is disarmed, in rush Casimir, Old Bathory, and Attendants. Casimir runs in between the combatants, and parts them; in the struggle Bethlen's sword is thrown down.
Casimir. The king! disarmed too by a stranger! Speak!
What may this mean?
Emerick. Deceived, dishonored lord! [335]
Ask thou yon fair adultress! She will tell thee
A tale, which would'st thou be both dupe and traitor,
Thou wilt believe against thy friend and sovereign!
Thou art present now, and a friend's duty ceases:
To thine own justice leave I thine own wrongs. [340]
Of half thy vengeance I perforce must rob thee,
For that the sovereign claims. To thy allegiance
I now commit this traitor and assassin. [Then to the Attendants.
Hence with him to the dungeon! and to-morrow,
Ere the sun rises,—Hark! your heads or his! 345
Bethlen. Can Hell work miracles to mock Heaven's justice?
Emerick. Who speaks to him dies! The traitor that has menaced
His king, must not pollute the breathing air,
Even with a word!
Casimir (to Bathory). Hence with him to the dungeon!
[Exit Bethlen, hurried off by Bathory and Attendants.
Emerick. We hunt to-morrow in your upland forest: [350]
Thou (to Casimir) wilt attend us: and wilt then explain
This sudden and most fortunate arrival.
[Exit Emerick; Manent Casimir and Sarolta.
Sarolta. My lord! my husband! look whose sword lies yonder!
It is Kiuprili's, Casimir; 'tis thy father's!
And wielded by a stripling's arm, it baffled, [355]
Yea, fell like Heaven's own lightnings on that Tarquin.