Lord Rudolph (smiling). Belike, some stray sheep of the oozy flock,
Which, if bards lie not, the Sea-shepherds tend,
Glaucus or Proteus. But my fancy shapes it
A monster couchant on a rocky shelf.

Casimir. Mark too the edges of the lurid mass— 50
Restless, as if some idly-vexing Sprite,
On swift wing coasting by, with tetchy hand
Pluck'd at the ringlets of the vaporous Fleece.
These are sure signs of conflict nigh at hand,
And elemental war! [A single trumpet heard at some distance.

Lord Rudolph. That single blast [55]
Announces that the tyrant's pawing courser
Neighs at the gate. [Trumpets.
Hark! now the king comes forth!
For ever 'midst this crash of horns and clarions
He mounts his steed, which proudly rears an-end
While he looks round at ease, and scans the crowd, 60
Vain of his stately form and horsemanship!
I must away! my absence may be noticed.

Casimir. Oft as thou canst, essay to lead the hunt
Hard by the forest-skirts; and ere high noon
Expect our sworn confederates from Temeswar. [65]
I trust, ere yet this clouded sun slopes westward,
That Emerick's death, or Casimir's, will appease
The manes of Zapolya and Kiuprili! [Exit Rudolph.
The traitor, Laska!——
And yet Sarolta, simple, inexperienced, 70
Could see him as he was, and often warned me.
Whence learned she this?—O she was innocent!
And to be innocent is Nature's wisdom!
The fledge-dove knows the prowlers of the air,
Feared soon as seen, and flutters back to shelter. 75
And the young steed recoils upon his haunches,
The never-yet-seen adder's hiss first heard.
O surer than Suspicion's hundred eyes
Is that fine sense, which to the pure in heart,
By mere oppugnancy of their own goodness, 80
Reveals the approach of evil. Casimir!
O fool! O parricide! through yon wood did'st thou,
[[940]] With fire and sword, pursue a patriot father,
A widow and an orphan. Dar'st thou then
(Curse-laden wretch) put forth these hands to raise 85
The ark, all sacred, of thy country's cause?
Look down in pity on thy son, Kiuprili!
And let this deep abhorrence of his crime,
Unstained with selfish fears, be his atonement!
O strengthen him to nobler compensation 90
In the deliverance of his bleeding country! [Exit Casimir.

Scene changes to the mouth of a Cavern, as in Act II. Zapolya and Glycine discovered.

Zapolya. Our friend is gone to seek some safer cave:
Do not then leave me long alone, Glycine!
Having enjoyed thy commune, loneliness,
That but oppressed me hitherto, now scares. [95]

Glycine. I shall know Bethlen at the furthest distance,
And the same moment I descry him, lady,
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. He hath the watch-word!—Art thou not Bathory? 100