Old Bathory. Haste! my life upon it
I'll guide him safe.
Andreas (thunder). Ha! what a crash was there! [210]
Heaven seems to claim a mightier criminal
Than yon vile subaltern.
Zapolya. Your behest, High powers,
Lo, I obey! To the appointed spirit,
That hath so long kept watch round this drear cavern,
In fervent faith, Kiuprili, I entrust thee! [215]
[Exeunt Zapolya, Andreas, and Glycine.
Old Bathory. Yon bleeding corse may work us mischief still:
Once seen, 'twill rouse alarm and crowd the hunt
From all parts towards this spot. Stript of its armour,
I'll drag it hither.
[Exit Bathory. Several Hunters cross the Stage. Enter Kiuprili.
Raab Kiuprili (throwing off his disguise). Since Heaven alone can save me, Heaven alone [220]
Shall be my trust.
Haste! haste! Zapolya, flee!
Gone! Seized perhaps? Oh no, let me not perish
Despairing of Heaven's justice! Faint, disarmed,
Each sinew powerless; senseless rock, sustain me!
Thou art parcel of my native land!
A sword! [225]
Ha! and my sword! Zapolya hath escaped,
The murderers are baffled, and there lives
An Andreas to avenge Kiuprili's fall!—
There was a time, when this dear sword did flash
As dreadful as the storm-fire from mine arm— [230]
I can scarce raise it now—yet come, fell tyrant!
And bring with thee my shame and bitter anguish,
To end his work and thine! Kiuprili now
Can take the death-blow as a soldier should.
[Re-enter Bathory, with the dead body of Pestalutz.
Old Bathory. Poor tool and victim of another's guilt! [235]
Thou follow'st heavily: a reluctant weight!
Good truth, it is an undeservéd honour
That in Zapolya and Kiuprili's cave
A wretch like thee should find a burial-place.
'Tis he!—In Andreas' and Zapolya's name 240
Follow me, reverend form! Thou need'st not speak,
For thou canst be no other than Kiuprili.
Kiuprili. And are they safe? [Noise without.
Old Bathory. Conceal yourself, my lord!
I will mislead them!