Your age and wisdom. Tis a statesman's virtue, Raab Kiuprili (aside). 220 Ha! the elder Brutus [Draws his sword. Infamous changeling! 225 Recant this instant, and swear loyalty, [Chiefs, c., rush to interpose; during the tumult enter Emerick. Call out the guard! Ragozzi! seize the assassin. Kiuprili? Ha! [Making signs to the guard to retire. Pass on, friends! to the palace. 230 [Music recommences.-The Procession passes into the Palace. Emerick. What? Raab Kiuprili? What? a father's sword Against his own son's breast? Raab Kiuprili. "Twould best excuse him, Were he thy son, Prince Emerick. I abjure him. Emerick. This is my thanks, then, that I have com menced A reign to which the free voice of the nobles Of love and grace to Raab Kiuprili's house? 235 Raab Kiuprili. What right hadst thou, Prince Emerick, to bestow them? Emerick. By what right dares Kiuprili question me? Raab Kiuprili. By a right common to all loyal subjectsTo me a duty! As the realm's co-regent, Appointed by our sovereign's last free act, Writ by himself. Emerick. 241 [Grasping the Patent. Aye! Writ in a delirium! Raab Kiuprili. I likewise ask, by whose authority 223 his 1817. 224 They BOASTED not their baseness. [Starts, and draws his sword. 1817, 1828, 1829. 230. Kiuprili? Ha! [With lowered voice, at the same time with one hand making, &c. 1817, 1828, 1829. After 230 [Music... Palace.-During which time EMERICK and KIUPRILI regard each other stedfastly. 1817, 1828, 1829. 233 thy-I 1817, 1828, 1829. 234 thanks] thank 1817. 240 me 1817, 1828, 1829. 243 Emerick (with a contemptuous sneer). Aye !—Writ, &c. 1817, 1828, 1829. The access to the sovereign was refused me? Emerick. By whose authority dared the general leave His camp and army, like a fugitive? 243 Raab Kiuprili. A fugitive, who, with victory for his comrade. Ran, open-eyed, upon the face of death! A fugitive, with no other fear, than bodements To be belated in a loyal purpose At the command, Prince! of my king and thine. 250 255 259 Emerick. A sovereign's ear ill brooks a subject's questioning! Yet for thy past well-doing-and because 'Tis hard to erase at once the fond belief Long cherished, that Illyria had in thee No dreaming priest's slave, but a Roman lover Of her true weal and freedom-and for this, too, Raab Kiuprili. Prince! I listen. Emerick. Unwillingly I tell thee, that Zapolya, Maddened with grief, her erring hopes proved idle- 265 270 Casimir. Sire! speak the whole truth! Say, her fraud detected! Emerick. According to the sworn attests in council Of her physician Raab Kiuprili (aside). Yes! the Jew, Barzoni! Emerick. Under the imminent risk of death she lies, 275 Or irrecoverable loss of reason, If known friend's face or voice renew the frenzy. Casimir (to Kiuprili). Trust me, my lord! a woman's trick has duped you Us too--but most of all, the sainted Andreas. For her recovery, that (the States convened) She may take counsel of her friends. 252 my 1817, 1828, 1829. frauds 1817: fraud's 1828, 1829. 280 268 thee 1817, 1828, 1829. 271 fraud] A Emerick. Right, Casimir! Receive my pledge, lord general. It shall stand In her own will to appear and voice her claims; 285 Raab Kiuprili. Prince Emerick! you speak fairly, and your pledge too Is such, as well would suit an honest meaning. Casimir. My lord! you scarce know half his grace's goodness. The wealthy heiress, high-born fair Sarolta, Bred in the convent of our noble ladies, Her relative, the venerable abbess, 291 Hath, at his grace's urgence, wooed and won for me. Emerick. Long may the race, and long may that name flourish, Which your heroic deeds, brave chief, have rendered Raab Kiuprili. The longest line that ever tracing herald Or found or feigned, placed by a beggar's soul Emerick. Is but the pulse of reason. Is it conscience, 295 300 Conscience, good my lord, That a free nation should be handed down, Like the dull clods beneath our feet, by chance 305 And the blind law of lineage? That whether infant, Or man matured, a wise man or an idiot, Hero or natural coward, shall have guidance Of a free people's destiny, should fall out In the mere lottery of a reckless nature, 310 Where few the prizes and the blanks are countless? Casimir. What better claim can sovereign wish or need Than the free voice of men who love their country? Those chiefly who have fought for 't? Who by right, Claim for their monarch one, who having obeyed, 316 Before 298 Raab Kiuprili (sternly). 1817, So hath best learnt to govern; who, having suffered, Raab Kiuprili. Prince Emerick, Your cause will prosper best in your own pleading. 320 325 Emerick (aside to Casimir). Ragozzi was thy school-mate--a bold spirit! Bind him to us!-Thy father thaws apace! [Then aloud. 330 Leave us awhile, my lord!-Your friend, Ragozzi, [CASIMIR retires to the Guard-house; and after a time Throttling the impatient voice. I have heard thee, Prince! And I have watched thee, too; but have small faith in A plausible tale told with a flitting eye. [EMERICK turns as about to call for the Guard. In the next moment I am in thy power, In this thou art in mine. Stir but a step, Or make one sign-I swear by this good sword, Thou diest that instant. Emerick. Ha, ha!-Well, Sir!-Conclude your homily. 340 Raab Kiuprili. A tale which, whether true or false, comes guarded Against all means of proof, detects itself. The Queen mew'd up-this too from anxious care 345 And love brought forth of a sudden, a twin birth Of a rightful throne !-Mark how the scorpion, falsehood, Coils round in its own perplexity, and fixes Its sting in its own head! Emerick. Aye! to the mark! 350 Before 343 Raab Kiuprili (in a somewhat suppressed voice). 1817, 1828, 1829. 349 Coils round its perplexity 1817. Raab Kiuprili. Had'st thou believed thine own tale, had'st thou fancied Thyself the rightful successor of Andreas, Would'st thou have pilfered from our school-boys' themes 355 360 Make the rocks flatter thee, and the volleying air, Of lawless will to amass and guide the flood 365 And the true patriot's glory! In all else Men safelier trust to Heaven, than to themselves When least themselves in the mad whirl of crowds 370 Even wise men leave their better sense at home To chide and wonder at them when returned. Emerick (aloud). Is't thus thou scoff'st the people? most of all, The soldiers, the defenders of the people? Raab Kiuprili. O most of all, most miserable nation, 375 For whom the imperial power, enormous bubble! Is blown and kept aloft, or burst and shattered (Which is the noblest station of true warriors) In rank licentious idleness beleaguer 380 City and Court, a venomed thorn i'the side Of virtuous kings, the tyrant's slave and tyrant, What title claim'st thou, save thy birth? What merits 385 Which many a liegeman may not plead as well, Brave though I grant thee? If a life outlaboured Head, heart, and fortunate arm, in watch and war, Before 351 Raab Kiuprili (aloud: he and Emerick standing at equi-distance from the Palace and the Guard-house). 1817, 1828, 1829. 354 popular choice 1817, 1828, 1829. 1828, 1829. 351 fancied 1817, Before 375 Raab |