unfaithful profile of one, * who still lives, nobilitate felis, arte clarior, vità colendissimus. ZULIMEZ (speaking of Alvar in the third person). motion. ALHADRA. ALVAR. SELMA. My husband's father told it me, Poor old Sesina-angels rest his soul! He was a woodman, and could fell and saw With lusty arm. You know that huge round beam Which props the hanging wall of the old Chapel ? Beneath that tree, while yet it was a tree, He found a baby wrapt in mosses, lined With thistle-beards, and such small locks of wool As bang on brambles. Well, he brought him home, And reared him at the then Lord Valdez' cost. And so the babe grew up a pretty boy, A pretty boy, but most unteachableHe never learnt a prayer, nor told a bead, But knew the names of birds, and mock'd their notes, And whistled, as he were a bird himself: And all the autumn 't was his only play To gather seeds of wild flowers, and to plant them With earth and water on the stumps of trees. A Friar, who gather'd simples in the wood, A gray-hair'd man, he loved this little boy: The boy loved him, and, when the friar taught him, He soon could write with the pen; and from that time Lived chiefly at the Convent or the Castle. So he became a rare and learned youth: But O! poor wretch! he read, and read, and read, Till his brain turn'd; and ere his twentieth year He had unlawful thoughts of many things: And though he pray'd, he never loved to pray With holy men, nor in a holy place. But yet his speech, it was so soft and sweet, The late Lord Valdez ne'er was wearied with him. And once, as by the north side of the chapel They stood together, chaind in deep discourse, The earth heaved under them with such a groan, That the wall totterd, and had well-nigh fallen Right on their heads. My Lord was sorely frighten'd; A fever seized him, and he made confession Of all the heretical and lawless talk Which brought this judgment : so the youth was seized, And cast into that hole. My husband's father Sobb'd like a child-it almost broke his heart: And once as he was working near this dungeon, He heard a voice distinctly; 'twas the youth's, Who sung a doleful song about green fields, How sweet it were on lake or wide savanna To hunt for food, and be a naked man, And wander up and down at liberty. He always doted on the youth, and now His love grew desperate; and defying death, He made that cunning entrance I described, And the young man escaped. TERESA. "Tis a sweet tale: Note 2, page 89, col. 1. The following Scene, as unfit for the stage, was taken from the Tragedy, in the year 1797, and published in the Lyrical Ballads. But this work having been long out of print, I have been advised to reprint it, as a Note to the second Scene of Act the Fourth, p. 89. Enter TERESA and SELMA. TERESA. 'Tis said, he spake of you familiarly, As mine and Alvar's common foster-mother. SELMA. Now blessings on the man, whoe'er he be, That joind your names with mine! O my sweet Lady, As often as I think of those dear times, When you two little ones would stand, at eve, On each side of my chair, and make me learn All you had learnt in the day; and how to talk In gentle phrase; then bid me sing to you, Tis more like heaven to come, than what has been! TERESA. SELMA. TERESA. SELMA. He went on shipboard With those bold voyagers who made discovery Of golden lands. Sesina's younger brother Went likewise, and when he return'd to Spain, He told Sesina, that the poor mad youth, Soon after they arrived in that new world, In spite of his dissuasion, seized a boat, And all alone set sail by silent moonlight Up a great river, great as any sea, And ne'er was heard of more: but 't is supposed, He lived and died among the savage men. 105 Sir George Beaumont. (Written 1814.) Zapolya; A CHRISTMAS TALE. IN TWO PARTS. Παρ πυρί χρή τοιαύτα λέγειν χειμώνος εν ώρα. Apud ATHENÆUM. CHEF RAGOZZI. RAAB KIUPRILI. CHEF RAGOZZI. ADVERTISEMENT. But Raab Kiuprili moves with such a gait? Lo! e'en this eager and unwonted haste But agitates, not quells, its majesty. The form of the following dramatic poem is in hum- My patron! my commander! yes, 't is he! ble imitation of the Winter's Tale of Shakspeare, Call out the guards. The Lord Kiuprili comes. except that I have called the first part a Prelude instead of a first Act, as a somewhat nearer resem- Drums beal, elc. the Guard turns out. Enter Rose blance to the plan of the ancients, of which one KIUPRILI. specimen is left us in the Æschylian Trilogy of the RAAB KIUPRILI (making a signal to stop the drums, elc.) Agamemnon, the Orestes, and the Eumenides. Though Silence! enough! This is no time, young friend! a matter of form merely, yet two plays, on different For ceremonious dues. This summoning drum, periods of the same tale, might seem less bold, than Th' air-shattering trumpet, and the horseman's clatter, an interval of twenty years between the first and Are insults to a dying sovereign's ear. second act.. This is, however, in mere obedience to Soldiers, 't is well! Retire! your general greets you, custom The effect does not, in reality, at all de- His loyal fellow-warriors. (Guards retire pend on the Time of the interval; but on a very different principle. There are cases in which an inter Pardon my surprise. val of twenty hours between the acts would have a Thus sudden from the camp, and unattended ! worse effect (i.e. render the imagination less disposed What may these wonders prophesy? to take the position required) than twenty years in other cases. For the rest, I shall be well content if Tell me first, my readers will take it up, read and judge it, as a How fares the king ? His majesty still lives? Christmas tale. We know no otherwise ; but Emerick's friends |(And none but they approach him) scoff at hope. CHARACTERS. RAAB KIUPRILI. And as a child I have rear'd thee. Whence this air Of mystery? That face was wont to open RAAB KIUPRILI, an Illyrian Chieftain. Clear as the morning to me, showing all things. CASIMIR, Son of Kiuprili. Hide nothing from me. O most loved, most honor'd, The mystery that struggles in my looks, Betray'd my whole tale to thee, if it told thee And mystery is contagious. All things here Are full of motion : and yet all is silent: RAAB KIUPRILI (his hand to his heart). I have trembling proof within, how true thou speakest. That the prince Emerick feasts the soldiery, Gives splendid arms, pays the commanders' debts, SCENE I. And (it is whisper’d) by sworn promises Front of the Palace with a magnificent Colonnade. On Makes himself debtor-hearing this, thou hast heard one side a military Guard-House. Sentries pacing All- (Then in a subdued and saddened voice.) backward and forward before the Palace. CHEF But what my Lord will learn too soon himself. Ragozzi, at the door of the Guard-House, as looking forwards at some object in the distance. Ha !-Well then, let it come! Worse scarce can CHEF RAGOZZI. CHEF RAGOZZI. RAAB KIUPRILI. CHEF RAGOZZI. come. My eyes deceive me not, it must be he! This letter, written by the trembling hand a To his immediate presence. It appoints me, Did my King love me? Did I earn his love? Was I his arm, his thunder-bolt? And now Or, like an eagle, whose strong wings press up Strike but for mockery, and with restless beak Remember you, my Lord, that Hebrew leech, Gore my own breast ?—Ragozzi, thou art faithful ? Whose face so much distemper'd you? CHEF RAGOZZI. Here before Heaven I dedicate my faith Barzoni ? To the royal line of Andreas. I held him for a spy: but the proof failing RAAB KIUPRILI. (More courteously, I own, than pleased myself), Hark, Ragozzi! Guilt is a timorous thing ere perpetration : Despair alone makes wicked men be bold. To him in chief Come thou with me! They have heard my voice in Prince Emerick trusts his royal brother's health. flight, Have faced round, terror-struck, and fear'd no longer RAAB KIUPRILI. The whistling javelins of their fell pursuers. Ha! what is this? (Black Flag displayed from the Tower of the Pal ace: a death-bell tolls, etc. And shrugs and wrinkled brow, he smiles and whis. pers! Vengeance of Heaven! He is dead. Talks in dark words of women's fancies ; hints CHEF RAGOZZI. That 't were a useless and cruel zeal At length then 'tis announced. Alas! I fear, To rob a dying man of any hope, That these black death-flags are but treason's signals. However vain, that soothes him: and, in fine, RAAB KIUPRILI (looking forwards anxiously). A prophecy too soon fulfill'd! See yonder! O rank and ravenous wolves! the death-bell echoes CHEF RAGOZZI. Precise and faithful in their villany, Even to the moment, that the master traitor Had preordaind them. Manifest treason! Even this brief delay Was it over-haste, Half makes me an accomplice-If he live), Or is it scorn, that in this race of treason [Is moving toward the palace. Their guilt thus drops its mask, and blazons forth If he but live and know me, all may Their infamous plot even to an idiot's sense. CHEF RAGOZZI. Doubtless they deem Heaven too usurp'd! Heaven's To stop all ingress to the palace. justice Bought like themselves ! [During this conversation music is heard, at first solemn and funcreal, and then changing to CHEF RAGOZZI. No place, no name, no rank excepted spirited and triumphal. Being equal all in crime, Thou! Do you press on, ye spotted parricides ! For the one sole pre-eminence yet doubtful, The prize of foremost impudence in guilt? RAAB KIUPRILI. For its own outwitting. I applaud, Ragozzi! [Musing to himself-thenNor does there live one virtue in my soul, Ragozzi! I applaud, One honorable hope, but calls thee father. In thee, the virtuous hope that dares look onward Yet ere thou dost resolve, know that yon palace And keeps the life-spark warm of future action Is guarded from within, that each access Beneath the cloak of patient sufferance. Is throng'd by arm'd conspirators, watch'd by ruffians Act and appear as time and prudence prompt thee; Pamper'd with gifts, and hot upon the spoil I shall not misconceive the part thou playest. Which that false promiser still trails before them. Mine is an easier part—to brave the Usurper. I ask but this one boon-reserve my life [Enter a procession of EMERICK'S Adherents, Till I can lose it for the realm and thee! Nobles, Chieftains, and Soldiers, with Music. RAAB KIUPRILI. They advance toward the front of the Stage, My heart is rent asunder. O my country, KIUPRILI makes the signal for them to stop.--o fallen Illyria! stand I here spell-bound ! The Music ceases. 107 RAAB KIUPRILI. RAAB KIUPRILI. LEADER. CASIMIR. RAAB KIUPRILI. any here LEADER OF THE PROCESSION. RAAB KIUPRILI (turning away). The Lord Kiuprili !-Welcome from the camp. Casimir! He, he a traitor! Too soon indeed, Ragozzi! have I learnt it. [Aside. RAAB KIUPRILI. Grave magistrates and chieftains of Illyria! CASIMIR (with reverence). In good time come ye hither, if ye come My father and my Lord! As loyal men with honorable purpose RAAB KIUPRILI. I know thee not! RAAB KIUPRILI. A holy name and words of natural duty O hear me, Sire! not lightly have I sworn Homage to Emerick. Illyria's sceptre (Lo! his own seal and signature attesting) Demands a manly hand, a warrior's grasp. Appoints as guardians of his realm and offspring, The queen Zapolya's self-expected offspring The Queen, and the Prince Emerick, and myself. At least is doubtful: and of all our nobles, (Voices of Live King Emerick ! an Emerick ! an The king inheriting his brother's heart, Emerick ! Hath honor'd us the most. Your rank, my Lord! What means this clamor? Are these madmen's voices ? Confirmed : and me the king's grace hath appointed Already eminent, is--all it can be Chief of his council and the lord high-steward. RAAB KIUPRILI. CASIMIR (struggling with his passion). So much of Raab Kiuprili's blood flows here, One that has taken from you your sworn faith, That no power, save that holy name of father, Could shield the man who so dishonor'd me. RAAB KIUPRILI. (Loud murmurs, followed by cries—Emerick! No The son of Raab Kiuprili! a bought bond-slave, Guilt's pander, treason's mouth-piece, a gay parrot, School'd to shrill forth his feeder's usurp'd titles, And scream, Long live king Emerick! Ay, King Emerick! Fought with the foe, and stain'd its jagged points Stand back, my Lord! Lead us, or let us pass. SOLDIER. Hear him! Hear him! And have I brought home with me Victory, RAAB KIUPRILI. Hear me, Stood in your presence, honor'd by the king, of usurpation! Beloved and trusted. Is there one among you, (Murmurs increase and cries of Onward ! onward! Accuses Raab Kiuprili of a bribe ? Have you then thrown off shame, Or one false whisper in his sovereign's ear? And shall not a dear friend, a loyal subject, Who here dare charge me with an orphan's rights Throw off all fear? I tell ye, the fair trophies · Outfaced, or widow's plea left undefended ? Valiantly wrested from a valiant foe, And shall I now be branded by a traitor, Love's natural offerings to a rightful king, A bought bribed wretch, who, being called my son, Will hang as ill on this usurping traitor, Doth libel a chaste matron's name, and plant This brother-blight, this Emerick, as robes Hensbane and aconite on a mother's grave ? Of gold pluck'd from the images of gods The underling accomplice of a robber, Upon a sacrilegious robber's back. That from a widow and a widow's offspring Would steal their heritage? To God a rebel, (During the last four lines, enter LORD CASIMIR, And to the common father of his country with expressions of anger and alarm. A recreant ingrate! CASIMIR. Sire! your words grow dangerous. The elected King, our chosen Emerick ? High-flown romantic fancies ill-beseem [Starls-then approaching with timid respect. Your age and wisdom. "Tis a statesman's virtue, My father! To guard his country's safety by what means LEADER. SOLDIERS. EMERICK. EMERICK CASIMIR. EMERICK. EMERICK It best may be protected—come what will A sovereign's car ill brooks a subject's questioning! Yet for thy past well-doing-and because "T is hard to erase at once the fond belief Ha! the elder Brutus Long cherish'd, that Illyria had in thee Made his soul iron, though his sons repented. No dreaming priest's slave, but a Roman lover They boasted not their baseness. Of her true weal and freedom and for this, 100, [Starts, and draws his sword. That, hoping to call forth to the broad day-light Infainous changeling! And fostering breeze of glory, all deservings, I still had placed thee foremost. RAAB KIUPRILI. Prince! I listen. (Chiefs, etc. rush to interpose ; during the tumult enter EMERICK, alarmed. Unwillingly I tell thee, that Zapolya, Madden'd with grief, her erring hopes proved idle- time with one hand making signs to the guard According to the sworn attests in council RAAB KIUPRILI (aside). Yes! the Jew, Barzoni! Under the imminent risk of death she lies, Or irrecoverable loss of reason, Against his own son's breast ? If known friend's face or voice renew the frenzy. RAAB KIUPRILI. CASIMIR (to KIUPRILI). "Twould be best excuse him, Trust me, my Lord! a woman's trick has duped you Were he thy son, Prince Emerick. I abjure him. Us 100% but most of all, the sainted Andreas. Even for his own fair fame, his grace prays hourly EMERICK. Of love and grace to Raab Kiuprili's house? Right, Casimir! RAAB KIUPRILI. Receive my pledge, Lord General. It shall stand What right hadst thou, Prince Emerick, to bestow In her own will to appear and voice her claims; them ? Or (which in truth I hold the wiser course) With all the past pass'd by, as family quarrels, By what right dares Kiuprili question me? Let the Queen-Dowager, with unblench'd honors, Resume her state, our first Illyrian matron. RAAB KIUPRILI. Prince Emerick! you speak fairly, and your pledge too Is such, as well would suit an honest meaning. Appointed by our sovereign's last free act, Writ by himself. [Grasping the Patent. 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, Hath, at his grace's urgence, woo'd and won for me. The access to the sovereign was refused me? EMERICK. Long may the race, and long may that name flourish, By whose anthority dared the general leave Which your heroic deeds, brave chief, have render'd His camp and army, like a fugitive? Dear and illustrious to all true Illyrians ! RAAB KIUPRILI (sternly). Or found or feign'd, placed by a beggar's soul, A fugitive, with no other fear, than bodements Hath but a mushroom's date in the comparison : To be belated in a loyal purpose And with the soul, the conscience is coeval, Yea, the soul's essence. Conscience, good my Lord, EMERICK. CASIMIR. EMERICK EMERICK |
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