GLY. He came this morning (They retire to the cavern, bearing ZAPOLYA. Then enter BETHLEN armed with a boar-spear.) ВЕТН. I had a glimpse Of some fierce shape: and but that Fancy often (Looking at his signet.) Stands here inscribed: it is the seal of fate! Ha! (Observing the cave.) Had ever monster fitting lair, 'tis yonder! Thou yawning Den, I well remember thee! Mine eyes deceived me not. Heaven leads me on! Now for a blast, loud as a king's defiance, To rouse the monster couchant o'er his ravine! (Blows the horn-then a pause.) Another blast! and with another swell To you, ye charmed watchers of this wood! If haply I have come, the rightful heir Of vengeance: if in me survive the spirits Of those, whose guiltless blood flow'd streaming here! (Blows again louder.) Still silent? Is the monster gorged? Heaven shield me! Thou, faithful spear! be both my torch and guide.` (AS BETHLEN is about to enter, KIUPRILI speaks from the cavern unseen.) KIUP. Withdraw thy foot! Retract thine idle spear And wait obedient! BETH. (In amazement.) Ha! What art thou? speak! KIUP. Avengers !—(Still unseen.) BETH. By a dying mother's pangs E'en such am I. Receive me! KIUP. (Still unseen.) Wait! Beware! At thy first step, thou tread'st upon the light, Thenceforth must darkling flow, and sink in dark ness! BETH. Ha! see my boar-spear trembles like a reed! Oh, fool! mine eyes are duped by my own shuddering.— Those piled thoughts, built up in solitude, Year following year, that pressed upon my heart As on the altar of some unknown God, Then, as if touch'd by fire from heaven descending, Blazed up within me at a father's name→→ Do they desert me now?-at my last trial? I have obeyed! Declare ye by what name I dare invoke you! Tell what sacrifice Will make you gracious. KIUP. (Still unseen.) Patience! Truth! Obe Be thy whole soul transparent! so the Light, BETH. Ask rather the poor roaming savage, To him, perchance, rude spoil or ghastly trophy, I have none-but like a dog have answered To the chance sound which he that fed me, called me! KIUP. (Still unseen.) Thy birth-place? BETH. Deluding spirits! Do ye mock me? Question the Night! Bid Darkness tell its birth-place? Yet hear! Within yon old oak's hollow trunk, Where the bats cling, have I survey'd my cradle! The mother-falcon hath her nest above it, And in it the wolf litters!I invoke you, O tell! what rights, what offices of duty KIUP. (Still unseen.) More, guiltier, mightier, Than thou may'st summon ! BETH. O yet again, and with more clamorous prayer, I importune ye! Mock me no more with shadows! This sable mantle-tell, dread voice! did this Enwrap one fatherless? ZAPO. (Unseen.) BETH. (Starting.) One fatherless! A sweeter voice!-A voice of love and pity! Sad echo! but the hope, it kill'd, was sickly, Quick let me ask!-while yet this stifling fear, This stop of the heart, leaves utterance!-Are-are these |