The Complete Poetical Works of Samuel Taylor Coleridge Volume II Part 144

Chiefly of such, as from the frontiers far, (Which is the n.o.blest station of true warriors) 380 In rank licentious idleness beleaguer City and Court, a venomed thorn i'the side Of virtuous kings, the tyrant's slave and tyrant, Still ravening for fresh largess! But with such What t.i.tle 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, For the land's fame and weal; if large acquests, Made honest by the aggression of the foe, 390 And whose best praise is, that they bring us safety; If victory, doubly-wreathed, whose under-garland Of laurel-leaves looks greener and more sparkling Thro' the grey olive-branch; if these, Prince Emerick!

Give the true t.i.tle to the throne, not thou-- 395 No! (let Illyria, let the infidel enemy Be judge and arbiter between us!) I, I were the rightful sovereign!

_Emerick._ I have faith That thou both think'st and hop'st it. Fair Zapolya, A provident lady--

_Raab Kiuprili._ Wretch beneath all answer! 400

_Emerick._ Offers at once the royal bed and throne!

_Raab Kiuprili._ To be a kingdom's bulwark, a king's glory, Yet loved by both, and trusted, and trust-worthy, Is more than to be king; but see! thy rage Fights with thy fear. I will relieve thee!

Ho! [_To the_ Guard. 405

_Emerick._ Not for thy sword, but to entrap thee, ruffian!

Thus long I have listened--Guard--ho! from the Palace.

[_The_ Guard _post from the Guard-house with CHEF RAGOZZI at their head, and then a number from the Palace--CHEF RAGOZZI demands KIUPRILI'S sword, and apprehends him._

_Casimir._ O agony! [_To EMERICK._ Sire, hear me!

[_To KIUPRILI, who turns from him._

Hear me, father!

_Emerick._ Take in arrest that traitor and a.s.sa.s.sin!

Who pleads for his life, strikes at mine, his sovereign's. 410

_Raab Kiuprili._ As the Co-regent of the Realm, I stand Amenable to none save to the States Met in due course of law. But ye are bond-slaves, Yet witness ye that before G.o.d and man I here impeach Lord Emerick of foul treason, 415 And on strong grounds attaint him with suspicion Of murder--

_Emerick._ Hence with the madman!

_Raab Kiuprili._ Your Queen's murder, The royal orphan's murder: and to the death Defy him, as a tyrant and usurper.

[_Hurried off by RAGOZZI and the_ Guard.

_Emerick._ Ere twice the sun hath risen, by my sceptre 420 This insolence shall be avenged.

_Casimir._ O banish him!

This infamy will crush me. O for my sake, Banish him, my liege lord!

_Emerick._ What? to the army?

Be calm, young friend! Nought shall be done in anger.

The child o'erpowers the man. In this emergence 425 I must take counsel for us both. Retire. [_Exit CASIMIR._

_Emerick (alone, looks at a Calendar)._ The changeful planet, now in her decay, Dips down at midnight, to be seen no more.

With her shall sink the enemies of Emerick, Cursed by the last look of the waning moon: 430 And my bright destiny, with sharpened horns, Shall greet me fearless in the new-born crescent. [_Exit._

_Scene changes to the back of the Palace--a Wooded Park, and Mountains.

Enter ZAPOLYA, with an infant in arms._

_Zapolya._ Hush, dear one! hus.h.!.+ My trembling arm disturbs thee!

Thou, the protector of the helpless! Thou, The widow's husband and the orphan's father, 435 Direct my steps! Ah whither? O send down Thy angel to a houseless babe and mother, Driven forth into the cruel wilderness!

Hush, sweet one! Thou art no Hagar's offspring: thou art The rightful heir of an anointed king! 440 What sounds are those? It is the vesper chaunt Of labouring men returning to their home!

Their queen has no home! Hear me, heavenly Father!

And let this darkness---- Be as the shadow of thy outspread wings 445 To hide and s.h.i.+eld us! Start'st thou in thy slumbers?

Thou canst not dream of savage Emerick. Hus.h.!.+

Betray not thy poor mother! For if they seize thee I shall grow mad indeed, and they'll believe Thy wicked uncle's lie. Ha! what? A soldier? 450

[_Enter CHEF RAGOZZI._

_Chef Ragozzi._ Sure Heaven befriends us. Well! he hath escaped!

O rare tune of a tyrant's promises That can enchant the serpent treachery From forth its lurking hole in the heart. 'Ragozzi!

O brave Ragozzi! Count! Commander! What not?' 455 And all this too for nothing! a poor nothing!

Merely to play the underling in the murder Of my best friend Kiuprili! His own son--monstrous!

Tyrant! I owe thee thanks, and in good hour Will I repay thee, for that thou thought'st me too 460 A serviceable villain. Could I now But gain some sure intelligence of the queen: Heaven bless and guard her!

_Zapolya (coming forward)._ Art thou not Ragozzi?

_Chef Ragozzi._ The Queen! Now then the miracle is full! 465 I see heaven's wisdom is an over-match For the devil's cunning. This way, madam, haste!

_Zapolya._ Stay! Oh, no! Forgive me if I wrong thee!

This is thy sovereign's child: Oh, pity us, And be not treacherous! [_Kneeling._

_Chef Ragozzi (raising her)._ Madam! For mercy's sake! 470

_Zapolya._ But tyrants have a hundred eyes and arms!

_Chef Ragozzi._ Take courage, madam! 'Twere too horrible, (I can not do't) to swear I'm not a monster!-- Scarce had I barr'd the door on Raab Kiuprili--

_Zapolya._ Kiuprili! How?

_Chef Ragozzi._ There is not time to tell it,-- 475 The tyrant called me to him, praised my zeal-- (And be a.s.sured I overtopt his cunning And seemed right zealous.) But time wastes: In fine, Bids me dispatch my trustiest friends, as couriers With letters to the army. The thought at once 480 Flashed on me. I disguised my prisoner--

_Zapolya._ What, Raab Kiuprili?

_Chef Ragozzi._ Yes! my n.o.ble general!

I sent him off, with Emerick's own pacquet, Haste, and post haste--Prepared to follow him----

_Zapolya._ Ah, how? Is it joy or fear? My limbs seem sinking!-- 485

_Chef Ragozzi (supporting her)._ Heaven still befriends us. I have left my charger, A gentle beast and fleet, and my boy's mule, One that can shoot a precipice like a bird, Just where the wood begins to climb the mountains.

The course we'll thread will mock the tyrant's guesses, 490 Or scare the followers. Ere we reach the main road The Lord Kiuprili will have sent a troop To escort me. Oh, thrice happy when he finds The treasure which I convoy!

_Zapolya._ One brief moment, That praying for strength I may have strength. This babe, 495 Heaven's eye is on it, and its innocence Is, as a prophet's prayer, strong and prevailing!

Through thee, dear babe, the inspiring thought possessed me, When the loud clamor rose, and all the palace Emptied itself--(They sought my life, Ragozzi!) 500 Like a swift shadow gliding, I made way To the deserted chamber of my lord.-- [_Then to the infant._ And thou didst kiss thy father's lifeless lips, And in thy helpless hand, sweet slumberer!

Still clasp'st the signet of thy royalty. 505 As I removed the seal, the heavy arm Dropt from the couch aslant, and the stiff finger Seemed pointing at my feet. Provident Heaven!

Lo, I was standing on the secret door, Which, through a long descent where all sound perishes, 510 Led out beyond the palace. Well I knew it---- But Andreas framed it not! He was no tyrant!

_Chef Ragozzi._ Haste, madam! Let me take this precious burden!