WA.

In knowledge, whether he's the Prince or no.
(Aside.) Something must come of this. I hate
the Queen,

Andreas, and Bankban, but 'tis hate of hate

I feel for her, my adder!

I beseech you,

Let your all-honoured sister make report.

BA. She is to be met with in the western wing.
Qu. (Indignantly.) What needs this form? What need,
I say? Most brave!

Ye play with me, Nobles of Hungary, I perceive,
And yet wear spurs like knights. I'll borrow
patience.

Attend, my Lord, the Princess into court. BA. Pray do not stir. I'll fetch her hither straight. Ro. Oh! ay do grace to her. to her. But mark, old man,

WA.

Qu.

By no means take excuse.
fools!

(Aside.) These doting
[Exit BANKBAN.
Since I beheld her hanging about his neck
I sicken when the thought comes. Through and
through

It pierced me; and has left a rankling pain
In every sense about me, which nought can,
Or will assuage until, in quittal, I

Girdle in the fierce embracings of revenge
Her unconsenting waist. The poison here
Only her lips can suck away.

(Re-enter BANKBAN with LADY BANKBAN,
who makes a slight obeisance and stands
trembling.)

Fair Queen, to open to your lovely Sister
Wherefore she is summoned ?

Wilt please you,

Sir?... Our lovely Sister, to confirm us, if you have

Who is this gentleman? (pointing to WARADIN.) L. B. (In a bewildered voice.) This gentleman? He is ... I'm faint, and can say little. Oh!

(Apart.) Would that some speedy death would seal my lips

Before I speak again!

Ro. (Who has overheard.) Were I that Death,
I'd kiss, and keep thee dying many years.

Qu. Come hither Child. Whence are thy terrors? Why
Let us not read thee through and through: call

back

The blood into thy cheeks. Look up

thee.

and rouse

L. B. (Roused; looks steadfastly at the Queen for some time, then speaking in a short hurried voice.) I've said the truth.

Qu.

Thou hast not spoken, Fool!
Briefly acquaint our Council with the rank
Of this same cavalier?

L. B. (Looking wildly around.) Have I not? A sickness That takes me often, ties my tongue... What would you?

Qu. (In a low voice.)

Thou white abhorrence! answer to the Court.

L. B. You torture me.

Prince Andreas.

He is the King; or else

That is sure... too sure, alas!

Qu. You hear he is our Cousin, and your King.

WA. A word to that.

Qu.

What doubt'st thou?.. Sir, be seated.

WA. No, no: It cannot be.

Ro. (Aside.) Good! Good!.. to my wish!

(A pause of astonishment ensues.)

Qu. (Abruptly.) It cannot be! How? Wherefore? Who forbids?

WA. (Solemnly, after a deep silence.)

The laws! The laws of Hungary, unto which
The Prince is bond-slave as the meanest peasant.
Those laws of my glorious Sire, whose observance
Is a derivative from him to me

The whole world cannot aliene. Rather than
Shove by with tyrant hand, or wrest to my will
The scope of Ladislaus' edict, Heaven's my witness,
I would. . what, were that Patriot King alive,
He'd have the forehand of me.. rip my heart,

And drain it, till I reached that gout of blood
Guilty of treason to my native kingdom.

Qu. Wonder invades me. Prince, when I was bold
To bid you take your lineal place beside us,
'Twas in remembrance of the election left you
To reign the legal partner of my throne,
And governor of this poor person, which,
Such as it is, we do with joy commit

WA.

To your dear keeping. There we do yield our hand
With our heart in 't to your devotion ..... Ah!
Beshrew thine eyes that have forestalled our
bounty,

And hold my gift in bondage.

Honoured Cousin, . . Qu. Honoured? I shake! My brain eclipses, and Every slackened fibre in this frame

WA.

Portends an earthquake. Now Prince Andreas,

... Sir,

We'd hear you speak.

Vouchsafe enthroned Lady..

Qu. (Again interrupting him.)

WA.

Qu.

Hold, Sir;.. Big heart be still!.. Prove not to me
That we have been unchary of our honour..
Have shewn our soul too barely unto one,

That's unresponsive, . . Shun that rock, at your
peril!

I am calm, proceed.

My royal Cousin!

Cousin !

Well, yet take heed!.. I will contain myself. WA. That I do love my country, . . would serve her As her hereditary King, is true,

Could I so keep my faith untainted. He

Who knows my soul, knows I don't lack ambition.
How stands it then?

Since the laws chalk my way unto the crown,
Which I by grace of ancestry might challenge,
And which the sovereignty of my nature covets,
Did I leave unpluck'd the blazing marigold
To wear about my brains, you'd doubt I had none.
I am not touched with madness, yet I yield

My birthright up forthwith.

L. B. (Apart, in a low broken voice.) Oh! do not! do not. I never knew what the mad felt before;

That lightnings quivered in their veins, and struck Their hearts,... for I am mad beyond all doubt. Ro. It can't be true; and yet... would you dispense With the provident contract that your Father

made?

RA. Dear, my Lord,

Be counselled. By declining this alliance

You forfeit Hungary. Pause, and weigh the issue. WA. It cries for deliverance, my Ragotski. Nobles, Now in your sights, Her Highness, whom I honour, Begirt with winning charms to enamour, and Cry Paragon to the most consummate lady That nature in her happiest mood e'er framed, I straight release from all engagement to me. I note astonishment in every eye,

And most in thine.

Qu. (Haughtily.)

WA.

Thou blinder than the mole!
Best look again;

Thy optics are abused.
"Tis scorn thou view'st.
To the world's open view!

Work all thy folly up
Disclose the maid,

In whose comparison ourself and Realm
Are nothing worth.

Dear Lady! Gentle Cousin!
Pray as a sister entertain my love.

'Tis not the bent of a diseased hour,

The mind's enthusiasm, nor distaste of royalty,
As thou perchance may think it, that has wrought
To bid me act thus, but a firm fix'd purpose.
Oh Hungary! Thou art lost to me for ever.
No more the simple yearning of this heart
Shall gild the horizon with fine streaks like
sceptres,

And mock my inward eye with thrones of ether;
I have done with all the glorious shews of life.
How! Do I sigh? tis past: even with the thought
The thriftless breath is indistinct in air.
So shall I mingle with my fellow men .
One wave of myriads that beat themselves

Against the shore of the world, or break like
bubbles

Of foam upon the surge. And yet my soul,
It is a bitter apprehension that!

But the sharp pang is spent; here, even here,
I take my last leave of ambitious thoughts,
Which were more dear to me than aught save
heaven,..

Save Heaven and Beatrice! (rousing himself.)
I am but weak to dally with my purpose;
I'll do 't at once, and seal my plighted contract.
Be witness all, HERE I set up my empire,
And touch the height of earthly happiness
In seizing thee, (takes LADY B. by the hand,)
Thee, my own peerless love,
As my inheritance; . I fix my throne

Only within thy constant..... Oh! my tongue
Forsakes his office: I can only gaze.

Ro. (Aside.) Gaze on! Devour her all: Thou dost but

BA.

look

Through an eclipse, and know'st it not.

L. B. Earth gape, and gulf me quickly!

WA.

L. B.

WA.

Art light of brain with joy?

How's this?

Beatrice! Love,

Entangle me

In the swift whirlwind! Oh that I were wafted
Athwart the world! Sunk down to murky shades
Of everlasting night, where human eye
Can never penetrate!

Is this thing usual?

L. B. Will no one plunge me

From search of mortal sight in some deep lake?
In vain, I call upon the elements;

They're pure, and let me shiver in my shame.
(Covers her face with her hands and
stands paralyzed.)

WA. Beatrice! My life! My soul! My heart of

beauty!

What dost thou shrink at? I renounc'd my birthright,