 | Huniades ; or the Seige of Belgrade |  |
SCENE FOURTH.
CORVINUS, THE GOVERNOR MICHAEL ZILUGO.ZILUGO.
Ulrick's ambition plans to seize the crown;
But thou wilt guard it for its trembling master.
31
May Heaven forsake me, when I him forsake.
Bred up my foe, yet still he is my King:
And could ambition warp my sworn allegiance,
A panoply invulnerable guards him,
Which courage, or which honour ne'er assails;
Namely—his helpless state,—sacred to me
As sainted shrines, nor dare I to invade it.
ZILUGO.
O more than monarch, princely-minded youth!
Worthy to mount that throne thy temperance shuns.
More glorious thus to guard a crown than wear it.
The spirit of Huniades lives in thee,
O Son, most worthy of thy godlike Father!
Thou know'st my heart; say how I best may serve thee.
CORVINUS.
Haste, join the assembled Council, and oppose
With all your influence this hated marriage.
Speak my great Father's claim to ev'ry aid,
E'en to the last, brave man the State can raise:
Speak for a friend, a patriot, and a Son,
With all a friend's, a Son's, a patriot's, zeal.
But should'st thou fail in these, protract the council;
A moment now is worth an age hereafter.
ZILUGO.
I to the Council will prefer your suit.
32
Campestran comes. Hail, saintly warrior!
Advise, assist us, in this hour of fate,
To save a Throne, a Kingdom, and a Friend.
(Zilugo goes out.)
| Huniades ; or the Seige of Belgrade | |