University of Virginia Library

SCENE II.

The Assembly of the States.
1st L.
That the King means this day to join the army
Is then no longer doubted?

Elm.
No, my Lord.

1st Ld.
May health and safety wait upon his person!

2d Ld.
May fortune never cross his generous labours,
But victory and triumph bring him home!

Elm.
So please just Heaven! 'Tis the devoutest wish
Of every honest heart in Hungary.

To them enter King, Bathori, Attendants. King taking a Seat of State.
K.
You Nobles, and you Deputies of Hungary,
And you confederate States that own our scepter,
Know, I this day depart for Palestine:
Where, like a mourning matron, by her sons
Neglected or forgot in her distress,
Lyes sacred Sion, captived and profaned.
But ere I name the Regent of my Kingdoms,
Which you shall witness, and, I trust, applaud;
I greet, with heart-felt joy, your wise election
Of Elmerick, first Palatine of Hungary:
The Conservator of your laws and rights,
Guardian of Liberty, and Judge of Power.
His manly virtues answer my big thought,
And give full vigour to the awful title:
Wisdom consummate in the fire of youth,
The hardiest valour join'd with soft compassion,
And justice never to be brib'd or awed—

Elm.
My life's poor labours never can deserve
My Country's favour, or my Sov'reign's praise.
And O perpetual source of bounteous virtue,
Who but a King, whose wide expanding heart
Feels a whole people's bliss, humanely great,
Wisely ambitious, e'er, benignant, plan'd,
In his high soaring thought, so large a gift;
Gave to a subject right to judge his acts,
And say to sov'reign power—Here shalt Thou stay?

K.
What we have thought of Regal Government,
Its bounds and end, I hope our reign has witness'd.
To make a People wretched, to entail
The curse of bondage on their drooping race,
Can add no joy to sense, can sooth no passion
That hath its seat in nature—May reproach
Sound through the loathing world his guilty name
Who dares attempt it.—What can be his motive,
Whom long descent, or a free People's love,
Has raised an earthly God, so to degrade
Himself, and take the office of a Fiend!—
Too foul mistake!—Let me aspire to glory
By glorious means! To have my reign illustrious,
The theme of loud-tongued fame and ecchoing Nations,
May it give birth to an eternal Æra,
And be the happy date when Publick Liberty
Receiv'd its last perfection!

Bath.
Matchless King!
How shall thy subjects pay this God-like gift!

K.
Defend it as your lives—Said I your lives?
That's poor, and far unworthy its importance;
Defend it as you wou'd your fame and virtue.
And if, hereafter, some ill-judging Monarch
Invade your rights with bold oppressive power;
Under the conduct of your Palatine,
Repel by Legal Force the known injustice,
And place the sacred crown of holy Stephen,
Thus forfeited and impiously prophaned,
On some more worthy head. (Pauses)
—All gracious Heaven!
Affection melts their hearts—There's not an eye
But swells with tears in all this great Assembly.
The active warmth of youth, the cool experience
Of venerable age, the statesman's wisdom,
And hardy soldier's courage, overcome
By obligation, melt to infant softness,
And speechless tears.

Bath.
O gracious Monarch!

1st Ld.
Father!

Elm.
Glory, and Guardian Angel of our country!

K.
Why, let the envious call this flattery,
Unmanly art! to which unhappy slaves
Are forced to form their lips—You need it not—
My last, just care has made it useless to you.

Elm.
When gratitude o'erflows the swelling heart,
And breaths in free and uncorrupted praise
For benefits received; propitious Heaven
Takes such acknowledgment as fragrant incense,
And doubles all its blessings.

K.
'Tis enough—
The powerful theme had sway'd my glowing thought
From the important business of this day,
Which claims your high attention—I shall now
Repose the Sov'reign Power in proper hands,
During the war I wage in Palestine.

Elm.
May Heaven direct your choice!
For what is law more than the breathless form
Of some fall'n Hero, spiritless and cold,
To be despis'd and trampled on at pleasure
By every bold offender; unless steady
And vig'rous execution give it life.

K.
'Tis justly urged, my Lord, and you yourself
Shall in my absence guard it from contempt
By vigorous execution. Take the sword,
And bear it not in vain.—Shou'd any dare,
Presuming on their birth or place for safety,
Disturb my subjects peace with bold injustice;
Let no consideration hold your hand,
As you shall answer it to me and Heaven:
Think well how I would act, or ought to act,
Were I in person here, and do it for me.

Elm.
An awful trust, my Liege, and strongly urged:
And while I rule your realm, shou'd some bold crime
Demand the righteous rigour you enjoin;
May Heaven deal with me, as I shall discharge
With faithfulness and courage, or neglect,
Through treachery or fear, the painful duty.

K.
Unbless'd a King, whose self-reproaching heart
Ne'er, calm, reposes on a subject's virtue!
Thank Heaven, I am not such: I taste the safe,
The generous joys of confidence well placed.
With you, brave Elmerick, the States have lodg'd
Their noblest right, and I dare trust my crown.
But there is yet a dearer, tenderer charge,
And let me recommend, ere I dismiss you,
[Turning to the States.
More than my crown, my Queen to your affections.
I go, once more, to take my last adieu,
Then lead my hallow'd banners to the East.

[Exeunt.