University of Virginia Library

Fifth Act.

SCENE FIRST

—THE SULTAN'S TENT.
(In the interval between the Fourth and Fifth Act, the word “Mahomet” given; first heard near, and distinctly, from many voices; then dying away at a distance. Just before the scene draws for the Fifth Act, a discharge of several canon; then shouting and warlike music. The scene drawing discovers Mustapha in the Tent. The Sultan's Guards ranged on the outside of the Tent. Another discharge of cannon. The door of the inner tent opens: the Princess seen seated on a sofa, fainting, attendants supporting her.
MAHOMET,
(Coming forward, to the Attendants in the tent).
See, she attempts no deed of desperation.
(Door of the inner tent closes.)
Haste, call Chusanes.
(To one of the Guards.)
(To an Aga of the Guards.)
Aga! sound my charge,
That my ten thousand Spahies form their ranks.
(The Aga goes out.)
Day dawns too slowly for my fierce impatience.
Mustapha! thou must guard my tent, and watch
Over the life of this disdainful Princess:
Maddening with grief and rage, she, when our cannon
Open'd their brazen throats, feeling at once
Her Country's certain fate, with all the energy
Of deep despair, her bosom on the earth,
Invok'd her God, “By his dread Attribute
“Of fearful Justice, to assert himself,
“And curse me in the snare my falshood form'd.”
Grief shakes her frame almost to dissolution.
(The Sultan's Charge sounded.)
Soon as returning life comes to her cheek,
Be it thy care to impress her mind with hopes
Of winning mercy for her Country still,
If she but live. She must not dare to die,
Against my will. Death would impede my triumph
O'er these proud Huniads.
(Canon again.)
Roar on! and sweep
My foes from earth. Hark!!—

(The alarm word, “Duma,” from many voices. Mahomet takes his sabre from the throne. The alarm word again and again. Then, “Huniades,” from many voices.)

SCENE SECOND.

MAHOMET, MUSTAPHA, CHUSANES, AGAS AND JANIZARIES.
CHUSANES
(entering).
Arm! mighty Sultan! arm! Our troops are slaughter'd:
(Mahomet strikes his forehead.)
Caught in our own curs'd Toil. For when our fires
Blaz'd forth, they show'd our marshall'd foe prepar'd,
With battle-axe, and pointed spear uplift,
To hurl destruction with their wonted rage.
Our foremost dauntless fought, and bravely fell.
But all our valiant hosts at once gave way,
At the re-echoed shout of fierce Huniades:
They fly, like carded wool before the wind
At his approach, nor dare abide his presence.
Huniades is master of our trenches,
(Mahomet girds on his sabre.)
And our own cannon are against us fir'd:
The Oglani fly; all fly before Huniades;
And our own Fires light Him to victory.

MAHOMET
(drawing his Sabre).
Light Him! vile Slave! they shall light Me to vengeance.
(To an Aga.)
Give orders, that the troops in yonder grove
Move not, till I demand their aid; when wanted,
I'll send this signal to approach my standard.
(Showing the scabbard of his sabre.)
(The Aga goes out.)
(In a lower voice to Mustapha, showing an immense ruby Ring on his left hand.)
If I send this, give the Sultana poison.
(To an Aga.)
Unfurl our mighty Prophet's standard.—Follow!
(Addressing himself to all.)
And view the triumphs of my conquering Arm.

(A magnificent Green Standard unfurled; the Turkish Arms emblazoned in gold and precious stones. The Agas, as the standard is unfurled, draw their sabres.)
ONE OF THE AGAS.
Or Death, or Victory; lead, mighty Prince!

(Mahomet goes out, attended by Chusanes, the Agas, and the Janizaries. The standard borne before him.)

SCENE THIRD.

THE PRINCESS, MUSTAPHA, GUARDS.
(A loud shout heard.—A discharge of cannon. After which, the door of the inner tent opens.—The Princess enters with precipitation, as breaking from those within. The Guards retire from sight, when the Princess comes into the outer tent.
PRINCESS
(to Mustapha).
Where, Messenger of woe! where is thy Sultan?

MUSTAPHA.
Gone forth to lead the Faithful on to battle.

PRINCESS,

MUSTAPHA.
Restrain this tide of grief!

PRINCESS
(to Heaven).
Punish my guilt upon myself alone!—
(Cannon heard.)
—O infants! virgins! matrons! of Belgrade!
'Tis my transgression draws this ruin on you!
Then, curse the hand which to the spoiler gives you!
Perjur'd and lost Agmunda! Thou hast orphann'd
Thy country's helpless babes, widow'd her wives,
Hast forc'd her heroes on to certain death,
And made thy native Land, a land of slaves.

MUSTAPHA.
Your love may win the Sultan's heart to spare.

PRINCESS.
Spare!!—When his sword reeks in my Country's blood?
Corvinus lost, torn from my arms in wrath,
Why should I live, given to the fiend, I loathe?
His Wife! Distraction! Curs'd, curs'd, Mahomet's Wife!
Me Heaven itself forsakes;—
(pauses from grief.)
—a wretch, an outcast—
(With resolution bordering upon phrenzy.)
I'll face the injur'd heroes of my Land,
And perish by their swords.

(Going from the tent by the side on which she entered, when brought in by Abdalla.)
MUSTAPHA,
(Going between the Princess and the side scene).
(Cannon heard.)
You must not pass.
This way lies danger; here the battle rages.

PRINCESS,
With feigned composure, yet breathless from agitation.)
I heed not danger; let me view the fight.

MUSTAPHA.
Bright Sultaness! I cannot grant your prayer;
Beyond this Tent I dare not let you pass.

(She forces past him, he takes her in his arms, and brings her back.)
PRINCESS
(as Mustapha strives to prevent her going).
Detain me not!—
(When forced back.)
Inhuman Slave! unhand me!
(Cannon heard.)
O wretched Country! O Friends! Brother! Husband!
But I will join you.—
(She again attempts to go; Mustapha prevents her; and signs to the Guards, who advance & stop the passage.)
—Slave! swift palsy blast
Thy ruffian arm; unheard-of plagues torment thee.
Oh! may'st thou share the maddening pangs I feel,
And be so curs'd, thou canst not even die!

(A Slave advances through the Guards, and presents the Sultan's Ring to Mustapha, who starts with horrour at the sight of it.)
MUSTAPHA
(apart).
Why came he not himself?
(He whispers to a Slave, who retires; then signs to the Guards, who advance on both sides; their hands on their sabres.)
(Kneeling to the Princess.)
O peerless Woman!
Hard is my fate, to be again the messenger
Of woe, to seal thy Doom. The will of Heaven,
(The Slave appears with the cup of Poison; the Guards draw their sabres, and advance nearer to the Princess.)
And of my Master, must be done. Resistance
Would be in vain.
(Shows the Sultan's Ring.)
Your instant death he orders.

Mustapha rises, and takes the Cup of Poison from the Slave.
PRINCESS
(with rapture).
Bless'd sound!

MUSTAPHA.
This draught—

PRINCESS
(taking the Poison with great eagerness).
Is the Viaticum,
Which Heaven has sent. My deep contrition has
Acceptance found. Death is the sign of pardon.
Tyrant! thy crime is mercy to thy Victim.
Corvinus! husband of my heart! I join thee.
(She drinks the Poison; the Guards sheath their sabres, and retire.)
(Kneeling.)
All gracious Power! complete this bless'd deliverance.
Redeem my Country! and protect my Brother!
Forgive the frailties of my erring mind,
And let thy Peace, in this dread hour, support me!
(To Mustapha, rising.)
How long must I still live?

MUSTAPHA.
A little span;
This lowering dawn is thy whle sum of life;
The Sun will never rise for thee again.

PRINCESS.
Thou hast thyself to tread through Death's dark vale.
Anticipate that hour, when nature trembling,
E'en though resign'd, wants some sustaining friend.
Then think how bitterly that hour would linger,
To have about thy bed of death none other,
Than objects of thy hate, to see thee die,
To view thy last, sad pang, and close thy eyes.
Reflect on this, and pity Me. O, lead me!
Where, in vile chains, the good Campestran groans.
Though deep my anguish, and though fix'd my woes,
His prayers will calm my soul, and I shall die
Resign'd.

MUSTAPHA.
I grieve I cannot grant your wish.

PRINCESS
(with agitation).
Such cruelty excites—
(Stops short, repressing her anger.)
(Recovering her solemn composure.)
But what have I
To do with human passions now? The sorrows
Of my torn heart are just absolv'd. My soul,
Be firm; the peaceful sleep of friendly death
Medicines thy load of woes! Would I had where
To lay my weary head, till that sleep comes!

(The Princess retires into the inner Tent.)
(A discharge of Cannon, a confused noise, & shrieks heard.)

SCENE FOURTH.

MAHOMET, CHUSANES, ZOGANUS, AGAS, SPAHIES, JANIZARIES, MUSTAPHA, &c.
(Mahomet, wounded and exhausted, brought in by the Agas; a turban bound round him. The Agas support him; as he recovers, he struggles to shake them off; they still hold him.
CHUSANES.
All, Mustapha, is lost! Our Sultan wounded,
As thou seest, almost to death. Flight alone
Can be our refuge, in this wreck of fortune;
Only the Rear-Guard is yet unassail'd:
Let us with that retreat and save our Emperor.
'Twill be a bloody and a desperate service;
But better death than chains from Christian foes.

MAHOMET
(recovering).
Ye curs'd rebellious Slaves! give me a sabre!
I'll not retreat before these scoffing Christians.
Had I ten thousand lives, I'd give them all,
Rather than yield such triumph to my foes.
Let me not live, unless I live to glory.
(Struggling to get from them.)
Give me but arms;—I'll slay whole hecatombs;
And, if at last I fall, a trophy leave,
Such hosts of slain, as shall record, that Mahomet
With an unconquer'd spirit brav'd his fate.

CHUSANES.
Think of your wound.

MAHOMET.
Unhand me to revenge it.
Begone, ye recreant traitors! Christian Slaves!
(He bursts from them.)
Nor hope to chain the whirlwind of my rage:
I will have vengeance. Dastards! from the field,
Ye forc'd your prince; forc'd Mahomet to fly
Before a Christian Foe.

CHUSANES.
You were disarm'd,
Wounded, and fallen. Our Prophet frowns upon us,
And lets the Christians triumph.

MAHOMET.
Curse on his frowns .
Let him be satisfy'd to reign in Heaven;
And leave this world to me.—Why does he aid
These Christians? Man alone, could not achieve
Deeds like Huniades.—Think of his feats,
Since yester morn. Though I destroy'd my Fleet,
In hopes to stop his landing, in the teeth
Of half my troops he lands; swift mows his way
Athwart their serried ranks; flies through Belgrade;
Defeats my Army; storms my Camp; and turns
E'en my own Cannon 'gainst my flying Slaves.
Though Amurath fled hence, Gods! must I fly ?

(Strikes his forehead.)
CHUSANES.
But yesterday, his vaunted Son, Corvinus,
Whose fame transcends his own, fled from your arms.

MAHOMET.
By Heaven! that flight was great; great as the triumph
Of curs'd Huniades. Like a chaf'd Lion,
Did he not rush from his insulted lair,
Come forth, with a few hundred men, against
Embattled myriads? Were not our slain
Double the number of his band? With more
Than half his troops, went he not back, to tell
What he had dar'd? Flight call you that from 'midst
An army such as mine? 'Twas like a God,
Lancing his terrours, and then stepping back
To grasp more dreadful thunder 'gainst his foes.

MUSTAPHA.
The troops, in yonder grove, await your signal.
Submit to fate, retreat. Allow your judgment—

MAHOMET.
Give me a sabre, or I'll go unarm'd.

He attempts to go, crossing the stage to pass the Agas.)
MUSTAPHA
(to the Agas).
Friends! beyond men be bold to save your Sultan.

(Whispers to Chusanes and the Aga next him; the

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whisper circulated round. Chusanes, Mustapha and the Agas range themselves to prevent Mahomet's passing.)
CHUSANES
(raising his sabre).
Yes, gallant Mustapha!

MUSTAPHA.
Great Mahomet, hear me!
Let reason's voice now sway—

MAHOMET
(offering to go).
I will not hear it.—

MUSTAPHA,
(Drawing his sabre, and opposing his passage; Chusanes and the Agas at the same time raise theirs, and point them against Mahomet).
Then this— (lifting his sabre)
must make it beam upon thy mind:
Our Sabres reason with thy mad temerity.
Sultan! thou shalt not live to be a captive.
No Christian shall exulting give thee chains:
Thy faithful Slaves will end thee, and then die.
Mustapha's arm shall set the great example,
Pierce thy brave heart, then turn the reeking blade
Against his own.

(Trumpets sound an alarm, the Turks face about, surrounding their Sultan.)
Enter a Janizary.
JANIZARY.
Fly! Fly! Huniades has forc'd the Guard.

(A shout nearer, and a discharge of cannon; the Turks surround the Sultan.)
HUNIADES
(spoken behind the scene).
Rally the troops; for Mahomet is here.
Surround the tent. This fiend shall not escape me.

MUSTAPHA.
Guards! force the Sultan hence!—Save him, ye Faithful!
(Gives Mahomet his own sabre, and takes one from a Janizary.)
Deign to retreat; stay not to be a captive!

(The Janizaries force Mahomet back; Mustapha, Chusanes, Zoganus, range themselves before the Sultan, so as to face the Hungarians.)

SCENE FIFTH.

(A shout. HUNIADES enters, followed by VILACH and the Hungarians.)
HUNIADES.
Tyrant, thy fate, Huniades, is come!

(Mahomet bursts from the Janizaries. Huniades and he aim at each other: Mustapha catches upon his sabre the blow which Huniades strikes at Mahomet; by which means his sabre is struck from his hand, and the Hungarians make him prisoner. The Janizaries rush before Mahomet, those behind, force him back; Zoganus and Chusanes, retreating, oppose Huniades, still keeping between him and the Sultan, who is forced away.)
HUNIADES.
Stay, treacherous Infidel! Barbarian, fly not!

MAHOMET
(as he is forced away).
Huniades! Thy arm I still defy.

(Cannon and shouts.)

SCENE SIXTH.

HUNIADES, VILACH, MUSTAPHA, HUNGARIAN OFFICERS AND SOLDIERS.
VILACH
(stopping Huniades).
Your valour wings you to forget your orders;
“Not to pursue the Foe beyond the Camp.”

HUNIADES
(going).
Mahomet is here. My sword shall free mankind—

(Cannon on the side to which Huniades is going.)
VILACH.
Pursue him not. The cannon are come round;
(A discharge of cannon.)
Our soldiers fire upon the flying Sultan.

HUNIADES
(returning).
Prudence indeed forbids us the pursuit.
(Another discharge of cannon.)
What right good service has their Ordnance done us!
Mahomet may fall by his own dreadful enginery:
Some Heaven-sent shot may execute that justice,
Which Providence denies my trusty sword.

VILACH,
(Seeing Huniades lean fainting upon the Officer next to him).
General, you droop!—Your wounds I fear are mortal?
Alas! if great Huniades survive not,
Though the Turks quit the field, they conquer Us.
If you be lost, our hearts will be subdued.
Like dastards shall we fall, and not like men.

(The Soldiers who fought against the Turks when Mahomet is forced away, return with the royal Turkish standard.)
HUNIADES
(looking at the standard).
Belgrade is sav'd. Grieve not for me, my friend!
I thought my death, though certain, not thus near.
Think not of me, the Princess claims your aid:
Unless found here, brave Friends! pursue the foe,
At any risk.

MUSTAPHA
(pointing to the inner tent).
She is within that tent.

HUNIADES
(extremely faint).
Thanks for her safety, Heaven! That care is o'er.

VILACH.
Oh! must this Day be mention'd but with tears!
These wondrous acts be told but to record,
How much this day we lose, in losing thee?

HUNIADES.
Bathe not our laurels with your tears, my Friends!
Our Virgins, Matrons, Children, Sires, are sav'd;
Rejoice! Exult! We fought, we bled, we conquer'd.
The glorious work of Freedom is achiev'd,
Yon field is won. The struggle is no more.
From Infidels our Country is redeem'd,
Our infant King in safety wears his Crown.

(Sinks faint.)
VILACH.
Must our bright Sun, in his meridian blaze,
Be veil'd in night? his light and warmth withdrawn,
His course of glory stemm'd in mid career?

HUNIADES
(reviving).
(Rises.)

VILACH.
Hard is the task to follow thee in fame.
But must I leave thee thus, struggling with death?

HUNIADES.
Companion of my Wars! my brother! friend!
We yet shall meet again.

VILACH.
Heaven grant we may!

SCENE SEVENTH.

HUNIADES, MUSTAPHA, OFFICERS AND SOLDIERS.
HUNIADES.
Retire, my friends! withdraw your noble prisoner;
Guard him; and give him honourable treatment.
(To Mustapha.)
Brave I esteem thee, though thou art my captive.
Say, is Campestran in these Tents?

MUSTAPHA.
He is.
O gen'rous Christian! when my deeds are known,
Revenge will take my life. But I have sav'd
My Prince; and, on such terms, death is most welcome.

(Exit guarded.)
(Exeunt Hungarian Soldiers.)

SCENE EIGHTH.

HUNIADES, THE PRINCESS.
HUNIADES
(going towards the tent).
Oh! that my King had but Agmunda's virtues!
Child as he is, he then would grace a throne;
And give transcendent hopes of future fame.
Agmunda!

(Huniades opens the door of the inner tent; the Princess discovered kneeling.)
PRINCESS,
(Starting, and looking with astonishment at Huniades.)
Hah!

HUNIADES.
The Victory is ours.

PRINCESS.
Ours??—Heavens! Speak! speak again! but say 'tis Ours!

HUNIADES.
Yes; Victory indeed is ours. I come
To guard you back, in triumph, to Belgrade.

(The Princess rises, and comes panting and much agitated to Huniades; looking very earnestly, and rather wildly, at him. He supports and leads her forward to the front of the stage. She falls at his feet, attempting to speak, but is unable.)
PRINCESS.
Oh!

HUNIADES.
By fear bereav'd of sense! she knows me not.
(Huniades throws away his helmet.)
Huniades, thy friend, thy Guardian, saves thee;
Thy Father's old, grey-headed, faithful Servant.

PRINCESS.
I know thee well; thou art the guardian genius
Of this freed land,—Heaven's delegate,—Huniades!

HUNIADES.
Why, Princess! dost thou kneel? For Heaven's sake, rise!

(Raises her.)
PRINCESS.
I swore an oath to Thee, which Heaven attested,
When thy persuasion, arm'd against my peace,
Fatally triumph'd o'er my ductile mind.
I am forsworn. For yester-morn my faith
Was, at the Altar, plighted to thy Son.
I knelt for pardon, for this breach of Oath,
Which, thou forgiving, I then shall hope
Heaven will remit hereafter punishment;
And its retributory justice end,
When my vex'd spirit quits its mortal clay.

HUNIADES.
O Princess! pardon me, that I exacted
An Oath, so fatal to thy peace. State policy,
Combin'd with honest zeal, to fix the Crown
Safe on thy Brother's brow, made me unjust.
I curb'd the dearest wishes of my heart,
Silenc'd ambition and parental love,
To serve my Country, and protect my King.
May Heaven, and you, forgive the erring zeal
Which wrought the ill thy conscience thus deplores.
But I must now rejoice; and Heaven be witness,
Pride of my soul! admir'd, belov'd Agmunda!
How much I glory, that thou art my Daughter.
Exalted Princess! may these faithful arms—

PRINCESS
(falling on his neck).
My Father! from my cradled infancy,
Thou kindly hast supply'd my Parent's loss;
And I have lov'd thee with a daughter's love.
But, ah! that scarf? (to Heaven.)
O, spare Huniades!

HUNIADES.
Huniades is bless'd, beyond his hopes!
Not quiring Angels could impart more peace,
Chaunting a Requiem to my parting soul,
Than the dear comfort that thy pious hand,
Most gracious Princess! will perform a Child's
Last duty—close my eyes.

PRINCESS.
That Heaven forbids;
For, by the Sultan's order, I am poison'd.

HUNIADES.
Poison'd? O my lov'd Princess! O my child!
My ill-starr'd zeal expos'd thee to this fate.
Blood-thirsty fiend! my vengeance shall o'ertake him.
Arnulph!
(going to the side scene, an Officer appears.)
Fly to Belgrade for ev'ry help
Which poison can expel. The Princess—fly—

(Exit Arnulph.)
PRINCESS.
Oh! send him not; there is no aid for Me.
The tyrant's ruffians know too well the trade
Of death, to give a drug that has an antidote.
I would not live. What has the bride of Mahomet
To do with life?

(Huniades starts with surprise and horrour.)
HUNIADES.
The Bride of Mahomet?
The Sultan's Bride? Didst thou not wed my Son?

PRINCESS.
Yes! the last, fatal day saw me his Bride,
His Widow—and the inhuman Sultan's Wife.
When tidings came that thy brave Son was slain;
In hopes to save the People from destruction,
I gave my hand to this infernal spoiler.
But first, he kneeling, swore to save Belgrade,
And give my Country honourable peace.
Betray'd, forlorn, of ev'ry hope bereft,
Save, to protect Belgrade from Fire and Sword,
I gave myself a Victim for the Many;
Sav'd, at that price, my gallant Husband's corpse,
From those vile insults which the tyrant threaten'd.
I gave my hand a ransom for his dust;
Thus bought a Grave, which fate had curs'd me so,
I could not share; for I was sworn to live.
The miracle which Heaven has wrought to save us
By sending Thee, whom I had mourn'd as dead,
Was beyond thought. Hope of deliv'rance perish'd
When dear Corvinus died.

HUNIADES,
(Goes to the side scene, and speaks to an Officer).
Surround the Tent.
Nor suffer any, above the Rank of Soldier,
To enter here.

PRINCESS,
(Following Huniades, and drawing him back).
Stay with me, till the strife
Is past. Forsake me not, in death's dread hour.
My woes hang heavy on my parting soul.

HUNIADES
(with much emotion).
They will embitter my last hours of life.

PRINCESS,
(Her eyes fixed wildly upon Huniades, taking his hand).
Do not grieve thus: see, I am calm, unmov'd,
Patient, amidst these horrours, and sedate.

HUNIADES
(aside).
Heavens! madly calm, and dreadfully sedate.

PRINCESS.
Alas! this poison gives a cruel death,
Fierce pangs, and sad, wild thoughts—
(Holding up her hands in a supplicating manner.)
Forsake me not!

(During this speech, Huniades is much agitated. The Princess hangs upon his arm: he turns from her to hide his tears, covering his face with his hand. When she says, with a voice of heart-piercing anguish, “forsake me not,” Huniades clasps her in his arms.)
HUNIADES.
Forsake thee!—
(Pauses from grief.)
Angel sufferer!—not for worlds.
Were I a spirit beatify'd, I'd pray
To quit the realms of bliss, to be thy comforter.

PRINCESS.
Then thou wilt calm the terrours of this hour.
(With transient joy.)
My Country is redeem'd, the People sav'd.
And thou, their Champion, com'st to soothe my soul.
Let the same earth entomb me with thy Son.
(With wild emotion.)
Think—how I love his dear, his sacred dust,
When, at such hellish price, I bought that dust
A Grave:—Shall I not share it?—Am I poison'd?
Death's icy hand arrests me; that, that consoles me.—
My troubled brain rolls like a sea of fire.
My heart heaves cold, damp sighs, which freeze my lips.
(Strives to recollect.)
All is confusion—strange thoughts come—they're gone—
Spare me a moment, Heaven! Avert these horrours;
Divide us not in death—
(Clasping the hand of Huniades.)
Give us one Grave.
(With recollection and something of composure.)
Tell to the people, how I strove to save them.
Tell them to love my Brother, for my sake.
Reward my servants—I—forgive my Uncle,
Wicked, unprincely man!

HUNIADES.
Whate'er thy wrongs,
They have been well aveng'd; for when Belgrade
Open'd her gates to Me, he had just suffer'd
Death, by Zilugo's sword.

PRINCESS.
Forgive him, Heaven!
This poison's terrible; it warps my mind,
Benumbs its firmness; like a wither'd limb
Its active energy is lost and gone.
I wish for death; yet I feel terrour at it,—
I know not why; horrour more fearful to me,
Than midnight silence, when cold, breathless fear
Suspends the labouring soul in dread expectance
Of a fell murderer's stab,—the bloody hand
Uplift to strike—
(She looks wildly, as if she saw what she describes, shrinking from it.)
(Grasping Huniades' arm.)
Speak to me! hold me!
(Lays her head on his shoulder.)
Hide me!
The quiv'ring earth disparts—the chasm yawns for me.
(Sinks into the arms of Huniades, gasping with terrour; and struggling for support.)
Support me—save me—Oh!

HUNIADES.
Though not for life,
Heaven! let her virtues plead for peaceful rest.

PRINCESS
(breaking from Huniades).
Here is no rest for Me. I cannot rest.
The ground flies from me.
(Leans on Huniades.)
Oh! it looks so dreadfully.
(Her hand held up a moment, as if to hide the ground from her sight.)
What flames of sparkling fire! Are these my punishment?

HUNIADES.
No; thou sweet excellence! The poison now
Exerts its baleful powers, and clouds thy sight.

PRINCESS.
I hope 'tis that—But yet, I have my senses;
(Looking at him.)
You are Huniades—This (looking round)
is the Tent;
'Tis Hell, it is all flames: and what am I?

(She flies wildly from Huniades.)
HUNIADES
(following her, and taking her hand).
Agmunda soon will be a radiant Angel,
Her Virtues all rewarded.

PRINCESS
(withdrawing his hold.)
Where's the dagger?
No! no! I prize it for the Giver's sake—
Mark me, Campestran! I'll not kill myself.
Corvinus is in Heaven—I would go to him.—

HUNIADES
(taking her hand).
Be calm!

PRINCESS
(breaking from him).
Bid calmness come! does it obey thee?
And can a mind distracted, ruin'd, calm
Despair. Oh! when I am most mute 'tis worst.
Bid me not think:—for then—I ponder mischief
Against myself; and I would go to Heaven;
Therefore no mischief.—Fain I'd bide the storm.—
Speak comfort, say my heart has it's death's wound.
(Going close up to Huniades, & speaking in a low voice.)
I swore an Oath to make myself a wretch;
Then the shaft pierc'd me: sure, though slow, it glided
To my inmost life; and this day—sends it home.

(Noise.)
CORVINUS
(without).
Hither I hew'd my path; and I will enter.

(Huniades shews much horrour and distress at hearing his Son's voice.)
PRINCESS,
(Panting with terrour, taking hold of Huniades).
Hark! Mahomet! Mahomet comes!! Where shall I fly?
Earth, ope thy caverns! Heaven, thy thunder lance!
O Death! unbar thy thousand gates to hide me.
Have mercy, Heaven! Campestran! kneel, and pray,
Some miracle may save me from this infidel.
(Huniades supports her.)
(To Heaven, with outstretched hands.)
Release my tortur'd soul! O, take me! take me!

(She sinks into the arms of Huniades.)

SCENE NINTH.

CORVINUS, HUNIADES, THE PRINCESS.
CORVINUS.
Agmunda! dear Agmunda! why this terrour?

PRINCESS
(raising herself, and looking round).
What voice is that?

HUNIADES
(keeping between the Princess and his Son).
There is no voice, Agmunda!
It is the Poison hurts thy mind.

CORVINUS.
Hah! Poison.

PRINCESS.
That voice! (looking.)
It has his form! I think it has.
Look you!

(Hides her face on Huniades.)
HUNIADES
(aside to his Son).
For Heaven's sake go!
(To the Princess.)
'Tis thy wild thoughts;
There's no one near the tent,—but thou and I.

PRINCESS.
No! I hope not—The vision comes to Me.
Thou canst not see it.
(Corvinus approaches.)
Thou shalt have a Grave.
Oh!

(She averts, with her hand, the approach of Corvinus, who takes her outstretched hand; she manifests, by the horrour of her looks, first turned to Huniades, then on Corvinus, that she knows how fatally she has been deceived by the account of his death: and, with a piercing groan, dies.
CORVINUS.
Alas! she faints!

HUNIADES.
My Son! that groan was death.

CORVINUS,
(Attempting to draw his sword, Huniades prevents him.)
Detain me not. Tell not the tale of horrour
That swells thy heart—and let this give me peace.

(Again attempts to draw his sword, Huniades prevents him.)
HUNIADES.
Hope not for peace through unpermitted means,
And dread—for thy particular self, Corvinus!
With wholesome fear, and stand in awe, that Heaven
Its Mercy veils, when the self-murderer pleads.
On my grey hairs avenge not thy distress.
The grave awaits me; bid me not go down to it
With added grief,—with fear,—with trembling agony,
That thy rash act, for ever, may divide us.
My Son!

(Clasps his arms about Corvinus.)
CORVINUS.
Oh! do not speak. I will not live.
(Huniades unclasps his arms, & retires a step from him.)
I have no use for life.

HUNIADES
(rather sternly).
A wounded Father,
Son! claims thy pious care. Thy life, and sword,
Thy injur'd Country, and thy King demand.
(In a softened voice.)
Agmunda's wrongs claim vengeance from my Son.
(Corvinus rouses; he kneels and takes hold of Agmunda's hand, as if he were swearing to avenge her wrongs.)
She lov'd thee well. (Corvinus rises.)
She lov'd thee for thy valour.
If like a coward, now thou fly'st the field
Of life, Agmunda will in Heaven know care.
Continue what she lov'd, a dauntless Hero,
Firm midst the dangers of terrific war,
Or the stern trials of domestic woe.
Joyless thyself, yet live for others bliss.
O, grant him, Heaven! the patience thou reward'st;
Preserve this comfort for my hour of death,
When I no longer fight my Country's cause,
To know, I leave her Champion in my Son.

(Leans on Corvinus.)