Chapter LXXXV: Act IV: Scene I (1)

_A glade in a wood. Enter CASIMIR looking anxiously around._

_Casimir._ This needs must be the spot! O, here he comes!

_Enter LORD RUDOLPH._

Well met, Lord Rudolph!----
Your whisper was not lost upon my ear,
And I dare trust--

_Lord Rudolph._ Enough! the time is precious!
You left Temeswar late on yester-eve? 5
And sojourned there some hours?

_Casimir._ I did so!

_Lord Rudolph._ Heard you
Aught of a hunt preparing?

_Casimir._ Yes; and met
The assembled huntsmen!

_Lord Rudolph._ Was there no word given?

_Casimir._ The word for me was this:--The royal Leopard
Chases thy milk-white dedicated Hind. 10

_Lord Rudolph._ Your answer?

_Casimir._ As the word proves false or true
Will Casimir cross the hunt, or join the huntsmen!

_Lord Rudolph._ The event redeemed their pledge?

_Casimir._ It did, and
therefore
Have I sent back both pledge and invitation.
The spotless Hind hath fled to them for shelter, 15
And bears with her my seal of fellowship! [_They take hands._

_Lord Rudolph._ But Emerick! how when you reported to him
Sarolta's disappearance, and the flight
Of Bethlen with his guards?

_Casimir._ O he received it
As evidence of their mutual guilt. In fine, 20
With cozening warmth condoled with, and dismissed me.

_Lord Rudolph._ I entered as the door was closing on you:
His eye was fixed, yet seemed to follow you,--
With such a look of hate, and scorn and triumph,
As if he had you in the toils already, 25
And were then choosing where to stab you first.
But hush! draw back!

_Casimir._ This nook is at the furthest
From any beaten track.

_Lord Rudolph._ There! mark them!

[_Points to where LASKA and PESTALUTZ cross the Stage._

_Casimir._ Laska!

_Lord Rudolph._ One of the two I recognized this morning;
His name is Pestalutz: a trusty ruffian 30
Whose face is prologue still to some dark murder.
Beware no stratagem, no trick of message,
Dispart you from your servants.

_Casimir (aside)._ I deserve it.
The comrade of that ruffian is my servant:
The one I trusted most and most preferred. 35
But we must part. What makes the king so late?
It was his wont to be an early stirrer.

_Lord Rudolph._ And his main policy.
To enthral the sluggard nature in ourselves
Is, in good truth, the better half of the secret
To enthral the world: for the will governs all. 40
See, the sky lowers! the cross-winds waywardly
Chase the fantastic masses of the clouds
With a wild mockery of the coming hunt!

_Casimir._ Mark yonder mass! I make it wear the shape
Of a huge ram that butts with head depressed. 45

_Lord Rudolph (smiling)._ Belike, some stray sheep of the oozy
flock,
Which, if bards lie not, the Sea-shepherds tend,
Glaucus or Proteus. But my fancy shapes it
A monster couchant on a rocky shelf.

_Casimir._ Mark too the edges of the lurid mass-- 50
Restless, as if some idly-vexing Sprite,
On swift wing coasting by, with tetchy hand
Pluck'd at the ringlets of the vaporous Fleece.
These are sure signs of conflict nigh at hand,
And elemental war!

[_A single trumpet heard at some distance._

_Lord Rudolph._ That single blast 55
Announces that the tyrant's pawing courser
Neighs at the gate. [_Trumpets._
Hark! now the king comes forth!
For ever 'midst this crash of horns and clarions
He mounts his steed, which proudly rears an-end
While he looks round at ease, and scans the crowd, 60
Vain of his stately form and horsemanship!
I must away! my absence may be noticed.

_Casimir._ Oft as thou canst, essay to lead the hunt
Hard by the forest-skirts; and ere high noon
Expect our sworn confederates from Temeswar. 65
I trust, ere yet this clouded sun slopes westward,
That Emerick's death, or Casimir's, will appease
The manes of Zapolya and Kiuprili! [_Exit RUDOLPH._
The traitor, Laska!----
And yet Sarolta, simple, inexperienced, 70
Could see him as he was, and often warned me.
Whence learned she this?--O she was innocent!
And to be innocent is Nature's wisdom!
The fledge-dove knows the prowlers of the air,
Feared soon as seen, and flutters back to shelter. 75
And the young steed recoils upon his haunches,
The never-yet-seen adder's hiss first heard.
O surer than Suspicion's hundred eyes
Is that fine sense, which to the pure in heart,
By mere oppugnancy of their own goodness, 80
Reveals the approach of evil. Casimir!
O fool! O parricide! through yon wood did'st thou,
With fire and sword, pursue a patriot father,
A widow and an orphan. Dar'st thou then
(Curse-laden wretch) put forth these hands to raise 85
The ark, all sacred, of thy country's cause?
Look down in pity on thy son, Kiuprili!
And let this deep abhorrence of his crime,
Unstained with selfish fears, be his atonement!
O strengthen him to nobler compensation 90
In the deliverance of his bleeding country! [_Exit CASIMIR._

_Scene changes to the mouth of a Cavern, as in Act II. ZAPOLYA and GLYCINE discovered._

_Zapolya._ Our friend is gone to seek some safer cave:
Do not then leave me long alone, Glycine!
Having enjoyed thy commune, loneliness,
That but oppressed me hitherto, now scares. 95

_Glycine._ I shall know Bethlen at the furthest distance,
And the same moment I descry him, lady,
I will return to you. [_Exit GLYCINE._

[_Enter OLD BATHORY, speaking as he enters._

_Old Bathory._ Who hears? A friend!
A messenger from him who bears the signet!

_Zapolya._ He hath the watch-word!--Art thou not Bathory? 100

_Old Bathory._ O noble lady! greetings from your son!

[_BATHORY kneels._

_Zapolya._ Rise! rise! Or shall I rather kneel beside thee,
And call down blessings from the wealth of Heaven
Upon thy honoured head? When thou last saw'st me
I would full fain have knelt to thee, and could not, 105
Thou dear old man! How oft since then in dreams
Have I done worship to thee, as an angel
Bearing my helpless babe upon thy wings!

_Old Bathory._ O he was born to honour! Gallant deeds
And perilous hath he wrought since yester-eve. 110
Now from Temeswar (for to him was trusted
A life, save thine, the dearest) he hastes hither--

_Zapolya._ Lady Sarolta mean'st thou?

_Old Bathory._ She is safe.
The royal brute hath overleapt his prey,
And when he turned, a sworded Virtue faced him. 115
My own brave boy--O pardon, noble lady!
Your son----

_Zapolya._ Hark! Is it he?

_Old Bathory._ I hear a voice
Too hoarse for Bethlen's! 'Twas his scheme and hope,
Long ere the hunters could approach the forest,
To have led you hence.--Retire.

_Zapolya._ O life of terrors! 120

_Old Bathory._ In the cave's mouth we have such 'vantage ground
That even this old arm--

[_Exeunt ZAPOLYA and BATHORY into the cave._

_Enter LASKA and PESTALUTZ._

_Laska._ Not a step further!

_Pestalutz._ Dastard! was this your promise to the king?

_Laska._ I have fulfilled his orders. Have walked with you
As with a friend: have pointed out Lord Casimir: 125
And now I leave you to take care of him.
For the king's purposes are doubtless friendly.

_Pestalutz._ Be on your guard, man!

_Laska._ Ha! what now?

_Pestalutz._ Behind you!
'Twas one of Satan's imps, that grinned and threatened you
For your most impudent hope to cheat his master! 130

_Laska._ Pshaw! What! you think 'tis fear that makes me leave you?

_Pestalutz._ Is't not enough to play the knave to others,
But thou must lie to thine own heart?

_Laska._ Friend! Laska will be found at his own post,
Watching elsewhere for the king's interest. 135
There's a rank plot that Laska must hunt down,
'Twixt Bethlen and Glycine!

_Pestalutz._ What! the girl
Whom Laska saw the war-wolf tear in pieces?

_Laska._ Well! Take my arms! Hark! should your javelin fail you,
These points are tipt with venom. [_Seeing GLYCINE without._
By Heaven! Glycine! 140
Now as you love the king, help me to seize her!

[_They run out after GLYCINE. Enter BATHORY from the
cavern._

_Old Bathory._ Rest, lady, rest! I feel in every sinew
A young man's strength returning! Which way went they?
The shriek came thence. [_Enter GLYCINE._

_Glycine._ Ha! weapons here? Then, Bethlen, thy Glycine 145
Will die with thee or save thee!

[_She seizes them and rushes out. BATHORY following.
Music, and_ Peasants _with hunting spears cross
the stage, singing chorally._

CHORAL SONG

Up, up! ye dames, ye lasses gay!
To the meadows trip away.
'Tis you must tend the flocks this morn,
And scare the small birds from the corn. 150
Not a soul at home may stay:
For the shepherds must go
With lance and bow
To hunt the wolf in the woods to-day.

Leave the hearth and leave the house 155
To the cricket and the mouse:
Find grannam out a sunny seat,
With babe and lambkin at her feet.
Not a soul at home may stay:
For the shepherds must go 160
With lance and bow
To hunt the wolf in the woods to-day.

[_Exeunt_ Huntsmen.

_Re-enter BATHORY, BETHLEN, and GLYCINE._

_Glycine._ And now once more a woman----

_Bethlen._ Was it then
That timid eye, was it those maiden hands
That sped the shaft, which saved me and avenged me? 165

_Old Bathory._ 'Twas as a vision blazoned on a cloud
By lightning, shaped into a passionate scheme
Of life and death! I saw the traitor, Laska,
Stoop and snatch up the javelin of his comrade;
The point was at your back, when her shaft reached him. 170
The coward turned, and at the self-same instant
The braver villain fell beneath your sword.

[_Enter ZAPOLYA._

_Zapolya._ Bethlen! my child! and safe too!

_Bethlen._ Mother! Queen.
Royal Zapolya! name me Andreas!
Nor blame thy son, if being a king, he yet 175
Hath made his own arm minister of his justice.
So do the gods who launch the thunderbolt!

_Zapolya._ O Raab Kiuprili! Friend! Protector! Guide!
In vain we trenched the altar round with waters,
A flash from Heaven hath touched the hidden incense-- 180

_Bethlen._ And that majestic form that stood beside thee
Was Raab Kiuprili!

_Zapolya._ It was Raab Kiuprili;
As sure as thou art Andreas, and the king.

_Old Bathory._ Hail Andreas! hail my king!

_Andreas._ Stop, thou revered one,
Lest we offend the jealous destinies 185
By shouts ere victory. Deem it then thy duty
To pay this homage, when 'tis mine to claim it.

_Glycine._ Accept thine hand-maid's service! [_Kneeling._

_Zapolya._ Raise her, son!
O raise her to thine arms! she saved thy life,
And through her love for thee, she saved thy mother's! 190
Hereafter thou shalt know, that this dear maid
Hath other and hereditary claims
Upon thy heart, and with Heaven guarded instinct
But carried on the work her sire began!

_Andreas._ Dear maid! more dear thou canst not be! the rest 195
Shall make my love religion. Haste we hence:
For as I reached the skirts of this high forest,
I heard the noise and uproar of the chase,
Doubling its echoes from the mountain foot.

_Glycine._ Hark! sure the hunt approaches.

[_Horn without, and afterwards distant thunder._

_Zapolya._ O Kiuprili! 200

_Old Bathory._ The demon-hunters of the middle air
Are in full cry, and scare with arrowy fire
The guilty! Hark! now here, now there, a horn
Swells singly with irregular blast! the tempest
Has scattered them! [_Horns at a distance._

_Zapolya._ O Heavens! where stays Kiuprili? 205

_Old Bathory._ The wood will be surrounded! leave me here.

_Andreas._ My mother! let me see thee once in safety.
I too will hasten back, with lightning's speed,
To seek the hero!

_Old Bathory._ Haste! my life upon it
I'll guide him safe.

_Andreas (thunder)._ Ha! what a crash was there! 210
Heaven seems to claim a mightier criminal
Than yon vile subaltern.

_Zapolya._ Your behest, High powers,
Lo, I obey! To the appointed spirit,
That hath so long kept watch round this drear cavern,
In fervent faith, Kiuprili, I entrust thee! 215

[_Exeunt ZAPOLYA, ANDREAS, and GLYCINE._

_Old Bathory._ Yon bleeding corse may work us mischief still:
Once seen, 'twill rouse alarm and crowd the hunt
From all parts towards this spot. Stript of its armour,
I'll drag it hither.

[_Exit BATHORY. Several_ Hunters _cross the Stage.
Enter KIUPRILI._

_Raab Kiuprili (throwing off his disguise)._ Since Heaven alone
can save me, Heaven alone 220
Shall be my trust.
Haste! haste! Zapolya, flee!
Gone! Seized perhaps? Oh no, let me not perish
Despairing of Heaven's justice! Faint, disarmed,
Each sinew powerless; senseless rock, sustain me!
Thou art parcel of my native land!
A sword! 225
Ha! and my sword! Zapolya hath escaped,
The murderers are baffled, and there lives
An Andreas to avenge Kiuprili's fall!--
There was a time, when this dear sword did flash
As dreadful as the storm-fire from mine arm-- 230
I can scarce raise it now--yet come, fell tyrant!
And bring with thee my shame and bitter anguish,
To end his work and thine! Kiuprili now
Can take the death-blow as a soldier should.

[_Re-enter BATHORY, with the dead body of PESTALUTZ._

_Old Bathory._ Poor tool and victim of another's guilt! 235
Thou follow'st heavily: a reluctant weight!
Good truth, it is an undeservéd honour
That in Zapolya and Kiuprili's cave
A wretch like thee should find a burial-place.
'Tis he!--In Andreas' and Zapolya's name 240
Follow me, reverend form! Thou need'st not speak,
For thou canst be no other than Kiuprili.

_Kiuprili._ And are they safe? [_Noise without._

_Old Bathory._ Conceal yourself, my lord!
I will mislead them!

_Kiuprili._ Is Zapolya safe?

_Old Bathory._ I doubt it not; but haste, haste, I conjure
you! [_Enter CASIMIR._ 245

_Casimir._ Monster!
Thou shalt not now escape me!

_Old Bathory._ Stop, lord Casimir!
It is no monster.

_Casimir._ Art thou too a traitor?
Is this the place where Emerick's murderers lurk?
Say where is he that, tricked in this disguise, 250
First lured me on, then scared my dastard followers?
Thou must have seen him. Say where is th' assassin?

_Old Bathory._ There lies the assassin! slain by that same sword
That was descending on his curst employer,
When entering thou beheld'st Sarolta rescued! 255

_Casimir._ Strange providence! what then was he who fled me?
Thy looks speak fearful things! Whither, old man!
Would thy hand point me?

_Old Bathory._ Casimir, to thy father.

_Casimir._ The curse! the curse! Open and swallow me,
Unsteady earth! Fall, dizzy rocks! and hide me! 260

_Old Bathory._ Speak, speak, my lord!

_Kiuprili._ Bid him fulfil his work!

_Casimir._ Thou art Heaven's immediate minister, dread spirit!
O for sweet mercy, take some other form,
And save me from perdition and despair!

_Old Bathory._ He lives!

_Casimir._ Lives! A father's curse can never die! 265

_Kiuprili._ O Casimir! Casimir!

_Old Bathory._ Look! he doth forgive you!
Hark! 'tis the tyrant's voice. [_EMERICK'S voice without._

_Casimir._ I kneel, I kneel!
Retract thy curse! O, by my mother's ashes,
Have pity on thy self-abhorring child!
If not for me, yet for my innocent wife, 270
Yet for my country's sake, give my arm strength,
Permitting me again to call thee father!

_Kiuprili._ Son, I forgive thee! Take thy father's sword;
When thou shalt lift it in thy country's cause,
In that same instant doth thy father bless thee! 275

[_Enter EMERICK._

_Emerick._ Fools! Cowards! follow--or by Hell I'll make you
Find reason to fear Emerick, more than all
The mummer-fiends that ever masqueraded
As gods or wood-nymphs!--
Ha! 'tis done then!
Our necessary villain hath proved faithful, 280
And there lies Casimir, and our last fears!
Well!--Aye, well!----
And is it not well? For though grafted on us,
And filled too with our sap, the deadly power
Of the parent poison-tree lurked in its fibres: 285
There was too much of Raab Kiuprili in him:
The old enemy looked at me in his face,
E'en when his words did flatter me with duty.

_Enter CASIMIR and BATHORY._

_Old Bathory (aside)._ This way they come!

_Casimir (aside)._ Hold them in check
awhile,
The path is narrow! Rudolph will assist thee. 290

_Emerick (aside)._ And ere I ring the alarum of my sorrow,
I'll scan that face once more, and murmur--Here
Lies Casimir, the last of the Kiuprilis!
Hell! 'tis Pestalutz!

_Casimir (coming forward)._ Yes, thou ingrate Emerick!
'Tis Pestalutz! 'tis thy trusty murderer! 295
To quell thee more, see Raab Kiuprili's sword!

_Emerick._ Curses on it and thee! Think'st thou that petty omen
Dare whisper fear to Emerick's destiny?
Ho! Treason! Treason!

_Casimir._ Then have at thee, tyrant!

[_They fight. EMERICK falls._

_Emerick._ Betrayed and baffled 300
By mine own tool!----Oh! [_Dies._

_Casimir._ Hear, hear, my Father!
Thou should'st have witnessed thine own deed. O Father,
Wake from that envious swoon! The tyrant's fallen!
Thy sword hath conquered! As I lifted it
Thy blessing did indeed descend upon me; 305
Dislodging the dread curse. It flew forth from me
And lighted on the tyrant!

_Enter RUDOLPH, BATHORY, and_ Attendants.

_Rudolph and Bathory._ Friends! friends to Casimir!

_Casimir._ Rejoice, Illyrians! the usurper's fallen.

_Rudolph._ So perish tyrants! so end usurpation! 310

_Casimir._ Bear hence the body, and move slowly on!
One moment----
Devoted to a joy, that bears no witness,
I follow you, and we will greet our countrymen
With the two best and fullest gifts of heaven-- 315
A tyrant fallen, a patriot chief restored!

[_CASIMIR enters the Cavern._

SCENE.--_Chamber in CASIMIR'S Castle._ Confederates _discovered._

_First Confederate._ It cannot but succeed, friends. From this palace
E'en to the wood, our messengers are posted
With such short interspace, that fast as sound
Can travel to us, we shall learn the event! 320

_Enter another Confederate._

What tidings from Temeswar?

_Second Confederate._ With one voice
Th' assembled chieftains have deposed the tyrant:
He is proclaimed the public enemy,
And the protection of the law withdrawn.

_First Confederate._ Just doom for him, who governs without law! 325
Is it known on whom the sov'reignty will fall?

_Second Confederate._ Nothing is yet decided: but report
Points to Lord Casimir. The grateful memory
Of his renownéd father----

_Enter SAROLTA._

Hail to Sarolta!

_Sarolta._ Confederate friends! I bring to you a joy 330
Worthy your noble cause! Kiuprili lives,
And from his obscure exile, hath returned
To bless our country. More and greater tidings
Might I disclose; but that a woman's voice
Would mar the wondrous tale. Wait we for him, 335
The partner of the glory--Raab Kiuprili;
For he alone is worthy to announce it.

[_Shouts of_ 'Kiuprili, Kiuprili,' _and_ 'The Tyrant's
fallen,' _without. Enter KIUPRILI, CASIMIR,
RUDOLPH, BATHORY, and_ Attendants.

_Raab Kiuprili._ Spare yet your joy, my friends! A higher waits you:
Behold, your Queen!

[_Enter ZAPOLYA and ANDREAS royally attired, with
GLYCINE._

_Confederate._ Comes she from heaven to bless us?

_Other Confederates._ It is! it is!

_Zapolya._ Heaven's work of grace is
full! 340
Kiuprili, thou art safe!

_Raab Kiuprili._ Royal Zapolya!
To the heavenly powers, pay we our duty first;
Who not alone preserved thee, but for thee
And for our country, the one precious branch
Of Andreas' royal house. O countrymen, 345
Behold your King! And thank our country's genius,
That the same means which have preserved our sovereign,
Have likewise reared him worthier of the throne
By virtue than by birth. The undoubted proofs
Pledged by his royal mother, and this old man, 350
(Whose name henceforth be dear to all Illyrians)
We haste to lay before the assembled council.

_All._ Hail, Andreas! Hail, Illyria's rightful king!

_Andreas._ Supported thus, O friends! 'twere cowardice
Unworthy of a royal birth, to shrink 355
From the appointed charge. Yet, while we wait
The awful sanction of convened Illyria,
In this brief while, O let me feel myself
The child, the friend, the debtor!--Heroic mother!--
But what can breath add to that sacred name? 360
Kiuprili! gift of Providence, to teach us
That loyalty is but the public form
Of the sublimest friendship, let my youth
Climb round thee, as the vine around its elm:
Thou my support and I thy faithful fruitage. 365
My heart is full, and these poor words express not,
They are but an art to check its over-swelling.
Bathory! shrink not from my filial arms!
Now, and from henceforth thou shalt not forbid me
To call thee father! And dare I forget 370
The powerful intercession of thy virtue,
Lady Sarolta? Still acknowledge me
Thy faithful soldier!--But what invocation
Shall my full soul address to thee, Glycine?
Thou sword that leap'dst forth from a bed of roses: 375
Thou falcon-hearted dove?

_Zapolya._ Hear that from me, son!
For ere she lived, her father saved thy life,
Thine, and thy fugitive mother's!

_Casimir._ Chef Ragozzi!
O shame upon my head! I would have given her
To a base slave!

_Zapolya._ Heaven overruled thy purpose, 380
And sent an angel to thy house to guard her!
Thou precious bark! freighted with all our treasures!
The sports of tempests, and yet ne'er the victim,
How many may claim salvage in thee! Take her, son!
A queen that brings with her a richer dowry 385
Than orient kings can give!

_Sarolta._ A banquet waits!--
On this auspicious day, for some few hours
I claim to be your hostess. Scenes so awful
With flashing light, force wisdom on us all!
E'en women at the distaff hence may see, 390
That bad men may rebel, but ne'er be free;
May whisper, when the waves of faction foam,
None love their country, but who love their home:
For freedom can with those alone abide,
Who wear the golden chain, with honest pride, 395
Of love and duty, at their own fire-side:
While mad ambition ever doth caress
Its own sure fate, in its own restlessness!

END OF ZAPOLYA.

LINENOTES:

[After 16] [_They take hands, &c._ 1817, 1828, 1829.

[37] _Lord Rudolph._ And his main policy too. 1817.

[44-55]

_Casimir._ Mark too, the edges of yon lurid mass!
Restless and vext, as if some angering hand,
With fitful, tetchy snatch, unrolled and pluck'd
The jetting ringlets of the vaporous fleece!
These are sure signs of conflict nigh at hand,
And elemental war!

1817-1851.

[Note.--The text of 1829, 1831 is inscribed in Notebook 20 (1808-1825).]

[47] Which, as Poets tell us, the Sea-Shepherds tend, Notebook 20.

[48] _my_ 1828, 1829.

[57]

Neighs at the gate. [_A volley of Trumpets._

1817, 1828, 1829.

[After 68: [_Exit RUDOLPH and manet CASIMIR._

[95-6]

That but oppressed me hitherto, now scares me.
You will ken Bethlen?

_Glycine._ O at farthest distance,
Yea, oft where Light's own courier-beam exhausted
Drops at the threshold, and forgets its message,
A something round me of a wider reach
Feels his approach, and trembles back to tell me.

MS. correction (in the margin of Zapolya 1817) inserted in text of P. and D. W. 1877, iv. pp. 270-71.

[After 99] [_ZAPOLYA, who had been gazing affectionately after GLYCINE, starts at BATHORY'S voice._ 1817, 1828, 1829.

[Before 128] _Pestalutz (affecting to start)._ 1817, 1828, 1829.

[128] _Laska (in affright)._ Ha, &c. 1817, 1828, 1829.

[Before 134] _Laska (pompously)._ 1817, 1828, 1829.

[137] _Pestalutz (with a sneer)._ What! &c. 1817, 1828, 1829.

[Before 139] _Laska (throwing down a bow and arrows)._ 1817, 1828, 1829.

[139] Take] there's 1817, 1828, 1829.

[140]

These points are tipt with venom.

[_Starts and sees GLYCINE without._

1817, 1828, 1829.

[After 141] [_They run . . . GLYCINE, and she shrieks without: then enter, &c._ 1817, 1828, 1829.

[144]

The shriek came thence. [_Clash of swords, and BETHLEN'S voice heard
from behind the scenes; GLYCINE enters
alarmed; then, as seeing LASKA'S bow
and arrows._

1817, 1828, 1829.

[After 146] [_She seizes . . . following her. Lively and irregular music, and_ Peasants _with hunting spears, &c._ 1817, 1828, 1829.]

[After 162] _Re-enter, as the_ Huntsmen _pass off, BATHORY, &c._ 1817, 1828, 1829.

[Before 163] _Glycine (leaning on Bethlen)._ 1817, 1828, 1829.

[Before 166] _Bathory (to Bethlen exultingly)._ 1817, 1828, 1829.

[Linenote _Before_ 181: _Bethlen (hastily)._ 1817, 1828, 1829.

[184]

_Bathory._ Hail . . . my king! [_Triumphantly._

1817, 1828, 1829.

[205]

Has scattered them! [_Horns heard as from different places at a
distance._

1817, 1828, 1829.

[207] _thee_ 1817, 1828, 1829.

[After 209] [_Thunder again._ 1817, 1828, 1829.

[After 211] [_Pointing without to the body of PESTALUTZ._ 1817, 1828, 1829.

[213] Lo] Low _1828_, _1829_.]

[After 215] [_Exeunt . . . GLYCINE, ANDREAS, having in haste dropt his sword. Manet BATHORY._ 1817, 1828, 1829.

[216] Yon bleeding corse (_pointing to Pestalutz's body_) 1817, 1828, 1829.

[219]

I'll drag it hither. [_Exit BATHORY. After awhile several_ Hunters
_cross the stage as scattered. Some time
after, enter KIUPRILI in his disguise,
fainting with fatigue, and as pursued._

1817, 1828, 1829.

[221]

Shall be my trust. [_Then speaking as to ZAPOLYA in the Cavern._
Haste! . . . flee!

[_He enters the Cavern, and then returns in alarm._

1817, 1828, 1829.

[225]

_Thou_ art parcel of my native land. [_Then observing the sword._

1817, 1828, 1829.

[226] _my_ 1817, 1828, 1829.

[230] arm] arms 1817, 1828, 1829.

[232] bitter] bitterer 1817.

[233] _his_ 1817, 1828, 1829.

[After 239] [_Then observing KIUPRILI._ 1817, 1828, 1829.

[After 245] [_As he retires, in rushes CASIMIR._ 1817, 1828, 1829.

[246] _Casimir (entering)._ Monster! 1817, 1828, 1829.

[253] _Bathory._ There (_pointing to the body of PESTALUTZ_) 1817, 1828, 1829.

[After 256] [_BATHORY points to the Cavern, whence KIUPRILI advances._ 1817, 1828, 1829.

[Before 259] _Casimir (discovering Kiuprili)._ 1817, 1828, 1829.

[Before_ 261] _Bathory (to Kiuprili)._ 1817, 1828, 1829.

[261] _Kiuprili (holds out the sword to Bathory)._ Bid him, &c. 1817, 1828, 1829.

[Before 266] _Kiuprili (in a tone of pity)._ 1817, 1828, 1829.

[After 275] [_KIUPRILI and CASIMIR embrace; they all retire to the Cavern supporting KIUPRILI. CASIMIR as by accident drops his robe, and BATHORY throws it over the body of PESTALUTZ._ 1817, 1828, 1829.

[Before 276] _Emerick (entering)._ 1817, 1828, 1829.

[279]

As gods or wood-nymphs!-- [_Then sees the body of PESTALUTZ,
covered by CASIMIR'S cloak._

1817, 1828, 1829.

[281] _last_ 1817, 1828, 1829.

[283] _not_ 1817, 1828, 1829.

[After 288] [_As EMERICK moves towards the body, enter from the Cavern CASIMIR and BATHORY._ 1817, 1828, 1829.

[Before 289] _Bathory (pointing to where the noise is, and aside to Casimir)._ 1817, 1828, 1829.

[289] _Casimir (aside to Bathory)._ Hold, &c. 1817, 1828, 1829.

[Before 291] _Emerick (aside, not perceiving Casimir and Bathory, and looking at the dead body)._ 1817, 1828, 1829.

[After 293] [_Uncovers the face, and starts._ 1817, 1828, 1829.

[301] _Casimir (triumphantly)._ Hear, &c. 1817, 1828, 1829.

[Before 308] _Rudolph and Bathory (entering)._ 1817, 1828, 1829.

[After 316] [_Exeunt CASIMIR into the Cavern. The rest on the opposite side._ 1817, 1828, 1829.

[Before 317] _Scene changes to a splendid Chamber, &c._ 1817, 1828, 1829.

[After 337] [_Shouts . . . without. Then enter KIUPRILI . . ._ Attendants, _after the clamour has subsided._ 1817, 1828, 1829.

[339]

Behold, your Queen! [_Enter from opposite side, ZAPOLYA, &c._

1817, 1828, 1829.

[365] _my . . . I_ 1817, 1828, 1829.

[377] _thy_ 1817, 1828, 1829.

[381] And sent an angel (_pointing to SAROLTA_) to thy, &c. 1817, 1828, 1829.

[After 382] [_To ANDREAS._ 1817, 1828, 1829.

[384] How many may claim salvage in thee! (_Pointing to GLYCINE._) Take, &c. 1817, 1828, 1829.

[After 398] FINIS. 1817.

EPIGRAMS[951:1]

1

EPIGRAM

AN APOLOGY FOR SPENCERS

Said William to Edmund I can't guess the reason
Why Spencers abound in this bleak wintry season.
Quoth Edmund to William, I perceive you're no Solon--
Men may purchase a half-coat when they cannot a whole-one.
BRISTOLIENSIS.

March 21, 1796. First published in _The Watchman_, No. IV. March 25, 1796. First collected _Poems_, 1907.

2

EPIGRAM

ON A LATE MARRIAGE BETWEEN AN OLD MAID AND FRENCH PETIT MAÎTRE

Tho' Miss ----'s match is a subject of mirth,
She considered the matter full well,
And wisely preferred leading one ape on earth
To perhaps a whole dozen in hell.

First published in _The Watchman_, No. V, April 2, 1796. Included in _Literary Remains_, 1836, i. 45. First collected _P. and D. W._, 1877, ii. 368.

3

EPIGRAM

ON AN AMOROUS DOCTOR

From Rufa's eye sly Cupid shot his dart
And left it sticking in Sangrado's heart.
No quiet from that moment has he known,
And peaceful sleep has from his eyelids flown.
And opium's force, and what is more, alack!
His own orations cannot bring it back.
In short, unless she pities his afflictions,
Despair will make him take his _own prescriptions_.

First published in _The Watchman_, No. V, April 2, 1796. Included in _Lit. Rem._, i. 45. First collected _P. and D. W._, 1877, ii. 368.

4

EPIGRAM

Of smart pretty Fellows in Bristol are numbers, some
Who so modish are grown, that they think plain sense cumbersome;
And lest they should seem to be queer or ridiculous,
They affect to believe neither God or _old Nicholas_!

First published in article 'To Caius Gracchus' (signed S. T. Coleridge) in _The Watchman_, No. V, p. 159. Reprinted in _Essays on His Own Times_, 1850, i. 164. First collected _P. and D. W._, 1877, ii. 368.

5

ON DEPUTY ----

By many a booby's vengeance bit
I leave your haunts, ye sons of wit!
And swear, by Heaven's blessed light,
That Epigrams no more I'll write.
Now hang that ***** for an ass,
Thus to thrust in his idiot face,
Which spite of oaths, if e'er I spy,
I'll write an Epigram--or die.
LABERIUS.

First published in _Morning Post_, Jan. 2, 1798. First collected, _P. and D. W._, 1877, ii. 369.

6

[EPIGRAM]

To be ruled like a Frenchman the Briton is loth,
Yet in truth a _direct-tory_ governs them both.

1798. First collected _P. and D. W._, 1877, ii. 166.

7

ON MR. ROSS, USUALLY COGNOMINATED _NOSY_[953:1]

I fancy whenever I spy Nosy
Ross,
More great than a Lion is Rhy nose
ros.

1799. Now first published from an MS.

8

[EPIGRAM]

Bob now resolves on marriage schemes to trample,
And now he'll have a wife all in a trice.
Must I advise--Pursue thy dad's example
And marry not.--There, heed now my advice.

Imitated from Lessing's 'Bald willst du, Trill, und bald willst du dich nicht beweiben.' _Sinngedicht_ No. 93. Now first published from an MS.

9

[EPIGRAM]

Say what you will, Ingenious Youth!
You'll find me neither Dupe nor Dunce:
Once you deceived me--only once,
'Twas then when you told me the Truth.

1799. First published from an MS. in 1893. Adapted from Lessing's _Sinngedicht_ No. 45. _An einen Lügner._ 'Du magst so oft, so fein, als dir nur möglich, lügen.'

10

[ANOTHER VERSION]

If the guilt of all lying consists in deceit,
Lie on--'tis your duty, sweet youth!
For believe me, then only we find you a cheat
When you cunningly tell us the truth.

1800. First published in _Annual Anthology_, 1800. First collected _P. and D. W._, 1877, ii. 163.

11

ON AN INSIGNIFICANT[954:1]

No doleful faces here, no sighing--
Here rots a thing that _won_ by dying:
'Tis Cypher lies beneath this crust--
Whom Death _created_ into dust.

1799. First published from an MS. in 1893. The two last lines were printed for the first time in 1834. Adapted from Lessing's _Sinngedicht_ No. 52. _Grabschrift des Nitulus._

'Hier modert Nitulus, jungfräuliches Gesichts,
Der durch den Tod gewann: er wurde Staub aus Nichts.'

12

[EPIGRAM]

There comes from old Avaro's grave
A deadly stench--why, sure they have
Immured his _soul_ within his grave?

1799. First published in _Keepsake_, 1829, p. 122. Included in _Lit. Rem._, i. 46. Adapted from Lessing's _Sinngedicht_ No. 27. _Auf Lukrins Grab._ 'Welch tötender Gestank hier, wo Lukrin begraben.'

13

ON A SLANDERER

From yonder tomb of recent date,
There comes a strange mephitic blast.
Here lies--Ha! Backbite, you at last--
'Tis he indeed: and sure as fate,
They buried him in overhaste--
Into the earth he has been cast,
And in this grave,
Before the man had breathed his last.

1799. First published from an MS. in 1893. An expansion of [Epigram] No. 12.

14

LINES IN A GERMAN STUDENT'S ALBUM

We both attended the same College,
Where sheets of paper we did blur many,
And now we're going to sport our knowledge,
In England I, and you in Germany.

First published in Carlyon's _Early Years, &c._, 1856, i. 68. First collected _P. and D. W._, ii. 374.

15

[HIPPONA]

Hippona lets no silly flush
Disturb her cheek, nought makes her blush.
Whate'er obscenities you say,
She nods and titters frank and gay.
Oh Shame, awake one honest flush
For this,--that nothing makes her blush.

First published in _Morning Post_, (?) Aug. 29, 1799. Included in _An. Anth._, 1800, and in _Essays, &c._, iii. 971. First collected _P. and D. W._, ii. 164. Adapted from Lessing's _Sinngedicht_ No. 10. _Auf Lucinden._ 'Sie hat viel Welt, die muntere Lucinde.'

16

ON A READER OF HIS OWN VERSES

Hoarse Mævius reads his hobbling verse
To all and at all times,
And deems them both divinely smooth,
His voice as well as rhymes.

But folks say, Mævius is no ass!
But Mævius makes it clear
That he's a monster of an ass,
An ass without an ear.

First published in _Morning Post_, Sept. 7, 1799. Included in _An. Anth._, 1800; _Keepsake_, 1829, p. 122; _Lit. Rem._, i. 49. First collected _P. and D. W._, 1877, ii. 162. Adapted from Wernicke's _Epigrams_, Bk. IX, No. 42. _An einen gewissen Pritschmeister._ 'Umsonst dass jedermann, dieweil du manches Blatt.'

17

ON A REPORT OF A MINISTER'S DEATH WRITTEN IN GERMANY

Last Monday all the Papers said
That Mr. ---- was dead;
Why, then, what said the City?
The tenth part sadly shook their head,
And shaking sigh'd and sighing said,
'Pity, indeed, 'tis pity!'

But when the said report was found
A rumour wholly without ground,
Why, then, what said the city?
The other _nine_ parts shook their head,
Repeating what the tenth had said,
'Pity, indeed, 'tis pity!'

First published in _Morning Post_, Sept. 18, 1799. Included in _Keepsake_, 1829, p. 122; _Lit. Rem._, i. 46. First collected _P. and D. W._, 1877, ii. 166. Adapted from Lessing's _Sinngedicht_ No. 29. _Auf den falschen Ruf von Nigrins Tode._ 'Es sagte, sonder alle Gnade, die ganze Stadt Nigrinen tot.'

LINENOTES:

[2] That Mr. ---- was surely dead M. P.

[3] Why] Ah M. P.

[4] their] the M. P.

[9] Why] Ah M. P.

[10] their] the M. P.

18

[DEAR BROTHER JEM]

Jem writes his verses with more speed
Than the printer's boy can set 'em;
Quite as fast as we can read,
And only not so fast as we forget 'em.

First published in _Morning Post_, Sept. 23, 1799. Included in _An. Anth._, 1800; _Essays, &c._, 1850, iii. 974. First collected _P. and D. W._, 1877, ii. 164.

19

JOB'S LUCK

Sly Beelzebub took all occasions
To try Job's constancy and patience;
He took his honours, took his health,
He took his children, took his wealth,
His camels, horses, asses, cows--
And the _sly_ Devil did not take his spouse.

But Heaven that brings out good from evil,
And loves to disappoint the Devil,
Had predetermined to restore
_Twofold_ all Job had before,
His children, camels, horses, cows,--
_Short-sighted_ Devil, not to take his _spouse_!

1799. First published in _Morning Post_, Sept. 26, 1801. Included in _Annual Register_, 1827, and _Keepsake_, 1829. First collected 1834.

The first stanza of 'Job's Luck' is adapted from Fr. v. Logan's _Sinngedicht_, _Hiob's Weib_. Lessing's edition, Bk. III, No. 90:--

'Als der Satan ging von Hiob, ist sein Anwalt dennoch blieben,
Hiobs Weib; er hätte nimmer einen bessern aufgetrieben.'

The second stanza is adapted from Fr. v. Logan's _Sinngedicht_, _Auf den Hornutus_, _ibid._ Bk. I, No. 68:--

'Hornutus las, was Gott Job habe weggenommen,
Sei doppelt ihm hernach zu Hause wiederkommen:
Wie gut, sprach er, war dies, dass Gott sein Weib nicht nahm,
Auf dass Job ihrer zwei für eine nicht bekam!'

The original source is a Latin epigram by John Owen (_Audoenus Oxoniensis_), Bk. III, No. 198. See _N. and Q._, 1st Series, ii. 516.

LINENOTES:

Title] The Devil Outwitted M. P.

[3] honours] honour M. P.

20

ON THE SICKNESS OF A GREAT MINISTER

Pluto commanded death to take away
Billy--Death made pretences to obey,
And only made pretences, for he shot
A headless dart that struck nor wounded not.
The ghaunt Economist who (tho' my grandam
Thinks otherwise) ne'er shoots his darts at random
Mutter'd, 'What? put my Billy in arrest?
Upon my life that were a pretty jest!
So flat a thing of Death shall ne'er be said or sung--
No! Ministers and Quacks, them take I not so young.'

First, published in _Morning Post_, Oct. 1, 1799. Now reprinted for the first time. Adapted from Lessing's _Sinngedicht_ No. 119. _Auf die Genesung einer Buhlerin._ 'Dem Tode wurde jüngst von Pluto anbefohlen.'

21

[TO A VIRTUOUS OECONOMIST]

WERNICKE

You're careful o'er your wealth 'tis true:
Yet so that of your plenteous store
The needy takes and blesses you,
For you hate Poverty, but not the Poor.

First published in _Morning Post_, Oct. 28, 1799. Now reprinted for the first time. Adapted from Wernicke's _Epigrams_ (Bk. I, No. 49). _An den sparsamen Celidon._

'Du liebst zwar Geld und Gut, doch so dass dein Erbarmen
Der Arme fühlt.'

22

[L'ENFANT PRODIGUE]

Jack drinks fine wines, wears modish clothing,
But prithee where lies Jack's estate?
In Algebra for there I found of late
A quantity call'd less than nothing.

First published in _Morning Post_, Nov. 16, 1799. Included in An. Anth., 1800. First collected _P. and D. W._, 1877, ii. 163.

23

ON SIR RUBICUND NASO

A COURT ALDERMAN AND WHISPERER OF SECRETS

Speak out, Sir! you're safe, for so ruddy your nose
That, talk where you will, 'tis all _under the Rose_.

First published in _Morning Post_, Dec. 7, 1799. Included in _Essays, &c._, iii. 975. First collected _Poems_, 1907. Compare Lessing's _Sinngedicht_ No. 35. _Auf eine lange Nase._

24

TO MR. PYE

On his _Carmen Seculare_ (a title which has by various persons who have heard it, been thus translated, 'A Poem _an age long_').

Your poem must _eternal_ be,
_Eternal!_ it can't fail,
For 'tis _incomprehensible_,
And without head or tail!

First published in _Morning Post_, Jan. 24, 1800. Included in _Keepsake_, 1829, p. 277. First collected _P. and D. W._, ii. 161.

25

[NINETY-EIGHT]

O would the Baptist come again
And preach aloud with might and main
Repentance to our viperous race!
But should this miracle take place,
I hope, ere Irish ground he treads,
He'll lay in a good stock of heads!

First published in _An. Anth._, 1800. First collected _P. and D. W._, 1877, ii. 162. Adapted from Friedrich von Logau's _Sinngedicht_, _Johannes der Täufer_, Lessing's edition, Bk. I, No. 30:--

'Nicht recht! nicht recht! würd' immer schrein
Johannes, sollt' er wieder sein.
Doch käm er, riet' ich, dass er dächte,
Wie viel er Köpf' in Vorrat brächte.'

26

OCCASIONED BY THE FORMER

I hold of all our viperous race
The greedy creeping things in place
Most vile, most venomous; and then
The United Irishmen!
To come on earth should John determine,
Imprimis, we'll excuse his sermon.
Without a word the good old Dervis
Might work incalculable service,
At once from tyranny and riot
Save laws, lives, liberties and moneys,
If sticking to his ancient diet
He'd but eat up our locusts and _wild honeys_!

First published in _An. Anth._, 1800. First collected _P. and D. W._, 1877, ii. 162.

LINENOTES:

[After 4] Now by miraculous deeds to stir them MS.

27

[A LIAR BY PROFESSION]

As Dick and I at Charing Cross were walking,
Whom should we see on t'other side pass by
But Informator with a stranger talking,
So I exclaim'd, 'Lord, what a lie!'
Quoth Dick--'What, can you hear him?'
'Hear him! stuff!
I saw him open his mouth--an't that enough?'

First published in _An. Anth._, 1800. First collected _P. and D. W._, ii. 163. Adapted from Lessing's _Sinngedicht_ No. 142. _Auf den Ley._ 'Der gute Mann, den Ley beiseite dort gezogen!'

28

TO A PROUD PARENT

Thy babes ne'er greet thee with the father's name;
'My Lud!' they lisp. Now whence can this arise?
Perhaps their mother feels an honest shame
And will not teach her infant to tell lies.

First published in _An. Anth._, 1800, included in _Essays, &c._, ii. 997. First collected _P. and D. W._, 1877, ii. 164. Adapted from Lessing's _Sinngedicht_ No. 17. _An den Doktor Sp * *._ 'Dein Söhnchen lässt dich nie den Namen Vater hören.'

29

RUFA

Thy lap-dog, Rufa, is a dainty beast,
It don't surprise me in the least
To see thee lick so dainty clean a beast.
But that so dainty clean a beast licks thee,
Yes--that surprises me.

First published in _An. Anth._, 1800. First collected _P. and D. W._, 1877, ii. 164. Adapted from Lessing's _Sinngedicht_ No. 66. _An die Dorilis._ 'Dein Hündchen, Dorilis, ist zärtlich, tändelnd, rein.'

30

ON A VOLUNTEER SINGER

Swans sing before they die--'twere no bad thing
Should certain persons die before they sing.

First published in _An. Anth._, 1800. Included in _Keepsake_, 1829, p. 277; _Essays, &c._, 1850, ii. 988. First collected in 1834.

31

OCCASIONED BY THE LAST

A JOKE (cries Jack) without a sting--
_Post obitum_ can no man sing.
And true, if Jack don't mend his manners
And quit the atheistic banners,
_Post obitum_ will Jack run foul
Of such _folks_ as can only _howl_.

First published in _An. Anth._, 1800. Included in _Essays, &c._, iii. 988. First collected _P. and D. W._, 1877, ii, 165.

LINENOTES:

[1] joke] jest Essays, &c.

[5] _folks_] sparks Essays, &c.

32

EPITAPH ON MAJOR DIEMAN

Know thou who walks't by, Man! that wrapp'd up in lead, man,
What once was a Dieman, now lies here a dead man.
Alive a proud MAJOR! but ah me! of our poor all,
The soul having gone, he is now merely Corporal.

? 1800. Now first published from MS.

33

ON THE ABOVE

As long as ere the life-blood's running,
Say, what can stop a Punster's punning?
He dares bepun even thee, O Death!
To _pun_ish him, Stop thou his breath.

? 1800. Now first published from MS.

34

EPITAPH

ON A BAD MAN

Of him that in this gorgeous tomb doth lie,
This sad brief tale is all that Truth can give--
He lived like one who never thought to die,
He died like one who dared not hope to live![961:1]

First published in _Morning Post_, Sept. 22, 1801. First collected _P. and D. W._, 1877, ii. 168.

ANOTHER VERSION

Under this stone does Walter Harcourt lie,
Who valued nought that God or man could give;
He lived as if he never thought to die;
He died as if he dared not hope to live![962:1]

[The name Walter Harcourt has been supplied by the editor.--S. C.]

_OBIIT_ SATURDAY, SEPT. 10, 1830.

W. H. _EHEU_!

Beneath this stone does William Hazlitt lie,
Thankless of all that God or man could give.
He lived like one who never thought to die,
He died like one who dared not hope to live.

35

TO A CERTAIN MODERN NARCISSUS

Do call, dear Jess, whene'er my way you come;
My looking-glass will always be at home.

First published in _Morning Post_, Dec. 16, 1801. Included in _Essays, &c._, iii. 978. First collected in 1893.

36

TO A CRITIC

WHO EXTRACTED A PASSAGE FROM A POEM WITHOUT ADDING A WORD RESPECTING THE CONTEXT, AND THEN DERIDED IT AS UNINTELLIGIBLE.

Most candid critic, what if I,
By way of joke, pull out your eye,
And holding up the fragment, cry,
'Ha! ha! that men such fools should be!
Behold this shapeless Dab!--and he
Who own'd it, fancied it could _see_!'
The joke were mighty analytic,
But should you like it, candid critic?

First published in _Morning Post_, Dec. 16, 1801: included in _Keepsake_, 1829, and in _Essays, &c._, iii. 977-8. First collected in _P. and D. W._, 1877, ii. 167.

37

ALWAYS AUDIBLE

Pass under Jack's window at twelve at night
You'll hear him still--he's roaring!
Pass under Jack's window at twelve at noon,
You'll hear him still--he's snoring!

First published in _Morning Post_, Dec. 19, 1801. First collected 1893.

38

PONDERE NON NUMERO

Friends should be _weigh'd_, not _told_; who boasts to have won
A _multitude_ of friends, he ne'er had _one_.

First published in _Morning Post_, Dec. 26, 1801. Included in _Essays, &c._, iii. 978. First collected in 1893. Adapted from Friedrich von Logan's _Sinngedicht_ (Lessing's edition, Bk. II, No. 65).

'Freunde muss man sich erwählen
Nur nach Wägen, nicht nach Zählen.'

Cf. also Logan, Book II, No. 30.

39

THE COMPLIMENT QUALIFIED

To wed a fool, I really cannot see
Why thou, Eliza, art so very loth;
Still on a par with other pairs you'd be,
Since thou hast wit and sense enough for both.

First published in _Morning Post_, Dec. 26, 1801. First collected 1893. The title referred to an epigram published in _M. P._ Dec. 24, 1801.

40

[The twenty-one 'Original Epigrams' following were printed in the _Morning Post_, in September and October, 1802, over the signature 'ΕΣΤΗΣΕ'. They were included in _Essays, &c._, iii. 978-86, and were first collected in _P. and D. W._, 1877, ii. 171-8.]

What is an Epigram? a dwarfish whole,
Its body brevity, and wit its soul.

First published in _Morning Post_, Sept. 23, 1802. Included in _Poetical Register_, 1802 (1803), ii. 253; and in _The Friend_, No. 12, Nov. 9, 1809. Cf. Wernicke's _Beschaffenheit der Überschriften_ (i. e. The Nature of the epigram), Bk. I, No. 1.

'Dann lässt die Überschrift kein Leser aus der Acht,
_Wenn in der Kürz' ihr Leib, die Seel' in Witz bestehet_.'

41

Charles, grave or merry, at no lie would stick,
And taught at length his memory the same trick.
Believing thus what he so oft repeats,
He's brought the thing to such a pass, poor youth,
That now himself and no one else he cheats,
Save when unluckily he tells the truth.

First published in _Morning Post_, Sept. 23, 1802. Included in _P. R._ 1802, ii. 317, and _The Friend_, No. 12, Nov. 9, 1809.

42

An evil spirit's on thee, friend! of late!
Ev'n from the hour thou cam'st to thy Estate.
Thy mirth all gone, thy kindness, thy discretion,
Th' estate hath prov'd to thee a most complete _possession_.
Shame, shame, old friend! would'st thou be truly best,
Be thy wealth's Lord, not slave! _possessor_ not _possess'd_.

First published in _Morning Post_, Sept. 23, 1802. Included in _P. R._ 1802, ii. 317, and _The Friend_, No. 12, Nov. 9, 1809.

43

Here lies the Devil--ask no other name.
Well--but you mean Lord----? Hush! we mean the same.

First published in _Morning Post_, Sept. 23, 1802. Included in _P. R._ 1802, ii. 363, and _The Friend_, No. 12, Nov. 9, 1809.

44

TO ONE WHO PUBLISHED[964:1] IN PRINT
WHAT HAD BEEN ENTRUSTED TO HIM BY MY FIRESIDE

Two things hast thou made known to half the nation,
My secrets and my want of penetration:
For O! far more than all which thou hast penn'd
It shames me to have call'd a wretch, like thee, my friend!

First published in _Morning Post_, Sept. 23, 1802. Adapted from Wernicke's _Epigrams_ (Bk. I, No. 12), _An einen falschen Freund._ 'Weil ich mich dir vertraut, eh' ich dich recht gekennet.'

45

'_Obscuri sub luce maligna._'--VIRG.

Scarce any scandal, but has a handle;
In truth most falsehoods have their rise;
Truth first unlocks Pandora's box,
And out there fly a host of lies.
Malignant light, by cloudy night,
To precipices it decoys one!
One nectar-drop from Jove's own shop
Will flavour a whole cup of poison.

First published in _Morning Post_, Sept. 23, 1802.

46

Old Harpy jeers at castles in the air,
And thanks his stars, whenever Edmund speaks,
That such a dupe as that is not his heir--
But know, old Harpy! that these fancy freaks,
Though vain and light, as floating gossamer,
Always amuse, and sometimes mend the heart:
A young man's idlest hopes are still his pleasures,
And fetch a higher price in Wisdom's mart
Than all the unenjoying Miser's treasures.

First published in _Morning Post_, Sept. 23, 1802. Included in _P. R._, 1802, ii. 868. Adapted from Wernicke, Bk. VII, No. 40, _An einen Geizhals_.

'Steht's einem Geizhals an auf Aelius zu schmähn
Weil er vergebens hofft auf was nicht kann geschehn?'

47

TO A VAIN YOUNG LADY

Didst thou think less of thy dear self
Far more would others think of thee!
Sweet Anne! the knowledge of thy wealth
Reduces thee to poverty.
Boon Nature gave wit, beauty, health,
On thee as on her darling pitching;
Couldst thou forget thou'rt thus enrich'd
That moment would'st thou become rich in!
And wert thou not so self-bewitch'd,
Sweet Anne! thou wert, indeed, bewitching.

First published in _Morning Post_, Sept. 23 1802. Included in _The Friend_, No. 12, Nov. 9, 1809.

48

A HINT TO PREMIERS AND FIRST CONSULS

FROM AN OLD TRAGEDY, VIZ. AGATHA TO KING ARCHELAUS

Three truths should make thee often think and pause;
The first is, that thou govern'st over men;
The second, that thy power is from the laws;
And this the third, that thou must die!--and then?--

First published in _Morning Post_, Sept. 27, 1802. Included in _Essays, &c._, iii. 992. First collected _P. and D. W._, 1877, ii. 162.

49

From me, Aurelia! you desired
Your proper praise to know;
Well! you're the FAIR by all admired--
Some twenty years ago.

First published in _Morning Post_, Oct. 2, 1802.

50

FOR A HOUSE-DOG'S COLLAR

When thieves come, I bark: when gallants, I am still--
So perform both my Master's and Mistress's will.

First published in _Morning Post_, Oct. 2, 1802. Included in _The Friend_ (title, 'For a French House-Dog's Collar'), No. 12, Nov. 9, 1809.

51

In vain I praise thee, Zoilus!
In vain thou rail'st at me!
Me no one credits, Zoilus!
And no one credits thee!

First published in _Morning Post_, Oct. 2, 1802. Adapted from a Latin Epigram 'In Zoilum,' by George Buchanan:

'Frustra ego te laudo, frustra
Me, Zoile, laedis;
Nemo mihi credit,
Zoile, nemo, tibi.'

52

EPITAPH ON A MERCENARY MISER

A poor benighted Pedlar knock'd
One night at SELL-ALL'S door,
The same who saved old SELL-ALL'S life--
'Twas but the year before!
And Sell-all rose and let him in,
Not utterly unwilling,
But first he bargain'd with the man,
And took his only shilling!
That night he dreamt he'd given away his pelf,
Walk'd in his sleep, and sleeping hung himself!
And now his soul and body rest below;
And here they say his punishment and fate is
To lie awake and every hour to know
How many people read his tombstone GRATIS.

First published in _Morning Post_, Oct. 9, 1802.

53

A DIALOGUE BETWEEN AN AUTHOR AND HIS FRIEND

_Author._ Come; your opinion of my manuscript!

_Friend._ Dear Joe! I would almost as soon be whipt.

_Author._ But I _will_ have it!

_Friend._ If it must be had--(_hesitating_)
You write so ill, I scarce could read the hand--

_Author._ A mere evasion!

_Friend._ And you spell so bad,
That what I read I could not understand.

First published in _Morning Post_, Oct. 11, 1802.

54

Μωροσοφία OR WISDOM IN FOLLY

Tom Slothful talks, as slothful Tom beseems,
What he shall shortly gain and what be doing,
Then drops asleep, and so prolongs his dreams
And thus _enjoys_ at once what half the world are _wooing_.

First published in _Morning Post_, Oct. 11, 1802.

55

Each Bond-street buck conceits, unhappy elf!
He shews his _clothes_! Alas! he shews _himself_.
O that they knew, these overdrest self-lovers,
What hides the body oft the mind discovers.

First published in _Morning Post_, Oct. 11, 1802.

56

FROM AN OLD GERMAN POET

That France has put us oft to rout
With _powder_, which ourselves found out;
And laughs at us for fools in _print_,
Of which our genius was the Mint;
All this I easily admit,
For we have genius, France has wit.
But 'tis too bad, that blind and mad
To Frenchmen's wives each travelling German goes,
Expands his manly vigour by _their_ sides,
Becomes the father of his country's foes
And turns _their warriors_ oft to parricides.

First published in _Morning Post_, Oct. 11, 1802. Adapted from Wernicke's _Epigrams_ (Bk. VIII, No. 4), _Auf die Buhlerey der Deutschen in Frankreich_.

'Dass Frankreich uns pflegt zu verwunden
Durch Pulver, welches wir erfunden.'

57

ON THE CURIOUS CIRCUMSTANCE,

THAT IN THE GERMAN LANGUAGE THE SUN IS FEMININE, AND THE MOON IS MASCULINE

Our English poets, bad and good, agree
To make the Sun a male, the Moon a she.
He drives HIS dazzling diligence on high,
In verse, as constantly as in the sky;
And cheap as blackberries our sonnets shew
The Moon, Heaven's huntress, with HER silver bow;
By which they'd teach us, if I guess aright,
Man rules the day, and woman rules the night.
In Germany, they just reverse the thing;
The Sun becomes a queen, the Moon a king.
Now, that the Sun should represent the women,
The Moon the men, to me seem'd mighty humming;
And when I first read German, made me stare.
Surely it is not that the wives are there
As _common_ as the Sun, to lord and loon,
And all their husbands _hornéd_ as the Moon.

First published in _Morning Post_, Oct. 11, 1802. Adapted from Wernicke's _Epigrams_ (Bk. VII, No. 15), _Die Sonne und der Mond_.

'Die Sonn' heisst die, der Mond heisst der
In unsrer Sprach', und kommt daher,
Weil meist die Fraun wie die _gemein_,
Wie der _gehörnt_ wir Männer sein.'

58

SPOTS IN THE SUN