ADVERTIs.e.m.e.nT

The form of the following dramatic poem is in humble imitation of the _Winter's Tale_ of Shakspeare, except that I have called the first part a Prelude instead of a first Act, as a somewhat nearer resemblance to the plan of the ancients, of which one specimen is left us in the aeschylean Trilogy of the _Agamemnon_, the _Orestes_, and the _Eumenides_. Though a matter of form merely, yet two plays, on different periods of the same tale, might seem less bold, than an interval of twenty years between a first and second act. This is, however, in mere obedience to custom. The effect does not, in reality, at all depend on the Time of the interval; but on a very different principle. There are cases in which an interval of twenty hours between the acts would have a worse effect (_i. e._ render the imagination less disposed to take the position required) than twenty years in other cases. For the rest, I shall be well content if my readers will take it up, read and judge it, as a Christmas tale.

FOOTNOTES:

[883:1] First published in 1817: included in 1828, 1829 and 1834.

_Zapolya_ was written at Calne, in Wiltshire, in 1815. It was offered to the Committee of Management of Drury Lane Theatre, and rejected, in March, 1816.

[883:2] t.i.tle Zapolya, &c. The Prelude ent.i.tled 'The Usurper's Fortune'; and The Sequel ent.i.tled 'The Usurper's Fate'. By S. T.

Coleridge, Esq. _1817_.

LINENOTES:

_Orestes_] _Choephoroe_ MS. S. T. C.

PART I

THE PRELUDE, ENt.i.tLED 'THE USURPER'S FORTUNE'

CHARACTERS

_EMERICK, Usurping King of Illyria._ _RAAB KIUPRILI, an Illyrian Chieftain._ _CASIMIR, Son of KIUPRILI._ _CHEF RAGOZZI, a Military Commander._ _ZAPOLYA, Queen of Illyria._

SCENE I

_Front of the Palace with a magnificent Colonnade. On one side a military Guard-house. Sentries pacing backward and forward before the Palace. CHEF RAGOZZI, at the door of the Guard-house, as looking forwards at some object in the distance._

_Chef Ragozzi._ My eyes deceive me not, it must be he.

Who but our chief, my more than father, who But Raab Kiuprili moves with such a gait?

Lo! e'en this eager and unwonted haste But agitates, not quells, its majesty. 5 My patron! my commander! yes, 'tis he!

Call out the guards. The Lord Kiuprili comes.

[_Drums beat, &c., the_ Guard _turns out._

_Enter RAAB KIUPRILI._

_Raab Kiuprili (making a signal to stop the drums, &c.)._ Silence!

enough! This is no time, young friend, For ceremonious dues. The summoning drum, Th' air-shattering trumpet, and the horseman's clatter, 10 Are insults to a dying sovereign's ear.

Soldiers, 'tis well! Retire! your General greets you, His loyal fellow-warriors. [_Guards retire._

_Chef Ragozzi._ Pardon my surprise.

Thus sudden from the camp, and unattended!

What may these wonders prophesy?

_Raab Kiuprili._ Tell me first, 15 How fares the king? His majesty still lives?

_Chef Ragozzi._ We know no otherwise; but Emerick's friends (And none but they approach him) scoff at hope.

_Raab Kiuprili._ Ragozzi! I have reared thee from a child, And as a child I have reared thee. Whence this air 20 Of mystery? That face was wont to open Clear as the morning to me, shewing all things.

Hide nothing from me.

_Chef Ragozzi._ O most loved, most honoured, The mystery that struggles in my looks Betrayed my whole tale to thee, if it told thee 25 That I am ignorant; but fear the worst.

And mystery is contagious. All things here Are full of motion: and yet all is silent: And bad men's hopes infect the good with fears.

_Raab Kiuprili._ I have trembling proof within how true thou speakest. 30

_Chef Ragozzi._ That the prince Emerick feasts the soldiery, Gives splendid arms, pays the commanders' debts, And (it is whispered) by sworn promises Makes himself debtor--hearing this, thou hast heard All---- 35 But what my lord will learn too soon himself.

_Raab Kiuprili._ Ha!--Well then, let it come! Worse scarce can come.

This letter written by the trembling hand Of royal Andreas calls me from the camp To his immediate presence. It appoints me, 40 The Queen, and Emerick, guardians of the realm, And of the royal infant. Day by day, Robbed of Zapolya's soothing cares, the king Yearns only to behold one precious boon, And with his life breathe forth a father's blessing. 45

_Chef Ragozzi._ Remember you, my lord! that Hebrew leech Whose face so much distempered you?

_Raab Kiuprili._ Barzoni?

I held him for a spy; but the proof failing (More courteously, I own, than pleased myself), I sent him from the camp.

_Chef Ragozzi._ To him, in chief, 50 Prince Emerick trusts his royal brother's health.

_Raab Kiuprili._ Hide nothing, I conjure you! What of him?

_Chef Ragozzi._ With pomp of words beyond a soldier's cunning, And shrugs and wrinkled brow, he smiles and whispers!

Talks in dark words of women's fancies; hints 55 That 'twere a useless and a cruel zeal To rob a dying man of any hope, However vain, that soothes him: and, in fine, Denies all chance of offspring from the Queen.

_Raab Kiuprili._ The venomous snake! My heel was on its head, 60 And (fool!) I did not crush it!

_Chef Ragozzi._ Nay, he fears Zapolya will not long survive her husband.

_Raab Kiuprili._ Manifest treason! Even this brief delay Half makes me an accomplice----(If he live,)

[_Is moving toward the palace._

If he but live and know me, all may----

_Chef Ragozzi._ Halt! [_Stops him._ 65 On pain of death, my Lord! am I commanded To stop all ingress to the palace.

_Raab Kiuprili._ Thou!

_Chef Ragozzi._ No place, no name, no rank excepted--

_Raab Kiuprili._ Thou!