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 TURNER'S AlttXlRXOAN STAGS]. 
 
 MAZEPPA; 
 
 OH, THE * 
 
 WILD HORSE OF TARTARYJ 
 
 A ROMANTIC DRAMA, M 
 
 IN iTHilEE ACTS, 
 
 DRiMATtZED FKOi LOHD fiVROX's ^Oiti^ 
 
 By ti[ M. MILNBR^ 
 
 .Inti adapt^id to the Stage under the dtrection of 
 MR. r*UCROVV. 
 
 PRINTED TROji rkk ACTING COPT, 
 
 With A Description of the CostuWe; Cast of Charattttv, and tHV 
 whole of ih^ StAge Business, 
 
 AS NOW PKRFOnMED IN THE 
 
 LONDOifAND AMERICAN THEATRES. 
 
 PHILADELPHIA: 
 TURNE1| & SON, 244 RACE STREET ; 
 
 AND 
 
 fe. H. LENFESTEY, 98 NORTH SIXTH STREET; 
 And sold at alt the principal Dramatic Repositories in Ambiica. 
 
fKoO"-^^ 
 
 f^fat) 
 
 [Ai 
 
 
REMARKS. 
 
 Lonn Byron Is a great and an original genius; he has a 
 depth of thouglit and a force of expression that are truly admi- 
 rable. In aiming at too much conciseness, he is often harsli 
 and obscure, while his artificial pauses, his rapid and some- 
 
 ■^ times unnaturni transitions, give to his poetry an air of pedan- 
 try and afi'octation. I'pon many occasions he is exquisitely 
 simple and pathetic ; his simile of the Kushmcer Butteijiij, and 
 that fine passage, " He uho hatli bent him o'er the dead," can- 
 not easily be paralleled. But it is in " Chiule Harold,, (the 
 greatest of all his works,) that the "cnius of J>ord Byron 
 
 J shines most conspicuous — his lamentations over the ruins of 
 Greece, his passionate exhortations to spare the last .elics of 
 her ancient grandeur, and his just and generous indignation 
 against our modern vandal, for despoiling her of what the bar- 
 barians themselves held sacred, are the very soul of ])alhos 
 and poetry. In pioportion as we admire exalted genius, we 
 lament its wanton prostitution : the mass of ob.-.cenity and 
 profaneness which Lord Byron has bequeathed to posterity is 
 now become a question between him and his Creator. He 
 lived too long for his own fame —we cannot say " He should 
 have died hereafter," unless (like Lord llocheUc) jthad been 
 to leave on record his deep contrition for having poisoned tlie 
 minds of future generations. The following character of Lord 
 liyron as a poet, was written before he had intiicted upon 
 the world that witty, but scandalously immoal work, ■' Don 
 Juan ;" — 
 
 ''The town is pleas'd when Byron will reliearse, 
 And find a thousand beauties in liis verse ; 
 So (ix'd his fame, that write W'hate e.- lie will, 
 The patient public must admire it flili ; 
 
 . Yes,— tliouHli liercft of half his force .-iiii ire. 
 They Btill musi read — and, dozing, ninst admire; 
 Willie you and I, who stick tocoiniiioii sense, 
 To genius, laste, aii'l wit, liaveno pretence, 
 TliroUL'liout the whole we toil to understand 
 V'Vliere'er we tread — 'lis strange, 'tis I'oveign land ; 
 Nay. half the thoughts and lanuuage of the strain 
 Require ag'ossaiy to nial.e ihem plain. 
 Beauties there are, which, candour bids me own, 
 Atone for these — for more than these atone , 
 Beauties which e'en the coldest must adiiiiie — 
 Uuick, high wrought passion — true [ioeitcfiire — 
 Bold eiieigulic language — thoughts sub'iiiie — 
 And all the artful cadences of rhyme." 
 
 The story of ^lazeppa we learn from two sources — Votaire's» 
 History of Charles Xll., and >-i e.sur's 'Hisloire des Kcsuqhiei,.' 
 
X^tA Byron has rendered it familiar to every reader of poetry- 
 — Mazeppa is introduced relatino^ his romantic adventures to. 
 the royal Swede, after the Battle of Pultowa. 'J"he vanquisiied' 
 monarch, wounded and reclined at the foot of a tree, surroun-, 
 ded by his warriors, had singled out the brave Tartar and his 
 steed as objects of peculiar admiration for their prowess ia, 
 "pricking over flood or field," when Mazeppa, remembering 
 the ichool in which he had acquired his skill in horsemanship, 
 drops an expression that raises the curiosity of Charles, who 
 puts to the "old Hettman" a question that produces the reci- 
 tal. Lord Pyifpn (;'onfines his narrative to JMazeppa's intrigue 
 with the beautifnl young wife of a Polish count, the discovery,- 
 of their amours, the revenge of the jealous husband, who sen- 
 tences the Tartar to be lashed to the back of a wild horse, 
 and left to his fate — the description of tiiat perilous journey, 
 his rescue by the Cossacks, and subsequent good fortune. All 
 these are told in Byron's wonted strain of eloquence and pas- 
 sion. The story winds up with a versification of the ancient 
 motto, "nil desperaiidum." 
 
 jVJazeppa has found his \vay to the stage, with the accompa- 
 niments of appropiate scenery, alternately savage and splen- 
 did j gallant knights and ladies fair; banquets, tournaments, 
 and real horses. The story has been considerably varied and 
 amplified, to bring these powerful auxiliaries into full play; 
 and an imposing spectacle is the result. Olinska, daughter 
 of the Castellan, is belpved \y ]\i^azep,j.a, whp passes un- 
 der the name of Cassimii;. Her father has, however, provided 
 a more substantial suitor, in the. person of the Count Palatine ; 
 who, being too magificent a potentate to leave his palace and 
 lay his coronet at her feet, until his proposa,ls be duly accept- 
 ed, despatches an envoy to propitiate her by proxy. The lady 
 reluctantly consents — the diadem is placed on her head — she 
 ascends the nuptial car, when the delighted Count, drawing 
 aside the curtain, welcomes his beautiful intended, and in flat- 
 tering terms explains the cause of his appearance, at once so 
 unexbected and gallant. 0,n the eve of the marriage, Ma- 
 Z9ppa secretly enters the chamber of the Count, defies him to 
 siiigle combat — a battle ensues — the Count is wounded, Ma- 
 zeppa retreats, an ^larm is given, he is taken, and the Castel- 
 lan determines to make him an example of signal vengeance. 
 Be orders the vile Tartar to be stripped, the fiery untamed 
 Steed is led forth, Mazeppa is fast bound to his back, Olinska 
 ^Sjplores pity for hinkj 1>iU in vain ; and the wild horse, amids^ 
 
theglareof torches- savage sliouts, and beacon-fires, is sud- 
 denly released, lie dashes up mountains, down precipices 
 fords rivers, devoting Ins unhappy rider to scorching suns, 
 piercing bhists, devouring hunger, and parching thirst. Savage 
 wolves follow in ([uick pursuit, and threaten to rend him piece- 
 meal—and a vulture hovers over his head, impatient for its 
 expected prey. After an accumulation of iiorrors, they reach 
 Tartary. The afliighted peasants, beholding the wild horse, 
 furiously pursuing its course, take it for the Volpas, which, ac- 
 cording to a popular superstition, is a demon form that wirls 
 across the wilds of 'I'artary, forboding death and desolation. 
 A thunderbolt strikes a tree, which lallstothe ground— at this 
 niomentthe tiery steed sinks down exhausted — Mazeppa, ap- 
 parently lifeless, extented on its budy. Abder Khan, against 
 whom a plot exists, headed by Thanier, a rebel chief, to drive 
 him from his throne, enters, and beolds the wounded stranger. 
 What signs and chai meters meet his sight! a miracle has 
 been wrought ! the jewelled star, the i)adge and emblem of 
 the tribe— 'tis .Mazeppa, his lost son! This discovery is fatal 
 to the scheme of Thaaiar, who (the Khan belngold andchild- 
 less) had aspi ed to the regal sway. His dagger must remove 
 this obstacle t) tiis anticipated greatness — he successively at- 
 temps the life of both fatlier and son, but is foiled in his at- 
 temps. ftlazeppa recovers — recognises his father, whom he 
 has mi acuoasly rescued fiom the dagger of the assassin, and 
 is hailed King oi Tartury. But he cannot be happy without 
 Olinska — lO Pohu.d he musi repair for his mistress, and his 
 niajesfy resolves to accompany his son on his urnorous crusade. 
 Rlazeppa remounts the wild horse, which, after his late heut, 
 is surprisingly tame, and no longer the teiror of grooms and 
 rough- 1 Iders. Once the instrument of torture, it is now the 
 messenger of vengeance. The wailike expedition moves oft" 
 in triumph — reaches Poland, wiien the king, Mazeppa, and a 
 faithful chief, disguised as Tartar peasants, repair to the pal- 
 ace of the Castellan, are engaged by Drolinski, an officious 
 othcer of the houseliold, to perfoira sundry grotesque dances 
 and dextr>>us feats, after the manner cf their country, in cele- 
 bration of the long-delayed nuptials between the Count Pal- 
 atine (who has recovered iiom his wound) and Olinska, who 
 is brought fortii lil> ■; a lamb to the slaughter, her heart being 
 with the horse and his rider. The king contrives to wheedle 
 Drolinsko(a huge feeder, a little fellow, and a great fool,) out 
 of the keys of the great gates of the castle] and a chosen 
 
band of warriorg, who lie concealed m a neighbouring forest^ 
 are secretly introduced. The nuptial procession advances, 
 ■with due solemnity ; a barbarous ballet is performed ; when' 
 Mazeppa rushing forward, forbids the banns. Who is the 
 daring intruder I— He throws off his disguise, proclaims his 
 titles — the Poles and Tartars go at it pell-mell — Mazeppa wins 
 his bride by force of arms, and the piece concludes amidst 
 conflagration and rejoicings. This splendid drama was first 
 produced at the Royal Amphitheatre, Westminster, under the 
 n-.anagement of Messrs. Ducrow and West, Easter, 1831; 
 and is written by Mr. Milner, the author of Massaniello. 
 
 It is but common justice to remark how eflfectively every 
 piece is got up at this theatre. The equestrian performances 
 are without parallel in the annals of horsemanship ; and the- 
 scenery and decorations may vie with the proudast metropo- 
 litan. 
 
COSTUME. 
 
 POLES. 
 
 THE CASTELLAN— Rich dress of the relpn of Louis XIV,:— A 
 fiill'Skirieit tunic of dark blue cloth, euperlkly tmbroidered wjih polili 
 — full iruiiks of the swrne, edgfd wiih lace, — rcisnet boots — broail em- 
 broidered scarf— orange-coloured beli — hii^h-crownedrbroad brinitned 
 hat — turned up in front, with brilliant ruscite, and prufusely tiiuiiued 
 with red feathers — yellow gauntlets- 
 
 PRKMts^LAS, COUNT PALATINE— Pimilardi-ess, of liphtblue. 
 embroidered wiih silver — white feathers — siik stockings^-white shoes, 
 
 CASSIMER — (iMazepiTaas the page.) While tunic, half full sleeve, 
 puffed, slashed with crimson and black velvet, the lunlc entirely 
 trimmed with crimson and black velvet — white tight pantaloons — 
 while shoes, with crimson rosettes — short mantillo worn over the left 
 arm, of crimscm cloth, trimmed with ermine — ottagonal cap of crimsou 
 wiib haiig:ing pouch. 
 
 KlJDZOLOhT. — Green embroidered tunic, with scarlet mantillo — 
 tight green pantaloons — black short t)oots — lancer's cap. 
 
 DROLINSKO — Tight vest of green cloth, trimmed with gold lace 
 — enormously full brecbes of dittu — red stockings — black shoes — and' 
 rosettes 
 
 POLISH NOBLES — Various coloured tunics, emoroidered, and' 
 trimmed with fur — manlillos, nlso trimmed with fur — tall chimney- 
 pot caps, with pouches covered with yellow cloth, and embroidered 
 and trimmed with fur — tight pantaloons, embroidered — boots. 
 
 FOR THE TOURNAMENT.— Knights in full and in half armour 
 — Heralds, with heraldic coats — the Servants in tunics — Pages, eiactly 
 the same as Cassimer — the Pages of Picmislns, similar, but the colours 
 light blue and green, with white fur. 
 
 SOLDIERS.— Tunic-coats, trimmed with fur — tall chimney-pot 
 hat, trimmed with ditto — modern arms. 
 
 OLTNSKA. — First dress : A short Polish pelisse of green velvet 
 superbly trimmed and embroidered with gold, and edged with white 
 fur, over a short white dress — Polish octagonal cap, of the same, 
 with banging pouch. Second dress : A train-dressof white satin^ 
 embroidered, with deep trimming of fur — brilliant coronet, fronii 
 which hangs a spacious veil. 
 
 AGATHA.— Old-fashioned dress— tifrht body— full skirt of slale- 
 coloured cloth, trimmed with black velvet— white handkerchief over 
 the neck — round cap of black velvet, ctiming with a point upon the 
 forehead, and ornamented in the front with jewels. 
 
 ZEMILA— Tight bodv of scarlet cloth, edged with black fur, and. 
 trimmed with black— yellow buttons — light blue shirr, with broad red 
 stripe at bottom — blue stockings — square topped Polish cap of scarlet, 
 ed?ed with black fur — black tassels. 
 
 POLISH LADIES. — As Olinska'g first dress, varying the colour. , 
 
 TARTARS. 
 MAZEPPA —First dress : Ulack robe, entirely enveloping the per- 
 son — blackghelmet — black-red plume. Second dress: Flesh legs, arntt, 
 and body — short tighttrunks — half-body of brown cloth. Third dress : 
 While Turkish shirt and trowsers, enihroitlered and spangled — vest 
 with long tabs, of psle blue velvet, richly tpangled and embroidered 
 with silver— »tawl-«carf of oranjc, embroidered and fringed wiik 
 silver— red boatf— full Tartar helmet— cap ff gold, furmounttd with 
 
a diadem, and hird-of paradise Plumes. Fourth dress : Long plain 
 Turkish robe bound round with a sash — plain (urban. 
 
 ABDEll KHAN.— First dress: Long shirt o.' white, hanging full, 
 wiih einbroidtry at the bofc — green and {lold vest, with Ions broad 
 tabs of dark "reeii vetvet, ric.ily emuioidertd iu gold — very spacious 
 flowing njantle of white clolip with a boider of green and gold ein- 
 hroidtry, and gold friiifre— le., i.ifge high turban of wiiiie, tiiiislied 
 athntoiii by a lauielw'ieaih of green toil teconddress: Same as 
 Wazeppii's ■asi, dress. 
 
 'I'HAMAR AND (nJIE!<"S.— Vest anH fly of black cloth, triuimed 
 with red and ^uld — short i'till Turlii.vh trunks of l)laik and red snipe, 
 taken up wi.l gold suds — Tana: lielinet-cnp, wiiii rid ciiipe hanging' 
 fiom it, over t e shnulders^-red scart— reu sandals — rouuu shield of 
 black, with gold edje and bos-^es. 
 
 ELDER ~ — Long white robps and (mbans. 
 
 Koe<;.AR,^KADAC, ANU SHKPH EHD^.— Flesh legs and arms— 
 sheepskin vest> — .horl iiunks — (H)n cal caps ol ilje same. 
 
 OMEIZA ANi SriEPHEKDRSSES.— rikiils of str.ped and va- 
 rious-coloured linen» — capes of tiieepskin — large conical hatsiovered 
 with leaves, weeds, <Scc- 
 
 DRAMATIS PERSON.E. 
 POLES. 
 
 The Castellan nj Lauilmhi,. ., Mr. Hait, 
 
 PremhUis, Count Palatine, . . ^ ... > Mr, S. Foster. 
 
 Rudzlof, Chainki lull uf the llausehcld,.., Aiw Lawrence. 
 
 Drolind:o Mr. Herring. 
 
 Officer, i Mr. J. Smith. 
 
 Sentinel, i Mr. Ta ylor. 
 
 Olinska, Daughter vj'the Cuh\eUan, Mri. Pope. 
 
 Agatha, her Nune,.. .. . , , Mi.^. Bradly. 
 
 Zennla Mrs. Vates. 
 
 Knights, OfUcen, GaunU, Heralds, Domestics, Ladies, S^c. 
 
 TAlirAES. 
 
 Abdf.r Khan, King of Tai-tarji, Mr. Goniersal. 
 
 Mazeppa,hiison, under the Uiinie of Cassimir Mi. C'aitiitch, 
 
 Thamar, a consfii, big Chiet'U'in, i\Jr. S. Smith. 
 
 Zemba, I ;\li'. Taylor. 
 
 Kadac, ) rr CI i' \ R'l'. Piiliiip,ho.m. 
 
 Kosca.r, J ^ ' ( a^i VV.West. 
 
 p. , ,. , r, , ( Mr. Gou;ih,Mont- 
 
 .Llders of the I cop e, ; ■; ' i »■„* 
 
 '' 1 ' I . ^ gomer3',aiia lates 
 
 Oneiza, , ;Mrs. J. Ducrow. 
 
 Sheperdeao /...". Mrs. Dawson. 
 
 ChieJ'icins, Waritiors, Priests, Shepherds, S^c, 
 
MAZEPPA. 
 
 7\C T I. 
 
 SCENE l.—The Court-Yard of the Castle of Laurinski, boun-,, 
 ded but the hiiUdin^s of the cns-tle, its moat, and adjacmit lake. 
 —wit is approached ku a series oj drawbridges, over the moat 
 and branches of the lake — in the hack-ground, the distant 
 countrij — caatle gates, h. 3rd. E, — two targe win<lows, i,. the 
 nearest of wliich has a practicahle balcony, i,. s, E.—the 
 miMJH seen to set — lights are oh!fcrvuhle in the, castle windows, 
 which are gradually extinguished as the morning advances. 
 
 A SESTiy EL discovered, pacing the drawbridge, which leads 
 across from r. to l. 
 
 jEnfffT Cassimeh, cautiously, n. v. e, and crossing to the win- . 
 
 d0U\ L. S. E. 
 
 Gas. [Calling softly.] Olinska. 
 
 Sen. [Hailing on the drawbridge, c,] Ha! who goes tliere ? 
 rr-No answer! [Ca:-simer conceals himself behind a buttress, l.] 
 By the uncertain glimpses of the moon, I can distinguisli no 
 one — all is silent — it could have been but the wind sighing 
 among these ancient battlements ; whistling along them, as 
 it does through my ribs, which (by the time they keep me on 
 the watch) 1 suppose they tbink as tough and as weatherproof 
 as the walls themselves. 1 shall take the liberty of mukiug^ 
 free with the porter's fire, in tiie hall, for a few moments. 
 [Music- -Exit into the portal, l. u. e 
 
 Cas. [Advancing from the buttre.-s.] Olir.ska! dear Olin- 
 ska! ere yet the envious daylight robs my soul of this sweet 
 privilege, of drinking from thine eyes deep draughts of the 
 bright liquid fire, which, as from twin stars of love, streams 
 through my enraptured heart, appear, dear life! rai^e me to 
 that throne of glory monarchs might envy me, Olinska's love. 
 [Olinsku appears in the hatconii, l.. s. e. 
 
 Olin. Cas-imer! thou here? Hence, hence! wert thou 
 discovered, think how fearfully my father's wrath vyould fall 
 pn the clandestine suitor to hig child. 
 
*0 MAZEPPA. 
 
 by % Wef '"'' ^''''"'" ^'"^^' '°°°^'''^ "°*^ ewboldened 
 
 Olin It cannot be a worthy or a noble love, that thus be 
 
 neaththemaskof night, must steal to lay its homage on Jh; 
 
 Cas. Dost thou reproach my rash presumtioni 
 Ulin. No; but my own unworthy cowardice. Cassimir I 
 w>ll no more of th,s ; no longer stoop to tremblingly conceal 
 afleclions in which my soul should glory : no! at my fathers 
 fee 1 will avow it all-will plead thy gallant services- hy 
 exalted deeds-charge him, as he values my happiness 2 
 peace to grant Olinska's hand where her lond heart is pledg- 
 ed and gam a son who'll be an honour to his name 
 
 Cas. lo thee and to thy love I do commit me! but, rather 
 than see thee sacrificed to another, or brook a rival in thy 
 much-prized love, — ^ 
 
 A thousand tyrant fathers I would brave 
 From all their wrath my lov'd Olinska save. 
 Or earn an early, but an honoured grave 
 Ohn. But see, the dawn advances ; the moon 'lias sunk be- 
 hind yon hoary h.lls; the glimmering lights are one by one 
 expiring; and tne hum of busy menials speaks approaching 
 day. Away, my love, away! ^^ o-i-umg 
 
 Cas ftlay all propitious powers smile down upon the plead- 
 ing^ ot thy virtuous love, waft thy soft breathings deep to thv 
 fathers heart, and win him to our cause j then should thy 
 doatmg Cassimir, in the broad blaze of day, boast of his 
 bhss, and be all Poland's envy. 
 
 [The drum of the guard h heard-CASi,tMEn climbs a but 
 tress ami fnssumaiely hisses Olinska's hand, then effect 
 his escape, r. s. e. — sound approaches. 
 
 Re-enter Sentinel, l. u. e., on the drawbridge— OLiynK a 
 ujter watching Cassimer, retires fron the balcony. 
 
 Enter a Patrol, r. u. e., who crosses the drawbridge to l. u. e. 
 and relieves the guard. ' ' 
 
 Enter Rudzolof, Drolinsko, and other domestics, from the 
 castle, L. 3rd e. 
 
 wf"'.;''"? Come ; bustle, bustle, you lazv-paled varlets! 
 ^V hy. It s day! broad day!-andis not fo-day to be a remark 
 Able day— a glorious day— a day of festivity ?_Is the neiot 
 
MAZEPPA. 11 
 
 to be a grand tournament? — are not all the neighbouring 
 knights, ladies, esquires, and gentry invited? — Is not an en- 
 voy from the Count Palatine Premislas expected ? — And an't 
 I expected to take a leading part in all the games ? 
 
 Bud. But what an odd freak of our Lord Castellan to 
 choose sucii a day as this for the attempt to subdue the un- 
 breakable, fiery, wildTartarian horse, so long the terror of all 
 our grooms and ihe executioner of so many rough-riders. 
 
 Enter CASsiMEn, softlti, r. 3rd z.,and listens at the back, c. 
 
 Dro. Let the Castellan waste no more time, labour, nor 
 life about him ; but send the devil on all fours back to his na- 
 tive Tariary. I tell you what, godfather, there never was a 
 native of that country, wiiether walking on one pair of legs 
 or two, that ever cnme to any good by being in a better. 
 Look, now, at tha* young Tartar fellow, Cassimir, picked up, 
 as I have hgard, in a wood, some eighteen years ago, after one 
 of their barbarous incursions — 
 
 Riiil. \ living contrL>diction to your assertion ; risen by his 
 good qualities to be the favourite page, the idol of all the wo- 
 men, and the envy of all the men. 
 
 Dro. Not of all the men, godfather : for my part, I think 
 his brother, the .vild horse, the more amiable barbarian of the 
 two. 1 .et my lady beware, or she may find, too late, that she 
 has caugh* a Tartar. 
 
 Cas. [ RuHhiKg forward , and ghing Dro. a violent slap on the 
 shoulder.'^ What says the slave ? 
 
 Dro. i_Aiide.^ By all that's teirible, the tarter has caught 
 me. 
 
 Cof. Xo muttering, sirrah : you spoke of me. 
 
 DiT. I L.) Die" I '. — Well, then, I'm sure you must have 
 been c'.eligjiiedto hear the complimentary things I said of you. 
 \ou can t tlunk bow p-odigiously we all shall regret (I speak 
 of myseli m particular,) that your duly must presently take 
 yoi' trora us. 
 
 Cas. Whn.t means the slave ? 
 
 Rud Why, as you know that my Lady Olinska is going to 
 be mairiea to the Count Palaline Pieiuislas, one of the richest 
 and most powerf'd nobleman in Poland 
 
 Cas. How said yo"? married, married to another? 
 
 liud. Another! what other? — Why she never was married 
 before, was she ? 
 
Ai MAZEPPA; 
 
 Dro. A despatch late last night, conveyed to the f^stellan'ii 
 'chamber after he had retired— ay, ay, it's we folks of conse- 
 quence in Ae establishment that come at the earliest intelli- 
 gence — bless your heart, the envoy is expected to-day, to makfe 
 the formal proposal to my lady. 
 
 CVi.s. vVgainst this blow support me, heaveh! She never 
 will, she never shall be his! 
 
 Dm, Sha'nt she, though ? — There, I thiiik; you'll find your- 
 self mistaken, young fellow ; not that you need to put your- 
 self into such a takin^^ dbout it, for 1 dare say, as you are her 
 favorite page, she will prevail on the Palatine to make yOu 
 'one of his esquires. 
 
 Cas. [Seizing Dro. fci/ the throat, c] Wretch! how dare 
 you thus insult me ?-^B'ut no, reptile, thou arl not worth my 
 anger. [Rii'shes ovt,K. 
 
 Dm. I thank you for appreciating me so justly. Godfather; 
 mark my words, that man will never come to any good. Oh; 
 that the Castellan w6uld clap him on the back of his broth- 
 er devil, the Tartarian borse, and send them off to 'I'artary, or 
 Tartarius. 
 
 Riid. Tush, fool! the Lady Ollnska approaches— away, to 
 •speed the preparations for the festival. 
 
 [ Uliiiu—Bvdiclo diives Lidljvskn cut, uho has hardlif 
 recoveredjrom the effects of his shaking, l. s. e. 
 
 Enter OlinskA, 'with Aoatiia, b. 
 
 Aga. (l.) Why, bow, is it n^y pretty bird has left tier nest 
 so early this morning 1 — And, oh! those downcast eyes and. 
 and colourless cheeks aSsUr'e she must have passed a sleep- 
 Jess night. 
 
 Olin. (c.) Oh, 1 am deeply to be pitied. 
 
 ^ga. Pitied! you, you to be pitied! whfen tbere's nothing 
 talked of through all the castle, but your approaching nup- 
 tials with a young nobleman so rich and so — — - 
 
 Olin. Those nuptials never can take placfe. My heart, my 
 soul, each energy of my existence — all, all is Cassimir's'. 
 
 Aga. Cassimir's! heavens! a friebdless youth, ail brphail 
 boy, a foundling Tartar. 
 
 Olin. The idol of my fond afTections! 1'his very morning; 
 yielding to the prayer of Cassimir, 1 went to make an avowal 
 to my father, but judge of my astonishment, my agony, wheii 
 he annouced to me that he had solemnly engagad fny hand 
 
mazeppa. id 
 
 lo the Count Palatine, who in the recent war had rescued him 
 in battle. You know my cruel situation — ^judge, condemn me, 
 if you can, but you must it least pity the unhappy Olinsk a. 
 
 ' Agn. I condemn you! 6h, my dear young lady, my bosom 
 can harbour none but the tenderesl sentiments towards you> 
 nor entertain at:y wish except to do you service. 
 
 [A nohe of hurried foohteps is heard without, n. 
 OUn, Some one approaches — ah, 'tis he, 'lis Cassimir ! 
 •KjTeat heaven, how agitated! 
 
 Pe-enter Cashimih, niddenly, r. u, e. 
 Cas, [With suppressed aiigeri] Noble lady — 
 
 [Agatha retires tip, n. watching. 
 
 OUn, (r. c.) Speak without reServfej Cassimir; my secondi 
 ■ mother here knows all. 
 
 Ciis. Before her, then, pronounce my fate. 
 
 Oliii. Your fate! 
 
 Cas. Yes : on you, and on this moment, depend the desti- 
 nies of my life. 
 
 OUn. What mean you? 
 
 Ciis. We must fly : the deserts of Tartary, where I first 
 drew breath, oflTer us an assured retreat. Here where 
 the bonds thnt unite us are to be torn asunder, have I not the 
 rieht to require of Olinska, who has chosen me for her hiis- 
 'band. that she slim^ld seek with me, in my own country, that 
 happiness \vhich is denied us here? 
 
 OUn. How, with barbarians? sworn foes of my country— 
 ■never, never' 
 
 Cas. Then let this hated rival tremble. 
 
 OUn. Listen to me, Cassimir. 
 
 Cas. I care not for life ; I am ready to sacrifice it ; but I 
 will not perish alone. 
 
 Ago. [Adiavring, h.] Your father comes : for both your 
 sakes, hide from him your tears — Cassimir, away ! 
 
 Mvstc." — Enter the Castft.t-ax, with his suite, incUiding 
 3liiDzoi.oFF, fnwn (he castle-gate, l. 3rd e — he seems surprised 
 *tt thserring the embarrnssment his presence occasions, and testijie 
 f>i$ astonishment athehoUling Cassimir. 
 
 Cast, [.iside, L.J Cassimir! [Aloud.] What do yon here, 
 Cassimr? I 
 
 f^M.i[C{mfuied, R.] My Lord Castellan 
 B 
 
14 MAZEPPA. 
 
 ■Aga. [Fearing he may betray himself, hastens between hint 
 and the Castellan, c] My lord, Cassimir vjas just come to — 
 to — to — lo request my influence with the Lady Oliniska, to 
 obtain for him the situation of first esquire with her intended 
 husband. 
 
 [Tile Castellan, with a scrutinizing glance^siirveysthelovsrs, 
 who remain abashed awl confused, 
 
 Rud. (l.) This young man's intrusion on my lady's priva- 
 
 cy— - 
 
 Cust. It would be your duty to punish ; but I am willing to 
 excuse. I Call to mind his uniform good conduct, his courage, 
 and fidelity, which deserve reward :— I name him officer of 
 ttien-at-arms, whom I am sending to Warsaw, to be incorpo- 
 rated in the royal guard. He will depart to-morrow at day- 
 break. 
 
 Cas. My lord, permit me — — 
 
 Cast. Rudzoloff, I rely on you to see my wishes fulfilled. 
 Away, now; and prepare for your appearence at the ap- 
 proaching fete. 
 
 Rud. Enough, my lord. 
 [Exit Caisimir, l. s. e., with gestures of submission to the Cas- 
 
 tellant and darting glances of piercing scrutiny on Olinska 
 
 ' — Rudzoljf following. 
 
 Cast, I find, by the Count Palatine's despatch, that this 
 proposed marriage is likewise sanctioned by the soveriga 
 himself. 
 
 Olin. [Aside.] Support me, oh ! support me! 
 
 Cast. The Count Premislas wishes to come, even on the ia- 
 stant, and present to thee his homage ; but atj ancient custom 
 does not permit a Palatine of Poland to offer his vows in per- 
 son, till after a solemn ceremony. The countess's coronet 
 must be presented to the intended, and she return her ritig in 
 exchange. From that moment, she is his affianced bride. 
 The envoy of the count this day will come on the important 
 mission. 
 
 Olin. How, my father! this very day t 
 
 Cast. Even so. Prepare for his reception, my. daughter; 
 obedience should be easy, when honors and forluae are its re- 
 ward. 
 
 Music. — Enter an Officeii, n. 4th e. 
 
 Offi, My lord, a splendid cavalcade of knights and warrior^ 
 even bow is discerned from tke battlements, approaching tlie 
 
MAZFPPA. 15. 
 
 castle. By the bearipps nn the banners, we percei<ve it is an 
 envoy from Count Prcniislas. 
 
 Cust. Let l)im be conducted hither, with all the honour 
 due to his noble nias'ev. Bid my pages and officers of my 
 houselioM attend uve hcie. Olinska, be mindful of your duty.. 
 
 [Oliiiilui bends in sttbmission — the Officer retires, h. 4th. e. 
 
 filter Ri'DZOLOFF — Pages, including CASsriviiR, Ladies, ond 
 Guards in the castle, at the gate.i, i„ 3rd' e., and form roundL- 
 the CaiteUan, Olinska, and Agatha, who advances near the- 
 front, h. 
 
 Enter a Guard of Honour, from the Castle, cressing the back- 
 drawbridge from H. u. E. to 1. V, E. 
 
 The Grand Procession 
 
 Moves on, from r. 4th e consinting of Soldiers, Knights, Offl-- 
 cers. Ladies, and Attendants, who form on the l. side and across- 
 the hack — a small ornamental car is drawn on l, 3rd e., under 
 the canopy of which is a cushion with acimntess's cornet — ther 
 Envoy advances, c. — the Castellan leads forward his daughter, 
 and with her takes a position, r. — tivo ladies place a ctishion, 
 c., on which Olinska kneels — the Envoy britigsforword the coro- 
 iiet, and presents it to Olinska— it is received by her attendants, 
 and placed onherhead — Cassimiv anxiously beholds the ceremony 
 
 he pases round the back, and takes a situation behind Agatha^, 
 
 ji. — OH Olinsliu's receuing the coronet, he expresses rage aiid dispain- 
 — the Castellan now reminds her to present her ring-—ivitk trem- 
 hling agitation she draws it from herftiger, and approaches the- 
 canopy, Cassimir watching with a degrse of inlentness, wrought 
 up to agonif—as she drops the ring on the cmhion, CouNi 
 pREMisLAS bursts from the drapery of the cuTySeizes the ringy, 
 and advances to the front, c. 
 
 Oli. [Starting.] What do I see? 
 
 Cast, The Count Premislas! 
 
 Cas. [uside.] (l.) Down, rebel nature, down! 
 
 Pre. (c.) Pardon me, beautiful Olinska, for not awaiting- 
 the sentezice which was to decide my fate. Had my homage 
 been rejected, I should have quitted the castle without intru- 
 ding upon your presence ; but, on seeing you accept the diadem 
 1 hasfened to recieve, myself, this precious pledge of happi- 
 ness, [Showing the ring^ 
 
16 MAZEPPA, 
 
 Music— He takes the hand ofOliiiska, and hisses it — Cassimir 
 
 piakes a movement, as if in his jealous fury, he uould spring 
 
 Aipon his happy rival, but is restrained by a sudden thought 
 
 of more effectual vengence. 
 
 .Cas. [aside, and earnestly to Oimslca,] This very night! 
 *— vengence! — death! [Exit, h. 
 
 Cast, Deign to accompany me, count : every thing is pre- 
 pared to recieve you with the honorsdue tohim who, becoming' 
 xny soitt, will presently have a right to command, virhere now 
 he is a guest. Kever could your arrival have been better 
 timed. This day 1 had prepared a solemn tourney, in which 
 the pages of my household and friendly knights will contend 
 in those manly sports which form the warrior's earliest lesson 
 To this festivity your presence will add a tenfold brilliance. 
 Forward, and prepare the arena. 
 
 Pre. Count, with the utmost joy, 1 shall attend you. {To 
 Olinshi,) Lwtdy, may I be honoured with your hand] 
 
 Music-^He offers his hand to Olinska, who with diffident re- 
 luctance yields hers. The jrroceision moves on towards the 
 castle, and the scene closes. 
 
 SCENE II. — A Gothic Apartment in the Castle. 
 
 Music. — Enter £mila. 
 
 Zem, Well ; so my lady Olinska is going to be married— 
 1 wish I was going to be married ; for then I should no lon- 
 ger be a maid : no indeed, I would be a mistress, as ray hus- 
 band would be pretty quickly convinced. There's that lout, 
 Drolinsko, has been casting sheep's eyes at me for months past ; 
 but the dolt scarcely knows his own mind, I fancy. There's 
 but one reason I can conceive for having any thing to say 
 to suchanumscuU : if I married him, he'd save me the trouble 
 of making a fool of him, for he's ready made to my hand. 
 Give me a dashing spirited fellow, I say, who would run 
 away with you, in spite of fathers, uncles, cousins — ay, fnr 
 the matter of that, in spite of yourself. 
 
 SONG.— EMILA. 
 
 A lady Was woo'd by a knight it is said, 
 Who courted h*r uiider a tree ; ■, 
 
MAZEPPA. IT 
 
 And he constantly sighed on her bosom, "Fair maid 
 
 Ah! wilt thou be iaithful to meV 
 She sighed back again, as her bosom soft heav'd 
 
 "Sir knight, I must yield to dispair, — 
 I'd fly to thy arms, as my truth is lieliev'd, 
 
 Yes, I'd fly with my love, did 1 dare. 
 
 "Ah ! lady love, lady love !" quick he return'd, 
 
 "Is it tear only keeps us apart V 
 With teiiJerest passion his raandly breast burn'd. 
 
 Whilst courage and hope swelled his heart. 
 His courser was ready ; he snatch'd her fair form. 
 
 Away o'er the wild healh to bear, 
 And sang, as he gallop'd admidst the loud storm, 
 
 " L not only love thee, but dare!" 
 
 Enfer DnoLiNSLo, n. 
 
 Dro. [Meeting Zcrnila, c] Ah ! pretty Mistress Zemila, what 
 •may yuu be seeking in such a bustle 1 
 
 Zeiii, (l. c.) No such trash as you ; so mind your own busi- 
 ness, and let me pa-.s. 
 
 bio. '.Veil, now, for my part, I don't know what a likely 
 yong woman, such as you, can meet more suited lo her wants 
 and inclii.atioi:s than a tidy husband, 
 
 r<m. A husband! ]Lo!(^//i;(g.] Ha, ha, iia, ha,ha! As if, 
 were 1 inclined for a husband, 1 should for a moment dream of 
 .such a thing as ynu. 
 
 Drfl. Such a thing as me! what the devil do you mean by 
 that 1 Why, what's the matter with me ? I'm all right and tight, 
 snug and comfortable, as any young woman could desire' 
 
 Zeiti. No, Drolinsko, you want one very material article to 
 make a man of you. 
 
 Dru. No, you don't say so, 
 
 Zeni. Not that it's so essential to a husband, 
 
 Dro. Well, I'm glad to hear that at any rate, 
 
 Zeni, [TGiichihg hh h -urf.] You want it here, my poor fellow: 
 «mpty as a scooped-out cocoa-nutshell. 
 
 Dio. Want it there, do 11 Now it strikes we very forcibly, 
 that if I were your husband, you would furnish me with some- 
 thing mora than I should want there. 
 
 Zem. Now, it you were any thing like such a person as the 
 Tart:.r, Cassimir 
 
 JJro, The Tartar, Cassimir! Only to hear the women talk 
 
18 WAZEPPA. 
 
 Well, St. Ignatius help their taste, I say. lie's a sort of a 
 "wild beast ; and all the women are weaving nets and meshes 
 to catch hira ; and if tliey can't tame him, he's a wild devil 
 indeed. But I've stopped Mr. Cassimir's pranks for awhile. 
 
 Zivn. You stop him, drolinsko? ( iMughiug.) Ha, ha, ha! 
 that's an excellent joke. 
 
 Dro. I don't think he'll find it so. The slave had the pre- 
 ■sumption to intrude on the Lady Olinska's privacy, whilst, 
 taking a walk on the terrace of the castle, and even to touch*, 
 her hand. 
 
 (tri. Like a spirited young fellow, a,she is., 
 
 Dro. There I caught him — so did her father.. 
 
 Zem. (^Sneering.) Well? 
 
 Dm. The father did not seem inclined to say much ; but I' 
 gave Mr. Tarter pretty plainly to understand, that if ever ha 
 attempted the like liberty again,- he would incur a pretty con- 
 siderable portion of my displeasure. 
 
 Zem. {Derisively.) Your displeasure! Poor, poor Drolinsko. 
 
 Dro. I'd a good mind to give him a bit of a shaking then. 
 
 Zem. You give Cassimir a shaking! why, you'd shake in 
 your shoes if he did but raise a finger, 
 
 Dro. I say, Zemila, how provokingly beautiful you do look, 
 to he sure. Do you know, I should so like to 
 
 Zem. Well, then, why don't you take courage and try. 
 
 Dro. Egad! that's a pretty fair invitation, and here 1 go. 
 (He attempts to kiss her, she slaps his face. 
 
 Zem, Smack for smack, my fine fellow, all over the world, 
 is fair play, you know, 
 
 Dro, That's what you call giving a modest young man 
 proper encouragement, 1 suppose. 
 
 Zem. Recollect, Drolinsko, that till a recruit has learned to 
 tand fire, he's never fit for the field of action. 
 j. Enter zolopf, n. 
 
 Rud. (r. c.) Come, come, none of your billing and cooing 
 here ; all should be bustle and activity. The tournament is, 
 about to take place ; the Lady Olinska is to crown the con- 
 queror, and the presence of Count Premislas inclines ray lord 
 to wish the entertainment more brilliant even than he had in- 
 tended. 
 
 Dro. (l. c.) Lovely mistress Zemila, were it yovf task to. 
 crown the conqueror, I feel that I should overthrew! f^ll before 
 rae. 
 
MAZEPPA. '^ 
 
 Zein (c ) Then it must be with a crown of thistle and 
 dandelion .'ornamented with a pair of ass's ears, 
 uaniieiiuu, ^^ irvmpet heard inthmtt. 
 
 Rud. Hark, that's the first signal ; hasten to take your place. 
 
 J)nK My soul's in arms, and eager for 
 
 Zem. The encounter i , . , , , i „ 
 
 Dro. Ko ; for ihe sumptuous banquet, that is to take place 
 
 afterwards. 
 
 Tj^IO. r.Mii.A, DnoLiNSKO, and Rudzoloft. 
 
 Zem Oh ! 'midst the crash of war's alarms, 
 
 Delightful hurry scurry, 
 Wiiere 'midst of trophies, plumes, and arms. 
 
 1 he men each other worry. 
 How high each damsel's bosom beats, 
 
 How beam her sparklers bright, 
 To think, with all their gallant feats, 
 
 For her the heroes fight. 
 
 Dro. No <io«b^' ^°^ **^°^* ^^° S^* '^* ^*'^** 
 
 ' lis very pretty fun. 
 But ah! the thought that fills my breast. 
 
 Is care of number one. 
 What Mlly sport for fighting elves, 
 
 Into each other pitching— 
 They'd better pitch into themselves, 
 
 'J he comforts of the kitchen.. 
 llud. Oh, the thought of martial glory 
 
 Wl arms the breast and fires the heart j 
 Though my war-worn locks are hoary 
 
 1 could play a soldier's part. 
 Still the falchion could I wield, 
 
 Still enjoy the trumpet's clang; 
 Still my heart to beauty yield. 
 
 And each haughty rival bang. 
 
 Atm. 
 
 ALL TOCETHEH. 
 
 Ever still must martial glory 
 'lend a woman's heart to win : 
 
 Still they love a warrior's story 
 Though they dread the'.baltle't din. 
 
^'^ MAZEPPA. 
 
 Dm. It's very well to talk of glory, 
 
 Something better I would win, 
 Witli a jovial least before me, 
 I but wish a good tuck in. ' 
 
 Itud. Still my heart beats high for glory 
 
 Fresher laurels yet I'd win ; 
 As I tell each raartial story, 
 
 fig-lit the battie o'er again. [Exeunt, l. 
 
 .SCENE liJ.~The Grand Arena, prepared for the T-- rnament 
 surrounded on three udes by an eie,uted\aUer, -an Trlhl'd 
 
 ^dZ^u' " ""'" '^'^^^"''-^— -"• ^hejronL.,ac:::;^. 
 
 Music.-~The galleries are filUd with speciators-the limits of 
 111' "'■"/," '"■' """'"'"i"^^ Herald, a.d by mounted Men/t 
 unns-inthe centre are drawn vp the Pages and Kni.hs vZ 
 
 pied by the CuslcUan, his daughter, and Count Premislas sur- 
 rounded by their Attendants? ' 
 
 a<.e-tLe^?n Jr""'" ^'f""^ ^'^r "' ^°"^ ^'^^'^'^ ^°d cour- 
 age-taese noble sports aie the iraage of war-learn from 
 ■them to defend your prince and country. My dauXter wiU 
 crow^n the conqueror-let the signal be'given L theimerio 
 
 iUvsK.-rhe CasteUaasits..Rudznl,,ffviakesasignal, on which 
 -J^-P^'y'n.nds,andlherespecii^^^ 
 
 Mon-sjcnt a small sword combat, between two of the Pa^es 
 -hen a tilt , J mounted and armed' Knights, wi/h spear itnd 
 
 Muck, between Cussinnr and his opponent- in both of these 
 Cass,,mr,s soccess/ul-thcn a broadsword combat of firZ 
 
 t:ll:t:::eL''^^^^^^^^^^^^ 
 
 Jngu.sheJ you hom the crowd of my caoes Lwt i 
 qusxny favour, and n,. rewards wfu^be he St S 
 ev.n,ng-s sJ.adows, now gathering o'er the vallc^Jemind ;r. 
 
MAZEPPA. II 
 
 ■ to'flOBbVude our spottj, and taste the banquet's joys. IS'ott 
 ; let the tnimpet speak the contest o'er, and, in the joyous gob- 
 
 ■ let's «jhfeiiug draught, let each pledge his antagonist in sin- 
 ceiityand friendship. 
 
 , i^Tht victors are crowned by Olixska with laurel — Ca.ssimir re- 
 XLtves also a scaif — thev then approach a small table, which 
 . hus been prepared — each take a goblet of wine, and at they are 
 ■ till the act of drinking, the scene closes. 
 
 ;i£cENE IV.— yl Gallery of the Castle, conducting to the sleep-^ 
 ing-rooms—an entrance from the armoury, l. 
 
 >3fl'usic. — Enter Count Premislas, l., preceded and folloived 
 ' 61/ hi) Pages and Gentlemen of his household, some of whom 
 u bear flambeaux — one takes hit hat, another his mantle, which he 
 '. iai/s over the back of a chair — a third places his sword on a 
 ^ small table, 
 
 Pre. (c.) You may now retire— 1 dispence with all fur- 
 ther service for the evening. [Pages Sfc. retire, h., the Count 
 sits on a chair, R.c] 1 shall presently be united to Olinska — 
 called by my soverign to one of the first offices of the state, 
 , love and fortune unite to crown my wishes ; still the extre- 
 .• ordinary emotion of Olinska haunts me ; her disturbed looks, 
 her eyes moistened with tears — what would be her hand 
 •(.without her heart? — Perhaps some knight more blessed than 
 • I— [Ri*es and advances, c] But no, Olinska has been brought. 
 . up in retiiement : her heart will be thoroughly her husband's. 
 
 ^ Music. — Enter Cassimih, c. f., disguised in a black helmet 
 ■ with black plumes, the vizor closed, and a long black mantle — 
 he stands bejore Premislas, as lie is turning towards his cham-\ 
 her. -^ 
 
 Pre, [Seizing his sword.] Who art thou? 
 
 Cos. (c.) Thine enemy. 
 
 Pre. (c.) How entered you this castle? 
 
 Cas. What matter's that to thee? 
 
 Pre. What is thy will? 
 
 Cas, Thy death. 
 
 Pre. Would'st thou be my murderer * 
 
 Cas, No; I would OB^et thee in equal eocountei of 199a to 
 
■Sti MAZEPPA. 
 
 Pre. {Haughtily.) Thy name'! 
 
 Cas. 'I'liou shall know that when tliou art conquered. 
 
 Pre. Thii arrogance 
 
 Cas. Befits a jealoijs and offended man. 
 Pre. What can you be ?, 
 Cas. Your rival. 
 Pie. {With uiiiiety.) Beloved, 
 Cas. Till yesterday 1 believed so. 
 
 Pre. {Eiiiltiugl'j.) But to day thou findest that the beauti- 
 ful Olinska accords to uie the preference. 
 
 Cas. Not to thee, but to thy honours and thy titles. 
 Pre. Dar'st thou insult me ] 
 
 Cas. I have told thee but the truth ; my sword shall do the 
 rest. 
 
 Pre. Ilash intruder! thin^i'st thou a Palatine will deign to 
 measure swords with an unknown, doubtless unworthy of that 
 honour 
 
 Cas. My sword shall teach thee whether I be worthy. 
 Pre. Hence, or my servants shall chastise thy boldness. 
 \_Proceedi Ifl ring a bell, l. 
 Cas. [Presentingtwo piUols.c] One word, one gesture, andl 
 I stretch thee at my feet. 
 
 Pre. Coward! were o\ir arras but equal -"i — 
 Cas. [ Laying aside his pistols, and drawing a sword.] They 
 are so. Behold, [Throws open the mantle.] my bosom is un- 
 armed — I wear this helmet for concealment, not protection. 
 Aim at my heart — it has no defence but courage and this good 
 sword. 
 
 I\Iusic. — Pressed hu tlie attack of Cassimir, Premslas places him- 
 self on his defence, n. c, and a combat ensues — unable to re- 
 sist the vigor of Cassimir' s onset, Premislas is.wotmdeti, ai'd. 
 falls. 
 
 Pre. I yield. 
 
 Cas. [Resuming his mant/c] I am revenged. 
 [Music. — A tumult is heard without — a crowd of the Coiunt''i 
 attendants and other of the Castellan' shousehould rush on, head- 
 ed bif DroUnsko, L. 
 
 jDni. I tell you the unknown, who stole the armour, isin that 
 gallery — see, behold him — there he is. 
 
 [Those of the Count's household perceiving him fainting 
 ill the ch'iir, n. c. rush (■> his assistance — the others are about 
 to rush on Cassimir, ivho stands near the emrance to the ar- 
 fnou^y, but are kept in check by his presenting his pistol— r1\e 
 
MAZEPl'A- 2at 
 
 rushes ofbti the passage leading to the ai-mouri/, t. s. e., and 
 they follow hiw. 
 
 JEntei- the X^a^tellan, Rudzoloff, and other Attendants, l, 
 
 Rud. Great heaven ! the Palatine assassinated! 
 
 ( Goes to him. 
 Pre, (Partiallti reviving.) A rival — vengeance' 
 Cast. You shall obtain it: and whoever the murderer may 
 prove, it shall be terrible. 
 
 (^Music. — Two discharges of pistols are heard withdut. 
 
 Enter Dholinsro, running, l. 
 
 Dro. We''ve got him! he's taken! he's taken! 
 [The other 6eroants now tome in, l.s. e, surrounding Cashimik, 
 still concealed hy the vizor and mantle— he shakes them off, 
 a)id quietly takes his station, l. c., the Servants behindhim. 
 
 Pre. [Pointing ta Cassimir.] That is the assassin. 
 
 Cart. Remove the mantle that conceals the wretch. 
 
 \_Mufic. — As the Servants are ahffut to do so, Cabsimir casts off 
 both the mantle and the helmet. 
 
 All. Cassimir! 
 
 Cast. My suspicions were, then, true — let him die [ha 
 Servants of CovsT Pkemislas are about to spring on CASsijaxu.l 
 Hold ! reserve him for the punishment inflicted or( rebel slaves. 
 Lead in the Count — let every aid be lavished to restore him. 
 [Approaching the Count, and grasping his hand,] End as it 
 may, of this, at least, be sure, such vengeance shall expiate 
 the outrage, as ray indignant soul in fury dictates, in lamen- 
 tation o'er its dearest friend. [The Count's Followers support 
 him off, H.] Tremble, ungrateful miscreant, at the punishment 
 reserved for outraged hospitality. Lead the vile Tartar hence 
 — strip him of that garb he has degraded — let not the arras of 
 my house be sullied by adorning a traitor who raises his as- 
 sassin arm against my friend, under the very roof that gives 
 him shelter. Lead out the fiery untamed steed — prepare 
 strong hempen lashings round the villain's loins — let every 
 beacon -fire on the mountain's top be lighted, and torches, 
 iike a blazing forest, cast their glare across the night. This 
 iaioaient let my vengeance be accomplished — away. 
 
 (Mmi'c. — Eiit the Castellan, followed by hisprincipal Officers, 
 k«>~-Cassiviii is dragged ouH by the Servants, l. 
 
44 MA2EPPA. 
 
 SCENE v.— Part of the gardens of the CastellAit, 
 
 Music. — Enter RuDzoLOFrand ZemiIa, ji., meeting — Eiifer 
 Drolinsko, l., running, and his cloths in great disorder. 
 
 Zem, Well, Drolinsko, what dismal fate has happened to ■ 
 you iioVv 1 
 
 Dm. Dismal fate, indeed! the dismal fate has not happen- 
 ed to me"; but It might have don<i— I am perpetually led into • 
 predicaments by my unquenchable courage. 
 
 Zem. Or yoUr unqdehchable thirst, which, Drolinsko? 
 
 Dm. There, his lordship has ordered them to bring out the ; 
 wild Tartar horse, and strap Cassimir to his back. Lord love * 
 you, there stobd the poor" wretches about him, — not one of ' 
 them had courage to approach him; but my eagerness for~'' 
 difficult adventures inspired me— I approached the infuriated ' 
 monster, and seized him by the mane, when he turned round, . 
 and savagely tore 
 
 Riid. Tore! my poor dear fellow, are you seriously hurtl 
 what did he tear ? 
 
 Dro. Why, he tore what T won't venture to mention. 
 
 [Turns round and discovers his small clothes torn. 
 
 IMi'sic. — Enter two Servants, who cross from %, to n. — one of 
 them appears wounded. 
 
 Bud, Hasten to my lord, entreat him tb forgohis purpose, . 
 ere half his household is destroyed. 
 
 Dro. Why, truly, it seem as if the wild horse would mTike • 
 the castle an hospital. His Countryman, Mr. Cassimir, be-, 
 gan that game ; but thank heaven, xve are likely to get rid of" 
 them both, now. I've often said the best thing our f^rd Cas- 
 tellan could do, would be to bind them back to back, and set' 
 them off to their own country together. Egad! if we don't' 
 run, we shall miss the sight, and the opportunity of wishing; 
 our Tartar friends good-by for ever. 
 
 Music. — Exeunt miming, l. 
 
 SCENE y\.— The Outer Terriice nf the Castle, overlodksng a^ 
 tract of desolate country, composed of precipitous mountain' 
 ridges, abounding with cataricts — the rocky pathway crossef 
 a stupendous waterfall, by a slight rustic bridge, and isfinally 
 
 tost in a chain of lofty emiMt\ 
 
 ces, stretching into th« distance.^ 
 
IIAXFPPA, 36 
 
 MiTSic. — Enter the Castellan, RuDzoLorr, DkoLINsko, 
 and several of his suite, male and Jemale, b. s. e. 
 
 Cast. (n. c.) Is my will obeyed, and the wild horse MCUred? 
 Rud, All is as my lord commanded. 
 Cast. Bring forth the miscreant. 
 
 Mustc. — Oi.iNsK A rushes in, u. s. z,,follmced hy all thefentaUs 
 of her household, and approaches the Castellan, h. — nt the 
 same time Cassimih is dragged on by several of the household, 
 L. 3rd E. — CASsijiin stands l. c. the Servunis stretching 
 semicircnlarlufom the c. to l. comer, 
 
 Oli, [Throwing herself at her father s feet, n.c.jOh! my 
 father, pardon for him who saved your daughter's life. 
 
 Cast, (c.) Unworthy girl! all power on earth were inef- 
 fectual to assuage my vetigeance. 
 
 Mvsic— Enter Count Premislas< followed hy his officers, 
 I.. — Oi.iNSKA and the females instantly surround him, kneel- 
 ing at his feet, as if entreating his interferance, c. 
 Pre. [Ap-proachingthe Castellan.'] \\o\A, my \otd.'. from ven- 
 geance such as this, even my indignant bosom shrinks vrith 
 horror. 
 
 Cast. You plead in vain. — Bring forth the untamed steed. 
 [Music. — The horse is brought forward, L. 3rd e.. by three or 
 four Grooms, who, with difficulty, restrain him — he is led to the 
 C— Cassimir indignantly bunts from, those who hold him, and, 
 advancing to the front c, surveys the horse — the spectators, in 
 alarm, run to the corners, front.] Now bind the traitor on his 
 back ; let scorching suns and pierrcing blasts, devouring hun- 
 ger, and parching thirst, with frequent bruises and ceaseless 
 motion, rend the vile Tartar piecemeal. 
 
 Music. — Casstmir is now bound to the hoise's back, l, 
 Vlin. Yet, dearest father, in mercy hear me. 
 
 Cos. [On the horse, c] Plead not for me, Olinska : per- 
 ish as I may, it is sufficent glory that 1 die for thee. 
 
 Cast. Now launch the traitor forth, and let the story of his 
 fate strike terror throughout Poland! 
 
 JMusic. — The horse is released, and immediately i-ushss off 
 with Cassimii!, n. 3rd e. — he presently re-appears on the 
 Jirst range of hill", from l. to R.^ all the spectators rushing 
 to the L,, and as he crosses again from n. toi.,,they take the 
 opposite side — whe^i he has reached the third range of hills, 
 
^6 MA2EPPA. 
 
 ihey commence pursuino; Mm vp the hills, and as he pro- 
 gresses, they follow — lohen he has disappeared in the exten- 
 sive distance, the whole range of hills is covered by the Ser- 
 vants, Females, Guards, and attendants, shouting, waving 
 their arms and torches, forming an animated tableau. — 
 -Olinska, who has fainted, is supported by Agatha and 
 Pnr.MiSLAS, in the front, whilst the Castellan expresses ex- 
 nltation, completing the picture, lighted by the glareoftoT' 
 ches and the red beacon Jtres, on which the drop falls, 
 
 ■ END OF ACT I. 
 
 ACT II. 
 
 'SCENE I. — Moving Panorama <f the course of the Dneipef 
 River, rzmningfrom i,. u. e. to r. u. e. — on the fiat is seen 
 its banhs, with a tract if wild country — a tremendous storm 
 of thunder and lightning, hail and rain. 
 
 Slusic- — Mazeppa discovered, l. s. e., on the xvild horse, stop* 
 ping a few moments, apparently from exhaiistation. n. 
 
 Maz. Exhausted nature for a moment stays his furious 
 course. Eternal heaven! wheTe will these horrors end ? Oh! 
 ■would I were released from suffering, if but in the endless 
 calm of death. Ah! again he urges on his wild career. 
 fThe wild horse gallops off with Mazevv A , R.^— Mm SIC — The 
 storm abates, the sun rises, and the panorama begins to move — 
 the'horse, still bearing Maz^-pv A fastened iohis back, iisecuwa- 
 ding up the siream, from ii. to l.] Ah! how refreshing is the 
 ■cool stream to my racked, fevered limbs. Ah! could my 
 .parclied lips but catch its moisture, it would sooth the burn- 
 ing thirst that preys upon me. But here, like Tantalus, 1 feel 
 'the limpid luxury WHsh past my mouth, whilst my arid throat 
 is denied the sweeit relief [Music — A group of wolves is seen 
 on the opposite banks, as if watching and pursuing the horse and 
 Mazf.pi'a.] Though nigh exhausted by the strong exertion, 
 yon group of ravening wolves scare the affrighted beast from 
 off the bank — already have their gnashing teeth been buried 
 in my flesh ; and I could almost wish again to feel their horrid 
 
3MAZEPPA. 27 
 
 grip — if perchance it niiglit free me from the cruel tliongs 
 that eat into my flesli, and sque«e my swollen veins almost to 
 bursting. — Surely, the power of the maddened brute must 
 be well-nigh exhausted. Though my dim sight imperfectly 
 distinguishes, it seems as if the current was so strong as to 
 impede iiis course — these waters, then, shall be my welcome 
 ■grave — and see [Music. — An enonnmis vulttirn is acen Iwver- 
 ing alwve /lini.] yon horrid bird ol prey, now hovering over 
 its destined victim, torwarns me that my torments soon shall 
 end. — It brings me, too, the sacred consolation that I have 
 reached my native Tartary, to which its form and plumage 
 are peculiar, and so shall perish where I first drew breath — 
 ■welcome, eternal rest! Olinska! dear Olinska! be thy well- 
 loved name the last that raurraers from my expiring lips, and 
 may thy angel prayers waft my racked soul to regions of re- 
 pose and peace. 
 
 Music. — The wild horse hears off Mazeppa, l. u. e. 
 
 SCENE II. — A Rude Tartar Landscape — a marshy thicket, 
 intersperted with shepherd's huts. 
 
 Enter OsEtZA, through the wood, t. 
 
 One. What, ho! Koscar! Koscar' the sun mounts high 
 in the heavens, and chides thy sluggishness. 
 Koscar. [Without.] Hillioh! here. 
 
 Enter Coscar, r. 
 
 Kos. Ah! my sweet sister, thou abroad so early ! 
 
 Owe. Our gods preserve thee. Some hours since I led my 
 herd to a secluded tract amidst the mountain heights that 
 look towards Poland — [Looking off, r] but here comes Kadac 
 
 Enter Kadac, r. 
 
 One. What has raised thee, friend, from thy couch, so soon ? 
 
 had. Oh! I have been to pay my morning tribute to our 
 prophet king ; to beg his paternal blessing, and ask the assis- 
 tance of his potent prayers. 
 
 Kos. Prophet-king! well it's a strange mixture of trades. 
 Most kings, I reckon, find enough to do without wandering 
 
28 MAZEPPA. 
 
 out at nights upon the mountain tops, counting the itars, awl 
 seeking wondrous visions. 
 
 One. Fie, Koscar! fte! how can you suffer your rude ton- 
 gue to speak thus irrevently of him, whom all our tribes rever. 
 Ever was Abder Khan a mild and orracious monarch ; but 
 since that fatal time, when on the fields of Poland he lost his 
 only son, his mind has taken a strange and solemn turn — he 
 is inspired by the gods of Tartary— in wondrous visions, its 
 future destiny's unfolded to his view. 
 
 Kos, (c.) Visions, say you 1 Oh ! T, too, see visions, if it 
 come to that — 'I'his very morn, I have beheld a warning vis- 
 ion — horrible ! most horrible ! 
 
 lie. {n.c.) Heavens! what do you mean, Koscar? 
 
 Kns, Why, if my two eyes have the slightest knowledge of 
 the business attached to their situation in my head, 1 have 
 this very morning seen the Volpas. 
 
 he. You terrify me out of my senses, Koscar — what can 
 you mean ? 
 
 Kos, I saw him sitting, or rather lying, on a furious wild 
 horse, that bore him with moie than lightning speed from 
 rock to rock, o'er precipice, through stream, and plunged with 
 him into the deep and foaming torrent of the Dnieper. 
 
 Kad, (l. c.) Let us hasten to the Khan, and askhiscoun- 
 sel ; for, by our old traditions, the appearance of the Volpas 
 has ever been the harbinger of wretchedness to our Tartar 
 tribes. 
 
 ne. Hark, hark! what mean those sounds'! 
 
 Kad. It is the trampling of a furious steed. 
 
 Kosl [Looking off, l. s. f..] Ay,; with more than mortal 
 vigour. It is himself — the Volpas, the awful, the accursed, 
 Volpas, who this way wings his flight. — Hence, sister, hence! 
 the Volpas ! the Volpas I Exeunt, in the tUmost teiror, n. 
 
 JMusic— Enter the Wild Horse at full gallop, with Mazepva, 
 1. s. E, — he ruihes across, and exits n. s. e. 
 
 Enter Thamar, with Tartar Chiefs and Soldiers, s. 
 
 Tha. I came to seek our king : knowest thou where 1 may 
 find him, gallant ZembaT 
 
 Zem. Out king 1 Our prophet, rather say, my chief. 
 
 Ihti. Ay, doating driveller; when he must needs take up 
 one character, 'twere well he had laid down the other — a war- 
 like peopk are cot to be ruled by a seer of visions. 
 
MAZEPPA. 29 
 
 Zem. At least tliey get little by it. 
 
 TIm. I'Yoin a race of warriors we are descended to a nation 
 of vile slif[)licrils ; living upon tlie scanty sustenance oav 
 herds aftbrd, or labour can exiort iVoni oui rude sterile soil. 
 \Vhen has lliespod of any neigiibouiing people yielded glory 
 to our arms, or booty to our soldiers ! Oli ! for the days when 
 Polisli and ilungarian wealtli was the just prey of those 
 wiiose valour best deserved it ! 
 
 ^e;«. No ; ever since he lost his infant son, he dreads the 
 very name of Poland. 
 
 Tha. And spends his time in idle reveries, and superstitious 
 dreams of inspiration. IViot content to be obeyed, he likewise 
 would be worsiiipped. 
 
 Zem. So he is, almost, by the poor simple shepherds; but 
 for us warriors 
 
 Tha. You cannot but despise such drivelling imposture — 
 you shall not longer be the victims of a cheat to whom your 
 judgment never could be dupe. The hour is at hand when 
 the I'artarian sceptre shall be snatched by an arm that's bold 
 enoui^h to seize, and strong enough to wield it. This very 
 day 1 will, in the name of our assembled tribes, demand that 
 he proclaim his successor. 'I'here is but one he daietoname, 
 and once pronounced his heir, he soon shall find 1 will not 
 tardily await the enjoyment of the power already dropping 
 I'rom his doating hand, 
 
 l'.iiter hastily Koscar and Kadac, h. 
 
 Kos. (u. c.) Help! help! save me! save me! 
 
 Zem. (c.) How, now? What ails the man ! 
 
 Kos. I've seen him! I've seen him! 1 am sure I have ! 
 
 Zem. Whom have you seen idiot ■? 
 
 Kos. Why, the Volpas, to be sure, the dreaded Yolpas. 
 
 Zem. Unveller! what mean you] 
 
 Kos. I mean, my lord, that 1 believe the evidence of my 
 own two eyes : 1 saw him on a horse about twice as big as an 
 elephant, who leaped from one rock to another, a league a- 
 part — the wirlwind of dust that he kicked up reached to the 
 skies 
 
 Tha. Dolt! weary not thus my patience ; but assemble 
 your shepherd tiibcs here in the valley: our aged Klian has 
 a revelation to make of the utmost importance — obey me quick- 
 ly, and await your monarch's bidding, 
 
 Kos. We shall do so, my lord — he is our friend and our 
 
aO MAZEPPA. 
 
 protector ; and if any thing can oppose the ftiry o( the per- 
 secuting demon, 'twill be the efficacy of his prayers. 
 
 Tha. Ha! I see he approaches. Haste you to bring your 
 comrades, whilst I assemble our choicest warriors to hear 
 from his inspired lips the future destiny of Tartary, 
 
 (Music. — F.xeuntTuAHAR andSoLDitRS, l,, Koscar, and 
 Kadac, n. 
 
 SCENE III. — The plains or Steppes of Tartary, bounded by 
 rocky eminences, the last of a chuin that separates it from Po- 
 land — rocky pathways, broken by cataracts, over which are 
 thrown rude alpine bridges — and in the foreground are mar- 
 shy plants, brushivood, and a few scattered trees. 
 
 Music — Shepherds discovered reposing, whilst their steeds 
 are grazing. 
 
 Enter Abder Khan, r. u. e, attended by Three Elders. 
 
 Ahd, [Stopping on one of the mountain eminences, n.c] Hail, 
 glorious orb of day, that slowly rising from wide ocean's bo- 
 som, sheddest thy bright beams over animated nature, awaking 
 all its creatures into life, and chasing night's dark shadows 
 far away : what fearful scenes those shadows have pourtrayed 
 to my inspired vision. Portentuous horrors hanging thick 
 around, menacing this devoted land with blood — ytt, even 
 in my dream, a better star rose o'er our clouded fortunes, and, 
 like the blessed sun, dispersed the gloom of horror, and spread 
 light and peace around. 
 [JNJusic. — He advances to the front, c, attended by the Elders, 
 
 First E. How fares our honoured master] What anxious 
 cares have occupied liis thoughts through the past night, and 
 from his tent led his adventurous steps'! 
 
 Ahd. Ueepthoughtsformy loved people's welfare: and, oh! 
 in those wild regions I have visited, such mighty revelations 
 from the skies have on my wrapped soul descended 
 
 Second E. What means my honoured lordf 
 
 Abd. Rlethought 1 saw a fair and lovely-bird, the very type 
 of innocence and peace, wing its swift light througli the ex- 
 pance of heaven ; a dark and ravenous eagle darted forth, 
 and quick pursued the affrighted helpless wanderer, with 
 eager haste and threatening talons. In its distress and woe, 
 the persecuted wa rbltr stouh shter in my bosom, whicbt 
 
MAZUPPA. 31 
 
 readily was open to receive it 5 but the destroyer even there 
 assailed its destined prey, and struck its talons deep into my 
 heart. 
 
 Flint E. Yet be not cast down ; for threatened evils often 
 pass away, nor shed one drop of bitterness on our protected 
 heads. 
 
 Abel. Not for myself, I fear, but for my people ; for hope 
 and fear to me have been denied since my loved child was 
 lost. For I'artai'y alone I live, and would it win lier happi- 
 ness, for I'artary with eager joy I'd die. 
 
 Second E. No, sire, no: yet live to bless thy people. 
 
 Akl. But in one hope 1 live, a hope thou'lt say akin to 
 madness, but which the gods have planted in ray sorrowing 
 heart, and nourish still with those soft whisperings, breathed 
 from the heavens above. Thou sawest me in that hour, 
 Olgar — thou sawest my gleaming scemitar hew down myriads 
 of Polish foes, who had surprised our little camp ; when my 
 infant was held within their grasp, how like a maddened lion 
 my eager rage sought access to their phalanx's centre — once, 
 once, I saw an uplifted dagger gleam against his throat. 
 ■Gods! how my steel, like the fell lightning's flash, struck 
 through opposing numbers to that monster's heart. At once, 
 I saved and lost him — hurried back by overpowered and re- 
 treating hosts, I never saw my angel babe again. 
 
 Second E. You yet believe he lives? 
 
 Abd. Ido, Ido! in hallowed visions constantly I see him, 
 iny diadem encircling his brow — like a celestial halo does 
 ihat blessed thought shed a bright gleam of comfort o'er my 
 soul — with patience 1 await the hour, assured that I shall see 
 it — Mazeppa shall return, shall be the joy of his long-sorrow- 
 ing sire, aud the glory of his rescued people. 
 
 Rural Music heard at a distance. 
 
 First E. See, sire, where the shepherd tribes approach, to 
 lay their morning homage at your honoured feet. 
 
 Abd. Be tiieir humble repast prepared ; their simple wants, 
 at least, their king can yet supply, and to avert each threat- 
 ened danger, they shall not need his prayers, 
 
 [Music, — From a tent, 11.?. e., the Elders set out bowls of 
 milk — the rural Music approaches. 
 Enter a body of Shepherds, at the bach, whilst TuAyiAR and 
 his warriors advance in the front, l. 
 
 Tha. Soverign of Tartary, thy people, deeply sympathizing 
 
82 MAZEPPA. 
 
 with thy childish loneliness, have yet a care for their own 
 future peace and happiness ; and, lest the sceptre, whicli in, 
 the course of nature must soon drop from thy enfebled grasp, 
 should prove a source of discord and disaster, they expect 
 that thou wilt name one of thy chiefs whom thou deemest 
 worthy to succeed thee on the throne. 
 
 Aba. Doubt not I shall do my people justice — a solemn 
 warning from above was last night whispered to my soul — 
 yes, yes, I feel this very day the will of heaven shall be de- 
 clared, the name of my successor be breathed even from tiie 
 skies — again 1 will entreat the gods in prayer — in yonder tent 
 for a few moments beg again their blessingv— do thou and all 
 thy chiefs and people await me here — anon I will join you 
 and proclaim my will. Doubt not, good Thaniar, the succes-, 
 sor 1 shall proclaim will be one who will meet tliine and all 
 my people's approbation. [Retires among the rocks. 
 
 Ttta, lAdde.] Ha! then the glorious prize, indeed, is mine, 
 he dares not name another. Now to assemble all the chiefs 
 and forces who are favourable to my views ; and, should the 
 robber dare to murmur aught of discontent, we may crush, 
 iail idle opposition, and awe them to obedience. 
 
 Music. — Exeunt Thamar and Warriors, n. s, e. 
 
 Kad, (l. c.) Well, as I have heard that music after meals* 
 is good for digestion, suppose old Zelos here gives us the song 
 of the Volpas, whilst you, Koscar, accompany him on your 
 pipe. 
 
 Kos. (c.) V/ hat, that song of the Wild Genius of the De- 
 serf! — The very thought of it gives me an indigestion. 
 
 Kad. Pshal childrens' tales! you can't believe what they 
 say of the Volpas — I thought you had more sense. 
 
 Kos, Believe! I don't believe, but I know it. It never 
 appears but at the forewarning of wonderful events. The 
 very mention of the terrible Volpas turns all the milk I have 
 been drinking into vinegar. The ravager! the destroyer! — 
 dome, come, no more talk, but the song of the Volpas. 
 
 Music. — The pastoral groups form — Koscar mounts hillock 
 C, and playsupon his pandean pipes — three Shepherds sivg, 
 the song with chorus, during which all the men and women, 
 figure a heavy dance, almost witlunit stirring from their 
 places, with extravagant movements of' their Iwads and 
 arms, terminating every time in grotesque and varied groups 
 
MAZKPfA. 33 
 
 TARTAR SONG. 
 
 Across the wilds of Tarlary there wliirls a dcmoa furm, — 
 His voice is not of this world, and mingles with the storm ; 
 Through blasts of forked lightning his snorting courser dashes. 
 And death and terror, as his guides, smile grimly with the 
 flashes. 
 
 Let the lovely shepherd maid, 
 Most of all, his side evade. 
 Haste! haste! to your tents hasten bac!<, 
 A pursuer is in your track. 
 
 Fly! fly! 
 'Tis the Volpas that's coming, the V'olpas is nigii. 
 His black and fiery courser's mane stands bristled by the blast, 
 And from his feet the dust in air is up in whirlwinds cast ; 
 His wide and smoking nostrils dart before him tires of wrath ; 
 And nothing that's of mortal born can live upon his path. 
 Chorus and dance. Let the lovely shepherd maid, &:c. 
 
 Oh, when that horse and rider come, the astonished earth and 
 
 ocean 
 Shake and shrink with terror at the martial commotion. 
 Nature, as if she writh'd her last, heaves with tlie horrid pang. 
 And trumpets shriek in the troubled air their war denouncing 
 clang. 
 
 Let the lovely shepherd maid, &c. 
 (At the conclusion of the song, a storm coines on with' immense 
 fury. 
 
 Shepherdess. There! see now! I thought what would come 
 of such profane ditties: the devil is no person to be jested 
 with. Vou have sung a song in his honor, and he is now 
 coming to thank you for it — yes, yes, sure enough, the Volpas 
 is at hand this time. 
 
 (^Music. — A universal scream of horrnr rrtiis thi-oiigh the as. 
 sembled multitude, 
 
 Re-Enter Abdeu Khan, l. s. e. 
 
 Abd. What means this wild alarm, my children? these 
 •creams of abject terror 1 
 
 First Shejiherdess. Ah, sire, save us, save us! an awful vi- 
 sitation — the ^'olpas, the Volpas is at hand. 
 
 Abd. Dismiss this idle fear, and dread no fiend but that 
 
34 MAZEPPA. 
 
 which vice has planted in the human heart. The voice of 
 heaven now surely speaks in the thunder of the elements ; its 
 awful secrets shall this day be known ; its pleasure and your 
 future fate by my voice be declared ; Cliiefs and elders, at- 
 tend to assist me in my prayers ; do ycu my children, secure 
 your steeds from the fury of the elements. Sound now your 
 shells, and call them round you — let -the seat of our armed 
 tribes be spread beneath the palm grove, where I, with our 
 chosen priests and elders, may consult the messenger of hea- 
 ven, (aside.) Oh, if 1 dared believe the portentious throb- 
 bing of this heaving breast— but, oh! the peace I'd fain in- 
 .spire in them is stranger to my soul. 
 
 (Exit uith the Elders, l. 
 Kud. Koscar, call up the steeds affrighted and dispersed 
 by the storm; your sounding shells, pealing along the echoes, 
 will bring them quickly around us. My friends, ascend to 
 the mountain pastures and draw our flocks homewards to the 
 valleys, for see, the storm increases. 
 
 JMusic. — The Sheplierds sound their horns, — their harsesriish on 
 
 from the adjacent fustiwes — they mount them, and proceed in 
 various directions. A large bcdu oj them on foot ascend 
 the mountain eminence — as they ascend the rock, the storm re- 
 doulles. When tliey reach the summit, l., the heavens jiour 
 
 forth a continuous stream ofjire — the shepherds with a shriek 
 of alarm, exclaim, " 'J'he \olpas! the ^olpas!" and rush 
 
 Jorward and throw themselves on their faces. The Wild 
 Horse, with Mazeppa, is seen furiously pursuing his course 
 among tJie mountains, ciossiugfrstfrom l. to r., backwards 
 andjorwards ottr the range of hiik, till he reaches the front, 
 and, as he is crossing from h, s. e, to i.. s. e., a thunderbolt 
 
 falls and strikes a ft- tree, l., which falls among the brush- 
 wood, and liides him from view. The Shepherds all rise up, 
 and rush off in horror, n, 
 
 Maz. IHeurd feebly exclaiming.] Helo! help! for heaven's 
 sake, release me! 
 
 Music. — Enter Oneiza, b., rushing forward in dreadful 
 alarm. 
 
 One, (l. c.) Ha, what a dreadful conflict of the elements 1 
 Whither shall I seek, for shelter ? Ah ! in this thicket 1 may 
 aud, perhafips, a mocientry refuge from the storm. (Music— 
 
MAZEPPA. 37 
 
 she turns aside some of the hrushwond and the branches of the 
 fallen tree, l., which preaciits to view Mazeppa, eitcnded inotion- 
 iessand apparently lifeless, upon the body of the ejihuusted horse.) 
 What do I behold I — A human being, apparently lifeless, yet 
 bleeding-, and bound by cruel though upon the body of a steed, 
 exhausted, dead, or dyiojj. (T.euiiiiif; over Alazs'jipu.) He 
 moves ' he breathes ! Oh, may ] , under heaven, be the hap- 
 py means of affording him relief. (Loosening the cords ivhich 
 bind him.) I will unbind those blood-soaked cords, and plants 
 of shootings virtues siiall allay the anj^uish of their wounds. 
 {Rises and giithers leaves.) Fiom this flask, the cool refreshing 
 stream shall shoot new vigor through his wearied frame. 
 
 {Giving him drink from her wafr-liottle, and binding his 
 luounds vjith leaves. 
 
 Maz, (Rising itp a little-) Ah! have the cords that bound 
 my aching limbs at length bursted ? Save — save me ! or 1 
 die. (He sinks back from exhaustion. 
 
 One. Ah! He is not one of our tribes. Let me hasten to 
 our Prophet Khan, whose mild beaignoat spirit will lavish 
 more effectual succour than my weak aid can offer. 
 
 Mcsic. — Exit hastily, l. 
 
 Re-enter some of the Shepherds, caiUiausly, r. s. e., and l. s. e. 
 
 Kad. What meant that strange and fearful vision which, 
 amidst the flashes of the storm, gleamed on our affrighted 
 view? 
 
 Kos. (l.c.) Why, what should it be but the Yolpas, as I 
 told you. Ah! what do I behold ! — There lies the wild horse 
 sunk in death, and on his back a form that seems like mortal. 
 
 Kad, Perhaps it is a fellow creature. 
 
 Kos. It must be the Volpas ; he's only taking a nap, and 
 will wake up more savage than ever. I'll take care how I go 
 nigh him. Back, the Khan approaches. 
 
 Music. — Enter Abdeu Khan, attended by Oxeiza, and 
 followed by Thamah and suite, l. 
 
 Abd. Where is the wounded and exausted stranger ? Why 
 stand ye idle and indifferent, when, perhaps, your cares might 
 succour human woe 1 
 
 Kos. Human woe! Oh, no, please your highness, ifs no 
 human woe, but thatliorrid inhuman beast, the Volpas. 
 
 Abd. Assist me, friends, to raise the object of ourpity, and 
 
86 MAZEPPA. 
 
 convey him to a timely shelter. [Music — The Shepherd* re" 
 TU'ive the tree — the Khan advances, and bends over the bodi/ of 
 Maxeppa, i,. c] Ah! what signs and characters now meet my 
 sight ? Like the bright lighting's blaze, it flashes on my soul. 
 l^Rkhig, and advancing to Tharnar.] 'I'hamar, my friend, 
 behold, and join with me in gratiude to heaven. A miracle 
 has been wrought! Read, read, brave chief, those words of 
 gladdenina power, — Mazeppa! ' Yes, mark thou that honour- 
 ed word ; — it is my son! my son! my long-lost child, [Knee- 
 iing.] Eternal heaven, receive an old man's thanks, nor suffer 
 the full tide of joy to overwhelm my soul. 
 
 Tha. [Apptnuching Mozeppa.] I mark the characters, my 
 liege. May they not be the work of an imposter? 
 
 Abd. [Approaching Mazeppa.] Saidst thou an impostor ? — 
 This the tiiumphant answer : behold this jewelled star, the 
 badge and emblem of our noble tribe ; myself, affixed it there; 
 and, glittering now upon his bosom, it flashes sweet conviction 
 on my soul. It is indeed my child. See, he revives — he 
 moves! 
 
 Mas. Loose those dreadful chords, I say. See, see the 
 gushing stream that mingles with the flood is draining from 
 my heart! \\ hy do those gnarling wolves howl on so bideons- 
 ly? They are upon us! — their ravening tusks tear off my 
 flesh! Ha! that precipice, — that must be swift destruction! 
 We reach its brink ! — Lost ! lost for ever ! 
 
 [He again sinks back in exhaustion, 
 
 Tha. Methinks this wild delirium speaks ill for his recovery 
 
 Abd. Peace, thou malignant fiend, whose withering breath 
 would blast my new-born hopes! See, the pallid hue of 
 death now brightens into health. Raise him with care, and 
 be he to yon foremost tent conveyed, henceforth the seat of 
 royalty. 
 
 Tha. (Aside, whilst the Assistants are raising Mazejipa on a 
 litter.) Make not too sure of that. Delusion! miracle! im- 
 posture ! — what it will, my hopes and high ambition are not 
 to be o'erthrown thus by a single blow 
 
 (Mi)sic. — Mazeppa is raised on a bier. 
 
 Abd. (Pointing to the Wild Horse, which still lies extended on 
 the earth.) That noble steed claims our assistance, too. Of 
 mortal mould it cannot be, but the choice instrument of hea- 
 ven to restore to Tartary a soverign, to a doating sire a long- 
 est son. (The shepherdt raise the horse,) Ye priests and people 
 »iw aloud yoor vind^s^i^implor* of Jwavto it will not k«ve 
 
MAZEPPA. 
 
 37 
 
 5ts glorious work unaccomplished, but thai, restored to vigour 
 my son may bless alike his father and his people. 
 
 [The Priests and People join in the chorous — the Khan, with 
 a milt life nf nnxiett), tenderness, and eriittation, watcheshis, 
 son — while Thamer, with his associates, aside, evince their 
 rage and disappointment. 
 
 CHORUS. 
 
 Powers benignant, now look down, 
 A father's hopes with mercy crown ; 
 J^isten to a people's prayer, — 
 Bless, oh, bless our tender care } 
 
 Gracious powers, whom we adore 
 
 Our future monarch now resore ; 
 
 That our triumphant shouts may raise 
 
 In songs of gratitudeand praise. ( The scene clout 
 
 SCENE IV. — A Tartarian Landscape, adjacent to the great 
 Encampment, which is seen in the distance, 
 
 Mosic. — Enter Thamar and Warriors, l. 
 
 Tha. In vain does yonder hoary dotard dream his new- 
 found fondling shall defeat my purpose and enjoy the throne. 
 Too long have we been slaves, the groveling slaves of super- 
 stition. You all have sworn to see your leader on the throne, 
 nor can I fear the firm determination of such gallant warriors 
 can be diverted by so poor an artifice. Will you uphold ma 
 still ] 
 
 All. We will ! we will ! 
 
 Thii. 'i hen am 1 still the sovereign of Tartary. For' this- 
 poor impostor, — my dagger shall quickly remove that trivat 
 obstacle. To me the guard of the royal tent has-been con- 
 fided. Soon will I teach the Prophet-Khan to know that 
 his weak delusions can never turn from his affirmed resolve- 
 the unshrinking soul of Thamar. On to our purpose, war- 
 riors. [ EieuKt, R. 
 D 
 
38 MAZEPPA. 
 
 SCENE V. — The Intmorof a rude Tartar Tent, hung witJi 
 characteristic arms and armour — on the flat, r, c. hangs (^ 
 large metal Shield, used to strike signals on. 
 
 Music. — Mazeppa discovered sleeping on a low pallet, the- 
 Khan watching over him with intense anxiety, l. c. — An Offi- 
 cer in attendance, l, 
 
 Abd, Let all our armed tribes, at earliest dawn, be assem- 
 bled around my tent, that of the prince's first returning sense 
 I may apprise them, and proclaim hira to my people. [Exit 
 Officer through tent, h. c. f.] Sleep on, my boy, and oh! may 
 the repose which now envelopes thy faculties in death-like 
 calm, like heaven-descended dews, revive thy energies in 
 vigour and in health. The camp is silence all, save where 
 the trusty sentinel paces his little round. The tent is guarded 
 by my choicest warriors, but here thy father shall maintain 
 his post, and, till thy slumber breaks, thy foremost safeguard 
 be thy father's heart. 
 
 [He lies down on a couch, l. c, near Mazeppa, and shortly 
 fatls asleep. 
 
 Enter Thamar and two Conspirators, cautiously, r.c. f. 
 
 Tha. Thanks to the guard I chose for their protection, our 
 entrance hither has been easy and noiseless. Fate favours 
 our design, They sleep. Myself will strike the blow ; my 
 dagger's thirsty for the stripling's blood. 
 
 [He approaches the couch of Mazeppa. 
 
 Maz. [In his sleep.] Off, tyrant, off! thy bonds shall not 
 withhold me ; the energies of such a soul as mine shall burst 
 thy puny cords, and, in the power of vengeance, I shall 
 stand terribly before thee. 
 
 Tha. Heraves— he wakes — back, back: delay our purpose, 
 till returning slumber render it secure from all alarm. 
 
 Music. — Thamar and Conpirators retire, r. 
 
 Maz. [Awaking.] Still do those cruel lashings press upon 
 my flesh, and eat into my bone— ah ! this limb is free — so are 
 all. [Herisesand advances to front, c] Again 1 stand erect, 
 again assume the godlike attitude of freedom and of mgin. 
 Though weak and tottering, still these lirabs are freed front 
 
MAZEPPA. S9 
 
 nlling bonds, tind own no tyrant's chain— where can I be? 
 My confused ideas and broken memory serve not to recall the 
 incidents of the past hour — somethinsj I do remember of a 
 venerable form, that hung in pity o'er my prostrate wretched- 
 ness, and with compassion's tears did wash my wounds. [He 
 traverses the tent and looks out ut the opening, n. c] The can- 
 opy of heaven, studded witli glittering fires, spreads its broad 
 expanse around; and, by their light, long avenues of tented 
 habitations show that I am treading on the field of war — Ah! 
 at that bless'd idea, my soul swells high, my energies are 
 strung with new-recovered vigour, and 1 feel sufficent yet to 
 conquer my own glory. — Let me observe ; and lest around 
 this friendly shelter malice should lurk, or any hostile arm. 
 [Seeing a shield and iword hanging up.} Thou friendly steel, 
 I'll borrow thy assistance, 
 
 Mivsic— He takes down tlte sivord and shield, and goes out at 
 the back of the tent, r. c. f. — Thamau and the Conspira- 
 tors advance from r. 
 
 Tha. Another, and a surer plan has glanced across my 
 mind. The Khan himself shall perish^ the crime, charged 
 on this new-found stranger, hurls him at once to irretrievable 
 ruin, and who can then dispute the throne with Ihamar? 
 
 Abti. (^Awaking.) IMy boy! my child! where art thou ? 
 Misery and despair! sure, treason is alxoad. (Rises and 
 comes forward.) Thou here, Thamar, at this unwonted hour? 
 The truth at once flashes upon my horror-stricken soul. Per- 
 nicious miscreant! thou hast destroyed my chdd. 
 
 Tha. Thy child, fond dotard! the easy dupe thou art to 
 yonder rash impostor, proves thee unfit to reign. Think not 
 the destiny of Tartary is thus to be surrendered to thy child- 
 ishness, or yon adventurer's audacity — the chiefs of Tartary 
 would have a warrior king ! 'tis me they have selected. And, 
 ere I snatch, somewhat too rudely, perhaps, the tottering crown 
 that trembles on thy aged brow, wisely surrender it. 
 
 Abd. To thee, insidious monster? I^ever ! 1 have now an 
 heir to prop the drooping glories of my house ; and ere I 
 would surrender one title of his just rights, traitor, thou shouldst 
 tew me piecemeal! Least of all would 1 abandon my be- 
 loved people to ,the ambitious fury of such a wretch as thou 
 
40 MAZEPPA. 
 
 Tha, Yet, ere our daggers drain thy aged veins of all their 
 poor remains of life, be wise and yield — affix thy seal to this 
 parchment, renouncing all title to the throne, and stamping him 
 thou callest thy son, a foul impostor : this do and live — and 
 ph! be sure thy death is but the prelude to that foundling 
 boy's, who never shall dispute with me the crown. 
 
 Abd. Your threats I scorn. The spirit that has often led 
 me on to victory, shall nerve me still, nor do 1 dread to meet 
 a host of coward traitors, such asThamar. 
 
 (^Snatches up a sword, and places himself in an attitude of 
 defence, l. c. 
 
 Tlia. Thou hast pronounced thy doom. (Music. — The Khan 
 rushes towards the entrance of the tent, as if tb strike the shield 
 — as he does so, on a signal from Thamar, two other consiprators 
 rush forward, meet him, and drive him back.) Each sword that 
 gleams around is sworn to do my bidding. 
 
 Abd, Thy king defiies thee, still ; I strike for my own right 
 and for my boy's, and heaven will assist my arm. 
 
 [Music — Thamar and one other Conspirator rush mi him, the 
 other tuo guarding the entrance to the tent, and keeping the 
 curtain down — after a short contest, the Khan is overpowered, 
 and falls — Thamar and his confederates stand over him with 
 vplifted weapons — during this, a sort of struggle has been per- 
 ceived at the entrance of the tent, as of some one endeavouring 
 to force their way in, which is successfully resisted by the Tar- 
 tars placed there — at the moment when Thamar and the Con- 
 spirators are on the point of striking their weapons to the heart 
 of the Khan, the tent is slit up in another place by a sword, a7id 
 Mazeppa darts through the opening with his sword and shield, 
 andstandsin a protecting attitude over the prostrate Khan, 
 
 Maz. Cowards and villians! theguarb of Tartar warriors, 
 and two of you against an aged feeble man! he, too, whose 
 kindness rescued me from death, and soothed my sufferings. 
 
 Xtlusic. — The four conspirators vow furiously attack the Khan 
 and Maieppa — in the course of the conflict several inteiesting 
 pictures are formed by the mutual ejfforts of father and sun to 
 save each other— they overpower the cojispirators. 
 Tha. Yet do I laugh thy power to scorn, for hundreds now 
 
 without await but my nod to shed their life blood in my cause. 
 4iid. Millions will strike in.miiie. |[6'tn/c^ the shitld with hii 
 
MAZEPPA. 41 
 
 %woril — the curtains of the tent are drawn up, and the whotf Tar- 
 tar army is discovned in battle arrai/.) Tartars, behold the 
 the traitor who has sought your soverign's life. (^"1 parti/ of 
 Guards stize Thamar and his cnnjederates.) Away with them to 
 punishment. (Theij are taken buck.) And now, young hero, in 
 the aged man you have preserved, embrace and own a fond, a 
 doating father. 
 
 3i<(!. A father! ha! does that sacred sound, like heaven- 
 descending dews, speak comfort to my heart! 
 
 (Embraces the Khan. 
 
 Abd. No longer must (he glad, the important task be now 
 delayed. Assembled Tartars, priests, warriors, people — be- 
 hold and mark me : in this brave youth, who has even now 
 saved your sovereign's life, know and revere Mazeppa, my 
 long-lost only son, your soverign prince — hail my boy, Mazep- 
 pa, Kiag of Tartary. 
 
 (.4// kneelltefore Mazeppa — general shout,— Mmic.—Maiep' 
 pa in conducted off, l. — the curtains of the tent fall — the 
 Khan motions his ojficers to assemble the petrple — thetf go out 
 in various directims — the elders bring him his shield and 
 staff of office^— Exeunt Abder Khan and Attendants, ex- 
 vUiiigly, i.. * 
 
 SCENE VI.— Extensive Ta)-iar Encampment. 
 
 Mvsic— The usiiale Tartar army , with their Chiefs, assembled. 
 
 Enter the Khan, l., leading on Mazeppa, to c. — the People 
 kneel and receive him with acclamations, 
 
 Miiz. ( IVhose suprise has been momentary increasing.) I King 
 of 'I'artary! where am 11 — what has happened! — /ifter a 
 doom beyond expression awful— bound to a wild horse — • 
 whirled o'er torrents, deserts, precipices — on all sides, danger 
 and destruction — I ceased to feel. — Have 1 then passed the 
 realm of death? and do I wake to new life and other being 1 
 I find myself (rte,, beneath a strange sky, a prostrate people 
 hailing me their lung — say, say, do 1 dream —do 1 still exist} 
 
 Abd. (l. c.) Heaven has restored thee to thy native land, 
 and to the throne which thou wast boin to fill. Reign a'er 
 
42 MAZEPPA. 
 
 thy land, which welcomes thee, Mazeppa; be powerful, add 
 be happy. 
 
 Maz. (c.) Happy! I happy without my loved Olitiftka, 
 never, ah! never. — I renounce glory Olinska shares not. If 
 it indeed be true that heaven, by some unwonted miracle, has 
 brought me back, to my native land, amid my brethren — that 
 it has called me to rule o'er them, loo, I but accept the sove- 
 riern sway to right their wrongs and mine— to retrieve the 
 honor of the nation, wrecked on the fields of Poland— to hurl 
 swift vengeance on our foes, and rescue my dear Olinska. 
 
 Abd. If thy love be worthy of your love, then head our 
 tribes and tear her from thy rival — a long arrear of vengeance 
 does my soul count against Polish foes ; and to the dread 
 amount, how awful an increase thy wrongs, my child, inspire. 
 For thee and for thy cause again I'll strike ; this aged arm 
 shall bear the warrior's steel, and perhaps I yet may fall in 
 shielding thee. 
 
 Maz. Thou shall behold and share my joyous triumph — I 
 fight for my Olinska and my love. 
 
 Abd. I, for my much-loved child and my revenge. Behold 
 the steed, fated by heaven to bring you to your native land and 
 throne, agaia awaits you ; he bore you to my arras — let him 
 now bear you to your triumph. 
 
 Muz. He was the instrument of torture, — let him now be 
 the messenger of vengeance. On to the Polish frontier ; I 
 cannot know repose whilst my Olinska's fate's uncertain — I 
 can feel no glory till from a rival's power I've conquered her. 
 
 Abd. Then, with to-morrow's dawn the march begins. 
 Drive all our cattle within the lines— be every soldier ready 
 at his post ; for ere two suns have set behind those Polish 
 mountains, our force shall beneath the tyrant's wall make him 
 to tremble in his strong hold of power, and rue the day he in- 
 jured child of mine — 
 Away! away! 
 Eager we seek the foe at d&wn of day. 
 
 (JAvstc.—A superbly caparisoned steed has been led on f at 
 Mttzeppa, anither for the Khan — they mount — a general 
 parade and movement of the army takes place, on which the 
 drop/alls, 
 
 ENB OF ACT tl. 
 
ACT J II. 
 
 ■SCENE I.— A Gothic Chamber in the Castle (f the Castellan, 
 in Poland. 
 
 lHusic. — Olinska discovered, pale awl dejected, seated at a 
 rich toilet, attended by a female. 
 
 OH. Bid my nurse come to me. [Ejit A^endant, t,,] The 
 victim's adorned not for the altar, but the tomb, [Rises and 
 advances.] This day is the last whose light will shine on th»i 
 poor Olinska. [She approaches the toilet and moves a little cas- 
 ket, concealed beneath the draperii, opens it, and takes out a por-, 
 trait, on which she gazes with the liveliest emotion] Cassimir 
 my beloved — murdered — mangled, can I, ought 1 to surviv 
 thy horrid death 1 [Takes from the casket a dagger, which she 
 pushes from her with a shudder.] Oh, my father! oh, my father! 
 your threaten'd curse! — Father, I have given you my oath to 
 be the bride of Premislas; my oath shall not be broken — the 
 honour of our house exacts the sacrifice. [Takes the dagger and 
 hides it in her dress,] One awful means is left of obedience 
 and fidelity — yes, this night, this very night, restores me to 
 toy lover, in the tomb. [Placing her hand upon the dagger. 
 
 Enter Agatha, l. • 
 
 Aga. See, lady, where your father comes. 
 
 Olin. Quickly conceal that packet, and wonder, nurse, at 
 Ihy Olinska's foriitude-=^her apathy ; that she who loved and 
 as I did Cassimir, can yield obedience to his rathless murder* 
 er — can yield my hand unto his haughty rival. 
 
 Music. — Enter the Castellan, l.— Agatha conceals the 
 casket. 
 
 Cast. Glinka, your imprudence might hate caused the ruin 
 •of your father ; but Count Premislas, restored to life, has 
 deemed the act of Cassimir merely a presumptuous vassal's' 
 trime, without your sanction. But the pretender has been 
 punished. And now, Olinska, 1 trust I may confide in your 
 entire submission. 
 
44 MAZEPPA. 
 
 OUn. Implicitly. 
 
 Cast. That pledge disarms my wrath — my child, the past- 
 is all forgiven, forgotten — come to thy father's arms, who now" 
 can call thee once again his daughter. 
 
 (As she is dropping on her knees, he catches her to his bosom,- 
 
 OUn. Father! 
 
 Cast. My child, my dearest child, may heaven's peace at- 
 tend thee. 
 
 0//m. May thy prayer be heard, my father: ere long;, thy 
 child will cease to suffer. (Trttmpets heard withotit, l. 
 
 Cast. Hark thee, my child ; yon trumpets speak the bride- 
 groom ready, the cortege prepared. Throughout my castle's- 
 precincts, this day all wears one universal face of joy. 
 
 OUn. (c.) All except One — that one whose feelings lie too' 
 deep for utterance. My father, once again extend thy arm 
 in blessing o'er thy child. 1 leave thee, my sole parent, per- 
 haps forever — oh! in the journey I'm about to take, gloomy' 
 and dark it may be, let me receive the sacred consolation 
 that a father's blessing shall attend his child. 
 
 Cast. Heaven for ever bless thee, sweet Olinska! Come,- 
 come, my child, away with thoughts of gloom ; share thou' 
 the triumph which on every side courts thy acceptance. 
 
 OUn. Father, again thou bless'd me ; I can bear it all. 
 [Music. — They etnbraceand exeunt, Olinska, r., Cast., l. 
 
 SCENt II. — A Hall in the Castle of Laurinski. 
 
 Music. — Enter Droi.inskd, l. 
 
 Dro. I am clean an altered man. I feel myself already' 
 puffed up and swelling with my new dignity, even as I hope' 
 ere long my body shall be stuffed and swelled with the per- 
 quisites of office. I was a huntsman — I am a cook. — I'll 
 never look another live head of game in the face again — I'll 
 Commit no murder on hares, pheasants, bears, stags, and par- 
 tridges more. — No; I'll leave off executioner, and be a kind 
 of an undertaker — that is, I'll dress them up in a proper man- 
 ner to be sent to their graves, the throats of gormandizers. 
 
 Enter Zemila, l. 
 
 Zem. Ah! Mr. Drolinska, you l6ok quite a diffesent persotf 
 from 'what you used to ha. 
 
MAZEPPA. 45 
 
 Dm. AnJ I am a different person, too, Mrs, Zemila : know 
 that I am placeJ at the liead of ilie victualing depaitment— 
 that 1 am cliiet' officer of the mouth, and general purvt-yor for 
 the belly — I've got you all uuder my thumb, now; only look 
 as I would net hr.ve you , and 1 clap you all on short allowance 
 — offend me, and the soup's all turned over — insult my dig- 
 nity, and all the fat's in the 6re. 1 shall astonish you all. 
 
 Zein. No absurdity thai you can commit can possibly aston- 
 ish me. 
 
 Dip^ Oh! I'm a clever fellovy at noseing out a good thing. 
 There was I, early this mon.ing, wandering out into the wood 
 beyond the casile , my teeming brain on fire witli the grand 
 devices which this day shall produce—what should I meet 
 with, but a groop of wandering Tartais ; I've engaged them 
 to come to the festival — what do you think of that, now? 
 
 Zein. Why, that my lord will break your head, and have 
 you kicked out of the place — you know he hates the very 
 name of Tartar. 
 
 Dio. These are jovial fellows, innocent as Iambs ; for a 
 mouthful of broken victuals they'll dance such dances, and 
 show us such singular manoeuvres and evolutions— 1 mean it 
 to be the principal feature of the whole (eiitival. AikI now 
 what do you think of me in my new lobe of office 1 
 
 Zem. Why, I've heard that fine feathers make fine birds j 
 but, my poor Drolinsko, though decked out with all the plu.- 
 mage of the peacock, you can't prevent us from finding out 
 that you are but a sorry jackdaw, 
 
 Dro. Well, miss, at any rate, you'je a pretty good resem- 
 blance of a magpie. — Come, 1 think that was'nt so much 
 amiss of me — she'll find that it's awkward playing with edged 
 tools. 
 
 Zem. Edged t'^ols, indeed ! — tool thou att, my poor fellow, 
 to any one wlio thinks it worth while to handle thaAbut as to 
 «dge — bless thy harmlessness — thy wit, Drolinsko, js quite as 
 blunt as thy manners. — but I must away, to attend my lady's 
 toilet, and prepare her for the ceremony — but now, my good 
 Drolinsko, let me beg of thee one thing? 
 
 Dro. Any thing iu life, lovely Mrs. Zemila: is it that I 
 shall reserve a good place for you to see the sports? 
 
 Zem. No: 'tis simply this, Drolinsko, that thou wilt not, if 
 thou canst help it, make thyself so monstrously ridiculous as 
 to.occasion me to die with laughing. [^''« i- 
 
46 MAZEPPA. 
 
 Dro. That young woman has some good points about her, 
 but she is marvellously deficient in politeness. 
 
 Music. — Enter Aboer Khan, Mazeppa, and a Tartar 
 Chief, in close disi^uise as Tartar peasants, l. 
 
 Dro. Well, now you've filled your bellies, I hope it has re- 
 lieved your imaginations. 
 
 Mdz. I rust us sir, we do not need excitement. 
 
 Dro. Well, now, I suppose you've made up your minds to 
 do something a little out of the way on this occasion? 
 
 Abd. Be sure, we shall astonish you. 
 
 Dro. Well, so do, I like to be astonished; and on this oc- 
 casion I wish every thing to be new and uncommon. 
 
 Mas. You shall witness one of the strangest sights that has 
 for many a long day regaled your curiosity. 
 
 Dro. 1 should like the very walls to caper. 
 
 Chief, Caper! they shall fly. 
 
 Dro. Come, come, none of your nonsense now, you are 
 going too far — I'm not so soft as all that comes to. 
 
 Abd. 'Tis necessary you should furnish me with the key of 
 the great gates — my two comrades here I leave with you— I 
 will hasten to rejoin the rest — hold ourselves in readiness, 
 adjacent to the castle, an 1 on yOHr signal rush forward to effect 
 the grand tableau. 
 
 Dro. I'll go and fetch you the key; you're a jolly old blade, 
 you are, too — no chicken — but there seems stuff in you yet. 
 I'll be with you again in the spitting of a partrige. Exit, n, 
 
 Mas. (c.) Haste thou to our bands, good father — marshal 
 them in yonder forest, and when I give the signal, let them, 
 like a mountain torrent, rush, o'erwhelming all resistance, 
 to the aid of those that are within. I will be on the spot ; 
 and, at il#moment when the perjured fair would offer her un- 
 hallowed vows upon the sacred aitar, my steel shall drink the 
 life-blood of them both, and their mingled gore proclaim the 
 vengeance of my outraged love. (^Mvsic heard without.) See, 
 see, where tiie traitress comes — down, down, struggling spirit 
 — the moment of thy triumph is not yet arived. 
 
 Enter DaoLiNSKO, r. 
 
 Dro. Back, fellows, back— -see where the bride approaches. 
 
MAZEPPA. i1 
 
 Mosic.^Enter Ol\^!sk a, attended bii Aoatiia, preceded by 
 RuDZOLOFF, and followed by Attendaiits,n. 
 
 Aga. (r. c.) Cheerly.cheeiiy, lady ; this is not (he counte- 
 nance you should exiiibit on your bridal morn^ 
 
 Oliit. (c.) It well befits a bridal such as mine; my hopes 
 are buried in anolher.s tomb — soon, soon may I go seek him 
 there. 
 
 Aga. But this dejection scarce fulfils your promise to youf 
 father — all was to be submission, 
 
 Olin. It is submi<;sion, nurse — submission I have learned 
 by trampling on every feelinjf of my heart. I shall obey my 
 father — let him not require more than 1 can perform. 
 
 Dro. [Approaching (jliiiika.] Lord Ibve your beautiful lady- 
 ship, you'll be delighted when you see the preparations for 
 the fete, solely contrived by me, Drolinsko. Why, it's worth' 
 while being married, if only to see such a tasty set-out — 
 you'll be half inclined to love me for tlie cultivated fancy I 
 have displayed. 
 
 End. (i.. c.) Who are those strangers? 
 
 Dm. Ah! that's another of my contrivances, that you'd 
 never suspect, godfather. Those, why those, bless you, are 
 wandering Tartars, introduced by me. 
 
 fii/</. Tartars! introduce Tartars here! why, it's more fhin 
 your head's worth — let but the Castellan know it. 
 
 Dro. Ay, it's plain to see you're a fellow of no pith and en- 
 terprise. He may think what he likes about Tartars, but if 
 these fellows don't caper him into good-humour, he's % sulkier 
 dog than I take him for. 
 
 Lnd. Doubt not that we will overcome all his displeasure. 
 
 Maz. [Apprnachiiig O/j/is/cn, c] Deign you, fair lady, td 
 cast an eye of approbation arid encouragement. 
 
 [He is close to her — she turns to look at him — he throws aside 
 part of his disguise, so that she recognizes him. 
 
 Olin. [With a scream of astonishment.'] Cassimer! [All start, 
 surprised — he hastily resumes his disguise and OUnska by a 
 great effort, an appearance of composure.] Cassimer, some time 
 *. page of this household , was a countryman of yours 1 believe. 
 
 ]\]a2. Belike, fair ladv, 1 do bethink me of a tale of a poor 
 Tartar lad, bred up in polish climes, who rashly loved a noble 
 lady — 'twas a fault in him, but oh! who ever looked upon 
 Ihat fair one's beauty and her worth, must have forgiven him. 
 
48 MAZEPPA. 
 
 knowing that to see and not to love was sarcely possible' 
 Her father found it in him a crime not to be pardoned, and 
 sentenced him to a most cruel death. 
 
 Olin, [Muttering.l^ It was, indeed, most horrible. 
 
 Maz. By a miracle he was saved, and like the Polar needle,- 
 true to his first affection, back he rushed, impatient still to' 
 lay his homage at the adored one's feet. But, oh! death- 
 blow to his hopes! torture more cruel than all before he'd 
 suffered, he found her perjured, faithless, voluntarily about to 
 give her hand unto another. 
 
 Olin. Ah\ had he known her tears, her anguish, the silent' 
 calm despair with which, unable to resist, she yielded to her 
 parent's harsh commands, enforced under the penalty of his- 
 awful curse — how like a victim to the sacrifice she did approach 
 the alter, — he would not, could not, dare not, to condemn her. 
 
 M(n. Had she, then, no remedy to save herself from such 
 accursed pollution'? 
 
 Olin. Yes, and a noble one : which, rather than betray 
 her first fond vows, she's resolute to clutch at 
 
 [Draws a dagger from her boiom, andshows it toMAZEPPA. 
 
 Maz. [With a burst of triumph.] Ha! she was a heroine' 
 ■worthy a soverign's love. 
 
 [The attention of the bystanders is excited— Mazepp a and 
 Olinska are compelled to control their feelings. 
 
 Dro. Zounds! this Tartar gipsy has contrived to astonish 
 my lady already. 
 
 Ahd. The tales of our country have a wild and wondrous 
 force, well calculated to awaken the feelings thus. 
 
 End. Your pardon, lady, — had we not better on? 
 
 Olin. I attend you, RudzolofT. 
 
 Maz. (/4s!de fo Olinska.) Doubt not, fair lady, all shall 
 be accomplished : your smallest wish most scrupulously obeyed .- 
 
 (Music— E,rif OntiSKA, preceded by R-udzoloff, and sup- 
 ported by Agatha, i.,, exchanging significant glances with 
 Mazeppa. 
 
 Dro. Now, mind, you fellows, be at your posts. 
 
 Mas. The dearest feelings of our hearts are pledged to be so^* 
 (Eii't Drolinsko, l.) Ah, father, what a weight's removed 
 from oflF my heart : Olinska yet is mine — your son shall yet' 
 be happy. 
 
WAZEPPA- 49 
 
 Ahd. He shall, he shall!— Oh, to attain that end, how joy- 
 fully tiiy father would shed his latest crimson drop 
 
 i'l'b^y embrace and eieunt, Abdlr Kuan r., IMazeppa l. 
 
 SCENE III. — The Gardens of Laurinski, closed in the back 
 61/ terraces, the luU of which is entered, l. through a spa- 
 cious gate of golden bars — its other end communicates with a 
 wood'^the whole eitent is bounded on the t.. 61/ the buildings 
 of the Castle — from the topmost terrace, near the great gate, 
 a spacious Jiight if steps, l. which leads down lo the stage. 
 
 Mnsrc- — Enter Mazei-pa, l. — he advances cantionsly, ascends 
 the steps, and beckons on Abder Khan, who advances from the 
 building, l. u. £. * 
 
 Maz. Now, honored father, how speeds the glorious work ? 
 
 Abd. Even as should the deed on which depends thy happi- 
 ness. Our troops are all at hand, and eager for the attack. 
 Yes, my son, thy triumh is assured — here, on the haughty 
 despot's battlements he shall surrender thee thy love, or thou 
 shalt tear her from his arms, amidst their blackened ruins. 
 
 Maz. All is prepared for the ceremony — I will be on the 
 spot. Do thou, i^ith our bands, at the signal, like thewirl- 
 wind,s blast, sweep opposition into dust. {The music of the 
 procession is heard.) They come, they come! — Oh, father! on 
 this hour, on which my more than life depends, my anxious 
 soul, fluttering within my breast, almost denies me utterance, 
 and eager expectation swells my heart to bursting. 
 
 Abd. Thy father and thy people shall not fail thee; — 
 But whether weal or woe attend our plan, 
 I'hou'rt a soverign. — show, too, thou art a man. 
 
 Mcsic. — Abder Khan retires up the steps and along the ter- 
 race, R. 6th E. — the nuptial procession advances from the 
 building, L., through the great gale and down the steps — it 
 it compaied of the entire household of the Castellan, headed 
 65 Drolutika — Rudzoloff immediately precedes Olinxht, 
 icho is led by the Castellan and Premixlas,arui followeil by 
 Agoftha^^tney come doxcn. c. — the Guards banners dut 
 countermarch, and form on the b, side and on the terruces 
 
50 MAZEPpA. 
 
 — the nuptial party sit on a throne, i., surrouvdedby their 
 Attendants — on a signal from Drolinsko, a tribe of Tartar 
 Youths and Maidens appear on the vpper terrace and de- 
 scends ihe staircase, l. 
 
 MILITARY CHARACTERISTIC BALLET, 
 
 [At the conclusion of the ballet, a small altar is placed on the 
 lower terrace, c. — the Priest advances Jrom 3rd e. l. toe, 
 — Olinska, led by Premislas and the Castellan, approachei 
 the al*ar — the Priest commences the ceremony, when Alaieppa 
 still disguised, appears suddenly on the terrace, and thrusts 
 the Priest aside. 
 
 Maz. (c.) Hold! I forbid such sacrilegious vows ! they are 
 oflensive in the sight of heaven. This maid, in heart and 
 spirit, and by long previous vows, breathed from the very bot- 
 tom of her soul, is mine; and any other union, by tyranny 
 accomplished, is perjury, pollution. 
 
 [Castellan, Olinska, and Premislas, are oil c. 
 
 Cast. What insolent intruder dares thus to break, with bar- 
 barous scoffings, on our solemnity I 
 
 Mai. (c.) One whom thou shouldst remember. T3'raD{, 
 behold thy victim. [Throws off his disguise. 
 
 All, Cassimir! 
 
 Maz. Cassimir, IMazeppa, one — thy vengeful tyranny but 
 doomed me to my glory ; the wild horse bore me to the throne 
 of Tartary: and now, Mazeppa, King of Tartary, proudly 
 returns to claim his early love. 
 
 Cast. Cr. c.) Impostor! barbarian! traitor! wertthouthe 
 king of half the eastern world, the scorn in which 1 hold thee 
 were not lessened. Bear him away! a)[death more certain 
 this time punishes his presumption. 
 
 [Mdsic— Some of the household advance to seize Cassimir— ^ 
 the Tartar Youths and Maidens jorm a rampart in front of 
 him, and the Khfin, JoUowed by Tartar Soldiery, who oc 
 cupy the upper terrace, appears at the head of the staircase, 
 
 Abd Stay, monsters^, stay your uplifted hands! — Let but 
 one hair of his head be injured, and your castle quickly is a 
 heap of ruins, soaked in yoiir blood, for every soul shall perish. 
 Your castle is invested — on every tower, buttress, and pinna- 
 cle, clings a Tartar, a-wating bat my word, when havoc i» let 
 
MAZEPPA. i\ 
 
 loose, and fierce destruction ravages half Poland. Speak but 
 
 one word, and let Olinska be the pledge of peace. 
 
 Pre. [Advuncingjrom l. to c] I will not wait to hear the 
 
 Castellan's answer— Olinska is my bride — in sight of heaven, 
 
 my wife; my troops now man these walls, and to my last red 
 
 drop I will defend her. 
 
 Maz. Then be revenge and slaughter our word! and let 
 
 devastated Poland speak Mazeppa mounted to the throne of 
 
 Tartary. 
 
 [The Polish trocrps in the garden fire at the Tartarson the ter- 
 races— -the latter charge down the steps — a general confiict 
 ensues — u charge of Tartar cavalry is made along the u}rper 
 terrace— they are met by the Poles, issuing from Ihe prin- 
 cipal portal — the attendants endeavour to force Olinslsa 
 through the tumult into the castle — the cavalry appear in 
 front^ and after skirmishing o^ on both sides, a charge in 
 line, from l. to r., is executed by the Tartars— the fiont 
 then becomes occupied bu pairs of combatants — Abder Khan 
 is OH the point of cutting down the Cadiilan, when Olinska 
 ruihes in and interpoies — she is followed, by Maieppu, to 
 whom the Castellan resigns her, which is the pledge of peace 
 ^Premislus has he^n meantime overcome by a Tartar war- 
 rior, and the Poles alt:<gether vunijui>hed—Ahder Khan, 
 Meztppa, the Castellan, and Olinska hasten to mount the 
 $teps, to stop the slaughter, and on the topjorm a group— 
 the females line the terraces — subdued Polesand triumphant 
 Tartars fill the scene, which is lighted by the conflagration, 
 of the forest — andon the general picture the curtain falls. 
 
JmsI Published, and for sale by 
 
 C. Robinson, 59 Canal Street^ 
 TfJRl^ER's ACTING EDITIONS i 
 
 Or. THE FATHERS GRAVE. 
 
 A PLAY, BY JAMES SHERIDAN KNOWLES. 
 
 THE HUIV€HBA€K, 
 
 WILLIAM TELL, & VIRGINIUS, 
 
 (s^m:^u'F^^ (^n3J3i3^^ 
 
 THE TWO THOMPSONS. 
 
 A TRAGEDY, 
 
 By MJSS FANNY ANN KEMBLE, 
 
 AMBROSE GWINETT; 
 
 Or, A SEA SIDE STORY, by the Author of 
 
 THE RENT DAY. 
 
 Tas ELsraAiTT or siax, 
 
 This Piece abounds in incident and humor, and is very 
 
 superior to any Drama published within 
 
 the Jast Twenty Years. 
 
 THE SPOILED CHILD. 
 
THE TWO GREGORIES. 
 
 Dramatised from Cooper's celebrated Jifovel. 
 
 DAHON & PVTH^AS, 
 
 A FARCE. 
 
 THE GAMESTER. 
 
 FORTUl^ilS' FROLICr 
 
 RICHARD THE THIRD, 
 
 With Gibber's Notes, and the whole of the Stage Business^ 
 
 AI.OIVZO & wLO^mvi. 
 
 TOUCH AND TAKE. 
 
 GREEN EYED MONSTER. 
 
 BOMBASTES FURlOSO, 
 
 PIZARRO. 
 
 OTHELLO. 
 
 ROMEO AND JULIET. 
 
 HOW TO DIE FOR LOVE,