Excerpt
SCENE I. THE DIET AT CRACOW.On the rising of the curtain the Polish Diet is discovered, seatedin the great senate hall. On a raised platform, elevated by threesteps, and surmounted by a canopy, is the imperial throne, theescutcheons of Poland and Lithuania suspended on each side. The KINGseated upon the throne; on his right and left hand his ten royalofficers standing on the platform. Below the platform the BISHOPS,PALATINES, and CASTELLANS seated on each side of the stage.Opposite to these stand the Provincial DEPUTIES, in a double line,uncovered. All armed. The ARCHBISHOP OF GNESEN, as the primate ofthe kingdom, is seated next the proscenium; his chaplain behind him,bearing a golden cross.ARCHBISHOP OF GNESEN.Thus then hath this tempestuous Diet beenConducted safely to a prosperous close;And king and commons part as cordial friends.The nobles have consented to disarm,And straight disband the dangerous Rocoss ;Whilst our good king his sacred word has pledged,That every just complaint shall have redress.And now that all is peace at home, we mayLook to the things that claim our care abroad.Is it the will of the most high EstatesThat Prince Demetrius, who hath advancedA claim to Russia's crown, as Ivan's son,Should at their bar appear, and in the faceOf this august assembly prove his right? An insurrectionary muster of the nobles.CASTELLAN OF CRACOW.Honor and justice both demand he should;It were unseemly to refuse his prayer.BISHOP OF WERMELAND.The documents on which he rests have beenExamined, and are found authentic. WeMay give him audience.SEVERAL DEPUTIES.Nay! We must, we must!LEO SAPIEHA.To hear is to admit his right.ODOWALSKY.And notTo hear is to reject his claims unheard.ARCHBISHOP OF GNESEN.Is it your will that he have audience?I ask it for the second time—and third.IMPERIAL CHANCELLOR.Let him stand forth before our throne!SENATORS.And speak!DEPUTIES.Yes, yes! Let him be heard![The Imperial GRAND MARSHAL beckons with his batonto the doorkeeper, who goes out.LEO SAPIEHA (to the CHANCELLOR).Write down, my lord,That here I do protest against this step,And all that may ensue therefrom, to marThe peace of Poland's state and Moscow's crown.[Enters DEMETRIUS. Advances some steps towards the throne,and makes three bows with his head uncovered, first to the KING,next to the SENATORS, and then to the DEPUTIES, who all severallyanswer with an inclination of the head. He then takes up hisposition so as to keep within his eye a great portion of theassemblage, and yet not to turn his back upon the throne.ARCHBISHOP OF GNESEN.Prince Dmitri, son of Ivan! if the pompOf this great Diet scare thee, or a sightSo noble and majestic chain thy tongue,Thou may'st—for this the senate have allowed—Choose thee a proxy, wheresoe'er thou list,And do thy mission by another's lips.DEMETRIUS.My lord archbishop, I stand here to claimA kingdom, and the state of royalty.'Twould ill beseem me should I quake beforeA noble people, and its king and senate....