Page:A history of Hungarian literature.djvu/143

KATONA 129 Bánk's victory was complete, the conspirators aban­ doned their purpose, and Bánk ottered the words, " Oh, Andrew, th ough thou shouldst conquer wh ole realms, thou wilt never gain such a victory as Bánk bath won for thee here ! " Bánk, as a true knight, saved the life of a queen and woman : he stands before us as a radiant image of Hun­ garian ch ivalry and truth. But darkness soon overspread the scene. Bánk learned that Otto, in spite of Melinda's refusal, still continued his attacks, and was devising a cunning plan to obtain his end by violence. He found, too, that the queen, whom he had just saved, had done her best to forward Otto's schemes. A feeling of bitter hatred towards the queen entered Bánk's heart. But perh aps it was not yet too late to save Melinda. The knight who brought the news thought it possible, so Bánk flew to the court. But it was too late l Melinda had fallen a victim to Otto's machinations and had lost her reason. Slowly an awfu l purpose shaped itself in Bánk's mind. He will bimself demand satisfac­ tion of the queen, the ministering demon of Otto. I t is no Ionger the former Bánk, radiant in his loyalty and integrity, who stands before us, but the mortally injured husband, and the subj ect d riven to desperation by the wrongs done to his country. He resolves to be the judge of the demoniacal queen wh o has robbed bim of his wife, and his country of its freedom. The great sce11 e of the tragedy follows. Bánk pro­ ceeded to the queen' s room, burning with suppressed indignation. The poet now has the diffi.cult task of making us understand how so noble and chivalraus a man as Bánk could become the murderer of his queen. l