 | Gil Perez, The Gallician |  |
ACT II.
Scene I.
A Wood near San Lucar in Andalusia.—Enter Manuel and Juana as travelling.Man.
Misfortune on misfortune!
Juan.
Ay, they call
One to another.
Man.
Ah, my love!
That you should wander thus about with me
And find no home! Gallicia, that I thought
Should be our port, unkindly storm'd us out
To Salvatierra, whence before the gale
We drive to Andalusia.
Juan.
Manuel,
My home is ever where you are.
Man.
Oh how
Requite such love! but you shall rest awhile
Till I and the poor fellow we pick'd up
Have found fit resting-place in San Lucar.
Pedro!
Enter Pedro.
Ped.
Sir!
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Come you with me;
While you, Juana, underneath those trees—
Juan.
Weep your departure.
[Exit Juana.
Man.
It shall not be long.
Although her grief blindly anticipates
A longer separation than she knows!
Ped.
Alas, and how is that? and how can you
Foredoom such pain to one who loves you so?
Pardon me who am but your servant, sir,
And that but these two days, for saying it.
Man.
Ah, Pedro, 'tis not I who wills all this,
But fate; that, stronger than all human will,
Drove me from Portugal to Gallicia,
Thence hither; where my fate still urging on,
I must to sea, joining the armament
That sails to plant the banner of the church
Over the golden turrets of the north:
Leaving my lady—not, as you surmise,
Deserted and dishonour'd here behind,
But in some holy house at San Lucar,
With all the little substance I possess,
Till I return. For to a soldier
His sword is property enough.
(Drums within.)
Ped.
And hark
The drum that answers you—
Man.
No doubt a troop
Recruiting for this war.
Ped.
See, they are coming.
Man.
I'll take occasion by the forelock then.
Pedro, go, tell the Ensign of the troop
Two men would join his ranks. I'll to Juana.
[Exit.
Enter Gil Perez with soldiers.
Ped.
This one looks affable. Pray, sir, can you courteously
inform me which is the Ensign?
Soldier.
There—he with the red sash.
Ped.
What, he with the lofty presence and broad shoulders?
Soldier.
Ay!
Gil
(to the soldiers).
Well then, my lads, we shall agree
together very well, eh?
Soldiers.
Long live our noble Ensign!
Ped.
Now's the time!
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(to himself).
'Fore heaven, this soldiering would be
pleasant enough did not that trouble follow and plague
me.
Ped.
Sir!
Gil.
Leaving Isabel at such a risk—
Ped.
Sir Ensign!
Gil.
That as fast as I gain honour here I run the chance
of losing more at home.
Ped.
Noble Sir Ensign!
Gil.
One good thing, however, my good Manuel keeps
guard for me.
Ped.
He must surely be deaf this side—I'll try the other.
Noble Ensign!
Gil
(turning round).
Who is that?
Ped.
(recognising him gradually).
A soldier—no, I only
mean one who would be—no soldier. If I said I wish'd to
be a soldier, sir, I lied.
Gil.
Rascal! you here? did I not warn you whenever
and wherever—
Ped.
Oh yes, yes, but how should I ever expect to find
you here a soldiering?
Gil
(setting upon him).
I'll teach you I am here, scoundrel,
to whom I owe half my trouble.
Ped.
Help! murder! help!
Enter Manuel.
Man.
A soldier set upon my servant! stop, sir! how do
you dare—Gil Perez!
Gil.
Manuel!
Man.
Why, did I not leave you in Portugal?
Gil.
And I you at Salvatierra, engaged to me by solemn
promise and old love to guard my honour there?
Man.
We both have cause for wonder. I will tell you all;
but first we must be alone.
Gil.
Ay, another wonder; this fellow yours?
Man.
In travelling hither we found him by the way, and
took him.
Gil.
Well, this saves your life for this time, sir: but, remember,
you will not always have a friend at hand to do
so much for you.
Ped.
I know that; I only wish you would be so gracious
as to tell me where you are next bound, that I may take
good care not to go thither. But I know one place at least
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I set off immediately.
[Exit.
Gil.
We are alone. Come, I will tell you first
My story. As you say you saw us last,
Alonso and myself, in Portugal;
Such an escape as (so the wise men say)
Is from the frying-pan into the fire.
We landing from the river on the estate
Of that great potentate the High Admiral,
Whose cousin, it turn'd out, was the very man
Alonso slew; whereat the Admiral,
Who had, before he knew this, promis'd us
Protection, gave us truly such protection
As the cat gives the mouse that she thinks safe
Under her paw. But we escap'd from her,
And after much adventures came at last
To San Lucar here, where the Duke, who now,
Is general of the war that our good king
Wages with England, courteously receiv'd us;
Gave Don Alonso a regiment; made me
An Ensign in it as you see; enough—
I know you will not wish a longer story
From one whose heart, until you tell him yours,
Hangs from a hair.
Man.
To take the story up then
Where you did, Perez—scarcely had you plung'd
Into the river, than the sheriff's rout
Came after you; but, seeing all was lost,
Went angry to their homes, and I to yours;
Where I receiv'd such hospitality
As our old friendship—But I falter here,
Scarce knowing how to tell—
Nay, almost doubting if to tell at all,
Or to conceal, what to conceal and tell
At once were best. You made me promise, Gil,
At parting—yea, with those last words hard wrung
Out of your breathless struggle with the flood—
That I would watch the honour of your house.
I did so: and it is because I did so
That I was forc'd to leave it.
Gil.
Manuel,
Your words are slaying me by syllables.
But tell me all—How was't?
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One Juan Baptista
Courted your sister.
Gil.
Well?
Man.
And came at last
To such a boldness, that one night he stole
Into the house.
Gil.
Manuel!
Man.
I, who was watching,
Ran from my chamber, found a muffled man;
Threw myself on him; he, alerter yet,
Leap'd from the window, and I after him
Into the street, where two he'd posted there
Came to his rescue; one of them I slew,
The other wounded, while the rogue himself
Fled and escap'd. What could I do, my friend,
A foreigner, charg'd with a homicide
In a strange country, with Juana too
Involv'd with me? If I were wrong to fly,
I did so thinking how yourself would act
In a like case.
Gil.
'Tis true, I cannot blame you.
Ah! he said truer may be than he meant,
Who liken'd a true friend to a true mirror,
That shows one all oneself indeed, but all
Revers'd; that when I look into your breast
To see my honour, I but see disgrace
Reflected there. I must begone at once
To Salvatierra; for to leave my name
In danger is to let it run to shame.
Enter Alonso.
Oh, Don Alonso, you are come in time.
If ought that I have ever done for you
Deserve return, requite me, I beseech you,
By giving Manuel here the Ensigncy
I must throw up.
Alon.
But why?
Gil.
I must at once
To Salvatierra, where my honour lies
In the utmost peril.
Alon.
But—
Gil.
I am resolv'd.
Alon.
I fain might try dissuade you, but I know
Your honour will not call in vain. Enough:
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Gil.
Well?
Alon.
That I may go with you, and share your risk,
Who more than shar'd, and conquer'd mine.
Man.
Nay, sir,
If any one do that it must be I,
His older friend, who bringing this ill news
Must see him safely through it.
Alon.
But 'twas I
Who drew him from his home, where, till I came,
He liv'd in peace and quiet, but where now
This outrage has grown up in his forc'd absence.
And surely, the world over, 'tis ill manners
For one who, having drawn a friend from home,
Lets him return alone.
Man.
Well, be you courteous,
I'll not be cowardly.
Gil.
Oh, this rivalry
Proves the nobility of both! But, friends,
Neither must go with me; you both are here
Fled in like peril of your lives from home,
And how could I avail me of your love
At such a price? Nay, I may want you both
In greater risks hereafter; and whom look to,
If you be lost?
Alon.
True, but if one of us
Went with you now, the other—
Man.
And that one
Must be myself.
Alon.
You see, sir, one will go.
Do you choose which.
Man.
Content.
Gil.
How shall I choose,
When to choose one must needs the other hurt!
But if it needs must be—
I say that Don Alonso, so engag'd
In high and even holy business here,
Must not forego't for mine. If one will come,
Let it be Manuel.
Alon.
I live to hear
This insult from your lips! But I'll have vengeance;
Neither shall go unless you take with you
Thus much at least to compensate
For what you leave. These jewels may assist you
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(Giving jewels.)
Gil.
I accept them, sir,
As freely as they're given. Come, embrace me.
And now to punish an unworthy sister,
And that ill traitor, from whose heart I swear
My bleeding honour with this sword to tear.
Scene II.
Outside Gil Perez's House at Salvatierra; as in Act I. Scene I.—Enter Isabel and Casilda.Isab.
What! Donna Leonor d'Alvarado, come to Salvatierra?
Cas.
Yes.
Isab.
And for what purpose?
Cas.
They say, to avenge her brother's death. I myself
have seen her conferring with Juan Baptista.
Isab.
And what do you infer from that?
Cas.
He is, they say, chief witness against Don Alonso
and your brother, for this murder.
Isab.
Against my brother too! O Casilda, is it not
shameful that Juan Baptista should revenge with slanders
behind my brother's back whom he dares not meet face to
face! Nay, that a traitor be revenged at all on him he has
betrayed! thriving here at home while my brother is banisht!
Cas.
But there's something else. He charges your brother's
friend Manuel with murdering his men.
Isab.
In proving which, my honour must be publicly
canvassed and compromised!
Enter Pedro.
Ped.
Oh, what a long way it has seemed; as it will when
fear fetters one's legs. Oh, permit me, madam, since fate
has sent me back to your feet, to kiss but the little toe, the
pink, the pearl, the petty Benjamin of those ten toes.
But above all, tell me, for Heaven's sake, is my master here?
Isab.
No, Pedro, you at least are safe. He, alas, is far
away.
Ped.
So one might think; but yet on the other hand I'd
swear he must be here.
Isab.
Pedro!
Ped.
Oh yes, his sole vocation now is to dodge my steps
like some avenging ghost of Capa and Espada.
Enter Juan Baptista.
Bapt.
(speaking to himself).
If they condemn him
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They must, he'll not return to plague me more
At Salvatierra. But, fair Isabel,
How blest am I on whom the star of beauty,
Bright rival of the sun,
Beams out such rays of love!
Isab.
Stand off! Away!
Not rays of love, whatever heretofore
I and my beauty may have beam'd, Baptista,
But now, if rays at all, lightnings of rage
And indignation from my heart and eyes.
Approach them at your peril! What, false traitor,
You come to court me with my brother's blood
Upon you, shed too in no manly duel,
Face to face, hand to hand, in the open field,
But like a murderer,
Behind his back stabbing him dead with slander—
Never!
[Exit.
Bapt.
But Isabel.
Cas.
Your day is over.
[Exit.
Bapt.
And that I should lose her by the very means I
hoped to win her with!
Ped.
Let not this prevent your memory acknowledging
one who has suffered banishment, and lives in terror of his
life, on your account.
Bapt.
Pedro!
Ped.
And at your service.
Bapt.
Ah, would you were!
Ped.
Try me.
Bapt.
But are you still Isabel's servant?
Ped.
I trust so.
Bapt.
Oh, good Pedro, I would fain explain to her, and
wipe out (as I easily can) the offence she has taken against
me; and if you will but be my friend, and leave the door
ajar to-night, that I may tell her the whole story, I'll pay
you well for it.
Ped.
Well, I think there can be no danger in that. Why,
if you should happen to call loudly outside the door to-night,
and I let you in, forgetting to ask who it is—surely I shall
not be to blame?
Bapt.
'Tis well; the sun is already setting; go you to your
post, and I shall be at mine immediately.
[Exeunt severally.
125
Scene III.
A Room in Gil Perez's House.—Enter Isabel and Casilda.Isab.
Casilda, now the flaming sun has set,
See to the doors; and you and Ines there
Sing to me—'twill beguile my melancholy.
No merry song, however; something sad
As my own fancies.
(They sing within.)
Hark! what noise is that?
One calling at the door at such an hour!—
Again!—Bid Pedro see—
Why, what is it that makes me tremble so?
From head to foot—
Enter Pedro hurriedly.
Ped.
O madam!
Isab.
Well?
Ped.
O madam—
Opening the door—only to ask—a man
All muffled up ran by me— (Aside.)
'Tis all right.
Enter Gil Perez, cloakt.
Isab.
Who's this?
Gil
(discovering himself).
I, Isabel.
Isab.
Oh heavens!
Gil.
Well, sister,
What troubles you?
Ped.
Oh Lord, oh Lord, oh Lord!
(Hides.)
Isab.
O Gil, how have you dared to venture here,
Your very life at stake!
Gil.
Small risk to one
Whom your ill doings have half kill'd already.
Isab.
I do not understand you—
Gil.
You need not:
I come not to explain, but to avenge;
And, mark my words, what I have come to do,
I'll do.
Isab.
Alas! is it my fault then, brother,
That traitors of their gold can make them wings
To fly into my house?
Gil.
Be not afraid;
I shall not judge of you or any one
Unheard, as others seem to judge of me.
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Isab.
Nay, I only know
You are accus'd of aiding, how I know not,
In Don Diego's death—on evidence,
As 'tis believ'd, the Judge (who now is here,
Inflam'd by Donna Leonor) declares
Sufficient to convict you of your life
And property—Alas, alas, my brother!
Gil.
You shall away with me; for 'tis not well
To leave you here alone and unprotected.
But I must see first what this Judge has got
To say against me.
Isab.
But how get at it?
Gil.
Why from the fountain-head. But, by the Lord,
If I must fly or die for't,
I'll not do so for nothing, I'll begin
My vengeance on this rascal.
(Pulling out Pedro.)
Ped.
Oh begin
On some one else and sum up all on me!
Gil.
How come you here?
Ped.
Oh, I will tell the truth
And nothing but the truth.
Gil.
Well?
Ped.
Being assur'd
That you were coming hither—
Gil.
Well?
Ped.
I came
Before.
Gil.
And why, when—
Ped.
That by doing so
You should not see my face, (which you declar'd,
Seeing again, you'd kill me,) but my back,
Which as you never swore at—
Gil
(striking him).
Villain, die!
Ped.
(falling as dead).
Oh! I am slain!
Gil.
Come, Isabel, 'tis I
Must bear you on my shoulders through the flames
That rise all round.
[Exeunt Gil and Isabel.
Ped.
(rising).
Oh, angel of sham death,
How much I owe your out-spread wings to-day,
Under whose shadow—Yo escaparè.
[Exit.
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Scene IV.
An open Gallery in the Judge's House at Salvatierra. —Enter Judge, and attendants, with lights, &c.Judge.
Here in this gallery where the air is cool
Set out my desk and papers.
I must examine all these depositions.
1st Attendant.
'Tis done, my lord.
2nd Attendant.
My lord, a stranger asks
Admittance—upon something, as he says,
Important to the matter now in hand.
Judge.
Admit him, then.
Gil
(without).
Manuel, keep the door;
And, till my lord and I have had our talk,
Let no one enter.
Man.
(without).
Trust me.
Enter Gil.
Gil.
First permit me
To kiss your lordship's hand. And secondly,
Having important matter to disclose
About this business, I would tell it you
Alone—
Judge
(to attendants).
Retire!
[Exeunt attendants.
Gil.
And with your lordship's leave
Will take a chair.
Judge.
Sit, sir.
Gil.
May I presume
To ask your lordship how Gallicia
Agrees with you?
Judge.
I thank you, very well.
Gil.
I'm very glad of that. Humph—as I take it,
Your lordship is come down into these parts
On a great trial?
Judge.
Yes, the case is this;
A certain Don Alonso de Tordoya,
And one Gil Perez of this place, are charg'd
With slaying Don Diego d'Alvarado.
Gil.
Slaying?
Judge.
In duel, sir.
Gil.
I marvel much
They should have dragg'd your lordship from the city
And from the court that you so much adorn,
Into this beggarly place, to try a cause
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Judge.
True, sir, but this is not by any means
The whole, or kernel, of the case. These men,
Beside, and after, the said homicide,
Resisted the king's officers; this Perez
Especially—a notable ruffian
Who lives among these hills a lawless life
Of violence and murder—struck the Sheriff,
And—but I'm scarce entitled to say more
To one whose very name I know not.
Gil.
Oh!
My name is quickly told, if that be all.
Judge.
What is it then?
Gil.
Gil Perez.
Judge.
Ho! without!
Man.
(appearing at the door).
My lord!
Judge.
And who are you?
Gil.
A friend of mine.
Man.
Who will take care that no one else comes in,
Till you have done.
[Exit.
Gil.
Your lordship sees how 'tis—
Be not alarm'd—pray take your chair again—
I've much to say to you.
Judge
(aside).
Better submit.
This desperate man may have a score beside—
Well, sir, your business with me?
Gil.
Why, my lord,
I for these many days have been, so please you,
Away from home; suddenly coming back,
My friends here tell me of a mortal suit
Your lordship has against me; when I ask
For the particulars, some say one thing,
And some another. I, who naturally
Am somewhat interested in the truth,
Think it the wisest course to come at once
Straight to head-quarters.
Judge.
This is strange proceeding.
Gil.
Oh, if your lordship scruple telling me,
These papers will not. I'd not for the world
Annoy your lordship.
(Takes the papers.)
Judge.
What are you about, sir!
Gil.
Conning my brief.
Judge.
But, sir—
Gil.
Now pray, my lord,
129
So very often. (Reading.)
Ah—the bare indictment
I know in a rough way, no need read that;
But for the evidence. Ah, here it is.
Humph; the first witness called, Andrew Ximenes:
“Andrew Ximenes, being duly sworn,
“Deposeth thus: that he was cutting wood,
“When the two gentlemen came out to fight;
“And stood to watch them; that, after some passes,
“Don Diego fell; and the officers of justice
“Then coming up, the other leap'd on horse,
“And fled: but being brought to ground by a shot
“That kill'd his horse, then ran, until he reach'd
“Gil Perez's house,”—here enter I,—“who first
“Courteously ask'd the sheriff to desist
“Hunting the gentleman; but when the Sheriff
“Persisted, drew on him and on his people,
“And fought them back; but how and when exactly
“The wound was given, deponent cannot say.
“And all this he deposeth upon oath,
“Andrew Ximenes—” And he says the truth;
Andrew is a good, honourable fellow.
Now for the second, Gil Parrado; humph.
“Parrado, duly sworn, deposeth thus;
“That, hearing a commotion, he ran out
“And got in time to see”—here enter I—
“Gil Perez fighting with the officers,
“Then on a sudden running to the river
“Plunge in. And that is all he knows of it.”
How short and sweet!
“Next and third witness, Juan Baptista,”—ay,
Now for this exemplary Christian—
“Juan Baptista sworn, deposeth thus:
“That, as luck fell, he was behind a tree
“When the two gentlemen came out to fight;
“That they fought fairly hand to hand, until”—
Here enter I—“Gil Perez suddenly
“Rush'd from a thicket by, and join'd himself
“With Don Alonso, and the two together
“Maliciously and treacherously slew
“Don Diego.” Pray, my lord, what is the worth
Of such a witness, who himself admits
He stood behind a tree watching two men
Set on a third, and slay him, and yet never
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“Saw Don Alonso jump upon a horse
“And fly, while Perez drew his sword upon
“The officers of justice, and slew one,
“And maim'd another.” Give me leave, my lord,
To take this leaf. (Tears it out.)
I'll bring it back to you
When I have made this rascal Jew confess
(If ever Jews confess) what he did see,
If any thing; but fair that if a judge
Decide on evidence, that evidence
At least be true; that he should hear moreover
Both sides, accus'd as well as his accuser.
As to that Sheriff's wounds—the only count
To which I own—I never sought the fray;
The fray sought me, as I stood innocently
At my own door; and pray what man of honour—
What would your lordship's sober self have done
In such a case?
Judge.
Within! within there! ho!
Perez himself is here! the culprit! Seize him!
Man.
(appearing).
Ay, do, if you can catch him.
Gil.
Manuel,
Let them come up; I have no more to say.
And you and I, who walk'd in by the door,
Can jump out of the window.
Voices
(within).
Seize him! Seize him!
Judge.
One word, Gil Perez; if you yield at once,
I'll be your friend.
Gil.
I make no friends of lawyers,
And never trust their promises.
Judge.
If not,
As sure as Heav'n, I'll bring you to the scaffold.
Gil.
If you can catch me.
Judge.
Cannot I?
Gil.
Well, try.
Judge.
Ho there! upon him; and if he resist,
Cut him down!
Man.
Now then, Gil!
Gil.
Now, Manuel!
Out with the lights! or wanting them, we two
Will strike them, knaves, in plenty out of you.
(Confusion and Melée, in which Gil and Manuel escape.)
| Gil Perez, The Gallician | |