University of Virginia Library

SCENE I.

—THE CAMP OF DON JOHN OF AUSTRIA, AT THE FOOT OF THE ALPUJARRA MOUNTAINS.
A flourish of trumpets—Enter DON JOHN of Austria and DON JUAN DE MENDOZA, preceded by a numerous retinue of soldiers.
DON JOHN.
O rebel mountain! O disloyal sight,
Whose savage wildness, whose stupendous height,
Whose towering structure, whose untamed estate,
Pressing with unimaginable weight
Upon the crushed earth lies—
Contracts the air and limits even the skies—
Infamous haunt of thieves,
Whose pregnant womb with embryo lightnings heaves,
Here to be born and nursed
But soon o'er Africa with thunderous rage to burst,
This is the day, this is the fated day,
On which thou must for thy dark treason pay,
Because to-day in me are blent
At once my vengeance and thy punishment,
So blent, indeed, that jealous Fame withdraws,
Nor crowns this triumph but with slight applause;
As if the heavens would say
That this is not to conquer, but to slay:—
Since neither glory, nor the laurel leaves
My valour can demand,
Because I humble a vile herd of thieves,
And subjugate a robber band:—
This therefore makes me from the future claim
More an avenger than a conqueror's name—
But I would know from what a spark this clear
Flame of revolt burst forth so fierce.

MENDOZA.
Then hear:
This, heroic Austrian eagle,
Is the mighty Alpujarra,—
Is the natural rustic rampart—
Is the barbarous protection
Of the Moors, who there attempt
(Ill prepared for such achievement),
Like Pelayo's mountain forces,
To reconquer Spain once more:—
It is difficult from its height—
Intricate from its craggy wildness—
Impregnable from its situation—
And invincible from its strength:—
Fourteen leagues it stretches lengthways,
But including all the distance
In its circuit, more than fifty:—
For between its opposite points
There are vales that beautify it—
Fruitful fields that fertilize it—
Flowery gardens that delight it:—
All its breast is peopled over
Thick with villages and hamlets,
Which at evening, when the sunset
Sheds a glimmering twilight round,
Seem like giant cliffs arising
From the midst of concave rocks,
Which in falling from its summits
Hung suspended on its slopes:—
Of all these, the greatest are
Gabia, Berja, and Galera,
Chosen arsenals of the three
Chieftains, who the others govern;
It containeth thirty thousand
Moorish soldiers, without counting
Or the women, or the children:—
And upon this fertile pasture
Flocks and herds unnumbered feed,
Though their own support arises
More from simple fruits than flesh-meats—
Wild fruits from the tree, or dried ones—
Or the plants they cultivate.
Since, not only from the furrows,
But from the rocks themselves, a tribute
Of the green herb do they draw;
For so skilled in agriculture,
And so studious of its secrets
Are they, that their spades impregnate
Even the rocks, and make them yield.
As to the cause of the rebellion,
Since in that I took a part,
I beseech you, that in silence
You permit my tongue to rest;
Though 'tis better to acknowledge
That I was myself the cause,
Than to say, it was occasioned
By severe and cruel edicts
That were made for their repression:
Better I should bear the blame
Than a higher name be censured;
But whatever the occasion,
Whether the offence I gave—
As I've said, my lord, or whether
It was that Valór, the day
Following that on which we quarrelled,
Was, on entering the council,
Questioned by the alguazil,
And a dagger that he carried
Hid beneath his cloak, drawn forth,—
Or, the penalties they suffered
Growing more and more severe
From the ordinances issued
By the court from day to day,
Drove them so to desperation,
That they planned this insurrection,—
So it was: for they retired
With their arms, supplies, and money,
And the three years, that this treason
Hath continued, it hath been
Kept inviolate by this people;
Which is surely wonderful,
That among those thirty thousand
Men assembled for this purpose,
Not one traitor could be found
Base enough to tell the secrets
Which those many days conceal.
With what ignorance, what error
Did he speak, who said a secret
Was in danger when three knew it?
When there's none with thirty thousand
Interested to preserve it:—
The first thunderbolt that issued
From this lightning—forged amid
These Etnean cliffs and caverns—
Were bold thefts, were bloody murders—
Robberies of many churches—
Insults, sacrileges, treasons,—
So that soon, Granada, bathed
In its blood, complained to Heaven
That it was the sad arena
Of dark tragedies and woes.
Quickly was a cure attempted
By the civil power, but soon
Seeing how 'twas scorned and outraged,
All united for defence:
Then the sword replaced the white wand,
Then respect gave way to force,
And in civil war was ended
What resistance but began.
The corregidor was murdered,
And the city, now awakened
To the danger, called to arms
All the force of the militia:—
This did not suffice, since always
(Such success hath novelty)
Fortune smiled upon their banners;
So that all of war's mischances
Frowned malignly upon ours;
Ah! how heavy! how oppressive
Are those favours, since from them
Never have they turned averted!
Apprehension grew on our side—
Pride and daring grew on theirs,—
Till from all sides dangers threaten.
As 'tis known that they are waiting
Aid from Africa—'tis plain
That when hither comes this succour,
In the stopping of its entrance
We our forces must divide;—
More than this, it must be thought of,
How the slightest accident
In a moment, may the other
Moors of Spain unite with them;
Since all those of Estremadura,
Of Valencia and Castile,
Wait but tidings of some triumph
Ere they openly pronounce;
But that you may know this people
Better, that they're wise as brave,
Nor without political science,
Hear from me how they are ruled:—
Which from time to time was told us
By some spies, on whom we seized;
The first act on which they treated
Was the choosing of a chief,
And as in this proud election
There was rivalry between
Don Fernando and another
Man of equal noble birth,
Don Alvaro Tuzaní,
Thus proposed Don Juan Malec,
That the former should be king,
And that he should wed the lovely
Isabella Tuzaní,
Sister to Alvaro:—oh!
[Aside.
How it pains me! how it galls me!
To recall to mind the name
Of this Tuzaní, thus honoured
Next in place unto their king,
Since for queen they chose his sister:—
When Valór was crowned, the first
Of his acts was the opposing
Every way the royal edicts,—
That his subjects might the sooner
Reassume their nation's rites—
It was ordered that no Christian
Name be used, nor even the worship
Of the Christian faith allowed:—
And to give himself the example,
He at once assumed the ancient
Name of Abenhuméya,
From the kings of Córdova
Whose pure blood he doth inherit.
He commanded too, that no one
Should in conversation use
Aught but the Arabic language,
Nor be seen in any dress
But the Moorish—nor acknowledge
Any but Mahomet's sect:—
After these, his next endeavour
Was, to re-divide his forces;
And Galera, that proud city
Yonder, which first meets your eye—
Whose high walls and deep-sunk trenches
Nature fashioned with such skill,
That it never can be conquered
But with great expense of blood,
He has given in charge to Malec—
Malec, who is Clara's father—
Clara, now Maleca called:—
Tuzaní received Gabia
Named the Proud, while he in Berga
Holds his court—the heart that quickens
All this giant mass of stone:—
Thus, as far as we are able
To discover, are they placed.
This, then, is the Alpujarra,
Whose stupendous summits seem
As if they would hurl them headlong
Down to kneel before thy feet.

DON JOHN.
Your monitions are, Don Juan,
Worthy a Mendoza, as
Of thyself:—thou'rt doubly loyal—
But what drums are those I hear?

[A sound of drums is heard, and various bodies of troops are seen passing.
MENDOZA.
Soldiers, that on their arrival
Seek the muster-roll, my lord.

DON JOHN.
Whence this troop?

MENDOZA.
'Tis from Granada
And the neighbouring country, which
The Henil waters.

DON JOHN.
Who commands it?

MENDOZA.
The Marquis de Mondéjar, who
Is the count too of Tendilla:—
Of the Alhambra, and the country
Round about, perpetual warden.

DON JOHN.
The Moor in Africa doth tremble,
When he but hears his name. What's this?

[Drums.
MENDOZA.
'Tis a band of troops from Murcia.

DON JOHN.
Who has got the command of those?

MENDOZA.
The great Marquis de los Belez.

DON JOHN.
Let his fame and his achievements
Be his name's bright coronal.

[Drums.
MENDOZA.
This detachment is from Baeza,
And it has for its commander
A brave soldier, one to whom
Fame is owing many a statue
As eternal as his glory:—
My lord, 'tis Sancho de Avila.

DON JOHN.
For the praise that he deserveth,
'Tis but little to declare,
Simply that he is the pupil
Of the Duke of Alva, who
Taught him in his school to conquer,
But never how to be subdued.

[Drums.
MENDOZA.
The foot-soldiers now advancing
Are the veteran troops of Flanders,
Which descended for this exploit,
To the Henil from the Meuse—
Pearls with pearls thus interchanging.

DON JOHN.
Who doth come with it?

MENDOZA.
A wonder
Of nobility and valour,
Don Lope de Figueroa.

DON JOHN.
Many stories have been told me
Of his courage and his patience,
One so great and one so small.

MENDOZA.
Being by the gout impeded,
He impatiently endures
Giving such inactive service
To your highness in the war.

DON JOHN.
Truly I desire to know him.

Enter DON LOPE DE FIGUEROA.
LOPE.
Then I vow to God, your highness
Has not one minutest atom
Of advantage over me;
Since 'tis but to see me sometime
Strive to kneel thus at thy feet,
That these legs I have put up with.

DON JOHN.
How do you feel yourself?

LOPE.
As one
Who to serve you, comes from Flanders
Here, my lord, to Andalusia;
And it is no needless duty,
Since if you won't go to Flanders,
Flanders then must come to you.

DON JOHN.
May Heaven grant me yet this favour!—
Do you lead brave troops?

LOPE.
So brave
That were this wild Alpujarra
Hell itself, and were Mahomet
Its commander-in-chief in person,
They, my lord, would enter in;—
Those excepted, who are gouty,
Who could climb not up the cliffs:—
For they come......
[A voice within.
Retire! detain thee!—

GARCES,
within.
Pass I must! so stand aside.

Enter GARCES, with ALCUZCUZ on his shoulders.
DON JOHN.
What is this?

GARCES.
My rounds pursuing
On the slope of this Sierra,
I, methought, amid some branches
Heard a noise, and looking there,
I this dog discovered lurking
As in ambuscade amongst them,
Plainly with a spy's intent:—
With my musket-strap I tied him,
And that he might bark some tidings,
I have brought him on my shoulders.

LOPE.
A good soldier! as God liveth!—
Are there more of them like this?

GARCES.
Does your lordship then imagine
It is only out of Flanders
That good soldiers come?

ALCUZCUZ,
aside.
The matter,
Alcuzcuz, looks rather serious,
And already Adam's apple
Seems to tighten in your throat.

DON JOHN,
to GARCES.
Now that I remember, soldier,
Who you are, a valiant exploit
Like to this, appears not new.

GARCES.
Oh! at what a little cost
Princes can reward brave actions!
By a word of praise 'tis done!

DON JOHN.
Approach.

ALCUZCUZ.
To me do you say it?

DON JOHN.
Yes.

ALCUZCUZ.
The honour is too great
To approach you any nearer:—
I am better here.

DON JOHN.
Your name?

ALCUZCUZ,
aside.
Here a little caution's needful:—
Alcuzcuz, a poor Morisco,
[Aloud.
Who by force was carried here
To this cursed Alpujarra—
Being a Christian in my heart—
Knowing all about the Credo,
The Trinity and the Daily Bread—
The Salve Regina, and the other
Fourteen Commandments of the Church:
'Twas for saying to my comrades
That I would a Christian be,
That they wanted all to kill me,
So I fled, or ran, or flew,
Till I met with him who took me,
When I yielded myself up:
If you spare my life, I'll tell you
All the plans they're plotting yonder,
And will show you how to enter
By the mountain unperceived.

DON JOHN.
Though I think that he is lying,
It is possible that he
Tells a little truth.

MENDOZA.
Who questions
But some Christians still are there?
I myself have known a lady
Who was carried there by force.

DON JOHN.
Let us neither be too trusting,
Nor too doubting; Garces, thou
Take the charge of thine own captive.

GARCES.
Yes, be sure, I'll guard him well.

DON JOHN.
We shall soon see if the story
Which he tells is true or false.
Let us take a turn, Don Lope,
Through the quarters of our troops,
And consult upon the best way
To begin the attack.

MENDOZA.
Your highness
Sees what's right, for though this war
Seems indeed of trifling moment,
It is most important, since
There are matters like the present,
Which when gained confer no honour,
But when lost inflict disgrace;
And it therefore doth behove us
To attend to things like these—
Not so much to gain new laurels,
But to lose not what we have.

[Exeunt all but GARCES and ALCUZCUZ.
GARCES.
Well, friend, what shall I call you?

ALCUZCUZ.
Rice;
Since my name among the Moriscos
Was plain Alcuzcuz, among
Christians it is Rice; 'tis proper,
Since I change my Moorish pottage,
I should get a Christian name.

GARCES.
Alcuzcuz, you are my captive;
Tell me truth.

ALCUZCUZ.
With all my heart.

GARCES.
You but now assured his highness
John of Austria......

ALCUZCUZ.
Was it he?

GARCES.
That you could point out a passage
To this proud Sierra's heart.

ALCUZCUZ.
Yes, my master.

GARCES.
Though 'tis certain
That he cometh to subdue it,
With the Marquis de los Belez—
With the Marquis de Mondéjar,
With Don Lope de Figueroa,
And Don Sancho de Avila,
I am anxious that the entrance
To these mountains he should owe
Solely unto my exertions.
Guide me thither, I'm impatient
To examine and explain it.

ALCUZCUZ,
aside.
I must someway trick this Christian,
And by giving him the slip,
Gain the Alpujarra:—come then
On with me.

GARCES.
Just wait a little,
For within this guardhouse here,
I deposited my rations
When I went on guard this morning,
And I'm anxious to regain them;
In my saddle-bags I'll bring them
(That no needless time be wasted),
Thus we may upon our journey
Eat and walk at once.

ALCUZCUZ.
So be it.

GARCES.
Let us go.

ALCUZCUZ,
aside.
O saint Mahomet,
Thou wilt be my only prophet,
Guide me, and I'll go to Mecca.
Ah! that's nothing to a man
Who is always pilgrimizing.

[Exeunt.