 | The Rose of Arragon |  |
ACT IV.
SCENE I.
—The Corridor of the Dungeons.Enter Almagro and Pedro.
Alma.
So this is thy domain?—a gloomy one!
When, yesterday, I ranged the prison-cells,
I little dream'd to find their custody
Committed to an old acquaintance. As
I told thee then, that old acquaintance may
Become my friend; and, if my friend, a rich,
Promoted one! Thou saw'st me, yesterday,
The same Almagro whom thou knew'st before,
Except the lead I took in this revolt,
And that, but second to Alasco. Now
Alasco gives me place; this hour, good Pedro,
Has placed me in the seat his sister fill'd!
Almagro rules in Saragossa now,
Almagro now is Regent. When we discoursed—
Anticipating this advancement, and
Aware that, from thy calling, thou couldst find me
Men of the mettle I might stand in need of—
Pedro.
I recollect. The first is found—a Moor,
One that will do the work, whereto you set him,
Nor scan its quality.
Alma.
The man I need!
Pedro.
One who will serve you as he were your hand
That does your will, nor questions you thereon;
A stranger too, unknown in Saragossa!
Of bearing also, such as will not shame you.
Alma.
The very man! When shall I see him?
Pedro.
Now.
Alma.
Bring him! [Pedro goes out.]
The man I need. E'en upon thee
I may not count, for thou hast friends; he, none.
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May sway his own, and baffle his, he serves.
I have won the game; but still, the stake 's to get—
To get, if needs, by force! I may not look
To any that I know, for advance there;
The stanchest there, might stop! I know not one
I dare so much as e'en advise with there.
Those who are heedless how Alasco fares,
Would more than mutter, dared I breathe the thought
Of trespasss 'gainst the Rose of Arragon.
Enter Pedro and Omer.
Alma.
Is this the man?—his air is very stately!
Pedro.
It is the carriage of his blood, my lord;
Ne'er lack'd by its partaker.
Alma.
It is well!
The reverend man I spoke of—have you found him?
Pedro.
I have.
Alma.
What says he?
Pedro.
He too will be your hand.
Not more will question, 'less will do, your bidding.
Alma.
Warn him to come to me ere nine this evening,
Ere the third quarter turns.—Friend, do you heed
A woman's tears?
[To Omer.
Omer.
They do not pierce the ear.
Her shrieks do, and as little they would move me.
Alma.
What would you stop at, to obey the will
Of him you served?
Omer.
At nothing till 'twas done!
Alma.
Not blood?
Omer.
No more, sir, than the blade which sheds it.
Alma.
Wait by my side.—Advancement ne'er is bought,
But at some cost of friends. I know not, now,
Who loves me. Pry about you.—As we go
I'll tell you where my heart and soul have cast
Their all of being on!
Omer.
An enemy,
Whom you would overcome? He is at your feet!
Alma.
An enemy whom giv'st thou to mine arms,
I'll fall at yours, as my good angel ever!
Omer.
A woman!—Can't you strain her to your mood
Without my help?—You Christians there are wrong,
What we as minions treat, to rate as idols!
You flatter—sue—implore!—Possession speaks
Our wishes!
Alma.
Well you please me, thus to talk.
Thanks, Pedro!—Come!—keep near me. Well you please me.
[They go out.
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SCENE II.
—A Chamber in the Citadel.Enter Alasco and Olivia.
Alas.
Olivia!
Olivia.
Well, my brother?
Alas.
It is long
Since you and I have talk'd.
Olivia.
There was a time
We had not been so long apart, Alasco,
At liberty to meet!
Alas.
There was a time
We had one heart!—That time is past!
Olivia.
How long?
Alas.
E'er since the hour you spurn'd your brother's friend,
His soul's election, from among the prime
Acknowledged of his race, and gave your heart
To throne a stranger.
Olivia.
He deserved it, brother!
Alas.
No, not thy heart!—The throne that he was born to,
I grant him worthy of, but not thy heart!
There is but one such throne; as for the other,
There are a hundred such—ay, maybe, better!
How much, Olivia, did it weigh with you
That he, you chose, was heir unto a throne?
Olivia.
Brother!—
[Much hurt.
Alas.
I know! forgive me! Not a doit!
Oh! my Olivia! lives the man durst slight thee,
And do I so? That inadvertent wrong
Hath, more than argument, set all to rights!
Being here to blame, I have been all to blame!
Forgive me! Love me! Take me to your heart
Again, as I do thee to mine, my sister!
Olivia.
How like a new gift is old love restored!
How seems it richer, though the very same!
How the soul opens to receive it, wider
Than e'er it did before!—Alasco! now
I'll show thee, brother, I have all along
Deserved thy love, deserving it e'en there
Where thou account'st me wanting!
Alas.
Not a word
Of that again! you prized the Prince's worth,
Before you knew his title; which he doff'd,
Lest, seeking love, he might ambition meet,
And take it for its betters! You were wed
Before you knew you were a prince's wife!
Have you forgiven me?
Olivia.
Have I not, my brother?
But, for mine own content, Alasco, hear me,
While for thy sister's coldness to thy friend
I give thee now her reason.
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Give it me,
But for thine own content; not mine, Olivia:—
Go on! Why do you hesitate? The thing
You wish'd to tell me, and I would not hear,
And then wish'd more to tell me; now I would hear it,
Why do you hesitate to tell?
Olivia.
Alasco,
You are so rash when you are angry.
Alas.
[Roused.]
Ay—
Is there chance of that?
Olivia.
No, no!
Alas.
[Most impatiently.]
There is!
Olivia.
You see!
Wisely I kept it from thee at the time;
Else, bloodshed had ensued!
Alas.
[With extreme impatience.]
Bloodshed! for what?
Olivia.
Outrage long past!
Alas.
[Furiously.]
Outrage!— [Recollects himself.]
Long past is it?
Then tell it me, no fear I shall be rash!
No, nor yet angry! I shall look upon it
As a thing that's dead, and no more wage war with it
Than I would with a corse! Almagro offer'd thee
No outrage?
[Furiously.
Olivia.
There again!
Alas.
[Recovering himself.]
And if he did—
'Tis past and gone; so, dead.—Go on, Olivia,
Go on, my sister!
Olivia.
You remember, don't you,
From long-protracted absence, coming home,
And finding me, whom you had left a girl,
Stolen into womanhood? Stolen, I may say;
For at that stage I had, indeed, arrived
Without my father's note, or e'en my own;
So change, by progress still before our eyes,
Is oft-times past, before we dream 'tis near.
Alas.
That time, Olivia, I remember well!
Then first I felt I was a brother, when
The girl, I left, I found not; but, instead,
A woman newly ripen'd! You had on
The gear of other times! 'Twas quite outgrown,
And scantiest there where nature's bounty most
Upbraided lack of fulness! Oh, what thoughts
Of risks and wrongs, by woman run and borne,
Shot through my brain, succeeding one another
As lightning-flashes, when the welkin round
Is thick with thunder-storms!—awakening in me
Tinglings of feelings never touch'd before,
And summoning almost in palpable,
Distinct embodiment, the household virtues
To pass in solemn, stern array before me—
Among them honour chief, and chastity!
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Thy kerchief, snatch'd from thy surpriséd hand!
The change pass'd o'er thee then, from frankest joy
To see me back, to strangest wonderment!
The change from that, to most alarm'd confusion,
As, in a moment, burst on thee the thought
What time had done, thou ne'er hadst ta'en account of,
Till then reveal'd by that, thy brother's act!
The statue that thou stood'st except the blush
Which, prompted by that act, thy heart call'd up
As 'twere to veil thy cheek, and answer for
Thy earth-fix'd eye, that life had cast it there!
I shall be old when I forget the hour
I threw that kerchief o'er thee!
Olivia.
[Hesitating.]
Brother!
Alas.
Well?
Olivia.
[Hesitating.]
One day—
Alas.
Go on! what happen'd thee that day?
Olivia.
[Still hesitating.]
That kerchief—
Alas.
Well?
Olivia.
I cannot tell it thee!
I durst not even breathe it to my father!
[Overpowered with confusion, and throwing herself on Alasco's neck.
Alas.
You need not! Some one pluck'd it off!—Who was it?
Who was it?—fool!—who was it but Almagro!
The flood of light a little chink lets in!
How blind a man may be, yet think he sees!
How fast asleep, yet fancy he's awake!
How may he be cajoled—robb'd—cozen'd—gull'd—
Where for fair dealing he would stake his life,
As free as risk a counter on a card
With all the odds to back him!—it is clear!
Almagro's heart is rotten!—What have I done?
Olivia.
What have you done, my brother!
Alas.
What have I done?
You know, and ask!—Why, made Almagro Regent!
Almagro Regent, in my sister's place!
Given him command over myself, and worse,
O'er thee, to whom he did that violence
Turns all my blood to fire! how mayst thou fare.
Olivia.
Remember you your comment, once you read
The story of Lucrece to me? You said
She used too late her dagger—that she chose
Most ill, the stain itself contracting, rather
Than bear the slanderous imputation,
Howe'er so base-begotten; that her error
The custom of her time could not atone for;
The she was more to pride a martyr, than
To chastity! unworthy setting up
A sample of a woman fit to copy!
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Those very words thy brother's heart spoke to thee!
Olivia.
Those very words thy sister's heart set down,
Never to be obliterated!—see!
[Drawing forth a dagger.
Alas.
Thou shalt not come to such extremity!
O, let me think awhile my sister—go—
This is no home for thee!—Go!—Hold thee, sister,
In readiness to bear me company!
But let me with myself awhile commune,
There's something here wants calming—such a sea
Cannot at once go down, and give us leave
To put the vessel on her course again!
Olivia.
Bless thee, Alasco!
[Going.
Alas.
Sister, stay!—The King!—
His life 's in jeopardy!
Olivia.
The King is safe!
I fear'd thee, brother,—durst not breathe it to thee!—
But he escaped last night by my contrivance!
Alas.
O woman! clear in apprehension—prompt
In action, when her sympathies arouse her!
A mountain hast thou heaved from off my soul,
And for reproaches, take my blessings with thee!
Now leave me for a while!
Olivia.
My heart sinks in me
At thought of losing sight of thee, my brother!
[Goes out.
Alas.
How many things come back upon me, now,
That pass'd me by, before, unheeded by me,
To prove Almagro wanting!—There is Gomez!—
Gomez, he told me was a wretch!—had fail'd him
When trusted by him!—Now he hugs him!—Ay,
Gomez is now of service! There's Velasquez,
A man far likelier to overlook,
Than note a fault.—Almagro must have play'd
The viper to him, and Velasquez shuns him,
Lest he be stung again. There's Henriquez,
Blotches from head to foot, believe Almagro,
And he was hand in glove with him before,
For all his leprosy, when Henriquez
Was factor to his fortunes.—Blind Alasco!
Now I bethink me, where are Pedro, Carlos,
And twenty others, once his good companions?
True men and kindly!—Where are they? gone from him!
He comes!—untimely!—would I could avoid him.
Enter Almagro and Theresa.
Alma.
You know your duty—see that you perform it.
Let the reward that I have promised you
Remind you of obedience. Suffer her not
Out of your sight—nor be thrust off—nor humour'd;
Your answer—forced to it—“The Regent wills it.”
Not in a hurry though!
Ther.
I shall observe.
[Goes out.
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Now am I jocund as the mariner
Whose progress e'en before his reckoning runs,
And, ere expected, shows his port to him—
Whose vessel seems belovéd of the winds,
Which follow her where'er she turns her prow.
I am Regent!—That is power achieved—Alasco
Speeds to the army, and Velasquez, with him.
That is immunity to use my power!
Olivia stays in Saragossa—that
Is love achieved.—Oh! Opportunity!
Thou favourer of wishes, com'st thou to me,
And shall I let thee go again, and say
Thou left'st me mine unblest?—No!—though I craved
The help of fraud or force to effect possession.
Fair measures first I'll try—they bring our ends
Most happily about. So be't. Let's see—
A quarrel is to be made up—a fault
Acknowledged and atoned for—so, from foes,
We turn to friends.—That's easy—but to turn
From friends to lovers—there's the feat that taxes
Both wit and labour! There's Ruphino, though—
He hates me! Well!—the good of the republic
May crave his absence hence—some honourable
Employment—like Velasquez, and his son's!
We'll find him such.—So now, to see Olivia;
Admit my error, own it past forgiveness—
The very surest way to make it venial—
Dilate on my contrition—sigh for friendship,
Without a hope of it—a warranty
Especial and infallible that she
Will find me hope enough—and here succeeding,
To fair or foul means trust the rest;—
[Going towards Olivia's apartment, meets Alasco.
Alasco!—
Here yet?—I swear thou art still a child, as much
As in thy play-time years!
Alas.
Almagro!—
Alma.
Peace!
Thou mak'st me mad!—What are the thews of manhood
Without the thoughts and deeds?—In patience' name,
If thou wouldst bide with men, and rank with them,
Be one of them, and act like them!—Balance here,
Lounging upon the heel that should be smoking
With rowels red with speed, at least ten leagues
By this from Saragossa!
Alas.
But, Almagro—
Alma.
Nay, talk to children, not to me!—By our Lady,
Thou art not a man!—A feebleness, Alasco,
There is about you, hateful to my nature!
An easiness that treats, as lightest things,
Matters of gravest moment.—We have placed
Our hopes and fears, our liberties and lives,
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He turns out to be a boy!
Alas.
By your favour—
Alma.
'Sdeath!
'Tis injury to me!—foul injury
Return'd for all the good I have done for you!
How will men talk?—what will my credit come to,
For judgment or for justice? Fifty others
Had leap'd at such a post, not one of whom
Had so approved himself unworthy of it,
As thou hast done! How shall I make defence,
When they allege to me, they know your charger
Stood cooling his mettle at the gate, the while
You play'd the page, in your sister's antechamber!
Alas.
Where thou play'st visitor!—What brought thee hither?
Almagro!—mark!—a brother speaks to you,
And tells you that the floor you stand upon
Henceforth to you is interdicted ground!
Mark!—interdicted by a brother's honour!
Who holds the trespasser 'gainst his commands
Responsible with his blood!
Alma.
To me, Alasco!—
Do you say this to me?—to me—your friend?
Alas.
Is it so, Almagro?—Art thou Alasco's friend?
Alma.
Can I be otherwise?
Alas.
Almagro, tell me,
Are you a man of whom his friend can say,
He knows his heart whene'er he hears his tongue;
Or one whose tongue alleges of his heart
Things that abide not there?
Alma.
What do you mean?
Alas.
What I say!—Almagro, are you my friend indeed?
Where's the reply ere well the question's done,
That, from loved lips, can't brook the loving wrong,
But, from one word divining all the rest,
The mouth of the propounder stops with flouts,
Which, while they chafe, assure him. Art thou my friend?
You are sullen!—Ill at ease, I will not say—
Why did you start when I said—“Ill at ease?”
You are not my friend!—when you declared you were so,
You spoke what was not true!
Alma.
Sir!
Alas.
Saint Iago!
'Tis come to “Sir!” The truth is out at last, then!
'Tis come to “Sir!” 'twixt you and me! There's chance then
That it may come to blows!—Is there, Almagro?
“Sir”—'Tis as clear as day!—It could not be!
The thing's impossible.
Alma.
What is impossible?
Alas.
That a strong stream should stop with frost, nor give
The eye of the observer time to wink,
387
In summer, dreaming on a bank of snow,
And freezing now awake! “Sir”—
Alma.
You forget
I am Regent!
Alas.
You are Regent?—Oh, you are Regent!
True!—true!—you are another kind of man!—
Of all anomalies, the most outrageous
Is this—that circumstances should make the man
More that the man himself—just as if men
Were no wit better than the meats they feed on,
Whose value varies by the mode of dressing;
That what, to-day, will bring one pistole only,
By change of cookery brings five to-morrow!
You are Regent? 'Tis too bad!—The brute, in this,
Fares far more rationally than his master,
For he is rated by his own properties,
And gives rank to kennel—takes none from it!
Who made you Regent?
Alma.
Who?—the people!
Alas.
I!
Alma.
'Tis false!
Alas.
Ha! say you so?—Come on then! you're
A traitor!
Alma.
What?
Alas.
You heard!—Is it possible?
Then was it true what some one told me once,
That when he threaten'd thee with chastisement,
Whereof he gave thee earnest with his tongue,
In terms the bearer better were struck dead,
Than unrevenged survive them, thou didst stand
E'en thus.
Alma.
How?
Alas.
Why the 'haviour of a sheet!
Anger, I know, turns pale as well as red;
But if it lacks the hue, it has the blow!—
My sister, recreant!—I will not draw
On one that dares not draw on me again,
Nor even wag my tongue at such a man!
“Man!” do I say?—Well, “man.”—I scorn to rail!
[Ruphino enters in the back-ground, and stopping short, half-retires again.
Alma.
Alasco! you have spurn'd me!—shamefully
Aspersed my manhood!—and I bear it all,
For I am not a friend plays fast and loose!
Nay, wrong me more!—I will the more forbear.
Thou doubt'st it?—but a proof can face a doubt!
And I have one at hand, will make thee writhe,
That ever thou misus'dst me. Wait a little,
I'll give thee time to cool,—provide my proof;
And then return, and we are friends again!
[Goes out.
Ruph.
Alasco!
[Hastily advancing.
388
Father!
Ruph.
Hast thou been, Alasco,
A son to me?
Alas.
In love,—but not in duty!
Ruph.
In duty too, dost thou my bidding now!
Wilt do it?
Alas.
Yes!
Ruph.
Wilt swear to do it?
Alas.
Yes;
I swear!
Ruph.
He hears thee who remembers, boy!
Forthwith depart for thy command.—Velasquez
Waits with thy courser at the postern.—Fly!
Thou'lt find within his breast another heart
True to thee as thine own!—Confide in him!—
Alas.
Almagro!—
Ruph.
Peace!—Almagro means thee evil!
Thy sister's honour is in jeopardy—
I know what thou wouldst say.—It is too late!
She could not fly with thee, were she prepared,
Or were there means at hand, or were there time
To furnish them. She is betray'd!—beset!—
The safety which she cannot fly to,—thou
Must bring to her, my son, and speedily—
It must come speedily, if it come at all!
Alas.
Why, father!—
Ruph.
What!—in my extremity
Cannot I find a friend in my own son!
Thy sister, by Almagro's treason warn'd,
Has set the King at liberty, and word
Was by his secret escort brought that he
Had to the patriot force commission sent
With terms of such redress, as their demands,
O'erbearing as they were, durst ne'er lift eye to!
I should not wonder, met you now advancing,
And hand in hand, those who the other day
Bore weapons against weapons! There is rescue!
Safety! for me, thy sister!—all of us!
Away—away,—not by the common stair—
Almagro now ascends it, with his guards!
They come for thee—believe me for this once!
This passage to thy sister, by her lord
Reveal'd, by her to me,—and which were now
Portal to liberty, were she not watch'd
By spies, who dog her every footfall—safe
Without the postern will conduct thee.—Fly—
No word!—Thy oath!—Thy sister's honour!—Fly!
[Alasco goes out.
Enter Almagro with Guards, and attended by Nunez and Omer.
Alma.
[Speaking as he enters.]
Secure the traitor!—only now his sword
Was pointed 'gainst your Regent's heart.
389
My lord,
Alasco is not here!—This is his father.
Alma.
Not here!—I left him here!—where is the traitor?
Ruph.
Inquire, Almagro, of thyself for him!
Alma.
Where is thy son?
Ruph.
Safe, monster, from thy fangs!
Alma.
What! fled!—Go seek him in the room beyond.
Some nook will give him to you.—He could not fly!
Myself stood sentry on the stair.
[All go out but Almagro and Ruphino.
Ruph.
You did?
You needs must love the friend you watch so well!
Alma.
You mock at things make other men look grave.
Ruph.
What things?
Alma.
Bonds!—maybe death!
Ruph.
O Heav'n! this man
To talk of bonds and death to me that was
More than his equal yesterday!—'Tis thus
Fair enterprise falls into disrepute,
And the just fight is lost!—Some hollow heart
Makes common cause with the abettors; toils,
Suffers perhaps; draws on himself all eyes,
All trust, until their cause and he be one;
When gets he all he asks for,—sought for,—power!
The which, awhile, he wields to profit them;
But, now secure of, casts the mask aside,
Employs for his own ends, without consent
Of man or angel, until those that groan'd
At evil days gone by, now shake the head
And wish them back again!
Alma.
Thy life 's near spent!
Husband the little that remains of it.
Ruph.
He husbands life who looks not to its length
But use, and uses it to glorify
The giver!
Alma.
Dotard!—Hither comes your son!
Ruph.
Turn not your face aside, nor move away;
You need not shrink from him, he does not come!
Re-enter Nunez and the others.
Alma.
Is he not found?
Nunez.
No!
Alma.
No? He must be here!
He pass'd not forth!—I swear he pass'd not forth.
Where is your son, old man?—What smile you at?
Ruph.
At your simplicity, Almagro.
Alma.
Ay!
Ruph.
Ay, sir, to ask a father for his son,
That you may give him up to butchery!
He is safe, sir, safe!—His father's life upon it!
Alma.
Maybe!—Maybe!—He must be found!
390
Cortez.
The Regent?
Alma.
Here, sir!
Cortez.
Obedient to your highness' will,
I sought the King, in straiter custody
To place him.
Alma.
Well, sir!—and you found him?
Cortez.
No.
Alma.
Treason on every side!—Produce your son!
Ruph.
I cannot!
Alma.
Tell us where you have bestow'd him.
Ruph.
I will not!
Alma.
Take him to the rack!
Ruph.
The rack!—
What!—an old man like me?—Well, then, the rack!
Thou mock'st its strength, to waste it on a straw!
Nunez.
My lord, forbear!
Alma.
What!—Nunez?
Nunez.
To this pass
Let it not come.
Cortez.
Give ear, my lord, to Nunez!
Alma.
Talk to a whirlwind!—Am I Regent, Cortez;
Or you, or Nunez?
Nunez.
Hand will I have none
In such a deed.
Cortez.
Nor I.
Alma.
You will not?—Ay!—
Omer,—See it done!—You may withdraw, my friends.
[Nunez and Cortez retire.
Away with him!
Ruph.
When the command shall come
That summons thee away, thou'lt shrink from it,
As never shall my body from the rack!
[Ruphino is taken out by Omer and Guards.
Alma.
Hence!—Now have I thought what Chaos was,
Before the world sprung out of it!—Immense
Perplexity of things!—Nothing, itself!
Naught individuality, but merging
Into some other thing. Ambition, Love,
Hatred, Revenge, Determination, Fear,
All holding sway together, but with strife
That makes a mock of rule! I cannot see
The light for darkness; darkness fails with light!
I cannot stop,—nor yet, for stops, go on!—
I am not anywhere,—yet everywhere!
Somewhere to fix!—some shape to give resolve!
It takes a form, and straightway vanishes
Into some other—then another yet,
Until confusion reels!
Enter Pedro.
Pedro.
My lord!
391
Well, Pedro?
Has the old man confess'd?
Pedro.
No.
Alma.
No!—Enough;
Remove him from the rack!
Pedro.
That duty, death
Has spared us.
Alma.
Dead?
Pedro.
He is dead!
Alma.
I feel his frost!
He freezes more than I, but feels it not!
As with the thunder comes the clearing up,
So ends this shock my chaos, and my thoughts
Begin to settle—into ruin!—Ruin?—
Come ruin, then, but not to me alone!
[Goes out.
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