University of Virginia Library

SCENE I.

An open entrance hall in the castle. Jerome, vassals, and domestics, are discovered in waiting. Enter Pietro.
Pie.
(to Jer.)
So, our good master is return'd in safety:
May I not see him?

Jer.
No, not now, good Pietro.

Pie.
Not now! how so? It is my privilege,
Which he has granted to this hoary head,
To see him, unreproved, whene'er I list.
I needs must greet him.

Jer.
Thou hadst better not!
Donna Zorada is not in the castle
To welcome his return: till he hath seen her,
I think thy courtesy would have small chance
Of courteous reception.

Pie.
Well, be it so: what changes wedlock makes,
That Don Romiero should be so possess'd!
He should have wedded earlier, as I think,
Or not so young a bride. For, as they say,
Let all things be in right and due proportion.
Let not the hart play gambols with the fawn.
Plant not a sapling olive by the side
Of the broad oak. Link not the bony staghound—

Jer.
Truce with thy wisdom, now! see, he is coming.

Enter Romiero, in a hurried, impatient manner, followed by Guzman.
Rom.
Not yet return'd! Go, Jerome, to the wood,
That is her favourite walk.

Jer.
Please you, my lord, I have sent Blas already
To search the wood, and now he is return'd.

Enter Blas.
Rom.
Hast found her, Blas?

Blas.
Yes, she will soon be here;
She's coming from the wood.

Rom.
With steps, I warrant,
Light as the bounding roe.

Blas.
Nay, good my lord,
Donna Zorada, somewhat lame, I guess,
Comes with slow steps, supported on the arm
Of young Don Maurice.

Rom.
I'll bear her in my arms: she is in pain.
The very pressure of the velvet turf
Will do her injury.

[Exit hastily.
Guz.
(to Pie.)
Thou wearst a surly smile upon thy face,
Good Pietro, mine old friend; what may it mean?
Thy lord, methinks, is a right tender husband.

Pie.
Ay, marry is he! I remember well
His lady mother urged him oft to wed.
“Become a woman's toy!” quoth he: “am I
Of such soft matter form'd, that you, forsooth
Would make a husband of me?” Then he'd speak
Of women, even the fairest and the best,
With such sharp taunts, that she, good lady, sigh'd,
And in despair forbore all further plea.

Guz.
But dost thou think he spake unfeignedly?

Pie.
Why should he feign with her who gave him birth?
She was a woman of good parts, well taught
Sober, and wise.

Guz.
And yet it might be so.

Pie.
I cannot tell; for now, as I remember,
His love for Donna Laura none suspected,
Till he was found at midnight in the vault
Lamenting o'er her grave.
'Twas said that many a night a sheeted spectre
Haunted the spot: that spectre was Romiero.

Guz.
It might be so: and yet he is not close,
Concealing what he feels, but with his friends
Free and confiding.

Pie.
Yes, St. Lawrence bless him.
His thoughts must have their vent; but yet I say,
And know it well, none did suspect his love
Till he was found lamenting o'er her grave.
Ah! many a cheerful face hides careful heart!
This is a saying well approved by all.
For sound experience teaches many things,
Which, as my mother, heaven rest her soul,
Was wont to say—

Guz.
Excuse me now, good Pietro;
I'll stay and hear it all another time;
I am in haste.

[Exit.
Pie.
(looking after him with displeasure).
He too in haste! That light and heedless youth,
Full of their youthful sports, should be impatient
When sober serious men begin to speak,
Is nothing marvellous; it was always so.
But now the evil still goes on increasing,
And men of middle age and understanding
Are e'en as light and foolish as the young.
An evil sign, I trow, of evil times.
Should it go on increasing, by my certes!
Ere I have spoken half a sentence, off
Each foolish varlet I address will run,
And leave me most discourteously to find,
As it may chance, another auditor
For the remaining half.—O foolish times!
Foolish and evil too!

[Exit.