 | Henriquez |  |
SCENE IV.
A small court before the door of the prison, which is open. Blas and other domestics discovered waiting near it.1 dom.
(to Blas).
Goes Don Henriquez with the prisoner?
Blas.
He does; his noble courser at the gate,
Black Sultan, saddled stands, champing the bit,
And casting from his mouth the flaky foam.
Stand back; they're coming now.
Enter Antonio, Carlos, Friar, Balthazar, and Diego, from the prison.
Friar
(to Antonio).
Be not cast down, my son, but trust in heaven!
Ant.
And so I do; that is my stay, good father;
And yet, methinks, these fetters might be spared.
By Don Henriquez' orders am I thus
Like a vile felon chain'd?
Car.
'Tis by his orders; 'tis a stated form.
I fear they gall you; are they clench'd too tightly?
Bal.
Who doth a felon's deeds must e'en submit
To bear a felon's manacles.
Ant.
(to Baltiiazar).
Yes; man of pens, and records, and old lore,
Such is thy narrow and ungen'rous nature.
[Turning to Carlos.
This rough but noble soldier, bred in camps
And midst the broil of battle, is more gentle.
Henriquez seem'd inclined to pity me,
To think me innocent; then, wherefore these?
Car.
Come, we lose time, we must begin our journey
To reach the town by close of day, Henriquez
Being intent to gain a royal audience
Before the sitting of to-morrow's court.
[Exeunt all but Diego, to whom enters Leonora, with something in her hand.
378
My good Diego, hie thee to the gate;
And ere thy master mount, give him this scarf,
These gloves too, and his signet, which, in haste,
He left behind.
[Giving them to him.
He has forbidden me to follow him,
And he must be obeyed.
Diego.
He shall receive them.
Leo.
How look'd Antonio when they led him forth?
Greatly dejected?
Diego.
No; he bears it stoutly.
Leo.
Asserting still that he is innocent?
Diego.
Ay, ay; but every villain does the same.
Does not my lord believe that he is guilty?
Leo.
I cannot doubt it. When he left the chapel
A long time in his chamber he remain'd;
When he came forth again, I watch'd his eye,
And it was calm, though gloomy. Then forthwith
He gave his orders that a band of spearmen
Should be in readiness to guard the prisoner
Bound to Zamora; and were he in doubt,
He were not now so calm, being before
So greatly agitated. Hie thee quickly.
[Exeunt severally.
| Henriquez | |