 | Henriquez |  |
SCENE I.
The court at Zamora, a grand hall of audience. Nobles, prelates, officers, &c. discovered in waiting; a flourish of trumpets. Enter the King and his train, who walks slowly, as he receives their homage, to a chair of state near the front of the stage.1 noble
(presenting a petition).
May't please your highness, look on this petition,
Humbly presented to your royal notice
By one of noble blood.
King.
And noble conduct, too, I hope, Don Pedro.
What is its plea?
[After reading the paper slightly.
That he beneath a lady's window hath
A most audacious suitor slain, who there
Did charm her ear with love-sick ditties.—Slew him!
A harsh device to win the lady's favour;
Had she not ears to be again enthrall'd?
Another song had been a fitter weapon
Of opposition than a sword, methinks.
[Giving the paper to a secretary.
Note down that I will look on this again.
2d noble
(giving a paper).
Deign, royal sir, to look upon this paper.
King.
Freely, Don Blas; from such a noble hand
It needs must be an honourable suit.
[Reading the paper.
Don Julian, of the noble house of Guzman,
Hath, by the cadet of a meaner house,
Been elbow'd from his place, who most nefariously
Refused to yield to him the dexter side.
[Reading on more slightly.
Honour repair'd—that he be forced—a blow!
[Shaking his head.
We are too learned in this ancient kingdom.
Nay, reverend prelate, no offence to you;
The clergy stand acquitted of this charge.
Prelate.
I know not how to comprehend your highness.
King.
We should be spared full many a deadly broil,
Did we not know our right hand from our left.
We are in this, good sooth! too nicely learn'd,
Which doth but scantily, in my opinion,
Supply the want of every other lore.
2d noble
(aside to 1st).
Never may I again i' th' royal presence
Wear hat and plume, if this is not derision.
1 noble
(aside).
'Tis Don Henriquez we may thank for this.
He spoke not to us thus when the arm'd Moor
Was nearer to his doors.
King
(to prelate).
And now, my lord, let me receive your paper.
Prelate.
Most humbly to your highness I present it,
From pious men, whose prayers are offer'd up
For your prosperity.
[Gives the paper.
King
(reading it slightly).
“That the free hinds of Tormes and their wives
Refuse their wonted offerings to the convent,
And therefore humbly—the adjoining lands—
A royal compensation.”—So it runs,
And it must cost me many a fruitful field,
Because those villagers love fatted pullets,
As well as sober, self-denying monks!
This also at our leisure we'll consider.
[Gives the paper to the secretary, and sitting down, receives other petitions, when a confused noise is heard.
What noise is that without?
Enter an Officer.
Offi.
May't please you, Don Henriquez waits without.
King.
Henriquez, my brave general? How is this?
Offi.
He comes attended by a goodly train,
Guarding a prisoner, and humbly begs
To be admitted to the royal presence,
Before your court shall sit.
King.
Most willingly: say, I am ready now
To give him audience.
[Exit officer.
I marvel much
How it should be. In this unwonted form
To bring his prisoner!—But here he comes.
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King.
Thou too, my valiant friend, a suitor here?
Hen.
A humble supplicant.
King.
Who needs not sue.
Say freely what thou wouldst, and it is granted.
Hen.
But what I beg, an earnest boon, must be
Confirm'd to me with all solemnity,
Before I utter it.
King.
A strange request!
But that thy services have been to me
Beyond all recompense, and that I know
Thy country's welfare and thy sovereign's honour
Are dear to thee, as thou full well hast proved,
I should with some precaution give my word.
But be it so; I say thy suit is granted.
Hen.
Nay, swear it on this sword.
King.
Where doth this tend? Doubtst thou my royal word?
Hen.
When honour'd lately by your princely presence,
You gave to me this ring with words of favour;
And said if I should e'er, by fortune press'd,
Return the same to you, whatever grace
I then might ask, should be conceded to me.
[Giving the ring.
Receive your royal token: my request
Is that you swear upon my sword to grant
This boon which I shall beg.
[Holds out his sword to the King, who lays his hand on it.
King.
This sword, this honour'd blade, I know it well,
Which thou in battle from the princely Moor
So valiantly didst win: why should I shrink
From any oath that shall be sworn on this?
I swear, by the firm honour of a soldier,
To grant thy boon, whatever it may be.
Declare it then, Henriquez.
[A pause.
Thou art pale
And silent too: I wait upon thy words.
Hen.
My breath forsook me. 'Tis a passing weakness:
I have power now. There is a criminal,
Whose guilt before your highness in due form
Shall shortly be attested; and my boon
Is, that your highness will not pardon him
However strongly you may be inclined
To royal clemency,—however strongly
Entreated so to do.
King.
This much amazes me. Ever till now,
Thou'st been inclined to mercy, not to blood.
Hen.
Yea; but this criminal, with selfish cruelty,
With black ingratitude, with base disloyalty
To all that sacred is in virtuous ties,
Knitting man's heart to man—What shall I say?
I have no room to breathe.
[Tearing open his doublet with violence.
He had a friend,
Ingenuous, faithful, generous, and noble:
E'en but to look on him had been full warrant
Against th' accusing tongue of man or angel,
To all the world beside,—and yet he slew him.
A friend whose fost'ring love had been the stay,
The guide, the solace of his wayward youth,—
Love steady, tried, unwearied,—yet he slew him.
A friend, who in his best devoted thoughts,
His happiness on earth, his bliss in heaven,
Intwined his image, and could nought devise
Of sep'rate good,—and yet he basely slew him;
Rush'd on him like a ruffian in the dark,
And thrust him forth from life, from light, from nature,
Unwitting, unprepared for th' awful change
Death brings to all. This act so foul, so damned,
This he hath done: therefore upon his head
Let fall the law's unmitigated justice.
King.
And wherefore doubtst thou that from such a man
I will withhold all grace? Were he my brother
I would not pardon him. Produce your criminal.
[Those who have Antonio in custody lead him forward.
Hen.
(motioning with his hand to forbid them).
Undo his shackles; he is innocent.
King.
What meaneth this? Produce your criminal.
Hen.
(kneeling).
My royal master, he is at your feet.
[A cry of astonishment is heard through the hall; the King, staggering back from the spot, is supported by an attendant, while Carlos and Antonio, now free from his fetters, run to Henriquez, who continues kneeling, and bend over him in deep concern.
King
(recovering).
A fearful shock! Mine ears are ringing still.
Rise, Don Henriquez d'Altavera, rise! (Turning away his head.)
Raise him: O do not let me see him thus!
[Motions the crowd to withdraw, who go off, leaving the King, Henriquez, Carlos, and Antonio only on the stage.
King
(fiercely).
Carlos, on thee my anger rests, who thus
Stoodst by and suffer'dst me to be deceived.
Car.
Condemn me not, my liege; I was myself,
Convinced this youth had done the deed, deceived.
This on a soldier's honour I aver.
King.
Alas, Henriquez! thou hast practised on me
With cruel guile. I would right gladly forfeit
The fairest town thy sword e'er won for me,
And be again at liberty to pardon
Whatever thou hast done: a deed, most surely,
By thy high nature all too rudely charged.
Thou in the frenzy of some headlong passion
Hast acted as a madman, who still wreaks
His direst wrath on those he loves the most.
Hen.
No, no! it was an act of brooding thought,
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Our early love, with all his fair endowments
And noble qualities, before my mind
Did clearly pass; pass and return again,
And strongly plead for him, and were rejected.
King.
Go to! thou hast a wild imagination,
Which has o'erreach'd thy judgment.—Set me free.
The public weal requires thy service: oaths
Adverse to this do not, and should not, bind.
Hen.
There are within your kingdom many chiefs
Who may do better service to the state,
Though not with better will than I have done;
[Laying his sword at the King's feet.
Here do I part with ensigns, arms, and war;
Nor soldier's brand, nor baton of command,
This hand accursed shall ever grasp again.
Your highness by the honour of a prince
Stands bound to me in this, and you are bound.
King.
Ay, if it needs must be, determined spirit!
Yet, think again; be it awhile deferr'd,
This dismal trial, for a month—a year.
Hen.
Not for a day.
King.
Thou art too boldly stubborn.
By what authority dost thou oppose it,
If 'tis my pleasure it should be deferr'd?
Hen.
The law's authority emboldens me.
I am Don Juan's heir, and do by right
Demand the speedy trial of his murderer.
Nor think the law's delay would aught avail.
How many secret ways there may be found
To rid a wretch of life, who loathes to live.
My soul demands this sacrifice—pants for it,
As that which can alone restore to it
The grace of heav'n and the respect of men.
Car.
Noble Henriquez, thy too stubborn virtue—
Hen.
Nay, Carlos, hold thy peace. Be not my foe:
He were my greatest enemy who should
Impede this consummation. When 'tis past,
Then let the favour of my princely master,
Of loving camp-mates, and all virtuous men,
Return to me again. A noble treasure
That will redeem my memory from shame.
King
(embracing him).
Living or dead, brave man, thou must be honour'd!
I will no more contend with thy desires.
Some preparation for this solemn ceremony
Thou wilt require; Don Carlos will conduct thee
Where thou mayst rest and find all needful aid.
[Exit.
Hen.
Come, friends, till I am summon'd to my trial:
The time is short, and we must husband it.
[Going and stopping again.
I shun not now thy friendly aid, good Carlos;
My heart is lighten'd of its heavy load,
And I can take a good man by the hand,
And feel we are akin.
Car.
To all that is most great and admirable
Thou art akin. I have no words to speak
The thoughts I have of thee, thou noble man!
Hen.
(to Antonio).
And thou too, gentle youth; give me thy hand.
Thy noble confidence did point to me
The true and honour'd path. For, hadst thou fled,
I might have shrunk aside, and been on earth
A sullen secret thing of wretchedness,
Cursing the light of heaven. Gentle youth,
I've felt the kindly pressure of thy hand,
And all thy gen'rous sympathy: forgive me,
That I did hold thy mind so long in doubt.
Ant.
O nothing did I doubt that thou didst know
My innocence, and would protect it; yet,
This noble, terrible act I ne'er divined.
Would I had fled my prison at thy bidding,
And lived a vagabond upon the earth,
Ere this had been! What was my name or worth?
But thou—
Hen.
Cease, cease! repent it not, sweet youth;
For all the friends on earth would not have done me
Such true and worthy service!
[Exeunt.
| Henriquez | |