University of Virginia Library

ACT V.

SCENE I.

“An ancient Gothic Apartment in the Castle.
“(Victoria enters, followed by Perez and Moncalde bearing lights—she gazes round at the desolate appearance of the chamber, and speaks to Perez.)
“Vic.
Set down thy light, and hasten to my father.

“(Perez sets down the light on a table—Victoria sits down exhausted.)
“Mon.
How fares the ancient lord?—How fares his mind?

“Vic.
I tended him unknown on his sad journey,
“He knew me not, Moncalde!— (in tears)

“But, when we reach'd these walls, he turn'd on me
“Such piercing looks of piteous recognition,
“I could not bear the sight, and hasten'd on.
“Had it pleased Heav'n to try us with all maladies
“That shake the frame, and rack the quiv'ring nerve,
“Me his sole watcher, by his straw-wove pallet
“I would have borne and bless'd it.
“But oh, his mind, Moncalde!—it doth stab me
“To use the language of usurp'd authority,
“Unfilial and irreverent, from these lips,
“Needful to parley with his wayward moods—

“Mon.
It is a trial sharp and terrible,
“Yet sink not thou beneath it, but have hope.

“Vic.
(Gazing gloomily around the apartment).
“Is this th'abode to which they have banish'd him?
“Is this then doom'd my father's last retreat?
“The gloomy grandeur of its ruined pride
“Might check the pulse of youth, and chill its blood;
“Yea, unto Fancy lend such wizard potency,
“Unblenched Reason holds weak mastery o'er.
“How will it work on his— (increasing terror)

“Dark walls our prison, and perhaps our tomb?
“The voice of by-gone time, that sweeps your confines,
“Murmurs of deeds long buried in its lapse;
“Each step I print upon your marble floor
“Seems as it trod the unexplored dwelling
“Of some unearthly tenant, whose roused voice
“Peals on the thunder of the answering echoes,
“To bid me pause— (gazing round.)


“Mon.
Oh, lady! is it thus
“Thou wouldst uphold thy father's failing steps?
“Wake from thy fearful vision, for he comes!—

“Manuel enters feebly, supported by Perez; they place him in a chair; he looks round him vacantly.
“Vic.
How fares it with my father?

“Man.
Very well!

“Vic.
Oh! answer not thus calmly.

“Per.
Do you note him?
“He is much chang'd.

“Vic.
Oh!—I do dread such change:
“Far more I fear this sullen hopeless melancholy
“Than insane impotence of wildest passion.

“As she continues to speak, Manuel observes her attentively, and his countenance becomes gradually illuminated with reason. He turns to her.
“Man.
You weep; nay, then, your heart's wound is not mortal:
“Why do I strike, in vain, this rock for water?
“(Striking his heart.)
“Back, back! ye press too much upon my brain.

“Perez.
This murky chamber's airless gloom o'er-powers him.

“Vic.
Wilt thou walk forth upon the terrassed rampart?
“It still is light abroad, though here is night.
“See! the rich beauty of the ev'ning wooes thee!
“Even the full glory of the twilight Heaven,
“Most beautiful when faint!—Come, ere it fade.

“Man.
He loved to gaze upon the twilight Heaven!
“Beautiful in its faintness. Then I lov'd it!—

“Vic.
Oh, come with me, my father, forth in light,
“And the pure breeze shall whisper healthful thought,
“Cool thy parch'd lip, and fan thy fev'rous breast.—

“Man.
I've seen the pure breeze lift his raven locks,
“As fairy fingers with their ringlets play'd,
“Enamour'd.—I've by twilight gaz'd on him—
“His eyes' dark glories wild, his godlike form—
“Till love resembled grief, and spoke in tears!
“That dark eye had misfortune's doubtful presage;
“It had that troubled melancholy loveliness;
“'Twas like the fabled flow'r of woe, that lines
“Of sorrow in its cup of beauty bears.
“Great God!—What man could lift his hand against him?

“Vic.
Nay, list to me!
“We'll wander forth with light step and free heart,
“Tun'd to impulsive and spontaneous joy;
“Sweetest when most unlooked for.

“Man.
(Sternly.)
Why should I go?
“I shall meet a father!—he'll cross my path,
“Blessing his age's hope, and leaning on him:
“That blessing will be as a curse to me—
“And, when my lips in agony shape the sound
“That habit still makes sweet—starting, I'll feel
“I have no son to bless!

“Vic.
(Falling at his feet.)
Thou hast a daughter!—

“Man.
Where is she?—Yes—but she is not Alonzo!

“Vic.
Then kneeling hear me—At the solemn rite,
“That peals its requiem o'er the parted dead,
“Be not thou present.

“Man.
Ask Perez if I hold not constant speech:
“Nay, I will be as docile as school'd infancy.

“Per.
Yield to him, lady.

“Vic.
(weeping.)
Oh! my father!—speak not
“With such unnatural humility,
“Torturing your daughter's heart, and she will yield
“To aught you will.—

“Man.
(on seeing her tears.)
I fear I have offended!
“I feel I have—I pray you, pardon me!—
“I know I should not kneel, but you will pardon me.—

“Vic.
Oh! hold!—nor drive me mad—

“Man.
I did not think of thee—
“In my soul's agony forgot thy pangs;
“I saw thy dimmed eye, nor thought thy tears
“Could flow for aught but for Alonzo's loss.
“Torrismond!—aye—he was a gentle youth—
“But was his harvest like Alonzo's gleanings?

“Vic.
(In a sudden agony of tears)
“I think not of him!—

“Man.
(Viewing her with doubt and grief)
“Ah!—thou think'st not thus.
“(approaching her with melancholy tenderness)
“Wed him when I am dead!—

“Vic.
Rend not my heart in twain—nay, doubt me not—

“Man.
There is a voice, the only one I hear;
It calls me to his tomb
“(Is rushing out, and feels his weakness.)
“But I must lean on thee!

“[Exeunt.”

SCENE II.

Gothic Ruins.
In the back ground the Chapel of the Castle, the window illuminated; a low door beneath.
Ximena enters, conducted by a Guide.
Guide.
Sad lady, wander not on these wild shores,
The sun is sunk—

Xim.
Its last and sinking ray
Seem'd pointing to some beautiful world of rest,
Whither its bright steps pass'd.

Guide.
Thy frame is worn with weariness, and thy strength
Ill seconds the strong purpose of thy will.

Xim.
(advancing feebly)
Kind guide, thy faithfulness and gentle 'tendance
Deserve the meed of my sad confidence—
I am the daughter of a noble house,
By cruel causes urg'd to fly its roof,
Shrouding my sad steps in obscurity.
Perchance thou know'st of consecrated walls
That would receive a wanderer—wipe her tears
In holy charity—and o'er her grave
Bid vestal murmurs breathe chaste melody
For a true maiden's soul!—


Chant of Solemn Music distantly.
Peace to the warrior's soul
In holy slumber laid,
Lull'd by the bells that toll
A requiem to his shade!

Guide.
Near to us stands the holy fane thou seek'st,
And to its walls a sad and sacred band
Have in dark pilgrimage come wending on,
To chant a requiem for a warrior's soul.

Xim.
A warrior's soul! perchance some hapless chief,
Who perish'd fighting by Alonzo's side!—

Guide.
'Tis for Alonzo's self, old Manuel's son!
There stands the castle of his ancestry.

Xim.
Are those the towers of Almunecar? those
The ancient seat of Manuel?—

Guide.
Lady, those—
And deep beneath the rocks that rampart it
Slumber the parted glories of his line.
Sad greeting will the ancient lord receive;
The funeral bell will roll his heavy welcome,
And his first step o'er his son's bier shall totter.

Xim.
(Aside.)
First may it tread on mine!

Guide.
Whilst thou didst pause
O'er the still beauty of the twilight ocean,
I heard the portal bell give dismal note
That its sad lord approach'd.—

Xim.
Hold!—said'st thou not
The funeral dirge shall on this eve be chanted?
Take this—and this—so it may buy my entrance
To the dark spot where rests that empty bier.
A Spanish maid
Would to her country's hero pay a tribute
Richer than all that yet has deck'd his grave.

(The Guide points out to her the door beneath the illuminated window. She enters it. Vittoria, Perez, and Manuel, senseless.
Man.
(Revives, and breaks from them madly.)
Back—I say!—the voice!—the summoning voice!
The night-raven choaks his scream, and the scared owl
Breaks off his startled vespers—Hark!—it calls!
My soul is with ye—tenants of the darkness
Would that ye were with me!
Oh! that some sound unnatural, life bears not,
Some sound that maddens, and that madd'ning kills,
Were hollowed thro' my brain, and pierced and stunndit.
Oh that I were with those that I have seen,
And answered with the voice that talk'd with me!—

Vic.
What voice?—Gentle, my father, come with me;
List to no voice but mine—'tis mine speaks with thee.

Man.
Away! the council sends me on a journey,
And we must go.
(Apparently giving orders to his domestics, and busy giving orders for a journey.)
Look to your gear—we travel—
The way is wondrous dark, the night is foul.
Who is that horseman, with such fearful form,
That rideth headmost of our company?
How fast we skirr along!—I like not this—
Turn back—turn back!—we're on a precipice—
Oh! we are lost,—the dark guide wafts us on—
Oh! they have ta'en the deep and awful leap,
And I must follow them.—Victoria, hold me!—
Art thou there in truth?—
I am not not mad—not mad—I swear to thee
I heard a voice—nay, do not look on me
With that incredulous sadness—send them hence,
And I will tell thee, if my breath can utter it.

Vic.
I pray you, speak to me—

[To Manuel.
Man.
Yes! I will speak to thee—and list thou to me:
They would but mock at me—and I do feel
They have some cause—even in the next sad moment
I may strange converse with those phantoms hold
That cleave the twilight clouds—List to me now—
I heard it—in faint dolorous sobs it broke
Beneath his bier—The voice, th'unearthly voice,
Murmured Alonzo's name—Thou lookest on me.

Vic.
Nay, nay, I look'd not so and yet—perchance—
What if it were the vision of thy fancy?

[Very timidly and cautiously.
Man.
Ask thou Moncalde that—Moncalde heard it—
With beckoning hand I called him—bid him listen.
What!—dost thou doubt Moncalde?—Must all ears
That hear the sounds I hear be phrensy-struck?
Was he Alonzo's father too?

Vic.
(Struck and overcome)
—Oh pardon me!
Ill stay and watch with thee—I too must hear it.
Should that strange summons come—
Thou saidst Moncalde on the bell would smite,
Should he that wild voice hear.

Man.
Hush! hush! and listen!

[He grasps her hand; they remain watching.
Man.
What if his murderer were lurking there?

Vic.
Oh! turn your thoughts from such fond hopeless fancies.

Man.
(With sudden energetic hope)
What if he were alive!

Vic.
(In deep anguish)
—Oh! my poor father!

[The bell tolls.
Man.
Hark! 'tis the summons—Off!—withhold me not!
Moncalde is not mad—come not thou with me!
Away! away!—

He throws her off, and rushes thro' the door beneath the window—Victoria goes out, calling for assistance.
Vic.
Help! help!—Oh! Perez, hear me!

[Exit.

SCENE III

The Vault, with the Monuments of Manuel's family. —Inscriptions and Banners.—Ximena lying extended on Alonzo's Cenotaph.—Manuel enters.— Lamp suspended from the roof of the vault.
Man.
Aye! this is at should be—I am now
In the very central seat and house of horror;
Bones rattle beneath my steps, and o'er my head
The riven and mouldering banners, wind-shaken,
Flap heavily.—What art thou?—
Awake! awake! the living sleep not here—
What art thou, that with fiend-like mockery scoffest
O'er relics Murder's ruthless hand did spare?—

Xim.
Thou knew'st me once—If on thy troubled vision
Trace of these withering features wanders still—

Man.
(recognising her, and instantly conceiving a purpose of revenge)
Know thee!—ha! ha!—by my soul's griefs I know thee—
His daughter!—his!—a daughter for a son!
And on his tomb!—Heaven whets the dagger there!
(A burst of wild laughter—he seizes her.)
'Twere more than man not to be demon here—
As he hath left me hopeless, so shall he
Be hopeless amongst fathers—As his blow,
Struck thro' Alonzo's heart, hath broken mine
Driving me forth a maniac and an outcast
So shall he, in his agony of soul,
Call on his daughter lost, and Echo mock him!—
What hand of death hath led thee here?—Thou worm!
Call on thy saints, and die.

Xim.
Strike it home!
Its blow shall not efface Alonzo's image!

(Kneeling, and presenting her bosom.)
Man.
What!—didst thou love Alonzo? truly love him?
Come to my heart, my daughter!—
(He flings away his dagger, and opens his arms—she rushes into them. A long pause.)
Aye! he loved thee!
I do remember now—How float the dreams
Of many joys round his recalled image!—
(Softening—then stamps with sudden recollection.)
Oh! thy accursed father!—how his hand
Hath broke the ties that bound so many souls!—

Xim.
(bursting out with wild energy.)
False! false!—unjust and false!—high Heav'n, whose hand
Hath led the sufferer to this wond'rous hour,
Let not her failing strength desert her now—
Oh yet for breath, to speak my father innocent!

Man.
Ha! ha! ha!—

Xim.
Alonzo's murderer is within this vault!—

Man.
The murderer! whose?—within this vault?
What vault?

Xim.
Upon the rocky floor, a darkling form,
Bleeding in mortal pangs, extended lies—
And here in agony unutterable
He did declare himself Alonzo's murderer!

Man.
Where is he now?

Xim.
Seest thou yon arched vault?

Man.
I can see nothing—mists of eddying fire—
Lead me there, thou—Oh!—that he yet may live!—
Ne'er for Alonzo's safety pray'd my soul
More fervently—Oh!—that he may be living,
And his last groan make music to mine ear!
[Exit Manuel.

Enter Torrismond.
Torris.
Here doth she bide! Ximena! Sister! hear me!

Xim.
Is it my brother?

Torris.
It is thy brother.
And have I sought, and do I find thee thus,
My own Ximena?

Xim.
Nor thine, nor mortal's, now!
Thou must not strive with death. Oh! Torrismond!
The tale that trembles on my dying lips
Waited thy truth to witness it.

Torris.
What tale?
Rest on my bosom, and be calm!

Xim.
I will;
But I must speak, and thou must hearken too—
My message speaks from—Alonzo's sepulchre,
There past my awful night—my last—and there
I met a dying wretch, whose felon-hand
Alonzo's enemy had brib'd to stab him!—

Torris.
Alonzo's enemy!

Xim.
Aye! that unknown
Mysterious being, whom no search hath traced.
Mad with despair, in terrible expiation,
He sought the arm'd lists to perish there.
O'erthrown by thee, he dragged his wounded limbs
To this dread vault.

Torris.
Give me the villain's name
Who urged him to the deed—Oh, my wrong'd father!

Xim.
An oath had seal'd his lips—he dar'd not speak it,
But to my hands he gave the very dagger
The villain, in unguarded haste, had giv'n him
To do the deed of blood—His name is on it!

Torris.
Quick!—give it me—

(Snatches, and attemps to draw it.)
Xim.
(Struggling in death.)
Hold!—On thy soul, I charge thee!
On its dread hilt he swore me ne'er to draw it
But in the presence of th'assembled Judges,
Dreading Concealment's partial hand.—Swear thou!
Vex not my parting soul.

Torris.
I solemnly swear—
My sister, ha!—those fixed eyes—
These dews of death—Is there no human help?

Xim.
There is no human help—My father's innocent.

Torris.
If ye are men, assist me—bear her hence!

(They bear her out.)

SCENE THE LAST.

The Great Hall of the Castle, hung round with Banners and Trophies. A Door leading to Manuel's Apartments in the back Scene. Victoria enters, followed by Perez.
Vic.
'Tis horrible to hear!—I cannot bear it.
And yet that Moorish corse, yet bleeding fresh,
Doth such strange suffrage to his ravings lend,
That reason wanders in credulity,
And doubt is racked to madness.—
[Horn sounds.
Whence that summons?

Enter Moncalde hastily.
Monc.
Where is my Lord?

Vic.
What message claims such haste?

Monc.
De Zelos!—

Vic.
Ha! De Zelos!

Monc.
With a train
Of armed Knights and reverend Counsellors,
Is at the castle-gates, and calls for Manuel.

Vic.
Go, Perez, you, and watch my father closely;
Let not the echo of De Zelos' footstep
Approach his chamber.—

[Exit Perez.
Monc.
Wilt thou not retire?—

Vic.
No: the last daughter of high Valdi's line
Shall meet the enemy of her fallen house
Even on the ruined threshold of its pride.

Enter De Zelos, Mendizabel, Attendants, &c.
Mend.
Unbend your brow, fair dame, nor frown at us,
Who on the duty of our office come.

De Zel.
My lord, our part no soothing prologue needs
To please a lady's ear—a father's duty
Hath brought me here; nor will I quit these walls
Till their foul prison give me back my daughter,
By force or fraud within their darkness held.

Vic.
His daughter! what new scheme of guilt is this?
Or hath the madness of his victim smote him?

De Zel.
Aye! my lost daughter!—Lady, her I seek—
Here from Cordova's towers her flight was traced;
And there is one who to the vaulted passage
Beneath your walls, betray'd her steps last night.

Vic.
Mysterious Heav'n! my father's ravings true.

De Zel.
Well-painted wonder—Lords, we waste our time
In fruitless parley here—I'll lead your search
From battlement to moat, nor leave unsounded
One nook that Fancy dreads, or Murder loves.

[He is rushing to the door, Victoria holds him.
Vic.
Hold! hold! for mercy, hold!

De Zel.
What mystery's here?
Who darkly tenants this forbidden chamber?

Vic.
Canst thou not guess? Breaks on thy soul no warning
To tell who dwells here?—A wretch—a maniac—
Go meet him, if thou darest.

[Releasing his arm, and pointing to the door, De Zelos pauses; Manuel rushes out, gazing on them.
De Zel.
(Turning away, and addressing Mendizabel.)
Speak thou to him—I cannot bear his look.

Men.
Ancient and reverend lord, forgive our duty
If its stern forms a shew of roughness bear
Our hearts disclaim—The Lord de Zelos' daughter—

Man.
(abruptly.)
She's here! I told you so.

De Zel.
Do you mark that?
Pursue your search, nor waste another moment.

Man.
Search, search; I'll pass my life in searching with you:
It is my sole employment.
I've dug through earth's dark cavern—smote the void air—
Call'd on the stars—but no where can I find him!

De Zel.
Hence! will ye wait to hear a madman rave?

Man.
Who made me mad? Go on your hopeless quest—
Pace these dismantled towers, and desolate halls
Thy hand hath made a desert—I will lead ye
Even to the vault—if thou dare follow there—

[De Zelos shrinks back—Torrismond rushes in.
Torris.
Forbear! forbear!
(with extravagant delight.)
My father! my Victoria!—hear me!—hear—
Hear, Heaven and Earth—Alonzo's murderer's found!
My father's innocent!

Man.
(with delirious joy)
Alonzo's murderer's found!—His father's innocent!

(Staggers towards De Zelos, who repels him with horror, and fixes a terrible look on Torrismond.)
De Zel.
What brought thee here?—

Torris.
My father! Oh my father!
My wrong'd, my innocent, vindicated father,
Rend not thy hand from me, for it shall bless me—

De Zel.
Bless thee? (in horror.)


Torris.
List, noble judges, to my tale!
Even thou, sad Manuel, list! and let thy grief
For once be just:—the wretch who stabb'd Alonzo,
Who in the darkling forest watch'd and smote him,
Bore a commission'd dagger from the villain
Who bribed him to the deed!—that villain's name
Is on the blade inwrought!—that blade I bear,
Sworn on th'impartial hand of power to place it
Unseen, undrawn, unread!—Mendizabel, take it.
(Kneels and solemnly gives it to Mendizabel.)
Smile, my lov'd father, smile!—

De Zel.
(With convulsive emotion.)
Do I not smile?

[Manuel deliriously attempts to snatch the dagger, but is repelled by Mendizabel, who gives it back to Torrismond.
Mend.
Draw it thyself,—and clear thy noble father!

Torris.
I hold th'inanimate, incorruptible witness,
Within my grasp! I draw it from the sheath—
I read the name—

[Drops it in despair.
Vic.
(Shrieking)
De Zelos!—

Man.
(Triumphantly)
De Zelos! De Zelos!

[De Zelos, after an unavailing struggle, falls into the arms of the attendants.
Man.
Ha! ha! ha! ha!—

[Laughing madly, and pointing to him.
Torris.
(Catching up the dagger.)
Thou art a murderer then!—but what am I?—
I am a parricide—let this atone!

De Zelos, starting from his stupor, prevents him, and stabs himself.
Men.
Bear hence that wretched man!—if yet he lives—

Man.
Lives!—he must live—shall live for thousand deaths!—
Bring racks and fire!—give me your brands, ye slaves!

The Attendants lift up De Zelos, who struggles to hide his face from them, and dies.
Man.
False!—false!—ye cursed judges—do ye hide him?
I'll grasp the thunderbolt—rain storms of fire—
There—there—I strike!—the whizzing bolt hath struck him!—
He shrieks!—his heart's blood hisses in the flame!
Fiends rend him!—lightnings sear him!—Hell gapes for him!
Oh, I am sick with death! (staggering among the bodies.)

Alonzo!—Victoria!—I call, and none answer me.

I stagger up and down—an old man—and none to
guide me—not one— (takes Victoria's hand)
—Cold—
cold!—that was an ice-bolt!—I shiver—It grows—
very dark—Alonzo!—Victoria!—very—very dark—

[Dies.