University of Virginia Library

SCENE III.

An outer court of the castle; an arched gateway in front with a stone bench on one side of it.
Enter Ludovico, Gauvino, and Pietro, and seat themselves on the bench.
Gau.
The ev'ning breeze will cool us better here.

Lud.
After the sultry day it is refreshing.

Pie.
(to Gauvino).
Well, as I was a-saying to the seneschal,
I wonder that the count should think of choosing
That noodle Gomez to attend upon him.

Gau.
He has some reason for it, be assured

Lud.
How so, good chamberlain?

Gau.
Heaven knows! but this fantastical Rovani,
Whom as his deputy he leaves behind,
Already takes upon him, by my faith!
As if his kingdom were to last for ever.

Lud.
Thou speakst in spleen; he seems to me right gracious.

Gau.
I say not in the way of tyranny
He takes upon him; 'tis his very graciousness,
His condescending vanity I hate.
A vain, assuming coxcomb! E'en when Garcio
Frown'd like a master o'er us, yet my heart
Acknowledged him as such, and loved him oft
The better for his sternness.

Lud.
Didst thou? I'm sure full many a time and oft
Thou'st grumbled like a fiend, whene'er his orders,
Too roughly given, have cross'd thy wiser will.

Gau.
Well, well; perhaps I have! yet, ne'ertheless,
Would he were with us still!

Pie.
Ay, would he were!

Lud.
Perhaps he'll soon return.

Gau.
(significantly).
He'll ne'er return.—We'll see him here no more.

Lud.
Why sayst thou so?

Gau.
I have my reasons: he hath been too prosperous.

Pie.
And what of that?

Gau.
The power that has upheld him,
Will, when his term is up, dire reck'ning take.

Pie.
What dost thou mean?

Gau.
Nay, if thou canst not guess,
I will not utter more.

Lud.
Ha! yonder Gomez comes!

Pie.
Gomez, indeed!

[All rising to meet him.
Lud.
His lord is then return'd.

Enter Gomez.
Omnes.
Return'd already, man! Where is thy master?

Lud.
Is he not with thee?

Gomez.
I would he were. I left him some leagues hence;
By his command charged to return again,
And follow him no more. Long I entreated
To be permitted still to share his fate,
But was at last constrain'd to leave him.

Gau.
Ha!
Constrain'd! 'tis very strange. Where didst thou leave him?

Gomez.
In the dark centre of a gloomy forest,
Dismounting, to my care he gave his steed,
And, as I said before, so strictly charged me,
I was constrain'd to leave him.

Gau.
A dark forest?

Lud.
Sawst thou where he went?

Gomez.
He turn'd away, and I with heavy cheer—

Gau.
(very eagerly).
Didst thou not look behind thee in retreating
To see what path he took?

Gomez.
I look'd behind,
But in a moment lost him from my sight.

Gau.
(shaking his head).
'Tis marvellous strange!
Was there nor pit, nor cave, nor flood at hand?

Gomez.
Not that I noticed. Why dost shake thy head?

Gau.
He'll never more upon this earth be seen.
Whether or cave, or gulf, or flood received him,
He is, ere this, I fear, beneath the earth
Full deep enough, reck'ning with him who bought him.

Pie.
Reck'ning with him who bought him! Be there then
Such fearful compacts with the wicked power?

Gau.
Have ye not heard of John the Prosperous,
Who, starting at the sound of piping winds,
That burst his chamber door, full sore aghast,
With trembling steps his gorgeous chamber left,
And, by himself in a small boat embark'd,
Steering his way to the black wheeling eddy
In centre of the lake, which swallow'd him?

Pie.
My flesh creeps at the thought?

Gomez.
Dost thou believe it?

Gau.
Ay; or what think ye of the Count Avergo,
Who, after years of such successful crimes,
Took leave of all his friends, at warning given
By sound of midnight trumpet at his gate;
Round which, 'tis said, a band of plumed spectres,
Whose whiten'd bony jaws and eyeless sockets
Did from their open'd beavers to the moon
Stare horribly, stood ready to receive him?

Omnes.
And went he with them?

Gau.
Ay, certes, did he! for above the ground
With mortal men he never more was seen.
(To Gomez.)
But enter, man, and have a stoup of wine;
Thou seemest faint and spent.

Omnes.
Ay, give him wine, for see how pale he is.

Pie.
Like one who hath been near unearthly things.

[Exeunt.