University of Virginia Library

SCENE SIXTH.

DONNA ISABELLA, DONNA LEONORA, DONNA ELVIRA, BLANCHE, DON CARLOS, DON MANRIQUE, DON LOPEZ, DON ALVAREZ, DON RAYMOND.
D. LEONORA.
Oh! welcome, Raymond! Hast thou found my Son?

D. RAYMOND.
I hope he lives; yet, where he is I know not.
For from five years of bondage just releas'd,
I've vainly sought him, where, by the late King's order,
I with such happy secrecy had plac'd him.
His foster Father thought him his own Son;
For, being absent when a dead child was born,
Your living Son was by his wife receiv'd;
And with kind care was nurtur'd as her own.
A Priest, by me intrusted, form'd his mind,
As 't were through friendly charity and love:
And from this pious Pastor have I learn'd
That your Son fled, at Sixteen years of age,
As he imagin'd, bent to follow arms,
From which no prayers could win his princely soul.

D. LEONORA.
But whither went he, Raymond! Can they tell?

D. RAYMOND.
Large sums of gold were oft mysteriously
From him receiv'd; but no trace given to find him.
Anxious, uncertain of his fate, five years
Did his false parents mourn. When by a neighbour,
Just from Castile return'd, they were inform'd,
That he had seen their son, but in such glory,
And credit, at this Court, that his heart fail'd him,
He neither dar'd accost him, nor declare,
That he had known him once a cottage resident.
The Sire, with joy transported, at such news,
Set out to seek this boasted Son, two days
Before I reach'd his dwelling, where I thought
To find Don Sancho safe. Hither I bent
My course, o'ertook the Deputies from Arragon,
And told all this to them. In vain I seek
To trace this Peasant, or to find your Son.

D. LEONORA.
Look round this presence, if amongst these Lords—

D. RAYMOND
(at the feet of Carlos).
My royal Master! hail!

D. LEONORA.
My Son! My Son!

(She makes an effort to go to Carlos, but sinks greatly agitated upon Blanche.)
D. LOPEZ.
Hail, King of Arragon!—Prince! we exult
With heart-felt zeal, and homage pay your virtues.

D. CARLOS.
Still do I fear some strange reverse of fortune.
But let us see, if the King's testimony
Agree with what Don Raymond has declar'd;
I dare not think such happiness awaits me.

D. LEONORA
(recovering and turning to Carlos).
Are you alone incredulous? Ope we
This Casket. Manrique and Lopez both well know
What it contains.

(Lopez presents and holds the Casket: its contents seen, the Queen, Leonora, takes out a writing.)
D. LEONORA.
Raymond! whose writing's this?

D. RAYMOND.
Don Sancho's Father's; Royal Ferdinand's.

D. LEONORA.
Don Manrique! read, and force him to believe.

D. MANRIQUE
(reads).
To Leonora, Queen of Arragon and Wife of Ferdinand.

D. LEONORA
(to Carlos, who kneels to her).
Thy mind, thy courage, all attest my Son.
O! teach me to deserve this blessing, Heaven!
This more than all a Mother's hopes could ask,
This ecstasy of joy, too great for words—
O! bless my Son, and guard his virtues still.

(She raises Carlos.)
D. CARLOS.
No longer can I doubt my birth—My Sister
(Embraces D. Elvira.)
(To D. Isabella.)
Thus grac'd, and thus distinguish'd, still I sigh,
As incomplete my bliss, if you forbid
My hopes.

D. ISABELLA.
He is to hope superiour, Prince!
Who can command his wish. The power to name
A Monarch for Castile, I with my Ring
Bestow'd. I begg'd you to remain, to give
That pledge into Don Sancho's hand; too much
I him esteem, e'er to revoke that prayer.

D. CARLOS.
I thank you, Madam! with a grateful heart.
I feel the bliss of this ecstatic moment;
My heart pent up, and bursting through despair,
Heaven has reliev'd by an unheard-of grace.
No more I wonder at my high ambition,
My Queen, and Sister shar'd my hopeless heart;
The voice of love, and nature undistinguish'd.

D. ELVIRA.
My Heart, respecting still my rank, repaid
That love, which kindred blood inspires and owes,

D. CARLOS.
If as a Brother then you love and honour me,
You will accept a husband from my hand.

D. ELVIRA.
If on Alvarez, Prince! your choice is fix'd,
To all men I preferr'd him, save yourself.

D. CARLOS
(to D. Leonora).
This fair alliance has your sanction, Madam?
(D. Leonora bows assent.)
(To Alvarez, presenting D. Elvira.)
Accept the brightest gem I can bestow,
My darling Sister for your bride, Alvarez!
(To Manrique and Lopez.)
And you, my Lords! though you disdain'd my birth,
Yet when these doubts arose, judged in my favour,
With such generous warmth; by that have shown,
That your disdain from honour sprang, not pride;
Your maxims wrong, but virtuous your intent.
Accept my friendship, and receive my thanks.

D. RAYMOND
(to Isabella).
Permit the Arragonians to behold him.
Our Deputies impatient wait for Audience;
And burn with eagerness to see their King.

D. ISABELLA
(to Leonora).
Let us in public give them audience, Madam!
That All may hear this miracle explain'd.
But let the honest Shepherd share the joy,
His coming with that Casket makes complete.
(To D. Carlos and D. Leonora.)
The trials of your hearts now end in transport.
That virtue, which our Duties all enjoin,
Though strongly tried, still meets its sure reward;
A peaceful Conscience, and approving Heaven.
Firm midst the Storm, the good Man steers his way;
Whilst frustrate lightnings innocently play;
He views their baffled rage with generous scorn;
Or gild his triumph, or his fall adorn.