University of Virginia Library

SCENE III.

DON JUAN DE PADILLA and DON PEDRO.
Don Juan.
The kingdoms of great Ferdinand are left,
To hunt for crowns in Germany and France,
While here Velasco plunders all the states.
Our delegates have yesterday return'd,
Without an audience at the sov'reign's court;
Stop'd on the way—forbid on pain of death,
With their complaints—their idle tales of wrong—
T' invade the regal dignity of thrones,
Or whisper murmurs in a monarch's ear.
Resentment, and a noble thirst of fame,
Must rouse the bold, reanimate the brave,
And brace the arm with vigour to repel
These bold invasions on great nature's rights.

Pedro.
Has then the band of Dutch and Flemish race,
Who hover round, clos'd up the monarch's ear,
And steel'd his heart against the cries of Spain?
Ambition low'ring on a lordly brow
May yet subdue the citizens of Spain.

Don Juan.
Valencia arm'd, and Arragon arous'd,
Hold their's and Castile's righteous cause the same.
The trump of war is echo'd through the land,
Wrought up to tempests by the cruel arm
Of base oppression, breaking o'er the mounds
Of law—of justice—equity and truth.
Is thy mind firm—irrevocably fix'd,
Or, to secure the sacred rights of Spain,
Or die a martyr in her glorious cause.

Pedro.
The storm beats high—yet, will I hazard all,
My honour, fortune, freedom and my fame:—
I, by thy side, all danger will defy.

Don Juan.
Then reconnoitre round De Haro's posts;
The noble house of Albert's overcome,
Navarre's subdu'd—dismantled all her towns—
Peasants and nobles, citizens and slaves,
Promiscuously enroll'd in Charles's pay,
Sullen and fierce, disdain th'ignoble service:
Ripe for revolt, they, at my signal join,
And list themselves in a more noble cause:
Prepare their leaders for tomorrow's work.

[Exeunt.