University of Virginia Library

SCENE III.

Enter Leonora and Mencia, followed by Diego, speaking as they enter.
Diego.
It shall be done; I understand you, madam;
Those lofty plumes must grace the seat of honour,
The chair of Don Henriquez.

Leo.
Yes; and the chair of Don Henriquez' wife:
See that they both be graced.

Diego.
Never but once,
(Lady, forgive the freedom of my words,)
Never but once before was chair of state
Beneath this roof so crested: years gone by,
When Don Henriquez' father, from the king,
Held in these parts, then threaten'd with commotions,
A regent's power. And then his noble lady,
Although the blood of kings ran in her veins,
Did at due distance humbly take her place
On a low stool, unmark'd by any honour.

Leo.
Ay, good Diego, such meek humble dames
Have lived, as we are told, in former days.
Do as I have desired thee.

Diego
(aside, murmuring as he goes out).
Lofty dame!
Making so proud a stir, like some pert hedgeling,
Chirping and flutt'ring in an eagle's nest.

[Exit.
Men.
Sister, you aggravate the mark'd dislike
That old domestic bears you: be more gentle.

Leo.
O he dislikes me not; it is his humour.
Dislike me! Have I not to him and his
Been even profuse in gifts? The foolish thought!

Men.
Ay; but the meekness of his former lady,
She, too, who had a king's blood in her veins,
Dwells in his heart, and beggars all thy gifts.

Leo.
Thou'rt fanciful.

Men.
Nay, nay! and why so fond
Of splendid pomp? Compared to what thou wast,
Thy marriage with Henriquez made thee great;
This doth not make thee greater; woe the day!
Nor happier neither.

Leo.
Woe the day! Poor dove!
That would beneath the cottage eaves for ever
Sit moping in the shade with household birds,
Nor spread thy silver plumage to the sun.

Men.
The sun hath scorch'd my wings, which were not made
For such high soaring.
He who would raise me to his nobler rank
Will soon perceive that I but grace it poorly.

Leo.
Away with such benumbing diffidence!
Let buoyant fancy first bear up thy merit,
And fortune and the world's applause will soon
Support the freight. When first I saw Henriquez,
Though but the daughter of a humble house,
I felt the simple band of meadow flowers
That bound my hair give to my glowing temples
The pressure of a princely coronet.
I felt me worthy of his love, nor doubted
That I should win his heart, and wear it too.

Men.
Thou dost, indeed, reign in his heart triumphant;
Long may thy influence last.

Leo.
And fear not but it will. These pageantries
Give to the even bliss of wedded love
A varied vivifying power, which else
Might die of very sloth. And for myself,
My love for him, returning from the wars,
Blazon'd with honours, as he now returns,
Is livelier, happier, and, methinks, more ardent,
Than when we first were married. Be assured
All things will favour thee, if thou hast spirit
To think it so shall be. Thou shak'st thy head.
It is not reason, but thy humble wish,
Thy low ignoble passion that deceives thee,
And conjures up those fears. Weak wav'ring girl!
Art thou not bound?

Men.
Weakness in yielding to your will, indeed,
Has fetter'd me with bands my heart disowns.

Leo.
Fy! say not so. Hush! let not that sad face
O'ercloud the joy my gen'rous lord will feel,
When he discovers what we have conceal'd,
With playful art, to make his joy the keener.
Hush! here comes Blas again.

Enter Blas.
Blas.
He will not yet.
I have been watching near his chamber door,
And when I gently knock'd, as you desired,
He answer'd me with an impatient voice,
Saying his head was drowsy, and lack'd rest.

Leo.
I'll go myself.

Blas.
Nay, madam, do not yet.
I guess that some cross humour has disturb'd him;
Sleep will compose it.

Leo.
Humour, dost thou say!
He ne'er was cross with me.

[Exeunt.