University of Virginia Library

SCENE II.

A Garden.
Enter Pedro and Inez.
Ped.
Nay, stay thy steps, my Inez. We are here
Safe from surprisal, sweetest. Why, I found thee
Far from the house, alone. What eye should trace us
In the green labyrinth of these garden bowers?
Gaze not around so fearfully.

Inez.
Art sure
None saw thee leap the wall?

Ped.
Full sure.

Inez.
That none
Will miss—Where waits thy train?

Ped.
On the Alcantara,
Steed, squire, and page.

Inez.
Have they no guess?

Ped.
Not one;
Unless my Barbary steed, who with quick instinct,
Soon as he feels his master on his back,
Turns hitherward unguided. Thou art trembling
Like a bird newly caged.

Inez.
Here in broad day!

Ped.
There is no danger, sweet. This fear of thine
Casts a dark shadow o'er our meeting joys.
Whom dost thou dread?

Inez.
All that surround me, Pedro.
Oh! there is doubt amongst them, jealous doubt;
And they regard me with stern angry eyes,
Or cold averted looks; they speak to me,
When speak they must, in brief and formal phrase,
Or with proud scornful silence pass me by.
I, that bore once the gayest, lightest heart
Of that fair maiden court; the favourite
Of Constance, yet, although the favourite, loved
Of all her train; the merriest heart alive,
Commending my quick fancies to the air
As a young tree its blossoms; I am now
A lonely, moping wretch in these gay bowers,
Of all rejected; shunned as the plague-spot
Of sin were on me, or the Church's ban.

Ped.
Now foul befall their envious hearts! My Inez,
A day shall come—

Inez.
And thou! Think if they saw thee!
There's not a bird stirs on the tree, or flower
Drops from its stalk, but seems to me some espial
Of Constance. Pr'ythee hence! Why cam'st thou, Pedro?
Pr'ythee away!

Ped.
I came to warn thee, love.
I have seen Count D'Aguilar.

Inez.
When? where?

Ped.
Even now,
Within my father's palace.

Inez.
Well? Thou hast seen him—

Ped.
And he—

Inez.
Suspects he? Knows he?

Ped.
Calm thee, Inez.

Inez.
I am calm. And he?

Ped.
Pressed sternly this state union.
Now, by St. Michael, had they with like chidings
Urged me to marry thee, with like contempt
I had refused

Inez.
Alas! that fiery temper!

Ped.
Nay, but for once 't hath done good service, dear one:
For my rash anger hath enforced a pause
In their demand, an unsuspected pause.
There is no danger, so that thou betray not
Our secret. Therefore came I, love, to pray
That thou wouldst shield thee with fresh vows against
Such peril. Swear!

Inez.
Have I not sworn?

Ped.
But vow
Once more. I doubt I know not what: the Princess;
The King; the Ambassador; and most of all,
The wily Manuel.

Inez.
Would it pleasure thee,
That, like a warrior, I should kiss the blade
Of my small weapon, thy first gift, my bright
And precious attaghan? What need of oaths
When 'tis thy will! But I have sworn, and dearly
Will I redeem that vow. Now haste away!
Pr'ythee begone, dear Pedro! and chain thou
Thine own rash mood.

Ped.
I will be gentle, sweet,
Even as thyself; or as the fabled lion,
Tamed, reined, and guided by the young boy, Love.

Inez.
Beseech thee, loiter not.

Ped.
Come with me, then,
To yonder bower, where thou, unseen, may'st see
My safe escape; may watch me till I back,
My peerless steed. Mine Inez, come with me!
Forget these griefs, and think of the blest hour
When love shall know no fear. Sweet Inez, come!

[Exeunt.