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| 2. | Scene II |
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 | The unpublished plays of Thomas Holley Chivers |  |
Scene II
The same apartment in Don Carlos' palace. Enter Don Carlos, Don Pedro and Elvira.Don Carlos
So, he that was the gardner of the flower—
60
And left the nectar of its ruby folds
To perish in the stagnant winds of Heaven—
Has withered by the frost before the flower!
Don Pedro
What, has Alvino lashed him for the deed?
Don Carlos
I heard that he had murdered him last night—
Although no one suspects he is the man.
Elvira
What, is it possible he is dead?
I fear, dear Carlos you have been too rash!
Don Carlos
But no one saw me save his wife.
Elvira
Behold, who enters there?
Don Carlos
I need not doubt—
Elvira
Alas,
Then for your sister's sake, dear Carlos, fly!
Don Carlos
Why should I fly?
61
They come for thee, away!
Enter Officer and Guard.
Officer
Sir, by the oath invested in this writ,
I am compelled to fetter thee in chains.
Elvira
In chains? Why bind the innocent in chains?
Officer
I am compelled to do so by the law.
Don Carlos
(Giving himself up.)
It is your duty thus to do.
Elvira
(Taking his hand and kneeling.)
Alas,
And shall my brother die? We must not part.
Don Carlos
Arise, my gentle sister. We shall meet
Again. (She rises)
Elvira
Perhaps no more on earth.
Don Carlos
We shall.
And, Pedro, parting as the best of friends,
I owe thee obligations, which shall live
62
So, fare thee well!
Don Pedro
Farewell to meet again.
Exit Don Carlos followed by Officer and Guard.
Elvira
Oh, Pedro, what will be our prospects now,
Seeing the brightest of our hopes is gone?
Can you not save him from that cruel death?
Don Pedro
And prove that Pedro is the friend of one
Who called upon him in the hour of need?
Then he who would not promise me thy hand,
Shall have the joy of being saved by mine.
Elvira
He will consent. My heart, you know, is thine.
Don Pedro
Elvira, Pedro cannot lie to thee,
For he has worshipped thee in all his dreams!
And when the chambers of the night were hung
With all the silver shining lamps that deck
The azure palace of the glorious sky,
Like roses blossoming in the fields of Heaven,
He has communed in silence with thee.
63
I swear, Elvira, Carlos shall be saved!
Elvira
Oh, Pedro, never did my heart believe
That mortal man could be so true as thee!
But see, Alvino comes. He looks not strange?
(Enter Alvino.)
Alvino
I see, Don Pedro, Carlos is not here.
Don Pedro
He is not here for he is prisoner in thy stead.
Elvira
Alvino, if thou art the man thou art,
I now conjure thee to be true to him!
Alvino
What, think you that Alvino will be false?
The heart that urged him on to that great deed—
To mend the broken vessel at the fount,
Which after ministering to his delight,
Was thrown in wilful wantonness away,
Shall be the prompter to restore his friend.
Alvino will be faithful to the last.
Elvira
Then instantly release him from the chains!
64
This letter shall be evidence of that
I wish it, Pedro, to be borne to him,
And after Carlos has divulged it thee,
I wish an answer speedily returned.
I would not trust another man on earth,
And hope you will be faithful as
The trust reposed in you. (Giving the letter.)
Don Pedro
It shall be done.
I will be with him straight.
(Exit Don Pedro.)
Alvino
(Aside.)
The work is done!
Elvira
What was there in that letter?
Alvino
Pedro knows,
Or soon will know, when it is read.
Elvira
But tell
Me, what was in it?
Alvino
Know you not our plans?
65
I know them not.
Alvino
Then you shall never know
From me.
Elvira
Perhaps it may effect his life?
Alvino
If Pedro is the friend he seems to be
He will divulge it all, when he returns.
No woman ever kept a secret yet.
(Exeunt omnes.)
| The unpublished plays of Thomas Holley Chivers | |