University of Virginia Library

Act First.

SCENE FIRST.

The Antichamber to the Queen of Castile's Presence-Chamber, to which it opens by the Scene's dividing.
DONNA LEONORA, DONNA ELVIRA; (Enter opposite sides).
D. LEONORA.

D. ELVIRA.

D. LEONORA.
O my Elvira! wouldst thou fix thy choice,
And now select a partner of thy Throne;
From anxious care my mind would be reliev'd.
Troubles, from long misrule, will rise in Arragon;
And I am all thy counsel, or defence:
And can I on that Throne protect my Child,
Which all her Father's valour fail'd to guard?
A valiant Husband's arm would prop thy state;
Disperse the mutinous, and quell rebellion.
Let prudence plead the cause of love, Elvira!
Reward the godlike passion of Alvarez,
Who sought thy hand, whilst hopeless of a Crown.
Now emulate the worth thy soul esteems;
And generous in thy turn, be grateful too:
Let thy first act, as Queen, be nobly just,
Ascend thy Throne, and name Alvarez King.

D. ELVIRA.
Heaven well rewards his virtuous deeds to me.
A Throne, more splendid far than mine, now courts him,
With Isabella, in Castile to reign.
The brave Castilians name him of the Three
From whom they wish their Queen to chuse a Consort.
First, my dear Mother! let me mount my throne,
Before I fix with whom, that Throne to share.

D. LEONORA.
Ah! my foreboding fears! Your choice is made.
Reflect, my Child! whilst yet the power remains,
What grief, what dangers may await your love.
Resist this fatal impulse of your heart,
Which will embitter all your future life.
Could my maternal bosom yield consent,
Yet would the Nobles of your Realm submit
To bow the knee to one, plebeian born?
Too much, alas! the valiant Carlos charms you.
But what avails his matchless worth? His blood
Springs from some base, contaminated source,
Which he, through pride, with conscious shame, conceals.

D. ELVIRA.
Yet, though conceal'd, its source may be most pure.
For have not princes, men of high renown,
Disguis'd themselves, their names, and birth deny'd.
Whose swords alone have signaliz'd their fame;
Subduing kingdoms, and bestowing crowns:
Singly the fate of empires, and of kings.

D. LEONORA.
Is this the flattering hope your heart has cherish'd?
And the distinction which you pay to Carlos,
Is it then love, grafted on hope fallacious?
Ah! my dear Child! give not such room for censure,
Nor cherish sentiments, you must subdue.
Avoid the converse which destroys your peace,
And lends the venom'd tongue of slander, speech.

D. ELVIRA.
Such rare endowments, and such gallant worth,
As Carlos owns, in noble minds, excite
Esteem, complacent friendship, and urbanity.
I but that tribute of regard bestow,
Which his transcendent virtues justly claim;
Chaste as a sister's innocent affection.
Can this reflect upon my virgin fame,
Or draw the breath of calumny against me?

D. LEONORA.

D. ELVIRA.
That homage which queens claim, does Carlos offer;
He pays his court like others, who approach me;
Worth, such as his, knows no temerity.

D. LEONORA.
With you to Arragon does Carlos go,
Only to pay his court, as here he pays it?
The worth he owns may make his thoughts aspire;
And he, who guards your Throne, may hope your love.

D. ELVIRA.
War is the element of souls like his;
From victory to victory they fly;
Glory their idol, and their wish distinction.
Seville dismantled, and the Moors defeated,
Castile, triumphant, wants his arm no more.
His great ambition, thus without an object
Offers his sword against our Rebel, Garcia.
His valour will achieve, what, with success,
Our subjects have begun; chase this Usurper,
And bid fair peace, and safety, grace my Throne.

D. LEONORA.
But, when his conqu'ring sword has fix'd your reign,
Your subjugated Vassals at your feet,
Will Carlos quit your Realm, to seek fresh toils;
Nor hope that Crown, his valour may have sav'd?—

D. ELVIRA.
Madam! the Queen approaches to give audience.

SCENE SECOND.

DONNA ISABELLA, DONNA LEONORA, DONNA ELVIRA, BLANCHE.
D. LEONORA.
This Day then, Madam! this distinguish'd Day,
You will reward some happy lover's flame?

D. ISABELLA.
I, at my People's prayer, proclaim a King:
A Husband chuse, a partner of my Throne.

D. ELVIRA.
Alas! methinks my royal friend appears
With more than usual sadness in her eye.
Long has her heart conceal'd a load of grief,
Refus'd to make me partner of the cause,
And shunn'd my converse, save in hours of state.
My joy, on this eventful Day, believe me,
Will want its charms, if Isabella mourn;
With such delight she hail'd my change of fortune,
I thought, last night, that all her griefs were fled.

D. ISABELLA.
Still, my Elvira! does my heart rejoice
In thy recover'd Crown; e'en whilst I sigh
To lose the friend, I from my cradle lov'd.
Thy joy alone can gladden my sad soul,
Oppress'd, and harrass'd by corroding care.
I sacrifice my peace this fatal Day;
But to the State's repose, I yield my own.
All the Grandees, ambitious of the Crown,
Embroil, by their intrigues, the public peace.
To terminate their feuds, I name a King:
Castile, through all her States, conjures me to it.
And, by my order, three Grandees elects,
To one of whom, I this hour give my Throne.

D. LEONORA.
Three most renowned Heroes they elect;
Don Manrique, Lopez, and the brave Alvarez,
Though not of royal blood, are worthy thrones.

D. ISABELLA.
Ah! what to me avail the shouts of fame,
Which hail them idols of the public choice,
If of my heart, the gallant Don Alvarez,
Lopez, nor Manrique, be the chosen lord?

D. LEONORA.
Though nam'd, to them your choice is not confin'd;
Speak your heart's wish, your Vassals will obey.

D. ISABELLA.
(Stops short.)
(To Blanche, who speaks to an Attendant.)

(The scene dividing gives entrance into a magnificent Presence-Chamber. A royal throne under a canopy. Two chairs of state in a line with the throne. At the right-hand of the throne a small ornamented stand, higher than a table, upon which the Sceptre and Regalia are placed. Seats ranged on each side of the throne to the front of the stage: the Grandees & Officers of the Spanish Court standing before them. The Royal Guards standing behind the seats. The Grandees take off their hats, and remain uncovered till the Queen

---

155

has walked to the platform of the throne; and when she turns round and speaks, they put them on. Carlos only remains uncovered.)

SCENE THIRD.

DONNA ISABELLA, DONNA LEONORA, DONNA ELVIRA, BLANCHE, DON MANRIQUE, DON ALVAREZ, DON LOPEZ, CARLOS.
Grandees, Officers of the Court, Guards, &c. &c.
(The Queens go towards the throne, the Queen of Castile in the middle. At the foot of the platform, the Queen of Castile turns & addresses the Court.)
D. ISABELLA.
(To the Grandees.)

D. LOPEZ.
Unquestion'd, unoppos'd, I swear to guard them.
Your States but supplicate, nor mean restraint;
And in obedience solely to your Will,
Have they made known their sentiments of us.
Not from their favour, but your own free choice,
Do I presuming think to gain your hand:
An honour which I scarcely dare to hope,
But as a bliss unmerited is hop'd for.
I own your Power to give, without control,
That hand, which monarchs proudly might dispute,
E'en to the meanest subject in Castile.
Yet this unprecedented grace I trust,
Will on the least unworthy be conferr'd:
Justice and prudence must inform your judgment,
That to use all your power may not behove you.
Such, Madam! are my thoughts.

D. ISABELLA.
Speak yours, Don Manrique!

D. MANRIQUE.
Though, madam! your discourse schools us to fear,
And inly breeds suspicion in our minds,
Yet, I attest your Right, and own your Power,
To chuse a Husband, and to bid him reign.
Long ere you grac'd a Throne, my soul ador'd you:
The King your Brother, my lamented Master,
Deign'd on my love to smile, and bade me hope.
Fondly my heart the flattering thought has cherish'd,
That four whole years of anxious, constant love,
At last, may win your pity and regard.
Yet if, in this sweet hope, my mind deceive me,
I swear, since you demand this test of fealty,
Though to despair you doom my faithful heart,
That He, whom your free choice pronounces bless'd,
I, as my King, and Master, will obey,
Protect his person, and support his power,
With warmest zeal, and constant, firm allegiance.

D. ISABELLA.
Brave, Don Alvarez! what is your resolve?

D. ALVAREZ.
I will not be importunate in speech:
Chuse of us Three, or make another choice,
I swear, implicitly, t'obey your will.

D. ISABELLA
(smiling).
Beneath this deference, this profound respect,
We spy the leaven of conceal'd indifference;
And as your heart sighs for another's charms,
'Tis thus, on both sides, that you homage pay.

D. ALVAREZ.
Madam!

D. ISABELLA.
A truce, my Lord!

(Donna Isabella mounts the step of the platform, and seats herself upon the throne. The Queens of Arragon mount the platform, and seat themselves. The Dowager Queen Leonora on the righthand side of the throne, and Elvira on the left.
D. ISABELLA.
Let each take place.

(The Three Counts, and the Grandees, who form the Court, seat themselves on the seats prepared for them. Don Lopez on the right-hand side of the throne, Don Alvarez and Don Manrique on the left. Carlos, who stands on the right-hand side of the throne, in a line with the Grandees, but below them, nearest the audience, seeing a place unoccupied, next to Don Lopez, near to whom he stands, seats himself. Don Manrique rising, steps from his rank, and speaking, Carlos rises. Don Lopez rises, the instant Carlos attempts to seat himself.
D. MANRIQUE.
Rise, Carlos, rise! Whence such audacity?

D. LOPEZ.
What title have you to assume this rank,
And seat yourself with the Grandees of Spain?

CARLOS.
Vacant the place, my Lords! and as in camps,
So oft in council, with my King, I sat,
I thought in courts to fill a place as well.

D. MANRIQUE.
A Soldier! to usurp the rank of Count?
The favours of your Prince make you forgetful.

CARLOS.

D. MANRIQUE.
Presumptuous Carlos! how dares your arrogance
A second time offend? Was't not enough
To rank yourself with our Nobility,
That, when rebuk'd, you dare our justice question?
Had I, or brave Don Lopez, now the power,
We should disdain to take your honours from you.
Deeds, which will grace our history's future page,
Deeds, but acknowledg'd, not rewarded yet,
Your godlike arm, invincible, has done.
The Royal Standard of Castile was taken
In the King's sight; your youthful arm redeem'd it.
This perilous action turn'd the tide of battle,
Inspir'd our troops with courage to drive back
The conqu'ring Moors, e'en to their rocky fastness;
Till from the vanquish'd, we became the vanquishers.

CARLOS.
My Lord! I ask you not to word my deeds;
A Soldier glories more to act, than vaunt them.

D. MANRIQUE.

CARLOS.
My soul rejoic'd to aid the valiant's cause.
'T was but a Soldier's part I did, brave Count!
And, had your fate been mine, yourself or Lopez,
Would have done more, to guard my life or liberty.

D. MANRIQUE.
To speak your worth is due to my own honour,
Lest I be thought invidious of your glory.
Your rank, and not your courage I dispute;
I think your valour has not had its meed;
The late King promis'd to reward it further,
But death surpriz'd him just as he resolv'd it.

D. ISABELLA.
I, Carlos! who his crown inherit, take
His debt on me; and amply will repay you.
My Brother held you high in his esteem;
He thought few equal, in his court, to Carlos,
For valour in the field; or in the council,
For wisdom, prudence, and distinguish'd vigour.—
Counts! let this difference end! Be seated, Carlos!

D. LOPEZ.
Ere he takes Rank with the Grandees of Spain,
First, Madam! order him to name his Family.
We, in no wise, contest his bravery,
Supernal power hath nerv'd his youthful arm,
To achieve such deeds, as would become a god:
Let him declare his race and genealogy;
His lineage state; for valour without birth,
Had never right to occupy such place.

CARLOS.
Let him who wills boast honours others earn'd.
I will owe nought to those who gave me life.
I'd rather equal Cæsar in the field,
Than trace my lineage to the Julian Race.
What do we know of Macedonia's Kings,
Worthy record, till Philip rose in arms,
And Alexander triumph'd o'er the world.—
Hereditary honours I disdain;
And know, proud Counts! I would not give the name
My sword has earn'd, to be Medina's Duke,
E'en though Don Manrique's blood enrich'd his veins.
I claim no parents, but my past exploits;
My valour be my Race. My arm my Lineage.

D. LOPEZ.
The proof is clear, that Carlos is not Noble.

D. ISABELLA.
Then I, whose Son soe'er he be, or what
His Race, ennoble him. Contest no more!

D. MANRIQUE.
Permit me yet one word—

D. ISABELLA.
Not one, Don Manrique!
For this audacity assumes too much.
Must I have leave from you to ennoble Carlos?

D. MANRIQUE.
No!—but that place is due to highest dignities;
And, though ennobled, Carlos cannot take it,
'T is sacred to the High Grandees of Spain;
One less than Count, or Marquis, would profane it.

D. ISABELLA.
Henceforth then, Carlos! Marquis of Santillane,
Count of Pennafiel, and Governor of Burgos,
Your titles claim. Don Carlos! I create thee
One of the High Grandees. Assert your Privilege—
(He puts on his hat.)
And take your Rank—
(He seats himself.)
Is this enough, Don Manrique!
To give him privilege to take that place?
Does there remain one scruple in your mind?

D. MANRIQUE.
Madam! complete your work, and make him King.
To grace him by such dignities, is less
To equal him to us, than to exalt Carlos,
To your own Rank. Your skilful prelude, Princess!
And those exacted Oaths, we have just sworn,
Show that your heart has made its choice of Carlos:
We, bound by vows, must ratify that choice;
I shall obey, nor aught attempt against it.
To him, I here resign, You and your Kingdom:
I quit your presence, ere you make him King;
Not as one jealous at it, but through fear,
Lest for You, Queen! I blush, when you shall name him.

(Going.)
(The Queen rises precipitately from her throne, and descends from the platform; the whole Court rises. The Queens of Arragon remain standing upon the platform. Donna Elvira is much agitated during the last speech; when risen, she leans for support upon her chair, her Mother observes her very attentively.)
D. ISABELLA
(with anger).
Stay, Insolent!—
(D. Manrique returns.)
(Recovering her temper.)
Your Queen forgives you, Manrique!
What an unworthy fear, imprudently suspects;
To silence which, I condescend so far,
As to declare, that in my States' just choice,
I acquiesce; that you—still hold the rank
You held in my esteem; and I attribute,
This fiery transport to excess of love.
Injurious as it is, I pardon it;
Ere your reflection pleads for love's offence.

D. MANRIQUE.
Your conduct, Queen! gave rise to my offence.
Honours so lavish'd, warranted suspicion:
Excuse too, Madam! some antipathy—

D. ISABELLA.

(The Queens retire; the scene closes upon the Court, leaving the three Counts and Carlos at the front of the stage.)

SCENE FOURTH.

DON MANRIQUE, DON ALVAREZ, DON LOPEZ, DON CARLOS.
D. LOPEZ
(ironically).
Will, my Lord Marquis! deign to inform his suppliants,
What may be requisite to win his favour?
He is our judge, he therefore must be soften'd.

D. CARLOS.
This ill-plac'd raillery is most unseemly.

D. MANRIQUE.
To supplicate You, Carlos! is unseemly.

D. CARLOS.

(Carlos puts it upon his finger.)
D. LOPEZ.
And, for whom guard it, Carlos?

D. CARLOS.
My vanquisher.—He who can take it from me,
Pledge of his worth, shall to the Queen present it.
The order, time, and place, amongst yourselves
Agree; I will await your summons, and obey it.

SCENE FIFTH.

DON MANRIQUE, DON ALVAREZ, DON LOPEZ.
D. MANRIQUE.
Think of his arrogance!

D. ALVAREZ.
'T is thus a soul,
By valour nobly form'd, repels an outrage.

D. MANRIQUE.
If he expect to measure Swords with us,
His pride has most egregiously deceiv'd him.

D. ALVAREZ.
Refuse a challenge?

D. MANRIQUE.
Yes: beneath our rank.
Grandees of Spain, all jealous of their honour,
Do not expose their lives to bold adventurers.

D. ALVAREZ.
How can you thus degrade a valiant warrior?
Nay, were he what your hatred has presum'd,
We ought to treat him, as the Queen has rank'd him.

D. LOPEZ.
When the Queen braves us, nor regards our blood!
But dares the lustre of our Rank to tarnish,
Raising this Minion to an equal rank?

D. ALVAREZ.
Are Kings accountable for whom they title?
Our equals flourish, or neglected fade,
Just as their pleasure wills.

D. MANRIQUE.
My Lord! you're politic,
In the respect you pay to majesty:
But own your thoughts, do you not judge she loves him,
That, had she dar'd, she would have nam'd him King?
Were not her speeches artful, and mysterious?

D. ALVAREZ.
You show'd such high disdain of valiant Carlos,
And, with such contumacy, brav'd the Queen,
Arraign'd her conduct, and her power disputed,
She was constrain'd to go the lengths she did;
Or yield her dignity, forego her power,
Desert the brave, and side with his high scorners.
You piqued her pride, her sex's niceness wounded;
Your speech indelicate, and haughty carriage,
Were more than Queen, or Woman, ought to bear.
Would you, my Lord! be by your vassal brav'd,
Having the power to humble him to earth?
Would you not use that power, till his pride yielded,
Subordinate to reason and respect?

D. MANRIQUE.
My Lord! you are a warm apologist:
But are you friend, or lover, in this cause?
Do you indeed pretend to Isabella?
'T is said, that Arragon's fair Queen has charms—

D. ALVAREZ.
Her charms are not the subject of discussion.
My Country honours me with that esteem,
To think me worthy to become its King;
Grateful for this, and my own fame respecting,
I will not, Counts! refuse the grace it shews me.
I therefore with the Marquis, brave Don Carlos,
Will measure swords; nor think my Rank dishonour'd.
If, from his valour, I can win the Ring,
Then, Lords! with you, I will contest the Crown.

D. LOPEZ.
Gladly with you, we shall dispute this prize,
You are a rival worthy of our swords;
But for this Marquis, he must seek his equals.

(Exeunt severally. Don Alvarez the same way that Don Carlos went; Don Carlos went; Don Manrique and Don Lopez at the opposite side.)