University of Virginia Library

ACT V.

SCENE I.

The Apartments of VELASQUEZ in the royal Palace.
VELASQUEZ
alone.
Why am I haunted by these phantom fears?
It cannot be my fate. 'Tis nature's weakness:
The spirits rais'd too high, like billows puff'd
By sudden storms, lift up our little bark,
Then slipping from their burthen, sink as fast,
And leave it wreck'd and found'ring.

Enter PIZARRO.
VELASQUEZ.
Have you, as I commanded, question'd Lemos?

PIZARRO.
Just now I left him.

VELASQUEZ.
Has the slave confess'd?

PIZARRO.
With sullen calmness he defies your power,
Or answers but with scorn.

VELASQUEZ.
We'll find the means
To make him speak more plainly, to bring down
This daring spirit—He is dangerous;
And under the fair mask of public virtue,
Combines with proud Almada and the rest
In dark confed'racy against my state.

PIZARRO.
He is, my Lord, the master-spring that moves
The factious populace.

VELASQUEZ.
I know it well,
But I have ta'en such care as shall unhinge
Their ill-contriv'd designs. Ere noon to-morrow,
Don Garcia, with the Spanish veterans
From Saint Jago's fortress, shall pour in
And bend these stubborn necks to due obedience.
How will their disappointed fury rave
To find their royal demagogue, Braganza,
The idol their vain worship rais'd so high,
Low levell'd with the earth.—I wonder much
Ramirez not returns—Night's latest watch
Will soon be told.

PIZARRO.
Perhaps he but delays
(For better welcome) to behold the effect
Of the dire venom, and to glad your ears
By telling how your enemy expir'd.

VELASQUEZ.
It may be so, I cannot doubt the effect;
Poison administer'd will do its work,
And this most speedily; 'tis swift perdition.
Yet, tho' this hour cuts off my greatest foe,
If my firm soul were capable of fear,
I might distrust the promise of my fortunes.

PIZARRO.
Wherefore, my Lord?

VELASQUEZ.
I almost blush to tell it,
Tir'd with the travail of this anxious night,
I threw me on my couch, and try'd to rest;
I try'd in vain—my vexed lids scarce clos'd;
Or when a momentary slumber seal'd them,
Strange visions swam before their twilight sense:
—But why retrace the hideous phantasy?
Yet still it hovers round me, still remains
A fearful reverence of the past illusion.

PIZARRO.
Such reverence but degrades a noble mind,
And sinks its vigour to an infant's weakness.
Beldams and priests infuse these idle fears,
And turn the milk of nature to its bane.

[Noise at a distance.
VELASQUEZ.
Heard you that noise? Didst thou not mark, Pizarro?
The monk has kept his word—'Tis Juan's knell:
His followers who shouted him at noon,
Now wail his death.—My genius now has room;
Their sorrows are my triumph, and proclaim
Assur'd success to my aspiring soul.

PIZARRO.
Sure 'tis the din of clashing arms—again—
It comes this way—

Enter OFFICER with his sword drawn.
VELASQUEZ.
Ha! bleeding—speak
Know you the cause?—Speak, instant, speak—

OFFICER.
Too well!
The raging multitude have forc'd their way;
Their cry is, Where's the tyrant?—Where's Velasquez?
Don Juan's at their head, and guides the storm.

VELASQUEZ.
Juan alive! eternal silence seize thee!
Impossible!

OFFICER.
These eyes, my Lord, beheld him—
Saw his rais'd arm—

VELASQUEZ.
Ha! am I then betray'd!
Perdition catch Ramirez—You, Pizarro,
Collect my scatter'd train—I'll forth, and meet
The rebel's sword.

PIZARRO.
Be not so rash,
Nor venture singly—

[Exit VELASQUEZ.
OFFICER.
He rushes on his death.
Two of my soldiers are already slain,
Striving to bar the outward palace gates;
Where like a tide the frantic people press,
Bearing down all before them.

PIZARRO.
Hence, begone;
The uproar's louder—Wake the sleeping grooms—
Bid them bring arms—Alarm the magistrates—
Send to the guard and draw them to the square.

[Exit OFFICER.
Re-enter VELASQUEZ.
VELASQUEZ.
Ruin'd! undone! all's lost—the streets are throng'd
With raging citizens—A furious band
Of armed Portugueze just now are mounting,
Fate's bloody book is open'd; and I read
My dreadful doom: yet I'll not tamely yield,
But grapple to the last with destiny.

PIZARRO.
All is not lost—perhaps some means are left.

VELASQUEZ.
Just at the gate I met the dastard monk
Struggling for entrance—scarce his breath suffic'd
To tell me that our purpose had miscarried,
And Juan lives—I stabb'd him to the heart,
The best reward for unperforming fear.

PIZARRO.
Think not of him—but save yourself by flight.

VELASQUEZ.
Where can I fly?—I am beset, devoted—
Our foes like famish'd blood-hounds are abroad,
And have us in the wind.

PIZARRO.
Resolve at once.—
The postern's yet unforc'd, that way escape,
Disguise yourself, and fly to Juan's palace.
'Tis but the terrace length—Implore his mercy;
It is the foolish weakness of his nature
To spare where he may punish.

VELASQUEZ.
Ask my life!
No, rather let me perish—Hold—his wife—
Perhaps alone, unguarded—If I fall,
I'll leave a scorpion in the traitor's breast,
Shall make him curse the hour he rous'd my fury.

[Exit
PIZARRO
alone.
Now let the tempest rise—Oh, fickle fortune!
This moment mounted to thy giddy top,
Now whirl'd to earth and groveling—Hark—they come.

RIBIRO
(entering with others.)
Search all the chambers—If the villain 'scape
Our work's but half accomplish'd—

PIZARRO.
Pass no farther.

RIBIRO.
This is the tyrant's bosom counsellor.
Where is thy master, Spaniard?

PIZARRO.
Safe, I hope,
From lawless rage like thine, and still will live
To punish this outrageous violence.

RIBIRO.
Insolent slave—And yet I like thy courage.
'Tis vain to strive, deliver up thy sword.
I will not force thee to betray thy master.
Perfidious as he is—Even in a foe
I can discern a virtue, and esteem it.
Gonsalez, guard him safe—the rest disperse,
And leave no place unsearch'd—He must be found.
But by your loves I charge you kill him not.
Rob not my sword, but leave that stroke for me.

[Exeunt severally.
SCENE changes to the Duke of BRAGANZA'S Palace. Enter DUTCHES, an Attendant following.
DUTCHESS.
No, Ines, no, I love my husband much
But more his honour. Cou'd I press his stay
In tame inaction here to wait the event,
While almost in his sight, his crown and glory
Hung on the doubtful fate of others swords?
Wou'd he have heard me? No, I knew him better.
Soon as Almada's danger reach'd his ear,
Who twice repuls'd cou'd scarce renew the charge,
(Swift as a javelin cuts the whistling air)
He snatch'd his sword, and breaking from my arms,
Rush'd to the fight, and join'd the warring throng.

INES.
That favouring power which has so oft preserv'd,
Will not forsake him now.

DUTCHESS.
O grant it Heaven!
Go, Ines, to the terrace, and observe
If any friend (for sure I may expect it)
Bring tidings from my husband.
[Exit Ines.
Would this arm,
This feeble arm had strength to second him!
The conflict here is worse.—My restless heart,
Swell'd with eventful expectation, throbs
And feels its bounds too narrow.—Fear on fear,
Like light reflected from the dancing wave,
Visits all places, but can rest in none.
The distant shouts, that break the morning sky,
Lift up a while my mounting thoughts to Heaven,
Then sinking, leave them to fall down as low,
In boding apprehension—Welcome, welcome?
Enter MENDOZA.
What of my lord?

MENDOZA.
He bad me fly to greet you;
Himself a while detain'd to stop the rage
Of cruelty and carnage.

DUTCHESS.
He returns
Unhurt, victorious to these happy arms?

MENDOZA.
All, all your fondest wish cou'd form he brings,
Crown, conquest, all.—Oppression is no more,
Pierc'd by a thousand wounds the giant dies,
While free-born men with fearless gaze walk round,
And view the monster's bulk.

DUTCHESS.
I wou'd know more.—
Was it a dear bought triumph? Must we mourn
The fall of many friends?

MENDOZA.
Scarce one of note
But lives to share our joy.—The regent seiz'd,
Gave orders for the citadel's surrender,
To save the threaten'd lives of the whole council,
Whom sleeping we secur'd.—Poorly content
To obey her mandate, though he knew it forc'd,
The dastard governor resign'd his charge,
And struck the Austrian banner.—Such the power
Of Juan's royal name, and conquering arm.
The rest himself will tell.—I must return.—
Abroad the wild commotion rages still;
The King may want my service—Angels guard you.
[Exit Mendoza.

DUTCHESS.
O fly, begone, lose not a thought on me.
Now to thy rest, my soul, thy pray'rs are heard.
From this white hour the bright revolving sun
With kinder beams shall view this smiling land;
A grateful people, by my Juan's arm,
Rescued from shameful bonds, shall bless his name,
And own him their preserver. (Enter Ines.)
From my lord?

INES.
Madam, not yet—A stranger at the gate,
Disguis'd, and almost breathless with his fears,
With earnest importunity entreats
He may have leave to cast him at your feet.
His accents mov'd me much; he seems afflicted.

DUTCHESS.
Some wretch escap'd from the pursuer's rage,
And flies for shelter here.—Yes, let him come.

[Exit Ines.
DUTCHESS
alone.
Wou'd I cou'd save them all—my woman's soul,
Forc'd from her place in this tumultuous scene,
But ill supports the assum'd severity,
And finds her native seat in soft compassion.
Enter VELASQUEZ, disguised.
Whoe'er thou art, be safe.—The greedy sword
Will have enough of death, and well may spare
One fugitive, who shuns its cruel edge
To wait the stroke of nature—Trust thy safety.—
Why do thy doubtful eyes so oft look round?
Here are no enemies.—My word is pass'd
Inviolable as recorded oaths.—
—Methinks I have seen that face.—Say, art thou not—

VELASQUEZ.
The man you most shou'd fear, most hate.

DUTCHESS.
Velasquez!

VELASQUEZ.
Yes, that devoted wretch, the lost Velasquez;
From the high top of proud prosperity,
Sunk to this ignominy.

DUTCHESS.
Presumptuous man!
If mercy cou'd know bounds, thy monstrous crimes
Almost exceed them.—Speak then, what cou'd urge thee
To seek the shelter of this hostile roof,
And trust a virtue to thy soul a stranger?

VELASQUEZ.
Fate left no second choice.—Close at my heels
Revenge and death insatiably pursu'd;
Fear lent me speed, and this way wing'd my flight.
Why flash those eyes with anger?—Royal lady!
Fortune has stripp'd me of the power to injure;
A stingless serpent, a poor fang-drawn lion,
Fitter for scorn than terror.—

DUTCHESS.
Thou art fallen!
Yet let me not insult thy alter'd state,
By pity or upbraiding.—If thy life
Be worth the acceptance—take it—and hereafter
Wash out the foulness of thy former deeds
By penitence and better purposes.
[shouts without.]
These joyful sounds proclaim my Juan near
(To Valesquez)
—Retire a while till I prepare my lord
To shield thee from the angry nobles rage.
All were combin'd to take thy forfeit life.—

DUKE
without.
Throw wide the palace gates—Let all have entrance.

DUTCHESS.
His well-known voice—'Tis he, 'tis he himself!

DUKE
without.
Where is my Queen?

DUTCHESS.
Quick let me fly to meet him,
Fly to my hero's breast.—

[Velasquez seizes her and draws a dagger.
VELASQUEZ.
Hold, madam, hold,
Thus I arrest your transports.

DUTCHESS.
Barbarian! monster!

DUKE
entering.
What sounds are these? Horror! Inhuman slave?
Turn thy fell pogniard here

VELASQUEZ.
Approach not, stir not.
Or by the blackest furies hell ere loos'd,
This dagger drinks her blood.

DUKE.
See, I obey,
I breathe not, stir not, I am rooted here.
Here will I grow for ages.

DUTCHESS.
Oh my Juan!

DUKE.
O horrible! Does Juan live for this?
Curs'd be the fatal fire that led my steps
To follow false ambition, while I left
To lurking robbers an unguarded prize;
This gem more worth than crowns or worlds can ransom

VELASQUEZ.
Take back a name more foul, thou dark usurper
Was it for this, thy unsuspecting prince
With lavish bounty, to thy faithless hand
Trusted his royal functions? Thus to arm
Gainst his own breast, thy black ingratitude.

DUKE.
Must I endure it?

DUTCHESS.
Out! false hypocrite!
Thy tyrants snares were found, his flimsy nets
To catch that precious life long since unravel'd,
Thy conscious cheek avows it.

VELASQUEZ.
Be it so.—

DUTCHESS.
Coward! Perfidious coward! Is it thus,
Thus you requite—

VELASQUEZ.
Thy foolish pity—thus—
Hear me thou rebel—Is this woman dear?

DUKE.
O heavens!

VELASQUEZ.
Thy straining eyes, thy agonizing heart,
Thy life's inglorious dotage all proclaim it.

DUTCHESS.
Peace, devil, peace, nor wound his generous soul
By taunts that fiends might blush at.

DUKE.
Speak thy purpose.

VELASQUEZ.
Then briefly thus—call off thy traiterous guards,
—The fruits of thy soul treason, every post,
Seiz'd by the midnight plots, thy rebel arms
Restore again to Spain—Back to the palace
Give me save conduct—To thy oaths I trust not;
It must be done this instant—leave my power
To intercede with Spain for thy full pardon,
And grace to all, whom thy ill-starr'd ambition
Led to this base revolt—Else, by my rage!
The boiling rage that works my soul to frenzy,
Thou shalt behold this beauteous bosom gor'd,
All over gash'd and mangled

DUTCHESS.
Strike this instant!

DUKE.
Hold, ruffian, hold!

DUTCHESS.
Give me a thousand deaths;
Here let me fall a glorious sacrifice,
Rather than buy my life by such dishonour.
(To the Duke)
If thy fond love accept these shameful terms,
That moment is my last—these hands shall end me.
(To Velasquez)
Blood thirsty tyger, glut thy fury here.

VELASQUEZ.
Her courage blasts my purpose (aside)
dost thou brave me

DUTCHESS.
Defy thee—yes—feel, do I shrink or tremble?
Serene undaunted will I meet the blow;
But ev'ry drop that stains thy reeking hands,
In thy last pangs shall cry for vengeance on thee.
Furies shall seize thee, shake their scorpion whips,
And in thy deafen'd ears still hollow, murder.

VELASQUEZ.
No more—Resolve— (To the Duke.)
—Not Heaven itself can save her.
Ha! darkness cover me! he still alive!
Fate thou hast caught me—Every hope is lost.

(Enter Ramirez wounded, Almada, Ribiro, Mendoza and others following—The Duke and Dutchess run to each others arms—Velasquez is seized.)
DUKE.
I have thee once again, my heart's best treasure,
Sav'd from the vulture's talons—O dire fiend!

VELASQUEZ.
Unhand me—No—though earth and hell conspire.

DUTCHESS.
Blasphemer, down! and own a power above thee!

RIBIRO.
Secure this monster—Read this paper, madam.
Returning from the charge we found that wretch
Stretch'd in our way and welt'ring in his blood;
Earnest he beg'd we shou'd commit to note
These few short words, and bear them to the Duke.
That done, he dragg'd his bleeding body on,
And came to die before him.

DUKE.
Oh, Ramirez!
Ev'n in this day of joy my heart runs o'er
With sorrow for thy fate—What cruel hand?

RAMIREZ.
—A villain's hand, yet Heaven directed it.
I have not strength to publish all my shame,
That roll contains it—This wide gaping wound,
My deep remorse, may expiate my crime;
But, Oh! that tempter—

DUKE.
Ha! he faints, support him.
Thy crime, what crime?

RAMIREZ.
Thy happier star prevail'd,
Else, hadst thou died even by the pious act
That seals our peace above.

DUKE.
Merciful powers!

RAMIREZ.
Yet ere I sink, speak comfort to my soul,
And bless me with forgiveness.

DUKE.
Take it freely.

RAMIREZ.
Enough, I die contented.

[He is led off
DUTCHESS.
O my Juan,
Peruse that tale and wonder—Impious wretch,
Well might my heart stand still—my blood run cold,
And struggling nature murmur strong reluctance
Against my foolish pity—While I meant
To step between thee and the brandish'd bolt,
To rescue from the stroke of righteous justice
The foul suborner of my husband's murder.

VELASQUEZ.
Curse on the coward's fear prevented it!
Wither these sinews that relax'd their hold,
And left thy feeble wing to soar above me.

DUKE.
Hence with that villain—Drag him from my sight.—
Till aweful justice doom his forfeit life,
Let heaviest chains secure him—Hence, begone.

VELASQUEZ.
Yes, in your gloomiest dungeons plunge me down.
Welcome congenial darkness—Horrors hail!
No more these loathing eyes shall view that sun,
Whose irksome beams light up thy pageant triumph.

[He is led off by Ribiro and others.
DUKE.
Thou ever present, all protecting power!
Thro' what dark clouds of thick involving danger
Thy watchful providence has led my steps?
The imagin'd woes that sunk me in despair,
Thou mad'st the wond'rous instruments to save me.

DUTCHESS.
I feel, I own the high supremacy—
Yet have I much to ask—Thy victory—

DUKE.
For that our thanks to this brave man are due.
He chose the post of danger, and expos'd
His dauntless breast against the stubborn force
Of steady northern courage.

ALMADA.
Twice was I down,
And twice my prince's valour rescued me.

DUKE.
For ever hallow'd be the well pois'd blade
That sav'd that reverend head.

DUTCHESS.
Fortune was kind, Almada, to commit
Your safety to the arm you taught to conquer.

ALMADA.
Henceforth I more shall prize that trifle life,
Since now I owe it to my sovereign's valour.

Enter RIBIRO.
RIBIRO.
Vengeance thy debt is paid—The tyrant's dead.

DUKE.
Say'st thou? Velasquez!

RIBIRO.
Aye, what was Velasquez
Dispers'd and mangled by the people's rage,
In bloody fragments stains a thousand hands;
Like ravenous wolves by eager famine pinch'd,
With worrying fangs they dragg'd him from my grasp,
And in my sight tore out his reeking entrails.

DUKE.
His blood be on his head, and may his end.
Provok'd by crimes beyond the reach of pardon,
Strike terror to the souls of impious men,
Who own no God, but from his pow'r to punish.