University of Virginia Library

SCENE I.

The Sea-shore. A violent Storm, with a Vessel at a distance.
Enter Sancho and Teresa.
SANCHO.
Faster, good dame, let's try to gain some shelter;
There's no resisting this tremendous storm.
Enter Pedro.
Pedro! What brings thee here in this foul weather?

PEDRO.
I sought some straggling goats, that from my herd
Had wander'd to the cliffs; but now, by th' mass!
They may return, or stay there as they list.

TERESA.
Saint Bridget save us! How the light'ning flashes!
See there again! Marry, 'tis time to go.

Enter Ferdinand and Roderigo.
FERDINAND.
This way, my Roderigo! See, where stand
The peasants of our hamlet, wonder-stricken,
All gazing on the elemental strife
Which harrows up the ocean.

RODERIGO.
Aye, aye, give 'em
But something new to stare at, they will leave
Their tasks unfinish'd to turn out and wonder.
Why stand ye gaping here, ye idle knaves!
Your daily labours incomplete, your ploughs
Left in the half-till'd fields—

FERDINAND.
Nay, chide them not;
Think not less nobly of their gen'rous feelings
Than of our own.

RODERIGO.
Aye, so you always say—

TERESA.
The poor man's blessing light upon you for it,
And the poor woman's too! You're always kind,
And treat the mean dependents on your bounty
With courtesy, as if they were your equals.

FERDINAND.
And are ye not so? From a peasant's breast
An infant prince may draw his nutriment,
And servile hands may swathe his puny limbs,
And smooth his couch. The proud magnifico,
Who battens on the good things of the world,
Looks to the lab'ring hind who tills his acres
For the foundation of his wealth and state,
While he, his task perform'd, from him in turn
Receives the guerdon which maintains himself.
Thus are our wants and aids reciprocal,
And thus far are we equal.

RODERIGO.
You had best
Not put such fancies in their heads. I know 'em—
They're apt enough to spurn authority,
And do not want your teaching. In my mind,
Some mod'rate censure on their sauciness,
Were more to th' purpose.

FERDINAND.
Talk not thus, I pray,
To one like me, who am myself dependent.
But we lose time. See, where amid the waves
Yon vessel struggles with the tempest's fury.
Now borne aloft, now whelm'd beneath the main,
Her sails all shiver'd, tow'rds the shore she drives.

PEDRO.
Nay, if she drive much farther she must strike.
While thus the tempest rages, she will find
A rough reception on our iron coast.

SANCHO.
Saint Anthony defend us! There's a plunge!
Her masts are all gone by the board!—She strikes!

FERDINAND.
Now, if you've hearts or feelings, follow me
Quick to the strand.

RODERIGO.
You will not be so rash—

FERDINAND.
What! When our fellow-creatures are in peril
To think of our own danger!—Come, my friends!
Shew what ye are. Should the high-mounting surf
Cast any on the beach, we may preserve them!

[Exeunt.