University of Virginia Library

SCENE VI.

Granada.
Ximenes,
alone, reposing on a Sofa.
What comfort have I felt from this repose!
It recreates the poor remains of life.
But who invades my solitude?—Alonzo!

[Enters Alonzo.
Alonzo.
My lord, I interrupt, with great reluctance,
Your quiet; but there is a cause;—Giraldo,
Honoured with your esteem, has been imprudent;
He warmly urged me to request an audience.

Ximenes.
I've heard a strange report; and much it grieves me,
Admit him instantly.
[Alonzo retires.
My life is destined,
To it's expiring hour, to change, and tumult.
When shall I reach the tranquil hemisphere,
Eternally serene!—What object meets me!
Giraldo, and in chains!
[Giraldo enters, manacled, and guarded; and Alonzo.
Why do you bring
My friend, an honest, generous, valiant man,
Thus chained, and guarded, like a desperate felon?

1st Guard.
My lord, we can produce our witnesses,
To prove, that he has murdered Baracaldo:
But from his love of truth, from his frank nature,
We are persuaded, that he'll own the fact.
It was determined, that his crime should flow
Along the common stream of legal justice.
But, with much ardour, he requested leave
To make his first appeal to you: our state
Owes great indulgence to the brave Giraldo:
He, for his judge, deserves a Ximenes.

Ximenes.
Giraldo, thy defence I wish to hear;
And yet I dread to hear it; my esteem
For thee, hath corresponded with thy virtues.
'Tis I, who suffer all the culprit's fears!

Giraldo.
This breast, my lord, fear hath not yet invaded:
Honour hath, for itself, no cause to fear.
My sword I've crimsoned with a villain's blood:
I've put an end to Baracaldo's crimes;
His life I've taken, which he owed to thee.
I have performed a noble act of justice.

Ximenes.
But by thy arm, I'm stabbed, through Baracaldo!
Alas! how oft do great, exalted souls,
Who, we would almost wish, might live for ever,
Their ruin court, by deeds precipitate!
If Baracaldo, guiltless of a charge
Imputed to him, fell, I grieve for him:
But, oh! my aged heart bleeds for Giraldo!

Giraldo.
Why? that the traitor poisoned Ximenes,
I can convince the world; and if the world,
In retribution fair, my last atchievement
Crowns with the patriot's deathless wreath of glory,
To an ignoble fate wilt thou consign me?

Ximenes.
Heaven's clemency forbid that I condemn thee!
By our established laws thou must be tried,
And judges.—Had thy unimpassioned reason
Controuled thy generous heart's excess!—This scene
I wish to close;—'tis agonizing to me!
Giraldo, I am old; for many years,
I've been in power, too apt to taint the heart;
Now, when I tottering stand on the grave's brink,
I cannot find that I have stained my life
With one oppressive, one injurious act;
Though by such acts, oft, with impunity,
My friends I might have spared, or have promoted;
Enriched myself, or gratified revenge,
Even by great souls too warmly entertained.
Next to my God, I've always worshipped justice;
It is his type; his representative;
In it's full sense, it means, whatever good
Can be performed by reasoning, conscious beings.
Justice is dearer to me than Giraldo!

Giraldo.
My heart as yet retains it's satisfaction
For having prompted this intrepid hand!
Nor do I meanly wish thou may'st relinquish,
On my account, thy well-earned palm of justice;
Bright ornament of venerable age!

Ximenes.
Ill-fated warmth! are we to supersede,
By our rash thoughts, divine, and human laws!
Are we to seize the flaming bolts of Heaven!
Perhaps God means to punish guilt enormous,
By suffering it to live; or, has he not
A high tribunal in the other world,
Of universal, and compleat redress?

Giraldo.
There I rely.—You've told me that “you wished
“To close this scene;—'tis agonizing to you.”
Then hear a word or two, and I depart.
Firmly, you know, I've oft encountered death,
Bristled with horrour, in the martial field.
And firmly on the scaffold I can face him,
If I should suffer in a manly cause.
I humbly will expect that high tribunal,
Which will atone for earth's iniquity!
Farewell, good cardinal!—perhaps, for ever!
[Exit Giraldo.

Ximenes.
—Alonzo, go; and till I recollect
Full presence of my mind, stop all proceedings
Against Giraldo.

Alonzo.
I obey, with pleasure.
[Exit Alonzo.

Ximenes,
alone.
This cruel conflict rends my languid heart!
Under the banner of Toledo's cross,
My gallant soldier fought before Oran.
The quick, pure effervescence of his youth
Announced the virtues of his riper years.
Just as the troops were forming, in my tent,
My orders he received; and asked my blessing;
For on the strength of that viaticum,
I'm sure, said he, to conquer, or to die,
Anticipating Heaven! His warmth shot through me!
I gave the benediction, with a tear,
Dropt from anxiety, from hope, from joy.
He left me; joined his squadron; and like lightning,
He charged, and broke the thickest of the foe!
He was all, fire, all, friendship; and all, honour;
Therefore, my celibacy's chosen son!
And he has forfeited a glorious life,
From his enthusiastick zeal for me!
What shall I do, to save this generous man!—
—I'll interpose:—but, then, I shall wound justice!
And if I keep aloof, I lose Giraldo!
This is the heaviest shock that, yet, I've suffered:
It, now, precipitates the fatal stroke
On agitated, and expiring age!
Oh! thou, whom my soul loveth!—Oh! Giraldo!
My son, my son!—Would, I might die for thee!
[Exit Ximenes.