University of Virginia Library

ACT III.

A Hall, with portraits and escutcheons. Wide centre doors open. Grounds by moonlight seen without. Don Gaston is discovered seated in an arm chair.
Enter Don Luis.
Don L.
You, Gaston! Well, how goes it?

Don G.
[Drowsily.]
How goes what?

Don L.
Why, life of course.

Don G.
To speak the truth, but slowly.
In fact, I'm bored.

Don L.
That's just my case.

Don G.
Diana
Keeps not her pledge to join the festival,
But proudly holds aloof.

Don L.
She might, and welcome,
Did she not also rob us of her cousins,
Our partners by lot.

Don G.
Might I for life wear arch Fenisa's colours,
I'd leave to you, Diana.

Don L.
You may take
The pair of them, if gentle Laura's eyes
Consent to smile on me. Princess Diana
Is too sublime, too unapproachable,
For my poor taste. In fact, the lady's rude.

Don G.
[Looking off.]
Here comes Don Cæsar, the December moon.
Solemn and slow he moves—just like a chess-king,
Square after square. [To Don Cæsar, who enters, followed by Perin.]
Well, knight of the white favour!
[Pointing to his white colours.
Is it a snowball, emblem of your heart?

Don C.
You envy me my coldness, friends. No wonder.
You burn with love, yet kindle not a spark.

Don L.
We bear our fate. Diana's cousins, sir,
Are fair as she.

Don G.
As fair, and far more kind

Don C.
[With a light laugh.]
Then you propose deserting to the cousins.
To me the man who sees in any woman
More than a puppet, does himself become one.

[Perin makes signs of approval.
Don G.
[Aside.]
Extremes meet. This wiseacre's half a fool.

Don L.
[At door.]
There they go, Gaston! Did you see?

Don G.
The cousins?

Don L.
Yes, both. I have a song for the guitar
Meant for my Laura's ear.

Don G.
And I a lay
In my Fenisa's praise, to which the drum
And trump shall bear accompaniment. Let's follow.

[Don Gaston and Don Luis go out.
Don C.
[Aside.]
How hard is fortune. Changeful hearts like these
Secure their prize. I, constant, lose my own.

Perin.
[Approaching him.]
Moody again, prince, and your wild bird snared!

Don C.
She is indeed a wild bird.

Perin.
True, she sits
And broods on that sweet egg she calls revenge;
But I'm mistaken, if love creep not forth,
When the time comes for hatching. Still keep firm;
She yet has one resource—one stratagem—
For which prepare yourself.

Don C.
What's that?

Perin.
She'll try
To make you jealous. Mind whate'er she feigns
You credit not a jot.

Don C.
I'm on my guard,

Perin.
'Tis her last chance; but see she comes!

[Both look off towards Diana.
Don C.
The princess!
[Enchanted.]
How airy is each movement. Like a goddess
She rather floats than steps.

Perin.
Again these raptures!
They're dangerous. Retire 'till you subdue them.
No—no—I say; you sha'n't give battle yet.

[Don Cæsar goes out slowly, with an apparent desire of approaching Diana. Perin impatiently urges him off on the opposite side. Perin then withdraws to back, and assumes a serious look. Enter Donna Diana, in deep thought. She stops in the centre, without looking round. Perin watches her. A short pause, after which the following refrain of a song is heard.
[Refrain sung to guitar off stage. “Laura! Laura! Charming Laura!”
Donna D.
[Gravely to Perin.]
What means this absurd ditty, “Laura! Laura!”
Nothing but “Laura!” What insipid folly?

Perin.
But still it spreads. The men are wild with love,
And (you've observed it, madam) love's poor dupes
Take instantly to music. Sing they must;
And, as you will not let them sing—Diana,
They choose some meaner name. 'Tis sad, but natural.

Donna D.
[Song heard off stage, with martial accompaniments.
Song.

Donna D.
[Scornfully, and vexed to be neglected.]
How grand! How overpowering! Is it not?

Perin.
Yet folly has its use. A world all wisdom
Might become tiresome.

Donna D.
[Thoughtfully.]
Perhaps you're right,
And, had Don Cæsar mingled in this trifling,
I scarce had blamed him. Not that I desire it.
Thank heaven! I'm not assailed with songs from him.

Perin.
[Aside.]
Joy, joy! the bird is caught. [Aloud.]
As for Don Cæsar,
Remember you released him from his duties.

Donna D.
I bade him go.

Perin.
And so he went, of course.

Donna D.
Why say “of course?” Had he possessed one spark
Of spirit he had stayed.

Perin.
And disobeyed you?

Donna D.
There are some virtues higher than obedience.

Perin.
[Aside.]
O, my rare system!

Donna D.
Had he pressed his right
To attend on me, perhaps I should have yielded.

Perin.
“Perhaps!” ay, there's the point. This grave cold prince
Takes words in their strict sense. If you say, go,
He deems not you mean stay; or that your will not
Implies, perhaps you will. He sadly lacks
Perception, and the art of reading women.
[Aside, observing Diana's absent and melancholy look.
Oh, my gold tincture! my elixir vitæ!
[Aloud.]
But see, the princes with their ladies come;
All look absurdly happy.

Donna D.
[Looking off.]
And Don Cæsar
Comes with them.

Perin.
But their childish ecstacies
Are lost on him, your highness; be it ours
With calm superior eyes to note afar
The lot of frail humanity.

[They withdraw to back.
Enter Don Luis, Don Gaston, Donna Laura, and Donna Fenisa, followed by Don Cæsar.
Don L.
[Apart to Don Gaston and Don Cæsar.]
She's watching.
Now then for the attack.

Don G.
[Apart to Don Cæsar.]
Mark how I'll tease her.

Don C.
Even as you will; I grudge you not the sport.

Don L.
[Aloud to Laura.]
Fortune has smiled on me to-day; would Laura
Smile too, I'd ask no further boon of fortune.

Donna L.
The custom of the mask makes you gallant.

[They retire a few steps. Don Luis continues to speak urgently to her, every now and then looking towards Diana.
Don G.
[Aloud to Fenisa.]
Do not think
The usage of this night extorts my homage:
Your loveliness compels it.

Donna F.
I would fain
Believe you; but you flatter. These love-fires
Shoot up too suddenly.

Don G.
Be you less lovely,
And I shall be less ardent.

[He kisses her hand, then converses apart with her eagerly, watching Diana from time to time.
Donna D.
[Aside to Perin.]
They've no words,
It seems, to waste on me.

Perin.
[Apart to her.]
I could forgive
All but Don Cæsar. Look now how he stands,—
Embodied apathy! O, I could box
His ears with pleasure.

[Turns aside to hide his laughter.
Don L.
[To Laura, Fenisa, and Don Gaston.]
What say you—shall we once more to the ball?

Don G.
Agreed; let us enjoy even to the last,
These love-winged hours.

[Don Gaston and Don Luis lead their ladies off with eager gallantry, and pass Donna Diana without looking at her. Don Cæsar still stands in abstraction.
Donna D.
[Annoyed, and with affected scorn to Perin.]
They're swimming in a very sea of bliss!

Perin.
Young blood, young blood! They're not philosophers
Like you and me, your highness.

[Don Cæsar, as if awaking from his reverie, turns quickly to follow the others. He pretends to see Diana for the first time, bows respectfully, and continues his exit.
Donna D.
[Aside.]
What, Don Cæsar
Goes too! he sees me and he goes! I'll try
My last and keenest weapon—jealousy.
[Aloud.]
Call him back, Perin.

Perin.
Prince! prince!

Don C.
[Gravely.]
Did you call?

Perin.
I did, my lord.

Don C.
Some other time. At present
I'm in the train of love.

Donna D.
[Quickly.]
Of love? You love?

Don C.
My freedom.

Donna D.
You mean, then, that you do not love at all.
Freedom's a mere ideal; but love needs
An outward object.

Don C.
Princess, pardon me,
As you ne'er loved, you can't tell what love needs.
I really can't permit you an opinion
Upon that point.

[Perin rubs his hands with delight.
Donna D.
[Significantly.]
I may be more entitled
To give one than you think.

Don C.
[With an involuntary start.]
You love, then?

Donna D.
[Aside.]
Ha?
He started! [Aloud.]
It were rash to say I love;
But I confess my former views of love
Are somewhat shaken.

Perin.
[Aside.]
Somewhat.

Don C.
[With forced composure.]
Will you deign
To tell me why?

Donna D.
[Assuming earnest frankness.]
Yes, prince, 'tis only just,
As you have shared those views. Then thus I feel:
'Twere selfish to oppose my private will
Against a nation's hopes, a father's prayers.
To these I therefore yield; and, though my heart
As yet is free, since I must take a husband,
I've cast my eyes upon your cousin Luis,
Prince of Béarne.

Perin.
[Aside to Donna Diana.]
That hit was fatal. [Aside to Don Cæsar.]
Nonsense!
Springes and bird-lime!

[Don Cæsar looks oppressed.
Donna D.
'Tis my resolution
Therefore to choose him. Could I choose more fitly?
[A pause.]
Speak! love deludes not you. What's your opinion?
You do not answer. Is my choice unwise?
[Aside, exultingly.]
He's pale and speechless. Yes, at last, at last!

[Perin.]
[Apart to Don Cæsar.]
Shame, prince; is this your firmness?

Donna D.
Why, Don Cæsar,
You seem astonished.

Don C.
[Recovering himself.]
Seem? I am astonished.

Donna D.
At what?

Don C.
[Now quite self-possessed.]
That there should be two beings so alike
As you and I; not only do we think
And feel as one, but it appears our thoughts
And feelings change together. We are twins,
If not by birth, by nature. Tell me, princess,
How long is it since you took this resolution.

[Donna D.]
[Rather confused.]
Only to-night.

Don C.
[Eagerly]
The hour?

Donna D.
[Surprised.]
The hour!

[Perin, also surprised, listens eagerly.
Don C.
Was it not
Upon the stroke of nine? For then precisely,
I took the very self-same resolution,
And for the self-same cause. [Looking at her insinuatingly.]
To gratify
My father and the state I choose a bride.

Donna D.
[Aside, pleased and softened.]
He means myself. Why else the agitation
He lately showed? I feel a strange relenting.
[Aloud.]
Prince, as I freely gave my confidence,
I look for yours. Who is the happy fair?

Don C.
[Almost tenderly.]
I fear to tell; but thus far I may venture:
She's of near kin to Barcelona's duke.

Donna D.
[Aside, delighted.]
That's to my father! [Aloud.]
Smiles she on your suit?

Don C.
She might, would you befriend it.

[Perin makes a gesture of annoyance.
Donna D.
[Aside, with suppressed exultation.]
Just so. [Aloud.]
Really?
Who can it be?

Don C.
You have not far to seek.

Donna D.
[Very graciously.]
Speak boldly, prince; her name?

Don C.
Her name is Laura!

Donna D.
[Confused.]
What! who?

Don C.
Your highness' cousin, Donna Laura.

Perin.
[Aside.]
Jove, what a move! It takes away one's breath.

[Donna Diana is struck dumb.
Don C.
I feared Don Luis had secured my prize;
But, princess, you by choosing him, have rid me
Of this great danger. Thanks, a thousand thanks!
Well, is my choice approved? [A pause.]
You do not answer.
What ails your highness?

Donna D.
Ails me! Ails me! Nothing.

Don C.
[Pretending anxiety.]
You're pale! you tremble; something's wrong.

Donna D.
Once more
I tell you nothing;—nothing but amazement
That you should see a goddess in a woman
So commonplace, so tame, so plain—

[Checks herself.
Don C.
As Laura!

Donna D.
[Aside.]
O what a wretch am I thus to miscall
My gentle cousin! [Aloud.]
Prince, you've shown discernment.
Laura has every virtue.

Don C.
So I think.
She's modest, sweet, accomplished, winning, graceful—

Donna D.
[Interrupting.]
But very commonplace.

Don. C.
O, there I differ—

Donna D.
[Impatiently breaking off the talk.]
'Tis like you may be right. 'Tis an affair
Of taste: you follow yours; I mine.

[She turns away to hide her agitation.
Don C.
[Anxiously aside to Perin.]
That sounds
Decisive.

Perin.
[Apart to Don Cæsar.]
To it again.
The fort is silenced.

Don C.
Princess, with your leave,
I now withdraw.

[Bows as if to go.
Donna D.
[Turning hastily.]
To your sweet Laura?

Don C.
Yes.
[Looking to back, and feigning rapture as Laura passes out of doors.
See where she passes, O enchanting vision!
Where all contrasting graces harmonise,
Meekness with dignity, simplicity
With nice refinement, delicate reserve
With ardent feeling—

Donna D.
[Interrupting and speaking ironically.]
O, go on! Go on!
You have not done. This is the prelude only,
The first faint note of praise before the chorus,
The spark before the fire, the dawn ere day!
What is there so bewitching in your idol?
What amiable? What endurable?

Don C.
In Laura, do you ask?

Donna D.
[Aside.]
'Tis base in me
To wrong her thus.
[Calming herself by a strong effort.
Prince, Laura is my friend—dear as a sister.
Though your gross adulation roused my anger,
I here retract each syllable I spoke
In her dispraise. She's fair, and good as fair.
Her heart is noble, and her face a mirror
That shows her heart. You're right: go—go to Laura.

Don C.
I fly: her sanction gained, I'll then entreat
Your father's to confirm it. Finally,
To crown this night's rejoicing, I'll tell Luis
What happiness your highness destines for him.

[He bows gravely and goes out. Donna Diana stands motionless.
Perin.
[Aside, looking after Don Cæsar.]
Played to perfection!

Donna D.
The abyss of shame
Is fathomed. He can love, but loves another.

[She sinks into a chair. Perin approaches Diana gravely and with pretended sympathy.
Donna D.
[Aside.]
The thought is torture! [Perin sighs deeply. Feebly.]
Perin!

Perin.
[Sympathisingly.]
Yes, your highness.

Donna D.
[Without looking up.]
Comes he not back.

Perin.
Back! After offering
So gross an insult to you!

Donna D.
Perin, peace!
I'm not myself; I'm wretched!

Perin.
Noble lady,
Be calm. Did any see you thus but Perin,
He might almost conclude your highness felt—

[Hesitates.
Donna D.
Felt what!

Perin.
If I must speak, the pangs of love.

Donna D.
[Trembling.]
The pangs of love!

Perin.
Be calm, I beg. Of course
It can't be love you feel; but, then, what is it?

Donna D.
I know not. All's distraction. Now I melt
In grief, now burn with hatred. I hate Laura;
I hate Don Cæsar. Most of all I hate
Myself for hating them.

Perin.
Worse than I thought!
This is not love alone: 'tis jealousy!

Donna D.
[Starting up enraged.]
Jealousy, minion! To my face! I jealous?

Perin.
[Soothingly.]
Your highness!

Donna D.
[With passionate excitement.]
Quit my presence. Not a word.
You tamper with your life.

[Perin withdraws to back in pretended alarm. Diana, who has lost all self-control, stands still for a moment, then covers her face with her hands and hurries off the stage.
Perin.
[Advancing.]
Poor flutterer!
Vain are thy struggles; thou art in the net.
[Looking off.]
Here comes Don Luis. He must draw the strings.

[He draws back.
Enter Don Luis with Donna Laura on his arm: Don Gaston with Fenisa.
Don G.
[Advancing with Fenisa.]
The masque is over then; I drop my visor.

[Takes off his mask. Fenisa takes off hers.
Don G.
But, though I drop love's emblem, love itself
Endures unchanged. I swear I love but thee.
Be mine!

Donna F.
[Aside.]
Not yet. [Coyly.]
We'll speak of this to-morrow.

[Retreating.
Don G.
To-morrow
Would seem to me eternity; to-night.

[He follows her and converses with her at back, pressing his suit eagerly. Don Luis and Laura advance to front.
Donna L.
[Playfully.]
No vows, no vows: when lovers simply say,
I doubt them; when they swear, I disbelieve them.

Don L.
[Hurt.]
Must I then think you, like your haughty cousin,
Incapable of love? If so, farewell.

Donna L.
[Softly.]
Don Luis.

Don L.
Donna Laura.

Donna L.
Is this true?

Don L.
[Approaching her eagerly.]
What?

Donna L.
[With great naïvete and feeling.]
That you love me?

Don L.
Need you ask? Tormentor!

Donna L.
[Tenderly.]
Nay, if I grieved you, pardon me; for Luis,
I truly love you.

Don L.
[At her feet.]
Dearest life! My own!

Perin.
[Advancing quickly and clapping his hands.]
Bravo prince, bravo! But the jest's now over,
And love begins in earnest.

Don L.
[Rising.]
How! What mean you?

Perin.
Matters of weight. [Calling to Donna Fenisa and Don Gaston.]
Fair mistress, brave Don Gaston!

Don G.
[Advancing with Fenisa.]
Well?

Perin.
I've news
Concerns you all.

Don G.
Quick with it then.

Perin.
Such news!

Don L.
[Impatiently.]
Go on.

Perin.
The princess has at last
Discerned her error, and resolves to marry.

Don G.
What's that to me?

Perin.
What's that to you, Don Gaston!
I'm thunderstruck.

Don G.
Good heaven, you cannot mean
That she has chosen me. Dissuade her, Perin;
Kind, worthy Perin.

Donna F.
Tell her that Don Luis
Would suit her better.

Don L.
Pray you let Don Luis
Speak for himself. Since Gaston is her choice—

Perin.
[Interrupting.]
I said not that.
Don Gaston's fears are groundless. 'Tis yourself
The princess deigns to honour.

Don L.
Me! You're mad.

Perin.
[Gravely.]
And Donna Laura will be blest forthwith
With brave Don Cæsar's hand.

Donna L.
There go two words,
Friend, to that bargain.

Don L.
This is no time for jesting.

Perin.
For jesting! I'm amazed. Do these good tidings
Fall on ungrateful ears? No matter. Prince,
You have avowed yourself the lady's suitor,
And, if she wills to take you, must submit.

Donna F.
Yes, there's no help for it.

Don G.
You must indeed.

Don L.
I must!

Perin.
Decidedly. O chivalry, O knighthood!

Don L.
[After observing Perin closely.]
I fancy still you're not in earnest, Perin.
Confess now there's some trick.

Perin.
[Laughing.]
You've sharp wits, Prince.
Well then, there is a trick. She has named you,
But to provoke another.

Don L.
Ah, Don Cæsar?

Donna L.
She loves him?

Perin.
Well, you're near the mark. And he
Has only named you to provoke the princess.

Don L.
Then we are used
Simply for their convenience.

Perin.
So it seems.

Donna L.
This is too bad.

Perin.
I grant it.

Don G.
It is cool.

Donna F.
Very.

Don L.
A marked indignity!

[Resentfully.
Perin.
[Confidentially to Luis, but heard by all.]
Take my advice,
And you shall have revenge— [Significantly]
—and something more.

Don. L.
What more?

Perin.
No less than Donna Laura's hand.

Don. L.
You mean not that.

Perin.
I'll stake my head upon it.
If you and your fair Donna act your parts
As I direct you.

Donna L.
Act our parts!

Donna F.
Don't question;
Confide in Perin.

Don G.
[To Fenisa.]
'Twill be sport for us.

Perin.
[To Don Luis.]
Come then; my plan I'll tell you as we walk.

Don L.
Where would you lead us?

Perin.
To the princess first.

Don. L.
Where next?

Perin.
[Pretending to ruminate.]
Where next, Prince? To the altar.

Don G.
[Applauding.]
Excellent, excellent!

Donna F.
'Tis quite a play.

[All go out.
Enter, at opposite side, Donna Diana, in deep reflection. She walks slowly and unsteadily, then stops.
Donna D.
Disguise is vain. This subtile fire that darts
Through all my veins is love; wild, hopeless love!
O retribution, terrible but just,
The heart I would have tortured, 'scapes, while mine
Consumes with agony!

[She stands motionless.
Perin appears at back with Don Luis, and speaks to him earnestly, pointing to Diana.
Don L.
[Advancing quickly and resolutely.]
Forgive me, generous princess. Joy like mine
Stands not on ceremony. For this dear grace
I thank you on my knees.

[Kneels.
Donna D.
[Amazed.]
What grace, Don Luis?

Don L.
That which Don Cæsar, with your highness' sanction,
Has borne to me—the grace that gives me right
To this fair, priceless hand.

Donna D.
Either Don Cæsar
Has lost his wits, or you have.

Don L.
[Rising.]
Must I think
He has deceived me? oh, he dared not trifle
With love like mine. I know your highness' truth.
I put it to you then; had not Don Cæsar
Your warrant for his words?

[Perin applauds apart.
Donna D.
Some idle phrase
Perhaps escaped me.

Don. L.
[Archly, and smiling confidently.]
Which he took for earnest.
Princess, be frank. Did you not tell Don Cæsar
Your choice had fallen on me? [A pause.]
Enough, you're silent;
The precious words were true. I have but erred
In pressing you too rudely. In your promise
And in the honour of a royal lady
I trust, and so betake me to your father.

[He bows and goes out, followed by Perin, who nods to him approvingly.
Donna D.
What did he say? Have I, rash fool, engaged
My honour to him? Must I wed this man?
While I see Laura—ah, there's one hope yet!
She may not love. I'll tell her all; my anguish
Will surely move her pity! Pity! No.

Enter Donna Laura, followed by Floretta.
Donna L.
Retire, Floretta.

[Floretta withdraws to back.
Donna D.
[Aside.]
She herself! [Proudly.]
Diana
Think who thou art.

Donna L.
Dear cousin, I am come
To ask your counsel. Sudden is the chance
That brings me hither. To be brief, Don Cæsar
Has offered me his hand. In all I yield
To the good pleasure of the duke, my uncle,
But ere I seek his sanction, would have yours.

Donna D.
[Aside.]
Can I endure this?

[A short pause.
Donna L.
Have you heard me, cousin?

Donna D.
I have, I have. Mark, girl, how cruel Fortune
Sports with poor mortals—to the thirsty wretch
Denies one cooling drop, yet opes a fountain
For him whose cup brims over. So with us.
Don Cæsar's pride—you know it—kindled mine;
Yet he is at your feet.
[Becoming more and more excited.
Think not I'm jealous. Girl, he has despised me,
And mocked me past endurance. Gentle cousin,
Pour on him the contempt that I have borne;
Join all extremes to punish him. Be ice
When he implores; when you resist be fire.
Be like the magnet, that with double force
Draws and repels. Be the seductive stream,
Bright, smooth, and swift, that hurries to the whirlpool,
But fatal as its eddy. Let him feel
What I have felt, until he writhes as I writhe!

[Perin appears at back.
Donna L.
What counsel's this? Must I enact the crime
You blame in him? No; if he truly love me,
I shall return his love.

Donna D.
You dare not! Think you
I'd suffer it. Though spurned, I still adore him.
[After a pause, and with great effort.
Heed not my frantic words, I'm not myself.
[She takes both Laura's hands, kisses her forehead, and continues, with suppressed emotion.
I'm quite content. Be happy, dearest child.
Enjoy the bliss you well deserve—the bliss—
[Overpowered.
That I—O heaven!

[She bursts into tears and falls on Laura's neck. Floretta approaches them.
Donna L.
Floretta, I'm alarmed.
I've been too cruel.

Flo.
[Apart to her.]
No; the froward child
Deserves the rod. Remember how she plagued us.

Donna D.
[Recovering.]
Hence, away!
I love thee, Laura, but can't brook thy sight.

Donna L.
What can I do? Even should I yield Don Cæsar,
Are you not bound in honour to Don Luis?

Donna D.
[Aside, as if struck.]
Bound to Don Luis? [Aloud, with dignity and stern composure.]
Go. Forget what's past.
You've seen the last fond weakness of Diana.

Donna L.
[Alarmed.]
Pray heaven she take not Luis after all.

[She retires, followed by Floretta, and speaks to Perin at back. Donna Laura, Floretta, and Perin go out.
Donna D.
[After a pause.]
Bound to Don Luis! I'll redeem my pledge.
Cæsar, if thou hast guessed my love, this hour
Shall show thee I subdued it. With unfaltering step
I'll walk to doom, a princess though a victim.

[She retires to a chair at back, and sits apart, with an air of lofty abstraction.
Enter Don Cæsar and Perin. They advance to front.
Don C.
Can I believe you, Perin?

Perin.
[Observing Diana, and speaking apart to him in a low cautious tone.]
Hush; she's here.
Yes, prince, she loves you fondly, desperately;
She has confessed it.

Don C.
Let me then—

Perin.
Not yet.
A word might ruin all. The Duke himself
Is privy to our plot, and comes to crown it.

[Flourish of trumpets announcing approach of the Duke.
Enter Don Diego, Don Luis, Don Gaston, Donna Laura, Donna Fenisa, Floretta; enter also ladies and gentlemen of the Court at back.
Don D.
[To Don Luis and the rest, with a slight glance at Diana.]
No tidings, princes, more than these could bless
A father's ear. My people and myself
May well rejoice. Daughter, your choice is known;
But it befits this high solemnity
That you in form record it. Bid your bridegroom
Now lead you forth.

Donna D.
[With stern resolution.]
Don Luis.

Don L.
[Aside, confounded.]
How! The jest
Grows serious. She can't mean it.

Don C.
[Alarmed, apart to Perin.]
What's this, Perin?

Donna L.
[Agitated, apart to Perin.]
Perin!—

[Don Gaston, Donna Fenisa, and Floretta also signify amazement.
Donna D.
I wait, Don Luis.

Don L.
[Aside.]
Heavens! I'm lost.

[Advances to Diana.
Perin.
[Apart to Don Cæsar and Donna Laura.]
I tremble; but the game's not over.

Donna D.
[Advancing hand in hand with Don Luis to Don Diego.]
Father,
Pronounce the form.

Don D.
[Surprised.]
Diana.

Perin.
[Apart to Don Cæsar.]
Catch her eye, prince!
Quick, quick!

[Don Cæsar approaches Diana.
Donna D.
[To Don Diego.]
Pronounce the form.

Don D.
Repeat it,
As I proceed; thus—You, Diana, daughter
Of Don Diego.

Donna D.
[With a low and constrained tone.]
I, Diana, daughter
Of Don Diego.

Don D.
Duke of Barcelona.
And heiress to the Duchy.

Donna D.
Duke of Barcelona.
And heiress—

[She catches Don Cæsar's eye and stops short.
Don D.
[Prompting her.]
To the Duchy. You forget.

Donna D.
Ay. To the Duchy.

Don D.
Here espouse Don Luis.

Don D.
[Looking fixedly at Don Luis.]
Here—here—espouse—espouse—

[She stops short.
Don D.
How now, you falter.

Donna D.
[Aside.]
My doom at hand, no rescue, no escape!
[Turning suddenly and observing Don Luis.
Look, look, his head is bowed! He stands like marble.
Is this a bridegroom's aspect? Hear me, Luis!
If, without love, you claim me, you commit
A wrong past pardon. If you would retract,
And choose some dearer mate, declare it—answer.

Don L.
I'm bound to you by honour.

Donna D.
Ay, by honour,
But not by love. You do not say by love.
[A pause.
You cannot say it. Then I dissolve the bond.

[She quits his side.
Don L.
Princess, it is your pleasure. I submit.

[Bows.
Don D.
Don Luis, is this true? Your choice falls elsewhere?

[A short pause.
Don C.
Duke, if I err not, yes.

[He advances to Donna Laura, leads her to Don Luis, and joins their hands.
Donna D.
[Starting.]
How? Laura!

Don D.
[Feigning surprise.]
Laura! [To Don Cæsar.]
Prince, methought yourself
Were plighted to my niece.

Don C.
Sir, in the masque
Just ended, I have worn your daughter's colours.

Don D.
But the masque over, you are free.

Don C.
Great duke,
I'm not impatient for my freedom.

Donna D.
[Who has listened attentively, starting.]
Ah!

Don D.
How must I take you? Do you love my daughter?

Don C.
[Gazing tenderly on Diana.]
I dare not say what might so much offend her.

Donna D.
[Advancing from the rest, and speaking aside.]
Am I so blest?

Don D.
[To Don Cæsar.]
Your trifle, prince. Speak some one.

Donna D.
[Gravly, with downcast eyes.]
The task be mine. Down stubborn heart! Subdued
And chastened to repentance, own thy sin,
Cast off thy vain disguise. If e'er I wed
I call him lord who vanquished pride by pride.

Don C.
[Approaching her eagerly.]
And who is he?

Donna D.
[With painful vehemence, and raising her hand which he passionately seizes.]
Tyrant, why ask? Thyself.

[She bursts into tears.
Don C.
[Embracing her.]
Tyrant! Ah, no.
I have but conquered, sweet, the privilege
To be your slave for ever.

Perin.
[Aside, drawing a long breath.]
Safe in port!
I thought we should have foundered.

Donna D.
[Apart to Don Cæsar.]
And thou lov'st me?

Don C.
Love thee? 'Twas love alone that gave me strength
To feign indifference. O the strife was fearful.

Perin.
[Aside, approaching them.]
Yes, I'll be sworn, it was.

Don C.
[Shaking Perin's hand.]
Hail prince of schemers!
[To Donna Diana.]
'Twas his shrewd brain that planned my whole attack.

Perin.
Fie, prince! Have you no conscience? Would you charge
Your crafty doings on a simple, honest,
Straightforward soul like me?

Donna D.
[Shaking her hand at Perin, in playful menace.]
O traitor, traitor!

Don D.
[Gaily.]
We've all been traitors, daughter, more or less.
But now the game is done, and all that's real
Is your own happiness and Cæsar's love.

Donna D.
Others are happy with us. You, Don Luis,
Have won a prize in Laura; you, Don Gaston—

Don G.
[Taking Fenisa's hand.]
Am the proud satellite of this bright star.

Flo.
Perin! you see what all the rest have done.
Shall we be out of fashion?

Perin.
Child, don't plague me.
It needs consideration.

Donna D.
[Sportively.]
Perin, I'll not bear
To see her tortured.

Perin.
[Aside.]
You know what it means.

Donna D.
Take her, and with her take five thousand ducats.

Perin.
Your highness, I must yield, if you command.
None else should force me. [To Floretta.]
Come, then, saucy jade.

[Kisses her heartily.
Donna F.
[To Diana.]
It seems our fate, dear cousin, to be slaves.

Donna D.
The willing slave in all but name is free,
Contented vassalage is liberty;
Weak are we, and must cling.

Don C.
But gentle too,
And when most yielding, do the most subdue.

Donna D.
Let man then rule the world; 'tis nature's plan.

Don C.
While woman, by her sweetness, governs man.