 | Henriquez |  |
ACT II.
SCENE I.
The private apartment of Henriquez, with his chair and table, and a lamp burning on the table; the stage lighted only by this lamp.Enter Henriquez with a sword in his hand, which he lays on the table in the light, shrinking back as he looks at it.
Hen.
The blood!—this blood!—his blood!—O dismal change!
When rose the sun of this sad day; how gladly
Would I have shed mine own, to have sav'd one drop
Of what was then so dear! (Pushing it into the shade.)
Be from my sight!
It wrings my heart: and yet so black a stream,
So base, so treacherous, did never stain
The sword of holy justice. (After sitting down, and gazing some time on the ground.)
This is a pause of rest from the first act,
The needful act of righteous retribution.
Oh! is it rest? The souls that fell from light
Into the dark profound, cut off from bliss,
Had rest like this. (Pressing his temples tightly with both hands.)
How furiously these burning temples throb!
Be still! be still! there's more behind to do;
But no more blood: I will not shed her blood. (Knocking at the door.)
Who's there?
Voice.
Are you awake, my lord?
Hen.
What dost thou want?
Voice
(without).
The banquet is prepared, the guests assembled,
Your grooms are waiting, and your vestments ready.
Will you not please, my lord, to let them enter?
Hen.
(to himself).
The guests assembled! Vile bewild'ring dream!
I had forgot all this. I must appear.
Voice
(without).
Will you be pleased, my lord, to let them enter?
Hen.
Be still—be still; I'll open to them presently.
[Exit hastily into an inner chamber, taking the sword with him.
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SCENE II.
The grand hall of the castle lighted up magnificently. Leonora, Mencia, Carlos, and company discovered; music, which presently ceases, and Enter a Servant.Leo.
(aside to servant).
How is thy master? Has he left his chamber?
Serv.
(aside to Leonora).
Yes; he will soon appear; he is preparing.
Leo.
(aloud).
Indeed, indeed, I have been much concern'd
That Don Henriquez has, from sudden illness,
Been tardy in respect to noble guests
Whom he so truly honours; but I hope— (Flourish of trumpets.)
Ha! who is this? Some guest in princely state.
Enter Servant.
Serv.
The king is at the gate.
Leo.
The king! a great surprise! unlooked-for honour!
I'll to the gate. (To the music.)
Strike up a royal welcome!
[Exeunt Leonora, Carlos, and others, while the music plays a grand martial air; then
Re-enter Leonora, &c., conducting the King, attended, who receives the homage, and continues speaking in dumb-show to many of the company, till the music ceases.
King
(to Leonora).
Fair hostess, I am come in homely trim
For such a gay assembly.
Leo.
Your poor servants
Are greatly honour'd by this condescension;
A glad surprise, so far beyond our hopes.
King.
Ay, and beyond mine own, fair dame; but finding
From wrecks of mountain torrents, or neglect,
The straight road to Zamora was impassable,
I took the wider compass, and proceeding
Through these domains by favour of the night,
Your castle from its woods look'd temptingly,
And beckon'd me afar to turn aside.
The light from every lattice gaily stream'd,
Lamps starr'd each dusky corridor, and torches
Did from the courts beneath cast up the glare
Of glowing flame upon the buttress'd walls
And battlements, whilst the high towers aloft
Show'd their jagg'd pinnacles in icy coldness,
Clothed with the moon's pale beam.
—It pleased my fancy;
And here I am, a hasty visitor,
Who must Zamora reach by early day;
Where many a lofty lord, and learned clerk,
And all the rogues and robbers of the district
Await my coming.
Car.
All of them, my liege?
King.
I spoke at random, like a graceless layman:
More than the church's portion were presumption,
A tithe of them will do.—Here is Henriquez.
Enter Henriquez, richly dressed.
Hen.
My humble homage to your highness: welcome
To my poor house, so honour'd by your presence.
King.
I thank thee, brave Henriquez, but I fear
'Tis an untimely visit; thou'rt unwell.
Hen.
Nought but a passing ailment; do not name it.
King.
In faith your face is wan, and strangely changed,
And would become a sober beadsman's frock
More than a festive mantle. How is't with you?
Retire again to rest.
Hen.
My face speaks falsely, I am much recover'd.
Here is the cup of welcome; will your grace
Be pleased to honour me.
[Taking a cup from a servant, and presenting it on one knee to the King.
King.
All good be on your head, and this fair dame's!
[Bowing to Henriquez and Leonora, and then drinking.
Fair ladies and brave lords, well be ye all!
[Bowing to the company, and drinking again.
Hen.
(to the servant, who is pouring out a cup for him).
Up; fill it to the brim.
Health to the king, and a long happy reign!
[Drinks.
To all my honour'd guests health and good welcome!
[Drinks again.
King.
A goodly company: here are, methinks,
High blood enough, plumed hats and coronets,
To furnish out a court.
Leo.
They honour this poor feast which I have fashion'd.
To grace my lord's return.
King.
You have done well; and I should grace it too,
Who was the greatest gainer by his absence,
When he with brave companions like himself
Against the Moors did for the state good service,
As Alcantara, by their valour won,
And now a noble hold for Christian knights,
Can nobly testify.
I speak not of the Navas de Tolosa,
Where he upon that memorable day
Broke through the Moslem chain of armed guards,
Changing their strength to slaughter and dismay:
We are too apt to speak of recent services.
Former or recent, would I could repay them!
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Your bounty has already done it nobly.
King.
Fy, fy! a trifle; what would scarce maintain
A rustic lord, who dozes life away
In his porch'd hall, where hawks wink on the perch,
And hounds lie sleeping round him. Take this ring:
My royal father wore it many a day;
And whatsoe'er thou shalt request of me,
Returning to my hand this pledge again,
It shall be granted, were it half the realm.
Hen.
(receiving it on his knee).
I thus receive it with all humble duty.
[Rising with forced animation.
But let us now be gay: the time wears on.
By early dawn I must attend your highness,
To reach Zamora by th' appointed hour.
Leo.
I am rejoiced to see you so recovered.
[To Henriquez.
Hen.
I thank you, lady; let your guests receive
Your present courtesies.—Where are the minstrels?
Let them strike up a dance: we are too still.
Leo.
Doubt not we shall be gay; but we expect
Some merry masquers here to join our revels;
They should have come ere now.
Hen.
Wait ye for such? Are they not come already?
Leo.
How so, my lord?
Hen.
The world is full of them:
Who knows the honest unclothed worth of those
That by your side may stand, drink from your cup,
Or in your bosom lie? We are all masquers.
King.
Your wine has cheer'd you to a gibing humour;
You are severe, my lord, on this poor world.
Hen.
If I have said amiss, e'en let it pass:
A foolish rev'ller may at random speak:
Who heeds his idle words?—Music strike up.
[Music; the King retires with Henriquez to the bottom of the stage, and the guests prepare to dance, when Blas with a face of horror enters the hall, and beckons Carlos aside.
Car.
What dost thou want?
Blas.
A fearful thing has happen'd;
And to my lord, or Donna Leonora,
It may not hastily be told.
Car.
What is't?
Blas.
A murder'd body near the castle lies,
But newly slain; and they who found it swear
(For well they know his form and countenance),
It is Don Juan's body.
Leo.
(who has stolen near them to listen).
Don Juan's body, saidst thou? Is he dead?
Blas.
Yes, madam, they have found him in the wood
Lifeless and—
Leo.
Oh, I guess thy horrid look!
And he is murder'd? Dreadful, barbarous deed!
[Exclaiming aloud.
[All quit their places for the dance, and crowd round Leonora, who is supported by Mencia, appearing also affected, whilst Henriquez, at a distance, observes them intently.
Leo.
(recovering).
O Carlos! tell my lord the horrid tale.
I must retire.
[Exit with Mencia and other ladies.
King
(coming forward with Henriquez).
Some strange commotion here!
Hen.
(to Carlos).
What has befallen?
Car.
What will most keenly rend your noble heart;
Yet to a soldier I should tell it plainly:
Don Juan, from some secret villain's stroke,
Has met his fate this night, and near your walls.
Hen.
Away! Howl not so wild a dirge to me:
Far distant from these walls, full many a league,
Don Juan surely is. Ye are deceived.
Blas
(shaking his head).
No, no! O no!
Car.
I fear he tells us true.
Hen.
He wrote to me, not many days ago,
A letter, dated from his northern seat,
Which made no mention of his visit here:
If what you say be true, it is most strange.
I'll be assured if it, indeed, be so.
[Going hastily.
Car.
(preventing him).
Retire, and I will see it ascertain'd:
You shall not look upon so sad a sight.
King
(to Henriquez).
Retire, my lord: it were not fit you went.
Your noble guests beseech you to retire.
Hen.
I will obey your grace. I thank ye all.
[Exeunt Henriquez and Carlos severally.
King
(to the guests).
Were it not well that we should all retire?
Our banquet to a funeral wake is turn'd,
And cannot cheer us now.
[Exeunt.
SCENE III.
An inner court of the castle, lighted by a lamp over the gateway, the stage otherwise dark. Enter Diego and two servants, with dark lanterns, speaking loud and confusedly as they enter.1st serv.
I could be sworn to it. Go tell my lord:
Why hold we here such idle altercation?
Diego.
He must not be disturbed.
1st serv.
How not disturbed?
Enter Carlos above, looking down from an open corridor.
Car.
Ho! who are ye who talk so eagerly?
What is the matter?
1st serv.
The murderer is found: come down, Don Carlos!
For we would fain pursue him through the wood,
But thus unarm'd we dare not.
[Exit Carlos above.
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Ay, he is coming: he will be our warrant,
And tell us what to do.
Re-enter Carlos below.
Car.
Well, friends, what did you say? the murderer?
1st serv.
Yes; I can swear 'tis so: I would have followed him,
But, lacking arms, I durst not.
2d serv.
So would I.
1st serv.
Give us some stout companions and good weapons,
And, scatt'ring different ways, we'll scour the wood,
And seize him shortly.
Car.
In the wood ye found him?
2d serv.
Yes; as we went, out-stripping our companions,
To bear Don Juan's body to the castle.
Car.
How guess you 'tis the murderer?
1st serv.
A youthful cavalier for several days
Has been secreted in the wood. I've seen him;
And the dark form that cross'd my light e'en now
I could be sworn is he.
Diego.
It is not likely that the murderer
Should be so near the slain. He would, methinks,
Run from the spot forthwith.
Car.
True, ne'ertheless
A mind distracted in a wood so tangled
Might run and make no way. (To servants.)
Go ye forth:
I will myself assist your search. But, first,
We'll fetch our weapons. Ha! what noise is that?
[Noise without.
'Tis voices at the gate.
1st serv.
It is the body.
(Voice calling from the outer court.)
Ho, there!
Who watch within? Lend us your aid,
We know not where to bear it.
Omnes.
It is the body.
[Exeunt, running eagerly through the gateway.
Enter Mencia below, who has appeared before listening in the corridor.
Men.
He will be found and seiz'd: they'll have no mercy.
The dreadful doom! O heaven, have pity on him!
Enter Inez.
Inez.
What is the matter, madam? Whither go you?
Men.
I cannot tell.
Inez.
Go in, I do beseech you,
And stay in your apartment. I, mean time,
Will be upon the watch, and bring you word
When they return. Think you that there has been,
For I have listen'd too, a cavalier
Secreted in the wood?
Men.
No; heed me not;
I know not what I say.
Inez.
Yet stay not here, lest you should raise suspicion;
Return to your apartment; be entreated.
[Exeunt, Inez leading off Mencia.
SCENE IV.
Enter Leonora and Carlos by opposite sides.Car.
Madam, I have obey'd your summons; say
Whate'er my humble service may perform.
How fare you after this most dismal shock?
Leo.
As one who hath a friend and husband both
In one dire tempest lost. And, noble Carlos,
Grief triumphs over pride, when even to thee,
Though knowing well thy friendly worth, I own it.
He was—I mean Henriquez—Oh! he was
To me most strangely alter'd ere this stroke.
Car.
You are deceived; expecting to retain
The undiminish'd empire of his heart
Beyond the usual term of bridegroom weakness.
It could not be.
Leo.
No; I am not deceived.
Sickness did yesterday for many hours
Confine him to his chamber; yet in vain
Did I entreat admittance—I, who used
To soothe his saddest hours, if any sad
Could pass when I was near him.—
And now again he is shut up alone,
And has refused to see me. Worthy Carlos,
Do me a kindness: go thou to his door,
And beg admittance; then in my behalf,
Since by another's influence I must move him,
Crave audience even for a few short moments.
Car.
Nay, charming Leonora, urge him not:
He will admit thee when he is disposed
For soothing sympathy; to press it sooner
Were useless—were unwise.
Leo.
Yet go to him; he will, perhaps, to thee,
So long his fellow-soldier and his friend,
Unburthen his sad heart.
Car.
You are in this deceived. His fellow-soldier
I long have been. In the same fields we've fought;
Slept in one tent, or on the rugged heath,
Wrapt in our soldier's cloaks, have, side by side,
Stretch'd out our weary length like savage beasts
In the same cheerless lair; and many a time,
When the dim twilight of our evening camp
Has by my foolish minstrelsy been cheer'd,
He has bent o'er me, pleased with the old strains
That pleased him when a boy; therefore I may,
As common phrase permits, be call'd his friend.
But there existed one, and only one,
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Above the sympathies of common men,
He freely could unfold; and having lost him,
Can I intrude upon his private thoughts
Like one who would supply a vacant place?
His heart, I know it well, would from such boldness
Revolt, even with disgust.
Leo.
Yet Juan's death did seem to move him less
Than such dear friendship might have warranted.
Car.
It was his custom to restrain his looks
When strongly moved, or shun all observation.
Leo.
And I am now become that humble thing,—
A wife shut out from equal confidence!
Car.
Have patience, madam, take it not so deeply.
Leo.
I would have patience,—
Car.
Hush! we're interrupted.
Enter Blas.
Blas
(to Leonora).
Don Juan's secretary is arrived,
Who brings with him—so has he bid me say—
Papers of great importance, which he begs
May, and without delay, to Don Henriquez,
In presence of due witnesses, be read.
Leo.
It is a happy thing; this call will rouse him;
Be thou the bearer of this message, Carlos;
He cannot think thee an intruder now.
Car.
I will obey you.
Leo.
And be sure immediately
To give me notice how he has received it.
Car.
I will not fail.
[Exeunt severally.
SCENE V.
A spacious apartment. Enter Balthazar, followed by Blas, carrying a case with papers, which he lays on a table.Bal.
(after examining it).
Is Don Henriquez ready, gentle youth?
Blas.
He'll soon be here; the lady is at hand,
With others, who will witness what you read.
Bal.
I'm glad she comes to soothe his gloomy grief,
For I have that to read will move him greatly.
Blas.
I doubt it not: Don Juan loved him well,
As it was thought.
Bal.
Sayst thou, as it was thought!
I've often seen them spend whole days together,
Neglecting all the sports of hall or field,
In some sequester'd corner, side by side,
Pacing, though young, with the slow steps of age,
Each like the other's shadow; while, by turns,
Such power of words flow'd from them, and their eyes
With pleasure or with gentle anger flush'd,
As the keen wilful sporting of their minds
Through some wild chace of thought pursued the game.
I mark'd them oft: it was a pleasing sight.
Blas.
Were they, indeed, such dear and loving friends?
Bal.
Yes, gentle youth, they were. It seem'd, in truth,
As though each kept his thoughts i' th' other's breast,
Lock'd up e'en from himself, having when met,
And only then, free use of his own treasure.
Blas.
So closely knit?
Bal.
Yes; I have seen Henriquez
By Juan's sick-bed sit, night after night,
Like tenderest nurse watching her infant charge;
And then I've seen the tears course down his cheeks,—
His youthful face all shrunk and pale with grief.
Such dear and manly friendship knew I never.
Enter Leonora and Carlos, followed by Diego, who then retires with Blas to the bottom of the stage.
Leo.
(after a pause).
I think I hear him coming.
Car.
I think so too; yet grief is slow of foot,
And those are rapid strides like one in haste.
Enter Henriquez, who returns slight and sullen acknowledgments to their civilities, and going directly to a seat prepared for him, sits down without speaking.
Bal.
(to Henriquez, after a pause).
My lord, here is a will, with other papers,
Which your deceased friend, my noble master,
Committed to my keeping six days since,
When he departed from his native home.
His ancient fav'rite hound howl'd piteously
As from the gate we prick'd our steeds, and yet
We took no heed of it, nor thought, alas!
That he would ne'er return.—Please you, my lord,
That it should first be read?
Hen.
Proceed; I'll listen.
Bal.
From the great love, above all men besides,
Which living he did bear you—
Hen.
Nay, proceed;
There needs no prologue to it.
Bal.
(reading).
“The last will of me, Juan de
Torva, written and signed by mine own hand, as
these characters testify, is this. I bequeath to my
beloved, my early, my only friend, Don Henriquez
d'Altavera, the whole of my lands, my castles, my
dependencies, my treasures, to be possessed by him
and his heirs for ever; and for as much as I have
more confidence in the wisdom and generous propriety
of his judgment than my own, I leave those
whose names (also by mine own hand) are herein
written, to be provided for, as he, thinking and acting
for me when I shall no longer be able to think
and act for myself, shall deem right. These, with
the last love and blessing of my heart I bequeath to
him; desiring that my poor earthly remains may be
laid in the same spot where he himself shall be interred.
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May God have mercy on the soul of a
humble sinner! Done with mine own signature.
“Juan De Torva.”
And witnesses who saw him sign this deed;
Shall I repeat them?
Hen.
(motions him to forbcar, and after covering his face with his hands for a moment or two).
You also spoke, I think, of other papers:
The date of this is, as I guess, remote.
Bal.
Nay, it is recent—only two months since.
Hen.
So late as that!—You mention'd other deeds.
Bal.
Yes, good my lord; entrusted to my keeping,
Here is besides a marriage contract made
Between himself and the fair Mencia.
Hen.
(starting from his chair with violent gesture).
What didst thou say? The sister of my wife?
Say it again: I know not what thou saidst.
Bal.
It is, my lord, a marriage contract made
Between himself and Donna Mencia,
The sister of your wife; to whom by stealth,
The lady being somewhat disinclined,
He has of late made frequent visits; hoping
Last night, with her consent, to have surprised you,
When as a masquer he should join the guests,
By asking from your love a brother's blessing.
[Henriquez falls back into his chair, uttering a deep groan.
Leo.
(rushing to him in great alarm).
Alas! so strong an agony is here,
The hand of death is on him.
Car.
'Tis but the pitch and crisis of his grief:
Be not alarm'd; he will recover quickly.
[Diego, coming forward, speaks aside to Leonora.
Diego.
Bid all withdraw, and be with him alone
When he recovers.
Leo.
(aside).
How when he recovers?
Alone with him! I know not what thou meanst.
Diego
(speaking to her aloud).
My lord has from his youth been thus affected,
When press'd by grief; I've seen him so before.
And when the fit goes off, I've known him also
Utter wild ravings. Solitude and stillness
Are necessary. Pardon me this boldness.
Leo.
Thou'st seen him thus before?
Diego.
It is a patural infirmity;
Let all retire and leave him.
Leo.
(motions all to retire but Carlos).
Don Carlos will remain.
[To Diego.
Diego.
None but yourself, I do beseech you, madam;
And I will watch by you till he recover.
[Exeunt all but Diego, Leonora, and Henriquez, who, while she hangs over him, groans as before.
Leo.
That groan again! My dear—my dear Henriquez!
Alas! that look! thine agony is great:
That motion too! (He rises.)
Why dost thou stare around?
We are alone; surely thou wilt not leave me.
Where wouldst thou be?
Hen.
I' the blackest gulf of hell;
The deepest den of misery and pain;
Woe bound to woe—the cursed with the cursed!
Leo.
What horrible words, if they have any meaning!
If they have none, most piteous!—
Henriquez; O, my lord!—My noble husband!
I thought not thou wouldst e'er have look'd on me
As thou hast done, with such an eye of sternness.
Alas! and hadst thou nothing dear on earth
But him whom thou hast lost?
Hen.
I had, I had! Thy love was true and virtuous.
And so it is: thy hand upon my breast.
[Pressing her hand, which she has laid upon his breast.
I feel it—O how dear!
[Is about to kiss it, but casts it from him.
It must not be!
Would thou wert false! Would grinding contumely
Had bow'd me to the earth—worn from my mind
The very sense and nature of a man!
Faithful to me! Go, loose thee from my side;
Thy faithfulness is agony ineffable,
It makes me more accursed. Cling not to me:
To taste the slightest feeling of thy love
Were base—were monstrous now.—Follow me not!
The ecstasy of misery spurns all pity.
[Exit.
Diego.
And do not follow him: O do not, madam!
This fearful fit will soon exhaust its strength,
And leave his reason free.
Leo.
God grant it may! It is a fearful fit.
But thou thyself lookst strangely, and thy visage
Seems haggard with a passing consciousness—
Thou dost not think—
Diego.
No, no! what should I think?
Retire to your apartment: I meantime
Will watch my lord, that none may cross his way
Till he be safely lodged within his chamber.
[Exeunt.
SCENE VI.
A narrow hall or passage. Enter Carlos and Balthazar.Car.
calling to somebody behind him as he enters).
Go, bid those spearmen from the armourer
Receive their pageant suits, and let the warder
Hang o'er the battlements his sable flag!
Bal.
And will not Don Henriquez, then, in person
Attend the funeral rites?
Car.
His ancient steward
Has signified to me his lord's desire
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Respecting this sad ceremony.
Bal.
Have you not seen himself?
Car.
No; grief so stern, so cover'd and profound,
I never knew: he has refused to see me.
Bal.
They say his ghostly father hath been summon'd:
He'll try to soften his untoward grief.
Car.
I hope he will; but pass we on, I pray.
Bal.
The murd'rer has, I hear, escaped their search.
Car.
He did escape, if it was any thing,
Those frighten'd peasants saw.
Bal.
In truth it is a black, mysterious deed;
And, as it strikes my mind—
Car.
Some other time:
Pass on, I pray, our business must proceed.
[Exeunt.
| Henriquez | |