University of Virginia Library

SCENE IV.

—THE COUNCIL CHAMBER.
Don Gomez, Don Arias, Count Lomaria, the Alcades and Magistrates of Seville; also Vasco, Curio, Valentine, and many others, Don Carlos.
GOMEZ.
You all have heard this bloody story o'er,
But to proceed in the accustom'd form—
Don Arias, my good lord, we must beseech you,
To speak to the matter you were witness to.

ARIAS.
My lord, returning from the Count Lomaria's
Last night, or rather at first peep of day,
In the cross street I came upon Don Carlos,
Who with most furious gesture aim'd against
Himself, did offer war with his own life.
This I prevented—when lying on the ground,
All soaked in blood, and gashed with running wounds,
Don Pedro's lifeless body I beheld.
Whereat, heaping amazement on amazement,
Don Carlos cried, “I have done this,” and o'er
Repeating these wild words, fell down in a swoon.
The alarm being given, and the guard at hand,
I presently departed, leaving all things
To day's clear eye and the wisdom of this court.
I think there be one here, who passing by,
Was also witness to the whole—he's yonder.

GOMEZ.
Sir, pray stand forth, if you can anything
Add, or detract, from the evidence we've heard.

VASCO.
Nothing, my lord; nothing, save that 'tis true:
I heard those words; would I had had no hearing,
Or that infirmity to youth unknown,
Had made the fine sense dull, that now, perforce,
Makes me a witness 'gainst this honour'd gentleman.

Enter an attendant, who whispers Don Gomez.
GOMEZ.
'Tis very well: we shall obey his majesty.
In all just dealing—let the gentleman enter.
Don Carlos, here is come a messenger
From the King's grace, commending to your use,
The great abilities of the ablest man in Seville—
Skill'd to unravel strongest knots of law,
And wind ev'n justice to what point he would;
Who, by the King offer'd great gain and honour
To plead your cause, hath for your own name's sake,
Come hither unfee'd to speak in your behalf.
Admit him straight!

Enter a Lawyer.
CARLOS.
To him, as to the court, my answer's brief—
I thank you, sir, for this your christian courtesy
To one most worthless of such generous dealing;
But deem too nobly of your eloquence,
Which, as 'tis right persuasive, comes from the heart,
To clog it with so ill a cause as mine,
Or think it could its conquering way pursue,
Bowed by the weight of blood. Sirs, I am guilty—
You've heard the sum and substance of my plea
In those three words.

LAWYER.
O noble sir, beseech you,
Cast not your precious life away so suddenly.
It is not wise, or well, believe me, sir—
There have been straights as great as this you stand in,
Where gaps have yet been found—escapes been made,
As through the air, or underneath the earth;
Yea, in the closest gripe of the grim law,
Means to slip through have yet been sometimes found—
Oh, let me speak!

CARLOS.
Ah, but that this were spared me!
Look yonder! see'st thou through the entrance porch,
A woman coming towards us stedfastly?
Think'st thou a world of words as musical
As brooks in summer, strong as the sunward flight
Of eagle's wings—rich as the golden chains
That from Apollo's lips take spirits captive,
Could, in great Justice's scale outweigh one tear
Of hers, or talk down that wan, silent grief
That speaks in her bloodless cheek?

Estrella enters, attended by two servants.
GOMEZ.
The lady Estrella!

ESTRELLA.
Let not surprise o'ertake ye, that a woman,
Alone, unfenc'd by any guard but sorrow,
I come into the assembly of your wisdom.
I know 'tis 'gainst the custom of my sex,
Thus in the eye and gaze of men to stand,
Unpropp'd, unscreen'd, and unprotected:
But, in brief words I'll tell ye why this is,
And why no woman's shame upon my cheek
Does homage to your sovereignty of nature.
I have no guardian—no protector—none—
No father—mine died ere I grew a woman—
I have forgotten him—I have no brother,
For mine was murder'd yesternight in the street;—
Therefore it is I stand alone before ye—
Alone here, as alone in the wide world.

CARLOS.
O when did sorrow bribe the soul of pity,
With such a voice!

GOMEZ.
Madam, we are intent,
To do your most foul wrong a full requital.

ESTRELLA.
Nor let it move your wonder that I come
Attired thus into this grave assembly,
Mocking the solemn aspect of your council
With these gay robes—it is my wedding-day!
You start at that; in faith, my lords, 'tis true—
It is my wedding-day—I am a bride;
And the reason why my husband is not here
Beside me, filling up the vacant place
Of father, brother, all the world in one,
Is that he stands yonder—the breaker down
Of the only stay on earth I had to lean on.

ARIAS.
O strange and horrible!

CARLOS.
'Tis true—'tis true:
O ye delay too long; torture like this
Is more than guilty caitiff ever bore,
Groaning upon the wheel. Sentence me! sentence me!
I'm rack'd beyond the endurance of a man;
And if ye longer hold me in this anguish,
Your scaffold will go bloodless, and the throngs
Of my fellow-citizens lose the show of death,
They be already come abroad to gape at.
Your sentence, in the name of mercy, sirs!

(Don Gomez speaks with several of the Counsellors, and then rises.)
GOMEZ.
Don Carlos, Count of Mueyn and Valentar,
In that you have confessed yourself the slayer
Of your fellow-man, you are condemned to death;
Moreover, in that you have broken through
The sov'reign proclamation of the King,
Forbidding any to walk armed abroad,
You're doubly doomed. My lords, break up the court.
Your hour of death will be made known to you,
In time to fit your soul to meet it bravely.

[Exeunt Gomez, Arias, Lomaria, Alcades, and Magistrates.
CARLOS
(to the Lawyer.)
Sir, you may do me a most infinite good,
'Stead of the one your bounty proffered me,
Now that all's over, and the doom pronounc'd—
May I not speak one word to yonder lady?

LAWYER.
That, sir, at least I will entreat for you.
(He crosses to Estrella, who is going out.)
Madam, this most unhappy gentleman,
Whom now you should regard with some compassion,
Since he is of the things that are no longer—
Beseeches but to speak one word with you.

ESTRELLA.
Tell him to send his message by my brother;
Or keep it till to-night, when we're alone
In our marriage chamber.

[Exeunt Estrella and Servants.
LAWYER.
Was it spoke in earnest?
Her eye did mock at her lip, as the words dropt from it.
That is a brain that will not hold its seat—
The flickering eye showed reason's lamp was dying.
I will not bear her message.
(Goes back to Carlos.
Sir, the lady
You see is gone, and will not hear your suit.

CARLOS.
Not yet, she is not gone yet, for I see
Her gliding form fading away from me;
And her voice possesses still the list'ning air,
Which will not lose its impress. Fare ye well!
Sweet love, and bitter life! since ye might not
Together dwell, 'tis best to leave ye both,
And not keep one having lost the other. Sir,
One more request—my last—pray you accept it:
Commend me to his majesty the King,
Tell him, in all devoted humble duty
And truest love, I was his servant ever.
Give him this paper; but observe me well,
Not till I'm dead. Will you do this?

LAWYER.
I will.

CARLOS.
May heav'n requite you, sir: now to my dungeon.

[Exit Carlos guarded. Exeunt the rest severally.