University of Virginia Library

ACT III.

Scene I.

Room in Alonso's House. Clara and Mari Nuño.
Clara.

It is so, indeed.

Mari.

You know you can always rely on my old love to
you. But indeed I cannot but wonder at your sister's forwardness.

Clara.

Yes; to think of two cavaliers after her at once!
I look upon it as my duty to set all to right; to do this I
must once more speak to him who warned me of it; and I
want you to give him this letter—in her name, remember—
this will bring him here to-night, and I shall undeceive him
for ever. But hark! some one—

Torribio is about to enter.
Mari.
'Tis that wretch. Stay, sir, no man comes in here.

Torr.
Away, troublesome duenna.

Mari.
It's not decent, I tell you.

Torr.
An't my cousin decent; and an't I?

Clara.
What is the matter?

Torr.
This old woman won't let me come in.

Clara.
She is right, unless my father be with you.

Torr.
Oh, I understand—
Those that are out
Still will pout.

Clara.

Well, since she who is in, and may grin, is not
here, you have no business neither. For me, what grudge
I have against you, be assur'd I can and will repay. Mari,
remember.

[Exit.
Mari.
Hark! some one at the door.

[Exit.
Torr.
By heav'n and earth, I do begin suspect!
I say again I do begin suspect!—
And valour rises with suspicion—
I shall ere long be very terrible.
Ancestors! Head of house! Capacity!
For passing through the house—let me not say it,
Till I have told my tongue it lies to say it—
In passing through the passage, what saw I
Within Eugenia's room, behind her bed!
I saw—

(Re-enter Mari Nuño with a letter.)
Mari.
A letter, madam,—Where is she?

Torr.
Woman, she was, but is not. A letter too?
Give it me.

Mari.
You too!

Torr.
Give it me, or dread
My dreadful vengeance on your wither'd head.

Mari.
Leave hold of it.—

Torr.
I'll not! The more you pull,
The more—

Mari.
Then take that on your empty skull!
(Deals him a blow, and calls.)
Help! Help!

Torr.
You crying, when two teeth are out—

Mari.
“As swelling prologues of”—Help! murder! murder

Enter Eugenia, Clara, Alonso, Brigida, &c.
Alon.
What is the matter now?

Mari.

Don Torribio, sir, because I wouldn't let him have
my young lady's letter, has laid violent hands on me.

Torr.

I?

All.

Don Torribio!

Torr.

I tell you—

Alon.

Indeed, nephew, your choleric jealousy carries you
too far. A respectable female in my house!

Torr.

I tell you that it is me who—

Alon.

I know—enough—make not the matter worse by
worse excuses. Give me the letter has been the cause of
such unseemly conduct.

Eug.
(aside).

If it should be from one of them!

Clara.
(aside to Eugenia).

Nothing I hope from your
gallants.

Alon.
(reads).

“My dear nieces, this being the day of the
Queen's public entry, I have engag'd a balcony, and will
send my coach for you directly to come and see it with me.”
This, you see, nephew, is all your suspicions amount to!
My cousin, Donna Violante, inviting my daughters to witness
this august ceremony! If you still suspect; here, take
it, and read it for yourself.

Torr.
(after looking at the letter).

I tell you what, uncle,
if they wait till I've read it, they'll not see the sight at all.

Alon.

Why so?

Torr.

Because I can't read.

Alon.

That this should be!

Torr.

But that's no matter neither. They can teach me
before they go.

Alon.

What, when it's to-day? almost directly?

Torr.

Can't it be put off?

Alon.

'Tis useless saying more. Daughters, such a ceremony
happens, perhaps, but once in a life; you must see
it. On with your mantles, whether Don Torribio approve
or not. I am lame, you see, and must keep at home; to
hear about it all from you on your return.

Clara.

At your pleasure, sir.

Eug.

Shall I stay with you, sir, while Clara—

Alon.

No, no. Both of you go.

Clara
(aside to Mari, while putting on her mantle).

Remember
the letter!

Mari.
Trust to me.

Eug.
(aside).
I wonder if they will be there!

[Exeunt all but Torribio.
Torr.
Whether the Queen enter to-day,
To-morrow, or keep quite away,
Let those go see who have a mind;
I am resolv'd to stay behind:
And now all gone, and coast quite clear,
Clear up the secret I suspect and fear.

[Exit.

Scene II.

A Room in Felix's House.—Felix and Hernando.
Hern.

Not going to see the Entry, sir?

Fel.

What use going to a festival if one has no spirits
for it?

Hern.

Humph, what makes you out of spirits?

Fel.

Why should you ask?

Hern.

Nay, then, you have already answer'd me. You
are in love.

Fel.

I scarce know whether you are right or wrong,
Hernando. I have indeed seen a lady whose very beauty
forbids all hope of my attaining it.

Hern.

How so, sir?

Fel.

She who has enslav'd Don Juan and Don Pedro has

fetter'd me, at last! I should care little for their rivalry, had
not each made me keeper of his love, so that—Hark!

Mari Nuño
(within).

Don Felix!

Fel.

Who is that?

Hern.

Some one calling you.

Mari
(within).

Señor Don Felix!

Fel.

Well?

Mari
(within).

From Donna Eugenia!

[A letter is thrown in at the window.
Fel.

From Eugenia! (Reads).
“Grateful to you for your
advice, I have already begun to follow it; but, in order to
that, I must see you once again, this evening! Adieu!”
Here is a dilemma! For if—

Hern.
Don Juan!

Enter Juan.
Juan
(aside).
What was that?

Fel.
Don Juan back,
When such a festival—

Juan.
And you? Oh, Felix,
I know not how to speak or hold my tongue!

Fel.
A riddle! How is that?

Juan.
Why, if I speak
I needs must anger you; if not, myself.

Fel.
I do not understand it yet.

Juan.
Nor I;
Yet if you give me leave (as leave they give
To children and to fools to say their mind)
I'll say mine.

Fel.
Surely say it.

Juan.
Tell me then—
That letter I saw flying in at the window
As I came up, what was it?

Fel.
That of all
That you could ask, Juan, I cannot answer—
Must not—relying on our old regard
For fair construction.

Juan.
I believe it, Felix:
Yet seeing that you first excus'd yourself
From helping on my suit, upon the score
Of other obligation; and that now,
Ev'n now, but a few wretched minutes back,
Eugenia herself, in the public street,
Forbad me from her carriage angrily
From following her more—What can I think
But that she loves another? when besides,
Coming back suddenly, I hear her name
Whisper'd—oh what so loud as an ill whisper!—
By you, and see a letter too thrown in,
Which on my coming up confus'd you hide,
And will not say from whom—I say, Don Felix,
What can I think?

Fel.
(aside).
And I, what can I do?
Who, even if I may excuse myself,
Must needs embroil Don Pedro!

Juan.
Answer me.

Fel.
Have I not answer'd you sufficiently,
In saying that my old and well-tried love
Should well excuse my silence?

Juan.
I confess
Your love, old and well tried as you profess;
And on that very score ask of you, Felix,
What you would do if one as true and tried
In a like case seal'd up his lips to you?

Fel.
Leave them unlockt in fullest confidence.

Juan.
Alas! how much, much easier to give
Than follow ev'n the counsel one implores!
Felix, in pity I entreat of you,
Show me that letter!

Fel.
Gladly should you see it
If no one but myself were implicate.

Juan.
There is then some one else?

Fel.
There is.

Juan.
Who else?

Fel.
That's what I cannot tell you.

Juan.
Dare not trust
A friend as true to you as you to him?

Fel.
In anything but this.

Juan.
What can this do
But aggravate my worst suspicions?

Fel.
I cannot help it.

Juan.
I must tell you then
My friendship for you, Felix, may defer,
But not forego, the reading of that letter.

Fel.
I am sorry, sir, your friendship must abide
In ignorance till doomsday.

Juan.
You'll not show it?

Fel.
No, never.

Juan.
Follow me, sir.

Fel.
Where you please.

As they are going out, enter Pedro.
Ped.
How now? Don Juan and Felix quarrelling?

Fed.
Nay, only walking out.

Ped.
What, walking out,
With hands upon your swords and inflam'd faces?
You shall not go.

Hern.
That's right, sir, keep them back,
They were about—

Fel.
Peace, rascal!

Ped.
Friends may quarrel,
But surely not to such extremity
But that a third may piece the quarrel up
Without the sword. The cause of your dispute?

Fel.
I must be silent.

Juan.
And so must not I;
Who will not have it thought
That I forgot my manners as a guest
For any idle reason. You, Don Pedro,
Though lately known to me, are a gentleman,
And you shall hear my story.

Fel.
Not a word,
Or else—

Ped.
Nay, Felix—

Juan.
I will speak it out!
Don Pedro, I confided to Don Felix,
My friend and host, the love I long have borne
For one with whom he could advance my suit,
And promis'd so to do it; but instead,
Yea, under the very mask of doing it,
Has urg'd his own; has even now receiv'd
A letter through that ready window thrown,
He dares not show me; and to make all sure,
I heard him whispering as I came upstairs,
The very name of my Eugenia—

Ped.
Hold!
This is my quarrel.
He who pretends to love Eugenia
Must answer it to me.

Juan.
Two rivals, then!

Fel.
Two enemies grown out of two old friends
By the very means I us'd to keep them so!

Juan.
Keep them, indeed!

Ped.
When with base treachery—

Juan.
Hypocrisy—

Ped.
Under the name of friend—

Juan.
A pretty friend—

Ped.
You robb'd me—

Juan
(turning to Pedro).
You! Dare you
Pretend—

Ped.
(to Juan).
Dare I! Dare you, sir?

Fel.
Peace, I say,
And hear me speak!

Juan
(to Felix).
The time is past for that.
Follow me, sir.

Ped.
No, me.

Fel.
One, or the other, or together both,
I'll either lead or follow, nothing loath!

[Exeunt wrangling.

Scene III.

Alonso sitting.—Enter Torribio.
Torr.
Oh, uncle!

Alon.
Well, what now?

Torr.
Oh, such a thing! I suspected it!

Alon.
Well, tell me.

Torr.
Such a thing!

Alon.
Speak, man.

Torr.

When we were searching the house for the man
cousin Clara told us of—

Alon.

Well?

Torr.

Passing by cousin Eugenia's room, I saw—I have
not breath to say it!

Alon.

Speak, sir.

Torr.

Those men in the house—those dandies about the
door—I know how they get in now—when I found in my
cousin's room—behind her very bed—

Alon.

Don Torribio!

Torr.

The very ladder they climb up by!

Alon.

A ladder?

Torr.

Ah, and a very strong one too, all of iron and cord.

Alon.

If this were true—

Torr.

Wait till I show it you, then.

[Exit.
Alon.

Not in vain did Mari Nuño warn me of her dangerous
disposition! If he have such a proof of her incontinence
how will he marry her?

Re-enter Torribio with a fardingale.
Torr.

There, uncle, there it is, hoops, and steps, and all!

Alon.

This a ladder?

Torr.

Ah, that, if it were all let out, would scale the
tower of Babel, I believe.

Alon.

I can scarce control my rage. Fool! this is a
fardingale, not a ladder.

Torr.

A what-ingale?

Alon.

A fardingale, fool!

Torr.

Why, that's worse than the ladder!

Alon.

You will fairly drive me out of my senses! Go, sir,
directly, and put it back where you took it from, and for
Heaven's sake, no more of such folly!

[Exit.
Torr.

Well—to think of this! and my cousin that look'd
so nice too!

Voices
(within).

Coach there! coach!

Enter Mari Nuño.
Mari.

They are come back. I must get lights. Who's
this?

Torr.

Nobody.

Mari.

What are you doing with that fardingale; and
where did you get it?

Torr.

Nothing, and nowhere.

Mari.

Come, give it me at once, lest I give you the fellow
of the cuff I gave you before.

Torr.

For fear of which, take that upon your wrinkled
chaps. (Strikes her, and calls out.)
Help! help! Murder!
murder! Help!

Enter Alonso, Clara, Eugenia, &c. in mantles.
Alon.

What now?

Torr.

Mari Nuño there, only because I wish'd her good
night, laid violent hands on me.

Mari.

Oh the wretch! he wanted to make love to me—
and worse—declaring he would none of any who used such
a thing as this.

(Showing fardingale.)
Alon.

Let us hear no more of such folly. There is something
else to-day to tell of. Well, (to his daughters,)
you have
seen this procession?

Eug.

Ay, sir; the greatest sight, I believe, that Spain has
seen since she was greatest of nations.

Alon.

I, who could not go myself, am to see it, you know,
in your recital.

Eug.

As best we can, sir.

Clara
(aside to Mari Nuño).

Have you seen Don Felix?

Mari
(aside).

Enough, he will be here. But when?

Clara.

When the story is done, and all weary are gone to
bed.

Mari.
Good.

[Exit; the rest sit down.
Clara.
Begin you then, Eugenia, I will chime in.

Eug.
This being the long-expected day
When our fair Spain and fairest Mariana
Should quicken longing hope to perfect joy,
Madrid awoke, and dress'd her squares and streets
In all their glory; through all which we pass'd
Up to the Prado, where the city's self,
In white and pearl array'd, by ancient usage,
Waited in person to receive the bride
By a triumphal arch that rose heaven-high,
The first of four all nam'd and hung about
With emblems of the four parts of the world,
(Each with a separate element distinct,)
Of which our sovereign lord was now to lay
The four crowns at his sovereign lady's feet.

Clara.
And this first arch was Europe; typified
By the wide Air, which temperatest she breathes,
And which again, for double cognizance,
Wore the imperial eagle for its crest;
With many another airy symbol more,
And living statues supplementary
Of Leon and Castile, each with its crown,
Austria, the cradle of the royal bride,
And Rome, the mistress of the faith of all.

Eug.
Here then, when done the customary rite
Of kissing hands and due obeisance,
Drum, trumpet, and artillery thundering,
With that yet lordliest salute of all,
A people's universal acclamation;
(And never in the world were subjects yet
So proud, and bow'd, and with so good a cause;)
Under a golden canopy she mov'd
Tow'rd San Geronimo, whose second arch,
Of no less altitude and magnificence,
Deckt with the sixty crowns of Asia,
Receiv'd her next, wearing for cognizance
Earth, of which Asia is the largest piece;
Which Earth again carried a lion's mane,
As proclamation of her noblest growth.

Clara.
Thence passing on, came to where Africa,
Her waste of arid desert embleming
By Fire, whose incarnation, the Sun,
Burn'd on this arch as in his house in heaven,
Bore record of the trophies two great Queens
Upon the torrid continent had won,
Who, one with holy policy at home,
The other in Granada by the sword,
Extirpated deadly Mahometism.

Eug.
Last, to the Holy Virgin dedicate,
From whose cathedral by the holy choir
Chaunted Te Deum, rose in splendid arch
America, wearing for her device
The silver image of the Ocean,
That roll'd the holy cross to the New World.
And so all pass'd to the Escurial,
In front of which, in two triumphal cars,
Two living statues were—one Mercury,
Who, as divine ambassador, thus far
Had brought the royal bride propitiously;
The other, Hymen, who took up the charge
Mercury left, and with unquenching torch,
While cannon, trumpet, choir, and people's voice
Thunder'd her praises, took the palfrey's rein,
Who gloried in the beauty that he bore,
And brought and left her at her palace door.

Alon.

Well done, well done, both of you, in whose lively
antiphony I have seen it all as well as if I had been there.

Torr.

Well, for my part I neither wanted to see it nor
hear of it.

Alon.

No? why so, nephew?

Torr.

Lord, I've seen twice as good as that down in my
country many a time, all the boys and girls dancing, and
the mayor, and the priest, and—

Alon.

Peace, peace. Come, Brigida, light me to my room,
I am sleepy.

Eug.

And I; with sight-seeing, and sight-telling, I suppose.
(Aside.)
And with a heavy heart, alas!

[Exeunt Alonso, Eugenia, and Brigida.
Clara.

Will not you to bed too, sir?

Torr.

Not till I've had my supper, I promise you. Oh,
I don't care for all your sour looks, not I, nor your threats
of revenge neither.

Clara.

You don't?

Torr.

No, I defy you.

Clara.

Not if I were to prove to you that she you slighted
me for loves another?

Torr.

Oh, cousin Clara!

Clara.

Shall I prove it to you?

Torr.

Oh, if my ancestors could hear this, what would
they say?

Clara.

I don't know. But you may hear if you like what
she says to your rival.

Torr.

Ha!

Clara.

Go into this balcony, and you will hear her talking
to him in the street.

Torr.

I knew! I guess'd! the ladder!

(He goes into the balcony and she shuts him in.)
Clara.

There cool yourself in the night till I let you out.
And now to have you safe too. (Locks Eugenia's door.)

And now, all safe, for the first time in my life Love and I
meet in fair field. Mari Nuño! (Enter Mari.)
Where is
the Cavalier?

Mari.

Waiting in my chamber.

Clara.

Bring him. You understand it is all for Eugenia's
good?

Mari.

I understand.

[Exit, and returns with Felix.
Fel.

I fly, madam, to your feet. (Kneels.)

Clara.

Rise, sir, 'tis about your letter I sent to you.

Fel.

Alas, madam, all is worse than ever!

Clara.

What has happened?

Fel.

Not only did my two friends fall out with each
other, as I expected, but with me for the very good services
I was doing them; insulted me till I could withhold my
sword no longer; we went out to fight; were seen, pursued,
and disperst by the alguazils. I return'd home to await
them, but as yet know nothing more of them.

Clara.

Alas, sir, what do I not owe you for your care on
my behalf?

Fel.

More perhaps than you imagine.

Clara.

Tell me all at least, that I may at least know my
debt, if unable to repay it.

Fel.

Alas, I dare not say what is said in not saying.

Clara.

Said, and not said? I do not understand.

Fel.

I, alas, too well!

Clara.

Explain to me then, sir.

Fel.

No, madam. If what I feel is so much on my
friends' account, it is still more for their sakes that I keep
it unsaid.

Clara.

Hark! what noise is that? Mari Nuño, what is
the matter?

Enter Mari Nuño.
Mari.

Oh, madam, some one is getting over the garden
wall! Your father has heard the noise; and is got up with
his sword.

Clara.

If he should find you!

Fel.

He need not. This balcony—

Clara.

No, no!

Torribio
(within).

Thieves! Murder! Help!

(He opens the balcony; Torribio falls forward on him, push'd in by Juan with his sword drawn.)
All at once.
Torr.

Murder! Murder!

Juan
(to Felix).

Thou too here, traitor!

Fel.
(drawing his sword).

Who are these?

(Confusion, in which enter Alonso with drawn sword, Otañez, Brigida, &c.)
Alon.

Two! Torribio, to my side!

Fel.

Wait! wait! Let me explain.

Alon.

Don Felix!

Fel.

Listen to me, all of you, I say! I was sent for to
prevent, not to do, mischief, by Donna Eugenia herself—

Enter Eugenia.
Eug.

By me, sir!

Clara.

Hold, hold, Eugenia!

Eug.

I will not hold when my name is in question without
my—Sent for by me, sir!

Fel.

Not by you, madam; by Donna Eugenia, (pointing to Clara,)

to prevent—

Alon. and Eug.

Clara!

Torr.

Ah, 'twas she put me to freeze in the balcony, too.

Clara
(to Felix).

Sir, you come here to save another
from peril. Leave me not in it.

Fel.

I leave you, madam, who would lay down my life
for you! and all the rather if you are not Donna Eugenia.

Alon.

None but her father or her husband must do that.

Fel.

Then let me claim to do it as the latter. (Kneels to Clara.)

Alon.

But Clara?

Clara.

Sir, I am ready to obey my father—and my husband.

Eug.

And I, sir. And to prove my duty, let me marry
my cousin at once, and retire with him to the mountains.

Torr.

Marry me! No, indeed! No Capacities, and ladders,
and—what-d'ye-call-'ems—for me. I'll e'en go back as
I came, with my ancestors safe in my saddle-bags, I will.

Juan
(to Alonso).

Permit me, sir. I am Don Juan de
Mendoza; a name at least not unknown to you. I have
loved your daughter long; and might have had perchance
fovourable acceptation from her mother long ago, had not
you yourself been abroad at the time.

Alon.

I now remember to have heard something of the
kind. What say you, Eugenia?

Eug.
I am ready to obey my father—and my husband.
With which at last our comedy shall close,
Asking indulgence both of friends and foes.

Clara.
And ere we part our text for envoy give,—
Beware of all smooth waters while you live!