Act 5 — Scene V.
Reading edition · Edition 2
Another part of the Garden attached to the House of Donna Serafina.
Enter Anselmo.
I would that it were o'er! A heavy gloom Hangs on my spirits, like some threat'ning cloud O'erspreading the wide firmament, without One speck of blue, like hope, to cheer th' horizon. Yet, from what cause it springs, I cannot tell. His sword I fear not. It is mine estate, So promising. He that hath nought to lose, Is spurr'd to action with the hope of gain. He that is wealthy, and 'gainst fortune plays, Is like the gambler, who will risk his means With those who nothing have.
Enter Felix.
Felix. If you have waited for me long, Don Gaspar, It was against my will. I'm most impatient To bring this meeting to a speedy issue.
Ans. At your request, Don Felix, I am here; And if you please there should be strife between us, You'll find me not unnerved. To be sincere,— I do not wish this needless controversy. Recall your words, offensive, as untrue, And take my proffer'd hand. Then will I prove, And not till then, how greatly you have wrong'd me.
Felix. That which is said, is said. I'll not retract. But were it false, which I cannot believe, You've slain my bosom friend, the brave Don Perez.
Ans. He wrong'd me much. Upon my soul he did. I must not prove it now.
Felix. Then prove yourself, and draw. For see, the sun is down, and daylight flies; We have no time for parley. (Draws.)
[Beppa and Serafina pass behind from r. to l.
Ans. (drawing). Then, whether you or I, Don Felix, live To hail that glorious orb, must now be tried. Don Felix, to your guard. Whate'er the issue, You will repent this most ungovern'd haste.
[They fight. Don Felix is disarmed and he falls. Anselmo stands over him with his sword pointed to his breast.]
Ans. You question'd if I'd manhood in my frame; Allow, Don Felix, that the question's answer'd. You call'd me an impostor,—name for those Who clothe themselves in borrow'd plumes, t'appear Greater, not less, than what they are. Then know, He you upbraided as of no parentage, Whose sword, impatient, waits its master's bidding, T'avenge the affront, is heir to Guzman's house, To which, in ancestry, thine own is nothing. This truth, Don Felix, I could not reveal,
[Serafina and Beppa appear behind in the wood.]
Till we had measured swords. Honour forbade it. Now manifest. I give you life, and proffer, If that you please, my hand in amity.
[Felix rising, Anselmo presents him his sword.]
Felix. Your actions prove that you are truly noble. I do regret the language which I used, And cheerfully retract what proves so false. Don Gaspar, are you satisfied? (offering hand).
Ans. (taking Don Felix's hand). And happy. Now, Isidora, thou art surely mine; Vistas of bliss are opening to my view; My heart expands with gratitude to Heav'n, And tears would flow of penitence and joy, That one so little worthy, thus is bless'd. O, may my life be long, that I may prove To gracious Heav'n, I'm worthy Isidora. Joy! joy! with lightning's speed, I fly——
[Serafina, who has advanced, stabs Anselmo in the back.]
Ser. To death! (Then wishing to rush to him, she holds out her arms and exclaims) Gaspar! Gaspar!
[Serafina is borne off fainting by Beppa and Garcias, who have entered. Anselmo leans against Don Felix, who supports him, and then gradually sinks out of his arms to the ground.]
Ans. I felt the blow would come. From whom, or where, Was hid in the obscure. 'Twas Serafina! I knew the voice, the knell—— Felix. Where are you hurt? Ans. Don Felix, by that friendship we have pledged So newly, one kind office I request. Felix. Curs'd be the infuriate jealous wretch, That one so noble should so basely fall! Ans. Nay, curse her not, she is too curs'd already. Her future life will be a constant shower Of curses on herself. I do forgive her. And yet to die so young, and late so happy. More painful still to part from Isidora. Would she were here, that I might comfort her! My mother, too! O God! 'twill break her heart!
Enter Superior, Inez, Isidora, Nina, and Sancho. Inez and Isidora run to Anselmo and kneel down by him.
Inez. (to Felix). Wretch! that hath done this bloody, hateful deed, Receive a frantic mother's bitter curse!
Ans. You are deceived, my mother; 'twas not he Who dealt the fatal blow. It was a woman.
Inez. A woman! say you; Who was this treach'rous woman? Let me know her, That I may work on her a woman's vengeance.
Isid. I ne'er have learn'd to curse—I wish I had: I can but weep. Look, mother, at his blood! Oh, staunch it, or he'll bleed to death.
Inez. Are you much hurt, Anselmo?
Ans. Mother, to death. 'Tis useless to deceive you. You scarcely found me But I am lost again: 'twill soon be over. (Faintly) E'en now the blood's collecting in my heart For its last rally;—Isidora, I would tell thee What pain it is to part, but my strength fails, And my parch'd tongue cannot perform its duty.
Isid. To part, Anselmo? Dost thou say to part? No, no; thou shalt not die,—we must not part. What false, already! How could'st thou utter That which, to me, must be the knell of death?
(Bursts into tears and embraces him.)
Ans. Would that your gentle power o'er me was the same In death, as life: then should I live for ever. But—mother—fare you well—farewell—my Isidora.
[Groans and falls dead. Donna Inez faints, and is supported by Don Felix and Nina. Isidora, whose face was hidden in Anselmo's breast, lifts up her head and looks wildly at the body.
Isid. Anselmo! (More loudly) Anselmo! (Shrieks. Throws herself on the body. The rest of the characters group round the body, and the curtain falls.)