Volume 2 / Part 2 / Act 1 — ACT I
Reading edition
Scene I. A cultivated Plain, skirted on the Left by a Wood. The Pyrenees are visible in the distance. Small knots of Soldiers all in the military Dress of the middle Ages are seen passing across the Stage. Then
Enter Earl Henry and Sandoval, both armed.
Sandoval. A delightful plain this, and doubly pleasant after so long and wearisome a descent from the Pyranees [sic]. Did you not observe how our poor over wearied horses mended their pace as soon as they reached it?
Earl Henry. I must entreat your forgiveness, gallant 5 Castilian! I ought ere this to have bade you welcome to my native Navarre.
Sandoval. Cheerily, General! Navarre has indeed but ill repaid your services, in thus recalling you from the head of an army which you yourself had collected and disciplined. 10 But the wrongs and insults which you have suffered——
Earl Henry. Deserve my thanks, Friend! In the sunshine of Court-favor I could only believe that I loved my Queen and my Country: now I know it. But why name I my Country or my Sovereign? I owe all my Wrongs to the private enmity of 15 the Chancellor.
Sandoval. Heaven be praised, you have atchieved [sic] a delicious revenge upon him!—that the same Courier who brought the orders for your recall carried back with him the first tidings of your Victory—it was exquisite good fortune! 20
Earl Henry. Sandoval! my gallant Friend! Let me not deceive you. To you I have vowed an undisguised openness. The gloom which overcast me, was occasioned by causes of less public import.
Sandoval. Connected, I presume, with that Mansion, the 25 spacious pleasure grounds of which we noticed as we were descending from the mountain. Lawn and Grove, River and Hillock—it looked within these high walls, like a World of itself.
Earl Henry. This Wood scarcely conceals these high walls 30 from us. Alas! I know the place too well. . . . Nay, why too well?—But wherefore spake you, Sandoval, of this Mansion? What know you?
Sandoval. Nothing. Therefore I spake of it. On our descent from the mountain I pointed it out to you and asked to whom 35 it belonged—you became suddenly absent, and answered me only by looks of Disturbance and Anxiety.
Earl Henry. That Mansion once belonged to Manric [sic], Lord of Valdez.
Sandoval. Alas, poor Man! the same, who had dangerous 40 claims to the Throne of Navarre.
Earl Henry. Claims?—Say rather, pretensions—plausible only to the unreasoning Multitude.
Sandoval. Pretensions then (with bitterness).
Earl Henry. Bad as these were, the means he employed to 45 give effect to them were still worse. He trafficked with France against the independence of his Country. He was a traitor, my Friend! and died a traitor's death. His two sons suffered with him, and many, (I fear, too many) of his adherents.
Sandoval. Earl Henry! (a pause) If the sentence were just, 50 why was not the execution of it public. . . . It is reported, that they were—but no! I will not believe it—the honest soul of my friend would not justify so foul a deed.
Earl Henry. Speak plainly—what is reported?
Sandoval. That they were all assassinated by order of the 55 new Queen.
Earl Henry. Accursed be the hearts that framed and the tongues that scattered the Calumny!—The Queen was scarcely seated on her throne; the Chancellor, who had been her Guardian, exerted a pernicious influence over her 60 judgement—she was taught to fear dangerous commotions in the Capital, she was intreated to prevent the bloodshed of the deluded citizens, and thus overawed she reluctantly consented to permit the reinforcement of an obsolete law, and——
Sandoval. They were not assassinated then?—— 65
Earl Henry. Why these bitter tones to me, Sandoval? Can a law assassinate? Don Manrique [sic] and his accomplices drank the sleepy poison adjudged by that law in the State Prison at Pampilona. At that time I was with the army on the frontiers of France. 70
Sandoval. Had you been in the Capital——
Earl Henry. I would have pledged my life on the safety of a public Trial and a public Punishment.
Sandoval. Poisoned! The Father and his Sons!—And this, Earl Henry, was the first act of that Queen, whom you idolize! 75
Earl Henry. No, Sandoval, No! This was not her act. She roused herself from the stupor of alarm, she suspended in opposition to the advice of her council, all proceedings against the inferior partisans of the Conspiracy; she facilitated the escape of Don Manrique's brother, and to Donna Oropeza, his 80 daughter and only surviving child, she restored all her father's possessions, nay became herself her Protectress and Friend. These were the acts, these the first acts of my royal Mistress.
Sandoval. And how did Donna Oropeza receive these favors?
Earl Henry. Why ask you that? Did they not fall on her, 85 like heavenly dews?
Sandoval. And will they not rise again, like an earthly mist? What is Gratitude opposed to Ambition, filial revenge, and Woman's rivalry—what is it but a cruel Curb in the mouth of a fiery Horse, maddening the fierce animal whom it cannot 90 restrain? Forgive me, Earl Henry! I meant not to move you so deeply.
Earl Henry. Sandoval, you have uttered that in a waking hour which having once dreamt, I feared the return of sleep lest I should dream it over again. My Friend (his Voice 95 trembling) I woo'd the daughter of Don Manrique, but we are interrupted.
Sandoval. It is Fernandez.
Earl Henry (struggling with his emotions). A true-hearted old fellow—— 100
Sandoval. As splenetic as he is brave.
Enter Fernandez.
Earl Henry. Well, my ancient! how did you like our tour through the mountains. (Earl Henry sits down on the seat by the woodside.)
Fernandez. But little, General! and my faithful charger 105 Liked it still less. The field of battle in the level plain By Fontarabia was more to our taste. Earl Henry. Where is my brother, Don Curio! Have you Seen him of late?
Fernandez. Scarcely, dear General! 110 For by my troth I have been laughing at him Even till the merry tears so filled my eyes That I lost sight of him. Sandoval. But wherefore, Captain. Fernandez. He hath been studying speeches with fierce gestures; Speeches brimfull of wrath and indignation, 115 The which he hopes to vent in open council: And, in the heat and fury of this fancy He grasp'd your groom of the Chamber by the throat Who squeaking piteously, Ey! quoth your brother, I cry you Mercy, Fool! Hadst been indeed 120 The Chancellor, I should have strangled thee. Sandoval. Ha, ha! poor Barnard! Fernandez. What you know my Gentleman, My Groom of the Chamber, my Sieur Barnard, hey? Sandoval. I know him for a barren-pated coxcomb. Fernandez. But very weedy, Sir! in worthless phrases, 125 A sedulous eschewer of the popular And the colloquial—one who seeketh dignity I' th' paths of circumlocution! It would have Surpris'd you tho', to hear how nat'rally He squeak'd when Curio had him by the throat. 130 Sandoval. I know him too for an habitual scorner Of Truth. Fernandez. And one that lies more dully than Old Women dream, without pretence of fancy, Humour or mirth, a most disinterested, Gratuitous Liar. Earl Henry. Ho! enough, enough! 135 Spare him, I pray you, were't but from respect To the presence of his Lord. Sandoval. I stand reprov'd. Fernandez. I too, but that I know our noble General Maintains him near his person, only that If he should ever go in jeopardy 140 Of being damn'd (as he's now persecuted) For his virtue and fair sense, he may be sav'd By the supererogation of this Fellow's Folly and Worthlessness.——
Earl Henry. Hold, hold, good Ancient! Do you not know that this Barnard saved my life? 145 Well, but my brother—— Fernandez. He will soon be here. I swear by this, my sword, dear General. I swear he has a Hero's soul—I only Wish I could communicate to him My gift of governing the spleen.—Then he 150 Has had his colors, the drums too of the Regiment All put in cases—O, that stirs the Soldiery. Earl Henry. Impetuous Boy! Fernandez. Nay, Fear not for them, General. The Chancellor, no doubt, will take good care To let their blood grow cool on garrison duty. 155 Sandoval. Earl Henry! Frown not thus upon Fernandez; 'Tis said, and all the Soldiery believe it, That the five Regiments who return with you Will be dispers'd in garrisons and castles, And other Jails of honourable name. 160 So great a crime it is to have been present In duty and devotion to a Hero! Fernandez. What now? What now? The politic Chancellor is The Soldier's friend, and rather than not give Snug pensions to brave Men, he'll overlook 165 All small disqualifying circumstances Of youth and health, keen eye and muscular limb, He'll count our scars, and set them down for maims. And gain us thus all privileges and profits Of Invalids and superannuate veterans. 170 Earl Henry. 'Tis but an idle rumour—See! they come.
Enter Barnard and a number of Soldiers, their Colours wound up, and the Drums in Cases, and after them Don Curio. All pay the military Honors to the General. During this time Fernandez has hurried up in front of the Stage.
Enter Don Curio.
Don Curio (advancing to Earl Henry). Has Barnard told you? Insult on insult! by mine honor, Brother! (Barnard goes beside Curio.) And by our Father's soul they mean to saint you, Having first prov'd your Patience more than mortal. 175
Earl Henry. Take heed, Don Curio! lest with greater right They scoff my Brother for a choleric boy. What insult then? Don Curio. Our Friend, the Chancellor, Welcomes you home, and shares the common joy In the most happy tidings of your Victory: 180 But as to your demand of instant audience From the Queen's Royal Person,—'tis rejected! Sandoval. Rejected? Barnard (making a deep obeisance). May it please the Earl! Earl Henry. Speak, Barnard. Barnard. The noble Youth, your very valiant brother, And wise as valiant (bowing to Don Curio who puffs at him) rightly doth insinuate 185 Fortune deals nothing singly—whether Honors Or Insults, whether it be Joys or Sorrows, They crowd together on us, or at best Drop in in quick succession. Fernandez (mocking him). 'Ne'er rains it, but it pours,' or, at the best, 190 'More sacks upon the mill.' This fellow's a Perpetual plagiarist from his Grandmother, and How slily in the parcel wraps [he] up The stolen goods! Earl Henry. Be somewhat briefer, Barnard. Barnard. But could I dare insinuate to your Brother 195 A fearless Truth, Earl Henry—it were this: Even Lucifer, Prince of the Air, hath claims Upon our justice. Fernandez. Give the Devil his Due! Why, thou base Lacquerer of worm-eaten proverbs, [And] wherefore dost thou not tell us at once 200 What the Chancellor said to thee? Barnard (looking round superciliously at Fernandez). The Queen hath left the Capital affecting Rural retirement, but 'I will hasten' (Thus said the Chancellor) 'I myself will hasten And lay before her Majesty the Tidings 205 Both of Earl Henry's Victory and return. She will vouchsafe, I doubt not, to re-enter Her Capital, without delay, and grant The wish'd for Audience with all public honour.' Don Curio. A mere Device, I say, to pass a slight on us. 210
Fernandez (to himself). To think on't. Pshaw! A fellow, that must needs Have been decreed an Ass by acclamation, Had he not looked so very like an Owl. And he to—— (turns suddenly round, and faces Barnard who had even then come close beside him). Boo!——Ah! is it you, Sieur Barnard! Barnard. No other, Sir! Fernandez. And is it not reported, 215 That you once sav'd the General's life? Barnard. 'Tis certain! Fernandez. Was he asleep? And were the hunters coming And did you bite him on the nose? Barnard. What mean you? Fernandez. That was the way in which the Flea i' th' Fable Once sav'd the Lion's life. Earl Henry. 'Tis well. 220 The Sun hath almost finish'd his Day's Travels; We too will finish ours. Go, gallant Comrades, And at the neighbouring Mansion, for us all, Claim entertainment in your General's name.
Exeunt Soldiers, &c. As they are leaving the Stage.
Fernandez (to Barnard). A word with you! You act the Chancellor 225 Incomparably well. Barnard. Most valiant Captain, Vouchsafe a manual union. Fernandez (griping [sic] his hand with affected fervor). 'Tis no wonder, Don Curio should mistook [sic] you for him. Barnard. Truly, The Chancellor, and I, it hath been notic'd Are of one stature. Fernandez. And Don Curio's Gripe too 230 Had lent a guttural Music to your voice, [1069]A sort of bagpipe Buz, that suited well Your dignity of utterance. Barnard (simpering courteously). Don Fernandez, Few are the storms that bring unmingled evil. Fernandez (mocking him). 'Tis an ill wind, that blows no good, Sieur Barnard! [Exeunt. 235
Don Curio lingering behind.
Don Curio. I have offended you, my brother. Earl H. Yes! For you've not learnt the noblest part of valour, To suffer and obey. Drums put in cases, Colours wound up—what means this Mummery? We are sunk low indeed, if wrongs like our's 240 Must seek redress in impotent Freaks of Anger. (This way, Don Sandoval) of boyish anger——
(Walks with Sandoval to the back of the Stage.)
Don Curio (to himself). Freaks! freaks! But what if they have sav'd from bursting The swelling heart of one, whose Cup of Hope Was savagely dash'd down—even from his lips?— 245 Permitted just to see the face of War, Then like a truant boy, scourgd home again One Field my whole Campaign! One glorious Battle To madden one with Hope!—Did he not pause Twice in the fight, and press me to his breastplate, 250 And cry, that all might hear him, Well done, brother! No blessed Soul, just naturalized in Heaven, Pac'd ever by the side of an Immortal More proudly, Henry! than I fought by thine— Shame on these tears!—this, too, is boyish anger! [Exit. 255
Earl Henry and Sandoval return to the front of the stage.
Earl Henry. I spake more harshly to him, than need was. Sandoval. Observ'd you how he pull'd his beaver down— Doubtless to hide the tears, he could not check. Earl Henry. Go, sooth [sic] him, Friend!—And having reach'd the Castle Gain Oropeza's private ear, and tell her 260 Where you have left me.
(As Sandoval is going)
Nay, stay awhile with me. I am too full of dreams to meet her now. [1070]Sandoval. You lov'd the daughter of Don Manrique? Earl Henry. Loved? Sandoval. Did you not say, you woo'd her? Earl Henry. Once I lov'd Her whom I dar'd not woo!—— Sandoval. And woo'd perchance 265 One whom you lov'd not! Earl Henry. O I were most base Not loving Oropeza. True, I woo'd her Hoping to heal a deeper wound: but she Met my advances with an empassion'd Pride That kindled Love with Love. And when her Sire 270 Who in his dream of Hope already grasp'd The golden circlet in his hand, rejected My suit, with Insult, and in memory Of ancient Feuds, pour'd Curses on my head, Her Blessings overtook and baffled them. 275 But thou art stern, and with unkindling Countenance Art inly reasoning whilst thou listenest to me. Sandoval. Anxiously, Henry! reasoning anxiously. But Oropeza— Earl Henry. Blessings gather round her! Within this wood there winds a secret passage, 280 Beneath the walls, which open out at length Into the gloomiest covert of the Garden.— The night ere my departure to the Army, She, nothing trembling, led me through that gloom, And to the covert by a silent stream, 285 Which, with one star reflected near its marge, Was the sole object visible around me. The night so dark, so close, the umbrage o'er us! No leaflet stirr'd;—yet pleasure hung upon us, The gloom and stillness of the balmy night-air. 290 A little further on an arbor stood, Fragrant with flowering Trees—I well remember What an uncertain glimmer in the Darkness Their snow-white Blossoms made—thither she led me, [1071]To that sweet bower! Then Oropeza trembled— 295 I heard her heart beat—if 'twere not my own. Sandoval. A rude and searing note, my friend! Earl Henry. Oh! no! I have small memory of aught but pleasure. The inquietudes of fear, like lesser Streams Still flowing, still were lost in those of Love: 300 So Love grew mightier from the Pear, and Nature, Fleeing from Pain, shelter'd herself in Joy. The stars above our heads were dim and steady, Like eyes suffus'd with rapture. Life was in us: We were all life, each atom of our Frames 305 A living soul—I vow'd to die for her: With the faint voice of one who, having spoken, Relapses into blessedness, I vow'd it: That solemn Vow, a whisper scarcely heard, A murmur breath'd against a lady's Cheek. 310 Oh! there is Joy above the name of Pleasure, Deep self-possession, an intense Repose. No other than as Eastern Sages feign, The God, who floats upon a Lotos Leaf, Dreams for a thousand ages; then awaking, 315 Creates a world, and smiling at the bubble, Relapses into bliss. Ah! was that bliss Fear'd as an alien, and too vast for man? For suddenly, intolerant of its silence, Did Oropeza, starting, grasp my forehead. 320 I caught her arms; the veins were swelling on them. Thro' the dark Bower she sent a hollow voice;— 'Oh! what if all betray me? what if thou?' I swore, and with an inward thought that seemed [1072]The unity and substance of my Being, 325 I swore to her, that were she red with guilt, I would exchange my unblench'd state with hers.— Friend! by that winding passage, to the Bower I now will go—all objects there will teach me Unwavering Love, and singleness of Heart. 330 Go, Sandoval! I am prepar'd to meet her— Say nothing of me—I myself will seek her— Nay, leave me, friend! I cannot bear the torment And Inquisition of that scanning eye.—
[Earl Henry retires into the wood.
Sandoval (alone). O Henry! always striv'st thou to be great 335 By thine own act—yet art thou never great But by the Inspiration of great Passion. The Whirl-blast comes, the desert-sands rise up And shape themselves; from Heaven to Earth they stand, As though they were the Pillars of a Temple, 340 Built by Omnipotence in its own honour! But the Blast pauses, and their shaping spirit Is fled: the mighty Columns were but sand, And lazy Snakes trail o'er the level ruins! I know, he loves the Queen. I know she is 345 His Soul's first love, and this is ever his nature— To his first purpose, his soul toiling back Like the poor storm-wreck'd [sailor] to his Boat, Still swept away, still struggling to regain it. [Exit.
Herreras. He dies, that stirs! Follow me this instant. 350
(First Conspirator takes his arrow, snaps it, and throws it on the ground. The two others do the same.)
Herreras. Accursed cowards! I'll go myself, and make sure work (drawing his Dagger).
(Herreras strides towards the arbor, before he reaches it, stops and listens and then returns hastily to the front of the stage, as he turns his Back to the Arbor, Earl Henry appears, watching the Conspirators, and enters the Arbor unseen.)
First Conspirator. Has she seen us think you?
The Mask. No! she has not seen us; but she heard us distinctly.
Herreras. There was a rustling in the wood—go, all of 355 you, stand on the watch—towards the passage.
A Voice from the Arbor. Mercy! Mercy! Tell me, why you murder me.
Herreras. I'll do it first. (Strides towards the Arbor, Earl Henry rushes out of it.) 360
The Mask. Jesu Maria.
(They all three fly, Earl Henry attempts to seize Herreras, who defending himself retreats into the Covert follow'd by the Earl. The Queen comes from out the arbor, veiled—stands listening a moment, then lifts up her veil, with folded hands assumes the attitude of Prayer, and after a momentary silence breaks into audible soliloquy.)
The Queen. I pray'd to thee, All-wonderful! And thou Didst make my very Prayer the Instrument, By which thy Providence sav'd me. Th' armed Murderer Who with suspended breath stood listening to me, Groan'd as I spake thy name. In that same moment, 365 O God! thy Mercy shot the swift Remorse That pierc'd his Heart. And like an Elephant Gor'd as he rushes to the first assault, He turn'd at once and trampled his Employers. But hark! (drops her veil)—O God in Heaven! they come again. 370
(Earl Henry returns with the Dagger in his hand.)
Earl Henry (as he is entering). The violent pull with which I seiz'd his Dagger Unpois'd me and I fell.
[End of the Fragment.]
LINENOTES:
After 88 in which all her wrongs will appear twofold—(or) in a mist of which her Wrongs will wander, magnified into giant shapes. MS. erased.
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110
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After General! And yet I have not stirred from his side. That is to say— MS. erased.
Before 211.
Fortune! Plague take her for a blind old Baggage! That such a patch as Barnard should have had The Honour to have sav'd our General's life. That Barnard! that mock-man! that clumsy forgery Of Heaven's Image. Any other heart But mine own would have turn'd splenetic to think of it.
MS. erased.
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269
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an empassion'd S. L.: empassioned 1834.
[
276
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unkindling] unkindly S. L., 1834.
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281
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open] opens S. L.
[
285
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the] that. a] that S. L. (corr. in Errata, p. [xi]) S. L.
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288
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o'er] near S. L. (corr. in Errata, p. [xi]) S. L.
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289-290
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No leaflet stirr'd; the air was almost sultry; So deep, so dark, so close, the umbrage o'er us! No leaflet stirr'd, yet pleasure hung upon
S. L.
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310
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Cheek] Ear S. L.
After 312.
Deep repose of bliss we lay No other than as Eastern Sages gloss, The God who floats upon a Lotos leaf Dreams for a thousand ages, then awaking Creates a World, then loathing the dull task Relapses into blessedness, when an omen Screamed from the Watch-tower—'twas the Watchman's cry, And Oropeza starting.
MS. (alternative reading).
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313
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feign] paint S. L.
Before 314 Sandoval (with a sarcastic smile) S. L.
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314-16
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Compare Letter to Thelwall, Oct. 16, 1797, Letters of S. T. C., 1895, i. 229.
[
317
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bliss.—Earl Henry. Ah! was that bliss S. L.
[
319
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intolerant] impatient S. L.
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325
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unity and] purpose and the S. L.
After 327
Even as a Herdsboy mutely plighting troth Gives his true Love a Lily for a Rose.
MS. erased.
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334
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Inquisition] keen inquiry S. L.
Before 335.
Earl Henry thou art dear to me—perchance For these follies; since the Health of Reason, Our would-be Sages teach, engenders not The Whelks and Tumours of particular Friendship.
MS. erased.
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339
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Heaven to Earth] Earth to Heaven S. L.