Card. Know And Approve. Arch. And Further, That, By A Mandate From His Holiness, The First Have Been Suppressed. Card. I Trust Forever. It Was A Cruel Sport. Arch. A Barbarous Pastime, Disgraceful To The Land That Calls Itself Most Catholic And Christian. Card. Yet The People Murmur At This; And, If The Public Dances Should Be Condemned Upon Too Slight Occasion, Worse Ills Might Follow Than The Ills We Cure. As Panem Et Circenses Was The Cry Among The Roman Populace Of Old, So Pan Y Toros Is The Cry In Spain. Hence I Would Act Advisedly Herein; And Therefore Have Induced Your Grace To See These National Dances, Ere We Interdict Them. (Enter A Servant) Serv. The Dancing-Girl, And With Her The Musicians Your Grace Was Pleased To Order, Wait Without. Arch. Bid Them Come In. Now Shall Your Eyes Behold In What Angelic, Yet Voluptuous Shape The Devil Came To Tempt Saint Anthony. (Enter Preciosa, With A Mantle Thrown Over Her Head. She Advances Slowly, In Modest, Half-Timid Attitude.) Card. (Aside). O, What A Fair And Ministering Angel Was Lost To Heaven When This Sweet Woman Fell! Prec. (Kneeling Before The Archbishop). I Have Obeyed The Order Of Your Grace. If I Intrude Upon Your Better Hours, I Proffer This Excuse, And Here Beseech Your Holy Benediction. Arch. May God Bless Thee, And Lead Thee To A Better Life. Arise. Card. (Aside). Her Acts Are Modest, And Her Words Discreet! I Did Not Look For This! Come Hither, Child. Is Thy Name Preciosa? Prec. Thus I Am Called. Card. That Is A Gypsy Name. Who Is Thy Father? Prec. Beltran Cruzado, Count Of The Cales. Arch. I Have A Dim Remembrance Of That Man: He Was A Bold And Reckless Character, A Sun-Burnt Ishmael! Card. Dost Thou Remember Thy Earlier Days? Prec. Yes; By The Darro'S Side My Childhood Passed. I Can Remember Still The River, And The Mountains Capped With Snow The Village, Where, Yet A Little Child, I Told The Traveller'S Fortune In The Street; The Smuggler'S Horse, The Brigand And The Shepherd; The March Across The Moor; The Halt At Noon; The Red Fire Of The Evening Camp, That Lighted The Forest Where We Slept; And, Further Back, As In A Dream Or In Some Former Life, Gardens And Palace Walls. Arch. 'T Is The Alhambra, Under Whose Towers The Gypsy Camp Was Pitched. But The Time Wears; And We Would See Thee Dance. Prec. Your Grace Shall Be Obeyed. (She Lays Aside Her Mantilla. The Music Of The Cachucha Is Played, And The Dance Begins. The Archbishop And The Cardinal Look On With Gravity And An Occasional Frown; Then Make Signs To Each Other; And, As The Dance Continues, Become More And More Pleased And Excited; And At Length Rise From Their Seats, Throw Their Caps In The Air, And Applaud Vehemently As The Scene Closes.) Scene Iii. -- The Prado. A Long Avenue Of Trees Leading To The Gate Of Atocha. On The Right The Dome And Spires Of A Convent. A Fountain. Evening, Don Carlos And Hypolito Meeting. Don C. Hola! Good Evening, Don Hypolito. Hyp. And A Good Evening To My Friend, Don Carlos. Some Lucky Star Has Led My Steps This Way. I Was In Search Of You. Don. C. Command Me Always. Hyp. Do You Remember, In Quevedo'S Dreams, The Miser, Who, Upon The Day Of Judgment, Asks If His Money-Bags Would Rise? Don C. I Do; But What Of That? Hyp. I Am That Wretched Man. Don C. You Mean To Tell Me Yours Have Risen Empty? Hyp. And Amen! Said My Cid The Campeador. Don C. Pray, How Much Need You? Hyp. Some Half-Dozen Ounces, Which, With Due Interest-- Don C. (Giving His Purse). What, Am I A Jew To Put My Moneys Out At Usury? Here Is My Purse. Hyp. Thank You. A Pretty Purse. Made By The Hand Of Some Fair Madrilena; Perhaps A Keepsake. Don C. No, 'T Is At Your Service. Hyp. Thank You Again. Lie There, Good Chrysostom, And With Thy Golden Mouth Remind Me Often, I Am The Debtor Of My Friend. Don C. But Tell Me, Come You To-Day From Alcala? Hyp. This Moment. Don C. And Pray, How Fares The Brave Victorian? Hyp. Indifferent Well; That Is To Say, Not Well. A Damsel Has Ensnared Him With The Glances Of Her Dark, Roving Eyes, As Herdsmen Catch A Steer Of Andalusia With A Lazo. He Is In Love. Don C. And Is It Faring Ill To Be In Love? Hyp. In His Case Very Ill. Don C. Why So? Hyp. For Many Reasons. First And Foremost, Because He Is In Love With An Ideal; A Creature Of His Own Imagination; A Child Of Air; An Echo Of His Heart; And, Like A Lily On A River Floating, She Floats Upon The River Of His Thoughts! Don C. A Common Thing With Poets. But Who Is This Floating Lily? For, In Fine, Some Woman, Some Living Woman,--Not A Mere Ideal,-- Must Wear The Outward Semblance Of His Thought. Who Is It? Tell Me. Hyp. Well, It Is A Woman! But, Look You, From The Coffer Of His Heart He Brings Forth Precious Jewels To Adorn Her, As Pious Priests Adorn Some Favorite Saint With Gems And Gold, Until At Length She Gleams One Blaze Of Glory. Without These, You Know, And The Priest'S Benediction, 'T Is A Doll. Don C. Well, Well! Who Is This Doll? Hyp. Why, Who Do You Think? Don C. His Cousin Violante. Hyp. Guess Again. To Ease His Laboring Heart, In The Last Storm He Threw Her Overboard, With All Her Ingots. Don C. I Cannot Guess; So Tell Me Who It Is. Hyp. Not I. Don. C. Why Not? Hyp. (Mysteriously). Why? Because Mari Franca Was Married Four Leagues Out Of Salamanca! Don C. Jesting Aside, Who Is It? Hyp. Preciosa. Don C. Impossible! The Count Of Lara Tells Me She Is Not Virtuous. Hyp. Did I Say She Was? The Roman Emperor Claudius Had A Wife Whose Name Was Messalina, As I Think; Valeria Messalina Was Her Name. But Hist! I See Him Yonder Through The Trees, Walking As In A Dream. Don C. He Comes This Way. Hyp. It Has Been Truly Said By Some Wise Man, That Money, Grief, And Love Cannot Be Hidden. (Enter Victorian In Front.) Vict. Where'Er Thy Step Has Passed Is Holy Ground! These Groves Are Sacred! I Behold Thee Walking Under These Shadowy Trees, Where We Have Walked At Evening, And I Feel Thy Presence Now; Feel That The Place Has Taken A Charm From Thee, And Is Forever Hallowed. Hyp. Mark Him Well! See How He Strides Away With Lordly Air, Like That Odd Guest Of Stone, That Grim Commander Who Comes To Sup With Juan In The Play. Don C. What Ho! Victorian! Hyp. Wilt Thou Sup With Us? Vict. Hola! Amigos! Faith, I Did Not See You. How Fares Don Carlos? Don C. At Your Service Ever. Vict. How Is That Young And Green-Eyed Gaditana That You Both Wot Of? Don C. Ay, Soft, Emerald Eyes! She Has Gone Back To Cadiz. Hyp. Ay De Mi! Vict. You Are Much To Blame For Letting Her Go Back. A Pretty Girl; And In Her Tender Eyes Just That Soft Shade Of Green We Sometimes See In Evening Skies. Hyp. But, Speaking Of Green Eyes, Are Thine Green? Vict. Not A Whit. Why So? Hyp. I Think The Slightest Shade Of Green Would Be Becoming, For Thou Art Jealous. Vid. No, I Am Not Jealous. Hyp. Thou Shouldst Be. Vict. Why? Hyp. Because Thou Art In Love. And They Who Are In Love Are Always Jealous. Therefore Thou Shouldst Be. Vict. Marry, Is That All? Farewell; I Am In Haste. Farewell, Don Carlos. Thou Sayest I Should Be Jealous? Hyp. Ay, In Truth I Fear There Is Reason. Be Upon Thy Guard. I Hear It Whispered That The Count Of Lara Lays Siege To The Same Citadel. Vict. Indeed! Then He Will Have His Labor For His Pains. Hyp. He Does Not Think So, And Don Carlos Tells Me He Boasts Of His Success. Vict. How's This, Don Carlos? Don. C. Some Hints Of It I Heard From His Own Lips. He Spoke But Lightly Of The Lady'S Virtue, As A Gay Man Might Speak. Vict. Death And Damnation! I'll Cut His Lying Tongue Out Of His Mouth, And Throw It To My Dog! But No, No, No! This Cannot Be. You Jest, Indeed You Jest. Trifle With Me No More. For Otherwise We Are No Longer Friends. And So, Fare Well! [Exit. Hyp. Now What A Coil Is Here! The Avenging Child Hunting The Traitor Quadros To His Death, And The Moor Calaynos, When He Rode To Paris For The Ears Of Oliver, Were Nothing To Him! O Hot-Headed Youth! But Come; We Will Not Follow. Let Us Join The Crowd That Pours Into The Prado. There We Shall Find Merrier Company; I See The Marialonzos And The Almavivas, And Fifty Fans, That Beckon Me Already. [Exeunt. Scene Iv. -- Preciosa'S Chamber. She Is Sitting, With A Book In Her Hand, Near A Table, On Which Are Flowers. A Bird Singing In Its Cage. The Count Of Lara Enters Behind Unperceived. Prec. (Reads). All Are Sleeping, Weary Heart! Thou, Thou Only Sleepless Art! Heigho! I Wish Victorian Were Here. I Know Not What It Is Makes Me So Restless! (The Bird Sings.) Thou Little Prisoner With Thy Motley Coat, That From Thy Vaulted, Wiry Dungeon Singest, Like Thee I Am A Captive, And, Like Thee, I Have A Gentle Jailer. Lack-A-Day! All Are Sleeping, Weary Heart! Thou, Thou Only Sleepless Art! All This Throbbing, All This Aching, Evermore Shall Keep Thee Waking, For A Heart In Sorrow Breaking Thinketh Ever Of Its Smart! Thou Speakest Truly, Poet! And Methinks More Hearts Are Breaking In This World Of Ours Than One Would Say. In Distant Villages And Solitudes Remote, Where Winds Have Wafted The Barbed Seeds Of Love, Or Birds Of Passage Scattered Them In Their Flight, Do They Take Root, And Grow In Silence, And In Silence Perish. Who Hears The Falling Of The Forest Leaf? Or Who Takes Note Of Every Flower That Dies? Heigho! I Wish Victorian Would Come. Dolores! (Turns To Lay Down Her Boot And Perceives The Count.) Ha! Lara. Senora, Pardon Me. Prec. How's This? Dolores! Lara. Pardon Me-- Prec. Dolores! Lara. Be Not Alarmed; I Found No One In Waiting. If I Have Been Too Bold-- Prec. (Turning Her Back Upon Him). You Are Too Bold! Retire! Retire, And Leave Me! Lara. My Dear Lady, First Hear Me! I Beseech You, Let Me Speak! 'T Is For Your Good I Come. Prec. (Turning Toward Him With Indignation). Begone! Begone! You Are The Count Of Lara, But Your Deeds Would Make The Statues Of Your Ancestors Blush On Their Tombs! Is It Castilian Honor, Is It Castilian Pride, To Steal In Here Upon A Friendless Girl, To Do Her Wrong? O Shame! Shame! Shame! That You, A Nobleman, Should Be So Little Noble In Your Thoughts As To Send Jewels Here To Win My Love, And Think To Buy My Honor With Your Gold! I Have No Words To Tell You How I Scorn You! Begone! The Sight Of You Is Hateful To Me! Begone, I Say! Lara. Be Calm; I Will Not Harm You. Prec. Because You Dare Not. Lara. I Dare Anything! Therefore Beware! You Are Deceived In Me. In This False World, We Do Not Always Know Who Are Our Friends And Who Our Enemies. We All Have Enemies, And All Need Friends. Even You, Fair Preciosa, Here At Court Have Foes, Who Seek To Wrong You. Prec. If To This I Owe The Honor Of The Present Visit, You Might Have Spared The Coming. Raving Spoken, Once More I Beg You, Leave Me To Myself. Lara. I Thought It But A Friendly Part To Tell You What Strange Reports Are Current Here In Town. For My Own Self, I Do Not Credit Them; But There Are Many Who, Not Knowing You, Will Lend A Readier Ear. Prec. There Was No Need That You Should Take Upon Yourself The Duty Of Telling Me These Tales. Lara. Malicious Tongues Are Ever Busy With Your Name. Prec. Alas! I'Ve No Protectors. I Am A Poor Girl, Exposed To Insults And Unfeeling Jests. They Wound Me, Yet I Cannot Shield Myself. I Give No Cause For These Reports. I Live Retired; Am Visited By None. Lara. By None? O, Then, Indeed, You Are Much Wronged! Prec. How Mean You? Lara. Nay, Nay; I Will Not Wound Your Gentle Soul By The Report Of Idle Tales. Prec. Speak Out! What Are These Idle Tales? You Need Not Spare Me. Lara. I Will Deal Frankly With You. Pardon Me This Window, As I Think, Looks Toward The Street, And This Into The Prado, Does It Not? In Yon High House, Beyond The Garden Wall,-- You See The Roof There Just Above The Trees,-- There Lives A Friend, Who Told Me Yesterday, That On A Certain Night,--Be Not Offended If I Too Plainly Speak,--He Saw A Man Climb To Your Chamber Window. You Are Silent! I Would Not Blame You, Being Young And Fair-- (He Tries To Embrace Her. She Starts Back, And Draws A Dagger From Her Bosom.) Prec. Beware! Beware! I Am A Gypsy Girl! Lay Not Your Hand Upon Me. One Step Nearer And I Will Strike! Lara. Pray You, Put Up That Dagger. Fear Not. Prec. I Do Not Fear. I Have A Heart In Whose Strength I Can Trust. Lara. Listen To Me I Come Here As Your Friend,--I Am Your Friend,-- And By A Single Word Can Put A Stop To All Those Idle Tales, And Make Your Name Spotless As Lilies Are. Here On My Knees, Fair Preciosa! On My Knees I Swear, I Love You Even To Madness, And That Love Has Driven Me To Break The Rules Of Custom, And Force Myself Unasked Into Your Presence. (Victorian Enters Behind.) Prec. Rise, Count Of Lara! That Is Not The Place For Such As You Are. It Becomes You Not To Kneel Before Me. I Am Strangely Moved To See One Of Your Rank Thus Low And Humbled; For Your Sake I Will Put Aside All Anger, All Unkind Feeling, All Dislike, And Speak In Gentleness, As Most Becomes A Woman, And As My Heart Now Prompts Me. I No More Will Hate You, For All Hate Is Painful To Me. But If, Without Offending Modesty And That Reserve Which Is A Woman'S Glory, I May Speak Freely, I Will Teach My Heart To Love You. Lara. O Sweet Angel! Prec. Ay, In Truth, Far Better Than You Love Yourself Or Me. Lara. Give Me Some Sign Of This,--The Slightest Token. Let Me But Kiss Your Hand! Prec. Nay, Come No Nearer. The Words I Utter Are Its Sign And Token. Misunderstand Me Not! Be Not Deceived! The Love Wherewith I Love You Is Not Such As You Would Offer Me. For You Come Here To Take From Me The Only Thing I Have, My Honor. You Are Wealthy, You Have Friends And Kindred, And A Thousand Pleasant Hopes That Fill Your Heart With Happiness; But I Am Poor, And Friendless, Having But One Treasure, And You Would Take That From Me, And For What? To Flatter Your Own Vanity, And Make Me What You Would Most Despise. O Sir, Such Love, That Seeks To Harm Me, Cannot Be True Love. Indeed It Cannot. But My Love For You Is Of A Different Kind. It Seeks Your Good. It Is A Holier Feeling. It Rebukes Your Earthly Passion, Your Unchaste Desires, And Bids You Look Into Your Heart, And See How You Do Wrong That Better Nature In You, And Grieve Your Soul With Sin. Lara. I Swear To You, I Would Not Harm You; I Would Only Love You. I Would Not Take Your Honor, But Restore It, And In Return I Ask But Some Slight Mark Of Your Affection. If Indeed You Love Me, As You Confess You Do, O Let Me Thus With This Embrace-- Vict. (Rushing Forward). Hold! Hold! This Is Too Much. What Means This Outrage? Lara. First, What Right Have You To Question Thus A Nobleman Of Spain? Vict. I Too Am Noble, And You Are No More! Out Of My Sight! Lara. Are You The Master Here? Vict. Ay, Here And Elsewhere, When The Wrong Of Others Gives Me The Right! Prec. (To Lara). Go! I Beseech You, Go! Vict. I Shall Have Business With You, Count, Anon! Lara. You Cannot Come Too Soon! [Exit. Prec. Victorian! O, We Have Been Betrayed! Vict. Ha! Ha! Betrayed! 'T Is I Have Been Betrayed, Not We!--Not We! Prec. Dost Thou Imagine-- Vict. I Imagine Nothing; I See How 'T Is Thou Whilest The Time Away When I Am Gone! Prec. O Speak Not In That Tone! It Wounds Me Deeply. Vict. 'T Was Not Meant To Flatter. Prec. Too Well Thou Knowest The Presence Of That Man Is Hateful To Me! Vict. Yet I Saw Thee Stand And Listen To Him, When He Told His Love. Prec. I Did Not Heed His Words. Vict. Indeed Thou Didst, And Answeredst Them With Love. Prec. Hadst Thou Heard All-- Vict. I Heard Enough. Prec. Be Not So Angry With Me. Vict. I Am Not Angry; I Am Very Calm. Prec. If Thou Wilt Let Me Speak-- Vict. Nay, Say No More. I Know Too Much Already. Thou Art False! I Do Not Like These Gypsy Marriages! Where Is The Ring I Gave Thee? Prec. In My Casket. Vict. There Let It Rest! I Would Not Have Thee Wear It: I Thought Thee Spotless, And Thou Art Polluted! Prec. I Call The Heavens To Witness-- Vict. Nay, Nay, Nay! Take Not The Name Of Heaven Upon Thy Lips! They Are Forsworn! Prec. Victorian! Dear Victorian! Vict. I Gave Up All For Thee; Myself, My Fame, My Hopes Of Fortune, Ay, My Very Soul! And Thou Hast Been My Ruin! Now, Go On! Laugh At My Folly With Thy Paramour, And, Sitting On The Count Of Lara'S Knee, Say What A Poor, Fond Fool Victorian Was! (He Casts Her From Him And Rushes Out.) Prec. And This From Thee! (Scene Closes.) Scene V. -- The Count Of Lara'S Rooms. Enter The Count. Lara. There'S Nothing In This World So Sweet As Love, And Next To Love The Sweetest Thing Is Hate! I'Ve Learned To Hate, And Therefore Am Revenged. A Silly Girl To Play The Prude With Me! The Fire That I Have Kindled-- (Enter Francisco.) Well, Francisco, What Tidings From Don Juan? Fran. Good, My Lord; He Will Be Present. Lara. And The Duke Of Lermos? Fran. Was Not At Home. Lara. How With The Rest? Fran. I'Ve Found The Men You Wanted. They Will All Be There, And At The Given Signal Raise A Whirlwind Of Such Discordant Noises, That The Dance Must Cease For Lack Of Music. Lara. Bravely Done. Ah! Little Dost Thou Dream, Sweet Preciosa, What Lies In Wait For Thee. Sleep Shall Not Close Thine Eyes This Night! Give Me My Cloak And Sword. [Exeunt. Scene Vi. -- A Retired Spot Beyond The City Gates. Enter Victorian And Hypolito. Vict. O Shame! O Shame! Why Do I Walk Abroad By Daylight, When The Very Sunshine Mocks Me, And Voices, And Familiar Sights And Sounds Cry, "Hide Thyself!" O What A Thin Partition Doth Shut Out From The Curious World The Knowledge Of Evil Deeds That Have Been Done In Darkness! Disgrace Has Many Tongues. My Fears Are Windows, Through Which All Eyes Seem Gazing. Every Face Expresses Some Suspicion Of My Shame, And In Derision Seems To Smile At Me! Hyp. Did I Not Caution Thee? Did I Not Tell Thee I Was But Half Persuaded Of Her Virtue? Vict. And Yet, Hypolito, We May Be Wrong, We May Be Over-Hasty In Condemning! The Count Of Lara Is A Cursed Villain. Hyp. And Therefore Is She Cursed, Loving Him. Vid. She Does Not Love Him! 'T Is For Gold! For Gold! Hyp. Ay, But Remember, In The Public Streets He Shows A Golden Ring The Gypsy Gave Him, A Serpent With A Ruby In Its Mouth. Vict. She Had That Ring From Me! God! She Is False! But I Will Be Revenged! The Hour Is Passed. Where Stays The Coward? Hyp. Nay, He Is No Coward; A Villain, If Thou Wilt, But Not A Coward. I'Ve Seen Him Play With Swords; It Is His Pastime. And Therefore Be Not Over-Confident, He'll Task Thy Skill Anon. Look, Here He Comes. (Enter Lara Followed By Frnancisco) Lara. Good Evening, Gentlemen. Hyp. Good Evening, Count. Lara. I Trust I Have Not Kept You Long In Waiting. Vict. Not Long, And Yet Too Long. Are You Prepared? Lara. I Am. Hyp. It Grieves Me Much To See This Quarrel Between You, Gentlemen. Is There No Way Left Open To Accord This Difference, But You Must Make One With Your Swords? Vict. No! None! I Do Entreat Thee, Dear Hypolito, Stand Not Between Me An My Foe. Too Long Our Tongues Have Spoken. Let These Tongues Of Steel End Our Debate. Upon Your Guard, Sir Count. (They Fight. Victorian Disarms The Count.) Your Life Is Mine; And What Shall Now Withhold Me From Sending Your Vile Soul To Its Account? Lara. Strike! Strike! Vict. You Are Disarmed. I Will Not Kill You. I Will Not Murder You. Take Up Your Sword. (Francisco Hands The Count His Sword, And Hypolito Interposes.) Hyp. Enough! Let It End Here! The Count Of Lara Has Shown Himself A Brave Man, And Victorian A Generous One, As Ever. Now Be Friends. Put Up Your Swords; For, To Speak Frankly To You, Your Cause Of Quarrel Is Too Slight A Thing To Move You To Extremes. Lara. I Am Content, I Sought No Quarrel. A Few Hasty Words, Spoken In The Heat Of Blood, Have Led To This. Vict. Nay, Something More Than That. Lara. I Understand You. Therein I Did Not Mean To Cross Your Path. To Me The Door Stood Open, As To Others. But, Had I Known The Girl Belonged To You, Never Would I Have Sought To Win Her From You. The Truth Stands Now Revealed; She Has Been False To Both Of Us. Vict. Ay, False As Hell Itself! Lara. In Truth, I Did Not Seek Her; She Sought Me; And Told Me How To Win Her, Telling Me The Hours When She Was Oftenest Left Alone. Vict. Say, Can You Prove This To Me? O, Pluck Out These Awful Doubts, That Goad Me Into Madness! Let Me Know All! All! All! Lara. You Shall Know All. Here Is My Page, Who Was The Messenger Between Us. Question Him. Was It Not So, Francisco? Fran. Ay, My Lord. Lara. If Further Proof Is Needful, I Have Here A Ring She Gave Me. Vict. Pray Let Me See That Ring! It Is The Same! (Throws It Upon The Ground, And Tramples Upon It.) Thus May She Perish Who Once Wore That Ring! Thus Do I Spurn Her From Me; Do Thus Trample Her Memory In The Dust! O Count Of Lara, We Both Have Been Abused, Been Much Abused! I Thank You For Your Courtesy And Frankness. Though, Like The Surgeon'S Hand, Yours Gave Me Pain, Yet It Has Cured My Blindness, And I Thank You. I Now Can See The Folly I Have Done, Though 'T Is, Alas! Too Late. So Fare You Well! To-Night I Leave This Hateful Town Forever. Regard Me As Your Friend. Once More Farewell! Hyp. Farewell, Sir Count. [Exeunt Victorian And Hypolito. Lara. Farewell! Farewell! Farewell! Thus Have I Cleared The Field Of My Worst Foe! I Have None Else To Fear; The Fight Is Done, The Citadel Is Stormed, The Victory Won! [Exit With Francisco.] Scene Vii. -- A Lane In The Suburbs. Night. Enter Cruzado And Bartolome. Cruz. And So, Bartolome, The Expedition Failed. But Where Wast Thou For The Most Part? Bart. In The Guadarrama Mountains, Near San Ildefonso. Cruz. And Thou Bringest Nothing Back With Thee? Didst Thou Rob No One? Bart. There Was No One To Rob, Save A Party Of Students From Segovia, Who Looked As If They Would Rob Us; And A Jolly Little Friar, Who Had Nothing In His Pockets But A Missal And A Loaf Of Bread. Cruz. Pray, Then, What Brings Thee Back To Madrid? Bart. First Tell Me What Keeps Thee Here? Cruz. Preciosa. Bart. And She Brings Me Back. Hast Thou Forgotten Thy Promise? Cruz. The Two Years Are Not Passed Yet. Wait Patiently. The Girl Shall Be Thine. Bart. I Hear She Has A Busne Lover. Cruz. That Is Nothing. Bart. I Do Not Like It. I Hate Him,--The Son Of A Busne Harlot. He Goes In And Out, And Speaks With Her Alone, And I Must Stand Aside, And Wait His Pleasure. Cruz. Be Patient, I Say. Thou Shalt Have Thy Revenge. When The Time Comes, Thou Shalt Waylay Him. Bart. Meanwhile, Show Me Her House. Cruz. Come This Way. But Thou Wilt Not Find Her. She Dances At The Play To-Night. Bart. No Matter. Show Me The House. [Exeunt.] Scene Viii. -- The Theatre. The Orchestra Plays The Cachucha. Sound Of Castanets Behind The Scenes. The Curtain Rises, And Discovers Preciosa In The Attitude Of Commencing The Dance. The Cachucha. Tumult; Hisses; Cries Of "Brava!" And "Afuera!" She Falters And Pauses. The Music Stops. General Confusion. Preciosa Faints. Scene Ix. -- The Count Of Lara'S Chambers. Lara And His Friends At Supper. Lara. So, Caballeros, Once More Many Thanks! You Have Stood By Me Bravely In This Matter. Pray Fill Your Glasses. Don J. Did You Mark, Don Luis, How Pale She Looked, When First The Noise Began, And Then Stood Still, With Her Large Eyes Dilated! Her Nostrils Spread! Her Lips Apart! Her Bosom Tumultuous As The Sea! Don L. I Pitied Her. Lara. Her Pride Is Humbled; And This Very Night I Mean To Visit Her. Don J. Will You Serenade Her? Lara. No Music! No More Music! Don L. Why Not Music? It Softens Many Hearts. Lara. Not In The Humor She Now Is In. Music Would Madden Her. Don J. Try Golden Cymbals. Don L. Yes, Try Don Dinero; A Mighty Wooer Is Your Don Dinero. Lara. To Tell The Truth, Then, I Have Bribed Her Maid. But, Caballeros, You Dislike This Wine. A Bumper And Away; For The Night Wears. A Health To Preciosa. (They Rise And Drink.) All. Preciosa. Lara. (Holding Up His Glass). Thou Bright And Flaming Minister Of Love! Thou Wonderful Magician! Who Hast Stolen My Secret From Me, And Mid Sighs Of Passion Caught From My Lips, With Red And Fiery Tongue, Her Precious Name! O Nevermore Henceforth Shall Mortal Lips Press Thine; And Nevermore A Mortal Name Be Whispered In Thine Ear. Go! Keep My Secret! (Drinks And Dashes The Goblet Down.) Don J. Ite! Missa Est! (Scene Closes.) Scene X. -- Street And Garden Wall. Night. Enter Cruzado And Bartolome. Cruz. This Is The Garden Wall, And Above It, Yonder, Is Her House. The Window In Which Thou Seest The Light Is Her Window. But We Will Not Go In Now. Bart. Why Not? Cruz. Because She Is Not At Home. Bart. No Matter; We Can Wait. But How Is This? The Gate Is Bolted. (Sound Of Guitars And Voices In A Neighboring Street.) Hark! There Comes Her Lover With His Infernal Serenade! Hark! Song. Good Night! Good Night, Beloved! I Come To Watch O'Er Thee! To Be Near Thee,--To Be Near Thee, Alone Is Peace For Me. Thine Eyes Are Stars Of Morning, Thy Lips Are Crimson Flowers! Good Night! Good Night Beloved, While I Count The Weary Hours. Cruz. They Are Not Coming This Way. Bart. Wait, They Begin Again. Song (Coming Nearer). Ah! Thou Moon That Shinest Argent-Clear Above! All Night Long Enlighten My Sweet Lady-Love! Moon That Shinest, All Night Long Enlighten! Bart. Woe Be To Him, If He Comes This Way! Cruz. Be Quiet, They Are Passing Down The Street. Song (Dying Away). The Nuns In The Cloister Sang To Each Other; For So Many Sisters Is There Not One Brother! Ay, For The Partridge, Mother! The Cat Has Run Away With The Partridge! Puss! Puss! Puss! Bart. Follow That! Follow That! Come With Me. Puss! Puss! (Exeunt. On The Opposite Side Enter The Count Of Lara And Gentlemen, With Francisco.) Lara. The Gate Is Fast. Over The Wall, Francisco, And Draw The Bolt. There, So, And So, And Over. Now, Gentlemen, Come In, And Help Me Scale Yon Balcony. How Now? Her Light Still Burns. Move Warily. Make Fast The Gate, Francisco. (Exeunt. Re-Enter Cruzado And Bartolome.) Bart. They Went In At The Gate. Hark! I Hear Them In The Garden. (Tries The Gate.) Bolted Again! Vive Cristo! Follow Me Over The Wall. (They Climb The Wall.) Scene Xi. -- Preciosa'S Bedchamber. Midnight. She Is Sleeping In An Armchair, In An Undress. Dolores Watching Her. Dol. She Sleeps At Last! (Opens The Window, And Listens.) All Silent In The Street, And In The Garden. Hark! Prec. (In Her Sleep). I Must Go Hence! Give Me My Cloak! Dol. He Comes! I Hear His Footsteps. Prec. Go Tell Them That I Cannot Dance To-Night; I Am Too Ill! Look At Me! See The Fever That Burns Upon My Cheek! I Must Go Hence. I Am Too Weak To Dance. (Signal From The Garden.) Dol. (From The Window). Who'S There? Voice (From Below). A Friend. Dol. I Will Undo The Door. Wait Till I Come. Prec. I Must Go Hence. I Pray You Do Not Harm Me! Shame! Shame! To Treat A Feeble Woman Thus! Be You But Kind, I Will Do All Things For You. I'M Ready Now,--Give Me My Castanets. Where Is Victorian? Oh, Those Hateful Lamps! They Glare Upon Me Like An Evil Eye. I Cannot Stay. Hark! How They Mock At Me! They Hiss At Me Like Serpents! Save Me! Save Me! (She Wakes.) How Late Is It, Dolores? Dol. It Is Midnight. Prec. We Must Be Patient. Smooth This Pillow For Me. (She Sleeps Again. Noise From The Garden, And Voices.) Voice. Muera! Another Voice. O Villains! Villains! Lara. So! Have At You! Voice. Take That! Lara. O, I Am Wounded! Dol. (Shutting The Window). Jesu Maria! Act Iii. Scene I. -- A Cross-Road Through A Wood. In The Background A Distant Village Spire. Victorian And Hypolito, As Travelling Students, With Guitars, Sitting Under The Trees. Hypolito Plays And Sings. Song. Ah, Love! Perjured, False, Treacherous Love! Enemy Of All That Mankind May Not Rue! Most Untrue To Him Who Keeps Most Faith With Thee. Woe Is Me! The Falcon Has The Eyes Of The Dove. Ah, Love! Perjured, False, Treacherous Love! Vict. Yes, Love Is Ever Busy With His Shuttle, Is Ever Weaving Into Life'S Dull Warp Bright, Gorgeous Flowers And Scenes Arcadian; Hanging Our Gloomy Prison-House About With Tapestries, That Make Its Walls Dilate In Never-Ending Vistas Of Delight. Hyp. Thinking To Walk In Those Arcadian Pastures, Thou Hast Run Thy Noble Head Against The Wall. Song (Continued). Thy Deceits Give Us Clearly To Comprehend, Whither Tend All Thy Pleasures, All Thy Sweets! They Are Cheats, Thorns Below And Flowers Above. Ah, Love! Perjured, False, Treacherous Love! Vict. A Very Pretty Song. I Thank Thee For It. Hyp. It Suits Thy Case. Vict. Indeed, I Think It Does. What Wise Man Wrote It? Hyp. Lopez Maldonado. Vict. In Truth, A Pretty Song. Hyp. With Much Truth In It. I Hope Thou Wilt Profit By It; And In Earnest Try To Forget This Lady Of Thy Love. Vict. I Will Forget Her! All Dear Recollections Pressed In My Heart, Like Flowers Within A Book, Shall Be Torn Out, And Scattered To The Winds! I Will Forget Her! But Perhaps Hereafter, When She Shall Learn How Heartless Is The World, A Voice Within Her Will Repeat My Name, And She Will Say, "He Was Indeed My Friend!" O, Would I Were A Soldier, Not A Scholar, That The Loud March, The Deafening Beat Of Drums, The Shattering Blast Of The Brass-Throated Trumpet, The Din Of Arms, The Onslaught And The Storm, And A Swift Death, Might Make Me Deaf Forever To The Upbraidings Of This Foolish Heart! Hyp. Then Let That Foolish Heart Upbraid No More! To Conquer Love, One Need But Will To Conquer. Vict. Yet, Good Hypolito, It Is In Vain I Throw Into Oblivion'S Sea The Sword That Pierces Me; For, Like Excalibar, With Gemmed And Flashing Hilt, It Will Not Sink. There Rises From Below A Hand That Grasp It, And Waves It In The Air; And Wailing Voices Are Heard Along The Shore. Hyp. And Yet At Last Down Sank Excalibar To Rise No More. This Is Not Well. In Truth, It Vexes Me. Instead Of Whistling To The Steeds Of Time, To Make Them Jog On Merrily With Life'S Burden, Like A Dead Weight Thou Hangest On The Wheels. Thou Art Too Young, Too Full Of Lusty Health To Talk Of Dying. Vict. Yet I Fain Would Die! To Go Through Life, Unloving And Unloved; To Feel That Thirst And Hunger Of The Soul We Cannot Still; That Longing, That Wild Impulse, And Struggle After Something We Have Not And Cannot Have; The Effort To Be Strong And, Like The Spartan Boy, To Smile, And Smile, While Secret Wounds Do Bleed Beneath Our Cloaks All This The Dead Feel Not,--The Dead Alone! Would I Were With Them! Hyp. We Shall All Be Soon. Vict. It Cannot Be Too Soon; For I Am Weary Of The Bewildering Masquerade Of Life, Where Strangers Walk As Friends, And Friends As Strangers; Where Whispers Overheard Betray False Hearts; And Through The Mazes Of The Crowd We Chase Some Form Of Loveliness, That Smiles, And Beckons, And Cheats Us With Fair Words, Only To Leave Us A Mockery And A Jest; Maddened,--Confused,-- Not Knowing Friend From Foe. Hyp. Why Seek To Know? Enjoy The Merry Shrove-Tide Of Thy Youth! Take Each Fair Mask For What It Gives Itself, Nor Strive To Look Beneath It. Vict. I Confess, That Were The Wiser Part. But Hope No Longer Comforts My Soul. I Am A Wretched Man, Much Like A Poor And Shipwrecked Mariner, Who, Struggling To Climb Up Into The Boat, Has Both His Bruised And Bleeding Hands Cut Off, And Sinks Again Into The Weltering Sea, Helpless And Hopeless! Hyp. Yet Thou Shalt Not Perish. The Strength Of Thine Own Arm Is Thy Salvation. Above Thy Head, Through Rifted Clouds, There Shines A Glorious Star. Be Patient. Trust Thy Star! (Sound Of A Village Belt In The Distance.) Vict. Ave Maria! I Hear The Sacristan Ringing The Chimes From Yonder Village Belfry! A Solemn Sound, That Echoes Far And Wide Over The Red Roofs Of The Cottages, And Bids The Laboring Hind A-Field, The Shepherd, Guarding His Flock, The Lonely Muleteer, And All The Crowd In Village Streets, Stand Still, And Breathe A Prayer Unto The Blessed Virgin! Hyp. Amen! Amen! Not Half A League From Hence The Village Lies. Vict. This Path Will Lead Us To It, Over The Wheat-Fields, Where The Shadows Sail Across The Running Sea, Now Green, Now Blue, And, Like An Idle Mariner On The Main, Whistles The Quail. Come, Let Us Hasten On. [Exeunt.] Scene Ii. -- Public Square In The Village Of Guadarrama. The Ave Maria Still Tolling. A Crowd Of Villagers, With Their Hats In Their Hands, As If In Prayer. In Front, A Group Of Gypsies. The Bell Rings A Merrier Peal. A Gypsy Dance. Enter Pancho, Followed By Pedro Crespo. Pancho. Make Room, Ye Vagabonds And Gypsy Thieves! Make Room For The Alcalde And For Me! Pedro C. Keep Silence All! I Have An Edict Here From Our Most Gracious Lord, The King Of Spain, Jerusalem, And The Canary Islands, Which I Shall Publish In The Market-Place. Open Your Ears And Listen! (Enter The Padre Cura At The Door Of His Cottage.) Padre Cura, Good Day! And, Pray You, Hear This Edict Read. Padre C. Good Day, And God Be With You! Pray, What Is It? Pedro C. An Act Of Banishment Against The Gypsies! (Agitation And Murmurs In The Crowd.) Pancho. Silence! Pedro C. (Reads). "I Hereby Order And Comm