NOBILITY;
OR,
THE ALCALDE, OF ZALAMEA,
A DRAMA
IN Ï II K E E ACTS.
ADAPTED-FROM THE SPANISH OF^CALDERON DE LA BARCA.
BY
ADOLFO FIERRA.
PHILADELPHIA, PA.
1 885.
Entered according to Act of Congress, in the year 1881, by
ADOLFO FIERRA,
In the Office of the Librarian of Congress, at Washington.
PKESS (IF AVM. F. FELL & CO.,
lli'¿()-1224 Sansom. Strfkt,
PHILADKLPHIA.
INTRODUCTION.
The Alvnhle de Zalamea may be cousidered as one of ('alderon'.s
best dramatic compositions, especially with reference to the
delineation of character. It abounds in humor and pathos,
presents very eftective dramatic situations, and ati'ords the op¬
portunity of producing the most impressive scenic elfects.
Whilst endeavoring to reproduce the spirit and the principal
features of the original Spanish piece,. the adapter has felt
compelled to make, both in the incidents upon which the i)lot
hinges, and in the purport of the dialogue, such changes, addi¬
tions and omissions as have been thought necessary to meet
the re<iuirenients and respect the proj)rieties of the modern
stage.
iii
])RAMAT1S PERÍSÜN.E.
PlcnKO Crkspo, ;in oUl lanuer.
Jt AN', his sou.
I) >y Loi'E de Fi(;reko.v.
J>()x Alvaro de Ataide, a
captain.
Do.v Mexdo, an hidalgo.
Xl'N'O, his .servant.
lÎEBOLLEDO, a soldier.
A Serge.vxt.
i'hit.ip ii, of S])ain.
A XoTARA'.
A Soldier.
A CoXSTAIiLE.
First .Villaokr.
Second Vill.aííer.
Is.abel, C'respo's daughter.
ixe.s, her cousin.
Chispa.
A Priest, an E.vecntioner, Courtiers, Soldiers, I'easant--, Con
stables.
Place—Zalamea, village of Spain.
Time—Last part of Si.xteenth Century.
iv
COSTUMES.
PEDRO CRESPO.—White hair and heard. Chocolate-colored
cloth doublet and breeches, plainly trimmed with black velvet ;
white shirt'; Spanish cap ; belt with silver buckle. Act III a
Stilff.
.TUAN.—Dark hair ; beardle.ss. Blue cloth doublet, trimmed
with yellow cord ; straw-yellow breeches ; white shirt ; Spanish
cap ; belt.
DON LOPE.—White hair, mustaches and imperial. Dark
blue velvet doublet and trunk hose, richly trimmed with gold ;
mantle of a similar color, embroidered with gold and lined with
crimson satin ; ruffles ; hat and feather ; erimson sash ; orders and
decorations ; gold chain with cross ; baton.
DON ALVARO.—Dark hair; mustaches and imperial; dark
green satin doublet and trunk hose, trimmed with red and silver ;
short cloak ; breast-plate ; armlets ; gauntlets ; hat with red
feather ; sword. Act 11, long dark c-loak.
DON 5IEND0.—Dark hair ; small mustaches and imperial ;
Acts I and II, worn-out plum-colored doublet and trunk-hose,
trimmed with white ; dark mantle lined with red ; ruffles ; hat
and feather ; gloves ; a toothpick. Acts II and III, rusty armor,
helmet, etc. ; a spear.
NUÑO.—Dark cloth doublet, without sleeves, and breeches ;
striped .shirt ; belt ; cap.
REBOLLEDO.—Dark hair and mustaches. Dark green cloth
doublet and trunk hose, trimmed with red ; breast-plate ; hat
and red feather ; sword ; castanets.
SERGE.\.NÏ.—Same a-s Rebolledo, but finer cloth, trimmed
with a little gold.
PHILIP IL—Gray hair and beard. A rich velvet doublet of
royal purple color, trimmed with gold ; mantle of a similar color,
lined with white satin ; dark trunk hose ; rufiles ; hat and feather ;
sword and various orders, including that of the Golden Fleece.
c
vi
roSTlME.«!.
NOTARY.—Plain black doublet and trunk hose; ruffles; bat;
a scroll.
ISABEL.—Pale pink .skirt ; pink velvet bodice, trimmed with
black, open and laced in front ; loose sleeves ; white linen shirt ;
l)lain Spanish hair-dress of the period ; earrings and necklace, with
cross.
INES.—A similar dress, varying in colors.
CHISPA.—Short spangled red skirt; tights; spangled green
velvet jacket ; yellow bodice ; white shirt; Sp.inish hair-dress and
cap ; castanets ; a dagger. Act III, as a soldier.
COURTIER.S.—Doublets, trunk ho.se, and mantles of various
colors ; hats with feathers ; swords.
PRIEST.—Black cassock ; a small crucifl.v.
EXECUTIONER.—Red and black doublet and breeches.
SOLDIERS.—Like Rebolledo ; arquebu.ses and .spears.
CONSTABLES.—Dark doublets, trunk hose and mantles ; hats ;
swords ; some with arquebuses.
I'EASANTS.—Russet doublets and breeches ; caps.
Pkopekties not Mentioned .vbove.
Act I.—Plain antique table and chairs.
Act II.—Table and chairs ; a lamp ; a tray with plates, cujis,
table-cloth ; guitars ; castanets ; stone with paper attached ; 3 buck¬
lers and swords.
Act III.—Two short cannon (antique) ; matchroiies ; banners ;
Spanish garrote; iron fetters ; manacles.
Stage Dircrtionx.
(The actor is .supposed to flice the audience. )
R., means Right: L., left; C., Centre; U. R., Upper Right;
L. R., Lower Right; LT. L., Upper Left; L. L., Lower Left;
R. C., Right Centre'; L. C., Left Centre.
THE ALCALDE OF ZALAMEA.
ACT I.
Scene I.—Outskirts of Zalamea.—Front of Pedro Crespo''s house,
with balcony (e.) and low garden wall (l. e.); trees and a stone
bench (l.); cultivated fields and farm houses in fiat.
Enter Kebolledo, Chispa and Soldiers (l.)
Eeb.—May the devil fly away with those who keep us tramping
from place to place, without as much as a drop to refresh soul and
body !
A Sold.—Amen !
Eeb.—Are we forsooth a band of gypsies, that we should be
made to go on in this guise? Shall we he thus hurried along
after a folded banner to the beating of a drum ?
Sold.—Xow he has started !
Eeb.—And we may be thankful if that infernal rattling spares
our tired ears during this halt.
Sold.—Stop your gro^vling, and let us rather rejoice that we
have at last reached Zalamea, where we shall have some refresh¬
ment.
Eeb.—Refreshment, indeed ! I'm worn out, dead ! But, alas,
for our hopes of quarters here ! Those niggardly villagers have
no longing for our close acquaintance ; and if the Alcalde has a
handful of silver ducats wherewith to convince our chiefs that we
ought not to tarry—hang it ! the next thing we shall hear is :
"Señores soldiers, we have orders not to stop here ; .so, forward—
march !'' And who's the fault? 'Tis ours, by .love!—who, like
sheep, are e%%r ready to obey orders which put money into our
ofiflcers' pockets, at the expense of our very life breath !
Sold.—Give your tongue a rest.
Eeb.—Aye, a rest is what I ask for ; and, per Baco ! if they
intend to go beyond Zalamea, they'll march without me, and they
ma3' go to the devil. Zounds ! 'twon't be mj^ first French leave-
taking, either.
7
THF, AT,CAI,nK OF ZAFAMKA.
\_Arl 1.
—"Twon't í)(' the tirst one, either, tlnit Ineí cost a wretehed
soldier his head, especially uniler our present coininander, Don
r,ope de Figneroa, who is as renowned I'or his hard-heart<'dne.ss as
for his tjravery. He has a volcanic tein))eT and a hard-swearing
tongue, and is just the kind of a man who would as lief have you
beheaded as he would kill a gnat. For a breach of discijdine he
would not spare his best friend.
lifb.—I don't Ciire a sua]) for all that : I'll do just ¡us I said.
Siild.—ftne thing for a soldier to boa.st of!
Feb.—I might put up with this; but tbat poor wench who
comes with me cannot.
('his.—(Sefior Kebolledo, I don't mind any sort of hardship.s. I
love this kind of life. Had I j)referred ease and comfort, I'd
have never left the Kegidor's house, w here I had every good thing.
So. don't be troubled ¡dxnit me.
Feb.—By beaven ! you are, in sooth, a real jewel among
women !
Sold.—A truth as plain as day. Tiro In Chispo
.(//.—r/m .'
Fth.—A thousand times riro ! Come now, my beauty, frighten
away our fatigue w ith one of your precious jócoros.
( 'his.—The sound of m\ castanets shall respond to your petition.
( Folllts fh< III. I
Feb.—I'll accomjtany yon, for my lungs and legs ciuve some
rest.
Sold.—Hood! Hake room for them. \.ill obi y.)
ltFH<)T,T.i:T)o Olid (Ttlsi'.t siny ond diiiire olleriuiliiy.
('his.—I'm teeteer-teeteeree-teenah !
I'm the flower jacarandeenah !
Jlrb.—I'm teeteer-teeteereetin¡di !
I'm the flower jacarandimdi !
Chis.—Let the sergeant go to War ;
Let the captain go to sea. #
Feb.—Let who will go tight the Moors,
Never did they harm to me.
Chis.—Let the baker till tbe oven ;
Let us have ¡di plenty of bread.
Feb.—Hostess, for me chicken soup ;
Mutton I hate, and sheep's head.
Scene /.]
THE AT-CALr>E OF ZAI,A>rEA.
Í)
^4//.—Bravo ! bravo !
Sohl.—Let's have a repetition.
J!ih.—Borne other time.
C/n.s.—Yon shall have plenty of this, for it amnses nie so inneli!
I Am not one ol' those women who whimper and cry for evci vthiiia.,
I) on the contrary', sin«; and claneê'oïï'every oecasion.
Jicb.—I wish the sergeant would come with the orders. *
Sohl.—Here he is coming, with the captain.
Rch.—The captain, comrades !
Enlcr Captais and Serheant (tt. r.)
ÇrjUf .AIT 1<r.1i7Q c.l.IwTC; 7 ^
tarrv in Zalnmen, .niid shnll he Rillpt^l npnn tlm Inr.MliUni.iii
Don Lone arrives with the troons we left at T.lerena. Alv ordi'jis
are, not to proceed to Gnadaliiiie until .-ill the hrrio is hcit^ A'r.n
sliaU thend'ore liaAC se^■er;^l davs' rest.
All.—Viva our Captain !
('apt.—The commissary will give you your billets according as
he receives them from the Alcalde.
Vftix.—[Sinyn and dances. I
Hostess, for me chicken soup ;
Hutton I hate, and .sheep's head.
Ex(nnt oinnes (r. E.l, e.rccpl Captais and Skrceaxt.
Capf.—Have you my billet,'Sergeant'/
Secff.—I have, Captain.
Capl.—Where am I to lodge ?
Scca.—.\.t the house of the richest farmer of this village. They
■say he is very vain, and as nomnous and inesninptiions as a prince
otLJ^eon.
Capl.—Vanity does not ill-become a wealthy villager.
Seer/.—They also .say that he ociaipies the best dwelline- in thei
place: hut, to confess the truth, T did not i-hoost- it for vom- <[n-ir-J
ters on account of the honsf Imf because there is not to he seen id
Zalamea so beautiful a woman as— /
Capl.—Well'/ '
Serç.—As that villager's
Capl.—Pshaw! AVith all her beauty, can she he aught hut a
country girl with uncouth manners'/
10
THE ALCALDE OF ZALAMEA.
{Act I.
So-ff.—And i.s there a more enjoyable oeciii)ation for him who
makes love merely to while away his time, than to (;ourt a rustic
girl, to play upon her shyness and to listen to her blunders ?
^,^/^Capt.— Ap ¡iin|i<ifmrnt Distp A wonnan^^
0 ilttnirt ^Lmiia V>n-I.nintr.i1 Munit, nild rr"ldV.WItted
in conversation. But (looking off L.), who is that coming there 'i
A',.,.y —T!'" """"try hidnl.rp—prnlu^lily ftn«. r^f jtjAgP f.rnY.lr-
prainod wiglito uhosc piiiu.ipal food oonciiits in the perusal u)f
• O'' ^0'"-^'1'-v and knight-ejrantrY—ÍO .judge from his lank
Appearance.
\Cnj)t.—AVhat a ludicrous figure !
iSerji.—But it is time, Captain, to look after our quarters.
Capt.—Tell my orderly to carry my clothes to my lodgings. Do
you know the house ?
flcrg.—I will inquire. {Exeunt U. E.)
Enter Mendo and Nu.vo.
Men.—How is my gray steed ?
Su.—So far gone that it can hardly move.
Men.—Did you tell the lackey to walk him about ?
All.—Will that feed the horse ?
ßlen.—Nothing so good to refre.sh a beast.
Nil.—I've more faith in oats.
Men.—Did you order the porter not to tie up my hounds ?
Xu.-—The hounds are rejoicing in their freedom, but not so the
butcher, who will miss some of his meat.
Men.—Enough! What hour is it ?
Xu.—After three o'clock—past dinner time—and not a bite.
( (hipen. )
Mm.—I must then take out my gloves and my toothpick.
(I)oen .no.)
Xu.—Your toothpick I Are you not afraid of being charged
witli making false juetences 'Í
Alen.—If any one should, in the inmost reces.ses of his mind,
imagine that I have not feiisted to-day on pheasants, that he lies
in thought I will maintain.
Xu.—Hadn't you better maintain me—your hungry servant?
Men.—Nonsense ! Is it true that troops have been quartered in
the village ?
Xu.—Aye, Señor, 'tis but too true.
Scene /.]
THE ALCALDE OF ZALAMEA.
11
yfen.—I pity the poor peasants, who are in duty hound to lodge
them.
jV«.—I'd pity more the soldiers, if hidalgos were compelled to
lodge them. They—the soldiers—might be starved.
Men.—May the soul of my good sire be in heaven for having
exempted me from such burdens by bequeathing to me a noble
pedigree, and a coat of arms all resplendent with azure and gold.
jVm.—I'd rather he had left you more of the gold in the shape of
common doubloons.
Men.—But, looking at the question from a higher plane, I have
nothing to thank him for, because I could never have been born a
plebeian. *
Mu.—How could you have prevented it ?
Men.—I will explain and prove it to you by the rules of logic,—
for, in fact, you know nothing of mehiphysics.
Nu.—Metal—what ?
Men.—Listen. Here is my argument in three syllogisms :—
First-*-A man is composed of soul and body ;
I am a man ;
Iherefore, I am composed of soul and body.
Second—Nobility is inbred in the spiritual soul as well as in the
blue-hlooded body of a nobleman ;
I am a nobleman ;
Therefore, my soul is noble by essence, presence and
potence.
And now, from the.se irrefutable and brilliant premises, I draw
this grand conclusion ;—
My essentially noble soul could only fit and animate a
blue-blooded body ;
Therefore, I could never have been born a plebeian.
Nu.—Marry ! and 'tis now I'll swear to the truth of the pro¬
verb.
il/eii.—M'hich proverb?
Nu.—That "hunger sharpens the wits."
Men.—You are a fool ! Am I hungry ?
Don't get angry. If you aren't, you ought to be. As for
me, I feel a tremendous gnawing in my stomach.
3ien.—Is that a reason why I should be hungry ? That is good
for boors like you. An hidalgo can do without eating.
Nu.—(Gaping.) Ah-ah-ah ! I wish I was an hidalgo !
1-2
THE AI.C ALDE OK ZALAMEA.
[Art I.
?Irn.—And I want to hear no more of such vnlfjarities, especially
as we are now before Isabel's mansion.
Xn.—Why, if you are such a devoted lover of Isiibel, don't you
a.sk her father for her hand ? You'd thus aid each other. He'd
furnish you with the wherewithal to buy dinners, and you would
<{ive him hidalgos for grandchildren.
! Men.— \ -r\Y with yffi I Hf y" tldnt- that for monev I would
\u.—I thought that for fatlicr-in-law a low man was very
desirable ; you can more easily over-reach him. /But why, if you
1"" " r.r.;^^f^.r.c;r(nr.riT|¡irvT-ÍTi;r 1.-opp uiK-li n cfyntinnal n.i>ljnfir
after her^ O
Men.—That is my own aft'air. Xow, approach the house, and
tell me if ,^ ou can see her.
Mil.—I'm afraid of I'edro Crespo.
Jfen.—You are my sei vaut, and he would not dare harm you.
Is.VHEL and IXE.s appear on the hateoni/.
Xii.—But, lo! she shows herself at the balcony with her cousin
Ines.
Men.—Say rather that a .sun of beauty, dazzling with ctfulgent
rays, illumes the oriental sky, and wakens inj- soul to. a glorious
da}' of bliss. {Thei/ eonrerxe in diunh nhoir.)
Ines.—Do, cousin, let us remain on the balcony, that we may
see the soldiers as they march about the village.
Isa.—Only to please you would I consent to it, Ines ; for you
well know how much that man standing before our house annoys
me.
Ines.—He must be de.sperately in love with you.
Isa.—I am none the happier for it.
Ines.—You lo.se nothing by being the object of an hidalgo's
respectful attentions.
Isa.—I would willingly turn them over to you, Ines.
Men.—(Approachiny.) I could swear upon an hidalgo's honor—
an inviolable oath—that I wandered in complete darkness until
this happy moment, when your radiant countenance commenced
to shower the light of heaven upon this, your enraptured idolizer
and humblest slave.
—Otten have I told you. Señor Don Mendo, that I do not
relish your high-sounding words : that your very pre.sence di.s-
Scene /.]
THE AIX'ALDK OE ZALAMEA.
1:î
pifases )ue ; and that, should you persist in this persecution, you
will compel me to keep closeted in my chamber, to save mysell'
from your hateful sifiht.
Jliti.—Oh! if all heauteotis damsels knew how much their
aiifjer, their cruelty—their very insulting utterances—enhance
their eharms, they would never employ any other artifice to win.
By my faith ! you are now more beautiful, more bewitehinu; than
ever.
ltd.—Don Mendo, if harsh languafie has no power to rei)el you,
perhaps acts will. Ines, let us go in. ( E.rit. )
Señor Hidalgo, if in every field you bear ott' as many
laurels as iu this, may Cupid take pity on you. {Exit. Balconji
door cliipjx d 1o. )
Men.—Beauties may always do as they pleas«-.
Xu.—Oh-oh-oh! and what a sorry figure a poor man cuts eveiy-
where !
Enfer CUEsl'O (c. it.)
Vren.—{Anide.) Shall I ever step in or out of my house without
my eyes falling on this petty hidalgo !
Nu.—(Alarmed.) There comes Pedro Crespo !
Men.—Come this way (l..); he is a suspicious old fox.
Enfer .TfAX (1.. L.)
Juan.—(Anide.) Hu,st I always find this .scarecrow before my
hou.se ?
Nu.—(Trend)!in;/. ) Ah! his son is coming this other way !
Men.—Keep cool !
Cren.— But here is .Tuan. {('runnen fo L.)
./««(¿.—My father !
Men.—(To Nutlo.) Di.s.semblc. Pedro Crespo, 1 wish you hap-
jiine.ss.
Cren.—(Crußi/.) The .same to yoli, Don Mendo.
E.rennt Mendo Xr.vo (L.) ^ •
—(Anide.) That hidalgo's pertinacity will cost him dear
one of these days.
.iuan.—(Anide.) If this continnes, somebody will get hurt.
AVhere from, father ?
F-1U11 th" T jvot this abernooii to oversee th.t^^
..«• «>t|i- i-i'eps Divine Providence has vouchsated us this
14
the aix'ai.ue of zalamea.
\_Act I.
year an abundant harvest. It \50uUl make your lieart }ilad to see
the large heaps of unthreshed grain rising all about, like golden
hills. All my farm laborers are now busy threshing it, and sei)a-
rating the grain from the ehalf ; and I pray to (tod that all maj
be garnered before a heavy shower or a gust of wind comes to
damage it. And you, what have you been doing ?
Jufin.—I fear you will be vexed, and yet, I must tell the truth.
I have been playing a few games of pdofii, and I lost every one.
Cren.—And did you pay your los.ses?
JiKiii.—I did not'—because I had not coin enough with me ; and
I came to ask yo\i for
CrcH.—Listen to me bel'ore you proceed. .f rliii),r ■ mm mn'-.t
'never do Wvpy priinilsi' that ivliii li you am nut liiire vuu eiiii
Derl'onn. and never risk at a irame other neonle's pipi'ey
Jutiii.—The counsel is worthy of you, and as such I esteem it.
But I shall answer you by another. Never stop to give advice to
him who comes to you in pressing need of money.
(Vra.—Come, come, boy, you shall have the money; but mind—
this will be the la.st time.
Juan.—It will be the last—{axide) the last to-day.
Exeunt, into house.
Scene II.—Room in Pedro Crexpo's houxe.
Enter SeegeANï (l. ) and Crespo (k. )
Ser;/.—Is this Pedro Crespo's house?
f Vcs.—It is at your di.sposal, with its owner, your humble servant.
<SVrc/.—I came to bring Don Alvaro de Ataide's luggage. He is
the captain of the company which entered Zalamea this afternoon.
He has been billeted upon you.
Prex.—My house, all my property and myself are at the .service
ot the king's defenders. Have the luggage brought into that room
until an apartment is suitably prepared for such a noble guest ;
and you go and tell his wor.ship, the captain, that he may come
whenever he pleases ; that he shall be made at home.
Nerjf.^He will be here anon. [Exit, I..)
Enter ju.tn (r.)
./(«/«.—It is singular, father, that you would bear .such annoy¬
ances as having uninvited guests forced upon you.
Scene II. ]
the alcalde of zalamea.
13
Vns. How could I help it?
Juan.—How? Bnyiug a title of nobility.
CVe.s.—Why, Juan, does not everybody know who I am? Of
clean lineage and honest parentage—'tis true—but only a plain
villager. And what shall I gain by purchasing a title of nobility ?
Will people say that I am a better man? Nay—they will say
that I am noble for five or six thousand reals ; and that is money
and not honor—for honor can never be bought.
Juan—But you can buy an exemption from those vexatious
burdens which commoners have to bear ; and then you will place
your descendants on the high road to honors and glory.
Cres.—If you have the mettle you can hew out that road your¬
self, even through the hardest rock. Kaise yourself by your own
deeds—that is true nobility. Call your sister.
Juan.—She is coming with Ines.
Enter Is.vbkl and Ines (r.)
Vrex.—My daughter, his majesty, the Jving of Spain, is going to
Lisbon, where he is to he crowned sovereign of Portugal, thus
adding another realm to his vast dominions. For this purpose,
the old tercio of Flanders and other veteran troops are on the
march thither. Their leader is Don Lope de Figueroa, who,
everybody says, is as valiant as Mars himself. One of his cap¬
tains and some soldiers will come to-day and lodge in our house;
and it will be proper that they should not see you. You must
then retire to the uppermost chamber of the house, and stay there •
whilst they are here.
Ina.—I was coming e.specially to a.sk j'our permission to do so. .
My cousin and I will confine ourselves to that room, and no
stranger shall see or hear us.
Cren.—Go then, my children, and God bless you ! Juan, you
remain here and receive our guests, while I go out to procure
some delicacies wherewith to regale them. [E.rit, l.)
Ina.—Come up, lues. (E.rit, r.)
Inen.—I follow you, cousin—but (anide) it strikes me that bolts
and locks will not keep a woman if she cannot keep herself.
(Ej-it, r.)
Enter Captain and Seroeant (l. )
.S'cry.—This is the house, Captain ; your luggage is in there.
But, first of all, I am going to search the house, and find out
where that wench is. ( Ej it, r. )
Ki
■ru Ii AIX'ALDK OK ZALA M KA.
{Act 1.
('iij)l.—l, fees Jim II.) (rui)il morrow.
Juan.—Yüii are cjuite wele.ome t<> o(ir humble abode. It i.s a
jtreat honor for us to receive as our guest such a noble cavalier.
Cnpt.—{Asiile.) That is good for a peasant.
J/iHH.—How gallant is his bem-ing ! how genteel ! I am envious
of a soldier's garb. {Aloud.) You will excuse us if we cannot
lodge, you as your rank demands. My father would fain have
olfered you a palace. He has just gone out to prepare some
refreshments, and I am going to see if jmur apartment is already
inoperly arranged.
('(tpf.—(Dri/l/i.) Thauks for your attentions.
Juan.—Í will ever be your humble servant. (Bowu and .c.rit, K.
C'lipftihi pao'X thv utdijc.)
Enter SliliOEAXT (k.)
C'lpt.—What news, Sergeant V Have you .seen the girl?
Berg.—I have run through every room, even to the kitchen,
and I have not found her.
('apt.—Likely the old villager has concealed her.
Berg.—A servant told me that her father is very jealous, and
has confined her in the uppermo.st room.
('apt.—A rustic is always suspicious. "Well, had I .seen the girl
about, I would not have even h)oked at her. lîut now, only
because the old churl has hidden her—by Santiago!—a strong
desire has seizi'd on me to penetrate where she is.
Berg.—How .shall we manage to enter her chamber without
incurring any suspicion?
('apt.—I will devise .some stratagem, for I make it a point"of
honor to see her. ( Mii.ie.i. ) ^
Berg.—Provided we attain the object s
('apt.—I have it !
Berg.—May I know it ? ■ ^
('apt. Vou will feign—but" no—that .soldier coming there will
do better. ( Theij eonrer.ie in dinnh ulioir.)
Enter líÉiioi.LEno and Chispa (l. )
(l'> Chinpa.) I'll speak to the Captain about it. I may
have luck in .something.
('his.—Speak then in an obliging manner. None of your non¬
sense.
Scene 77.] the alcalde of zalamea.
17
Eeh.—Couldn't you give nie some of your sense?
Chis.—Indeed, I wish I could.
Keh.—Wait here a moment. {Approaches the Captain.) Señor,
I came to beseech your worship
Cfipt.—I will do anything in my power for Rebolledo. I like
him for his courage and his cleverness.
Serg.—He is a gallant soldier.
Reh.—I've lost my last farthing, and I came to implore, as a
favor, that your worship deign to order the lieutenant to give me as
a help—as an assistance
Capt.—Proceed.
Reb.—The company's game of boliche—to be run for my account,
as I have a family to support. {Glances at Chispa.)
Capt.—It is only justice ; I will give the order to the lieutenant.
Chis.—{Aside.) The Captain is speaking kindly to Rebolledo.
Oh ! if I only could hear myself called the bolichera!
Reb.—Shall I go and tell the lieutenant?
Capt.—One minute. Before you go I desire to confide to you a
scheme for carrying out a certain purpose, for which I want your
assistance.
Reb.—To know your worship's mind and to do your worship's
bidding Will be one for me.
Capt.—Listen. I intend to go up stairs into the uppermost
chamber of this house, in order to ascertain whether a person is
there, whom they are trying to hide from me.
Reb.—Why don't your worship walk straight up?
Copt.—I prefer to have a plausible motive for doing so. My pla
is tlm: You shall feign aouarrei with me : 1 will draw my swon
and you shall run up stairs^jpto the chamber, where I wiljjbllo
Chis.—{Aside.) Since the Captain continues to speak to Rebol--
ledo in such a condescending manner, 'tis a sure thing—I shall
soon be called the bolichera !
—{Aloud.) Per Baco ! That favor has been granted before
to thieves and to cowards, and now it is refused to a brave and
honest man !
Chis.—{Startled.) Santa Bárbara !—the madcap is oflf in one of
his wild pranks !
Capt.—How dare you speak to me in that manner?
Reb.—Haven't I reason to complain?
yjûH,
b
IS
the al(\\.lde of zalamea.
[Jet I.
('apt.—Yon have no reason—and, in any ea.se, no right to raise
your voice before ine—do you understand ? And thank your stars,
if I do not visit on yon the de.served punishment !
Heb.—Your worship is niy captain, and only for that wonld
I hold my peace ; but^hy hea^■ens !—if I had the baton in my
hand—
Chin.—{Running to Rebolledo.) Hold, Señor—you'll get killed!
Capt.—AYhat would you do?
Reb —Your worship wouldn't speak thus to me.
Capt.—By Santiago! it would be basene.ss to suffer this any
longer. Ï will run this insolent scoundrel through. {Drairn hin
nu'ord. )
Reb.—And I will run away, out of respect to your rank. (E.eit,
E.)
Capt.—And I Mill kill you, even if you take refuge in the holy
of holies. {Ej-il, after him.)
Chin.—Señor, for the virgin's .sjike, don't kill him.
Eery.—Captain!—one moment. {E.rii, k.)
Chin.—Now I .shan't be called the boliehera ! ( Veiling.) Help !
—murder!—murder!—come here!—helj)!—murder!
Enter C'EEspo (l.) and .Tfax, leith nieord.
Crea.—What is the meaning of this outcry 'Í
Juan.—What has happened 'Í
Chin.—A bloody affair! The Captain drew his sword to kill a
soldier, and both ran up stairs.
Cren.—Oh! what an unfortunate occurrence! (E.rit, ha.ntilg, k.)
Juan.—It was in vain to hide my si.ster and my cousin! ( E.reunt,
e.)
scexe III.-—A chamber, door (l.)—A table, (r. c.) and chaira.—
Isabel and Ixes aj>penr .neated, and on acting lîebolledo,
.ntart up.
Reb.—(Brealn in through door, I,., and falln breathlenn on hin kneen. )
For mercy's sake, fair dames, .save my life !
Ina.—What danger?
Inen.—What has occurred?
Ina.—Who pursues you ?
Scene 111.1
the alcalde of zalamea.
19
Enter Captais and Sekoeant(l. )
Capt.—(Excited.) I do ! I will slay him !
Ea.—(Interponny.) Spare his life, brave Captain! Do—if it is
only becanse he came to implore a defenceless woman's intercession.
This is a plea which was never disregarded by a truly noble and
gallant cavalier—such as I trust you aie.
Capt.—The wretch could not have taken a better refuge to save
himself from my wrath. (Sheathes his sword. Rebolledo rises and
eros.ses to I,.) For your beauty's sake I forgive him. But, ah I—do
not, sweet maiden, while saving that man's life, almost rob me of
mine by piercing my heart with the keen shafts of those lovely eyes.
/ I.sa.—Señor, if by your chivalrous conduct you have placed me
under an obligation, do not blot out a noble action with an un-
gentlemanly design. I owe you a debt of gratitude for sparing
that unfortunate man's life; but mark, this is a kind of debt which
tbe-tsreditor forfeits the moment he expects to be repaid.
Capt.—You are a model of perfection. Understanding, discre¬
tion, grace and beauty have combined in you to conquer all
hearts.
Enter C'hespo, Juan and Chispa (l.)
Cres.—How is it, Señor? When I expected to find you killing
a man, I find you
Isa.—Alas ! (Goes up to Ines.)
Cres.—Wooing a woman! Very high-minded you must be, since
you can so promptly overcome your anger ?
Capt.—He who is born a nobleman has the will and the power
to control his fury whenever his re.spect for a fair lady demands it.
Juan. —By heaven! all this was only a strategem to enter her^
Señor Captain (sarcastically), it is yery honorable, very noble,
indeed, to recompense my father in this manner for his frank and
generous hospitality !
Cres.—That does not concern you, youngster. If the soldier
offended him, why shouldn't he have tried to punish him ? (To
Captain.) Señor, my daughter appreciates your courtesy, and I
thank you for your respect for her.
C(,2)t.—You may believe that I would not have invaded this
chamber under any other circumstances. (To Juan.) And you,
young man, be more circumspect and respectful when you speak
to me again.
20
the alcalde of zalamea.
{Act I.
Juan.—(Firmly.) I know what I am about.
Cres.—Speak with moderation, boy.
Capi.—But for you, I would not forbear to chastise that beard¬
less youth.
Cre.<<.—Hold, Señor Captain! ,I can treat my son as I please, but
. I will not consent that anybody else should do so.
Juan.—And I would suffer it from my father, but not from him.
Capf.—And what would you do ?
/Juan.—life in d«fciii'>t'of my bono*'.
CV.f./ —LT,.a p p>'i1Si)"<' hnnor 9
I C«pC—By Santiago ! I m ill not ataud this !. {Dram», and prassat
Ulis sword with Juan^s^._{JuXtà£iUU!Â.ldAï>TJ^riLlLbdu:££n^tLmti.)
Cres.—Keep off, both of you. (To Isabel.) You go back, my
daughter.
Beb.—Per Baco ! Chispa, wq shall have fun !
('his.—(Aloud at door.) Turn out, guard ! here ! here !
Beb.—Look out I Don Lope himself is coming up !
Capf. and Serg.—Don Lope !
Capt.—tVe are in bad luck.
Enter Don Lope, with baton, a drummer and a few attendants.
Lope.—(In a passion, limping to and fro.) "What is going on
here? But just arrived, and the first thing I find is a fracas !
Capt.—(Aside.) Inopportune indeed is Don Lope's arrival !
Cres.—(Aside.) Gallantly did my son hold his own !
Lope.—What the devil was the matter? What has occurred?
Speak out, or—by our holy patron !—I will fling out of the win¬
dows men, women and all ! Is it not enough to have forced me
to drag this ailing leg—which the devil may take !—up here,
without every one standing dumb, like statues ! Come !—an
explanation! Quick! or (strikes floor with baton) by all the saints
in heaven !
CrtpL—It was nothing. Señor.
Lope.—Xay. Speak the truth. Captain.
Capt.—The case is, most excellent Señor, that I am quartered in
this house, and a soldier
Lope.—(Impatiently.) And a .soldier !
Capt.—Provoked me to draw my sword in order to punish him.
He ran up-stairs, and I followed him to thLs chamber, where I
Scene III. ]
the alcalde of zalamea.
21
found those two girls : and their father, or their brother, or who¬
ever they are, took offence at my entering here.
Lope.—I will settle the whole affair at once. Who is the soldier
who provoked the captain to draw his sword ?
Reh.—(Aside, alarmed.) What ! am I to pay for all?
—That is the soldier.
Lope.—(To attendants.) Let him he treated to a good dose of
rope. (They setze him.)
Reh.—Oh, most excellent Señor, that is not the sort of treat I
would like to stand.
Chis.—(Aside.) This time they'll hurt him.
. Capt.—(Aside, to Rebolledo.) For mercy's sake. Rebolledo, do
not betray me. I will see that they release you.
Reh.—(To Captain.) I shall have to tell it. If I don't, they'll
tie my arms behind my back, as they would treat a scamp.
(Aloud.) The captain commanded me to act this farce, so as to
have a pretext to enter this room. *
Crespo.—(To Lope.) Have we had no reason ?
Lope.—You have had no reason for endangering the safety of
the village. (To attendants.) Release that soldier. Drummer,
beat a general call. (Drummer salutes and exit, l.) Now, let all
the troops remain under arms at their respective headquarters, on
pain of death for any violation of this order.
Exeunt Rebolledo, Sergeant, Chispa and Attendants (l.)
Lope —And to satisfy you both—you. Captain, look immediately
for other quarters. I will lodge.in this house till I set out to join
the King at Guadalupe.
Capt.—Your orders, most excellent Señor, will be promptly
obeyed. (Boms, and exit, l. )
(Don Lope limps up to a chair, near table, and seats himself.)
Cres.—Isabel, Ines, retire to your own chamber. Juan, you may
go, too.
Exeunt Isabel, Ines and Juan (l.)
(Drum heard without, heating a call.)
Cres.—( Walks up and seats himself. ) I give you many thanks for
your timely interference, which, perhaps, saved me from commit¬
ting a homicide.
Lope.—And who might have been the victim?
22
THE ALCALDE OF ZALAMEA.
\_Aet I.
Cir.t.—Don Alvaro de Ataide, if he had attempted any indignity
in my house.
Lope.—By Jove !—are you not aware that he is a captain ?
Vres.—I am, by Jove !—and were he a general I would not spare
him.
Lope.—{SIrik-es the floor and riifeit.) If any one should dare to
touch a hair of the least of my soldiers—by the light of heaven !—
I would hang him.
fVex.—{Stamping with hin foot and rising). And if any one should
dare to touch my honor in the least—by the light of heaven !—I
would choke him.
{They come down.)
Lope.—Do you not know that, as a commoner, you are obliged
to bear all these inconveniences, and that everj thing you possess
may be taken by the King ?
—^Ibe-King can take my property—my life; but not my
^mnor—tor honor is the patrimony of the soul, and the soul belongs
only to God.
Lope.—By Santiago ! I think you are right now.
Vres.—Yea, by Santiago !—because, I am always right.
Lope.—I am wearied, and this painful leg which the devil gave
me needs rest.
Vres.—And the devil gave me a comfortable bed, which is ready-
made for you.
Ij>pe.—I am going, then, to lay me down—for, by all the saints
in heaven ! I am tired !
(Vex.—Go, then ; and—b3' all the saints in heaven !—la.v V'ou
down.
Lape.—(.-iside.) Stubborn, indeed, is the old villager! He can
swear as well as I !
fVc.s.—{A.sidc.) An intractable gue.st is this Don Lope! He
shall find as intractable a host !
END OK AOT L
Scene /.]
the al-calhe of zalamea.
ACT II.
>SCEXE I.—Same ne Scene I of Act I.—Time night.—Moonlight.
Mexdo and Nrxo.
Men.—Who toKl you tluitV
\n.—Her maid, Uinesa.
J/ew.^Sn the f' i))t'dn. after H^niv i|i l^ier e|eo"lTl-| Ivy,
fallen in love with Lsabel?
Xu.—And so deeply, that he i.s continually haunting her house,
and is, every hour of the day, sending her love messages by a cer¬
tain wench whom they call the bolichera of the company.
Men.—Enough ! This potion is too hitter to swallow at one
draft.
Xu.—Especially when our stomachs are too weak to bear it.
M'en.—Come, Ñuño, speak in earnest.
Xu.—I wish what I said was only a,ie.st !
Men.—But, tell me—how does Isabel receive the Captain's love
messages?
Am.—The same as j ouivs—with disdain ; for Isabel is an angel,
whose heaven is not to be so easily tarnished by foul vapors from
the earth.
Men.—{Strikee him.) That will teach you to speak of me with
more respect.
Xu.—{Groaning.) Oh!—oh!—oh!—maya bad toothache split
your jaws! You've knocked two of my teeth out! But I have
little use for them in your house, anyhow—that is some consolation.
The Captain !
Men.—Upon my honor 1 if I do not slay him on the spot, he may
thank my regard for I.sabel's good name.
Xu.—^i'ou look out for your own head.
Men.—Let us hide and listen. (The// retire hehiiiil a free L.)
'' Xnter c.vptaix", SerííE.vxt and Keboi.lkdo (r. R.)
('apt.—This passion which con.sumes my heart is more than love
—it rages and devours lik<' a conflagration.
Serg.—Oh, Señor ! Would to God that you never had seen that
fair country girl !
('apt.—(to Rehottedo.) What did Chispa tell you?
R(h.—Have you forgotten her answer? (Theg conreree in dumb
.ihoic. )
24
the alcalde of zalamea.
[Art II.
Mm.—That is too much ! I must act! Come, Ñuño, and arm
me cap-a-pie, before my valor gets the better of my discretion.
Ku.—I did not know you had any arms besides those on your
escutcheon.
Jl/cn.—I presume you will find in my armory some of the weapons
used by my noble ancestors for similar enterprises.
JV«.—Let us, then, softly away, for fear of the Captain.
Exeunt Mendo and NrSo (l.)
3Ien.—It is passing strange that a country damsel should be
capable of such heroic resi.stauce !
Serg.—This class of women never fall in love with men in your
position. If a villager like herself had wooed her, she would
have received his addresses with more favor.
Capt.—But I mu.st see her again, if I have to fight the whole
village. I must gaze at her beauty once more, even if the sight of
her extinguish the last spark of my reason.
Serg.—Did you not say that a country woman could never make
^ an impression on you ?
Capt.—So I believed. My blind confidence has been my perdi¬
tion. Had I been on my guard, my heart could not have been
carried off by surprise. I have never before seen a more beautiful,
a more charming, a more perfect, a more divine creature than
Isabel ! Ah, Sergeant I—what would I not do to see her?
Serg.—Why do you not try music? They say it hius the power
to tame even wild beasts. There are some excellent guitar players
and ballad singers in our company.
Mch.—And, above them all, there is my Chispa, who has a throat
like a lark, and can warble like a linnet, and is a first-class hand
at Jácara-singing, and always in the humor for the fun. So, then,
to work ! A rousing serenade under her balcony will fetch her
out, if anything will.
Capt.—I would not like to disturb Don Lope—especially, if he
is sleeping.
Eeb.—But Don Lope never sleeps, on account of his rheumatism.
Serg.—And besides, you can muffle yourself, so as not to be
recognized, and all the fault will be imputed to us.
Capt.—Meet, then, here, when the night is further advanced ;
but let nobody understand that I am concerned in the serenade.
Ah, Isabel I what tribulations you are costing me !
Scene 77. ]
the alcalde of zalamea.
25
Exeunt Captain and Sergeant (u. e.)
Enter Chispa.
Chin.—Who comes there ?
Reh.—Why, Chispa ! what is the matter?
Chin.—I have left a poor devil there with a scratch on his face.
Reh.—What was the canse of it?
Chin.—Not satisfied with wasting more time than necessary when
it was his turn to throw the balls, he tried to play on me an unfair
trick, and, as a warning hint, I drew a line across his cheek with
this. {Produces a dagger.)
Reh.—You make a glorious beginning as the holiehera of the com¬
pany. But, I want to speak to you about some merry-making.
Chin.—Here are my castanets, and my throat is in excellent
trim.
Reh.—Let us go, then, and join our comrades.
Chis.—When I die I shall leave to the world the fame of Chispa,
the holiehera. {Trills an air and dances.)
Exeunt (u. E.)
Scene II.—Room in Crespo's house.—Doors (e.) and (c.) ; window
(l.)—Hanging lamp.
Enter Don Lope and Pedro Crespo (c.) and Servants carrying a
tahle and chairs, which they place (c. )
Cres.—I will have the table set here. You will better enjoy -
your supper in this cool, airy room, with every door and window
open this beautiful moonlight night. Night is nature's compensa¬
tion for the sultry days of this season.
E.reunt Serrants.
Lope.—The air is fresh and enjoyable here. {Poini.n, li.) That
is a charming little garden.
Cren.—My daughter and my niece amuse themselves cultivating
the plants and fragrant flowers which grow in that small plot of
ground, where the soft murmur of the gushing fountain is accom¬
panied at daybreak by the untutored but sweet strains of the
winged warblers. Seat yourself, and try to forget your ailments.
Lope.—{Seats himself.) I can have no alleviation. God help me !
Cres.—God help you !
26
THE ALCALDE OF ZALAMEA.
[Act II.
Lope.—Be seated, Crespo.
('reg.—I would rather stand.
Lope.—Please be seated.
Creg.—Well—if it comes in that tone, I will comply with your
reo nest. [Sitg doirn.)
Lope.—Do you know that I remarked yesterday that your aufier
made you forget yourself.
Creg.—Nothing can ever make me forget myself.
Lope.—Why is it, then, that yesterday you seated yourself in
the be.st chair without my bidding you ?
( 'reg. —Because you did not hid me. And to-night I would not
have obeyed you, had you not requested me in an obliging man¬
ner. I am courteous with him who shows me courtesy.
Lope.—Yesterday you did nothing but swear, and bluster, and
stamp ; and to-day you are gentle and rea.sonable.
Creg.—Señor, I always sing and dance to the tune which is
played to me. Yesterday I did but follow your example. I ba\ e
adopted as my rule of conduct, to swear with him who swears,
and to pray with him who prays ; to rejoice with him who feels
happj', and to grieve with him who has sorrow. This I carry so
far, that last night I could not close my eyes thinking of your
atfliction ; and this morning both my legs pained me, for, not
knowing whether it was the right or the left one that ached you,
and fearing to choose the wrong one, I set both my legs torment¬
ing me.
Lope.—.A.m I not excusable il' I am always in bad temper. For
the last thirty years, since the war of Flanders, I have continu¬
ously been .suffering from the distressing effects of exposure during
the severe winter of that campaign.
Creg.—God give you patience !
Lope.—(Shcopiy.) \Yhat do I want it for?
Cres.—ilay he not give it to you then?
Lope.—[IrrH<ited.) I wish a thousand legions of demons would
carry off both my leg and myself.
Creg.—Amen ! And if a thousand legions of demons do not do
so, it is because they never do anything good.
Lope.—By heaven ! I cannot bear this pain !
Creg.—By heaven ! I deeply regret it !
Lope.—{Rigcg and oeerthrowg the table.) By Santiago! this is
insufferable I
Scene II.'\
the alcalde of zalamea.
27
(Ws.—[RixeK and ocerihrown his chair.) By Santiago ! it is so !
Lope.—This pain had the better of my patience. Is it not
provoking to be thus tormented by this leg?
Cres.—I was just thinking the same thing.
Lope.—I thought it was something else. Why did you over¬
throw the chair ?
Lres.—Because I had nothing else at hand when you overthrew
the table.
Enter Juan (c.) and serrants, with trays, plates, etc., who set the
table and retire.
•Titan.—Supper will be served directly.
Lope.—Why do not my servants come and wait on me?
Cres.—I told them, Seüor, not to come in, nor make any prepa¬
rations ; for, thank tfod, I can afford to entertain you properly.
Lsipe.—Could I have your daughter's company at supper?
Cres.—Juan, tell your sister to come down immediately.
E.cit Juan.
Jjipe.—My age and infirmities preclude even the shadow of a
suspicion.
Cres.—Señor, even if you enjoyed as good health as I wish you,
I would never suspect your intentions. If all your subordinates
were as honorable as you, I would not feel compelled to keep my
daughter and niece in retirement.
Lope.—(Aside. ) How sagacioirs is the old villager !
Enter Isabel, Ines and Juan (c.)
Isa.—What is your pleasure, father?
Cres.—Don Lope deigns to honor you. It is he that calls you.
Lsa.—I am your humble servant. Señor.
Lope.—I shall be happy to serve you. (Aside.) What angelic
beauty ! I desire to have the honor of your company at supper.
Isa.—It would be more becoming that I and my cousin should
wait on you at table.
Lope.—(Sitting. ) By no means. Seat yourselves.
Cres.—Do as Don Lope bids you-
(They obey. Don Lope helps them to supper. Sninors and thrum¬
ming of guitars heard without, i..)
28
THE ALfALHE OF ZALAMEA.
[Act II.
Lope.—What music is that?
('res.—Probably the soldiers, who are amusing themselves.
Lope.—The hardships and privations of a soldier's life could
not be borne without some recreation now and then.
Juan.—Yet, it is a beautiful life.
Lope.—Would you be a soldier?
Juan.—Willingly, under your E.vcellency's command.
Serg.—( Without, l.) Let us begin with a love song.
Reb.—(Without, l.) Wait first, until I throw this letter over
Isabel's balcony, to awake her. (A stone, with paper attached, is
thrown into the room through window, l. )
('res.—(Aside.) It is a serenade under my balcony ; but I must
forbear now.
A voice sings without (l.), with guitar accompaniment :—
Oh, fairest of maids,
My torment thou art !
Come, soothe with thy presence
My suffering heart.
In pleasant slumber
Thou sinkest to rest ;
The balm of sleep
In vain seeks my breast.
Lope.—I would not mind the music ; but it is an insolence to
throw stones at the house.
Cres.—They are young people, and maybe excused. (Jside.)
If it was not for Don Lope, I would teach them how to behave.
Juan.—(Aside, going c. ) I am going for a sword and buckler.
Cres.—Where are you going, youngster?
Juan.—To bring some more dishes for the supper.
Cres.—The servants will attend to that.
A voice.—(without, l.)
Awake, I-sa-bel,
And list to the lay
Of one whom thy love
Consumes night and day,
A smile on thy lips,
A glance from thy eyes,
My soul, now despairing,
Can lift to the skies.
Isa.—(Uneasilg, aside.) Oh, God! what shall I do? What
have I done, to be subjected to all this?
Scene III.]
THE alcalde of zalamea.
29
Lope.—(Aside.) I wish I was now outside. (Rises.) I desire no
more supper to-night. I want to retire.
Cres.—At your pleasure. (Aside.) That will further my design.
Lope. —(Aside. ) I will give them a lesson.
iWs.—(Aside.) I will get out through the side door.
Lope.—Good night. (Exit, c.)
Cres.—Good night.
Isa.—(Aside.) My heart forhodes some misfortune. They can
hardly conceal their real intentions. (Converses with Ines.)
(Exit .Tuan, stealthity, e.)
Cres.—Here, boy ! come this way.
Juan. — (Returning.) Señor!
Cres.—Through this door is the way to your room.
Exeunt all (c.)
Enter seri'ants, and carry away table and chairs.
Scene III.—Same as Scene I.
Captain (muffled), Sergeant, Rebolledo, Chispa, and Soldiers,
with guitars. They appear grouped under balcony (u. r.)
Chis.—Now for a bolero.
Reb.—Yes, yes !—variety is the spice of a serenade.
(They dance.)
Chis.—(In a glee.) It is now that I am in my true element.
Viva la broma! (Guitars continue playing.)
Capt.—Not a single soul appears at any window.
Serg.—And everybody in the house must have heard us—unless
they are deaf.
Chis.—Let us sing now a jácara.
Reb.—No, wait a moment, until we recognize what these two
approaching shadows are.
Serg.—One of them is the ghost of a knight errant.
Enter Mendo, in armor, and NuSo, cautiously (l.)
Men.—Ñuño, can you see what is going on?
Ku.—By such a fine moonlight—why shouldn't I see, and hear,
too?
3Ü
THE ALl'ALDE OF ZALAMEA.
[Art IL
—Oh ! who has patience to suffer this?
A*«.—I have. " ^ '*
Mni.—Will Isabel open her window?
A'k.—She will.
J/c«.—She will not, villain ! »
Nu.—She will not.
Men.—Oh jealou.sy ! how painful ífe thy sting! I have a mind
to drive them away by making a dash upon them; hut I will re¬
strain my anger until I ascertain whether Isabel is to blame for
this.
Nu.—Let us sit, then.
(Mexdo and Nl"xo sent themselves on the stone bench.)
Rth.—The ghosts sat down.
Rerg.—They want to enjoy our music.—Go on.
Vhis.—Shall we sing a stirring jácara.'
('apt. — Nay I Repeat the last stanza of that love-song.
voice.)
Awake, Ip-a-bel,
.^nd list to tlie lay
Of one whom thy love - •
ronsumes ni^lit and day.
A smile on thy lips,
A glance from thine eyes.
My soul, now despairing.
Can lift to the skies.
Enter CBESPo(r.r.l, Dox LoPE,/ro/n house, and .Ir.vx.orer garden
wall, all with swords nnel huckltrs. They attack the serenaders, erho
give way in confu'eion. Mexdo rises and is carried off with the
e-rowd, whilst Nr.vo holds tremblingly to his skirts.
( res.—I will lift you to the skies!
Leepe.—Antl I will send you to hell !
Juan.—And I will speed you !
E.reunt omnes (l.I, ejccejjt Ceespo and D.)x lupe.
Lope.—Is that you, Pedro Crespo ?
('res.—That is my name, Don Lope.
Lejpe.—I did not want you to come out.
('res.—And I expected you to stay at home.
Leipe.—But it Wivs my busine.ss to punish their insolence.
('res.—But I hold a different opiuion on the subject.
Scene i/7.]
the alcalde of zalamea.
31
inief Juan (l.)
Juan.—They have their deserts.
Crcn.—Why, i.s that you, Juan?
To/e<'.>i.—{IVithout.) Death to the villagers!
Othere. — ( Without.) To arras !
( '(tj)t. —{Without. ) Beware !
./«nn. —Let theiii come on again.
Enter C'aptaix, Rergeaxt, Rebolledo and midiere, infuriated,
^ut, OH recoijnizing DoX Lope, they restrain theniselres.
Sold.—Death to theiii !
Loye.—(Adeaneiny.) Hold! I am here ! By Santiago ! What
is this uproar about?
(hyt.—Mo.st e.vcellent Señor, some villagers had a fight with
my soldiers and wounded some of them, because they were only
solacing theinselve.s. I am .striving to allay their rage.
Lope.— Captain, I appreciate your prudence ; hut .since an ill-will
has sprung up between your soldiers and the inhabitants of this
village, I pommand you to inimei1jnt,.D- y--uv eciiipnnj 11111^^
o]f Zalaihea, in order to spare it .a, calamity ; for, if anything of the
kimV occurs again—by the light of heaven !—I will restore peace
with sword and fire.
('apt.—Your orders I will carry out, most excellent Señor.—
[Aside.) Ah, fair Isabel ! you will yet cost me my life.
Exeunt onines (r. k.), e.rcept CliEspo, Dox Lope and .Ii'ax.
Cree.—(Aeide.) This Don Lope is a regular imrrtinet !
Lope.—Xow, let us go in—confound this leg !
('res.—Confound the rheumatism ! (Exeunt into houer.)
Enter AIexdo and Xrxo (l.)
Ku.—{Holding hie left ehoutder and groaning.) Oh—oh—oh !
Men.—Is your wound serious?
A'^m. — I don't think it will laugh.—Oh—oh—oh !
Men.—I me.an —is it .severe?
Xu.—Aye !—and pretty well severed is the skin on my left
shoulder.—Oh—oh—oh !
Men.—I am sorry.
Xu.—.So am I.—Oh—oh—oh!—all this side hurts me. {Drum
without.)
32
the alcalde of zalamea.
[Act IT.
Men.—What is that?
Nu.—The company going away. May they never return from—
from a very hot place.—Oh—oh—oh !
Men.—It is lucky !—That will spare me the trouble of killing a
rival.
Enter captain and Seegeant (u. E.)
Capti—Sergeant, the company may set out ; but let it he brought -
to a halt in that woodland a league off, until I join it ; for I must
see Isabel before leaving the place.
Serg.—Softly !—two figures there ! By Jove ! one of our as¬
sailants !
Men.—Come home. Ñuño. Do not tremble.
Nu.—Oh, master ! {Exeunt l.)
Vapt.—Do not mind them. Sergeant; they are skulking away.
As I said before, I will see her. I have bribed her maid, who will
let me into the house.
Serg.—Captain, if I may he permitted to offer a piece of advice,
retain some .soldiers with you. These villagers are not to he
trusted.
Vapt.—I know it. Detail a few of the most daring.
»Very.—Rely on me. But 'do you not fear that Don Lope might
see you?
Vapt.—No. I am informed that he received, last night, a royal
message, and will leave at daybreak to meet the king at Gua¬
dalupe.
Serg.—I hasten to obey you. Señor.
Enter Rebolledo and Chisp.a. (u. e. )
Exit Seegeant (u. e. ) speaking before to Rebolledo in dumb
show. Dag begins to daten.
Eeb.—Joy, joy; Captain !
Vapt.—What good news?
Beb.—There will be an enemy less in the field.
Vapt.—Who is it?
Beb.—That restless youth—Isabel's brother. He is going to
enlist and go with Don Lope to the war.
Vapt.—That augurs well for the success of my plan. Go now
to your company.
Beb.—I have been detailed by the Sergeant to be at your wor¬
ship's pleasure.
Scene III.]
the alcalde of zalamea.
3.3
('apt.—Be on hand, then, in case I want you. (E.eit L.)
Rcb.—There will be only six of us left. I am afraid we are
too few.
ChU.—Don't you count upon me, who am always as well pre¬
pared (shoiving dayger) to engage in a row as in a song or a danct?
Rch.—It strikes me that petticoats are rather in the way when
steel clashes steel.
('/¿is.—If that is the case I will exchange mine for a soldier's
trappings. {Drum without.)
Rch.—The company is leaving. Let us bid them good-bye.
('his.—[Singing and hopping.) Oood-bye, company—tra—hi—la.
[E.veunt u. E.)
Enter Don Lope, Crespo and Juan, from house.
Lope.—I am indebted to you for many favors ; but you have
obliged me particularly by giving me your son as a soldier.
Cres.—He shall go as your servant.
Lope.—I will treat him as a son. He has gained my heart by
his bravery, his spirit and his enthusiasm for a soldier's life.
Juan.—You shall ever find in me a most obedient and faithful
subordinate.
Cres.—I pray you. Señor, to excuse him if his manners are not
very refined, or his mind well cultivated, for in our rustic life the
plow, the hoe and the harrow are our most familiar works.
Lope^—I am not a very.polisheiLinan myselfLi "Well, I must be
off before the sun rises.
,Tuan. I will go and see that they hitch the horses to the
chaise. {E.eit v. K. )
Enter Is.lbel and Ines from house.
Cres.—Come, Isabel, Ines, bid Señor Don Lope fiirewell.
I.sa.—It would have been a cause of regret to me, if I had not
been afibrded the opportunity of doing so.
Lope. —I would never have gone without presenting my respects
to you, and without begging you to pardon me if, carried away by
my temper and my ailments, I have at times been uncivil or rude.
(Takes off ehain.) And as a memento I pray you to keep this chain
and cross, which, though set with precious stones, is yet inconi-
mensurare with your deserts. [Proffers it.)
0
THE AI-CAI,I)K OE ZALAMEA.
i Act 11.
lait.—I wonlcl rather not receive .such a valnahle present, for it
looks as though j'ou were paying us for our hospitality ; whereas
the honor your presence confers on us suffices and leaves us yet
your debtors.
Lnitc.—This is not payment, hut only a token of friendship and
esteem.
Ixn. —(Talking a iimUihj.) As such, then, I accept it; and this
encourages me to recommend my brother to your kindness, since
he is so fortunate as to serve under so gallant a chief.
Lope. — I repeat to you wh.at I said to your father, he shall have
in me rather a father than a superior officer.
Elder JuAN (r. li.)
.fiinii.—The chaise is ready.
Lope.—(PreKsing ('re.ipo',1 honil.) Good Pedro Ciesj)0 1
Cre.i.—Illustrious Don Lope !
Lope.—AVho could have foretold, the ñrst time we met, that we
should part such warm friends !
G/r.«.—I could—after our first swearing race.
Lope.—God ble.ss you all !
('res.—May he protect you !
Lope.—Farewell! (E.rit, i . r.)
Cre.s.—God speed you. (To .luAX.l Juan, listen to me. As
you will ride a .swift cour.ser, you can easily overtake Don Lope.
Now, my .son, I wish to give you a few in.structions for your guid¬
ance in the arduous life you are about to enter, far away from my
paternal care.
Jiiiiii.—You shall have my attention.
iVv.s.—Strive, my son, under every circumstance, to do your
duty faithfully and conscientiously. Let the voice of envy and
detraction ne^•er make you swerve from the right path. On no
.account speak evil of your neighbors, or encourage others to do so
by listening willingly to their malicious and in most cases slan¬
derous tales, líe respeetful, without cringing, to your superiors ;
tolerant, without weakness, to your equals; aflable, but dignified,
to your inferiors. T'lilcss in self-defence, never rush into a per¬
sonal fight. If anybody insults you, think twice Irefore you reply
or seek redress. You will often find that by taking notice of an
insult, you but do yourself an injustice. ^Yith these admonitions
in mind, Don Lope's protection, and my ble.s^iug. I trust in (iod
Scene III.}
the alcalde ok zalamea.
3.")
you shall be able to make yourself a man. {Affected.) God speed
you, my son.
JiKiii.—Your wise counsels, father, will remain deeply impressed
upon my heart. Give me your hand and your blessing. {Kmes
CUEspo's hand.) And you, dear sister, farewell ! [Embraces her.)
Isa.—I would retain you in my arm.s, If I could thus prevent
your departure. ( IlVf^^w.)
Jnan.—Dear cousin, farewell. [Takes her hand.)
Ines. — ( W'ccjtin;/.) My tears drown my utterance. Adieu !
('res.—[Mored.) Now, he off quickly. If you delay longer, I
.shall have no courage to part with you.
Juan.—God protect you all. [E.rii, tí. E. )
('res.—May he guide you.
7w/.—It is cruelty to let him go.
('res.—( Wqnny a tear.) Now that he is away I can unload my
heart. Oh, my children ! You think me cruel, but listen to my
reasons. I part with him for his own good. Being rich, and
rather unwisely indulged, he had no love for work. And what
would have become of him, leading a life of idleness in this small
country village? He would have undoubtedly fallen into had
habits—probably into vices. Better for him to give a full scope to
his .spirit and bravery in the service of his country.
Isa.—I cannot drive away a feeling of uneasiness. Let us go in,
father.
Inc.s.—Had we not better stay out here and enjoy the balmy air
of this beautiful summer morning, now that the soldiers have left
the place?
Cre.s:—Let us .stay. Bring out seats. (Ixes i/oes into house.)
We can then see Juan speeding away until he turns that road
yonder.
Ines.—( Taking out tu o chairs. ) Here they are. You sit on this,
Isabel.. I will bring out another. [Titey scut themselves, u. k.,
facing e.)
Enter captain", See(!Eaxt, Rebolledo, Chispa and four sol¬
diers, skulking among the trees, ( l.)
Cajit.—Tread easily.
^Serg.—We needn't fear. The son is gone, and the neighbors
and farm-laborers are by this time far off, working in the fields.
('apt.—Go, Chispa, and apprise the maid-servant that I am heie.
thk alcalde of zat,amea.
i Ad II.
Eeh.—Hush ! They are sittiiifç outside the house.
('apt.—Ah ! we are in luck. There is Isabel ! My heart should
have told me so. Now is our chance. Be ready, and while. I
carry her away, prevent the old man from following me. Re¬
member, you must meet me in tbat neighboring wood.
Inez.—They say they will elect, to-day, the new Alcalde of
Zalamea.
frftv.—Municipal elections are always held here in the month
of August.
('apt.—Now, then !
(They male a dash, »word in hand. Lsabel and Ine.s .itaii, terri¬
fied to their feet. The Captain carries Isabel off (l.) Crespo
males desperate efforts to fotlow him ; but is hindered by the soldiers.
Ines hurries into house.)
Isa.—(Terrified.) Ah, Señor ! (Struyyling.) Oh, villain ! what
is the meaning of this? Oh, let me go ! let me go !
Capt.—Have no fear, fair Isabel. I will not do you any harm.
('re,s.—Oh, villainous cowards! Give me only a weapon, if you
have any instincts of manhood left.
Sery.—Keep off, and we will not hurt you.
Isa.—( Without.) Father !—brother !—mercy !
('res.—Oh, God! Gentlemen, for all that you hold sacred or
dear, let me go to the rescue of niy child.
Enter Ines, irith a sword.
Ines.—Here is your sword, uncle.
('res.—(Seizing it.) Oh, thanks ! Now, away villains ! (Fights
with desperation, driving them before him. Two of the soldiers fall on
him behind, and, holding him by the shoulders, he is disarmed.)
Ines.—(Distressed.) Oh, merciful God!
lieb.—Let us kill him.
Serg.—(Parrying Rebolledo's thrust.) No; spare at least his life.
We will tie him to a tree, where he .shall not be heard.
CVra.—Oh give me, rather, death. This shall not be ! (Is carried
away struggling.)
Exeunt omnes (l.) e.reept Ines.
Ines.—(Running about in distress.) Oh, Virgin Mary! What
shall I do? Our men are too far away. ( Clattering of hoofs heard. ^
Oh ! thank heaven ! Juan is coming at full speed, but he is alone
¡Scene /.]
thk alcalde oe zalamea.
Enter Juan (u. E.) hurriedly and ereited.
Ines.—Oh, Juan! (She embraces him.) Have you seen?
Juan.—I have divined what I have not seen. In what direction
did they go?
Ines.—In that direction.
Juan—I will save them, or lose my life. (Draws his .sword and
exit, l, running.)
Ines.—I will go for help. (Euns up, u. K.)
end of act u.
ACT III.
Scene I.—Same as Scene II, of Act I.
Ines appears, iceeping, and on seeing Crehph, who enters (l.), runs
to him, and embraces him.
Ines.—Oh, dear urtcle, where is Juan?
Vres.—(Sadly.) I have not seen him.
Ines.—Are you hurt?
('res.—Not much in body, but most cruelly in my soul. Where
is Lsabel?
Ines.—She is in her chamber—poor cousin !
Cres.—(Anxiously.) But ber honor?
Ines —Her honor was saved, but the shock has broken her down.
Cres.—(Fervently, raising his hands.) The Lord be praised ! I
can now bear any other misfortune.
Ines.—And you, uncle, bow did you escape from the bands of
those fiends?
Cres.—I was gagged and mercilessly bound, bands and feet, to a
tree in the woods. For several hours, which to me seemed years,
I suffered all the torments of the damned. When some of our
men released me, I was blind with grief and rage, and I hardly
knew how, with my limbs benumbed, I could find my way to the
village. I found the inhabitants aroused, and on being informed
that Isabel had been brought home, I hastened here, where, thank
God, you have just relieved my mind from a burden of an.xiety.
But Juan—what do you know about him?
Ines.—I will tell you what I learned from Isabel and from some
of the peasants who brought her home. .Juan overtook the cap-
tuf: all'alde of zalamea.
[Ad III.
tnin before be had gone far, and rescued bis sister. A desperate
ñght ensued. Two of our wood-cutters were attracted to the spot,
and Isabel—good .soul !—overcoming her fright, urged them to give
assistance to her brother. But Juan—gallant .Tuan ¡—cried to
them to carry his sister home <j[uickly, adding that he, alone, was
able for his antagonist. Isabel demurred—wanted to shield her
brother with her own person, when a party of soldiers emerged
from the woods, and, sword in hand, rushed toward them. This
sight was too much for the sorely-tried heart of my poor cousin.
She fell to the ground in a swoon, and tlie woodmen brought her
in while she was unconscious. Since .she came to her senses, she
has done nftthing—poor soul !—but cry her very ej es out. Oh,
how anxious I am to know the fate of Juan !
CrcH.—You shall soon know it. Brave bov ! Oo, now, and trj-
to console your cousin—mj' poor child ! I will soon be back.
IncK.—:I)on't delaj'long, dear uncle, I feel .so di.stressed ! {Exit,
lt., tripin g her irtirn.)
EnUr XoTAliY (l.)
I Kut.—Señor Pedro Crespo, I present mj' congratulations to jou.
('reit.—You mean jmur condolences, XohirjL
Xnl.—There is time enough for the latter. The Council oí
Notables have this daj' unanimouslv elected you .\lcahle of Zala¬
mea. And I inform you, further, that j-ou have two great events
wherewith to inaugurate the exercise of the duties of your office—
the first is the arrival of his Majesty, the King, and the second a
criminal trial.
('res.—What is the case?
Nol.—The captain of one of the companies which were quar¬
tered here was wounded and brought to the village by some of his
soldiers, to obtain surgical attendance.
('res.—Was he the onlj' one hurt?
Xof.—I thought you knew who was killed.
('res.—(Agitnled.) Hush! Don't say another word, lest my
daughter hear it—I divine all. Where are thej-?
Xoi.—In the Town Hall.
Cre.s.—Oh, divine jn-stice ! How opportunelj' is the power of
the law j)laced in mj' hands. I^raj', express to the Council my
heartfelt thanks for the honor they have conferred upon me.
Aot. I must notiij* jam, likewise, that j'ou are to repair imme-
diatelj- to the Town Hall, for the pnrpo.se of taking the oath and
SWne I/.]
the alcalde of zalamea.
formal possession of the staft' of office ; and, furthermore, to
initiate lef;al proeeedings in the criminal case aforesaid.
i'rc.i.—I will follow you. [Exeunt, l.)
.Scene II.—Room in the Town Hull of Zalamea.
, y Captain, irith left ai m bandaged, and Sergeant.
Rapt.—It was not worth while bringing me back to this village
for such a slight wound.
SVrjr.—How could we know that it was not serious before the
surgeon examined it, especially as you were bleeding so much that
I thought an artery had been cut open.
('apt.—Let us decamp, then, without delay, before the news is
spread abroad that we are here.
Serf/.—I brought you to the Town Hall as the safest place to
have your wound examined and dressed. Here we may claim the
protection of the civil law as against the villagers ; whereas our
privileges as soldiers exempt us from being reached by it.
Enter Rebolledo (r.)
Reh.—(Alarmed.) The Alcalde and the Con.stahles are coming
i n here ! •
Cajit.—I see no cause for alarm. You know that the common
law officers have nothing to do with us. They cannot go outside
of their own jurisdiction.
Reil.—Probably the old villager has made comidaint against us.
('apt.—That may be ; but only our own superior officers have
l)ower to arrest us, and a court-martial is the only tribunal that
can try us.
Crex.—(Without.) Guard every door. Do not let any of the
soldiers escape.
Enter Crespo, with the xtaff of oßee. Notary and armed Con¬
stables.
('apt.—How dare you enter in this manner where I am? (Reeoy-
vizix Crispo. ) Ah ! whom do I .see?
Crex.—Señor Don Alvaro, it is not my individual self whom you
see now, it is a representative of the law and justice.
('apt.—A representative of the law and justice! Even if you
have really become such within the last few hours, you have no
jurisdiction over us.
40
the alcalde of zalamea.
[Ad III.
Ores.—Softly, Señor, do not get excited. I have a personal aft'air
to settle with you, and it is nece.ssary that we should be left en¬
tirely alone.
('api.—(Anide to Seeg.) Leave the room, but keep within
hearing.
Cren.—(TbCoNsT.) Go outside. (To Not.) Have those sol¬
diers closely watched.
Not.—l will. Señor.
Exnint omnes (b.), except Ceespo and Captain. A pause.
Oes.—Now I put aside the staff of office. (Lay.s it by.) I will
speak to you as plain Pedro Cre.spo. •
C'apt.—I condescend to hear what you have to say, but be brief.
Cres.—Señor Don Alvaro de Ataide, I have not a parchment
nobility to boast of. but I am an honest man, and never did I
knowingly injure any living being.
C'apt.—Is it to listen to your own panegyric, that you wanted
me? I can dispense with it.
Cre.s.—A little patience, I pray, Señor. I married a virtuous
woman, who departed this for a better life, leaving to my care two
children, whom I reared with the most tender affection. ^One was
the angel of my hearth, the other the hope of my waning years.
(r/ic Captain makes gestures of impatience.) Our home was the
abode of happiness until you, a noble cavalier, an honorable officer
in the king's armies, feloniously attempted to rob us of our honor,
which, thank God, has been .saved, although at the expense of my
brave son's life. (Turns his face to wipe a tear, hut immediately com¬
poses himself. ) You did not even kill him in a fair fight, but, after
he was overpowered by numbers, down and helpless, you cowardly
murdered him.
C'apt.—I only punished him as his insolence deserved.
Cres.—I will give you a chance to punish me also for mine. I
can, as a judge, bring you to an account for your crime, and apply
to you tlie penalty of a common felon ; but I ask of you only a
satisfaction with the sword.
('apt.—The idea !
Cres.—We must respect this place, as the temple of the law ; but
I will lead you to a secluded spot, where only God shall be our
witne.ss. Follow me.
('■apt.—Could you for a moment entertain, in earnest, the
s, ene //.]
the alcalde of zalamea.
41
thought that I would descend to place myself on an equal footing
with you?
Crm.—You reject, then, the chance I offer you?
('apt.—I want nothing from you.
C'rex.—You may have to repent, Don Alvaro.
Capt.—Your threats do not aflect me.
Cren.—You will not follow me?
Capt.—No.
Crc.s.—Is that your final decision?
Capt.—I never change my mind.
Cre.'i.—By heaven ! I will then deal diflerently with you.
{Takes the staff.) Hollo! Officers!
Capt.—I wonder what is the intention of these villains !
Enter Notary and Constables (b.)
Not.—What do you command. Señor?
Cre.s.—I command you to imprison Don Alvaro de Ataide. (Con¬
stables surround the Captain.)
Capt.—I warn you that I am a Captain in the service of the
king, and that you have no jurisdiction over me.
Cres.—We will test that.
Cup/.—Where are my .soldiers?
Cres.—Never mind them, they are safe.
Csipt.—I will complain to the king of this outrage, and—by
Santiago !
tVcif.—Give up your sword. Captain.
Qipt.—{Indignantly.) But this is an ignominy! (Constables
take his sword and hold him fast.) Base villains ! treat me with the
respect due to my rank and nobility.
Cres.—{Sareastieally.) 'Tis but just. With all the re.spect due
to his rank and nobility, secure him. With all the respect due
to his rank and nobility, take him to the safest dungeon of this
Town Hall. With all the respect due to his rank and nobility,
have the strongest irons fastened to his feet. With all the respect
due to his rank and nobility, watch him closely and do not let him
communicate with any of his soldiers. And you. Notary, begin
legal proceedings at once. If his crime can be substantiated accord¬
ing to law, by the justice of heaven !—with all the respect due to
his rank and nobility, I will have him strangled on the garrote eil.
Capt.—(live power to commoners ! You shall answer for this.
4-2
the alcalde üf zalamea.
[Act III.
Exciiiit Captain uiul Constables (l. )
Enter Rebolledo, Chinpn, a mldkr, and Cnnntahlcfi (e.)
Kot.—Here are the soldiers, Señor.
tVe.s'.—I thou};ht there M'ere more of them.
Kot.—Three escaped before we proeeeded to make the arrests ;
hut the law only requires three eye-witne.sses to prove the guilt,
and we have also one of the villagers who saw the occurrence.
Crc.s.—These are the fellows who sing jácaras and play on the
guitar.
Bet).—.Señor, is it a crime to sing and play on the guitar?
Crc.y.—Xo ; but if you do not testify voluntarily for the prose¬
cution, you will have to sing out on another instrument, not quite
as sweet.
('his.—{Aside.) Rebolledo, let us deny everything.
Jtch.—And the rack, my dear? We shall be broken on it.
('res.—Lead them to the torture chamber and take their deposi¬
tion.
Beh.—Ah, Chispa ! this is becoming .serious ! We mu.st tell
what we know, and even what we do not know, if they want us
to.
('his.—Aye! that we must. (Sinys.)
Tliey will never torture me,
Tf I know what I'm alxHit:
Shouhl they want my teKtimony,
More than I know, I'll let out.
('res.—Such impudence I never saw !
E.nunt oinnes (l.)
Scene III.—A publie si/nore.—Front rie>r of Toirn Iltdl in flat,
irith i/nti' |c. ) elosid, and tiro side doors; one elo.sed, the other
ijnnrdid hij tiro C'onstnbtis armed n'ith anjnehuses.
Villai/(rs ajiptnr tonnying about.
\st }'it.—Since I w.as a boy, I don't remember such .stirring
times as we have now in Zalamea. Troops pa.ssing on their way
to the war—the king e.xpected to-day—a great criminal trial—
'Id Eil.—Have you been in the Town Hall?
l.st 17/.—Xo ; but my cousin, the Coirstable, told me that the
e.xecutioner was very busy iixing and cleaning the garrote, which
was rii.sty Irom disuse.
Scene II 1.1
tlik alcaldk of zalamea.
'2f7 17/.—It onjilit ti) be pretty r-usty, for it is many years .since
we had the last e.Kecutiou here. But—will the captain be con¬
demned to die by the i/itrralc^
l.s/ 177.—Why not?—his crime deserves death—and our new
Alcalde is not the sort of a man to be trifled with.
•2d VU.—But the oftender is ¡i captain, and I've always heard
people say that an Alcalde ordinario cannot try, much less con¬
demn, a man who is in the military service of the king.
l.s/ 177.—So I've heard, too ; but the man killed by the captain,
you know, is the Alcalde's own son.
2d VU.—That makes no difference before the law.
I.s7 VU.—Anyhow, I know that serious work is going on in the
Town Hall—every constable and many villagers are under arms—
and Señor Pedro Crespo, pur Alcalde, is not a fool, but knows his
business.
2il VU.—We shall .see. Sup])ose we go into the Town Hall?
l.s/ 177.—Don't you see the door guarded? Nobody is let in,
now.
•2d 177.—Let us then be on the lookout for news. ( Theiß walk iq)
and about.)
£;í/(tMexdo and NüÑo (l.)
J/cn.—Follow me, Ñuño ; I must find out where that villainous
captain is—that I must.
Xu.—He is not lo.st nor hiding, master—you know he is in
prison.
Men.—I care not where he is. I will slay him, if he is in
Hades. ( U7i/Ax iqi to i/uardid door.) Come with me. Ñuño.
Xu. {FoUowinij reluetantliß.) If anybody gets hurt, I will be
sure to be the man.
Conn.—{liaxinr/ hi.t arqurbuue.) Beg your pardon, Don IMendo—
nobody can pass in, now.
J/c/i.—What !—not even I !—an hidalgo with such a noble pedi¬
gree !
Con-y. My orders except nobody.
Men.—(Coming down.) Set of asses ! When will you learn to
distinguish an hidalgo from the rabble! Come, Ñuño; we will
watch for the captain—he .shall not escape me ! {E.rit l. )
Xu.—(Sighing.) Ah! I thank Hod I came out unhurt this
time. (E.rit Ï.,.)
Enter Cnv.i^ro, from Town liait.
44
the alcalde oe zalamea.
iAd HI.
Vrex.—'Tis all over. Santenci has bsen pissed—the exécution
will not he long to follow. But what do I see? Don Lope coming
hither?
Filler Dox Lope and uttendantK (l.)
Lupe.—(E.i:cited.) "Is that you, Pedro Crespo? I am glad to
meet you again.
Cren.—So am I, Don Lope. May I know what brought you
hack?
Lope.—I have not seen your son, who was to follow me. AVhere
is he?
Cres.—Is that your only motive for returning to Zalamea?
Lope.—Nay? A more powerful one calls me here—an unheard
of outrage—the most unjustiflahle act of insolence, by heavens!
I was informed by some soldiers, who overtook me on the road,
that a certain Alcalde has imprisoned one of my captains. My
blood is boiling up to such a pitch of indignation,- that I do not
feel even the pain of this confounded leg. By the light of heaven,
I will give a good cudgeling to that foolhardy Alcalde !
Urea.—I much doubt that he will let himself be cudgeled. Do
you know why he imprisoned the captain?
Lope.—No; but whatever the captain's offence, I am his only
superior officer. I know how to administer justice, and to behead
a man, if it is necessary.
Crex. Have you any idea of what an Alcalde ordinario is in a
village?
Lojie.—Can he be more than a puffed-up villager?
Pres.—He may be only a puffed-up villager ; but if he takes it
into his head to make the captain die on the garrote, he can do it.
Lope. —We will see to it. Tell me, where can 1 find that Al¬
calde ?
Cre.%.—He is not far from you.
Lope.—Who is it?
Vrea.—1.
Lope.—By our holy patron ! It does not surprise me, now.
Well, Crespo, 1 stand by what 1 said.
Cren.—Well, Don Lope, 1 stand by what 1 have done.
Lope.—1 enjoin you to deliver the prisoner to me.
Cres.—Not until the law has taken its course.
Lope.—You should know that you are invading a jurisdiction
in which you have no authority.
Scene Ill.'l
the alcalde of zalamea.
45
CrcK.—You should know that he invaded my jurisdiction to per¬
petrate a criminal act.
Lope.—You ought to know that he is in the service of the King,
and that I am his only competent judge.
('res.—Yon ought to know that he robbed an honest family of
its happiness, and did his best to rob it of its honor.
Lope.—I will have him tried by a court-martial, and he shall
suffer the severest penalty.
(Vos.—I never depend on others to do what I can accomplish
myself.
Lope.—By the light of heaven ! I will go myself and bring the
captain out.
Cres.—You may try ; hut I warn you that the constables
have their arquebuses loaded to the muzzle, with orders to
fire upon whomsoever shall attempt to force his way into the
Town Hall.
Lope.—Bullets never scared me. Hollo ! Orderly !
Atten.—Most Excellent Señor !
Lope —Run—fly ! Tell the commanders to countermarch their
troops at a double quick upon Zalamea—in battle array—with
matchlock lighted and the cannon loaded.
Atten.—The troops must have heard what is going on, for they
are here already. {Drams and hxKjles heard.)
Lope.—I will see, by heaven ! whether the prisoners are de¬
livered or not.
(Vcs.—You shall see, by heaven ! whether I carry my point or
not. {Goes up into Town Halt.)
Enter troops (l. ), armed xcith matchlocks, .spxears and two cannon, the
gunners carrying the match-ropes burning.—Armed constables are
seen through the open door of Town Hall.
Lope.—Soldiers, in the dungeons of that Town Hall one of your
officers and some of your comrades are imprisoned. Be ready for
action.
Scrg.—^Ye are ready and eager, most Excellent Señor.
Z/Opc.—[Limps up to Town Hall.) Pedro Crespo, Alcalde of
Zalamea, in the name of the King, I summon you to deliver Don
Alvaro de Abiide, a captain in the service of his Majesty.
Cres.—(From Town Hall.) Don Lope de Figueroa, I, as Alcalde
de Zalamea, answer to you, that I will not deliver Don Alvaro de
1(!
the alcalde oe zalamea.
IAH III
Ataido, before the'sentence I have passed upon him .shall have
been executed.
Lope.—[FuriouHy, cominy dmni.) By all the saints in paradise !
Batter down to hell tliat gate with solid shot, and storm the
building.
(Gretii commotion.—Driimn and huylcH sound the attaHc.—The cannon
arc placed in ]>osifjon ayainst the yate; the flrc on the matchropes is
stirred up.—The .soldiers prepare for the assault.—A clarion is heard
leithont, folloired by martial music, when drums and buylcs cease and
alt startle. )
Lope.—The King !
AH.—The King !
Lope.—Hold ! Present, arms !
A Sold.—Viva el Key !
AIL—XWn !
Enter KiNfr (r.) and suite.
A7;iy.—What is this? Why do I find my gallant troops in
battle array in one of my lov'al towns? Where is the enemy?
Lope.—{VneoTcriny and bowiny.) Señor, I am glad your Ma¬
jesty is come to settle this iiftair without unnecessary bloodshed
and destruction. A most startling act of temerity—an outrage
against the privileges enjoyed by your faithful defenders—has been
committed.
Kiny.—State the case.
Lope.—The Alcalde of Zalamea impri.soned one of your Ma¬
jesty's captains, and has refused to deliver him when summoned
by me, in your Majesty's name, to do so. •
Kiny.—Where is the Alcalde?
Enter Qrehw and notary with a scroll.
('res.—(Respectfully but with diynity.) Here I am. Señor.
King.—What is your plea for your ra.sh act?
('res.—(Talics roll from Notary and hands it to him.) This
document will inform your. Majesty. (The Kmo ewamiiies jtapers.
A pause.)
Ores.—(Slowly.) Your Majesty will see that the captain at¬
tempted to perpetrate a heinous outrage in an uninhabited place—
a crime which, by our laws, is punished with death. That,
battled in his lelonious design by the timely arrival of his intended
Scene III.'}
the alc'ai.de of zai.ajiea.
47
victim's brother, a mere youth, he, the said captain, calliiif? to his
aid a number of his men, ferociously attacked and treacherously
slaughtered that brave young man. Your Majesty will further
observe that his guilt has been clearly proved by the testimony of
several eye-witnesses, who testified without it having been neces¬
sary to resort to the process of torture. That the sentence is
according to law (.4 panxc.)
Ä7)iy.—-The case, I see, has been properlj' substantiated, with
all the requisites prescribed by the laws of the kingdom. The
sentence is just, and I give it my royal sanction ; hut you have no
authority to execute it—that belongs toanother tribunal. Deliver
the prisoners to Don I.ope,
tVc.s.—Señor, it is beyond my power now to deliver the prisoner.
As there is but one tribunal in this district, and that without
appeal, the culprit has already been e.xecuted.
Kiny.—What do you mean?
('res.—Your Majesty can see for himself.
(Crespo points to yate ((".), trhieh is opened, disroreriny the C.vptain,
strnnyted on the ynrrote, upon <t scnß'otd raised in the Ton n Hall
court-yard.—His hands are pinioned and his feet fettered. A priest,
with a small erneifi.r in his hand, is heside him; the executioner
behind, and armed constables around the scaffold.—All mahe a
movement and an exclamation of horror. )
All.—Uh !
A'iuy.—How did you dare? (-4 pause.)
('res.—Your Majesty has found the sentence just—has given his
royal ai)i)roval. If I luu e done right in the main, what matters
an error of detail? Justice is ever the same. Does it make any
gi'eat difterence whether I do with this hand that which I should
have done with that? But, after all—being (on.scions of having
transgressed your law, I am ready to sufter the penalty incurred.
Hiny.—AVhy did you not, at least, behead him as a nobleman,
instead of strangling him on the garrote as a commoner?
C;7X.—Señor, the noblemen of this district having always be¬
haved themselves, our executioner has not yet learned how to
behead a man, and I would not have employed a bungler to do
this delicate job. ( The Kiny muses. )
Kiny.—There is no remedy for it, Don Lope ; the punishment
was richly deserved, and, as the Alcalde has done right in the
48
THE ALCALDE OF ZALAMEA.
[Act 111.
main, I can afford to overlook an error of detail. Now, let the
troops leave the place without delay. It is of the utmost import¬
ance that we should cross, as soon as possible, the frontier of
Portuffal.
Aopc. —Señor, some soldiers are yet in prison.
Crcx.—I will deliver them to you. (Beckonx to Notary, who goes
vp into Town Halt.) As these soldiers appear to have acted under
the orders of their captain, whom they were in duty bound to
obey, I have aciiuitted them of all culpability in the premises.
Lope.—Pedro Crespo, I had to stand by my regal prerogatives ;
I apprehend, and, if such is the case, I truly regret that your son
should have been the victim of this deplorable affair.
King.—"Was he your son?
tVfw.—Aye, Señor—(deeply mored), my own beloved son ; but
though heart-broken, I have endeavored to listen only to the
voice of justice in trying this case.
King.—Your prai.seworthy conduct shall not go unrewarded. I
will give you a title of nobility.
Cres.—I thank your Majesty ; but true nobility may be found
in any rank of life ; it consists, chiefly, in looking always up¬
wards, and in striving to do only that which is right and just.
THE EXD.