» \ m ■ IE HI ft ■ ••'■•• of 'tares e of uich ing -*e> iX >XQ cirs ity THE STAR OF SEVILLE, & & Ulrama, IN FIVE ACTS. BY MRS. BUTLER, /- (Late Miss Kemble.) NEW YORK : SAUNDERS AND OTLEY, ANN STREET. 1837. NEW AND SPLENDIDLY EMBELLISHED WORK, THEBOOKOFGEMS. (The Poets and Artists of Great Britain.) WITH UPWARDS OF FIFTY BEAUTIFUL ENGRAVINGS FROM ORIGINAL PICTURES, BY FIFTY LIVING PAINTERS. This beautiful Work, which 'is a perfect novelty among the < bellished publications of the day, presents the combined attraction Poetry/Painting, and Engraving. It is splendidly illustrated with , wards of Fifty exquisitely finished Engravings from Original Pii- by the most distinguished living Painters, and altogether forms the most beautiful library, drawing-room, and present books the advanced state of the Arts has hitherto produced. I Critical Notices. i it 3 "The Book of Gems seems too fair to be looked upon, combi 1 those external decorations which made the Jlnnnals so attractivi i I with something far better than the vapid prose and milk-and-wat*' poetry of which their staple generally consisted. It is a book mr lovely to the sense than the most gorgeous of the tribe of Souven and Forget-me-nots ; and unlike them, it will be as valuable twei years hence as it is now. The very conception of such a book eft serves no little praise, and its execution the very highest. For combined attractions to the man of taste and the lover of art, this worl has no rivals in the annals of book making." — American Monthly Ma " This is, in all respects, so beautiful a book, that it would be scarcely j 3 possible to suggest an improvement. Its contents are not for a year,/ \ nor for an age, but for all time." — Examiner. " The plan of this beautiful and splendid work is as admirable as it V is novel." — Literary Gazette. " This sumptuous book has not less than fifty-three illustrations." — | Jlthenceum. " The Pleasure-book of the year — a treasury of sweets and beauties."'! —Mlas. A few Proof Impressions of the Splendid Illustra-J tions to the above work may still be had. I THE STAR OF SEVILLE, IN FIVE ACTS. BY MRS. BUTLER, (Late Miss Kemble.) NEW YORK : SAUNDERS AND OTLEY, ANN STREET. 1837. PR m •K' **\ Entered according to act of Cougress in the year 1837, BY PIERCE BUTLER, in the Clerk's office of the Eastern District of Pennsylvania. CRAIGHEAD AND ALLEN, PRINTERS, NO. 112 FULTON, CORNER OF DUTCH STREET. TO THE RIGHT HONORABLE LADY DACRE, IS INSCRIBED, IN TOKEN OF GRATEFUL REGARD BY THE AUTHORESS. DRAMATIS PERSONS. Alphonzo, King of Spain. Don Pedro be Roella, l Cobles of Seville. Don Carlos de Valentar, > J Don Gomez, the King's counsellor. Don Arias, the King's cousin* Count Lomaria. Antonio,' \ Merchants °f Seville ' Vasco, Antonio's son. Curio. Valentine. Rodriquez, a Monk. Petruchio, Don Pedro's servant. Hyacinth, Antonio's nephew. Sancho, his servant* Lawyer. Gentlemen. Lords. Courtiers. Alcades, Servants, #c, Estrella, Don Pedro's sister. Florilla, Geronio's daughter. Isabel, Antonio's daughter. Ursula, Estrella's Nurse, Don Pedro's Page. V. STAR OF SEVIL LE ACT I. SCENE L — A STREET IN SEVILLE— THE HOUSES WITH TAPESTRY AND GARLANDS HUNG UPON THEM. Geronio discovered in front of the stage — People toward* the back. Pedrillo, on the balcony, hanging tapes- try over it. GERONIO. Now, my masters ; stir, stir — be busy ! let us be ready at the first gun that fires ; Pedrillo, hang me those garlands round the balcony ; — so — very good ! Now draw me the ta- pestry closer over the wall, and — Enter Antonio. ANTONIO. And quarter thee. GERONIO. How now, neighbor ; where is Vasco X 1 2 STAR OF SEVILLE. [act i. ANTONIO. He's away to the east gate of the city, to watch for the first cloud of dust that shall rise on the road. GERONIO. He will not be alone there, I warrant me. ANTONIO. No, by St. Jerome ! the road, the river, and the city walls, are covered with such multitudes, that when the King does come, he and his nobles must manage their horses daintily ; else, by my fay ! some of his loving lieges will pave his way to our good city. GERONIO. Those wreaths will scarce have time to wither, I should think : now for a flag to wave from the balcony. ANTONIO. Where is your daughter ? GERONIO. Not slumbering, neighbor, as you may believe; she was up before day-dawn, decking herself, but whether for your son or the King — pedr/illo descends from balco?iy, PEDRILLO. There, Senor, I think your house will look as gallantly • as any in the street. GERONIO. Then away with thee, and thy fellows ! Away with you, all that have nimble legs and young breath, to watch for the King. [Exeunt Pedrillo and People* Enter Florilla, from house, GERONIO. Why, here she is ! s€ene i] STAR OF SEVILLE. 3 ANTONIO. Good morrow, Mistress Florilla ! How wags the world with you so early in the day 1 FLORILLA. Kindly enough, I thank ye, sir; where is Vasco ? GERONIO. Ah, Florilla I his loyalty has ta'en the start of his love, I think. FLORILLA. What ! hath he not heen here ? GERONIO. No, daughter ; he's gone to meet the king. FLORILLA. How ! before coming to ask tidings of me ! — to see me ! Hath he been waking but the tenth of a second, and not been watching under my window 1 ANTONIO. Nay, pretty Mistress Florilla, your anger is less than just ; Vasco loves you passing well. FLORILLA. But his love for the King passes that passing welL GERONIO. Now, neighbor, hast ever a tongue in thy head ? ANTONIO. Ay, marry ; I had, once, as good as my son's ; so I may e'en try for once what he will soon have to abide for ever. Young mistress, my son hath never, in one single point, since now three years he hath been courting you, failed in observance of the smallest matter, duty, at- tendance, reverence, worship, love. FLORILLA. AH this is true, and that is why I'm anger'd. 4 STAR OF SEVILLE. [act i. ANTONIO. What, that he hitherto hath loved you so ? FLORILLA. No, but that now he loves me so no more. ANTONIO. You are unjust. FLORILLA. He's taught me to be so. ANTONIO. Such accidents, at oftenest, rarely happen, FLORILLA. Oh, then, I thank you ! Fine, indeed ! I find your son loves me when he has nought else in hand. ANTONIO. But the King. FLORILLA. An* he like to marry the King, then, in place of me, he may. GERONIO. Ha ! ha ! smartly hit, girl ! Now, neighbor, are you fairly breathed 1 ANTONIO. A nimble, tongue, good faith ! I'll say no more, for here comes Vasco, and he'll reason with her in another sort, I trow. Enter Vasco. vasco. Good morrow, father ! With your leave, Master Gero- nio. Why, how's this, mistress 1 d'ye give me you« shoulders 1 scene i.] STAR OF SEVILLE. 5 GERONIO. You shall see, now, how he will argue with her: marry! 'twill be a most controversial point. ANTONIO. Heaven help him ! GERONIO. Let alone ! he hath hands and lips of his own, and heaven's a needless third in such a case. VASCO. Oh, faith ! I will not be greeted thus. How now ! art sullen! what have I done? how angered thee 1 ? Wilt an- swer me? What, dumb? Heaven bless thee! we'll be married to-day ; nay, I've no time to spare. Father, bid guests, for we'll feast to-night at the Anchor. Signor Geronio, if your daughter be willing, mayhap you'll bring her with you ; I'm hence again. I have to go and hire me a horse to ride down to the river ; and moreover to leave this breast-knot at Mistress Bella's. FLORILLA. What's that? VASCO. So ho ! so ho ! my dainty damsel, hast found thy tongue? Now, then, thy hand ; come, come, no bargaining ; — and now thy lips. Why, that's well ! that's well ! GERONIO. Oil ! neighbor, neighbor ! for the good old days ! ANTONIO. The good young days, you mean : but, psha ! they live them o'er again for us. VASCO. And here is a breast-knot for thee, Florilla, shall make the King and all his nobles blink : come, put it on, and think no more of Mistress Bella than I do, wench. 1* 6 STAR OF SEVILLE. [act i. ANTONIO. And now where hast thou been, and what learnt? is the King coming — how and when ? VASCO. The King is coming ; he'll be here at noon — messen- gers have been riding on, to say as much ; the whole city has turned itself inside out, and gapes with its million eyes and mouths, as tho' it would devour his Highness when he comes. But, Psha ! I prate ; the nobles and alcades will, anon, down to the river-side, to assist at the landing ; and if I be not there, what think you the majesty of Spain will say 1 Fare thee well, sweet-heart I when thou seest me again, 'twill be among shouts, trumpet-blasts, and wel- comes, — plumes, peers, and princes, — uproar, din, and confusion ! (sings.) Bella is fair enough, they say; But a plague of her coal black eyes for me ! Sing hey down, down, on a dreary day; Ne'er a one do I love as well as thee ! (He goes off, and returns.) Now a murrain on that shell'd pease-cod, my head 1 Father, I have a letter for thee ; one riding post-haste to town gave it me, and a faithful keeper I had liked to prove. FLORILLA. Vasco ! Vasco ! where's Isabel 1 VASCO. Gone to the Lady Estrella's to help old Ursula. Oh t and I must tell ye, there will be great rejoicings there to- morrow, for Don Carlos hath asked her of her brother, and Isabel is gone to help to prepare all things for the wedding; she's a fair lady! there's not such another in Seville I FLORILLA. And he's the very man deserves such an one : Heaven send them all happiness ! scene i.] STAR OF SEVILLE. 7 VASCO. Amen, little devotion : and the same to us, when the physicians shall pronounce the case similar. Sing, hey down, down ! [Exit, singing. GERONIO. There he goes, for a rare madcap ; cheating a weary way with a merry lay, as the old burthen hath it. ANTONIO. Oh, neighbor, we are like to have a new acquaintance here ; this letter's from my brother, a wealthy merchant in Segovia ; his son, I find, hath preferred a courtier's plume and rapier to the counting-house, and is coming here in the young King's train. FLORILLA. How! shall I have a courtier to my cousin, when I am married to Vasco 1 ANTONIO. Marry, that shall you, and a ruffling gallant he'll prove, if my brother speak true ; but it is near upon noon, and yonder come the worshipful alcades, and the Count Lomaria. Enter Alcades and Lomaria. FIRST ALCADE. Yes, sir, 'tis as I say ; the late King was too old, too infirm, indeed. How now, my worthy masters ! good morrow ! I pray you rejoice to-day, and let your sons and 'prentices keep the peace in their rejoicings, if it be possible : Mistress Florilla ! LOMARIA. Ha! pretty mistress ! how fares it with you ? SECOND ALCADE. Well, sir, the late King had grown somewhat close and 8 STAR OF SEVILLE. [act i. chary of his presence, but now that his son is come among us, we shall — [Exeunt, talking. Enter two Lords. FIRST LORD. Indeed, those imposts were intolerable; but now — SECOND LORD. The young King will sweep away all such grievances; he will restore the privileges of our order, and keep the mud from soiling our ermine, — 'twas time he came. [Exeunt^ talking. Enter Curio, Valentine, and a party of Gentlemen. CURIO. Are you bidden ? VALENTINE. Yea, faith! and as I take it, 'tis writ by the fair hand of the fair Estrella. THIRD GENTLEMAN. The bride ; she will be the fairest that ever wore a ring. CURIO. Some men do lie in the sun their whole life long, with ripe grapes dropping into their mouths. VALENTINE. Art thou such an one ? CURIO. Would to heaven ! No, if I would be warm I must light my own fire; and if filled, cook mine own meat; but Carlos was swathed in luck, and rocked in the very lap of good fortune. THIRD GENTLEMAN. They say Don Pedro gives the best part of his estate in dowry with her to his friend. scene i] STAR OF SEVILLE. 9 VALENTINE. He loves her beyond the usual affection of a brother : for her sake he has led as it were the life of an hermit, devoting his whole mind unto the tending of hers ; and re- fraining from all the temptations of prosperous wedlock, that she might meet no rival in his affections. curio. I am persuaded that in nothing has he shown so much his care and love of her, as in the giving her to Don Carlos, for the parting will leave him utterly bereaved. VALENTINE. He carries it bravely, however ; there will not have been so sumptuous a feast in Seville, since it called itself by name. THIRD GENTLEMAN. I'm glad of it ! We shall have merriment in all abun- dance now ; for, by the mass ! a young king makes a young court : we shall laugh again ere we grow old. Oons ; this Seville might have been a city of monks, or the thrice holy and gloomy Inquisition itself, for aught that has been done in it for the last two years. CURIO. No women ! VALENTINE. No carousing, but in a corner. THIRD GENTLEMAN. No diceing, but in the dark. CURIO. But now we will lead other lives, I trow ; we will make day-light blink with our bravery, and the night shall reel like a weak^brained toper after his sixth cup : now come the days of moonlight serenades, rope ladders, wine, wenches, drinking, dancing, diceing, and the devil! 10 STAR OF SEVILLE. [act h ANTONIO. Oh ! the saints ! here be eyes for spying you out the advantages of the time. GERONIO. Come, mistress, come, go in. curio. Ah ! mistress Florilla ! VALENTINE. A prize ! and so fair a one, already. THIRD GENTLEMAN. By St. Eustace ! a most inviting eye! ANTONIO. Gentlemen, good now, I pray you — THIRD GENTLEMAN. Old gentleman, we were not speaking of your's. GERONIO. Go in, daughter, go in. [Exeunt Antonio and Geronio, with Florilla, into house. CURIO. Miserly old churls ! the wench wanted to stay. VALENTINE. Ay, faith ! with thee, mayhap. CURIO. With me, — why not, sir, pray 1 I spoke first, whiles you stood gaping three yards off. VALENTINE. You are a quick man with your tongue, we know. CURIO. A quicker with my hand, as you shall know, (Strikes him.) scene i.] STAR OF SEVILLE. 11 VALENTINE. Death and damnation. ( They fight.) THIRD GENTLEMAN. Hold off, gentlemen ! Curio ! Valentine ! they'll raise a riot. Enter Don Pedro. PEDRO. How now ! what's here to do 1 why, gentlemen, Is't thus you usher in the happiest day That ever shone on Seville ? CURIO. , Stand aside, sir. I'll finish out this bout. VALENTINE. You are in peril, Don Pedro ; stand from between our swords. PEDRO. Your pardon, Senor Valentine, I will not : Now, gentlemen, come, thrust away ! How's this ? Have ye forgot your quarte, your tierce, your parry ! Or is it that you think my flesh and blood Better worth saving than your own ? For shame ! To stand here snarling like two angry curs, When everything looks peace and holiday. Is't thus with fast clench'd hands, and rapiers drawn, You mean to greet the king? By my good faith ! 'Tis a fair sample of our Seville manners, And on your part, indeed, 'tis most sincere ; You will not palm yourselves upon his highness For peaceful, sober citizens ; not you : But fill the streets with swaggering brawls to-day, That he may know at once your quality. THIRD GENTLEMAN. Come, piece this quarrel up. 12 STAR OF SEVILLE. [act i. PEDRO. Shake hands, and sheathe your swords. CURIO. Well, there's my hand. VALENTINE. And mine, with all my heart ! PEDRO. Amen, amen. And now in peace depart. THIRD GENTLEMAN. Yonder's the first gun, the king's boat's in sight. CURIO. Are you coming down to the river? PEDRO. Presently. I have some matters to despatch at home, But I shall join you, ere the landing. [Exeunt Gentlemen. A goodly crew ! and yet these are the sons Of our first houses here in Seville ; all scions From our stout forest trees. Heaven save the mark ! I think we'd better spirits in our day Than these same noble street fighters give promise of: And 'tis another argument that tells me I have done well in hedging my fair flower Within the guarded fence of holy wedlock; Yet hold I fearfully my die in hand, Dreading to cast it, lest it falls amiss. Carlos loves her, that's something; she loves him, That's more, much more : I fain would think 'tis well : And yet my fond affection, like a coward, Pries into the far future for some danger, Howe'er remote or shadowy, to start from. Oh ! 1 have ventured my dear treasure forth, And tho' the sea and sky look smilingly, scene i.l STAR OF SEVILLE. 13 I almost wish it back again in harbor, Dreading a thousand shoals, and reefs, that are not, Save in the treacherous soundings of my fear. Now, good old friend, thine errand ? Enter Petruchio. PETRUCHIO. Heaven save your noble honor ! thus to call me. If years of service, that I wish were trebled, And my heart's love, would for your use 'twere younger, Deserve in anything so good a name, I'm not in everything an undeserver. My lady, sir, bids me inform your lordship, She will be married by her confessor, And not the lord archbishop, your good uncle : Don Sanchez is sore sick, and cannot come, sir, To the wedding ; but he greets your honor by me ; And to my lady sends this diamond, Wishing her every future happiness. PEDRO. Think'st thou she can be happier than she was, Petruchio? Dost thou recollect one wish, Or word, or look, or veriest thought of her's I've not obey'd — obey'd, forerun — prevented? Dost thou not think my sister lov'd her home ? PETRUCHIO. My dear kind master, there's nought dwells about you, But's blest ; and if on those whose lowly station Puts them at furthest from your influence It still shines warmly, as a kindly sky, My lady, who is locked within your soul, Fram'd in your heart, shrin'd in your treasured thoughts, Must bear a thankless mind, — but ah ! she does not, If she requite not thousandfold your love: But you forget, sir, a young maiden's heart Is a rich soil, wherein lie many germs Hid by the cunning hand of nature there 2 14 STAR OF SEVILLE. [act u To put forth blossoms in their fittest season; And tho' the love of home first breaks the soil With its embracing tendrils clasping it, Other affections, strong and warm, will grow, While that one fades, as summer's flush of bloom Succeeds the gentle budding of the spring. Maids must be wives, and mothers, to fulfil Th' entire and holiest end of woman's being. Your pardon, honor'd sir ; but I remember When my right noble mistress, your fair mother, Was married to the Count your father, marry time ! I was a youngster page, and held her train, Something to this same tune, the priest who married them Spake at the altar— but 1 prate too boldly. PEDRO. Thou'st spoken well, old faithful ; I would see My sister made a loved and honor'd wife ; A blest and happy mother, and to-morrow Will crown these hopes. I am content to lose her ; — But now thy further errand 1 PETRUCHIO. Sir, Don Carlos Is gone to meet the King; but on returning Would speak with you at home : I've been To bid your guests, to order the musicians, To PEDRO. What, was there no younger foot to trudge On all these weighty quests, but thine ? PETRUCHIO. Marry, They're all gone forth to choke up the King's path ; Besides, I love to do my lady's errands, And grudge my waning strength and swiftness mosi Because I may not now so often hear Her gracious thanks, or gentle bidding, or, SCENE II.] STAR OF SEVILLE. Returning weary, be o'er paid my toil By her sweet voice and smile. PEDRO. Ay, there it is ! We all shall lose our very best of life, Old servant, when that gentle soul departs. Thou'lt lose a mistress, I, a sister, wife, Child, mistress, all that in love's catalogue Nearest and dearest is : but it is well ; And being well, 'tis scant philosophy To wish it other. Get thee home, and rest ; I'm for the river side to meet the landing. 15 [Exeunt. SCENE II.— -THE RIVER SIDE. VIEW OF SEVILLE. Enter the King, Don Arias, Don Gomez, Lords, Gentlemen, Courtiers, tip. king. Hail to fair Seville ! to our goodly town, Which in the golden sunshine smiles so bright! Of all the cities in our vast dominions, Which we have progressed through, albeit in arms, In commerce, and in learning high renown'd ; Famed for the bounteous gifts of lavish Nature, Or for the arts which had drawn interest from them, None ever, on our first beholding it, Appear'd so fair as yonder Seville seems, Girt with her orange groves, whose balmy breath, Stirr'd by the morning's wings, e'en here salutes us, And wound around with the enamored arms Of the Guadalquivir! 16 STAR OF SEVILLE. [act i. ARIAS. It seems in sooth, A pleasant city, and your highness means To rest here long? KING. As long, coz, as may serve To make our onward path appear more sweet. ARIAS. The people seem most loyally inclined. KING. Ay, faith, their welcome made the shores resound Long ere we came in sight. Loyal, good troth ! If shouts, which rent the harmless, yielding air, Shook either bank, and in his hollow bed Awoke the river God, which must have damaged Our lieges' throats, or we are much deceived, And our own ears, — if this be loyalty, You shall not find a truer set of subjects, More noisy loving in the universe. GOMEZ. 'Tis said this mighty and unruly concourse, Tumultously thus poured abroad, has caused Broils not a few, and bloodshed. KING. Odso ! true, We had forgot ; but thou rememberest us, Thyself reminded by too fresh a grief, That we designed to have, on our arrival, The use of swords and arms prohibited, While we sojourn in Seville; gentlemen, Ye must divest ye of these warlike gauds; We have not yet forgotten Saragossa, Whose streets, to welcome us, ran down with blood Of jostling youngsters fighting by the dozen, Where this, our very friend and counsellor. scene ii.] STAR OF SEVILLE. 17 Was, by ill chance, made childless by the slaughter, Of a fair only son, such strife prevailed ; To prevent which, let instant proclamation Be made through Seville, that on pain of death, No one presume armed to walk abroad During the time of our abiding here. See to it, Gomez ; gentlemen, come on ! We halt upon the threshold. Seville, ho ! [Exit, with train. Enter Hyacinth and Sancho. HYACINTH. Never credit me, Sancho, if I don't think thee more stupid, yea, more obtusely, intensely, and impenetrably thick-skulled than ever man or woman was before thee. SANCHO. You may think so, sir, and say so, too : 'tis ever the way when you are perplexed at aught ; when you have on colors you love not ; or a sword-knot that sits not well, or an over-tightened shoe, — you call me hard names, and so make matters better ; but, master Hyacinth. HYACINTH. Don Hyacinthus, blockhead ! SANCHO. Don Hyacinthus, blockhead ! HYACINTH. Thou apish varlet ! have a care ! I shall commit a mis- chief! SANCHO. On your new hose, mayhap, if you lunge too wide; but as I know that, for the soul of you, you cannot run, I'll speak my mind at this good distance, thus — and then take to my heels. When you left Segovia for Seville, your father bestowed on you much £ood advice, your mother, a purse of gold, and me for servidor ; since which time I 2* 18 STAR OF SEVILLE. [act i. have not ceased to toil in your behalf; but, sir, you have grown out of all behavior, and my service beyond all en- durance. I will no more be owed my fees by you ; I will no more go strutting at your heels in your cast-off apparel, which do make me the scoff of all eyes, nor devise, at every new town we come to, the monstrous lies you blazon yourself forth in. • HYACINTH. Thou speakest not the thing that is ; id est, thou sayest the thing that is not ; 'tis I devise, and thou hast not even the wit to utter them. SANCHO. 'Tis conscience chokes them in the utterance. HYACINTH. Take this, and clear thy conscience's throat withal ; nay, honest Sancho, pray thee help my hand into my pocket, Sancho, for my mother's sake, who bade thee watch over me, Sancho. SANCHO. Nay, if you touch the virtue of compassion in me, 'tis only there I'm weak. HYACINTH. Oh ! thou art all compassion ! Here, here be thy wages for the past, and this I give thee as an earnest ; — art thou touched ? SANCHO. Marry, pierced to the heart ; master, what shall I do 1 HYACINTH. Get thee on to Seville, to a house of resort, called the Anchor, with those same things thou bearest upon thy back ; be heedful of the straw-colored mantle, good San- cho ; and Sancho, I pray thee look to the pink hose, lest they be crushed. When thou shalt have safely lodged my apparel, not without some observation to attract notice and scene ii.] STAR OF SEVILLE. 19 importance, made whilst thou art unpacking of them, in hearing of the guests, the hostess, or even the drawers ; such as " Ay, marry ! he's a gallant that owns this mantle; the ladies do mightily affect him ;" remember that. SANCHO. Infect him, — I shall. HYACINTH. Or this — " These hose he wore upon the very day the Countess, what name thou wilt, so it be long enough, and end in a SANCHO. Antarididlearida? HYACNTH. Mark me, the Countess SANCHO. Antari — plague on't, I have forgot; Antilly — I have forgot the name I found — Antunedonypesthemopora. HYACINTH. Well, well ; u did so beseech him to supper," — dost mark ? SANCHO. Oh, sir, 'tis an oft taught lesson ; the maids that have run from their wits, the wives from their lords, and the widows from their weeds, for the love of you, I have no- ted in a book ; and in another leaf, the brothers, fathers, husbands, lovers, and guardians, that, by your valor, were brought as low as their honor was by your love. HYACINTH. Good, then ; con but o'er thy task, and say it off glibly. Well, having deposited my suits, inquire out one Antonio, my unc!e, an orange merchant of great note in Seville ; greet him from me, and tell him I shall see him this very night; that he may look for me : and then, good Sancho, get thee to thine inn again, and wait there until I come to attire me. 20 STAR OF SEVILLE. [act i: SANCHO. I will not fail. [Exit. HYACINTH. My purple suit, with orange slashings ; ay, that shall it be ; I marvel what manner of man my uncle, the orange merchant, is ; he hath a fair daughter, they say, — 'tis not to be doubted she will love me ! My purple suit, a cour- tier withal ; moreover, I will spread the news abroad, that besides being a most resistless wooer, I'm bound in pro- mise to some high-born lady in Segovia, who pines for my return. There's nothing so becomes a man, or makes him to be sought after by women, as knowing that he hath triumphed over all but one ; and that from that one, he is in honor bound not to stray ; for 'tis to be thought that whatsoever fortunate fair seduces him from his loving alle- giance, hath the double delight of winning his heart and breaking his lady's. My purple suit — curse on these gall- ing shoes! — with orange slashings, and my fire of Egypt mantle ! [Exit, SCENE III.— AN APARTMENT IN DON PEDRO'S HOUSE. Flourish of drums and trumpets without. Enter from Balcony, Estrella and Don Carlos. ESTRELLA. I shall be jealous of your loyalty, If it come so near the boundary of love, Carlos. CARLOS. Thou can'stnot; for although the King From me receives the utmost of affection scene in] STAR OF SEVILLE. 21 That man can give to man ; the love I bear thee And him, are in their natures so distinct, So separate, and several in their essence, That thou might'st all as soon say that a rose And any other flower were of a kind, Because they both spring from the earth, have roots, Leaves, sap, and blossoms, bud and fade alike : And bear, indeed, some common properties, Though not the same. ESTRELLA. A pretty sweet defence ! As good as a nosegay ; I shall wrangle with thee By the hour, if thou'rt so apt at argument ; But for the King CARLOS. Is he not a fair gentleman ? ESTRELLA. Oh, for his outward man, thou did'st in nought O'er praise him; certes, he's a goodly gentleman ! Of the height I love ; the complexion that most pleases me ; The very air and carriage I am fond of; His eyes, and hair too, the color I most fancy. CARLOS. Here's a panegyric ! ESTRELLA. You're merry, sir ! I thought you'd have me praise him ; Is't not to the height, or shall I straightforth deify him Into a very galloping Apollo 1 CARLOS. Nay, love, leave jesting, and speak earnestly. ESTRELLA. Earnestly, then ; I ne'er saw goodlier gentleman, Or one whose outward givings better spake 22 STAR OF SEVILLE. [act i. The worth j r ou oft have told me lies within : He's very young to be a King. CARLOS. Two years, Aye, just two years, poorer in life than I ; We were as like two brothers, my Estrella, More like than many that do call one woman mam. My father was the old King's oldest friend ; Counsel in peace, and service hard in war, Earned him the name, and from the earliest time Alphonso spelt the rudiments of life, We grew together : riding, hawking, tilting ; And in the graver lessons of our youth, With friendly strife, and kindly emulation, We studied side by side. The heathen twins, Whose starry image nightly to our eyes Is hung in Heaven, were not more true a pair Of loving friends, than he and I were then. ESTRELLA. How fell this loving friendship to its end 1 Wert thou the apter scholar of the twain ? Or — for that's worse, and less to be endured — Could'st thou ride better in a crowded ring"? Sing better 'neath a silent balcony 1 Did you both love one lady? Or, perhaps,— CARLOS. I'll spare thy fancy other random shots : Thus fell the chance ; the old King's bastard brother, Don Alvar, — you have heard of him ? ESTRELLA. O yes ; The man our nurses made us good withal — The Iron Bastard he was called. CARLOS. He was. Mispractices of his, affecting the state's health, scene in.] STAR OF SEVILLE. 23 And very life, came to my father's knowledge, Who straight before the whole assembled council Charged him withal ; he stood upon his trial, But ere the proof was found, deatli pass'd his sentence On judge and criminal alike; the King, And this same villain Duke, died suddenly; Alphonso vaulted in his father's seat, And moved, I think, by th' entreaties of his cousin, Don Arias, Alvar's son, broke oft' the suit — Forbade all further search or speech upon it, And had the matter quash'd ; though on my father Not only fell the blame of the defaulter, But the'ill-savor of false accusation, Having sworn that whose proof did ne'er appear. ESTRELLA. That was but ill, and would go hard to prove Your idol King nor just, nor very grateful. CARLOS. Ah, my Estrella ! 'tis not fit we judge Too hardly of our fellows, whose own souls Bear witness hourly to ten thousand frailties Which stand unanswered in the sight of Heaven ; And least of all, should we be prompt to doom Those who upon the precipice of power, Swath'd instate trappings, over which they trip, — Run in a path all briery with temptations Still plucking at their skirt as they pass by : Something of coldness fell upon the spring And sunshine of our love, from this event ; But as it sank into Time's shadowy lap, The warm affection of our schoolboy days Revived : and since, against that injury I weigh my life, which, but for the King's arm, At Talavera I had paid the Moor : He came between me and mine enemy, When not so much of daylight shone betwixt us As would have served to read an ave by ; The steel that should have dived into my breast 24 STAR OF SEVILLE. [act i. Grazed his, — his blood, tS* anointed blood of Spain, Flow'd o'er me, in that royal stream I was baptized to as firm a faith, As dear a love, and true allegiance to him, As e'er the waters of the holy fount Can buy from new-made Christian soul to Heaven. ESTRELLA. Oh ! I will love him better yet than thou ! I do no longer blame thy loyalty, But rather think it plays the failing debtor, Paying but half its owings. But, I pray you, How came it that you left the court 1 CARLOS. My father, Who now had reached the furthest shore of life, Was weary of it ; and for mine own part, This same King's cousin, this gallant Don Arias, Having become Alphonso's second soul, Though I in nothing bated of my love Or dear devotion to his majesty, Was the less loath t' obey my lather's wish, And, casting off my courtier's plume and rapier, Came to our ancient home near Seville here, Where I did lay my father with his fathers, — Repaired my estate, which absence and neglect Had something damaged, — looked to my possessions, Became acquainted with thy brother here, And since spent all my time in loving thee. ESTRELLA. A worthy ending to so fair a story ! Heaven send thou change not occupation ! CARLOS. It is not like ; for, in the whole wide world, There's no created thing but still of thee Discourses to my senses, and my soul ; The universe and all its holds of best, Is but a comment to thy virtue's volume. scene in] STAR OF SEVILLE. 25 ESTRELLA. 'Tis in the approved fashion, then, my dear lord, Three pages of a wond'rous muddy argument, To show one word clear that was clear before, And little worth the pains to be made darker; A note most disproportionate to the text. CARLOS. There's nothing half so fair, or half so holy ; There's nothing half so wise, or half so lovely; Nothing so wholly good and excellent, As thou, my dear one ! Thou art the very breath That in me breathes ; the blood within my veins, — Heart of my heart, and spirit of rny spirit ; My nearest and dearest of life, my essential self! ESTRELLA. Pray leave protesting, sir, unless vou wish To burn my blushes out ; I shaVt have one To help me look becomingly to-morrow, An' you waste them all to-day. CARLOS. To-morrow ! Estrella, Tell me, tell me, dost thou love me As I love thee 1 ESTRELLA. No, this living light ! Not as thou lov'st me ; not in the self-same way, For that's a question I could ne'er have asked thee. CARLOS. Why not ? ESTRELLA. Why not 1 Because — here comes my brother. Enter Don Pedro. PEDRO. Good morrow, Carlos : Heaven bless thee, dearest ! 3 26 STAR OF SEVILLE. [act i. ESTRELLA. Oh, you're well come ! his lordship's but dull company Of a forenoon, when the weather's warm and drowsy. PEDRO. Was't thou i' the balcony when the King passed 1 ESTRELLA. Who, I ? — I look from an open balcony To see gay cavaliers go prancing by 1 Fie ! I was in my oratory at prayers. PEDRO. Ah ! 'tis as easy keep a woman's eyes From gazing — ESTRELLA. As a man's mouth from foul speaking. Say I was in the balcony, — what then 1 PEDRO. Wert thou along with her 1 CARLOS. No, I had joined The train at the city-gate, and rode along Thus far, but left the royal pageant here. PEDRO. Ah ! that's well thought on , there's a say abroad, That riding up to the landing-place, some words Passed 7 twixt you and the Bastard's boy, Don Arias. CARLOS. Oh these long ears o' the many ! No such matter; The path at the landing being narrow, the King, Out of his grace, and loving welcome to me, Drew my bridle towards him, — in the doing which, Don Arias, who was riding at his side, Was fain to back from the straightness of the road, And that's the words we had. scene in.] STAR OF SEVILLE. 27 PEDRO. It may make some. And when tliou wert at prayers in th' oratory, Wert thou attired thus ? ESTRELLA. Beshrew my heart ! But thou'rt in the very mood of curious questions. No, I had on a yellow farthingale, And a green jacket, and a scarlet mantle, Pick'd out with blue and pink; — what then] PEDRO. Why then — Umph ! then there were some danger in those eyes. Carlos, there is a banquet held at the palace At set of sun in honor of the King ; Thou'rt bid. CARLOS. I cannot answer that same bidding; For ere sunset I must be many miles Towards Valentar. All is not yet prepared, Nor in the fitting order I would have it, To welcome well the lady of its lord. I love that dear old home ! My mother lived there Her first sweet marriage years, and last sad widow'd ones: Something of old ancestral pride it keeps, Though fallen from its earlier power and vastness : Marry ! we're not so wealthy as we were, Nor yet so warlike : still it holds enough Of ancient strength and state to prompt the memory To many a " wherefore," and for every answer You shall have stories long and wonderful, Enough to make a ballad monger's fortune. Old trees do grow around its old grey walls, The fellows of my mouldering grandfathers : Faith ! they do mock us with their young old age, These giant wearers of a thousand summers ! 28 STAR OF SEVILLE. [act i. Strange, that the seed we sow should bloom and flourish When we are faded, flower, fruit, and all ; Or, for all things to tend to reproduction, Serving th' eternal purposes of life, Drawing a vigorous sap into their veins From the soil our very bodies fertilize. ESTRELLA. You have left your home that is, for that which will be : Pray you, some more of that same ancient dwelling. CARLOS. Nay, I have said too much on't ; but that there The sunlight seems to my eyes brighter far Than wheresoever else. I know the forms Of every tree and mountain, hill and dell ; The waters gurgle forth a tongue I know, — It is my home, it will be thine, Estrella ; And every leafy glade, and shadowy path, Sweet sunny slope, and echo-haunted hollow, Hath heard thy name a thousand, thousand times. ESTRELLA. They're all the likelier to be weary of it, Unless they hold a longer constancy, As well as life, than men. PEDRO. Then thou wilt not To-night to the palace. CARLOS. No ; but thou wilt, Pedro. PEDRO. Indeed, his Highness pressed me so severely, 'Tis the best word for such strained courtesy, He left me scarce the choice to stay away. ESTRELLA. And wherefore should'st thou 1 'twill be such a sight scene in] STAR OF SEVILLE. 29 As Seville halh not seen this many a year: I would the King had bid me to this banquet. PEDRO. So would not I : — indeed I cannot tell ; I am not apt to fall in sudden love, Or sudden loathing, without further reason Than fancy's humorous promptings, or exceptions, But there is that about this beardless king ; — Faith, he'd have made a better page to a lady, And, if all tales be true, have liked the service. CARLOS. That he is young, argues him not unfit For his high office ; for the healthful vigor Of a young spirit should give the life of action To those good counsels of his wise advisers Which are cold breath upon the lips of age. PEDRO. His counsellors, I take it — those he hearkens to — Wear brains as sudden and as hot as his, Green and sour wisdom, such as oftenest drops From sapling bearers, most unlike the ripe And mellow fruit of time. The King, besides, Hath but an evil name among grave men, For the unbounded licence of his pleasures ; And Fame doth paint her cheeks with modest blushes^ Telling how freely riot and excess Hold fellowship with stately royalty, And shake the prostituted hand of power, CARLOS. 'Tis a sore trial to be young, well-favored, And therewithal a King : believe me, Pedro, Men thus endowed with fortune's lavish favors Need sue but little to win easy loves : JNay, 'tis impossible they should escape The wooing of the wanton willingness That beckons wealth and power. Fie ! 'tis a shames 3* 30 STAR OF SEVILLE. [act i. To think how women, this good world calls honest, "Will play the wanton in spirit, if not in deed, Flinging aside all modest nice respect Of maiden pride, and matron state, to win The sway and masterdom of such a one, Buying such hollow trash with their best jewels ; Nor is't in nature that a man, whose blood Runs warmly through the lusty veins of youth, And lifts his spirit, like a bounding vessel, Upon the swelling flood of this spring-tide, Should, spite of the quick promptings of life's May, And all soliciting and yielding circumstance, Hold continent sway o'er his unruly passions. ESTRELLA. Oh ! I commend your charity, my lord ! And think it second only to your moral. We'll have you fee'd the prodigal's prime advocate — King's counsel in the high court of misrule : 'Tis a foul cause to be so fairly pleaded 1 CARLOS. Let not my words meet ill interpretation ; And least from thee, whose image still hath been The very shrine enfolding purity Whereto my thoughts bore chaste and constant worship. It is because myself have still been kept From stain or touch of such licentiousness As youth still squanders his best havings in, By the all-guarding talisman of love, That I am slower to fall out with those Who, having no such charm against the devil, Are caught i' th' net. Had'st thou the same respect, Pedro, thou'dst not have censured so severely Alphonso's frailty. PEDRO. And how dost thou know I'm not for all the world as much in love As thou, for all the justice of my censure ? scene in] STAR OF SEVILLE. 31 ESTRELLA. Art thou in love 1 — with whom art thou in love ! What is her name 1 Is she as tall as I am ? Hath she PEDRO. What say you to my question, Carlos ] CARLOS. Thou canst not, in the first place, love as I do ; For, by this living light, I do love more ! PEDRO. Than ever lover loved his love before ! So runs the tale of every Celadon, Who ever yet in court, or camp, or city, In lighted hall, or sylvan solitude, Pour'd forth his soul in the self-same comparison, That served our grandsire in his garden bower E're murder came in fashion. CARLOS. Oh, Pedro ! pardon me; thou ne'er didst love ! 'Tis writ in the smooth margin of thy brow, And in the steady lustre of thine eye. Thy blood did never riot through thy veins With the distemper'd hurried course of love ; Thy heart did never shake thy shuddering frame With the thick startled throbbing pulse of love : Thou hast ne'er wept love's bitter burning tears ; Hoped with love's wild unutterable hope, Nordrown'd in love's dark fathomless despair. Thine is a stedfast and a fixed nature, 'Gainst which the tide of passion and desire Breaks harmless as the water o'er the rock, And the rich light of beauty shines alone On thy soul's surface, leaving all beneath it Unmoved and cold as subterranean springs. Love hath no power o'er spirits such as thine, Nor comes not nigh to them. 32 STAR OF SEVILLE, [act i. ESTRELLA. Oh ! tell me, Pedro, Whom hast thou loved % PEDRO. Thee, from thy cradle upwards ! ESTRELLA. Nay ; but whom dost thus love X PEDRO. Thee, more than life ! ESTRELLA. Flouter, wilt thou not answer me in seriousness 1 PEDRO. Some other time, sweet ; but for that, no matter Whether my heart hath bled beneath the dart, Or whether there hath stuck no arrow there : I know the very difference that lies Twixt hallow'd love and base unholy lust; I know the one is as a golden spur, Urging the spirit to all noblest aims ; The other but a foul and miry pit Overthrowing it in the midst of its career; I know the one is as a living spring Of virtuous thoughts, true dealings, and brave deeds — Nobler than glory, and more sweet than pleasure, — Richer than wealth, begetter of more excellence Than aught that from this earth corrupt takes birth, Second alone in the fair fruit it bears To the unmixed ore of true devotion : I know, that lust is all of this, spelt backwards ; Fouler than shame, and bitterer than sorrow, More loathly than most abject penury — Nor hath it fruit or bearing to requite it, Save sick satiety and good men's scorn. He that doth serve true love I love and honor ; And he that is lust's slave, I do despise, scene in.] STAR OF SEVILLE. 33 Though he were twenty times the King of Spain ; Wherewith I do commend me to your favors, And leave ye to }'our parting undisturbed. Carlos, at what o'clock wilt thou return to-morrow? CARLOS. Two hours ere noon my horse shall get him wings. PEDRO. An hour ere noon we fix the wedding then ; 'Twill give thee time to rest, and make thee brave. Farewell, my brotber ! ESTRELLA. Oh ! wilt thou not tell us Something of thy fair lady love, dear Pedro 1 PEDRO. Some day when I shall sit between you two At Valentar, with a young round-eyed nephew Upon my knee, I'll tell ye all the story, And how it fell that I at length resolved To have no wife nor mistress, child nor heir, Save this fair baggage, Heaven save the mark ! Who hath cost me as much trouble as them all. ESTRELLA. And loved thee for them all, my kindest brother! Oh ! Carlos, thou must love me well, indeed, For in myself I give to thy possession The child of such a rare and deep affection — » Oh, thou must love me passing well, dear Carlos ! CARLOS. Dost thou not think that I shall love thee well? Dost thou not know that in this air-clipped earth There's no created thing I love like thee ? Tell me — oh ! tell me, sweetest, dearest, best ! Dost thou not feel how utterly I love thee 1 Speak to me, dear Estrella j do not turn [Exit, 34 STAR OF SEVILLE. [act i. Thy fair eyes from me — there are tears in them ! What have I done ? Have I offended thee 1 Upon my knees, here at thy feet I'll lie, Doing too blest a penance for my sin, Till thou forgive me : wherefore dost thou weep 1 ESTRELLA. Oh, nature knows no other coin for joy Or grief, but melts them both alike in tears : I have a thousand stifling feelings press My heart to bursting; joy to the height of pain Comes like a flood upon my every sense ; Thy voice runs through my frame like the soft touch Of summer winds o'er trembling harp-strings playing, Thy gentle words and looks that, though I love, I dare not meet, make my soul faint within me. Oh, Carlos! there is pain in this deep pleasure, And e'en our joys taste of earth's bitter root ; Besides, there is a thought that, hand in hand With the sweet promise of our marriage, comes Like shadow upon sunlight — I must go From my dear home — the home of all my life, Where I have lived, oh ! such a happy time ! Aurora's tears are not more like each other Than the bright ever-blessed maiden hours That the sun of time has, one by one, dried up. CARLOS. Sweet, let not that darken thy fancy's glass : 'Tis well when what's to come looks dark and dull ; To turn to the past, if haply joy dwelt there But by so much as the sweet summer's noon, When the earth wears its July pride of blossom, O'ertops the fresh and pearl-bedimmed hour Of earlier morning in th' unripe year's spring, By so much shall thy blessedness to come Out-noon thy gentle morn of virgin life. ESTRELLA. Shall it, indeed ! but then, my brother, Carlos, scene in.] STAR OF SEVILLE. 35 I fear he'll miss me sadly when I'm gone ; He says not much but for the last three days I've marked him wander up and down the house, Noting my favorite chambers, sitting down Where I love best to sit at work or play : And then he sighs, good faith ! for all the world, As I were gone already. Yesterday, As I was singing to my lute to him, When 1 had done he took it from my hand, And passing o'er the last few broken chords, Said, ,; Leave thy lute with me, sweet sister." Trust me, I think he'll be as lonely as a bird Without its mate, sad as a silent feast, Single as a stray glove, and all as purposeless ; And this it is that makes me sorrowful. CARLOS. Oh, gentle soul ! — but, hear me, my Estrella : When thou art gone from hence, these empty walls Will hold but little of his heart; I'll tell thee— We'll make him leave this lonely home of his, And come and dwell with us at Valentar ; Shall we do this ? ESTRELLA. Oh, yes ! oh, yes we will! Oh, we shall be the happiest three alive ! He, thou, and I, in your old castle hall, And such a merry life as we will lead, Shall be a very fairy tale of happiness. Oh ! 'twill be Paradise ! CARLOS. It will, indeed ! But now I must be gone, with all best speed, To ope its gates unto its ruling angel. Farewell ! mine own. ESTRELLA. Not so, until to-morrow. I am yet mine to-day. 36 STAR OF SEVILLE. [act i. CARLOS. True, my fair queen ; Then being thine, wilt thou not kindly grant, What given, is so much sweeter far than claimed — One kiss. ESTRELLA. No, by my faith ! 'twas urged amiss ; Since I may not to-morrow say thee nay, At least I'll keep my privilege to-day. CARLOS. But why to grant thy privilege not use, Since come to-morrow, thou mayst not refuse ? ESTRELLA. Because — no, I'll give no reason for the nonce, I will not. CARLOS. Fare thee well. ESTRELLA. Farewell, my lord. Is not your lordship gone ? CARLOS. Not yet — farewell ! ESTRELLA. Farewell ! I wish you a fair ride, swift horse, Smooth road, safe journey — and what more? CARLOS. That kiss — ESTRELLA. Beshrew thee for a spendthrift that dost make me Lose my good time in silly bargaining. CARLOS. That kiss— scene in] STAR OF SEVILLE* 37 ESTRELLA. If I should live an hundred years, I'll ne'er give thee another. CARLOS. Granted so — Give thou but this, I will take all the rest. Upon thy soft lips lay I this fond seal Unto our plighted faith ; and all blest saints, That register the sacred vows of souls Moved by chaste love, bear witness to the pledge ! ESTRELLA. By this first kiss that e'er upon ray lips Was laid by man, I do as truly give My duty, love, and life, to thee for ever; And heaven forsake me when I break this troth \ CARLOS. Oh, help me, with thy gentle prayers, to lead The crippled hours away that halt between Us and our happiness : all angels guard thee ! (Exit. ESTRELLA. Now heaven bless me for a silly wench ! Why he is gone far out o' sight or hearing ; 'Tis only air I gaze upon so wide : By my good faith ! 'tis true I cannot see him. To-morrow ! oh to-morrow ! — oh, that love Held old Time's hour-glass ; for he would shake The pouring sand so swiftly through, that day Should sink this moment in night's swartky arms, And straight come blushing back to light the world ! Come night, quench thou this bright mote-peopled ray ; Oh ! that to*morrow were but called to day 1 [Exit. END OF ACT I. 4 38 STAR OF SEVILLE. act n. ACT II. SCENE I.— A STREET IN SEVILLE. Enter curio and valentine. CURIO. Sir, for a ducat, it was as I tell you. VALENTINE. I was not far behind } r ou, and I saw Nothing of this. CURIO. He pushed his horse athwart Don Arias, And ploughed him out o' the path, or I'm a Moor. VALENTINE. W hat said the King 1 curio. You know the King, God save him ! Was Carlos' school-day brother, and lie seemed So glad to bid him hail, that, for the time, The favorite's balance kicked the beam. VALENTINE. Here comes the man : who is he walking with t CURIO. The grave old counsellor i' the mourning robe, Whose son was killed in a broil at Saragossa ; So life and death, wisdom and vanity, Still in this world go ambling side by side. Save your good lordships ! scene i] STAR OF SEVILLE 39 Enter gomez and arias. ARIAS. Gentlemen, God save ye ! GOMEZ. But, my lord, if it was as you do think, — Or if you think it was as you do say, How comes it that you took th' affront so kindly, Who are nothing slack to let your blood boil o'er On some occasions X ARIAS. Let it pass, my lord ; I had my reasons. — Gentlemen, the King Has bid me welcome you to his new court, And challenge all with courteous kind defiance To do him reason in mirth's glittering lists ; You are all bid, and will be welcome all, — And if you chance to have fair wives or sisters, You will be all the welcomer : the King, At the good Lord Archbishop's entertained, And there does purpose entertaining you. CURIO. We have our conge VALENTINE. Fare you well, my Lord. ARIAS. Your slave, kind gentlemen. [Exeunt curio and valentine* Sweet Seville manners ! Did ye mark that drawl o' the leg in's bow 1 He bowed, for all the world, as though his body Took me for a pawnbroker, and meant to leave. His leg in pledge behind. GOMEZ. I did not note. 40 STAR OF SEVILLE [act u ARIAS. You're something blind,. I think, You're lucky. GOMEZ. 'Tis the twilight time of life with me, And then,, you know, all objects lose their outlines, ARIAS. ; Tis very fit you should be blind ; the fashion In such a matter's not to be neglected,. And to see with your eyes were such a strangeness As would make a most notorious monster of you. GOMEZ. I am much bound to time ; but for all that, Would rather ape than own such nice infirmities, But pray, my lord, now that we are alone, May 1 be bold again to ask you why, Since you conceive Don Carlos hath aggrieved you, You backed so readily and bore so christian-like The wrong? ARIAS. Let those who stand upon the verge of power, Whose edges are but slippery and unsafe, Fear lest the summer wind should blow them off: 1; hold the centre point o' the King's affection, And nothing own the jealousy of fear, Though something still a sense of injury. They were dear school-fellows, once on a day, And my royal cousin loves, a new face dearly, And his was old enough to be a new : They had not met for some six years, I think ; But I am not in case to hang myself, Though Carlos were ten times a better courtier. GOMEZ. I'm glad your Lordship's laid such good foundation In the unsound and shifting; sands of favor :. scene i.] STAR OF SEVILLE. 41 But, sir — and let it nothing move your anger That I am bold to speak my mind to you, But rather let my dignity of age Stand peer with your more honorable station, — You do not 'scape the touch of some reproof For the means whereby you've rivetted yourself To the King's love. ARIAS. Ha ! what ! — there was no witchcraft I' the matter. GOMEZ. No, I believe, sir, none ; But something haply of too broad compliance With the Kings' humors, which, and 'tis no sin, Smack of his years. ARIAS. Now, Heaven save the mark ! I am his younger, worthy lord, by twice Red autumn's birth-days, and your lordship knows I reverence my elders : I protest I always look to him for grave examples, And nothing doubting, follow those he gives me. Oh! my good lord, my innocence is wounded. GOMEZ. It hath a gash bigger than its whole body, For I think as sorely wounded as it is, An inch of lint would swathe it round and round. But, sir, if you did fairly gain that height You hold i' the King's affection, at the least You have not used it to such fruitful end, For the people's weal, as you had opportunity, And 'tis the common voice that you are rather The prompter of his highness's too large pleasures, The quick deviser of these full excesses, Than a mere actor in the revel rout, 42 STAR OF SEVILLE. [act n. ARIAS. Enough ! enough for once ; long homilies Are hemlock to me. Used my power for good ! Now, by St. Anthony ! I am the man, Do keep the King in humor with ye all, And 'cause I rather single out o' the fold One sheep to throw the wolf, than let him harry The trembling flock, they now cry out upon me 1 They'd better let their King sleep in love's arms, Than wake in those of war — taxes, exactions, With all the drains through which princes are wont To suck the people's blood and substance are unknown- And save a dark eyed Donna, here and there. The King levies no tribute on the mass, Nor asks for other hostage of their loves- By my troth, a godly King! Then, sir, for me, 1 am the fellow at the chimney-corner, Who keeps the fire alive that warms you all. GOMEZ. A very worthy, charitable offiGe- ARIAS. No sinecure, o' my conscience ! For the most part My best reward are blistered fingers' ends ; And the people's gratitude right soothing satve- He's in some things a very heathenish man For a christian King, and hath no more respect For what I hold the finest thing in nature, A fair bald head, than for "a smooth round turnip- A very graceless youth — tho' I'm his cousin. Oh, my Lord Gomez! I have seen his highness Come champing out o' the council^ muttering — « That bald old fool." GOMEZ. Of me! ARIAS. Your reverend lordships scene i.] STAR OF SEVILLE, 43 That bald old fool ! Then step I in, d'ye see, And fling the golden locks of some bright girl Over your lordship's baldness — and your lordship Remains in office, and the people profit By your lordship's zeal and wisdom in their service. GOMEZ. A very useful, honorable employ ! ARIAS. The people, as the muddy spawn is called, Are villain slaves, that do not know their friends : By my soul ! I'll leave them to the tender mercies Of my King cousin ; they had better keep His mistresses, than let him be their master — But for this same morality you talk of, I'll make good use on't, worthy lord, be sure. Enter Page. PAGE. May it please you, noble sir, attend the King. ARIAS. I' the instant. [Exit Page. Now your lordship sees that t Seek not the mountain, but the mountain me ; But I'll not fail to give his Majesty The very essence of your homily. Farewell, old honest lord — good Mumblesaws. [Exeunt 44 STAR OF SEVILLE. [ ACT 11. SCENE II.— A CHAMBER IN THE ARCHBISHOP OF SEVILLE'S PALACE. The King Discovered. king. 5 Tis not in nature to outgo conceit ; Yet have mine eyes this very day beheld That which no fancy ever yet did parallel, Though 'twere the rarest weaving poet's brain Was ever loom to. Excellent perfection ! That did outshine things brightest at their noon. The pomp and glittering pride of glowing rubies Look'd pale by the living color of her blood, And, with a glory that outfaced the sun, Her eyes at mid-day shone like undimmed stars. Enter Arias. Ho ! Welcome, Cousin ! welcome, my good Arias ! Answer me briefly, as I question thee, Didst mark in the high street, as we rode along This morning, at her balcony, a lady 1 ARIAS. I did. - KING. Dost know her name X ARIAS. I do. KING. EstrellaT ARIAS. The same. scene ii] STAR OF SEVILLE. 45 KING. Dost know her brother, Pedro de Roella? ARIAS. I do. KING. I love that lady well % ARIAS. May't please you, sir, Is that a question ? KING. Psha ! ay, a score in one. How is she to be begged, bought, stolen, wooed > won- — How can I make her mine 1 ARIAS. Sir, you can marry her. KING. Marry her, good sooth! That's news. Can I do so? It is not yet the time of life with me When I can squeeze myself into the compass Of that same narrow gold eternity We wed, withal. Come, come, to thy inventions. 1M give thee a second cousin like thyself, Born all as out of rule, and make him a duke- Or prince, or perhaps a bishop — ARIAS * Please your grace,. There is a sin of which I would forwarn you — Incontinence, great sir's a deadly sm For whichi I take it, we shall make dear account In flesh and spirit, or I'm ill informed ; And, sir, there is a virtue, christened continence, Which, like a precious carbuncle, outshines AH other excellencies,. 46 STAR OF SEVILLE. [vc T n KING. What's in the moon ! art mad ! Sure, thou'st been bit by some half- frozen novice ! ARIAS. Oh, sir ! modesty — 'tis a sweet-favor'd quality ; And soberness, and temperance, and chastity, Three goodlier graces than the heathen Venus Did e'er, in Cyprian groves, disport her with. KING. Hark thee, my cousin ! thou art out of tune With my humor, and I counsel thee To wind thy jangling strings to a better pitch, Lest we make discord presently, my cousin. What holy devil art thou plagued withal! We'll have thee exercised. ARIAS. By black-eyed, laughing saints Then let it be, my liege ! and let them pour AVine over me instead of the blessed stream In the abbey fount : — ha ! ha ! ha ! — oh ! my liege, Did I not do it well? for all the world, Like a withered abbess who has left all sin, AVlien sin, forsooth, will have no more of her, KING. Too well ; for I would now lose not an instant In the furthering of my wishes ; tell me, Arias, How can I compass my desire ? ARIAS. Her brother — • Is there no jewelled collar-gilded office- No bribe of state to muzzle him withal 1 KING. Trust me, I do not think he's such a one As can be so tied up ; there's a cold bearing, And grave, severe aspect about the man, scene ii] STAR OF SEVILLE. 4? That made my spirit pay him such respect As though he dwelt 'neath age's silvery penthouse* Despite his unripe years. ARIAS. Not to be bought ! That r s strange, and much confounds me ; 'tisn't in The line of march I am accustom'd to. Not to be bribed ! perhaps the lady, sir, May be as incorruptible as he, And then our labor's lost i' the hoped-for issue. KING. All women have their prices ; be't in gold, In honors, titles, jewels, gay apparel, Or in commodities than these less solid, Flattery, and the light breath of words persuasive. Do thou but find the means to approach the fortress, My crown against a straw, it proves no Troy. There may be one, among ten thousand men, That would not sell his honor ; but the world Holds not, nor ever did, nor ever will, A woman framed so hard, impenetrable. How can we meet ? ARIAS. Ay, how — when — where — but soft, I've found it ; 'tis an excellent device, And needs but secresy, and a good wit ; The lady's brother comes to-night to the banquet, Whilst she holds lonely state at home. KING. What thence 1 ARIAS. Say that the dance should heat your grace too much ; Some sudden mist, or heady dizziness, From the quick action of the blood sent up To the clear brain, infecting it with heaviness, Might furnish you with reasons to withdraw, 48 STAR OF SEVILLE, ' [act u. Leave me director of the royal revel, And while I keep all hearts afloat with mirth,— Soft music, banqueting, and all delights— You know the lady's house 1 KING. Oh ! on my soul It shall be thus — but lest on my departure The feast grow tame, and others should be gone, — For where the leader moves, the blind herd follow — ARIAS. Leave that to me ; your highness shall be troubled With no companion through the streets to-night : If but one sleepy guest do stir towards home Till you are to your palace walls returned, Ne'er trust me for a witless blunderer. KING. If this attempt do reach the wish'd-for end-, Be sure thou shalt know something of my joy. In tokens that shall best become thy zeal, And the surpassing prize I venture for. [Exeu?iU SCENE III.— AN APARTMENT IN DON PEDRO'S HOUSE— A WINDOW ON ONE SIDE, ON THE OTHER AN ORATORY. Estuella and Ursula discovered. URSULA. All these— and these ! Marry, we must have galleys by water, and wains by land, to bear thy apparel to thy new home, maiden ! scene in.] STAR OF SEVILLE. 49 ESTRELLA. Leave looking o'er them, nurse, and sit down here* Thou shalt do that when I am gone to bed. Sit here, in thine old place, good Ursula ; Reach me the footstool : now begin and tell me One of those stories old, of moorish maids And christian knights, and wizard lore full strange, As thou wert wont— now, whilst thou braid'st my hair. URSULA. What, art thou thinking of thy sleep already ? E STRELLA. I'm weary of to-day ; I'll get to bed, It will be morrow sooner when I sleep. Come, gossip, dear ) be sure a wond'rous story ; All golden halls, and pearl strewn tapestry, And Indian spicy wainscoting, and curtains O' the crimson damask, glittering o'er with gems, To give me shining dreams — come, now begin. URSULA. I'll tell thee the tale of the christian knight who slew the villain sorcerer of Ebolis. ESTRELLA. No, that's all fighting ; I'll have none of it, — Gashes, and corslets hack'd, and helmets dented. URSULA. I'll tell thee the story of Moraim, the Moorish maid, whose love was a fair christian page, born in Castille. ESTRELLA. No, no ; not that one. URSULA* Why not that one, honey ? ESTRELLA* I do remember it, 'tis full of love, 5 50 STAR OF SEVILLE. [act ii. Voluptuous like the noon-day breath of roses, It is too passionate — I will not hear it ; Some other. URSULA. By my troth ! I had need coin them ; Lay thy head thus that I may reach thy hair, Dear chick ; I shall not braid it e'er again for thee. Beshrew me ! that I weep ; God keep thee, dove ! And make thee one of his. ESTRELLA. Amen, sweet nurse ! URSULA. Now listen. There dwelt a knight once, near the Moorish land, in a high castle, strong and stout for the nonce, as he had need, and he was brave and young, and moreover fair to look on ; and this knight had a beautiful sister whom he loved for all the world — ESTRELLA. As Pedro loves me. URSULA. Yea, even so, sweet ; well, in all Spain was none so fair as this maiden, whose name was called May Flower, for she was as sweet as spring flowers when they blow. What, art thou listening 1 ESTRELLA. Ay, go on, go on ; sweet as a May-bud — You see I heard. URSULA. Thy dark lash droops to thy velvet cheek ; thou'rt half asleep. ESTRELLA, Carlos! dear Carlos! URSULA. She sleeps, by my good faith ! Hark ! mistress ! lady * scene in] STAR OF SEVILLE. 51 chick! lie not aslant thus, thou'lt get aches, ere age ; get up, and sleep in thy bed, 'twere best, sweet. ESTRELLA. The dreaming poppies drop upon my lids ; Oh, me ! I'm heavy — I'll to bed ; Good nurse, Help me to doff my vest ; take thou good care Of all these gay attires, they be rich gifts From my good kinsfolk. URSULA. Marriage gifts, nay, troth, there was no need to blush : shall I put these away, and these, and this ? (taking up a rosary.) Thou wilt not need it, for to-night thou art too full of love and sleep, to pray. My life, but every bead thou whisperest his name, 'stead of an ave. ESTRELLA. Believe it not ; the love I bear my love Takes nought from that devout and deep affection I owe to Heaven ; oh ! I pray better and more earnestly Than e'er before, for now I pray for him ; My lord, my husband ! — Give me the rosary. (She goes into the Oratory, and kneels, while the nurse busies herself about the room.) estrella. (Returning.) Good night, sweet nurse ! URSULA. What, shall I not sit by thee, till thou'rt asleep t ESTRELLA. No, I would be alone ; my thoughts are all Like mingled colors, bright but indistinct. URSULA. Well, get thee to bed then; If I leave thee, be sure thou open not the casement to smell the night-buds of the jessamine and orange flower, nor watch the moon until she meet the morning ; be sure thou get to bed. 52 STAR OF SEVILLE. [act if. ESTRELLA. I will, I will ; good night ! URSULA. « Heaven keep thee, bird \ (Exit. ESTRELLA. 'Tis a strange life ; and in my hand I hold Its strangest riddle : a throbbing, restless joy- Beats in my heart and flutters there like fear ^ My little day of life comes back o'er me ; My past existence, Heaven has made it sweet,. Unmixed with any taint of bitterness, And the bright future, like a sunny land Descried afar, stretches like paradise In rosy bowers and golden fields before me. Farewell, my home ! farewell, my pleasant chamber, Where time and I have still been gay companions ; Farewell, my virgin couch, which I shall press No more with slumbers light, and smiling dreams, That were not brighter than reality. Night spreads her raven wings, and nearsthe earth ; My blood's on fire ! Gh ! for a breath of ai* From the cool gardens underneath the balcony ! Once more I'll listen to the rustling boughs Beneath whose leafy screens I've 'scaped the surc- Of eighteen summers ; and, for the last time, Mark how the moon-beams pierce the crystal folds Of yonder fount. ( Opens window.) Sleep hangs upon them all ; The trees do rock, the waters flow in sleep, The sleepy stars wink in their sapphire beds,. The air breathes gently, heaving in its sleep, And the round world spins sleepily on 's axis, I'll to me couch ; mine eyes reflect no more This earth's fair picture: 'tis night, 'twill soon be morrow. Now then to dream of him, till he returns. scene in J STAR OF SEVILLE. 53 Fare thee well, sweetheart ! Good night, Carlos, — husband ! (She lies down and sleeps. Enter the King from balcony.) KING. Oh, prosperous fate ! Lo ! to the very harbor — ■ So true a pilot is true love, I've steered. She sleeps ! Oh, beauty ! richer far than all The hidden wealth of earth's wide treasuries ! How round her delicate limbs the pillows swell, Upbearing her with amorous gentle pressure ; How soft and even comes her balmy breath, And on the measured heaving of her breast, Peace and all virtuous thoughts lie slumbering. Why do I pause ? yet I am loth to break This holiest slumber? Love ! oh, love, what lips! No blossom of so rare a hue did e'er Drink spring's fresh showers ; no fruit so sweet and melting Did ever ripen in the summer's sun. Mine eyes grow dim ! Wake, thou fair creature ! (He lays his hand upon her arm, she starts and screams. Enter Pedro, by Balcony. PEDRO. Hell? And all its devils t loosen thy lewd grasp ! Robber and slave ! stand from beside that couch, Or, by my soul! I'll unrip thine from thy body ! ( The King, who has put on a mask, draws his sword.) I do not fear the cold shine of thy steel, Thou coward thief! (They struggle — Pedro secures the sword.) Now, what shall hinder me From making ribbons of those silken swathings, And gashing that fair flesh with ugly wounds Shall mar your courting, lord? 54 STAR OF SEVILLE. [act if. KING. You dare not do 't. PEDRO.. Hence by the way thou cam'st, and tempt me not Another minute, lest I strike thee down, And trample thee, defenceless as thou art : Hence, hence, I say ! (He strikes him with the fiat of his sword, and drives him towards the balcony, from which he leaps.) King! King Alphonso,. dog ! I knew thee And did not send Heaven's purifying breath Thro' thy stale heart, nor let some of the lust, That clogs thy blood, out of thy swollen veins ! Arm'd, too, — 'twas fit, and in so good a cause ! It is but they who make the laws dare break them So gallantly : laws cannot stretch so high. She faints ! Fear has usurped sleep's gentle empire, And mimics death more closely. Oh ! my lily ! Accursed chance, that ever to our walls Did bring this tainted stream ; this King, this court-. These villain lords ! this base nobility, Who hither come, like winter blasts in June, To sack our homes, make booty of our honors, And cry foul havoc on our happiness. Within there ! Ho ! within there ! Enter Ursula and Servants. Mistress watchful ! Where wert thou prating all this time, good gossip ? URSULA. Kind saints ! what hath befallen 1 PEDRO. Bear your lady in, gently, to mine own chamber, And do thou watch by her till I return. So, Softly. (Exeunt Ursula and servants, carrying of Estrella.) scene hi] STAR OF SEVILLE 55 Now, what were it best to do I I'll see if Carlos have departed yet ; If he is not, he shall wed her to-night Before't be midnight, and so take her home, Or ere the day break, unto Valentar. I'll seek him straight. A King, a house-breaker 1 He's left me a good weapon — and good need I'm like to find for it, no doubt, hereafter. Ho ! Giacomo ! (Enter Servant.) Bar up that window fast ; Make sure the doors afier I am gone out, And until I return, let no one enter. {Exeunt. END OF ACT II. 56 STAR OF SEVILLE. [act hi. ACT III. SCENE I— THE KING'S ANTICHAMBER. COUR- TIERS DISCOVERED, SOME PLAYING AT CHESS, OTHERS AT DICE. Enter from inner chamber a Gentleman, FIRST LORD. How now, sir, is his highness gone to bed 1 GENTLEMAN. Not yet, sir. SECOND LORD. 'Tis late- — what time may it be % THIRD LORD. An hour to day — just midnight, GENTLEMAN. ' I never saw his highness so disturbed ; he measures his chamber with such an angry diligence, as the Moors had sent to bid him good rest ; and every now and then, starts me his dagger out of its sheath — and then sits down and sighs with exceeding heaviness. FIRST LORD. When he left the banquet complaining that the action of the dance had over-wearied him, he would have none to attend him but the pages, and those, it seems, he presently dismissed. GENTLEMAN. The same humor is on him still ; for he bids you all get to your beds, and will see none but Don Carlos, whom we have sent for, now some two hours gone ; but who, I fear, is hindered by some accident : he never did use to let a moment grow 'twixt the King's will and his obedience. scene i] STAR OF SEVILLE. 57 SECOND LORD. No less an accident, than that he is not in Seville. THIRD LORD. I know he was to leave it at night- fall for Valontar. (Enter Don Arias. They all rise ; he crosses toward the King's apartment.) ARIAS. Good night gentlemen. GENTLEMAN Your pardon, noble sir, but 'tis his grace's pleasure that none enter the royal chamber. ARIAS. Sir! GENTLEMAN. I trust your lordship knows I do but tread within the very boundary of duty in this — I may not suffer any to enter. ARIAS. Any ! — do you know me ? What fashion were I of the sudden, that this door, which, like mine own, hath still stood open to me, is latched at a servant's pleasure "? GENTLEMAN. My lord, the King is most troubled and unquiet — angry and stern like waves chafed by the north. — Sir I dare not open the door — for, except Don Carlos, his highness will see no one. ARIAS. Don Carlos ! GENTLEMAN. We have sent for him. ARIAS. Don Carlos ! — so — so — so — so ran the horse that way 58 STAR OF SEVILLE. [act hi. this morning; faith, he's galloped on in the time, to be come so far as this. None but him ! Pegasus, none other ! And here he flies a proper colt ! but I'll curry him yet- Enter Don Carlos with two Gentlemen. CARLOS. Save you, sir! And vou, sir! ARIAS. CARLOS. The King, I hear, is much distempered. ARIAS. And I hear hath sent for you to cure him. GENTLEMAN. Sir, I shall tell his highness of your arrival. CARLOS. Pray do ; and withal that this delay, wherein my will was warped to the event, was caused by my departure from Seville — for indeed I was already some miles on my road, when the messenger overtook me. (Exit Gentleman. arias {aside) 1 would you had been further ! — (aloud.) The King refuses to see any but yourself — you will become a court planet, Don Carlos. CARLOS. No, sir; I do not love to shine with borrowed light. ARIAS. I cry your mercy ! — nothing but the sun will serve your turn, I see. CARLOS. I look not to such heights. scene i] STAR OF SEVILLE. 59 ARIAS. You're wise, sir ; those who do, sometimes lose their footing, and falling, break their skulls. CARLOS. Although your words wear a plain even gloss, your looks throw a strange color on them, sir ; — I understand you not. ARIAS. 'Tis pity! CARLOS. That I'm sure it is ; for when you speak, men used to profit. ARIAS. Sir! CARLOS. Don't vex your sword by plucking at it thus — I'm not for fighting, sir — not now nor here — but if the King's high pleasure being done, these veins still hold life's wine, I'll pledge it you against your own, for my dead father's sake. Enter Gentle man. GENTLEMAN. My lord, will it please you follow? His Majesty ex- pressed unmeasured content at your arrival. CARLOS. My life is his poor property. (Exeunt Gentleman and Carlos.) arias. The weight's unequal, and the too light scale Wherein I sit, is chuck'd to the beam by his. We must put order to this speedily, Or we shall have these country-cousin courtiers Fray our gold mantles with their fustian doublets. 60 STAR OF SEVILLE. [act hi. Good night, sirs ! if his highness call for me, I'm at the Count Lomaria's for some hours More of the night — " my life is his poor properly," — A courtlike phrase, and smacks for all the world Of the antichamber — plague on his honest roguery That plays the fool the better to be knave ! But swearing's breath, and breath but cast away That wafts us not more near our purposes. Don Carlos ! — we shall measure wits together. (Exit. SCENE II— THE KING'S CHAMRER. The King Discovered. KING. The evil that we do, being conceiv'd, Is sin, e'en in the womb of thought ; before The midwife will have given birth to it, And brought it forth, a deed. Then I have sinn'd In that I've wished his death : — nor is that sin Made less or greater by the accomplishment That frees my laboring thought — and having sinn'd Why 'tis as easy to go on, as turn ; Much easier than stand still, being come so far ; Besides, do I not bear th' absolving power That cancels evil? Can the King do wrong? And shall he not do right that doth avenge The sacred cause of majesty insulted? Were I his fellow — such as he — a blow Were worth a blow, and so he might be answer'd ; But being as the sun, above his head By so much more is treason black in him As I'm his greater — by that height debarr'd The level ground men claim in equal combat. scene iL] STAR OF SEVILLE. 61 [Enter gentleman ushering in Don Carlos. Oh you are welcome — welcome ; listen to me: With the profoundest heed of sense and spirit, And answer me with such a soul of love. Of truth and honor, as your Father, Carlos, Bore mine. CARLOS. Let not the measure of my words Outpass the showing of my life — believe me, sir I speak as though the sun shone through my heart— Or land with a more full and true profession, I have not inherited my father's name Than his most dear devotion to your majesty. KING. Sit down beside me here, and give me heed. In all this court which, since my brows have borne My father's crown, so wooingly smiles round me — Among these scores of willing nimble slaves I've not one friend, not one 1 e'er have lov'd As some six years agone I lov'd thee, Carlos ; And though my prosperous hours may seem to have slipp'd From out their record, thy right loyal love My need remembers it. CARLOS. Oh blessed chance ! Whate'er it be that once more shows to me, Stripp'd of his royal panoply, my friend ! What needs my friend, and what commands my King ? KING. Rememberest thou how, in our unripe years, Our hours were interwoven with the sweetness Of an affection most like kindred love 1 CARLOS. Well, oh my liege, how well — and every patch Of sunny boyhood that my mind reflects Still holds your form. 62 STAR OF SEVILLE, [act hi. KING. This is as I would have it. — Rememberest thou our beardless exploits, when We first in blood baptized our virgin swords'? Dost thou remember Talavera fight — The scar yet seams my breast — that was the trench Betwixt thee and the death that did besiege thee? CARLOS. Give me to do my answer. I am poor In the airy coin of words — oh let my deeds Speak for me — this strange catechism sir, Seems like mistrust. Let me not say, but show How my heart bears engraven on its core That wound. KING. All that a loving friend doth owe Unto his friend thou art still perfect in. Now answer me, in what kind of respect Dost thou as a true subject hold thy King ? CARLOS. Second alone to God, whose great ambassador Here upon earth he stands — his law of pow'r Less holy only than the laws of Heaven — His person sacred above aught of earth. KING. And what does he deserve who lays his hand On his anointed King in daring strife 1 carlos (starting up.) p ea th ! — nay three sev'ral deaths. First that he struck The abstract of all mortal majesty ; Next, that against the father of his country, Its rever'd head, he rais'd his lawless hand — The parricidal doom : last, that with daring Most impious and unnatural, he struck The type of Heaven's eternal Sovereign — The death and hell of sacrilege accurst. scene ii.] STAR OF SEVILLE. 63 KING. Within the walls of Seville lives a man Who hath incurr'd all these against his King — 'Gainst me, the Lord and Sovereign of Castille, He rais'd his arm. CARLOS. Oh wither'd be its marrow, And shrunk its muscles — may its veins run bloodless Under the curse of God and man! KING. Waste not Thy zeal in harmless words — hast thou no sword! CARLOS. For this most honor' d choice my heart bows down. In thanks — -yea, I do bear a knightly sword, And here by this life-giving symbol, swear, Which on death's handle christian warriors worship, To drive forth from my breast all other thoughts Save that alone of this great evil done And its great punishment yet left undone. KING. Within this paper have I writ the name Of him the traitor. — When thou art gone forth From out the palace, stay not to pray or sleep, But now, or ere the night's an hour older, Do this appointed work : be sure the task Shall not lack payment — nor shall blame or danger Grow to thy steps if thou achiev'st his death, CARLOS. If I achieve his death! all blessed saints Fight with me, and against the parricide : And as the cause is holy, shadowy fear Comes not anigh my soul. Good night, my liege — The heavens protect jour grace. 64 STAR OF SEVILLE. [act hi. KING. I shall sleep well, Knowing mine honor's champion doth not slumber, Good night, my Carlos. — Nay stoop not, good friend But thus, as when we last did say farewell Receive thy friend's embrace and sovereign's greeting. Lights, ho within ! Farewell ! CARLOS. God keep your majesty! [Exeunt Severally. SCENE III— A STREET IN SEVILLE OPPOSITE THE ANCHOR INN. Enter Hyacinth, Curio, Valentine, and others, laughing. HYACINTH. 'Tis true, as I'm a gentleman, I use no witchcraft ; but I think the women be all mad, they do so plague me. valentine. Is not this rare sport 1 CURIO. And to see such a monster for nothing, — Vasco should show him at three deniers a head. hyacinth. I do protest unto you there be now three honorable vir- gins, two honest wives, and five chaste widows, all at this very hour sick in love with me. valentine. O this flogs Europe t scene ii.J STAR OF SEVILLE. C5 CURIO, The wine doth mount in him — we shall have more anon. HYACINTH. What say ye there 1 — ye be doubting me. I tell you Ihe King's sister, when fi rst I was presented in the court, cried out, " Cogs wounds ! but he is the sweetest gentle- man of his inches the mirror of mine eyes did e'er re- flect." She would have knighted me then and there, I know, save that some chance prevented it, — you under- stand me, — -'twas thought fear might be entertained in the King's mind,— you understand me, — nephews have been heirs. CURIO. O, God save your lordship and my waistband \ VALENTINE. If you be not provided with a squire, might one-— HYACINTH. Gentlemen, ye shall draw lots for place ; neither will I let my favor lean to either, lest fortune, being a woman as she is, do choose him for my love's sake. Where is ray cousin, the orange-merchant's son t CURIO. Vasco will be here anon: but, gentlemen, were we not best go in ? the night grows foul. HYACINTH, The moon plays peep-bo up among the clouds ; we shall have rain — !et us go in. I'll tell you more of these same chances there. VALENTINE* Supper is ordered I know, and wine, and all things most conducible to merriment, HYACINTH* A drop of rain, I do aver ; the clouds be envious of my 6* 66 STAR OF SEVILLE. [act ih, sapphire cloak. (Bowing with ceremony at the door of the house.) Sir, O sir! O gentlemen! let me not show you my back, worthy gentleman — I'll follow. VALENTINE. We know manners, sir, though no courtiers. CURIO. O how my ribs will ache before to-morrow. [Exeunt into the Anchor Inn. Enter Don Carlos, and a Page bearing a torch. CARLOS. How like to shuttlecocks toss'd on fate's racket Seem we and all our aims ! I did not think To have such work upon my hands to-night, Nor in my soul did anything save love Dwell, whon at sunset I rode o'er the bridge Towards Valentar. How goes the night, boy ? PAGE. Sir, I think the night be changing into morning, And yonder's the cathedral bell — 'tis one. CARLOS. Thou grey and shadowy eye Of morn, cloud-lidded, open not thyself Upon the earth ere I have done my task. The night is spent ; I will go seek out Pedro ; 'Twere best tell him of this cross-woven chance, Which may delay me from th' appointed hour When I should meet my bride. PAGE. Your pardon, sir, I see you have your sword; did you not hear That there has been a proclamation sent From the King, forbidding any to walk arm'd, scene n] STAR OF SEVILLE. 67 CARLOS. I know it, boy, but I do hold my sword By licence of the King's high pleasure. Soft— Before I seek out Pedro, let me first Into this warrant pry, that to swift death Decrees one who, although till now unknown, I count for evermore my deadliest foe. Thy torch — the stars have crept into the clouds, And the pale daylight, like a sick man waking, Can scarce put by the night's thick curtains — ha! What's here ! — come nearer, there's some devil dances Before mine eyes — nearer, I cannot see ; O God, strike not my sense with this black curse — I'm blind — read there — aloud — what name — what name ? PAGE. Don Pedro de Roella. CARLOS. May thy tongue Be wither'd like my heart ! PAGE. Sir, sir — my lord ! You're pale, and cannot stand — help, ho, within ! Enter Vasco and Gentlemen. VASCO. What is the matter ? Don Carlos, you are fainting : sir, lean on me. Follow me, gentlemen — a dizziness — 'Tis nothing — -it will pass; — what ho, within — We shall find help enough here in the house. [Exeunt into the Anchor Inn, supporting Carlos. 68 STAR OF SEVILLE. [act m. SCENE IV.— A ROOM IN THE ANCHOR INN. Hyacinth, Curio, Valentine, and others, at Supper. Various tables surrounded with Revellers, OMNES. Ha! ha! ha! ha! HYACINTH. Excellent! excellent! though I made the jest myself' Now we will have a song— ahem ! (Sings.) Maidens who love Like the moping dove Are all too sad for me. But the light that lies In merry eyes, A laughing love give me ! Enter Vasco and others, leading Carlos curio. Ha ! here is company,— Vascov VALENTINE. What hath kept thee 1 HYACINTH* Is the man dead or drunk 1 VASCO. Neither, neither ; here, give me a cup of wine* carlos — (drinks.) Another — another — ha ! ha! ha! ha!— another, to drown the fire in my brain ! CURIO. Sit down, sir ; you seem better* CARLOS. Better ! what need of better ? I am well — what ails scene iv] STAR OF SEVILLE. 69 me, think you? — tush, tush, men are not maids to faint away for the heart-ache. More wine — more — give me more wine, — a health to the devil, the king of kings ! HYACINTH. Why that's a merry blade : I like a fellow that takes his liquor kindly. vasco. All is not right with him ; this is a strange passion. CARLOS. Well, sir, what d'ye see in my eyes'? you peruse me as though for all the world you meant to learn me. VASCO. Indeed, my lord, not I! Come, gentlemen, Don Carlos seems well disposed to honor us awhile. CARLOS. Ay, till the yellow sun-light flames in the sky ; for what was the night made, think ye, but to drink and to forget the cursed day ? — A health. Give me some wine ! PAGE. Sir, your glass is full. carlos — (drinks.) Now give me some ! — 'tis empty — ha! thou ill scholar — thou canst spell bravely. Heed me not, gentlemen. I'll sit here apart at this table, — think not of me, good gentle- men. Get thee home, imp ; — dost hear me 1 go home ! PAGE. I will my lord. [Exit Page. VALENTINE. This is a strange, humorous fancy, to come here among us and spoil sport, with his gaunt visage. CURIO. Mayhap he hath quarrell'd with his mistress — they're to be married to-morrow. 70 STAR OF SEVILLE. [act hi. HYACINTH. To-day, for "it is day — -a baby-day of two-hours old. Come, we grow sapless in our mirth, — a song, — come, we will be melodious. Senor Valentine, you've a sweet pipe, I've heard. CURIO. For all the world like a nightingale in the quinsey. Drink, for good or ill betide, The goblet wears its joyous hue; In the goblet drown your woes—* With the goblet meet your foes, There is no friend so staunch beside. CHORUS. There is no mistress half so true — Drink to me — I drink to you ! Drink, for good or ill betide, The goblet wears its joyous hue ; With the goblet laugh at tears — With the goblet jest^ at fears — With wine the world may be defied. CHORUS. Seize the hours, such hours are few — Drink to me — I drink to you ! HYACINTH. " There is no mistress half so true ;" that were wisdom,, though an heathen should say it. VASCO. You have travelled, cousin Hyacinth? HYACINTH. I have, Cousin Vasco. CURIO. Whither, may't please you, sir ] scene iv.] STAR OF SEVILLE. 71 HYACINTH. O, why I have gone hopping about the world, picking up crumbs of wisdom here and there ; but I have more studied men than things, and women more than either men or things. VALENTINE. And the epitome of your observation is— HYACINTH. That your Italian loves you for love's-sake, your Frenchwoman for your tongue's-sake, your German for your great-grandfather's sake, and your Englishwoman for your purse's-sake. VASCO. And our Spanish girls ? HYACINTH. O, for God's sake, and to be charitable. VALENTINE. The English — they live with their heads under water, do they not 1 HYACINTH. Yea, for the most part under aqua-vitee. Gentlemen, drink, we will call for more wine. VASCO. The room is very hot. HYACINTH. Ay, me— CURIO. The heat would not so much matter an 5 it would stand still, I have heard the world did turn round, but never marked it till now. HYACINTH, Ay, me 1 72 STAR OF SEVILLE. [act hi. VALENTINE. Humph I 'tis not the room, nor the world either — hiccup ! — doth turn — 'tis thou goest disking hi — hiccup — hither and thither — how like thou art — hiccup — to a fly. HYACINTH. Ay, me ! — my heart grows soft. — O, my dear friends ! my most loving friends ! my kind cousin — and ye, sweet gentlemen — 'tis an evil thing and a sore to he cleft in the heart. vasco. What now ! are you so wounded ? HYACINTH. There is a lady weeping in Segovia, I do think, at this l lour — ]o mine eyes take the hint of her sorrow. — O my dear friend ! my gentle kinsman, to that fair lady am I contracted. (Chorus of gentlemen at another table.) " And she was mine and thine, That lady so frail and fine." HYACINTH. 'Tis false — ye lie in your throats ! She is mine own be- trothed bride — and purer than — VALENTINE. Ditch-water — hiccup — HYACINTH. Now then, a health! — a health to the fair bride! CARLOS. (Starting up.) Ay, ay, to the bride, all swathed in mourning weeds — to the bloody-handed bridegroom ! — a health — a health to the fairest maid in Seville — in Spain — in all the world — Estrella, the star ; — drink on your knees as I drink, sirs, to the fair Star of Seville. (They all drink.) Good night, kind gentlemen— a merry waking to you all. (He rushes out.) scene iv.] STAR OF SEVILLE. 73 HYACINTH. That's a pleasant youth, my Vasco ! — O my Pollux, I will be thy Castor. VASCO. Heaven send you be not my death ! Pray clasp not my throat so close. HYACINTH. I am lamentable in my soul, my brother. (Curio and Valentine sing and dance together.) " Ho, ho, with a hip, ho, ho — Down with the heel, and up with the toe." HYACINTH. Yea, I will dance and defy the devil. VASCO. Come, come — leave your tee totum reel — ho, hostess! — where be our men — what, hostess, ho! (Enter the hostess,) Send hither our men — we must towards home — 'tis day- light. HYACINTH. Ho, ho with a VASCO. Come, come, gentlemen — 'tis time we leave the house — 'tis early morning. VALENTINE. Curio, come then with me — we'll to the house you wot of. CURIO. We will — we will. Thou hast ta'en my hat. VALENTINE, Ta'en in thy teeth — I'm no rubbish vendor. 7 74 STAR OF SEVILLE. [act in. CURIO. I say thou hast stolen my hat — it had a feather once. VASCO. 'Tis dangling here behind you. CURIO. Valentine, you're an honest man — I forgive thee ! HYACINTH. Kinsman, dear — I will take thine arm. Come, shall we dance a fandango 1 VASCO. The fiend fly away with you ! — leave dancing and come home. Enter Sancho, and other Men-servants. VASCO. Sancho, take thy master. HYACINTH. O Vasco, my soul is exceeding heavy. I could weep- — yea, I do weep ; lo ! spite of these breeches mine eyes gush over for the fair Amadalinda. Ho, ho, with a hip ho, ho — VASCO. Come, come. HYACINTH. Ho, ho — out, alas; — hip, ay me — good night gentlemen. How you pull me, cousin ! — let me embrace my friends. Good night, sweet gentlemen. (He embraces them all over and over again.) VASCO. A plague on your slobbering ! HYACINTH. Vamos ! ho — ho — hip — ho — ho — (Exeunt Vasco and Sancho, leading Hya- cinth, followed by Curio and Valentine scene v.] STAR OF SEVILLE, 75 arm-in-arm, manent chorus of gentlemen, who sing the following Chorus. What, though the mom Looks keen and cold, Like a bitter scold, Her spite we scorn, With a hey down, down, my bully boys bold ! SCENE V.— A STREET IN SEVILLE AT DAY- BREAK. Enter Don Pedro. PEDRO. 'Tis passing strange — not at his house — nor gone To Valentar — lo, now ! whom have we here 1 'Tis Carlos' page — what, ho 1 thou imp of the night, Whither art scudding, mischief? PAGE. Home, my lord: PEDRO. Where is thy master ? PAGE. At the Anchor Inn, Sir — In very merry excellent good company. Your pardon, sir, he charged me to go home And I do fear to be abroad so early, ^Tis scarcely light. PEDRO. Run lest thou meet thy shadow. Exit Page. In merry company, and at the Anchor ! 76 STAR OF SEVILLE. [act hi. Why, this is stranger than the rest. Who's yonder ? Sure some fantastical, crack-witted lunatic With a drawn sword too ! 'Tis bad company To meet abroad ; but thanks to the King I'm armed. The morning frowns upon the earth. Hark ! — thunder ; Sure 'tis an evil day that speaks so sternly From its cradle. — Carlos ! by my good eyes — 'tis he. Enter Don Carlos very wildly, and in a disordered dress, with his sword drawn. PEDRO. Thou art the very man I'm seeking, Carlos. CARLOS. I seek not thee — get hence, and let me pass. PEDRO. Carlos, what ails thee ? CARLOS. Madness ails me, And murder, and all devilish hideous thoughts Pursue me, man. In the name of God — begone. PEDRO. I come to thee from thy bride, my sister, Carlos — Ye were to wed at noon. CARLOS. We were — we were — But that's among the things that, like abortions, Rot in the womb of time — we shall not wed. PEDRO. Sir ! — but my soul stoops not to answer you — You're drunk. CARLOS. You lie ! PEDRO. Carlos ! — pray come with me. scene v.] STAR OF SEVILLE. 77 I would not in an evil hour do that My after life should mourn for — come with me. Thou art not fit to walk alone. CARLOS. You lie ! I am not drunk, but I am fix'd and sworn, As there is light in heaven, and fire in hell, To stab thee to the heart. Defend thyself. PEDRO. I will not — thou art mad. CARLOS. Hark to the thunderer — The evil spirit laughs out of the skies To see a brave man turn faint-hearted — hark 1 Defend thyself, for I have sworn an oath, And I will keep it — fare thee well, dear Pedro ; For, betwixt thee and me, the gulf that parts The blessed and the damn'd is yawning wide. To heaven with thee 1 PEDRO. Nay, if you press mc thus, [TkeyfighU I needs must parry. Carlos, hold ! thouVt frantic — I cannot foil thee ! — ah — I'm struck in the life. [He falls. CARLOS. Struck, art thou? yea, 'tis blood, blood, reeking blood, My feet are washed in it — it rises round me — I swim — I drown in thy warm living blood. PEDRO. Whate'er hath urg'd thee to this deed I guess not — Let not my sister know thy hand did strike me, And do thou swear, for thou keep'st well an oath, To wed her. Do not leave her desolate — Do not abandon her, I do beseech thee; 7* 78 STAR OF SEVILLE. [act hi. But let thy love for her redeem my death. Forsake her not — forsake her not, dear Carlos. Oh, my Estrella — oh ! [He dies. (A violent storm of thunder and lightning.) CARLOS. Yea, thou grim thunderer, Hast thou a voice to curse, and none to warn ? Pedro ! ho, Pedro, hear'st thou not up yonder, How the loud voices of the night call to thee ? Arise, wake, wake, ho ! wake — ha ! ha ! ha ! ha ! — He's dead ! — what's dead 1 here be his limbs, The same that folded in the living soul — Here is the very likeness he did wear, And yet he's dead. Should there not come some change Over the dead ? — the subtle soul is gone, And here's the gory gate I open'd for it. Ay, roll, roll, roll, thou noisy watchman, roll — Call up the world to witness this foul slaughter — It is the voice that, when the earth first tasted Her children's blood, called from the clouds to Cain — Oh ! damned life, that art so soon set free, Come, let me give thee wings. (Enter Arias with servants bearing torches.) ARIAS. Hold, madman, hold ! What butchery is here, Don Carlos ? CARLOS. Ay, That is my name — men have not yet found out A curse to tack to't foul and dark enough. Bring lights around — see here, here is one murdered, Look where the slimy blood comes oozing out ; Just now it gushed out like an angry torrent, And bare the spirit on its crimson waves. I have done this, — ha ! ha ! ha! — how ye slare ! Look at my clotted sword, look at my face, Bear I not stabber writ upon my forehead % scene v.] STAR OF SEVILLE. 79 ARIAS. Ring the alarm bell ! call the city guard up (In the distance voices are heard, " Which way ? Yonder in the cross street." Enter Vasco and Sancho, supporting Hyacinth, singing and dancing, drunkenly ; the alarm bell rings — thunder and lightning.) CARLOS. See where heavVs torches glare with livid light, Flashing around the avenger's chariot wheels, That bound along the sky ! The world spins round — The solid earth sinks in with me — the thick And palpable air is full of fiery rings, That scorch mine eye-balls — O ! — (He falls upon the body.) HYACINTH. Let me go — let me go — I will see — oh ! Vasco, oh — oh ! — look here. VASCO. Come hence — ye mock this terrible sight with your drunken gaping. Sir, can I help you? ARIAS. No, sir, I thank you ; for here comes the guard. Raise both these bodies — one of them is cold, In the other life doth but play the truant — It will return. There is some dismal riddle Hid among these dark deeds, I cannot guess at ; The hand of day must wind this tangled skein. On to the Alcade's house. [Exeunt guard, bearing the bodies. The sheeted lightnings Stretch their blue wings, and whiz above the earth — 'Tis a fit hour for such a bloody tragedy, And nature with her children's stormy passions Hold fearful sympathy. Follow me. — Good night. If you hereafter should be called on, sir, To witness this foul business — SO STAR OF SEVILLE. [act hi. VASCO. I shall be My duty's slave, my lord ; but I must hope To be spar'd such an office. Come, thou sleepy sack, Thou'rt heavy drunk now. Come, I cannot carry thee. [Exeunt omnes severally. SCENE VI.— A CHAMBER IN DON PEDRO'S HOUSE. ESTRELLA DISCOVERED SITTING BEFORE HER GLASS—THE NURSE AND ISABEL ASSISTING TO DRESS HER. ESTRELLA. Come, hast thou done, — am I not perfect yet? 'Tis well enough — 'tis well enough. I cannot Sit patiently and quiet any longer. Isabel, I know thou'rt longing to be hence — thy cousin, When does she wed t ISABEL. I think her father said On Wednesday, madam. ESTRELLA. May her lot be happy, wench, As mine. Get thee a husband, Isabel — I fear thou'rt over-nice — hast thou no sweetheart? Come, thou shalt tell no falsehoods — hold thy tongue. Here, thou shalt take thy pretty cousin these For thy marriage present to her. ISABEL. Thank you, madam. O my dear lady, may your feet still tread on the sunny, smooth and evenest path of life — scene vi.] STAR OF SEVILLE. 81 may love be immortal as he is sweet to you ; and sorrow touch nothing that you have looked on. Good angels guard you as their sister, ever ! [Exit Isabel. ESTRELLA. O joy ! O joy ! O bright triumphant spirit That in my bosom dost a revel keep ! Life, life, and love, may one heart hold ye both, And yet not faint with the surpassing bliss. O that I were a bird to spread my wings And soar, and soar, and pour my ecstasy In a tumultuous stream of gushing song. O that I had an universe to fill With my exceeding happiness. NURSE. Keep it, keep it, girl, thy present stock Won't last thee till forever. ESTRELLA. It is in vain : like the exulting sun, My light pursues thy wisdom's conquer'd shadows, And chases them from off my land of hope. See, thou false prophet — see where the bright morning Stands laughing on the threshold of the east — Where are the clouds thou saidst didst veil the dawn 1 Look how the waters mirror back again The blushing curtains of Aurora's bed. fresh and fragrant earth, and glorious skies All strewn with rosy clouds — sweet dewy breath Of earliest buds unfolded in the night — And thou — thou winged spirit of melody, Thou lark that mountest singing to the sun, Fair children of the gold-eyed morn, I hail ye ! There dwells not one sad thought within my breast; 'Tis the broad noon-day there of light and love. The earth rebounds beneath my joyous feet : 1 am a spirit — a spirit of hope and joy ! NURSE. I marvel that my lord has not returned. 32 STAR OF SEVILLE. [act hi. ESTRELLA. He has gone riding forth to meet my love, — My love, O brighter than the dawning day, And sweeter than the breath of evening violets, Glorious as victory, and fair as truth, Art thou, my love ? my lord, my husband ! NURSE. Hark! ESTRELLA. They cannot yet be here. O let me say it Again and yet again, to keep my heart From beating thus — as though he were at hand. They cannot yet be come — NURSE. Hark, hark ! I hear a noise at the gate, voices and steps of men — dost thou not hear 1 ESTRELLA. 'Tis they — 'tis he ! they come — Carlos — O God ! (She rushes to the door, and meets men bearing her brothers body — she shrieks and falls upon it.) END OF ACT III. scene i.] STAR OF SEVILLE. 83 ACT IV. SCENE I.— THE OPEN SPACE BEFORE THE CATHEDRAL OF SEVILLE— PEOPLE COMING OUT OF THE CATHEDRAL AS FROM MASS. Enter Curio, Valentine, and others, VALENTINE Singing. " O Filii et Filiae !" that's a pleasant psalm, I like the tune on't. CURIO. Peace, listen to these news. Well sir, how then ? FIRST GENTLEMAN. Don Carlos, sir, has confessed himself guilty of the deed ; but holds unbroken silence on all else, as motives, provo- cations. SECOND GENTLEMAN. The trial is to come on at two in the afternoon. VALENTINE. Why is the matter so hurried to a hearing? FIRST GENTLEMAN. Reasons are given as plenty as chestnuts ; none may be right though. SECOND GENTLEMAN. Being a nobleman of so much note and importance in Seville, the presence of the King's high counsellors is deemed a welcome addition in the trial to our city officers. FIRST GENTLEMAN. *Tis rumored that the King, who loves Don Carlos ex- ceedingly, hath already questioned with his nearest cousel- lors to have the trial private. 84 STAR OF SEVILLE. [act iv. VALENTINE. Don Pedro's friends will scarce cry content to that. SECOND GENTLEMAN. no ; besides the old Lord Gomez, whose son was killed in the streets of Saragossa much in the same fashion, presses the matter to a bloody issue, and seems to bear a sympathy to the deceased for the sake of his own murdered heir. CURIO. 1 know of one will not be sorry for this chance. VALENTINE. Don Arias. CURIO. The same: you recollect the landing. If Don Carlos pay not now for riding over the black Duke's bastard — I am no Spaniard ! VALENTINE. Poor Don Carlos ! he hath the prayers of many good hearts in Seville ! This is the history of last night's riddle. And by that same token where shall we meet to-night, gentlemen 1 SECOND GENTLEMAN. O at the Anchor again — 'tis a good house, and near the council room ; we can go thither after the trial, for if it be public I shall attend it. OMNES. And I ! and I ! and I ! CURIO. O if all go, there will be no supper bespoken. VALENTINE. Come thou, and do that now. scene i.] STAR OF SEVILLE. &5 CURIO. We will — farewell, till to-night, gentlemen. [Exeunt severally. Enter Hyacinth, and Sancho supporting him. HYACINTH. What the foul fiend makest thou hanging on mine firm, varlet 1 SANCHO. Sir, I'm upholding you. HYACINTH. What ! I am not drunk. SANCHO. Are you quite sure of that, sir t Let me see you stand. Lo ! you, sir, indeed you cannot stand, — you are not sober yet. HYACINTH. If thou do come one inch nearer to me than thoti art, I will show thee which of us can't stand. Peace, get thee behind me, here be ladies coming out of church. Wilt thou get thee from me ? SANCHO. Sir, if you do make your bow in the prostrate f»rr», it is no fault of mine. Enter from the Cathedral Florilla and Isabel. FLORILLA. Ha ! ha ! ha ! ha ! didst mark the lady Julia ? for all the world I would not wear such a mantle. ISABEL. It did to hide her face ; 'twas a sufficiently good mraiir tie. 8 86 STAR OF SEVILLE. [act iv. FLORILLA. How, all prayer time, Donna Maria kept simpering at the Cavalier in the blue cloak. ISABEL. O, a scandal ! it hindered me from holy thoughts. FLORILLA. So it put no ill ones into thy head ISABEL. Nay, then should I have had an empty skull ! FLORILLA. What's yonder, strutting up and down in the sun 1 ISABEL. The rainbow incarnate. Mercy ! 'tis a man-peacock ! HYACINTH. Sancho, do the fair ladies look at me 1 SANCHO. I think they be gazing at one of us, sir. HYACINTH. They're sweet favor'd ladies, Sancho. SANCHO. O, sir, to my mind not half so goodly as Patience the fat baker's daughter your honor liked before your honor grew a gentleman. HYACINTH. * Faugh, tripe ! SANCHO. There was a deal more of her than of these, sir ; these two would not make a quarter of her. scene i] STAR OF SEVILLE. 87 HYACINTH. Peace, dolt ! think'st thou women be like flesh of beeves and muttons priz'd by the pound. — I will accost them. [He botes, Florilla and Isabel laugh. FLORILLA. Do, I beseech thee ! ISABEL. O that I dared ! FLORILLA. No harm shall come of it, but infinite sport. HYACINTH. Most beauteous fair ones — happy is the earth that carries you! — the sky that lights you! — the air you breathe! and the life that dwells within you ! Florilla and Isabel draw up and exeunt haughtily SANCHO. Most disdainful puppets ! very ill mannerly and dull! HYACINTH. Sancho, these be ladies of great rank and quality — the first, the tall one, did throw me such a look! Didst mark how her eye fell on my proportions ? SANCHO. Where sir 1 HYACINTH. 1 shall hear of these again, be sure. Lo Hyacinthus, tbou'rt the very fondling of Venus — said I not so 1 Enter Isabel laughing. ISABEL. Save you, fair sir ! my mistress, sir, the lady your lordship did salute so sweetly but now, has bid me come 88 STAR OF SEVILLE. [act iv. back in all haste to you, sir — she is a noble maid of high estate, greatly woo'd for her beauty and wealth ; but, as your lordship may have noted, she was much taken with your courtesy, and bade me invite your honor to her house. HYACINTH. my sweet Iris, tell thy Juno, Hyacinth shall be her slave, now and for ever, here and hereafter, in this, and in all things ! ISABEL. Our dwelling, sir, is the large house, close here by the cathedral. HYACINTH. 1 shall not fail to find it. And the hour 1 ISABEL. Come at vespers ; my lady will be alone then, and I will be waiting to admit your lordship. HYACINTH. May freckles mar my skin if I come not at the v ery hour. Rest you fair sweet maiden ! [Exit Isabel.] Sancho, Sancho, am not I fortune's minion, thinkest thou, that such sweet and noble ladies do bear me affection. SANCHO. Beshrew me, but I think they be neither more nor less than HYACINTH. Sancho ! SANCHO. Well, sir, you recollect what your mother said to you — it was the third article of her parting discourse, which had in it many and wise clauses — that you should never keep company with — HYACINTH. Sancho \ scene i.] STAR OF SEVILLE. 89 SANCHO. No, sir, not with me, who am an honest man, but with ill women, sir. HYACINTH. Be dumb, and follow me. Hark thee, varlet, if thou be'st not more modest in thy bearing, and more sparing of thy moralities, henceforth, I will provide me with another man. SANCHO. And let that other man be provided with another coat, sir ; for I have now worn this the better half of Jacob's serving time ; also touching my wages, sir — HYACINTH. Hark, thee, good Sancho, I am benign, and will forgive thee; love lies like a warm sop at my heart, comforting my spirit with an unbounded charity. I do forgive thee. Get home, Sancho, to our inn; get me an ounce of civet ; I will be sweet as the rosy month of June ; get me my scarlet cloak, that shall describe to her the ardor of my love ; get me my blue hose, they shall bespeak the con- stancy of the same ; put me a green plume in my bonnet, for o'ertopping all hope crowns my love, foretelling me success in my amorous campaign ; and anon follow me to Vasco's ; I must excuse myself from a supper at the An- chor, to which I was bid. Some say that Love and For- tune are blind ; I cannot tell, — 1 do not think they be: — pshaw, 'tis only those on whom they never look, who say, for spite, that they have got no eyes. [Exeunt severally. 8* 90 STAR OF SEVILLE. [act it. SCENE II.— A ROOM IN DON PEDRO'S HOUSE. Enter Physician and Nurse. nurse. Alas, sir! I am sorry for your pains, but you see 'tis in vain persuading with her — she drowns all counsel in a sea of tears. PHYSICIAN. I am most sorry for this calamity that hath fallen upon so good a lady. Well, well, Heav'n is wise, and knows its own purposes. Since she will not admit me, I will depart. Take this with you, worthy nurse ; seek not to stop the current of her tears, for like swift waters round a based rock, they will in time wear or! the edges of her grief; let her weep, therefore, sans interruption. NURSE. I have sent for my lady's confessor, sir, hoping she may take some comfort from his spiritual converse ; and, indeed, she always loved holy father Rodriquez as a very father, and was more ruled by his advice than anything in the world. PHYSICIAN. Peace be with you ! I hope she may both hearken to him and find remedy therein. [Exit Physician: Enter Friar Rodriquez. NURSE. O holy father, welcome ; you're come an hour sooner than we thought to have needed you. Alack, alack ! and 'tis no longer for marrying, but burying. O my dear lord — my good young master, oh ! FRIAR. Lament not for the dead. How is your lady 1 scene ii. STAR OF SEVILLE. 91 NURSE. O, sir, in the very deepest pit of affliction ; I think she hath wept more tears than would serve to wash me of all my sins, old as I am. Her cheeks, which this morning did show the brighest and fairest roses in the world, be pale, and dra'wn, and stained with briny showers, that have wi- thered the pretty roses clean away ; she takes no heed to anything about her, nor speaks not save to cry out that she may be shown her brother's corpse ; but so strong is the passion of her grief, that I have feared to let her see it, lest her poor brain be entirely wrecked at the sight. FRIAR. Where is she ? NURSE. Within her chamber : shall I tell her you are come ? FRIAR. No, by no means, I will go thither to her ; Let the body of her brother be convey'd, Such as it lies, somewhere at hand, to me, And if I find that 'twill be best to give her The sorrow of its sight. NURSE. Alack the day 1 My brave young lord, my handsome, sweet young lord ! FRIAR. Go in and cry thy fill, but weep not here, Lest that my heart, which I would hold in strength And firmness for thy lady's best support, Grow weak with fancying ere I see her sorrow. NURSE. Heav'n bless you holy sir ! I cannot hold — I will go in. [Exit Nurse. 92 STAR OF SEVILLE, [act iv. FRIAR. O ihou that doest nought But in great mercy to thy sinful children, If it please thee well, grant me to pour some patience Into this broken heart that thou hast wounded, And though thy steps be hid in the deep, yet teach me To trust thy wisdom which I cannot fathom, And give like trust unto this mourning creature ! [Exit. SCENE III.— ESTRELLA'S BED-ROOM. (She is lying on the ground.) ESTRELLA. Bloody — cold — stiff — dead, gone, forever gone ! O heaven ! O heaven ! the only thing I had To love — that lov'd me, torn away from me ! His eyes, dim lightless jellies ! his kind voice, A tongueless bell ! his upright gallant limbs, Carrion ! () God! my brother ! my dear brother! Thou hearest me not, else thou wert here beside me ! Thou seest me not, thy child, thy darling — lonely! O earth ! thou unkind mother, that dost clasp Him, and not me, open thine arms for both ; O take me in, for I am utterly desolate ! (She falls again upon the earth.) Enter Friar Rodriquez. RODRIQUEZ. Arise, thou weeping soul, that to the dust Of sorrow art brought down, and hearken to me. scene in.] STAR OF SEVILLE. 93 ESTRELLA. O father ! he is gone, he's dead, he's dead ! My brother, my twin life — that gentle soul That thou drdst know was pure as Heav'n's own light ! Father, give help, 1 drown in this deep grief! RODRIQUEZ. My child, have faith in Heaven ! ESTRELLA. I have, I have, But oh ! but oh ! he cannot live again ! Death, know'st thou what it is 1 the sweet soul goes, Away, away, like to an nncag'd bird, Like prison'd air, like utter'd words it goes, And never comes again — O never, never! RODRIQUEZ. peace, thou sad heart, peace ! ESTRELLA. O never, never ! Never again, in all life's thousand hours, And rolling years, and countless little minutes, Shall I behold him ! — Day will follow day, And night succeed to night, but never more, By night or day, will he return to me. The seasons, in their walk around the earth, Will, turn by turn, go and come back again ; All things that have departed may return, But life returns not — he returns not ever! 1 cannot bear this load, it is too much ! I will not bear it ! RODRIQUEZ. Thou art mad with sorrow, And utterest evil in thy bitterness. ESTRELLA. Let me behold his body once again ! The clay, the earth, that ivas him ; let me see it, 94 STAR OF SEVILLE. [act iv. Dear father, for an instant — but one instant ! A look, a look, let me not yet have seen My very last of him ! RODBJQUEZ. Poor soul ! Thy load is great ! Arise and hear me, maiden ; If thou wilt swear to me to curb this passion, To hold thy grief in with a stedfast courage, And bear in mind the hand that does chastise thee — ESTRELLA. I will, I will, — indeed, indeed I will ! RODRIQUEZ. Estrella, hold thy spirit to its vow. Heav'n grant what 1 attempt may have good issue ; Art thou prepared to look upon the corpse Of him thou lov'st ? ESTRELLA. I am. RODRIQUEZ. Then turn thee hither. Give me thv hand. ESTRELLA. You see how firm I am ; You see I strive, I wrestle with my grief, — I know 'tis the good God hath struck me thus, — I'm calm, you see, I'm very stedfast, father — I am resigned — I'm still — I am content. But 1 did love him so ! (She falls upon the body.) Enter Nurse. RODRIQUEZ. What is the matter % scene in] STAR OF SEVILLE. 95 NURSE. O, sir, they say they must speak with my lady ; — Don Gomez, the noble counsellor, and many gentlemen who be come from the court ; they cannot be denied ; 'tis pressing business, touching my dear lord's death. RODRIQUEZ. Admit them ; it may force her from this frenzy, And for a moment stop her sorrow's course. Hold up thy head, Estrella, rouse thyself, Here be at hand some come to question with thee. ESTRELLA. What must I do ? 1 am drunk with weeping — I cannot stand, nor speak, nor hear, nor see them. (She falls into a chair.) Enter Don Gomez and Attendants. GOMEZ. Hail to this house of sorrow ! noble lady, I come a messenger from the assembled council, Who are now met to try your most sad cause. NURSE. I do not think she hears him. RODRIQUEZ. Peace ; she hears mayhap, but heeds not. Sir, go on ; 1 will accept your message for the lady, And answer it as my best ability affords — go on. GOMEZ. In few, Don Carlos having openly Avow'd the bloody deed — estrella — (starting up.) What's that you say 1 Say that again — I say, say that again. 96 STAR OF SEVILLE. [act iv. GOMEZ. Did you not know that this was done by him ? ESTRELLA. Carlos ! GOMEZ. Don Carlos is the murderer. ESTRELLA. Don Carlos is the murderer ! You're old, Close on your coffin's brink, you would not lie ; You're cloth'd in black too, — deatli is your acquaintance— You do not lie — go on — be not afraid ! If my eye glazes, and the blood tarn back, Nor pour its wonted tribute in my face ; These be the weaknesses of mortal houses, Our souls are stronger built, mine totters not ; Go on. And so Don Carlos slew my brother ? GOMEZ. Madam, I fear you overstrain your strength. ESTRELLA. He did not say for which of all his benefits, His tender love, his firm and trusting faith, His sister's hand, and wide estates— : he said not For which of these, my brother's death was guerdon. GOMEZ. He holds an unlock'd silence on the whole, Save that his hand cut short Don Pedro's life. ESTRELLA. I thank you, sir, and these good gentlemen, For coming hither ; please you to return, And tell the honorable Council 1 Will forthwith furnish me with such advice, How to proceed in this my extremity, As my more settled wits may tender me. scene in.] STAR OF SEVILLE. 97 GOMEZ. Heaven strengthen you, most honorable madam ! Farewell ! Exeunt. RODRIQUEZ. Now look to see this calm unnatural Break up in one wild, furious storm of grief. NURSE. The fountains of her tears be sure run dry. RODRIQUEZ. I would she'd weep again. Madam — Estrella. ESTRELLA. My lord — ah ! holy father, is it thou ? RODRIQUEZ. How fares it, lady ] ESTRELLA. Passing strong and well. When the sap's in the bough, and the green leaves Shoot forth, and shake in the evening wind in spring, The lightning may burn up the sprouting tree, And blast its healthful life; but look, good father, Didst ever mark a sapless, leafless witherling, That stands all shrivell'd in the bosky dells, Mocking the summer with its barrenness 1 Think'st thou that blighted thing fears any storm, Or dreads the bolt that makes its forest brothers Writhe their green trembling arms ? — Go to — 'tis past. Where is Petruchio ? Poor old servant ! this Will bring his life's brief story near its end. NURSE. Madam, I will go seek him. [Exit Nurse. 98 STAR OF SEVILLE. [act iv. ESTRELLA. Holy father ! When all is done that I have yet to do, I shall this worthless poor mortality To the keeping of a cloister dedicate — That when this body is released from earth, My soul may be far on its way towards heaven. Think of this for me ; — there is something more — Wilt thou, dear father, in its couch of mould Lay this poor broken fragment of existence 1 Let me — no, no — I will not look again ; You'll bury him beside my mother — and leave A narrow space — close — close to him for me. Enter Nurse, crying. O madam ! O my lady ! RODRIQUEZ. Hold thy peace ! Cram not ill news so fast into our ears. ESTRELLA. There's no ill news now in the world for me. NURSE. Passing through the offices to call Petruchio to your bidding, madam, I heard a wail, and coming to the place, found Livio standing by the poor old man, who on his chair sat as though listening to the news of my master's death ; but when that Livio had done speaking, he sat list'ning still — nor moved, nor spoke, nor wept, — for he was dead ! ESTRELLA. O iron youth ! that can such sorrow hold As mine, nor break one thread of thy strong woof! Whilst threadbare age upon its worn-out strings, Receiving but a touch, they straight give way ! Father, as of my spiritual dwelling scene iv] STAR OF SEVILLE. 99 Thou hast the rule, so to this house of death Put thou some order. I am going now To the council-house. NURSE. The council-house, good madam ? ESTRELLA. When I return let this be ta'en away, And I will then right all uneven things That yet may lack it — ere I follow thee To the convent. RODRIQUEZ. Heav'n uphold you, my dear lady ! lExeunt severally. SCENE IV.— THE COUNCIL CHAMBER. Don Gomez, Don Arias, Count Lomaria, the Al- cades and 31agistrates of Seville ; also Vasco, Curio, Valentine, and many others, Don Carlos. GOMEZ. You all have heard this bloody story o'er, But to proceed in the accustom'd form — Don Arias, my good lord, we must beseech you, To speak to the matter you were witness to. ARIAS. My lord, returning from the Count Lomaria's Last night, or rather at first peep of day, In the cross street I came upon Don Carlos, Who with most furious gesture aim'd against Himself, did offer war with his own life. 100 STAR OF SEVILLE. [ ACT iv. This I prevented — when lying- on the ground, All soaked in blood, and gashed with running wounds, Don Pedro's lifeless body I beheld. Whereat, heaping amazement on amazement, Don Carlos cried, " I have done this," and o'er Repeating these wild words, fell down in a swoon. The alarm being given, and the guard at hand, I presently departed, leaving all things To day's clear eye and the wisdom of this court. I think there be one here, who passing by, Was also witness to the whole — he's yonder, GOMEZ. Sir, pray stand forth, if you can any thing Add, or detract, from the evidence we've heard. VASCO. Nothing, my lord ; nothing, save that 'tis true : I heard those words ; would I had had no hearing, Or that infirmity to youth unknown, Had made the fine sense dull, that now, perforce, Makes me a witness 'gainst this honor'd gentleman. Enter an attendant, icho whispers Don Gomez. GOMEZ. 'Tis very well : we shall obey his majesty, In all just dealing — let the gentleman enter. Don Carlos, here is come a messenger From the King's grace, commending to your use, The great abilities of the ablest man in Seville — Skill'd to unravel strongest knots of law, And wind ev'n justice to what point he would ; Who, by the King offer'd great gain and honor To plead your cause, hath for your own name's sake , Come hither unfee'd to speak in your behalf. Admit him straight ! scene iv.] STAR OF SEVILLE. 101 Enter a Lawyer. CARLOS. To him, as to the court, my answer's brief — I thank you, sir, for this your Christian courtesy To one most worthless of such generous dealing ; % But deem too nobly of your eloquence, Which, as 'tis right persuasive, comes from the heart, To clog it with so ill a cause as mine, Or think it could its conquering way pursue, Bowed by the weight of blood. Sirs, I am guilty — You've heard the sum and substance of my plea In those three words. LAWYER. O noble sir, beseech you, Cast not your precious life away so suddenly. It is not wise, or well, believe me, sir — There have been straights as great as this you stand in, Where gaps have yet been found — -escapes been made, As through the air, or underneath the earth ; Yea, in the closest gripe of the grim law, Means to slip through have yet been sometimes found — Oh, let me speak ! CARLOS. Ah, but that this were spared me ! Look yonder ! see'st tkou through the entrance porch, A woman coming towards us stedfastly 1 Think'st thou a world of words as musical As brooks in summer, strong as the sunward flight Of eagle's wings — rich as the golden chains That from Apollo's lips take spirits captive, Could, in great Justice's scale outweigh one tear Of hers, or talk down that wan, silent grief That speaks in her bloodless cheek 1 Estrella enters, attended by two servants, GOMEZ. The lady Estrella ! 9* 102 STAR OF SEVILLE. - [act iv. ESTRELLA. Let not surprise o'ertake ye, that a woman, Alone, unfenc'd by any guard but sorrow, I come into the assembly of your wisdom. I know 'tis 'gainst the custom of my sex, Thus in the eye and gaze of men to stand, Unpropp'd, unscreen'd, and unprotected : But, in brief words I'll tell ye why this is, And why no woman's shame upon my cheek Does homage to your sovereignty of nature. I have no guardian — no protector — none — No father — mine died ere I grew a woman — I have forgotten him — I have no brother, For mine was murder'd yesternight in the street ; — Therefore it is I stand alone before ye — Alone here, as alone in the wide world. CARLOS. O when did sorrow bribe the soul of pity, With such a voice I GOMEZ. Madam, we are intent, To do your most foul wrong a full requital. ESTRELLA. Nor let it move your wonder that I come Attired thus into this grave assembly, Mocking the solemn aspect of your council With these gay robes — it is my wedding-day ! You start at that ; in faith, my lords, 'tis true — It is my wedding-day — I am a bride ; And the reason why my husband is not here Beside me, filling up the vacant place Of father, brother, all the world in one, Is that he stands yonder — the breaker down Of the only stay on earth I had to lean on. ARIAS. O strange and horrible ! scene iv.] STAR OF SEVILLE. 103 CARLOS. 'Tis true — 'tis true : O ye delay too long : torture like this Is more than guilty catiff ever bore, Groaning upon the wheel. Sentence me ! sentence me ! I'm rack'd beyond the endurance of a man ; And if ye longer hold me in this anguish, Your scaffold will go bloodless, and the throngs Of my fellow-citizens lose the show of death, They be already come abroad to gape at. Your sentence in the name of mercy, sirs ! (Don Gomez speaks with several of the Coun- sellors, and then rises.) GOMEZ. Don Carlos, Count of Mueyn and Valentar, In that you have confessed yourself the slayer Of your fellow-man, you are condemned to death ; Moreover, in that you have broken through The sov'reign proclamation of the King, Forbidding any to walk armed abroad, You're doubly doomed. My lords, break up the court. Your hour of death will be made known to you, In time to fit your soul to meet it bravely. [Exeunt Gomez, Arias, Lomaria, Alcades, and Magistrates. carlos (to the Lawijer.) Sir, you may do me a most infinite good, 'Stead of the one your bounty proffered me, Now that all's over, and the doom pronounc'd — May I not speak one word to yonder lady 1 LAWYER. That, sjr, at least I will entreat for you. (He crosses to Estrella who is going out.) Madam, this most unhappy gentleman, Whom now you should regard with some compassion, 104 STAR OF SEVILLE. [act iv. Since he is of the things that are no longer — Beseeches but to speak one word with you. ESTRELLA. Tell him to send his message by my brother ; Or keep it till to-night, when we're alone In our marriage chamber. [Exeunt Estrella and servants. LAWYER. Was it spoke in earnest 1 Her eye did mock at her lip, as the words dropt from it. That is a brain that will not hold its seat — The flickering eye showed reason's lamp was dying. I will not bear her message. (Goes back to Carlos. Sir, the lady You see is gone, and will not hear your suit. CARLOS. Not yet, she is not gone yet, for I see Her gliding form fading away from me ; And her voice possesses still the list'ning air, Which will not lose its impress. Fare ye well ! Sweet love, and bitter life ! since ye might not Together dwell, 'tis best to leave ye both, And not keep one having lost the other. Sir, One more request — my last — pray you accept it : Commend me to his majesty the King, Tell him, in all devoted humble duty And truest love, I was his servant ever. Give him this paper; but observe me well, Not till I'm dead. Will you do this 1 LAWYER. I Will. CARLOS. May heav'n requite you, sir : now to my dungeon. [Exit Carlos guarded. Exeunt the rest severally. scene i] STAR OF SEVILLE. 105 ACT V. SCENE I.— A CHAMBER IN ANTONIO'S HOUSE. Enter Florilla and Isabel. ISABEL. Ha ! ha ! ha ! ha ! I pr'ythee give me leave, there shall no play, — ha ! ha ! no acted play, — show better, — ha ! ha ! haj FLORILLA. Nay now, but, coz — come, coz — come, Isabel; stint laughing, and let's to work. ISABEL. Pray Heaven I die not on't ! — ha ! ha ! ha ! FLORILLA. Beshrew thee, then ! what, wench, hast lost thy wits ? — marry coz, coz. Hang thee, vexatious minx ! thou puttest me past my patience. ISABEL. I have not put thee far ; ha! ha! is't not a jest? is not a jest a thing to laugh at? FLORILLA. Yea, but not this jest — lo you now, Isabel, we lose the time, he will be here, and nothing ready. My father will be coming, or Vasco, or and we shall lose the very prime of our sport, for thy laughing. ISABEL. Nay, that were a bad joke at best. Where be these diamonds, 10G STAR OF SEVILLE. [act v. FLOR1LLA. Here, in this casket : pr'ythee put them in my hair for rri6 — quick. ISABEL. Meantime, do thou tell me, what for thou hast indited this same amorous clothes' peg ? FLORILLA. Marry, first in the street, as thou saw'st his outward man did hit my fancy's humor, as showing him very fit — ISABEL. For a very mad jest — where shall I place this band ? FLORILLA. So, o'er my brow ; 'twas so my mother wore it, they were her wedding diamonds, rest her soul ! ISABEL. Amen! — and second, how 1 good preacher, finish thy points, though they were fifty. FLORILLA. Why, I have since learned, that this same many-colored fly, is the veriest braggadocio that ever flinched from a chaste woman's frown ; fetch me yon mirror. ISABEL. \ Angels defend us! and where heard'st thou this 1 FLORILLA. Pedrillo late last night was with them at the Anchor, where, as thou know'st they drank the sun to his bed, and well nigh out of it again ; among the guests was this same resistless wooer, who, as he saith, did utter such incredible tales of his amorous exploits, and did, in such wise, misprise and set at nought us luckless women, holding the.conquests that he made by handfuls as cheap as handfuls of dust, that Pedrillo swers he must have loved more ladies than would people all the seraglios of the East. scene i.] STAR OF SEVILLE. 107 ISABEL. Is he rich 1 he sure must be ; for he hath no charm else to tempt the veriest wanton — he must be very rich. FLORILLA. Tut, dost thou believe all this ; credit me, coz, if there be knaves of such a sort as this fellow would pass himself for, there be also fools that have enough iniquity in them to wish for a villainous renown which they have not the daring to achieve, and who think by boasting and big words to make good their claim to an infamous repute which they have not the boldness to merit in very deed — and such an one, or I am much deceived, is this. Among many others did he tell the talc of this same Segovian lady, to whom he said he was by contract bound. This is the fair forsaken thou must enact, and it shall go hard if be- tween us we do not show this same all-conquering senor the mettle of our Seville ladies. ISABEL. Art thou not horribly afeard of being alone with one so badly reputed ? FLORILLA. Afraid ! I'll tell thee, Isabel, it is our weakness makes these boasters strong. Credit me, did we but know and feel our footing firm, making a high and resolute mind in us stand stead of outward and mere bodily vigor, there's not the boldest braggart of them all but should strike colors to the veriest maid that ever bore our sex's blushing standard on her cheek. But for this mannikin — did'st look in his face % ISABEL. I looked for his face, but indeed he was so monstrously bearded that he may have one or no for aught mine eyes can vouch. FLORILLA. Faugh ! a beard becomes a man as well as the want of it becomes a woman ; but to see such a villainous bush of 108 STAR OF SEVILLE. [act v. hair on the skin of what hath the mincing gait and lisping syllables of a pampered wanton, begets a very disgustful indignation in me. But, come Isabel, unbind thy hair, I pr'ythee, so upon thy shoulders — now put me on a look like the forsaken Dido — could'st thou not weep me a tear or two 1 ISABEL. I'll use all endeavor. FLORILLA. Now spread thine arms abroad thus : what, rant, rave, be disconsolate ; remember he hath deserted thee, and thou hast followed him hither to claim him. ISABEL. fear me not, I shall be perfect woe begone ! give me the mirror. Faithless and perjured have I found thee ! Florilla. Methinks this disordered head-tire is something too becoming ; for, say he take me at my word, and marry me — what then ? FLORILLA. Marry, we will stop short ere the jest come to that ; and having well indulged our merriment at the expense of his confusion, turn him loose again. I hear voices. Now into that chamber*, be still, and on thy hopes of a husband see thou laugh not ; the signal shall be these words, "My whole estate I will bestow on thee," then rush thou in. ISABEL. 1 will not fail. Traitor forsworn — base, base deceiver! FLORILLA. Peace, wilt thou raise the city 1 ISABEL. I am rehearsing. FLORILLA. Now get thee gone — some one is coming. scene i. STAR OF SEVILLE. 109 ISABEL. " Are these thy vows, seducer." — May I not scratch thy face ? FLORILLA. No, madcap. ISABEL. Nor pluck thee by the hair 1 FLORILLA. No, no ! what, art thou moonstruck 1 ISABEL. It will not seem natural, an I leave no token on thee— beseech thee, let me beat thee. FLORILLA. Beshrew thee, no. Hark ! here be footsteps. ISABEL. One little pinch or pull — I will not tear both thine eyes out. Is my hair rightly disposed 1 FLORILLA. 'Tis desperately well — and I, look I the fair majestic countess to the life 1 ISABEL. Fair enough for a duchess, coz ; but for majesty — good lack ! thou lack'st three inches of it by this light. [Exit into chamber. Enter Pedrillo. PEDRILLO. Your guest is come. FLORILLA. Is Perez ready 1 10 110 STAR OF SEVILLE. [act v. PEDRILLO. So please you, he waits in the private passage. FLORILLA. Good : remember your parts — few words save oaths, and much show of anger ; and see you lack not these same cudgels I spoke of. Get thee into thy hiding-place, and let Nicolo and Vicentio usher in the stranger. (Exit Pedrillo.) Now then to take my state. Isabel (thrusting her head out of the door.) Doth not thy heart beat 1 FLORILLA. Not with fear — peace ! ("Isabel withdraws. Enter Hyacinth ushered in by two serving men. HYACINTH. Most fair and unutterable lady ! may it please your loveliness for awhile to banish from }'our exquisite pres- ence these menials ; for, indeed, my love is of a quality that brooks little ceremony, and flies but lamely in a full company. FLORILLA. You may withdraw. [Exeunt Servants.] So, being gone, sir, you may let loose the torrent of your eloquence ; but, of one thing I forewarn you, you must not be too pas- sionate with me ; for, indeed I am but young, and unapt at replying to very importunate wooing — besides, so much of fear rises in a maiden's breast, even at your renowned name, that — HYACINTH. Ffaith, sweet, I will be merciful : I will but press thee coldly at this first trial of thy strength, lest indeed, (for rumor will have it I am irresistible,) by too swift conquering, thy defeat lose something of its dearness. scene i.] STAR OF SEVILLE. HI FLORILLA. O, I am much bound to you. Pray you sit by me, and tell me. HYACINTH. Nay, not so ; we do know our place, fair lady — slaves sit not in the presence of their masters, vassals take not ease before their lords, nor subjects before their sovereigns; sit thou rather, and hearken while I swear to thee, that I will dote upon thee as long as the sun doth sit in the sky. FLORILLA. By the clock twelve hours. HYACINTH. Nay, then, as long as all created things shall hold their existence will I love thee. I would not have thee doubt me now, sweet lady ; nor would I, that thou mayest be- lieve, have thee inquire how often I have sworn such vows ; but be content, I have forgotten others ; but thou art in- deed as far above all whom I ever loved, as my love was above their merit ; but, I pray thee, fix me some time when I may break this generous armistice. I grant thy maiden scruples, and by the ardor of my suit, frame an excuse for thy capitulation. FLORILLA. First sir, let me entreat you, answer me this, What usage might your wife look for from you? HYACINTH. I will love thee, by this light, three calendar months, cherish thee the other nine of the first twelve, and main- tain thee all my life. Thou see'st I'm sincere, and therein kind. FLORILLA. Indeed, most kind ! And how would you require that your wife govern herself to pleasure you ? 112 STAR OF SEVILLE. [act v. HYACINTH. O she, doubtless, would be submissive ; for, doating on me, as 'tis like she would, obedience would seem easy duty to her. Moreover, she would be chaste ; for, having me to husband, the world could afford her no temptation such as she was already possessed of; thus of her submission and chastity I hold myself assured. FLORILLA. Truly I think you have good cause. HYACINTH. Though there is one thing of which I must forewarn thee. Art thou jealous now 1 or of an even and a trusting endurance. FLORILLA. Verily, having never yet been much moved to love, I could but hardly say whether love would move me to trust or doubting. HYACINTH. O thou wilt be horribly jealous of me ; I do spy it in the curi of thy lip, and in the eagerness of eye with which thou dost survey me. FLORILLA. Who, I ! (aside.) This is the most intolerable coxcomb that one should wish to be pestered withal ! (aloud.) I think, Senor, as you say : loving, as it is doubtless I shall love you, some alloy of jealousy may indeed mix with the virgin ore of my affection. HYACINTH. Nay, there is not much in that, sweet ; and so thou bearestthy malady meekly, and lookest me quietly broken- hearted, goest clad in a yellow robe, and pale cheeks, so thou limit thy jealousy within a " Nay now, my sweet lord," sighed forth when I do lie at some lady's foot, or three tears big enough to be seen rolling and heard falling, scene i.] STAR OF SEVILLE. 113 when I kiss her before dancing, — good — it is well, and in- deed I allow thy heart this vent. But come not nigh me in the stormy jealous, the sullen jealous, or the whining jealous moods, — for I am a perfect tiger being roused ; and moreover it is incredible to what a point silence in suffering beseemeth a wise woman, and a wife. FLORILLA. I do think indeed an I am ever jealous of you, you will not hear me say so much — but, senor, you still stand, let me beseech you — HYACINTH. Sweet, take no heed ; I — I — , truly it is a more manly exercise to stand than to sit ; sitting being essentially the posture of hens — were it not, indeed, that — I would kneel, and swear to thee. FLORILLA. O sweet, sweet sir, kneel, kneel ! I never did have a man kneel before me in my life ! I do entreat you wor- ship. HYACINTH. That T worship thee with my soul of souls, sweet lady an^ most ineffable, is true, and not to be doubted ; but chat I can bend my outward man in token of the same, I doubt, in respect that — my hose — FLORILLA. I will be satisfied with the very shadow of a genuflexion ; do but so much as approach the earth within an inch with your knee, and, as I am a maid, come what, come will ; my whole estate I will bestow on thee, and — [Hyacinth falls on his knees. Enter Isabel from the inner room. ISABEL. Where have I been ! whence come I ! where am I ! 10* 114 STAR OF SEVILLE. [act v. whither go I ! what voice was that ! what sound is in mine ears HYACINTH. Is she mad 1 is she mad 1 is she mad ? FLOR1LLA. Stand up, pray you pull not my farthingale so unkindly ; hang not about me thus : stand up upon your legs, I say 1 HYACINTH. I can't, I can't — my hose are crack'd — O my hose — my beautiful — my beloved hose ! ISABEL. Hark ! — he calls me his beautiful — his beloved — 'twas thus he ever spoke to me. HYACINTH. I am afeard of her! I cannot abide anything mad ! I did once run away from a mad dog. Pray you let her not come near me. ISABEL. Ha ! I hear ! I know ! I see 'tis thou ! base, base de- luder ! HYACINTH. Beseech you let her not scratch my eyes out. FLORILLA. What means this violence 1 Who and what are you, madam ? ISABEL. A forlorn, forsaken, deluded, deserted, deceived, and desolate maid. FLORILLA. Who has thus wrong'd you ? ISABEL. He, he who now brings his stale oaths to you. Hya- cinth ! my love ! my lord ! scene i] STAR OF SEVILLE. 115 FLOR1LLA. Thy love ! thy lord ! HYACINTH. Believe her not, sweet, believe her not ; — 'tis an illu- sion — 'tis madness — she has been wronged by some fair youth like me, and raves distractedly. Begone, beautiful maniac, I know thee not ! ISABEL. Not know me ! — me, Amadalinda, the pride of Spain, the flower of Segovia, till thou, with thy false vows, didst wither me — dost thou not know me ? FLORILLA. Dost thou know her ? HYACINTH. No, as I am a gentleman ! ISABEL. Hast thou forgotten all thy vows of love 1 FLORILLA. What, didst thou utter vows of love ? HYACINTH. No, as I am a man. ISABEL. Dar'st thou deny the contract sealed to me be my hus- band 1 FLORILLA. Dar'st thou woo me, having a contract sealed to be her husband ? HYACINTH. No ! no I no 1 as I am a christian ! I know her not, I 116 STAR OF SEVILLE. [act v. made no vow — I sealed no contract — . — (aside.) O Lord, O Lord, 'tis the devil, who hearing my lies, hath embo- died one of them. ISABEL. Nay then, traitor ! there be those at hand shall right me : and since the voice of love hath no power to entreat, the swords of my kinsmen shall force you to do me jus- tice — what ho ! my noble champions there ! come forth ! Enter two serving men in disguise. ISABEL. Lay on the villain there ! HYACINTH. St. Nicholas ! St. Jerome ! St. Vincent ! and all the saints ! FLORILLA. Within there ! Pietro ! Vincentio ! Enter two Servants. This to me ! Let go my robe, villain ! cling not about my feet ! ISABEL. Now I charge you, fall to and spare not ! HYACINTH. Gentlemen, gentlemen, sticks ! sticks ! they cure and kill not : no weapons — I'll take a cudgelling in all kind- ness, — pray do not murder me. FLORILLA. Coward ! do as I bid you. HYACINTH. Help! murder! ave-maria ! murder! murder! pater- noster! rape, arson, robbery, murder, murder ! murder! scene i.] STAR OF SEVILLE. 117 Enter Vasco. HYACINTH. Yet another, — I'm dead ! (He falls on the floor.) vasco. What uproar's here 1 who be these men % Florilla ! Isa- bel ! what thing is this ? FLORILLA. A lover of mine, who hath just tendered me this bribe. VASCO. Yea, thou silken trumpery, didst, thou dare — HYACINTH. Stop — stop — make not a hole in my doublet — let not cold iron go through that ! Enter Antonio. ANTONIO. What mummery is this ? Vasco, hold — daughter, and mistress Isabel, I pray you let these confusions cease, — Fie, fie, for shame, for shame — get you to your buttery and offices, knaves. {Exeunt servants.] Have ye not heard the news ? hyacinth — (creeping out.) Bless thee, old newsmonger. ANTONIO. Don Carlos is condemned for the slaughter of Count Pedro, and this very day at sunset is the doom : the town is still and silent as a vault, and of the few that wander through the streets not one but wears some token of mourning, but most in his countenance. All this doth pass, while your mad fancies here keep such a glare of noise and merriment that the dark atmosphere that lowers without has not come nigh you. Go to your chamber, 118 STAR OF SEVILLE. [act v. daughter, and let me entreat you both to put yourselves into such sable attire as you have at hand. Vasco, come with me. [Exeunt Vasco and Antonio. FLORILLA. My heart stands still, Isabel — speak — speak ! ISABEL. O my sweet lady ! [Exeunt. SCENE II.— A STREET IN SEVILLE. Valentine and Curio meeting. CURIO. Whither away so fast ? VALENTINE. To the execution. curio. The execution ! soft, pray take me with you valentine. Well, come along. curio, No, no, in thy meaning, I mean; murder, and trial, and execution, all in a day — 'tis something quick. valentine. The King, it seems, had ordered that the sentence should be pronounced, but not the hour of doom, hoping, no doubt, out of this loophole, to work some escape for Don Carlos. scene ii.] STAR OF SEVILLE. 119 CURIO. Well] VALENTINE. But the council did not disperse when the court broke up, but still remained advising, and Lord Gomez, the old childless lord, you know, together with Don Arias, it seems, spake so strongly for the execution, that it was universally decreed at sunset. CURIO. What said the king to this ? VALENTINE. Unable to undo the strong resolve of the council, he fell into a passion of sorrow and indignation ; chid the old lord from his presence like a storm, and banished his bas- tard cousin to his castle in the Nevada. The court leaves Seville to-morrow. CURIO. They're come for all the world like a thunder-cloud over us. Would they had never come I I know not why, but I think they are the cause of all this. VALENTINE. How SO ? CURIO. Heaven knows— I fancy it. How bore Don Carlos the warning of his death ? VALENTINE. Exceeding well. At first the natural fear of dissolution which all flesh inherits made the color run from his cheeks and lips, but presently he seemed to embrace his fate with a constant spirit, and commending himself to the King's gracious remembrance, sent for his confessor. CURIO. O Valentine, he should have died in battle : the Moors, 120 STAR OF SEVILLE. [act v. and not an executioner, should have been the ending of that gallant heart. VALENTINE. Come, I must go. Will you go with me ? CURIO. Ay, to the saddest sight I think I ere shall look on. SCENE III.— A PRISON. Carlos and Father Rodriquez discovered. RODRIQUEZ. let not, my dear son, thy thoughts return, With this declining sunbeam, towards the earth, But with a spirit strong and confident Fix them alone in heav'n. CARLOS. Good holy father, 1 strive in vain : my thoughts awhile upborne Upon the heavenward wings of thy devotion, Anchor beyond the dark abysm of death; But soon a thousand fleshly monitors Beckon them back with weak and earthly promptings. Thou say'st 'tis blest to die in penitence, And yet I feel 'tis sad to die in youth. Ere life has had its share death claims the whole — Ere toil of war and manly enterprise Have worn these sinews weary they must rest, Rest in the dust. I bring not to the grave Age and disease, a living carrion, But healthful limbs, upon whose lusty strength scene in.] STAR OF SEVILLE. 121 The loathsome worm before his time must banquet, The blood within my veins is not bak'd up With sullen spleen or frozen o'er with eld, It flows a strong, warm, rapid, living tide, And I must pour it out upon a scaffold. A scaffold ! there's the sting : father, my fathers Were born of kings, lived all like noblemen, And clied like warriors. I'm a felon, father ! A midnight murderer ! a drunken stabber ! And I must answer this upon the block : O bitter fortune — bitter fate ! RODRIQUEZ. My son, 'Tis bitter, but 'tis given thee to drink. O turn thine eyes unto a brighter scene. CARLOS. Whither? to that sad home, where she — my love — My wife, sits weeping o'er her brother's corse! Father, what had she done, how had she sinn'd, That heaven thus visits her ? For me, I know My life's bought with a price, a bargain struck Fairiy 'twixt guilt and death ; but she was holy As saints that sin not ! O why is she doom'd To misery, by whose side death seems to smile ? RODRIQUEZ. Question not thou th' invisible doom of fate, Nor let thy thought presumptuous seek to pierce The mystery of heaven's high dispensations. She will be cared for by a care beyond Earth's closest love — she will be strengthened To bear the burthen that is laid upon her. Howe'er bereaved, she is not forsaken, And o'er her desolate and forlorn state The Father of the fatherless and widow Will stretch his wing, — trust me, she will be car'd for. 11 122 STAR OF SEVILLE. [act v. CARLOS. This is our wedding-day. See the sun sinks. At this same hour yestreen I to'd my soul, " To-morrow as the sun goes down thy bride Will cross thy father's threshold ;" lying hope, That sal'st in the sinking sunbeam yesterday, Where art thou 1 O where art thou? RODRIQUEZ. Gracious Heaven ! Look with thy mercy on this sinful man, That clings to the earth whence thou hast summon'd him, And with his arms still hugging to the last, The life thou claim'st, falls headlong in his grave. Thy love will die and be a saint in heaven, When Heaven hath done its will wiih her on earth. Fie, fie, this grief's unmanly — 'tis not holy. CARLOS. Art thou a man, that thus upbraid'st my woe ? Have I not grief enough, but thou must cast Thy heavy censure on met sinking me Yet deeper in this drowning sea of sorrow ? Do I not bleed enough ? lack I yet more Thy cutting, keen reproach, to wound and pierce me? RODRIQUEZ. So help me Heaven, as such unchristian purpose Was farthest iron) my soul ! Behold, my son, Although I strive to check thy fruitless tears, Look how my own come swelling o'er their bounds, To bear me witness 'gainst such accusation. CARLOS. Forgive me ! O forgive me, holy man ! My grief like frantic fever loathes its cure — But O, thou dost not know ! — RODRIQUEZ. I do! I do! scene in.] STAR OF SEVILLE. 123 And my old wither'd heart weeps blood for lliee ; These be strange dealings of great Providence, And my bewilder'd spirit halts amazed, And wonderjmgly asks why these things are ! But O, such thoughts are evil — let us hope, And pray, my son — pray fervently, that death May be to thee not curst, hut blest indeed ! A moment's pang for an eternal bliss ! A moment's darkness for immortal light ! A moment's poverty for boundless wealth ! Earth, earth for heaven ! a dungeon for a throne ! [Noise without.) CARLOS. Hark ! they are come. RODRIQUEZ. Be of good courage, Carlos. Enter Jailor. jailor. Sir, it is sunset, and the guard's at hand. CARLOS. Farewell, my prison walls, last things of earth That! shall see — fetters that yet I grasp And feel, farewell ! Existences that still Discourse unto my senses, fare ye well ! 'Tis past. Give me thy hand, father ; be near me Until the last. RODRIQUEZ. I will, my dear, dear son. [Exeunt. 124 STAR OF SEVILLE. [act v. SCENE IV.— A CHAMBER IN ESTRELLA'S HOUSE. Enter Estrella. ESTRELLA. So, so — alone ! — they have not followed me. The day grows dim, but yet I know 'tis morning. We've not been married yet — an hour ere noon Will be the wedding. Look I not brave, think ye 1 Shall I not be a handsome bride ? You're there, Brother ; — why do you wear that bloody cloak ? You're pale, you're pale — ah, I'd forgot — he's dead ; But he will give the bride away. Again — They're come again. I'll hide myself — down — down — Here i' the ground ! Enter Nurse and Gentlewoman. NURSE. Sweet virgin ! on the earth. GENTLEWOMAN. Let's take her back to her chamber. ESTRELLA. Take her ! is't me ye'll take against my will X I am not mad, minion : d'ye hear, I'm not : I want no keepers, good ye mistress Lynx ! They watch me ! they watch me ! but I'll cozen them. Faith, 'tis hot — I'm weary — I would sleep, — Faint, faint, — good night, sweet jailors, I will sleep. NURSE. For the first time this day she's still. Mercy on us, here be events ! here be befallings ! The young tree is cut down, blossom and all, and the old bark's left to rot scene iv.] STAR OF SEVILLE. 125 standing. Hark ! 'tis the bell tolling for the execution. O what a tide of folks is pouring towards the place ! I'd fain step and hear what's saying. Juana, sit thou by her while she sleeps — I'll be back anon. [Exit Nurse. GENTLEWOMAN. Poor lady, 'tis a troubled sleep in sooth, and will not better her much. Who's there ? Enter Livio. Softly, my lady sleeps. LIVIO. O Juana, if ever thou didst see brave sight, come to the balcony in the east front : the streets be full of gazers, and the procession will be passing even anon. GENTLEWOMAN. A brave sight ! — a sad sight, and a solemn, I think. Why, Livio, I wonder at thee, — thou that hast seen Don Carlos come hither, day after day, opening the gates to him in thine office. I think she sleeps soundly. LIVIO. Come, an' thou lovest me, for a minute. GENTLEWOMAN. Well, I will come ; I would fain see him once again, poor gentleman ; he was a lovely young nobleman, — heaven save us all, — to come to such an end ! [Exeunt Ltvio and gentlewoman. ESTRELLA. They're gone aw r ay — there's none left to watch me. Marry, I was not wont to be so guarded. What bell is that 1 I shall be late at the church ! Fie, the bride come too late ! Sweet marriage bells, — They've a strange twang withal — they should be faster. Bind up my hair, give me mv rosary. 11* 12 6 STAR OF SEVILLE. [act v. Ha ! ha ! thou look'st but ill i' thy bloody cloak, Pedro ! Now, then, I'm ready, give thy hand- Cold, cold, clay cold, with lying i' the earth ! So— so— now then to church to make me a wife. [Exit. SCENE THE LAST.-A STREET IN SEVILLE. Enter Estrella. ESTRELLA. That's an u?ly tune, and savors like a dirge. me, I've "the heart-ache, yet I know not why— Methinks there's something I should weep about. 1 am cold and weary— here I'll lay me down- Hard pillow for a bride ;-good night, good ™rse. (She lies down on the stones.) \A solemn mareh is heard without; Soldiers pass over the stage ; Citizens croivd in on all sides to see the procession. FIRST CITIZEN. What's here on the ground ? SECOND CITIZEN. A dead woman. THIRD CITIZEN. Dead! fainting, mayhap— no, sleeping, faith. ANTONIO. Stand back! AH saints defend us, 'tis the Lady Es- trella. scene v.] STAR OF SEVILLE. 127 VASCO. Alone, untended, in this disordered attire, thus i' the streets. GERONIO. Raise her gently — so — so. ESTRELLA (waking.) Go to thy marriage-bed. Maiden, good night. Enter, guarded, with Friar and Executioner, Carlos. CARLOS. Hold ! hold ! i' the name of heaven, hold ! Estrella ! VASCO. Father, give her to him. G-ERONIO. How he looks at her, As though his eyes should never turn again ! ESTRELLA. You're a strange man : why do you gaze at me % I cannot bear your eyes, turn them away ! You make me blush. Pray let me go. Estrella! Ha! CARLOS. ESTRELLA. CARLOS. Dear Estrella ! ESTRELLA. Say't again ! again ! Sweet, though I weep, I love it — say't again ! 128 STAR OF SEVILLE. [act v. CARLOS. My love ! my wife ! my wife ! ESTRELLA. Nay, now you mock me. I can laugh as well as cry. Ha! ha ! Well, hear ye — I'll tell you the story of the gallant lover, Who stahb'd his lady's brother in the dark: Faith, that's a sad story — but he's damned, be sure, With the fiends in fire, for breaking his love's heart And murdering her brother. CARLOS. Horrible ! Another wreck upon this fated shore ! Another curse fall'n on this evil day ! Her reason's gone, the precious crystal's fiaw'd, And can reflect no true and entire image. GUARD. Sir, the day wanes. CARLOS. I come. O for a pow'r Once more to bring the wandering spirit home ! Could she but know me once — once look on me With knowledge and perception, though to blast me With the lightning of her hate ! Estrella ! GUARD. Sir! CARLOS. Peace ! now she knows me ; look, the memory Breaks, ray by ray, like morning in her eyes. ESTRELLA. Pray do not leave me — pray you take me with you, For now my brother's dead — you know he's dead — They watch and prison me, and keep me close ; scene v.] STAR OF SEVILLE. 129 They will not let me walk abroad i' the day, Nor see the sun, nor breathe the sweet fresh air ; — They say I'm mad ! CARLOS. O torture ! GUARD. ESTRELLA. Ha ! ha ! ha ! how you grasp me. «UARD. Sir, 'tis time. Nay, move on. CARLOS. Stay, stay, a moment more! one moment more! Dark — dark — she knows me not — farewell ! farewell ! Estrella ! O Estrella ! (He is forced out, she remains in the hands of Antonio.) ESTRELLA. That was Carlos ! I know the voice ! I know the blessed sound ! Let go your hold ! Loosen your grasp, I say ! I heard him — ah ! I see him. Carlos ! Carlos ! (She rushes out, followed by crowd and citizens.) Manent Isabel and Florilla. ISABEL. Florilla, I am faint ! I cannot stand ! But get thee after them, and see the end. FLORILLA. I can see here. (She mounts some steps.) heavens ! through the throng 1 see her white robe and her lifted arms — The crowd divides — she climbs the scaffold stairs — She stands beside him ! Ha ! that flash of light ! The axe ! the axe ! ISO STAR OF SEVILLE. [act v. (A shriek is heard — Flo rill a descends the steps. Re-enter Antonio, Geronio, Vasco, Friar Rodriquez, Citizens, and Soldiers, bearing on a couch the body 0/ Carlos and that o/Estrella. rodriquez. The chord is snapp'd, life's music is departed — The fire is out — our Star of Seville's set. Part not those bodies that in death are join'd, For though he should not lie in hallowed ground, I'll instantly unto the Lord Archbishop, And use what prayers may most avail with him, That these who s.hould this morn have been united In holy wedlock, may this night be laid Together in their narrow marriage-bed. THE END. Ann Street, May, 1837. MESSRS, SAUNDERS AND OTLEY, HAVE NOW READY THE FOLLOWING IMPORTANT NEW WORKS. Mrs. JamesorCs Illustrated Work. CHARACTERISTICS OF WOMEN: MORAL, POETICAL AND HISTORICAL. BY MRS. JAMESON. Illustrated by a series of her own Vignette Etchings. II. Miss MarlineaiC s New Work. SOCIETY IN AMERICA, BY HARRIET MARTINEAU. ' The Lafayette Papers. MEMOIRS, CORRESPONDENCE AND OTHER MANUSCRIPTS OF GENERAL LAFAYETTE, Edited by his Family. This American Edition will include a series of Letters relating to the Revolutionary War, not inserted in the London and Paris editions. IV. Mr. Willis's Poems. MELA N IE, AND OTHER POEMS. BY N. P. WILLIS, ESQ. Illustrated by a beautifully Engraved Portrait. V. Lady Blessington' s New Work. THE VICTIMS OF SOCIETY. BY THE COUNTESS OF BLESSINGTON. VI. Mrs. Shelley's New Work. FALKNER— A NOVEL. BY MRS. SHELLEY. Authoress of '" Frankenstein," &c. VII. Mr. Dunlafs New Work. MEMOIRS OF A WATER-DRINKER. BY WILLIAM DUNLAP, ESQ. Second Edition, in one vol. VIII. Mr. Grant's New Work. THE GREAT METROPOLIS. BY THE AUTHOR OF 14 Random Recollections of the Lords and Commons" <$»c. 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