Olla Podrida Part 21

Don Gaspar hers! Never, never! by Heav'n, If I lose him, he shall be lost to her!

If I must weep, her tears shall fall with mine!

If my heart breaks, hers shall be riven too!

If I must die,--and that I shall, I feel, Loves she as I do, they may dig her grave.

Don Felix, may thy practised sword prove true!-- And it will save me from a deed of horror.

_Bep._ Now do you speak as a wrong'd woman should.

Keep up this spirit--you will be avenged.

We must retire; for soon they will appear. [_Exeunt._

_Scene V._

_Another part of the Garden attached to the House of Donna Serafina._

_Enter Anselmo._

I would that it were o'er! A heavy gloom Hangs on my spirits, like some threat'ning cloud O'erspreading the wide firmament, without One speck of blue, like hope, to cheer th' horizon.

Yet, from what cause it springs, I cannot tell.

His sword I fear not. It is mine estate, So promising. He that hath nought to lose, Is spurr'd to action with the hope of gain.

He that is wealthy, and 'gainst fortune plays, Is like the gambler, who will risk his means With those who nothing have.

_Enter Felix._

_Felix._ If you have waited for me long, Don Gaspar, It was against my will. I'm most impatient To bring this meeting to a speedy issue.

_Ans._ At your request, Don Felix, I am here; And if you please there should be strife between us, You'll find me not unnerved. To be sincere,-- I do not wish this needless controversy.

Recall your words, offensive, as untrue, And take my proffer'd hand. Then will I prove, And not till then, how greatly you have wrong'd me.

_Felix._ That which is said, is said. I'll not retract.

But were it false, which I cannot believe, You've slain my bosom friend, the brave Don Perez.

_Ans._ He wrong'd me much. Upon my soul he did.

I must not prove it now.

_Felix._ Then prove yourself, and draw.

For see, the sun is down, and daylight flies; We have no time for parley. (_Draws._)

[_Beppa and Serafina pa.s.s behind from r. to l._

_Ans._ (_drawing_). Then, whether you or I, Don Felix, live To hail that glorious...o...b.. must now be tried.

Don Felix, to your guard. Whate'er the issue, You will repent this most ungovern'd haste.

[_They fight. Don Felix is disarmed and he falls.

Anselmo stands over him with his sword pointed to his breast._]

_Ans._ You question'd if I'd manhood in my frame; Allow, Don Felix, that the question's answer'd.

You call'd me an impostor,--name for those Who clothe themselves in borrow'd plumes, t'appear Greater, not less, than what they are. Then know, He you upbraided as of no parentage, Whose sword, impatient, waits its master's bidding, T'avenge the affront, is heir to Guzman's house, To which, in ancestry, thine own is nothing.

This truth, Don Felix, I could not reveal,

[_Serafina and Beppa appear behind in the wood._]

Till we had measured swords. Honour forbade it.

Now manifest. I give you life, and proffer, If that you please, my hand in amity.

[_Felix rising, Anselmo presents him his sword._]

_Felix._ Your actions prove that you are truly n.o.ble.

I do regret the language which I used, And cheerfully retract what proves so false.

Don Gaspar, are you satisfied? (_offering hand_).

_Ans._ (_taking Don Felix's hand_). And happy.

Now, Isidora, thou art surely mine; Vistas of bliss are opening to my view; My heart expands with grat.i.tude to Heav'n, And tears would flow of penitence and joy, That one so little worthy, thus is bless'd.

O, may my life be long, that I may prove To gracious Heav'n, I'm worthy Isidora.

Joy! joy! with lightning's speed, I fly----

[_Serafina, who has advanced, stabs Anselmo in the back._]

_Ser._ To death! (_Then wis.h.i.+ng to rush to him, she holds out her arms and exclaims_) Gaspar! Gaspar!

[_Serafina is borne off fainting by Beppa and Garcias, who have entered. Anselmo leans against Don Felix, who supports him, and then gradually sinks out of his arms to the ground._]

_Ans._ I felt the blow would come. From whom, or where, Was hid in the obscure. 'Twas Serafina!

I knew the voice, the knell----

_Felix._ Where are you hurt?

_Ans._ Don Felix, by that friends.h.i.+p we have pledged So newly, one kind office I request.

_Felix._ Curs'd be the infuriate jealous wretch, That one so n.o.ble should so basely fall!

_Ans._ Nay, curse her not, she is too curs'd already.

Her future life will be a constant shower Of curses on herself. I do forgive her.

And yet to die so young, and late so happy.

More painful still to part from Isidora.

Would she were here, that I might comfort her!

My mother, too! O G.o.d! 'twill break her heart!

_Enter Superior, Inez, Isidora, Nina, and Sancho. Inez and Isidora run to Anselmo and kneel down by him._

_Inez._ (_to Felix_). Wretch! that hath done this b.l.o.o.d.y, hateful deed, Receive a frantic mother's bitter curse!

_Ans._ You are deceived, my mother; 'twas not he Who dealt the fatal blow. It was a woman.

_Inez._ A woman! say you; Who was this treach'rous woman? Let me know her, That I may work on her a woman's vengeance.

_Isid._ I ne'er have learn'd to curse--I wish I had: I can but weep. Look, mother, at his blood!

Oh, staunch it, or he'll bleed to death.

_Inez._ Are you much hurt, Anselmo?