Los Bandos de Verona/Act 3
THE third act opens exactly where the second act closed, the stage being still darkened. Enter Romeo, and Elena holding his cloak.
Romeo.
Speak, Julia, love! speak, speak, my sweetest life!
The day is flickering in the eastern sky,
But darkness still denies me sight of thee.
Let mine ear drink that sweetest of all music,
Julia's voice!
Elena (aside).
Julia's voice! Julia! alas! she's dead—
And yet I dare not breathe the truth to him.
Romeo.
If 'tis thy will I die, my sweetest love,
Let me not die of silence! Is it fear
That seals those coral lips?
Elena (aside).
He dreams, or knows not yet that Julia's dead.
Romeo.
If in the silent sorrow of thine heart
Thou but discoursest with thine eyes, alas!
I see them not.
Elena (aside).
How great will be the pressure of his grief
To know the truth? I dare not tell him now
'Tis but Elena by his side.
Julia (cries without).
Romeo, my Romeo, love, and honoured lord,
I am betrayed—undone!
Romeo.
Sweet echo, pitying, soothes mine anxious ear.
But how hear I this, when all in vain
I've listened for the softest word? Alas!
The zephyrs have been sporting with my pain.
Elena (aside).
'Tis Julia's voice—and yet is Julia dead!
Romeo.
Fly, fly, dark shadows, from the gloomy earth,
And let the coming dawn this riddle solve.
Speak but again, sweet love! oh! speak again!
Elena.
Alas, I am not Julia, Romeo,
But Elena!
Romeo.
Elena! How cam'st thou here?—
And by my side?
Elena relates here that, following his instructions, she came under
cover of the darkness to the church door, [seizing his cloak
when Julia stumbled.] Romeo rushes out to seek Julia, meets his
kinsman Carlos, who tells him that Old Capelete and his faction are
seeking him throughout the wood. The "Gracioso" now appears.
Gracioso.
The great Count Paris mid these mountains hunts,
With nigh three hundred greyhounds at his heels.
He continues his relation, and in a lengthy comic speech gives
the whole of the scene between Julia and Andrés; when the former discovers he is not Romeo, his approaches are indignantly repelled
by Julia; he exclaims—
Andrés.
Though you shake heaven with shouts for Romeo,
'Twill nought avail thee. I am Andrés,
And love thee, Julia, more than he dare love!
Mine own, and not the hated Romeo's now.
Old Capelete and Count Paris enter, Julia in the meanwhile
contriving to escape into another part of the wood.
Julia.
My Romeo lost!—the hated Andrés still
Pursues me here. My father's anger, too,
Knows neither check nor pause. The Count
Seeks sweet Elena to destroy that dear,
Unwilling cause of all his jealousy.
Ye thick and leafy groves, oh! shield a maid
From all these worldly ills!
For what sad fate doth cruel fortune now
Reserve the hapless, love-lorn Julia?
The inconstant moon doth shadow forth my fate,
When hid by fleecy clouds. Oh, gracious heaven,
Protect and guard a helpless love-sick maid!
Old Capelete (within).
Seek well on every side for Romeo!
Count Paris (within).
Seek every glade and nook for Elena!
Julia.
O whither dare I fly? my father's voice
I hear without. The Count with jealous rage
Seeks sweet Elena.
For Romeo, too, my angry father shouts.
Old Capelete enters, and seeing in the obscure dawn what he
imagines to be the spirit of the dead Julia, addresses her thus:
Old Capelete.
Oh, heavenly maiden in angelic garb,
Art thou a spirit from the shades of death?
How cam'st thou here? Deceitful shade,
All glistening in the garb of life, yet dead!
'Twas thine own hand that did the fatal deed,
Thyself that gave the poisoned draught.
Julia.
Approach me not, thou mortal shape, nor seek
To thread these forest glades in swift pursuit.
She goes, but meeting the Count, returns.
Julia (aside).
The Count! my blood, like very ice,
Seems curdling in my veins!
Count.
What! Julia here?
Old Capelete.
It is no living Julia standing there;
For did not we in Capelete's vault
Last evening lay her dead?
Count.
If it be not sweet Julia's self, who can it be?
Old Capelete.
Hush! 'tis some spirit from a brighter sphere,
A vision that I dare not look upon.
I gaze, and lo! she fades, as yonder moon
Doth veil her beauty 'neath the vaporous cloud.
Oh, divine symbol of a cruel death,
Why cam'st thou hither, sweet angelic spirit,
Laden with the garb of life, yet lifeless?
I see, and yet I see not! Is't a dream?
Count.
Since we both see, it is no dream, methinks.
Then, let our sense of touch decide if she
Be mortal or divine.
Julia.
Be mortal or divine. Touch not! beware!
I know nought save this: I'm here alone;
That heaven is bright, and angels full of mercy.
Old Capelete.
How cam'st thou hither, child?
Julia.
All shall be known hereafter. Let me pass.
Count.
I care nought for the future—knowing this,
That I've been cheated—cheated, sir, by you.
No poisoned draught thou gavest to the maid;
'Twas but to put a cheat upon me, Sir,
By simulated death, and juggling, thus
To give her o'er to Romeo.
Old Capelete.
To give her o'er to Romeo. Be silent, Count!
Another word brings death to you or me.
Rather than see her hated Romeo's wife,
I'd plunge my steel from point to hilt
Through her false heart. If mortal, she is thine—
Immortal death's.
Julia.
Here, sir, then strike and end my woes at once.
Let my warm blood like water flow: each drop
That ebbs shall leave thy dying daughter pure
And still more constant to her Romeo.
In death a corse of Romeo's second self—
My lover and my lord, for whom this heart
Alone doth beat.
His love he rescued from a living grave:
If that be crime, then let my bosom feel
But as the magnet to attract thy steel.
Old Capelete.
Silence, unduteous child! thy base intent
Demands a quick and deadly punishment.
He rushes forward to stab Julia, but Count Paris interposes.
Count Paris.
Hold! hold! Capelete! Slay her not—forbear!
Although unworthy thy fond love to share.
I love, alas! and would not shed her blood!
That steel will not efface the love which fills
So full her maiden heart.
Loving as I must love, I know how deep
The wound, and how oblivion, though she's woo'd,
Still comes not at our call.
I would not seek to wed another's love;
Love is not love, save it doth share alike.
The noble hope, the ever trusting faith,
Thrive not where love and hate together wed.
Julia.
If thou dost hate me, Count, in truth
My love and Romeo both are safe.
Count.
Ah! would I could but blot my love with hate!
Julia.
To try is to succeed when love is true.
Old Capelete.
Though from my vengeance thou hast sav'd her, Count,
She dies another and more lingering death.
Within yon castle's gloomy dungeon walls
She expiates her crime in solitude
And prayer!—Ha! yonder comes Andrés.
Julia.
Oh, cruel, cruel, and most traitorous fate!
Andrés enters at this moment, and informs Old Capelete and the
Count that Romeo and the Montesco faction are scouring the
forest in search of Julia: he counsels that they should summon all
their adherents and attack the Montesco faction. Old Capelete agrees, but first proposes that Julia shall be conducted to the
fortress, which is fully garrisoned by the Capeletes. Exeunt omnes.
Enter Romeo, Carlos, and the "Gracioso."
Romeo.
The bridge, you say, is ours?
Carlos.
Two hundred of our trustiest men
Are there and guard it.
What is next to do?
Romeo.
Ah me!
Carlos.
Be bold, but let calm prudence rule each step.
Romeo.
Who speaks of prudence when my Julia's lost?
How comfort grief like mine? Break, break, my heart!
Gracioso.
Since you seem sure of vict'ry, sirs,
I would advise attack.
Shout boldly and surprise the castle;
Batter down the walls about their ears
And scale the battlements perforce.
I'll lead—no, follow, that's the wisest course;
Julia is there; and if she be not dead
She'll be alive, and you may safely wed.
Romeo (to Carlos).
What force have they within the castle walls?
Gracioso.
I did most carefully observe, and know
They mov'd their cannon to the wood below:
Ours is at hand; and here's my weapon trusty,
Too often drawn to let the blade get rusty.
I think I'll fight—if courage fail not then,
Of victory be sure! Set on like men!
Julia (without).
Oh, father! spare me for my Romeo's sake!
Romeo.
'Tis Julia's voice makes music 'mid the trees:
No sounds so sweet, so exquisite as these,
Fall on the listening ear of those who love,
Like echo of an angel's voice above.
Old Capelete.
Julia is dead, and I but now have slain her!
Fit expiation of her fatal sin
Romeo.
Who speaks of death, while yet my Julia lives?
Ere she be dead, yon hateful castle walls
Shall topple to the earth, and every stone
Lie heaped upon the earth. Come, Carlos, on!
My hate like fire within my bosom burns—
Unquenched, unquenchable, an eternal flame.
Revenge on Capelete and all who bear that name!
Romeo and Carlos rush out with drawn swords, leaving the
"Gracioso," who looks stealthily around.
Gracioso.
I'll seek the rear; I'll not lead the way—
That is abundant honour for a slave.
Am I courageous? no, but I am brave.
What can this valour mean? I'll shout;
I may be heard, and then I doubt
What I call courage may perchance be fear;
I'll not speak loud lest listening folks should hear.
Still it costs little to seem bold;
I'll fancy Capelete here, though old,
With six strong fellows at his back,
Swords drawn and ready to attack;
Thus there'll be seven steels in all:
I pin me one against the wall
Then slay the rest till all the ground,
Covered with blood, appears one wound;
Then come Montescos by, and see my blade
Dripping with gore. 'Tis our brave comrade!
They panting cry; he's killed the seven,
And sent their souls unshrift to heaven.
But stay, suppose I kill but six,
The seventh may my heart transfix,
And let in daylight through my back!
My master comes, and cries, "Good lack!
How many did he kill?" "All six," they say.
"But who kill'd number seven?" Alas, the day!
How can I answer? I am dead,
And there is no more to be done or said.
No, no! let each man care for number one,
And leave to others all the fighting fun.
Most men would rather talk than fight;
And they may say, when I am out of sight,
"He kill'd not one." I'll sheath my blade,
And leave to such as like, the cold-steel trade.
It is a selfish world, when all is done:
I'll stay behind; take care of number one.
Old Capelete (without).
Carlos Montesco, our prisoner, lead
Well guarded to the castle gate.
Gracioso.
Methinks 'tis wiser I should take some ease
Amid the matted branches of these trees.
He ascends a tree, when enter Old Capelete and soldiers with
Carlos a prisoner; Count Paris follows in haste.
The Count and Andrés enter.
Count.
Our people, routed, fly along the banks
Of the Adige. Our cannon are all taken,
Romeo in full pursuit! Let us now seek
Romeo (without).
Montescos to the rescue! on, friends, on!
And follow to the castle with all speed.
Romeo enters, and the "Gracioso" stealthily descends from his
hiding-place in the tree.
Gracioso.
On, on, brave friends! I'll follow out of hand,
And climb the walls with foremost of our band.
Romeo questions the "Gracioso," who states that he has not seen
Carlos. Romeo then orders the cannon to be so placed as to command the castle: they open fire and a breach is made.
Gracioso.
This same black powder makes a roaring fire,
If, like good cooks, they only keep it up.
Of all the Capeletes, daughter and her sire,
We'll make an omlet, on which all may sup.
A signal is made from the tower, and old Capelete holds parley
with Romeo, who tells him that his appeal is too late now Julia's
dead. Capelete sues in vain, Romeo commanding his men to
continue the fire of the artillery.
Romeo.
This day calm reason holds in us no sway,
My soul is only thirsting for revenge to-day!
Count Paris appears on the battlements.
Gracioso.
Ha! one more Moor upon the walls I spy;
That's one more Moor amid the flames to fry.
After much parleying, in which Elena and Carlos take part, but
in vain, Old Capelete at last appears holding Julia's hand. Of
course the attack ceases.
Julia.
Romeo! my lord, behold thy love.
Romeo.
Great heavens, it is my Julia! and alive!
Julia.
Kind heaven ordains it that I shall be thine.
Romeo.
What would you, lovely maid?
Julia.
For my sake pardon all.
Romeo.
Then long live all of Capelete's house
If it be Julia's wish! In heedless rage
I listened not to sister, friend, or kin;
But now my Julia and my love doth speak,
My heart springs upward to my lips, and answers Yes.
The Count and Elena are of course reconciled, and Old Capelete forgives the lovers.
Romeo.
Now joyous hours on every side increase,
And let this feud of both our houses cease;
Good Don Francisco Rojas asks the hands of all,
And to his share let your kind plaudits fall.
FINIS.