Velasco/Act I

by Epes Sargent

ACT I

SCENE I

Before the Castle of De Lerma---Time, sunset.

( Enter Velasco in the full costume of a knight of the eleventh century, followed by Alfonzo, his squire. )

Velasco

Home! home, at last, Alfonzo! There they shine, the old ancestral bulwarks, in the rays of the declining sun! A year has passed since last I gazed upon them---there they rise, the same, as when a careless child I play'd beneath their mighty shadows. How each nook prates of the olden time! The very air is fragrant as the breath of infancy! Old towers! I bring you no unworthy inmate, no spotted scutcheon, no inglorious name! Alfonzo! By the calendar, what day? Is it not Santiago's?

Alfonzo

Ay, my lord.

Velasco

This day completes my term of banishment.

Alfonzo

Banishment?

Velasco

Hast thou never yet divined the motive which has kept my vizor closed now a long twelvemonth to all human eyes, save thine alone? that, after victory, the king himself has sued to me in vain t' unbar the iron mask that hid my features? Had I complied, and he redeem'd his oath, my instant death had followed the disclosure.

Alfonzo

My lord! The cause did not affect thy honour?

Velasco

Ask'st thou? The cause was trivial; for the king was young and hasty. Thus th' occurrence chanced the Count Gonzalez and his majesty were altercating in the hall of council, as I approach'd, the king upraised his arm to strike th' impetuous peer; I interposed, perhaps ungently in a monarch's quarrel, and turn'd the royal anger on myself. He banish'd me the kingdom for a year--- The penalty being death, if, in that time, Castile saw my return. This night completes my banishment---unveils my countenance to king and father. They will start, Alfonzo, in the mask'd cavalier, the sable knight, or whatsoever name they choose to give me, to find Velasco!

Alfonzo

Whose renown shall be---

Velasco

Spare me thy herald's bombast. I would see my father---yet, I dally with the joy, now it is in my reach. To-night, the king, in honour of the unknown cavalier who fought beneath his banner; whose return is promised on th' occasion, gives a banquet---here is my reverence due, ere I depart. One blast to call the warder! Quick! Alfonzo.

[ Alfonzo sounds a bugle.

Alfonzo

Dost thou not close thy vizor.

Velasco (closing his vizor.)

Well bethought. I wonder if old Nuno yet is warder:---Far back as memory goes---

( Enter Nuno. )

Alfonzo

My lord, behold!

Velasco

Nuno!

Alfonzo

Would you betray yourself?

Velasco

Not yet.

Nuno

Who calls?

Velasco

Is Count De Lerma in his hall?

Nuno

Who may it be that asks?

Velasco

A Christian Knight. No farther title will thy master need.

Nuno

Thou'rt right in that. But he is not within---gone with the rest of Burgos to the palace, where the king banquets the mask'd cavalier. Sir knight! thou'rt mask'd!

Velasco

I shall continue so. Know'st thou, old man, aught of the son, Velasco?

Nuno

Ah! 'tis a sorry subject: don't recall it.

Velasco

Sorry? what mean you?

Nuno

He, sir---poor Velasco---when last we heard of him, had join'd the Moors; Turn'd infidel, and fought against Castile.

Velasco

Nuno! 'tis false. Turn infidel! He'd sooner die by the torture. Pray you, pardon me. That is the rumour,---that he join'd the Moors?

Nuno

Ay, sir: it makes my master wondrous sad. But why art thou so moved?

Velasco

I knew Velasco. Farewell. I'll seek thy master at the palace.

[ Exit.

Nuno

A single word with you, sir---who's your master?

Alfonzo

You'll be surprised to learn.

Nuno

I am all ears.

Alfonzo

Then, by thine own admission, thou'rt an ass.

Nuno

Thou'rt keen, sir varlet: from Toledo, eh?

Alfonzo

No; from the wars.

Nuno

Oh! then your master is---

Alfonzo

Precisely.

Nuno

Yes; I thought so.

Alfonzo

You have hit it.

Nuno

Now, to surprise me with his name---

Alfonzo

His name! You'll be discreet?

Nuno

Oh! trust me. Who's your master?

Alfonzo (hesitating.)

I shall not tell you.

[ Exit.

Nuno

What a close-lipp'd rogue! Just as my ear was ready for the secret, to draw it back! I've surely heard that voice---but where, or when? to whom may it belong? Well, well; I will not puzzle my old brains.

[ Exit.

SCENE II

An ante-room in the Royal Palace

( Enter Favillo and a Knight. )

Knight

Do the guests yet assemble?

Favillo

Ay, pass on, sir. They fill the vestibule.

Knight

The vizor'd knight---is he arrived?

Favillo

There yet has been no signal of his approach.

Knight

And know you not, Favillo, whose face that vizor hides?

Favillo

No more than thou. But that he is the bravest in Castile I can attest. Twice in the last campaign. He saved our sovereign's life---twice madly brave, did he roll back the crimson tide of war upon our foes, doing such deeds of wonder, our troops regarded him as more than human, and raised the battle-shout of Santiago. But, look, more guests arrive.

Knight

Farewell, Favillo.

[ Exit.

( Enter De Lerma )

Favillo

Welcome, De Lerma. I had fear'd thy absence. 'Tis the first time since thy son's---Pardon me; I did not mean rudely to touch that chord.

De Lerma

A transitory pang! I come to see this knight, whose fame has pierced my solitude. Alas! Favillo, such a champion I fondly hoped, one day to find Velasco---and now, to think of his apostacy!

( Enter Gonzalez, hastily )

Favillo

Gonzalez, welcome! May I speak with you?

Gonzalez

When you are not attended as at present.

[ Exit.

Favillo

The feud between you still is warm, my lord?

De Lerma

His anger I regard not. But more guests claim your attention. I will to the king.

[ Exit.

( Enter Hernando, Mendoza, and Carlos )

Favillo

On to the presence, gentlemen! Hernando, your bride that is to be, fair Izidora, will grace our fête? Why comes she not with you?

Carlos

She better likes her brother's company.

Mendoza

Peace, boy! Who question'd you?

Carlos

I like that. Boy!

Hernando

In sooth, Favillo, Izidora chose th' attendance of her brother.

Favillo

Is't not strange?

Mendoza

'Twas maiden delicacy---that was all.

Carlos

Ay; that was all.

Favillo

I thought you were betroth'd.

Hernando

True; by our fathers, at an early age.

Favillo

And she consents?

Hernando

The bridal day is fix'd.

Carlos

Consents my lord? How could you ask the question? She saw him, sir. Consent was then no virtue.

Mendoza

Chatterling! Hush!

Carlos

Look you! I wear a sword.

[ Exit.

Favillo

A forward boy!---I envy you your lot, sir: the Lady Izidora is most fair.

Mendoza

Shall we attend the king?

Hernando

Come on, Mendoza.

[ Exeunt.

Favillo

Now, were I only younger by a score or two of years, that laggard should not win so fair and rich a prize as Izidora. And she forsakes the lover for the brother! Strange wooing this!

( Enter two Ladies )

Ladies, your servant ever. Shall I be your conductor?

[ Offering his arm.

First Lady

Is he come?

Second Lady

Wears he his vizor yet?

First Lady

What is he like?

Second Lady

Complexion light or dark? What colour'd hair?

First Lady

Is he not handsome?

Second Lady

Tell us, are his eyes the true Castilian brown?

First Lady

What sort of features?

[ Exeunt omnes, talking incessantly.

(Enter Julio and Izidora)

Julio

Now, by the faith of knighthood, sister mine, this unknown and redoubted cavalier with the barr'd vizor, seems to have usurp'd the empire of thy fancy and thy heart.

Izidora

Alas! a wider empire should be his. He must be youthful, Julio, handsome, noble? Why does he hide his face behind a vizor?

Julio

Oh! how a little mystery will pique thy sex's wonder and let loose surmise. In sterling prose, he hides his face, most like, to hide his ugliness.

Izidora

That cannot be! They say, and I believe, that he has made an oath to mask his face from human eyes, till he shall find the lady of his heart.

Julio

Nay; he has proved himself no carpet knight.

Izidora

No carpet knight indeed! It must have been a brave scene---his first entrance to the field! Our routed troops were flying in dismay before the turban'd Moors, when from the gloom of a green thicket rush'd a mounted knight! His charger, white as snow---his battle-axe poised in his right hand, while his left uprear'd the Christian ensign blazoning the cross! And, as he spurr'd his steed, he cried aloud: "Castile and Freedom!" Then arose the shout from the awed soldiers, check'd in their retreat: "A miracle! a messenger from Heaven fights with us! To the charge! a Santiago!" One thrill of inspiration heaved their hearts. They follow'd him through seas of blood and carnage; and, ere the sun set, the mask'd cavalier had fought the battle and redeem'd the field!---nay, do not laugh at me.

Julio

He will not need a herald's clamorous voice to sound his praises, nor the soft numbers of a troubadour, while thou shalt live to be his chronicler! I should be jealous now, were I Hernando. So scornful at the mention of his name! Thou lov'st thy kinsman?

Izidora

Tell me what love is; and, in all candour, I will answer thee.

Julio

A cloud steep'd in the sunshine! An illusion, on which concentrate Passion's fiercest rays! Your Lover's little better than a Pagan: on the heart's shrine he rears a human idol; imagination heightens every charm, brings down celestial attributes to clothe it, and dupes the willing soul, until, at length, he kneels unto a creature of the brain---a bright abstraction! But the cynic, Time, who holds the touchstone to immortal Truth, soon laughs him out of the prodigious folly! Say; art thou one of these idolaters?

Izidora

'Tis very plain to me, I never loved; and least of all, Hernando. Trust me, Julio, I ne'er shall be the Pagan you describe if I depend on him for my conversion.

Julio

'Twere best, perhaps!---But didst thou never love? Is there no flaw, no dent upon thy heart? Did ne'er a random arrow even graze it?

Izidora

Dost thou remember in our childhood, Julio, a dark-hair'd boy---the foremost in our sports---De Lerma's son---what was his name?

Julio

Velasco.

Izidora

Velasco. When the feud between our fathers disparted us, we lost a welcome playmate. For years we did not meet. When last I saw him, 'twas as he went forth to his banishment; And mail'd in armour, he was on his steed. He saw me; smiled, as I shall ne'er forget, and bending to his saddle-bows, rode on:---I watch'd him till my eyes were dim with tears!

Julio

Prithee, what inference wouldst have me draw from this pathetic story?

Izidora

Inference? Nothing---it cross'd my mind---I know not why---It is a pity he has join'd the Moors.

Julio

Oh! thou capricious! But a moment since, the vizor'd knight claim'd all thy Fancy's dreams, and now---

Izidora

Ah! 'tis a noble champion! I have not waver'd in my admiration. Happy the fair dame, at whose feet he kneels!

( Carlos enters, and is crossing the stage )

Julio

Carlos! Boy! Page!

Izidora

Don Carlos!

Carlos (turning abruptly)

That's my name. Lady, I shall be honour'd in your service.

Izidora

Is he arrived---the cavalier?

Carlos (with dignity)

No, Lady. (Aside)---They think of nothing but the cavalier, and will not waste a single smile on me. The cavalier! Ha, ha! a man ashamed to show his face---I'm not afraid of him.

[ Exit.

Julio

Shall we not in, to see the festal show?

Izidora

He is not there! Why should we be in haste?

[ A trumpet sounds sharply.

He comes! he comes! It was his trumpet peal!

Julio

How know you it for his?

Izidora

It was a note so clear and bold!

Julio

Why, how thy heart is beating. Come! we'll not lose the pageant of his entry.

[ Exeunt.

SCENE III

A Hall of State

( The King on his throne, surrounded by his Court, among whom are De Lerma, Gonzalez, Hernando, Favillo, Ladies, &c. Julio and Izidora enter and mingle with the groups. A flourish as the scene opens. )

Ferdinand (Rising)

He has our answer to his welcome signal. How on our army broke that trumpet voice, when he rose up before our flying hosts, and cried "a rescue!"

[ Trumpet from without sounds twice.

Favillo

He is here, my liege.

( Enter with vizor closed, Velasco. He kneels to the King )

Ferdinand

Rise up, sir knight---no vassal, but our friend.

Velasco (rising)

My gracious sovereign!

Ferdinand

Nobles of Castile! It needs no commendation of our own to gild his fame, or to confirm his welcome; We hail him as his country's well-tried soldier, and her just pride.

Velasco

Could I believe, my liege, your praises were not the unbidden impulse of a too partial kindness, I should be elated on the wings of conscious glory; But the poor bark freighted with my deserts, too light a ballast has, to carry sail before the fameward breath of your applause.

( Enter Carlos )

Carlos

My liege, a messenger without, from Rome, claims instant access.

Ferdinand

Let him be admitted.

( Enter a Messenger in the livery of the Pope. He delivers papers, which the King peruses. Velasco goes toward De Lerma, but abruptly checks himself, and bows profoundly. )

De Lerma

Sir knight, you leave no vantage-ground for envy, if with so meek a grace you wear you laurels.

Ferdinand (rising in great agitation)

No, no! it shall not be! the Pope once more urges upon us his presumptuous mandate, that we shall bow the neck to Germany, and hold our crown as Henry's willing vassal. We'll send our answer back.

[ Exit Messenger.

Affairs of moment claim the immediate hearing of our council. Pardon us for a while, sir knight. My lords! On to the hall of council!

[ Exit Ferdinand, followed by De Lerma, Gonzalez, Julio, and lords. Izidora goes up the stage followed by Hernando. The groups gradually disperse.

Velasco (to Favillo)

If I err not, it is the daughter of the Count Gonzalez?

Favillo

You're right, sir. One would note her 'mong a thousand.

Velasco

She's passing fair.

Favillo

Look you, she turns away, as conscious of our notice. 'Tis a pity she weds that recreant kinsman by her side.

Velasco

Weds him? Hernando? Can she love him, sir?

Favillo

Love him? She's been instructed to regard him as her intended lord, but as for love---

Velasco

A cruel fate! They come this way again. Now could you help me to an audience---

Favillo

If there be any virtue in my wand, thy wish shall be complied with. Don Hernando, touching the subject of our late discourse---

[ Exit, leading him.

Velasco

Fair Izidora, might I claim from thee a moment's converse, it would be more prized than all the honours Fate has heap'd upon me.

Izidora

Sir Knight; we knew of thy transcendent valour: We did not know thy gallantry kept pace, in its excess, with thy superior virtue.

Velasco

Gallantry, lady? 'Tis too cold a word. Devotion is a better, where thou art.

Izidora

Nay, tell me of thy battles and thy perils. Dost thou not sigh already for the gleam of hostile steel---the neigh of pawing chargers---the cymbal's clash, the trumpet's thrilling shriek?

Velasco

I have encounter'd perils ere to-day, but never one so imminent as that which bids me now surrender. I have seen the Moorish army in their bright array, send back the sun-shafts brighter than they fell: But not the sheen of all their scimetars, in one small point concentred, could eclipse a single ray shot from those lustrous eyes. Nay, turn not from me, lady. I have heard the neigh of steeds---the trumpet's thrilling note---they cannot stir my heart like thy sweet voice!

Izidora

Is't not the common rhetoric of the court that thou hast cull'd for me? Think'st I believe I am the first to whom it has been offered?

Velasco

Ah, lady! poorly can the heart disguise, in flippant Fancy's garniture of words, its true emotion. Love's a sorry masker.

Izidora

'Then Love bears no similitude to thee. 'Twas of the wars we spake.

Velasco

Enough of them. Oh! ne'er did mariner long toss'd at sea, with no benignant star to point his course, hail with more rapture the first gleam of land, than I from War's seam'd visage and wild glance, turn to the blue eyes of maternal peace! Oh! not the joyous shout of victory was e'er to me so grateful as the sight, which the declining sun this day revealed.

Izidora

What sight?

Velasco

My boyhood's fair and happy home! The past again was mine; and memory did seem reality. I thought of her, whose childish beauty so enthrall'd my heart!

Izidora

Of her? Of whom?

Velasco

Alas! I must forget. But thou shalt hear my story: we were playmates in the confiding hours of early youth. I was the mimic champion of her wrongs, and with my shield and lance I rescued her from many a fabled giant. Ah! those days! At length a feud broke out between our fathers; And we were parted---but I kept the faith, which in my boyish earnestness I swore: She was my paragon, my dream of joy! Years past. I went forth to my country's wars, dreaming of fame, but as a galliard's wreath, to grace me in her eyes. When I return'd she---false one!---was betroth'd unto another!

Izidora

Velasco!

Velasco

Hush! Betray me not. The king!

[ They retire up the stage, conversing.

( Re-enter Ferdinand, Julio, Gonzalez, De Lerma, and Lords; and in another direction, Favillo, Hernando, Carlos, Ladies, &c. )

Ferdinand

Julio! with all despatch thou wilt prepare to be our envoy to the court of Rome.

[ Exit Julio.

Sir knight, we've cut the Gordian knot of counsel to play the host to thee. Hast thou no boon to crave, within our royal power to grant? Unless thou proudly wouldst refuse to cancel a portion of the countless debt we owe thee. Give us the clew whereby our gratitude may lead unto the dear wish of thy heart.

Velasco

Behold it here, my liege! (Pointing to Izidora)

Could thy decree make this fair hand mine own, I should be blest beyond requital in a gift so rich.

Ferdinand

A gallant boon! We'll be thine intercessor. Gonzalez, speak! thou wilt not thwart our wish?

Gonzalez

The Lady Izidora is affianced already to her kinsman, Don Hernando.

Ferdinand

Wouldst thou constrain her choice? and, Don Hernando, wouldst thou take to thee a reluctant bride? Knighthood forbid! Gonzalez, listen to us: We will not speak of favours shower'd upon thee, of injuries forgiven: but, in justice, say, dost thou leave thy daughter free to choose?

Gonzalez

My liege, I do.

Ferdinand

Bear witness to it, all! Now Izidora, use thy privilege: Choose as thy heart may dictate.

[ She gives her hand to Velasco.

It is well!

Velasco

My liege, thou hast endear'd me to thee ever; now that the occasion for disguise is past, I will repay thy courtesy.

[ Advances and uncloses his vizor.

Ferdinand

Velasco!

De Lerma

My son!

Gonzalez (Aside)

The heir of my detested foe! It is unnatural! It must not be!

Ferdinand

Velasco! thou art welcome---this surprise has pluck'd away the only sharp regret that rankled in our breast. Let music hail the lost one found, the banish'd one return'd; on! to the banquet-room! There will we pledge joy to this fair alliance! May the stars shed their auspicious influence upon it!

[ A flourish. Exit Ferdinand, followed by all except Hernando and Mendoza, who retire in an opposite direction.