Velasco/Act IV

by Epes Sargent

ACT IV

SCENE I

Royal audience-room. A chair of state

( Enter Ferdinand and Favillo. )

Ferdinand

Gonzalez slain, and no one knows by whom? No clew discover'd! It is strange indeed!

Favillo

But still more wonderful, that Don Velasco should not be eager to avenge his death; at least to ferret out the murderer.

Ferdinand

A mystery involves the deed, which time must speedily unfold.

[ Shouts are heard.

What shouts are those? What crowd is that beneath the porch?

( Enter Carlos. )

Carlos

My liege, the daughter of Gonzalez and her kinsman. Thy presence seek. The people gather round, and, in their pity, shout aloud for justice.

Ferdinand

Admit her.

[ Exit Carlos. The King ascends his throne.

Favillo

Strange, Velasco should be absent!

( Enter Izidora, followed by Hernando, Knights, Ladies, &c., who form round the throne. Izidora kneels to the king. )

Ferdinand

Rise up, fair mourner; we will hear thy griefs.

Izidora

I am the orphan daughter of Gonzalez: He was, great king, thy brave and loyal subject, and has done service in his country's wars. By violence, his death has been accomplish'd. Oh! grant, my liege, redress against the man who has my father slain.

Ferdinand

Who is the man?

Izidora

Ah me! the last who should have done the deed. His name---I am a feeble advocate against so potent and renown'd a foe---but let the arm of justice, mighty king! Reach him upon his pinnacle of fame.

Ferdinand

Ha! name thy foe.

Izidora

His name---I cannot speak it

Hernando

Velasco!

Izidora

Ay, 'tis spoken!

Ferdinand

Heavens! Velasco? Thou hast amazed us, lady, by thy charge; the proofs, that could have urged on thee conviction, cannot be such as will admit our doubt.

Hernando

My liege, he deigns not to dispute the charge.

Ferdinand

What madness drove him to the ruthless deed?

Hernando

My liege, we must conjecture that he hoped, by virtue of his marriage with this lady, to gain possession of the seignories Gonzalez held.

Izidora

Never! thou dost malign him! Never could such a motive sway his heart! Oh! judge not thou of motives, if none better thou canst attribute, sir, to such as he---a knight, a man of honour, a Velasco!

[ Enter Velasco, unperceived. He stands composedly, with folded arms, while Hernando is speaking.

Hernando

My liege, I did but venture a surmise. His motives to the crime I may misdeem; but of his agency, what doubt remains? Much cause have we to fear, it was no duel, by knightly laws, in which Gonzalez fell, but an assassination, in which honour---

[ He suddenly sees Velasco, and is silent.

Ferdinand

Go on. Why dost thou hesitate, Hernando? Behold th' accused! Confront him with thy charge.

Hernando

My liege---

Velasco

Has my arrival struck thee speechless? Why, what a type of infamy thou standest! Traducer! thou art sunk beneath my scorn. But where is he, who will maintain thy charge? I slew Gonzalez as becomes a knight, In honourable combat, sword to sword!

( Throwing down his gauntlet.

Behold my gage! who will gainsay the truth?

Ferdinand

What proof canst bring, Hernando, of thy charge?

Hernando

Presumptions strong, my liege---

Ferdinand

Presumptions, sir? And wouldst thou slander a Castilian noble upon such grounds? Velasco, we know not what provocation drove thee to this deed, but that thine honour suffered in th' encounter, thy own attesting word could not persuade us.

( Enter De Lerma. )

De Lerma

My liege, this is my quarrel; and, be sure, justice holds me alone responsible. Velasco was the weapon in my hand, wielded for the redemption of my honour. Know that I was insulted by Gonzalez,---struck, like a very beggar, in the street! I drew my sword upon him, but alas! My arm had lost its vigour;---and, with scorn, he dash'd aside my unavailing blade, then left me crush'd beneath a load of shame! Could I exist, my liege, while lived the man who had disgraced me? No! I had a son---he has but done his duty.

Ferdinand

And no more! Hence be it said, Velasco yielded up love, life, ay, more than life, rather than honour. For thee, unhappy lady, who hast been deprived at once of bridegroom and of father, we cannot punish where we find no guilt---no treacherous action nor intent is proved. We can but say: bring forth thy champion; Velasco promptly will obey his summons. The feud admits not of our interference. We have decided. Follow me, Hernando.

[ Exeunt all but Izidora and Velasco. Carlos, as he goes out, returns the latter his gauntlet.

Velasco

Thou hast heard all which can extenuate the perpetration of the deed we mourn: Oh! wilt thou not believe, that when mine arm was raised to strike, my heart was torn with anguish? That I did love thee better at that moment, while severing the tie between our fates, than when exulting hope was all mine own?

Izidora

Call it not love, Velasco; hadst thou loved, thou sooner wouldst have died a death of shame than brought this weight of misery upon me.

Velasco

Oh! sound the dreary depth of my despair, then, if thou canst, measure my boundless love.

Izidora

Call'st thou that love which pride can subjugate? Which can be quell'd by what the world call honour, or made to yield even by filial duty? No! to all these true love is paramount!

Velasco

Oh! my fair name had been for ever lost, if I had tamely borne the unmeasured insult.

Izidora

No! One appealing word had wrought compunction in the offender's heart; but Pride withheld thee. A human victim was the sole oblation which could appease thy Moloch! and revenge was dearer to thee than the hopes of love! More sacred than thy plighted faith to her, who to thy trust gave all her happiness! Oh! what a reckless steward hast thou been!

Velasco

Could I behold a venerated father crush'd by a sense of unrequited wrong, wasted by stricken pride and wounded honour, and, with the power to save, deny redress?

Izidora

Thou dost but point the sting of mine own conscience. If to redress a blow, thy sacrifice was the aggressor's life, what should be mine, who have a father's slaughter to avenge!

Velasco

Oh! worse than death thou dost inflict on me, now by thy hate.

Izidora

My hate!

Velasco

Thou dost not love me?

Izidora

Love thee? oh, no! I should not, would not love thee---I will fly from thee---

Velasco

Stay! before we part---which parting is for ever---may we not forget the sad divulsion of our fates, and sail together down the sunny past!

Izidora

How every tone brings back the happy days! I fear 'tis sin to listen---but there is such sweet enchantment in it---

Velasco

'Tis in vain! I cannot rid me of the recollection. Thou art a passive victim: I, alas! I was the scourge, the awful instrument!

Izidora

Canst thou recall not that delicious twilight, when, venturous children, careless of time's lapse, we traversed in a skiff the wood-girt lake, while from the rosy west, the drooping clouds---ensanguined banners of the captive day---threw o'er the purple wave their glowing shadows?

Velasco

I can but sigh for what we might have been!

Izidora

And memory need not travel far to bring that hour, when we two parted light of heart, in the near prospect of a joyous bridal. Oh! little did we dream, that ere we met strange horror would disjoin us!

Velasco

Oh! forget! Or ere we part, vouchsafe one last embrace.

Izidora

Forbear! This is impiety, Velasco. 'Tis not for thee to clasp me. Think! my father! Dying he drew from me a sacred oath, and, as a legacy, bequeath'd this dagger!

Velasco

My heart leaps to it! Strike, and do not quail---now, ere thy purpose flag---strike! I will bless thee!

[ She raises it, as if to strike him---he extends his arms, inviting the blow, whereupon she drops the dagger, and rushes out.

Were I the only victim, I could brave, methinks, Fate's worst infliction; but my heart breaks when I see her suffer. I look round for refuge, but can find one only haven---the quiet grave! As if to point the way,

[ Taking up the dagger.

The steel she left gleams on me! If Despair could ever justify self-sacrifice, now's the occasion, when my forfeit life is claim'd by her, to whom it was devoted. A sinew's quick contraction and 'tis done!---no, no, Velasco! 'tis a weary march! And many droop and falter by the way, and many, treading in forbidden paths, at their great Captain's sacred laws rebel---but the good soldier still maintains his post; obeys, and presses forward to the last; while on the streaming flag, that marshals him, and lifts the emblem of his faith, he reads, by this sign shalt thou conquer!.

[ Exit.

( Re-enter Carlos. )

Carlos

Poor Velasco!---ah! who approach! Hernando and Mendoza. Some knavery's afoot. I'll stand aside.

( Re-enter Hernando, with Mendoza. )

[ Carlos seats himself unperceived upon the chair of state.

Hernando

Art well assured of the fidelity of him thou hast employ'd in this affair?

Mendoza

Don Julio stands no longer in thy way. Our agents bring such proofs as will convince thee. How wilt thou mould the sister to thy purpose?

Hernando

She will be mine, Mendoza; and at once---if not by fair compliance, by compulsion! I have possess'd the castle with my creatures---ridding its precincts of the old adherents. She returns home---to my home---dost thou hear? She's in my power---is't not a masterpiece?

Mendoza

A rare one.

[ Carlos in drawing his sword rattles it.

Hernando

Ha! a listener!

Mendoza

It is Carlos!

Hernando

Confusion! he has heard us! Boy! come hither.

[ Carlos hums a tune and bends his swordblade against the floor.

Mendoza (going towards him)

So! I will drag him to you. Meddling page!---

Carlos (starting forward)

Stand off, sir! off! My rapier is not squeamish; it may take up with offals. So, beware! Go, frighten women. Think not that I fear you.

Hernando

Nay, Carlos! Tempt him not, Mendoza. Hold! Didst hear the import of the brief discourse, which pass'd between this gentleman and me?

Carlos

Oh! traitors! every villanous word ye utter'd, I overheard.

Hernando

Thou'rt jesting with us, Carlos.

Carlos

Flatter yourselves with the belief. Perchance, ye soon will find I do not jest with traitors.

[ To Mendoza, who is trying to circumvent him.

A fair field and no favour, if you please! None of your back-hand villany! Go to.

Hernando

Stay, boy! Thou'lt not betray us?

Carlos

I betray! What have you trusted to me?

Mendoza

Wilt report aught thou hast heard?

Hernando

Nay; Carlos knows his friends. There is an Arab courser in my stables, fleet as the wind, clean-limb'd and tractable; and of a size just suited to thy height. I would not part with him for money, Carlos; but, if thou'lt be our friend, and keep our counsel, he shall be thine.

Mendoza (aside)

Well put. The bribe has won him.

Carlos

Hast thou so brave a steed?

Hernando

Ay, Carlos.

Carlos

Black?

Hernando

Black as a raven.

Carlos

Fleet?

Hernando

Oh! very fleet.

Carlos

Then, prithee, mind my caution. Mount at once! And, swift as thou canst spur him, leave behind the gallows that awaits thee.

Hernando

Dost thou mock me?

Carlos

But should thy neck be broken in thy flight, the accident may save it from a halter, and cheat an honest hangman of his fee. Stand back, or thou shalt rue it.

Hernando

Boy! beware! Thy life shall be the forfeit of thy treason. What wouldst thou do?

Carlos

Expose you! baffle you! Oh! fume not. I shall haste to Don Velasco, tell him what I have heard; and, if he have not two knaves' heads dangling at his saddle-bow before the nightfall, I'm no conjurer.

[ Exit.

Mendoza

'Sdeath! There is danger in him. He will keep his threat. What's to be done?

Hernando

We must be speedy in the achievement of our purposes. To horse! We'll reach the castle of Gonzalez ere the alarm is raised. There we are safe; and Izidora's mine. The massive gates shall keep out all intruders, even the king; and should Velasco venture to approach us, our cross-bow men shall send an arrow through him. Come! fortune beckons us. To horse! to horse!

[ Exeunt.

SCENE II

Same as Act III, Scene I. An apartment in the mansion of Gonzalez. A sliding panel concealed by the picture of an armed knight. Folding doors closed.

( Enter Izidora. )

Izidora

My home seems changed: new faces stare upon me; familiar ones are miss'd: or, do I dream? Was it not all the mere fantastic play of brain-sick fancy? No. I stood before the king, and claim'd redress against my lover. Oh! hypocrite! thy tongue besought a boon thy inmost heart rejected! I have fail'd in my first trial---would it were the last! May it not be the last? Have I not done all that could be exacted of me? No! My duty urges, and my oath compels! Terrible duty! heart-distracting oath! Is this the hand to point th' avenging steel---to point it against him! And do I waver? Do I so soon infract my sacred word? Ye powers of retribution! strengthen me! And thou, impatient ghost! rebuke me not for this delay! I'll not forget thy mandate! I will do all my woman's weakness can!

( Enter Hernando. )

Hernando (speaking as he enters)

Ay; close the gates, and man the outward towers. Let no one be admitted on thy life.

Izidora

Let no one be admitted! Close the gates! What mean'st thou by such orders?

Hernando

I have cause. Fair cousin, to mistrust Velasco's purpose; one of our house he has already slain; may he not meditate against another a like attempt? 'Tis well to be prepared for a surprise!

Izidora

Out upon thy mistrust! It shall not be! Who waits?

Hernando

Nay; be not hasty. Hear me; and deign to do my motives justice.

Izidora

Oh! may I trust thee?

Hernando

Let my actions prove it.

Izidora

I know not. Well: what is thy word with me?

Hernando

Thou'rt now, fair cousin, left in the wide world, an unprotected, solitary orphan. Thy brother gone---perchance, not to return---the man who was betroth'd to thee become the man whom, of all others, thou art bound, with a relentless hatred to pursue---methinks the path of wisdom and of duty is plain before thee.

Izidora

Well.

Hernando

If in thy kinsman thou now wouldst take a husband and protector, 'twould be compliance with thy father's will.

Izidora

Is this a season for such words from thee? Leave me. Dismiss thy train. I need them not.

Hernando

But I do , lady.

Izidora

Sir! I would be private. Thou art not gone? Where be my servants? Ho! Within there!

Hernando

Thou dost call in vain, fair cousin. Not one of all thy menials tarries here. As the next male inheritor to thy brother, I have possess'd this castle; and the walls are fill'd with my retainers. Thou art here wholly within my power! Now, as a guest, fair cousin, be less scornful.

Izidora

Even thou couldst not have been so dastardly a traitor. False knight---

Hernando

False lady! I have told the truth,

Izidora

Thou wouldst not dare to wrong me!

Hernando

I would be loth to do that. I offer thee my hand; if thou dost scorn it, lady---then beware!

Izidora

Thou hast forgotten that I have a brother.

Hernando

That brother is no more---he has been slain---I can produce assurance of the fact.

Izidora

Julio no more! then am I lost indeed! Thou wouldst deceive me. I'll not credit it. Let me go forth, Hernando.

Hernando

Thou shalt not. Thou canst not! Sentinels at every door, closed gates and lofty walls, forbid departure. Listen. Thou didst discard me for another, thinking that I would tamely bear the slight, and meekly pardon my successful rival. Thou hast misjudged me. 'Tis my triumph now. Reflect! 'twas thou who raised the fiend within me, and it is thou alone who can exorcise!

Izidora

Why, thou art brave!

Hernando

And dangerous, fair cousin. Consent! consent to be my wedded wife, or I will drag thee, by thy braided hair, to yonder chamber!

( Enter Velasco, silently through the secret passage. )

[ Izidora appears to be searching for a dagger, when suddenly she perceives him.

Izidora

Providence has sent thee!

Velasco

I did not think, that Fate had in reserve for me another moment of such sweetness.

Hernando

What sorcery is this?

Velasco

Oh! draw thy sword! And if one drop of manhood warm thy blood, shed it in guarding now thy sordid life. Wilt not? Then, thus! I'll rob thee of thy sting!

[ Seizes him and raises his sword.

A power invisible arrests my arm! Blood of thy race enough, alas! has been already shed by me. Live, if thou canst!

Hernando (retreating)

Dupe! thou art lost! and she, thou wouldst have saved, again is mine. Mendoza! Ho! My guards!

[ Exit.

Velasco

This passage leads to a secluded spot beyond the walls. Oh! hasten to escape.

Izidora

Lead on!

[ She gives her hand, but instantly recoils.

Thou'rt spotted with my father's blood! I cannot go with thee.

Velasco

It is no time for thoughts like these. Escape! while yet we may! Hark! they approach. A moment, and we're lost.

Izidora

Oh! may a moment's amnesty exist between me and my father's mortal foe?

Velasco

Oh! fatal hesitation! Izidora!

Izidora

Forgive me, and lead on. I'll fly with thee.

Velasco

It is too late! They see us through th' embrasure. Should they assail us in you labyrinth, the chances are against us, for my sword would not avail me in the narrow darkness. We will stand here and brave them to the death.

Izidora

'Tis I have brought down ruin on us both!

Velasco

'Twill be too sweet to die defending thee.

( Enter Hernando, Mendoza, and Soldiers. )

Hernando

Part! or ye both shall fall beneath our swords. Tear them asunder.

Izidora

We'll not part, Velasco!

( A soldier advances with a battle-axe. Velasco seizes it from him, and drops his sword. )

Velasco

It were the pastime of a holyday to sweep battalions of you down like reeds! And here is one, whom if ye dare to harm, even in the grazing of her sacred robe, I'll hew a passage, cravens! through your hearts. Come! ye should know me. I am he who burst upon the conquering Moors, a Santiago.

Hernando

'Sdeath! Do you trail your spears? 'Tis but one man---bear down! Secure them, your reward is doubled.

[ As they level their spears, Carlos rushes in through the secret passage.

Boy! thou hast rush'd to thine own chastisement---thou too art lost!

Carlos

Hold! all!

( a pause )

The King approaches!

[ They fall back in dismay.

( Enter Ferdinand through the passage with attendants, &c. bearing torches.)

The King points to Hernando and Mendoza, who are seized. Velasco supports Izidora. The soldiers of Hernando kneel and lay down their arms.