Chis. You are too many. Do you think we are going to sing mass in the cathedral of Córdova? Four men can make but little use of one shoe, and I see not how you can all sing in one song. But follow me along the garden wall. That is the way my master climbs to the lady's window. It is by the Vicar's skirts that the devil climbs into the belfry. Come, follow me, and make no noise. [Exeunt. SCENE III.-PRECIOSA'S Chamber. She stands at the open window. Vict. Poor little dove! Thou tremblest like a leaf! Vict. None, my love, but thou. Thus stealthily by night. Where hast thou been? Vict. Since yesterday I've been in Alcalá. Pre. An honest thief to steal but what thou givest. And words of true love pass from tongue to tongue, Pre. That were a life indeed to make time envious! I saw thee at the play. Vict. Sweet child of air! Never did I behold thee so attired And garmented in beauty as to-night! What hast thou done to make thee look so fair? Ay, and so fair That I am jealous of all eyes that see thee, I heed them not; Pre. Vict. There's nothing fair nor beautiful, but takes Pre. And yet thou leavest me for those dusty books. Vict. Thou comest between me and those books too often! I see thy face in everything I see! The paintings in the chapel wear thy looks, The canticles are changed to sarabands. And with the learned doctors of the schools Pre. In good sooth, I dance with learned doctors of the schools Vict. And with whom, I pray? Pre. A grave and reverend Cardinal, and his Grace The Archbishop of Toledo. Vict. Is this? Pre. What mad jest Why, simply thus. It is no jest; indeed it is not. Vict. Prithee, explain thyself. Pre. Thou knowest the Pope has sent here into Spain To put a stop to dances on the stage. Vict. I have heard it whispered. Pre. Now the Cardinal Who for this purpose comes, would fain behold With his own eyes these dances; and the Archbishop Has sent for me Vict. Now viva la cachucha! That thou may'st dance before them! It will breathe The fire of youth into these gray old men! "Twill be thy proudest conquest! Pre. Saving one. And yet I fear these dances will be stopped, And Preciosa be once more a beggar. Vict. The sweetest beggar that e'er asked for alms; With such beseeching eyes, that when I saw thee In the cathedral garden. Thou wast sitting Pre. "Twas Easter-Sunday. The full blossomed trees The priests were singing, and the organ sounded, It was the elevation of the Host. We both of us fell down upon our knees, Pre. And when thou wast gone I felt an aching here. I did not speak Let not his shadow Come between thee and me. Sweet Preciosa! I loved thee even then, though I was silent! Pre. I thought I ne'er should see thy face again. Thy farewell had a sound of sorrow in it. Vict. That was the first sound in the song of love! Hands of invisible spirits touch the strings Of that mysterious instrument, the soul, And play the prelude of our fate. We hear The voice prophetic, and are not alone. Pre. That is my faith. Dost thou believe these warnings? Tend ever on, and rest not in the Present. As drops of rain fall into some dark well, And from below comes a scarce audible sound, So fall our thoughts into the dark Hereafter, And their mysterious echo reaches us. Pre. I have felt it so, but found no words to say it! I cannot reason; I can only feel! But thou hast language for all thoughts and feelings. We cannot walk together in this world! The distance that divides us is too great! Henceforth thy pathway lies among the stars; I must not hold thee back. Vict. Thou little sceptic! Dost thou still doubt? What I most prize in woman The intellect is finite; but the affections Are infinite, and cannot be exhausted. Compare me with the great men of the earth; Which most becomes a woman, calm and holy, Is pure. It cannot change nor hide its nature, As in a palace hall. Art thou convinced? Pre. Yes, that I love thee, as the good love heaven; Vict. Loving more. Pre. I cannot love thee more; my heart is full. A Watchman [in the street]. Ave Maria To scare thee from me! Vict. It is a hateful sound, As the hunter's horn Doth scare the timid stag, or bark of hounds The moor-fowl from his mate. Pre. Vict. I must away to Alcalá to-night. Think of me when I am away. Pre. Pray, do not go! Fear not! I have no thoughts that do not think of thee. Vict. [giving her a ring]. And to remind thee of my love, take this; A serpent, emblem of Eternity; A ruby, say, a drop of my heart's blood. Pre. It is an ancient saying, that the ruby Vict. What convent of barefooted Carmelites Taught thee so much theology? Pre. [laying her hand upon his mouth]. Hush! Hush! Good night! and may all holy angels guard thee! Vict. Good night! good night! Thou art my guardian angel! I have no other saint than thou to pray to! [He descends by the balcony.] Pre. Take care, and do not hurt thee. Art thou safe? Vict. [from the garden]. Safe as my love for thee! But art thou safe? Others can climb a balcony by moonlight As well as I. Pray shut thy window close; Pre. [throwing down her handkerchief]. Thou silly child; take It is my benison ! Vict. And brings to me Sweet fragrance from thy lips, as the soft wind Of the beloved land he leaves behind. Pre. Make not thy voyage long. Vict. To-morrow night Shall see me safe returned. Thou art the star Watchman [at a distance]. Ave Maria Purissima ! SCENE IV.-An inn on the road to Alcalá. BALTASAR asleep on a bench. Enter CHISPA. Chis. And here we are, half-way to Alcalá, between cocks and midnight. Body o' me! what an inn this is! The lights out, and the landlord asleep. Holá! ancient Baltasar ! Balt. [waking] Here I am. Chis. Yes, there you are, like a one-eyed Alcalde in a town without inhabitants. Bring a light, and let me have supper. Balt. Where is your master? Chis. Do not trouble yourself about him. We have stopped a moment to breathe our horses; and, if he chooses to walk up and down in the open air, looking into the sky as one who hears it rain, that does not satisfy my hunger, you know. But be quick, for I am in a hurry, and every man stretches his legs according to the length of his coverlet. What have we here? Balt. [setting a light on the table]. Stewed rabbit. Chis. [eating]. Conscience of Portalegre! Stewed kitten, you mean! Balt. And a pitcher of Pedro Ximenes, with a roasted pear in it. Chis. [drinking]. Ancient Baltasar, amigo! You know how to wine and sell vinegar. I tell you this is nothing but Vino Tinto of La Mancha, with a tang of the swine-skin. cry Balt. I swear to you by Saint Simon and Judas, it is all as I say. Chis. And I swear to you by Saint Peter and Saint Paul, that it is no such thing. Moreover, your supper is like the hidalgo's dinner, very little meat, and a great deal of table-cloth. Balt. Ha! ha! ha! Chis. And more noise than nuts. Balt. Ha! ha! ha! You must have your joke, Master Chispa. But shall I not ask Don Victorian in, to take a draught of the Pedro Ximenes ? Chis. No; you might as well say, "Don't-you-want-some?" to a dead man. |