Vict. The muleteer has come. Hyp. Vict. So soon? I found him Sitting at supper by the tavern door, Hyp. What news from Court? Vict. He brought this letter only. Oh, cursed perfidy! Why did I let And thy hand tremble? Vict. Oh, most infamous ! The Count of Lara is a worthless villain! Hyp. That is no news, forsooth. Vict. He strove in vain To steal from me the jewel of my soul, The love of Preciosa. Not succeeding, He swore to be revenged; and set on foot A plot to ruin her, which has succeeded. She has been hissed and hooted from the stage, Her reputation stained by slanderous lies Too foul to speak of; and, once more a beggar, She roams a wanderer over God's green earth, Housing with Gypsies! Desperate with love, like Gasper Gil's Dear Hypolito, Vict. How have I wronged that meek, confiding SCENE IV.A post-house on the road to Segovia, not far from the village of Guadarrama. Enter CHISPA, cracking a whip, and singing the cachucha. Chispa. Halloo! Don Fulano! Let us have horses, and quickly. Alas, poor Chispa! what a dog's life dost thou lead! I thought, when I left my old master Victorian, the student, to serve my new master Don Carlos, the gentleman, that I, too, should lead the life of a gentleman; should go to bed early, and get up late. For when the abbot plays cards, what can you expect of the friars? But, in running away from the thunder, I have run into the lightning. Here I am in hot chase after my master and his Gypsy girl. And a good beginning of the week it is, as he said who was hanged on Monday morning. (Enter DON Carlos.) Don C. Are not the horses ready yet? Chispa. I should think not, for the hostler seems to be asleep. Ho! within there! Horses! horses! horses! (He knocks at the gate with his whip, and enter Mosquito, putting on his jacket.) Mosq. Pray, have a little patience. I'm not a musket. Chispa. Health and pistareens! I'm glad to see you come on dancing, padre! Pray, what 's the news? Mosq. You cannot have fresh horses; because there are none. Chispa. Cachiporra! Throw that bone to another dog. Do I look like your aunt? Mosq. No; she has a beard. Chispa. Go to! go to! Mosq. Are you from Madrid? Chispa. Yes; and going to Estramadura. Get us horses. Mosq. What's the news at Court? Chispa. Why, the latest news is, that I am going to set up a coach, and I have Alcalde's doves against the Padre Cura's already bought the whip. SCENE V. - The Gypsy camp in the forest. Night. Gypsies working at a forge. Others playing cards by the firelight. Gypsies (at the forge sing). On the top of a mountain I stand, First Gypsy (playing). Down with your John - Dorados, my pigeon. Down with your John-Dorados, and let us make an end. Gypsies (at the forge sing). Loud sang the Spanish cavalier, First Gypsy (playing). There you are in your morocco ! Second Gypsy. One more game. The new moon. First Gypsy. Have at you, Chirelin. At midnight, when the moon began (Enter BELTRAn Cruzado.) And fever! Like a wild wolf to the sheep- Better than I, and fairer; and let not Thy rash and headlong moods estrange her from thee. fold Come I for thee, my lamb. Thou art in danger! They have set a price Bart. Ay, and I've wandered long Among the mountains; and for many days Have seen no human face, save the rough swineherd's. The wind and rain have been my sole com panions. I shouted to them from the rocks thy Preciosa! I come for thee! for thee I thus brave death! Fly with me o'er the borders of this realm! Fly with me! Prec. Speak of that no more. I cannot. I'm thine no longer. Bart. Oh, recall the time When we were children! how we played together, How we grew up together; how we plighted Our hearts unto each other, even in childhood! Fulfil thy promise, for the hour has come. I'm hunted from the kingdom, like a wolf! Fulfil thy promise. Prec. 'T was my father's promise, Not mine. I never gave my heart to thee, Nor promised thee my hand! False tongue of woman! And heart more false ! Bart. she stands Under the tent-like trees! Vict. I pray thee, stand aside. Leave me. Do not betray thyself too soon. Vict. (disguising his voice). Hist! Gypsy! Prec. (aside, with emotion). That voice! that voice from heaven! Oh, speak again! Who is it calls? The line of life is crossed by many marks. How could you do it? Look in my face, and say if there is aught A little bird in the air I have not dared, I would not dare for Whispered the secret. And you shall mend your fortunes, mend- Vict. (aside). How like an angel's speaks the tongue of woman, When pleading in another's cause her own! That is a pretty ring upon your finger. (She rushes into his arms.) Prec. "T is thou! 't is thou! Yes; yes; my heart's elected ! My dearest-dear Victorian! my soul's heaven! Where hast thou been so long? Why didst thou leave me ? Vict. Ask me not now, my dearest Pre- Let me forget we ever have been parted! Vict. I pray thee, do not chide me! these Gypsies. Vict. Forgive me, sweet! for what I made thee suffer. Think'st thou this heart could feel a mo ment's joy, Thou being absent? Oh, believe it not! Indeed, since that sad hour I have not slept, For thinking of the wrong I did to thee! Dost thou forgive me? Say, wilt thou forgive me? Prec. I have forgiven thee. Ere those words of anger The Count of the Calés, is not your father, But your true father has returned to Spain Were in the book of Heaven writ down Laden with wealth. You are no more a mances, All chaste embraces on the public stage, All soft adventures, which the liberal stars Have winked at, as the natural course of things, Have been surpassed here by my friend, the student, And this sweet Gypsy lass, fair Preciosa! Not to-night; For, should you treat me as you did Victorian, And send me back to marry maids forlorn, My wedding day would last from now till Christmas. Chispa (within). What ho! the Gypsies, ho! Beltran Cruzado! Halloo! halloo ! halloo ! halloo ! (Enters booted, with a whip and lantern.) Let me sleep on, and do not wake me yet! Repeat thy story! Say I'm not deceived! Say that I do not dream! I am awake; This is the Gypsy camp; this is Victorian, And this his friend, Hypolito! Speak! speak! Let me not wake and find it all a dream! Vict. It is a dream, sweet child! a waking dream, A blissful certainty, a vision bright Of that rare happiness, which even on earth Heaven gives to those it loves. Now art thou rich, As thou wast ever beautiful and good; Prec. (giving him her hand). I have still A hand to give. Chispa (aside). And I have two to take. I've heard my grandmother say, that Heaven gives almonds To those who have no teeth. That's nuts to crack. I've teeth to spare, but where shall I find almonds? Vict. What more of this strange story? Chispa. Nothing more. Your friend, Don Carlos, is now at the village Showing to Pedro Crespo, the Alcalde, |