Act Third
King . Heaven be witness, Count, I hold supreme
The wishes of my mother.
Count . And supreme
The duty that you show, great Lord and Sire,
Whose sovereign, god-like thoughts in all transpire.
King . My mother gives me cause of great offense;
She is my mother—that my recompense.
P ELAYO . Apart to Sancho . I say you can come in.
Sancho . I see him now
On whom, Pelayo, I would dower my soul,
The all of life I have to give. Oh sun
Of wide Castile, Trajan compassionate,
Thou true Alcides of our Christian faith
And Cæsar of all Spain!
P ELAYO . Give me no kiddies
For pigs are what I chiefly understand.
Within his hands I read more victories
Than lines are graved therein. Draw near and bow.
Humbly abase yourself before his feet
And kiss that mighty hand.
Sancho . Most glorious Emperor and Sovereign,
O thou unconquered Sun and King of Spain,
Grant me the soles of these thy feet to kiss,
Which for their pillow Granada hold in fee,
Vouchsafed by Heaven in earnest of high favor,
And for their carpet Seville, rich in dies
Of ships and myriad flowers, which deck the banks
Of its eternal river, mirrored in beauty!
Knowest thou me?
King . Some farmer of Galicia
Meseems you are, who here besought my favor.
Sancho . I am, Señor.
King . But do not be afraid.
Sancho . Señor, deeply it grieves me to return,
Making so bold to heap my cares upon you.
No other course was possible to me.
If in persistence I am peasant, Sire,
Then you are Emperor, a Roman Cæsar
Quick to pardon him who humbly seeks
For justice of your royal clemency!
King . Say first what wrong you suffer. Be advised
I bear you well. Ever with me the poor
Hold letters of high favor.
Sancho . Unconquered Sire,
Then those you gave, Don Tello had and read,
By me delivered in Galicia,
Unto the end that he return forthwith
As meet and just, my bride so dearly loved.
But read and not respected, mortal rage
They stirred in him; he would not give me back
The prize I so had loved—not only this,
But a new chastisement bestoweDon me
Because I bore them, and in such treacherous sort
They used us both, this countryman and I,
That right good fortune and a miracle
Was it to escape this side of death, Señor.
I took what steps I might to right the wrong,
Not to return with fresh importuning.
But naught availed to move his stubborn pride.
The priest then spoke for me, who in that land
Wields high authority, and to him spoke
A saint and holy abbot of our faith
In St. Pelayo of Samos resident,
Whose heart was stirred to pity. All was vain;
For none might move him, nor all together joined.
He would not let me see her—this had been salve
And brief assuagement to my burning pain.
Acting on this, again I sought your face,
Image of God, which shines therein resplendent,
That justice might be done to me this day,
Since you reflect his glory!
King . In my own hand
Written and signed? He dared tear up that letter?
Sancho . God would not have my grief insult with falsehood,
Although a crafty tongue had answered yes,
To feed your ire. He read but did not tear it;
Yet now I lie, to read and not comply
With what his King commanded, this was to tear it!
Upon two tables God set down his law.
Does he not break those tables who doth fail
To keep that law? Such is the law of Kings:
That faithlessness be clearly seen and known
Suffice it that respect be torn alone!
King . Can it be possible that noble blood
Runs not within these veins, though daily toil
Oppresses and bears down? From noble lineage
Methinks you spring, as doth in truth appear
From your fair speech and mode of right procedure.
Enough! So shall I with a single stroke
Impose my remedy.—Count! …
Count . Sire and Señor?
King . Enrique!
Don E NRIQUE . Sire!
King . We shall in person to Galicia,
For it behooves us justice should be done—
And let no word of this be known.
Count . Señor …
King . Who speaks? How now? Who dares reply to me?
Station our sentries at the Palace gates;
Command they close the Park.
Count . Open they stand
To all the people.
King . But how shall aught be known.
When those of our own bedchamber do proclaim
That we are ill?
Don E NRIQUE . I am of other mind.
King . It is my purpose. And make no further answer!
Count . Be gone two days and all Castile shall see
What cure you make of your infirmity.
King . Good swains——
Sancho . Great Lord and Sire——
King . Offended sore
At the cruelty, mad violence and rage
Of Tello, here we take upon ourselves
In our own person to do chastisement.
Sancho . You, Sire? It will o'ermuch demean your crown,
Humbling it to the dust.
King Go on before
And look you the bride's father be prepared,
Holding his house against our coming. Breathe
No word of what impends to mortal living.
I charge you this on forfeit of your lives.
Sancho . Who should breathe word, Señor?
King . Hark you, peasant;
Though all the world should question who I am,
You are to say a noble of Castile,
And lay your hand upon your mouth like this—
Take heed and mark me well—and never be
Without these first two fingers on your lips.
P ELAYO . Sire, I shall hold them there so firm and tight
That you shall never see me gape again;
But yet Your Majesty must pity me
While you admire the feat, and grant me leave
To eat from time to time.
King . I do not mean
To have you putting always hand to mouth.
Sancho . Consider, Sire, a peasant's humble honor
Touches you not so near. Despatch some judge,
Some just Alcalde to Galicia
To do your will.
King . The King the greatest Alcalde!
N UÑO . You say that I may see her?
C ELIO . To which intent
My master lord Don Tello gives consent.
N UÑO . What boots it now since the disgrace is mine?
C ELIO. There is no cause for fear; in her combine
Stout heart and courage of resistance, such
As are born to woman, who suffering much
Is much the greater grown.
N UÑO . Shall I opine
That a fair woman may retain her honor
And man have power to wreak his will upon her?
C ELIO . So certain am I, should Elvira choose
Celio for her spouse, none should accuse
Him of suspicion; I would wed her sure
As had she in your house remained secure.
N UÑO . Where do you say the grating is?
C ELIO . Here toward
The tower on this side a window will afford
Full view, whereat she takes her stand, as said.
N UÑO . Methinks I see a form envelopèd
In white, which for my years I scarce descry.
C ELIO . Approach, I go … Should you be seen, why I
Must not be found. Know I have done this thing
Upon your steadfast love's importuning.
N UÑO . Is it you, unhappy child?
E LVIRA . Who should it be but I?
N UÑO . I never thought to see your face again,
Not that these bars confined you prisoner
In cruel duress, but rather in my sight
I held you for dishonored. So foul a thing
Dishonor is in honorable minds,
So vile, so loathsome ugly, even to me
Who brought you to the world, even to me
It must forbid that I should see you more.
Well you preserve your honor, that rich dower
Down handed from your sires, when you have struck
To instant pieces that crystal of great price!
Let her who renders count of her soul's treasure
In faithless wise, call me no more father.
Because a daughter of like infamy—
And all too weak are these the words I speak—
Upon a father has one single claim,
That he shall shed her blood!
E LVIRA . My own dear father,
When those whose loving office is to salve
The dire misfortunes which close hedge me round,
This weary, wasteful siege of watchfulness,
Do but augment my sufferings the more,
Then mine for the first time will mount in sum
To the heavy burden of my outward state;
For, sir, I am your daughter. If the life
Which stirs in me is wholly from you sprung,
From you perforce springs that nobility
Which proudly I repay. This is the truth:—
The tyrant had it in his mind to force me,
But I have known the practice of defense
With courage more than human. Hold up your head
In pride, for rather would I lose my life
Than that this murderer, this homicide
Should triumph o'er my honor, though with force
And cruel hand he holds me here concealed.
N UÑO . Already, daughter, I have freed my heart
From the extreme of jealousy.
E LVIRA . Poor Sancho,
How fares he now, who was to be my spouse?
N UÑO . Perforce he seeks again that famous king,
Alfonso of Castile.
E LVIRA . He is not in the village then?
N UÑO . I look for his return to-day.
E LVIRA . And I
To see him slain!
N UÑO . Such cruelty passes belief.
E LVIRA . He swears by heaven to rend him limb from limb.
N UÑO . Sancho is wise and will protect himself.
E LVIRA . Oh that I had it in my power to leap
Headlong from this high tower into your arms!
N UÑO . Here waiting with a thousand-fold embrace!
E LVIRA . Father, I go; 'tis best. They seek for me.
Farewell, father!
N UÑO . Never to meet again!
I die …
Don T ELLO . How now? With whom, churl, do you speak?
N UÑO . I speak my grief unto these stones, Señor,
Which mourn with me the usage I receive;
For though you imitate the hardened stone
My anxious fears fly ever from relief
Hard following after on the trail of pain
How vainly! For though the stone be hardened stone
Yet heaven has lent it pity.
Don T ELLO . You peasant slaves,
Though you should voice laments and rain down tears
And heap thereon vast store of base invention,
The object of my passion shall not 'scape
From out my hands. You are the tyrants, churls,
Who will not whisper in her ear to yield
And lend occasion to my fixed intent,
For I adore and love her. How can it be,
Dying for her, Elvira dies by me?
What lady, think you, this Elvira is?
Or is she more than a poor farmer's daughter?
You all live by the fields, yet well you say,
Seeing the base subjection of the heart,
There is no lordship like frail beauty's sway
With youth and spirit blended and wise art.
N UÑO . You speak the truth, Señor, so help you God!
Don T ELLO . If she will do her part, I shall in turn
Requite your just deserts.
N UÑO . To hands like these
Must the long-suffering world confide its laws?
The poor shall yield his honor to the rich
And then acclaim him just! Only his will
He holds for law, and he has power to kill!
Don T ELLO . Ho! Celio!
C ELIO . Señor——
Don T ELLO . Lead out Elvira
To the place I have commanded.
C ELIO . Consider, my lord;
Look what you do …
Don T ELLO . He cannot see who's blind.
C ELIO . I pray you be advised; to force her, sir
Were cruelty.
Don T ELLO . Well, had she pitied me
I had not forced her, Celio.
C ELIO . Señor,
Such courage and such chastity are rare
And greatly to be prized.
Don T ELLO . Argue no more
Against my will! An end to misery!
How base in me to suffer such disdain!
Did Tarquin stay to sate his royal lust?
No not an hour, and when the morning came
His torment was assuaged. And shall I wait
Whole days upon a peasant?
C ELIO . Will you haste
And like him suffer equal punishment?
It is not well to ape the evil deed,
Only the good.
Don T ELLO . Or good or ill, to-day
She yields submission of her proud disdain;
Obsession now, love once it may have been.
Elvira is not Tamar; she shall rue it
And I avenge me on her contumely!
J UANA . You are both welcome home.
Sancho . I cannot say how well we are come, although some good may well come out of it, Juana, so it be the will of heaven.
P ELAYO . So it be the will of heaven, Juana, at least it will come out—well, that we have come. Because a horse is obliged to keep his thoughts to himself is no reason, I say, why a man should envy a horse.
J UANA . Do you think they will murder us all?
Sancho . Where is the master?
J UANA . Gone, I think, to speak with Elvira.
Sancho . What? Will Don Tello permit her to talk with him?
J UANA . Through a window in a tower, as Celio said.
Sancho . Does she still remain in the tower?
P ELAYO . It makes no matter anyway, because somebody is coming who will soon make him——
Sancho . Take care, Pelayo.
P ELAYO . I forgot both fingers.
J UANA . Here comes Nuño.
Sancho . Señor!
N UÑO . My son, what news?
Sancho . I return with a lighter heart to your service.
N UÑO . You return with a lighter heart? In what way?
Sancho . I bring a just judge with me.
P ELAYO . We are bringing a judge with us who will——
Sancho . Take care, Pelayo.
P ELAYO . I forgot both fingers.
N UÑO . But has he a large force with him?
Sancho . Two men.
N UÑO . Then I must entreat you to attempt nothing further, my son. The effort will be useless, because a mighty nobleman upon his own estates, where he is provided with arms and vassals and with money, will either twist justice to his liking, or else some night when we are all asleep he will have us murdered in our beds.
P ELAYO . Murdered? Aha! But I like that! Didn't you ever play a trump, man? Why, I tell you Don Tello has led a two spot and—well we hold the ace of spades.
Sancho . Pelayo, have you any sense?
P ELAYO . I forgot both fingers.
Sancho . You must have lodgings made ready for him, master, because he is a right worthy and an honorable man.
P ELAYO . He is so honorable that I might almost say——
Sancho . God help you, fool!
P ELAYO . I forgot both fingers.
I had better not say another word.
N UÑO . Rest yourself, my son. Before we are done, I fear this infatuation will have cost the forfeit of your life.
Sancho . But first I must see the tower where my Elvira is confined. As surely as the sun casts a shadow some trace of her presence must be left behind her at the bars, but if the sun has set and there is none, then I know that my imagination will be able to conjure up an image of its own.
N UÑO . What rare devotion!
J UANA . I verily believe there was never anything like it in the world.
N UÑO . Come here, Pelayo.
P ELAYO . I have to tell the cook something.
N UÑO . Come here, I say.
P ELAYO . I'll be back in a moment.
N UÑO . Come here.
P ELAYO . What do you want?
N UÑO . Who is this Sir Judge, this magistrate that Sancho brings home with him?
P ELAYO . This judge, sir, this magistrate … Oh, we have hooked him!
God help me with a gooDone!
He is a man of excellent fine judgment, pale yet fiery, and tall if somewhat dwarfed of person, with a mouth at the place where he eats and a red beard and a black one too, and if I make no mistake, he is a great doctor, or else he will shortly prove himself to be one, only when he orders people to be bled, it is always somehow at the neck.
N UÑO . Juana, was there ever such a stupid beast?
B RITO . Hurry, Señor Nuño, three gentlemen are dismounting at the door of the house from three fine horses, all with new clothes on, and boots and spurs and plumes waving all over.
N UÑO . So help me God but they are here! What? A judge who wears plumes?
P ELAYO . Oh, there be such, sir, as do plume themselves, though frivolous mayhap, because a sober judge unless he is detained by some important bribery, goes back as impartial to the court again as he came out of it in the first place, which was a matter of course, and then he tells you what he makes out of it.
N UÑO . Who taught this animal this arrant nonsense?
P ELAYO . Have I not just come from court? What is the matter with you?
Sancho . I knew you as soon as I saw you a great way off.
King . Apart to Sancho . Remember, Sancho; no word that I am here.
N UÑO . You are welcome, sir.
King . Who are you?
Sancho . This is Nuño, my father-in-law.
King . Well met, Nuño.
N UÑO . I kiss your feet a thousand times.
King . Let all the laborers be warned, lest Don Tello be advised a judge has come.
N UÑO . Then it will be better in my opinion, if we have them all locked up, so that none may wander from the house.
Sir, my mind misgives me of this business. You have only brought two men. There is not a more powerful lord in all the kingdom, nor none richer nor more headstrong.
King . Nuño, the King's staff is like the thunder—it gives warning where the lightning is about to strike. As you see, I come along to dispense justice for the King.
N UÑO . I behold such god-like worth in your presence as makes me tremble, although I am the wronged.
King . I will take the depositions.
N UÑO . Rest yourself, first, sir, for you have more than time.
King . I have never more than time. Did you arrive home well, Pelayo?
P ELAYO . Yes, my Lord, I arrived home very well. Your Highness remembers——
King . What I told you?
P ELAYO . Yes, to put on the bridle. Your Grace had a pleasant journey?
King . Thanks be to God, a very pleasant journey.
P ELAYO . By my faith, if we ever get through with this business, I have made up my mind to present you with a pig as big as yourself.
Sancho . Silence, you fool!
P ELAYO . A little one then, like I am.
King . Summon your people without further delay.
B RITO . What is your wish, master?
N UÑO . It will be necessary for you to wait a long while till the shepherds have come in from the valleys and the ridges.
King . Those who are here will suffice.—Tell me, who are you?
B RITO . I am Brito, kind sir, a shepherd upon these pastures.
P ELAYO . He is the son of some goatherds attached to the place hereabouts and something near a goat himself by the same token.
King . What know you of Don Tello and this matter of Elvira?
B RITO . Some men carried her off on the night of her wedding day; and they broke down these gates.
King . And you? Who are you?
J UANA . Juana, sir, your servant who waits on Elvira; but now, alas, I know she has lost her honor and her life!
King . And who is this good man?
P ELAYO . My lord, this is Fileno the piper. At night he does nothing but pipe up and down after the witches, all over these ploughed fields; so one night they out and dragged him along behind after them, since when, like a salmon, he has had scales on the bottom.
King . Declare what you know of this.
F ILENO . I was coming in to pipe, sir, and I saw Don Tello give orders not to let the priest come in. And when the wedding was broken off he carried Elvira away with him to his house, and her father and her kin have been there since to see her.
King . Who is this country wench?
P ELAYO . She is Leonora of Cueto, daughter of Pedro Miguel of Cueto, whose grandfather was Nuño of Cueto, while at the same time he had for uncle Martin Cueto, who was olive presser for the entire neighborhood—all of them very noble people. He had two aunts though who were witches, but that was a long time ago, and he had a nephew who was squint-eyed, and he was the first man who planted turnips in Galicia.
King . That will do for the present.—Gentlemen, to rest. We shall pay a visit to Don Tello, yes, this afternoon.
Count . Upon less testimony than this you might well be assured that Sancho has not deceived you. The guilelessness of these folk is the most convincing proof.
King . Let a priest be sent for secretly, and a headsman.
N UÑO . Sancho——
Sancho . Master?
N UÑO . I cannot understand what sort of judge this man is. Without entering a process, he sends for a priest and an executioner.
Sancho . Nuño, I do not understand what he would do.
N UÑO . Even with an armed battalion he could not take him. How much less then with two men!
Sancho . We had better make sure though that he has first food enough to eat. Afterward we shall discover whether or not he is able to go through with the business.
N UÑO . Will they all eat at the same time?
Sancho . I think that the judge will eat by himself and the others will eat afterward together.
N UÑO . Belike his scribe and constable.
Sancho . I think so too.
N UÑO . Juana!
J UANA . Sir?
N UÑO . Spread a clean cloth and look you that four hens be killed without delay, and roast a good fat side of pork. And while it is being flayed put that young, tender turkey on; let it be roasted too, while Fileno goes down into the vault for wine.
P ELAYO . Sunshine and heaven, Nuño, but I must break bread with that judge to-day!
N UÑO . You are the kind who never will learn judgment.
P ELAYO . It is a terrible thing that Kings must always eat alone. That is the reason, I suppose, they are willing to have dogs and fools around.
E LVIRA . Help, help, O heaven! I have no hope on earth
Nor succor …
Don T ELLO . I will kill her!
F ELICIANA . Hold your hand!
Don T ELLO . Have care! I shall forget that nice respect
I owe to you, Feliciana.
F ELICIANA . Yes,
Because I am your sister you accord
What you deny to woman.
Don T ELLO . Pest on the peasant!
She is mad. What? For a base, clownish love
Shall she be wanting in a due respect
Unto her master, out of vanity
And empty pride? She holds a steadfast belief
In her armor of resistance. I come to kill—
Either I slay her or bend her to my will!
C ELIO . I know not whether these be idle fears
Which vex me, lady. Nuño I saw but now
In entertainment of some guests of worth.
The shepherd, Sancho, has returned to town,
While all observe rare caution. With some complaint
Feigned cunningly, no doubt he was despatched
Into Castile; I never saw them act
With equal secrecy.
F ELICIANA . You have not chosen wisely, Celio,
To rest in such suspicion. Ample occasion
To enter boldly and discern the truth
Were sure not wanting.
C ELIO . When he saw me enter
I feared lest Nuño might take quick offense,
For all there bear us ill.
F ELICIANA . Better at once
To warn my brother. The temper of this peasant
Is bold by nature, as being with him born.
You, Celio, remain and guard the gate
And watch if any come.
C ELIO . A haunting dread
Pursues our conscience ever to its harm;
When cruelty exults beyond all bounds
It cries aloud to heaven for revenge.
King . Enter and do as I command.
C ELIO . Who are these people?
King . Knock.
Sancho . This fellow, sir, is a servant of Don Tello's.
King . A word, hidalgo!
C ELIO . Well? What do you want?
King . Go and advise Don Tello I am here,
Making my journey from Castile post-haste
To speak with him.
C ELIO . Whom shall I say?
King . Say I.
C ELIO . Have you no other name than I?
King . Say no.
C ELIO . No more than I, and yet of a good presence?
In faith you have me in a quandary;
I go to tell him I am at the gate.
Don E NRIQUE . He has gone in.
Count . I fear some hot reply;
'Twere better roundly to declare yourself.
King . Indeed it were not, for his guilty fears
Will whisper quickly only I am I,
AnDonly I say I with like import
In all these realms.
C ELIO . I told Don Tello how you were called I,
He being my lord and master. He replies
In that case better turn you back again;
For only he is I by right of rule
And by just law of heaven as of earth
Where he is, and he alone, save him
Who is high God in heaven, anDon earth
The King.
King . Say then an Alcalde of his court
And of his house.
C ELIO . I go to bear this name.
King . Mark well what I have said.
Count . The Squire's perturbed.
Don E NRIQUE . And the name the reason.
Sancho . Nuño is here. Grant license, Sire, I pray,
That he may enter, if so it be your will.
King . Bid him come in, for he shall have a part
In all that passes as he may desire,
In the righting even as the bearing of the wrong.
Sancho . Come, Nuño, approach; you may observe what passes from without.
N UÑO . The mere sight of this villain's house fills me with rage.—Be silent all!
J UANA . You talk, Pelayo, and keep our courage up; he is beside himself.
P ELAYO . I'll show you now how little difference there is between me and a stone.
N UÑO . To come with only two men! Marvellous hardihood!
F ELICIANA . I pray you, sir, consider what you do.
Hold, brother! Whither would you go?
Don T ELLO . Hidalgo,
Are you, perchance, that Alcalde of Castile
Who fain would speak with me?
King . Do you wonder?
Don T ELLO . And not a little, yea, I swear to God,
So you know who I am.
King . In the King's name
How does he differ from our lord the King
Who comes for him?
Don T ELLO . Wide worlds to me. But you—
Where is your wand of justice?
King . In its sheath,
From which it presently shall issue forth
And what will come will come.
Don T ELLO . Only a wand in your sheath? I like that well,
Indeed you do not know me! Unless the King
Against me come with iron bond and brand,
No power throughout the world shall stay my hand!
King . I am the King, thou slave!
P ELAYO . Saint Dominic of Silos!
Don T ELLO . What, Sire? … What! Can it be such state as this
Is the caparison of Spanish might?
You here yourself! In your own person, you?
I humbly ask your pardon.
King . Strip off his arms!
Now by my crown, thou slave, thou shalt respect
The letters of the King.
F ELICIANA . Abate your rigor
I humbly pray, Señor!
King . All prayer is vain.
Bring in the wife of this poor countryman.
Don T ELLO . I pray you, Sire, but she was not his wife.
King . Enough for me that such was her intent.
Is not her father here, who in our presence
Has uttered his complaint?
Don T ELLO . My just death is near.
I have offended God—God and the King!
E LVIRA . The moment my sorrows
To thee might complain,
Castilian Alfonso
Who governs all Spain,
I broke from my prison,
The cell which confined,
To petition thy justice,
Royal mercy to find.
Daughter to Nuño
Of Aibar am I,
In honor and station
Well-known and high
Through all these lands.
Sancho of Roelas
Sought me in love;
My father consenting
His suit did approve.
Don Tello of Neira
By Sancho was served,
Who begged his lord's license
Ere the rite be observed.
He came with his sister,
Our sponsors they stood,
He saw me, he craved me
And foul plot he brewed.
He put off the wedding,
He came to my door
With men bearing weapons
And black masks before.
I was borne to his dwelling,
With treacherous art
He sought to destroy me,
My chaste firmness of heart.
And then from that dwelling
I was haled to a wood,
A farm house adjacent,
A fourth league removed.
There, where only
Was tangle of trees—
Which the sun could not peep through
To be witness with these—
The trees heard my mourning,
My sad, long lament.
My locks tell the story,
What struggles I bent
Against his offending,
And all the flowers know
How I left on their blooming
Fond tresses of woe;
My eyes tell the story,
What tears there I shed
That the hard rock might soften
Like down to the head.
I shall live now in weeping,
How shall she retain
Contentment or pleasure
Whose honor lies slain?
Yet in this I am happy
That here I complain
To the Greatest Alcalde
That governs in Spain.
I plead for his justice,
I beg of his rule
Pity for wronging
So false and so cruel.
This be my petition,
Alfonso, whose feet
My poor lips with kisses
Humbly entreat.
And so may thy offspring
Rule conquered and free
The parts of thy kingdom
The Moor holds in fee,
Through happy war. Poor
My tongue in praise;
But endless song and story
Shall prolong thy days!
King . It grieves my heart to have arrived too late;
I would have come in time to salve these wounds
And right the wrongs of Sancho and of Nuño.
But yet I may do justice, and strike off
The head from Tello.—Send for the headsman!
F ELICIANA . Have pity, Sire, in royal clemency
Upon my brother.
King . Even without this cause,
Defiance and contempt of our own hand,
Our letter and our proper signature,
These had been crimes enough. Humbled to-day
Your pride lies, Tello, shattered at my feet.
Don T ELLO . Although there were a direr penalty,
Unconquered Sire, than the death I now await
I do confess of right it should be mine.
Don E NRIQUE . If humbly in your presence——
Count . Mercy, Sire!
Be moved, for you were nurtured in this land.
F ELICIANA . The Count Don Pedro, Sire, merits the life
Of Tello, a boon in payment of his service.
King . The Count deserves of me a holy love
Such as one bears a father, but it is just
In equal wise the Count should know
What the allegiance he doth owe
Unto my justice, which admits no answer.
Count . Is mercy weakness, Sire?
King . When justice fails and wanders from the mark
No mercy ever sets it right again.
In this divine and human writ agree
With copious example:—traitor that man
Who to his King is niggard of respect
Or absent speaks against his dignity.
Give, Tello, Elvira now that humbled hand,
So shall you expiate your full offense,
Becoming her husband; when they strike off your head
Then she shall marry Sancho, with a dower
Of half your lands and hoarded revenues.
And you, Feliciana, shall be dame
Of this our Court and Queen, until such time
As we shall find by grace a worthy spouse,
To match your noble blood.
N UÑO . I tremble …
P ELAYO . Good … King! …
Sancho . Here ends the comedy “The Greatest Alcalde,”
A history the Chronicle of Spain
Records as true, the Fourth Part of the tale.
The wishes of my mother.
Count . And supreme
The duty that you show, great Lord and Sire,
Whose sovereign, god-like thoughts in all transpire.
King . My mother gives me cause of great offense;
She is my mother—that my recompense.
P ELAYO . Apart to Sancho . I say you can come in.
Sancho . I see him now
On whom, Pelayo, I would dower my soul,
The all of life I have to give. Oh sun
Of wide Castile, Trajan compassionate,
Thou true Alcides of our Christian faith
And Cæsar of all Spain!
P ELAYO . Give me no kiddies
For pigs are what I chiefly understand.
Within his hands I read more victories
Than lines are graved therein. Draw near and bow.
Humbly abase yourself before his feet
And kiss that mighty hand.
Sancho . Most glorious Emperor and Sovereign,
O thou unconquered Sun and King of Spain,
Grant me the soles of these thy feet to kiss,
Which for their pillow Granada hold in fee,
Vouchsafed by Heaven in earnest of high favor,
And for their carpet Seville, rich in dies
Of ships and myriad flowers, which deck the banks
Of its eternal river, mirrored in beauty!
Knowest thou me?
King . Some farmer of Galicia
Meseems you are, who here besought my favor.
Sancho . I am, Señor.
King . But do not be afraid.
Sancho . Señor, deeply it grieves me to return,
Making so bold to heap my cares upon you.
No other course was possible to me.
If in persistence I am peasant, Sire,
Then you are Emperor, a Roman Cæsar
Quick to pardon him who humbly seeks
For justice of your royal clemency!
King . Say first what wrong you suffer. Be advised
I bear you well. Ever with me the poor
Hold letters of high favor.
Sancho . Unconquered Sire,
Then those you gave, Don Tello had and read,
By me delivered in Galicia,
Unto the end that he return forthwith
As meet and just, my bride so dearly loved.
But read and not respected, mortal rage
They stirred in him; he would not give me back
The prize I so had loved—not only this,
But a new chastisement bestoweDon me
Because I bore them, and in such treacherous sort
They used us both, this countryman and I,
That right good fortune and a miracle
Was it to escape this side of death, Señor.
I took what steps I might to right the wrong,
Not to return with fresh importuning.
But naught availed to move his stubborn pride.
The priest then spoke for me, who in that land
Wields high authority, and to him spoke
A saint and holy abbot of our faith
In St. Pelayo of Samos resident,
Whose heart was stirred to pity. All was vain;
For none might move him, nor all together joined.
He would not let me see her—this had been salve
And brief assuagement to my burning pain.
Acting on this, again I sought your face,
Image of God, which shines therein resplendent,
That justice might be done to me this day,
Since you reflect his glory!
King . In my own hand
Written and signed? He dared tear up that letter?
Sancho . God would not have my grief insult with falsehood,
Although a crafty tongue had answered yes,
To feed your ire. He read but did not tear it;
Yet now I lie, to read and not comply
With what his King commanded, this was to tear it!
Upon two tables God set down his law.
Does he not break those tables who doth fail
To keep that law? Such is the law of Kings:
That faithlessness be clearly seen and known
Suffice it that respect be torn alone!
King . Can it be possible that noble blood
Runs not within these veins, though daily toil
Oppresses and bears down? From noble lineage
Methinks you spring, as doth in truth appear
From your fair speech and mode of right procedure.
Enough! So shall I with a single stroke
Impose my remedy.—Count! …
Count . Sire and Señor?
King . Enrique!
Don E NRIQUE . Sire!
King . We shall in person to Galicia,
For it behooves us justice should be done—
And let no word of this be known.
Count . Señor …
King . Who speaks? How now? Who dares reply to me?
Station our sentries at the Palace gates;
Command they close the Park.
Count . Open they stand
To all the people.
King . But how shall aught be known.
When those of our own bedchamber do proclaim
That we are ill?
Don E NRIQUE . I am of other mind.
King . It is my purpose. And make no further answer!
Count . Be gone two days and all Castile shall see
What cure you make of your infirmity.
King . Good swains——
Sancho . Great Lord and Sire——
King . Offended sore
At the cruelty, mad violence and rage
Of Tello, here we take upon ourselves
In our own person to do chastisement.
Sancho . You, Sire? It will o'ermuch demean your crown,
Humbling it to the dust.
King Go on before
And look you the bride's father be prepared,
Holding his house against our coming. Breathe
No word of what impends to mortal living.
I charge you this on forfeit of your lives.
Sancho . Who should breathe word, Señor?
King . Hark you, peasant;
Though all the world should question who I am,
You are to say a noble of Castile,
And lay your hand upon your mouth like this—
Take heed and mark me well—and never be
Without these first two fingers on your lips.
P ELAYO . Sire, I shall hold them there so firm and tight
That you shall never see me gape again;
But yet Your Majesty must pity me
While you admire the feat, and grant me leave
To eat from time to time.
King . I do not mean
To have you putting always hand to mouth.
Sancho . Consider, Sire, a peasant's humble honor
Touches you not so near. Despatch some judge,
Some just Alcalde to Galicia
To do your will.
King . The King the greatest Alcalde!
N UÑO . You say that I may see her?
C ELIO . To which intent
My master lord Don Tello gives consent.
N UÑO . What boots it now since the disgrace is mine?
C ELIO. There is no cause for fear; in her combine
Stout heart and courage of resistance, such
As are born to woman, who suffering much
Is much the greater grown.
N UÑO . Shall I opine
That a fair woman may retain her honor
And man have power to wreak his will upon her?
C ELIO . So certain am I, should Elvira choose
Celio for her spouse, none should accuse
Him of suspicion; I would wed her sure
As had she in your house remained secure.
N UÑO . Where do you say the grating is?
C ELIO . Here toward
The tower on this side a window will afford
Full view, whereat she takes her stand, as said.
N UÑO . Methinks I see a form envelopèd
In white, which for my years I scarce descry.
C ELIO . Approach, I go … Should you be seen, why I
Must not be found. Know I have done this thing
Upon your steadfast love's importuning.
N UÑO . Is it you, unhappy child?
E LVIRA . Who should it be but I?
N UÑO . I never thought to see your face again,
Not that these bars confined you prisoner
In cruel duress, but rather in my sight
I held you for dishonored. So foul a thing
Dishonor is in honorable minds,
So vile, so loathsome ugly, even to me
Who brought you to the world, even to me
It must forbid that I should see you more.
Well you preserve your honor, that rich dower
Down handed from your sires, when you have struck
To instant pieces that crystal of great price!
Let her who renders count of her soul's treasure
In faithless wise, call me no more father.
Because a daughter of like infamy—
And all too weak are these the words I speak—
Upon a father has one single claim,
That he shall shed her blood!
E LVIRA . My own dear father,
When those whose loving office is to salve
The dire misfortunes which close hedge me round,
This weary, wasteful siege of watchfulness,
Do but augment my sufferings the more,
Then mine for the first time will mount in sum
To the heavy burden of my outward state;
For, sir, I am your daughter. If the life
Which stirs in me is wholly from you sprung,
From you perforce springs that nobility
Which proudly I repay. This is the truth:—
The tyrant had it in his mind to force me,
But I have known the practice of defense
With courage more than human. Hold up your head
In pride, for rather would I lose my life
Than that this murderer, this homicide
Should triumph o'er my honor, though with force
And cruel hand he holds me here concealed.
N UÑO . Already, daughter, I have freed my heart
From the extreme of jealousy.
E LVIRA . Poor Sancho,
How fares he now, who was to be my spouse?
N UÑO . Perforce he seeks again that famous king,
Alfonso of Castile.
E LVIRA . He is not in the village then?
N UÑO . I look for his return to-day.
E LVIRA . And I
To see him slain!
N UÑO . Such cruelty passes belief.
E LVIRA . He swears by heaven to rend him limb from limb.
N UÑO . Sancho is wise and will protect himself.
E LVIRA . Oh that I had it in my power to leap
Headlong from this high tower into your arms!
N UÑO . Here waiting with a thousand-fold embrace!
E LVIRA . Father, I go; 'tis best. They seek for me.
Farewell, father!
N UÑO . Never to meet again!
I die …
Don T ELLO . How now? With whom, churl, do you speak?
N UÑO . I speak my grief unto these stones, Señor,
Which mourn with me the usage I receive;
For though you imitate the hardened stone
My anxious fears fly ever from relief
Hard following after on the trail of pain
How vainly! For though the stone be hardened stone
Yet heaven has lent it pity.
Don T ELLO . You peasant slaves,
Though you should voice laments and rain down tears
And heap thereon vast store of base invention,
The object of my passion shall not 'scape
From out my hands. You are the tyrants, churls,
Who will not whisper in her ear to yield
And lend occasion to my fixed intent,
For I adore and love her. How can it be,
Dying for her, Elvira dies by me?
What lady, think you, this Elvira is?
Or is she more than a poor farmer's daughter?
You all live by the fields, yet well you say,
Seeing the base subjection of the heart,
There is no lordship like frail beauty's sway
With youth and spirit blended and wise art.
N UÑO . You speak the truth, Señor, so help you God!
Don T ELLO . If she will do her part, I shall in turn
Requite your just deserts.
N UÑO . To hands like these
Must the long-suffering world confide its laws?
The poor shall yield his honor to the rich
And then acclaim him just! Only his will
He holds for law, and he has power to kill!
Don T ELLO . Ho! Celio!
C ELIO . Señor——
Don T ELLO . Lead out Elvira
To the place I have commanded.
C ELIO . Consider, my lord;
Look what you do …
Don T ELLO . He cannot see who's blind.
C ELIO . I pray you be advised; to force her, sir
Were cruelty.
Don T ELLO . Well, had she pitied me
I had not forced her, Celio.
C ELIO . Señor,
Such courage and such chastity are rare
And greatly to be prized.
Don T ELLO . Argue no more
Against my will! An end to misery!
How base in me to suffer such disdain!
Did Tarquin stay to sate his royal lust?
No not an hour, and when the morning came
His torment was assuaged. And shall I wait
Whole days upon a peasant?
C ELIO . Will you haste
And like him suffer equal punishment?
It is not well to ape the evil deed,
Only the good.
Don T ELLO . Or good or ill, to-day
She yields submission of her proud disdain;
Obsession now, love once it may have been.
Elvira is not Tamar; she shall rue it
And I avenge me on her contumely!
J UANA . You are both welcome home.
Sancho . I cannot say how well we are come, although some good may well come out of it, Juana, so it be the will of heaven.
P ELAYO . So it be the will of heaven, Juana, at least it will come out—well, that we have come. Because a horse is obliged to keep his thoughts to himself is no reason, I say, why a man should envy a horse.
J UANA . Do you think they will murder us all?
Sancho . Where is the master?
J UANA . Gone, I think, to speak with Elvira.
Sancho . What? Will Don Tello permit her to talk with him?
J UANA . Through a window in a tower, as Celio said.
Sancho . Does she still remain in the tower?
P ELAYO . It makes no matter anyway, because somebody is coming who will soon make him——
Sancho . Take care, Pelayo.
P ELAYO . I forgot both fingers.
J UANA . Here comes Nuño.
Sancho . Señor!
N UÑO . My son, what news?
Sancho . I return with a lighter heart to your service.
N UÑO . You return with a lighter heart? In what way?
Sancho . I bring a just judge with me.
P ELAYO . We are bringing a judge with us who will——
Sancho . Take care, Pelayo.
P ELAYO . I forgot both fingers.
N UÑO . But has he a large force with him?
Sancho . Two men.
N UÑO . Then I must entreat you to attempt nothing further, my son. The effort will be useless, because a mighty nobleman upon his own estates, where he is provided with arms and vassals and with money, will either twist justice to his liking, or else some night when we are all asleep he will have us murdered in our beds.
P ELAYO . Murdered? Aha! But I like that! Didn't you ever play a trump, man? Why, I tell you Don Tello has led a two spot and—well we hold the ace of spades.
Sancho . Pelayo, have you any sense?
P ELAYO . I forgot both fingers.
Sancho . You must have lodgings made ready for him, master, because he is a right worthy and an honorable man.
P ELAYO . He is so honorable that I might almost say——
Sancho . God help you, fool!
P ELAYO . I forgot both fingers.
I had better not say another word.
N UÑO . Rest yourself, my son. Before we are done, I fear this infatuation will have cost the forfeit of your life.
Sancho . But first I must see the tower where my Elvira is confined. As surely as the sun casts a shadow some trace of her presence must be left behind her at the bars, but if the sun has set and there is none, then I know that my imagination will be able to conjure up an image of its own.
N UÑO . What rare devotion!
J UANA . I verily believe there was never anything like it in the world.
N UÑO . Come here, Pelayo.
P ELAYO . I have to tell the cook something.
N UÑO . Come here, I say.
P ELAYO . I'll be back in a moment.
N UÑO . Come here.
P ELAYO . What do you want?
N UÑO . Who is this Sir Judge, this magistrate that Sancho brings home with him?
P ELAYO . This judge, sir, this magistrate … Oh, we have hooked him!
God help me with a gooDone!
He is a man of excellent fine judgment, pale yet fiery, and tall if somewhat dwarfed of person, with a mouth at the place where he eats and a red beard and a black one too, and if I make no mistake, he is a great doctor, or else he will shortly prove himself to be one, only when he orders people to be bled, it is always somehow at the neck.
N UÑO . Juana, was there ever such a stupid beast?
B RITO . Hurry, Señor Nuño, three gentlemen are dismounting at the door of the house from three fine horses, all with new clothes on, and boots and spurs and plumes waving all over.
N UÑO . So help me God but they are here! What? A judge who wears plumes?
P ELAYO . Oh, there be such, sir, as do plume themselves, though frivolous mayhap, because a sober judge unless he is detained by some important bribery, goes back as impartial to the court again as he came out of it in the first place, which was a matter of course, and then he tells you what he makes out of it.
N UÑO . Who taught this animal this arrant nonsense?
P ELAYO . Have I not just come from court? What is the matter with you?
Sancho . I knew you as soon as I saw you a great way off.
King . Apart to Sancho . Remember, Sancho; no word that I am here.
N UÑO . You are welcome, sir.
King . Who are you?
Sancho . This is Nuño, my father-in-law.
King . Well met, Nuño.
N UÑO . I kiss your feet a thousand times.
King . Let all the laborers be warned, lest Don Tello be advised a judge has come.
N UÑO . Then it will be better in my opinion, if we have them all locked up, so that none may wander from the house.
Sir, my mind misgives me of this business. You have only brought two men. There is not a more powerful lord in all the kingdom, nor none richer nor more headstrong.
King . Nuño, the King's staff is like the thunder—it gives warning where the lightning is about to strike. As you see, I come along to dispense justice for the King.
N UÑO . I behold such god-like worth in your presence as makes me tremble, although I am the wronged.
King . I will take the depositions.
N UÑO . Rest yourself, first, sir, for you have more than time.
King . I have never more than time. Did you arrive home well, Pelayo?
P ELAYO . Yes, my Lord, I arrived home very well. Your Highness remembers——
King . What I told you?
P ELAYO . Yes, to put on the bridle. Your Grace had a pleasant journey?
King . Thanks be to God, a very pleasant journey.
P ELAYO . By my faith, if we ever get through with this business, I have made up my mind to present you with a pig as big as yourself.
Sancho . Silence, you fool!
P ELAYO . A little one then, like I am.
King . Summon your people without further delay.
B RITO . What is your wish, master?
N UÑO . It will be necessary for you to wait a long while till the shepherds have come in from the valleys and the ridges.
King . Those who are here will suffice.—Tell me, who are you?
B RITO . I am Brito, kind sir, a shepherd upon these pastures.
P ELAYO . He is the son of some goatherds attached to the place hereabouts and something near a goat himself by the same token.
King . What know you of Don Tello and this matter of Elvira?
B RITO . Some men carried her off on the night of her wedding day; and they broke down these gates.
King . And you? Who are you?
J UANA . Juana, sir, your servant who waits on Elvira; but now, alas, I know she has lost her honor and her life!
King . And who is this good man?
P ELAYO . My lord, this is Fileno the piper. At night he does nothing but pipe up and down after the witches, all over these ploughed fields; so one night they out and dragged him along behind after them, since when, like a salmon, he has had scales on the bottom.
King . Declare what you know of this.
F ILENO . I was coming in to pipe, sir, and I saw Don Tello give orders not to let the priest come in. And when the wedding was broken off he carried Elvira away with him to his house, and her father and her kin have been there since to see her.
King . Who is this country wench?
P ELAYO . She is Leonora of Cueto, daughter of Pedro Miguel of Cueto, whose grandfather was Nuño of Cueto, while at the same time he had for uncle Martin Cueto, who was olive presser for the entire neighborhood—all of them very noble people. He had two aunts though who were witches, but that was a long time ago, and he had a nephew who was squint-eyed, and he was the first man who planted turnips in Galicia.
King . That will do for the present.—Gentlemen, to rest. We shall pay a visit to Don Tello, yes, this afternoon.
Count . Upon less testimony than this you might well be assured that Sancho has not deceived you. The guilelessness of these folk is the most convincing proof.
King . Let a priest be sent for secretly, and a headsman.
N UÑO . Sancho——
Sancho . Master?
N UÑO . I cannot understand what sort of judge this man is. Without entering a process, he sends for a priest and an executioner.
Sancho . Nuño, I do not understand what he would do.
N UÑO . Even with an armed battalion he could not take him. How much less then with two men!
Sancho . We had better make sure though that he has first food enough to eat. Afterward we shall discover whether or not he is able to go through with the business.
N UÑO . Will they all eat at the same time?
Sancho . I think that the judge will eat by himself and the others will eat afterward together.
N UÑO . Belike his scribe and constable.
Sancho . I think so too.
N UÑO . Juana!
J UANA . Sir?
N UÑO . Spread a clean cloth and look you that four hens be killed without delay, and roast a good fat side of pork. And while it is being flayed put that young, tender turkey on; let it be roasted too, while Fileno goes down into the vault for wine.
P ELAYO . Sunshine and heaven, Nuño, but I must break bread with that judge to-day!
N UÑO . You are the kind who never will learn judgment.
P ELAYO . It is a terrible thing that Kings must always eat alone. That is the reason, I suppose, they are willing to have dogs and fools around.
E LVIRA . Help, help, O heaven! I have no hope on earth
Nor succor …
Don T ELLO . I will kill her!
F ELICIANA . Hold your hand!
Don T ELLO . Have care! I shall forget that nice respect
I owe to you, Feliciana.
F ELICIANA . Yes,
Because I am your sister you accord
What you deny to woman.
Don T ELLO . Pest on the peasant!
She is mad. What? For a base, clownish love
Shall she be wanting in a due respect
Unto her master, out of vanity
And empty pride? She holds a steadfast belief
In her armor of resistance. I come to kill—
Either I slay her or bend her to my will!
C ELIO . I know not whether these be idle fears
Which vex me, lady. Nuño I saw but now
In entertainment of some guests of worth.
The shepherd, Sancho, has returned to town,
While all observe rare caution. With some complaint
Feigned cunningly, no doubt he was despatched
Into Castile; I never saw them act
With equal secrecy.
F ELICIANA . You have not chosen wisely, Celio,
To rest in such suspicion. Ample occasion
To enter boldly and discern the truth
Were sure not wanting.
C ELIO . When he saw me enter
I feared lest Nuño might take quick offense,
For all there bear us ill.
F ELICIANA . Better at once
To warn my brother. The temper of this peasant
Is bold by nature, as being with him born.
You, Celio, remain and guard the gate
And watch if any come.
C ELIO . A haunting dread
Pursues our conscience ever to its harm;
When cruelty exults beyond all bounds
It cries aloud to heaven for revenge.
King . Enter and do as I command.
C ELIO . Who are these people?
King . Knock.
Sancho . This fellow, sir, is a servant of Don Tello's.
King . A word, hidalgo!
C ELIO . Well? What do you want?
King . Go and advise Don Tello I am here,
Making my journey from Castile post-haste
To speak with him.
C ELIO . Whom shall I say?
King . Say I.
C ELIO . Have you no other name than I?
King . Say no.
C ELIO . No more than I, and yet of a good presence?
In faith you have me in a quandary;
I go to tell him I am at the gate.
Don E NRIQUE . He has gone in.
Count . I fear some hot reply;
'Twere better roundly to declare yourself.
King . Indeed it were not, for his guilty fears
Will whisper quickly only I am I,
AnDonly I say I with like import
In all these realms.
C ELIO . I told Don Tello how you were called I,
He being my lord and master. He replies
In that case better turn you back again;
For only he is I by right of rule
And by just law of heaven as of earth
Where he is, and he alone, save him
Who is high God in heaven, anDon earth
The King.
King . Say then an Alcalde of his court
And of his house.
C ELIO . I go to bear this name.
King . Mark well what I have said.
Count . The Squire's perturbed.
Don E NRIQUE . And the name the reason.
Sancho . Nuño is here. Grant license, Sire, I pray,
That he may enter, if so it be your will.
King . Bid him come in, for he shall have a part
In all that passes as he may desire,
In the righting even as the bearing of the wrong.
Sancho . Come, Nuño, approach; you may observe what passes from without.
N UÑO . The mere sight of this villain's house fills me with rage.—Be silent all!
J UANA . You talk, Pelayo, and keep our courage up; he is beside himself.
P ELAYO . I'll show you now how little difference there is between me and a stone.
N UÑO . To come with only two men! Marvellous hardihood!
F ELICIANA . I pray you, sir, consider what you do.
Hold, brother! Whither would you go?
Don T ELLO . Hidalgo,
Are you, perchance, that Alcalde of Castile
Who fain would speak with me?
King . Do you wonder?
Don T ELLO . And not a little, yea, I swear to God,
So you know who I am.
King . In the King's name
How does he differ from our lord the King
Who comes for him?
Don T ELLO . Wide worlds to me. But you—
Where is your wand of justice?
King . In its sheath,
From which it presently shall issue forth
And what will come will come.
Don T ELLO . Only a wand in your sheath? I like that well,
Indeed you do not know me! Unless the King
Against me come with iron bond and brand,
No power throughout the world shall stay my hand!
King . I am the King, thou slave!
P ELAYO . Saint Dominic of Silos!
Don T ELLO . What, Sire? … What! Can it be such state as this
Is the caparison of Spanish might?
You here yourself! In your own person, you?
I humbly ask your pardon.
King . Strip off his arms!
Now by my crown, thou slave, thou shalt respect
The letters of the King.
F ELICIANA . Abate your rigor
I humbly pray, Señor!
King . All prayer is vain.
Bring in the wife of this poor countryman.
Don T ELLO . I pray you, Sire, but she was not his wife.
King . Enough for me that such was her intent.
Is not her father here, who in our presence
Has uttered his complaint?
Don T ELLO . My just death is near.
I have offended God—God and the King!
E LVIRA . The moment my sorrows
To thee might complain,
Castilian Alfonso
Who governs all Spain,
I broke from my prison,
The cell which confined,
To petition thy justice,
Royal mercy to find.
Daughter to Nuño
Of Aibar am I,
In honor and station
Well-known and high
Through all these lands.
Sancho of Roelas
Sought me in love;
My father consenting
His suit did approve.
Don Tello of Neira
By Sancho was served,
Who begged his lord's license
Ere the rite be observed.
He came with his sister,
Our sponsors they stood,
He saw me, he craved me
And foul plot he brewed.
He put off the wedding,
He came to my door
With men bearing weapons
And black masks before.
I was borne to his dwelling,
With treacherous art
He sought to destroy me,
My chaste firmness of heart.
And then from that dwelling
I was haled to a wood,
A farm house adjacent,
A fourth league removed.
There, where only
Was tangle of trees—
Which the sun could not peep through
To be witness with these—
The trees heard my mourning,
My sad, long lament.
My locks tell the story,
What struggles I bent
Against his offending,
And all the flowers know
How I left on their blooming
Fond tresses of woe;
My eyes tell the story,
What tears there I shed
That the hard rock might soften
Like down to the head.
I shall live now in weeping,
How shall she retain
Contentment or pleasure
Whose honor lies slain?
Yet in this I am happy
That here I complain
To the Greatest Alcalde
That governs in Spain.
I plead for his justice,
I beg of his rule
Pity for wronging
So false and so cruel.
This be my petition,
Alfonso, whose feet
My poor lips with kisses
Humbly entreat.
And so may thy offspring
Rule conquered and free
The parts of thy kingdom
The Moor holds in fee,
Through happy war. Poor
My tongue in praise;
But endless song and story
Shall prolong thy days!
King . It grieves my heart to have arrived too late;
I would have come in time to salve these wounds
And right the wrongs of Sancho and of Nuño.
But yet I may do justice, and strike off
The head from Tello.—Send for the headsman!
F ELICIANA . Have pity, Sire, in royal clemency
Upon my brother.
King . Even without this cause,
Defiance and contempt of our own hand,
Our letter and our proper signature,
These had been crimes enough. Humbled to-day
Your pride lies, Tello, shattered at my feet.
Don T ELLO . Although there were a direr penalty,
Unconquered Sire, than the death I now await
I do confess of right it should be mine.
Don E NRIQUE . If humbly in your presence——
Count . Mercy, Sire!
Be moved, for you were nurtured in this land.
F ELICIANA . The Count Don Pedro, Sire, merits the life
Of Tello, a boon in payment of his service.
King . The Count deserves of me a holy love
Such as one bears a father, but it is just
In equal wise the Count should know
What the allegiance he doth owe
Unto my justice, which admits no answer.
Count . Is mercy weakness, Sire?
King . When justice fails and wanders from the mark
No mercy ever sets it right again.
In this divine and human writ agree
With copious example:—traitor that man
Who to his King is niggard of respect
Or absent speaks against his dignity.
Give, Tello, Elvira now that humbled hand,
So shall you expiate your full offense,
Becoming her husband; when they strike off your head
Then she shall marry Sancho, with a dower
Of half your lands and hoarded revenues.
And you, Feliciana, shall be dame
Of this our Court and Queen, until such time
As we shall find by grace a worthy spouse,
To match your noble blood.
N UÑO . I tremble …
P ELAYO . Good … King! …
Sancho . Here ends the comedy “The Greatest Alcalde,”
A history the Chronicle of Spain
Records as true, the Fourth Part of the tale.
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