calderon de la barca - life is a dream
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he Project Gutenberg EBook of Life Is A Dream, by Pedro Calderon de la Barca
2 in our series by Pedro Calderon de la Barca
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tle: Life Is A Dream
uthor: Pedro Calderon de la Barca
Translated by Denis Florence MacCarthy
elease Date: August, 2004 [EBook #6363]
Yes, we are more than one year ahead of schedule]
his file was first posted on December 1, 2002]
dition: 10
anguage: English
haracter set encoding: ASCII
* START OF THE PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK LIFE IS A DREAM ***
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oduced by Sue Asscher asschers@bigpond.com
ALDERON'S DRAMAS.
FE IS A DREAM.
OW FIRST TRANSLATED FULLY FROM THE SPANISH IN THE METRE
F THE ORIGINAL.
Y
ENIS FLORENCE MAC-CARTHY.
ONDON: HENRY S. KING & CO.,
CORNHILL, AND 12, PATERNOSTER ROW.
73.
NTRODUCTION.
wo of the dramas contained in this volume are the most celebrated of
l Calderon's writings. The first, "La Vida es Sueno", has been
anslated into many languages and performed with success on almost
ery stage in Europe but that of England. So late as the winter of
66-7, in a Russian version, it drew crowded houses to the great
eatre of Moscow; while a few years earlier, as if to give a signal
oof of the reality of its title, and that Life was indeed a Dream,
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e Queen of Sweden expired in the theatre of Stockholm during the
rformance of "La Vida es Sueno". In England the play has been much
udied for its literary value and the exceeding beauty and lyrical
weetness of some passages; but with the exception of a version by
hn Oxenford published in "The Monthly Magazine" for 1842, which
ing in blank verse does not represent the form of the original, no
mplete translation into English has been attempted. Some scenes
anslated with considerable elegance in the metre of the originalere published by Archbishop Trench in 1856; but these comprised only
portion of the graver division of the drama. The present version
the entire play has been made with the advantages which the
thor's long experience in the study and interpretation of Calderon
s enabled him to apply to this master-piece of the great Spanish
oet. All the forms of verse have been preserved; while the
oseness of the translation may be inferred from the fact, that not
nly the whole play but every speech and fragment of a speech are
presented in English in the exact number of lines of the original,ithout the sacrifice, it is to be hoped, of one important idea.
note by Hartzenbusch in the last edition of the drama published at
adrid (1872), tells that "La Vida es Sueno", is founded on a story
hich turns out to be substantially the same as that with which
nglish students are familiar as the foundation of the famous
duction to the "Taming of the Shrew". Calderon found it however in
different work from that in which Shakespeare met with it, or
ther his predecessor, the anonymous author of "The Taming of ahrew", whose work supplied to Shakespeare the materials of his own
medy.
n this subject Malone thus writes. "The circumstance on which the
duction to the anonymous play, as well as to the present Comedy
hakespeare's "Taming of the Shrew"], is founded, is related (as
angbaine has observed) by Heuterus, "Rerum Burgund." lib. iv. The
rliest English original of this story in prose that I have met with
the following, which is found in Goulart's "Admirable andemorable Histories", translated by E. Grimstone, quarto, 1607; but
is tale (which Goulart translated from Heuterus) had undoubtedly
peared in English, in some other shape, before 1594:
hilip called the good Duke of Burgundy, in the memory of our
cestors, being at Bruxelles with his Court, and walking one night
ter supper through the streets, accompanied by some of his
vourites, he found lying upon the stones a certaine artisan that
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as very dronke, and that slept soundly. It pleased the prince in
is artisan to make trial of the vanity of our life, whereof he had
fore discoursed with his familiar friends. He therefore caused
is sleeper to be taken up, and carried into his palace; he commands
m to be layed in one of the richest beds; a riche night cap to be
ven him; his foule shirt to be taken off, and to have another put
n him of fine holland. When as this dronkard had digested his wine,
d began to awake, behold there comes about his bed Pages androomes of the Duke's Chamber, who drawe the curteines, make many
urtesies, and being bare-headed, aske him if it please him to rise,
d what apparell it would please him to put on that day. They bring
m rich apparell. This new Monsieur amazed at such courtesie, and
oubting whether he dreamt or waked, suffered himselfe to be drest,
d led out of the chamber. There came noblemen which saluted him
ith all honour, and conduct him to the Masse, where with great
remonie they give him the booke of the Gospell, and the Pixe to
sse, as they did usually to the Duke. From the Masse they bringm back unto the pallace; he washes his hands, and sittes down at
e table well furnished. After dinner, the Great Chamberlain
mmands cards to be brought with a great summe of money. This Duke
imagination playes with the chief of the Court. Then they carry
m to walke in the gardein, and to hunt the hare, and to hawke.
hey bring him back into the pallace, where he sups in state.
andles being light the musitions begin to play; and the tables taken
way, the gentlemen and gentlewomen fell to dancing. Then they
ayed a pleasant comedie, after which followed a Banket, whereatey had presently store of Ipocras and pretious wine, with all sorts
confitures, to this prince of the new impression; so as he was
onke, and fell soundlie asleepe. Hereupon the Duke commanded that
should be disrobed of all his riche attire. He was put into his
d ragges, and carried into the same place, where he had been found
e night before; where he spent that night. Being awake in the
orning, he began to remember what had happened before; he knewe not
hether it were true indeede, or a dream that had troubled his
aine. But in the end, after many discourses, he concludes that ALLAS BUT A DREAME that had happened unto him; and so entertained his
ife, his children, and his neighbours, without any other
prehension."
is curious to find that the same anecdote which formed the
duction to the original "Taming of a Shrew", and which, from a
mic point of view, Shakespeare so wonderfully developed in his own
medy, Calderon invested with such solemn and sublime dignity in "La
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ida es Sueno". He found it, as Senor Hartzenbusch points out in the
ition of 1872 already quoted, in the very amusing "Viage
ntretenido" of Augustin de Rojas, which was first published in 1603.
artzenbusch refers to the modern edition of Rojas, Madrid, 1793,
mo I, pp. 261, 262, 263, but in a copy of the Lerida edition of
615, in my own possession, I find the anecdote at folios 118, 119,
20. There are some slight differences between the version of Rojas
d that of Goulart, but the incidents and the persons are the same.he conclusion to which the artizan arrived at, in the version of
oulart, that all had been a dream, is expressed more strongly by the
uke himself in the story as told by Rojas.
Y dijo entonces el Duque: 'veis aqui, amigos, "Lo que es el Mundo:
odo es un Sueno", pues esto verdaderamente ha pasado por este, como
beis visto, y le parece que lo ha sonado.'" --
he story in all probability came originally from the East. Mr. Lanehis translation of the Thousand and One Nights gives a very
teresting narrative which he believes to be founded on an
storical fact in which Haroun Al Raschid plays the part of the good
uke of Burgundy, and Abu-l-Hasan the original of Christopher Sly.
he gravity of the treatment and certain incidents in this Oriental
ory recall more strongly Calderon's drama than the Induction to the
Taming of the Shrew". "La Vida es Sueno" was first published either
the end of 1635 or beginning of 1636.
he "Aprobacion" for its publication along with eleven other dramas
ot nine as Archbishop Trench has stated), was signed on the 6th of
ovember in the former year by the official licenser, Juan Bautista
Sossa. The volume was edited by the poet's brother, Don Joseph
alderon. So scarce has this first authorised collection of any of
alderon's dramas become, that a Spanish writer Don Vicente Garcia de
Huerta, in his "Teatro Espanol" (Parte Segunda, tomo 3o), denies
e existence of this volume of 1635, and states that it did not
pear until 1640. As if to corroborate this view, Barrera in hisCatalogo del Teatro antiguo Espanol" gives the date 1640 to the
rimera parte de comedias de Calderon" edited by his brother Joseph.
here can be no doubt, however, that the volume appeared in 1635 or
636 as stated. In 1637 Don Joseph Calderon published the "Second
art" of his brother's dramas containing like the former volume
welve plays.* In his dedication of this volume to D. Rodrigo de
endoza, Joseph Calderon expressly alludes to the First Part of his
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other's comedies which he had "printed." "En la primera Parte,
xcellentissimo Senor, de las comedias que imprimi de Don Pedro
alderon de La Barca, mi hermano," etc. This of course settles the
ct of the prior publication of the first Part. It is singular,
owever, to find that the most famous of all Calderon's dramas should
ve been frequently ascribed to Lope de Vega. So late as 1857 it is
ven in an Italian version by Giovanni La Cecilia, under the title
"La Vita e un Sogno", as a drama of Lope de Vega, with the date628. This of course is a mistake, but Senor Hartzenbusch, who makes
o allusion to this circumstance, admits that two dramas of Lope de
ega, which it is presumed preceded the composition of Calderon's
ay turn on very nearly the same incidents as those of "La Vida es
ueno". These are "Lo que ha de ser", and "Barlan y Josafa". He
ves a passage from each of these dramas which seem to be the germ
the fine lament of Sigismund, which the reader will find
anslated in the present volume.
ootnote] *In the library of the British Museum there is a fine copy
this "Segunda Parte de Comedias de Don Pedro Calderon de la Barca"
adrid, 1637. Mr. Ticknor mentions (1863) that he too had a copy of
is interesting volume.
enor Hartzenbusch, in the edition of Calderon's "La Vida es Sueno",
ready referred to (Madrid, 1872), prints the passages from Lope de
ega's two dramas, but in neither of them, he justly remarks, can we
nd anything that at all corresponds to this "grandioso caracter deegismundo."
he second drama in this volume, "The Wonderful Magician", is perhaps
tter known to poetical students in England than even the first,
om the spirited fragment Shelley has left us in his "Scenes from
alderon." The preoccupation of a subject by a great master throws
mmense difficulties in the way of any one who ventures to follow in
e same path: but as Shelley allowed himself great licence in his
rsification, and either from carelessness or an imperfect knowledgeSpanish is occasionally unfaithful to the meaning of his author,
may be hoped in my own version that strict fidelity both as to the
rm as well as substance of the original may be some compensation
r the absence of those higher poetical harmonies to which many of
y readers will have been accustomed.
El Magico Prodigioso" appeared for the first time in the same volume
"La Vida es Sueno", prepared for publication in 1635 by Don Joseph
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alderon. The translation is comprised in the same number of lines
the original, and all the preceding remarks on "Life is a Dream",
hether in reference to the period of the first publication of the
ama in Spain, or the principles I kept in view while attempting
is version may be applied to it. As in the Case of "Life is a
ream", "The Wonderful Magician" has previously been translated
tire by an English writer, ("Justina", by J.H. 1848); but as
rchbishop Trench truly observes, "the writer did not possess thatmmand of the resources of the English language, which none more
an Calderon requires."
he Legend on which Calderon founded "El Magico Prodigioso" will be
und in Surius, "De probatis Sanctorum historiis", t. V. (Col. Agr.
74), p. 351: "Vita et Martyrium SS. Cypriani et Justinae, autore
meone Metaphraste", and in Chapter cxlii, of the "Legenda Aurea" of
cobus de Voragine "De Sancta Justina virgine".
he martyrdom of the Saints took place in the year 290, and their
stival is celebrated by the Church on the 26th of September.
r. Ticknor in his History of Spanish Literature, 1863, volume ii. p.
69, says that the Wonder-working Magician is founded on "the same
gend on which Milman has founded his 'Martyr of Antioch.'" This is
mistake of the learned writer. "The Martyr of Antioch" is founded
ot on the history of St. Justina but of Saint Margaret, as Milman
mself expressly states. Chapter xciii., "De Sancta Margareta", ine "Legenda Aurea" of Jacobus de Voragine contains her story.
he third translation in this volume is that of "The Purgatory of St.
atrick". This, though perhaps not so famous as the two preceding
amas, is intended to be given by Don P. De la Escosura, in a
lection of Calderon's finest "comedias", now being edited by him
r the Spanish Academy, as the representative piece of its class --
mely, the mystical drama founded on the lives of Saints. Mr.
cknor prefers it to the more celebrated "Devotion of the Cross,"d says that it "is commonly ranked among the best religious plays
the Spanish theatre in the seventeenth century."
all that relates to the famous cave known through the middle ages
the "Purgatory of Saint Patrick", as well as the Story of Luis
nius -- the Owain Miles of Ancient English poetry -- Calderon was
tirely indebted to the little volume published at Madrid, in 1627,
y Juan Perez de Montalvan, entitled "Vida y Purgatorio de San
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atricio". This singular work met with immense success. It went
rough innumerable editions, and continues to be reprinted in Spain
a chap-book, down to the present day. I have the fifth impression
mproved and enlarged by the author himself," Madrid, 1628, the year
ter its first appearance: also a later edition, Madrid, 1664. As
rly as 1637 a French translation appeared at Brussels by "F. A. S.
hartreux, a Bruxelles." In 1642 a second French translation was
ublished at Troyes, by "R. P. Francois Bouillon, de l'Ordre de S.ancois, et Bachelier de Theologie." Mr. Thomas Wright in his
Essay on St. Patrick's Purgatory," London, 1844, makes the singular
istake of supposing that Bouillon's "Histoire de la Vie et
urgatoire de S. Patrice" was founded on the drama of Calderon, it
ing simply a translation of Montalvan's "Vida y Purgatorio," from
hich, like itself, Calderon's play was derived. Among other
anslations of Montalvan's work may be mentioned one in Dutch
russels, 1668) and one in Portuguese (Lisbon, 1738). It was also
anslated into German and Italian, but I find no mention of annglish version. For this reason I have thought that a few extracts
ight be interesting, as showing how closely Calderon adhered even to
e language of his predecessor.
all that relates to the Purgatory, Montalvan's work is itself
iefly compiled from the "Florilegium Insulae Sanctorum, seu vitae
Actae sanctorum Hiberniae," Paris, 1624, fol. This work, which
s now become scarce, was written by Thomas Messingham an Irish
iest, the Superior of the Irish Seminary in Paris. No completenglish version appears to have been made of it, but a small tract in
nglish containing everything in the original work that referred to
. Patrick's Purgatory was published at Paris in 1718. As this
act is perhaps more scarce than even the Florilegium itself, the
count of the Purgatory as given by Messingham from the MS. of Henry
Saltrey is reprinted in the notes to this drama in the quaint
nguage of the anonymous translator. Of this tract, "printed at
aris in 1718" without the name of author, publisher or printer, I
ve not been able to trace another copy. In other points ofterest connected with Calderon's drama, particularly to the
earing up of the difficulty hitherto felt as to the confused list
authorities at the end, the reader is also referred to the notes.
he present version of "The Purgatory of Saint Patrick" is, with the
ception of a few unimportant lines, an entirely new translation.
is made with the utmost care, imitating all the measures and
ntained, like the two preceding dramas, in the exact number of
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nes of the original. One passage of the translation which I
ublished in 1853 is retained in the notes, as a tribute of respect
the memory of the late John Rutter Chorley, it having been
entioned with praise by that eminent Spanish scholar in an elaborate
view of my earlier translations from Calderon, which appeared in
e "Athenaeum", Nov. 19 and Nov. 26, 1853.
only remains to add that the text I have followed is that ofartzenbusch in his edition of Calderon's Comedias, Madrid, 1856
Biblioteca de Autores Espanoles"). His arrangement of the scenes
s been followed throughout, thus enabling the reader in a moment to
rify for himself the exactness of the translation by a reference to
e original, a crucial test which I rather invite than decline.
LAPHAM PARK, Easter, 1873.
FE IS A DREAM.
O
ON JUAN EUGENIO HARTZENBUSCH,
OET, DRAMATIST, NOVELIST, AND CRITIC,
HE MOST ILLUSTRIOUS OF LIVING SPANISH WRITERS,
HIS TRANSLATION
NTO ENGLISH IMITATIVE VERSE
F
ALDERON'S MOST FAMOUS DRAMA,
INSCRIBED,ITH THE ESTEEM AND REGARD
F
HE AUTHOR.
ERSONS.
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* * * * *
ASILIUS, King of Poland.
GISMUND, his Son.
STOLFO, Duke of Muscovy.
LOTALDO, a Nobleman.
STRELLA, a Princess.
OSAURA, a Lady.LARIN, her Servant.
oldiers.
uards.
usicians.
ttendants.
adies.
ervants.
* * * * *
he Scene is in the Court of Poland, in a fortress at some distance,
d in the open field.
FE IS A DREAM.
* * * * *
CT THE FIRST.
t one side a craggy mountain, at the other a tower, the lower part
which serves as the prison of Sigismund. The door facing the
ectators is half open. The action commences at nightfall.
CENE I.
OSAURA, CLARIN.
OSAURA in man's attire appears on the rocky heights and descends to
e plain. She is followed by CLARIN.
OSAURA. Wild hippogriff swift speeding,
hou that dost run, the winged winds exceeding,
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olt which no flash illumes,
sh without scales, bird without shifting plumes,
nd brute awhile bereft
f natural instinct, why to this wild cleft,
his labyrinth of naked rocks, dost sweep
nreined, uncurbed, to plunge thee down the steep?
ay in this mountain wold,
nd let the beasts their Phaeton behold.or I, without a guide,
ave what the laws of destiny decide,
enighted, desperate, blind.
ake any path whatever that doth wind
own this rough mountain to its base,
hose wrinkled brow in heaven frowns in the sun's bright face.
h, Poland! in ill mood
ast thou received a stranger, since in blood
he name thou writest on thy sandsf her who hardly here fares hardly at thy hands.
y fate may well say so:--
ut where shall one poor wretch find pity in her woe?
LARIN. Say two, if you please;
on't leave me out when making plaints like these.
or if we are the two
ho left our native country with the view
f seeking strange adventures, if we behe two who, madly and in misery,
ave got so far as this, and if we still
re the same two who tumbled down this hill,
oes it not plainly to a wrong amount,
o put me in the pain and not in the account?
OSAURA. I do not wish to impart,
arin, to thee, the sorrows of my heart;
ourning for thee would spoil the consolationf making for thyself thy lamentation;
or there is such a pleasure in complaining,
hat a philosopher I've heard maintaining
ne ought to seek a sorrow and be vain of it,
order to be privileged to complain of it.
LARIN. That same philosopher
as an old drunken fool, unless I err:
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h, that I could a thousand thumps present him,
order for complaining to content him!
ut what, my lady, say,
re we to do, on foot, alone, our way
ost in the shades of night?
or see, the sun descends another sphere to light.
OSAURA. So strange a misadventure who has seen?ut if my sight deceives me not, between
hese rugged rocks, half-lit by the moon's ray
nd the declining day,
seems, or is it fancy? that I see
human dwelling?
LARIN. So it seems to me,
nless my wish the longed-for lodging mocks.
OSAURA. A rustic little palace 'mid the rocks
plifts its lowly roof,
carce seen by the far sun that shines aloof.
f such a rude device
the whole structure of this edifice,
hat lying at the feet
f these gigantic crags that rise to greet
he sun's first beams of gold,
seems a rock that down the mountain rolled.
LARIN. Let us approach more near,
or long enough we've looked at it from here;
hen better we shall see
those who dwell therein will generously
welcome give us.
OSAURA. See an open door
unereal mouth 'twere best the name it bore),om which as from a womb
he night is born, engendered in its gloom.
he sound of chains is heard within.]
LARIN. Heavens! what is this I hear?
OSAURA. Half ice, half fire, I stand transfixed with fear.
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LARIN. A sound of chains, is it not?
ome galley-slave his sentence here hath got;
y fear may well suggest it so may be.
* * * * *
CENE II.
GISMUND, [in the tower.] ROSAURA, CLARIN.
GISMUND [within]. Alas! Ah, wretched me! Ah, wretched me!
OSAURA. Oh what a mournful wail!gain my pains, again my fears prevail.
LARIN. Again with fear I die.
OSAURA. Clarin!
LARIN. My lady!
OSAURA. Let us turn and flyhe risks of this enchanted tower.
LARIN. For one,
carce have strength to stand, much less to run.
OSAURA. Is not that glimmer there afar --
hat dying exhalation -- that pale star --
tiny taper, which, with trembling blaze
ickering 'twixt struggling flames and dying rays,ith ineffectual spark
akes the dark dwelling place appear more dark?
es, for its distant light,
eflected dimly, brings before my sight
dungeon's awful gloom,
ay rather of a living corse, a living tomb;
nd to increase my terror and surprise,
rest in the skins of beasts a man there lies:
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piteous sight,
hained, and his sole companion this poor light.
nce then we cannot fly,
et us attentive to his words draw nigh,
hatever they may be.
he doors of the tower open wide, and SIGISMUND is discovered in
ains and clad in the skins of beasts. The light in the towercreases.]
GISMUND. Alas! Ah, wretched me! Ah, wretched me!
eaven, here lying all forlorn,
desire from thee to know,
nce thou thus dost treat me so,
hy have I provoked thy scorn
y the crime of being born?--
hough for being born I feeleaven with me must harshly deal,
nce man's greatest crime on earth
the fatal fact of birth --
n supreme without appeal.
his alone I ponder o'er,
y strange mystery to pierce through;
eaving wholly out of view
erms my hapless birthday bore,
ow have I offended more,hat the more you punish me?
ust not other creatures be
orn? If born, what privilege
an they over me allege
f which I should not be free?
rds are born, the bird that sings,
chly robed by Nature's dower,
carcely floats -- a feathered flower,
r a bunch of blooms with wings --hen to heaven's high halls it springs,
uts the blue air fast and free,
nd no longer bound will be
y the nest's secure control:--
nd with so much more of soul,
ust I have less liberty?
easts are born, the beast whose skin
appled o'er with beauteous spots,
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s when the great pencil dots
eaven with stars, doth scarce begin
om its impulses within--
ature's stern necessity,
o be schooled in cruelty,--
onster, waging ruthless war:--
nd with instincts better far
ust I have less liberty?sh are born, the spawn that breeds
here the oozy sea-weeds float,
carce perceives itself a boat,
caled and plated for its needs,
hen from wave to wave it speeds,
easuring all the mighty sea,
esting its profundity
o its depths so dark and chill:--
nd with so much freer will,ust I have less liberty?
reams are born, a coiled-up snake
hen its path the streamlet finds,
carce a silver serpent winds
Mong the flowers it must forsake,
ut a song of praise doth wake,
ournful though its music be,
o the plain that courteously
pes a path through which it flies:--nd with life that never dies,
ust I have less liberty?
hen I think of this I start,
etna-like in wild unrest
would pluck from out my breast
t by bit my burning heart:--
or what law can so depart
om all right, as to deny
ne lone man that liberty --hat sweet gift which God bestows
n the crystal stream that flows,
rds and fish that float or fly?
OSAURA. Fear and deepest sympathy
o I feel at every word.
GISMUND. Who my sad lament has heard?
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hat! Clotaldo!
LARIN [aside to his mistress]. Say 'tis he.
OSAURA. No, 'tis but a wretch (ah, me!)
ho in these dark caves and cold
ears the tale your lips unfold.
GISMUND. Then you'll die for listening so,
hat you may not know I know
hat you know the tale I told.
eizes her.]
es, you'll die for loitering near:
these strong arms gaunt and grim
will tear you limb from limb.
LARIN. I am deaf and couldn't hear:--
o!
OSAURA. If human heart you bear,
is enough that I prostrate me.
t thy feet, to liberate me!
GISMUND. Strange thy voice can so unbend me,range thy sight can so suspend me,
nd respect so penetrate me!
ho art thou? for though I see
ttle from this lonely room,
his, my cradle and my tomb.
eing all the world to me,
nd if birthday it could be,
nce my birthday I have known
ut this desert wild and lone,here throughout my life's sad course
have lived, a breathing corse,
have moved, a skeleton;
nd though I address or see
ever but one man alone,
ho my sorrows all hath known,
nd through whom have come to me
otions of earth, sky, and sea;
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nd though harrowing thee again,
nce thou'lt call me in this den,
onster fit for bestial feasts,
m a man among wild beasts,
nd a wild beast amongst men.
ut though round me has been wrought
ll this woe, from beasts I've learned
olity, the same discernedeeding what the birds had taught,
nd have measured in my thought
he fair orbits of the spheres;
ou alone, 'midst doubts and fears,
ake my wonder and surprise --
ive amazement to my eyes,
dmiration to my ears.
very time your face I see
ou produce a new amaze:fter the most steadfast gaze,
again would gazer be.
believe some hydropsy
ust affect my sight, I think
eath must hover on the brink
f those wells of light, your eyes,
or I look with fresh surprise,
nd though death result, I drink.
et me see and die: forgive me;or I do not know, in faith,
to see you gives me death,
hat to see you not would give me;
omething worse than death would grieve me,
nger, rage, corroding care,
eath, but double death it were,
eath with tenfold terrors rife,
nce what gives the wretched life,
ives the happy death, despair!
OSAURA. Thee to see wakes such dismay,
hee to hear I so admire,
hat I'm powerless to inquire,
hat I know not what to say:
nly this, that I to-day,
uided by a wiser will,
ave here come to cure my ill,
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ere consoled my grief to see,
a wretch consoled can be
eeing one more wretched still.
f a sage, who roamed dejected,
oor, and wretched, it is said,
hat one day, his wants being fed
y the herbs which he collected,
s there one" (he thus reflected)oorer than I am to-day?"
urning round him to survey,
e his answer got, detecting
still poorer sage collecting
ven the leaves he threw away.
hus complaining to excess,
ourning fate, my life I led,
nd when thoughtlessly I said
o myself, "Does earth possessne more steeped in wretchedness?"
n thee the answer find.
nce revolving in my mind,
perceive that all my pains
o become thy joyful gains
hou hast gathered and entwined.
nd if haply some slight solace
y these pains may be imparted,*
ear attentively the storyf my life's supreme disasters.
am ....
ootnote] *The metre changes here to the vocal "asonante" in "a--e",
d continues to the end of the Fourth Scene.
* * * * *
CENE III.
LOTALDO, Soldiers, SIGISMUND, ROSAURA, CLARIN.
LOTALDO [within]. Warders of this tower,
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ho, or sleeping or faint-hearted,
ive an entrance to two persons
ho herein have burst a passage . . . .
OSAURA. New confusion now I suffer.
GISMUND. 'Tis Clotaldo, who here guards me;
re not yet my miseries ended?
LOTALDO [within]. Hasten hither, quick! be active!
nd before they can defend them,
ill them on the spot, or capture!
Voices within.] Treason!
LARIN. Watchguards of this tower,
ho politely let us pass here,nce you have the choice of killing
r of capturing, choose the latter.
nter CLOTALDO and Soldiers; he with a pistol, and all with their
ces covered.]
LOTALDO [aside to the Soldiers]. Keep your faces all well covered,
or it is a vital matter
hat we should be known by no one,hile I question these two stragglers.
LARIN. Are there masqueraders here?
LOTALDO. Ye who in your ignorant rashness
ave passed through the bounds and limits
f this interdicted valley,
ainst the edict of the King,
ho has publicly commandedone should dare descry the wonder
hat among these rocks is guarded,
ield at once your arms and lives,
r this pistol, this cold aspic
ormed of steel, the penetrating
oison of two balls will scatter,
he report and fire of which
ill the air astound and startle.
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GISMUND. Ere you wound them, ere you hurt them,
ill my life, O tyrant master,
e the miserable victim
f these wretched chains that clasp me;
nce in them, I vow to God,
will tear myself to fragments
ith my hands, and with my teeth,these rocks here, in these caverns,
e I yield to their misfortunes,
r lament their sad disaster.
LOTALDO. If you know that your misfortunes,
gismund, are unexampled,
nce before being born you died
y Heaven's mystical enactment;
you know these fetters aref your furies oft so rampant
ut the bridle that detains them,
ut the circle that contracts them.
hy these idle boasts? The door
o the Soldiers.]
f this narrow prison fasten;
eave him there secured.
GISMUND. Ah, heavens,is wise of you to snatch me
hus from freedom! since my rage
ainst you had become Titanic,
nce to break the glass and crystal
old-gates of the sun, my anger
n the firm-fixed rocks' foundations
ould have mountains piled of marble.
LOTALDO. 'Tis that you should not so pile themhat perhaps these ills have happened,
ome of the SOLDIERS lead SIGISMUND into his prison, the doors of
hich are closed upon him.]
* * * * *
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CENE IV.
OSAURA, CLOTALDO, CLARIN, Soldiers.
OSAURA. Since I now have seen how pride
an offend thee, I were hardenedure in folly not here humbly
t thy feet for life to ask thee;
hen to me extend thy pity,
nce it were a special harshness
humility and pride,
oth alike were disregarded.
LARIN. If Humility and Pride
hose two figures who have actedany and many a thousand times
the "autos sacramentales",
o not move you, I, who am neither
oud nor humble, but a sandwich
artly mixed of both, entreat you
o extend to us your pardon.
LOTALDO. Ho!
OLDIERS. My lord?
LOTALDO. Disarm the two,
nd their eyes securely bandage,
o that they may not be able
o see whither they are carried.
OSAURA. This is, sir, my sword; to thee
nly would I wish to hand it,nce in fine of all the others
hou art chief, and I could hardly
ield it unto one less noble.
LARIN. Mine I'll give the greatest rascal
f your troop: [To a Soldier.] so take it, you.
OSAURA. And if I must die, to thank thee
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or thy pity, I would leave thee
his as pledge, which has its value
om the owner who once wore it;
hat thou guard it well, I charge thee,
or although I do not know
hat strange secret it may carry,
his I know, that some great mystery
es within this golden scabbard,nce relying but on it
o Poland here have travelled
o revenge a wrong.
LOTALDO [aside.] Just heavens!
hat is this? Still graver, darker,
row my doubts and my confusion,
y anxieties and my anguish.--
peak, who gave you this?
OSAURA. A woman.
LOTALDO. And her name?
OSAURA. To that my answer
ust be silence.
LOTALDO. But from whato you now infer, or fancy,
hat this sword involves a secret?
OSAURA. She who gave it said: "Depart hence
to Poland, and by study,
ratagem, and skill so manage
hat this sword may be inspected
y the nobles and the magnates
f that land, for you, I know,ill by one of them be guarded,"--
ut his name, lest he was dead,
as not then to me imparted.
LOTALDO [aside]. Bless me, Heaven! what's this I hear?
or so strangely has this happened,
hat I cannot yet determine
'tis real or imagined.
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his is the same sword that I
eft with beauteous Violante,
s a pledge unto its wearer,
ho might seek me out thereafter,
s a son that I would love him,
nd protect him as a father.
hat is to be done (ah, me!)
confusion so entangled,he who for safety bore it
ears it now but to dispatch him,
nce condemned to death he cometh
o my feet? How strange a marvel!
hat a lamentable fortune!
ow unstable! how unhappy!
his must be my son -- the tokens
ll declare it, superadded
o the flutter of the heart,hat to see him loudly rappeth
t the breast, and not being able
ith its throbs to burst its chamber,
oes as one in prison, who,
earing tumult in the alley,
rives to look from out the window;
hus, not knowing what here passes
ave the noise, the heart uprusheth
o the eyes the cause to examine --hey the windows of the heart,
ut through which in tears it glances.
hat is to be done? (O Heavens!)
hat is to be done? To drag him
ow before the King were death;
ut to hide him from my master,
hat I cannot do, according
o my duty as a vassal.
hus my loyalty and self-lovepon either side attack me;
ach would win. But wherefore doubt?
not loyalty a grander,
obler thing than life, than honour?
hen let loyalty live, no matter
hat he die; besides, he told me,
I well recall his language,
hat he came to revenge a wrong,
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ut a wronged man is a lazar,--
o, he cannot be my son,
ot the son of noble fathers.
ut if some great chance, which no one
an be free from, should have happened,
nce the delicate sense of honour
a thing so fine, so fragile,
hat the slightest touch may break it,r the faintest breath may tarnish,
hat could he do more, do more,
e whose cheek the blue blood mantles,
ut at many risks to have come here
again to re-establish?
es, he is my son, my blood,
nce he shows himself so manly.
nd thus then betwixt two doubts
mid course alone is granted:is to seek the King, and tell him
ho he is, let what will happen.
desire to save my honour
ay appease my royal master;
hould he spare his life, I then
ill assist him in demanding
is revenge; but if the King
hould, persisting in his anger,
ive him death, then he will dieithout knowing I'm his father.--
o ROSAURA and CLARIN.]
ome, then, come then with me, strangers.
o not fear in your disasters
hat you will not have companions
misfortune; for so balanced
re the gains of life or death,
hat I know not which are larger.
xeunt.]
* * * * *
CENE V.
HALL IN THE ROYAL PALACE.
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nter at one side ASTOLFO and Soldiers, and at the other the INFANTA
STRELLA and her Ladies. Military music and salutes within.]
STOLFO. Struck at once with admiration
t thy starry eyes outshining,
ingle many a salutation,
rums and trumpet-notes combining,ounts and birds in alternation;
ondering here to see thee pass,
usic in grand chorus gathers
ll her notes from grove and grass:
ere are trumpets formed of feathers,
here are birds that breathe in brass.
ll salute thee, fair Senora,
rdnance as their Queen proclaim thee,
eauteous birds as their Aurora,s their Pallas trumpets name thee,
nd the sweet flowers as their Flora;
or Aurora sure thou art,
right as day that conquers night --
hine is Flora's peaceful part,
hou art Pallas in thy might,
nd as Queen thou rul'st my heart.
STRELLA. If the human voice obeyinghould with human action pair,
hen you have said ill in saying
ll these flattering words and fair,
nce in truth they are gainsaying
his parade of victory,
ainst which I my standard rear,
nce they say, it seems to me,
ot the flatteries that I hear,
ut the rigours that I see.hink, too, what a base invention
om a wild beast's treachery sprung,--
audful mother of dissension --
to flatter with the tongue,
nd to kill with the intention.
STOLFO. Ill informed you must have been,
air Estrella, thus to throw
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oubt on my respectful mien:
et your ear attentive lean
hile the cause I strive show.
ing Eustorgius the Fair,
hird so called, died leaving two
aughters, and Basilius heir;
f his sisters I and you
re the children -- I forbearo recall a single scene
ave what's needful. Clorilene,
our good mother and my aunt,
ho is now a habitant
f a sphere of sunnier sheen,
as the elder, of whom you
re the daughter; Recisunda,
hom God guard a thousand years,
er fair sister (Rosamundaere she called if names were true)
ed in Muscovy, of whom
was born. 'Tis needful now
he commencement to resume.
ing Basilius, who doth bow
eath the weight of years, the doom
ge imposes, more inclined
o the studies of the mind
han to women, wifeless, lone,ithout sons, to fill his throne
and you our way would find.
ou, the elder's child, averred,
hat the crown you stood more nigh:
maintaining that you erred,
eld, though born of the younger, I,
eing a man, should be preferred.
hus our mutual pretension
o our uncle we related,ho replied that he would mention
ere, and on this day he stated,
hat might settle the dissension.
ith this end, from Muscovy
et out, and with that view,
o-day fair Poland see,
nd not making war on you,
ait till war you make on me.
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ould to love -- that God so wise --
hat the crowd may be a sure
strologue to read the skies,
nd this festive truce secure
oth to you and me the prize,
aking you a Queen, but Queen
y my will, our uncle leaving
ou the throne we'll share between --nd my love a realm receiving
earer than a King's demesne.
STRELLA. Well, I must be generous too,
or a gallantry so fine;
his imperial realm you view,
I wish it to be mine
is to give it unto you.
hough if I the truth confessed,must fear your love may fail --
attering words are words at best,
or perhaps a truer tale
ells that portrait on your breast.
STOLFO. On that point complete content
ill I give your mind, not here,
or each sounding instrument
Drums are heard.]ells us that the King is near,
ith his Court and Parliament.
* * * * *
CENE VI.
he KING BASILIUS, with his retinue. --
STOLFO, ESTRELLA, Ladies, Soldiers.
STRELLA. Learned Euclid . . .
STOLFO. Thales wise . .
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STRELLA. The vast Zodiac . . .
STOLFO. The star spaces . . .
STRELLA. Who dost soar to . . .
STOLFO. Who dost rise...
STRELLA. The sun's orbit . . .
STOLFO. The stars' places . . .
STRELLA. To describe . . .
STOLFO. To map the skies . . .
STRELLA. Let me humbly interlacing . . .
STOLFO. Let me lovingly embracing . . .
STRELLA. Be the tendril of thy tree.
STOLFO. Bend respectfully my knee.
ASILIUS. Children, that dear word displacing
older names, my arms here bless;nd be sure, since you assented
o my plan, my love's excess
ill leave neither discontented,
r give either more or less.
nd though I from being old
owly may the facts unfold,
ear in silence my narration,
eep reserved your admiration,
ll the wondrous tale is told.ou already know -- I pray you
e attentive, dearest children,*
reat, illustrious Court of Poland,
aithful vassals, friends and kinsmen,
ou already know -- my studies
ave throughout the whole world given me
he high title of "the learned,"
nce 'gainst time and time's oblivion
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he rich pencils of Timanthes,
he bright marbles of Lysippus,
niversally proclaim me
hrough earth's bounds the great Basilius.
ou already know the sciences
hat I feel my mind most given to
re the subtle mathematics,
y whose means my clear previsionakes from rumour its slow office,
akes from time its jurisdiction
f, each day, new facts disclosing;
nce in algebraic symbols
hen the fate of future ages
n my tablets I see written,
anticipate time in telling
hat my science hath predicted.
ll those circles of pure snow,ll those canopies of crystal,
hich the sun with rays illumines,
hich the moon cuts in its circles,
ll those orbs of twinkling diamond,
ll those crystal globes that glisten,
ll that azure field of stars
here the zodiac signs are pictured,
re the study of my life,
re the books where heaven has writtenpon diamond-dotted paper,
pon leaves by sapphires tinted,
ith light luminous lines of gold,
clear characters distinctly
ll the events of human life,
hether adverse or benignant.
hese so rapidly I read
hat I follow with the quickness
f my thoughts the swiftest movementsf their orbits and their circles.
ould to heaven, that ere my mind
o those mystic books addicted
as the comment of their margins
nd of all their leaves the index,
ould to heaven, I say, my life
ad been offered the first victim
f its anger, that my death-stroke
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ad in this way have been given me,
nce the unhappy find even merit
the fatal knife that kills them,
nd his own self-murderer
the man whom knowledge injures!--
may say so, but my story
o will say with more distinctness,
nd to win your admirationnce again I pray you listen.--
orilene, my wife, a son
ore me, so by fate afflicted
hat on his unhappy birthday
ll Heaven's prodigies assisted.
ay, ere yet to life's sweet life
ave him forth her womb, that living
epulchre (for death and life
ave like ending and beginning),any a time his mother saw
her dreams' delirious dimness
om her side a monster break,
ashioned like a man, but sprinkled
ith her blood, who gave her death,
y that human viper bitten.
ound his birthday came at last,
ll its auguries fulfilling
or the presages of evileldom fail or even linger):
ame with such a horoscope,
hat the sun rushed blood-red tinted
to a terrific combat
ith the dark moon that resisted;
arth its mighty lists outspread
s with lessening lights diminished
rove the twin-lamps of the sky.
was of all the sun's eclipseshe most dreadful that it suffered
nce the hour its bloody visage
ept the awful death of Christ.
or o'erwhelmed in glowing cinders
he great orb appeared to suffer
ature's final paroxysm.
loom the glowing noontide darkened,
arthquake shook the mightiest buildings,
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ones the angry clouds rained down,
nd with blood ran red the rivers.
this frenzy of the sun,
its madness and delirium,
gismund was born, thus early
iving proofs of his condition,
nce his birth his mother slew,
st as if these words had killed her,am a man, since good with evil
epay here from the beginning,"--
applying to my studies,
aw in them as 'twere forewritten
his, that Sigismund would be
he most cruel of all princes,
f all men the most audacious,
f all monarchs the most wicked;
hat his kingdom through his meansould be broken and partitioned,
he academy of the vices,
nd the high school of sedition;
nd that he himself, borne onward
y his crimes' wild course resistless,
ould even place his feet on me;
or I saw myself down-stricken,
ying on the ground before him
o say this what shame it gives me!)hile his feet on my white hairs
s a carpet were imprinted.
ho discredits threatened ill,
pecially an ill previsioned
y one's study, when self-love
akes it his peculiar business?--
hus then crediting the fates
hich far off my science witnessed,
ll these fatal augurieseen though dimly in the distance,
esolved to chain the monster
hat unhappily life was given to,
o find out if yet the stars
wned the wise man's weird dominion.
was publicly proclaimed
hat the sad ill-omened infant
as stillborn. I then a tower
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aused by forethought to be builded
Mid the rocks of these wild mountains
here the sunlight scarce can gild it,
s glad entrance being barred
y these rude shafts obeliscal.
ll the laws of which you know,
ll the edicts that prohibit
nyone on pain of deathhat secluded part to visit
f the mountain, were occasioned
y this cause, so long well hidden.
here still lives Prince Sigismund,
iserable, poor, in prison.
im alone Clotaldo sees,
nly tends to and speaks with him;
e the sciences has taught him,
e the Catholic religionas imparted to him, being
f his miseries the sole witness.
ere there are three things: the first
ate highest, since my wishes
re, O Poland, thee to save
om the oppression, the affliction
f a tyrant King, because
f his country and his kingdom
e were no benignant fatherho to such a risk could give it.
econdly, the thought occurs
hat to take from mine own issue
he plain right that every law
uman and divine hath given him
not Christian charity;
or by no law am I bidden
o prevent another proving,
ay, a tyrant, or a villain,o be one myself: supposing
ven my son should be so guilty,
hat he should not crimes commit
myself should first commit them.
hen the third and last point is,
hat perhaps I erred in giving
oo implicit a belief
o the facts foreseen so dimly;
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or although his inclination
ell might find its precipices,
e might possibly escape them:
or the fate the most fastidious,
or the impulse the most powerful.
ven the planets most malicious
nly make free will incline,
ut can force not human wishes.nd thus 'twist these different causes
acillating and unfixed,
a remedy have thought of
hich will with new wonder fill you.
o-morrow morning purpose,
ithout letting it be hinted
hat he is my son, and therefore
our true King, at once to fix him
s King Sigismund (for the nameill he bears that first was given him)
eath my canopy, on my throne,
nd in fine in my position,
here to govern and command you,
here in dutiful submission
ou will swear to him allegiance.
y resources thus are triple,
s the causes of disquiet
ere which I revealed this instant.he first is; that he being prudent,
areful, cautious and benignant,
alsifying the wild actions
hat of him had been predicted,
ou'll enjoy your natural prince,
e who has so long been living
olding court amid these mountains,
ith the wild beasts for his circle.
hen my next resource is this:he, daring, wild, and wicked,
oudly runs with loosened rein
er the broad plain of the vicious,
will have fulfilled the duty
f my natural love and pity;
hen his righteous deposition
ill but prove my royal firmness,
hastisement and not revenge
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eading him once more to the prison.
y third course is this: the Prince
eing what my words have pictured,
om the love I owe you, vassals,
will give you other princes
orthier of the crown and sceptre;
amely, my two sisters' children,
ho their separate pretensionsaving happily commingled
y the holy bonds of marriage,
ill then fill their fit position.
his is what a king commands you,
his is what a father bids you,
his is what a sage entreats you,
his is what an old man wishes;
nd as Seneca, the Spaniard,
ays, a king for all his richesbut slave of his Republic,
his is what a slave petitions.
ootnote] *The metre changes here to the "asonante" in "i--e", or
eir vocal equivalents, and is kept up for the remainder of the Act.
STOLFO. If on me devolves the answer,
s being in this weighty business
he most interested party,of all, express the opinion:--
et Prince Sigismund appear;
e's thy son, that's all-sufficient.
LL. Give to us our natural prince,
e proclaim him king this instant!
ASILIUS. Vassals, from my heart I thank you
or this deference to my wishes:--o, conduct to their apartments
hese two columns of my kingdom,
n to-morrow you shall see him.
LL. Live, long live great King Basilius!
xeunt all, accompanying ESTRELLA and ASTOLFO;
he King remains.]
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* * * * *
CENE VII.
LOTALDO, ROSAURA, CLARIN, and BASILIUS.
LOTALDO. May I speak to you, sire?
ASILIUS. Clotaldo,
ou are always welcome with me.
LOTALDO. Although coming to your feet
hows how freely I'm admitted,ill, your majesty, this once,
ate as mournful as malicious
akes from privilege its due right,
nd from custom its permission.
ASILIUS. What has happened?
LOTALDO. A misfortune,
re, which has my heart afflictedt the moment when all joy
hould have overflown and filled it.
ASILIUS. Pray proceed.
LOTALDO. This handsome youth here,
advertently, or driven
y his daring, pierced the tower,
nd the Prince discovered in it.ay . . . .
ASILIUS. Clotaldo, be not troubled
t this act, which if committed
t another time had grieved me,
ut the secret so long hidden
aving myself told, his knowledge
f the fact but matters little.
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ee me presently, for I
uch must speak upon this business,
nd for me you much must do
or a part will be committed
o you in the strangest drama
hat perhaps the world e'er witnessed.
s for these, that you may know
hat I mean not your remissnesso chastise, I grant their pardon.
xit.]
LOTALDO. Myriad years to my lord be given!
* * * * *
CENE VIII.
LOTALDO, ROSAURA, and CLARIN.
LOTALDO [aside]. Heaven has sent a happier fate;
nce I need not now admit it,
l not say he is my son.--
rangers who have wandered hither,ou are free.
OSAURA. I give your feet
thousand kisses.
LARIN. I say misses,
or a letter more or less
wixt two friends is not considered.
OSAURA. You have given me life, my lord,
nd since by your act I'm living,
eternally will own me
s your slave.
LOTALDO. The life I've given
not really your true life,
or a man by birth uplifted
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he suffers an affront
ctually no longer liveth;
nd supposing you have come here
or revenge as you have hinted,
have not then given you life,
nce you have not brought it with you,
or no life disgraced is life.--
Aside.] (This I say to arouse his spirit.)
OSAURA. I confess I have it not,
hough by you it has been given me;
ut revenge being wreaked, my honour
will leave so pure and limpid,
ll its perils overcome,
hat my life may then with fitness
eem to be a gift of yours.
LOTALDO. Take this burnished sword which hither
ou brought with you; for I know,
o revenge you, 'tis sufficient,
your enemy's blood bathed red;
or a sword that once was girded
ound me (I say this the while
hat to me it was committed),
ill know how to right you.
OSAURA. Thus
your name once more I gird it,
nd on it my vengeance swear,
hough the enemy who afflicts me
ere more powerful.
LOTALDO. Is he so?
OSAURA. Yes; so powerful, I am hinderedaying who he is, not doubting
ven for greater things your wisdom
nd calm prudence, but through fear
est against me your prized pity
ight be turned.
LOTALDO. 'Twill rather be,
y declaring it, more kindled;
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therwise you bar the passage
ainst your foe of my assistance.--
Aside.] (Would that I but knew his name!)
OSAURA. Not to think I set so little
alue on such confidence,
now my enemy and my victim
no less than Prince Astolfo,uke of Muscovy.
LOTALDO [aside]. Resistance
adly can my grief supply
nce 'tis heavier than I figured.
et us sift the matter deeper.--
a Muscovite by birth, then
e who is your natural lord
ould not 'gainst you have committedny wrong; reseek your country,
nd abandon the wild impulse
hat has driven you here.
OSAURA. I know,
hough a prince, he has committed
ainst me a great wrong.
LOTALDO. He could not,ven although your face was stricken
y his angry hand. [Aside.] (Oh, heavens!)
OSAURA. Mine's a wrong more deep and bitter.
LOTALDO. Tell it, then; it cannot be
orse than what my fancy pictures.
OSAURA. I will tell it; though I know not,ith the respect your presence gives me,
ith the affection you awaken,
ith the esteem your worth elicits,
ow with bold face here to tell you
hat this outer dress is simply
n enigma, since it is not
hat it seems. And from this hint, then,
I'm not what I appear,
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nd Astolfo with this princess
omes to wed, judge how by him
was wronged: I've said sufficient.
xeunt ROSAURA and CLARIN.]
LOTALDO. Listen! hear me! wait! oh, stay!
hat a labyrinthine thicketall this, where reason gives
ot a thread whereby to issue?
y own honour here is wronged,
owerful is my foe's position,
a vassal, she a woman;
eaven reveal some way in pity,
hough I doubt it has the power;
hen in such confused abysses,
eaven is all one fearful presage,nd the world itself a riddle.
* * * * *
CT THE SECOND.
HALL IN THE ROYAL PALACE.
* * * * *
CENE I.
ASILIUS and CLOTALDO.
LOTALDO. Everything has been effected
s you ordered.
ASILIUS. How all happened*
et me know, my good Clotaldo.
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ootnote] *The metre of this and the following scene is the asonante in a--e.
LOTALDO. It was done, sire, in this manner.
ith the tranquillising draught,
hich was made, as you commanded,
f confections duly mixed
ith some herbs, whose juice extractedas a strange tyrannic power,
as some secret force imparted,
hich all human sense and speech
obs, deprives, and counteracteth,
nd as 'twere a living corpse
aves the man whose lips have quaffed it
o asleep that all his senses,
ll his powers are overmastered . . . .
No need have we to discusshat this fact can really happen,
nce, my lord, experience gives us
any a clear and proved example;
ertain 'tis that Nature's secrets
ay by medicine be extracted,
nd that not an animal,
ot a stone, or herb that's planted,
ut some special quality
oth possess: for if the malicef man's heart, a thousand poisons
hat give death, hath power to examine,
it then so great a wonder
hat, their venom being abstracted,
as death by some is given,
eep by others is imparted?
utting, then, aside the doubt
hat 'tis possible this should happen,
thing proved beyond all questionoth by reason and example . . . .
With the sleeping draught, in fine,
ade of opium superadded
o the poppy and the henbane,
o Sigismund's apartment --
ell, in fact -- went down, and with him
poke awhile upon the grammar
f the sciences, those first studies
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hich mute Nature's gentle masters,
lent skies and hills, had taught him;
which school divine and ample,
he bird's song, the wild beast's roar,
ere a lesson and a language.
hen to raise his spirit more
o the high design you planned here,
discoursed on, as my theme,he swift flight, the stare undazzled
f a pride-plumed eagle bold,
hich with back-averted talons,
corning the tame fields of air,
eeks the sphere of fire, and passes
hrough its flame a flash of feathers,
r a comet's hair untangled.
extolled its soaring flight,
aying, "Thou at last art masterf thy house, thou'rt king of birds,
is right thou should'st surpass them."
e who needed nothing more
han to touch upon the matter
f high royalty, with a bearing
s became him, boldly answered;
or in truth his princely blood
oves, excites, inflames his ardour
o attempt great things: he said,n the restless realm of atoms
iven to birds, that even one
hould swear fealty as a vassal!
reflecting upon this,
m consoled by my disasters,
or, at least, if I obey,
obey through force: untrammelled,
ee to act, I ne'er will own
ny man on earth my master."--his, his usual theme of grief,
aving roused him nigh to madness,
occasion took to proffer
he drugged draught: he drank, but hardly
ad the liquor from the vessel
assed into his breast, when fastest
eep his senses seized, a sweat,
old as ice, the life-blood hardened
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his veins, his limbs grew stiff,
o that, knew I not 'twas acted,
eath was there, feigned death, his life
could doubt not had departed.
hen those, to whose care you trust
his experiment, in a carriage
rought him here, where all things fitting
he high majesty and the grandeurf his person are provided.
the bed of your state chamber
hey have placed him, where the stupor
aving spent its force and vanished,
hey, as 'twere yourself, my lord,
im will serve as you commanded:
nd if my obedient service
eems to merit some slight largess,
would ask but this aloneMy presumption you will pardon),
hat you tell me, with what object
ave you, in this secret manner,
o your palace brought him here?
ASILIUS. Good Clotaldo, what you ask me
so just, to you alone
would give full satisfaction.
gismund, my son, the hardfluence of his hostile planet
As you know) doth threat a thousand
readful tragedies and disasters;
desire to test if Heaven
An impossible thing to happen)
ould have lied -- if having given us
oofs unnumbered, countless samples
f his evil disposition,
e might prove more mild, more guardedt the lest, and self-subdued
y his prudence and true valour
hange his character; for 'tis man
hat alone controls the planets.
his it is I wish to test,
aving brought him to this palace,
here he'll learn he is my son,
nd display his natural talents.
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he nobly hath subdued him,
e will reign; but if his manners
how him tyrannous and cruel,
hen his chains once more shall clasp him.
ut for this experiment,
ow you probably will ask me
f what moment was't to bring him
hus asleep and in this manner?nd I wish to satisfy you,
iving all your doubts an answer.
to-day he learns that he
my son, and some hours after
nds himself once more restored
o his misery and his shackles,
ertain 'tis that from his temper
ank despair may end in madness --
ut once knowing who he is,an he be consoled thereafter?
es, and thus I wish to leave
ne door open, one free passage,
y declaring all he saw
as a dream. With this advantage
e attain two ends. The first
to put beyond all cavil
is condition, for on waking
e will show his thoughts, his fancies:o console him is the second;
nce, although obeyed and flattered,
e beholds himself awhile,
nd then back in prison shackled
nds him, he will think he dreamed.
nd he rightly so may fancy,
or, Clotaldo, in this world
ll who live but dream they act here.
LOTALDO. Reasons fail me not to show
hat the experiment may not answer;
ut there is no remedy now,
or a sign from the apartment
ells me that he hath awoken
nd even hitherward advances.
ASILIUS. It is best that I retire;
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ut do you, so long his master,
ear him stand; the wild confusion
hat his waking sense may darken
issipate by simple truth.
LOTALDO. Then your licence you have granted
hat I may declare it?
ASILIUS. Yes;
or it possibly may happen
hat admonished of his danger
e may conquer his worst passions.
xit]
* * * * *
CENE II.
LARIN and CLOTALDO.
LARIN [aside]. Four good blows are all it cost me
o come here, inflicted smartly
y a red-robed halberdier,ith a beard to match his jacket,
t that price I see the show,
or no window's half so handy
s that which, without entreating
ckets of the ticket-master,
man carried with himself;
nce for all the feasts and galas
ool effrontery is the window
hence at ease he gazes at them.
LOTALDO [aside]. This is Clarin, heavens! of her,
es, I say, of her the valet,
he, who dealing in misfortunes,
as my pain to Poland carried:--
ny news, friend Clarin?
LARIN. News?
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es, sir, since your great compassion
disposed Rosaura's outrage
o revenge, she has changed her habit,
nd resumed her proper dress.
LOTALDO. 'Tis quite right, lest possible scandal
ight arise.
LARIN. More news: her name
aving changed and wisely bartered
or your niece's name, she now
o in honour has advanced her,
hat among Estrella's ladies
he here with her in the palace
ves.
LOTALDO. 'Tis right that I once morehould her honour re-establish.
LARIN. News; that anxiously she waiteth
or that very thing to happen,
hen you may have time to try it.
LOTALDO. Most discreetly has she acted;
oon the time will come, believe me,
appily to end this matter.
LARIN. News, too; that she's well regaled,
easted like a queen, and flattered
n the strength of being your niece.
nd the last news, and the saddest,
that I who here came with her
m with hunger almost famished.
one remember me, or think
am Clarin, clarion rather,nd that if that clarion sounded,
ll the Court would know what passes.
or there are two things, to wit,
brass clarion and a lackey,
hat are bad at keeping secrets;
nd it so may chance, if haply
am forced to break my silence,
hey of me may sing this passage:
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Never, when the day is near,
oes clarion sound more clear."*
footnote] *"Clarin, que rompe el albor,
o suena mejor."--
his is a quotation by Calderon from his own drama, "En esta vida
do es verdad y todo mentira." -- Act 2, sc. x.
LOTALDO. Your complaint is too well-founded;
will get you satisfaction,
eanwhile you may wait on me.
LARIN. See, sir, Sigismund advances.
* * * * *
CENE III.
Music and song.] SIGISMUND enters, lost in amazement. Servants
inister to him, presenting costly robes. --CLOTALDO, and CLARIN.
GISMUND. Help me, Heaven, what's this I see!
elp me, Heaven, what's this I view!
hings I scarce believe are true,
ut, if true, which fright not me.
n palaces of state?
neath silks and cloth of gold?
around me, to behold
ch-robed servants watch and wait?
o soft a bed to presshile sweet sleep my senses bowed?
o wake in such a crowd,
ho assist me even to dress?
were deceit to say I dream,
aking I recall my lot,
am Sigismund, am I not?
eaven make plain what dark doth seem!
ell me, what has phantasy --
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ild, misleading, dream-adept --
o effected while I slept,
hat I still the phantoms see?
ut let that be as it may,
hy perplex myself and brood?
etter taste the present good,
ome what will some other day.
RST SERVANT [aside to the' Second Servant, and to CLARIN]. What a
dness doth oppress him!
ECOND SERVANT. Who in such-like case would be
ess surprised and sad than he?
LARIN. I for one.
ECOND SERVANT [to the First]. You had best address him.
RST SERVANT [to SIGISMUND]. May they sing again?
GISMUND. No, no;
don't care to hear them sing.
ECOND SERVANT. I conceived the song might bring
o your thought some ease.
GISMUND. Not so;
oiced that but charm the ear
annot soothe my sorrow's pain;
is the soldier's martial strain
hat alone I love to hear.
LOTALDO. May your Highness, mighty Prince,
eign to let me kiss your hand,
would first of all this landy profound respect evince.
GISMUND [aside]. 'Tis my gaoler! how can he
hange his harshness and neglect
o this language of respect?
hat can have occurred to me?
LOTALDO. The new state in which I find you
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ust create a vague surprise,
oubts unnumbered must arise
o bewilder and to blind you;
would make your prospect fair,
hrough the maze a path would show,
hus, my lord, 'tis right you know
hat you are the prince and heir
f this Polish realm: if lateou lay hidden and concealed
was that we were forced to yield
o the stern decrees of fate,
hich strange ills, I know not how,
hreatened on this land to bring
hould the laurel of a king
ver crown thy princely brow.
ill relying on the power
f your will the stars to bind,or a man of resolute mind
an them bind how dark they lower;
o this palace from your cell
your life-long turret keep
hey have borne you while dull sleep
eld your spirit in its spell.
oon to see you and embrace
omes the King, your father, here --
e will make the rest all clear.
GISMUND. Why, thou traitor vile and base,
hat need I to know the rest,
nce it is enough to know
ho I am my power to show,
nd the pride that fills my breast?
hy this treason brought to light
as thou to thy country done,
s to hide from the King's son,ainst all reason and all right,
his his rank?
LOTALDO. Oh, destiny!
GISMUND. Thou the traitor's part has played
ainst the law; the King betrayed,
nd done cruel wrong to me;
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hus for each distinct offence
ave the law, the King, and I
hee condemned this day to die
y my hands.
ECOND SERVANT. Prince . . . .
GISMUND No pretencehall undo the debt I owe you.
atiff, hence! By Heaven! I say,
you dare to stop my way
om the window I will throw you.
ECOND SERVANT. Fly, Clotaldo!
LOTALDO. Woe to thee,
thy pride so powerful seeming,ithout knowing thou art dreaming!
xit.
ECOND SERVANT. Think . . . .
GISMUND. Away! don't trouble me.
ECOND SERVANT. He could not the King deny.
GISMUND. Bade to do a wrongful thing
e should have refused the King;
nd, besides, his prince was I.
ECOND SERVANT. '
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