# Dramas (Baillie)/Henriquez/Act 2

ACT II.
SCENE I.—The private Apartment of Henriquez, with his Chair and Table, and a Lamp hurning on the Table; the Stage lighted only by this Lamp.}}
Enter Henriquez with a sword in his hand, which he lays on the table in the light, shrinking back as he looks at it.
HENRIQUEZ.
When rose the sun of this sad day; how gladly
Would I have shed mine own, to have sav'd one drop
Of what was then so dear! (Pushing it into the shade.)Be from my sight.
It wrings my heart: and yet so black a stream,
So base, so treacherous, did never stain
The needful act of righteous retribution.
Oh! is it rest? The souls that fell from light
Into the dark profound, cut off from bliss,
Be still! be still! there's more behind to do;
But no more blood: I will not shed her blood.
(Knocking at the door.) Who's there?
VOICE.
HENRIQUEZ.
VOICE (without).
Your grooms are waiting, and your vestments ready.
Will you not please, my Lord, to let them enter?
HENRIQUEZ (to himself).
I had forgot all this. I must appear.
VOICE (without).
HENRIQUEZ.
[Exit hastily into an inner chamber, taking the sword with him.
SCENE II.
The grand Hall of the Castle lighted up magnificently. Leonora, Mencia, Carlos, and Company discovered; Music, which presently ceases, and
Enter a Servant.
LEONORA (aside to Servant).
SERVANT (aside to Leonora).
LEONORA (aloud).
That Don Henriquez has, from sudden illness,
Been tardy in respect to noble guests
Whom he so truly honours; but I hope——
(Flourish of trumpets.) Ha! who is this? Some guest in princely state.
Enter Servant.
SERVANT.
LEONORA.
I'll to the gate. (To the music.) Strike up a royal welcome. [Exeunt Leonora, Carlos, and others, while the music plays a grand martial air; then
Re-enter Leonora, &c., conducting the King, attended, who receives the homage, and continues speaking in dumb-show to many of the Company, till the music ceases.
KING (to Leonora).
For such a gay assembly.
LEONORA.
Are greatly honoured by this condescension;
A glad surprise, so far beyond our hopes.
KING.
From wrecks of mountain torrents, or neglect,
The straight road to Zamora was impassable,
I took the wider compass, and proceeding
Through these domains by favour of the night,
Your castle from its woods looked temptingly,
And beckoned me afar to turn aside.
The light from every lattice gaily streamed,
Lamps starr'd each dusky corridor, and torches
Did from the courts beneath cast up the glare
Of glowing flame upon the buttress'd walls
And battlements, whilst the high towers aloft
Show'd their jagg'd pinnacles in icy coldness,
Clothed with the moon's pale beam.
——It pleased my fancy;
And here I am, a hasty visiter,
Who must Zamora reach by early day;
Where many a lofty lord, and learned clerk,
And all the rogues and robbers of the district
Await my coming.
CARLOS.
KING.
More than the church's portion were presumption,
A tithe of them will do.—Here is Henriquez.
Enter Henriquez, richly dressed.
HENRIQUEZ.
To my poor house, so honour'd by your presence.
KING.
'Tis an untimely visit; thou'rt unwell.
HENRIQUEZ.
KING.
And would become a sober beadsman's frock
More than a festive mantle. How is't with you?
Retire again to rest.
HENRIQUEZ.
Here is the cup of welcome; will your Grace
KING.
(Bowing to Henriquez and Leonora, and then drinking.)
(Bowing to the company, and drinking again.)
HENRIQUEZ (to the Servant, who is pouring out a cup for him).
Health to the king, and a long happy reign.
(Drinks.)
To all my honour'd guests health and good welcome. (Drinks again.)
KING.
High blood enough, plumed hats and coronets,
To furnish out a court.
LEONORA.
To grace my Lord's return.
KING.
Who was the greatest gainer by his absence,
When he with brave companions like himself
Against the Moors did for the state good service,
As Alcantara, by their valour won,
And now a noble hold for Christian knights,
Can nobly testify.
I speak not of the Navas de Tolosa,
Where he upon that memorable day
Broke through the Moslem chain of armed guards,
Changing their strength to slaughter and dismay:
We are too apt to speak of recent services.
Former or recent, would I could repay them!
HENRIQUEZ.
KING.
A rustic lord, who dozes life away
In his porch'd hall, where hawks wink on the perch,
And hounds lie sleeping round him. Take this ring,
My royal father wore it many a day;
And whatsoe'er thou shalt request of me,
Returning to my hand this pledge again,
It shall be granted, were it half the realm.
HENRIQUEZ (receiving it on his knee).
(Rising with forced animation.)
But let us now be gay: the time wears on.
By early dawn I must attend your Highness,
To reach Zamora by th' appointed hour.
LEONORA.
(To Henriquez.)
HENRIQUEZ.
Your present courtesies.—Where are the minstrels?
Let them strike up a dance: we are too still.
LEONORA.
Some merry masquers here to join our revels;
They should have come ere now.
HENRIQUEZ.
LEONORA.
HENRIQUEZ.
Who knows the honest unclothed worth of those
That by your side may stand, drink from your cup,
Or in your bosom lie? We are all masquers.
KING.
You are severe, my Lord, on this poor world.
HENRIQUEZ.
A foolish rev'ller may at random speak:
Who heeds his idle words?—Music strike up.
(Music: the King retires with Henriquez to the bottom of the stage, and the guests prepare to dance, when Blas with a face of horror enters the hall and beckons Carlos aside.)
CARLOS.
BLAS.
And to my Lord, or Donna Leonora,
It may not hastily be told.
CARLOS.
BLAS.
But newly slain; and they who found it swear
(For well they know his form and countenance).
It is Don Juen's body.
LEONORA.
Don Juen's body, said'st thou? Is he dead?
BLAS.
Lifeless and——
LEONORA.
And he is murder'd? Dreadful, barbarous deed!
(Exclaiming aloud.)
(All quit their places for the dance, and crowd round Leonora, who is supported by Mencia, appearing also affected, whilst Henriquez, at a distance, observes them intently.)
LEONORA (recovering).
I must retire.
[Exit with Mencia and other ladies.
KING (coming forward with Henriquez).
HENRIQUEZ (to Carlos).
CARLOS.
Yet to a soldier I should tell it plainly:
Don Juen, from some secret villain's stroke.
Has met his fate this night, and near your walls.
HENRIQUEZ.
Far distant from these walls, full many a league,
Don Juen is. Ye are deceived.
BLAS (shaking his head).
CARLOS.
HENRIQUEZ.
A letter, dated from his northern seat,
Which made no mention of his visit here:
If what you say be true, it is most strange.
I'll be assured if it, indeed, be so. (Going hastily).
CARLOS (preventing him).
You shall not look upon so sad a sight.
KING (to Henriquez).
Your noble guests beseech you to retire.
HENRIQUEZ.
[Exeunt Henriquez and Carlos severally.
KING (to the guests).
Our banquet to a funeral wake is turn'd,
And cannot cheer us now.[Exeunt.
SCENE III.
An inner Court of the Castle, lighted by a Lamp over the Gateway, the Stage otherwise dark.
Enter Diego and two Servants, with dark lanterns, speaking loud and confusedly as they enter.
FIRST SERVANT.
Why hold we here such idle altercation?
DIEGO.
FIRST SERVANT.
Enter Carlos above, looking down from an open corridor.
CARLOS.
What is the matter?
FIRST SERVANT.
For we would fain pursue him through the wood,
But thus unarm'd we dare not.
[Exit Carlos above.
SECOND SERVANT.
And tell us what to do.
Re-enter Carlos below.
CARLOS.
FIRST SERVANT.
But, lacking arms, I durst not.
SECOND SERVANT.
FIRST SERVANT.
And, scattering different ways, we'll scour the wood,
And seize him shortly.
CARLOS.
SECOND SERVANT.
To bear Don Juen's body to the Castle.
CARLOS.
FIRST SERVANT.
Has been secreted in the wood. I've seen him;
And the dark form that crossed my light ev'n now
I could be sworn is he.
DIEGO.
Should be so near the slain. He would, methinks,
Run from the spot forthwith.
CARLOS.
A mind distracted in a wood so tangled
Might run and make no way. (To Servants.) Go ye forth;
I will myself assist your search. But, first.
FIRST SERVANT.
OMNES.
[Exeunt, running eagerly through the gateway.
Enter Mencia below, who has appeared before listening in the corridor.
MENCIA.
The dreadful doom! O Heaven have pity on him!
Enter Inez.
INEZ.
MENCIA.
INEZ.
And stay in your apartment. I, mean time,
Will be upon the watch, and bring you word
When they return. Think you that there has been,
For I have listened too, a cavalier
Secreted in the wood?
MENCIA.
I know not what I say.
INEZ.
Return to your apartment; be entreated.
[Exeunt Inez, leading off Mencia.
SCENE IV.
Enter Leonora and Carlos by opposite sides.
CARLOS.
Whate'er my humble service may perform.
How fare you after this most dismal shock?
LEONORA.
In one dire tempest lost. And, noble Carlos,
Grief triumphs over pride, when even to thee,
Though knowing well thy friendly worth, I own it.
He was—I mean Henriquez—Oh! he was
To me most strangely alter'd ere this stroke.
CARLOS.
The undiminish'd empire of his heart
Beyond the usual term of bridegroom weakness.
It could not be.
LEONORA.
Sickness did yesterday for many hours
Confine him to his chamber; yet in vain
Did I entreat admittance—I who used
To soothe his saddest hours, if any sad
Could pass when I was near him.—
And now again he is shut up alone,
And has refused to see me. Worthy Carlos,
Do me a kindness: go thou to his door,
And beg admittance; then in my behalf,
Since by another's influence I must move him.
Crave audience even for a few short moments.
CARLOS.
He will admit thee when he is disposed
For soothing sympathy; to press it sooner
Were useless—were unwise.
LEONORA.
So long his fellow-soldier and his friend,
Unburthen his sad heart.
CARLOS.
I long have been. In the same fields we've fought;
Slept in one tent, or on the rugged heath,
Wrapt in our soldier's cloaks, have, side by side,
Stretch'd out our weary length like savage beasts
In the same cheerless lair; and many a time,
When the dim twilight of our evening camp
Has by my foolish minstrelsy been cheer'd, He has bent o'er me, pleased with the old strains
That pleased him when a boy; therefore I may,
As common phrase permits, be call'd his friend.
But there existed one, and only one,
To whom his mind, with all its nice reserve
Above the sympathies of common men,
He freely could unfold; and having lost him,
Can I intrude upon his private thoughts
Like one who would supply a vacant place?
His heart, I know it well, would from such boldness
Revolt, even with disgust.
LEONORA.
Than such dear friendship might have warranted.
CARLOS.
When strongly moved, or shun all observation.
LEONORA.
A wife shut out from equal confidence!
CARLOS.
LEONORA.
CARLOS.
Enter Blas.
BLAS (to Leonora.)
Who brings with him—so has he bid me say—
Papers of great importance, which he begs
May, and without delay, to Don Henriquez,
In presence of due witnesses, be read.
LEONORA.
Be thou the bearer of this message, Carlos;
He cannot think thee an intruder now.
CARLOS.
LEONORA.
To give me notice how he has received it.
CARLOS.
SCENE V.
A spacious Apartment.
Enter Balthazer, followed by Blas, carrying a case with papers, which he lays on a table.
(BALTHAZAR, after examining it).
BLAS.
With others, who will witness what you read.
BALTHAZER.
For I have that to read will move him greatly.
BLAS.
As it was thought.
BALTHAZER.
I've often seen them spend whole days together,
Neglecting all the sports of hall or field,
In some sequester'd corner, side by side,
Pacing, though young, with the slow steps of age,
Each like the other's shadow; whilst, by turns,
Such power of words flow'd from them, and their eyes
With pleasure or with gentle anger flush'd,
As the keen wilful sporting of their minds
Through some wild chace of thought pursued the game.
I mark'd them oft: it was a pleasing sight.
BLAS.
BALTHAZER.
As though each kept his thoughts i' th' other's breast,
Lock'd up even from himself, having when met,
And only then, free use of his own treasure.
BLAS.
BALTHAZER.
By Juen's sick-bed sit, night after night,
Like tenderest nurse watching her infant charge;
And then I've seen the tears course down his cheeks—
His youthful face all shrunk and pale with grief.
Such dear and manly friendship knew I never.
Enter Leonora and Carlos, followed by Diego, who then retires with Blas to the bottom of the Stage.
LEONORA (after a pause).
CARLOS.
And those are rapid strides like one in haste.
Enter Henriquez, who returns slight and sullen acknowledgments to their civilities, and going directly to a seat prepared for him, sits down without speaking.
BALTHAZER (to Henriquez, after a pause).
Which your deceased friend, my noble master,
Committed to my keeping six days since,
When he departed from his native home.
His ancient fav'rite hound howl'd piteously
As from the gate we prick'd our steeds, and yet
We took no heed of it, nor thought, alas!
That he would ne'er return.—Please you, my Lord,
That it should first be read?
HENRIQUEZ.
BALTHAZER.
Which living he did bear you——
HENRIQUEZ.
There needs no prologue to it.
BALTHAZER (reading).
Juen de Torva."
Here follow names of many old dependents,
And witnesses who saw him sign this deed;
Shall I repeat them?
HENRIQUEZ (motions him to forbear, and after covering his face with his hands for a moment or two).
The date of this is, as I guess, remote.
BALTHAZER.
HENRIQUEZ.
BALTHAZER.
Here is besides a marriage contract made
Between himself and the fair Mencia.
HENRIQUEZ (starting from his chair with violent gesture).
Say it again: I know not what thou said'st.
BALTHAZER.
Between himself and Donna Mencia,
The sister of your wife; to whom by stealth,
The Lady being somewhat disinclined,
He has of late made frequent visits; hoping
Last night, with her consent, to have surprised you,
When as a masquer he should join the guests,
By asking from your love a brother's blessing.
(Henriquez falls back into his chairs uttering a deep groan.)
LEONORA (rushing to him in great alarm).
The hand of death is on him.
CARLOS.
Be not alarm'd; he will recover presently.
(Diego, coming forward, speaks aside to Leonora.)
DIEGO.
When he recovers.
LEONORA (aside).
Alone with him! I know not what thou mean'st.
DIEGO (speaking to her aloud).
When press'd by grief; I've seen him so before.
And when the fit goes off, I've known him also
Utter wild ravings. Solitude and stillness
Are necessary. Pardon me this boldness.
LEONORA.
DIEGO.
Let all retire and leave him.
LEONORA (motions all to retire but Carlos).
DIEGO.
And I will watch by you till he recover.
[Exeunt all but Diego, Leonora, and Henriquez, who, while she hangs over him, groans as before.
LEONORA.
Alas! that look! thine agony is great:
That motion too. (He rises.) Why dost thou stare around?
We are alone; surely thou wilt not leave me.
Where would'st thou be?
HENRIQUEZ.
The deepest den of misery and pain;
Woe bound to woe—the cursed with the cursed!
LEONORA.
If they have none, most piteous!—
Henriquez; O, my Lord!—My noble husband!
I thought not thou would'st e'er have look'd on me
As thou hast done, with such an eye of sternness.
Alas! and had'st thou nothing dear on earth
But him whom thou hast lost?
HENRIQUEZ.
Would thou wert false! Would grinding contumely
Had bow'd me to the earth—worn from my mind
The very sense and nature of a man!
Faithful to me! Go, loose thee from my side;
Thy faithfulness is agony ineffable,
It makes me more accursed. Cling not to me:
To taste the slightest feeling of thy love
Were base—were monstrous now.—Follow me not!
The ecstasy of misery spurns all pity. [Exit.
DIEGO.
This fearful fit will soon exhaust its strength,
And leave his reason free.
LEONORA.
But thou thyself look'st strangely, and thy visage
Seems haggard with a passing consciousness—— Thou dost not think——
DIEGO.
Retire to your apartment: I meantime
Will watch my Lord, that none may cross his way
Till he be safely lodged within his chamber.
[Exeunt.
SCENE VI.
A narrow Hall or Passage.
Enter Carlos and Balthazer.
CARLOS (calling to somebody behind him as he enters).
Receive their pageant suits, and let the warder
Hang o'er the battlements his sable flag.
BALTHAZER.
Attend the funeral rites?
CARLOS.
Has signified to me his Lord's desire
That I should fill his place in every thing
Respecting this sad ceremony.
BALTHAZER.
CARLOS.
I never knew: he has refused to see me.
BALTHAZER.
He'll try to soften his untoward grief.
CARLOS.
BALTHAZER.
CARLOS.
Those frighten'd peasants saw.
BALTHAZER.
And, as it strikes my mind——
CARLOS.
Pass on, I pray, our business must proceed. [Exeunt.