Richmond palladium. [volume] (Richmond, Wayne County, Ind.) 1831-1837, 1833-03-23
IGNEZ DE CASTRO.

cess. There have been no less than
1--WE tragedies formed her pitiful mar
rative, viz: two in English. one in
French. one in Spanish, and one In
Portueges. The latter, perhaps, ap-
proachcs nearer to the truth OF histo-
~, and is not inferior in point ofpoeti-
cal merit.-The author, Senior Nj
cole Luis, had no occasion TO resort to
fiction, TO heighten the passions OF an
audience, as the simple facts are SUIT
Ecient to fill up all the scenes OF piety
and terror, and to show TO what
lengths love and revenge are capable
oftranspor,ins the human mind.
The subject Of this traglcal piece Is
rs follows: Don Pedro, son of ilonzo
the Fourth King of Portugal,a and heir
apparent to the crown, having fallen
in love with lady OF the court, named
Donna Ignez dc Castro, thought he
could not share the crown which avail
ted him with more amiable person.
She united to all the harms Of beau
ty, the most graceful and &C accomplished
manner5.-The prince, waving all
considerations Of birth and fortune,
was pri, ately married to her by the
Bishop OF Guavda. Notwithstanding
the nupiuals were performed with all
the secrecy imaginable, yet they reach
cd the kings ear who had ptemedita-
ted a consort for Don Pedro in the
King Of CASTLES daughter. lie que,-
q. ~ Z hor RI
but the prince, knowing his fathers
arbitrary disposition, thought it pru-
dent then to conceal the fact.
The nobility also had intmation Of
the marriage and the preference given
to lgnez had awakened their jealousy.
Hence they took every opportunity
Of representing her as woman ofthe
greatest ambition, and pretended that
very fatal consequences were to be APP
pretended from such an alliance, they
also condemned the prince Is a rash
and dIsobed dent son. The king who
was a man Of weak understanding.
gave ear to their caiumny, and they
worked upon his passions to that de-
gree, that he resolved to murder the
unfortunate princess. Accordingly
he set out to Pcrpetrate the horrid
deed, accompanied by three of hi.
courtiers. aad number Of armed men.
Donra gncz at this time resided at
Coirnbra, in the palace of Santa Clara,
where she passed her time in the most
private manner, educating her chill
ii 10, Of or
domestic affairs. The prince unfor-
tuna,cly. was abroad on a hunting par
. when the king arrived. The beau
til victim came out to meet hun,
$50 liz rtwo infant children vino Clang
ut his knees, screaming aloud for
mercy. She prostrates herself at his
feet. oathcs them with tears, and sup
plicates pity for her children, beseeCn-
ing him To Danish her to some remote
desert. where she would gladly wan
der an exile with her babes. The feel
ings Of nature arrested his arm. Just
raised to plunge a dagger into her
breast. But his Couu seliors urges the
neccssit Of her death. and reproach-
ing him for his disregard to the wei
fare Of the nation. he r"lapsed into his
former resolution. and commando
them TO despatch her! at which they
tn he'd forward, regardless of the erie.
of innocence ard beauty. and Instant,
struck of her head.
Soon ificr the above transaction, the
oriuCe arrived; bat. alas. fouad those
ewes thu. were wont to watch his re.
turn with impotence. closed in death.
The sight Of his beloved Igncz. weiter
ing in gore. filled his mind with des.
traction, AND kindled every spark Of re
yenge in this soul. In all the agon,
Of rage, he called aloud on the aveng
ing hand of heaven to punish these
monsters, who deprived him of all he
held dear upon earth.
As soon Is her remains were inter
red. he put himself at the head of al
army, who ~ mpathized with his di.
tress: they carrie! fire and sword thro
the adjacent provinces. and laid waste
the estates of the murdercrs. Th.
royal troops could not oppose them
they fled at the appearance of tho
gallant avengers Of innocence. Blu
the king, wreicbed man, could not IL,
from himself; the cries of his grand
children still echoed in his ears. ane
the bleeding image of their unfortun
ate mother was constantly before hi:
eyes. Death IT length comni>eraet
Z l. u Eli 4