Chapter VIII: Act IV: SCENE I. Amelrosa's chamber

Amelrosa _in white robes, crowned with flowers_, Estella, _with a letter._

_Amelrosa._ 'Tis strange! At this late hour! In armour say'st thou?

_Estel._ In sable armour; round his neck was slung A bugle horn. In courteous guise he prayed me Give you this note unseen.

_Amel._ Unseen! How is this? [_Reading_]

"One, not unknown, requests an immediate audience on matters most important. Princess, delay not as you value your father's life." Not signed! My father's life! Estella say, Did he not tell his name?

_Estel._ He said this jewel Would speak whence came his letter.

_Amel._ Ha! The ring I gave Orsino! Quickly seek yon stranger, And charge him meet me at St. Juan's chapel; For there to pass the night in grateful prayer, E'en now I go----Friend speed thee.

_Amel._ [_Alone_] Doubt and terror---- My father's life?--And yet, for such a father What need I fear? Heaven will defend its own, And wings of seraphs shield that king from harm, Whose proudest title is--"his people's father," Whose dearest treasure is his people's love! [_Exit._

SCENE II. _St. Juan's cloisters by moon-light.--On one side a gothic chapel._

_Orsi._ [_Alone in black armour._] Yes, this must be the place-- Estella named, St. Juan's shrine, and sure 'tis for the princess Yon altar flames--Oh! hallowed vaults, how often Ye ring with prayers, which granted would destroy The fools who form them! Virgins there request Their charms may fire the heart of some gay rake, Who proves a wedded curse--There wives ask children, And, when they have them, find their vices such They mourn their birth--The spendthrift begs some kinsman May die, and vows that heaven shall share the spoil-- While the young soldier prays his sword ere long May blush with blood, (and with whose blood he cares not,) Swearing, if so his arm may purchase glory, He'll pay its price, a thousand human hearts. And all these mad, these impious vows are ushered With chant of cloistered maids, and swell of organs-- As could our earthly songs charm Him, who hears Seraphs and cherubs wake their harps divine, While the blest planets, hymning in their orbits, Pour fourth such tones as reached their mortal ears, Man would go mad for very extasy. Well, well! Such forms are good to force example On purblind eyes: but prayer from earth abstracted, Breathed in no ear but Heaven's; when lips are silent, But the heart speaks full loudly; thanks the music, Man's soul the censer, and pure thoughts the incense Kindling with grace celestial: that's the worship Which suits Him best who, past all prayer and praise, Esteems one grateful tear, one heart-drawn blessing, Which, thanking God, declares that man is happy. --Ha! Gleams of torches gild yon distant aisle!

_Enter Father_ Bazil.

_Bazil._ Stranger, What dost thou here, where now to offer Gifts at yon shrine, for wondrous favour shown her, The princess hastens? See, she comes: retire?

_Orsi._ Your pardon, reverend father, I obey.

[_Exit_ Orsino.

_A procession enters of nuns and friars with lighted tapers, then follow_ Amelrosa, Estella, Inis, _and ladies, carrying offerings_.

_Amel._ I thank ye, holy friends. Now leave me here, Where I must watch the live-long night and feed Yon sacred lamps, telling each hour my beads, And pouring thanks to heaven and good St. Juan. Till morn farewell.

_Bazil._ May angels guard thee, daughter, Pure as thy thoughts, and join thee in thy prayers.

[_Exeunt._

_Amel._ (_alone_) He is not here. Oh how my bosom throbs To know this fearful secret! Sure he cannot Have missed the place.

_Orsi._ (_entering_) All's dark again and silent. Perhaps her courage failed her, and she's gone. If so, what must be done? No, no, a shadow Moves on the chapel porch. 'Tis surely she.

_Amel._ Hark! steps! Orsino!

_Orsi._ He.

_Amel._ Oh, good Orsino! What brings thee here? Those words, _my father's life_, Like spells by witches breathed to raise the dead, Filled my heart's circle with a crowd of phantoms, Doleful and strange, which groan to be released. Thy news! thy news! Oh! speak them in one word, And let me know the worst.

_Orsi._ Thy fears though great, Are justified by what I have to tell. Princess, a plot is formed and ripe for action, To spoil thy father of his throne and life.

_Amel._ My father! my good father!

_Orsi_ What can goodness And moral duties 'gainst the assaults of passion! Those chains, e'en when they seem than diamond harder, Soften, calcine, and fall like dust away, Touched by the burning finger of ambition.

_Amel._ This vile, vile world! Oh is there one on earth So lost to virtue he would harm my father!

_Orsi._ There is, and one most favoured! one who owns He long has lived nearest Alfonso's heart; His friend, his trusted friend; and yet this traitor, This worst of traitors--shame denies me utterance! This traitor, princess, is Orsino's son.

_Amel._ Thy son! thy long lost son!

_Orsi._ Long lost, late found, And better than found thus if lost forever. Go, princess, go; preserve your sire. I lay Bound at my sovereign's feet this precious victim. Yet, while you paint the son's offence, paint also His father's anguish! Plead for him, dear lady, Oh! plead for him and save him! since I own, Own it with shame, clearer than air or eye-sight I love, I doat upon Caesario.

_Amel._ (_starting_) Whom?

_Orsi._ Caesario is his name.

_Amel._ 'Tis not, 'tis not, Or, if it be, it means not _that_ Caeesario, Not _my_ Caesario! No, no, no!

_Orsi._ A soldier Who says he saved thee once----

_Amel._ Peace, death-bell, peace! Thou ringst the knel of all my joys!

_Orsi._ What mean'st thou? What sudden passion----

_Amel._ Hear me, wretched father! This son, now guilty thought, but guiltier far, Who knows with what idolatry I dote on My father, and yet plots to tear him from me! Is one to buy whose barbarous heart I spurned All the world prizes, fame, respect, and empire, Nay, risked my father's love: this man, this man --He is--Oh Heaven!--my husband!

_Orsi._ (_striking his forehead_) Slave! wretch!--fiend---- And yet Orsino's son!----Alas, poor princess! Gav'st thou him all, and rends he all from thee! Was he thy love, and would he be thy bane! Has he thy heart and stabs it! Now all plagues Hell ever forged for demons light----

_Amel._ hold, hold! Oh! curse him not; no, save him. Some one comes. We shall be marked. This way, and let us study How we may rescue best----

_Orsi._ No, let him perish! Perish, and seek the flames his guilt deserves. The sooner 'tis the better.

_Amel._ Silence, silence! Dear friend, this way, be patient. Oh! Caesario, And couldst thou have the heart to torture mine!

[_Exeunt._

Caeesario _enters, muffled in his cloak_.

_Caesa._ Not come yet! 'Tis past midnight, and 'twas here She bade me join her. Ha! why flame yon lamps? Should any loitering monk--no, no, 'tis vacant, And all as yet is safe. Fate let this hour Be mine, and with the rest do what thou wilt. I hear her--to my work then. Why this shivering? I would fain spare her.--If she yields to reason 'Tis well: if not--she's here.

_Enter_ Ottilia.

_Otti._ I find thee punctual. 'Tis well for thee thou art so. By my life, If thou hadst failed me I had sought the king. Where is the priest? On to the chapel.

_Caesa._ Stay, And hear me! for the hour is come that weighs Our fates in the same balance. Thus then briefly, Thou art most fair, in wit most choice and subtle, In all rare talents still surpassing all, And for these gifts, and thy long tried affection, I feel I owe thee much, owe thee firm friendship, Eternal gratitude, faith, favour, love, And all things save my hand. Except but this, Which now I must not give, nor couldst thou take, And ask what else thou wilt.

_Otti._ Most gracious sir, For thy fair praise, and these so liberal offers Of granting all save that which I would have, Accept my thanks, I've heard thee; now hear me. I'll be thy wife or nothing.

_Caesa._ Lady, Lady, You know not what you ask.

_Otti._ I know myself Worthy of what I ask, and know my power, Which you, it seems, forget. Is not my dowry Your life and crown? Let me but speak one word, And straight your fancied throne becomes a scaffold. No more, but to the chapel.

_Caesa._ If to move thee Ought would avail----

_Otti._ It cannot.

_Caesa._ Once a king----

_Otti._ I share thy throne.

_Caesa._ 'Mid all Castile's first honours Make thou thy choice----

_Otti._ 'Tis made.

_Caesa._ And still remaining My friend, my love----

_Otti._ Thy wife, thy wife, or nothing!

_Caesa._ Nay then I'll crush thy frantic hopes at once; I'm married.

_Otti._ (_Starting_) What! I hope thou dost but feign; For thy sake hope it; since, if true this marriage, Thou'rt lost past saving.

_Caesa._ Nay, unbend thy brow, Nor stamp nor rave. The princess is my wife, And frowns unbind not whom the church hath bound. The javelin's thrown, and cannot be recalled; Thine be the second prize the first is won, And all thy grief and rage that tis another's Will but torment thyself. Be wise, be wise, And bear with patience what thou canst not cure.

_Otti._ I will not curse: no, I'll not waste in vapour. The fire which burns within me. What I feel, My deeds shall tell thee best. (_Going._)

_Caesa._ (_detaining her_) Ottilia, stay. If yet one spark of love remains----

_Otti._ (_passionately_) of love! Of love for thee! Mark me. Ere sets the sun My rival dies, and thou once more art free: But now so deadly is the hate I bear thee, 'Twill joy me less to see thee mine than dead. Thy blood! thy blood! 'Tis for thy blood I thirst, And it shall stream. Farewell.

_Caesa._ Go then, proud woman, I brave thy rancour. Ere thou gain'st the palace, I'll spring the mine.

_Otti._ Indeed! Now hark awhile, Then die for spite, thou base, thou baffled traitor! Six trusty slaves wait but my call to bind And bear thee to the king. Ay, rage, rage, rage, For I'll invent such tortures to despatch thee, Such racks, such whips, such baths of boiling sulphur, The damned shall think their pains mere mirth and pastime, And envying furies own their skill outdone. I go to prove my words.

_Caesa._ Thou must not leave me.

_Otti._ Worlds should not bribe my stay.

_Caesa._ Thou'rt in my power.

_Otti._ Thy power! thy power! I brave it! I defy it! Scorn both thy power and thee. Unhand me, ruffian! I'll not be held. Within there! hasten hither! Anthonio! Lopez! Treason? treason!

_Caesa._ Nay then, This to thy heart. (_stabbing her._)

_Otti._ Help, help! Oh, vile assassin!

_Enter_ Orsino, _hastily_.

_Orsi._ What clamours----Hold, you pass not.

_Caesa._ Give me way, Or else thy life----

_Orsi._ Ruffian defend thine own. [_Exeunt fighting._

_Otti._ [_Alone, leaning against a pillar._] My blood streams fast! I'm wounded, deeply wounded!---- My voice too fails; I cannot call for help. To hope for life were vain; but for revenge.---- Could I but reach the palace---- [_Advancing a few steps, then sinking on the ground._] 'Twill not be. I faint!----Oh, heaven!

_Enter_ Amelrosa.

_Amel._ All's hushed again; how fearful After those shrieks appear the midnight calm. --Orsino?--Speak, Orsino?--No one answers. What can this mean?

_Otti._ Fainter and fainter still---- And no one comes.----

_Amel._ Hark! 'Twas a groan! whence came it? [_Seeing_ Ottilia.] Stranger look up!

_Otti._ A voice! Oh! blessed sound, Who'er thou art, mark well my dying words; A villain's hand--I'm wounded----

_Amel._ Gracious heaven! Oh! let me fly for aid.

_Otti._ All aid were vain. Stay, mark! Revenge!--[_Taking a paper from her bosom._] This paper--take it--bear it Swift to the royal tower--lose not a moment-- Insist to see the king--take no denial, For 'tis of most dear import.

_Amel._ Sure, it must be--? Ottilia.

_Otti._ [_Starting up wildly._] Heaven, who speaks? 'Tis she herself: My victim, 'tis my victim!--Dost thou live then? Hast thou escaped? Spare me, thou God of mercy! Oh! spare me this one crime.

_Amel._ What means this passion? How wild she eyes me; how she grasps my hand!

_Otti._ Answer and bless me: Say thou didst not drink it! Say Inis did not--While I speak, the blood Fades from thy cheek! Thine eyes close! Dying pangs Distort thy features; pangs like those which shortened His life, whose angry ghost, grim, fierce, and ghastly, Comes gliding yonder. See his livid finger Points to the poisoned cup! He frowns and threatens. Pray for me, angel! Pray for me! I dare not.

_Amel._ Alas, poor wretch!

_Otti._ Help! help! The spectre grasps me, And folds me to his breast, where the worm feeds! He tears my heart-strings!--Now he sinks, he sinks! And sinking grasps me still, and drags me down with him, A thousand fathom deep!--Oh! lost, lost, lost!

[_Dies._

_Amel._ She's gone.--Sure earth affords no sight more awful, Than when a sinner dies--She named the king.-- Perhaps this writing--By yon favouring lamp I'll find its meaning, [_Ascending the chapel steps._

_Enter_ Orsino.

_Orsi._ Aided by night The villain has escaped me. [_Seeing_ Amelrosa, _who, while reading by the lamp suspended in the chapel-porch, expresses the most violent agitation_.] Princess,--Ha! Why thus alarmed?--[Amelrosa _gives him the paper in silence, with a look of agony_.] This paper?--Heaven, what's this? [_Reading._ ----"My king, Caesario plots your destruction: --A mine is formed in the Claudian vaults, beneath the royal Tower, and which the conspirators mean to spring this night. This warning will enable you to defeat their purpose: Accept it as an atonement for the crimes of the dying Guzman. The mine is appointed to be sprung when the clock strikes one."-- [_The letter falls from his hand._

_Amel._ [_Rushing from the chapel in despair_] One, one!--'Tis that already.--Oh! he's lost! My father's lost!--Ere we can reach his chamber 'Twill sink in flames!

_Orsi._ That must be tried--Say, princess, How may I gain admittance to the king, Nor meet delay?

_Amel._ This signet----[_Giving a ring._]

_Orsi._ 'Tis enough. Know you the Claudian vaults?

_Amel._ I do.

_Orsi._ Away then; Reach them with speed: cling round Caesario, kneel, Weep, threaten, sooth, implore! to rouse his feelings Use every art; at least delay his purpose, Till thou shalt hear this bugle sound; that signal Shall speak Alfonso safe.--Farewell.

_Amel._ Oh! heaven! Oh! dreadful hour!

_Orsi._ Take heart: if time allows me, I'll save thy father: if too late----

_Amel._ Then, then, What wilt thou do?

_Orsi._ What? Plunge into the flames, And perish with my king!--Away! away!

[_Exeunt severally._

SCENE III.--A cavern.

_Enter_ Melchior _with a lamp, as from an inner cavern_.

_Mel._ Hush!--No, he comes not; sure 'tis near the time. A light:--Who's there?--Henriquez.

_Enter_ Henriquez, _lighted by_ Lucio.

_Hen._ Ay, the same.

_Mel._ Now, Lucio, where's thy lord?

_Lucio._ He charged me tell you, He would not fail at one.

_Mel._ The rest wait yonder. Gomez, Sebastian, Marcos, none are wanting: Our chief alone is absent.

_Hen._ He'll not tarry. Lead to the inner vault, I'll wait him there.

[_Exeunt._

_Enter_ Amelrosa.

_Amel._ Those gleams of light: I must be near the place. --Voices!--I'll on--Oh! heaven! I can no further. --I faint!--I die! [_Catching at a fragment of the cave, against which she leans as stupified.--A pause.--The bell strikes one._] Hark! the bell gives the signal. Oh! for a moment's strength.--Hold, murderers hold! [_Rushes off._

SCENE IV.--[_The inner cavern, partially lighted with lamps. In the middle, folding doors guarded with iron bars; on one side a rough hewn staircase leading to a small door above._]

Gomez, Marcos, _and conspirators, discovered in listening attitudes_.

_Gom._ 'Tis strange, the time is past, and yet not here?

_Mar._ Henriquez too is absent.

_Gom._ Steps approach. [_Kneeling at the folding door._] Who knocks?

_Hen._ (_without_) A friend.

_Mar._ The pass word.

_Hen._ Empire.

_Gom._ Open. [Marcos _unbars the door_.]

Henriquez, Melchior, _and_ Lucio, _enter through the folding doors, which_ Marcos _again closes_.

_Gom._ Friends welcome. Melchior, is thy work complete?

_Mel._ Complete, and fit for springing. Nought is wanting. The train is laid. One spark and all is done. Our chief alone----

_Gom._ The private door unlocks.

_Hen._ Caesario only has the key.

_Mel._ 'Tis he.

Caesario _descends the staircase swiftly. His looks are wild; his hair flows loose; and he grasps a bloody dagger_.

_All._ Welcome, Caesario, welcome!

_Caesa._ Ay, shout, shout, And, kneeling greet your blood anointed king, This steel his sceptre. Tremble, dwarfs in guilt, And own your master. Thou art proof, Henriquez, 'Gainst pity. I once saw thee stab in battle A page who clasped thy knees; and Melchior, there Made quick work with a brother whom he hated But what did I this night? Hear, hear, and reverence! There was a breast on which my head had rested A thousand times; a breast which loved me fondly, As Heaven loves martyred saints; and yet this breast I stabbed, knaves, stabbed it to the heart! Wine, wine, there! For my soul's joyous. [Gomez _brings a goblet_.]

_Hen._ Friend, what means this frenzy? What hast thou done? Where is Ottilia?

_Caesa._ (_dashing down the goblet_) Dead! Dead, Marquis! At that word how the vault rings, And the ground shakes. It shall not shake my purpose. Murder and I are grown familiar, friends. The assassin's trade is sweet. I've tasted blood, And thirst for more. Say, is the mine----

_Mel._ All's ready.

_Caesa._ Who fires the train?

_Hen. Mel. and all the conspirators._ I, I!

_Caesa._ Oh, cheerful cry! Oh! glorious strife for guilt: Let each man throw His dagger in my casque; be his the service, Whose steel I draw.

_Hen._ 'Tis me----

_Caesa._ [_To_ Lucio.] Thy torch, boy, [_giving it to_ Henriquez.] Take it! Here lies thy way--speed, speed, and let yon vaults, Shivering in fragments, tell my ravished ear Alfonso dies. Away, away!--[_On his throwing open the folding doors_, Amelrosa _is discovered_.]

_Amel._ Forbear!

_All._ The princess.

_Amel._ No, no, Princess; 'tis a daughter, Fierce through despair, frantic with fear, and anguish. Hear me ye dread unknown: Yon flinty man Ne'er knew a father's care, and knows not now What 'tis to _love_, what 'tis to _lose_ a father. But ye, (if e'er a parent's hand hath dried Your infant tears; if e'er your eyes have streamed To see him weep, knowing your hand but scarred Gave him more pain, than his own heart torn piece meal) Oh! spare my father! Bid those hours revive Which filial love once bless'd; recall youth's feelings, And by those feelings learn to pity mine. Spare, spare my father!

_Caesa._ [_Struggling to conceal his confusion._] Spare him? Sure thou rav'st: What fears my gentle love?

_Amel._ I'm not thy love; Not gentle: Strange despair has changed my nature; Steeled my soft bosom, braced my woman's nerves, And brought me here, prepared and proud to perish, If my heart's blood may save my sire's from streaming. The savage tigress guards her new-born young With tenderest, fiercest care; the timorous swallow, If robber-hands approach her brood; defends it With eagle-fury; and what brutes will do To guard their offspring, born perhaps that day, Shall I not do for one, to whom I owe Full twenty years of love? Caesario, mark me, For by heaven's host, no power shall move my purpose: Or thou must save my sire, or murder me.

_Hen._ What must be done?

_Mel._ Time presses.

_Caesa._ [_Recovering from his stupor._] Fire the train.

_Amel._ [_Interposing between the inner vault and_ Henriquez.] He shall not.

_Caesa._ Amelrosa.

_Amel._ No, he shall not! Back, ruffian, back! and throw that torch away, Which burns to light my father's funeral pile: Here I'll defy thy rage, thus check thy malice, Thus bar thy road, and, if thou needs wilt pass, Make thee a way by trampling on my corse, I stir not else.

_Caesa._ Nay, then I'll use my power, And, as thy husband now command thee----

_Amel._ Thou? Man, thou canst not command me.

_Caesa._ Art thou not My wife?

_Amel._ I am; but ere I was a wife, I was a daughter, was a subject; nay, Am still a princess, and as such command Thee, traitor, thee! and bid thee turn from evil. [_To_ Henriquez,]--Away! you pass not.

_Caesa._ Force her from the door!

_Amel._ [_Clinging to a column._] Oh! for the Hebrew's strength to shake yon vaults, And crush these traitors and myself.

_Mel._ In vain You struggle.

_Amel._ Cut my hands off! stab me! kill me!

[_They force her away._]

_Caesa._ Henriquez, to your work.

[Henriquez _enters the vault_.]

_Amel._ Oh! barbarous men, Where shall I turn--Caesario, dear Caesario! Once thou wert kind--Aid, aid my prayers, ye angels, And force this cruel man to save at once My husband's honour, and my father's life. Turn not away! look on me! see my tears, And pity me: Friend, husband, lover, all That makes life dear, I charge you! I implore you----

_Hen._ [_Returning from the vault._] The train is fired.

_Amel._ [_Dashing herself on the earth._] Barbarians! fiends, distraction! Fall, fall, ye vaults and crush me.

[_A bugle horn sounds_, Amelrosa _starts from the ground_.]

Hark the signal---- He lives, he lives! [_Kneeling and clasping her hands._] Oh, Heaven, my thanks!

_Caesa._ 'Tis done.

[_The mine blows up with a loud explosion, and the back part of the vault bursts into flames._]

_End of Act IV._