Woman's Witchcraft, Free eBook

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WOMAN'S witchcraft:

THE CUESE OF COQUETRY

a

JUramattc Ivmnance.

COEINNE L'ESTKANGE.

Fuck.

— Now shall two at once woo one:
That must needs be sport alone;
For those things do best please

That

rne,

befall preposterously.

Midsummer Night's Dkeam.

PHILADELPHIA:
WILLIS

P.

HAZARD,

178

CHESTNUT STREET.

1854.

Entered according to the Act of Congress, in the year 1854, by

CORINNE I/ESTRANGE,
in the Office of the Clerk of the District Court of the United States
in

and

for the

Eastern District of Pennsylvania.

PHILADELPHIA:
T. K.

AND

P. G.

COLLINS, PRINTERS.

—— — —
—— —
—

SCENE— THE PYRENEES,

IN SPAIN; TIME, A.D.

1715.

DRAMATIS PERSONiE.
MEN.
PHILIP V.— King or Spain.
CALVAR Duke of Bilbao.
DON ALONZO a Young Nobleman, travelling

in

the guise

of a Student.

ABDALLAH
ROMULO a
GABRIEL

a Moorish Knight.
Chief of Banditti.

a Young Priest.

PIETRO—a Shepherd.
CARLOS— Page to Donna
SILVIO

Viola.

Gate-keeper to the Castle of Algolar.

WOMEN.
DONNA VIOLA Lady

of the Castle of Algolar, near the

Pyrenees.

OLIVIA

Cousin to Donna Viola, afterwards

Bilbao.

HELENA Waiting-Maid to Donna Viola.
ISMENA the White Witch of the Pyrenees.
Chorus of Evil Spirits,

etc. etc.

Duchess of

NOTE.
Although

historical accuracy is

similar composition,

it

may

not pretended to in this

if in any-

be mentioned that, according to the

chronicles of Spain, King Philip V. lost his queen, Maria Louisa,

withdrew from the

by death,

in 1714;

affairs of

government, confiding them entirely to the Cardinal del

and that he then

Giudice, a Neapolitan.

for a time

C. L.

—

!

!

WOMAN'S WITCHCRAFT.

ACT
SCENE

I.

A

dark night on

I.
the Pyrenees,

—Ismena,

the

Witch of the Mountains, alone, with a flaming pine

hranch in her hand.
Ismena. Grim night

—and

clouds,

and storms

—

I

welcome

you!

Even

when

as

—ages gone —the

Of womanhood was mine,
Ye, only, make

Of

me

My

soul

Now,

More

—

amid

dire

my
and

Than forked

To

Roll on,

—nearer

!

find a

me

Let

bathe

thy terrors, which are joys

undying, yet death-thirsting nature
to

heart

I welcomed friends

being, which doth punish me.

this

warm

half forget this curse

Thou deep mouthed thunder

To

soft,

task.

Ye

your secret

terrible in

lightnings

—

—

spells

spirits that leap

mocking heaven

"Which ye can torture

!

that do love this night

in

human

gather near

There's work for you.

1*

from

hearts

me now

hell

!

!

!

woman's witchcraft.

6
Voices

of Invisible

Amen!

Spirits.

Rise we ; to curse earth again

Ismena. Come, come, come

!

'Tis well

Voices.

We

haste hither from our hell.

Thou

hast might to bid us come,

Were

a paradise our home.

[Above, below,

Other Voices.

We

and around.

come, we come

Midnight yields her blackest

To engird us

and, with

;

Damning powers

of

ill

That can make earth

pall

all

and hate,

desolate,

Witch, upon thy will we wait.
Ismena.

Hear, then, and aid

!

Ye, who forget not, know the unwreaked curse

That waits on her who lords
Mistress of yonder castle.

Ye

it

'mid these

A deep curse

promised me.
Voices

of

Spirits.

We

promised,

Ismena. The time draws on.

Of

hills,

father and of mother

And

o'er these

Save ours,

Ay, with

That

love

to

—

fulfil.

yon

halls

wide domains, she meets no will

thwart her.

free heart,

must

in

— and

Left lonely by the death

hath sought

it;

it

for love;

has come.

Over her newborn sleep

die.

I breathed the words

She has longed

:

"The

heart her heart shall seek,

—

;

!

—
;
;

;

;

!

—

woman's witchcraft.
She

shall not find

;

winning, rue the prize.

or,

One love shall never Jill her heart; insate,
win and

She

still

Yet

find in life

shall

be loved, and love,

lose;

no peace

until

1

Heaven s power

Shall conquer ours!"
This do

First Voice.

Second

Third

Then,

Voice.

What

Voice.

we dread

pile our curses

be?

shall they

No

First Voice.

But a

No

early blight

too dangerous beauty's light;

charm

lack of power, no loss of

But

!

on her head

love, her

A smile,

that

own and
wounds

others'

harm

like dagger-stroke

Soft words, to rend the heart of oak

All that gives most of joy in

To be

life,

to her the soul of strife

All woman's wiles, and more than they,

To

fix, to

Be

these

Our

fasten,

her bane

witchcraft

and betray;
if

;

these shall

may no more

avail

Chorus of Evil

Away away!
,

the

fail,

Spirits.

charm has spread

Rest beauty's curse upon her head!

Ismena. 'Tis well!

[Exit.

;

WOMAN

SCENE

II.

Viola

maid

,

A

room in

kneeling by her

V.

WITCHCRAFT.

Castle

the

of Algolar

—Donna

upon a couch, with Helena, her

seen reclining

Donna

S

arrange her hair.

to

Methought the Duke should have been here

ere now.

my

Helena. Not yet,

Donna

V.

Noon,

lady

;

barely noon.

it is

say'st thou

Why,

?

these walls look

dull as night.

Alas

!

mine eyes take shadows from

my

thoughts

All things seem dark without, when sad within.
Helena. Then soon, I trust, your noon will shine again.

Donna

V.

I trust, but yet

Didst ever love, Helena

Helena.

Donna
Helena.

Thou

He

was,

didst
till

!

And was

;

its fears.

lady.

thy gentle true to thee

?

death.
rises,

Ah

V.

These horrid doubts

heart aches with

my

Yes,
V.

[H.

Donna

my

?

!

and goes

to the

window.

then thou ne'er hast

known

these fears, that shake the heart

Like earthquakes ; thou hast never known the hour

Creep slowly on, when he thou watchest for

Should come, and yet he comes not

Those nights of peopled fantasy,

—never known

— when dreams

Place him thou lovest in some rival's arms,

—

;

—
!

!

woman's witchcraft.
Greeting thine ears with scorn

Ye

men, vain men

!

!

should be angels in your kindlier hours

So, only, might ye heal the

Helena. Not yet

wounds love makes

Comes not Carlos yet

In woman's bosom.

but, climbing o'er

;

?

yon

farthest hill,

Methinks I see his horse.

Donna

not the Duke's

Is't

V.

?

Helena. No, madam.

Donna

Let

V.

[Donna V.

How

slow he moves,

With weary

—

look;

it

and goes

must be he
to the

as though the steed were

!

window.

worn

travel, or his rider's heart

Pressed heavily with some

No

me

rises,

'Tis not the

grief.

lover thus could to his mistress ride

Duke.

!

Love's step hath wings, feathered with joyous thoughts;
'Tis

melancholy moves with leaden

Why

I bade

him hasten with

I'll find

some speedier knave

my

Helena. Pardon,

Burden

his

Donna

O,

V.
it

!

Of youth and

tell

Thou

Say, canst thou think

all

lady

By heaven,
my errand

?

to serve
;

if

unwished-for tidings

mind

I cannot bear

Are

news

his

stride.

Doth he not know

lags the page so long ?

it ?

me

not of that

dost not think

love so easily forgot

our hopes

—

all

him

false ?

0, are the sweet hours
?

the fond vows

we swore

—

woman's witchcraft.

10
Broken forever
If he,

?

I'll

who seemed

not believe in Heaven,

now

so true,

[Enter

the

me

play

false

!

page, Carlos.]

Carlos, thou shouldst have brought a world of news, to be

So long

in bearing

it.

What

of the

Duke?

Carlos.

Madam, Duke Calvar comes

Donna

V. Sirrah, thou liest

He

promised

me

Donna

They

What

V.

not here to day.

I wait him on this hour.

!

Carlos.

He had ridden to
And yet alone.

!

told

me

the hunt, with

of him, lady,

hawk and hound,

Alone, and to the hunt

riddle weav'st thou

?

?

Chasing a new-found quarry,

Carlos.

Just started from a covert near Bilbao.

Donna

V.

[Stamping her foot..] I

tell thee,

knave, speak

out!
I'll

bear no more of this

Carlos.

Madam, he

Donna

where went

;

V.

To your
V.

Alone

would return attended.
the old porter,

That
For

all

feast

whom

It

was

wassail.

But

said

I roundly bribed,

within the castle was prepared

and

uncle's castle.

?

Alone, and secretly.

Carlos.

He
By

Duke ?

Well!

Carlos.

Donna

the

rode

yet, I heard,

—

—

!

woman's witchcraft.

Donna

Knowest

V.

for

what

11
?

The King

Carlos.

Comes

morrow

on the

Donna

V.

The

to grace the festival

festival

And

Carlos.

seal,

with royal

will,

Their nuptials.

Donna

Whose?

V.

The Duke's.

Carlos.

Donna
Tlie

Dulces

SCENE

Calvar's?

V.

[She

!

III.

falls in

Evening

a swoon, and

— The gate of

the

the scene

same

Castle

—Enter

Silvio, the porter, and Pedro, a servant.

Pedro. Come, Silvio, comrade, a quarto for thy thoughts.
Silvio.

Make

Pedro. Tut,

it

a doubloon, and I

man

!

may

talk with thee.

thy whole brains, made into barbecue,

and served up with tongue, were not worth the half of

that.

But, I would have thee say, what dost thou think of our
mistress ?
Silvio.

mistress,

and that I

am

Ay

;

simply, that she

is

my

her honest porter, Silvio.

Pedro. Honest, forsooth
Silvio.

Why,

Think of her?

!

as honest as thou art a scurvy knave.

Pedro. If I do not break thy skull for that word, with
thine

own keys

—

woman's witchcraft.

12

Hold

Silvio.

she comes.

!

Pedro. The devil

Pedro. Ha, ha

!

The gate

I don't see her.

!

Ay, but the

Silvio.

my

is fast.

devil is loose.

mistress

is

the devil, then

thy thoughts, loose-tongue, without the quarto.

I have

!

Good

But,

!

dost thou really think

Think

Silvio.

and thy
the

!

blockhead

—have done with thy

Dost not know

talking, too.

White Witch goes her rounds

me

from

all

!

Thou

Didst thou ever see her

!

Never but once before

Silvio.

that follows

Her

!

is

thinking,

when

the hour

?

Pedro. Ave Maria Sanctissima
in a tremble

it

puttest

me

all

?

last night.

footsteps

Heaven

among

shield

the leaves,

I have heard a-many a time.

Pedro.

And

Silvio.

Always

at this

hour

?

at this hour.

Pedro. May-be thou mayst disbelieve me, but I
I

am

tell

thee

bitterly afeard.

Silvio. I

have no doubt of

it.

her path as she walks, they say,

Pedro. Ugh, ugh, ugh
Silvio.

Get thee

!

is

To meet

Sancta Maria Ora

Get

[The

if

[Exeunt.

Witch,

changes.

—

the night air blows

in.

leading

and cross

I shall be murdered

in, get thee in.

with rheumatism in these old bones

on me.

her,

death.

Ismena, passes over

DoNNA VlOLA

hy the

the stage rapidly,

hand

—

scene then

—

woman's witchcraft.

SCENE
ing

from a

among

crevice

the rocks

Whither

V.

so fast

?

Now we may

Ismena.

In

Is granted.

this

Then

V.

me

let

Ismena. Hast thou no fears

Donna
They

at once to the antipodes.

I could quaff

fire,

bathe in blood, or sleep

couch no softer than these pointed rocks

those I love, and hate

to

this

wreak

my

'Tis easier

and touch thy dainty

pure mountain crystal, which

Have somewhat wrought upon, and

Thy

art

now

resistless.

won.
lips

my

spells

all is thine.

[Donna Viola

—thou

will

!

Ismena.
'Tis but to stoop

Go

it.

and night; when passion burns,

So might I win the power

To

drink of

?

Passion and fear are strangers

V.

are like sun

Fear sinks

On

Thy wish

rest.

stream resides the power

spirit craved.

Donna

On

the

and Donna Viola.

Donna

!

—A fountain gush— Enter Ismena,

IV. The Pyrenees by moonlight

Witch,

Thy

13

stoops

and

drinks.

Every eye

glance shall meet will answer thine with love.

Mark

well

my

words

:

u Thy hand shall have the power

!

—

;

!

woman's witchcraft.

14
To draw

Whose

lions from their

e'e?i

den

and

;

he

meet thine, shall seek no other love!"

lips

If what thou soughtst as blessing, prove a curse.

Say not that / have cursed

Donna

And

I

I crave revenge

Who
If

am armed

be the weapon blessed or cursed, to

On

It matters little.

To

thee.

V.

men

it recoil

at

on

Donna
if

my

feet,

Love

my

V.

my

shall yield

me power

abject slaves

me
Come,

Ismena.

man

most dearly upon him

hath so wronged me.

lay

Then,

;

the race of

;

me

To-morrow

let

us hence.

will I to

Duke

spells prove powerless

Witch, thy foul treachery

Calvar's castle

on him,

shall not fail reward!

[Exeunt.

woman's witchcraft.

ACT
SCENE

A festival,

I.

15

II.
&c,

with masquers,

in the Castle of the

—

Duke of Bilbao Enter Donna Viola, masoned,
sued by King Philip.
King

Philip. Nay, then, sweet

nymph, be not

'pur-

so fleet of

foot!

I

am

not wont to weary so in chase.

Donna
King

V.

Nor

Philip.

I to be so

Why,

worn with being chased.

then, pray rest thee on this

arm

awhile.

I

am

not yet so old nor grim of mien,

In step nor

lip so palsied

nor so cold,

That dainty beauties need take fright

Donna

What

V.

wouldst thou

Donna

To

it

Dost thou know
Sire, I do;

V.

were rank disloyalty in

woman

yield to majesty, in kingly state,

More than
Unto

in

maiden honor would be given

his humblest vassal.

King Philip.

Why,

A

me.

?

King Philip.

But

at

then,

I'll

Sayst thou so

?

be most humble, and put up

vassal-like request.

me?

—

—

!

;

!

woman's witchcraft.

1G

Donna

What

is it, sire ?

might

V.

kiss

King Philip. That

I

Donna

my

King

Ay, and

V.

your majesty's

Wilt thou be

Pliilip.

Donna

Upon

V.

Name

V. That, from this moment,

all

the price.

my

motions here

or look.

King Philip.

What

so free ?

by your royal hand,

Shall be unfettered

Or word,

hand.

condition only.

King Philip.

Donna

fair

lips too.

'Tis granted.

magic's in those lips

What necromancy

spelled

0, ye heavens

'[Kisses her.']

What

?

!

art of fire

them with such sweetness

?

Yet, one word, lady

One

word

little

Donna

—when

we meet again

To-morrow noon

V.

King Philip. Not

Or

shall

till

the

—

no, no;

?

you

will forget

moon remembers not

me.

to shine,

night to set

Donna

To-morrow, then, a page

V.

Will bring a token from

Remember
Whatever
[Enter

our condition.

my

hand.

Farewell

Heed you

not

stirs.

Duke Calvar
Sir

Du7ce C.

No

with

Donna Olivia,

his Gride.]

Duke, a word with you

words, fair masque, are sweet to bridegroom's

ears

That make not music

Donna

V.

for his mistress, too.

Thine ears alone must hear what I would say.

;

!

woman's witchcraft.
Duhe

My

C.

Donna

V.

ears are deaf to all but

[Taking him by

come hence

Duhe
Duhe

what she

hears.

You must,

my

lord,

!

[Going.']

C.

Donna

the hand.~

17

A

most brave masque, ha! ha!

Olivia. Calvar

my

Anon,

C.

lady

!

'tis

some

folly

I will be with thee soon; sweet, pardon me.

[Exeunt

SCENE

A

II.

Donna V. and Duke Calvar.

same

terrace or balcony belonging to the

Castle

—Enter Duke Calvar and Donna Viola.
Duhe
This

is

By

0.

all

the saints, and Mary's self to boot,

a famous prank

There dwells more strength

!

In three small fingers of that

Than

in all Hercules'

Come,

I

Now, what

!

must know.

hand

lily

art thou ?

[Raises her masque.']

What, Viola,

thou here!

Who

bade

thee to this feast ?

Donna

My

V.

Know thou, false Duke, true
And winged like Mercury
!

Gates, and

That give

Though

And

love

slighted love

is

!

Argus-eyed,

Embattled

walls,

portcullis, are but things of sport,

its

search more zest

twice ten thousand

thou in the centre

;

!

men

or,

I would have found thee,
stood

armed around,

though the hollow earth

2*

—

—

!

;

!

woman's witchcraft.

18

Had

bid thee in her bosom, farther

down

Than ever miner sank his fearful shaft
Thou hast been

Duke

me.

false to

0, pardon, Viola!

C.

Donna

Talk not of pardon

V.

Were thy home

!

a dun-

geon,

Lonely, and cold, and clamp, where one small ray

Of

heaven's light smiled on thee through a crevice,

And
And
0,

one poor cup of water every day,
crust of bread,

tell

me

!

came

to thee

Should close that gap, that shone,

Between thee and thy doom, and

To

its aid,

loneliness

like

Heaven's mercy,

leave thee there

Yet, in woman's heart

die in darkness ?

Are

by

wouldst thou pardon him whose hand

and darkness such as ne'er

In dankest cavern gloomed, when the sweet light

Of

love, her sunshine, is shut out forever

Duke

C.

Donna

Then

I

am

guilty

—

guilty.

Basely so

V.

But come, thou mayst

in part atone.

0, how

Dulce C.

Be

it

Or

?

precious gems; or favor with the king;

by

forfeiture of lands, or vassals,

Or aught more

Donna

dear-

What need have

V.

I ask a simple boon; wilt promise it?

Duke

C.

Ay, on

my

knees.

I of these

?

!

:

!

!

!

19

woman's witchcraft.

Donna
Alone

—

as

Duke
That

One

V.

was your wont

C

If all souls

!

were damned with such sweet punishment,

sin,

Donna

saintless

!

Well,

V.

You marvel

May now

my

at

kindness

Then

thou hast proffered

— ah

!

it

will I,

—by

villain

by Heaven!

all

the joys

memory

That didst not keep such record of that

As would have

did I bury
V.

me

all

bliss,

other hopes

0, fool that I was

?

in another's

Not yet

that thy spirit

Duke

My

blotted out

did I lose thee

Donna
But

arms

!

?

art thou so buried, noble

may

Hold, tempter, hold

O.

plighted oath

Donna

Was

V.

for each day, a

it

not sworn to

me ?

new one

for each hour;

Then, every kiss was crowned with an oath.

Then

tell

me

Duke,

walk.

Once, did you swear a thousand loving oaths;

One

lord,

it.

C.

So treasured once

Why
Why

my

and, perchance,

;

repent already of your grant.

I will not urge

Now

castle

happy days.

in

paragon of mercy

High heaven were almost

Duke

my

visit to

not of any newer vows

False to yon bride, thou wert a perjurer;

But, false to me, a thousandfold more perjur'd

!

—

—

!

;

woman's witchcraft.

20

Duke

My

0.

Now

Sweet, Viola

To

My

to

;

all faith

;

every thought

Thou

is

me

reason scorns.

but faithless seems

swallowed up in one,

have but thee alone

!

but some goddess grown,

art not mortal,

lure

my

passion seeonds what

Honor seems dead

thus, like lion from his lair,

bridal revelry

still

ringing loud

But, lady, by whatever spell attained,

The palm

My

thine

is

my

wife,

Donna
Duke

V.

Then,

V.

is

my

bride,

—but thou

listen to

Humbly

C.

Donna

Olivia

:

duchess

art

my

my

queen !

sovereign commands.

I wait to hear and to obey.

Mark, then

;

I will not ask what, once

in pity to

all

yon new-made

wife,

mine, thou stolest;

I ask but that, one day in every seven,

We

celebrate the

Housed
Heal

my

in

my

Duke

memory

castle

;

deep wound of

V.

may you

many broken

Most generous queen

C.

Donna

of old loves

thus, in part,

!

oaths.

Thy

Then, now, farewell; back

subject shall obey.
to

your blushing

bride;

Yet, in the height and summit of your

So much

at least of

Remember

Duke

is

bliss,

due

Viola.

Shall the day be to-morrow

C.

Donna

punishment

V.

Nay

;

but the next.

?

;

;;

woman's witchcraft.

Duke

The

C.

But, goest not to the feast again

Donna

21

may

next, then,

it

be.

?

Not

V.

I

j

Good-night.

Duhe

Good-night,

C.

Donna
Duke

Donna

until

!

wilt

remember ?

doomsday.

[Exit.

0, that treacherous word

V.

!

times that day had come to pass,

Did breaking

my

yet,

queen

Thou
Ay,

C.

How many
But

my

V.

vows compel

of men's

charms work well

:

it

hither.

/ thank

Witch

thee,

!

_Exit.

SCENE

III.

A

woodland

at sunrise

—Enter

Don Alonzo

in the dress of a student.

Don
In

Alonzo.

many

What

lovely vision passed before

lands I have travelled, and have seen

All bright ideals of immortal art

And,

Or

in weird fancy's studio, I have found,

fashioned, forms of

But

Have
She

these eyes looked

sat

upon her horse

Were proud

And

still

surpassing grace

ne'er in travel, art, or fancy's forms,

to bear

upon

so fair a thing

as though the air

her up, nor needed else

from her eye such lustre darted forth

!

my

sight

?

!

!

woman's witchcraft.

22

As might have
Do

dawn

roused the lark before the

0, I will follow her

and

!

!

earth

if this

give her habitation, once again

Mine eyes may

feast

upon such wondrous charms
[Exit.

Enter Pietro, a shepherd.

What do

Pietro.

these gentlefolks abroad so early

my

here have I just rubbed

when

race with the skylark,

galloping across the

sleepy eyes, and
this

madcap

come

?

Why,

to

run a

of a lady comes

with a poor devil of a page try-

fields,

ing the mettle of his steed and his spurs to keep pace with
But, by the keys of the Church, that fine lass has a

her.

wondrous pair of eyes

make

What

!

What

!

when

a sight,

on her

lips,

all

and such a song

mad

our merry fellows

seest her again

—La,

la

why, they would make
where they say the sun

the lads and lasses were at

among them

the vintage, to see her

all

a lovely milkmaid she would

!

all,

in her

Pietro,

with such a smile

mouth, as would turn

my

boy, an thou ever

what a pair of eyes

!

it

is

day

!

Eyes, eyes

!

at the frozen pole of the earth,

out of sight for six months
[Exit, singing.

SCENE

IV.

A

Viola

Donna
Helena.

V.

room

in Algolar

(in riding habit)

Castle

— Enter

Donna

and Helena.

0, 'twas a fright, Helena

!

How,

dear lady

?

;;

;

;

woman's witchcraft.

Donna
Hold me

I tremble yet

V.

—

I faint

Thus, in the

fire

mouse may

I

who have dared

Such, such we

!

but,

;

fright us

when our rage

What
V.

are

much

!

A dozen

is

cooled,

!

Helena.

Donna

women

so

and tempest of our passion,

"We can meet fiends

A

—

23

hath happened you

?

robbers, scarce a mile from hence,

Set on us suddenly from out a wood.

They bound yon

As though

And

me

fought, forsooth,

their bearded chieftain came,

draw me from

to

who

ten years of war had schooled his arms

then to

In act

trusty page,

my

saddle down.

Helena. 0, terrors!

Donna

Then, I thought

V.

me

of a spell

Learned from Ismena, the old mountain hag.
I placed

And

my

hand upon

his ruffian grasp,

cried, a a word, bold sir!"

"No

words/' he said;

" Kisses would more become those pretty
" Yet, words

first,

Mastering the fears that choked me.

And, wondering, gazed on me

To hear

a

lamb cry " truce"

Thus, woman's gentleness

Than

lips I"

kisses after," I replied

valor, trebly armed.

as

He

stood back,

might a wolf

to his bloody jaws.

is oft

more strong

His dark brow smoothed,

Lip softened, and his eye grew mild with love;

Anon, he sank upon

his very knees

Begged and entreated me

to smile

on him

!

;

;

!

—

woman's witchcraft.

24
Asked pardon

for the rudeness of his seizure

Bid Carlos be unbound

To show himself

And

Helena.

in short, did all

;

the conquered, though

did he leave you so

He did, Helena;
bade me (which his noble

Donna
Only he

my

victor.

?

V.

front,

Most knightly bearing, and frank courtesy

Made

easy ransom) promise in return,

I would forget his ruffian -like pursuit

And,

as he swore he

Guest him within

was of gentlest blood,

my

castle.

Passing strange

Helena.

Donna
There

That

V.

—things stranger yet may be
my

a restless fever in

is

calls for

Though

0, Helena

all

more

—and

my

room of

Helena. The
V.

my

state

Perchance his majesty

Donna

thoughts,

will not be appeased,

the noblest of this goodly land

Fall, as love's vassals, at

Go, deck

!

:

throned feet!
this afternoon

may happen

here.

King ?

The King

!

why

not

?

— Go,

child, prepare.

Exit Helena.
;

Tis said, the lion that hath tasted blood,

Slumbrous and tame before, grows hot with rage
even so, methinks, am I,
Now this new lust of power hath so been fed.
Woman first passion ever must be luce ;

Thirsting for prey

's

;

—

!

—
—

;

!

!!

!

25
But, be this thwarted

—jealousy, or revenge,

Or

love of power, each

Or

all at

once

;

But, for this paltry

He

is

may

hold

—mine, mine

its rule,

love of conquest

Duke

what care I

not true;

is

for his love ?

The

I shall not worship changelings.

Where Love

sits

Not Cleopatra

Not

all

—

true heart,

once enthroned, no charms divine,
Circe's

wand— nor

Siren

the bright perfections of an angel

Can bend

to

swerve from

—

allegiance

its

O, thus would I have loved, had he been true

For I did doat on him

Became

idolatry.

The very

And

he,

air

things changed

all

and sunshine glowed

like

heaven;

who, erst had been a plain blunt man,

Became Hyperion
So wondrous

But now

me

love in

till

Then,

—

to

my

love-lit eyes.

the alchemy of love

is

all's

gone.

I have exchanged

my

He

is

my

!

prey.

Come, power

nature with the tigress

;

And, through the tangled jungle of men's hearts
I move, with stealthy tread, yet sure of spring,

And

strong to

wound— e'en

to the

bloody death
[Exit.

—

—

—

!

!

woman's witchcraft.

26

ACT
SCENE

A

I.

room of

Enter, on one side,

state

III.
in

Castle

the

King Philip;

on

—

of AhjoJar

the other,

Donna

Viola.

King

To

doff

Thou

Philip.

my

fair enchantress,

who

hast

won me

so

royalty, as one of old

More mighty did

his strength, behold

All unattended, as thou bad'st
Content, thus at thy

feet,

me here,—

me come

-

;

thy royal slave
_Kneels to her.

Donna

V. Rise, sire

;

such homage should be yours from

me.

King Philip. No;

in love's

kingdom,

all

high rule

re-

versed,

One

only sceptre sways the universe

'Tis

woman's beauty, and that nameless charm

"Which thou,

Donna
King

fair

Y. I

Philip.

Donna

V.

queen of hearts, so queenly wear'st

do beseech your majesty to

Command me, and

I

rise.

must obey

perforce.

Your humblest servant doth command you,

then.

Will you be seated ?

[The King
Or, I well remember,

Your highness hath a more Arcadian fancy

rises.

;

!

woman's witchcraft.
I

have a pleasant garden near the

27

castle,

Shaded, yet sweet with wafted breath of flowers;

And

cool withal, where waters fall

King Philip.
I

am bound up

Sweet, there or anywhere.

!

Orphean voice

in love; thy

Would tame me, were
Spain

I wilder than the leopard.

my

thou shalt be forgot ;

Viola, this bright day, shall

Donna

and flow;

me ?

Wilt walk with

peace,

make

my

war,

or mar.

Bring music, Carlos! sweet, soul-trancing

V.

music

[Carlos
Let the

And

strain fall as soft as

enters.]

dew on

flowers,

sweeter than the perfumed cups

it fills

[Exeunt.

SCENE II.

The gateway of the same Castle— Enter Helena,

in Spanish out-door costume, knocking

— Silvio opens

the

gate.

Silvio. So,

Helena!

Helena. Well, master Silvio,

is

thy solemn mouth open

to-day, as well as thy pond'rous gate ?

which goes the
Silvio.

In

faith, I

know

not

rustier.

Peace

!

Thy

mistress hath had brave

company

to-day.

Helena.

he seemed.

A gentleman

only

—

true, a right fair

gentleman

;
!

!

WOMAN'S WITCHCRAFT.

28
Ha,

Silvio.

girl

dost think I could serve ten years in

!

his royal father's guard,

and not know that face ?

much

brewing in a house when our Sire

good, or more

Philip enters

ill,

There's

for a lady's smiles.

it

Helena. For shame on thee, for an old scandal-monger

The queen's crown has
Viola's

sat

on

less fair

heads than our Lady

and, maybe, less noble, too.

;

Silvio. Didst

be with thee

thou speak of wisdom and

craft, I

for I believe the devil helps her

;

would

on occasion.

Helena. Not without her helping him in return, on occa-

thou wouldst say; but, 'I

sion,
is all

Our

wrong.

for his throne, nor

tell thee,

thy wise head there

mistress would neither

be

his, for the

wed King Philip

crown jewels, without the

throne.
Silvio.

and

Well, well, berries will be red when they ripen

so will be lips

them.

Let go

;

and cheeks when the young blood

neither, so long as there's beef in the pot,

no mending.

SCENE
lena

III.

Let go

A

in

my gate

needs

— Enter Donna Viola and He— Song, with guitar heard with-

chamber

in night dress

and

[Exeunt.

the

out.

Song.
Sleepest, or wakest, lady fair ?

Now,

is

I shall not meddle with kings, nor donnas

in his lair,

—

;

!

woman's witchcraft.

!

29

Each wild thing slumbers.

Of

all

earth's numbers,

Save love and

I,

There wakes no eye;
Sleepest, or wakest, lady?

If thou art dreaming,

Through closed

lids

beaming,

Be

fair

than Jacob's angels given

sights

But,

if

more

thou wake,

Sweet mercy take

On

love that finds those starry eyes

its

heaven

Sleepest, or wakest, lady?

Donna

Such music
O,

What

V.

address

doth

voice

flatter

us with such sweet

?

more welcome,

is

it is bliss,

far,

when

at midnight,

than sleep

the moon,

Soft peeping through the lattice, gilds our dreams,

To have them melted

As much more

By

the soft touch of song

But seems
All

into wakefulness

sweet than day's as heaven than earth

made

like

!

It is not

Why

of happiest dreams.

Go, Helena, wake Silvio;

Bid him be entertained.
strict affairs

doth he cease?

command

This gentle warbler be enforced

Some

waking j

dying into some other world,

Say

in.

that, to-morrow,

must urge me
3*

to

be private

j

—

WOMAN'S "WITCHCRAFT.

30

But

that another day shall not pass

Without our conference.

noon

Go, haste, Helena.

[Exeunt

SCENE

A

IV.

Now,

Carlos.

field or

if this

—Enter Carlos.

woodland

be not the wildest chase after a

tame goose that ever Christian man was sent upon!
find a scurvy lout of a peasant boy, that

how
ewes

to

speak to a

Methinks,

!

she might eat

was pastured

it

fine
if

my mistress

self; in that case, I don't

One would have

— and

to look well to the fences

Now we

my

Pietro.

the grass

it

will

eat grass her-

wish to have the watching of her.

Here he comes,

!

have our errand done, at

[Enter Pietro, with a shepherd's
Say,

all

But, mayhap, she hath an ambition to

be like the famous monarch of old time

as I guess.

to shear

be ever so fond of mutton,

without acquaintance with

on.

knows no more

know how

lady than I would

To

friend, is not thy

name

True, I be one of that

Pietro

name

;

last.

crook.~

?

but there be more

about.
Carlos.

Well, I reckon thou wilt do as well as another for

me, so that thou keep sheep.
Pietro.
Carlos.

Nay, but I don't do that; sheep keep me.

How

wilt thou prove that?

Pietro. Isn't a

And

one kept by what he eats and wears?

don't I shear the sheep, and

sell

them

;

and

kill

them,

—

—

woman's witchcraft.
and eat them; and wear
see the sheep that

31

their wool, too?

I

would eat me, and wear

Carlos. 0, thou art a very keen shepherd
that, out

would

my
!

like to

wool.

Now,

of thy plentiful wit, thou canst answer

I guess

me

one

question.
Pietro. If I don't, hold

me

as dull as that dainty

sword

there of thine, that never was meant to cut.
Carlos.

Thou

liest,

clodhopper

!

Misshapen lump, thou

mutton-mouth, thou
Pietro.

Wilt

call

me

a

mutton-mouth

?

[Flourishing his
Carlos. Hold, good shepherd

herd, hold

!

!

brave,

Put up that weapon,

I pray

!

me ?

Pietro.

Art thou not

Carlos.

For the sake of argument, we

Only grant me that
Pietro.

my

will say, I

Civilly, to

me

am.

sword hath a right good edge.

Granted, for the sake of argument.

dost thou want with
Carlos.

afraid of

stich.

magnanimous shep-

Then, what

?

know whereabouts

those sheep do keep

you, and feed you, and lead you to water, and pasture you.
Pietro.

along,
along.

and

O, now thou art speaking reason again.
I'll

show thee where we

graze.

Come

This way; come
[Exeunt.

—

—
;

!

!

woman's witchcraft.

32

SCENE

A garden — Enter Donna

V.

Viola and Duke

Calvar.

Donna
Duke

Duke

That

V.

C.

Donna
The

Sweet, be

0.

Donna
Duhe

Duke, I have said; no more

V.

Calvar

still

Dost thou not love

why

soft looks

—

why

purple dawn,

feasted with a kiss
in its height of

noon
[Approaches her.

Thus mine

Donna
Duke

Duke

Must

I obey

Thou

V. Hold, Calvar!

(Thou canst not doubt
self

Duke
To

salve

For

my

For

love),

G. Unwillingly I leave

Most

this

cruel tyrant!

due obedience,

Remember,

when

rolls

my

a week,

guest.

—but am most glad

penance with that better hope.

this time

vanquished; 0, thou bitter-sweet,

That mak'st and marr'st
I'll

thee; cease!

shalt!

same day makes thee again

my

command

[Turning slowly away.~

I will forgive thy froward tongue.

The

I

?

V.

C.

Donna

Away! Duke,

V.

C.

Donna

call thee hither?

so foreign to love's tender guise?

its first

is

Grows wild with ardor

not Duke.

me ?
Else,

C. Then,

me

call

;

more

your merit stands with me.

V.

passion which, in

Feeds on

it

shall be as

Calvar, no

!

my

passion in a breath
[Aside.

rule thee yet!

[Exeunt, on opposite

sides."]

! !

!

woman's witchcraft.

SCENE

A

VI.

room in Algolar

Viola, and

Donna

V.

Don Alonzo

33

Castle

— Enter

Donna

in student's dress.

most humbly crave your pardon,

Sir Student, I

For giving you so slow and dull a welcome.

Your moonlit

strain,

which sweetly broke our

sleep,

Might have flung wide the gates of palaces

Don

Alonzo. Ah, lady

pardon

!

The tongue bears not the

guilt,

my

presumptuous song

Gushed madly ; such sweet madness you

Donna

Don

V.

!

which from the heart

Art thou not strange

to

inspire

!

me ?
These eyes but once

Alonzo.

Opened upon thy beauty; yet such space
That picture holds

And
I

in

my

mind's gallery,

I so oft have conned

it,

that, 'twould

seem

must have seen thee many million times

Donna

Don

V.

To

flatter, is

Alonzo. No, lady

;

the poet's privilege.
he,

whose soul

is

Nature's child,

Nurtured by her alone, as those of old

By manna
O,

call

Where

from God's hand

not poets

false, in

—most worships truth

!

heart or song;

falsehood dwells, there beauty dies away;

Sweet tune from broken harp might come, as well

As

poesy

—from a heart that

Donna

Don

V.

is

not true

I wronged thy calling then ; wilt thou forgive

Alonzo. Yes, lady.

I have heard, in other lands,

Strange tales of faery-work and witchery;

?

—— —

;

;

!

woman's witchcraft.

34

Of mighty wands, and
Doubtful I heard them

mystic muttered spells;

but I doubt no more.

;

That unseen

spirits

Through

dark caverns climbing from their depths,

its

hover o'er our world

Or winging downward

Thy beauty

thro' the air

:

the power

wields, hath something of their nature.

and timid,

Else, a lone student, thoughtful, shy,

Had

not thus dared to scale thy lofty state

As though

a dove should

mount

Magic or madness wrought

Donna
To hear

V.

And,

if

Pray

tell

!

call it

noble lady.

it,

madness

;

for I love so well

thee rave, 'twere bliss to be thy keeper

So wander

Don

Then

an eagle's nest

to

ever, gentle lunatic

!

aught else of vagary be thine

me;

so,

perchance,

may come

thy cure.

Alonzo. These soft words, lady, but increase

my

ill.

could I dare to take you at your word,

And

tell

you, that

It leaps, in wishes,

What punishment
Donna

V.

my

madness grows

even

to those lips

so bold,

!

do such rash thoughts deserve

Naught, but

?

free pardon, if I be the judge.

Dost think, the church would frown on gentlest love,

Given as medicine

Don

Alonzo. No, lady; 'twere a blameless charity.

Donna

Don

for lunacy ?

V.

I would 'twere thine.

0, rare munificence

Alonzo.

Now, am
Methinks

I tenfold
I

am

madder than

another

man

before.

than T

!

—
;

;

woman's witchcraft.

A

knight's full armor weighs upon

me my sword and helm

Give

On —

for

my

lady

!

limbs;

my

Bring forth

!

horse

!

—No, no—pardon me.

I did forget myself.

Most noble

my

35

lady, I

Sometimes

am

'tis so.

strange in speech

But, trust me, were I in more courtly guise,

(Such virtue travel worketh

in the rude)

I might not lack the mien of chivalry.

Something I've seen of war

And

sometimes

—when the

—

a looker on

soul

is

;

wrought upon,

Things past come thus between us and our

me

Forgive

;

—

sight.

O Heaven

but, those eyes, those lips,

my caprice.
my way, being too hot of brain,
When aught hath stirred these rebel spirits

!

I do beseech you, bear with
It

is

Dull walls cannot contain

Donna

Don

V.

Gladly, fair

me
sir

shall

;

;

we

up,

forth

your madness

Alonzo. I pray you, do forgive me.

But when
You'll find

Donna

SCENE

sudden tempest vents

this

me

infectious.

am

I

bold

itself,

passing humble.

Let us

V.

VII.

?
is

Another room in

the

[Exeunt.

forth.

same

Castle

— Enter

Donna Viola.
Donna

V.

So arm'd and

Now, were

I not so vowed to

steel'd against the

my

revenge

approach of love,

;;;

woman's witchcraft.

36
That Cupid's

To

!

!

pierce

my

self,

with

all his darts,

encas'd heart

—

would

fail

'twere conquered here

!

This student hath a princely nobleness,

As though he were

Low-born are seldom so;

Some

yet, well I

Shames

in-born majesty, of God's

know,

own crowning,

the world's poor, puppet dignities

all

Kings, and their courts, in
oft, like apes, in

life's

gay Carnival,

conquerors' disguise

But, when unhoodcd greatness walks

Their

power.

natures are there, heedless of degree

Whose

Strut

pomp and

the child of

pomp and

Alonzo I could
Victims must
Still

must

The

tale of

I

show

tinsel

Yet, I

love.

still

like

am

be humbled to

make night

among them,

lamps by daylight
free

!

my

power;

smile, to con again

each day's conquest.

Helena

!

[Enter Helena.]

Bring

me some famous

This robber-gentle

my

is

Let's play the bandit.

Of Donna Cassima,

Who,

for her

Armed

A

bravery of dress.
guest to-day.

Did'st thou never hear

the Moorish lady,

humor, roved the mountains once,

cap-dpie, the terror of the passes

?

slender sword might suit this figure well

Though

for the

helm

— but

Re-enter

haste,

Helena

methinks he comes

[Exeunt — After a
with Carlos.]

!

little

time

;

!

;

;

;

!

37
Helena. Is he not coble, Carlos

With what
I

0, the Hector

?

a fearful flourish strode he in

wonder, when he seized you on your road,

You

And

did not die from fright at him.

So handsome, too

Good

!

Weareth some wondrous

Would

I could learn

it

yet

lack, this lady of ours

spell, to

too

tame such

'T would be

!

Carlos. I do believe you, there's

hearts.

my

fortune.

some magic in

it.

Helena. Yet would I fear to be alone with him,

As

she

now.

sits

In honesty

Carlos.

Though I

did cross

my

I wonder, now, I dared

Who
His

maiden sword with
j

he

is

—

would I

so

his.

one of those

carry thunder on their dark knit brows

close teeth glisten, like the flash of knives,

When, from beneath

his bearded lip, he smiles

His deep voice mocks the

tiger's

angry roar;

All things about him speak ferocity.
Helena. Yet now, he's whispering a tale of love

Hark, through the

Such might
Carlos.

half- closed

soft passions

it.

!

yet.

?

Carlos.
call

fierce

Aye, but the end, Helena, comes not

Helena. Hast any fears

To

door we scarce can hear

have to rule the

up ghosts we cannot

I have
lay again.

;

but

it

were vain
[Exeunt.

;

woman's witchcraft.

38

SCENE

same— Enter Donna Viola and

The

VIII.

Romulo,

Donna

V.

Passed over

For

I

this time,

am

a

Romulo,

this time,

Yet know,

it.

week

my

honor,

lady,

of deeds than words

may

this passion

A

farewell.

again.

But, I have pledged

!

must abide

man much more

And, what

Bandit.

—be thou here my guest

Romulo. Hard clemency

And,

the

me

inflame

to,

Failing love's substance, as you seem to proffer
Its

shadow

I love

for

my

thee ; and,

I dare not limit.

bait,

where Romulo hath loved,

Death or possession follows

Donna
I

am

[Exit.

!

Ha

V.

almost frighted.

!

'tis

well.

Yet, I do not fear him

!

'Twill be a duller day than any yet,

When, with my woman's
The

full strength of

man

one

Off with these trappings.

To-morrow

With

will I cool

a pure pastoral.

wit, I

my

may

not match

Well, I

!

am

weary.

'Twas a feverish scene

!

o'er-stirred heart

Carlos

!

Enter CARLOS.
Here,

Carlos.

Donna

V.

Was

fields

Where

my

lady.

I not told that thou had'st found

Pietro, the peasant, feeds his flocks ?

the

!

!

!

!

!
!

!

woman's witchcraft.
Carlos.

'Twas

Donna

my

V.

so,

lady.

Now,

To dream of shepherd's

39

then, for

No more

pipes.

my

rest.

banditti

[Exeunt.

SCENE

A

IX.

chamber

—Donna Viola

is

seen reclining

on a couch.

Donna

V.

'Twas but a vision

Why

!

is

my

sleep so

broken ?

Unhallowed thoughts are trooping

thro'

my

brain.

Marshalled by her I dread, the false Ismena

Away

!

I'll

yield no

more

Enter

What

;

come,

would' st thou?

Thee

Ismena.

Donna

softly, sleep

Ismena.

the Witch,

V.

I

Take back thy

spells,

and leave

am

not thine, nor will be!

me

Ismena.

I cannot;

The charm Hell wove, Hell never can unwind

Donna

V.

Yet leave me;

for

my

heart hath learned to

hate thee
I charge thee, hence; tempt

[ISMENA
an

my weak

soul no farther!

gesticulates violently, as if struggling with

invisible

Power

;

and

at length, with

shriek, disappears.]

No more

I'll

sleep alone, nor in this place;

a wild

woman's witchcraft.

40

Her

vanish'd shape hath shed a gloom around,

That

very soul

chills ray

To tamper with such
For our small,

How
And

0,

!

it is

fearful

spirits in their

selfish

ends

In

!

strangely changed look

might,

this still hour,

all life's

tangled schemes;

that which, in the day, would cause but mirth,

Stalking in night and silence, most appals
I'll

me

!

think no more; each shadow grows a ghost;

Hence, hence!

SCENE

[Exit.

X. Another room in Algolar

Castle

— Enter Carlos

and Helena.

Ha! ha! ha!

Helena.

Ha!

could'st but have seen that sport
all in

ha!

0, Carlos,

To

!

plain rustic trim, playing the diffident with that love-

smitten clown

La! la!

!

Carlos.

Did he not seem

Helena.

Know

was he, as

it

!

to

know

why, the poor

her

fool

were, sometimes sitting

?

knew

Here

nothing.

down and sometimes

standing, and then walking around and around her
falling

thou

if

see our lady, there,

— anon

on both knees before her, taking up her two

hands as

lily

though he would swallow them both whole, the

oaf!
Carlos.

And how

Helena.

Oh

!

did she play her part the while?

most gently and

stage-players could

come up with

perfectly.
her.

None

There

of your

sat she,

on a

woman's witchcraft.

rock by the great olive tree, with her hands in her lap,

little

so
in

41

—and

a face

more innocent than the image of the Virgin

A good

yon chapel.

much

Helena. So

know

coughing,

that, if I

it

it

was.

?

of nothing that I could not

the hundredth part of
I only

play, sure,

Did they say nothing

Carlos.

it;

and yet

it

was nothing,

my

had not smothered

must have gone very

ill

it

it

laughter with

"Sweet

"No, sweet
" Sweet Viola,

Viola."

is

after all.

with me.

maiden," said he, "is thy name Carlotta ?"
youth," answered the lady, "

remember

should have been Carlotta; that were a prettier name.

My

sister,

and

my

" Well,

name."

so thou wilt love

with

less wit

me

new madness

sort of

dream

;

till

grandame, wear that

wear any name thou

And with

in it."

than any ram in his

in his

mile or so

my

mother, and

fair Pietro, I will

like,

that the poor sheep,

flock,

grew

so over-deep

of love, that he lay there gazing in a

the other sheep

—and none but the lady

wandered

off

a good half

herself could get

him

to

run and fetch them back again.
Carlos. Dost thou

Helena. No, not
Carlos.

know what new game

Our lady bade me, when

an eye over the road,

to see

what

to stop

Aye, just before

I

this

toward ?

storm came up, keep

traveller

Helena. Did'st thou see any one
Carlos.

is

I.

came

came

by.

?

in hither.

I have orders

him, and bid him take shelter from the rain in this

castle.

4*

—

!

42

;

woman's witchcraft.
Helena.

more pastime

!

!

What was

good Car-

it like,

los?
Carlos. I think, a

withal;

lion-like in

Moor; but

yet, a very proper

swarthy, and

port;

man

and yet

stately,

graceful, too.

Helena.

A

Moor

!

Faith, I love

Moors

have him, he shall not pass

will not

warrant.

my

It is

me

If the mistress

!

without a smile, I

turn to have sport now,

when she begins

to tire of them.

Carlos.

Oh, Helena!

when here am

I,

to

talks of

so fond, so fervently

Helena. Thou, indeed

!

Moors and

cast-offs,

amorous

Think you the mistress

shall

have

a twenty or more, each as handsome as the king, and I
to be content with a

inch long ?

Away,

Carlos. Well, I

am

buckram page that hath not a beard an
Carlos

must away now, indeed;

for I

am

bid to

be ambassador in the rain to Sefior don Moor, below there

and that

is

SCENE

XI. The gate of the same

no dry sport, forsooth.

Enter Silvio,

Carlos, and

{Exeunt.

—A

Castle

storm?/ night

Abdallaii, a Moorish

hnight.

Carlos.

My

mistress bids

me

to entreat you, sir,

Brave not the terrors of both storm and night,

But

enter hither.

—

;
;

;

woman's witchcraft.

A

Ahdallah.

Would

Am

I were worthier of

most kind request.
Tell her that I

!

of a race her fathers warred against

my

I come, to seek

And
Of

it

43

old ancestral graves

there find record, writ in tears and blood,

their

most warlike deeds.

Carlos.

Still are

you welcome.

Those ancient feuds were buried, long ago

And, were our dearest

No

foes

unhoused to-night,

Christian door were closed.

Ahdallah.
I'll

True, nor Moor's neither.

enter with thee.

Exeunt Carlos and Abdallah.]

Here

Silvio.

of the

When

are brave doings, indeed.

Moors sleeps a night

in the house

Spain dined the other day, old things

One, two, three,

four, five, six;

where the King of

may become new again.

why, upon

this reckoning, of

all

the days in the week, she hath left but one for the

A

good mass

whole seven
the

way

!

it

Church

!

should be, then, to do the business of the

But, I fear me, the White Witch stands in

of that.

and when the hare
go, I say

the last

Ah,
is

well

!

roasted,

let
it

the spit turn and turn,

will sing.

!

[Goes in and shuts

the gate.]

Let go,

let all

—
;

!
!

woman's witchcraft.

44

ACT
SCENE

A

I.

IV.

room in Algolar

Castle

—Enter Donna Viola

and Calvar, Duke of Bilbao.

Duke

C. Once, Viola,

Donna
Duhe

You were

V.

you were

Should not love grow

C.

less cold to

me.

not, then, yourself so over-bold.

Should

?

it

not speak,

and look,

Aye, and

If

'tis

Why

act, too ?

And, having

lost

me

at

Duke

your beck,

Donna
Duke

On

like a caged bird?

it

Nay, but you must,

V.

Why

C.

do you treat

me

For

V.

Then be

0.

love

back again,

For sport and torment,

Donna

my

it

but thus to hold

I will not bear

did you win

charm

it,

passion's neck

:

it

my

thwarted.

onward

so

my

lord.

?

revenge

;

no more

!

I have let loose the reins

!

_Approaches her impetuously.']

Donna

[Retreating]

V.

My

lord,

you near me

peril.

Duke
Thou
I

am

Ha, ha

C.

little

roused

Fly not,

!

wren, dar'st thou the lion's paw

'tis

;

?

sweet devil, charming ruin, thou

vain

at

your

!

!

!

!

!

;

woman's witchcraft.
Donna
[

Then,

V.

The Duke

her

seizes

45

no other safety,

if

— Donna V. suddenly draws

a

dagger from her bosom, and stahs him.~
This must be mine

Had

Thou double-hearted

!

If I had loved thee

thus atoned thy fault

Duke

C.

0, serpent

villain,

or thou or I

still,

;

now,

well.

it is

thou hast stung

!

me

!

punished

Donna

V.

Punished,
[Dies.

This, then,

is

death;

—

a cold, strange, horrid

sight

And

have /done

Now

that

'tis

Help, Helena

it,

with

slain

myself

me ?

Help,

[Throics herself upon a couch.]
alone

Still, still

?

I

must go

forth,

and seek

friendly witness to this bloody deed.

0, how I shake

!

Thou

shalt play false

[Looking on

No more

no more

Duke.]

the

spend husband's fondness at thy home,

Fresh gathered from

my

But now, remorse hath
It

am

Will no one hear

!

Carlos

Some

trembling hand?

this

done, methinks I

was not

all

revenge

lips

lost a

:

Once, I did love thee

!

pang

in

!

knowing

thine act compelled

it

[Exit
[Enter, shortly, Carlos,

who
Carlos.

Take

it

No

Servants, and Helena,

cries out.]

words, no words

up, and bear

;

him hence.

let all

be done in silence.

I lead the way.

[Exeunt, bearing the body of die Duke.]

woman's witchcraft.

46

SCENE

A forest — Enter

II.

Carlos and Servants,

hear-

ing the Duke's hody.
Carlos. Stop

lay

;

him here

;

close to the open road.

Go, some one, bring his horse, and

tie it

'Twill thus be thought he has been slain

near.

by robbers.

Servant. I doubt, 'twill long be thought so.

Well, no matter.

Carlos.

'Tis said that murder, done in deepest night,

In the most

Has

stillest spot,

yet, in course of watchful Providence,

Been traced

to the doer.

The common

As

without a sound,

less

heart of

Looks

than murder.

Servants. Yes, yes

But, were

this

it

not so to you

it

?

!

Then thus our mouths

Carlos.

proclaimed,

human kind would judge

Return.

are sealed.

[Exeunt.

SCENE

A

III.

room in Ahjolar Castle— Enter Donna

Viola and Helena.

Donna

V.

Is't

not the Sabbath, Helena?

Helena.

Donna
Hath

left

It

a heavy sickness on

Thou know'st
But,

if

I

am

not over

my

full

heart.

of faith

there be in heavenly conjuration

is.

This dagger-work

V. Go, bid one bring a priest.

)

!

woman's witchcraft.
Aught
I want

wounded

that can give the
;

now.

it

Who

spirit ease,

Tis true, priests are not angels.

I doubt, they are

Helena.

47

human.

quite

all

shall

it

my

be,

Bring one hither.

lady

Father Simon,

?

White-haired, and bowed with years and penances

Donna

V.

No

!

What have

'Tis the young, only,

know what youth can

Bring me that Gabriel,

whom

Donna

V.

Would

Go, send for him
Helena. Here

Save

Old

;

is

I could think as

new

I trust,

it

He must

no holy

much

man

bodes but good

of all his order

him on the moment.

caprice, indeed

;

!

Within

Exit.
this castle,

twenty years,

for the rites of death, these

Silvio tells,

feel.

I once have seen,

'Tis said, a truly pious priest.

I wait
a

?

Thou know'st him?

Shriving a dying villager.

Helena. Right well.

?

I to do with hoary age

hath been.

yet,

by her eye,

be steel'd in Faith's most trusty armor,

And

wear

And

bears no scathe.

his visor

down, whose soul meets hers,

God send

us better thoughts

!

{Exit.

SCENE

IV.

The same

— Enter

Gabriel,

Donna Viola and

the Priest.

Gabriel. God's blessing be upon thee, noble lady.

Donna
One

to the

V.

I thank you, reverend

church a stranger ;

all

sir.

unused

Behold

in

me,

;

;

woman's witchcraft.

48

To

forms, and canons, and all holy things.

In

brief, I

have no faith

But, sick of soul,

!

I longed to ask thee, can thine

He whom

Gabriel.

Donna

And
I

—

V.

office

help

me

I serve hath help for

my

Forgive, then,

?

my

all,

lady.

unsaintly mien and speech,

forget thine ordained authority.

know

As man

aught

not, care not

for

solemn pomp

with woman, hear and speak with

am

Gabriel. Lady, I

Donna

V.

me

!

but man, as thou art woman.

Then, can'st thou

feel for

me ?

Hast thou a

heart?

Did ever passion

on

set

fire

Gabriel. I have a heart

Save with

V.

A man,

?

but never yet loved woman,

and pure

affection,

Donna

thy blood

;

charity.

yet ne'er hast loved

Pray, look on

!

me;
I fain would read

Gaze

some meaning

not, so statue-like,

Can' st thou not love
Is

it

not gentle

Donna
it,

floor

Come; take

!

this

[Touching

?

hand

in thine;

his clasped hands.

Pardon me, noble lady.

Gabriel.

Take

?

in thine eyes

upon the

V.

Are

and clasp

priests forbidden to be courteous ?
it

;

no

there's

Gabriel. Pardon me, lady

!

infection in

it.

0, too tempting madness

!

[ Aside.

Donna
eyes

V.

Thou

art as cold as

marble

!

Why ?

Those

:

!

woman's witchcraft.
Are

49

young glow,

beautiful; that cheek hath a

Thriving mid penance, like a rose in winter
I cannot think thee but a heartless statue

Look upon me;

me

Flatterers have called

There

a ruddy ripeness in

is

and on

'Tis true,

And

am

I

Bird-like

In

all

beauteous;

my

and quick

in step,

when saddened;

joyous, tenderest

things warm, impulsive, passionate.

Yet, did I proffer thee
Called thee

my

my

virgin love,

own, caressed and cherished thee,

Told thee, " Sweet Gabriel, I

Yet would'st thou stand
Gabriel

And

!

Gabriel.

Donna

leave

off

Ay, would

I,

Wherefore should
tell thee,

They

man

tell

man

!

me

of a canon

its

!

wrong;

thus war against

all

nature

?

hoary ages cannot plant

I waste

my

words.

Gabriel. Lady, I have

5

art heartless, truly

No, never, never

Respect upon the brows of such gross
But,

!

?

!

love forbidden fruit to you.

eloquent to plead

is

Would'st thou not

Then thou

But can such be divine ?
Nature

!

!

V.

all

thine alone !"

from these opened arms,

lady

V.

Donna
Making

am

them empty

Gabriel. 0, no, no, no

I

cheek,

redder glow;

lip a

light of form,

when

my

think'st thou so?

Thou

error.

hast no heart!

!

!

woman's witchcraft.

50

Donna

A

V.

My

Gab rid.

Donna

V.

heart, that holds

warm and

passions are as

Then, wherefore now so calm

Gabriel. [Rising from his

no passion!

strong as thine

!

?

help me, Heaven!

seat.~

[Aside.

Calm, didst thou say

That give

Yes, the great heavens are calm,

?

the volcano's crater

'Ere

it

I, too,

moment's warning;

forth thunders with a

And

—

bursts forth, as tho'

am

calm;

—

it is

calm,

were wakened

all hell

!

but, in this heart's volcano,

Fassions are sleeping, deeper than tragedy;

Stronger than death; more fearful than the grave;

Which, were they not locked

Would make

Donna

V.

fast

by love of Heaven,

thee tremble with their lightest whisper!

Fair

sir,

me

forgive

reverend

;

sir,

I

wronged

you.
Gabriel. Daughter, thou wrong'st

me

not, nor need'st

my

pardon.
I

came

to offer thee

my humble

counsel;

If thou dost need none, duty calls

Donna

V.

my

heart

is

hence.

dark and blind!

Knowest thou not the teachings

Gabriel.

Donna

I do, I do;

me

V.

School'd to
Gabriel.

Donna
Gabriel.

I

its

know

not what faith

cradle-prayers,

Knowest thou,

of our faith

I.

own heart?
I never conned

let

me

paint

it

?

the very babe,

knows more than

then, thine

V.

Then

is;

to thee.

—

It

is

evil;

it

!

!

!

!

!

woman's witchcraft.
Full of wrong thoughts and evil impulses

Each lightning impulse mad

Donna

How

V.

51

;

to spring in action

dost thou

know me

so

!

I did not

?

tell

thee!
Gabriel. 'Tis but the story of each

Alas, I

know

Donna

it

well;

—

'tis

mine

human

soul

!

Hast

V.

thou, too, erred?

Gabriel. Lady, as full as charnel-house of bones,

Or

the salt sea of things that creep and swim,

So

full

my

heart

Donna

V.

What room

is

What

of corruption

can I hope, then

in heaven for

'Tis not

But, by God's mercy
all

but will receive

Donna
Thou
That

—

it.

That

hast put thoughts into

my

it like

Healing, and

Donna

V.

is

wondrous.

inmost heart,

leviathans the deep

Gabriel. Rather, dear lady,

Moving

by merit;

best and worst are equal,

V.

stir it, as

If the best are so,

me?

Gabriel.

If

?

may

Bethesda; whence

life,

they prove as angels,

may come

and hope

Leave

me

I fain would ponder o'er

awhile;

what thou hast

said.

Gabriel. Take, then, this scroll with thee,

The whole world were not worth

it,

and con

it

well.

read aright.
[Exit.

Donna

V.

before

Most strange,

I

thought not on these things

!

!

woman's witchcraft.

52

SCENE

The same

V.

—Manet Donna Viola

Madam,

Carhs.

V.

a mu-

a knight, full-armed, and in hot haste,

Demands quick audience

Donna

in

[Enter Carlos.]

sing attitude.

of your ladyship.

Admit him,

What

Carlos.

can

his errand

mean?
[Exit Carlos.
I trust, no sudden mischief of the King's

[Enter

Don Alonzo,

in

armor ;

his face concealed

hy his

vizor,i]

Don

Alonzo. This bold intrusion, lady, in a stranger,

Craves more excuse than time alloweth me.
I come, to

warn you of impending

Another hour

The

will bring

fiercest siege of

Donna

V.

upon

peril.

this castle

Romulo's banditti

Romulo?

—

'tis

fearful!

But, pray,

who

art

thou,

Thus watchful of our

Don

Alonzo.

A

safety,

and

his onslaught?

nameless knight, in the king's service,

madam;
One vowed

to serve the right

Against

odds.

all

A

and quell the wrong,

message from his highness

Bore me, with one attendant,

to these hills

;

Thus, by some accident, or Providence,

(As well I deem that Providence, whose guidance

!

!
!

;

! !

woman's witchcraft.

my

Against

forethought, urged

me

53

such ends,)

to

I overheard the project of these ruffians.

Now,

is

With

his

They

Arm
Man

My

the time most urgent.

fleet horse,

me

Arabian speed, alone had brought

upon

press

my

I beg you, lady,

heels.

your vassals; double bar the gates;

all

every height, and bid

Donna

V.

Sir

all call

Knight,

me

leader

shall be

it

and

done;

all

true

thanks

That warmest heart can

Don

Alonzo.

No

offer, shall

be yours

time for thanks, dear lady

this quick

;

danger

Alarums
Not

till

May

our faculties to action.

all

the quiet of accomplish'd peace,

gratulation, like the rainbow's arch,

O'erspan the cloudy heaven of our thoughts.
I go

—

to the rescue

Donna

All shall follow you

V.

[JEJx&lmt.

SCENE

VI.

The gateway of

Romulo,
Romulo. Halt.
Then, on the

!

Stand in

instant, follow

within there

!

same

Castle

—Enter

with banditti.
silence, while I

win admission;

me, and enter

[Knocks at

What, ho

the

the gate.~

Is the old

5*

man

asleep

?

!

!

woman's witchcraft.

54

By my
I'll

who

old namesake,

wake him

Within there

presently,
!

ho

!

—

is

that

Can

it

The

he be dead

a friend

[^1

What trump

founded Rome,

first

if

!

trumpet sounds.]

?

Hath he had time

farthest tower?

A

be Roderick's

I think he has not

Bandit.

And

'tis

?

to reach

;

not thus he blows.

Romulo.

Then,

some other

'tis

!

Haste, let us force this crazy gate at once,

Or we have
[Enter

Don
Here
On,

lost

our time.

Don Alonzo,

with Carlos,

Hold,

Alonzo.

are live walls to batter

to the rescue

[ Vassals

enter

;

caitiffs,

hold

vassals.']

!

spare our gates

!

charge;

exeunt omnes, fighting.

Don Alonzo and Carlos,

Romulo, disarmed and

Don

and armed

Presently , re-

with others, bringing

ioounded.~

Alonzo. Bind him, and prison

him

in

your strongest

hold,

To wait

the pleasure of his majesty.

I go, to follow
Carlos

up the hot

—remember me

to

pursuit.

thy noble mistress

)

Tell her, the stranger knight hath errands onward;

But,

He

if

sweet leisure wait upon his arms,

will not fail to

pay her due

respect.

[Exit.

;

!

woman's witchcraft.
Carlos.

Silvio

!

Silvio

55

!

Silvio [within.'] Aye, aye, there, hearties!

[Opens

What

!

Coining!

the gate.]

have ye bagged the game

?

Ugh

!

the he-wolf

Pull out his teeth, Carlos, and cut his ham-strings

And

shut him up, where he'll breed no

[They go

in,

and

little

wolves.

close the gate.]

;

;

;

woman's witchcraft.

56

ACT
SCENE

A forest— Enter Don

I.

Alonzo and Abdallah,

Moor.

the

Bon

V.

me ?

Alonzo. Dost not remember

Aye, well; too well!

Abdullah.
I never can forget that,

In Algiers, when a

Was at my throat,
And saved my life
Don Alonzo.

years since,

false slave's scimitar

your strong hand flung him from me,
!

Then wouldst thou now

Abdallah. Hear me,

And, with

five

sir

knight

the best blood of

my

!

—

seek mine

?

I love you, honor you

very heart,

"Would I defend you, in the battle's midst
But, now, a whirlwind passion rules

my

That sweeps

I love this lady,

Whom

all else to

the clouds

you have sworn your love

!

soul,

shall yield to

none

Hence, the link'd battlements of the world's four corners,
Bristling with arms, keep not

Whilst

Eon

this

hand

my

lives to wield it

sword from thine,

Draw, I say

!

Alonzo. I will not draw upon thee

Abdallah. Out with thy sword
shall not live

If I slay thee,

'tis

!

;

We

)

well

j

—

if

thou slay me,

we

!

are friends.

are foes

!

Both

;!

!

;
;

!

;

woman's witchcraft.
'Twere better

This masque of

Where some

And some
And some
Of
Or

all I

—

—Then,

life,

are striving to

to

:

soul

is

is

over

weary

seem what they are

not,

shall fight

word

what they are

the curtain

let

on fortune,

let it rise

[They fight

my

be what they can never reach,

am weary

let the

poor play

this

with which

are suffering for

Man, thou

Now

!

still

57

me;

fall

Fate wills

if

it

— out with that laggard sword

be, death or Viola

— Abdallah

is

!

!

disarmed and thrown

to the

ground.,]

Don

Alonzo. Live,

Moor

And

!

thy distant home re-

to

turned,

Remember,

twice a Christian saved thy

Abdallah. Thus to

live

life

!

now, were slavery.

—

Die, thou

dog!

[Draws a dagger, and

Don

Alonzo. Ungrateful

!

[They struggle; at length

and

toounds

springs at

How
To

!

all

the dagger,

~]

is

barbarian blood

!

a Christian, I would not have killed thee

'Twas thine own savageness thus brought
Yet,

?

Don Alonzo obtains
Abdallah mortally.
Such

Wert thou

Don Alonzo.]

Not quelled yet

what

grief, for

it

on.

noble blood thus shed

good angels in yon heaven must weep,

see fierce passions thus

Shame on

thee,

sword

!

make

foul the earth

—Would I had never

Rather than love should spur

me

to

!

loved,

such deeds

!

•

[Exit.

—

woman's witchcraft.

58

SCENE

A

II.

priest's cell

— Enter Father Gabriel, and

Don Alonzo.
Don

Alonzo. I come to seek thine holy aid, good father.

Gabriel. Call

me

not good

;

am

I

weak

as

as thou.

All are but beggars for the alms of Christ ;

And

oft the

weakest and most needy bear

The message

Of hand and

words

Don

heart.

His voice who can

may

feebly echo.

Tell

me

forgive,

of them.

Alonzo. Challenged to single combat, by a Moor,

A brave, true
Upon

I.

Forgiveness for great errors

Gabriel.

My

am

of his bounty; such

What is thy need ?
Don Alonzo.

man, but mad with jealousy

the quarrel of a lady's love,

I slew him, though

my

friend.

"Was the

Gabriel.

Don Alonzo. Most fair.

I gave

Refused, and strove to smite

me

strife

him once

life,

?

which he

with his dagger.

Gabriel. I cannot blame thee for the deed

Our great Example, who went

equal

his

;

although

to his slaughter

Lamb-like, would not have done

it,

and although,

E'en in the hour when insult maddened you,

His word would yet have been, " Put up thy sword

j"

——

;

!

woman's witchcraft.
'Twill

Has

still

The

be pardon'd thee.

Alonzo. Alas

This fierceness of

Which

set our

!

my

what

is

else,

my

son?

not done, but doing

still

passion for those charms

swords to warring.

Love may be

Gabriel.

Don

perfect day

—What

not yet noon'd on earth.

Don

59

guiltless

!

Alonzo. But, in a heart where Love and Death once

met,

And

reared sad altars over buried hopes

One who hath

(A

and

loved,

lost, earth's last perfection,

being, Pleiad-like, dropped out of heaven,

Too soon

called back to angels'

company)

0, in a heart thus blessed, and thus bereft,

Seems not

all

Gabriel.

passion an unholy guest

My

son, the heart hath

Which, when the

soul

is

dedicate to God,

All glorious attributes of manhood

Thus, in

its

?

many mansions

fill.

innermost, unwindow'd chamber,

Lit from the skies alone, sweet

Memory

dwells

;

But, in the outer palaces of Thought,

The wide, warm

halls

where busy feelings move,

All that mars not God's image in the soul

May
Thou
To

live,

profaning not the sacred Past

hast loved once

love again

Don

—

Alonzo.

Gabriel.

so

it

—

forget not

be worthily

—but

!

The Lady Viola
She?

fear not

in it;

woman's witchcraft.

GO

Don

Why

Alonzo.

why

Tell me,

dost start

?

is it ?

On

Gabriel.

my

Which, by God's blessing on

her rests a curse,

and prayers,

fasts

I have discerned, spite of her spirit's foes.

Don

Who

Alonzo.

Human
Don

are they

Evil

Gabriel.

spirits,

in passion, a fiend in

The

Alonzo.

curse

;

?

and one, leagued with such,

power and malice.

what

In her eye and

Gabriel.

And

is it ?

hand, are spells no mortal can

Save by a miracle like that of

Which bade

the sun stand

lip,

resist,

old,

still

!

And

yet, her heart,

Inspiring love, cannot be true in love.

Don
Thou

Thou madden'st me

Alonzo.

untrue

sayest, a curse;

—

Gabriel. This, too,

When
Bears

And
His

gift divine, I

man who

Untrue,

perfections that have

love revokes the spell,

won her most,

and she

Alonzo. 0, for that power

man

have discovered.

in himself

from her sight can charm away

Don

!

remedy?

there no

is

by

she shall meet the
all

0, heaven

!

?

is
!

all else,

free

!

Lives there so blest a

?

Gabriel. There shines a heavenly courage in thine eye,

And

a strong

And

in thy

charm of youth

in all thy actions,

words a spirit-winning power,

That bid me hope, such triumph might be thine

!

;

;
;

;

; ;

!

woman's witchcraft.

Don

Then

Alonzo.

let

me

strive for

61
'gainst hell itself!

it,

Gabriel. Canst thou disguise thyself?

Don
It is

Most

Alonzo.

my

habit,

readily.

under a student's garb,

To hide my knightly manners and

estate.

Already, in yon castle of Algolar,

Twofold I have appeared
Gabriel. 'Tis well

!

unknown.

as yet

;

Her guardian

angel hath flown down,

Heaven-sent, to guide thee to her rescue

Assume

this priestly dress;

So

then, as in

;

my

Listen

!

push back thy

stead, go visit her

Attack her secret thoughts

win

;

all

;

hair,

;

her trust

Then, as thou be'est a lover and a man,

Accomplish

all

the rest.

—Do

this

to-morrow

I promised, then, to give her farther counsel

But, on some pretext of more urgent duty,
I send thee,

Don

my

Alonzo. I do, kind father.

Thy name on every

my

fibre of

me ?

If this plot succeed,

heart

— and
beat through every pulse
— my friend — my messenger from Heaven

Is written

Gabriel

Dost thou read

lieutenant.

shall

[Exit
Gabriel

Peace, battling heart!

(solus).

Don Alonzo.
This

sacrifice

sealed

Hard though

My

it

heart from

was
its

First learned that

6

to offer

dull
it

!

Now,

first

waked

dream of apathy

could

feel,

and

leap,

and throb,

is

;

!

!

;

;

woman's witchcraft.

C2

In passion's agony, or passion's joy;

Now,

in the vista of bright, possible things,

Shone

an earthly heaven

love,

—

reaching on,

still

O'erleaping death, even to eternal bliss

Yet

this

— Hope's
my

Shutting

!

must abandon

paradise, I

soul up, like this

gloomy

cell,

Against the very light and breath of joy

Then, be

it

so

Yet pardon,

Father,

!

if

Thy

some natural

will

!

be done

regrets,

Some

tearful dallying with soon parted hopes,

Make

this day's prayers less

SCENE

III.

A

calm

_Exit.

room in Algolar

— Enter

Castle

Viola, and Don Alonzo, disguised as a

Don

Alonzo. Daughter, thy brow

Donna
And,

V.

No

;

I

am

is

sad;

is't

ever thus?

wild of spirit as the wind

often, blithe as the brook's

Donna

priest.

;

summer song

But, now, the words of Father Gabriel

Have thrown
Though

Don

a pensive shadow o'er

sad, yet sweet; I

would

my

not,

thoughts,

now, be merry.

Alonzo. Ever more peace with sadness dwells, than

mirth.

Donna
Echoes

V.

!

I have heard, in

my

heart's silent halls,

as solemn-sweet as vesper-bells

Voices that sound as tho' from heaven they

And

all

do question

me

—"

fell;

wild, wild heart,

!

!

woman's witchcraft.

Why

shake not

off these foes that

Think'st thou a curse

is

63

wreck £hy peace

resting on me, father

V

?

Else why, as though by angel ministry,

Such gentle and yet

Don

come

fearful warnings

?

Alonzo. Daughter, our whole race writhes beneath

the curse

Which

He

the arch-enemy

and

Donna

Hath

Needs

it

our

will,

we

then

?

Aye.

Then

V.

my

stirred the potion that doth slay

witch, Ismena, darkly tempted

With

will

Alonzo.

Donna
The

V.

yet

;

our choice,

offer curses for

barter blessings with, if such

Don

ago.

his fiends conspire against us

They can but

To

won long

spells, to

Now, doth

it

avenge

prove

my

me

my own

hand

soul

me

on a perjured lover;

curse

!

Deep, subtle

fiend,

0, be she doubly damned.

Don

'Tis so, I doubt not.

Alonzo.

Donna

V.

Then

is

hell,

can

there hope for

me?

Pray,

tell

me,

father,

This mesh of

Don

be torn and scattered

?

Alonzo. One, only, hath the power this to ordain,

And, by

his instruments, to

Donna

Don

it

V.

Alonzo.

Donna

V.

work thy

rescue.

Who — who?
Thy God.

Him

have I never known

!

!

; ;
;

!

!

woman's witchcraft.

64

Don

Alonzo. Yet hath he

known

thee

— aye,

and loved

thee, too

Lady, where slept thine eyes, thine
That, in

Thou
In

all

ne'er didst see, hear, feel,

Through
Yet,

all

is

where beauty moves and dwells,

Or morning melody

silent flowers,

of spring-wakened birds,

the soft light of stars

amid the blue

!

more deeply have I learned of Him,

still

In His own chosen temple of the soul

He,

God?

taste of

shown

the tale of His eternal Love

In loveliness of the sweet,

And,

thy heart,

things vast shines His infinity

joy,

is it

To read

Or

and

things terrible, His might

all

ears,

marvellous things of earth and heaven,

whom

j

the heaven of heavens cannot contain,

Dwells with the humbled and contrited heart

Donna

V.

These words, I know are true;

— deep,

deep

within me,

Unheard

before,

Yet, what

How

am

an echo answers them.

I to do, or speak, or think

learn to love, obey, and worship

Don

Alonzo. All this, and more

?

tell

•

'twill

me.
be

my

joy to

answer,

When

a more fitting leisure waits upon us

Till then

Now,

—

to thine

own thoughts

let

me commend

for the pressing issue of this time.

It is the blessed task of

To break

human

love,

the rough soil of the rude, hard heart,

thee.

—

;

—

!

!

!

woman's witchcraft.
That love divine may there take

Donna

As

Alas

V.

Doth none

Alonzo.

Donna

Nay, none.

V.

He, whom I love

alone,

He were my dream
And these together,
Fix

fickle far

must

!

and rule above the

my

rest ?

monster-passion

is.

be, in one,

these,

and these alone,

can this wilful nature,

than the unresting clouds,

firm tendrils on.

its

Don

prevail,

Threefold

For

!

heart

open-mouthed

0, were there such a man,

Knight, poet, priest!

More

living,

curse

man

my

passions war within

Like hydra-heads, each

Don

my

here dwells the shadow of

!

I should love, I love not any

But many

flourish.

any love?

hast thou

Therefore I ask thee

and

root,

65

Alonzo.

wild,

Thou

warm

my

hast

heart

answer.

Would

!

had power

I

like his,

Who

smote the rock, that waters eddied from

So might I bid a spring gush forth

Which, through the
Winding, might

Such

arid desert of this world

still

true love.

is

—

surround thee with delight

If there be such a man,

Lady, thy prayers may bring him

Ask

it

Tell

me thy

of

Donna

Don

Heaven;

V.

it,

for thee,

this night,

to

service shall be offered

Father,

it

thy

side.

on bended knees,

up

shall.

Mine join

Alonzo.

it

then

!

Farewell.
[Exit*

6*

;

!

woman's witchcraft.

66

SCENE

IV.

from

priest's dress,

Don

The gate of

King

ivithout,

from

Alonzo. Blessings be with the

Alonzo.

arch
I

know

And,

— and

Don Alonzo,

in

within the gate.

How

King Philip.

Don

of Aljolar— Enter

Castle

the

Philip,

Happy

the

King
Dost

!

man who knows

!

tliou

know me

so good a

?

mon-

!

you, as Spain's honor'd majesty;

in the

name

of Spain

and of the church,

I ask to stay your present entrance here.

The lady

of this castle

What

King Philip.

Don
King

Philip.

fires,

An

or they

me

care I for the fiends

Some form

Don

may burn

idle tale

think'st to fright

What

?

Alonzo. There dwells a fatal sorcery in her eyes

Flee from their

And

of her

!

thy soul

Art thou a holy man,

so?

—

?

Give

If

he thus,

it

me some

of prayer, to quell them.

Alonzo. Yet one word more

charm,

I will enter.
!

The mission

of our

order

Giveth them frequent access

Read

this despatch

;

'tis

King Philip. Give
"

As

it

to the court.

posted from Madrid.

me, then.

to affairs of war, the minister

[Reads.

hath become suddenly

unpopular; reasons for which, Father Francis discerns not

—

!

!

!

!

woman's witchcraft.
yet; he will consider

dinal Del Giudice,

Furthermore, in regard

it.

it

and, on the advantage of his present ab-

;

sence, coins idle

rumors

does he so

!

Madrid

to

— the

to his injury."

The mitred hypocrite

I

Priest, thou say'st well

Back

to the Car-

plainly proven that he hath plots

is

against the king

What

67

!

I will to horse at once

;

villain Cardinal

[Exit

Don

Thank Heaven

Alonzo.

for this

My

!

bird of Para-

dise,

Thy

fowlers

And, when

all

are foiled

mine

free,

;

thou shalt be free

what

;

bliss is in that

thought
[Exit.

SCENE

V.

The Pyrenees, at

night.

Enter

Witch,

the

Is MEN A.

Ismena.

Come

they not yet

?

my

Thrice hath

midnight

watch
Out-looked these

stars,

and yet they answer

Hath

hell its sabbath-nights

Such

as

methought

Some holy

their nature scouted at

incantations, good men's prayers,

Or aught more heavenly
I will not thus be

left

Here, where they won

With me

not.

Or, have some fears,

?

to

wreck a

still,

affrighted

alone in evil

my

far

ruin,

them

?

!

and have sought

more noble being,

!

!

—

;

;

;

!

!

woman's witchcraft.

68

Conquered or conquering

Hear me,
Answer,

false fiends

but in echoes

if

—they

Ismena

!

shall join

calls

Speak again

!

me

upon ye
!

Again

1st Voice.

Why

Ismena.

2d

are ye silent

Lost, lost
fell craft

and power rule here no more?

No more

Voice.

Chorus of Evil Spirits. All
Yield to

In the

!

Is our cause so lost ?

?

Voice.

Ismena. Can your

3d

yet

!

conquered;

is

let

!

us flee!

God and Destiny

life

our breath had blasted,

All our curses have been wasted

!

Pure thoughts dwell where crime had been
Guileless love hath conquered sin

Hell

is

baffled

let

;

us

flee

:

!

Other prey more ripe will be
Yield we to our destiny

Ismena. Lost,

SCENE

VI.

A

lost, lost!

room

Viola, and

Don

in

[Exit.

Lost, lost!

Algolar

Don Alonzo,

Alonzo. Lady, methought

Castle.

— Enter

in student's garb.

Time had a

spite against

me,

So slowly moved

his wheels to bring this

day

But, when I see thee, time and space are nought;

Thy charms

Donna

are now, to me, the universe

!

—

!

WOMAN
Donna

What

Fair

V.

;

!

sir

—

S

am not what I was
May Heaven direct
Don Alonzo.
Donna

Don

;

OU

WITCHCRAFT.

in the horizon of

storms have passed, within one

I

:

what I may

my

soul,

week

little

!

be,

Hath some misfortune happened ?

Aye, and good fortune too; too much of both

V.

!

Alonzo. If I might ask

Donna

Nay, I

V.

will tell thee all

I need thy friendship.

Don
The

0, wouldst thou

Alonzo.

Donna

A

V.

slayer of

So much of
"Would be

my

evil

to

:

That did
Its

to tell thee of the good,

open out

my

inmost heart,

Heaven's mercy.

The

V.

so torture all

my

curse hath been discerned

life to folly;

very source and root have been dragged out

And
To

!

would-be ravisher.

And mirror there new hopes of
Don Alonzo. 0, joy for that
Donna

call it love

sudden provocation made this hand

now,

it

but remains, with aid of Heaven,

plant fair love, and true fidelity,

Where

erst

Don

had been most rank inconstancy.

Alonzo. Might I but aid thee

Donna

V.

If thou canst find the

Bears

all

But hath

!

Thou mayst

man who

give

in himself

a knight's and courtier's dignity,
a poet's heart, and harp, and tongue,

me

counsel.

—

!

;

!

;

woman's witchcraft.

70

And

God

yet to

Wearing

is

ever consecrate,

holy thoughts within his heart,

all

Freely to give them voice

— 0, then,

then, then

my strange, unpeaceful life
my heart's foes forever crushed
Don Alonzo. Read, of my story, then, one

This riddle of

and

Is read,

Perchance

[Removes

unravel thine.

'twill aid thee to

his student's hat

little line

and

coat,

showing a priest's dress

underneath!}

Donna

V.

Art thou that

answered

Don

priest

Can then

?

my

prayer be

?

Alonzo. Daughter, behold in

me

thy grave confessor.

Yet, lest thou fear the miracle be not perfect,

Wait one more change.
[Throws

off the cowl

and gown,

displaying an elegant

knightly costume.'}

Now am

I

all

myself!

Lady, thy faithful servant (in Spain's court

The Count Alonzo, kinsman

And nephew
Holds here,

Sworn

to the

Duke

his proudest

King

and most happy

title,

lover to the lady Viola

Donna
I cannot

V.
tell

Now am

I happy; and yet so amaz'd,

the measure of

Alonzo, I did love thee

And

to the

of Bilbao),

my

bliss.

more than

all.

yet I would not, dared not, could not think

There was a secret magic in thy presence,

it

—

;
;

—

;

!

woman's witchcraft.
That

—

like the loadstone

And,

as the harp of

Thy

voice calmed all

I feel

The

it

j

—

am

I

Don

my

Suffer not

I go

—

One

Time

For

Then

unwound

my dream!

thou art

let us, of these

new and budding

joys,

to steal one precious leaf;

short farewell

;

sweet

This, then,

V.

— may

is love.

built

upon

be the last

it

—

yet that sadness troubles not
it is

And

is all

win our marriage of the King.

to

Donna

And

to thee;

hath been baffled

— and love;

Alonzo.

me

strange, unquiet thoughts.

that dark spell

free

ever drew

David did with Saul,

craft of evil spirits

And

—

71

[Exit.
'Tis sad to have

my

him

go,

bliss

his noble heart,

tempests cannot move

it.

— 0, Alonzo

!

All the sweet sounds of the soft Spanish tongue

Cannot, together, make so sweet a word,

As

that one

Be thou

name!

less great;

Most brave and noble
show me some

Lest I should worship thee

New-pledged

Would

to love the

not quite do

SCENE

VII.

—

;

which

little

my

soul,

fault;

full heart,

God who made us

both,

yet hardly can do less

The same

!

[Exit.

— Enter Carlos and Helena.

Carlos. Didst thou hear, Helena, that our Silvio

out of his bed this morning?

was not

—

woman's witchcraft.

72
Helena.

Why

no; what

is

the matter with the old Cer-

berus?
Carlos.
lieve,

By my

my

though

faith,

know thou

Helena. I

heaven were

warrant thou wouldst be the
said the old
Carlos.

he

said,

man

He

to

more than

first

I could be-

it.

much

art not given to

won by having

be

to

he swears

salvation depended on

believing.

If

a full faith in nothing, I

But, what

to be saved.

of himself?

now

said

I cannot

tell

thee just what

he hath such a quaint phrase of his own

of this sort, forsooth

:

—That,

at the last

;

but

it

was

minute of the hour

of twilight, yester-eve

Helena. The Witch's hour?
Carlos.

he

True

—

the

White Witch's

saith, a terrible hurly-burly

of the castle

;

hour.

once served in the king's guard,

was fain

Whereupon

man, and having

to step out of his

he, Silvio, saith that

he was immediately stunned deaf with the noise
lifted

up

in the air

by a

sort of

that time,

was heard without the walls

of which he, being a brave

gate, to discern the cause.

— At

;

and was

tempestuous whirlwind, which

gave him no more eyes nor sense for anything,

till it left

him

on the ground on the inner side of the castle wall, like an
arrow-shot bird.

Helena. Thou amazest me!

What

can such a hubbub

mean?
Carlos.

He, simple man, interprets

say without making the

it

(which he cannot

sigu of the cross to every word), that,

!

woman's witchcraft.
White Witch and her

last night, the

of this our castle, being,

73

fiends took a long leave

by some holy exorcism, quite over-

done and expelled; and that

all

this

and whirl did

noise

only indicate, that they would not leave without some sign
of their accursed mischief and fiendish state

.

Helena. Did the fiends say aught, as they fled
Carlos.

as

—"

?

Only some words caught the old man's ear

left, left, left

!"

—and "

the castle ours again, to the world's end accursed;"

more of the

like

;

which

I,

;

twice two hundred years

such

make

—and

being somewhat of a sceptic in

those matters, did not care to treasure

Helena. 'Tis strange, indeed!

up

in

my

I would fain

brain.

tell

my

mis-

tress of these events.

—

But, for

my

part, be these

things of the earth, or under the earth, I

am

glad of their

Carlos.

Go

happening.

tell

They

them

to her.

shall serve

us a good tale for

Christmas night.

So may

How

it live,

in all Time's

memory,

True Love quells the mightiest Sorcery

THE END

many

a

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