Part 21 (1/2)

Don Gaspar hers! Never, never! by Heav'n, If I lose him, he shall be lost to her!

If I must weep, her tears shall fall with mine!

If my heart breaks, hers shall be riven too!

If I must die,--and that I shall, I feel, Loves she as I do, they may dig her grave.

Don Felix, may thy practised sword prove true!-- And it will save me from a deed of horror.

_Bep._ Now do you speak as a wrong'd woman should.

Keep up this spirit--you will be avenged.

We must retire; for soon they will appear. [_Exeunt._

_Scene V._

_Another part of the Garden attached to the House of Donna Serafina._

_Enter Anselmo._

I would that it were o'er! A heavy gloom Hangs on my spirits, like some threat'ning cloud O'erspreading the wide firmament, without One speck of blue, like hope, to cheer th' horizon.

Yet, from what cause it springs, I cannot tell.

His sword I fear not. It is mine estate, So promising. He that hath nought to lose, Is spurr'd to action with the hope of gain.

He that is wealthy, and 'gainst fortune plays, Is like the gambler, who will risk his means With those who nothing have.

_Enter Felix._

_Felix._ If you have waited for me long, Don Gaspar, It was against my will. I'm most impatient To bring this meeting to a speedy issue.

_Ans._ At your request, Don Felix, I am here; And if you please there should be strife between us, You'll find me not unnerved. To be sincere,-- I do not wish this needless controversy.

Recall your words, offensive, as untrue, And take my proffer'd hand. Then will I prove, And not till then, how greatly you have wrong'd me.

_Felix._ That which is said, is said. I'll not retract.

But were it false, which I cannot believe, You've slain my bosom friend, the brave Don Perez.

_Ans._ He wrong'd me much. Upon my soul he did.

I must not prove it now.

_Felix._ Then prove yourself, and draw.

For see, the sun is down, and daylight flies; We have no time for parley. (_Draws._)

[_Beppa and Serafina pa.s.s behind from r. to l._

_Ans._ (_drawing_). Then, whether you or I, Don Felix, live To hail that glorious...o...b.. must now be tried.

Don Felix, to your guard. Whate'er the issue, You will repent this most ungovern'd haste.

[_They fight. Don Felix is disarmed and he falls.

Anselmo stands over him with his sword pointed to his breast._]

_Ans._ You question'd if I'd manhood in my frame; Allow, Don Felix, that the question's answer'd.

You call'd me an impostor,--name for those Who clothe themselves in borrow'd plumes, t'appear Greater, not less, than what they are. Then know, He you upbraided as of no parentage, Whose sword, impatient, waits its master's bidding, T'avenge the affront, is heir to Guzman's house, To which, in ancestry, thine own is nothing.

This truth, Don Felix, I could not reveal,