THE SPANISH STUDENT. ACT I. SCENE I. The COUNT OF LARA'S Chambers. Night. The COUNT in his dressing-gown, smoking and conversing with DON CARLOS. Lara. You were not at the play to-night, Don Carlos; How happened it? Don C. I had engagements elsewhere Pray who was there? Lara. Why, all the town and court. And Doña Serafina, and her cousins. Don C. What was the play? Lara. It was a dull affair; One of those comedies in which you see, As Lope says,23 the history of the world, Brought down from Genesis to the Day of Judgment. There were three duels fought in the first act, Y Three gentlemen receiving deadly wounds, Laying their hands upon their hearts, and saying, An old hidalgo, and a gay Don Juan, I think the girl extremely beautiful. Don C. Almost beyond the privilege of woman! I saw her in the Prado yesterday. Her step was royal,-queen-like,—and her face Lara. May not a saint fall from her Paradise, Don C. Why do you ask? Lara. Because I have heard it said this angel fell, And, though she is a virgin outwardly, Within she is a sinner; like those panels Don C. You do her wrong; indeed, you do her wrong! She is as virtuous as she is fair. Lara. How credulous you are! Why look you, friend, There's not a virtuous woman in Madrid, In this whole city! And would you persuade me Of inconsiderate youth, is to be held Don C. Nay, not to be won at all! Lara. And does that prove That Preciosa is above suspicion ? Don C. It proves a nobleman may be repulsed When he thinks conquest easy. I believe That woman, in her deepest degradation, Holds something sacred, something undefiled, Some pledge and keepsake of her higher nature, And, like the diamond in the dark, retains Some quenchless gleam of the celestial light! Lara. Yet Preciosa would have taken the gold. Don C. (rising). I do not think so. Lara. I am sure of it. But why this haste? Stay yet a little longer, And fight the battles of your Dulcinea. Don C. "T is late. I must begone, for if I stay You will not be persuaded. Lara. Yes; persuade me. Don C No one so deaf as he who will not hear! Lara. No one so blind as he who will not see! Don C. And so good night. I wish you pleasant dreams, And greater faith in woman. Lara [Exit. Greater faith! I have the greatest faith; for I believe That I shall be to-morrow; and thereafter Chasing each other through her zodiac, As Taurus chases Aries Enter FRANCISCO with a casket. Well, Francisco, What speed with Preciosa ? Fran. None, my lord. She sends your jewels back, and bids me tell you Lara. Then I will try some other way to win her. Pray, dost thou know Victorian ? Fran. Yes, my lord; I saw him at the jeweller's to-day. A golden ring, that had a ruby in it. I could not choose between them Lara. I saw him buy One so like it It is well. To-morrow morning bring that ring to me Do not forget. Now light me to my bed. [Exeunt. |